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Diet & Lifestyle

Raw foods: pure energy is delicious!

Try this delicious, nutrient packed smoothie in the morning or during the day to give your taste buds a lift and your energy levels a BOOST!

Chocolate Banana Coconut smoothie

-Nutmilk (I use almond or hemp milk) -1 unfrozen banana -frozen fruit (mango or raspberries are delish) -2 tbs raw Cacoa nibs (or just plain, organic cocoa powder will do) -2 tbs of melted organic, virgin coconut oil (or more…this stuff is so good for you, feel free to throw a little extra in there!)

-sweeten with a few raw dates or a little raw agave nectar

Blend and ENJOY!!

Green Drink for Vitality

Nourish and detoxify your body with this delicious superfood smoothie!

  • Almond, Coconut or Soymilk (unsweetened, vanilla or chocolate)–2 cups
  • Aloe Vera Juice 1/2 cup
  • Banana and/or fruit of choice pineapple, organic berries (add something colorful!)
  • Liquid Chlorophyll – 1 tbsp
  • Bee Pollen – 1 tbsp
  • Ground Flaxseed’s – 1 tbsp
  • Raw Oatmeal –  a handful
  • Raw Walnuts – a handful
  • Raw Ginger Root – few slices to taste
  • Greens: fresh organic Kale, Collards, Spinach, Sprouts–up to you!
  • “Green Vibrance” supplement powder–one heaping scoop


Green Goodness Smoothie

Try using organic ingredients whenever possible.  Most of these ingredients can be found at Whole Foods in the produce and supplement departments (all supplements are extremely cleansing, but optional).  If you are on any medications, you can check with your doctor or pharmacist for potential adverse interactions.

ENJOY!!

Breath is Life!

Breath is the essential force of our existence. Without breath, we would not be alive! Those of us who are blessed with good health can literally take each single breath for granted, and breathing can be a mindless activity left to the brilliance and reliability of our bodies. Yet what happens when we lose our breath? When we’re frightened, over-stressed, or physically spent, that previously mindless activity becomes a life-saving mission. We panic! But if we take a few minutes a day to engage in mindful breathing, we have the ability to change our physiological state.

Mindful breathing is a great way to relieve stress and trapped emotions that have been suppressed in our bodies. If you’re feeling stressed or anxious, calm your nerves by taking some deep and slow breaths. It’s also a great energy-booster, as 70 percent of our energy comes from breathing. If you feel like you don’t have enough energy during the day, take a moment to breathe. Engaging in breathing exercises for a few minutes daily elevates the oxygen levels in your bloodstream, which is the key to increasing the energy available to your mind and body. When you’re working out, mindful breathing will help you get through tough physical exercises by bringing focus to the mind, energy to the body, and strength to the muscles.
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Exercise:

Deep Belly Breathing:
Lie on your back with the soles of your feet on the floor (or sit on a chair with the soles of your feet on floor and your back supported). Feel your spine on the floor and place your hands on your belly. Relax your shoulders and neck, take a deep inhale through your nose for four counts, filling your belly with air like a balloon. Hold the breath for four counts, and then slowly exhale out of your mouth (as if you are exhaling out of a straw) and deflating your stomach until all the air is squeezed out of your lungs. Inhale and repeat the exercise for four repetitions or more. When you feel comfortable, increase the sets to six counts, then eight counts, and so on.

 

 

Staying Warm This Winter!

This winter, gear up for the high costs of home heating. Instead of cranking up the thermostat, save energy with some quick solutions to staying warm!!!

  • 30 second intervals of jumping jacks help increase blood flow, improves cardiovascular capacity, burns calories and raises body temperature
  • Spice up your recipes this winter with ginger, garlic, cinnamon, turmeric and cloves.  These spices keep your body warm and boost your immune system!
  • An Epson salt bath is a simple and inexpensive way to warm up, cleanse, reduce stress and prevent muscle and joint soreness
  • Organic light wool clothing, layer, layer, layer!!!

Another way to save on heating costs is by going green with your furnace. If your furnace is over 10 years old, it’s likely a low-efficiency model, averaging between 60 and 70 per cent AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency). In other words, it’s only producing around 60 to 70 cents worth of heat for every dollar your spend! By choosing a more energy efficient model, you’ll get more heat for your dollar.

Explore Eating Raw Foods for Increased Health

This fall I took a wonderful excursion to Sedona, AZ, where I had the privilege to teach yoga and dance at the Raw Spirit Festival.  Some of you are aware that I have incorporated a diet consisting of raw foods for many years now.  For those of you who are not familiar with Raw Foods, it’s a vegetarian plant-based diet consisting of uncooked fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds and sprouted grains – that’s right no meat!!!

Although the idea of eating uncooked fruits and veggies sounds boring, there are actually some exciting and delicious recipes that will knock your socks off!  When eating uncooked foods you get the benefit of live enzymes, which contain vitamins, minerals, high quality proteins and essential fatty acids. There are many benefits to eating raw, such as increased energy, strength, stamina, feeling of calmness and balance, disease prevention and weight loss. Plus, it’s good for the environment.

Below is a recipe that I love.  If you are interested in thinking outside the box and perhaps stepping out of your comfort zone, then I encourage you to explore the world of raw.  I look forward to bringing you new ideas and creative ways to enjoy better nutrition in the New Year.  Be well and enjoy!

Yummy Smoothie!!

Ingredients

  • 1 sweet red apple, hacked up
  • 1 ripe sweet banana, broken up a bit
  • ½ ripe avocado, chopped up a bit
  • ½ handful of berries
  • 1 tablespoon flaxseed oil
  • 1 tablespoon agave nectar (optional)
  • 1 cup water