- Dark Chocolate or even better, raw cocoa nibs; Coco is rich in magnesium, which helps relax and enjoy a nice quiet mood.
- Sprouts – can give you some high. They are so alive and waiting to burst out into full form, that when you take in some of that crunch, you get the extra power of potential (rich in folic acid and soluble fiber)
- Dark leafy greens will boost your energy and immune system, giving you a sense of power and strength. Eat them as raw as possible. Consider Kale your new best friend (rich in folic acid and soluble fiber).
- Mung beans, sunflower seeds, asparagus, pineapple, and bananas can lift your spirits, as they are rich with tryptophan an amino acid converted by the body into the feel-good chemical serotonin.
- Brown rice is warming sweet and grounding. Chew well. (Rich in B vitamins.
- Wild salmon and sardines (rich in omega 3 fats and vitamin D)
- Ground flaxseeds (rich soluble fiber, omega 3 fats, and folic acid)
- Not a food but is natural and works too: St John's wort is the best natural antidepressant.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Foods that will make you happy
Love that happy feel, where the world looks pretty? Attitude is the first step, a sense of seeing the half glass full. Here are some foods that can help as well:
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Karma, Don’t worry about it.
Karma is a Sanskrit word that means action, or deed. It is mostly used to describe the seed of the cycle of cause and effect. Originating in ancient India, and treated in Hindu, Jain, Sikh and Buddhist philosophies. In these systems the effects of all deeds are viewed as actively shaping past, present, and future experiences.
In the west we can think of it as “what goes around comes around.”
Who is it that keeps score of Karma, and how is the payback made?
In order to realize karma, we need to all agree on what is Good or Bad. Or else, how would it be determined what I am getting in return?
Karma today is used so often, that at times I am horrified. A yoga student was injured quite seriously and was told by their teacher that it is a good thing since they are clearing their bad karma. A spiritual teacher told one of his students that they deserve their illness, since it is part of their cleansing. Signs at a yoga studio warn against stealing, since it is bad karma. Hmmm…
Karma, or the result of the action is not necessarily linked directly to the action itself but more so to the intention of the action. That is why thoughts and words are just like actions. One can hurt or help another just by a thought, a smile, or gossip.
When acting, thinking or wishing, we are living our karma. It should not even matter if karma really exists or not. The act of compassion of doing “ the right thing” is done because inherently, deep inside, beyond any mask of conditioning, we KNOW what is the right thing to do (or think) and we need to act out of that clear instinctive place. Not out of a momentary cloud of anger or emotion, but out of that clear reflection of what is, and how we can be of most support to any situation, being or thing.
Today Karma is used often as a motivation by reward / punishment approach, similarly to how other religions use heaven and hell. In a way it is looking to create good while using fear. Yet fear can easily fall under the category of bad energy, and as it is our intention that makes the difference, it is better to find a way to act from a place of positive energy; finding joy in solving a problem, in being of service for another, in sharing love beyond borders and normal standards.
The core of the spiritual practice is that subtle discernment of what is beneficial to self and others, and what is not; the action of compassion, sharing and accepting.
So how then, does one cultivate the ability to act from a sense of care, rightness, and ethics - without being motivated by reward or threat (of heaven or hell, good karma or bad, police, laws, shame, fear etc.)?
It is a natural thing for humans to seek joy, to want to be in the place where the unpleasant instances do not lead to suffering. When we act from a place of intuition, of compassion and generosity towards everything else (our bodies included), we then can be in a place of constant joy, where we let go of the roller coaster of happiness and sorrow, and can live in a state of bliss, even while sitting on the dentist’s chair.
It is helpful to notice when desire or craving (or promise of reward) drive my action, to recognize the desire to control karma as the root of suffering. Notice the motivation, do you, at the most subtle level, expect something in return?
In order to take decisions from a place of intuition and clarity, we need to be fully present to what is, to see reality without the filters of our minds, without projections.
Bottom line: Karma, don’t worry about it! Just do your best without calculations.
Inspired by a meeting with Mary at my Dharma Share, by Osho’s writings and living life.
In the west we can think of it as “what goes around comes around.”
Who is it that keeps score of Karma, and how is the payback made?
- Some say it is God that decides, and that he/she is very fair, we get what we deserve. The Christian concept of reaping what you sow can be considered equivalent to Karma.
- Others say that there is the Law of Karma (maybe referring to nature?). Most laws of nature have scientific research that “guarantees” their results. So far no one has made karma scientific, and it seems that mostly people “hope” for the result that would come from their actions. (Look at many of the most remembered names in history- Alexander the great, Hitler, Napoleon…)
- I tend to look at karma as more of an individual functioning. Like the Isvara (the god within us), that mostly gives us immediate results. In most cases when I act according to what I consider good, I feel satisfied and happy. A sense of joy comes to me just by thinking of what I can share with others. When I am angry, acting out of control, when I am jealous or greedy, I mostly feel frustrated. When looking back, I find shame, a sense of guilt or dissatisfaction.
In order to realize karma, we need to all agree on what is Good or Bad. Or else, how would it be determined what I am getting in return?
Karma today is used so often, that at times I am horrified. A yoga student was injured quite seriously and was told by their teacher that it is a good thing since they are clearing their bad karma. A spiritual teacher told one of his students that they deserve their illness, since it is part of their cleansing. Signs at a yoga studio warn against stealing, since it is bad karma. Hmmm…
Karma, or the result of the action is not necessarily linked directly to the action itself but more so to the intention of the action. That is why thoughts and words are just like actions. One can hurt or help another just by a thought, a smile, or gossip.
When acting, thinking or wishing, we are living our karma. It should not even matter if karma really exists or not. The act of compassion of doing “ the right thing” is done because inherently, deep inside, beyond any mask of conditioning, we KNOW what is the right thing to do (or think) and we need to act out of that clear instinctive place. Not out of a momentary cloud of anger or emotion, but out of that clear reflection of what is, and how we can be of most support to any situation, being or thing.
Today Karma is used often as a motivation by reward / punishment approach, similarly to how other religions use heaven and hell. In a way it is looking to create good while using fear. Yet fear can easily fall under the category of bad energy, and as it is our intention that makes the difference, it is better to find a way to act from a place of positive energy; finding joy in solving a problem, in being of service for another, in sharing love beyond borders and normal standards.
The core of the spiritual practice is that subtle discernment of what is beneficial to self and others, and what is not; the action of compassion, sharing and accepting.
So how then, does one cultivate the ability to act from a sense of care, rightness, and ethics - without being motivated by reward or threat (of heaven or hell, good karma or bad, police, laws, shame, fear etc.)?
It is a natural thing for humans to seek joy, to want to be in the place where the unpleasant instances do not lead to suffering. When we act from a place of intuition, of compassion and generosity towards everything else (our bodies included), we then can be in a place of constant joy, where we let go of the roller coaster of happiness and sorrow, and can live in a state of bliss, even while sitting on the dentist’s chair.
It is helpful to notice when desire or craving (or promise of reward) drive my action, to recognize the desire to control karma as the root of suffering. Notice the motivation, do you, at the most subtle level, expect something in return?
In order to take decisions from a place of intuition and clarity, we need to be fully present to what is, to see reality without the filters of our minds, without projections.
Bottom line: Karma, don’t worry about it! Just do your best without calculations.
Inspired by a meeting with Mary at my Dharma Share, by Osho’s writings and living life.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Kale, The Ninja Veggie
Welcome to Ninja Green: KALE, one of my favorites for many good reasons!
Kale is a green leafy vegetable of the wild cabbage family, big in the times of ancient Rome and widely used by peasants, brought to the US by English Settlers in the 1600s.
Kale is hardy and tastes best after a frost, sweeter when fresh, more bitter as it ages… best in the winter, but available year round. Choose crisp vibrant looking Kale with no discoloration (yellowing), and make sure it is organic.
Popular varieties are:
Health Benefits:
Preparation tips:
Start by washing the kale well. Then remove the leaves off the stem. If cooking Kale you can start by chopping the stems and cooking them first, adding the leaves later. The leaves are ready as soon as they turn bright green. If you cook them too long they turn not so pretty olive green and loose lots of their nutrients. Salt helps bring out the bright green, while acid might turn it army green. So if adding acid, like lemon, add it at the end before serving, and it will stay beautiful.
I love my Kale raw. My favorite salad is inspired by Esalen’s famous Kale salad. Any type of kale would work.
Kale Salad:
Remove the leaves from the stem, and shred them (you can simply tear them by hand to bite size pieces.
Save the kale stems for stock or throw them into your juice or smoothies, they are a great source of fiber.
Dressing:
Kale is a green leafy vegetable of the wild cabbage family, big in the times of ancient Rome and widely used by peasants, brought to the US by English Settlers in the 1600s.
Kale is hardy and tastes best after a frost, sweeter when fresh, more bitter as it ages… best in the winter, but available year round. Choose crisp vibrant looking Kale with no discoloration (yellowing), and make sure it is organic.
Popular varieties are:
- Curly Kale (Scotch Kale): Dark green leaves, a bit tough, defined stock and a nice peppery, pungent bitter deliciousness.
- Dino Kale (known also as Lacinato Kale): very dark green with an embossed texture, slightly less stocky, a bit sweeter and more delicate than the Curly Kale.
- Russian Kale (known also as Purple Kale): broader and deeply serrated leaves. More delicate and mellow flavored kale. Easy to eat raw, or very quick blanching or steaming.
- Ornamental Kale: like a bouquet of flowers, ruffled edged violet and cream leaves. Mostly used as garnish.
Health Benefits:
- Kale is an excellent source of Carotenes, Vitamin C, B6, and manganese.
- 1 cup of Kale supplies more than 70% of the RDA of vitamin C with only 20 calories!
- It is a great source of fiber, minerals including copper, iron and calcium, and a good source of B1, B2 and E Vitamins.
- Kale is warming, eases lung congestion, benefits the stomach, and is a specific healer for the liver and the immune system. Good for the eyes (contains Lutein).
- Ayurveda: Kale reduces Pitta and Kapha
Preparation tips:
Start by washing the kale well. Then remove the leaves off the stem. If cooking Kale you can start by chopping the stems and cooking them first, adding the leaves later. The leaves are ready as soon as they turn bright green. If you cook them too long they turn not so pretty olive green and loose lots of their nutrients. Salt helps bring out the bright green, while acid might turn it army green. So if adding acid, like lemon, add it at the end before serving, and it will stay beautiful.
I love my Kale raw. My favorite salad is inspired by Esalen’s famous Kale salad. Any type of kale would work.
Kale Salad:
Remove the leaves from the stem, and shred them (you can simply tear them by hand to bite size pieces.
Save the kale stems for stock or throw them into your juice or smoothies, they are a great source of fiber.
Dressing:
- 1 part olive oil
- 1 part lemon juice
- 1 part NamaShoyo (or any other good quality organic soy sauce, including Braggs) NamaShoyo is unpasteurized, and raw, so better flavor and more health benefits.
- Whisk dressing well.
- Massage the dressing into the leaves till they are completely coated ( and look bright green). The longer the kale sits with the dressing on it, the softer it gets, so sometimes I make it a few hours ahead. It also means that it will still be great the next day.
- I love adding nuts and seeds, like pumpkin and sesame (I sprout them first, but not a must).
- You can also slice some daikon radish thinly into the mix. Play and enjoy!
- 4 large leaves of Kale and stock rough chopped
- 1-2 Cups apple juice (to get the blender turning)
- Add veggies like daikon and radishes for a pungent taste
- Add a small amount of beets for a sweeter juice
- add soaked flax seeds with their water (good fats, fiber and omega 3's)
- Add berries for a summer feast?
- My recent Love is Kale, apple juice, frozen mango cubes and some shredded coconut, YUM.
- Play and enjoy, it’s hard to go wrong!
- Lightly sauté kale leaves in olive oil with some fresh garlic. Add a bit of lemon juice or tamari (soy sauce) before serving.
- Braise Kale. Remove from heat and add balsamic vinegar, apples, walnuts and goat cheese.
- Use it as a Pizza topping. Yummy and looks great on red sauce or white cheese.
- Add it to your favorite bean soup or stew (add stock first and leaves at the end)
- Add it to your tomato pasta sauce or as a layer in your lasagna
Monday, June 8, 2009
The Eco Rebel: Saving the world one drop at a time
Standing in the tub rinsing the biodegradable soap off, I stay standing as the warm water rushes over my skin, loosening my muscles that don’t really want to move at 4:00am. I stop the water from draining, thinking that the extra steam would do me good, that the soaking of my feet in the water will soften my heels (crucial to have nice soft feet as a yoga teacher), and as I see the tub filling with water, my Eco friendly self jumps in and feels bad for the waste. I step out to finish drying, leaving the tub full, thinking I’ll find what to do with this water later.
After teaching my two yoga classes, I rode my bike to the bank to transfer my NY account to be a California one. It’s about time after 3 years in this area. Guess that since I haven’t signed a lease for a home yet, and the address I use is my brother’s, I felt that California is not officially my new home. NY was my last steady home (8 years in the same building for all you that like to call me a gypsy:)), and since then I was living wherever I was welcome, always with a semi departure date.
Now that I am pseudo living a “normal” life, I felt that the time is right. California has also grown on me, and as they say, nothing is more permanent than the temporary. As I was filling up my deposit slip, a sweet young woman approached me and asked if I would like to open an account. Hmmm, was it written on my face? I realize that they have a promotion now, and I assume she gets something out of it too. The Chinese woman took me to her desk, while speaking at the speed of light. We managed to learn about each other, where we’re from, what languages we speak and what I do for a living. When she heard I used to do photography and now I teach Yoga, her face transformed. “But why”, she asked and continued without waiting for an answer, “I need the extra money so I can travel. I would love to go to Israel during Christmas. But it’s expensive, right? And dangerous too?” Deja vous. I remember seeing many similar looks in NY, when I was speaking of leaving the ”glamorous” art and fashion life.
“If you are an artist, shouldn’t you have torn pants and red hair? I have one client here that changes his hair color all the time”. I smiled. I was wearing pretty cool black pants, and simple bright blue shirt. Suddenly I was conscious that my clothes might look old, and for sure nothing like the “well dressed” around me. “She takes another look at me, seems dazzled and says, ”You have many professions, as long as you can manage to get by”.
I returned home, made lunch, email, nap…and when I woke up something started smelling a bit stuffy. The toilet? I am a pretty anal guy about cleaning, but hey, smell is smell. As I looked for a cleaning cloth (I always take an old piece of clothing, or a kitchen sponge that is on its last leg) I realize that the tub is full, and that’s the source of the smell. Not so bad, and only some water has evaporated. Since my veggie garden did not need extra water, I decided to use the water for cleaning the car.
I took the waste basket behind me and with a sweeping motion filled it up from the tub, Walking through the small cottage, out the screen door, down two steps, along the path, ducking under the fig tree branches (just like in Israel), passed the baby banana tree, I open the wooden gate, pass my motorcycle and pour it over the top of the dirty metallic grey Pontiac Vibe. This scene has repeated itself many times, more than I can count. In the process I asked myself: “what am I doing?” How much does water cost, and how crucial is it to save the planet, when everyone around me has a huge lawn. I even managed to feel happy that I am cleaning the wastebasket at the same time. Hmmm, am I becoming fanatic? I decided to practice “just carrying the water”. In the Zen spirit, I took it as a meditation. Back and forth, step after step, washing away the dirt.
I managed to clean the Vibe, to somewhat clean a Civic that is living here waiting for its owner to return very patiently, and even clean my Suzuki Katana. As I was wiping the windows, my reflection appeared, standing in my black tank top, my arms seemed a bit buffed from the work, I smiled at my reflection feeling good. A moment later a neighbor walks through his nice Zen looking gate (really a door connected to a tall wooden wall that surrounds his home; never really could see what his garden looks like). He looks my age, wearing a nice suit, tapping his iphone as he passes by. I reflect for the second time today about my life choices. At my age, I could own a big house, driving a fancy car, wearing fancy clothes, and bragging about my fancy wife. I would stop through a car wash on my way to a meeting, making phone calls as big machines rub the car.
Instead I feel like a lone warrior, a rebel. In my own little way, using my hands and tub water, wearing the same pants I own for 7 years now, and no, I am not a hippie. Just me. My Gemini reflects on the two sides, knowing I could do well either way. Even though I get a momentary high thinking of the “glamor” life I could be living now, I know in a deep sense, that this is my truth. That I will not regret the choices I am making now.
By washing my car this way, I saved on a gym membership, saved on a car wash and saved on the water. Really for me it is about saving the construction of the gym equipment, the gym building, same for the car wash machine, equipment water and soap, and it might have even taken me less time than doing both gym and driving to the car wash.
Mostly it takes just a moment of awareness in our actions. Some ideas:
• If it’s yellow let it mellow if it’s brown let it drown (in the toilet that is)
• While waiting for hot water in the sink, fill up your kettle or Britta
• Close the faucet while brushing your teeth or shaving
• Wash your car with a bucket and gratitude (Think Karate Kid)
• Please share more ideas in the comments below : )
And…enjoy. Don’t let this stress you out. I think of these as fun games, an attitude, a joy in doing this, so do it only when it is of not too much trouble.
We are saving the world, one drop at a time. : )
After teaching my two yoga classes, I rode my bike to the bank to transfer my NY account to be a California one. It’s about time after 3 years in this area. Guess that since I haven’t signed a lease for a home yet, and the address I use is my brother’s, I felt that California is not officially my new home. NY was my last steady home (8 years in the same building for all you that like to call me a gypsy:)), and since then I was living wherever I was welcome, always with a semi departure date.
Now that I am pseudo living a “normal” life, I felt that the time is right. California has also grown on me, and as they say, nothing is more permanent than the temporary. As I was filling up my deposit slip, a sweet young woman approached me and asked if I would like to open an account. Hmmm, was it written on my face? I realize that they have a promotion now, and I assume she gets something out of it too. The Chinese woman took me to her desk, while speaking at the speed of light. We managed to learn about each other, where we’re from, what languages we speak and what I do for a living. When she heard I used to do photography and now I teach Yoga, her face transformed. “But why”, she asked and continued without waiting for an answer, “I need the extra money so I can travel. I would love to go to Israel during Christmas. But it’s expensive, right? And dangerous too?” Deja vous. I remember seeing many similar looks in NY, when I was speaking of leaving the ”glamorous” art and fashion life.
“If you are an artist, shouldn’t you have torn pants and red hair? I have one client here that changes his hair color all the time”. I smiled. I was wearing pretty cool black pants, and simple bright blue shirt. Suddenly I was conscious that my clothes might look old, and for sure nothing like the “well dressed” around me. “She takes another look at me, seems dazzled and says, ”You have many professions, as long as you can manage to get by”.
I returned home, made lunch, email, nap…and when I woke up something started smelling a bit stuffy. The toilet? I am a pretty anal guy about cleaning, but hey, smell is smell. As I looked for a cleaning cloth (I always take an old piece of clothing, or a kitchen sponge that is on its last leg) I realize that the tub is full, and that’s the source of the smell. Not so bad, and only some water has evaporated. Since my veggie garden did not need extra water, I decided to use the water for cleaning the car.
I took the waste basket behind me and with a sweeping motion filled it up from the tub, Walking through the small cottage, out the screen door, down two steps, along the path, ducking under the fig tree branches (just like in Israel), passed the baby banana tree, I open the wooden gate, pass my motorcycle and pour it over the top of the dirty metallic grey Pontiac Vibe. This scene has repeated itself many times, more than I can count. In the process I asked myself: “what am I doing?” How much does water cost, and how crucial is it to save the planet, when everyone around me has a huge lawn. I even managed to feel happy that I am cleaning the wastebasket at the same time. Hmmm, am I becoming fanatic? I decided to practice “just carrying the water”. In the Zen spirit, I took it as a meditation. Back and forth, step after step, washing away the dirt.
I managed to clean the Vibe, to somewhat clean a Civic that is living here waiting for its owner to return very patiently, and even clean my Suzuki Katana. As I was wiping the windows, my reflection appeared, standing in my black tank top, my arms seemed a bit buffed from the work, I smiled at my reflection feeling good. A moment later a neighbor walks through his nice Zen looking gate (really a door connected to a tall wooden wall that surrounds his home; never really could see what his garden looks like). He looks my age, wearing a nice suit, tapping his iphone as he passes by. I reflect for the second time today about my life choices. At my age, I could own a big house, driving a fancy car, wearing fancy clothes, and bragging about my fancy wife. I would stop through a car wash on my way to a meeting, making phone calls as big machines rub the car.
Instead I feel like a lone warrior, a rebel. In my own little way, using my hands and tub water, wearing the same pants I own for 7 years now, and no, I am not a hippie. Just me. My Gemini reflects on the two sides, knowing I could do well either way. Even though I get a momentary high thinking of the “glamor” life I could be living now, I know in a deep sense, that this is my truth. That I will not regret the choices I am making now.
By washing my car this way, I saved on a gym membership, saved on a car wash and saved on the water. Really for me it is about saving the construction of the gym equipment, the gym building, same for the car wash machine, equipment water and soap, and it might have even taken me less time than doing both gym and driving to the car wash.
Mostly it takes just a moment of awareness in our actions. Some ideas:
• If it’s yellow let it mellow if it’s brown let it drown (in the toilet that is)
• While waiting for hot water in the sink, fill up your kettle or Britta
• Close the faucet while brushing your teeth or shaving
• Wash your car with a bucket and gratitude (Think Karate Kid)
• Please share more ideas in the comments below : )
And…enjoy. Don’t let this stress you out. I think of these as fun games, an attitude, a joy in doing this, so do it only when it is of not too much trouble.
We are saving the world, one drop at a time. : )
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