Monday, February 24, 2014

Vata Dosha: The Final Ingredient

vata dosha, ayurveda, alternative medicine, hair regrowthWe end our tour of the Ayurvedic doshas with Vata, the final ingredient in the dosha trinity. Vata is most commonly represented by the Air and Ether elements. Unlike the other doshas, which share the elemental property of water, Vata does not share any elemental properties with the other doshas, making it the most unique of the three. Vata governs movement in the body, meaning that it controls both the nervous system to the digestive system. It also controls breathing and the firing of nerve impulses in the brain. As you'd expect, people with a predominance of Vata are always in motion. They tend to be lively, creative, and enthusiastic. When balanced, Vatas are lively conversationalists and are usually the first in any group to take the initiative. They are quick to learn, quick to discover, and quick in forming opinions. And although they are talkative, their energy comes in bursts, meaning that they often require downtime and will characteristically be shy, introspective, and sensitive. Vatas work best in small groups and will shy from noisy, crowded areas. Physically they are light and lean; joints are veins are often visible through dry, rough skin. Digestion for them can be sensitive, and they are light sleepers, prone to bouts of insomnia. Vata that is out of balance will cause weight loss and constipation. Anxiety also runs high for Vatas; they are likely to feel overwhelmed will constantly ask themselves, 'What have I done wrong,' accepting blame when blame is not theirs. Physical problems can include arthritis, weak joints, restlessness, and digestive challenges. grow hair, hair restorationAs an element that is constantly changing, Vata is balanced through stability. Regular mealtimes and regular sleep patterns are excellent habits to pick up. Also, light exercise will shed excess energy and will reduce anxiety levels. Dress appropriately for the season as not to be tipped in the direction of too hot or too cold. Surround yourself with warm colors, such as yellows and pastels, and warm aromas, like cinnamon and vanilla. Personally, I think of myself as a Vata. If you're like me in that regards then our Amber Elixir may be the best choice for you. We each have our balance; we only need the clarity and time to find it.

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Kapha Dosha: Water and Earth

kapha ayurvedaLast week we talked about the Ayurvedic dosha, Pitta. This week's dosha, Kapha, actually shares with Pitta the elemental property of water. But while Pitta is hot and intense, Kapha is cool and flowing. Kapha is a binding dosha. Imagine a jar filled with earth and water. Without motion the earth would simply settle on the bottom while the water floats above. Think of Kapha as the perpetual stirring motion that keeps these two elements from separating. In our bodies Dosha works in a similar manner by binding our cells together. Our muscle, fat, bone, and sinew are all components of Kapha. It maintains the immune system, lubricates joints, heals wounds, moisturizes skin, and helps fill the empty spaces of the body. People with a predominance of Kapha tend to have a heavy or solid build. They are slow to digest, meaning that they are often overweight. Other characteristics include smooth skin, soft eyes, thick hair, and pearly teeth. Emotionally they are calm, thoughtful, and caring. Kaphas are slow learners, but they also have exceptional memories and are the most consistent of the three doshas. Their loyalty, endurance, and methodical nature makes them excellent providers. They will often cling to familiar routines, making it difficult to break away from unhealthy habits or relationships. An imbalance of Kapha will cause weight gain, depression, asthma, and lethargy. Like stirring a jar, stimulation is the best remedy for imbalance; get out into the world and experience new kapha, hair restoration, regrowthsights and sounds. Kapha, as a cooling dosha, needs to stay warm and avoid dampness. Warm aromas, such as cloves, cinnamon, and juniper, work best. Dry massages help improve the circulation of Kapha. Are you a Kapha? Kapha, as a binding dosha, needs to be balanced in order to maintain the health and strength of your hair's cells. Our Emerald Elixir is the best choice for those who think that they may align with this dosha. Also, proper and consistent use of the scalp massager is a great way to improve blood circulation beneath the scalp.

Thursday, February 13, 2014

Pitta Dosha: What's Your Element?

pitta ayurvedaAyurveda or Ayurvedic Medicine is a system of traditional medicine native to India that dates back to as early as 600 BC. You can image that a system of medicine that old has quite a bit of complexity to it, and it does. Fortunately, everything in Ayurveda is broken down into component parts, meaning that we can explore each part individually. The component I'd like to explore today is Pitta, the first of the three doshas. In Ayurveda dosha refers to the three biological energies that comprise the body. The doshas--pitta, vata, and kapha--exist in harmony with one another, and an imbalance of these energies is the is the direct cause of disease and contamination. Balance is achieved through healthy dietary and lifestyle choices.  Rarely, however, will even the healthiest of persons achieve a complete balance of the doshas. Pitta is most commonly represented by fire. As you'd expected Pitta is hot, sharp, acerbic, bright, and intense. People who have a predominance of pitta tend to be medium-sized and well-built; they are warm-skinned and tend to perspire more readily. Thin hair, paleness, sensitivity to light, and freckles are also physical characteristics of pitta. Pittas are always on the go. They have sharp minds and fast metabolisms, meaning they have an abundance of energy. When focused, pittas are strong leaders and decision makers, but on the flipside they can be short-tempered, aggressive, or argumentative. Pitta that is out of balance can produce burning sensations, heartburn, skin rashes, acne, or excessive body heat. Balancing pitta is an act of cooling down. Taking long walks in nature is a great way to clear an overly burdened mind. The key here is to schedule some free time everyday.  Oil treatments arehair regrowth also a great way to cool the skin; we recommend olive or sunflower oils. Surround yourself with cool colors, such as blue, grey, or silver, and embrace soft, sweet aromas, such as lavender, sandalwood, rose, or jasmine. Are you a pitta? Doshas flow throughout your entire body, meaning that they are in your hair as well. Our tri-color elixir seiries is formulated to create balance between the three energies. If you feel you have an abundance of pitta then our ruby elixir may be right for you. Once balance is achieved, hair restoration and revitalization can begin.

Monday, February 10, 2014

GMO Giant Monsanto Invades Whole Foods

genetically modified, GMO, whole foodsTeam Members at the nation-wide chain Whole Foods have been scrambling to get their information straight. The chaos began a few days ago when Whole Foods  CEO John Mackey announced via his blog that Whole Foods knowingly sells Monsanto genetically modified corn in numerous products. Genetically modified foods containing GMO are currently banned in many countries including China and all of Europe. An email sent to Whole Foods customers in the wake of the news attempted to provide some clarity to the situation. The company, while defending their support of "seed purity," confirmed that they have given the go-ahead to USDA bureaucrats to approve the "conditional deregulation" of Monsanto's genetically engineered alfalfa. Whole Foods, the long-since poster-child of the organic foods movement, is now staged to cut a deal in the hopes of "coexistence" with Monsanto, thereby making Whole Foods a financial constituent of the chemical company. And while current law does not require Whole Foods to label their GMO-laden products, the company has set a deadline for full GMO transparency by 2018. Morrocco Method would like to take this time to reassert our core values. We, as an non-GMO, locally-owned company, do not support any level of "coexistence" with an industry that undermines the well-being of the public without their consent or knowledge. We have and will continue to support sustainable business practices that benefit local businesses and non-GMO co-ops. Our #1 concern is the health and safety of our customers. We believe that nourishment for hair, body, and soul begins with raw, wild-crafted, 100% natural ingredients. In times when the battle may appear to swing in the opposition's favor, it's good to know that you still have friends.

Thursday, February 6, 2014

Zodiac Signs and the Four Elements

Hair is, in many ways, like a second thumbprint; no two heads of hair are the same. If you have curly hair and you try talking to your straight-haired friend about your frizz problem then you might as well be on different planets. Point is, your hair has unique needs that should be treated with uniquely-tailored products, not generic, factory-made shampoos. The difficulty lies in knowing which products are right for you. And while there is no better way of knowing than simply experimenting with the products, many people find that they naturally gravitate toward those that align with their zodiac element. Similar to our five-element shampoos, our god/goddess elixir series is formulated around different elements--Air, Fire, Water, and Earth. To know which elements best suits you, take a look at the zodiac calendar: Air is the most flighty of all the elements. Like wind rushing through a valley, the air element is unpredictable and always on the go; it is adventurous and seeks to fill every corner of the world. Air people are very advanced in their thinking, which leads others to claim that they are out of touch with reality, floating in the upper reaches of the atmosphere.

gemini, libra, aquarius

Fire people live with a spark in their heart. They can ignite at a moment's notice but when managed properly can produce wondrous things. Fire is very emotional, but with that emotion comes passion and drive. Fire people also have a strong sense of self and will burn brightly for the enjoyment (or annoyance) of others.

aries, leo, sagittarius

Water is cool, dark, and mysterious. Water is fluid and can intuitively adapt to the emotional climate of any situation. It is the essential component of all life, meaning it holds together all living things. Many find that they connect well with water people. They are empathetic and caring, which also means they are fragile and easily wounded.

cancer, scorpio, pisces

Earth is the most tangible of all the elements. It is composed, solid, and stable. You can trust earth people to stick to their commitments and moral code. Earth people are resistant to change and often adhere to the "If it ain't broke don't fix it" mentality. They can, however, be very materialistic or possessive. Earth people are practical problem solvers, but they take things at surface value, often not understanding the complexity of a situation.

taurus, virgo, capricorn

Finding your element (or elements) is the first step in the hair restoration process. For tips on how to get the most of your god/goddess elixir, check out Anthony's video below: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HeQZUy-6Wys&list=UUt2XZvvkoORRTLqc1CuzVdA&feature=share&index=2

Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Raw Living Expo Gallery

We just can't get enough of the Raw Living Expo! Come with us as we travel to sunny Westlake, CA. Food, fancy, and surprise appearances from some raw celebrities--Dan the Man, and FullyRaw Kristina. Special thanks to Nathan Crane and Laura Fox for making this event possible. [slideshow post_id="8460"]

Raw Living Expo Gallery

Because we just can't get enough of the Raw Living Expo! Browse through our image gallery as we travel to sunny (albeit chilly) Westlake, CA. Food, fancy, and special appearances from some raw celebrities--Dan the Man and FullyRaw Kristina! Special thanks to Nathan Crane and Laura Fox for making this event possible. [simpleviewer gallery_id="2"]

Tuesday, February 4, 2014

Sneak Peak: Look Who Stopped By The Morrocco Method Booth!

We missed you so much this weekend, but we were busy having a blast at the Raw Living Expo. Here's a quick look at our travels: [caption id="attachment_8346" align="aligncenter" width="660"]booth, raw, living, expo, vegan Hanging out at the MM booth[/caption] [caption id="attachment_8345" align="aligncenter" width="660"]euro oil, raw, living, expo, vegan Close up and personal with the Buddha[/caption] This was a wonderful surprise! Dan the Life Regenerator McDonald stopped by our booth to chat about how much he loves MM products and how much his hairline has regrown. FullyRaw Kristina was also there to try out a few MM products. [caption id="attachment_8344" align="aligncenter" width="660"]FullyRaw, Kristina, raw, living, expo, vegan FullyRaw Kristina dropped by to try some MM products[/caption] [caption id="attachment_8343" align="aligncenter" width="660"]Dan, the life regenerator, the Man, raw, living, expo, vegan Hanging out with Dan the Life Regenerator[/caption] From the food to the dancing, everything about the Expo was stupendous. We had the fortune of sitting through a five-course raw dinner prepared by the chefs of The Living Light Culinary Institute. Yum! [caption id="attachment_8347" align="aligncenter" width="660"]food, raw, living, expo, vegan A delicious raw dessert![/caption] [caption id="attachment_8342" align="aligncenter" width="660"]Chi Gong, raw, living, expo, vegan Anthony giving a Chi Gong class[/caption] More photos to come! Be sure to check back later this week for our complete gallery. Namaste!