Category: Healthy Living

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Healthy Living Yoga

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Feeling exhausted or depleted this Full Moon evening? Was almost late to everything even to the airport to pickup as still looking at a clock that says 8:37 when it turned out to be 10pm. When will I ever learn to not rely on clocks that has stopped ? The flight was delayed by almost 5 hours so feeling the power of the full moon… Cursed probably for not being true to my own rituals … so luney. Need to repair, restore and renew … TLC to all.

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I’m late, I’m late for
A very important date.
No time to say hello, good-bye,
I’m late, I’m late, I’m late
I’m late and when I wave,
I lose the time I save.
My fuzzy ears and whiskers
Took me too much time to shave.
I run and then I hop, hop, hop,
I wish that I could fly.
There’s danger if I dare to
Stop and here’s a reason why:
I’m over-due, I’m in a rabbit stew.
Can’t even say good-bye,
hello, I’m late, I’m late, I’m late.

~ The White Rabbit, Alice in Wonderland

I don’t know about you but my heart used to literally sink Sunday afternoons – a time of realization that the magical weekend is soon to end that tomorrow is the …”harsh” lol reality … popularly known as blue Monday or is it called black Monday now? Anyhow, the dreaded Monday (okay, it’s not that bad – joking – or am I?).
I have heard reports of not only sinking heart but knots in the stomach, tightness in the shoulders and base of the neck, uptight chest region, migraine or tension headache… that comes from just thinking about Monday and all the impending “stuff”. Or are you the lucky one who cannot wait to get back to work and relish the idea of Mondays – I have never been that lucky. In fact, I had a reunion with someone I used to work with and while she’s gotten so much higher in the corporate ladder, she spoke of intense competition and how the bar is raised even higher each time she achieved – the goal is set higher and higher – yes. Of course, it’s never enough – that’s called success. That’s great professionally but in personal life, one hopes for contentment, peace, and joy. So she looked a bit aged – I recommend some me-time (there’s no time? You are running late?) with yoga to regain some mental perspectives while doing something good for one’s own body and mind. Otherwise, your life will just pass you by. Wouldn’t that be a shame?

Running late? Even so, make the time – you are so worth it. Don’t let life pass you by.

Categories
Healthy Activities Healthy Living

Full moon tomorrow night… ahhh…sigh…the anticipation:)

But that’s not what I wanted to talk about for now. I wanted to talk about New Year’s Resolutions and Will Power. I have no New Year Resolution because I have no will power. I instead have a DAILY “resolution”…it’s not so much about goal setting for me but a daily reminder – it’s kind of like daily prayer or poetry reading for me so … not really a resolution is it? I have set very goal oriented and ambitious New Years Resolution before so I feel I can now speak about it with some frankness. Whenever we refer to New Year’s Resolution, the idea of “Will Power” comes up because the most popular and typical New Year Resolution for many is a challenge to lose weight and exercise more because of the average 2-3 lbs weight gain over the holiday season.

Therefore the local gyms might be packed … and I might implore to you that studies have shown that actually gentle yoga is effective in weight management… seems counter-intuitive but I know this to be true. Why? Because as recommended, it’s closest thing to mindful meditation so beneficial in that “goal” whether to curb your appetite or to let go what’s toxic or harmful to us. Unfortunately, the reason the current craze?, “mindful meditation” does not work or hard to engage in for many is that it’s too … goal oriented. People approach it the same mindset they approach their business or work – setting budgets or targeting revenue goals, etc. and wonder why it’s so challenging to meditate. It’s not the same..That’s right, counting the beans is not quite the same as counting your breath or paying attention. You are sitting there appearing on the surface to be serene in your buddha pose with the single goal to … achieve mindfulness – it’s a contradiction already. You have to let go of that “goal” … and a goal is a little different from setting an “intention”.

As far as will power… here’s an insightful TED talk given by our local yoga instructor and Stanford professor, Kelly McGonigal:

Categories
Beautiful Rituals Healthy Food

Shojin Cuisine

Shojin cooking is a type of vegetarian cooking introduced into Japan together with Buddhism in the 6th century adapted into native Shinto-based culture. Shojin is a Buddhist term that refers to asceticism in pursuit of enlightenment. In the 13th century, with the advent of the Zen sect of Buddhism, the custom of eating shojin ryori(cooking) spread. No meat is eaten; no life is sacrificed – purely plant based.

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watercress tied into bows for garnish to top the New Year’s Day soup, i.e., “ozouni”:)
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“Yuzu” not lemon…
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Ginnan berries? nuts? to shell… Ginnan harvested from Gingko trees.
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Thanks to lovely and generous friends, last night was full of indulgences so…today is light and fresh beginning with Shojin cuisine, washing away the effervescent bubblies and the yummy creamy richness. This is my version of an offering … to purify and clean out in order to truly nourish on this day one of the year, signifying a fresh new start:)

Trying to recreate at least few dishes from the Osechi cooking taught by the famed Chef Toshio Tanahashi. Not an easy feat when you don’t have a team of Japanese ladies with expert knife skills – so humbled. Use of electric kitchen appliance NOT allowed. Practically engaging in the unintended detox fast for all to wait as I am still in the kitchen … maybe need another hour or by tomorrow, lol …I probably should have started working 3 days ago as my late grandmother used to do to prepare for this auspicious day – first day of Year of the Ram !

New Year’s resolution?

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Some facts about Gingko nuts that may be of interest:

– Traditionally, ginkgo seeds or nuts were consumed in modest amount to get relief from breathing problems since in Chinese medicine, the nuts confer yang (warmth) effect. The kernels are also believed to ease asthma, bronchitis, and urinary tract ailments.

– Unlike ginkgo leaf, which FDA approved as a food supplement, the kernels have yet to attain this status in the United States.

– Overall, the ginkgo nuts may be used in small quantities as medicine instead of as a major food source as other nuts and seeds.

– When eaten in limited and specified amounts, ginkgo nuts would confer some of health benefits.

– These nuts are the storehouse of minerals like copper, manganese, potassium, calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc, and selenium. Copper is an essential trace mineral that is required in neuro-transmission, metabolism, as well as red blood cell (RBC) synthesis.

– but should not eat more than 10 at most (children 5) caution due to Ginkgotoxin poisoning.

– excerpt from nutrition-and-you.com