Archives: January 2010

“Digest your life, food wise AND mind wise” – William Duprey, my wonderful yoga teacher. There was a whole discussion this week about food, diets and scheduling in my yoga training course this week. This obviously struck my attention and made me realize that most people in my class do not have a proper eating schedule.

To me, this is not a way to live. Carving out 3 time slots per day to sit down and digest a meal is more important then any other obligation you may have. If you don’t eat breakfast in the morning, I suggest you wake up a few minutes earlier to make sure you can squeeze in that bowl of cereal, toast or any other nutritious meal.

Sit down and pay attention to your eating habits. You may realize that the reason you’re feeling sluggish throughout the day is because your body isn’t getting the proper nourishment. Digest your life and feed your body and soul – you deserve it!

It’s also important to digest your mind but that’s a whole other blog post! Stay tuned…

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I have found my gluten free baking savior! Yes, it’s true, I, like many of you are not always in the mood to whip up my dessert or meal for that matter. You can imagine that having a gluten free, dairy free and no refined sugar lifestyle that it may be quite difficult for me to eat out. Well you’re absolutely right! I find it almost impossible to eat out at restaurants because I’m constantly battling with eating too much and getting a stomachache from the ingredients that they use – so most of the time you will find me cooking in my own home.

When I find that one place to run to each time my belly craves something sweet (and I’m not making it myself) then I am so so so so thankful!

Babycakes is the name of the bakery.

It’s located in NYC on Broome Street between Ludlow and Orchard.

Not only do they have gluten free, soy free, unrefined sugar baked goods but they are also vegan!

You would never even know that their goods lack gluten, eggs, dairy, soy and unrefined sugar. Everything and I mean everything tastes absolutely delicious.

If you’re down in the lower east side, I definitely recommend this place over any other bakery you may pass along the way – hold your crave for a babycakes treat.

Even if you don’t have a food sensitivity this place is STILL better then your typical bakery. Their ingredients are what you should be eating for a snack instead of the gluten bloating, sugar filled cupcake from any other store.

Give it a whirl, I guarantee you will be impressed.

With the change in the new year I’ve given my blog a facelift! You will now find all new posts located at www.thehealthymix.com. That’s right, I have my own domain now without the boost from WordPress. I am delighted to make the change and hope you will update your bookmarks so that TheHealthyMix will remain a part of your reading material. I love sharing with you and look forward to many more years of blogging. Please refer to www.thehealthymix.com when you’re looking for great, informative and helpful information as well as delicious tasting recipes. Thanks for continuously reading my blog and helping me get my feet off the ground in this incredible world of health and healing. Enjoy the newly designed site!

With MUCH love,

Shira

With the closing of my first week in yoga school I’ve taken away many thoughts and ideas. I’ve been intrigued by one in particular – the act of practicing ahimsa, meaning non-violence in Sanskrit.

Since I live in New York City, only one of the most hustling and bustling cities in the world, it’s quite difficult to practice this act of non-violence on a day-to-day basis let alone a minute-to-minute basis. While walking on the street it’s not uncommon for me to experience numerous people bumping into me without apologizing, or someone being completely rude on the subway – I must say, it’s usually quite impossible for me to block these situations out but I’ve begun to ask myself how in the world can I practice this non-violence?!

I’ve learned that the only way this seems to work for me is to constantly repeat the actual word ‘ahimsa’ in my mind when these situations arise. Sometimes I even say it quietly to myself out loud. What a relief to look back at these situations where I would normally get flustered, upset and even angry and say WOW! I actually kept to myself and didn’t let the other person effect me.

Try it!

You will definitely feel a sense of relief once you’ve looked back at the situation later on and realize what amazing progress you’ve made. Try it at least once in your day and see how it feels. I DARE you!

Namaste.

Today is my first day of yoga teacher training school and I’m pretty excited about it. Of course with my history last night I was all anxious/excited and barely slept a wink. In fact, I think I saw every hour hit the clock throughout the night. What an awful way to begin this incredible journey.

I figured that by writing a blog post I could make it up to myself and share my experiences with you all. This yoga-training course is supposed to be about healing, breath and new experiences. So why do I feel nervous, anxious and my stomach in knots?!

Well this is just my nature… I’ve come to accept myself just the way that I am. It’s just like starting my first day of school – I picked out my clothes, packed some snacks and I’m all set for my early morning wake up. If you’ve ever experienced these types of feelings before the start of something big, don’t try to ask lots of questions on how NOT to feel this way… just try to breathe through it and take it one step at a time.

So what if I didn’t sleep much, eh… no biggie, I’ll catch up tonight.

I wish you all a wonderful day. Remember to accept yourself for who you are – you may even feel better by doing that.

I know people are always feeling sorry for us gluten free eaters, but really I don’t feel sorry at all!! Gluten was one of the culprits of my bad stomachaches and I’m SO glad that I finally figured it out.

This may be the case for many of you gluten eaters out there and you may not even know it! If I were you, I’d stop feeling sorry for us and try it yourself! Yes it’s hard when you go to a restaurant and they put that lovely breadbasket on the table – it takes lots of strength to push it away, BUT it doesn’t mean that I don’t eat bread. It just means that I eat a different kind of bread. Dough made from almond flour, rice flour and any other flour not made with gluten. There are lots of choices at your local grocery store in the freezer section – check it out! There’s bread made out of millet and other grains and nuts.

The best part about us gluten free eaters is that we are part of a small niche and we tend to stick together. When we find new recipes we’re always ready to share them because who wouldn’t want something new to add to their everyday repertoire.

Don’t feel upset if you can’t tolerate gluten, it may be the best thing that’s ever happened to you! You may even start cooking and baking like you never thought you would. Take it as a journey, not a complete loss. There are plenty of substitutes and once you start your search you will see what I mean.

Good luck! If you have any questions please feel free to ask.

Happy New Year to you bloggers out there! I hope with the start of the new calendar year you will find new beginnings, hope, lots of love and laughter.

It always feels like a fresh start when I open the first page of my newly bought planner and see that there are no events marked on any of the pages. Of course I immediately begin filling in the pages with my life, but that first empty page gets me all excited! It simply reminds me that events are not as binding as I usually perceive them to be and that anything can be changed with an eraser!

Actually that wouldn’t be responsible… but you understand what I’m getting at right? That dinner date and any other plan that I make is so easy to change. It’s important to take care of yourself, slow down and enjoy life. Whether that means going on that dinner date with your friend or simply making a cup of tea and reading a good book on your couch – you have to do what’s best for you.

If you turn to a week in your planner that is completely filled to a brim with different plans, meetings and social events then start by taking a deep breath and SMILE! If you find that it’s just too overwhelming then decide which event is the least important and move it to the next week. Work with your plans and please don’t forget to make time for yourself.

Take a mental health day. Treat yourself to a spa treatment. Nourish your body and soul at least once a month, hopefully more!

Be kind to yourself and remember to BREATHE.