Podcast Summary: "How to Turn Your Daily 'Routines' into Intentional Rituals That Can Change Your Life"

What's The Juice
Host: Olivia Amitrano
Release Date: March 3, 2025

Overview

In this enlightening episode of What's The Juice, Olivia Amitrano delves deep into the transformative power of turning everyday routines into intentional rituals. Drawing from her extensive background in herbalism, psychology, and personal wellness, Olivia shares her journey of integrating spiritual practices into her daily life to foster connection, grounding, and personal growth. Through candid storytelling and practical advice, she illustrates how simple changes can infuse daily life with meaning and magic.

Breaking Down Personal Routines into Rituals

Olivia begins by discussing the distinction between routines and rituals. She emphasizes that while routines are habitual actions, rituals are intentional practices imbued with meaning and presence.

Olivia [00:02]: "I used to be a person that didn't really have a lot of routines and practices... since I've added in a lot of these practices, I feel like life has just become so much more colorful and so much more rich."

She explains how incorporating prayer, gratitude, breathwork, and nature rituals has transformed her daily life, providing "markers of time" that prevent days from feeling rushed and repetitive.

The Seven Liquids: A Morning Ritual

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to Olivia’s intricate morning ritual, which she refers to as the "seven liquids." This ritual serves as her foundation for the day, ensuring she meets her nutritional and spiritual needs right from the start.

1. Hydration with Electrolytes:
   Olivia begins her day with a mixture of sodium and potassium electrolytes to prevent deficiencies and associated ailments, such as gum pain.

   Olivia [05:28]: "If I don't get them in the morning, I don't get them in."

2. Fiber Intake:
   She consumes psyllium husk and inulin fiber to balance her estrogen levels and support gut health.

   Olivia [05:35]: "Fiber binds our estrogen. So I find that when I do my fiber drink... my estrogen to progesterone ratio is much healthier."

3. Custom Herbal Tea:
   Olivia prepares a personalized tea from her classical Chinese medicine acupuncturist, tailored to her current health needs.

   Olivia [10:15]: "Every two weeks I get a new delivery of a customized formula."

4. Protein Shake:
   To meet her high protein requirements, she takes a protein shake with collagen to support muscle protein synthesis and overall metabolism.

   Olivia [15:00]: "I gotta get my protein goals. So I will usually drink a protein shake after my breakfast."

5. Second Electrolyte Drink:
   An additional electrolyte drink enriched with skin-friendly ingredients like hyaluronic acid and her herbal tinctures follows the protein shake.

6. Herbal Tinctures:
   Olivia incorporates a blend of tinctures, including liver detox supports and cognitive enhancers like Bacopa and Angelica root, to maintain mental clarity and emotional balance.

   Olivia [20:45]: "Angelica helps to remind someone who has forgotten that they have a spirit."

7. Flower Essences:
   She adds flower essences to her drinks, such as Cosmo for spiritual communication and Poppy for courage, enhancing her emotional and spiritual well-being.

   Olivia [25:10]: "Flower essences are like capturing the spirit of a plant... to resonate with qualities that exist within you."

Creating Meaningful Rituals Aligned with Personal Growth

Olivia shares a profound experience during a special weekend aligned with the astrological event Jupiter Cazimi. She outlines how she intentionally scheduled activities that reflected her values and aspirations for the coming year.

Olivia [22:51]: "I made a list in my phone called Jupiter Cazimi... to bring more of these into my year."

Key activities included journaling, cooking together, exercising outside, creating a home altar, and setting collective intentions. This structured approach not only enriched her relationship with her partner but also deepened her personal connection to her goals and aspirations.

Plant Rituals and Spiritual Practices

Expanding on her herbal expertise, Olivia narrates her first experience with a plant-based ritual using fresh nettle. She explains how nettle serves as a bridge between old and new phases of life, aiding in personal transitions.

Olivia [35:20]: "Nettle is the plant that helps you to walk between two worlds... it helps us through the dark times and helps us to see the next steps."

The ritual involved creating a circle with nettle sprigs, preparing a nettle infusion, and setting intentions with friends. This practice not only reinforced her spiritual beliefs but also provided a tangible method for manifesting her intentions.

Impact of Rituals on Personal Transformation

Olivia reflects on how these rituals have profoundly impacted her life, fostering a sense of control, presence, and intentionality. She recounts a specific instance where a ritual helped her navigate a challenging conversation, transforming potential conflict into a meaningful dialogue.

Olivia [37:51]: "Leading with love allowed our conversation to unfold in a beautiful, organic way."

This example underscores the practical benefits of rituals in enhancing emotional intelligence, communication, and interpersonal relationships.

Forming Habits that Lead to Rituals

Addressing listener questions, Olivia emphasizes the importance of slowing down and being present to form habits that can evolve into meaningful rituals. She advocates for mindful practices, such as taking phone-free walks or performing routine tasks with heightened awareness.

Olivia [49:19]: "The art of noticing requires that we have enough space and time and safety to be curious or to be observant."

By creating intentional space and reducing distractions, individuals can cultivate mindfulness, leading to richer and more purposeful daily experiences.

Starting with an Altar: A Foundational Ritual

When asked about a single impactful ritual, Olivia recommends creating a personal altar. She describes her own altar, filled with meaningful items like family heirlooms, poems, and symbols representing her intentions and loved ones.

Olivia [53:11]: "Having an altar... just being intentional and lighting that incense... tunes you in."

This practice serves as a daily reminder of one’s values, connections, and purpose, fostering a sense of gratitude and intentionality.

Conclusion and Key Takeaways

Olivia Amitrano's episode on transforming routines into intentional rituals offers a comprehensive guide to enhancing daily life through mindful practices. By integrating spiritual and wellness rituals, individuals can cultivate greater presence, purpose, and personal growth. Key takeaways include:

• Intentionality Over Habit: Elevate daily actions from mere habits to meaningful rituals.
• Holistic Wellness: Incorporate physical, emotional, and spiritual practices for comprehensive well-being.
• Mindful Presence: Slow down and be present to notice and respond to life’s subtle cues.
• Personal Altar: Create a sacred space to honor intentions, loved ones, and personal growth.

Whether you're seeking to deepen your spiritual practices or simply add more meaning to your daily life, Olivia's insights provide actionable steps to create lasting positive change.

Notable Quotes:

• Olivia [00:02]: "I used to be a person that didn't really have a lot of routines and practices... since I've added in a lot of these practices, I feel like life has just become so much more colorful and so much more rich."

• Olivia [05:28]: "If I don't get them in the morning, I don't get them in."

• Olivia [22:51]: "I made a list in my phone called Jupiter Cazimi... to bring more of these into my year."

• Olivia [37:51]: "Leading with love allowed our conversation to unfold in a beautiful, organic way."

• Olivia [49:19]: "The art of noticing requires that we have enough space and time and safety to be curious or to be observant."

• Olivia [53:11]: "Having an altar... just being intentional and lighting that incense... tunes you in."

What's The Juice continues to explore the intersections of traditional wisdom and modern science, offering listeners a path to optimize their health and transform their perception of the world through rich, intentional conversations.