Personally...from the President

Finding Now

We humans struggle so with such earnest and angst about problems, issues, decisions, and judgments, when 99% of it is an illusion. And even that awareness can be equally upsetting.

I've found in my research that this 99% illusion is primarily composed of our inability to or lack of focus on the present moment. NOW is who you are. NOW is where heaven is. NOW is simultaneously the way and the destination. NOW is home.

Take a look at what you have been worrying about. Is any of it actually happening NOW, or is it really happening in the past or the future? One double-edged capability we all have is to put our thoughts and our feelings into the past or the future. If I was to ask you if you are in the present moment when you are crying, you'd say "yes" because that sorrow seems to be heppening right now. If you are in physical pain, you would most certainly claim to be in the present moment, if for no other reason than the pain itself seems to force you there. But this is, once again, an illusion.

Pain, suffering, grief, jealousy, anger, and the rest of what we refer to as "negative" emotions are really all connected together in a sort of past-experience matrix. The fear of pain, suffering, etc. is a future projection connected to that matrix. Pain, especially if it is excruciating, convinces us that the NOW is painful and forces us into a "future" where that pain is gone. And with chronic pain, depression sets in from living in a desperately desired future that never comes.

The big "SECRET" is that we are all hard-wired for joy, and that joy is only found in the present moment. I say "hard-wired" because joy is the basic and primal driving justification for existence. ALL of our attention, intention and our striving is for one purpose, and one purpose only: JOY. As famed mystic and intellectual, Alan Watts said, "Ecstasy, by one road or another, is inevitable." I would venture to say that the reason this is hard-wired is because THAT is WHO WE ARE, and this is reflected in our brain-body-mind.

The "road" Watts refers to is made of decision and intention. We decide to leave the past and the future, and intend to experience joy. The space between leaving the non-present, and entering into the now, is what we call "time". Have you noticed that when you are fully in joy, or even just really happy, time fades away. And yet, when we are in pain, time seems to go on forever.

One conundrum of human existence is that joy is the only thing that brings us into the present moment. It is always an option, and as such is just a decision away. It may be a chirping bird, the sweet scent of a rose wafting through the air, fluffy clouds in a deeply blue sky, infinite stars in a cloudless sky... or, the sense of breathing in the sweet, living air, the faint pulse of your heart in your knees, the wonderful healing heat of rubbing your hands together. Whatever it is, it can immediately bring you to now.

This is a skill. But there is an over-arching principle here that is important: What you pay attention to expands. The more joy you decide to perceive, the more joy becomes apparent, and will crowd out any pain and suffering. Continue to be with joy, and soon your life will reflect back to you more and more reasons for joy. And because joy is who and what you are, this can happen very quickly. Appreciation and gratitude are more skills to apply in getting to now.

The other "secret" that we all really know is what some call "faith", others call "contextualizing". We have "faith" that what we think is happening to us is positive and leading us to more joy, more healing, more happiness. Referring back to Watts' statement that "ecstacy is inevitable," we all get there, either in life or by death.

For example, one person is coping with an aching knee and "has faith" or contextualizes that he is "getting old" and the knee is breaking down. Alarmed, he visits his doctor who runs a couple of tests and although there was nothing conclusive, the knee may be arthritic, and subscribes various drugs for the pain and inflammation. Further alarmed, this person has now decided he has arthritis in his knee, and if he doesn't take the drugs the pain is worse. Soon, x-rays show that the cartlidge in the knee is shrinking, and soon the doctor recommends surgery.

On the other hand... a person with a pain in his knee has faith that it is a new energy pattern to improve or heal a weak knee. The person is excited about having a healed knee, and in a few days, the pain is gone, and the knee feels stronger.

In the first case, the person has stepped away from the present moment into futures of pain and suffering. In the second example, the person has chosen to step into the joy of the now and the healing of the knee.

In both cases, where the attention went is what expanded.

Allow the option of joy at every opportunity. Exercise that skill and it will grow stronger and more effective. Let the pain and worry of life be a cue to find the joy, and soon the Real Ecstatic You is revealed in all its wondrous healing glory.

In vibrant health,

Boyd Martin, President
Subtleenergysolutions.com

Personally... from the President

The Feeling Imagination

A good friend of mine--we'll call her Frieda--recently found out that her car was on the verge of breaking down, needing a transmission, new suspension and brakes. But these repairs would more than total the car's worth. Because she is nearly 80, her friends and family, along with me, pleaded with her not to drive the dang thing as it just wasn't safe. Frieda gave in, and in the next few days came to me very excited about being able to get a monthly city bus pass discounted for seniors.

"I just love the bus!" she'd say, and then head out all over town with this new found freedom. Her enthusiasm for having that freedom impressed me.

A few weeks later, Frieda excitedly strolled up to me, "I've got some great news! A friend of mine has three cars and is letting me use one of them--she's paying the insurance for me!" She had also talked to another friend who owned a garage and had said he would give her $500 for her old car. "But, I decided it felt better to give it to Father Joe's Ministries--they'll tow it, you know!"

At first, I wondered why she didn't want the $500, since she's on a very restrictive fixed income, but then Frieda's story was dawning on me. She was doing what felt abundant and right. And, the bus pass to car transition was equally interesting. She was so into the feeling of freedom with the bus pass, she ended up magnetizing even more freedom in the form of a new car.

Frieda's story is a perfect example of how feelings and the imagination team up together to create a personal reality. And it truly is a team effort. Imagination without feeling--light daydreaming, or escapist fantasizing, does little to move the physical events in any particular direction, except maybe to create more opportunities for escape.

But, imagination WITH FEELING, is a whole other animal, and I know this from personal experience, but now and then it's a good idea to remind myself of it, because it's a two-edged sword to say the least.

The Universe is a neutral medium. As Manuel Ruiz, Jr., the Toltec shaman says, "Life is a canvas. You hold the paints and the paintbrushes. Make your life your masterpiece!"

The Universe is constantly responding to your decisions, your desires, your fears, but most directly to your feeling imagination. Quantum physics became famous for the discovery that the Observer (in an experiment) changes the outcome of an experiment by simply observing it. The implications of this discovery are vast. This ultimately means that you, simply by the act of perception change the way atomic and sub-atomic particles behave.

Research done by the HeartMath Institute has further shown that imagination directly changes DNA, and is able to turn gene expressions on and off. Add to this the discoveries of Dr. Masaru Emoto that water responds directly to human feelings, and that the human body is 93% water, AND, that negative human emotions disrupt the geometries of water, and positive emotions enhance the geometries of water... Well, you've got a deep connection there between how you feel and what manifests in your life.

The way we change our inner emotional state is by purposely using our imagination. Think about that. Now consider Frieda's inner life. She lost her means of transportation, which equated to a loss of freedom to her. Rather than feeling restricted, she chose to feel freedom, and got herself a bus pass that made her feel even more free. As she rode around in the bus, she continued marveling at the freedom she had, and, bippity-boppity-boo, she manifested a car.

The power of the human mind is in the imagination. The imagination is the direct sub-atomic driver of physical reality, and feelings are the amplifiers of imagination.

Note that nowhere here are we talking about doing anything to "make stuff happen." We're just imagining with feeling and then responding. If that ends up being action taken, then it is action in alignment with how the universe is responding to the feeling imagination. To only take action in order to "make something happen," is an uphill battle, because there isn't any power of imagination or feeling (other than maybe frustration, which just slows things down more).

So sit quietly in your heartspace, imagine what your life could look like. Feel what it would be like. And before you know it, you'll be dancing in that world, and it didn't feel like you had to do anything!

In vibrant health,

Boyd Martin, President
Subtleenergysolutions.com

Personally from the President

Re-assembling the Scarecrow

Several of my neighborhood friends embarked on a "group date" the other day for lunch and a movie--"Oz the Great and Powerful." It was a very enjoyable romp through a seamless continuation of the Oz world created by Frank Baum and famously unleashed upon the world in the 1939 movie, "The Wizard of Oz."

I personally was relieved that the 2013 movie was not a cynical, dark, overly polarized version Hollywood seems to think sells. Yes, the characters are one-dimensional and the drama is milk toast, but, hey, it's OZ, people! ...and it was particularly fun in 3-D.

Lately, I've been continuing my adventure with certain pain issues, and in my quest, I returned to a shaman friend of mine for some cranio-sacral therapy and her unique brand of seeing. After the session, I suddenly saw myself as the Scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz, during the scene where he has been attacked by the flying monkeys and ripped apart. "They took my arm and they threw it over there! They took my legs and threw them over there!"

The spiritual metaphor for me, is how the soul can also get ripped apart, leaving a part in a 1980 trauma, a 1993 ecstasy, or a 2001 earthquake--or even in past lives. Over identification with traumatic or dramatic events can "stick" attention, preventing fully coming into present time.

My intention for the shamanic session was to retrieve my creative center, which I felt had been scattered. It has been like having all the equipment to create a painting, but the brushes are in the bathroom, the canvas is under the bed, and the paints are in the garage. But you don't know that, so when inspiration strikes, there's no way for it to express. I said to my shaman friend, "I feel like I have an entire warehouse of amunition, but nothing to fire it with, or at!"

Many of the processes or life lessons I've gone through end up being about freeing unconscious attention from some past event where I was deeply affected, but didn't realize it. I usually spot a sort of disconnect between outward and inward experience. It is as if one movie is playing out within me while another one is playing outside of me. This is the realm of the ego and its trusty cohort, the mind. All the socialization, past judgments, and past decisions about "how life is" all go into this inner movie we mistakenly call "life."

Sages through the ages have all told us that Life itself is without judgment, without decisions about what is "right" and what is "wrong." These are entirely human-created and it all rolls into one big common movie we call Life on Earth.

Can we truly know what Reality is? Yes. Just by being aware of the question, it proves it is knowable. The thing is, we get so distracted because as in the Scarecrow, "they threw my arm over there, and ripped off my leg and threw it over there" that we think that is what life is about.

In this episode of the Scarecrow for me, I did retrieve arms and legs and my creative center. And I gained a new mindfulness about where my mind automatically goes in the course of any given day. Where does my attention go? How do I feel when it goes there? By paying attention, more of the Self is retrieved and now available to pour into the beautiful artwork we all can be creating called Life.

In vibrant health,

Boyd Martin, President
Subtleenergysolutions.com

Message from the President

Why Are We Doing This Incarnation Thing?

January 9th marked one year since the passing of my life partner, Shay Arave. To honor the day, a good friend took me out for brunch, and because she had only met Shay briefly, I found myself telling the "story of Shay" in my life.

That inevitably led to this classic question my friend asked: "So why do you think we are here? Why do we come here?"

Usually, the existential debate centers more on the Why we exist, rather than the What are we doing by being here. The second question, for me, is more difficult to answer, but in explaining my position I found myself saying things I hadn't said before.

What occurred to me was the phrase, "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger." From a cosmic perspective you could say, "What kills you makes you stonger." This assumes you have perceived yourself as a spiritual being beyond the physical body and world. If you haven't gotten to that perception yet, I believe you will at some point in your life or lives. It tends to happen when someone close to you dies, or you personally have a near-death experience. I think this is because the concept of one's mortality is usually met with fear and trepidation earlier in life, yet becomes more and more acceptable as we continue our travels through the time space of this planet. Either we get tired and just want it to be over with, or we have some cognition that viscerally demonstrates the limitations of physical form and the promises of total freedom from it.

Well, I digress... As to Why We're Doing This? Back to the "makes you stronger" bit. As I spoke to my friend, I got a clear conceptual picture of me as a spiritual entity plowing through this life, like a snow plow pushes aside chunks of snow and ice to clear the way for others. But this is a special snow plow. The more it plows, and the deeper it goes into the snow, the more power it derives. It's got a special type of expanding engine that runs on snow. The more it runs into, the more fuel and bigger it gets.

Now, it's important to make a distinction on this wintery metaphor: The snow plow is YOU--the spiritual YOU, your soul; the snow is experiences in life; and the road is time. So the more we plow through the experiences of our life, the more powerful and expanded we become. Not only that, because we are all unique, each of us plows our own little section of the Life Road.

To carry the metaphor further and to finally reach my conclusion: Because we are clearing a path, there are others behind us who now have an easier time traveling down the road. They can choose to take the plowed road and skip along merrily, kicking up snow angels--enjoying the journey. Or, they can choose to plow a new road--their unique road that widens the path for others following. It looks hard when you first step into that snow plow. The snow is several feet deep and there is no guarantee you won't start plowing and go right over a cliff. And yet, we get into the snow plow anyway, I think because that is what our responsibility is. We have a responsibility as spiritual beings to become more than what we started with--to become greater than the sum of our parts--and perhaps most importantly, to blaze a path for others to find their part of the road to plow.

I used to be threatened by addicts, criminals, the homeless and the starving. Even though I've been homeless and starving, I still would judge them saying that they have a choice to not suffer--they have a choice to make something different happen in their lives. But this was wrong-headed on my part. People with the most difficult lives are plowing the deepest snow, and hence are doing the most work clearing the way for others to follow. They do the most important work: teaching compassion, teaching empathy, inspiring others to do their own work, and first and foremost, teaching us all not to judge. Because through judgement do we justify not getting on that snow plow and doing our own work.

Now, I'm not a fan of suffering, but I respect it. And I'm not a fan of unhappiness, as I've learned that it is a choice. But, I would not have come to those ways of thinking without those in the deepest snow.

In vibrant health,

Boyd Martin, President Subtleenergysolutions.com

Personally...from the President

The Interconnectedness of Light

I recently had an opportunity--and blessing--to attend a couple of "Masters of Light" workshops with Michelle Leuschen here in the San Diego Area. Her purpose was to introduce the classes to the practice of "direct enlightenment," or the lighting of the brain, a practice also taught by her guru Sai Maa.

The truly remarkable thing about this idea is that it uses imagination as a tool of enlightenment. This is certainly not a new idea, but what is new, in my opinion, is that the practice is no longer strictly in the realms of spiritual teachers, gurus, adepts, mystics, or other advanced practitioners. This is something ANYONE can do--that is, if you have a functioning imagination.

The first thing we did was a diksha (DEEK-sha)--basically a blessing. This blessing is specially for the light of Sai Maa (pictured right). We picked partners and exchanged "doing" diksha on each other. Here's how it worked:

1. Center yourself into the heartspace--basically putting your attention on your heart area.
2. Ask for the Light of Sai Maa.
3. Hold the hands, palms upward, on either side of the receiver's head just above the ears.
4. Slowly move the hands so the palms are above the head about an inch with thumbs touching.
5. Slowly move the hands until palms are resting on the receiver's hairline area.
6. Remain until you stop (could be 30 seconds to a couple of minutes)--whatever feels right, or your get some sort of intuitive signal.

I received diksha first, and for me, there was a faintly bluish-pinkish light that came in through the top of my head and cascaded very slowly down through my body. It was extremely calming and I noticed all thinking stopped (this was reported by several people). There was a sense of an infinitely gentle yet powerful energy seeping down into every cell of the body.

Then, when I gave it, the same thing happened, and I noticed I was smiling broadly without really smiling at anything in particular, or smiling at any thought, since there were none.

After the diksha, Michelle encouraged the class to report what they had experienced. It was slow going because everyone was obviously blank-minded and very blissed out. I did manage to blurt out, "A bluish light. Very nice. Very nice," as I sat there with my buzzing body.

Since then, I've incorporated self-diksha into my daily practices in the morning, and have found it to be very useful for preparing myself for the rigors of daily routines and business. It has increased my calmness and my appreciation for life in general.

Although I've experienced various types of "dikshas" before, sometimes called other things, this one, for some reason, impressed me as a useful tool for expanding my awareness and well-being. And what is truly remarkable, is that we all have the capacity to call in this "light" of consciousness, and in so doing reap the considerable rewards of that calling. Just a few minutes a day can have profound effects. Try it!

In vibrant health,

Boyd Martin, President
Subtleenergysolutions.com

Personally, from the President

Being Home

Every once in a while, many of us experience a "lifting of the veil," where for a moment we experience the world as One. We feel ourselves as the world, and for an instant get a glimpse of the Grand Creation and our indispensible part in it.

These moments have been coming on more frequently as I move along the timeline of my life, tantalizing me to investigate just what it is that causes me to suddenly and unexpectedly end up fully in the Now. I know certain practices that encourage this, and perhaps because I am doing them more, then that explains it. But, to put words to it, I'd say it's about duality vs. oneness.

We live in a dualistic world, a world of polarities: dark-light, good-bad, good-evil, virtuousness-sinfulness, fear-love, etc., etc., etc. Yet, in those those "oneness" episodes there is no "other" out there that is opposite or even different than me, and because this state feels so much like home, it really points up how illusionary this duality certainly must be.

We are all exploring the edges of this Creation we are participating in. Some of us are "dark workers"--who inflict pain and suffering on others, or experience extreme emotional states, or some physical malady or malformation. These dark workers are showing us where we do not have to go--they are already there. They are pioneers at the edges of reality, showing us how vast the possibilities and potentials of this world can be.

The "light workers" on the other hand, explore and demonstrate the realms of contentment, ecstasy and love, and yet, these states cannot be truly known or appreciated without their opposites.

It all gets down to the Grand Experiment of Separation. By separating ourselves from the Creator God Self in order to see who we are, we created a dualistic world: a world where we are, and are not. And the extreme sense of disconnection had us losing our way, as we felt along the edges of this new dualistic world in an attempt to get back Home.

And that's what my occasional bouts of oneness feel like: coming home. All my experience sensually, emotionally, intellectually and spiritually is showing me the Way back Home. If it weren't for the darkness, I could not see the light, and in darkness the light shows us the way. It is only judgment that cements us into the polarities of this dualistic world. We judge something to be not a part of us, and that solidifies our disconnectedness, adding yet another barrier to our journey Home. We fear the dark, and death the most because we mistakenly judge those things to be disconnections. But it is not the darkness or death that is the disconnection, it is our act of judgment that disconnects us.

Acceptance of this world and an embracing of both sides of the duality is the only way Home. Let me meet you There.

In vibrant health,

Boyd Martin, President
Subtleenergysolutions.com

Dear Readers, August 27, 2011

We're very excited about our new website design coming up soon. You'll find the site is easier to navigate and will have a more consistent look throughout--and the Vibrant Living Newsletter will get its makeover, too!

Speaking of makeovers, I feel that there is so much big stuff going on in the world, it's sometimes hard to keep from getting overwhelmed. But I've come to realize that keeping to the basics gets you the most "bang for the buck" when it comes to personal well-being. When I speak about basics, I mean...

• Feel gratitude and appreciation.
  
• Drink enough pure water.
  
• Get proper exercise daily.
  
• Breathe.
  
• Eat pure, raw foods.
  
• Get grounded with your bare feet on the earth.
  
• Get good sleep.

If these fundamentals are in place, you've covered 95% of the bases. So many diseases and conditions are caused by a lack of these fundamentals. In fact, if you just focussed on getting these things actively fitted into your lifestyle, it's just about all you need to live a healthy, vibrant life.

At Subtle Energy Solutions we offer products for the other 5% that isn't covered by doing the above. Yes, enzymes are important, but are more important to the extent the above is not in place. Yes, our subtle energy formulas can balance and harmonize, but they are so much more effective with the basics in place.

For this issue of the newsletter, read Boyd Martin's new article, "Gratitude is the Attitude" for tips on how to develop the skill of gratitude. Gwynne Warner, our feng shui expert offers her "blessing" ritual, and the Vibrant Living Tip of the Week is also about gratitude. So be kind, be grateful, breathe, and live in the moment!

Until next time...

In vibrant health,

Shay Arave, President Subtleenergysolutions.com

Dear Readers, August 19, 2011

The longer I am on my health regimen, the more I'm convinced of the effectiveness of the raw food diet, and vegetarianism generally. Many people feel like raw fooding is too extreme for them, and I can definitely see that point of view, since I had it myself. But, as I went in and out of raw fooding for several years, I've discovered that my whole approach to eating has changed, and my tastes have changed along with it.

There's a great video summary in an interview with the outspoken vegetarian advocate, Andreas Moritz. If you're looking for some supporting information to help you make the transition to vegetarianism, this is a great video to watch.

My friend, Kathy Freston, who writes regularly for the Huffington Post also has some hard-hitting facts about mindful vegetarianism and how it helps not only personal health, but the environment as well.

To me living a vibrant life has to do with doing what's best for yourself, so that you can be a committed example to your family, friends and community. We all know what we should be doing to lead healthy, productive lives...it's really no mystery. The trick is rather than feeling guilty or sheepish, just get out there, and start doing it. Start small, but start. And if you've already started, find how to do more of it.

This week, we once again welcome Boyd Martin's passionate article, "You Are the Healer," some great feng shui prosperity advice from Gwynne Warner, and our Vibrant Living Tip of Week about mindfulness.

Until next time...

In vibrant health,

Shay Arave, President
Subtleenergysolutions.com

Dear Readers, August 12, 2011

It's been such a wonderful summer so far--certainly busier than most, but I'm so grateful for the opportunities for self-development and self-growth that have been presented to me. Things have been going so fast, in fact, I have little time to report on what I'm doing that may help you with creating your own vibrant life.

There are so many wonderful and engaging people doing such interesting things. I would like to remind everyone about my friend Gwynne Warner, feng shui wizard, whose useful advice on the subject we are now making a regular feature of this newsletter, under "Feng Shui Tip of the Week."

We will also be featuring the work of Candice Covington, aromatherapist extraordinaire. Her Tattvas Oils collection is truly a potent instrument for personal transformation. I can guarantee that the application of the oils to your life will bring insights and revelations.

Until next time...

In vibrant health,

Shay Arave, President
Subtleenergysolutions.com

Dear Readers, August 5, 2011

My dear friend and feng shui mentor, Gwynne Warner, always has great advice to follow to help maximize positive energies in the home, on vacation, in the car, and at work. This month, because of the auspiciousness in the feng shui world, I thought I'd share some of Gwynne's advice. Visit her website for much more: 10kblessingsfengshui.com

This month is a super important one to practice Feng Shui as it is both the Hungry Ghost Month (July 31-August 28) AND a Mercury Retrograde (August 3-18). Hungry Ghost Month is a time when it's believed that misfortune can come to those whose chi energy levels are depleted or whose luck is running low.

Mercury Retrograde is a time of Heavenly movements which are notorious for affecting travel, communication and computers.

1. Be Vigilant: Expect the unexpected. Watch out for mischief, accidents, and losing your possessions. Use your intuition and pay attention to your dreams for what they can tell you.

2. Protect Your home's Front Entrance: Keep both front and back entrances brightly lit throughout the night to attract chi-positive, bright energy. Check to see if your locks or handles need any repair. Paint your front door a bright, beautiful red for good luck. Have Buddha, Mary, Jesus, Kuan Yin, Kuan Kung, Foo Dogs or whatever protector deity you wish inside the home facing the front door.

3. Protect Your Bedroom: Make sure you have a solid door going into all the bedrooms. Always sleep in the "Commanding Position" with your headboard against a solid wall (a "mountain at your back").

4. Personally Protect You and Your Family: Perform "One Good Deed" or an anonymous act of loving kindness every single day. Burn sandalwood incense. Wear the color red such as a red tie, purse or cinnabar bracelet. Remember to open the windows so the old energy leaves and the breeze carries in fresh, new life-force.

5. Be Proactive for the Mercury Retrograde: Back up your computer, avoid signing contracts without reading the fine print, double-check appointment times, expect travel delays and plan accordingly.

Until next time...

In vibrant health,

Shay Arave, President
Subtleenergysolutions.com

Dear Readers, July 21, 2011

I ran across an excellent video the other day, entitled "The Wisdom of Eating Raw." It features several opinion leaders in the field of raw fooding and sustainability. Check it out!

Most people I talk to who are raw or mostly raw fooders usually have a larger reason for having made the switch from the conventional "American diet." For most, initially, it was because of health issues of one kind or another, but as they continued through with this way of eating, larger reasons began to emerge. Such things as global sustainability, planetary stewardship, contributing to the health of local economies, establishing a closer relationship with the food we fuel our bodies, and a preference for feeling lighter, more alert, more alive.

It is interesting that when that switch to a raw diet is made, it also seems to throw a switch of awareness--awareness of how this form of eating impacts the world, and how so much more positive in so many ways it is. Even making small changes toward raw fooding have significant effects on the world. Deciding to grow a garden for some of your food, or deciding to replace that candy bar for raw almonds for a snack--these things make a difference, and if done on a consistent basis represent real change in the world.

My mantra this week has been "be the change you want to see," because it all comes from you. You are making your life, and demonstrating to yourself behaviors and actions that further that change, makes it happen all that faster!

Until next time...

In vibrant health,

Shay Arave, President
Subtleenergysolutions.com

Dear Readers, July 15, 2011

Here's a fabulous green recipe from Cherie Shoria's book, The Raw Food Revolution Diet, co-authored by Brenda Davis and Vesanto Melina. The recipe can be used as a pizza topping, spread or dip. Healthy, versatile, and delicious... What could be better!

Broccoli Pesto Pate
Many of us love Pesto, but often it's too rich for us to eat as much as we would like. With this recipe, the fat has been reduced, Enjoy it as a spread on crackers, as a topping for salads, wrapped in romaine lettuce leaves, or as a dip with Crudites.

Broccoli makes a great addition to raw pate, especially since it contains as much vitamin C as an orange, along with magnesium, the mineral that is central in green chlorophyll, and calcium. When you make pesto with Vegetarian Support Formula nutritional yeast, it's also a good source of B vitamins, including vitamin B12.

3 cups chopped broccoli florets
1 1/2 cups fresh basil leaves, firmly packed
1 tablespoon flaxseed oil
2 teaspoons nutrtional yeast flakes
1 1/2 cloves crushed garlic
1/4 teaspoon himalayian salt
1/2 cup walnuts, soaked for 4 hours, rinsed and drained

Put the broccoli into a large bowl and pour 1 quart of nearly boiling water over it. Drain the broccoli after 1 minute and plunge it into cold water. This will turn the broccoli bright green and make it more palatable without negatively affecting the nutrients. Drain the broccoli well and place it on clean kitchen towels to remove any excess water. Set aside. Combine the basil, oil, nutritional yeast flakes, miso, garlic and salt in a food processor fitted with the S and pulse to chop the basil. Add the walnuts and the reserved broccoli and process until the mixture is completely smooth and creamy. Store in a sealed glass jar in the refrigerator, Broccoli Pate will keep for up to three days.

Enjoy this summer time treat with bounty from your local Farmer's Market!

Until next time...

In vibrant health,

Shay Arave, President
Subtleenergysolutions.com