A Whole New Reason to Eat the Colors of the Rainbow
“Everything is Energy” This is the fundamental principle of quantum theory and a widely accepted scientific fact.
In ancient spiritual traditions, the movement of universal life energy in and around the body is the basis of health and wellbeing. Chakras regulate the flow of this life force energy throughout the electromagnetic network that runs throughout the physical body. The study of chakras, which translates into “wheels of light,” comes from the ancient Indian religious texts known as the Vedic Scriptures. Chakras cross many cultures over thousands of years including Ayurveda, yogic traditions, traditional Chinese medicine, the concept of Qi, and the body’s meridian system.
Today we know from the science of anatomy and physiology, our chakras are major nerve networks in the body that correspond to the autonomic nervous system, or more specifically the parasympathetic nervous system (which controls our relaxation responses).
There are seven main chakras stemming from base of the spine to the crown of the head, each associated with the major glands in our body: Reproductive Organs, Pancreas, Adrenals, Thymus, Thyroid, Pineal, Pituitary.
All are connected via the Vagus Nerve, the most important nerve in the body connecting the brain stem to the lungs, heart and gut with extensions to virtually every organ system in the body.
Chakras are the ultimate framework for mapping the science of the mind body connection.
Each chakra is a vortex, spinning life force energy that interacts with the bodily aspects of our human functioning as well as our non-physical states of being, i.e. our consciousness. When life force energy flows freely throughout our chakras our physical and emotional bodies are in a state of health. Sometimes chakras become blocked because of stress, inability to express emotions, faulty beliefs, toxicity, poor nutrition or lack of exercise. When a chakra is stagnated or distorted, illness or disease may occur.
Each chakra resonates a specific energy frequency and thus reflects a specific color reflecting the type of vibration radiating through.
Eating foods that correspond to the associated colors and organ systems of the chakras is a powerful tool to help balance our chakras and realign our physical and emotional bodies toward greater health. After all, what we put in our bodies critically impacts how we feel, think and how our bodies perform. Food is the most basic and powerful source of healing that’s been used for centuries. Increasing our awareness around our food choices allows us to tune in to what our body physically and energetically needs.
Important to note, that like all things, all foods hold a vibration. For example, processed foods, chemical pesticides and animal products have lower vibrations, whereas natural, organic plant foods have higher vibrations. The chakras also increase in frequency as you ascend from the root to the crown. So, the foods associated with healing each chakra also increase in frequency as you go up the spine. Cravings can be a great way to start to awaken your awareness to which chakra needs rebalancing. You can also look at what’s missing in your daily food or maybe where you go overboard. Start to connect your food choices to the physical and emotional states of your being. Chakras are a beautiful way to remind us of our beautiful multi dimensional nature. Reflecting on how our physical, emotional and energetic bodies are doing sets us on the path to healing ourselves.
Here is an overview of the symptoms of each chakra when one becomes unbalanced and how we can use foods to heal them.
The first chakra, known as the Root Chakra is located at the base of the spine and associated with the color red. It’s associated with our spine, blood, adrenals and reproductive organs. Energetically, the root chakra is all about our basic safety and survival needs and feeling grounded in life. Signs of imbalance include feeling fearful and insecure which may manifest in anxiety, fatigue, autoimmunity or unexplained aches and pains. Consuming red foods as well as grounding foods such as root vegetables and protein rich foods is recommended.
- Root vegetables: carrots, potatoes, parsnips, radishes, beets, onions, garlic
- Protein: Eggs, meats, beans, tofu, soy products, nut butters.
- Red Foods: Red berries, tomatoes, beets.
- Spices: chives, paprika and pepper
The second chakra our Sacral chakra is located two inches below our naval is deeply connected with our emotional body. The organs are the kidneys, bladder, and sex organs. Energetically, it corresponds to our desires and ability to flow with life. The color is orange and signs of imbalance include emotional volatility, lack of joy and low self esteem. Physical symptoms include reproductive or sexual dysfunction, low back pain or sciatica. Consuming orange and sweet tasting foods is recommended.
- Sweet Fruits: Tangerines, mangos, oranges, strawberries
- Orange Veggies: Carrots, squashes, pumpkin, sweet potatoes
- Spices: Cinnamon, honey, vanilla
The third chakra is the Solar Plexus (or Naval chakra) located under the chest and above the naval. It honors our personal power and is the place where we digest life, both physically, as well as how we process situations and circumstances life gives us. Thus, the third chakra is associated with our digestive organs: liver, gallbladder, pancreas, spleen, stomach, intestines. Emotional signs of imbalance manifest in passivity or being overly aggressive, poor sense of self or a domineering ego. Bodily signs of a blocked naval chakra include IBS, adrenal imbalance, weight issues and diabetes. The color is yellow Recommended foods are fiber rich foods and liquids like water, broths and juice as well as yellow fruits and vegetables which are natural mood enhancers. Light green vegetables with a high water content are also beneficial.
- Yellow Fruits and Vegetables: Lemons, bananas, pineapple, yellow peppers, sunflower seeds, whole grains like quinoa and millet.
- Healthy Fats: Coconut Oil, Avocado Oil, Olive Oil
- Light Green Vegetables: Cucumber, celery, fennel, mint, aloe, melons
- Herbs and Spices: Ginger, cumin, chamomile
The fourth chakra is the Heart chakra, located in the center of our chest and honors love and balance. Energetically, this chakra is all about our relationships, with others, ourselves and with life. The organs are our respiratory and circulatory systems, thymus gland, heart, lungs and diaphragm. Signs of a blocked heart chakra may manifest in being emotionally closed, a bitterness with life which may manifest in cardiovascular issues and immune challenges.
Healing foods are: Green Vegetables: Spinach, kale, dandelion greens, broccoli, cabbage, celery.
Green teas also keep the heart chakra in healthy condition, and finally you can spice it up with basil, thyme, cilantro.
The fifth chakra is the Throat chakra located at the base of your windpipe. The color is blue and is connected to our communication and authentic expression. Imbalances might manifest as indecisiveness, lack of creative expression, inability to defend yourself and an unwillingness to accept criticism. The throat chakra is connected to our Throat, Parathyroid, Thyroid, Neck, Shoulders, Ears, and Mouth. The associated color is indigo. Liquids play a large role in healing the throat chakra because of their lubricating qualities. Soups, warm teas, cool juices and of course water are all encouraged. Avoiding dairy is highly recommended as it can congest your throat and sinuses.
Recommended Foods: Sea vegetables, blueberries, blackberries to tone the kidneys and elicit honest communication as well as fruits that grow on trees like apples, pears, oranges, peaches, apricots and plums.
The sixth chakra is our Third Eye. Located between the eyebrows, the Third Eye is our energy center for intuition, inner guidance and wisdom. The associated color is violet. Emotional symptoms of imbalance are rigid thinking, an inability to see one’s fears or learn from others, unhealthy clinging to the past or excessively worried about future. These may manifest as headaches, migraines, insomnia, sinus issues, or hormonal imbalances. The Third Eye chakra is connected to the brain and pineal gland.
Recommended Foods: Dark bluish fruits like blue berries, black berries, raspberries, purple veggies like eggplant, purple kale, purple carrot help to keep the chakra centered. Also, concord grapes, along with spices like poppy seeds.
The seventh chakra is the Crown chakra. Located at the top of your head this chakra honors spiritual connectedness and cosmic consciousness. The color is white. Imbalances manifest emotionally as the incessant need to be right, being unconscious of damaging patterns, a tendency to over intellectualize and difficulty managing emotions. This may present with muscular system diseases, skeletal and skin issues, dizziness, confusion, mental fog, depression and chronic exhaustion. This chakra is connected to our brain and pituitary gland.
Recommended Foods: White foods like mushrooms; garlic, ginger, onion, lychee, coconut and other tropical fruits help to give you strength and power. Using incense and smudging herbs like sage, copal, myrrh, frankincense, and juniper is also beneficial.
Nonetheless, periods of fasting and detoxifying are said to be best for the development of the Crown chakra as it awakens to the highest form spiritual communication.
Berry Delicious Acai Bowl
Ingredients
- 1 frozen acai packet (“Trader Joe’s”)
- 1 scoop natural flavor protein powder (“Vega One”) ½ frozen banana
- 1 cup frozen mixed berries
- 1 tablespoon cashew butter
- 1 medjool date (pitted and chopped)
- 1 cup almond milk
Procedure
- In a high-speed blender, process all ingredients until creamy.
- Gradually add almond milk to maintain thick, frosty consistency.
- Top with fresh or frozen fruit, hemp seeds, shredded coconut, chopped nuts, etc.
