What does it mean to eat Clean?

 What does it mean to eat clean? 
There's a lot of talk these days about "eating clean." 6 different things come to mind (This is not an all-inclusive list) that we can consider when choosing our food:

1. Where and how is the food handled?
How far away did the food travel from? How was it caught or grown?

2. Was the food prepared with love?
Happy cook = Happy food

3. Is it food that supports my needs (nutrients, allergies, etc.)?
Is my body cannot digest milk, it is not good for me. If your body can digest milk, then you want to choose milk from cows that have been treated well, without the use of hormones and drugs.

4. How processed is the food? 
Potatoes contain more nutrients than potato chips. Remember though that not all processing is bad.

5. Does it have additives? Hormones, GMOs, artificial sweeteners, colors or flavors, preservatives.

6. Is the packaging safe and environmentally friendly? Is it stored in a plastic that seeps into the food?

What are cleaner foods we can eat?
Fresh, local and in season fruits and vegetables
Nuts, seeds, beans, cold-pressed organic oils
Unrefined grains, 
wild-caught fish, hormone-free dairy and meats

Why is eating clean important? There is a lot of controversy over what we should and should eat. Most of the research supports eating as close to nature as possible with lots of vegetables, some fruit and grain, and healthy protein and fat.

If you've been eating a lot of processed food as well as putting toxic things (think cleansers, air pollution, drugs, items used on your skin) into, around, and on your body, maybe it's time to do a whole foods cleanse. I will be leading one for the month of March. Register Here.
What are some of the benefits of regular cleansing with whole foods? Sleep better, feel better, brighter, clearer skin, lose weight, think more clearly and so much more.

What makes mine a bit different from some of the others? You have access to me through email, you'll receive daily tips and encouragement, lots of yummy recipes, a self-care and how to cleanse guide, an accountability buddy and more.
I'd love to hear about your experiences with eating clean and/or cleansing.

The Yogi Diet: 10 Do's and Don'ts

I am a yogi and I love food. I also have a predominantly Kapha constitution, which means that it a bit easier for me to put on weight, something I didn’t really think about until after I had children. Click here for a constitution quiz.

Some yogis choose to be vegetarian for a variety of reasons. I have been one for a very long time. My mother says that I came out that way. She actually says that I ate pasta and green beans, Guess what I still love? You got it! You don't have to be a vegetarian, though, just because you're a yogi.

Throughout my years of trying various diets (not diets to lose weight) and cleanses, I’ve noticed some things. I’ve also spent a lot of time reading about what yogi masters and teachers as well as lots of other professional say about food.

What did I learn? I feel light, my emotions are level, I sleep well and I feel energetic when I am eating organic fruits and vegetables and not much else. Other people do not have that same experience. Some feel drained, some get light-headed and some are down right miserable when they don't have animal protein.

Bottom line is that some people make better vegetarians than others. Some need animal protein more than others. Some people do well with dairy; I’m not one of them. We are different and we have different needs.

My suggestions for a healthy, healing yogic diet:

1.   Eat organic, local and humanely-treated food sources

2.   Mostly veggies and some fruits, fresh, raw or cooked

3.   Find the protein sources that suit your body type and lifestyle (beans, meat, fish, dairy, eggs)

4.   Whole grains again that work for you

5.   Lots of warm water and hot tea

6.   Very little sweeteners—honey or maple syrup if needed

7.   Spices of all sorts remembering that spices have long been used as medicine

8.   Homemade foods whenever possible, made with love, chanting and in a peaceful environment

9.   Eat the right amount for your body, 2/3 full

10.  Any food that makes you feel truly alive

The things we want to stay away from:

1.   Genetically modified foods

2.   Anything with a label with words you don’t know

3.   Processed, packaged, re-formed foods

4.   Fried foods

5.   Eating while you are doing something else, angry or rushed

6.   White flour

7.   Sugar

8.   Alcohol, tobacco and other substances

9.   Overly salted food

10. Any food that doesn’t make you feel more alive

If you’re interested in learning more about a healthy diet, join me for a group cleanse starting on September 2^nd. Click here for more information.

For another perspective, you might read, The Yogic Diet: 10Foods to Enjoy & Avoid, by Lisa Mitchell.

As always, I would love to hear your thoughts about food and yoga and how they work together.

Local and Inexpensive -- sprouts no doubt

• Why Sprout?
  
  Sprouted seeds have
   
• More protein than the actual nut, fruit or vegetable
• Increased fiber content
• More oxygen and antioxidants
• More enzymes that help with digestion
• Cardiovascular health
• Minerals more usable
• Local and inexpensive
• Drastically increased Vitamins A, B, C and E
• Increased essential fatty acids
• You can participate in growing your own food in a small space with very little equipment
• Sprouts can and should be a daily part of your diet or cleanse 

How do you sprout?

Start with organic sprouting seeds to avoid pesticides.

There are many seed combinations or you can choose  a single seed. Each seed has its own soaking and sprouting time. 
Measure out the amount you need. I start with 1 T organic alfalfa seeds. I purchase my seed from a local seed supply company.

Place the seed in a bowl with water to soak. I soak alfalfa for 4 hours.

Rinse after 2 hours.

Place in some container that allows water to drain. I use an inexpensive sprouting tray set.

  

Rinse seeds/sprouts 3 times per day and keep them covered (out of the sun).

The sprouts will begin to grow, developing what looks like a tail.

Growth rate depends on the seed, season and room temperature. 3 days growth.

5 days growth. When leaves start to form, place in sun.

Sunlight allows the sprouts to turn green (chlorophyll).

Enjoy!! I tend to eat the whole batch in one day. If you have any left over, they can be stored in the fridge for up to a week in water. Again, rinse your sprouts each day.

Some people are concerned about bacterial growth. I have not had any difficulties because I purchase clean, organic seed and rinse my seeds and sprouts 3 times per day. If you see any growth of mold or notice an unpleasant odor, throw away your sprouts. Clean your equipment well and buy good seed.

You don't have to buy special equipment. You can use cheesecloth and mason jars.

Sprouts have been connected to many amazing benefits including cancer, diabetes, Parkinson's, asthma, joint and hypertension prevention. What do you have to lose? 

I'd love to hear about your results or other words of wisdom about sprouting.

Just another yogini rant...

Remember I have my online and local cleanse during the month of September. Click here for details and to register.