Flax

Why would you want to consume Flax?

Flax seeds & flax seed oil are rich sources of Omega 3 Fatty Acids.  Omega 3 Fatty Acids are strong antioxidants - they protect us from the sun, build beautiful skin, lubricate the joints & intestines, and stengthen cell membranes.

A few ideas on how to feed your body flax. . .

Sprinkle ground flax on top of oatmeal, cereal, granola, or yogurt.
Blend ground flaxseeds with water as a substitute for egg whites in baking.
Add flaxseed oil to smoothies.
Add ground flaxseed to homemade bread.
Drizzle flaxseed oil on your salad.
Eat a Handle Bar by Kate's Real Food.

Note:  It is best to keep flax chilled & away from the sun.  I transfer mine to a brown jar & keep it in the fridge after bringing it home.

The following resources were used for some of the above information:

Super Natural Cooking, Heidi Swanson
Healing with Whole Foods, Paul Pitchford.

Another reason to go easy on yourself

Heart disease remains the #1 killer of women in the United States. 

Listen up because this is important:  Being hard on yourself isn't good for the health of your heart!

Dean Ornish, M.D., is a doctor that has focused his practice on the prevention of heart disease opposed to the treatment of heart disease.  He has found that important factors in preventing heart disease are: a healthy diet, plenty of exercise, managing stress and focusing on relationships.

It turns out that positive emotions can actually change what is going on inside of you physically - not just emotionally.  Your emotions effect your physical health. 

I don't know about you but I can be pretty hard on myself when it comes to food & exercise.  I'm trying to lighten up on myself and focus on the big picture.  I want to eat well.  I want to eat what makes me feel good.  If I come back to that after I indulge I can make a different choice tomorrow or even later that day. 

Try this:  if you aren't able to practice yoga, exercise or meditate for an hour see if you can squeeze 10 minutes into your day.  The consistency will be better than choosing not to do it because you aren't able to do it at the level you would like to. 

Embrace Joy.  Focus on what you're doing well!!  Let yourself & your loved ones be human. 

Hanuman Philosophy ~ Bite 2

The following reflection is based on the teachings shared by Douglas Brooks.

Hanuman is a shape shifter.  You go inside and become what you need to for the given circumstances or situation.  This isn't fake - it comes from a place of authenticity.  I am this and I am also that.

Do you ever feel like a dichotomy?  Do you feel like parts of yourself contradict one another?   It is all you.  Beautiful YOU.

For a moment lets apply this to the physical nature of our yoga practice.  The alignment in the different asanas allows us to express ourselves in different ways - the different versions of ourselves.  We make beauty in all asanas- not just one.