Showing posts with label food. Show all posts
Showing posts with label food. Show all posts

Jun 16, 2014

Food Inspiration

Some meatless recipes from around the web to inspire and enjoy...

Image: theppk.com
1. Veggie breakfast basic -- scrambled tofu via the Post Punk Kitchen.



Image: ohsheglows.com

2. The nourish and glow miracle bowl via Oh She Glows.


Image: thisrawsomeveganlife.com


3. Vegan Sushi Rolls via This Rawesome Vegan Life.

Jun 5, 2014

Trouble Sleeping & Intermediate Practice

Via: Mysore SF's Magnolia Zuniga 

Q.

Since I’ve started practicing intermediate series I’ve had trouble falling asleep. I also wake up in the middle of the night and have a hard time falling back to sleep. Do you have any tips?

A:

The intermediate series is a stimulating and dynamic practice. It is not uncommon for students to experience many changes in their lives as the postures begin to weave themselves into the subtle body. Before we go into this, let’s look at the primary series and go from there...  continue reading at Mysore SF


Apr 27, 2013

Weekend Edition #10 Grow Food

Time to get gardening and learning is simple with these cute infographics on growing herbs, starting a home garden, and composting!



"Grow Your Own Herbs" by Heather Diane Hardison of Illustrated Bites.


 "Square Foot Gardening" by Frugal Dad

"How to make compost work for you" by WellHome via treehugger


Apr 14, 2013

Weekend Edition #9

Some notes and highlights from the week:

Leslie Kaminoff explains "accessory breathing":


Meet the Sweetest Vegan:


I'm going to Florida August 17 & 18 (I'll see you there!)
On facebook
The Shala's website
The details:
Sat. 8:30AM – 11AM Led Primary
Traditional Sanskrit count of asanas and vinyasas we well as each and every inhale and exhale. Ride each breath in and out, allow your mind to sink down, and surrender to the current. We will finish with deep relaxation and chanting.



Sat. 1PM – 4PM The Strength to Surrender
When we untether ourselves from mental chatter we are able to soften the heart, trust fully, embrace faith, and open to possibility. We begin to experience a lightness in the body and mind and an ease in practice that flows into all areas of our lives. Spend the afternoon with Elise delving into this topic to gain insight into where you are in your journey, what is holding you back, keeping you stuck, or bringing stuff up. Learn how to tap into the tools you already have to help you trust this process, let go, and feel more joy in life. Elise will touch on the mental and physical aspects of heat, resistance, purification and sweet sweet surrender.

Sun 8:30AM-11AM
Mysore & Chanting The weekend culminates with Mysore practice and chanting that shakes us to the core and aligns all aspects of our being with the light within.


Recommended Reads:
I may have recommended this before and here it is again:  The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali with commentary by Swami Satchidananda.  Yes, it comes en espanol tambien.

"Disease, dullness, doubt, carelessness, laziness, sensuality, false perception, failure to reach firm ground and slipping from the ground gained -- these distractions of the mind-stuff are the obstacles.
Accompaniments to the mental distractions include distress, despair, trembling of the body, and disturbed breathing.
The practice of concentration on a single subject [or the use of one technique] is the best way to prevent the obstacles and their accompaniments."

vyādhistyānasaṁśaya pramādālasyāvirati
व्याधिस्त्यानसंशय प्रमादालस्याविरति
bhrāntidarśanālabdha bhūmikatvānavasthitatvāni
भ्रान्तिदर्शनालब्ध भूमिकत्वानवस्थितत्वानि
cittavikṣepāste 'ntarāyāḥ
चित्तविक्षेपास्ते ऽन्तरायाः
duḥkhadaurmanasyaṅgamejayatvaśvāsapraśvāsā
दुःखदौर्मनस्यङ्गमेजयत्वश्वासप्रश्वासा
vikṣepasahabhuvaḥ
विक्षेपसहभुवः
tatpratiṣedhārthamekatattvābhyāsaḥ
तत्प्रतिषेधार्थमेकतत्त्वाभ्यास
~Yoga Sutras 1.30-32

Mar 2, 2013

Weekend Edition #4



Shining light on some basic questions on how to get started with practice:
How do I get started with Mysore practice?
Should I go to Mysore or Led class?
What's the etiquette?
How do I pick a yoga mat?
What is a rug for and where can I get one?
Where do I find a teacher?




Next Saturday, March 9th is the worldwide 2013 Yoga Stops Traffick event which aims to raise awareness and funds to fight human trafficking in India. 
Find an event near you. 
Here's the info for our event in Albuquerque.



For all you new vegans, vegetarians, and veg-curious out there, here are some food blogs that inspire:
The Post Punk Kitchen
Happy. Healthy. Life
Yum Universe



Lastly, be sure to like The Yoga Comics on Facebook.  Word on the street is a new comic is coming out shortly...




Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu 
"May all beings everywhere be happy and free, and may the thoughts, words, and actions of my own life contribute in some way to that happiness and to that freedom for all."

Feb 23, 2013

Weekend Edition #3

"Stephen Theodore Schaffer, known to most as Shyamdas, was killed in a motorcycle accident in Goa, India on Saturday, January 19. He was 59. Namarupa has published a special 36 page issue containing an obituary, photographs and memories of Shyamdas and all the articles that Shyamdas ever wrote for Namarupa."  

 Download the special issue "Shyamdas :: In Memoriam" for free here.

“All forms of Yoga lead us to bhava – the enlightened, inspired state of pure being. Bhava creates in us a direct experience of the unity of all things. This journey of kirtan (sacred chant) introduces the subtle relationship between non-dual vision and loving devotion as the foundation for the yoga experience.” – Shyamdas (1953-2013)
 








This week we have conference notes from July 8 and October 21 as well as the appendix to our local conference which focused on breathing and awareness.

Kate O'Donnell writes from India on how waking up early for practice can bring the breathing to the spiritual and back again.

Meditations on food and practice continue with David Life's video on why diet matters and the conversation continues with Life and Sharon Gannon's discussion on the yamas and the connection to food.

T. Colin Campbell presents the science around why food matters and we end with a recipe for Super Easy Vegan Ice Cream and a thumbs up for The Yoga Cookbook.


May all beings be happy and free




No Meat Athlete's Guide to Vegan Egg Substitutions


Feb 22, 2013

Resolving the Health Care Crisis: T. Colin Campbell at TEDxEast





"Dr.Campbell has spent the last 40 years at the forefront of nutrition research. His major research project the China Project is the largest nutrition study ever conducted. Here he shares his ideas to revolutionize our nation's health."

Feb 21, 2013

Super Easy Vegan Ice Cream


Yes, this was breakfast a few days ago.  While I'm saving the fruit cobbler for a future post, today it is all about the Super Easy Vegan Ice Cream.

Ingredients:
  • Banana (1 per person)
Directions:
Freeze banana.  Yes, the whole banana -- peel and all.  The taste will differ based on the stage of ripeness, so experiment.  When you are ready to make the ice cream, take out the frozen banana and let it thaw out a little.  Remove (and compost) the peel.  Blend the banana.  Enjoy!

(It is entirely possible that freezing a peeled banana is easier to handle.  I just prefer it this way.)

That's it.  Super simple.  But that doesn't have to be the end...

Possible additions:
  • Shredded coconut
  • Vanilla extract
  • Cinnamon
  • Chocolate or carob powder
  • Other frozen fruits
Goes great:
  • By itself
  • On pies, cobblers, cakes, granola, etc.

Feb 17, 2013

Local "Conference" Appendix #2 - Breathing & Awareness

How can we become more aware of ourselves and how we move in space?  Can we begin to see new options and possibilities?  We all breathe, so attention to breathing is a great place to start.

First, some theory.  Check out Leslie Kaminoff's video "The Accordion and the Water Balloon":






Next, let's see how this works under the skin with Gil Hedley's "Exquisite lungs breathing":





Now, we move into practice with this video of a Led Intermediate class at the main shala in Mysore, India.  Remember, Led 2nd is invite only, so these are really experienced practitioners.





A bit more in practice with Pattabhi Jois (Guruji) leading Richard Freeman through the final asanas:



Here is some additional reading on the breathing we do in practice:
Ujjayi vs. Free Breathing  David Robson (Toronto) discusses the learning process and breathing.
Ujjāyī vs. Free Breathing in Ashtanga Yoga (Hatha Yoga Pradipika) The HYP on breathing.
Ujjāyī vs. Free Breathing in Ashtanga Yoga (Gheranda Samhita) The GS on breathing.

If you are congested, you might want to try neti (jala or sutra -- ask your teacher).





Also, food can be a contributing factor.  Here are some foods known to increase mucus:
  • Sugar
  • Meat
  • Dairy
  • Wheat

Why does how we breathe matter?  Breathing can either limit or increase our space in asanas.  It can either calm or agitate the mind and the nervous system.  Also, the heat that comes from good breathing is essential to purification:
A vital aspect of internal purification that Pattabhi Jois teaches relates to the six poisons that surround the spiritual heart. In the yoga shastra it is said that God dwells in our heart in the form of light, but this light is covered by six poisons: kama, krodha, moha, lobha, matsarya, and mada. These are desire, anger, delusion, greed, envy and sloth. When yoga practice is sustained with great diligence and dedication over a long period of time, the heat generated from it burns away these poisons, and the light of our inner nature shines forth.


Feb 16, 2013

Weekend Edition #2

In this Weekend Edition we've got the week's post popular post on ujjayi vs free breathing which goes along with tomorrow's local conference theme on breathing in asana practice. 

You've probably noticed an abundance of food-related posts.  The topic has been big around here the last few weeks and rightfully so.  What we eat has a massive impact on how we feel and on our yoga practices (not just asana)...    



How Digestion Works includes a basic primer on your insides from one end to the other.  There's an infographic and short video, but there are also a couple of longer videos that you might find interesting that includes footage from a full-length Berkeley biology course.

A Strategy for Health "Many people confuse pleasure with happiness. This can be a big problem and can lead to some very unhappy results. It is imperative that we recognize the difference between pleasure and happiness."

How to Eat Right to Reduce Stress lists foods to include and avoid so we can stress less.



The Kind Diet explains how to transition to a kinder lifestyle, become vegan, and explore macrobiotics.  Really great and simple recipes as well as clear and digestible information.  And pretty pictures.


 Forks Over Knives gets you thinking about why and what you eat.  If you're feeling inspired to do some healthy cooking, head over to Going Home to Roost for plant-based dinner ideas.



Feb 14, 2013

Feb 12, 2013

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread


I found this simple and tasty recipe for Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread from Pickles and Honey.  I changed a couple of things based on what I had and I also used only half the sweetener.  It came out beautifully.  My last pumpkin bread was a bit and dense.  Not this time.

Here's what I look for in store bought chocolate (or carob) chips:


I had no idea that sugar isn't always vegetarian.  Here is a list of companies that do and do not use bone char.

Feb 11, 2013

The Ultimate Guide to Dairy-Free Milks


I have never made my own non-dairy milk, but with this amazing guide from Heather Crosby of YumUniverse anyone can give it a go.  Some possibilities include: almond, amaranth, brazil nut, brown rice, buckwheat, cashew, coconut, hazel nut, hemp seed, poppy seed...

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