5 superfoods to open & balance the heart chakra

Raw Cacao

Considered a ‘superfood’ due to its high content of magnesium, zinc, iron, calcium, beta-carotene and omega 6 fatty acids which help your body perform at its peak. Cacao also contains anandamide, a natural euphoric compound.

Heart: Cacao has high levels of anti-inflammatory and antioxidants which can protect against heart disease, reduce the risk of stroke and help improve blood circulation to the brain, improve cognitive function and may prevent

Alzheimers: Complex antioxidants (polyphenols) help prevent hardening of the arteries by reducing bad cholesterol levels; Cancer and Premature Aging: Polyphenols may also protect cells against damage by cancer causing free radicals as well as early signs of ageing; Diabetes: cacao may help prevent diabetes and stabilize blood sugar levels, making body cells more receptive to glucose. Energy: Cacao’s high levels of minerals provides lasting energy without overstimulating the nervous system. The high magnesium levels also protects against osteoporosis and reduces type II diabetes.

Cacao Spirit, used by the ancient Mayans and Aztecs for spiritual and ceremonial purposes. Not only delicious but also a powerful and gentle facilitator for deeper connections, peace, focus, and much more.

• Opens the Heart to deeper connection with yourself and others, replacing fear with love;
• Connect with inner spirit and wisdom through meditation, silencing the noise to focus on the present for insightful work on your mind and soul;
• Find mental clarity and balance and help to rediscover your life purpose, talents, skills and creativity;
• Healing body and spirit by creating awareness of and strength to let go of past negative emotions, opening the heart to love and live life in the present moment.

Avocado

A great source of vitamins C, E, K, and B-6, as well as riboflavin, niacin, folate, pantothenic acid, magnesium, and potassium. They also provide lutein, beta-carotene, and omega-3 fatty acids.

Heart: Avocado contains beta-sitosterol which helps maintain healthy cholesterol levels; Vision: Phytochemicals Lutein and zeaxanthin, provide antioxidant protection to help minimize damage to eyes, including from ultraviolet light and the monounsaturated fatty acids in avocado support fat soluble antioxidants to help reduce the risk of age related macular degeneration; Osteoporosis: Vitamin K supports bone health by increasing calcium and vitamin D absorption as well as reducing excretion of calcium; Cancer: Avocado’s high levels of folate may protect against colon, stomach, pancreatic, and cervical cancers; Skin: The high levels of vitamin E in avocado is excellent for skin, hair and nails. The creamed flesh make a rich face mask and avocado oil a nourishing hair treatment.

Avocado Spirit, known as the Aztec symbol of love and associated with fertility. Rumoured to have aphrodisiac properties.

• Soothes the soul when we need to feel love, brings us closer to our own inner beauty and helps to creating healthy relationships with ourselves and others.
• Balance the feminine energies inside our spirit body, bringing comfort and unconditional love, much like a mother’s love. Avocado’s nutritional profiles is, after all, the closest to that of mother’s milk.
• Teaches respect for our needs, like humans, avocados have specific needs to grow and in turn they show us how important it is to understand and respect our own needs and environment to thrive.

Kiwi

Very high in vitamin C and rich in vitamins B6, E and K, potassium and magnesium. Kiwi also contain chlorophyll, flavonoids, actinidin enzymes and calcium oxalate, arotinoids beta carotene, lutein and zeaxanthin as well as high levels of serotonin. The copious edible seeds have high omega-3 fatty acid content.

Heart: The high combination of potassium and fiber in kiwis help neutralize sodium intake which helps reduce risk of cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure and stroke; Kidneys: Potassium also reduces the formation of kidney stones; Skin: High vitamin C content of Kiwi support the skin’s collagen, improves skin texture and helps prevent damage caused by sun exposure, pollution and smoke; Memory, mood and sleep: Kiwis high serotonin levels assists learning and memory, improves mood and promotes improved sleep.

Kiwi Spirit, humble on the outside and complex on the inside, containing a universe of planets, galaxies and stars. A mirror of our true self, the bigger picture of our environment and our world.

Appreciation: When you feel unappreciated by someone, eat and share kiwis with them. If they don’t wish to join you, your uplifted spirit may nevertheless have the desired effect on them too.

Mood changer: Feed your enthusiasm and raise your vibrancy with kiwis, this will radiate out to those around you who are in need and open to receiving an emotional lift.

Connect: Slice a kiwi in half, study it to connect to and draw the energy of the universe to you. Contemplate its beauty, vastness and depth and opening yourself to accept that is who you are will help you find your true purpose too.

Artichoke

Low in calories and high in nutrition and antioxidants, Artichoke is a rich source of fibre, and B vitamins thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, folate and vitamins  C, B6, B12, A, E, D and K. Minerals include calcium, zinc, sodium, potassium, manganese and phosphorus.

Digestion: Well known as treatment for intestinal ailments like IBS, indigestion, constipation and diarrhea, artichoke also balance gut flora by adding friendly bacteria. Heart: The potassium in artichokes neutralize sodium, a major cause of increasing blood pressure. Cancer: High in antioxidants, artichoke may assist in the prevention of cancer and other diseases.

Artichoke Spirit, the artichoke grows in hard, arid soil, protecting its heart and soul with layers of thick leathery leaves against its harsh environment. Only with patience will you reach its inner secrets.

Lessons to learn:  Considered a weed, this humble thistle can teach us many life lessons. The heart of the artichoke is what’s important and more difficult to get to it than it seems. Forcing it open could cause damage and teaches us that the only way is to carefully peel back each layer. Each leaf represents a unique lesson, as each part in life has a chapter.

Open heart: Like the artichoke there are many layers to remove before the true heart can be opened. An open heart doesn’t need layers, wanting to radiate its light instead.

Watermelon

Made up of 92% water and soaked in a unique mix of nutrients, vitamins, minerals and organic compounds, watermelon is very beneficial to health. High levels of vitamin C, calcium, magnesium, fiber, protein, potassium, vitamin A and B vitamins – B6, niacin, thiamin and a variety of carotenoids and phytonutrients, including lycopene. The white flesh contains more of the valuable amino acid that converts to the amino acid arginine than the flesh. Watermelon seeds, especially if they are sprouted and shelled, are high in protein, magnesium, vitamin B and good fats. The riper the watermelon, the higher the concentration of lycopene, beta-carotene and phenolic antioxidant content become

Heart: Watermelon's high levels of  lycopene protect cells damage and may help lower the risk of heart disease, reduce hypertension, stroke and lower blood pressure;  Cancer: Antioxidants also help prevent cell damage and cancer while amino acids are the basic building blocks for protein. Combined they allow optimal body function; Menopause: Citrulline and arginine found in watermelon may lower blood pressure and decrease aortic stiffness in postmenopausal women; Inflammation: The lycopene and choline help in reducing chronic inflammation, is good for arthritis sufferers and any cellular damage caused by various factors such as stress, disease, smoking or pollution where the body may become inflamed; Hydration: Watermelon help with overall hydration and the juices if full of good electrolytes which can prevent heat stroke. Health risks: Reasonable consumption of watermelon shouldn’t cause serious side effects but high levels of lycopene or potassium could cause nausea, diarrhoea, indigestion and bloating.

Watermelon Spirit, for women, the growth of a watermelon symbolizes the womb and for men, sexual prowess.

Be Open to Healing: The easy digestion of watermelon teaches us that we don’t have to fight for every good thing in life. Sometimes we just have to open the door and allow healing in to work on our bodies, spirits and souls.

Energy Flow: Slowly drink watermelon juice or a smoothie and as you drink, visualize the juice flowing through your body with ease, clearing all blockages.

Seize the Moment: Ripe watermelons has a short shelf life, much like our own lives. Make each day count, be with people you enjoy, do the things you always wanted to. Love, laugh, be kind, listen to and encourage others, be forgiving to yourself and others, have fun and share watermelon.