Does the word “chakras” sound at all familiar to you? What if I said this post was about love, money, and confidence – and how you can experience more of all of the above? Yep, that’s right. Get to know your chakra system and you will. Our chakra energy system is where energy flows through our body, and when any one of our seven chakras are blocked – well, it’s not good. But learn more about your chakras and how to keep that energy flowing freely, and you’ll bring love, money, confidence, and much, much more into your life.

Love. “Get rid of the old to make room for the new” or “You must love yourself before you can love another” are just a few of the very true clichés we have all heard. Though these sayings are both very true, sometimes we need a bit of help in the way of making those statements truly come to fruition in our lives. This is where your heart chakra comes in (located at the heart). Your heart chakra represents your past, present and future loves – and if it’s not open, then you’re probably not going to be experiencing the abundance of love that is available to you. So, what to do? Well, an easy food fix for this chakra is eating green-colored foods. (Yay for green juice! Maybe this is why we all love Kris!) The other fix for this chakra is opening your heart—whether that means using yoga to open that chest of yours, or literally forcing yourself to say “I love you” to those you love; either will do just fine. My grandfather’s 1950s version of opening his heart chakra (whether he knew it or not) was silently blessing the first 100 people he saw every morning. You know what, it worked. That man was probably the most popular man in our town.

Money. Have you ever had a lower back issue? Perhaps it’s just reoccurring pain, or maybe it’s even a case of sciatica. If you were more familiar with your chakras you’d know that lower back pain (root chakra) can be traced to concerns over money. Yep, money worries = lower back pain. Famous financier George Soros used to say he’d always get out of an investment when his lower back would bother him. The good news for George and for us is that by doing some light yoga (like bridge pose) and eating red-colored foods, we can help open up our root chakra. I remember a time a few years ago, when I was on the road raising capital for a startup during one of the toughest financial environments ever, and guess what body part began to hurt? Yep, that’s right, my lower back. But the good news was that a friend in San Francisco had introduced me to the chakra system, and after some hard core lower back work, including a lot of restorative yoga, my lower back was back on track. And we ended up raising the capital we needed, too.

Confidence. Self-worth, self-confidence, self-esteem–call them what you want–we’ve all dealt with these at one time or another. When we’re not feeling as confident as we should be feeling, we can perpetually sink ourselves into feeling worse. There are loads of great books and self-esteem boosters like affirmations to help get us back on our confidence track. There’s also our solar plexus chakra (located above the navel) as well. By indulging in corn, some yoga that is ab-centric, and by even shaking that booty of ours (yes, dancing helps), we can open up our solar plexus chakra and get our confidence back where it should be. I particularly love this chakra because of its location within our abdominal muscles. The healing of our solar plexus chakra, more so than any other chakra, is directly related to working out and moving our bodies, particularly our abs. This really illustrates the important connection between our physical and spiritual health as an ever-expanding waistline can affect our health and our spiritual energy.

Jason Wachob is a curator and one of the founders of MindBodyGreen.com, Jason’s goal is to promote the idea that wellness is for everyone – and that it can be fun and fulfilling. After years of successfully trading equities on Wall Street, Jason decided to make a lifestyle change – focusing on wellness and building companies that promote it.

Photo Credit: hint of plum

My dog is the love of my life. She is smart, affectionate, cuddly and her adoration is completely unconditional (unless you count two full human meals a day a condition). Edie came into my life just after I was diagnosed with cancer back in 2008. My diagnosis called for me to give up work and move back in with my parents. After moving away from my friends and breaking up with my long-term boyfriend, Edie became my constant companion. I shared all my fears and worries with her, cried to her and she was always there when I needed a cuddle (unless a pig’s ear was in the picture). She would even snuggle up next to me in bed until her snoring became too much to handle. The idea of not having Edie around is simply unthinkable.

The effect pets have on our health is a controversial subject. On one side of the argument we have evidence that owning a pet can lower blood pressure, encourage exercise and improve psychological health. Pets can be very healing, providing benefits like stress reduction, affection, comfort, security, unconditional love, playfulness and loyal companionship. Dr. Froma Walsh, a clinical psychologist and leading authority on family resilience, said that a bond with a pet can strengthen human resilience through times of crisis, persistent adversity and disruptive transitions, such as relocation, divorce, widowhood and adoption. “The powerful meaning and significance of companion animals is underestimated,” she has said.

Then there’s the other side of the argument. For animal lovers, this side is much harder to hear, but it’s also something to consider. Several leading health experts like Dr. Hulda Clark and Charlotte Gerson are concerned that being in close contact with an animal could have detrimental affects on our health. The reasoning is that pets carry parasites. These parasites can be passed to us and make us ill. These experts advise anyone who is ill to either keep their pets outside, or let them board with a friend until they’re better.

After learning this, neither of the suggested solutions were good enough for me. Edie is a pug, therefore she needs to be inside. There is also no way I could give her away until I’m finished curing myself. Besides the fact that no one else would put up with her constant hair shedding and unbelievable appetite, I would be totally lost without her squished up, grunting face around. So what is a pet-owner to do in this kind of pickle? Do the pros outweigh the cons? The jury is still out on that one. While anecdotal evidence points to the positive, statistical confirmation is lacking.

While only a small amount of studies have been conducted to back up the notion that pets are great for our health, this isn’t stopping several health organizations from employing animal companions to enhance the overall improvement of their patients. For example, the Autism Service Dogs of America organization is bringing together pet pooches with children diagnosed with autism. “Many children with autism can’t relate to a human,” says its director, Pris Taylor, “but they can relate to a dog.”

The Children’s Hospital of Orange County in Southern California is also getting in on the act. An article on the New York Times website explains how dozens of volunteers regularly take their dogs to visit patients. Children being treated for serious illnesses often have the blues, anxiety or depression. “The dogs brighten them up,” said Emily Grankowski, who oversees the pet therapy program at the hospital. “Some patients who have refused to speak will talk to the dogs,” she said, “and others who have refused to move often reach for the dogs so they can pet them. So the animals become part of the therapeutic program, especially in the areas involving speech and movement.”

Karin Winegar, whose book “Saved: Rescued Animals and the Lives They Transform,” chronicles human-animal interactions, explains why it is so difficult to generate statistical data on the health benefits of pets.

“The human-animal bond bypasses the intellect and goes straight to the heart and emotions and nurtures us in ways that nothing else can,” she said. “We’ve seen this from coast to coast, whether it’s disabled children at a riding center in California or a nursing home in Minnesota, where a woman with Alzheimer’s could not recognize her husband but she could recognize their beloved dog.”

If you’re still not sure, why not give your beloved pet a parasite cleanse? Dr. Hulda Clark devised a pet parasite program to help rid your furry friend of all the nasty parasites that could be compromising the health of both of you.

Jess Ainscough is an Australian-based freelance writer and the creator of the natural healing blog, the Wellness Warrior. Before being diagnosed with cancer in 2008, Jess was a social reporter and online editor for a teen magazine. After leaving her job to focus on her health, she now spends her time drinking carrot juice, meditating, practicing yoga and learning everything she can about healing.

Love Warrior,

Last week I launched my Love List series. Well, amen, hipshake, cause sooo many people wrote their own and tweeted and FB’d it. There’s even a Love List group on myCSL (go join it hot pants). Love Lists heal. They are fun and funky and free. Love Lists remind you that life is deliciously sweet, like a big drippy emotional ice cream cone (sans the glycemic spike). Tune in every Wednesday for my new list and please share the love. Meaning: Write your list! Hey, speaking of sharing, why not tap on that cute little share button at the end of this blog post? Spread the Love through the cyber soup!

1. I love taking pictures of Lola wearing hats. This week I didn’t have a hat so she’s wearing my bra. I think she looks like an old fashioned pilot, don’t you? Like Amelia Earhart. A hint about pet photography: hold a treat at the edge of the lens. I think she secretly loves our shoots because I’m like a walking cookie jar.

2. Earth Cafe raw cheesecake. OMG. These awesome folks sent us a few samples some months back and Corinne and I fastened our seatbelts, donned bibs and went to town. When I was a dairy guzzler I loved me some rich and creamy cheesecake. Now as a mostly raw vegan I can visit my ole friend again. Hi cheesecake, it’s me Kris, welcome home!

3. Flea Markets. Last weekend we went to the Elephant’s Trunk Flea Market near my folk’s house in CT. This flea is not to be missed. I got a silver cocktail dress from the sixties and this awesomely ugly Mt. Rushmore lamp (which used to be a whiskey bottle). What could be better? Answer: nothing. Wondering how I took these pictures? Check out #4.

4. Hipstamatic’s hot iphone camera app. Corinne turned me onto it. She uses it on her blog all the time. It makes your snaps look like sexy, distressed art. Ps. In addition to being our blog editor and my everything, Corinne is an awesome writer. You might really like her blog too.

5. Speaking of awesome blogs, um, yeah, we love Susannah Conway. She’s a rockin’ creative goddess with some juicy e-courses that will shake up your photo-journaling world. Unravel with Susannah and you just might tap into some immense joy.

6. The new Klean Kanteen wide insulated sippy-wonder. Purrrfect for my tea breaks. They keep your bev so hot you might need protective hand gear. Love ‘em. Thanks Kleen Kanteen!

7. Gasland. This documentary is not to be missed. It opened my eyes about the use of fracking in the natural gas industry. You don’t want this to happen to a town near you folks. Me and the hubs are getting active about protecting the Catskills (NY’s water supply – ours too!). You might want to as well. Love this film. Hate fracking.

8. Daily Juice. I miss Austin and sure as heck hope to go back during my book tour. When in the great city that likes to keep it “weird” we always head to Daily Juice. Put it on your radar and swing by if you’re in the area. Your cells will thank ya’ll. Yee haw!

9. Spiritual jewels by Satya. I just love this store. I feel like their earrings bring me one step closer to enlightenment.

10. Listening to old records. I have an amazing collection thanks to a dear family member that passed away. I can no longer speak to him but the music plays on…

What’s on your Love List?

Peace and hearts,
Kris

PS- My girl Rory Freedman inspired me and a whole lotta readers to kick the TV habit this week in her blog! Join the “No TV for 30 Days” challenge with me on Twitter by using the #NoTVfor30Days hashtag. Tubes off, brains and spirits on.

A Love List is a reminder of glass half-full/brimming over living and lusciousness. Love Lists tap you on the shoulder when you get lost or slip into darkness. Because life is too sweet to be bitter and sometimes you need the universe to whisper in your ear, “Hey, there’s lots of beauty and majesty out there, lots of things you adore, so why the sourpuss?”

You can write a Love List any time. You can write one on a receipt, a napkin, or in your journal. I usually keep my Love List short and oh so sugary sweet. Ten is my favorite number so I write ten things I love. They don’t have to be serious; they can be fun and whimsical. Your Love List can be full of “stuff” or full of feelings.

I’ll be honest, I sorta abandoned this magical habit recently. I guess life got busy and I forgot. Then a fairy rock n’ roll angel named Gala Darling reminded to me to hook into my muse. Her “Things I Love Thursdays” are delicious and I really look forward to them. Duh! Hellooo KC and the sunshine band! What about your listy list? (Yes, I am talking to myself publicly).

So in honor of LOVE and fun and all things groovy and Gala, I’m gonna start a little tradition here. Every Wednesday you will get a new Love List from moi. I sure hope they make you smile and I hope you get inspired to start your own. Make them juicy. Make them spicy red-hot. Make them giggly and make them full of fire and well, love!

1. 1963 Airstream Globetrotters. I adore tin can trailers. We’re looking for one to convert into a guest room or office or martini lounge (yeah, I’m not pH balanced all the time!). We saw one on the side of the road last week. It was donated to Kate’s Lazy Meadow by some “Tranny Witches”. Sheesh, why don’t I know any Tranny Witches! P.S. Kate’s is the grooviest motel ever, owned by Kate Pierson of the B-52’s.

2. This Vegan Recipe Finder iPhone app created by our buds at VegNews and VegWeb. The handy app features more than 13,000 vegan recipes, mouthwatering photos, an easy-to-use search tool, a shopping list, a recipe box, and more!

3. These amazing vegan ballet flats made from old televisions! They are chic and comfortable. Very Jackie. Thank you, Elizabeth Olsen.

4. My home office make-over complete with new chandelier made from white lotuses. We bought it at Nectar, a spiritual-tastic store in High Falls. I shopped big time. It was one of those credit card therapy days.

5. Intensati DVD. You’ll sweat, affirm, uplift (ass included), shout, pray and feel soooo good when you’re done.

6. Um, yeah, Eric from True Blood. If I wasn’t married and he wasn’t a dead and dangerous Viking… (Ok, secret time, tell no one. I sorta want him to bite me).

7. This TED talk: Can We Eat to Starve Cancer? by William Li. I love William Li almost as much I as love Eric from True Blood (note: I do not want William Li to bite me). William needs to take it a wee bit further though…it’s not just about what you add, it’s also about what you REMOVE. This talk is a great start though, if I do so say myself!

8. Cruising through some of my old photography and remembering that I had a different career and a photo studio in NYC. I miss shooting for muse and art. Been shooting vegetables for too long. Boring.

9. This book: The Girl Who Played with Fire by Stieg Larsson. It’s a pager turner beyond!

10. Larry & Luna’s Coconut Bliss popsicles. I don’t eat much sugar but when I do, don’t let me catch you in my freezer! Those magical pops are all mine. It’s for your own safety. I’m like a Zoo animal. P.S. I hate Zoos.

What’s on your list?

Peace and hearts,

Kris

I once heard a live cover of the R. Kelly song, “What a Relief.” The unique iteration resonated with me deeply. The chorus goes:

“What a relief to know that we are one
What a relief that the war is over
What a relief to know that there’s an angel in the sky
What a relief to know that love is still alive”

I was overwhelmed by this performance. As I listened to the lyrics I felt a rush of love and chills pass through my body. I believed in the lyrics.

Then instantly, the singer took me out. He spoke over the music: “I love this song, but unfortunately R. Kelly’s lyrics are far from our reality.” I looked around the room and witnessed the audience dramatically separate from this fleeting encounter with love. It was too good to be true. A room full of hopeful people went back to their fearful “reality” when the singer reminded us of fear. This separation from love is the reason for our unhappiness.

The “reality” the singer spoke of was a reflection of his ego (fearful mind). Somewhere inside of him (and all of us) there is a voice that believes in loving lyrics. Though his fearful ego cannot survive in the light of the song.

We’ve all separated from love by choosing fear. We have fleeting moments of love, inspiration, and truth through a lyric, image, or in the presence of an infant. We sense love but don’t believe in it. We’ve saved our faith for fear, although deep inside us lives a quiet whisper reminding us that love is real.

Dissociation
In coaching sessions and lectures I’m asked, “How did I get stuck in negative patterns? Why am I so afraid of everything?” I respond, “Darlin’, you’re not alone.” Then I break it down: We were taught early to deny this inner voice of love (aka ~ing). It began with one fearful thought where we denied love and separated from our ~ing: “I’m not smart enough” or “Daddy left because he doesn’t like me.” The Course (A Course in Miracles) calls this dissociation a “decision to forget.” We were taught to fear the world through circumstances such as home life, school, television, and friends. Then by separating from love we gave birth to the ego, the inner voice of fear, creating a dark corner in our mind. This dark corner created two ways of thinking – the ego’s and the ~ing’s – that cannot coexist. Since our initial separation, the ego’s dark corner of our mind expanded through repetition. Once you have a taste of fear it’s hard to release. Replaying this thought led us to re-enact this fear in nearly every instant. It only took one “tiny mad idea” to separate our mind from truth and create the ego’s illusion.

The moment we chose the idea that fear was real we separated from our ~ing. The Course calls this the “detour into fear” and “decent from magnitude into littleness.” For instance, innocent children live with ease. Most have not undergone the separation, living like no one is watching. Fearless children believe in angels and oneness and have faith in love. Then the magnitude of their loving mind detours into fear and through the ego’s denial of love a delusional “reality” is created.

We were all innocent children who once believed in love and chose fear of almost everything, including our careers, relationships, family, and friends, and even that love could be real. Reconnecting with love for even a moment scares us, like the audience of hopeful listeners who so quickly reverted to fear when R. Kelly’s lyrics suggested real love. Instead of maintaining a feeling of love they checked out, thinking the song was a joke. But love never left us.

The Illusion
The moment we detoured into fear we created the ego – the wrong-minded attempt to perceive ourselves as we wish to be, rather than as we are. The Course calls the ego “a fearful thought.” The ego begins with a tiny mad idea that ignites the spark that becomes the fearful fire burning through our loving mind. The fear of this mad idea denies our truth and snowballs into an illusion that becomes our “reality.”

We all think we have “issues” in certain areas of our lives that are specific to us, although the only “issue” any of us have is fear.

Recognizing our ego’s fearful illusion is the first step away from your false reality and back to the way of love. Ask yourself what your illusion is.

Remembering
The truthful voice of our ~ing can only comprehend love, but love becomes an after thought and the voice of our ~ing has been muffled by fear. Our ~ing is merely a whisper in the midst of the ego’s inner riot. Most of the world functions from the illusion of the ego rather than the truth of their ~ing, although they remember a better way.

Before I restored my mind to love I denied my truth completely. I turned my back on my ~ing, but it guided me back. Before I hit bottom I experienced moments where I heard my ~ing fight my ego to restore my mind to truth. One week before I hit bottom and surrendered I heard a voice say, “This behavior isn’t you. It’s time to come home.” My ~ing was preparing me for my journey inward.

Your ~ing has been preparing you too. It guided you to this blog. Sometimes you need is a gentle nudge toward love that catapults an inner shift. Or in cases like mine the reminders are more in your face. Pay attention to the loving whisper in your mind that calls you home. It’s time to shine light on the illusion and honor your inner guide. The more you listen to your ~ing, the louder the voice will become

Photo Credit: Richard Drdul