Saturday, April 30, 2011

WANTED

- dry weather for Race Day.
Tomorrow morning is the 10 K.
Stay tuned:)

Thursday, April 28, 2011

MIA

I disappeared for a couple of days : I loaned my computer to my daughter.

I am back now-
Seeds and Nuts focus reminded me of a recipe I have been meaning to try:
Bulgur and Walnut Kibbeh
It sounds delicious.

I will change my focus early next week, as right now my mind is on this weekend's run.

While I was computer-less, I read in an otherwise unremarkable article how our troubles started when we started to extract sugar from plants. All of a sudden it hit me:
we might be getting all natural forms of sugar (like evaporated cane juice, turbinado sugar, etc.) but it IS a concentrated form, regardless. A good analogy would be eating fruits versus drinking their juices...
It's funny that we can read about the same topic over and over but one day, when it's presented in different words, all of a sudden the lights go on:).

Sunday, April 24, 2011

Finally:)

A decent run. The weather cooperated, I was able to go - I love it when it comes together.
The Beltline trail was busy. I guess, all the runners are getting ready for next week's race.


Birds of a feather...
Squirrels were out in numbers:)


These shoes have been through a lot...

Near Yonge Street

He is enjoying a nice walk off leash.

Proof that it might be spring after all.

The trail from above

Saturday, April 23, 2011

Green ideas

I just came across this great link at
Vegetarian Times.
Seems like a perfect fit with our theme of trying to do what's best for our planet and ultimately, best for us.

Friday, April 22, 2011

A Walk In The Park

My original plan was to go for a nice walk in the park then follow it up with a good run.
It seemed like a nice enough day, until we got to the park and shivered through our walk...
Not at all spring-like weather... I took a lot of pictures - only a few have colour:




Thursday, April 21, 2011

Seeds And More

I found the ultimate snack at the Yoga Conference last week. Raw crackers from Live.
Whereas I would not want to go on a Raw Food Diet, I am more than willing to experiment with raw recipes, and sample good raw food.
I appreciate the amount of labour that goes into it, therefore I won't even comment on how pricey it its...
This is a lovely cracker, full of flavour thanks to the wonderful spices, lots of good nutrients both from the sunflower seeds and the Dulse.

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Green

Well, when I read about the challenge, I did not expect miracles.

Giving up Paper towels? That is not about to happen overnight. However, do we need to use them each and every time we need to wipe off a surface? I would guess no...

It is like all my other challenges: makes me more aware, conscious of the problem. It also gives me an opportunity to work on/ touch on solutions. It's a step in the right direction.

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Seeds- continued

Lets see:

Today I used sprouted Chia seeds I was given at the Yoga Conference, in my Loot bag. I love those things - always find a new product I was not familiar with.
These are wonderful little seeds - nobody finds them objectionable. I added them to my Oatmeal.

Later, I baked some Lemon-Poppy seed Mini Muffins. (with Whole Wheat Pastry Flour:) )

I never even suspected how nutritious those little seeds are.

Sunday, April 17, 2011

And More Yoga:)

I no longer feel like I have slowed down with yoga:) - in fact, all my muscles, ligaments and tendons have been stretched, bent in a variety of ways and I am tired.
I was lucky enough to take a two-hour workshop with Sean Corn, an amazing and dynamic yoga instructor. We took her class a year ago and found her bright, intelligent and passionate.
Today's workshop, Everyday Miracles, was wonderful but I might need a day to recover:)

It's just as well that we had a scheduled yoga class: the weather turned evil: it was snowing all morning.
At times, it seemed like a blizzard. Thankfully, nothing remained on the ground.
Did I mention I was ready for spring?

Saturday, April 16, 2011

Yoga

This week I slowed down with my yoga adventures:(.
Part of the reason was the fact that I found it easy to do daily yoga last week. I thought I had the habit in place. 
Not quite...  It takes more work than that. That is OK though - we make mistakes, then we make a greater effort, repeat it  many times over and there: we've got a a brand new habit :).

Today's workshop almost made up for my lack of effort during the week.
It was a two-hour long class with Rodney Yee and his wife, Coleen.  (Forward Bend Without Stretching)
Their workshops are always a treat. So much expertise, good teamwork, wonderful explanation.
I also find his classes special because it was his DVD that I started my yoga practice with and my daily exercise habit with it.  At that time I was proud of myself for doing a :10 minute DVD every morning...
Seems so long ago  - but only 4 years went by. Never did I think that I'd be doing 2 hour workshops . :)

We are so fortunate to have all these wonderful instructors teach here once a year. It's a great opportunity to learn different approaches to yoga.

I have another wonderful workshop scheduled for tomorrow- stay tuned. :)

My Moksha challenge continues - week 3. Live Green is the theme and it IS tough.
No paper towels, no take out cups,  no plastic waterbottles, no plastic bags etc...  Still, it's good to make an effort.
Most appropriately, Tree Pose is the pose of the week.

My running training seriously suffered this week - the weather had a great deal to do with it...
However, I do enough cardio  to keep me fit enough.  A little concerned though: the race is a mere 2 weeks away.

Friday, April 15, 2011

Nuts Of The Week:)

So far - only walnuts.
I should not have said, "only".
Walnuts are REALLY good for us:

Read this.

As a dog-owner,  I feel,  I must add a note here:
Walnuts and Macadamia nuts are NOT good FOR our DOGS.

Seeds:
Sesame seeds - both in its original form and in Tahini. Tahini is useful to have on hand. I use it in some cookies, as well as the obvious hummus. I've used it as my "fat source" in vegetable loaves. It's delicious AND healthy.

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Food-wise

Now, that sugar is back on my menu I need a new food focus.

Nuts and Seeds.

We are talking about high calorie stuff!
Obviously, moderation is key but it's so good to include them in our meals.

Today, thinking about seeds and having bought a bag of Black Sesame seeds last weekend, I was itching to include some with my lunch.
Lunch was a lovely dish of Roasted Vegetables with Goat Cheese in Phyllo. I did the obvious: once I brushed the top with the egg wash, I sprinkled a mix of White and Black Sesame Seeds on top.

Sunday, April 10, 2011

Moksha Challenge - cont.

This week's challenge -
be accessible. I think I gladly become accessible as long as I can access my sugar bowl :)
Just kidding.
I was OK - I slipped up a couple of times with the "no sugar" challenge but that is OK.  I was very much aware what I ate - most of the time.
The yoga portion went well:
I had a brief practice on Friday - and just a few poses on Saturday but I regard this as huge progress.
In fact, if I could maintain this on a regular basis I'd be satisfied.


Posture of the week is Dancer's Pose.
I used to get frustrated with it: initially, I could not get through step 1 - grabbing my foot.
I attempted it daily, during our month long hot yoga challenge...  I was drenched by the time we got to Dancer's Pose in practice and that elusive foot kept slipping out of my grasp.  I struggled to maintain my balance until one clever instructor said to me to hold onto something. Aha!  I got it. There was no stopping me from there on:) About 2 months after my first attempt, I could do it.  Not like the pose you see on DVD covers, but a respectable one for ME:)
I guess, that is acceptance - I accept my limitations, use a prop if needed. I accept that my pose is not picture perfect but it represents progress over the one I started with. (Does Flylady do yoga? :)  - her motto: 'Progress, not perfection' )
And, as I was processing the examples of acceptance, I happened to come across this gem.

More later.



Saturday, April 9, 2011

So Many Things In A Day:)

 Sculpting class is part of my Saturday morning routine. I've been doing it for about a year and a half. It has helped me get stronger, more toned. I feel good doing it. (I try to do another one during the week)

Today was an incredibly beautiful day. Sunshine, 15 C.  Everybody who could move or could be moved, was outdoors. Cars, bikes, skateboards everywhere.  Walkers, joggers, runners... Little kids, grandmas and grandpas, dogs in all sizes.

We went to a lovely trail by the Don River. It was neat because we went there last 6 months ago, almost to the date. What a difference:

Today

In October

The place is magical:)
A lovely couple
It's amazing what an hour long walk can do.
Since I had promised, my next workout was a combination of spinning and weights- 
It was quite a day. 
Yoga moves were included but no, I did not have  a full yoga practice...


Friday, April 8, 2011

Satisfying A Sweet Craving III

Frozen Banana Slices work like a charm.
Also, frozen Red Grapes. (I'm guessing, other grapes work, too, but I have not used them)
Frozen Blueberries are lovely with Oatmeal or Yogurt - although not as satisfying when those sweet cravings hit.

Frozen fruits are like a treat, especially after a workout or on a hot day.

Thursday, April 7, 2011

Moksha Challenge

Truthfully, the daily yoga is not difficult to manage. The toughest part is to roll out the mat and get going.
The Blissology DVDs are fantastic - they remind me of the workshop we did with Eoin Finn back in January. Now, getting there by 6 a.m. was challenging - although well worth the effort.
I really enjoy Thursday's sequence AND the music.
(Thursday's Trailer)

As for sugar:
today I had to grab a bar before my spinning class - sweetened with honey.
I wish I was clearer on the rules: is it sugar/white sugar or anything that the body processes as sugar, i.e. all the -ose (sucrose, fructose, etc.) It was poor planning on my part: did not get a chance to eat breakfast before.

Vegan meal of the day:
Kichari (sp?)

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Sweet Craving - Chapter 2

Of course, it hit again...  near the same time, too:)  - close to 7 p.m.

So, my answer today was....
... a Banana-Espresso-Cocoa smoothie, made with unsweetened Almond Milk.
Perfect!

I have already talked about my thoughts on Detox. This is not a Detox. It might serve a similar purpose though as it makes us aware of
- what we are taking in
- how our  bodies respond to that
- how do our bodies respond when that particular food is NOT available
- what we can do ? (anticipate  and prepare  a healthier option)

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Sweet Craving!

What to do when you are staying off sugar and at the end of the day you are craving SWEETS?

Make something quickly that is sweet, has no sugar added:

Home made Lara-type bar.

It does the trick.
(Mine had apricots, raisins, walnuts and carob powder)

Morning Yoga

I love morning yoga...
come to think of it: morning is my best time for any exercise.
It just starts the day off right.

In the summer, when I go for my long runs, it's always in the early morning hours. It needs to be, as I don't do too well in the heat.

But, back to yoga.
The Blissology DVDs are working out really nicely for me.  The "Quickie" sequences take a little less than 30 minutes but they are "oh-so-good" and I can feel the difference all day.

I used to enjoy Kate Potter's Namaste like this. That was another good series for the morning.

Vegan meal of the day:
Pasta with Rapini (aka Broccoli Rabe) - I won't add cheese (:()

Monday, April 4, 2011

A New Challenge

Did I mention that I LOVE challenges?

Well, here is my next one:
http://www.mokshayoga.ca/lym.htm

I started this one today.
As I am a vegetarian already, I need to have one vegan meal a day. Not that difficult.

Now, the ultimate challenge: no sugar?
I guess, no sugar added. I try to avoid  foods that have a lot of sugar as is.
However, there is sugar even in bread... very difficult to avoid it altogether.
I will do my best and see where that takes me.

I did my yoga practice with Mr. Bliss himself:) (DVD)

Sunday, April 3, 2011

Long Run

... and I declare, the Running Season has officially begun.
I went for my long run today.  Back to my favourite trail: the Beltline. For those who are not familiar with it:
the Beltline is a wonderful trail in the City of Toronto. It covers former railway tracks. In some spots where the soil has eroded, parts of the tracks become visible. Sunday mornings, the trail is ALIVE with walkers, joggers, cyclists, people with dogs, people with kids, old couples, you name it.
I am excited to have my little pocket camera with me this year.
Right now, the colours are a bit drab but there is fresh air and it feels SO GOOD to be back after that long winter. I have no idea what distance I covered, my Nike Ipod had to be reset during the run but I was out there for 1,5 hours.
It's great to be back:) Maybe I'm repeating myself but I LOVE this trail so much that during the winter, whenever I drove by it, a smile came on my face. Wait till the colours return - it's going to be so beautiful.

This little guy kept staring at me
while I was taking pictures










Saturday, April 2, 2011

Longer Days

It is so much nicer to come out of the gym and there is still daylight out there. I took this picture last night, at about 6:30: