SPIRIT QUARTZ is a unique variety found only in South Africa. It appears in three different color variations - Amethyst, White Quartz and Citrine - each one focusing upon a different level of the chakra system.   

Spirit Quartz is actually a community within a stone, exhibiting many small formations encrusting its sides.  Each of these tiny crystals works (vibrates) in harmony creating a choir of crystal energy!  Spirit Quartz is a high vibration stone.

Harmony is the key word to describe Spirit Quartz, as it helps to harmonize the levels of the aura, the chakras, the meridians and the physical body. Quartz brings Spirit into play with all aspects of one's inner and outer life.

A funny side note - "It's name is derived from a similarity of the purple Amethyst color to that of a popular (in South Africa) window cleaning solution named Spirit."  Robert Simmons

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​Aura quartz is quartz that has been enhanced with a combination of titanium and niobium.
Metal-coated crystals are natural crystals, such as quartz, whose surface has been coated with metal to give them an iridescent metallic sheen. Crystals treated this way are used as gemstones and for other decorative purposes. Possible coatings include gold (resulting in a stone called aqua aura), indium, titanium, niobium and copper. Other names for crystals treated so include; angel aura, flame aura, opal aura or rainbow quartz.

Aqua aura is created in a vacuum chamber from quartz crystals and gold vapour by vapour deposition. The quartz is heated to 871 °C (1600 °F) in a vacuum, and then gold vapor is added to the chamber.

The gold atoms fuse to the crystal's surface, which gives the crystal an iridescent metallic sheen. When viewed under a gemological microscope in diffused direct transmitted light, aqua aura displays the following properties:

• A coppery surface iridescence in tangential illumination
• Diffused dark outlines of some facet junctions
• A patchy blue color distribution on some facets
• White facet junctions, irregular white abrasions and surface pits, where the treatment either did not "take" or had been abraded away.

Rainbow quartz have been treated with a combination of titanium and gold. Titanium molecules are bonded to the quartz by the natural electrostatic charge of the crystal in a process known as magnetron ionization.
Picture is Angel Aura Quartz
Credit: Exotic Crystals LLC

Garnet is the birthstone for January.  Garnet is popularly known for being a pomegranate red gemstone, however there are many colors and varieties of Garnets, most falling under six main varieties.  All of these Garnets have the general metaphysical properties of Garnet in common, as well as metaphysical properties unique to each variety. 

UVAROVITE is currently the only known name for this variety of Garnet, and the rarest variety of all the Garnets. It is the only Garnet to consistently come in an emerald green color. It is often confused with a type of Grossular Garnet, however the chemical composition is different and Uvarovite consistently comes in the formation of small druzes, whereas Grossular can form as larger chips and chunks.

Uvarovite Garnets are considered stones for the soul. They bring peace, clarity, and optimism to the user. They also help the user recognize universal consciousness and spirit throughout the world.
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Uvarovite Garnets are wonderful to keep close throughout the day because of the serenity they bring to your soul. This could mean using a Uvarovite Garnet druze as a paperweight on your desk, meditating with it, or wearing it in the form of jewelry.

​The Shiitake mushroom (Xiang Gu) is the second most-consumed mushroom in the US, right after white button/portobello/cremini. Shiitake mushrooms have long been highly sought-after for their medicinal benefits, as they are antibacterial, anti-fungal, antiviral, and antiparasitic!
In traditional Chinese medicine, Shiitakes are used to treat cold and flu cases, and several other conditions like high cholesterol, chronic fatigue, hypertension, weight issues. 
 
Like the Reishi, the Shiitake is nutrient rich

• Protein
• Calcium
• Copper
• Iron
• Magnesium
• Manganese
• Phosphorus
• Potassium
• Selenium
• Sodium
• Zinc
• Vitamin B1 (Thiamin)
• Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)
• Vitamin B3 (Niacin)
• Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid)
• Vitamin B6
• Vitamin B9 (Folate)
• Vitamin D2
• Omega-3 fatty acids
• Omega-6 fatty acids

 Shiitakes contain many of the same essential amino acids as those found in meat. You won’t typically find them in other plant-based protein sources. They are also rich in lipids, sterols, terpenoids, and polysaccharides, all of which have powerful cancer-fighting, cholesterol-lowering, and immune-enhancing properties.

The levels of bioactive compounds in shiitake mushrooms vary depending on the cultivation methods used to grow them, the storage and the preparation techniques. Dried shiitakes, for instance, have a higher nutritional composition than fresh ones.

They can be consumed in a supplement form, but buy from a reputable source as the potency may have not been tested. So, we recommend consuming them in whole or dried form to reap the maximum nutritional benefits that come from them.

Shiitake mushrooms promote cardiovascular health. Shiitake mushrooms are rich in Beta-glucan – a type of soluble fiber. This compound plays a critical role in reducing the levels of LDL (“bad”) cholesterol present in the blood.  B-glucan is also a powerful immune booster.
They are also rich in Potassium, which is excellent in reducing and managing blood pressure among hypertensive individuals. The fact that they are also naturally low in sodium, and completely free of saturated fats, makes them the perfect ingredient for heart-healthy foods.

Shiitake mushrooms have cancer fighting properties. The high number of polysaccharides present in Shiitakes is what gives them their cancer-fighting properties. Lentinan, for instance, activates the body’s immune system to obliterate cancerous tumors before they become problematic.  In Japan Lentinan is used in treating Stomach Cancer.  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3339609/......
“Numerous clinical trials have been conducted to assess the benefits of using commercial preparations containing medicinal mushroom extracts in cancer therapy. Their potential uses individually and as adjuncts to cancer therapy have emerged. Mushrooms are known to complement chemotherapy and radiation therapy by countering the side-effects of cancer, such as nausea, bone marrow suppression, anemia, and lowered resistance. Recently, a number of bioactive molecules, including anti-tumor agents, have been identified from various mushrooms The active components in mushrooms responsible for conferring anti-cancer potential are lentinan……”

Studies have also shown shiitake to be quite effective in inhibiting the growth and spread of promyelocytic leukemia cells.

In a 2015 randomized controlled trial Shiitake mushrooms were shown to increase human immunity. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25866155/

To reap the full array of Shiitake mushroom nutrition benefits, consider incorporating
4 ounces into stir-fry dishes, grilling them or sautéing them and using them as a topping to your favorite entrées. Or to get your daily dose you could dry them and grind them into a fine powder and use it as a condiment.
 

 Did you know that Portobello, white button, and cremini mushrooms are the same mushroom, but at different stages of growth?  The white button mushroom is the baby, when it turns dark brown it is then called cremini, and finally it grows large, becomes spongy and turns tan to become a Portobello.  The DNA structure of Portobello mushrooms is closer to that of humans than it is to plants!  Portobello mushrooms are a leading source of antioxidants, minerals, and B-glucan that boost the immune system function and the body’s overall health.

Portobello mushrooms have many nutrients and most importantly just ½ cup (3.5 oz) contains high amounts of Phosphorus, Potassium, Selenium, Copper, and B-Vitamins.  They contain high amounts of Vitamin D and can continue to produce Vitamin D after harvested if they are exposed to UV light from the sun or a lamp!

In brief:
Phosphorus – important for healthy formation of teeth and bones, as well as how the body                             uses fats and carbohydrates
Potassium – ½ cup of Portobello mushrooms contains 364 mg (more than a banana).                                  Potassium is necessary to regulate the  electrical activity of the heart and other                        muscles, as well as controlling the balance of fluids in the body.  It plays an                              important role in managing blood pressure.
Selenium – has powerful antioxidant properties that protect against cell damage caused by                       free radicals.  Studies show that Selenium may boost the body’s immune system                    and may destroy cancer cells.  The cancer-fighting properties of Selenium are                         only realized when consumed through food and not supplements.
Copper – ½ cup of Portobello mushrooms contains 20% of your daily requirement!  Copper                    and iron work together to allow the body to make red blood cells.  It plays an                             important role in the prevention of heart disease and osteoporosis.
B-Complex Vitamins – Thiamin for metabolism of nutrients to energy
                                     Riboflavin has powerful antioxidant properties
                                     Niacin promotes DNA production, metabolism
                               Pantothenic acid aids in the production of good cholesterol and hormones
                                 Folate promotes healthy formation, growth, and division of red and                                           white blood cells
                                              

The Reishi mushroom is known as the "Mushroom of Immortality".  

​In Chinese pharmacology it is known as "Ling Zhi" and a few of its therapeutic properties include calming the mind, dispelling phlegm, supporting the blood and qi.  Because it is composed of B-glucan it boosts the immune system.  It is also well-known for being adaptogenic, which means it has a normalizing action irrespective of the direction of the pathological state.

It can be taken during chemo and/or radiation to support those treatments. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3585368/
​ Consult with an acupuncturist or an herbalist for dosing recommendations.

Taking Vitamin C helps in the absorption of Reishi mushrooms.  
Because Reishi has blood invigorating properties it should be used with caution and monitored for anyone taking blood thinning drugs.
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***Do not consume Reishi mushrooms if you have a sensitivity or are allergic to them.

As a child growing up in the desert town of Taft, after a rare rain my Mother would get her large colander and take my brother and me to the open fields across the street to forage mushrooms.  I have always loved mushrooms so it was such a treat to come back home with her colander heaping with fresh mushrooms.  There are 150,000 mushroom species – about 700 are edible and 50 are POISONOUS.  So please do not forage mushrooms without a strong knowledge of which are safe and which are not safe.

A mushroom’s DNA is more similar to ours than plant DNA, mushrooms actually breathe Oxygen and give off Carbon Dioxide.  Fungi are the cleansers of the Earth that transform dead organic matter into nutrients that plants and animals can feed on.

Egyptian hieroglyphics show the pharaohs of 4,600 years ago believed the mushroom to be the “plant of immortality”.  Although past research has come primarily from Asian and Russian scientists, Western scientists are now looking more closely at the benefits of mushrooms.  Different species of mushrooms have different medicinal properties, but they all have one thing in common:  They are composed of polysaccharides, long chain molecules that have bound together to form Beta Glucan (B-glucan).  Beta Glucan STIMULATES/BOOSTS THE IMMUNE SYSTEM, especially good for respiratory infections.  https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34836215/     (This review summarizes the latest findings on biological and health-promoting potential of mushroom beta-glucans for the treatment of civilization and viral diseases, with particular emphasis on COVID-19.)
 
Certain mushrooms can also REGULATE the immune system – they balance the immune response by either lowering the production of white blood cells when the system is overactive (like autoimmune diseases) or increasing production when it is underactive.  Three well known medicinal mushrooms that are considered adaptogens (balancing) are Reishi, Shitake, and Maitake.  In addition, mushrooms are a great prebiotic, feeding the good bacteria needed for digestion.

“IMMUNITY” has become a worldwide buzz word since Covid emerged.  The best way to increase one’s NATURAL IMMUNITY is by: 
                                                  1. Manage stress 
                                                  2. Eat well balanced whole foods, fruits and veggies
                                                  3. Eat mushrooms regularly
                                                  4. Vitamin D  5,000 iu/day
                                                  5. Exercise
If you don’t like mushrooms, or at least not enough to eat DAILY, the following would be a good supplement and comes in a powder or a capsule:    
 https://www.vitacost.com/om-organic-mushroom-superfood-powder-master-blend   

There are many studies showing much better outcomes when conventional cancer treatment is combined with the use of medicinal mushrooms.  In fact, in Asia and Russia medicinal mushrooms are given as part of a cancer treatment along with chemo and radiation therapies.

As I mentioned, the different types of mushrooms have different therapeutic properties and indications, and I will be sharing little snippets in upcoming blogs.
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***As with anything, do not eat mushrooms if you know you have a sensitivity or are allergic to them!​                                                        
 

Grape Agate is a form of quartz.  It entered the crystal market about 5 years ago and to this day is only found at one mining region in Indonesia.

Grape Agate is a powerful intuitive stone that activates and links the crown and third eye chakras together. This stone helps one activate their psychic abilities and assists in the understanding of dreams.  This stone vibrates at such a high frequency and allows one to transition between this realm and higher realms with ease. When working with this stone we suggest using Angelite or Selenite alongside it. All these stones will enhance the strength of Grape Agate, while also helping one maintain much needed mental clarity.

When wanting to purchase one of these stones, it's important to know that your buying from an authentic dealer. Pieces that are dirty or sometimes barely purple have been dyed and are actually quite common to see on the market. 

I applaud those fighting the placement of 5G boxes in proximity to their homes. I cringed when I read the April 24 article (“Concerns Raised Over 5G Facilities,” News-Press), which stated “telecommunication officials say the radiation emissions are under control and safe to the general public based on regulations set by the Federal Communications Commission.” The story also cited the FDA and the World Health Organization saying there are no adverse effects tied to wireless exposure.   There is a wealth of information on Non-Thermal Biological Effects found on the National Institute of Health Pubmed Database – search “Oxidative effects of wireless radiation”.

The FCC and FDA information is not current.  Prior research does not factor in the long-term or cumulative effects of exposure to EMF radiation.  Prior studies do not focus on Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) effects on the tissues.  Children and pregnant women and those with neurological diseases have not been factored into their research.  Children’s brains absorb at least twice the EMF radiation as an adult brain.  In fact, many nations have banned wi-fi in schools and pre-schools (France).  In 2011 the WHO reclassified EMF radiation as “Probably Carcinogenic”.

In China research on EMF effects on health is given top priority, and as a result they have strict standards.  For example, the SAR for the public in China is .02 watts per Kg.  In America the SAR for the public is 4.0 watts per Kg (1994)!  The allowable absorption rate in the U.S. is FOUR TIMES GREATER than in China.
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The 5G wavelength is much stronger than 4G but is shorter so there has to be many more "wireless facilities".  But they should not be placed near inhabited areas.

WHAT IS FACIAL GUA SHA? Gua Sha is a formal Chinese Medicine technique. The facial version has been adapted from the body treatment which intentionally produces red marks called therapeutic petechia. For facial work, the Gua Sha strokes are practiced much more slowly and gently, resulting in more comfort and relaxation, with the noticeable absence of red marks.  
PROCESS. Like jade rolling, Gua Sha strokes include applying pressure to skin and tissue to aid circulation within. But, the Gua sha stroke not only applies pressure, it also produces a light stretch of skin and tissue at the same time. Done correctly, this results in a more noticeable myofascial release. Gua Sha relaxes tissue tension and thus, invigorates circulation better than jade rolling.  i like to FINISH a patient's Facial Rejuvenation with Jade or Rose Quartz rolling.  
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 BENEFITS OF FACIAL GUA SHA
IMPROVES TOTAL CIRCULATION. Facial Gua Sha helps improve lymph circulation and  drainage, but it also improves the quality of blood circulation and energy (“qi”) circulation. This is an important distinction. 
PRODUCT PENETRATION. Gua Sha can be performed with your moisturizing routine …. you may use a hydrating mist or facial oil ….. it’s also a very effective way to help products penetrate more deeply.
RELEASE AND RELAX TENSION. Done correctly, Facial Gua Sha is a very effective tool for relaxing tension in the face and neck. Not only does it feel amazing, it softens tension from “poor face posture” (brought on by active facial muscles constantly forming a “worried” or “strained” face). We use Gua Sha to bring back a “relaxed” face, which in turn looks refreshed and more youthful. 
SCULPT, CONTOUR, AND SHAPE. Facial Gua Sha uses a stroke that creates pressure and stretch at the same time, which makes it more effective than the jade roller for sculpting facial features like cheekbone and jawline. Gua Sha tools that are designed with shapes that fit around facial curves amplify this benefit even more. 
FINE LINES, WRINKLES, AND TEXTURE. Theoretically, a jade roller can reduce fine lines and wrinkles, but a Gua Sha tool designed with multiple shapes and edges can be used in so many more ways, and as a result, will be more effective. For instance, you can use a comb edge, or turn the tool on its narrow edge, and work with a quick and light stroke to smooth texture or lines. There are more options available when using a Gua Sha tool. 
EASY TO CLEAN. The Gua Sha tool is a simple stone board, so it’s easy to clean with soap and hot water. 
EFFORT.  Learning Facial Gua Sha requires a little effort. Practicing proper technique is the key to getting the results you’re working for.  There are many online tutorials.