The trouble with sugar: Join the first “Dump Sugar Day”

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Calling anything toxic is a strong word, but doctors like Lustig are regarding sugar as an addictive, disease-forming substance that should be regulated in our foods. They have observed that a high concentration of fructose (fruit sugar specifically) is the culprit behind major lifestyle health issues like heart disease, accelerated aging, and may even spread cancer cells. This link is still being studied (enormous quantities of fructose are given to rats) and poses a political issue (corn in HFCS is subsidized and sweetens most of commercial foods today!) But the connection has to do with how the body metabolizes fructose, which happens mostly in the liver.

“We love refined sugar; we love the hit. It’s like a drug that works in the reward area of the brain, like cocaine and alcohol.” Michael Pollan . . . → Read More: The trouble with sugar: Join the first “Dump Sugar Day”

Sustainable Food recipes: Veggie BLT

Veggie "BLT"

Here’s an easy plant-based recipe I wanted to share that I make often, a Veggie BLT that’s really a TKT – Tempeh Kale Tomato sandwich to substitute the traditional fatty, nutritionally lame bacon, lettuce, and tomato. I hope you try it! . . . → Read More: Sustainable Food recipes: Veggie BLT

Get a “Clean Start” for spring with Terry Walters’ inspiring recipes

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What immediately drew me to Terry’s Clean Start and Clean Food books was the medicinal food factor in her recipes. (See her Super Strengthening Stew full of both sea and root veggies, with daikon: “Nutritional Heavyhitters”) The books are divided by seasons, with great instructions for stocking your kitchen right, a glossary to learn your ingredients, and tips for eating well.The gorgeous photos exemplifying recipes with short ingredient lists make both books that much more attractive. Enter here to win Clean Start! . . . → Read More: Get a “Clean Start” for spring with Terry Walters’ inspiring recipes

Great workout clothes for women with proceeds to good causes

Empowering image from Athleta

Athleta sells unique, travel-friendly, cute clothing for running, outdoors, and yoga for active women. The brand philosophy empowering women (visit the Chi blog), the beautiful images of fitness models who actually have a yoga practice, as well as the high quality fabric clothing all lured me in to join their Sales team. Our customers range from teachers who travel throughout the world every summer, to ones who race cars for a living in the Sahara Desert! This Thursday through Sunday, you can save up to 30% off when you visit either the site or store itself, as well as other Gap-owned stores using my employee Give and Get code! Your spending benefits my organization of choice: World Wildlife Foundation. Five percent of what you spend will go to save tigers and other environmental causes. . . . → Read More: Great workout clothes for women with proceeds to good causes

Rest in peace, my yoga teachers

In an open letter on the It’s Yoga website, Larry shared his vision for teaching:

“There is nothing more satisfying to me as a teacher than to watch the glow with which people arise from Savasana. Often people walk into It’s Yoga with worry, stress and tiredness written all over their faces but when they leave, they show the effects of Ashtanga Yoga: they feel better and look better, lighter, freer, more relaxed and energized. This is why to me, teaching Ashtanga Yoga is a kind of self-realization; every time I lead class I, as a teacher, grow and express the insights of my own yoga. I see people take in the practice from various different angles and develop, change and transcend their limitations, realize their possibilities.” . . . → Read More: Rest in peace, my yoga teachers

Celebrate love with a creative spirit

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I understand that like so many holidays, Valentine’s Day has this air of commercialism and can be a sucky reminder for people hurting, or in between relationships. But I’m all for celebrating love, even for oneself, and doing it on our own terms, aren’t you? To me it can mean so many things. . . . → Read More: Celebrate love with a creative spirit

More music in our yoga

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At the start of the new year, the NY Times featured an article on the growing presence of music in yoga classes. I know it makes a difference for me to have well selected tracks. The right song can create such a mood, whether contemplative or just playful and fun. At Laughing Lotus, teachers . . . → Read More: More music in our yoga

Reduce the gluten in your diet and feel better

root veggies from Dulcedo blog

Many people also say, “well we’ve eating wheat for thousands of years, so what’s the problem”? Due to the genetic modification of wheat, its chemical structure has been altered, resulting in significantly higher gluten content. One reason is that gluten gives bread a spongy, soft texture which is desirable to consumers. That glue-like texture may be tasty but is harmful to the human body. Gluten has now been linked to headaches, anxiety, autism, brain fog, digestive diseases, bloating, gas, osteoporosis, arthritis, muscle weakness, heart disease, fibromyalgia, eczema, psoriasis, and many other chronic illnesses. If you are experiencing any of these illnesses or symptoms, you may want to go gluten free. . . . → Read More: Reduce the gluten in your diet and feel better

Win 2 tickets to “2012:Time for a Change” film

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Featuring eclectic music, engaging animation, and interesting interviews with prominent “luminaries,” it’s more a whole sensory experience. Luminaries include celebrities from Sting, Ellen Page, and David Lynch who delve into permaculture and meditation, to mycologist Paul Stamets and Penny Livingston-Stark, in search of a higher consciousness in the midst of our global crisis. . . . → Read More: Win 2 tickets to “2012:Time for a Change” film

Win tickets to Acroyoga Festival performances

2008 Vera Acroyoga 9-6-2008 12-16-14 PM

No wonder people’s Acroyoga tweets use words like “yummy” and “playful.” By now, Acroyoga followers inhabit “every continent other than Antartica,” according to Jason. In the U.S., classes span from Puerto Rico, to Texas, to Alaska. In Europe, it’s particularly taken off in Germany and Holland. Partnering in inversions and acrobatics takes away the seriousness found in many yoga classes.”We’re continually amazed at how the practice transforms people,” says Jason. . . . → Read More: Win tickets to Acroyoga Festival performances