4 Foods for Staying Warm in Cold Weather

Staying warm can be a challenge—especially during this time of year as our bodies transition from warmer weather to the wintry cold. Looking for how to stay warm in winter by layering your clothes is one thing, but sometimes the right food or drink to warm you up is the exact complement for a perfect winter setting. We’ve gathered a food guide with healthy teas and recipes that contain proven ingredients to keep you warm in cold weather. A note to remember is that just because a food is served hot doesn’t all make it a warming food!

1. Hwangchil Tea

Hot tea is an intuitive go-to drink for staying warm in the cold, but which ones are the best for the job? Hwangchil (Dendropanax morbifera) tea is one that can offer a one-of-a-kind drink experience, mixed with a robustly healthy reward that packs a powerful punch to keep warm. Use of Hwangchil tea dates back to ancient East Asian culture, where it was exclusive to the emperors. Due to its immensely healing property, it has been nicknamed the “1,000-year-old tea,” signifying longevity. Many teas that we’re more familiar with nowadays such as green or black teas, even when consumed hot, have an intrinsically cooling characteristic for the body. Hwangchil tea, on the other hand, is a naturally warm food that is the perfect drink for cold weather and for digestive benefits. Click here for how to prepare it and drink it, along with a meditation guide to pair with the tea.

2. Ginger Soup

Ginger has a long list of healthy benefits and is especially helpful when one is sick because of its natural property of being a warm food. Due to its thermogenic properties, it’s an extremely beneficial health food that increases blood flow, which naturally raises the internal temperature of your body. Raw ginger is said to have the best effects to keep you warm, but for those of you who aren’t keen to its biting taste, mixing it in some soup will give you the benefits while keeping it delicious. Not to mention...what’s a better food for cold weather than some soup? Ginger soup is a simple, healthy, and refreshing meal that’s easy to make and will warm you up in no time. This is a great warm food to eat while you’re sick, too. Throw in some of your favorite vegetables or meat (we recommend carrots, onions and beef, which have intrinsic warming properties too), and you’ll have a well-rounded and delicious dish for the season. Check this Ginger Carrot Soup recipe for inspiration.

3. Raw Honey Lemon Tea

Raw honey lemon tea is a healthy tonic that detoxifies your body while helping you stay warm. Lemons are widely known to cleanse the liver, and raw honey is a powerhouse of antioxidants, which boost the immune system and fights disease. It’s also a powerful natural antibiotic as it contains hydrogen peroxide, which is secreted into it by bees as they produce the honey. Raw honey is a naturally warm food that is soothing for the digestive tract and blends perfectly with lemon tea. Our recipe we recommend for the lemon tea is: slice half a lemon into two quarts of water and turn up the heat to high. Bring it all to a boil. Once the lemon water boils, turn down the heat to low and let the tea simmer for about 10 minutes. The tea is ready when the water turns yellow from the lemon juices. Pour some into a glass and add raw honey to taste.

4. Peanut Curry Chicken

Peanut Curry Chicken is a motherload of winter meals. Not only is it amazing and brings a bit of a kick, but almost all of the ingredients are warm foods like peanuts, chicken (can be swapped for a non-meat), cumin, rice, cayenne pepper, ginger, onion, turmeric and more. Here’s a quick glimpse how some of this recipe’s key ingredients are great for staying warm and makes for perfect food for cold weather. 

Peanuts have high levels of vitamin B-3, promoting blood flow and boosting metabolism—both of which scientifically raise your core body temperature to keep you warm. 
Cayenne peppers bring a lot of the spice to this dish, which makes you sweat from the heat. What makes cayenne a unique pepper is that its spiciness is actually good for the digestive system and an awesome anti-inflammatory health food. 
Onions are a widely-used ingredient in traditional Eastern medicine to promote perspiration as well as combat against cold weather sickness. Onions are said to facilitate moving qi (energy) to the surface so you can keep warm. 
Chicken, like other lean meats, is rich in iron, which your body needs to keep itself warm. (Think: Iron is in blood, and healthy circulation and condition of the blood is what keeps your body warm.) Those with iron deficiencies are known to have constant cold hands and feet.

Give these healthy warm food recipes a shot during your next family or friend event over the holidays, or simply on a cold day at home to treat yourself. We hope you’ll feel cozy and toasty when you try them! Post a comment about what are some of your favorite food or drink you have for cold weather to warm up. We want to hear from you!

How to Balance Your Chakras with Crystals

Have you ever felt out of sorts and don’t know why? You were not unhealthy, things just felt like they were not right. Medical professionals have told you that you are fine physically, but something still feels off. Maybe you feel like you need a breather, but can’t explain why. Or maybe your habit is to just brush it aside and say that it might be all just “in your head.”

Energy teachings around the world talk about energy centers in the body known as chakras, and most spiritual people practice some type of chakra meditation. Even people who don’t believe in the spiritual side of chakra meditation can benefit from having their chakras balanced, because chakra meditation is all about focus.

Crystals are often used to balance chakras because the chakras are organized by color and spiritual energy, and a crystal’s unique energy is often influenced by its color as well. Crystals can put you in the right frame of mind to effectively balance your chakras, smoothing the flow of energy through the body and addressing bodily complaints.

The Seven Chakras

Chakras are like small whirlpools of energy in the body. Each one is associated with different parts and functions, but they are all surrounded by major muscles and organs and blockage or unbalance in a chakra can cause physical ailments in the associated regions. There are seven major chakras that travel up the spine, and here’s a look at how to use crystals to clear that energy center:

• The red Root chakra is located at the base of the spine in the vicinity of the colon and bladder. It is associated with feelings of security and confidence. Red or black stones such as bloodstone, garnet, red jasper, or smoky quartz can all help ground you for work with your higher chakras.
• The orange Sacral chakra is located just above the pubic bone and regulates sex and creativity. Carnelian or citrine can balance this chakra to enhance your creative expression.
• The yellow Solar Plexus chakra is in our core, from the chest down to the abs. It is where our personal power and confidence resides. To stimulate your inner strength and intellect, use amber, tiger’s eye, or golden topaz.
• The green Heart chakra is the emotional center in the upper part of our chest. Jade or calcite can bring balance through this middle chakra, or pink stones, such as rose quartz, can open it to receiving love.
• The blue throat chakra is all about expression, and includes the mouth, tongue, and breath. Light blue stones or like turquoise and aquamarine can stimulate this chakra to encourage honest and just speech.
• The most famous chakra is the indigo Third Eye, located in our forehead and encompassing the brain, where intuition and inspiration reside. It is the chakra from which we can look deep within ourselves, and this can be aided by lapis lazuli, sodalite, or amethyst.
• The top violet chakra is called the Crown, and it is actually above our bodies. It represents wisdom, universality, and our connection with everything around us. Purple stones, most notably amethyst, are used most often for this chakra, but clear stones, such as quartz or diamond, more closely resonate with its energies. Use it with your chakra to open it to meditation and the world around you.

How to Do It

When you are ready to do the balancing, there are a few ways you can do it. One way is to lay down and place each stone upon its corresponding chakra. Once the stones are in position, you continue to lay there, absorbing their energies and merging them with your own. Imagine the color of the crystal coming into your body and healing all negativity or heaviness that may be stored there. This method turns your attention to each chakra, enabling you to find the source of the disturbance and correct it. The crystals create a connection between your mind and your body, which combined with your focus, balances these energy centers.

Balancing your chakras can help bring focus and clarity to your life. It can teach you what is going on within yourself when you’re not looking, which can help keep you healthier and in turn happier. Using crystals to balance your chakras can help cleanse them and bring balance, health, peace, and mindfulness to your life.

5 Steps to Keep Your Brain Young

The concepts presented in this blog are from Ilchi Lee’s newest book, “I’ve Decided to Live 120 Years.”

Remember the saying, “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks?”

Most of us are taught that the brain stops developing at a certain age and that new brain cells aren’t (and can’t be) created when old ones die. However, recent and emerging science is proving that to be completely wrong. We can actually develop new brain cells and neurological pathways our entire lives, as well as improve the function and capability of our brains regardless of age.

With this new, more hopeful knowledge, we can gain confidence to take real steps in protecting and keeping our brain healthy long into our senior years. But what does that take? The key is consistent and proactive maintenance instead of idle neglect by putting your brain on autopilot. Here are some steps to take to improve and maintain the health of your mind:

1. Give your brain a key nutritional supplement: hope

Make a regular practice of giving your brain hopeful information. Instead of criticizing yourself for a mistake you made, try turning the perspective from negative to positive by viewing the situation as an opportunity for growth and learning. Establishing this habit will set you up for success when times get a bit rough—rather than dwelling in the negative which damages your brain, you’ll be conditioned to the positive vibrations of hope no matter what the external circumstances may be.

2. Envision yourself younger than you are

If you think you’re old, your body will follow suit. The power of the mind is quite amazing when you put it to use and dangerous when leaving it to waste. A study by Andrew Steptoe at the University College London showed people who thought of themselves as younger gaining 50% more years of life as opposed to those who thought of themselves as older than they were. When you fill your mind with youthful energy, your brain will act on those thoughts physically to gain a jolt of vitality in life. Try finding new approaches to daily activities, including movement in things that are typically stagnant or routine. Your brain loves new things!

3. Avoid leaving your brain in its default state

Be proactive about engaging your brain in activity. To maintain vibrant health in the brain, it’s important to break your patterns and habits by being proactive. Leaving your brain on autopilot is a fast track to aging and brain deterioration. It’s ok to have a relaxing day but avoid just lying around the entire day being idle. Break it up with productive activities that are still relaxing — something like one minute exercises or meditations can be a great way to do this and keep you active.

4. Engage in meditation to relax the brain and connect it to your body

They say our brains are where our spirituality and divinity exist. It is the major portal in which we process information from both inside and outside of our bodies. However, with the many distractions we have nowadays, it doesn’t take much time at all to become disconnected from our brain and bodies, which ultimately is a disconnect from the spirit and divinity that reside within us. Setting aside time for yourself and connecting to your brain through quiet meditation is the best way to be mindful of the holy, sacred life that lives and breathes within you.

5. Absorb Enlightenment wisdom and principles

For maintaining optimal all-around health of the brain, it’s crucial to feed and fill it with good information. Your brain loves new things, and it also loves absorbing information about how to grow through self-development. We recommend the book , a New York Times bestselling author. This is Lee’s newest book that focuses on a life of longevity with purpose, hope, and health to change the way you think about your own life and set forth a new path that makes it even more satisfying. You can purchase the book here or download it on Amazon Kindle.

What are some ways you like to gives yourself hope and dreams—and how do you keep your brain active and engaged every day? Let us know in the comments below!

6 Ways You Can Trick Your Body Into Falling Asleep Faster

Have you ever been exhausted from the day, only to lie in bed and find that your mind is racing and you just can’t fall asleep?

Funnily enough, sleep can evade us when we most need it. From the stress and anxiety of the day, worrying about tomorrow, and even the elements in your bedroom—these can all be contributing factors as to why you cannot fall asleep. Sleep deprivation can be harmful to our mood and our health, and it is recommended that adults get anywhere from seven to nine hours of sleep each night in order to rest the mind and rejuvenate the body.

If you’re having trouble falling asleep, try these five methods for a restful and peaceful evening chasing dreams.

Exercising a Few Hours Before Bed

Exercise can help you fall asleep faster. Many people hit the gym in the evenings after work. Often, exercise is the last thing we want to do with our tired bodies and minds at the end of a long day, but exercise can be a key factor in sleeping well. Keep in mind that exercising too soon before you go to bed can have reverse effects, as it amps up your energy level. Hitting the gym a few hours before bedtime can help tire you out and can contribute to an easier transition for your body and mind as you go to bed.

The 4-7-8 Method

Breathing exercises can work wonders for sleeping. This is an excellent way to trick your body into relaxing, allowing for better rest and reaching a deep sleep. The most commonly used method is the “4-7-8” method.

Try this method in a few easy steps:

• Place the end of your tongue just above and behind your front teeth and keep in there for the entire breathing exercise
• Next, with your mouth closed, inhale for four seconds through your nose and hold it there as you count to seven
• Finally, exhale through an open mouth as you count to eight, and repeat three times

This breathing exercise helps lower your heart rate and encourages your body to relax. 

Create a Sleep Environment

Set the mood in your bedroom before bed. Many people watch TV or browse through social media in bed. Playing music with a slow rhythm at a barely audible level helps, as does the scent of lavender, dim lighting, and cozy bedding.

All these elements send signals to both brain and body saying that it is time to wind down and relax. This activates the production of melatonin, the sleep hormone, and we will find that we can fall asleep easier when the mood and energy is right in the room.

We need time to adjust from the transition of a busy day to sleep rest mode, and these methods encourage your body to fall asleep faster.

Use Temperature as a Tool

Temperature is also another way to fall asleep faster. Setting your bedroom at a cooler temperature also signals the body that sleep is needed and coming soon. When we sleep our body temperatures drop slightly, so a cooler room will drive you into the sheets to get cozy.

A fan can help cool your room and provide white noise for those who like sleeping with a soft sound. Another trick is to take a warm shower or bath before bed. Warm water helps us relax and moving from the warm shower to the cool sheets can help us fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer.

Hide That Clock!

In the event of waking up or tossing and turning all night, many of us are constantly checking the clock to see what time it is.

Repeatedly checking the time on a bright screen or bedside clock only increases your anxiety as we stress about how much time we have left to sleep and why we are still awake. If you remove or hide the clock, and you remove the stress of checking the time altogether.

Belly Button Healing

This method is new and incredibly effective at releasing held stress and tension in the body. When the muscles of the abdomen are tense, the brain receives messages that there is unease in the body and relaxation is hard to come by. Belly Button Healing is the regular and mindful stimulation of the navel to release stress, tonify the organs, and get your vital life force energy (ki) moving in your body to clear any energetic blockages.

While these methods aren’t a universal cure for insomnia or difficulty sleeping, they are surely worth a try. Even just setting the intention to turn down the lights and turn off all devices one hour before bedtime could make a world of difference.

I invite you to give the tips a shot and see what resonates best with you and your needs.

Here’s to a good night’s rest and an energized morning! If you’ve discovered a method that has helped you transform your sleep patterns, please share with us in the comments below.

Making and Keeping Healthy New Year’s Resolutions

For New Year’s Day, you may have written a list of resolutions of how this year will be different. But as the holiday festivities give way to life’s challenges, you might find yourself snowed under again by the things you had hoped would change. Why?

You might be trying to solve problems with the same energy that created them. You feel unhappy, so you want things to change. But wanting is the source of your unhappiness because it comes from a sense of lack. When you want what is right here and now to be different than it is, you are resisting the moment in some way. You rob yourself of the fullness of life, as it is. Wanting comes from a place within you that feels broken and separate from the universe.

But in truth, you are always connected to and a part of a loving universe. You are always loved and never alone. In that understanding, you come into contact with your wholeness, your worth, your goodness, your ability to make real and lasting changes.

Your personal will, driven by wanting, is limited in its potency. It is manufactured by your ego, which is divided from the whole. A true and lasting resolve comes from clarity, free from wanting and rooted in the knowing that the universe has your back.

Your ego may say that if you stop wanting, you will be stuck right here forever in this unhappy place. But the opposite is true. By letting go of wanting, you step into your sense of being interconnected with the whole. From this place, you touch your deepest joy, which is the universe’s joy. When you contact your joy, not only are you in touch with the whole of the universe, but you tap into its infinite support and resources to realize your true magnificence.

So I invite you to do a little experiment. See if you can begin to notice wanting in your life. When you notice you are in wanting, gently remind yourself that those thoughts will not lead to lasting joy. Though they may appear real and tempting, think of them a bit like white sugar – momentarily sweet, but made of empty calories with no lasting nourishment. As you really get that wanting is a mirage, you will no longer give it power. It is then that you set the foundation for lasting change.

Resolve Rooted In Joy

You may believe that a million dollars, or a new house or car, or a new lover, will bring you happiness, and feel resolved that this new year you will manifest accordingly. But if these are not an expression of your deepest joy, the universe may not support them coming to pass, no matter how hard you try. The universe is compassionate, and compassion comes in many ways. One of them is in giving you not what you want, but what you need.

As you consider your resolutions for this year, find a quiet place to go within yourself. Take a few deep breaths, and become present with what is.

See if you can move beyond the habitual thoughts you may have about yourself and what you think you want. You may, for example, be wishing for more love in your life, and resolve to make that happen this year. But have you taken the time to touch the ways in which you don't believe this to be possible? Can you love even the disbelief, and in so doing open a gateway to new possibilities?

Similarly, witness the disbelief or wanting that may underlie other resolutions. If you resolve to make more money this year, is there part of you that believes you don’t deserve more abundance? Or do you conversely find that you deserve more, and feel in some ways indignant that you don’t have it? Can you focus on the ways in which your life is already rich? By feeling abundant and grateful in this place of inner richness, you will draw more richness into your life.

If you resolve to make a big change like quitting smoking or losing weight, is there part of you that is not yet open, ready and willing to change? Are you willing to touch that resistance, that fear, that sense of unworthiness, even self-loathing, that may keep you holding on to that which you know feels unhappy? Are you willing to see yourself as the being of light that you are now and in turn draw light into your life?

If you resolve to do something like learn a new language, run a marathon or even go to yoga class every day, is that intention coming from a place of rooted joy, or from a vague and ungrounded sense that it would somehow make you “better”? There is nothing wrong with the joy in learning, growing, and accomplishing new feats. But if it comes from a feeling of being unloved as you are now, then you become at odds with what is. Double check to make sure that the tasks you undertake come from your effervescent joy, rather than an idea of happiness.

As you check in with yourself, use your body as a guide. A resolve that comes from wanting will only feel partially complete. You may feel it for example mostly in your head, or in your belly. But a resolve that comes from your deepest joy will feel rooted, vital and expansive. You will feel it though your whole body. It will resonate in your toes, through your spine, in your fingertips… all over! Stay there. As often as possible, feel that wholeness. Feel the joy in that reality. Be that reality. In going there, and by getting out of the way of wanting it all to look a certain way according to your ego, your resolve flowers in more beautiful ways than you can imagine.

Please give these suggestions a try and see if you find yourself naturally and easily making changes in your life this year. You are worth it! 

Why You Should Start Eating Kimchi

There are a lot of options when it comes to eating healthy and near the top of the list of healthiest foods sits one that is beloved around the world: kimchi.

Kimchi is an international food superstar, but especially in Korea, it’s the primary staple food in every home that is consumed with almost every meal. As a matter of fact, people in Korea on average eat about 40 pounds of it per year (per person!). So, what exactly is kimchi? It’s a side dish eaten with rice that consists of cabbage mixed with garlic, chili peppers, scallions, and salt all fermented together to give it its unique, deep flavor.

Kimchi isn’t just a tasty food but it’s also good for you. It’s known to boost your health, but most importantly it heavily promotes good gut health, which science is now agreeing is the center of physical, emotional and mental wellness. The process of fermentation by itself is responsible for the presence of B vitamins, omega-3’s, and several other healthy probiotics like lactobacilli. That means you’re getting a plethora of beneficial microbes that you don’t typically find in an American diet. Lactobacilli is a vital part of human health, contributing to a strong connection with your immune system and fighting against and preventing many diseases and disorders such as IBS, diarrhea, eczema, allergies, yeast infections etc. Additionally, a study in 2004 showed that kimchi has properties which combat the growth of cancer. In a nutshell, kimchi is a superfood. And if you think all of those sound like enough, check out the long list of other known benefits:

• Packed with nutrition
• Stabilizes and boosts gut health
• Lowers cholesterol
• Aids in losing weight
• Helps fight against aging
• Balances and manages blood sugar
• Helps fight against aging
• Fights against/heals skin conditions
• Boosts your immune system

Kimchi is regularly eaten in Korean culture with rice. However, it can be easily implemented into other dishes too to add a little spice when you want it. Throw it into your eggs for breakfast, add it to your healthy wraps at lunch, or mix it into a Beef and Kimchi Stew for dinner. Heck, you can even top your pizza with it. The possibilities and combinations are essentially endless to get your healthy dose of probiotics into your diet in an oh, so delicious way. Just head down to your local Asian market and buy a jar, or try making it for yourself. Let us know how your experience with kimchi was!

Source: https://www.changeyourenergy.com/blog/2152/kimchi-a-probiotic-superfood

7 Ways to Date Yourself on Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day is centered around couples, activities for two, love, and everything surrounding it. The message is made clear: this day requires a special someone to do all these special things, and have a special time—otherwise, you’re not special. Doesn’t feel so great for those of us who are alone and single. We don’t have a partner for dates or for exchanging cards and sending flowers. I think couples have had enough time hogging the focus of Valentine’s. Let’s make it a day for all the single people out there by filling it with self care and making it totally about us, a day to fully and completely treat yourself and feel good doing so. Because you don’t need to be with someone to make a great Valentine’s Day. As a matter of fact, you can have the best day ever spending the day loving yourself.

How? Try out these ideas:

1. Visualize your perfect day.

First thing in the morning when you wake up, try meditating, stretching, journaling...anything that gives you the opportunity to sit with yourself and cut out the extra noise around you. Simply tune into your body and reconnect. Be conscious of your feelings and how you want them to progress throughout the day. How do you feel and how do you want to feel? This is a great starting point and will set the tone for a great day ahead.

2. Craft your environment.

After connecting with yourself, create the perfect space to love yourself today. In other words, pay some attention to your place of living and your overall space. Is it dusty? Is it cluttered? Is it a place where you feel well taken care of? Cleaning or tidying up your environment can be very therapeutic, and also, the result of a clean habitat to give yourself love in will leave you satisfied and stress-free for the great day ahead.

3. Gift yourself something nice.

Visit your preferred clothing store, get some antiques, or even buy a book. What’s one thing that’s been in the back of your mind for months that you’ve been wanting? Now would be a great time to buy it–guilt free. Remember, if you had a date, you’d be spending double anyways, so might as well splurge a little bit for yourself. A good Valentine’s date usually involves buying the other person a present, you just happen to be your own date for the day so gifting yourself something nice is totally appropriate!

4. Take yourself on an adventure somewhere new.

This could be the park, coffee shop, or a bistro you pass on a daily basis—any spot in your city that you’ve always wondered about but have never made it out to. Visit a new place near you and spend some time there, people watch, try a new drink, read a book, and go on a walk through the park. You’ll be surprised what discovering a new location can do for your mood and also your mind overall. It’s exciting and refreshing, plus wherever you go could easily become a new favorite spot for you to return to in the future.

5. Connect with nature.

This could be that walk in the park, maybe hiking, or even something as miniscule as walking around your neighborhood. Getting outside and exploring nature, whether its new or familiar, is a great relaxer that brightens your day and could even lead to you seeing something you hadn’t noticed before, even if it’s right by where you live. A walk involving nature in town or out in the wild, can be a huge boost to the mind and mood. Consider making it a regular thing, too, and walks can be your way of going to your “happy place”.

6. Do some sort of spa treatment.

Whether it’s at home by yourself or an actual spa, pamper yourself with a spa day. That’s right, spa day. Doesn’t matter if you’re a guy or girl, this is the ultimate “treat yourself” move for your special day. And it doesn’t have to be specifically going to a spa, but it can. Get a massage, lay out in the sun (if the sun is out). Hit the jacuzzi. Maybe do some stretching and relaxation techniques. Do a facemask, get a mani/pedi (Yes, guys can do that too). Take a really long, hot shower or bath to top it all off. After these methods of deep self-care and hygiene routines, you will feel fresh and brand new.

7. Reflect and relax.

As the evening arrives, wrap up the day by bringing home or ordering one of your favorite comfort foods, get in some comfortable clothes, and either read a book, watch something, or enjoy your favorite soothing music for a few hours. This is just time to fully relax and indulge in your favorite lazy, feel-good activities after a really fun and packed day. You don’t have to worry about the time or about chores (you already did those), it’s just your job to sit back, relax and take it all in. You’re gonna sleep peacefully when it’s all said and done.

Make the focus of today be all about you. Connect to what you want and what would make you feel loved, fulfilled, and well cared for. What’s better than having a picture perfect day for yourself while everyone else is stressed about what they should get their significant other? From now on, Valentine’s Day is Self-Love Day—the day you fully commit to treating yourself as your number one priority.

Source: https://www.changeyourenergy.com/blog/2162/7-ways-to-date-yourself-on-valentines-day

Slow Is Smooth, and Smooth Is Fast

A wise woman says to me often, "slow is smooth and smooth is fast." I think this relates to my approach to low impact martial arts training and everyday life. When I slow down and take my time I am able to accomplish more. I am focused, and able to problem solve better than when I am rushed and trying to multi-task.

She is a very wise woman, and I have heard a lot of people quote her about it. I have to say it all of the time to myself.

It is easy to get caught up in our anxieties and move too fast. We worry if we don't move too fast enough, or work on so many things we will miss something. When in fact if we slow down we can truly discern if we are working on the right thing.

What Does the Year of the Earth Dog Have in Store for You?

Another year has passed, and a new one has arrived, meaning there’s something new in store for everyone. With Lunar New Year around the corner (February 16th in 2018), it also means an entirely new Chinese zodiac year—and this one is The Year of the Earth Dog; it’s a year to be centered around the word “action” and should reap many positive rewards for many.

There are twelve animals represented in the Chinese zodiac, each cycling once every twelve years. Everyone has a zodiac animal based on when they were born, and each animal comes with its own traits and predictions with insight into what each year will look like for you. The Chinese zodiacs are: dog, rooster, pig, monkey, goat, horse, snake, dragon, rabbit, tiger, ox and rat. Additionally, each animal zodiac contains one of five elements (earth, water, fire, wood, metal) that slightly alter the characteristics of each year with a different combination. This year, the element of Earth is lined up with the zodiac Dog, so 2018 is considered the Earth Dog Year.

While this year is specifically named after the dog zodiac, 2018 has something in store for everyone. Let’s see what the year holds for you, along with words of wisdom according to your sign:

Dog (born in 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018):

2018 is the Year of the Dog, so it goes without saying that all dog zodiacs will be in good favor. This is a year where the majority of your life will benefit from good luck, and you have the power to choose what you want...so choose with care. The year calls for you to bring patience, dedication, and a mentality of never quitting in your projects, work, and ambitions. Two crucial character traits may form for you with the right adaptation: negotiation and the ability to make sound decisions for yourself.

Rooster (born in 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017):

Roosters in 2018 need to act on their good decisions. The year for you will revolve around your relationships of all kinds, including family, friends, and romance. So, it might be a good year to pour your focus and love into your personal relationships. You’ll most likely see many fruits this year from your labors of love.

Pig (born in 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019):

In 2018, pigs will start with a year somewhat full of chaos, which will then lead to a renewed confidence and comfort in self. Important lessons to take away are to allow yourself steady reason in every aspect of life, commit to selflessness, and grow to be adaptable in the case that your set plans are altered. Sticking close to these lessons will ensure a positive year of growth that will arise from overcoming some bumps in the road.

Monkey (born in 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016):

The 2018 horoscope for the Monkey shows that significant shifts will occur in your life, so you must be fully prepared. Be steadfast in the things you want and act upon them swiftly, which will lead to victory in difficult situations and challenges. All obstacles conquered through your tenacity will lead to progress.

Goat (born in 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015):

The Goat sees a year with plenty of pleasant surprises. You’ll see unexpected occurrences in your work life and social life, and at the same time, you’ll be faced with some obstacles. To best beat these challenges, you’ll have to be vigilant of your health so make it a priority to be in your tip-top shape. That means you’ll need to be ahead with your diet and physical health.

Horse (born in 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014):

Another sign with significant surprises in store is the Horse. As a horse, you’ll need to adapt when challenges face you, especially in your career. Adapting to them will shine favor on you, instead of being rigid against the obstacles ahead. Don’t doubt your capabilities—you possess the fortitude to turn around the unforeseen situations.

Snake (born in 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013):

2018 is an extremely exciting year for the Snake! This is a year where you can revolutionize your personal life, see your destiny ahead, and venture into all things spiritual. You’ll discover new passions and experience a new form of being generous toward others. Also, look out for a big career choice.

Dragon (born in 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012):

The year of the Dog has a lot of promise for the Dragon. You’re sure to find more confidence while thriving in your unique qualities. Recognition in work and by your peers will come your way. In addition, be wary of your out-of-the-box thinking sometimes and try to tone it down to be more moderate when necessary.

Rabbit (born in 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011):

This Earth Dog year may prove to be tense at times for those with a Rabbit sign, but you can ease some of that tension off if you start the year right with a healthy life balance. Try to remain aware of your health and go outside more. Your tendency might be to stay inside too often, causing you to miss out on your necessary connection with Mother Earth.

Tiger (born in 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022):

For the Tiger in 2018, take charge and don’t second-guess yourself.Hesitation can be your downfall and lead to missed chances, so grab hold of opportunity without a moment of questioning. If you fall short of this, you may find yourself feeling stuck so do you best to ignore your hesitations and move forward.

Ox (born in 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021):

The horoscope for the Ox, says that the Dog year of 2018 should consist of creating new projects and connections in order to bring light and luck in your favor. Luck will find its way into your life this year if you take the chance to be an innovator and cause real change. On the other side of things, if you remain stagnant without any new changes, luck could go against you and cause a downturn in your trajectory.

Rat (born in 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020):

In 2018, the Rat may sense a lack of satisfaction in life even if things are going well. Try to ignore this sensation, as it will attempt to drape negativity over what you’re doing and will only hold you back. Instead, step back and see all the good things that are happening in your life with a positive outlook and practice joy and gratitude for what you have.

Source: https://www.changeyourenergy.com/blog/2146/what-does-year-earth-dog-have-store-for-you