Archives: the healthy mix

I think it’s the perfect time to share my yoga retreat with you all. As I watch the news about Boston today, all I can think about is how nice it will be to escape NYC and find some peace and serenity in my weekend retreat to upstate NY.

The retreat is the first weekend in August 2-4 and it will be amazing. I say it so confidently because I’ve managed to find a place that puts great emphasis on their food, is conscious about allergies and offers a cooking class and nutritional talk.

My retreat will include vinyasa and restorative yoga, meditation and breath work, all the food is included as well as 1 cooking class and a nutritional talk!

Sound good? I know it does. So why not signup? We could all use a bit of peace and quiet in a beautiful villa 1.5 hours away from NYC.

The cost is between $575-$625 depending on the room you choose. Please check the Facebook event (link below) to see more details regarding the retreat.

Click HERE to learn more about the place.

Click HERE if you’d like to signup.

You can also connect via Facebook by clicking HERE

I really hope you can join us. Space is limited to 12 people, so don’t wait and book today.

Everything Is Going to be Alright

I’m reading this book called The Journey by Brandon Bays. In the book she shares her story of how she healed a cancerous tumor in 6 weeks, yep, she made it disappear. WOW! It’s stories like hers that make my mouth drop and have me staring off into space thinking to myself that anything’s possible.

How did she do it? She went inside her tumor and found what was stuck there. She worked on clearing it out emotionally and within 6 weeks there was no sign of the tumor at all.

If it were that simple, how come we aren’t all doing this?

Well I’ve found it to be very challenging to figure out exactly what is “stuck” in me. Recently an issue came up for me that I hadn’t thought about since high school. This particular issue had me working to remember what exactly happened and how it affected me at the time. Wow, going back into the past is pretty powerful. Even as a young teenager I somehow brushed my emotions under the carpet so that I could go on and have a “normal” high school experience.

Maybe this particular issue is the one stuck inside my digestive tract. Maybe this issue coupled with a few others are what’s stuck to my insides. I’m not sure what it is yet, but I’m working on it.

To me, it’s amazing how this one book has helped me dig deeper then where I’ve already been. I’d say I’m pretty in touch with my emotions, but maybe there’s more that I’ve been unaware of until now.

Even when you think you’ve done the work, there always seems to be more that creeps up. I’d say it’s all worth taking a look at to see how you’ve neglected to get rid of any pent up emotions. If you don’t clear those emotions, then they get stuck in your cells creating disease.

I believe it, do you?

picture taken from yourfoodanalyst.com

Have you heard about this new show called Food Hospital? Finally it’s happening! The word is spreading that illness and pain can be healed through food and diet!

The show is on Cooking Channel on Monday nights at 9pm. Don’t forget to set your dvr! I haven’t seen the show yet, but I couldn’t be happier that this issue is finally being shown and projected to the public! Way to go Cooking Channel – you’ve answered my prayers!

To all of those fellow coaches, nutritionists, and alternative health practitioners out there – cheers to us on having our voices heard.

There is always more work to be done, but finally a glimpse into real patients making real changes!

Can’t wait to watch this!

Check out this link to find out more about the program.

To health & happiness.

Tropicana Advertisement on NYC Subway

I saw this advertisement on the subway in NYC. As I sat among fellow NYers watching their expressions (or lack there of) I saw how wonderful this AD really is! It definitely had the effect of making someone smile spontaneously – that would be me! I’m a sucker for great AD’s – I pay attention and love when I see clever ones.

Good work Tropicana. Even though I’m not in love with their product, they got me on the AD. Thanks for the smile.

Cheers to spontaneity.

A few weeks ago I was having a flare-up. Yes, even I still get them. Even though I watch my diet, practice yoga & meditate, sometimes the flare-ups happen anyway. I’m only human! I am looking forward to a day in the near future when my flare-ups happen 0% of the time, but until then I’ll keep letting you know about my process.

I have noticed that my flare-ups happen less and are much less extreme then they once were (which I definitely see as positive!). Here’s what I tried this time around:

This yoga pose is very easy to do at home using pillows, a blanket and a chair.

If you are suffering from bloating, constipation, hemorrhoids etc. then I highly recommend that you try this. Stay in the pose for a minimum of 10 minutes and keep at it for however long feels good to you.

Relax to the Max yoga pose

The picture pretty much explains the pose, but a few things to be mindful of: make sure the pillow underneath your sacrum (your waistband) feels comfortable. Your pelvis should be slightly lifted. Make sure that your knees are on the edge of the chair. Cover yourself with a blanket and RELAX! Let go and surrender.

I like to call this pose: Relax to the Max Pose

While you’re in Relax to the Max, you might get a visit from a wonderful, healing, furry friend (if you have one!) let them serenade you with their love.

A Love Fest in Relax to the Max

Enjoy!

“Feel great, act great and approve of yourself.

This quote was on my Yogi Tea teabag this morning. I resonate with the “approve of yourself “ part of the quote. I’m sure many of you struggle with this. Do you ever feel like you’re not doing enough in this world, Or that your work is not enough? Who are you trying to convince but yourself? As I reminisce about my past year, the things I’ve accomplished, my goals, etc. I find myself thinking: wait a minute – have I really accomplished my goals this year? Then I think again and say to myself – who cares??

Of course it feels wonderful to create goals, accomplish them and feel wonderful all the time about yourself, but c’mon who are we kidding? That doesn’t happen 100% of the time. I’m happy that I’ve accomplished 70% of my goals and the rest will roll over into 2013. Big whoop!

Don’t be so hard on yourself. If you didn’t achieve your goals, there’s always tomorrow. Stay optimistic, positive and happy – that’s what really matters.

Don’t let the new year, new you thing get you down. Think of the new year as a new start. Even if you’re working on the same project, think about it in a new light. Stay positive and all your worries will magically subside.

Chad and I started a new hobby. We collect our Yogi Tea fortunes and place them in a jar. It’s really fun to shake it up and pick out a fortune. They are always meaningful and most of the time we can apply it to our lives. I give you full permission to steal this hobby! It’s a fun one and should be shared.

Cheers to 2013!

Shira

My favorite scene from the movie Love Actually. Click picture to watch the clip!

Gratitude. That’s what this season is about right? Not just family, friends, traditions, food and drink, but also gratitude!

Throughout my yoga classes this week I ‘ve asked my students what they are grateful for. I asked them to pinpoint one thing, person, and quality about themselves that they feel grateful for. Want to try it?

We live such busy lives. Working, traveling from place to place etc… Do you ever get just one moment to stop everything and feel what it is that you’re grateful for?

Try it now. Close your eyes and tune in.

Find something, someone and one quality about yourself that you’re grateful for. Sit with your gratitude. Breathe in love, breathe out fear, anxiety and stress.

Now that you’ve realized what you’re grateful for, share it. Tell the person you feel grateful for. Write it in your journal. Tell someone else.

Feeling gratitude is wonderful, but sharing it is even better.

Spread the love. Feel it in your fingers & toes!

Cheers to you!

Yesterday I was strolling up 5^th avenue near 14^th street in NYC and something caught my eye. It was a sign that said “eat real food.” Now most of you know me by now and know that that’s pretty much the motto that I live by. So you can imagine that even though I already had a full belly from eating at my other favorite nearby restaurant named Souen, I was more then happy to check out this interesting place with a sign so clearly written with me in mind!

Have you heard of Hu Kitchen? Let me tell you it’s one to check out. Everything and I mean everything is made from whole food. No preservatives, nothing processed, just plain, simple, clean, local, delicious food!

Their almond and coconut milks are both homemade, they have grass-fed meat, organic chicken, organic veggies, juices, smoothies, chocolate, food to take away – healthy style!! They serve breakfast, lunch and dinner – but it’s not a sit down, waiter type of place – you order, get the food yourself and eat on their beautiful wooden tables. The place makes you want to stay there to eat. Too bad my belly was already full when I discovered this place – no worries though, I’ll be back to give it a proper food review – but I  had to share the good news with you beforehand!

New York is FINALLY hopping on the whole food bandwagon! It took a little bit of time, but I knew it would happen eventually. Add this one to the list.

Here’s a quote from their website:

“We make food for humans and, frankly, we think it’s about time someone did. It isn’t as glamorous as a pill or a fad diet. It probably won’t sell books. We’re OK with that. We’re not here to make a quick buck in the same tired food space. We’re not here to be just another shelf in the megastore of “healthy” food products. We’re here to start a revolution.”

Now that’s what I’m talking about.

Cheers to Hu.

Here’s a link to their website: Hu Kitchen

Say no to fear and yes to acceptance.

Lately my anxiety levels have been a tad high. I’m not exactly sure why but I think what’s making it worse is the fact that I keep trying to figure out why it’s happening. The same thing goes when I have a stomachache. I try to figure it out until I’m blue in the face – not literally but you get my drift.

Last night and this morning I tried a new ritual.

Before bed I said to myself:

It’s ok to feel anxious

It’s ok to have a stomachache

It’s ok to not always feel the best.

By accepting it and not pushing it away I’m able to feel what’s going on in my body instead of trying to change it.

This can certainly apply to you if you have a specific issue that you’re dealing with and can’t exactly figure out how to feel better about it. Start with acceptance and miracles will happen.

I woke up this morning feeling…. Different.

There’s something to this acceptance thing. Try it out! I dare you!

***With Thanksgiving here in 2 days I had to share a delicious recipe with ya’ll. It’s for gluten free stuffing!

Hazelnut Stuffing adapted from Terry Walters Clean Food Cookbook

Serves 6

3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

1 large yellow onion, diced

5 stalks celery, diced

½ pound cremini mushrooms, diced

½ cup diced dried apples, no sugar added

2 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary

2 tablespoons dried parsley

1 cup hazelnuts

6 slices gluten free rice bread cut into ½ inch cubes and toasted

½ cup organic vegetable stock

¼ cup tamari

2 tablespoons mirin

Freshly ground black pepper to taste

½ cup toasted slivered almonds

Chopped fresh parsley for garnish

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F

In a large skillet heat the oil over medium heat and sauté the onion until soft. Add the celery, mushrooms, apples, rosemary and dried parsley and sauté 4 minutes. Fold in crushed hazelnuts and toasted bread cubes and remove from heat.

In a small bowl, whisk together stock, tamari and mirin. Drizzle over stuffing mixture to evenly soak. Season with pepper to taste and gently fold to combine all ingredients. Place in a large casserole or stuff into a roasted winter squash and bake 25 minutes until top is lightly toasted.

Remove from oven then top with almonds and fresh parsley – serve.

Click me for a tutorial on Kapala Bati Breathing!

Kapala Bati Clip from The Fix Your Belly Blues Program

What is anxiety? I just left a very intense therapy session where we spoke primarily about my anxiety and the many ways it manifests itself. Not only is fear a big part of my anxiety but so is the unknown.

Wow… Heavy topic today.

I bring it up because I think many of us, whether New Yorkers or not, suffer from anxiety. I know I scare myself in many different ways and I wonder how you do too?

Today my therapist, who practices in the Gestalt modality, had me work not on the fears that my anxiety brings, but the anxiety itself. I placed it in a chair, figured out what it looked like, the color, and how it made me feel.

I realized that this thing I call anxiety is shaped in a blob like form that sticks to my insides. It’s the color brown and often times it gets stuck inside of me.

I’ve already found a way to help it escape with breathing exercises but today I added on an extra step that I’m really excited to share.

I know all of this might sound funny to you, but growing up in a household with two parents as Gestalt therapists, this stuff is totally normal!

So, my steps to help release anxiety are to practice Kapala Bati or breath of fire. As you practice, imagine your anxiety as a set of red handkerchiefs coming out one by one just like a magician! Once finished with this exercise take some all purpose cleaner, wipe up the floor and throw the anxiety away!

Let’s go, it’s time to get rid of this once and for all!

Are you with me??

Stop letting your anxiety get the best of you. Take a stance and be strong. Of course it’s a work in progress so don’t get upset if your anxiety comes back right away. Keep practicing this at least once a day and see what happens.

Watch the video above for a tutorial on how to practice breath of fire.

Good luck!