Saturday, 31 March 2018
Chocolate Covered Strawberry Overnight Oats
Chocolate-covered strawberries for breakfast? YES PLEASE! Make this chocolate covered strawberry overnight oats recipe and eat dessert for breakfast. Well, not really, but it sure does taste like it! These overnight oats are packed with fiber, 100% whole grain, and a healthy breakfast option all week long. So. I think this is my favorite overnight...
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WHAT!? All the Spring Clothes I Bought for Costa Rica Are On Sale.
This happens to me EVERY TIME. I head to the store for a pre-vacation or pre-season shopping spree and buy everything full price. Then, a few weeks later EVERYTHING is on sale. This is bad news for me, but amazing news for you because guess what? Basically, everything I brought with me to Costa Rica...
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Friday, 30 March 2018
7 Benefits of Online Yoga
With the world shifting more and more into the digital realm, it was only a matter of time before yoga took the plunge also. Transporting an age-old practice into an online space may leave you wondering whether the authenticity and spirit is lost. Yet yoga practitioners are eagerly swapping their yoga studio memberships for the digital version with glee. So, what’s so terrific about practicing online yoga at home? Well, plenty actually!
1. Your Time, Your Space
Without the need to arrive at a studio at any certain time, online yoga allows you to select the time of the day that suits you to practice. Whether you’re a morning bird or a night owl, the ability to roll out your mat at any given time offers a great amount of freedom and allows you to commit to your practice in a way that is simple and easy. Perhaps you have just popped your baby down for a nap and have time to move or meditate. Maybe you’re traveling and taking your laptop allows you the opportunity to practice in your hotel room. Perhaps you have set up a sacred space in your own home where you love to flow. Online yoga offers an abundance of options and solutions for the modern-day yogi.
2. A Plethora of Choice
Let’s face it, we love choice. Online yoga allows you to browse and choose the class that you feel like diving into. You have the ability to select from different teachers, various styles, guest lectures, and special workshops. Flow with acclaimed teachers who you may never get the chance to practice with in ‘real life.’ Perhaps you wake up feeling like you need to open your hips. Maybe you feel energized and seek out an invigorating flow. Being able to choose what you feel like your body truly needs in a yoga class is empowering, liberating, and deeply satisfying.
3. Absolute Comfort
Perhaps you’re new to yoga and feel a little self-conscious in a studio. Perhaps you feel intimidated or find it hard to focus in a room full of other people. Online classes enable you to develop your practice in a comfortable environment whilst having the support of a teacher right there with you. Whether you are an advanced yogi looking to take your practice to the next level, or if yoga is an entirely new ballgame for you, having the space to build your own relationship with yoga makes it a deeply personal and nourishing experience.
4. Online Community
From yoga classes to festivals to retreats to trainings–yoga builds community. For many people today, building and fostering communities online is our primary way of engaging and interacting. Online yoga connects you with teachers from all over the world, and often, other yogis from all walks of life. There are no barriers, no boundaries, just the union that makes yoga so intrinsically special. Start an online chat with your teacher or make a yoga date with someone on the other side of the world! The possibilities are endless.
5. Deeper Connection
While live yoga classes can help us connect to the greater world, they also have a powerful ability to connect us to our own self in a deeper way. The digital realm maintains that very special connection that comes through the practice of yoga. Online classes still have the power to transport you into the present moment and invite you to show up and dedicate this time to yourself. Online yoga classes are a simple and powerful way to stay connected, inspired, and committed to your wellbeing and personal growth.
6. Fall in Love with the Pause
Having trouble balancing? Want to work on your handstand for a little longer? In a deep twist that you want to move deeper into? Hello p
ause button! Practicing yoga online comes with several unique benefits that a studio class could never offer and the pause button is one of them. Taking a little extra time in postures or poses that you are working towards mastering is easy with online classes. And the best part? You can pause in Savasana also!
7. Try it LIVE!
Still not convinced? Well, further advancements in the online yoga world now allow you to practice live-streamed classes from the comfort of your own home. Combine all the benefits of an online class with everything you love about a live studio class. Have a teacher right there practicing along side you and experience the energy and dynamic nature that comes with a live class.
Whatever way you look at it, online classes offer you freedom and flexibility, with the added benefit of not needing to rush out the door, find a parking spot, call up a baby sitter, or worry about what your yoga attire may look like! With yoga literally at your fingertips, there is every reason to embrace yoga in your daily life.
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Editor’s note: This is a guest post by Lauren Verona, a passionate business woman, yoga teacher and business mentor who has created and grown four thriving yoga communities across Australia including Australia’s first LIVE online yoga studio. Lauren’s energy and enthusiasm for life is contagious and over the past 10 years Lauren has guided hundreds of people to connect with their true sense of purpose so that they can become the best version of themselves. Learn more about Lauren at www.laurenverona.com, www.aliveyogi.com, Instagram, and Facebook.
from Daily Cup of Yoga http://dailycupofyoga.com/2018/03/30/7-benefits-of-online-yoga/
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Ascorbic Acid: Vitamin C Benefits, Sources & Cautions
Vitamin C has a rich and surprisingly controversial history. On the one hand, science is clear that the body needs it, but the type, dose, and frequency are all up for debate. When the common cold is making the rounds, many people turn to vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, to help ward off...
The post Ascorbic Acid: Vitamin C Benefits, Sources & Cautions was copied from Katie - Wellness Mama on Wellness Mama®.
from Wellness Mama® https://wellnessmama.com/35500/vitamin-c-benefits/
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Healthy Kung Pao Chicken
Got 20 minutes? Make this Healthy Kung Pao Chicken with just 8 simple ingredients for a protein-packed, paleo-friendly dinner! This kung pao chicken recipe will have your family coming back for seconds. If you are looking for the perfect weeknight meal, you have to try this kung pao chicken recipe. We are in love with it...
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Best Vegan Restaurants in Austin
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from Running on Real Food https://runningonrealfood.com/best-vegan-restaurants-in-austin/
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Thursday, 29 March 2018
Easter Scones
The post Easter Scones appeared first on DeliciouslyElla.
from DeliciouslyElla https://deliciouslyella.com/2018/03/29/easter-scones/
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Why I Eat My Sunscreen to Protect Skin From the Inside Out
As warmer weather approaches (yay!), it’s time to start thinking about digging out the kids’ clothes, bathing suits, and flip flops. This is also my cue to start getting my skin ready for the sun. Why not wait until the first beach day? Because I now eat my sunscreen rather than just wear it. I’ve...
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Things I’m Loving Lately: March 29, 2018
Boy have we ever soaked up the sunshine on our vacation! I wish I could bottle this warm sunny weather and take it back to Ontario with us. While we’re getting settled, I thought I’d share the next roundup of Things I’m Loving Lately. And a quick note that there will be no Ask Angela post tomorrow due to the holiday. If you’re celebrating this weekend, I hope you have a very happy Easter!!
1. Soom Pure Ground Sesame Tahini
On an impulse, I added this tahini to my Naturamarket.ca order (the website where I buy my beloved Nutpods!) and ended up falling in love with it! I adore how smooth and luxurious this tahini is, plus it has that nice “runny” texture that’s perfect for drizzling—some brands I’ve tried in the past can be quite firm and dry with a layer of separated oil that’s difficult to mix in. Its flavour is so rich and nutty too.
2. Mina Harissa paste
I’m a bit late to the party trying Harissa, but once I did there was no turning back. While I’m by no means an expert on traditional Harissa pastes (and I’ve yet to try making a homemade version!), I really enjoy Mina’s Harissa as it’s super flavourful and preservative-free, too.
3. Vita Bio Organic Chickpeas (Jarred)
These chickpeas are a great option when I don’t have time to soak and cook my own chickpeas, and I also love that they’re stored in glass as opposed to tins. If I don’t recycle the jars, I like to throw them in the dishwasher to reuse for overnight oats or homemade salad dressings. Just a word of caution though: these jarred chickpeas have a jelly-like coating (as opposed to the liquid state of aquafaba), but it’s nothing a good rinse can’t fix. (At first I was mega creeped out though! lol.)
4. Young Lux Plates
Young Lux reached out to me last month offering to send our kids some of their bamboo plates to try out. I was actually planning to put an order in myself after seeing the brand pop up on social media, so I gladly accepted their kind offer! The kids adore their new plates, and I have to say, so does mama—their modern/stylish design is a nice change from the usual kid-friendly look (a parent can only take so much neon green and orange…ya know?), plus they’re free from plastics, too…whohoo! My only small complaint with the plates so far is that I’ve noticed some light staining on them. This could be because we use a natural dishwasher detergent (which doesn’t work super well), but I’m not sure. Young Lux does say that the plates are dishwasher safe.
5. Tarteist Glossy Lip Paint in WCW
This lip “paint” by tarte is my go-to lip colour. I adore a rich berry tone and this one has so much pigment—I simply tap a few dots across my lips and then blend all over with my finger for a quick pop of colour. I top it off with my fave Kopari Coconut Lip Glossy for shine and moisture.
6. Mama Bear Indigo mug
It’s no secret that I’m a bit of a collector (okay, hoarder!) when it comes to Indigo’s mugs…they’re just so cute and have the best catchy sayings and puns. This Mama Bear mug is one of my favourites, and I find its large 16-ounce size perfect for my French press coffee with all the fixin’s! Sadly, that one appears to be out of stock, but there’s a similar 13-ounce version here that might make a sweet Mother’s Day gift, if you’re on the hunt!
from Oh She Glows http://ohsheglows.com/2018/03/29/things-im-loving-lately-march-29-2018/
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149: Saunacast: Genetics, Personalized Medicine and Random Health Experiments
Katie and Heather are back for another Saunacast… though technically a Randomcast since they aren’t in the Sauna for this one. In this episode they delve into why they see personalized medicine as the future of health and how they’re using various at-home testing to personalize their own health routines. They delve into how they...
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Wednesday, 28 March 2018
5 Mood-Boosting Mantras to Get You Through Any Challenge
You must live alone, at least internally, in a quiet place. – Bhagavad Gita
Have you ever caught yourself repeatedly reciting a word, phrase, or affirmation in your mind? Perhaps you’ve told yourself “you can do this,” over and over as you nervously walked into a job interview, or repeated that “everything will be OK,” even when it certainly didn’t feel that way. Though this may seem like a mindless coping method, it is actually considered by many religious and spiritual traditions as a means of harnessing and focusing the mind. In Sanskrit, such affirmations are known as mantras, or “tools of thought.” A mantra can be understood as any sound, word or phrase that alters consciousness through meaning, tone, rhythm, or physical vibration.
The Meaning of Mantras
In modern society, the word mantra has almost lost its meaning. It is thrown around as a flippant cliché, far removed from its sacred origins. Traditionally, mantras are believed to have spiritual and psychological powers. When chanted with devotion, certain utterances are thought to create powerful vibrations within the body and mind, igniting intentions and enabling deep states of meditation. But the truth is that we need mantras now more than ever. A chaotic mind slips all too easily into negative thinking patterns, allowing negative energy to take over actions and behavior. Mantras enable us to see that we can manifest and harness the power of our intentions and energy, and that the positive affirmations we tell ourselves can become a reality. Repetition of a mantra is also a simple way to bring presence to your innate, positive qualities.
Since each mantra has a distinct meaning and vibrates on a unique frequency, each one is also believed to have distinctive healing effects; and not only spiritually, but on a physical, molecular level. When chanting mantras aloud, the vibrations and movements of the tongue stimulate some of the key glands of the endocrine system, which is responsible for governing and regulating hormones in the body. What’s more, the soothing and harmonious combination of sound, breath and rhythm – an inevitable outcome of mantra chanting – has a profound impact on the parasympathetic nervous system, otherwise known as the “rest and digest” system. This, in turn, slows the heart rate, relaxes muscles in the gastrointestinal tract, and triggers the body’s healing response. When the physical body is at ease in this way, it is much easier to connect with your mind and consciousness on a deeper level.
The Benefits of Chanting Mantras
By focusing on the repetition of a specific set of words or sounds, mantra chanting can also act as an object of concentration, helping to bring the mind into the present moment. As such, mantras are commonly used to still the mind for meditation, much in the same way that some practitioners concentrate on the breath. A great way to retain focus and remain present whilst practicing meditative mantra chanting is to count each repetition on a garland of beads. Known as mala in Sanskrit, these prayer beads are used throughout religious and spiritual practices to mark the repetition of devoted recitations. Meditative states can be used to connect to the Divine within, and mantras are an effective way to maintain that connection.
Although mantras are typically chanted in Sanskrit, modern versions are increasingly used throughout all aspects of yoga, often to encourage a sense of connection to your intentions for the practice. For example, silent repetition of “I am present” during an asana class can motivate you to stay focused on the movements of the body, preventing your mind from running away from the classroom and straight into the arms of your to-do list. In this way, mantras can be used to cultivate a particular state of mind, allowing their meaning to gently seep into our subconscious and transform negative energy into positive power. Whether it’s an inspirational quote, a favorite lyric, or the wise words of a grandparent, if it leaves you feeling grounded, centered or uplifted, you can consider it a mantra.
5 Mood-Boosting Mantras
If you’re having trouble merging mantras with your practice, why not give one of the following mood-boosting mantras a try? Each is specifically designed to tap into and nurture a particular aspect of being: happiness, peace, prosperity, love, and connection with the Divine.
To get started, find any comfortable seated position, close your eyes, regulate the breath and simply repeat the mantra aloud in whichever rhythm feels natural to you. There is a modern version paired with each mantra just in case you’re not comfortable with reciting Sanskrit, leaving you with no excuse to not give it a go!
1. A Mantra for Happiness
Sanskrit Mantra: Om Paraanandaaya Namaha
Modern Equivalent: Happiness is a choice
Meaning: This mantra serves as a reminder that happiness is our inherent nature; we were born happy, long before negative thoughts, labels, and desires colored our experience. In remembering that true happiness comes from within, the chase for external and material happiness becomes redundant.
Practice Tip: Smile as you chant this mantra – you will find it hard not to feel more joyful!
2. A Mantra for Peace
Sanskrit Mantra: Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu
Modern Equivalent: May all beings everywhere be happy and free
Meaning: Used for centuries as an invocation of peace, this mantra reminds us that we are all connected with one another as part of the same universe. By radiating this sentiment out to the world around us, we are able to step away from the ego and concentrate on universal well-being.
Practice Tip: Take a deep inhale and try vocalizing the whole of this mantra on the out breath.
3. A Mantra for Prosperity
Sanskrit Mantra: Om Gam Ganapataye Namah
Modern Equivalent: I can overcome any obstacle
Meaning: This is the mantra of Lord Ganesha who is known in Hindu tradition as the remover of internal and external obstacles. This mantra can be used to stoke the fire of transformation and blaze your way to success.
Practice Tip: Try doing the Ganesha mudra while repeating this mantra. It is believed to boost self-confidence and courage, helping you to overcome any obstacles in your path to prosperity.
4. A Mantra for Love
Sanskrit Mantra: Om Mani Padme Hum
Modern Equivalent: Love pervades all
Meaning: A Tibetan Buddhist prayer of compassion, this mantra is said to contain all the teachings of the Buddha. This mantra instills a sense of loving-kindness toward all beings, reminding us that the power of love is innate in everyone.
Practice Tip: Om Mani Padme Hum is not directly translatable into a simple phrase. Try focusing on the vibrations of this mantra rather than getting lost in its meaning.
5. A Mantra for Connection With the Divine
Sanskrit Mantra: Om Namah Shivaya
Modern Equivalent: I am one with universal consciousness
Meaning: One of the most popular Hindu dedications to Lord Shiva, this mantra is used to connect to the Divine within and to draw attention to omnipresent universal consciousness. When repeated with devotion, this mantra is thought to bring spiritual insight.
Practice Tip: Om is believed to be the sound and frequency of the creation of the universe. Try elongating this syllable for an entire exhale, paying close attention to the vibrations it creates within the body.
Mantras can help you remain present in the moment, focus your thoughts and intentions on what’s important to you and, ultimately, manifest beautiful things in yourself and the world around you.
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Editor’s note: This is a guest post by Rachel Bilski. Rachel is a devoted yoga teacher and freelance content writer for Yogapedia, a yoga encyclopedia and resource that shares the philosophy and practice of yoga.
Need a yoga book…here’s what we’ve been reading…
Learn more about A.G. Mohan at his website: Svastha Yoga and Ayurveda.
- Here’s a short, but inspiring, clip of the author demonstrating and explaining Ashtanga yoga.
- Uncover a ton of teaching and practice pointers on the Mark Stephens Yoga website.
- Read Hartranft’s translation for free right here or via the author’s On-line Companion. Excellent resource!
- To learn more about the author, Michael Stone, visit his website.
- Here’s a video of the author describing his approach to yoga.
- The Inner Tradition of Yoga by Michael Stone from Toronto Body Mind on Vimeo.
- Visit the author’s website for more information on the Kaivalya Yoga Method.
- Learn more about Ramaswami at his website: Vinyasa Krama.
- Read Ramaswami’s article My Studies with Shri T. Krishnamacharya published in Namarupa Magazine.
- Book review and some good comments on mayaland.
- Read an interview with author Stefanie Syman at YogaCityNYC.
- Listen to author interview on On Point Radio.
- Book site: http://www.theyamasandniyamas.com/.
- Author’s blog.
- Visit Darren Main’s companion website to the book.
- Take a look at Sage’s advice on Yoga for Runners on Runner’s World.
- Sage also has a great website and blog.
- Visit the author’s website for additional exploration.
- Visit Sri Swami Satchidananda’s website.
- Author’s website: Yoga Workshop.
- I’m also a HUGE fan of Richard Freeman’s course on yoga philosophy, “The Yoga Matrix.”
from Daily Cup of Yoga http://dailycupofyoga.com/2018/03/28/5-mood-boosting-mantras-to-get-you-through-any-challenge/
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