water

Post Yoga Thirst Quenching Cucumber Water

Taya / Food / , , , , / 1 Comment

On hot summer days, post yoga session, the last thing you want to consume is a sugary beverage. Even sports drinks like Gatorade, supposedly more thirst-quenching than water, leave you feeling like you got chemicals coming out of your pores. What you need is something über refreshing, not too flavourful or sweet, healthy, and quick to make: cucumber water!

What are the benefits?

Cucumbers contain vitamin C and caffeic acid, two antioxidant nutrients that can help protect the skin from sun damage. Vitamin C boosts collagen and elastin, which helps keep skin looking vibrant while caffeic acid protects skin cells from UV radiation. Cucumbers also have natural anti-inflammatory properties and help to prevent water retention. Cukes also contain silica, an essential component of healthy connective tissue.

For a simple recipe, just combine sliced cucumber to a pitcher of water, add ice, and enjoy! Alternatively, for an augmented version, you’ll need the following ingredients:

Ingredients

8 ½ cups of water

1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
1 medium cucumber, thinly sliced
1 medium lemon or lime, thinly sliced
12 small mint leaves

Let ingredients stand in a large pitcher for a few hours, or let flavors blend overnight for an intensified taste and aroma.

photo via healthesolutions.com

5 Fundamental Yoga Diet Principles

Tanya Lee Markul / Food, Reflections, Tips / , , , , , , , , , / 1 Comment

We are what we eat! The quality and types of food we consume affects us both mentally and physically. Here are some fundamental diet principles for everyone, especially yogis.

Prefer nutritious value versus going for taste – sure, there may be days when a chocolate covered donut sounds better than an apple, but if you really don’t have to (really, really) then don’t do it. You’ll end up feeling better about the apple. Learn to overcome your cravings and make awesome food choices.

Choose nature – seasonal fruits, vegetables, seeds and whole grains. You can even try the 100-mile diet (eating only produce and food that has been grown and made within 100 miles from where you live).

Don’t over eat. I’ve heard that it’s best to only fill your stomach half way up. It makes it easier for digestion and it also doesn’t leave you feeling lethargic. Taking your time when eating and chewing puts less strain on your digesting system. And wait until after your meal to consume liquids. Remember over eating leads to weight gain!

Drinks. Avoid as much alcohol as possible and limit your intake of caffeine to two cups of Joe or tea per day. Drink at least ten to twelve glasses of water (at least two glasses when you first wake up).

Don’t count calories or stress about vitamin in-take. Don’t be a slave to your taste buds, but focus on what is most healthy. Learn to listen to your body’s needs and remember moderation – do this and you’ll get exactly what your body needs. Yoga is all about self-discipline-you can do it.

Remember to take the time to detox, set goals, find your motivation and make choices that truly optimize your life and those around you.

Namaste!

Photo credit: http://yoga-connection.com

5 Peculiar Things that Could Change Your Life

Tanya Lee Markul / Reflections, Tips / , , , , / 2 Comments

Ok, maybe these things haven’t completely changed my life, but they’ve helped a whole lot. At first using these objects may be as weird as they appear, but there is no doubt they are an experience worth trying.

  • A tongue scraper: toothbrushes are made to clean your teeth; tongue scrapers are made to clean your tongue. Tongue scraping is an Ayurvedic technique used for treating bad breath, but has many other healthy benefits. During the night our body is busy detoxing aka removing toxins. When you wake up, you may notice a white coating on your tongue. Scraping off these toxins first thing in the morning helps your body to avoid re-absorption. It’s not only good for better smelling breath, but helps to remove plague from teeth, helps taste bud functioning and aids in overall optimal oral health. Maybe one day tongue scraping will be as cool as flossing.
  • 1.5 liters of water: ever hear of this thing called water therapy? Mostly known in India, China and Japan, water therapy is drinking 1.5 liters of water first thing in the morning. This is said to help remove toxins, stimulate healthy bowel movements and help fight disease. Considered pretty much harmless, it also claims to have other health benefits such as helping headaches, energy levels, constipation, diarrhea and detoxification.
  • A body brush: perhaps you have forgotten that the skin is the largest organ of the body. This organ helps to eliminate a critical amount of toxins – they say up to one pound a day! Skin brushing (with a body brush) also stimulates the organs underneath the skin that aid in the detoxification of toxins. Some other benefits include stimulating the lymphatic system, removing dead layers of skin cells, stimulating the circulation and immune systems and helps the kidneys to function optimally.
  • Neti pot: also known as a ‘nose bidet’, a neti pot is used to pour warm, slightly salty water through the nasal passages and sinuses. Neti pots have been used in India and South Asia and have shown to be a safe and effective way for treating eye complaints, sinusitis, asthma, the common cold, nasal congestion and respiratory ailments. It is recommended to use a Neti pot that is right for your nostrils.
  • Incense: not just an air freshener, the practice of burning incense has been used throughout centuries for sacred ceremonies and rituals. Today it is used to create desired atmospheres and healing, Its said to have both healing effects on the mind and the body. Some of the noted benefits include fighting depression, headaches, anxiety and insomnia. It is recommended to use plant-based and essential oil-based incenses

I would love to hear your experiences, comments and recommendations.

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