Q&A: Being In The Flow and Allowing Love In

Question:

Hi Cassie love!

I know I don't really know you yet but I really like and admire your energy; you seem to be very grounded and in alignment with what you want :).

I am true believer in the Law of Attraction and have really been applying it to my life over the past 2-3 years, especially in the last 6 months or so. I'm wondering, what are some of your techniques to stay in alignment with source? Esther & Jerry Hicks call it being 'in the Vortex' - I was a competitive athlete for years and so liken it to being 'in the Zone' where everything just falls into place without effort. You are so tapped into source that everything feels easy. They give the analogy of being on a raft and floating downstream with the current (this would be in alignment, things just flow and feel easy) vs. paddling upstream against the current (not in alignment, things are exhausting and difficult).

I think with my relationship, I sometimes flow upstream because I feel scared to open and give my heart to someone. But how to do that?!? I know I react to experiences from past relationships and put a guard up but I actually really want to be more open and feel like this phase I'm going through is really to learn and practice that lesson.

Anyway, that's a lot of info but I would love to hear your thoughts! :)

Response:

Thank you for your lovely compliments. Wow, really warmed my heart. I'm happy to get to know you. So glad you reached out :).

Ah, yes. I am very familiar with The Law of Attraction, as well as Esther and Jerry Hicks. Love your analogy of being in "The Zone" to being in the flow. That's awesome.

For me, being in the flow is about being my authentic self, being love, thinking love, speaking love, and staying connected to my higher purpose for being here. That's when I feel magical :), and my life feels effortless and joyful. Some tools I use to help me cultivate that vibration are meditation, other magical workings that connect me to my higher self, raw foods, reiki, being in nature, dancing, laughter and cuddling/playing with my husband and animal companions.

I try to use meditation as a daily tool for keeping myself heart centered (not head/ego/mind centered). I usually do visualizations and clear my chakras, use the time to send reiki, and be open to what wants to come through for me. Eating a raw food centered diet is also a daily habit, that obviously you know, helps so much in allowing us to hold a higher vibration (*Note-This person eats a raw, vegan diet*).

The other tools I use are really expressions of my true self. I am a very "magical" person, lol. I don't subscribe to any religion, but energy work, and metaphysics is just who I am. This could be anything from working with the tarot, to crystal workings, to writing poetry, to connecting with nature. I love hugging trees and I'm not afraid to say that, lol! Their energy is so wise, powerful and healing. Co-creating with the earth is another. My hubby and I have been creating our own little eden with tons of fruit trees, berries and a faery forest :).

If I find that I am struggling with keeping my vibration high, or I have a rough day or whatnot, that's when the other things come into play. I put on music I love to dance to and before I know it I'm dancing around cleaning my house :), feeling so much better. Or if I am in a really tough spot, I find taking a warm shower (a bath would work too) and imagining any negative energy being washed off me is very helpful. I envision gray light getting swept away from my body and aura by the cleansing water. Spending time with my pets really helps too. They are just so unconditionally loving. They don't judge us for our anger, or sadness; our imperfections. They just radiate pure love and joy and before I know it, I can't help but mirror that back to them :).

That's beautiful that you want to be more open and grow :). I too went through a struggle with allowing myself to be loved unconditionally. It took a lot of self work, love, and healing, but a turing point for me was finally understanding that any fears I had about not being loved, left, hurt, ect., was a reflection of parts of myself I was not loving. That I was doing the rejecting of myself. And when I learned to love all of me...every last piece, that was mirrored back to me in the most loving, beautiful and supportive relationship I could ever ask for. I learned that any problems we have with relationships in our lives, are a reflection of what is going on inside of us. When we do the inner work, we see our outer world reflect those changes. :) The universe always guides us to what we need at any given time, wether that be a book, a friend :), or a mentor. What we need to move forward on our paths will be drawn to us. As long as we are open to do the work, heal the wounds and move forward, so much love and light are possible.

Soooo wonderful connecting with you.

Lots of love and hugs,
Cassie

Q&A: Feedback About Mystery Symptoms

The following question was asked by someone I know on a forum regarding recent health symptoms she has been having. Her doctors can not figure out the cause of these distressing symptoms. She gave me permission to share here :).

Question:

Hey I found your post really helpful at a time when I felt lost. I am still very confused, I've written a blog called "Update", if you could read it and give your feedback from your own experiences I would appreciate it, I'm afraid it is very long and still leaves a lot out, so when you have a free min.

In friendship

Response:

I'm happy to help. :)

I read your update.

OK, you mentioned that the allergist found your swelling not to be food related. This might be true, BUT as I mentioned before, their tests do not show food intolerances and sensitivity. I also was tested for everything under the sun and it came back I had zero allergies. Years later through NAET, a saliva test and elimination, I found out I was intolerant to gluten, and was highly sensitive to many foods. Often, with under the radar food intolerances that go untreated, our system can grow very weak and compromised due to damage in the body, lack of nutrient absorption, etc. This can leave one open and more vulnerable to pathogens.

It truly seems like there are three things going on with you. Food sensitivity of some sort, a pathogen possibly, and spiritual stuff :). Let me explain... it is my experience that the symptoms of the body are always messages. I think your last paragraph was key to seeing what is going on with you on a deeper level. The body and our soul are like lovers :). What one can not do, the other steps in to provide the lesson, or learning experience we need for inner growth. Often, health issues that result in LOTS of down time, bed rest, etc.,.. like chronic fatigue, medical mysteries, lyme etc., force us to STOP whatever course we are on and go within. Really listen to our inner voice, re-evaluate the reality we are creating for ourselves.

Also, it forces us to really take care of ourselves. You seem like you have a very loving, giving energy about you :) Sometimes those of us who give give give, need to be given the gift of learning to give to ourselves. Giving ourselves nurturing, the best food ever, love, acceptance right where we are with out judgement, etc., serves us and others in even bigger ways down the road, later in life, allowing us to do great things.

I know it is a scary, confusing, emotional time for you. I really do. Try to find out through the means I mentioned before if you have any food sensitivities. That's step one. In the mean time, eat what intuitively feels right to you, right now. It's more important that you trust yourself at this time and not feel stressed, than try to adhere to something that is causing you emotional turmoil. Step three, maybe start journaling your feelings, talk to someone you really trust, etc. Try to just surrender that for whatever reason, you are meant to go through this right now, so ask yourself what would make it easier on you? Maybe enjoy the down time to journal, watch your favorite movies, take relaxing baths, get lots of sleep, really nurture yourself, etc. It is often in the time we are most still that the most profound insights and realizations come to us. I'm also here if you ever want to talk :).

There are of course more steps to take, but I feel this is a really good place to start. Don't overwhelm your self by looking into too many paths at once. Plus, the universe will point you in the right direction that will be of most service to where you are at. Trust your inner voice and nudging.

I hope this helps you, even in some small way.

Lots of love and hugs,
Cassie

Questions and Answers

Oh my, oh my. It has been soooo long since I have posted. I wonder if there is still anyone out there?! If you are, wow, you're a trooper. Thank you so much for still checking in with me :).

To be honest, I really have not felt like blogging, but it seems the universe sure thinks it's time for me to share once again. I recently got a number of e-mails from people I have connected with, asking me about various things. Before I knew it I was writing long responses back to each, and you know what? It felt sooo good. I know part of my path is to share and help others, so my whole being lights up when I am doing just that.

I got permission from these lovely lights to post the information here on my blog. I felt the information could help others as well :). They are long, so I'm going to publish them as separate posts.

You know what's crazy? I really love this method of posting. I would LOVE if people wrote me questions, and I answered here on the blog. So, If anyone out there reads this, and you have a question for me, I'd love to answer you here! I find that when I do feel called to write a post, often it's quite in depth and not something I would write on schedule.... more like when I am inspired.

OK, so you know where my head is at with all this, lol. We'll see how it all unfolds! Gees, I say I haven't wanted to blog, but once I get going, ha! :) Without further musings from me (I'll save that for some future posts!), here is a question I received recently and my response. I hope it helps someone else out there! XOXO

Question:

I would love to know how you healed your sensitivity to citrus. I've struggled with this forever and only recently discovered I'm sensitive to all acid fruits but the worst offenders are oranges and pomegranates. They cause terrible acne. I also get really red.

I just browsed through your wonderful blog. We have a lot in common.

I recently discovered that I am gluten sensitive. Finally an answer to all my digestive issues over the years.

Anyway, when you have time, I'd love to hear more about the citrus thing.

Thank you

Answer:

Thank you for your sweet comments about my blog. :)

I do believe raw foods in general were a major tool in my healing, as well as spiritual work, reiki, and cleansing.

You mentioned you found out you are gluten sensitive. I also am, and actually don't digest any grains very well at this time, with the exception of corn. I believe the damage done to my intestines (I had bleeding) allowed food to leak into my blood stream causing food allergies. This may be part of your situation as well. It is a problem that can occur with grain damage.

Sometimes just switching to a natural diet of raw foods (keeping it simple is key though), and giving it much time/space is enough to heal sensitivities... but it seems you have been doing this for some time and still have the sensitivity (I think more often it takes some deeper work)? *NOTE: I knew this person ate a low fat, raw, vegan diet.* If so, how long have you completely stayed away from citrus? It can take up to 6 weeks to be completely out of your system after you stop eating it, then the body needs time to heal from the damage the sensitivity caused, and then reprogram that it is no longer an "invader". This can take different amounts of time depending on the individual. I have heard 6 months to many years.

I will say though, I truly believe the body works with our soul. Sometimes we don't understand why we would have certain symptoms, but there is always a much bigger message that we are being urged to explore. I feel that my deep soul work helped move things along quickly for me. I had to really delve into why I was calling this experience into my life... really take responsibility, that I was not a victim, and face myself exactly where I was, with out judgement.

The body often works with our unconscious using symbolism. You know how many people share similar dreams that have a root, similar meaning? Like dreams of teeth falling out, hurting, being loose, etc., often symbolize that we are not speaking our truth, feel we aren't being heard, are not listening to what others have to say, etc.? Well there is a collective consciousness regarding archetypes and symbolism that we all tap into, even though many are not consciously aware of this.

So anyways, the body speaks to us often in a very symbolic manner. I know it is a journey :) LOL! But the symptoms (messages) from our body are always for our highest good. So we can learn things we came here to learn, so we can understand, process and grow.

Are you familiar with any forms of energy work? I highly recommend Reiki, or something like body talk, or quantum biofeedback. They are such an aid at helping to process emotions that come up, helping to release them, etc. I think it's an aspect of conscious growth/healing some miss out on when focused only on food.

I hope this helps you in some way.

Hugs,

Cassie

(Note- I did have some intuitive information come through for this person, and we did talk about it. She was very happy that what came through helped put some puzzle pieces together for her. She also shared with me these validations and I feel so grateful to have helped her. Private information that comes to me for people, I won't share here, as I hold your confidentiality with the utmost respect. I did think it was important to note though, that for this particular person, her sensitivities are largely rooted in the metaphysical, rather than the physical.)

Schizandra and the Gates of Mu

It is not very often that I read a book that literally gives me tingles from head to toes and captures me with deep, inner truths and enlightenment. Schizandra and the Gates of Mu, by Laura Bruno is a rare gem of a novel, taking the reader through a journey of self discovery and infinite potential.

The novel follows heroine Schizandra Ginger Parker on a mythical journey of awakening. After the death of her beloved father, Schizandra finds herself living in Sedona, Arizona with her unfamiliar, vegan grandmother. Completely out of her element, with her life turned upside down, the young girl's life takes another harsh jolt when she falls into a mysterious slumber after passing out in biology class. Nothing could prepare Schizandra for the soul discovery that stems from going deep within on an odyssey that unviels her true self and limitless potential.

Schizandra and the Gates of Mu blurs the lines between fiction, reality, spirituality and mythology. Never have I read a fiction novel that touches on so many esoteric topics. This novel is incredibly unique and magical, filled with depth, symbolism and wisdom. It speaks to the individual reader on so many levels, unveiling universal truths as Schizandra discovers her gifts and purpose. There were lines in the novel that rushed at me full speed, causing me to look within and question my own life path. It's brilliantly written and fast paced, yet speaks to all age groups with characters like a cacao addict Lemurian queen, hilarious, quirky, spinster twins and a hot, bachelor helicopter pilot.

Author Laura Bruno creates an amazing tapestry of characters, insights into hidden truths and mythology and weaves it all in an entertaining page turner that magically rivals Harry Potter, yet is amazingly relatable. If I had children this would be the ultimate bedtime story to read together, as it is funny and entertaining for adults and children alike, yet artful in its facilitation of revealing wisdom. Schizandra's journey will continue in the upcoming sequel, Schizandra and the Peruvian Jaguar. I can't wait to see what other magical musings and adventures await! :) You can purchase Schizandra and the Gates of Mu from Amazon here.

Curing Menstrual Pain

To any men out there who read my blog, this will be an overtly female blog post. I understand men don't particularly like to read or hear about "that time of the month", but I urge you to read on, as we all have mothers, sisters, aunts, and friends that may greatly benefit from this information.

As a women, "that time of the month" is highly individual. I will never forget my first period. I had looked forward to the day I would get my first as a mark of women hood and a right of passage. When it did come, it was everything I never expected. I was staying with my aunt, uncle and cousin for a couple weeks in the summer. I was 13. At first it was a little exciting. My body was changing and I was growing into a young women, but by the second day, the most immeasurable pain took hold. I remember laying on the bathroom floor in the fetal position wishing for death. I'm not trying to be dramatic. It was that bad. I couldn't move or talk. All I could do was lay there praying for the pain to end. I was humiliated because my aunt kept checking on me and seemed very confused as to my pain. She and my cousin did not suffer in this way. My stomach was a mess and I frequently had to use the bathroom as well.

I dreaded my period from then on. It was literally a nightmare. Straight out of a horror film. Lots of blood, pain and tears. When I was about 16/17 I decided to go on the pill. I had heard the birth control pill helped with menstrual cramps. I also had a steady boyfriend and felt I was being responsible all around to give birth control pills a try.

I was shocked and amazed at how my body responded. Painful periods became a memory of the past. Having my period no longer ket me in bed clutching my abdomen, writhing in pain. I felt free for the first time in years. I continued to stay on the pill for about 8 years.

If you have read my first blog, you know about my story and when I decided to go off all medications. I was not yet raw. I would say I was eating a whole foods diet and had eliminated most processed foods. I boldly went off birth control pills with the hope that cleaning up my diet and tools like acupuncture would ward of any painful periods. It didn't. Into my third period after going off the pill I had the most horrendous pain yet. Not only was the pain indescribable, but I felt sick to my stomach like I might throw up. All I could think was how this couldn't be normal and I wondered if I might die from the pain. I couldn't feel my legs, as it felt like there was no blood flow to my lower extremities.

The intense pain usually only lasted a 12-24 hour period. I got some herbs from my acupuncturist to help take the edge off, but I was still far from functional on these days. When I went raw I did see an improvement in my period pain, but not the miracle I was hoping for. I thanked the heavens I didn't work outside of my home because I would have had to call in sick at least once a month. I don't think that would have gone over very well in the business world.

So that's how things have been for me for almost two years now. High raw and still having painful cramps. I coped by really nurturing myself on those days, taking herbs and using a heating pad. A doctor once asked me, "why I let my body get away with that...take 3 IBUProfen", he said, as if my body was something to drug into submission. Pain from the body is always a message and not to be ignored, yet rather contemplated, and then the message integrated. After all my body had been through, I knew in my heart covering up the problem was not the answer. So I dealt with it and intended some day I would figure this puzzle out.

Knock and the door shall open :). About a month ago now I read a new article written by Shazzie. You can check that out here. She had a similar journey as myself with period pain and has found amazing relief after mega dosing on DHA. I had just purchased some Omega-Zen when I read the article and thought synchronicity once again popped graciously into my life to get me those pills. So I started taking four a day. The recommended dosage is one a day. Shazzie took ten a day, but I knew I had about a month till my next period and four felt right to me so I trusted my intuition.

Another factor that happened in this time frame is I went 100% raw. This was not a conscious decision, it happened naturally without me really noticing. I just have not had any desire for cooked food in the last three to four weeks. It feels like a natural progression my body has guided me to.

My period came on Monday. I waited for the pain to kick in. It usually does after the first 12 hours. It hasn't come. I slept wonderfully last night and awoke in amazement that I am pain free. I'm not sure if both going 100% raw and the DHA are factors, but I feel the DHA is the main reason I am feeling so great. I had a deficiency that I am now correcting and I am so thankful.

Thank you Shazzie for sharing your experience and shining your light. You are truly a goddess and I love you for all that you do and all that you are. There is a cure for period pain. I now know of two people, myself and Shazzie, who have had incredible results with DHA.

There are some in the raw food world that feel all supplements can cause problems, with the logic that we are a nation sick from over indulgence, not lack. I would just like to express that illness can be caused by both excess and lack. We live in a world that has mineral depleted soils and pollution is a part of our very existence, from the homes we live in, to our water, to the air we breath. It is significant to think of this as a yin and yang balance. Removing the things from our diet that cause dis-ease and adding in what is lacking. Only when we achieve balance can there be true health. Fixating on one extreme will only create imbalance.

With lots of love and hope~

Cassie

Clear Skin

Bravery at its best! Me, right out of the shower :)!

I have learned a lot about skin care over the years. When I was a young teen, about thirteen, I began to suffer from mild acne. Thus began my escapade with every acne medication known to man :). I can see in hind sight that all the medications only complicated my situation. My acne went from mild to moderate, and I began to get cystic acne on my chin. Two rounds of Accutane could only keep my spots at bay for a short time, so my love/hate affair with topical medication continued into my early twenties. To read more about my history with acne you can read my first blog post.

I remember having the most neurotic thoughts about my skin, like when the bird flu craze was all over the media I thought to myself, "If I can't leave my home, I won't be able to get my prescription acne medications." What in the world was I thinking?!?!..... What about food? Who was I worried was going to see me with some pimples in the middle of this supposed crisis, and why did I think they would care about my skin?! I was a crazy woman about my skin.

I can honestly say some of that anxious emotion was tied to certain foods I was eating at the time, but some of it was also me feeling out of control in my life. I wanted so badly to feel in control with my skin and my body. I was confused, slightly depressed and lost. Focusing on my appearance allowed me to not focus on the real problem. The real problem was I didn't truly know myself and I wasn't on path, meaning I wasn't fulfilling my souls deepest yearnings. I was trying to do what I thought I was "supposed to do", what society and often family and friends expect us to accomplish, but it wasn't feeding my soul so I lacked enthusiasm and drive. I fixated on other things to avoid the uncomfortable nagging of my soul.

It wasn't until I began to change my diet that I began to get very clear mentally. I began to tune into my true self (or some might call this my "higher self") and it was then that every aspect of my life began to rapidly change, including my skin. In the past, I had always been afraid to go off my acne medications. Now that I had a new awareness, I decided I didn't care any more what the consequences were for my skin. My decision was about my health, not vanity. I knew for the health of my entire being it was the best choice to stop putting toxic chemicals onto my skin and in my body.

I remember that week so clearly. I stopped all my medications at once. I was using two topical medications, one in the morning and one at night. I was also taking birth control pills which I was convinced was also keeping my skin clear. I stopped those too. I decided I was done with all over the counter medications also. I swapped Tylenol and Claritin for homeopathic herbs from my acupuncturist. I kept waiting for the horrific acne to present, but it really wasn't that bad. I wondered if the medications were unnecessary the whole time, but then I would slip and eat some pizza and wow! Sore pimples and greasy skin.

I have been on this raw food journey long enough now that I have a very consistent diet and I can't remember the last time I had pizza :). I have learned what works best for my body and I no longer have crazy cravings unless I haven't gotten in enough greens :). I have experimented enough though to share that for me, dairy and refined sugar are sure enough to bring on breakouts. Grains tend to make me very puffy, like I can't recognize myself in the morning. Cooked oils make me oily :), and on a different note make my throat really sore. Too much salt, raw or processed, causes me to break out. Salt is my Achilles heel, but I get better with that vice every day and my body seems to be guiding me in the right direction.

With skin, less is always more. This goes for your diet, what you do to take care of your skin, as well as what you put on it. These days I try to keep everything as simple as possible. I'm not perfect, and I still get small breakouts from time to time, but practice, attention to my diet, listening to my body and continuing to work on self growth has proved to be a great formula for healthy skin. Oh and how could I forget love :). Loving others and loving yourself. Practice emanating love as much as possible and not only will you feel more beautiful, but you may find little things that used to bother you about your appearance slowly fade from your thoughts and are replaced with thoughts of gratitude.

I keep it really simple and don't put products on my skin I would be afraid to eat. I wash my face with a mild soap (like Dr. Bronners or Terressentials) only if I am wearing makeup. Otherwise, water or a flower water toner do the trick. I do exfoliate by dry brushing my skin and sometimes use a gentle, natural scrub. That's about it! Occasionally I'll do a clay mask, but it's not a consistent part of my skin care routine. I rarely need moisturizer. But sometimes I will spritz with some essential oils because it smells really nice :). If I am in a super dry climate or it's a really dry winter, a tiny amount of shea butter does the job.

Diet has made the largest impact on my skin. I can't stress enough that the health of our skin starts from within. Not only will a raw foods diet with lots of greens improve acne, but you will see health in the sparkle of your eyes, the color in your cheeks and the rosy tint of your lips. I used to hate how pale my lips were without lip gloss. I really don't need it now unless it's for fun. My lips take on a healthy pink color because I flood my body with oxygen.

For more details on skin care and my beauty musings you can check out my interview with Laura Bruno about natural beauty here.

Beyond The Medical Reasons For Celiac Disease and Gluten Intolerance

In the recent years, it seems Celiac Disease and Gluten Intolerance have become a prevalent health issue. Mainstream media has been covering these two medical mysteries on shows such as The View, as more people are being diagnosed and discovering their sensitivities to gluten. Gluten is a protein found in many grass like grains, such as wheat, barely, spelt, kamut and rye. Celiac Disease is characterized by a severe, sudden, immune reaction to gluten, whereas gluten sensitivity is an autoimmune condition of unknown origin where gluten causes inflammation in the small intestine. With gluten sensitivity, the onset is slower, and symptoms can often occur days after ingesting gluten. If the two were thought of on a spectrum, Cealic Disease would be an extreme on one end, while gluten sensitivity could be at various intervals along the spectrum. In both cases, gluten can inhibit absorption of nutrients resulting in a wide range of possible symptoms. Some common symptoms include:

eczema and other skin problems

irritable bowel syndrome, constipation and other gastro-intenstinal problems

depression

aching joints

headaches

exhaustion

irritability

nutritional deficiencies, like low B12 or iron

The vast array of symptoms can make these conditions difficult to track and often eliminating gluten from the diet for several weeks is the best option to really know how one does with out gluten. There are some tests one can take, but it has been found there are some who test negative for Celiac Disease, but through eliminating gluten, find their symptoms go away. I myself am gluten intolerant, and after much research, self discovery, and spiritual growth, I would like to share some spiritual and metaphysical reasons for what seems to be a sudden burst of intolerance to this once revered grain.

Historically wheat symbolizes both life and death. Stories of harvesting and cultivating wheat can be traced from Europe to North America. Wheat, being the staple food for many civilizations was nessesary to live, and therefore, symbolized life itself. Ironically, in order to harvest more wheat, it needs first to die and then be buried in the ground. Months later it is reborn anew as a spike emerging from the earth. This resurection of sorts then provides sustanence and has feed humanity throughout the ages.

Wheat, as well as other cereal grains, has a very complex and rich history, from symbolism in the bible, to pagan traditions and cultivation. An abundant wheat harvest meant a rich kingdom or society. Egyptian goddess Isis was known as the goddess of magic, rebirth, motherhood and femininity, and was called the Lady of Bread. Egyptians believed the Nile River flooded every year because of her tears of sorrow over her husband Osiris' death. This was symbolic to a death and rebirth of Osiris, by the power and love of Isis.

The fruitfullness of wheat symbolizes security, dependability, helpfulness, sensuality, north, grounding, goodness, wholesomeness and all the abundance the earth has to offer. So why would food so trusted, dependable, and symbolic create such havoc on a new generation? What has changed? Although there are some factors that lie in the physical realm, such as the changes in agriculture and how we cultivate and grow our food, there are also metaphysical reasons for these symptoms that correspond to a greater planetary shift and the speeding up of conscious expansion.

When I first discovered I was gluten intolerant I went through an intense morning period. Wheat, being a staple food even today, is the essence of every meal celebration and is hidden in nearly every commercial food. Family and friends often show their love through pastries, cake and pasta. I was high raw, vegan, but now I could not make exceptions at family affairs unless I knew specifically what was in the food. I mourned aspects of my social life, the traditions I had grown up with centerd around food and said goodbye to traditional holiday feasts. I felt such a deep deprivation for what I felt was my identity.

Surprisingly to me, as time when on, my new found intolerance forced me to become even more educated about what I put into my body. It also lead to me making new connections with like minded people. I finally started going to raw pot lucks and met inspiring individuals who were on similar paths to myself. I found that I no longer participated in social interaction that, deep down, had not been in alignment with my values or interests. Without being able to make "exceptions", my body took on a new vibration, as everything I put into my body was organic and unprocessed. I also found myself not craving cooked food as often. I had unknowingly eliminated a major source of my food cravings. When we are sensitive to a food, or a food is toxic to our system, our body begins to build a tolerance to that substance. When the food (or substance) is removed, all of a sudden the tolerance is felt as a sharp demanding for that very food that was harming us. These cravings are potent and can often be mistaken as a "need" by the body.

In time, due to my gluten sensitivity, I was creating amazing new connections, eating a diet that was very high vibration and was not struggling to maintain an amazing level of health. I also felt happier and at peace. I felt, well, reborn :). Parts of myself that were no longer serving me had fallen away. New traditions and connections were created, but these changes in my life have been in complete service to my souls evolution. They feel good on every level of my being and have created a happiness in my life I never knew was possible.

In these rapidly changing times, gluten intolerance asks us to disconnect from that which no longer serves our highest good and that of the planet. By having these old traditions, patterns, and possibly even connections fall away, often we can open up to our true selves, without societal expectation or programming. We have a rebirth of self, but often in ways we never dreamed were possible. Gluten, being a particularly gluey substance which can stick to the colon and clog up our waste system, can in turn lower the amount of life force energy flowing throughout our bodies. It is heavy and dense. Removing it allows for life force to flow more freely, allowing us to feel happier and more connected to ourselves, others and the planet.

Wheat needs to be cultivated and symbolizes wealth. Enlightenment, growth and abundance (wealth) in all aspects our lives (not just monetary) also must be cultivated. It is a process of growth, death and rebirth. A constant process that yields fruitful rewards to those who dare to do the labor and look within. The sensuality embodied by wheat and many cereal grains represents an unfolding of our true nature and our deepest desires. When we are surrounded by comfort and are comfortable with ourselves we take on a sensuality that is magnetic. This richness is so vast that is extends to the material and spiritual planes.

When we are struggling to find our way, often our body steps in on behalf of our soul to nudge us in the right direction. As my friend Laura always says, the body always works with the soul, for the soul's highest good. The body and soul are like lovers. What one can not, or won't do, the other will step in and provide. This often creates a place or situation where the soul's true desires and needs become apparent. I now look at my gluten intolerance as a beautiful gift. There is no loss. It feels good. Where I am now and the changes that have occurred in my life are what I would have wanted for myself if I had been aware enough to make the changes on my own.

It is said that delaying gratification is a mark of wisdom. I have to agree. Some times we think we know what is best for us, but our body knows better. It is connected to our true self. This process is often needed for stabiltity and comfort. Just as one must save grain, not eating it all, to plant for the next harvest, which brings abundance to those who save the crop.