My Small, Quaint Moldovan...

Well folks, I can't beat around this one. I have written about health, food, spirit and love. And now comes a very personal post about myself and possibly the most real reason I haven't written in such a long time. I have been busy falling in...love.

a lady in love

I have written in the past about how I have a tendency to see myself through the eyes of others. This was something that Swami Sita could see in my astrological chart and that I have always known. In simple English, this means I care way too stinking much what others think about me and I form my self-image based on their feedback of me. This is SUPER dangerous. This is something that I have had to work on, strengthening my own sense of self has been a freaking struggle my entire life. And now Costea has came along. Costea is short for Constantin. His name sort of sums it up. He is consistent and constant and loving and honest. From the beginning he was incredibly honest with me and asked of the same from me.

 I had never had someone so forthright about their feelings and about their impressions of me-good and bad. It was refreshing. Those weaknesses he exposed were ones that I knew all too well of, that I had been trying to hide or cover up. My ego didn't want to admit any of them! But Costea insisted I could change, I could grow and get better and better. In fact he was sure of it and wanted to be a part of that process. And he asked that I do that same for him. This was love. Of course this didn't all happen overnight and as with all meaningful relationships it has taken a lot of work for us to get to the place we find ourselves-married!

 For the last months, I have been focused on my relationship and my work in Moldova and so that meant not much room in my mind or days for the pleasure-filled outlet of writing, which I do love so much, on this blog and other projects. Thank you for being here, for bearing with me, for being...

In my last post, I proclaimed I was back to food. I was back to believing strongly that what we put into our bodies has MAJOR effects as to what goes on in our lives. And I have proclaimed in the past that all I want to do is to help people to better understand their own body's needs-nutritionally and through movement, as well as how this connects, or is the "gateway" to their entire life-both spiritual and here on Earth! That connection is so REAL and it's something that I can't get away from. Through all of my business background, non-profit work and *secret* desires to be wealthy and not-so-secret desire to be healthy, it is food, spirit, and wellness that keep pulling me back in. And when Costea and I talk about my career, the past failures, the current struggles, and future dreams, he tells me in his honesty that it is with FOOD and SPIRIT and WELLNESS and UPLIFTING and YOGA and WRITING where he sees my power. He applauds my past attempts to make a living in these areas, understands and empathizes in my failures, and empowers me to blaze forward. Forget about money, forget about fame, forget about making an name and just GO WITH YOUR PASSION.

If I could ever give out some of the best advice I also received, it would be to find a partner who is an honest witness to your own being and who is not afraid to report back what they observe-out of love and out of the desire for growth. Because life is both light and dark, and the person who sees the dark and is not afraid to pull you out of it, is a true gift.

I have learned so much in my time as a Peace Corps Volunteer. International relations, project writing, and empowerment. These skills will not go to waste and the work and connections I make here continue to be meaningful in ways I never could have dreamed. I found my husband! I found amazing friends, and I am finding the way to see myself through my own eyes, and those of a trusted partner.

Om!

Oops I Did it (Once AGAIN?!)

Sometimes we think we might never learn.  We make the same mistakes over and over and over.  And why?  Well it's because these mistakes are part of a habitual action that took years and years to create and will take years and years to deconstruct.  And every step is a small success...right?  Be gentle with yourself.


Growing up we didn't have a ton of sweets in the house.  My mom would bake cookies, breads and brownies here and there.  They were a treat more than a standard.  Halloween meant candy, which I loved.  And once I got into high school and could drive myself right over to the store where there were aisles of sweet stuff?  Uh-oh, trouble.  Who knows why I have such a sweet tooth.  I have a handful of theories:
1) I took a lot of antibiotics as a kid so maybe my intestinal flora got wiped, replaced by candida (yeast) that is constantly craving sugar and I am its stupid host listening and obliging.  Sounds scary right?
2) Because we didn't have a lot of sweets around the house, I knew it must be "bad for me" and so I went overboard with it in rebellion eventually becoming hooked on the stuff. 
3) The psychological factor.  Perhaps I crave more "sweet" in my life:  touching, hugging, kissing, kind words, holding hands, playfulness, forgiveness, compassion, smiles...you know...the SWEET stuff.  Sooo, instead of seeking that, chocolate and cookies are a much quicker "fix".  

Cravings. Hooked. Fix. Habit...Sounds like I am a drug addict-right? Well kind of. If I am going to overindulge in something, it is going to be sweets. And since my arrival in Moldova, I completely let my guard down in this area. New place, new faces, wanting comfort:  COOKIES. Tired from travel and learning a new language: COFFEE. Missing friends and family, hugs and smiles (not exactly handed out in these parts): CHOCOLATE. Relaxed and enjoying myself with my host sister: COOKIES with CHOCOLATE BUTTER (what!?-yes as tasty as it sounds).

After a good six months of this behavior, I finally hit a wall.  Around the holidays I started to develop some awful stomach aches. If I didn't eat, if I did eat, if I ate cookies, if I ate veggies...everything was painful. My body was speaking to me: "JULIE!!!  Enough is enough!"  And thankfully I (finally) listened. After almost two weeks of successfully cutting out flour, sugar, dairy (except for yogurt), chocolate, and coffee, I am on the road to much better digestion. Trust me, there is no way to say goodbye to things like chocolate or coffee forever, but they will stay on my "treat" list where they belong. Or so I hope and will try...
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A little over a year ago I posted a short and easy 3 Day Detox that I love but many of the ingredients just don't exist in Moldova. (Note to self, work on Moldovan version). And not too far along after that, I posted again about alignment and about my relationship to food, but this time as a proclamation that I was moving away from talking about it. I was burnt out. I stated, "I know all I need to know". Hahahaha...how I laugh now. The truth is I do know what to eat to be healthy. What I didn't approach was how to go about doing that. I knew I was headed for some health challenges in joining the Peace Corps and moving to a foreign land. I knew I would need to adjust my diet. But what I didn't see was that it wouldn't be the microbes and the bad food that would get me, it would be my own choices that would.  


Of course I should be a little easy on myself and understand that stress and yes, the microbes, do make health matters more challenging (oh and -7 degree weather! brrrr). But I guess what I am getting at is, I am BACK into food. Now that I have some healing to do, I am on the Internet looking for gluten-free recipes and am full of new ideas for yummy creations that don't require added sugar or flour. Sunflowers are one of Moldova's biggest crops, so here is to explorations in the world of sunflower seed flour! I think I will start with these. I will report back on my progress. Here's to continued learning, and to the JOY OF HEALTH. It is so sweet!


Om tat sat.

Just a Friendly Reminder, Bring on the Produce (Clean as Possible)!

I know that buying all-organic can be rough on the wallet-no doubt. But there are certain types of produce that are more important to buy organic than others, due to the amount/types of pesticides used and the permeability of the skin of the fruit or vegetable.

In addition, as a rule of thumb, if it grows underground (root vegetables like carrots, potatoes and even peanuts), makes sure it's organic b/c it IS the root sucking in not only nutrients from the soil but whatever contaminants are around as well, directly into its flesh that we eat.

Here is the popular "Shoppers Guide to Pesticides in Produce" put out from the Environmental Working Group.

THE DIRTY DOZEN (in order from worst to least bad):

1. Celery

2. Peaches

3. Strawberries

4. Apples

5. Blueberries

6. Nectarines

7. Bell Peppers

8. Spinach (all leafy greens in my opinion)

9. Kale/Collard Greens

10. Pears

11. Potatoes

12. Grapes

THE CLEAN 15 (lowest in pesticides from cleanest to not as clean, but still rather clean...):

1. Onions

2. Avocado (thank GOD considering the price of these bangin bad boys)

3. Sweet corn (though note: I am not a fan of eating lots of corn-more on that later)

4. Pineapples

5. Mango

6. Sweat Peas

7. Asparagus

8. Kiwi

9. Cabbage
10. Eggplant

11. Canteloupe

12. Watermelon

13. Grapefruit

14. Sweet Potato

15. Honeydew Melon

BON APPETIT!

Alignment

When practicing yoga asana, they say that your alignment is of particular importance. Sure, we need to be breathing-through the nose-and perhaps reciting a mantra if more advanced, and certainly focusing. But if the alignment is off, then rather than a chakra-opening, muscle stretching, blood-circulating, mind-focusing posture, you may be creating injury.

And so it is with life.

When we are out of alignment with our purpose, our truth, we hurt ourselves and those around us. Simply put, we suffer.

I haven't written a blog post in a while because I haven't felt that anything I wanted to share was in proper alignment. You see, I have many varied interests. And seeing as we live in a society that seems to really love when we are all packaged-up and easy to pinpoint, I fall into the trap of feeling like there are certain "areas" I am "supposed" to cover. But is what I am sharing aligned with what I am experiencing?

I have never fit into a pretty package. I am rather a messy being. I am pretty sure that I have lost friends because of this. People get pretty uncomfortable with that which they cannot predict or understand.

"She is moving...again"...

"Why can't she just settle into a job, find a guy and STAY somewhere...have some babies"...

I can hear the thoughts. Sometimes they even manifest into words. But they don't sting. Not anymore. My strength is building.

My interests change with the moons. Not because I am desirous, or flaky. But because I need to keep learning. Am I dissatisfied? Sure. But I am not unhappy. There is more I want to experience, to discover, to uncover my hidden nature. I am learning to just move on.

And once I have learned something, I move on. Next!

A nutrition blog? MMM...too limited. Maybe focus on just yoga...JUST?! How about LIFE? How about humans?

When we, as humans, want to know something, we ask questions. And the universe brings us the answers. We stir shit up. We rock the boat. And so that is what this blog is about. That is what I am about. Asking questions, getting answers, sharing them. Period.

By settling in to the questions that occupy our minds, what stokes the fire of life within us...and then sitting with THAT and seeing where it takes us. This is alignment. Where do I feel this in my body? How is my heart rate? Is it fast because I am anxious, or because I am on to something?

My heart is beating...my stomach is tight...this needs to incubate.

My heart is beating...my throat is hot...this needs to be SHARED!

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My intention is to bring to this space, what I believe to be my aligned truths. When I notice, what fires me up, or as my friend Uma would say, what "turns me on", I query, incubate and share. God am I grateful to share. It's my greatest desire.

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As I shut the car door I glimpsed the children and they saw me. Running up the hill, them, running down the hill, me. We embraced and I kissed their cherubic faces. It had been a full year since I left the ashram and it felt so wonderful to be in the presence of some of the most beautiful souls I have encountered.

I made my way towards the office, excited at the prospect of which old friends I would meet. And then I saw it. Orange. The color of the Swami. Could it be? Could she, Swami Sita, be sitting right there in the office? My heart rate sped up. I felt like I was five years old going into kindergarten for the first time. What was it about her that makes me so nervous? Was I out of alignment? I can see where I still require strength.
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Food. Food was a topic that could be found upon my lips more often than not for many years. It has been one of my most prolonged topics of interest. But it's over. That's right-you heard me folks. I still have a LOT of information about it of course. If you ever need food advice, nutrition concerns, call me up, I am happy to share. But I know all I need to know. For now. I may come back to food and nutrition but right now I am all set.

My soul is satisfied. I have the answers I was looking for.

And what is that? That it's best to be vegetarian, and if you can, vegan. You see, we could argue until we are blue in the face for and against both meat and dairy. I could for sure. There are definite nutritional values in both. But that's not the point.

I have read enough literature about our global environmental situation. And THAT is not even my real interest. Sure, I am cool with saving the ecology of the planet. Yes, livestock use up a ridiculous amount of grain and water that COULD be going to humans starving throughout the globe. But that's not the point either.

The point is this: Cain and Abel. T-Rex and Brontosaurus. Throughout history there have been scientific, religious, philosophical texts and parables that all paint the meat eater as violent and the vegetarian as docile. THAT is the point my friends.

Ahimsa. Non-violence. And it's not even that I want to protect the cute bunnies and the resources from land, grain and water hungry cows. Nope.

And I will admit it right here. I like eating meat. It tastes good. THERE, I said it. But you know what I care about more than my cravings and taste buds? YOU. I care about your ability to be a human on this planet. To be here experiencing the wonders of the world: family, friends, sex, touch, sunlight, cool breezes, damp forest floors. Love.

We are here for a reason my friends. And the violent ways that began so long ago, we have the intelligence to turn around.

Alignment. Hari OM tat sat.

Getting Your Body Ready for Spring #1

As March is upon us, we can start to feel that stir. That familiar call from deep within that knows the days will be more light-filled, the food will be lighter (er-should be), and activity will pick up. Animals in nature know this too. I find that since we are both animal + spirit, it is wise to look to nature whenever we want to approach our physical health in a holistic way. As animals, we have evolved for thousands and thousands of years with some rather basic practices-like adapting with the seasons.

So if we look to nature, we see her provide new life in Spring. First we get sprouts growing. Sprouts are incredibly detoxifying and help us animals to cleanse our bodies of the extra fat we have put on to keep warm for the winter. We prepare to shift from the starchy vegetables, calorie-dense nuts and meats and onto lights and cleansing foods so that our bodies can be "lighter" to deal most optimally with the warmer days ahead.

After the sprouts and leafy greens we start to get berries! YUM! Berries are packed with antioxidants also assisting in cell rejuvenation and renewal.

So as we think about our approach to Spring, think about what Mother Nature offers us to eat and why. Begin to incorporate more greens, sprouts and berries. Eat less and less heavy foods. Increase movement so as to delve into our most active season as humans with vigor and strength. No colds here! Grab a box of some Detox Tea. Anything with the following herbs will work great: dandelion root, licorice root, burdock root, rhubarb root, pau d'darco and even nettles. And last but not least, drink lots and lots of water to flush toxins out of the body. Toxins are stored in our fat cells and as those cells shrink as we move into Spring with our increased activity and detoxifying diet, it is important to aide the liver and other detoxifying organs in the process. That's what these herbs do :)

Here is a quick guide to making a delicious and nutritious smoothie as an easy way to deliver the greens and berries to your body. Your body will love it!


INGREDIENTS
• ½ FROZEN BANANA, PEELED AND CHOPPED
• ½ CUP LIQUID (YOUR CHOICE:OJ, ALMOND MILK, RICE MILK, COCONUT MILK)
• 1 TBSP PROTEIN POWDER (OPTIONAL DEPENDS IF A MEAL REPLACEMENT OR NOT)
• 1 CUP GREENS (KALE, CHARD, SPINACH)
• ½ CUP FROZEN BERRIES
• OPTIONAL-FRESH BERRIES, ICE, NUT BUTTER, RAW WALNUTS, COCONUT OIL, OTHER FROZEN OR FRESH FRUITS (I LIKE MANGO SOMETIMES-YUM!)

DIRECTIONS
In a blender, combine frozen banana, apple, and liquid. Blend until smooth. Pour into glass and ENJOY!

Yogi Pop

Because it's so darn good. We would make this every movie night at the ashram. Enjoy!

Ingredients

organic sunflower oil

organic popcorn kernals

extra virgin olive oil

nutritional yeast

sea salt

thyme

dill

Directions

1.) Cover bottom large pot with thin coat of sunflower oil. Heat up, add kernals and cover with lid. (amount of kernels depends on size of pot, start with 1/4 cup)

2.) pop pop pop pop pop pop....pop....pop.........pop..............pop...........

3.) Pour into a bowl and coat with olive oil to taste

4.) Sprinkle with salt, yeast and herbs to taste

Om and Yum!

Oops...I Did it Again

Holiday food hangover? Yeah...Well it's not too late to do a little cleaning up! I whipped up a little post-pig-out plan that will also give a sneak preview into the "51% Diet". This 3-day plan is a vegan and gluten-free version as it's meant for cleansing. I was thinking today about how COOL it is that our bodies, when given a chance, will correct themselves and get back into perfect running order. It's rather remarkable. With this plan, we'll start at dinner on day 1, and go full throttle for the following 2 days, leaving the last dinner up to you. It's really a lot of food, just rather easy foods to digest, packed full of nutrients, super easy and inexpensive. This is kind of like Step 1...beginning to lighten the load on the colon, getting things moving, and speeding up metabolism. You'll notice I have you eating 5 times/day. This keeps the metabolism going, sort of like stoking the fire, always throwing a couple logs on; not too much to put OUT the fire and not too little in which again, the fire will go out.

When I was watching "Food Matters", David Wolfe explained how he helped is cousin who was severely overweight, lose over 150Lbs on a raw foods diet. (This next part isn't so pretty but pretty cool...). Apparently, after a week or so, said cousin was losing his extra weight (mostly comprised of fats and toxins) through his colon. He was having up to -I think he said- 12 bowel movements a day! So as one who frequently worries about the health of the colon, I find this is rather promising! That his colon, which if he was that overweight was likely gunked-up, became clean enough to take on the process of pulling the 'bad guys' out of his tissue cells, into the colon and out of the body is so awesome. If you only have a few extra pounds to shed, this process should be much less dramatic but also very cool. Now because of the severity of his condition and the amount of toxins he was eliminating, he sought the help of a colon therapist who administered cleansing enemas. In this process, different liquids are placed into the colon to assist with the cleansing process. Depending on your condition could be water, coffee, green juice or oil. This will take some serious pressure of of the kidneys and liver. Something to keep in mind.

Now, on to breaking the cycle of...an extra serving of sweet potatoes, and extra slice of pie, oh and grandma's cookies!!! (Would be tres rude to turn those down-right?).

Shopping List/Pantry Items

1Avocado ripe and ready to nosh

1 organic tomato

1 banana

large container of organic lettuce mix

1 orange

1 grapefruit (or 2 oranges if you're on Statins for cholesterol)

Bunch organic parsley

1 container organic hummus

2 cups organic rolled oats

1/2 cup organic raisins

1/2 cup organic dates

1/2 cup organic sunflower seeds

1/2 cup organic almond slivers

1 bag brown rice pasta

1 package tempeh

1 jar organic tomato sauce

1 bag organic corn chips

1 loaf gluten-free bread

1 jar organic peanut-butter

1 bottle organic balsamic vinaigrette (or make your own)

Your fave milk alternative (I like almond milk right now)

1 box Detox Tea

1 box Chamomile Tea

Menu*

Day 1 Dinner

• 1.5 cups uncooked brown rice pasta-boiled
• 1/2 package tempeh (first steam for 5 minutes, then lightly pan-fry with some good oil & water mixture)


• Add sauce from jar to tempeh & saute. Add pasta and freshly chopped parsley and serve.


• (Eat half and save half for lunch tomorrow)


• Cup chamomile tea 1 hour before bed
  

Day 2 Breakfast

• Upon waking drink 2 large glasses of room temperature water


• Soaked Oat Muesli (prepared night prior-1 cup oats, 1/4 cup raisins, 1/4 cup chopped dates, 1/4 cup almonds, 2 T sunflower seeds, cover Xs 2 with half milk, half water in glass container, put in refrigerator overnight, ready to eat in morning! Soaked grains, nuts and seeds are much easier to digest and yummy this way!

Day 2 AM Snack

• 1 piece gluten-free toast (I like Udi's)


• 1 T organic peanut butter


• 1/2 banana sliced on top


• 2 cup detox tea
  

Day 2 Lunch

• 2 cups lettuce mix


• Top with leftover pasta and tempeh dish & fresh chopped parsely


• Sprinkle with balsamic vinaigrette
  

Day 2 PM Snack

• 1 orange (I like to slice and really relish in the sweet juiciness!)
  

Day 2 Dinner

• Guacamole-1/2 avocado smashed, 1/2 tomato chopped, sprinkle with sea salt and fresh lime juice
  
• 1/2 cup hummus


• Handful of corn chip


• Cup of chamomile tea 1 hour prior to bed

Day 3 Breakfast

• 2 large glasses water at room temperature


• Soaked Oats Meusli

Day 3 AM Snack

• Same toast, PB, 1/2 banana


• Cup of detox tea

Day 3 Lunch

• Other half of avocado & tomato diced and placed upon:


• 2 cups lettuce mix


• Balsamic dressing
  

Day 3 PM Snack

• 1 grapefruit (I also love to slice this up and enjoy the juicy sweet/tart flavor. If I can't eat a whole one I save half for the next day)

Day 3 Dinner

• You choose! Listen to what your body wants, likes and made it feel good in the past meals/snacks

*This is meant to be a guide to eating an approximately half raw, vegen diet for a quick and gentle cleanse and not what to eat every day forever...

Other "Rules"

-Drink lots and lots of water

-If you have been experiencing any constipation, gas, or indigestion, buy some Triphala at a natural grocer and take with your tea before bed.

-Take whatever you like of this cleanse and implement into your daily routine going forward

-LOVE your Self, be GRATEFUL for nourishment, and keep it SIMPLE

-Keep up with the tea regimen until they are gone

-Notice that all liquids are either hot or room temp. Drinking cold beverages further solidifies foods in your system that require HEAT to break down. Your body works hard to get them into liquid form so cooling them down with cool beverages will disturb digestion.

OM OM OM!

The V Word

Is it just me or is everyone going vegan these days? I am hearing the term tossed around like crazy. Of course it could be one of those things that once your mind is on it seems to appear everywhere- like a car you like and you suddenly start seeing them everywhere on the road. But it has got me thinking. I spent a lot of my time over the holidays pondering my own diet as well as the human diet as a whole. (In reality, I would say a good 75% of my thoughts go there anyway.) But at this time of year when there seems to be extra time for walks and an inner desire for reflection, on the year past and on the one to come, food and diet were extra predominant for me as I am sure for many of you too.

I see many things in my life as synchronicities so that my sister had just happened to rent "Food Matters" on Netflix the week before I visited her in Massachusetts and had not yet watched it, it seemed like I was really ready to recieve the message of the movie. We had seen the previews of this film at IIN back in 2008 and here I am 3 years later (?!) finally watching it. Perfect timing. The main message I recieved, though there were many, was that of including more raw foods in the diet. One of the men in the movie stated that he believed the diet should be at least 51% raw. A lightbulb when on for me. That seemed doable. The going 100% raw seems scary, intimidating and limiting. So here is step one. 51% RAW.

So then we have to think about WHY. Of course we need to know why this makes sense. So here we go:

#1. Enzymes-there are naturally occuring enzymes in raw fruits and vegetables that help us with digestion and nutrient assimilation. When we cook foods past a certain temperature (117-118 degrees fahrenheit), these enzymes are denatured and cannot preform their vital function. So in essence, God/Nature/Mother provides us this awesome food with all the perfect combos of nutrients and enzymes for our bodies, and when we cook it too hot, we destroy it all. Womp, womp.

#2. Nutrients-Just like with the enzymes, the higher the temps we use, the more nutrients that seep out of the food or are denatured. ALSO-when we don't have adequate amounts of enzymes to properly digest foods, we tend to get an accumulation undigested food film along the sides of our intestines. Nice huh? Well this causes an issue for the water/moisture needed to get INTO the intestines to move things along (hello constipation) as well as the blood that needs to get through to carry the nutrients from newly-eaten food out to the cells of the body (and hello to you vitaman/mineral definciencies, inflammation and free-radical damage). 'Nuff said?

#3. Energetics/Prana-Oh the prana! This is a yogic term for 'life-force energy'. It's the stuff that makes us alive vs. dead. Think of it like the electricity running your computer. No battery/electric, no running...dead. Soooo...we want to be alive and energetic?!!? YAYA! So we should eat food that is just that? YAYA! Awesome.

Now back to veganism. Pretty much if you go raw, you may as well be vegan. Ideally I would eat a gluten-free, vegan, >51% raw diet...and someday I am sure I will. I would take all the correct vegan Omega-3, whole food vitamins, trace minerals from the earth, and B12 supplements. But I am finding this hard and expensive at the moment. So there has to be STEPS. I want to take others along this path of discovery and in the finding/creating the steps to living this way in the 'real world'. And so THIS is what I am working on. You hear me 2011?! I want to bring to the world easy steps to get to the highest vibration diet that is still FUN, YUMMY, AFFORDABLE, SUSTAINABLE and (mostly) EASY. In the meantime, I think it's great for everyone to give your body a break from animal products for a week or two at a time. This can be a very nice, slow and easy cleanse. For now I go egg-free vegetarian with limited dairy and 51% raw :)

Thinking about going vegan? Check out these resources:

The Kind Diet by Alicia Silverstone

Vegan Action

My last word & current thoughts on veganism are these: when profits and animals become intertwined, then there is likely to be exploitation. If your reasons for a vegetarian or vegan diet have anything to do with ethics and karma, this is something to think long and hard about. And even if it's purely for health reasons, it would still be good to think about how our subconscious mind, knowing of the partaking in animal exploitation, effects our health.

All for now. Om tat sat. (FYI-that is Sanskrit and means "All that is the Truth" and while I don't claim what I speak is Universal Truth, it is my Truth).

To a Happy, Healthy and Simble New Year!

Can Ola Oil?

Ever wonder exactly what IS the omnipresent 'canola oil'? I have. When I was studying at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition (IIN) in 2008 the myriad of teachers had for the most part said it was no good. And us health-nut-wellness-seeking type students had all but demonized this slick processed-food fixture. But certainly we can't run around telling people to eat this and not that without giving reasons.  I mean, we find this stuff in EVERYTHING…in junk food of course (crackers, chips, cookies ect.), but also ‘health foods’ like granola, soymilk and organic salad dressings. So I did you all the favor of sleuthing around and finding out the deets on why this oil should be on your 'no thank-you' list. (You're welcome-Happy Holidays!)

What is it? I have never heard of a Canola plant.

Canola oil is hydrogenated rapeseed oil. The rapeseed plant is a member of the mustard family and rapeseed oil is a potent pesticide. It also contains high levels of euric acid which is toxic to people (and why rapeseed oil as-is could never be used for human consumption. More on this below).

So why is it called Canola oil?

Rapeseed oil is a Canadian export product; it is the CANada Oil-Low Acid, hence, Canola. So

the word itself is an acronym. (I LOVE acronyms! Of course they are much more useful for names of organizations and helpful reminders rather than euphemisms for crappy products, for example CANOLA versus Hydrogenated Rapeseed Oil).

So why is it bad for my health?
1. Heart Health: Sally Fallon (of the Weston Price Foundation author of Nourishing Traditions) notes that "heart healthy" canola oil actually creates a deficiency of Vitamin E in the body, which is essential to cardiovascular health. This was also reported in Nutrition Research, 1997, Volume 17. I will explain other heart-health implications below, but the Vit. E issue coupled with the inflammation it can cause makes this stuff is REALLY bad for people with heart troubles.
2. Hidden Trans-Fat: Like all modern vegetable oils, canola oil goes through the process of refining, bleaching and de-gumming--all of which utilize high temperatures or chemicals of questionable safety. And because canola oil is high in omega-3 fatty acids, which easily become rancid and foul-smelling when heated, it must be deodorized. The deodorization process removes much of the now-rancid omega-3s when turning them into trans fatty acids. (Hydrogenation makes oils more shelf-stable). So then we are not only eating a rancid oil, but trans-fat too! Research at the University of Florida -Gainesville determined that as much as 4.6% of the fatty acids in canola are trans fats formed in the refining process.

3. The Omega-6 Issues: In the process described above, we noted that the naturally-occurring Omega-3 fatty acids go rancid. This in turn makes them Omega-6 fatty acids. There has been a lot in the news on these EFAs. Many products on the grocery store shelf are even advertising that they are high in Omega-3s. (It's the new 'low-carb'). While both Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids ARE essential, it is the balance of these two that create health or havoc in the body. When our levels of Omega-6 are too high we experience what is called 'Low-Level Chronic Inflammation'. This can manifest in individuals differently with the most common diseases being arthritis, chronic fatigue and obesity but ranging into heart disease, and even cancer. When the body is in a constant state of having to 'put out the fire' of inflammation, it puts the immune system into over-drive leaving other systems (like healthy-cell building, healthy digestion, energy for positive thinking and so depression/anxiety ect.) to falter. This can be remedied by upping the intake of Omega-3s. However, the high levels of the Omega-6 in the modern diet make it important to also be reducing them.

Hopefully this clears up any confusion regarding canola oil. It is hardly edible. Look for healthier oils like coconut or palm for frying and olive, sesame, or sunflower for sauteing and baking. And when buying any foods that come with an ingredient list, be sure to check for Canola! Unfortunately, most vegetables oil (corn, safflower, soybean ect) all go through this same refining process and are therefore less than desirable for human nutrition and health. Look for oils to be cold-pressed.

And one more thing: about cottonseed oil…were we meant to eat cotton?!?!

Bottom Line: Keep it simple with less processed foods! Choose healthier oils! Love your Self.

OM Tat Sat.

***Looking for some help with your diet and nutrition in the new year? Hire me!

It's Cookie Time!

Oh tasty morsels~nectar for the soul! I am attending a cookie-exchange party tonight and decided to bake up a delicious egg-free cookie that is as easy as it is scrumptious. It's also pretty low in sugar which is a plus! I try to make a lot of my baked-good recipes without eggs. This is for two reasons: first being that if I want to adapt/develop a recipe into a vegan version, it's important to understand how to substitute for eggs correctly. And second, the Yogic Diet, which I specialize in, does not include eggs. So while butter, milk, yogurt and a little cheese are considered OK, eggs do not fit the bill in the diet for the mind. The Yogic Diet is intended to not only keep the body in tip-top health, but also to keep the mind at even-keel. Food that can tend to either lower thought-vibrations (eggs, mushrooms, and rotten or over-ripe foods) or over-excite thoughts (onions, garlic, processed foods, caffeine, under-ripe and stale foods) are avoided so that it becomes easier to meditate. Interesting huh? I will be writing more about the 'energetics of food' as it's an area of great interest for me.

Here is the simple cookie recipe to try. Matched up with a nice cup of cocoa, tea or milk, will surely be a crowd-pleaser. I bet Santa would even really like these ;)

Basic Pecan Shortbread
Prep 45 min Chill 2hrs
Bake 10 min Oven 350

½ cup raw sugar
½ tsp. flaky sea salt
2/3 cup organic pecan pieces
16 Tbsp. organic unsalted butter, slightly soft
2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
2 cups unbleached, unenriched flour (I plan to experiment with spelt, kamut, and GF flours too)
6 oz. white or dark chocolate

1. Pulse sugar and salt in dry bowl of food processor until fine and powdery. Add pecans; pulse until finely ground. Add butter in large chunks and vanilla. Pulse until butter is smooth. Add flour; pulse until forms soft dough. Transfer to bowl and knead briefly to even out mix.
2. Form a rectangle log about 12 inches long of dough. Wrap in wax paper. Refrigerate 2 hours or overnight.
3. Preheat oven to 350. Cut log into slices ¼ inch thick. Place at least one inch apart on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 10-12 minutes until edges are golden.
4. Wait until cookies are nice and cool. Melt chocolate and drizzle over cookies.

*You can really top the cookies with whatever you like, or enjoy them plain. In the 3rd picture above, I topped some with a white chocolate frosting and coconut so they look like snow...and I love any excuse to use coconut:)

And an update on the Goat's Milk stuff. I have been having bits and morsels of goat cheese and yogurt and lo and behold, my body seems pretty cool with it. The bottom picture is my current favorite way to enjoy a little raw goat cheese: I toast a piece of Ezekial Cinnamon Raisin bread (this is a sprouted grain bread). Slice up some raw goat cheese (you could also spread some Chevre), top with walnuts and drizzle with honey. Pair with a warm cup of tea and DELISH! Amazing breakfast or snack.

Om shanti & Enjoy!

Ohhh Right...Goat's Milk

I have been going back on forth on my stance of dairy consumption for years. I go through periods of time where I eat it, and other times I don't. I can't really say in which periods I feel 'better'. But every time I am not eating it, there comes some point where I am craving it. SO...there must be something in there my body likes. Period. I have taken the stance that it's not something I need to eliminate so much as to be mindful of in my consumption. How much am I using? Is it an emotional or physiological craving? What is the quality? How were these animals treated at the farm? What it a real farm or a factory farm? Lots to consider!

And on the dairy subject, I had a breakthrough the other day regarding the difference between cow dairy and goat dairy products. I stopped into the amazing local raw foods spot, Oasis, for a Maca-infused (more on Maca Root in an upcoming Superfoods post) warm beverage and ended up having a great discussion with the owner who is also-you guessed-amazing. We were chatting about the dairy issue and how it's such a sticking point in various dietary theories. I was explaining how I have been studying and practicing Ayurveda (promotes milk, yogurt and ghee for certain doshas) but also combining it with some modern studies by Dr. Mercola (he says raw dairy is good) and wanting to infuse the knowledge of the raw foods movement. What she said next blew me away. She mentioned that her body likes goat's milk much better than cow's because they are more her size. A goat is more her size...and my size...and (hopefully) your size too. OHHHHHHHHHH...OK- that makes sense! Cow milk is produced to grow COWS. Goat's milk is produced to grow GOATS. And yes indeed, I am closer in size to a goat than a cow and I intend to keep it that way:)

So in the end, where I am today with my view on dairy, is that I will use (sparingly) mostly goat's milk products that are organic, grass-fed and raw (unpasteurized). How about you? What do you think about our nation's obsession with dairy? What's your relationship with it like?

Bon Appetite!