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Issues

Mind KEY / Issues (Page 2)
Building a summer reading habit

Summer reading: Nourishment for mind and soul

by Josephine Belliveau Whether you’re a student, a parent, or an employee, things tend to slow down the longer the sun stays in the sky. It’s the break we all need! While we relax and plan beach trips, we’re nourishing our bodies with joy and rest. Just as important as our bodies, our mind and souls need fulfillment too. Summer reading can easily accommodate both of those things. Maybe you’re already an avid reader that already has a list of good books at the ready. If not, don’t give up on this chapter yet. You’re not alone. According to the Washington Post, a survey from the Bureau of Labor Statistics says that Americans read for pleasure 30% less since 2004. In this multimedia world, it’s hard...

Yoga to increase energy

Yoga to Increase Energy: 30 minutes of vinyasa, pranayama & mudra

By: Sierra Vandervort Welcome to this class: Yoga to Increase Energy! I’ll be taking you through a vinyasa flow, as well as some mudras and pranayama for beginners. Everything in our practice today is meant for when you need an energy boost and to help you feel your best. This is great 30 minute morning yoga practice to start your day. Need an energy boost? Get unstuck Oftentimes, we accumulate stagnant and low-vibrational energy in our bodies. When we do a mindful movement practice like yoga, we’re working to clear away that which has become stuck and invite fresh, new energy into our bodies. In Sanskrit, we call this fresh new energy prana. To stimulate our prana, we’re going to take a series of twists and backbends in this...

Healthy and all-natural sunscreen

Healthy and all-natural sunscreen options

We all understand the importance of sun protection. From avoiding painful (and embarrassing) burns, to preventing cancer in ourselves and our children, sunscreen is an important part of healthy skin, healthy aging and healthy living. But with the concern raised over chemicals, nanoparticles and other ingredients found in commonly purchased sunscreens, many wonder if there is a way to protect our skin from both the sun and the sun protectants we put on it. Thankfully, there is more than one healthy and all-natural sunscreen out there that not only work, but are also safe for you and the environment. From sun-worshiping to sun-careful by Cris McCullough In the 50’s, we grew up as sun worshipers! We played outside from dawn to dusk, chasing the ice cream truck and...

Edible milkweed for butterflies

Milkweed: A Source of Nourishment for Pollinators, Monarchs, and Humans

By: Karen Talbot, The Wild Gardener Botanical Sanctuary Gardeners and foragers like me have been encouraged to plant milkweed if they have space. Why? Not only is this plant phenomenal for hosting bees and other pollinating insects, but also because it’s the only source of food for the lovely monarch butterflies. And did you know that milkweed is also edible? According to the American Botanical Council (Mader, p.38), Native American tribes have valued this plant for food, medicine, and fiber. There are over 100 plants in this family, the common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) is the one I’m talking about here and it’s indigenous to the eastern U.S. where I live. Edible milkweed for butterflies is not hard to grow at all, and I’ve been doing it...

Tips to support gut health

Tips to support gut health and easily boost your mood

By: Mind Key Community We usually don’t think of our mental well-being as connected to the foods we eat. We may be inspired to eat better to slim up or tend to our physical health, but the truth is, what you eat has just as substantial an impact on your mental function. Admittedly, I’m not the best at eating nourishing foods. I’m a naturally active and productive person, and taking time to feed myself properly usually falls to the bottom of my priority list. To me, eating just seemed like another chore. That is, until I learned how important eating well and supporting a healthy gut was for my mental health. In this piece, my dear friend and holistic nutritionist Savannah Bleue gives some tips to...

non-body self-care

7 Non-body self-care practices that can totally reset your mood

By: Ryan Ashley When most people hear the term ‘nourishment’ their mind usually goes straight to thoughts of food or their bodies. But did you know that there are a ton of ways to feel nourished in your life without thinking about your body or what’s going into it? So many of us have had some kind of stress or trauma relating to those two things, so here’s a list of nourishing practices that will feed your mind and soul – leaving your body out of it. Here’s a list of non-body self-care practices that will feed your mind & soul. Seven non-body self-care practices that have nothing to do with your body 1. Clean Your Spaces If you’ve never noticed how you feel after cleaning your home or...

The benefits of adopting two kittens

Explore the benefits of adopting two kittens

By Jordana Mross The Daily Key is introducing a new theme to go along with every issue: pet articles! According to a survey done by Forbes Advisor, 78% of pet owners acquired a new pet during the pandemic. With working from home becoming a norm, more and more people are bringing fur babies into their homes to accompany them. The Daily Key thinks it’s crucial for pet owners to know not only what they’re getting into if they’re considering getting another pet, but also the benefits of adopting two kittens as well. Benefits of adopting two kittens It is already common knowledge that everyone loves kittens. How could you not? They’re sweet, fun, playful, and absolutely adorable! When kitten season comes along each year, many shelters, rescues, and...

Replenish yourself in the Hudson Valley, NY

Replenish yourself with things to do in the Hudson Valley

By Joseph Gonzalez The summer is generally known for relaxation, and it seems many of us need to relax more than ever nowadays According to a survey done by Princess Cruises, many Americans only spend an hour a day relaxing, which seems miniscule compared to the amount of work we put into our jobs, family life, and other things. If we plan on living our lives happily and with as little stress as possible, then it would help to have at least one method of relaxation; I can tell you first-hand that this is possible in the Hudson Valley. The Daily Key has covered cool things to do in the Hudson Valley before, but this time, we’ll look at some places that’ll require minimum effort to...

Live music for health

Live music for health: how dancing and live events can boost your mental health

By: Katie Sipes The growth provided by music is hard to track on a chart. Fortunately, we can acknowledge how we, as people, have benefited individually. The nourishment provided by live music is not that of typical sustenance, but it is spiritually fulfilling. According to a 2013 article published on the neurochemistry of music, the environment of concerts and music festivals alone provides dopamine and serotonin while also introducing us to new people and places. And this is just one of the ways in which live music can be beneficial for your health. Finding nourishment through music and dancing is intuitive to all of us. By investing our energy into experiences like these, we’re given back what we put in tenfold. We recharge ourselves in ways...

practices for digital detox

Need a break from your screen? Try one of these simple practices for digital detox

By: Sierra Vandervort Ever heard of a digital detox? It’s a growingly popular phrase in the modern wellness industry, and simply means you’re in need of a good unplugging from your devices and digital workload. In our constantly digitally-wired world, it’s easy to see the need. In a fast-paced world, finding time to give your brain a break and let your thoughts come and go is more important than ever. If you need a break from your screen, it may be beneficial to try one of these simple practices for digital detox. The effects of our screens According to a 2017 study on the connection between productivity and cell phones, we’re less productive, inspired and creative when we’re in constant data-consumption mode. Even during the transitional moments of...

downshifting

Struggling with work-life balance? A downshifting lifestyle might be your answer

By: Sierra Vandervort I first became self-employed when I was 24. In a pre-pandemic world, I was creating an online membership platform for content on yoga & spirituality. I received well-meaning comments like “you’re doing so much” or “you’re totally killing it” from those who saw my work on the outside. And on some days, I felt like I was killing it. When I felt extra inspired, productive, or enterprising - I felt on top of the world. But more often than not, I felt burnt out, haphazard and totally overwhelmed. It wasn’t until I discovered the downshifting lifestyle that I realized what was wrong. What’s the big deal? I had “made it,” so to speak. I was doing what I loved, and I was making money....

Past lives and healing

Back to the Future: A review of “My Autobiographies” by John Koenig

By: Cris McCullough “Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.”  ~ Danish philosopher Søren Kierkegaard Hypnotherapist, John Koenig, took the time to explore past lives and healing in his new book, My Autobiographies, An Introduction to Past Life Exploration for Personal and Spiritual Growth. In the book, John shares his personal experience with the process of past life regression, how it brought him to an awareness of various facets of his soul, and how he used this information to understand himself better and grow spiritually and emotionally. He relates, through story and verse, 14 of his past lives, and shows how they helped him understand the “why” of his life journey here and now. Past lives and healing Many of us express an interest in...

Bonsai meditative art

Nourishing nature and Bonsai at the National Arboretum

By: Cris McCullough On a recent trip to our nation’s capital, I discovered a hidden gem among the many museums and attractions of Washington, D.C. The National Bonsai and Penjing Museum at The National Arboretum contains miniature masterpieces of this extraordinary horticultural art. The Chinese art of penjing and the Japanese art of bonsai use woody plants in shallow containers as a medium to portray the natural growth habit of ancient trees in the landscape. These are living sculptures which require continual care, nourishment, and training to maintain their artistic design, and it’s also an example of bonsai meditative art, which can be used for nourishing ourselves. The museum’s collection began in 1976 with a gift of 53 bonsai trees from Japan to commemorate the United States...

Simple stylish outfits

Create simple, stylish outfits with these six fashion staples

By Sidra Sadaqat On-the-go dressing is an artwork. Sure, you may pull in your favorite pair of leggings and throw on your favorite outsized puffer jacket and call it a day; however, where’s the fun in that? Instead, I discovered that first-rate comfortable style for ladies features both style and function that’s essential to feeling and performing your best, wherever you are. If it seems challenging to put together simple, stylish outfits, today I’m sharing six fashion staples that you probably already own. The key to pulling together comfortable and stylish on-the-go outfits in 2022 is to pair the pieces you own and love with some sparkling updates for the brand new year. A new blazer looks first-rate layered over your favorite colorful turtleneck, for instance. Or,...

Comic books are educational

Nourishing the next generation of creators: an interview with Wayne Quakenbush

By Sabrina Rabidoux with Cris McCullough Nourishing and inspiring the creators of tomorrow Our student intern this year has been Sabrina Rabidoux, assisting Mind Key with our social media outreach. Sabrina is a student at The Metropolitan Regional Career and Technical Center (The MET), an innovative high school whose mission is to help students discover their interests and passions and support their journey to achieving their goals through mentoring and internships. Sabrina is also a talented graphic artist in her own right, and a prime example that shows how comic books are educational. I thought she might enjoy meeting one of Newport’s long standing icons in the art scene, Wayne Quakenbush, owner of The Annex Comics on Broadway in Newport, RI. My own kids went to the...

Solar power choices

The energy of the Sun; solar power is a choice

Intro by Cris McCullough As a culture, we have become dependent on fossil fuels. We need to heat and cool our homes, along with powering our vehicles and supportive devices too. But now, since we’re faced with supply chain issues and other disruptions we cannot control, many are seeking alternative solutions. Among the possibilities, solar power seems like a no brainer. However, solar power isn’t a cut-and-dry option. Two common solar power choices for the everyday consumer are solar panels (such as those installed on a roof), or solar farms where consumers “buy in” to a solar-powered cooperative to run their homes. When you start exploring the options, buying into a solar farm or investing in solar panels, the information shared on websites can be confusing....

november 2022 astrology report

A Change in Direction: November’s astrology report

By Oneyda Salazar November offers the change direction we all desperately need. Since the beginning of this year we have all been experiencing intense change. Life isn’t the same anymore and it will continue to be like this. Many welcome November with hesitation and the awareness that we are in Scorpio season. Fortunately, many planets have stationed direct, facilitating the much needed change of direction in our lives. So many were resisting these changes. Hopefully, you adjusted and didn’t resist too hard because the real fun is here. Keep reading for your November 2022 astrology report.  The full moon on Taurus on November 8th is also an eclipse, which will bring lots of uncomfortable energy. The days leading up to the full moon will feel particularly chaotic...

november 2022 full moon report

A Taurus lunar eclipse brings change this November

By Oneyda Salazar The 8th is the full moon lunar eclipse in Taurus and the energy of this is going to be really uncomfortable. The days leading up to this eclipse will be chaotic because Scorpio-ruled Mars will be in retrograde motion in Gemini. Keep reading to learn more in our November 2022 full moon report Polar opposites rile the emotions You must be wondering what Mars has to do with Taurus. Well, traditionally Mars rules Scorpio and it amplifies the emotional state of the Scorpio. What does this mean for the full moon in Taurus? It means emotions will be running amok. Scorpio and Taurus are polar opposites and where Scorpio doesn't mind showing, telling, and making you feel how they feel, Taurus will have you wondering...

how to prepare

PREPARE for winter with The Daily Key

by Cris McCullough PREPARE, the title of this month’s issue, is predicated on the hidden power of expectation/anticipation for an event, and our very human need to retain a modicum of control over the unknown. As we welcome a change of seasons, and the changes that inevitably face us as we move into the future, The Daily Key offers insights on how to prepare for those changes.  Preparing for the ebb and flow of change The seasons are part of a Universal “tide.” We go inward, and then move outward. There is a flow to everything. When humans find their flow within their own life, everyone around them benefits. We harvest what we have planted… be that an idea, a piece of art, money, food, or investments of time,...

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fall garden prep

Your fall checklist for winter garden prep

By Danielle Rose Summer is officially over, and although the changing leaves are stunning to watch, as they drop we’re left with a growing to-do list in the garden. First frost is generally a good guideline for completing any unfinished fall garden prep (and some can even wait until after), but the more that can be completed beforehand, the better. Our autumn checklist of items that absolutely need to be done before the first hard freeze, courtesy of Glenwild Garden Center, will help create a yard that’s beautiful and healthy come the spring thaw.  Overwintering container gardens If your houseplants or tropicals are still outside, now is the time to bring them in if you want to save them (and haven’t already done so). First, deadhead the flowers...

Winter immunity tips for body, mind and soul

Strengthen body, mind & soul with these winter immunity tips

by Cris McCullough With winter comes a new slew of stressors. The holidays, shorter days, cold weather, midterms and flu season all combine with other life stressors of the season to create weakened immune systems. Boosting immunity isn’t as simple as taking a supplement, not when so many factors come into play. These winter immunity tips go beyond the common and cover all aspects of one’s mental and physical well being with a focus on body, mind and spirit. Good health is more than just a healthy body Chiropractor, Dr. Michael Gottfried reiterates the importance of each individual’s body, mind, spirit connection in addressing immunity.  “Think in terms of enhancing your mind, body, and spirit (known as psychoneuroimmunology),” he said. “Try some of the following suggestions and see what...

Make your own yogurt

Make your own homemade yogurt (in a cooler!)

by Karen Talbot, Wild Gardener When I was a young hippie mom in the early 1970’s, I looked for frugal ways to cut expenses and feed my family. Cooking from scratch, making clothes, baking bread, and growing vegetables are some examples. I wanted to learn to make your own yogurt, since my family liked it so much. It is a healthy fermented food that could even be strained to make a simple cheese. Everything I read at the time seemed to describe a finicky process and required a special thermometer to maintain the temperature. Product pages in the back of magazines advertised an electric yogurt machine with little plastic cups that did everything for you, but it was an expense I couldn’t afford. The good news...

remedies for seasonal affective disorder

Remedies for SAD, just in time for the Holidays

By Claybourne DiCosmo During the holidays, seasonal affective disorder (SAD) can hit hard. Many who are afflicted can feel sun-starved and isolated. Remedies for seasonal affective disorder can help as you bob and weave through those feelings. Found friends, good family, therapy lamps and sleep/wake regulation. SAD is no undefeated weed nor beast, it can be tamed and the mental health garden one has cultivated will be prepared for the coming spring. Remedies for seasonal affective disorder Some people don’t understand how many people are affected by this seasonal depression. In a 2016 article published in Psychology Today, Dr. Marlynn Wei, board-certified Harvard and Yale-trained psychiatrist and yoga teacher said, “For about 3 percent of people, this mood downturn is so severe that they have something called seasonal...

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