Good food, good people, good yoga !

As part of the yoga teacher training program we are required to attend a yoga retreat for a full weekend. This past weekend we went to Ajalila Gardens located 50 minutes north of Toronto on beautiful grounds with very cozy accommodations where we were immersed in the yogi lifestyle. Ashely, Erin and I attended for the day since we completed our retreat requirement in the Spring, Erin and I taught our first classes and our nerves were buzzing all morning. We started off the day at 8am with a Hatha Class followed by a vegetarian brunch of scrambled tofu and oatmeal. After lunch we went for a walk in the cedar forest and took a few pics (see below), the weather was good and we were spared from any rain for the day. I taught at 12pm and Erin taught at 1pm,  both our classes went well and luckily we taught earlier in the day so the pressure was off and we were free to enjoy the rest of the program set up for us by the retreat. Around 3.30pm we watched a cooking demonstration where we learned how to make carrot cake, dahl soup, and spinach pie which were to be had for dinner. We then went to a Kirtan class led by Madhavendra, the owner of the retreat, who has been teaching yoga for over 25 years and teaching meditation for over 15 years. Following the Kirtan class we sat down for dinner and indulged! Luckily the final class for the day was restorative as I don’t think any of us were up for anything vigorous after our delicious meal. The class was incredibly relaxing and the aura in the studio was beautiful. Everyone was glowing at the end of the day and who wouldn’t be after good food, good yoga and a day with good people. The retreat is an invaluable experience and there is so much to be learned, I cant wait to attend the next one ( the pond at Ajalila looks pretty inviting for summer ) Thank You to Melissa and Naz for your wonderful organizational skills! Thank You to Madhavendra and Allan for sharing your space with us.

Namaste ….and Happy Monday, have a wonderful week. 

Ajalila Gardens Yoga Retreat

"juicin"

Last night I finished my juice cleanse package from Total Cleanse and my energy levels are through the roof. Here is a quick summary of the  Energise Cleanse ( one of a few options )  and how it works :

There are four juices that are to be consumed in numbered order for a total of six juices a day they are:

Green Energy – Cucumber, celery, kale , lettuces, parsley, lemon, apply ( very filling )

Lemonade- lemon, cayenne, maple syrup, filtered water ( refreshing )

Very Berry – Strawberry , pineapply blueberry apple and lemon ( my favourite )

Creamy Cashew – Cashew nuts, vanilla, honey and filtered water.  ( delicious and perfect for bed time )

And this is the order they go in………

Green Energy

Lemonade

Green Energy

Very Berry

Lemonade

Creamy Cashew

Day 1 – I started off the day with a herbal tea then went to a hot flow class before having my first juice. The green energy juice is very filling and gave me the energy I needed for the rest of the day, I drank the rest of the juices in their numbered order and relaxed at home. The first day is definitely tough and that is why I chose a Saturday to start so that I could stay at home without any obligations!

Day 2 - I had to go to a teacher trainee workshop which involved teaching yoga for one hour and practicing for two hours. I was worried about my energy levels since the workshop started at 5pm and ended at 8pm. By the time I started I was on my second lemonade of the day and felt fine, I was not weak or tired and after the workshop I had my lovely creamy cashew to look forward too before bed.

Day­ 3- This was a tough one…..being a Monday I was surrounded by people at work who for some reason seemed to eating the most delicious smelling and looking foods I have ever seen ……I ended up having a handful of nuts as I simply needed to chew!!! The rest of the day went well and I am glad to say that I finished the cleanse !

Overall I feel a lot lighter and more energized. Unlike I imagined I did not spend today pigging out and the urges for junk food are gone. Detoxing is definitely a mind over matter task and at times it will be trying but the benefits are amazing. If done properly juice cleanses leave you feeling less bloated, boost the immune system and yes you will lose some weight ! I will be running a two session detox workshop at Hot Yoga Aurora where you will have the option of ordering your own juice cleanse from Total Cleanse so watch this space for more info.

Fall Cleansing

Last winter I read about a company in NYC called Ritual Cleanse that was offering a customised cleanse package that would be delivered to your door in the form of bottles of juice that were ready to drink - no work required. What struck me about this idea was the fact that it catered to those of us that have a lot on our plate. I am currently working full time, doing the yoga teacher training and completing an additional qualification to teach special needs students. Translation: I do not have time to make my own juices but really enjoy the benefits of cleansing.I was thrilled to find out that a company based in Toronto was offering the same experience. Total Cleanse developed by Rebecca Malen who is also the co-founder of NimDiet.com will deliver juices straight to your door. They juice and you cleanse! There are a few different options for cleansing packages such as energise, revitalise, refresh and purify, each one including a different combination of juices that should be consumed in a specific order depending on the desired outcome. There is even a Bridal Package!!! Yesterday I started the energise clease which is a three day cleanse that includes 6 bottles of juice a day. The juices are Green Energy, Very Berry, Lemonade and Creamy Cashew. These juices are very tasty as well as filling, two days in and I feel great. I have tried other cleanses in the past that have left me feeling sluggish but the amount of nutrients packed into these juices really prevents that from happening. I did a hot flow class yesterday and plan to do one again today , taking it easy and listening to the body. So far so good and I look forward to my last day of cleansing tomorrow. Thank You Rebecca Malen !!!

Check out totalcleanse.ca for more information and if you want to pick up your cleanse at Hot Yoga Aurora please note that this is now an option and you will get a discount !!
xox

HAPPY OCTOBER !!!

With the change in weather a lot of people are starting to come down with different strains of cold and flu, which of course, is part and parcel of the season. I came down with something myself this past week which reminded me how important it is to keep the immune system healthy and strong especially during the colder months of the year. I am opposed to the flu shot and therefore more “natural” preventative measures must prevail.  I have stocked up on Echinacea and after Thanksgiving I plan on doing a detox. During the colder months we tend to eat a little more and are a little less active. Detoxing at this time of year means ridding the body of chemically treated and processed foods, pollution and waste, and boosting the immune system. Essentially, cleaning us out. Once we are all “detoxified” and cleaned out we can stick to a healthy diet with ease (until around Christmas ) and incorporate germ fighting super foods to prevent illness. Here are some foods that will boost the immune system and are rich in Vitamins A, C, E, plus zinc and selenium:

Vitamin C- Sweet Potatoes, Red Bell Peppers, Tomatoes Broccoli, Citrus

Minerals- Mushrooms, Garbanzo Beans, Squash, Greens

That being said, I often find that there are so many articles in newspapers and magazines as well as online this time of year giving the same information offered above. What is often missing is a solid way to put this into play in your day to day life.  Here is a super easy recipe that incorporates one of the best foods ever- sweet potatoes- and is chock a block full of vitamin C:

Sweet Potatoe Soup:

1 tablespoon of olive oil

2 medium yellow onions, chopped

3 large sweet potatoes, peeled and chopped

½ inch piece of ginger, peeled and chopped

6 cups of low sodium vegetable broth

Fresh thyme

Salt and pepper to taste

1. Sauté onions in saucepan with oil until golden brown .
2. Add the vegetable broth and bring to a boil, add sweet potatoes and ginger then reduce to medium heat until sweet potatoes are easily penetrated with a fork.
3. Puree soup in a blender, or use a hand blender until smooth.
4. Garnish with thyme

Watch this space for more info on detoxing with Total Cleanse, Canada’s premiere juice delivery service. Again with detoxing, there are so many articles dedicated to it but very few offer solid plans. Total Cleanse not only offers a solid detox plan, but will actually deliver a pre packaged cleanse to your doorstep. The juices look delicious and I can not wait to start mine on October 14^th – for more info check out http://www.totalcleanse.ca/.