29. December 2009 by admin.

I sure have loved the special holiday foods this year.  I’ve loved sharing meals with special friends and family and splurging on things I might not usually buy, or eat.  I started with the eggnog BEFORE Thanksgiving.  But I also became more mindful with the choices around eggnog consumption, drinking mostly the soymilk variety and forgoing the homemade version.

Now that most of the meals and parties are past, and I’ve officially brought out my larger-sized “holiday jeans,” I am taking a look at how I feel about the choices I’ve made over the past month or so.  Choices regarding food, socializing, purchasing, attention, exercise.  Honestly, this is the healthiest, happiest holiday season I’ve ever had - in mind, body and spirit.

AND, the holiday season is coming to a close.  So, how do I transition back to my non-splurgiung self, while honoring the choices I’ve made over the past month?

I’ve decided to pull out a favorite recipe: Cleansing Kitchari.  It’s an Indian comfort food that people eat when fasting. It’s a porridge made of white rice, mung beans, ginger, coconut and Indian spices.  It’s creamy and savory, with satisfying spice combinations.  It’s delicious and I love it.

I think it will be the perfect transition out of the season.  One last treat - and this one will help me ground, and get my digestion back into sync.  What a great way to start the new year!

Check out the kitchari recipe!

Posted in Food, Yoga Therapy | 1 Comment »

24. June 2009 by admin.

I’ve finally admitted to myself that I have some food sensitivities, and have joined the ranks of people working to re-work the love triangle between mind, food and body.  Today, I’d like to simply throw out some tips that I have discovered, that have helped me avoid the dairy, yeast and eggs that have come up as questionable suspects in this journey.

I’d like to come back to this post, and comment, as I discover new helpful tips - however brief.  My hope is that by recording them here, in writing, they will be further solidified in my brain and in my life.  If you have tips that others could benefit from, please comment to this post.

Okay, here goes:

- Asian food - especially when going out to eat, I am finding the Asian food menus much less restrictive than those that feature cheeses and breads.

- Purely Decadent Coconut Milk Ice Creams - this non-dairy, soy free, coconut milk ice cream is incredible.  It’s available at Safeway (I’d guess New Seasons, too).  And although it is not cheap, it is worth every creamy, incredible bite.  I think I like it better than regular ice cream - no joke.

- Vegan cakes & pastries - I’ve tried some fantastic cakes recently - at New Seasons & Piece of Cake Bakery in Sellwood neighborhood of Portland: www.pieceofcakebakery.net.  I also heard that there’s a little vegan strip of businesses down on SE 12th & Stark, including Sweet Pea Bakery.

- Avodacos -are a fantastic substitute for the creamy & cheesy of the world, particularly in Mexican food.  I keep lots of avocados on hand & make guacamole often!

- Tortillas & flat bread make a nice yeast bread substitute.  The pita at Trader Joes’s is fluffy & wonderful.

- Having foods ready to eat is key.  I’m a mother of two, and many others in my house don’t share my dietary preferences.  So, I find that it’s worth it to have some convenience foods in easy reach, so that I’m tempted by something that will support my body, not work against my goals.  So, whether it’s a tub of cut-up fruit, a banana, chocolate covered almonds, frozen chinese dumplings, or candied ginger  - I need convenient treats!

- Large selection of teas - herbal, green & black.  A hot or cold cup of tea can be really satisfying.  When I want the milk-tea bit, I use Silk soy creamer, or non-fat, non-dairy Coffee Mate.  And I LOVE Portland’s own, Stash Tea - particularly Double Spiced Chai.   When I want to get really crazy, I make it DOUBLE strong! 

- Exploration of local beers can be replaced by exploration of local wines & spirits.  Of course, alcohol doesn’t really support a healthy body & mind…. but I’m going to take one step at a time, here.

- Coffee, both decaf and regular, are on the outs for me.  Don’t even get me started on this.  It’s another entry, or series of entries.  I’ll just say that it gives me a lot to think of regarding the subject of attachment.

- Focused blogs… two blogs you might check out: Dr. Amanda Anderson’s http://naturopathic.wordpress.com/ .  She’s my Naturopath & my partner in this food/body journey.  And, Chow Vegan: http://chowvegan.com.

I wish you a healthy tummy, heart and head!  Please let me know if you have ideas to share.

Posted in Food | 3 Comments »