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How a Yoga Teacher Shops

November 8, 2011 in abundance, frugal living, recipes, Yoga | 2 comments

Free food from vitacost We can live very-well, and also stretch our dollars far by making smart choices. For years now, I've been buying much of my brand name food, teas, bars, superfoods, grains, soaps, toothpaste, cleaners, oils, and supplements online from Vitacost.

Their prices are *great*, their selection is vast, I get free shipping, and customer service is just the best. Yes, companies like this still do exist. So, why do we deal with the ones that don't treat us as nicely?

I wish they would teach Verizon a thing or two! A few clicks, and one to two times a month, and I get a big box from them. So simple. I would pay more for this kind of service…. but the kicker is, their prices are *much lower* than whole foods, and the shipping is free.

I also support the local health food store, and farmers market in season for my fresh veggies, a few stops a week and my shopping is complete. Here's just one instance: I pay under 5 dollars for 100 good quality organic green teabags. (yeah, I drink a lot of tea.)

A great deal: They just started this great referral program, for a limited time they are offering a no-strings attached ten-dollar coupon for your first purchase. I hope you can pardon the commercial nature of this post, but I only endorse what I personally use, and I know you'll love this company as much as I do. You'll save time and money. It's gets better, (for me!)

When you place your first order, they credit my account with a bonus as well. Win-Win-Win, I don't expect this offer to last long. To get ten-dollars off your first order (and keep a Yoga teacher flush with tea-bags) click on this link to signup: —->  Vitacost Free Food New Customer Signup Promotion.

Like I said, no strings,  no hype, just good prices and great service. I only spread the word for products and services that I use myself. Enjoy! and let me know how you make out

Thanks Vitacost, Keep up the great work and low prices, I'll be sure to send everyone your way. Please Help us spread the word, encouraging more reasonable food prices.

Please forward this post to a friend, and/or click the FB like button below.

Om Shanti, I'll see you in class. -john P.S.  Bindy's playing her singing bowls for our Monday 4pm class. Please come early so we can start right on time. Check the events page for more info, and the scoop on Thanksgiving weekend.

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Don’t be the cookie

July 28, 2011 in ahimsa, creativity, recipes | 8 comments

In some popular styles of Yoga, students are encouraged to aspire to an ‘optimal alignment.’ While safe alignment is very important, I’ve seen much forcing in postures, the ‘ideal’ of a posture pushed like a cookie-cutter onto an unready body.

These kind of classes foster competitiveness, and echo much of our modern culture, which values appearence over substance.

Look where that focus has brought our society.

I think these lineages of Yoga mean well, but sometimes the language used can project that there’s something wrong with where we are currently at. You are where you are, and it’s a perfect place to start a Yoga practice.

Let your practice validate you on the way to transforming you.

Raise your right hand, make the peace sign, and take the Yogacratic oath…

Say: “I’ll do no harm.”

In our classes together, we adapt the postures to the current state of our bodies. Not an impose, but a Yoga pose, now helpful in the context of our lives. We foster a safe place where there’s nothing to prove, and we support each others unfolding.

In practice, we are not looking for paper mache’ shells of experience, but true postures, fully embodied, with substance and purpose.

Postures from the bones-out. Yes, Yoga is an inside job.

The true ‘optimal alignment’ is where the posture is safe, and of benefit to your whole being. Steady, with even breath, a meditative quality in your mind, and a clear sense of purpose. This place can be elusive. We get there by feel, and this takes practice.

Practiced this way, your favorite Yoga posture can be the one you are currently in. There’s just no place you’d rather be. From these peaceful places we can contemplate higher thoughts, like offering peace and compassion to all beings.

Our grandfather of Yoga, Sri Patanjalii suggested our postures be steady, and sweet, and on that note, I’ll close with some sweet postures:
Yogi Cookie Cutters yoga pose cookies

Yoga posture cookie cutters are available from The Kitchen Yogi, others from here. and compassionate recipes here. But remember, make enough to share, and don’t be the cookie!

Have you found yourself in a competitive class? Did you win? how did you feel after?

Om Shanti, I’ll see you in class. -j

SKBHBPMU7PS9

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When to buy organic

June 13, 2011 in abundance, frugal living, recipes | 9 comments

farmers markets massachusetts organic food guide

The second topic I'm asked about most frequently is food. Students know that I'm passionate about simple, good, clean, mostly-organic Vegan food. 

I don't like the idea of pesticides on my food, poison for us, for the bugs, and they make a mess of the environment. But, we can't always find or afford what we'd like in the organic section. I love the Environmental Working Group's annual list of The Dirty Dozen and the Clean 15, which produce has the most and least pesticide residue.

By choosing more of the cleaner foods and less of the contaminated foods, we can reduce our pesticide intake by up to 92% before even springing for the organic veggies.

I'd still suggest buying organics when you can, it's just better for the land, it's a more sustainable choice, and often tastes and looks better than the conventional. But when you need to decide where to best-spend your organic dollars, this guide can really help you navigate the farmers markets this summer.

Here's the list, Let me know what you think, where you try and spend your food dollars. If you need some inspiring recipes to whip this amazing produce up with, check out Alicia Silverstone's lifestyle blog: The Kind Life.

The Dirty Dozen (wash really well)

1. Apples
2. Celery
3. Strawberries
4. Peaches 
5. Spinach 
6. Nectarines (imported)
7. Grapes (imported)
8. Sweet bell peppers
9. Potatoes 
10. Blueberries (domestic)
11. Lettuce 
12. Kale/collard greens
 

The Clean 15

1. Onions 
2. Corn 
3. Pineapples
5. Asparagus 
6. Sweet peas
7. Mangoes 
8. Eggplant 
9. Cantaloupe (domestic)
10. Kiwi 
11. Cabbage 
12. Watermelon 
13. Sweet potatoes 
14. Grapefruit 
15. Mushrooms
 
Please, share this important post with your friends, family and FB community. If we all buy less of the dirty foods, we send a clear message (sell cleaner food!) to the food companies.
 

Who can remember all of this? Click on The Dirty Dozen – Clean 15 for a nice printable, wallet-sized card form EWG.  

Om Shanti,

-j

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The You Bar

April 18, 2009 in abundance, recipes, Yoga | 6 comments

Food is life, it becomes part of us. Literally.  I make the majority of my food at home, with quality ingredients, and tend to eat in restaurants where I know the owner,  I believe that food created with intention is better for us. 

Sometimes I resort to ‘food’ bars while on the road.  Not too often, cause most of them seem to have just too much sugar for me.  I feel better when I can pack something more substantial, simple, and real. 

I’ve just hooked up with this great company that makes custom nutritional bars!    there’s a great web interface, you choose your own tasty ingredients from a menu. They even print your chosen name on the wrappers!   and, I’ve arranged a 5% discount for us.

My new favorite thing:

You Bar, at You bar, you build your own nutritional bar

I’m really excited to send ‘make your own bar’ gift certificates to my friends and family, and make bars with their names on them.

I ‘made’ myself a nice vegan bar with no added sugar, and called it by my nickname.

Make your own bar, perhaps name it after your favorite Yoga pose, and! Yes, I called the chef.

Anthony over at YouBar hooked us up. Remember to type in  YogaJohn for a coupon code and get 5% off your order!

Check out youbars.com, and have a blast!  let me know what you end up making, we could trade and have a taste-test.

how about a SuryaNamaskarBar?

Om Shanti, see you in class.

-john

P.S.  Just A few spots still open in the special Restorative Yoga class next Sunday, and check out our Invoking Shiva  class the following Saturday of May 2′nd.  This will be the last workshop this season.  see the events page for more info!  

 

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Vrkshasana

April 7, 2009 in abundance, recipes, Yoga | 6 comments

vrkshasana the tree pose. yoga and the environment

In Vrkshasana, or tree pose we are looking to reclaim our connection.  From connection comes balance, and choices that are more life affirming. 

When you rise into Vrkshasana, you reduce your footprint on Mother Earth by half.  By lessening our impact, we deepen our connection.

Our practice serves as a mirror, if we have the courage to look,  to see clearly how we’ve been living. 

I hope you have a favorite tree you can clearly bring into your mind, if not, find one. I can lend you one of mine.  Visit your tree, notice your tree through the seasons, even if it’s a drive-by, acknowledge and make connection, a relationship. 

Learn from her.  When you practice tree pose, you now have a model, internal drishti.  Be a nice tree, a tree that birds would want to nest in.

Every day,  50,000 acres of trees are taken down for paper, packaging, and to make room for animals to be raised for food.   Each American uses 740 pounds of paper every year.  Can we use less, can we choose meals lower on the food chain?

As Yogis, we pledge to abide in truth.  Do we have the courage to look honestly at our lifestyle and where we could change?  I know that many of us are suffering from Green Fatigue, but here’s a few easy ways to make a difference, and  deepen your connection.

Need to send a gift? plant a tree for them:  BeGreenNow.com

Stop the catalogs for free: 

Stop those telephone books for free:

Look forward to an empty mailbox:

Reducing junkmail is noble, but our individual footprint is primarily made up by our diet.  Lower on the chain means much less area cleared for the raising of animals,  We also inflict less harm, and improve our health.  It becomes clear that what’s good for us, is good for all beings.  visit Vegsource for recipes, or ask me for more info.

Reading about this is one thing, my hope is that you’ll take a step and enrich your connection.  Every action, every dollar spent is a vote for the type of world you wish to live in.

Remember to visit your tree.  Go ahead, give her a hug.  Nobody’s looking, or even if they are…

Om Shanti,

John

p.s.  Sharon Gannon’s new book: Yoga and Vegetarianism is a captivating read.

Dad’s Navy Bean and Kale Soup.

March 15, 2009 in frugal living, recipes | 3 comments

Yoga is Balance. Sun-Moon, Sita-Ram, Masculine-Feminine, Mom, and Dad… Mom’s soup was a tremendous hit, so, straight from Dad’s kitchen, here’s his latest favorite.  Enjoy!

p.s. Yoga is about nourishing our whole-selves, body, mind and spirit. Create your soup with gratitude, with some great music on, with the best ingredients you can find.  Be sure to share you soup.

Dad’s Navy Bean and Kale Soup
Kale and Navy Bean Soup
1 lb. navy beans, soaked, or quick soaked, see below.
8 cups vegetable broth
1 lg. can of diced tomato with juice
2 cups of carrots sliced
2 cups of celery  sliced
1 large onion diced
3 garlic cloves minced
1 small can mushrooms, sliced
1 bunch kale, washed and chopped.
2 bay leaves, your best olive oil.
1 tsp. worcestershire sauce
salt and pepper to taste, pinch of red pepper.

Quick soak beans: cover with water, boil 2 mins. Shut off heat, let sit for 1 hour then drain off liquid.

Heat oil in large pot. Saute onion and garlic until soft.
Add drained beans, carrot, celery, vegetable broth, tomato, mushroom,  bay leaves, and w-sauce.  Add a pinch of salt, and a few twists of the pepper grinder.

Bring to boil, turn down heat, and simmer for 1 hour or so.  Stir well,  Adjust salt and pepper to taste, optional pinch of red pepper.  Add chopped kale and simmer for another 10 minutes or so. 

Serve with crusty bread and a glass of something nice… Let us know what you think by leaving a comment!  -j

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Pom Wonderful Pomegranate Juice

March 7, 2009 in events, recipes, Yoga | 2 comments

Pomegranate juice antioxidant

Molly over at Pom Wonderful sent me a case of their pomegranate juice to try out, and tell you all about.  I’m sure you’ve heard of pomegranates. My Mom would buy them for us as a treat around Thanksgiving time, We called them Indian Apples.  Prying the seeds from the bitter rind was fun, and there was the sweet/tart reward. 

POM has spent $25 million on research, and the juice doesn’t just taste good, but has many health benefits.  "and the concentrated Polyphenols make it the most potent antioxidant in nature."  According to Michael Davidson M.D.

If you’re curious, you can check out the health benefits, recipes, and more at Molly’s Pom Blog

No longer just a treat, and we no longer have to peel, the juice can be had in most stores.  I like it cold with a splash of seltzer.  I’ll see if I can get us some coupons.

Much appreciated Molly, and if you need a second opinion you’ve got my address! 

               So much Kirtan happening this month

March 14, Wah’s concert to benefit Amma, the Hugging Saint.

March 20, Krishna Das is in Cambridge

March 21, Kirtan with Prajna, Shubal, and Ashara at the Arlington Center. 

March 22, Hanuman Chalisa at Prajna’s on the 22′nd.  phew.   

April 4, Satsang with John and guests, details to follow

April 5, Kirtan with Ashara in Topsfield – 978-887-9708

I’d love to see Wah! again, but I’ll be at the temple for a special Narayan – Lakshmi Puja.

March is a big month for Rama as well, the 26′th in particular.  We’ll talk about Rama at The Sping Equinox Class on the 21′st, check the Events page for the scoop.

Om Shanti,

-j

Buddha Sees His Shadow

March 1, 2009 in events, recipes, Yoga | 2 comments

        Spring Is Coming!

Buddha Statue in the snow, spring cleaning class

Not known to be a skier, he’s up to his eyes with this snow… 

Thanks so much to the Yoga and Cooking class attendees this past weekend!  Great food, lots of fun, and many requests to have another.  Isn’t it the perfect place and huge kitchen for a class like that?  It’s a joy to teach there every Monday morning. 

Thanks to Amy for her kitchen skills.  I’ll be sure to post the pictures and recipes up here very soon.  Send in your recipe/theme requests for the next class.  A series would be excellent.

I just opened the registration for our annual Spring Equinox Yoga class.  Saturday, March 21′st 12:30 to 2:30pm at Yoga and Nia for Life.  we already have a few sign-ups for this spring-cleaning class, let me know right away if you can join us.  This will be an opportunity to honor the changing of the seasons, clear out old ways of thinking, dismiss lingering tensions and anxieties in our body/mind.  Say Yes to spring.

Also check out the Restorative class that Natalie Engler and I are hosting at Yoga and Nia for Life on March 29′th.  12:20-2pm.  Natalie is a master at restorative Yoga and this special class is limited to just 20 participants.

Yeah, another storm, but spring seems right around the corner!   The Pic above is the Buddha who greets me as I leave my house each day.  

I’ve been talking with Maria about Monday’s classes, we’ll make the call around noontime if the roads look safe or not.  Please call the studio/check the studio website before you come out for Yoga class in West Concord. 

Check the events page, or subscribe to the blog updates to be sure not to miss any announcements. 

Om Shanti,  I’ll see you in class.

-j

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Mom’s “Zero Calorie” Vegetable Soup

February 19, 2009 in recipes | 5 comments

My Mom’s a retired chef, and full-time saint.  She’s very busy this time of year, dispensing her soup to everyone she knows.  Seriously, everyone gets soup. And between the Karma of helping others to feel better and her daily Neti pot use, she’s been relatively free of colds.  Nice. 

She calls it zero-calorie cause it can be a helpful part of a weight loss plan. Fill up with lo-cal soup and we’re good and hydrated, with less room for snacks.  I call it Mom’s liquid-love.  I asked her to share her recipe with us:

Mom’s Zero-Calorie Vegetable Soup. 

Mom's liquid love vegetable soup recipe

Cut uniformly – 5 stalks of celery w/leaves, 1 pound of carrots, and 1/2 pound of green beans.  Quarter 10 brussel sprouts,  Crush two garlic cloves.  Sauté veggies with a tiny amount of oil in your soup pot for 5 minutes. (mom uses spray-oil)

Add one 14 oz. can of diced tomatoes, the fire roasted ones are nice.  Add 4 cups of veg stock, 6 cups of water, and 1.5 tablespoons of dried Italian seasoning.  toss in an optional pinch of red pepper flakes.

Bring to a boil, then simmer for 10 minutes.  add 1 small diced zucchini and a handful of baby spinach leaves.  Simmer for 5 minutes, or till veggies are crisp-tender.  Adjust seasonings to taste.   To fill it out a bit, add some small pasta, some cubed tofu, or a can or chickpeas.  Enjoy!  And thanks mom. 

I’m hoping she can join us at the Yoga and cooking class coming up on the 28′th.  For those of you signed-up, I’ll be sending directions very soon.  Yes, There’s still a few spots left for this one of a kind, delicious event.

 

Humane Myth

June 30, 2008 in recipes, Yoga | Add Your Comment

Everyone seems to be going green, or talking about it anyway.  Even yoga studios are trying to tread a little lighter on the planet.    As yogis who seek the truth, we need to sift through all these claims and find out whats really happening.  A new term “Greenwashing” has popped up.   When you are beign pitched by a company claiming that they are the ’green’ choice, dig a little deeper.  Often times, things are not what they seem.   

Another area where talk is extremely louder than the walk is the food industry.  My good friends and mentors James Laveck and Jenny Stein have launched a new website dedicated to the truth.   Take a few minutes to ponder the HumaneMyth website.   pass it along.

See you in class, om shanti

-john 

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