tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34623357859575932592024-02-18T18:50:37.465-08:00SkyScraper SutrasLilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06753701272283372407noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3462335785957593259.post-82907144069475010252010-10-19T18:37:00.000-07:002010-10-19T18:37:21.247-07:00Creating Space in the Big Cluttered CityCreating Space…<br />
My dearest friend is one spritely, intelligent and compassionate shelter from any storm. She has the capacity to calm those around her and talk nearly anyone off the ledge. So why did she come home the other night only to slam her purse on the ground and cross her arms in defiant gestures of incurable frustration? Because we live in New York City and as she said, “I just can’t BREATHE in this city. There is NO personal space. It’s Infuriating. Intolerable.” She threw her arms to the sky and released an extended sigh expressing more than a hint of agitation. <br />
She took her boots off, shook her hair out and put on some mellow music while I prepared dinner. She chirped at me from the other room about the ridiculous design of the city. The subway cars in particular. “The dimensions are so small I can barely breathe. And strangers’ limbs touching me. It’s disturbing. Really it is. Who designed this city anyway?” <br />
Then, the jargon took over. It was as though I couldn’t help advising her to “create space” and “hold that container.” After going off on “being present” with her frustration I had to laugh at myself. But when I thought about it I could see I was offering some pretty solid advice. <br />
I’ve often had misgivings surrounding the yoga culture jargon. Sometimes I feel as though it just creates a larger distance between myself and people I want to communicate with who might not be part of that particular subculture. People who didn’t take “Body Mind Centering” in their first year at University. In other words, most people. And while I do believe this can be true it seems to be me that if we use this verbiage rather than hide behind it the terms become alive, important and expressive.<br />
She looked at me and laughed her little laugh but nodded in agreement. We continued to chew over the issue of stressful city living. Of course I came to the conclusion, once again, that she should find a practice that speaks to her. However, I think I’d offer that advice to anyone. Particularly people who live in the big city. It’s simple. On the mat we breathe. In our practice we embody space and find comfort in uncomfortable spaces. We quite literally practice. Practice how to be in the world.<br />
“Taking it off the mat” often comes up when discussing yoga. It is in a situation like the one with my friend where I can truly see the real life application of that concept as valuable. So you can’t breathe on the subway? Return to the yogic breathe. People are too close for comfort? Remember the space that is the body. Step in a puddle? Breathe through it, be present with your wet sock and get home as soon as possible. Sometimes it’s not about “taking space” it’s about “making space.”Lilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06753701272283372407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3462335785957593259.post-83898928619277852962010-09-21T17:46:00.000-07:002010-09-21T18:33:23.442-07:00Major League Yoga<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Major League Yoga<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> Last night I joined masses of red and white clad Phillies fans at the Ballpark to watch my hometown team slaughter the Atlanta Braves. Up in the nosebleeds over a cheap beer my father and I stared intently at the baseball diamond, rally towels in hand. After the fifth or sixth foul ball of the night I recalled an article I had read a few days back. “Did you know there are 108 stitches on a baseball?” I asked my father.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> He laughed and responded with some quip about yoga and baseball. I have to say that got my wheels turning. I remember a few years back getting a phone call from my mother, “Lil, did you know Donovan <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">McNabb </i>practices yoga? You know, the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Eagle.</i>” In fact, I did not know that at the time but it made plenty of sense to me. And if yoga is aiding in the agility, strength and calm of football players why shouldn’t it be a tool for baseball teams as well?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> Apparently, I am not alone in that thinking. The practically new-born Tampa Rays, a team around only since 1998, stole the spotlight a few years back when they made it to the series to play against my precious Phillies. And they took ‘em deep. It was no four game sweep. What’s more? They practice yoga.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> In 2007 the team began practicing. Is it a coincidence that in 2008 they took the penant nearly winning the world series and beat out the evil empire that is the New York Yankees? Perhaps, but I honestly don’t think so. </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">Manager of the Tampa Rays Joe Maddon “believes the practice will eventually be accepted once a player has success on the field and credits part of that success to practicing yoga.” <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">Of course, </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">skeptics abound. Take for instance senior advisor to the Tampa Bay Rays and baseball legend Don “Popeye” Zimmer. In an article reporting on the integration of yoga into the MLB’s training roster Bill Chastain writes, “Zimmer is a baseball lifer, so it's understandable he doesn't grasp the significance of the yoga class being conducted at the Devil Rays' camp this spring. Old school baseball thinking just doesn't lend itself to embracing said practice.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> I might ask Zimmer, given the chance, what he thinks of his teams success as informed by their adopted yoga practice. And, further, I might ask Charlie Manuel (manager of the Phillies) why our boys haven’t been caught on the mat when they aren’t on the diamond.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> This summer Ryan Madsen, one of our late inning relief pitchers, missed eight weeks of play because after a particularly bad outing he kicked a chair with his shoes off and broke a toe. Talk about stress levels soaring! According to Errol Simonitsch, a pitcher for the Minnesota Twins </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">“If you can calm yourself <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;">down in the middle of those poses, you can do it in the middle of the game. That’s why, before every pitch, you’ll see me take a deep breath.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"> Now, don't get me wrong. I'm proud of the phillies and I can't wait until they steal the series this year. However, a deep breath might do those guys some good. It is with this thought that I wish I could offer each of the players the calm of an OM run. </span></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><img height="191" id="myphoto" src="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs337.ash2/61784_1594056132519_1269394348_1638613_4441179_n.jpg" width="320" /></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;">Shanti,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;">Lily</span><br />
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</span></div>Lilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06753701272283372407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3462335785957593259.post-43844045453465786452010-09-17T09:44:00.001-07:002010-09-17T09:44:08.106-07:00yOM kippur - The Jewish Day Of Reflection<!--StartFragment--> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal">yOM kippur – The Jewish Day of Reflection</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Each year my family gathers from whatever corner of the world we are living in, respectively, to come together at my parents’ house and celebrate Yom Kippur.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My family is very much ethnically and culturally Jewish at this point though few of us adhere to the religious aspects of Judaism.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, like many secular Jews we do observe the “High Holy Days.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today is the day leading into Yom Kippur, “Erev Yom Kippur, “ and it is on this day, traditionally, that charity is given and forgiveness asked. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tomorrow we will observe the holiday by fasting until sundown and reflecting on our actions over the past year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yom Kippur is known as the Day of Atonement and repentance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think there is something very useful in this tradition but I feel it necessary to flesh out the meeting ground between the spiritual mentality of mindfulness and the religious tradition of repentance.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Does it really serve us to repent? Although no human is perfect and we have all, at one point or another, inflicted pain on others (whether consciously or not) “repentance” feels weighted with guilt and thus in many ways not productive for any of our processes.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>So, clearly, I feel at least a little at odds with this religious tradition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, I mean to say that I observe the day for a reason.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Partially for me it is an opportunity to be with my family, all of whom I hold very dear and close to my heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Moreover, I appreciate an entire day dedicated to reflection.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And that’s where my practice and my religious background can meet one another.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rather than thinking of Yom Kippur as a day of repentance I think of it as a day of reflection.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We gather the evening before to indulge in a large feast (family style of course).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We celebrate each other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And then we spend the following 24 hours fasting in introspection.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The practice of fasting brings mental clarity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The practice of meditating deeply on how we have impacted the world around us allows us to see how we can act going forward.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>At the risk of sounding sacrilegious I say now that for me Yom Kippur is not the day of repentance but rather the day of reflection.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">SatNam,</div><div class="MsoNormal">Lily</div><!--EndFragment-->Lilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06753701272283372407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3462335785957593259.post-41566704176724466522010-09-16T12:47:00.000-07:002010-09-16T13:58:56.910-07:00OMG FOODS!<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: 13pt;">The Raw Truth… A True Believer’s Rawesome Take on Nutrition!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: 13pt;">My hOMegirl Tessa Manning and her partner Kevin Gratton recently opened “Oh My Goodness Foods,” a raw food store, this past July out of their home in Boise, ID. Tessa and Kev hold regular raw potlucks open to anyone in the Boise community as well as hosting workshops on making raw chocolates at their home. It is with gratitude, excitement and deep care for the human family that they spread their raw love. Tessa was kind enough to answer a few questions about the logistics of eating raw and shed some light on her experience as a raw foodist. You can visit their store online or contact them via phone to get hooked up with amazing recipes and <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: 17px;">the most conscious raw products. Get excited about OMG! Foods. </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: 13pt;">Oh My Goodness Foods<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: 13pt;">2118 Kerr St<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: 13pt;">Boise, ID<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: 13pt;">83705<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: 13pt;">(208) 859 4253<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><img height="320" id="myphoto" src="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs214.snc4/39031_453268928222_546628222_6003116_5257718_n.jpg" width="240" /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 17px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: 17px;">LK: Why raw food? What first brought you to raw foods?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: 13pt;">TM. I first heard about raw food about four years ago. It took a year of me hearing about it over and over to try it out for myself. I had just found out I was very allergic to dairy and was devastated about quitting cheese. I searched the internet for "vegan" dairy alternatives and tried recipes for raw ranch dressing, raw cashew cheese, raw hemp milk and raw cheesecake. I was hooked! At least half hooked, I was about 50% raw, mostly consisting of nut and seed dishes, not many greens. Two and half years went by struggling with trying to perfect my diet while occasionally relapsing and getting hooked on sugar and dairy again. Last winter by body had had it. It said, "STOP!" I got sick, all my health problems started to accumulate until I felt like a toxic blob. I picked up a copy of "Rainbow Green Live Food Cuisine" by Gabriel Cousens and read it all in one sitting. I was blown away. I made the decision to go 100% raw, and not only would I do it for three whole months, the first month with NO sugar whatsoever; not even fruit. The sweetest thing I could consume was a red pepper. For the first week I went through what felt like drug withdraw with none of my precious sugar. I was miserable. But lo' and behold by week two all of my health issues went away 100%. Hmmm, there must be something to this! Raw, living food has become my lifestyle. At three months all my craving for junky or cooked food had disappeared, and I decided to go for four months. At four months I decided for six. Now I am almost at 7 months completely raw. I do not want to ever go back. I feel amazing. Not only do I have more energy, my skin shines, I have reached my ideal weight, but also my mind feels clear. Issues including PMS, feeling run down, pimples and digestive problems have all gone away! I feel in total control of my body and my health. Being alive has become that much better and brighter. All just from eating raw, living foods!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: 13pt;">LK: How did you and Kev start "OMG" up? What was your inspiration and what were you up against?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: 13pt;">TM: Since raw food is a lifestyle food shopping becomes a whole new experience! Through traveling we have realized that there is a huge assortment of different raw, living foods, and the goal of Oh My Goodness is to offer the highest quality foods on the planet. Having become so passionate about raw, living foods we wanted to spread the love! Raw foods, especially super-foods, are rather expensive at health food stores so the idea popped into our minds to have a more affordable store specializing in organic, raw super-foods. We make sure that all of our prices are as affordable as they can be. It has been so fulfilling to see people come over and buy the most amazing products to put in their bodies, and improve their health.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: 13pt;">What are we up against? We are up against a deep part of the human psyche. We see so many different stages of people’s defenses against and acceptance of changing what they eat. We have heard it takes 35 times for someone to hear something before they can bring it into their own individual consciousness. So we are working on it! <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: 13pt;">LK: How would your respond to the controversy surrounding raw food as sustainable nutrition? Also how do you respond to doubts that a raw diet can support fully support us nutritionally?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: 13pt;">TM: I wondered at times about eating things that come from all corners of the world, and what impact that has on our environment. Looking into these amazing companies, their ethics are through the roof. All the products are fair trade, and some companies go as far as offsetting their carbon foot print by planting trees among other things. Since this a newer thing, it will continue to get better and better. For example: growing goji berries in the U.S.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: 13pt;">LK: Also how do you respond to doubts that a raw diet can support fully support us nutritionally especially those of us who exhibit characteristics of the windy Vata?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: 13pt;">TM: I am of the vata dosha and always cold! Dr. Gabriel Cousens goes into these issues in depth in his book "Conscious Eating" and "Rainbow Green Live Food Cuisine". There are many heating spices that I use daily to keep me warm like ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, etc. I also do a lot of raw soups that I heat on the stove to 120 degrees. That is still very warm! When I eat recipes that require the dehydrator I always take them out when they are still warm. I believe that a raw food diet can work for everyone, it just needs to be individualized to one’s body to work!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: 13pt;">LK: What’s your favorite simple raw recipe that we can all enjoy!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: 13pt;">TM: These were two of my first and they’re always winners…<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: 13pt;">Raw Cheese:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: 13pt;">1 C cashews <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: 13pt;">1 TB lemon<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: 13pt;">salt to taste<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: 13pt;">(add anything else you like, red pepper makes it nacho cheese, garden spices make it herbed cheese, etc.)<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: 13pt;">*Blend until creamy<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: 13pt;">Raw Ranch:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: 13pt;">1/4C olive oil<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: 13pt;">1/8C lemon juice<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: 13pt;">1-2TB Apple cider vinegar<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: 13pt;">1TB Agave nectar<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: 13pt;">1C water<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: 13pt;">1/2C Sunflower Seeds (soaked)<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: 13pt;">1C Hemp seeds<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: 13pt;">1tsp Garlic<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: 13pt;">1tsp Onion<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: 13pt;">3/4tsp Salt<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: 13pt;">1/4tsp Pepper<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: 13pt;">1TB Dill<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: 13pt;">1/4C Parsley (fresh, if possible)<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: 13pt;">1/8C Basil (fresh, if possible)<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: 13pt;">*Blend, and enjoy!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 17px;"><br />
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</div>Lilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06753701272283372407noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3462335785957593259.post-91274611464650902712010-09-15T10:59:00.000-07:002010-09-15T10:59:12.298-07:00Avoid The Medicine Cabinet This Fall...<!--StartFragment--> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal">Avoid The Medicine Cabinet By Stocking your Kitchen Cabinet This Fall</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Look, no matter how frequently your neti pot is in rotation we’re all susceptible to the autumnal sniffles of the common cold.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In order to avoid defaulting to your medicine cabinet it is key to have a properly stocked kitchen cabinet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Prevention is the name of the game, folks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It doesn’t take make much and it doesn’t have to be crazy expensive either. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Okay, this might be blasphemous, but truth be told you don’t need tea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We all enjoy it and that’s great but, invest in some fresh ginger (which stores best in the freezer, actually).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Starting the morning off by steeping grated ginger in hot water and squeezing some lemon juice in it goes a long way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And what’s more, the concoction is not a diuretic like most teas are so you won’t suffer from dehydration which puts our bodies at risk often without us knowing it.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Oregano oil.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Amazing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pick it up at a local natural foods store and, along with your ginger brew in the morning take a few drops orally.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oil of oregano is attributed with characteristics including antibiotic properties, powerful anti-parasitic properties, natural antihistamine and antiviral.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And the best thing about this substance? Your body is not going to build a tolerance to its efficacy as you would with pharmaceutical antibiotics. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">Let’s not forget about vitamin C either.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, instead of chugging 8 oz of pasteurized (deadened) orange juice have a grapefruit or an orange before brekky and you’ll be set.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">Avoid dairy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know, people love cheese.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But it only increases unnecessary mucus production in the body.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Keep it moderate, and, if you have to get your dairy fix try goat dairy as it ‘s much easier to digest in our one-stomached system than cow dairy and thus does not ignite the creation of mucus in the sinuses and throat the way cow dairy does</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>So, you’ve taken the necessary precautions and you still get the sniffles? It’s okay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My preferred remedy, and all my school teacher friends swear by it, is “kick-ass immune” which you can get at the natural food store and take orally.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Beware of homeopathy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although it is a popular route to take towards curing ailments in new-age culture there is very little research to show that homeopathic cures are actually effective.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It might just be a waste of your money and time.<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">As E. Ernst of the University of Exeter writes, “…there was no condition which responds convincingly better to homeopathic treatment than to placebo or other control interventions. Similarly, there was no homeopathic remedy that was demonstrated to yield clinical effects that are convincingly different from placebo.”<a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=3462335785957593259#_ftn1" name="_ftnref" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;">[1]</span></span></a></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>That said I think for myself, if I get a cold this fall, I’m going for the kick-ass immune and heavy dose of some kava extract.</div><div style="mso-element: footnote-list;"><br clear="all" /> <hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" /> <div id="ftn" style="mso-element: footnote;"> <div class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=3462335785957593259#_ftnref" name="_ftn1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;">[1]</span></span></a> http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12492603</div></div></div><!--EndFragment-->Lilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06753701272283372407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3462335785957593259.post-74920369182693050922010-09-14T14:57:00.000-07:002010-09-14T14:57:44.903-07:00Bro-Dudes Can Practice Yoga, Too!<!--StartFragment--> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman";">Bro-Dudes Can Practice Yoga, Too!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Alright, let’s get off the spiritual high horse for just a minute.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just because they aren’t rallying for the left while drinking kombucha and reading texts published by Shambhala Publications with one eye while checking the Huffington Post with the other (or maybe, come to think of it, they are) it doesn’t mean a bro-dude has to embody the spiritually devoid stereo-type I’m sure plenty of us in “yoga-culture” feed into.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman";">As it turns out just because you’re a bro-dude it doesn’t mean you can’t practice yoga.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What do I mean by “bro-dude?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As my friend Eric Leven writes, “</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">A "bro" is your quintessential all American frat boy. You know the guy, (they pretty much all live in Murray Hill and get drinks at Tonic bar/lounge) button-down shirts, works in financial, loves to talk about his frat days and how much he'd drink, get stoned, get laid and listen to heady music (Grateful Dead, Phish, Bob Marley.) These are the characteristics which make up a true bro.” </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman";">Let me be honest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve often caught myself looking down on these frat-kids and investment bankers from high up on the cushion. Having lived in Boulder, CO for roughly six years I was surrounded by fraternities and snowboarders.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t generally think of myself as the type to judge, however, I’m now realizing that my time spent there involved a lot of time learning how to judge.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman";">So I was surprised when I came across an article on the NPR website titled “From Togas to Yoga: Fraternities Try to Alter Image.” Chana Joffe-Walt writes, </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">“Over at George Washington University's Sigma Phi Epsilon chapter, the brothers are on the basement floor, concentrating on their breathing. That's right: The frat boys are doing yoga. They are sweaty, red-faced, earnest and incredibly inflexible.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">But the downward dog, the talk about manly virtue, it's all almost too much. Where's the fun?”<a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=3462335785957593259#_ftn1" name="_ftnref" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;">[1]</span></span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">So they’re practicing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why, then, ask “Where’s the fun?” Perhaps it’s not the “bro-dudes” creating the image of binge drinking with a touch of elitist snobbery set to the tune of a Jack Johnson song.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rather, maybe the spiritual academic community should soften a little more and take a look at our own spiritual elitism.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Svadhyaya , or self study, is something we are taught to practice not so we can judge others but so that in releasing judgments upon ourselves we can in turn do the same for all of those around us. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">So come on down, bro-dudes, and bring your sick tunes with you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let’s practice!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><br />
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</div><div style="mso-element: footnote-list;"><br clear="all" /> <hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" /> <div id="ftn" style="mso-element: footnote;"> <div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=3462335785957593259#_ftnref" name="_ftn1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;">[1]</span></span></a> <a href="http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=17872719">http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=17872719</a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div></div></div><!--EndFragment-->Lilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06753701272283372407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3462335785957593259.post-27071214580343913352010-09-14T12:21:00.000-07:002010-09-14T12:21:37.841-07:00'Tis the Season to be Vata...<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;"> <!--StartFragment--> <div class="MsoNormal"><!--StartFragment--> </div><div class="MsoNormal">‘Tis the Season to Be Vata!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>As the summer comes to an end the air is pierced with a brisk autumn freshness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Along with the seasonal changes of leaves turning vibrant reds and yellows and the need to layer and (dare I say it?) bust out a light jacket the fiery Pitta energy of hot summer gives way to the cool windy Vata disposition of fall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So how do we deal with this doshic change? It’s time to put away our fruit salads and raw leafy greens and embrace a more Vata-pacifying diet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>As someone who is entirely Vata all year round I find this change of seasons invigorating and, also, demanding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But have no fear! It’s the time of year when a pocketful of easy-to-prepare warming recipes can bring our constitutions into balance and even inspire the sociable Vata energy to host a delicious dinner party or romantic meal for two.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I’m including here a few simple recipes to cut the chill and warm the belly in a macrobiotic vegan fashion that will have even the most dedicated of omnivores drooling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Simply follow the instructions and enjoy!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The Menu: (serves 4)</div><div class="MsoNormal">Spicy Pureed Yam and Acorn Squash Soup</div><div class="MsoNormal">Brown Rice and Sprouted Bean Pilaf</div><div class="MsoNormal">Roasted Root Vegetable Medley</div><div class="MsoNormal">Baked Tofu</div><div class="MsoNormal">Sundried Tomato Tahini Sauce</div><div class="MsoNormal">Baked Sweet Balsamic Apple Dessert</div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqHPxxuWV7J2AGJD18YJdnSaUP8BgKffzjZmu0hUAHVuX6UtG0yS7Sg4p5hHiCvW3rsx_69TwyibhCq7AKnGG6GHtqaEYBYslQonGRwRjvRvk0I7YF9M8pTy0PAM9dfIW1_5hT-umnC5Vz/s1600/vatameal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqHPxxuWV7J2AGJD18YJdnSaUP8BgKffzjZmu0hUAHVuX6UtG0yS7Sg4p5hHiCvW3rsx_69TwyibhCq7AKnGG6GHtqaEYBYslQonGRwRjvRvk0I7YF9M8pTy0PAM9dfIW1_5hT-umnC5Vz/s320/vatameal.jpg" /></a><o:p> </o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal">Spicy Pureed Yam and Acorn Squash Soup</div><div class="MsoNormal">Ingredients:</div><div class="MsoNormal">-4 yams (peeled & diced)</div><div class="MsoNormal">-1 acorn squash (halved & save seeds)</div><div class="MsoNormal">-3 cloves garlic</div><div class="MsoNormal">-1 chili pepper</div><div class="MsoNormal">-4 tlbs canola oil</div><div class="MsoNormal">-2 tlbs unrefined sesame oil</div><div class="MsoNormal">-Cinnamon</div><div class="MsoNormal">-Cayenne</div><div class="MsoNormal">-Himalayan Salt</div><div class="MsoNormal">-Fresh Ground Pepper</div><div class="MsoNormal">-One whole yellow onion (diced)</div><div class="MsoNormal">-4 cups water</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Preparation:</div><div class="MsoNormal">Set the oven to 400. Place the yams, halved acorn squash, chili pepper and peeled whole garlic in a metal baking dish after lightly covering them in canola oil.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sprinkle cinnamon, cayenne, salt and pepper into the squash. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cover in tinfoil and bake until soft.</div><div class="MsoNormal">Rinse the acorn squash seeds and create a pocket with tinfoil.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Drizzle sesame oil on the seeds and sprinkle with cayenne, cinnamon, salt and pepper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Place in oven and bake until brown.</div><div class="MsoNormal">Toss the diced onion with remaining canola oil and set to simmer in a covered pan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cook on low until the onion has caramelized. </div><div class="MsoNormal">While the yams etc. are still baking combine the water and caramelized onion in a food processor and blend.</div><div class="MsoNormal">Remove the yams, squash, garlic and chili pepper from the oven.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Remove the skin from the squash and dice the pepper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In small increments add the vegetables to the onion broth in the food processor until blended to desired soup consistency.</div><div class="MsoNormal">To serve ladle the soup into a bowl, drizzle with sesame oil, top with toasted seeds and enjoy! (You’ll probably have extra but just store it in a zip lock in the freezer!)</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Ingredients:</div><div class="MsoNormal">Brown Rice and Mung Bean Pilaf</div><div class="MsoNormal">-1/2 cup brown rice</div><div class="MsoNormal">-1/2 cup mung beans</div><div class="MsoNormal">-1/2 cup lentils </div><div class="MsoNormal">-2 hearts of celery<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(diced)</div><div class="MsoNormal">-1/4 cup goji berries</div><div class="MsoNormal">-2 tlbs sesame oil</div><div class="MsoNormal">-salt to taste</div><div class="MsoNormal">-pepper to taste</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Preparation:</div><div class="MsoNormal">Combine brown rice with one cup of water in a pot cover and boil until water has absorbed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Remove from head and toss the diced celery and goji berries in with the brown rice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cover and let the heat soften the celery and the gojis.</div><div class="MsoNormal">I like to use the “truRoots” sprouted green lentils and sprouted mung beans although any will do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you must go the canned route go for it but soaking the beans is my preferred method. Whichever method you choose boil until soft and drain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and toss with salt, pepper and sesame oil.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal">Roasted Root Vegetable Medley</div><div class="MsoNormal">Ingredients:</div><div class="MsoNormal">-I large turnip (diced)</div><div class="MsoNormal">-I bunch carrots (diced)</div><div class="MsoNormal">-3 nicely sized golden beets (peeled and diced)</div><div class="MsoNormal">-2 cups brussel sprouts (halved)</div><div class="MsoNormal">-2 tlbs sesame oil</div><div class="MsoNormal">-2 tlbs balsamic vinegar</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal">Preparation:</div><div class="MsoNormal">Combine the ingredients in mixing bowl and toss until lightly covered in oil.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Transfer to a backing dish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cover with tinfoil.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cook at 400 until desired softness/golden brown edges.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Baked Tofu</div><div class="MsoNormal">Ingredients:</div><div class="MsoNormal">I brick firm tofu</div><div class="MsoNormal">-2tlbs Soy sauce</div><div class="MsoNormal">-2tlbs Canola oil</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Preparation:</div><div class="MsoNormal">Remove tofu from packaging and press water out using two large paper bags.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Drain as much as possible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cut the tofu into four triangles by halving its width and cutting diagonally across the resulting rectangles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Marinate in soy sauce.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Place in baking pan after covering lightly in oil . Cover with tinfoil and cook until brown on the bottom. Flip and replace until equally browned on both sides.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The Sauce:</div><div class="MsoNormal">Ingredients</div><div class="MsoNormal">-1/2 cup raw tahini</div><div class="MsoNormal">-1/4 cup water</div><div class="MsoNormal">-juice from ½ a large lemon</div><div class="MsoNormal">-splash of soy sauce to taste</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Preparation:</div><div class="MsoNormal">Combine the ingredients in your food processor until consistency is creamy adding the water slowly and stopping when necessary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Flavor to taste with the soy sauce.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">To Serve:</div><div class="MsoNormal">Scoop pilaf into the bottom of a bowl.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Top with 1 piece tofu and a scoop of vegetables.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pour the sauce on top.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Serve with a side of the squash soup.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Dessert: (cook while you’re eating dinner)</div><div class="MsoNormal">Ingredients:</div><div class="MsoNormal">-2 apples (cored/halved)</div><div class="MsoNormal">-sesame oil</div><div class="MsoNormal">-cinnamon</div><div class="MsoNormal">-2 tlbs <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>raw honey</div><div class="MsoNormal">-balsamic to drizzle</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Preparation:</div><div class="MsoNormal">Toss the apples with oil and cinnamon. Place in baking dish and drizzle with balsamic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cover with tinfoil and back in oven at 400 until soft and golden brown.</div><div class="MsoNormal">Remove from oven, scoop a bit of honey in the halved apples and replace cover. Let cool slightly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Serve and enjoy.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>-Lily Kardon</div><!--EndFragment--> <br />
<!--EndFragment--> </span></span> <!--EndFragment-->Lilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06753701272283372407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3462335785957593259.post-15319979539692592182010-09-14T12:14:00.000-07:002010-09-14T12:14:18.506-07:00Bring Yoga to the Youth of the Inner-City!<!--StartFragment--> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal"> Three years ago I came back home to Philadelphia, PA to work with my father’s most beloved NPO.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Boys and Girls Club of America is a nationwide Non-Profit Organization designed to offer a place for inner city kids to spend their time after school and over the summer in a supportive educational environment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The children range in age from 3 to 15 years old. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>At first it was my intention to work as a camp counselor with the children wherever I was needed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I drove the 28 hours from Boulder, CO back to Philly in anticipation and filled with excitement at the prospect of being of service.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was fully ready to practice Seva (selfless service).</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Later that week I was sitting in a coffee shop at 13<sup>th</sup> and Pine and I noticed a blurb about yoga for children on a discarded newspaper clipping.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had one of those “ahah moments” we’re all so fond of.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How about offering yoga to inner city kids? It made perfect sense.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since the Boys and Girls Club was offering a positive place for kids why not offer the kids a positive place within themselves?</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I was, needless to say, stoked. Karma yoga right in my own back yard!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I went through all the necessary channels and within a few weeks arrived at the Germantown chapter of Boys and Girls to begin offering the kids some yoga. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was definitely difficult at first, especially to gain their trust.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, by showing up consistently and offering reliable grown-up energy they came to soften to my offering.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I’ll never forget the look on seven year old Diamond’s face when she told me, eyes wide, that the breath work I had taught them made her “not mad anymore sometimes.” It is through this first hand experience that I can say without doubt that Yoga is truly a gift that can be given to anyone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Further, the yoga community is a gift that keeps giving whenever we ask. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>This past winter when I relocated to Philadelphia officially I was lucky enough to meet two incredible women, Julie and Erica, who own Jai Studio on the mainline.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each month they throw a “Chant, Chai & Charity” kirtan designed to raise funds for a variety of worthy causes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was looking at the time to help the Boys and Girls Club.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My father’s passion very much rubbed off on me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It happened that in January after the monthly kirtan was over they announced that the February slot had opened up if anyone had an organization or cause they were particularly invested in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I jumped at the chance to get them on board with Boys and Girls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were kind and it worked out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A month later we all gathered to raise our voices, vibrations and funds in service of the Boys and Girls Club of America.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Why do I share this with you? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because I’m delighted to report that yoga both on and off the mat will always serve us or those we wish to serve so long as we put the intention out there.</div><!--EndFragment-->Lilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06753701272283372407noreply@blogger.com0