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
Yoga

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Yoga has changed. Have you noticed? (yes…) During my three decades of teaching (wow…), I have watched the yoga that we practice in the West become physically harder and harder. On one hand, that’s positive. It means that while many of us are seizing the opportunity to challenge ourselves, we are also enjoying the benefits of one of the most complete and effective forms of exercise ever developed. On the other hand, it causes us to make assumptions about yoga that are simply inaccurate.

We assume that the more we advance in our practice, the more vigorous and complicated it should be. Accomplished practitioners are expected to relish physical intensity, but according to yogic adepts, just the opposite it true. As practice evolves it becomes less, not more, physical. True adepts require less and less effort to attain the higher states of yoga. From their perspective, the most profound practices are ones that provide access to the subtlest dimensions of the self. Compared to asana, these methods link us more directly to yoga’s ultimate goal – self-realization. What are these techniques, and how are they organized?

Classic texts describe four practices – asana, bandha, pranayama, and mudra – that are arranged in a hierarchy; each builds on the ones before it. Asanas (postures) steady the body and mind, preparing them for deeper practices; bandhas (locks) help us retain vital energy; pranayama techniques (breathing practices) build and regulate energy; and mudras (subtle techniques of internal control) allow us to direct and channel it. Together, these techniques create an internal alchemy – transformation affecting every level of the self.

– Rod Stryker

Remembrance of what we learned through Sri (“RESPLENDENCE”) training … how can you ever forget the sparkles of knowledge here and there that leaves such an imprint. Always hungry for more – to know, to figure out. Then to soak it up… and then to empty and so the cycle continues…

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