Coloring isn’t just for Children.

The word mandala itself is derived from the root “manda,”
which means essence, to which the suffix “la,” meaning container, has been
added. Thus, the derived definition of the mandala is that it is a “container
of essence.” And the word mandala in Sanskrit means “circle,” or “completion.”
As an image, a mandala may symbolize one’s mind, body and soul, all working in
unison to complete the whole of the person.

In nature, mandalas are found in many places, the solar
system is the most obvious but one can look carefully to find them in
sea-shells, snowflakes or the rings of a tree to name a few. Mandalas can also
be found throughout life as conceptual circles of friends, family, community as
well as the “circle of life.”

What are the therapeutic properties of coloring a
Mandala?

Mandalas are beautiful and they are powerful tools for
inspiration, meditation, healing and self-discovery. They come in many forms
from the most simple, to complex and intricate. Skill level is of no
consideration and this form of therapeutic coloring is used with both children
and adults.

The act of Mandala coloring is very relaxing, calming and
healing. The special circular designs of each mandala is meant to relieve
stress and tension, help enter a meditative state, remind us of our relation to
the infinite and the world that extends not only within our body and mind but
far beyond into the universe.

If you are curious about entering this meditative world,
grab your kid’s crayons, colored pencils or markers and find the 30-Minute
Mandalas Coloring Book to be most helpful!

Eat More Chocolate!

With today being the day after Halloween, the night of tricks and mostly treats…..as in candy, and hopefully chocolate candy, I thought I’d write this article.

Chocolate is made from plants, which means it contains many of the health benefits of dark vegetables. These benefits are from flavonoids, which act as antioxidants. Antioxidants protect the body from aging caused by free radicals, which can cause damage that leads to heart disease. Dark chocolate contains a large number of antioxidants (nearly 8 times the number found in strawberries). Flavonoids also help relax blood pressure through the production of nitric oxide, and balance certain hormones in the body.

 

A new Harvard study found that eating a small square of dark chocolate daily can help lower blood pressure for people with hypertension. It found that dark chocolate, the kind that contains at least 50 to 70 percent cocoa, lowered blood pressure in all participants, but most notably in those with hypertension. Dark chocolate also appears to affect cholesterol. The Harvard researchers found some evidence for a small decrease in LDL (bad) cholesterol and a significant increase in HDL (good) cholesterol.

 

But it doesn’t stop there….More benefits of eating dark chocolate include:

  • ·         it tastes good
  • ·         it stimulates endorphin production, which gives a feeling of pleasure
  • ·         it contains serotonin, which acts as an anti-depressant
  • ·         it contains theobromine, caffeine and other substances which are stimulants

 

Yes, but isn’t chocolate fattening? Not Dark Chocolate…..

Some of the fats in chocolate do not impact your cholesterol. The fats in chocolate are 1/3 oleic acid, 1/3 stearic acid and 1/3 palmitic acid:

  • ·         Oleic Acid is a healthy monounsaturated fat that is also found in olive oil.
  • ·         Stearic Acid is a saturated fat but one which research is shows has a neutral effect on cholesterol.
  • ·         Palmitic Acid is also a saturated fat, one which raises cholesterol and heart disease risk.

That means only 1/3 of the fat in dark chocolate is bad for you. The fattest and highest carbohydrate chocolates are milk chocolate, because cream and sugar are primary ingredients. And did you know that white chocolate, isn’t chocolate at all? There is no cocoa in white chocolate and this is the most fattening of all.

So enjoy raiding your kid’s treat bags, hope you find some good chocolate.

Hope you have a less stressed day. Mercedes.