Week 3 Yoga November

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday: are grouped in one because I don't have much to report on except my limitations are exposing themselves! My left side is very tense and is restricting my postures. I have discovered though, the body is mulitfacited. What I mean by that is there is always a way you just have to figure it out. It might not be the route you think it is. That a lot of the limitations are in your mind, either you're pushing a cart uphill, not really paying attention to your body or holding onto "stuff" this is where the detox is taking effect. Letting go of "stuff", frees up the meridians/ nadi's (energetic pathways in the body), which has an effect on the physicality. Self- discovery asana style. Besides this, happier than ever! Even if my sister is showing signs of "Bridezilla". . .

Thursday: Totally ungrounded today because it was brought to my attention, the 'Food Safety Modernization Act' an attempt at banning organic farming AND access to natural therapies and education in Europe. The link has the petition attached. If you value your rights to choose your own healthcare and your own NON GM food then please sign up and pass it on. Consequently, I felt pain in my back, plus the same niggly right hip flexor, which I had to work around. I made the time to "zen" and am using my HOMEOPATHIC anti-inflammatory for the pain- proudly! (in case you don't follow the link, they specifically want to ban homeopathy, herbs and nutritional supplements).
Besides that, looking at my salad and being grateful it is organic. Am starting to read an inspiring book "Authenticity Accelerator" by Robert Rabbin...

Friday: Ahh Friday again! I have a long day of clients, love my clients! Have I even mentioned that yet? I've been so caught up in my yogic transformation, I have never said just how much I appreciate these people. They are the reason I do, love, live and breathe my work. I thank each and every one of them : )
Another thing dawned on me, the silence consistent yoga practice is cultivating, brings much more clarity and confidence.

Saturday & Sunday: Totally sluggish from the yoga, feels like detox. Aches and pains, headaches, blah. Obviously the physical aspect of it is testing my body, muscles, ligaments but this feels deeper. Kefir making, organic shopping, yoga, sun, sister, reading, blogging, tree hugging and friend phone catch up. Just how I like it xx

Apple & Strawberry Water Kefir... Bubbly fruit drink

Upon request by some Russian friends here is a fruit kefir recipe, very similar to kvas, except it is made from real fruit. It taste's like an effervesant fruity soda pop but without the high sugar hit. Kvas is a fermented drink made from dark or rye bread popular in Russia and Eastern Europe. Kvas has a very unique flavour, as does water kefir, both very similar and have a nice "feel good" effect after drinking it.

Basic Water Kefir Recipe- as long as you stick to this ratio, you will have nice kefir.
1 cup filtered, spring or rain water
1 tablespoon sugar (organic table or coconut sugar if you want a honey colour)
1 heaped tablespoon of water kefir grains
Dried and unsulphured fruit or fresh fruit (optional)
eg. Sliced apples, sultanas, figs, apricots, fresh lemon, orange, lime are nice to add

What are Water Kefir Grains?
Water kefir grains are a bacteria and yeast culture, thought to have originated in Turkey. They feed of sugar to produce a fermented stable culture, a mixture of lactic acid, alcohol and carbon dioxide.
The result is a tasty fermented low-sugar fizzy drink, ideally served over ice.

Note* this is a very low alcoholic beverage.



Water kefir grains

Apple Kefir (single fermentation)
2 cups fresh apple juice (I used green apples for this recipe)
2.5 cups water
3 tablespoons raw sugar
5 tablespoons water kefir grains

1. Juice the apples, add the water, dissolve in sugar and add the kefir grains.
2. Cover with muslin cloth and leave for 24- 48 hours. The longer you leave it the stronger the fermentation.
3. Strain the grains, Chill and serve...




Apple kefir

 Strawberry Kefir (double fermentation method)
1 punnet of strawberries blended
4 cups water kefir, already fermented (basic recipe)

1. Let ferment for another 12 to 24 hours, strain the grains, chill and serve.

Strawberries

Strawberries blended



Strawberry Kefir

 *Note*
-Do not use metal, only plastic utensils/ sivs and ferment in glass or it will harm the grain.
-Use filtered water and organic produce for best results.
-You can google a local kefir enthusiast to buy or adopt some grains in your area.
-Make it with love ; )

Love
Ulyana...

Vegan Festival 2010

Sunday 14th November 2010, was the Adelaide Vegan Festival on Whitmore Square. Hosted by the awesome people at Bliss Cafe, Shane and his wife Kas. There was loads of stuff to look at and enjoy, food, clothes, music and a crowed of all-sorts. I had the best time just laying in the sun on the lawn getting a tan with my good friend Van.

He lined up for abut 25 minutes to get a funky pie! While I stuck to my salad and cold rolls ; ) Not as much of a line up there...


Salad that is a bit out of focus


I finally bought that cute ruby red t-shirt by Mudbric, organic cotton, which are Australian made and designed. Beach Organic spices had a beautiful stall, filled with organic aromatics such as curries, peppers, vanilla beans, hand harvested salts, cinnamon and the like. I walked away with the dried tumeric slices (for curries, stir fry and dressings), black pepper (smells AMAZING) and the tumeric infused coconut sugar (divine). The rest of the time I walked around the stalls and listened to the bands play, it was a perfect afternoon.



Cinnamon infused Coconut Sugar



Beach Organics- spices from Heaven!





Tumeric infused Coconut Sugar

 Love
Ulyana...

Week 2 Yoga November



Couldn't resist  a picture of the sky.... beauiful day


Monday: Cutest thing happened! I was in the middle of my sun salutations and while in downward dog I noticed out the corner of my eye, the tiniest, bright green caterpillar! So small, I'm surprised he even caught my eye in the dim lighting. He's a lucky thing because I finished my yoga and took him outside where he belonged. Besides that I'm happy to be drama free this morning. Yoga keeps my feet firmly planted, while everything else seems to whizz by. Namaste.

Tuesday: A very therapeutic day for me. I started the day with Art Therapy. I hadn't had a session with my therapist for over a year and while reflecting my progress I realised I am a completely different person to who I was back then. 1.5 years ago, I was in a different place, my my how far we come and how much better do we get! Well, that's the plan  ;) One day I hope to do a course, just for myself...

I've been doing a lot of back bends, which naturally strengthen your lower back and I can feel some mild discomfort. I was thinking this morning "oh hmmm maybe I should hold back or something, I don't want to get arthritis". My lovely art therapist brought to my attention that since when does yoga do that?!? Crazy fear based thought. I guess I treat many people with lower back issues, likely from not ENOUGH yoga, or exercise for that matter.


Wednesday: It's getting easier to wake up in the mornings. After yoga I made an AMAZING new juice concoction. It's very simple but it works! I took a risk and juiced a big stalk of fresh aloe (the dark green variety), 1/2 a lemon, added a tablespoon of MSM (organic sulphur) powder and a shot of birch juice by Weleda (the Elixir range). It didn't look great but not the worst, I diluted it with water, contemplated adding stevia.... and sipped it slowly. Surprisingly very refreshing! A touch slimy because of the aloe but I'll keep this little ritual up for a while, see if I start turning green. Outdoor personal training session after lunch today.

Thursday: Recovery from the trainer! Mild yoga session, clearly my flexibility has been restricted! Taking it in my stride. I made another aloe juice and this time with mint and ginger added- eeek, it has to be good for me! The reward was a super yum blackberry- vanilla smoothie



Blackberry & Vanilla Smoothie

Smoothie...
Black berries (frozen organic)
Chia seed
Sun Warrior protein powder (I'm convinced is the BEST protein powder on the planet)
Handful of parsley (for extra green goodness)
Maca
Vanilla bean
Pinch of stevia
Water

My thought for the day... the restrictions and closed doors in life are as important as the progressions. Going with the flow is about allowing the stops as well as the starts; this to me Universal Divine Timing.

We think we know better but we really don't. My babushka always tells me of a story when the war ended and she was at a camp in Germany. As soon as the news was heard, thousands of people wanted to return and they did, only to be shot dead by their own for being "traitors" (even though it was the Germans that took them- go figure?!? Say no to crazy politicians). She had wanted to go so badly and had many reasons to, family, a child she left to her sister and she became so sick she was hospitalised and she missed her opportunity. My babushka, a Taurean, who survived war, starvation etc is no shrinking violet but she was ill and was so distraught over being held back. She is also religious and at that moment questioned why God would do that to her. Sometimes we really want something, sometimes we think it's for the best. My thought for the day is go with the flow more and allow life to guide you a little. Make choices, for sure but see which doors open and which ones shut. The easier you flow the less the shut doors will rock your ego.

Friday: Ouchy today, my hip flexors are tight. It seems to me strength training is counter productive to yoga. I feel I'm starting from the beginning again!

Saturday: Again rigid from training and traditionally I'm not supposed to do any yoga for a couple days (wink wink). So no inversions and focussing on restoration and flexibility because I seem to have taken a step backward. Happy it's Saturday : )

Sunday: Tired waking up today. Walked the dogs and started on my yoga except noticed my right hip flexor is quite painful. I wasn't able to do what I'd like to have and will finish the day off with lots of stretches and some meditation. Right now, I'm off to the Vegan Festival ...

My jeans have no power over me!

Random thought for the day....

A pair of jeans is the best and worst thing in our wardrobe. They have the ability to make us feel amazing and have total body confidence yet if they're too tight... panic! I hear about my sister go on about her "skinny" jeans, fitting into them or not. I've seen her mood change in seconds because of those threads...

A pair of jeans can make or break your day. Instead of burning bras, we should be burning our jeans! If women knew then that liberating themselves and activating feminism that generations of women since then would have a love- hate relationship with the pants they fought so hard to wear. Maybe they would have rethought that; if they knew low- rise, skinny and super skinny jeans were going to become fashionable and literally challenge the self esteem of their daughters, and their daughters daughters.

Ok, I'm being dramatic but my point is, jeans are an deceptive fashion item and not to give them any more attention than any iten of clothing. I don't get miffed if my jeans are too tight, I get to work. I lose the sneaky food habits (we all know what they are) and take on more movement and more "me" time.

Sneaky food habits to avoid
* Eating at night or too much for dinner
* Dairy, red meat and pasta
* Overly cooked food
* Anything processed, flavours, colours, additives or preservatives added
* Alcohol

Daily movement
* Must be consistent, a small amount every day is more affective than longer bouts less often
* Strength training with a trainer
* Yoga, pilates or core work
* Daily walking, hiking, swimming
* Zumba if you fancy it
* Gym
* Take the stairs

Me time
* Sleep more
* Less social activity
* Meditate
* Make time to think or journal, get creative
* Massage, spa treatments, acupuncture or other body work

Food habits to embrace
* Organic food
* Daily serving of leafy greens
* Fresh juices and green smoothies
* Simpler meals and food combinations
* Water
* Whole grains
* Green tea and other herbals
* Fermented foods

Affirmation: My jeans have no power over me!

Love
Ulyana...

Week 1 Yoga November

Monday: I havent started as fresh as I'd like to have... In my enthusiasm I decided to start early and with gusto. Too many inverted postures (Shoulderstand, Wheel, Downward Dog) left me with blood shot eyes and a dizzy feeling for the rest of the day. Still feeling flakey so yoga today is about restoration. I even copped a bruised, cut elbow and donk to the head. I'll be fine tomorow.

It only just occured to me (through a client, the best way to learn!) that I'm already detoxing. The foggy, cold feeling and bad sleep, vivid dreams etc are all signs of detox. The dreams could be part of the Halloween energy that just happened. Interesting start.

Tuesday: Feeling MUCH better though my yoga form wasn't so perfect. I started judging myself but accepted it as it was. My body has a long way to go! I looked at it and thought, so much potential! Why didn't I do this sooner?
Finished off with the 5 Tibetan Rites. These are 5 ancient Tibetan yoga exercises for anti aging and rejuvenation. You can download a free ebook via the link. I got onto these a couple years ago and I really like them. They are simple and effective and I use them daily. The story behind it is interesting.

Wednesday: Feeling even better today! I'm sore in all the right areas and yoga practice showed some progress. I noticed there is inbalance between the right and left sides of the body, this is normal but it's something I'd like to pay more attention to correcting. My left side needs more work and my core does too.
On a different level I'm noticing various thoughts, trying to deter me from my commitment.

Thursday: Starting to feel a lull again, the natural mid to late week lull. Yoga was very good again this morning, I notice I am better after a walk, first thing. It seems to flow better. A walk then yoga and then I start my day. All Ok though, feeling good about my yoga goal.

Friday: Always love Fridays! Today is no exception. My Tibetan Rites, a walk and my yoga practice, which again was succesful except I'm really noticing my left side. Also, I'm developing awareness of "stuff" that comes up (thoughts, images, feelings) during a posture, which normally I wouldn't notice. I think it's encourgaing more consistent awareness, so I'm now conscious of allowing myself to acknowledge this "stuff". Sometimes I listen and breathe through it and sometimes it's more stubborn. It fascinates me.

Saturday: The morning is better for standing postures and balancing and the evening is best for flexibility and meditation. This morning I was tired and I went to bed early, had good sleep but I felt I needed more. My body is "good" sore and no doubt healing.  Something else I'm noticing that daily yoga helps is regulate my sleep cycle. I have always been a light sleeper and I'm consistently restless before bed. My mind is quite active and prevents me from settling down. I've only had one restless night this week! Let's hope this continues. Besides that I was doing some reading on my comp and came across this girl's story . It's very sad, be grateful for everything you have, fate can be cruel sometimes.

Sunday: Meditation and yoga was again very good, I'm seeing natural progression. Wondering how I'll react to a plateau? I have a house visit for acupuncture treatment today. Had a couple pictures taken for curiosity's sake and I am critisizing myself! Not as much over fom etc but how I look! The dreaded comparison. I should be this way and look that way etc etc. Now I MUST post them if only to change my own perception and quiet the critical inner voice...




Ustrasana- Camel Pose 




Urdhva Dhanurasana- Upward Bow


 


Natarajasana- Dancer's Pose

 




Virabhadrasana I- Warrior Pose I (with back bend)

   
 Well that's week 1 done! Looking forward to week 2....

 





 

Yoga Detox November

Picture from yoga-photos. So beautiful.

If you weren't aware yet, recently I have been studying a yoga course- a yoga diploma to be exact! This is not a 2 week intensive course, as tempting as it sounded, I chose the longer road where theory, history, meditation and spiritual integration are as important as the physical yoga practice. This course is absolutely fascinating but it is a lot of work and demands a lot of my energy outside of work. As the saying goes, you get out what you put in...

Every year I do a detox, some more intense than others and I'd have to say diet wise I eat ideally most of the time. This is normally as a Summer preparation, to be super healthy by Christmas. This year I've decided to do a Yoga Detox. My theory is I eat so well all of the time and the next level is fasting, which I'm not in real need for. Instead I'll be committing myself to yoga everyday, focussing on core strength, flexibility, grounding and mind/ body integration. My normal yoga routine is 1 hour 3 or 4 times a week but for the month of November I'll be doing an hour a day, every day.

Seane Corn's Detox Flow Yoga A Guided Practice to Purify Body, Mind, and Spirit, is my source of inspiration and what I'll be referring to a lot throughout the month. 

How does yoga detoxify?
On a physical level yoga like all exercise stimulates the circulation of blood and Qi/ Prana/ Life force, "switches" on certain organs and glands, moves the lymphatic system, improves the respiratory function and encourages waste flow out of the body but that's not REALLY what yoga is about. Yoga is about becoming one with yourself and the universe, to not identify with your mind/ ego, to discover who you are and be at peace with that and everything else. Consistent yoga practice will calm the mind and consequencely stabilise the emotions.

We can say this is a "karmic" detox, let me explain how...
                                                                                                                                                                   
Yoga and Vegetarianism by Sharon Gannon
"Karma means "action" and includes every thought, word, and deed we have done."
In my words Karma is experience.

"We energetically relive past karmic experiences that have been stored in the cells and tissues of our physical body."
Everything we have experienced is brought to consciousness, up to the surface through yoga postures.

"Our bodies don't lie: they tell the story of our past."
Our karma is part of our cellular memory. It's what makes us who we are and is never forgotten, perhaps it becomes a part of our DNA.

"For something to be a yoga practice, it must help us purify these karmas"
If we have stored all of our experiences in our body then we can use the body, by practicing yoga, to make peace with our karmic experiences. No more skeletons in the closet...

"While we are engaged in certain asanas, particular physical and mental feelings arise. These feelings provide valuable insight into the nature of our personality- self."
 As the karma is released we feel it, learn from it and let it go and become more "enlightened" or aware.


By the way, "Yoga and Vegetarianism" has a cute and quirky cover but don't be fooled by the pretty girl on the front (I was!). Sharon Gannon, a long term vegan, speaks about the ethics of using animal products, the exploitation, history and the reality of today's animal product industry in the name of fashion, health, politics, science and survival. I admit that one part brought tears to my eyes and I had to put the book down!

Why am I doing this?
My intention is to commit more to my health (yes!) but also in dedication to clearing some karma. 30 days of yoga to "detoxify" myself on every level and to see where a fully practicing yogini lifestyle could take me. Will I gain more insight into myself or my life? Besides firmer thighs and sparkly eyes, what else will reveal itself to me?
I'd like to motivate anyone else who reads my blog to consider doing something similar. Commit to your health for the month of November. It can be a small goal such as a daily walk, a freshly squeezed vegetable/ fruit juice or 10 minutes of solitude/ meditation/ "me" time. Make one thing happen this month for an hour a day to honour your health.

What will I be doing exactly?
1. An hour's yoga practice a day (minimum)...
It doesn't seem like much but I have to work, rest, study and play still PLUS my sister is getting married this month and I still need to keep up the commitments I have to everything else.

2. Weekly journal...
To reflect on how I'm feeling; what I'm looking like and what I've been doing. As long as it's somewhat interesting, I'll post it.

3. Final yoga sequence... my take on the month and what I've achieved.

4. Karmic detox completed : )

What's in my shopping basket?

I'm a fan of organics and most of my weekly shopping is at the organic markets/ shops around Adelaide. My favourite for groceries is The Stirling Organic Market and Cafe, the produce is awesome and I enjoy the drive. The green section is what keeps me going back... plus the hippy, little cafe section serves great food. The menu never changes and it's always busy.

My shopping list updates itself regularly, depending on season, new information and availability but this is what it's looking like this week...

Jasmine and green Qi tea
Biodynamic eggs (very happy chickens)
Paris Creek raw milk (very happy cows)
Raw honey by the Honey Lady in Willunga (Yum!)
Loving Earth chocolate
Fresh greens, pink lady apples, bananas, cabbage, chillies, sweet potato, cucmber, capscium, almonds, durian, coconut, buckwheat and muesli

This is a good range of foods to make salad, soups, breakfasts, smoothies, desserts and snacks... easy!

Sometimes I go to the Vietnamese grocer in the Adelaide Central Markets. Loads of conventional greens, teas, condiments and weird food products I wouldn't know what to do with! My visit here is because I'm searching for durian, my Babushka has lost her sense of smell, so this fruit works for her. Also, the young Thai coconuts I plan on experimenting with to make kefir (may do a post on this experiement later).

My last stop is to pick up things I can't get from the markets ie hair ties, tissues etc at the local supermarket. It's interesting to note in recent years just how many Woolies brand products are on the shelves. Less choice means less competition and more control over price. I always avoid the plain labels as much as I can. Not only that but let's compare the quality of food they offer...

Wheat flour (bleached), iodised salt, soya flour (possibly genetically modifed, it doesn't say so otherwise), added vitamins and preservatives... yum???

I like how the packaging is so convincing, this product also has additives...

Oh this one peeves me! So fresh looking but lacking in quality. You can't compare this tea ...

to this tea...

I understand we all have bills to pay but put it in perspective. Value what you put into your body as much as what you wear, the cosmetics you use, the investments you own and the people you spend most of your time with. What you do now matters.

Best Chai comes from Bliss...

My favourite organic, veggo, healthy hang-out is Bliss Organic Garden Cafe, located on Compton Street, (just off Gouger) near the Adelaide Central Markets. It's family owned, locally sourced and sustained, environmentally conscious and a very cool place to eat at.


Bliss Chai...

They offer awesome food all organic vegan, cooked or raw, seasonal, healthy or indulgent and have the BEST chai in Adelaide. Also, if I'm not mistaken at the moment it's the only place in Adelaide that makes a green smoothie. It's laid back and has the cutest tea garden out the back. Perfect for a lazy brunch, lunch or tea catch up. These guys sell t-shirts, music, raw chocolate, supplements, healthy snacks and books and there is a yoga studio right next door. Bliss yes??

Tea garden...

Bliss also offers "raw" and gluten-free options on their menu (check out their food pics). If you want to eat somewhere and still feel like your belly loves you then choose from this menu, it's guaranteed to make you feel BETTER than when you came in. I've always noticed that no matter how "light" a meal I order from conventional cafes, I always end up feeling a bit bloated. My own home-made meals make me feel healthier, yet they contain mostly the same ingredients hmmm? Delicious food, made by someone else and makes you feel good. I'm a picky eater and that's a win-win for me!

I really want those t-shirts... mental note, pick up next time!

These guys are big on health and stock quite a few superfoods, ask them how to incorporate it into your diet... they'll be happy to help.


Organic goji berries...

This coconut butter is SO good!



Vanilla pods...



Kitchen staple...

South Australian made raw chocolate, this is gorgeous, handmade chocolate.... 

Make time to visit Bliss when you want healthy inspiration and have a beautiful day!

It's been a while and I'm SORRY!

I'm human and not a super hero, so I haven't posted. Luckily, it's well and truly Spring and being the season for growth and new beginnings, it has inspired me to do a little writing...

It seems we've had a long winter and now a little bit of sun to warm up our days and perk up our moods. Originally, this post was about "Beating the Mid-Winter Blues". It was going to be about how important the sun is for our health and wellbeing... It's obviously too late for that now, maybe next year ; )

This post is a review on "Naked Beauty" by Shakaya Leone, who has just launched the website Earth Empress. I love it! It's filled with practical information, recipes and ways to transform yourself from the inside out  physically and spiritually (the only way to do so, if you ask me). This book is all about cultivating self-love and it's written with passion. Shakaya lives her truth and has lovingly put it all into a book. It is very inspiring for all women.

The book is scattered with quotes and poetry on beauty, which is uplifting. I'm always looking for quotes on life, love, beauty, wisdom and the like but there are sections that will challenge your thinking. Perhaps not all of it is for me but I'm certainly interested in having a read of it. Shakaya also provides historical content from famous beauties like Cleopatra and also a beauty perspective from around the globe, East to West.

Her approach is based on a raw vegan diet, filled with copious greens, fresh fruit and superfoods, healthy oils and hydrating juices, elixirs and smoothies. Even if you follow around 80% of the ideas she expresses you can only benefit from it. Expect to have better hair, skin, nails and an inner glow that cannot go unnoticed.

My favourite chapter is "Goddess Soups and Fairy Teas" which are all natural, do-it-yourself recipes for Spa baths and body polishes. Mermaid's Oceania Detox Bath and One-Hot-Minute Neroli Body Oil are SO nice! The beauty of bathing and anointing yourself with body oils is gauranteed to make yourself feel and look like a Goddess.

Remember, now is the time to change what we've been eating. Increasing the proportion of lighter, greener, fresher and fruitier meals to the heavier Wintery ones will do wonders to your digestive system. Increase your fluids and improve your exercise regime. There are no excuses now, the sun is coming out so get intune with the season!