RAINBOWS + CHAKRAS ~ OH MY! JUICE SERIES #1

A word from Trish Alkaitis:

Hello gorgeous!

Spring is here, and we couldn't be happier about it! To celebrate, Holly Cline and I have decided to collaborate on a monthly series to weave a fun and beautiful connection between nature's color palette and how it relates to the energetic chakra centers. We'll also take you on a visual journey to illustrate a delightful parallel between our 'edible' skincare ingredients and your own daily health care.

Everywhere you look in nature, the signs are there. For instance, have you ever noticed that when you slice a carrot, the circles resemble the eyes? Or how a stalk of celery mirrors our bones? A walnut looks like our brain, and grapes resemble our lungs? It could be a mere coincidence that specific foods resemble the body parts they benefit. However, it is undeniable that these foods contain the vital nutrients needed for the related body parts, and noticing this can serve as an enjoyable reminder of the interrelated nature of everything.

When life is lived holistically, one will start to recognize the interconnectedness of nature, our body, and our vibrational frequency that, although unseen, permeates all of life. Like the colors of the rainbow, all foods and colors have a specific vibration, tone, chakra, organ, and emotion. This study can be quite detailed and complex. It's often explored in practices such as yoga, energy work, and ancient Vedic texts.

For our purposes here, we are keeping it sweet and simple. These lifestyle practices (juicing) are easy ways to make the mind, body, and spirit connection. Let's get to it!

MEET HOLLY CLINE

Holistic Esthetician and owner of Seattle-based day spa Holly Cline Skincare, where she exclusively offers Dr. Alkaitis' Organic Raw Living Facials. www.hollyclineskincare.com

Holly and I have had some amazing masterclasses together, which are about so much more than just skincare. We dive deep, strip our faces, bare our souls, laugh a lot, and get real and raw.

Both of us, being acne survivors, understood early on that to heal, we had to look within to get the results without. We soon found that we have many things in common, and so here we are, ready to collaborate, explore, and offer some of our path and passion.

Without further ado, visit us here every month as we drink our way through the rainbow...

THE POWER OF RED - ROOT CHAKRA #1

Featuring Dr. Alkaitis' Cellular Repair Mask

Q: Holly, tell us how this color and chakra inspired you, your inspiration for this juice, and any unique ingredients that you used?

A: The root chakra begins at the base of the spine, specifically the perineum, and also corresponds to our legs, feet, bones, and large intestine. It's the foundation of the chakra system and our energetic connection to the planet, as well as our physical bodies. It represents the element Earth, and its functions are strength, grounding, and stability. It's visualized as a bright red color. So with that in mind, I wanted to create a juice blend of nourishing fruits and vegetables rich in vibrant, passionate hues of red, as well as supportive, grounding root vegetables to achieve a nutritious juice designed to balance this very important base chakra.

My juice recipe consists of earthy beets, heirloom carrots, celery, and ginger root. I also drew inspiration from the Dr. Alkaitis Cellular Repair Mask and incorporated gorgeous ruby-red strawberries and raspberries. Also, my special ingredient, amla powder. Amla berries (also known as the Indian Gooseberry), although not red in color, are a powerful adaptogenic food that protects the body and skin from oxidative stress and accelerated aging. Its tart, sour flavor pairs beautifully with and balances the sweetness of the beets, carrots, and berries. I hope you enjoy!

Juice Recipe:

• 3 Beets, including their greens
• 4 Purple or orange Heirloom Carrots
• 4 Stalks of Celery
• 1 Cup Strawberries
• 1 Cup Raspberries
• 2-inch piece of ginger root
• 1/8 tsp Amla Berry powder

Run ingredients through a juicer, stir in Amla berry powder. Enjoy!

Health benefits of juice ingredients:

• Beets: Rich in folate, antioxidants, and manganese. Blood purifier and detoxifier. Helps cells grow and function. Cleanses the colon.
• Beet Greens: Rich in Vitamins A, C, and K, iron, magnesium, and potassium.
• Heirloom carrots: Excellent source of Vitamin A. Promotes clear, glowing skin.
• Celery: High in calcium and Vitamin K. Promotes bone health.
• Strawberries: Great source of skin-brightening Vitamin C and antioxidants.
• Raspberries: Rich in polyphenols and anti-inflammatory compounds.
• Ginger Root: Aids in digestion and gastrointestinal motility.
• Amla Berry (Indian Gooseberry): High in Vitamin C and antioxidants. Treats acne and hyperpigmentation. Protects the skin from oxidative stress and accelerated aging.

THE CELLULAR REPAIR MASK

A mixture of the finest biodynamic and organic raw fruit extracts, bursting with repairing and rejuvenating antioxidants and vitamins. Our Cellular Repair Mask is formulated to stimulate the skin's regenerating properties on a cellular level, restore vitality, and fortify by infusing the deepest layers of the skin with sheer fruit power. Aims to visibly brighten the skin, invigorate, and rejuvenate. Recommended for all skin types.

Ingredients: Oat Buds*, Raspberry*, Blueberry*, Blackberry*, Grapes*, Strawberries*, Bilberry*, Maqui Berry*, Black Currant*, Pomegranate Juice*, Amla*, Sour Cherry*, Elderberry*, Cranberry*, Camu Camu*, Northern Bilberry*, Aronia Powder* *certified organically grown

Cheers to your health and beauty!

Photo credits: Holly Cline