There are almost too many things to rave about over here! As a manifesting generator in Human Design, I delight in following all of the pings to explore what lights me up.
I don't subscribe to the "I'm so busy" lifestyle and prefer to leave spaces in my days for doing nothing AND for exploring ideas, people, and places. Basically, ALL OF THE THINGS! Here are a few I love so much I had to gush about 'em.
THE CRYSTAL GRID DECK by Grace Duong of Mystic Mondays
OMG! I cannot tell you how HAPPY this deck makes me. Dude! 80 crystals at my fingertips, all for under $33!!! lol Yes, channel the healing powers of a crystal through these amazing cards. They are hexagonal-shaped so you can purposefully create powerful crystal grids to support your intentions for whatever the heck you want! Heal. Integrate. MANIFEST.
I just love sitting with my deck and getting to know all the stones. Each card includes a gorgeous, luminous image of the stone, a few words at the top to describe the spirt of the stone, and a longer supportive message. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE them!!!
I was sad when Maryam Hasnaa closed her online shop for flower essences, Resonance Apothecary. It remains open as the supplier for students in her energy healing training program, however since I'm not in that program, I decided to try Alaskan Essences as recommended by Maryam.
I'm digging the gem elixirs (Tiger's Eye, Pyrite, Hematite) and special formula of Guardian to support my energetic boundaries as a highly sensitive healer.
Hematite is handy for interrupting enmeshment. Sensitives and empaths can have a tendency to pick up others' energies. If we're not aware of our own individual patterns, we can find ourselves in some very uncomfortable, sticky situations. Clients work with me to get a sense of their energetic boundaries and learn how to clear them. It's a very simple process of unhooking and repairing and strengthening auric fields.
For my birthday last month, I went to my favorite shop at Mosaic District, Arielle Shoshana! I used to be super, super sensitive to appreciating scents, but recently through boundary healings and energy work, I've been able to explore them more.
My teenage nephew is super into cologne and perfume and we happened to stop into this shop to explore and I just absolutely FELL IN LOVE. There's nothing like pleasant fragrance to uplift your spirits (think about smelling a fresh rose in a garden!) and I'm obsessed with the creativity that goes into the package design and product conception.
To be reasonable, because quality perfume is EXPENSIVE, I got myself the 9 scent Discovery Set Essential Collection by London company, EPC, that is so delicious and yummy!!! Since I'm a massage therapist, I can only wear a scent on my days off sadly, however as your quintessential sensory loving kid, I have been enjoying this exploration so, so much whenever I can.
YELLOW by Chef Michael Rafidi
Holy moly, people! When you come across high-quality, freaking delicious fast casual food, you want to sing about it at the mountaintops! With how expensive food is these days, you want to get great value and enjoyment for your money.
If you enjoy deep, expansive FLAVORS, you gotta check out YELLOW. I've been to the location in Georgetown and the one in Union Market District. I prefer the casual, laid-back feel of the Wisconsin Ave location that has outdoor seating too.
We loved the lamb pita, the tots (which should be more accurately named thousand layer potatoes), and of course the labne soft serve with pomegranate in the middle and a drizzle of olive oil and sprinkle of sea salt flakes on top. YUM. Shout out to fellow healer and foodie friend, Anna Neimark for finally getting me there!
Ann's dance night is a classic in the DMV. It's been running in Bethesda for 10 years now! If you've never tried any sort of free form dance it out type of group offering, you might like to try a Friday night with the folks here. Thank you Debi Roemer for the recommendation!
It's a welcoming, chill community where everyone is encouraged to just let it all out and listen to your body at the same time. Group atmospheres like this might be challenging for some sensitives who might get easily overwhelmed. Just know you can go as fast, slow, big, or small in your movements as you like. If you need complete stillness, you can be off to the side when she calls for folks to move through the space.
I'll be taking a workshop with Ann Kite and Sylvie Minot in December 2024. I'd love for you to join me! Here's the info for FIERCE HEART. It's my very first 3-day movement/dance workshop and just the beginning of more embodiment training for me.
CONNECT by Ilchi Lee
One of my most favorite things to do is go to thrift shops and second hand book shops to intuitively connect to info that's calling to me. I came across this fascinating book about a Korean spiritual tradition that focuses on meditating with your pineal gland.
I haven't read the whole book and I might just skim through it. It was a synchronistic find since I've been encountering a lot of concerned adult daughters who are navigating the difficulty of caring for or organizing care of their parent with Alzheimer's. I've come across some info that says calcification in the pineal gland can contribute to Alzheimer's. Sure, in that case, why not spend a few minutes meditating with your pineal gland?!
MINDFUL SHENANDOAH VALLEY with Shell Fischer
I cannot rave enough about my life-altering, brain-changing experience of being at a weeklong silent retreat facilitated by the awesome team at Mindful Shenandoah Valley. Shell Fischer is a super skilled teacher and group leader.
After attending a weeklong retreat, sadly, the daylong ones are too short for me. lol They leave me wanting more and the abrupt processing that happens in the week following is a bit disruptive to me, although that would happen regardless, yet perhaps a bit gentler ironically after a longer retreat. It's just a reminder that I need to maintain a stronger daily meditation practice. Get in touch if you're wanting to join a meditation group!
Cacao and dark chocolate hold a very special place in my heart. It goes back to eating chocolate rice for breakfast, Filipino champorado made by Mamang (Cara and Tina's Lola AKA grandmother).
The richness of this 75% organic cacao bar made by Ritual in Utah is amazing. It's sourced from Kablon Farms in Mindanao, the southern islands of the Philippines. Buy a few now! It's a limited edition flavor. I need to stock up myself although there are a handful of awesome Filipino chocolate makers. You can check them out online at Bar & Cocoa.
I love tea in general since I can't enjoy coffee and espresso drinks (big sad face). Caffeine is just one source of kryptonite for me. I have to go easy on the cacao too. It just doesn't break down very easily in my body.
My partner introduced me to Haldi Lemongrass tea blend from Teaism in DC and OMG. It's simply the best taste of fall for me: turmeric with apple, lemongrass, cinnamon, black & pink pepper and cardamom. DELICIOUS! :)
++++ I wish you tons of fun exploring all of your interests this season! While to some it might seem like an endless search for the next best thing, I'm just out here trying new things for the human experience of delighting in our senses. I'm also a 4/1 profile in Human Design, so sharing info and creating connections is my thing!
If you're highly sensitive, when something is AMAZING, it's amplified ten times over. You know that orgasmic feeling of eating the freshest piece of sushi, right? Who wouldn't want to experience that feeling of goodness all the time? lol
P.S. I just discovered the wonders of knafeh (kunafa) and HOLY SHIT! It's to die for. Where have you been all my life?! Best dessert of 2024. I want to try all of the million different versions of it.
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