Can healthy food make you happy? Or, can happy people make the foods we eat healthier?When I think about these questions in relation to the upcoming holiday season,it seems obvious that eating steamed veggies over brown rice, although healthy, wouldn’t be as festive as a big holiday dinner with all the fixings. But what if that same big holiday dinner, with all the potatoes and gravy, when prepared with love and positive intention could be just as nourishing?

On my recent retreat to Costa Rica, I had a huge “ah-ha” moment about food, people and celebration. We stayed at a beautiful yoga retreat centre where the majority of the foods were grown on the property and every dish was made from scratch and with love. The wonderful Marie, who cooked for more than 15 people every day, always had a smile on her face. Cooking for others and providing them with beautiful and delicious food seemed to give her such joy and true happiness. She apeared to be celebrating life and nourishment through her cooking. I couldn’t help but feel that the meals I was eating were filled with her positive energy and love. And without realizing it, I was saying YES to dessert more than I normally would.

The food was delicious and nourishing, and I set an intention to embrace that sense of happiness and positivity when I returned home to cook for myself and my family. And I have to admit I am not the best cook, nor is it one of my favorite things to do, however when I changed my perspective and gently reminded myself why I was preparing a meal – to nourish and sustain a healthy body – the finished product started to taste better, leaving me feeling full and satisfied.

So this holiday season when the stress of preparing meals in celebration seems like more hassle than reward, I invite you to set a new intention of health and happiness while when you prepare your holiday meals. Adding in fresh and locally grown produce doesn’t hurt either. Think of all the positive energy a local farmer puts in to growing food for your holiday table. Embrace all the positive aspects of preparing food for nourishment and happiness, and notice how much more tasty and filling your meals will be. And if you are looking for a quick fix in the kitchen, I’ve included a simple and healthy recipe for avocado vinaigrette to pour over fresh green salad or steamed veggies. It’s a household favorite that is super nutritious and delicious!

Avocado Vinaigrette

• 1 avocado
• 2 Tbsp lemon juice
• 2 Tbsp water
• 1 clove garlic
• Pinch of cayenne, salt and pepper to taste

Blend all ingredients until smooth. Pour over mixed greens or veggies.

Adrienne Kelly-Durys is a Certified Nutritional Practitioner, 500Hr RYT and lover of feeling good in mind and body. She teaches Yoga and wellness classes at Balanced Life Yoga and specializes in detoxing and nourishment. Classes include Power Hour Yoga, Core Yoga and Strength Therapy, Power Hour +Bonus and Holistic Nutritional Consulting.

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Body Images and Our Relationships by Sarah Maria

Have you ever hid under the bed covers, not wanting your lover to see you? Or have you cringed at the thought of seeing yourself in the bathroom mirror? Were you competitive with your siblings or your parents about the size of your body? Has anyone you love, has anyone close to you, been judgmental about your body? Are you, or have you ever been, in a relationship where your lover didn’t like your body?

Using Your Mind to Help Heal Body, Heart and Soul by Sarah Maria

You probably know what it takes to live a healthy life, right?  Eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, exercise regularly, take vitamins – maybe add in some fish oil for cardiovascular health.  Make sure you get enough protein, carbohydrates, and lean fats.  Fortunately for many, healthy eating and exercise have become more and more a way of life.  You know the list of do’s and don’ts to keep your body strong and fit.

Every action that humans undertake causes a similar action elsewhere and we are in the midst of a very important moment in history, that is a moment of waking up – a moment of deep inner transformation.

The externals of the world—if you believe that the externals are external—meaning what you see around you, will reflect that back to you. I call this a mirror, a beautiful mirror. You see, if we just look at the mirror and don’t really go deeper than the reflection of this picture that we’re seeing from the mirror and just watch the mirror, then it’s like a theatre. This is karma. The theatre carries on forever and ever and ever. The theatre doesn’t stop. The play keeps going because it’s fed by its own energy and so, the volcano happens and then the earthquake happens, and then other things happen.

I believe that all these things are of course happening on the outside so that we look deep into the mirror, we look deeper into the picture and ask, “What is really being reflected back at humanity?” Because of course we are one. Humanity is you and you are humanity.

What is being reflected back at me? We realise that the way we have lived, meaning the way we utilise our mind and our emotions, needs a radical shift. All those people, those religious leaders, economic leaders and manipulators, brainwashers, those greedy people, selfish people, don’t need to criticise themselves and feel guilty. They need to look deeper into the mirror and ask themselves, “What am I seeing here? What is being reflected back at me?” Wow . . .To do that is quite a revolution. It’s quite a big, big, step. It sounds very simple but it’s a very, very big step for most people because to step out of what we know is to step into what we don’t know and no-one wants to step into what they don’t know. We refrain from doing this and we remain in the chaos but the chaos around us will only accelerate.

I say this not to sound like some sort of person who’s talking about the doom and gloom that may happen in the future. I’m saying this just so that we can put things into perspective and we can understand how karma creates realities.

You—and I mean you who are listening today to what I’m saying, and people understanding the meaning of what I’m saying—have a choice. You have freedom.

You are not as brainwashed as you believe yourself to be. That picture is not as solid and permanent as you may feel or may think or may sense it to be. You are actually much more free at this moment than ever before. You can take that step into the unknown and that step requires trust, but it also requires you to be a little bit of a rebel. Then you can join me and I’m not feeling alone in my rebellious behaviour. You can join me and begin to question all those things that seem so solid and so permanent. Rather than get lost and distressed into the picture that is being reflected back at you, go deeper beyond and behind the picture that is being created. Go so that you can actually see the energy that is being put out so that it reflects back to you this picture that you believe to be reality.

Technorati Tags: 2012, awareness, love, Meditation, peace, Spirituality, Tony Samara, yoga

Neesha Zollinger introduces us to a few Ayurvedic self care practices to keep us feeling and looking our best.

Fleeting Light: The High Desert and the Geminid Meteor Shower from Henry Jun Wah Lee on Vimeo.

A film shot in the High Desert of California — the Alabama Hills, Eastern Sierras, Mount Whitney, and Joshua Tree — during the Geminid Meteor Shower.

Technorati Tags: appearance, body, body image, bodyproud, conscious creation, healthy body image, Heart, inspiration, Inspire, love, mind body connection, Motivate, personal development, Personal Growth, self esteem, self help, self love, self-discovery, Spirit

With the recent all-time highs for heat and humidity, sunburn is not the only danger that can affect the skin. Since the skin is actually the largest organ in the body, dehydration and the subsequent loss of vitamins and minerals can have a profound effect on how well our skin shows signs of ageing and damage. Here are some delicious and simple ways to help keep your skin safe, healthy and radiant all summer long:

1. Drink a full glass of water first thing in the morning to wake you up! Then continue drinking 8-10 glasses of fresh water throughout the day. This will help to hydrate your cells and your skin, but also ensures you are flushing out toxins that can have a negative effect on the overall look and feel of your skin. You can sweeten the deal by adding fresh berries to your water as you sip throughout the day.
2. Eat plenty of brightly coloured fruits throughout the day including fresh berries, peaches, pears, apples and watermelon. These delicious summer fruits will help keep you hydrated while also providing minerals that are lost through perspiration as well as important antioxidants that reduce free-radical damage to the skin.
3. Healthy fats keep the skin hydrated and protect you from early ageing and wrinkles. Try adding healthy fats from avocados, fresh grilled fish on the BBQ and olive oil in your salads.
4. Consuming loads of dark leafy greens and bright orange veggies like peppers and carrots provides the essential vitamin A thatcan improve wrinkles from natural ageing and also promotes the production of skin building compounds to help repair skin from sun damage.
5. Nobody can resist fresh mangos in the summer…not only is this fruit delicious and cooling, but it is also rich in carotene andessential B-vitamins that are water-soluble and lost through perspiration in the heat. When used for external skin care, mango can relieve irritations, peeling, heals chapped skin and protects the skin from adverse environmental conditions. Try using the whole mango fruit in a salad and your normal skin-care routine:

Summer Mango Salad

4 medium mangos, peeled, seeded and cubed

¼ cup fresh lime juice

2 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil

1 Tbsp. red pepper flakes

2 Tbsp. fresh chopped cilantro

2 Tbsp. fresh chopped shallots

¼ cup unsalted cashews to garnish (optional)

Place mango cubes in a serving bowl. In a separate bowl whisk together lime juice and olive oil. Season with red pepper flakes and shallots. Whisk briefly then pour over mangos. Stir to coat, then cover and refrigerate about 30 minutes to blend the flavours before serving. Garnish with cashews if desired.

Mango for Skin Care

Keep the skin of the mango from your mango salad and rub the face skin with the mango rind. Wait for 15 minutes and then gently rinse the face with cool water. Notice how this helps to soften and moisturize the face naturally!

Balanced Life Yoga is now offering Holistic Nutritional Consulting with Adrienne.

Book your appointment today and start making vibrant health a habit!

Adrienne Kelly-Durys

Adrienne Kelly-Durys is a Certified Nutritional Practitioner, 500Hr RYT and lover of feeling good in mind and body. She teaches Yoga and wellness classes at Balanced Life Yoga and specializes in detoxing and nourishment. Classes include Power Hour Yoga, Power Yoga Vibe, Power Hour +Bonus and Holistic Nutritional Consulting

Technorati Tags: healthy summer skin, skin remedies, summer skin care

Nothing Precious, documentary from iyvone khoo on Vimeo.

Documentary about the creation of the `Tibetan Sand Mandala’ by Monks of the Tashi Lhunpo Monastery.

First, I go to the store to find the products that are on sale.  Many of the items I use include:  produce, essential oils, honey, and herbs. When added to yogurt or other dairy products, they make luxurious facial cleansers and bathtub additions, not to mention your skin benefits by looking its best!

Here are some simple products you can create at home using everyday ingredients…ENJOY!

Ingredient list~

• whole milk yogurt
• lavender essential oil
• sweet orange essential oil
• cucumbers
• lemon
• flowers from the garden
• used black tea bags
• oats or packets of 100% colloidal oatmeal
• corn Starch
• heavy cream
• aloe vera gel
• dried mint
• small containers

Recipes~

1. Light Cleansing Milk (all skin types) — In a small container mix plain yogurt & water (equal parts)  A few drops of lavender and a light squeeze of lemon.  Refrigerate.  It keeps in the refrigerator for 1 week.  You may add minty herbs or leaves of the lavender plant to infuse the cleansing milk, but be sure to strain them out after 1 day in the refrigerator.
2. Essential Wake Up — Place a few drops of essential oil such as lavender in a cool sink of water.  You may also add flowers to infuse the water with their healing properties.  Take a wash cloth and drench it.  Pat your face gently with the cool wet wash cloth.  This is also nice if you have a headache.  For headaches I like to use a mixture of lavender and rose essential oils.
3. Refreshing Body Powder — Add sweet orange essential oil to cornstarch and you have a wonderful foot and body powder.  Add a few drops to a small container and mix with your fingers.
4. Cream Oatmeal Bath — You can buy a generic 100% natural colloidal oatmeal soothing bath treatment (also made by Aveeno) or you can grind oats in a blender, and mix it with the heavy cream/essential oil blend.  This is great for skin rashes. Add lavender and sweet orange essential oils to about 1 cup of heavy cream and pour into the tub water, with the oats.  You may also add flowers from the garden to infuse the water.  I personally love rose petals.  CAUTION:  Be careful.  The tub can become very slippery with the oats!  Otherwise, this is an amazing treatment for the body skin.
5. Healing gels & Compresses — You can add lavender to many things to increase its healing power.  If you have a burn try adding a few drops of lavender to the aloe and the skin will be instantly soothed.  If you burn your skin with a curling iron, for example, add cold water to a cotton pad with a drop of lavender and hold it on the burn until the sting disappears.
6. No more tired/puffy eyes! Use refrigerated used black tea bags on your eyes for about ten minutes or chilled cucumbers may help as well.
7. Insect bites- Put 1 drop of lavender directly on the bug bite.

**Always seek a physicians opinion when starting something new for the body.

**Less is more with essential oils.  They are very concentrated and the drops should be counted.  Never use them directly on the skin, except for lavender.  Lavender is one of the only essential oils you can use that way. Always be careful not to get them in the eyes.

Technorati Tags: body, essential oils, healing, lavender, natural, rose, Summer, well being

Phoenix Dust Storm (Haboob) Timelapse July 5, 2011 from Blaine Coury on Vimeo.

Taken from a hill at Sun Ray park in Ahwatukee (Phoenix), Arizona.

Have you ever hid under the bed covers, not wanting your lover to see you?

Or have you cringed at the thought of seeing yourself in the bathroom mirror?

Were you competitive with your siblings or your parents about the size of your body?

Has anyone you love, has anyone close to you, been judgmental about your body?

Are you, or have you ever been, in a relationship where your lover didn’t like your body?

The fact of the matter is that our bodies and how we feel about our bodies and ourselves can dramatically impact our relationships, either for good or for bad.

Here are some of the ways that Negative Body Obsession can adversely affect your relationships.

• Your lover finds you attractive, but you can’t believe him or her.  You are too concerned about how you look, and unable to enjoy the love that is being given to you.  Without realizing it, you push the other person away and over time destroy the relationship.
• Your beliefs about being unattractive unconsciously lead you to pick a partner who reinforces your low self-esteem and negative self talk.  You find yourself stuck in a negative relationships and are unsure of how to break free.
• You are alone and long for love, intimacy, and connection.  You have been listening to the lies of Negative Body Obsession, which has kept you isolated and alone.

There are an endless number of scenarios and examples, but the simple fact is that if you are living in the trap of NBO, you are unable to connect with other people for real.  The beautiful, amazing fact, however, is that true intimacy and connection are available.  No matter what your size, shape, condition, or anything else, you can enjoy deep love and sharing.  But this is only possible if you learn how to ignore the lies that say you and your body are not quite good enough.

If you have lived a life listening to Negative Body Obsession, you truly do not know the relating that is possible to enjoy with other people.  Negative Body Obsession acts as a true barrier.  Insecurity and negative self-talk truly make it impossible to enjoy the love that is available.  Even if you are involved in many relationships with different people, if you are listening to your negative thoughts and beliefs, they are preventing you from truly connecting.

It is imperative that you understand the cost of entertaining your negative beliefs.  The inability to truly connect with other human beings, the inability to truly relate, is a huge cost.  I recall a spiritual teacher once saying that love is food for the soul.  Just as our body needs fuel to survive, so our soul needs love to survive.  Now, you can live off of a meager diet, lacking in vitamins and minerals, devoid of nutritional content, and you will probably survive.  But will you thrive?  In order to thrive, you need a diet that is nourishing and health promoting.  So it is with your human relationships and interactions. Are your relationships truly nourishing you?  Are they  supplying you with the deep love, connection, and intimacy that feeds your soul?

If you are living with Negative Body Obsession, or negative beliefs about yourself, the answer is no.  The answer has to be “no” because these negative beliefs are making you unavailable to enjoy what may be right in front of you.  They are acting as a shield, blocking out the love that is possible for a human life.

If you long for love in your life, for the true enjoyment that comes from sharing yourself with other people, make a commitment to yourself to finally break free from your negative beliefs about your body and yourself.  When you turn your back on Negative Body Obsession, with its never-ending lies and delusions, you open yourself up to a life that is richer than your wildest dreams.

If you are finally ready to end the negative self-talk and enjoy the relationships you long for, register for our September call on Body-image and Relationships.  Join me and well-known author and relationship expert Lissa Coffey for 60 minutes dedicated to helping you transform and discover the love that is always available when you allow it.

Technorati Tags: body image, relationship