Beginner Yoga with Shiva Rea

Yoga

So I said all along that this was going to be a lifestyle blog, I really want all of you to make this journey of self discovery with me.  I am slowly learning to make healthy choices, these choices are not just  limited to the  food I eat they also include incorporating a fitness plan that I can live with and enjoy pursuing.  I am not a gym person, I like my exercise to evolve a little more organically, more spontaneous. Walking is my favorite, I have three furry children who need exercise also, so everyday we make our way through the neighborhood.  I am also a student at a local university, I have classes on the third and fourth floors of the science and math building, I reluctantly take the stairs everyday...ugh!  I have recently started incorporating  about a half an hour of yoga each morning.  It is by far the best choice in my fitness regimen, I feel great and ready for the day.  Here are some health benefits for this ancient practice.

Article taken from The Mayo Clinic

Written by: ljpasion

What most people refer to as simply "yoga" is actually Hatha Yoga. Hatha Yoga is a system of yoga introduced by Yogi Swatmarama, a yogic sage in the 15th century in India. This particular system of yoga is the most popular one, and it is from which several other Styles of Yoga originated including Power Yoga, Bikram Yoga, Ashtanga Yoga, and Kundalini Yoga. The word "hatha" comes from the Sanskrit terms "ha" meaning "sun" and "tha" meaning "moon". Thus, Hatha Yoga is known as the branch of Yoga that unites pairs of opposites referring to the positive (sun) and negative (moon) currents in the system. It concentrates on the third (Asana) and fourth (Pranayama) steps in the Eight Limbs of Yoga

Hatha Yoga tries to achieve balance between body and mind, as well as attempts to free the more subtle spiritual elements of the mind through physical poses or Asanas, Breathing Techniques or Pranayama, and Meditation.

§  Asanas are various body positions designed to improve health and remove diseases in the physical, causal, and subtle bodies. The word "asana" is Sanskrit for "seat", which refers not only to the physical position of the body but also to the position of the body in relation to divinity. They were originally meant for Meditation, as the postures can make you feel relaxed for a long period of time. The regular practice of Asanas will grant the practitioner muscle flexibility and bone strength, as well as non-physical rewards such as the development of will power, concentration, and self-withdrawal.

§  Pranayama is derived from the words "prana" (life-force or energy source) and "ayama" (to control). It is the science of breath control. This is an important part of Hatha Yoga because the yogis of old times believed that the secret to controlling one's mind can be unlocked by controlling one's breath. The practice of Pranayama can also help unleash the dormant energies inside our body.

Fall Comfort Food

Vegetarian Minestrone
I made a huge pot of this on Halloween and we munched on it all day.  It's healthful, satisfying and extremely low fat.

start with : 

• 2 12 oz cans of stewed tomatoes
• 1/2 small white onion, diced
• 1 small potato, peeled and cubed
• 1 cup of shredded carrots
• 1 can of garbanzo beans, drained
• 1 bag of frozen mixed veggies
• 1 zucchini, cubed
• 1 handful of Italian seasoning
• 2 cloves of garlic
• 1 can of white beans
• a handful of mini pasta
• 2 cubes of vegetable bouillon
• 2 tbs of a good, fruity extra virgin olive oil
• 6 cups of water

 Cut up the onions, slice zucchini and mince garlic.

Pour about a tablespoon or so of olive oil into a big soup pot over med-high heat. Toss in the onion, zucchini and potatoes. Saute until onion becomes almost translucent. Add the Italian seasoning with salt & pepper. Add the minced garlic and saute another few moments do not brown garlic.

Put the Vegetable Bouillon into the pot, smash it with a wooden spoon while the garlic is cooking and then pour in the 5 cups water ad vegetable bouillons.  Add the stewed tomatoes bring to a low boil, then turn it down right away to a simmer.

Add the beans and let it cook on low to combine the ingredients. At least 10 minutes, but not too long, watch that the zucchini doesn't get too mushy.  After the soup is finished cooking, turn off the heat and toss in the pasta, the past will cook in the hot soup, but not become mushy.  top with a little oil and your choice of cheese, feta is good or parmesan.

Cucumber and Tomato Salad

This is my favorite salad, and it goes with anything.  Use a couple of medium sized tomatoes and a whole cucumber, add some fresh mint, sea salt and cracked pepper, dress with whatever you like.  I used olive oil and balsamic vinegar.  Toss and enjoy!

Rotten Pumpkin

Despite my best efforts to preserve "my bloody pumpkin", I'm afraid due to the heat and humidity he is in very bad shape. It's 2 days until Halloween and I hated to throw him away, so I filled him with creepy, crawly, rubber bugs! 

Left Over Baked Potato Salad

Potatoes have a bad rep, but the truth is, they are a low calorie, high nutrient food.  So unless you have them french fried in animal fat, they are pretty good for you.  We have a small baked potato once a week, I always throw a couple of extra ones in the oven to use in other recipes throughout the week.  Left over baked potato salad is one of my favorites.  It is easy and it makes a great side dish or you can eat it as a meal all by itself.

• (2 small) left over baked potatoes  
• 2 tsb of honey dijon mustard
• juice from a whole lemon
• 2 Tsp of extra virgin olive oil
• 1/2 tsp of dill
• red, yellow or orange bell pepper
• red onion
• 2 slices of roasted red pepper
• sea salt to taste
• cracked black pepper

Cube potatoes with the skin on, cut up red onion, bell pepper,and roasted red pepper.  Pile all of the veggies in a bowl and make the dressing. Whisk together mustard, olive oil, lemon juice and dill, pour over veggies and toss gently.  Salt and pepper to taste.

Dry Ice Recipes - Cool Halloween Science