Tuesday 29 September 2015

THESE 7 FREE TOOLS WILL SAVE YOUR EYES IF YOU STARE AT SCREENS ALL DAY

THESE 7 FREE TOOLS WILL SAVE YOUR EYES IF YOU STARE AT SCREENS ALL DAY


By greatist.com - Macaela Mackenzie

As much as we try to digitally detox, most of us are still slaves to the screen. We spend nearly seven hours staring at screens every day—a big chunk of that checking our phones upwards of150 times a day. Our need to be connected to the digital world has gotten so out of hand that people are now being diagnosed with nomophobia, a fear of being without their mobile device.
But our screen obsession is more than just a sad social commentary: It’s causing short-term discomfort and potentially long-term damage to our bodies. Seven in 10 millennials today report digital eye strain, which includes a cocktail of symptoms (dry eyes, headaches, and lack of focus) that result from having our eyes glued to screens all day.
The simple act of staring isn’t the problem. “Just using your eyes doesn’t hurt your eyes,” says Lisa Park, M.D., an ophthalmologist at NYU Langone Medical Center. But when we stare at screens, we tend to blink less frequently, which brings on those dry, itchy eyes.
We also have to worry about the blue light that our desktops and smartphones emit. The blue light sends a signal to the brain to stop it from producing melatonin, the chemical that causes us to feel sleepy. (Hello, sleep deprivation.) Plus, research has found that blue light can damage the retina over time.
Just because you have a desk job doesn’t mean you’re doomed. Park recommends looking up from your screen every 15 minutes and staring at something that’s far away to let your eyes readjust. And since we can’t get away from screens without unplugging entirely, we found seven free tools you need to stop those screen-induced symptoms.
But our screen obsession is more than just a sad social commentary: It’s causing short-term discomfort and potentially long-term damage to our bodies. Seven in 10 millennials today report digital eye strain, which includes a cocktail of symptoms (dry eyes, headaches, and lack of focus) that result from having our eyes glued to screens all day.
The simple act of staring isn’t the problem. “Just using your eyes doesn’t hurt your eyes,” says Lisa Park, M.D., an ophthalmologist at NYU Langone Medical Center. But when we stare at screens, we tend to blink less frequently, which brings on those dry, itchy eyes.
We also have to worry about the blue light that our desktops and smartphones emit. The blue light sends a signal to the brain to stop it from producing melatonin, the chemical that causes us to feel sleepy. (Hello, sleep deprivation.) Plus, research has found that blue light can damage the retina over time.

Just because you have a desk job doesn’t mean you’re doomed. Park recommends looking up from your screen every 15 minutes and staring at something that’s far away to let your eyes readjust. And since we can’t get away from screens without unplugging entirely, we found seven free tools you need to stop those screen-induced symptoms.
1. Flux
If you can’t give up scrolling through your Newsfeed before bed, you need f.lux. The program changes the amount of blue light emitted from your screen based on the time of day—crisp and bright in the morning, and a reddish, golden hue in the evening. It’s one trick to get you to feel sleepy while still looking at a screen. (Mac, Windows, Linux, iPhone/iPad)

I TESTED 7 NATURAL WAYS TO FALL ASLEEP. HERE'S WHAT ACTUALLY WORKED

I TRIED 7 NATURAL WAYS TO FALL ASLEEP.  HERE'S WHAT ACTUALLY WORKED


By mindbodygreen.com - Leah Vanderveldt

For most of my life, I've had a hard time falling asleep. My mind seems to light up with random thoughts, worries, and stresses as soon as my head hits the pillow.
There was a phase when I relied heavily on reruns of The Office to drown out my noisy brain. But eventually I reached a stage when listening to the drama of Jim and Pam's relationship no longer cut it.
I turned to a few lifestyle changes like less caffeine, regular exercise, and a meditation practice (although irregular), which seemed to help.
Inevitably, there are still nights when despite how tired I am, I'm kept awake thinking about that email I forgot to send. I started to look for quick fixes for those times when I find myself wide awake at midnight, wishing for nothing more than to seamlessly drift off.

I tested seven natural tricks and methods designed to help me both fall asleep and get more restful sleep. But first, I laid some basic ground rules to make sure my sleep experiment wasn't altered by any big issues before testing out other natural methods.
The basic rules:
  • No caffeine after 12 p.m.
  • Minimal (0-1 serving) alcohol
  • Avoid screens an hour before bed
  • Eliminate light entirely (I'm all about the sleep mask)
  • Regular exercise (5-6 mornings per week)
The sleep tricks:
1. Dab on lavender essential oil.
What I did: A dab of lavender essential oil on my wrists and temples.
The verdict: This felt really earth mothery, in the best kind of way. The smell was unexpectedly soothing. It might be a placebo effect, but it really helps me feel calmer and ready for sleep.
I actually integrated it into my bedtime routine, so now it's a signal to my brain that it's time to chill. But it's more of a de-stresser than a sleep aid.
2. Breathe through the left nostril.
What I did: This pranayama practice is simply about breathing through (you guessed it) your left nostril. I placed my thumb on the outside of my right nostril and pressed it closed. Then I just breathed deeply, counting to 26 breaths, as recommended.
The verdict: I felt a little silly, but it was good that I was focusing on my breathing and counting, which slowed my brain down. I lost track of my counting a few times and eventually drifted off. I guess that means it worked?

Monday 28 September 2015

NUTTY CARAMEL CHOCOLATE BUCKWHEAT SLICES - VEGAN AND GLUTEN FREE

NUTTY CARAMEL CHOCOLATE BUCKWHEAT SLICES - VEGAN AND GLUTEN FREE


By onegreenplanet.org - Emily Von Euw

Crust:
250g/1 1/4 cups raisins
110g/3/4 cup buckwheat groats
40g/1/4 cup pecans
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon powder

Caramel:
300g/1 1/2 cups dates
2 tablespoons date syrup
1/4 teaspoon vanilla bean
55g/1/4 cup hazelnut butter
2-3 tablespoons lemon juice
60ml/1/4 cup almond milk or more, as needed

Chocolate:
3 heaping tablespoons coconut oil
150g/3/4 cup dates
2 tablespoons cacao powder
A few tablespoons water, as needed

Toppings (Optional):
Pinch of fleur de sel
Date syrup
Black sesame seeds




To Make the Crust:
Throw everything into a food processor and whizz until it becomes a crumbly, sticky mixture that can hold its shape when pressed together between your fingers.  Press this into a lined 9×5-inch loaf pan and put in the fridge. 

To Make the Caramel:
Blend everything up until smooth, adding almond milk as needed, but try to use as little almond milk as possible. It should be thick, creamy and delicious (like … well … caramel).  Spread evenly onto your crust and put back in the fridge.

To Make the Chocolate:

Blend everything until smooth, adding water if you need to. It should be a slightly thinner consistency than the caramel, like chocolate syrup.  Pour and spread evenly onto your caramel layer. Sprinkle on pretty things.  Put in the freezer for a few hours until it’s solid and the caramel is gooey and holds its shape when cut. Alternatively, leave it in the freezer overnight and then wait for the whole thing to thaw enough so you can cut it.

RESEARCH FINDS DEPRESSION IS LINKED TO ALLERGIC REACTION TO INFLAMMATION

RESEARCH FINDS DEPRESSION IS LINKED TO ALLERGIC REACTION TO INFLAMMATION


By lifehack.org - Hannah Glenn

Inflammation is a buzzword these days. We might be familiar with inflammation in the sense of having a messed-up knee from a sports injury, but what is it in the broader sense?
Inflammation can also be a systemic problem affecting the major organs and the entire body. It’s interesting to note that “pain may not be a primary symptom of an inflammatory disease, since many organs do not have many pain-sensitive nerves.”
Generally feeling achy, having low energy, shortness of breath, skin issues, and fluid retention are possible symptoms. Perhaps most surprising are correlations research is finding between inflammation and depression.


However, Tim De Chant of NOVA writes, “Inflammation is our immune system’s natural response to injuries, infections, or foreign compounds. When triggered, the body pumps various cells and proteins to the site through the blood stream, including cytokines, a class of proteins that facilitate intercellular communication. It also happens that people suffering from depression are loaded with cytokines.” According to this and other similar articles, depression qualifies as a symptom of an allergic reaction to inflammation.
An article in Nature Reviews Neuroscience notes, “Inflammation is therefore an important biological event that might increase the risk of major depressive episodes.” This is specifically true in those with chronic, systemic infections, cancer, and autoimmune diseases.
Chronic inflammation, in terms of autoimmune disease, is essentially the body’s defense mechanism gone rogue, or at least extreme. White blood cells react to and damage the body’s own tissues in the absence of foreign invaders.

PUMPKIN PECAN BROWNIES

PUMPKIN PECAN BROWNIES


By nummyformytummy.com

75g/1/2 c pecans
75g/1/2 c walnuts
200g/1 c packed dates, pitted
3 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
2 tbsp pumpkin pie spice*
1 Tbsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp fine sea salt

Frosting:
110g/1/2 c coconut butter**
52g/1/4 c coconut oil, soft but not melted
165g/3/4 c pumpkin puree
2 tsp pumpkin pie spice*
1 tbsp raw honey
75g/1/4 c pecans, chopped (for topping)




Pecans, walnuts, cocoa powder, pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon and salt in at food processor and pulse until the nuts are finely chopped.   Add in the packed dates and continue to pulse until it blends together into a nutty paste.  Remove the blade from the processor and using your hand, make sure all ingredients are mixed together.   Line an 8×8 baking pan with parchment paper.   Spread the mixture evenly, firmly press until flat and refrigerate.


Make frosting-  In a medium glass mixing bowl, combine the coconut butter, pumpkin puree and softened coconut oil and thoroughly mix together.  Add the pumpkin pie spice and honey to the puree and continue to mix until everything is blended together.   Remove brownie pan from refrigerator and spread frosting evenly over the brownies, using a spatula to spread nice and smooth.   Sprinkle the entire surface of frosting with the chopped pecans and gently press into the frosting.   Refrigerate for at least 10 minutes to allow the frosting to harden slightly.

Sunday 27 September 2015

HOW YOU COULD BE DAMAGING YOUR SKIN WITHOUT KNOWING IT

HOW YOU COULD BE DAMAGING YOUR SKIN WITHOUT KNOWING IT


By mindbodygreen.com - Denise Bissell

When you expose your skin to various environmental or chemical factors, there's always a risk that you'll damage your dermis in some way. There are certainly things you know to avoid for optimal skin health, but what about the stuff you don't think twice about? That's right, something as basic as taking a shower could, over time, seriously weather your skin, leading to premature aging, damage, enlarged pores, broken capillaries, and dull skin.
So, though it's something you do every day and seems innocent enough, your shower routine could be doing some pretty harsh work on your skin. Surprising, I know, but a few small changes could seriously improve the relationship your shower has with your skin. Here are five places to start:
1. Adjust the water pressure.
Imagine pressure-washing stone on a daily basis. Eventually, you're going to erode the surface. Now swap out the stone for your face, and a pressure-washer for your shower head in that image. See the damage you could be causing your skin? Obviously you need to rinse off debris and cleansers while showering (after all, isn't that the whole point of bathing?). But if you let water pour onto your skin for an extended period of time or the water pressure is incredibly strong, think about turning it down.

Heavy, continuous water pressure can ultimately lead to vascular malformations like broken capillaries and spider veins. Heavy pressure might feel good on your muscles and help you wash that shampoo out quicker, but think about your skin and turn it down!
2. Find the optimal water temperature.
Similar to water pressure, the temperature of your shower can cause damage to your delicate skin. Very hot showers can seriously dehydrate your skin. Your skin contains proteins and fats that form a protective barrier to lock in moisture and protect you from a harsh outside environment. When the water you bathe with is too hot, it strips that natural protection away, leaving your skin vulnerable to harmful external elements and letting the moisture in your skin escape.

Saturday 26 September 2015

7 FITNESS MYTHS THAT ARE WASTING YOUR TIME AND ENERGY

7 FITNESS MYTHS THAT ARE WASTING YOUR TIME AND ENERGY


By mindbodygreen.com - Brian Syuki

A few years ago, it was tough to find fitness advice other than in books or magazines. Today it's a totally different story, thanks to blogs, social media, and digital products — there’s more than enough advice out there. In fact, people are suffering from information overload and most of the fitness advice out there is based on myths.
Misinformation can derail your results or make it impossible for you to reach your goals. If you want fast results stick to what matters and ignore the lies and myths. Here are seven fitness tips you should ignore.
1. "_____ is the best time to exercise."
I know you’ve heard this before: “You’ll burn more calories if you work out in the morning." Or how about: “The afternoon/ evening is the best time to work out.” Don’t follow any of this advice because there aren’t enough studies to support these theories. In fact, researchers say the best time to exercise is the time you are most comfortable with and can stick to on a regular basis.


Good advice: Plan your workouts according to your schedule and work out at the time which is most convenient for you — whenever that may be.
2. "If it doesn’t hurt you are probably doing it wrong."
The no pain, no gain mantra is more popular than ever. Unfortunately, this advice leads people with injuries and abnormal pain to continue exercising instead of seeking medical care.
Good advice: It’s okay to push yourself, but you have to listen to your body. Learn to differentiate muscle soreness and injuries. Immediately stop training when you experience unusual sharp pain.

THE MASSIVE FITNESS TREND THAT'S NOT ACTUALLY HEALTHY AT ALL

THE MASSIVE FITNESS TREND THAT'S NOT ACTUALLY HEALTHY AT ALL


By greatist.com - Jonathan Angelilli

The world can be a crazy place, we all know that. And giving in to the fear that is endlessly manufactured by the media is a constant temptation on the path to fitness greatness. It’s also true that sometimes sh!t gets real, and we need to be prepared to adapt instantly. Why? Because…
Life Is a Battle!
But (and it's a big fat booty butt) just because life is a battle doesn’t mean you have to destroy yourself every time you go to the gym. Any serious athlete knows that rest, recovery, and periodization (smartly modifying intensity based on goals, performance, and ability) are absolutely crucial to optimal performance (aka kicking ass).
There is a massive trend in the fitness industry to glorify exercise as an all-out war on the body. I call it the militarization of fitness—all the boot camps, Marine-inspired workouts, ridiculously intense body building routines, and general glorification of pain. Even our recovery and regeneration techniques are prioritized by how painful they are. (Got a knot in your hip flexor? Go roll that shit with a baseball!)


This trend is a symptom of a much larger disease. We live in a culture obsessed with aggression, and it has found its way into every facet of our lives, even our workouts.
Exhaustion Is Not a Status Symbol
Well, exhaustion actually is a status symbol in our culture. And that’s the problem—we’re working and training ourselves to death. From a young age, we’re bombarded with the message that to be successful, we must work overtime, sacrifice our health, friends, even happiness and sanity to achieve what we want.

BREAKFAST PIZZA

BREAKFAST PIZZA


By paleogrubs.com 

For the crust
3 eggs
240ml/1 cup full-fat canned coconut milk
60g/1/2 cup of coconut flour
2 tsp of garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp Italian seasoning (or you could use a mixture of basil, parsley, oregano)
1/2 tsp baking soda

For the breakfast pizza
3 strips bacon
2 spring onions, chopped
1-2 tomatoes, sliced thin
Large handful of spinach
4 eggs
1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped




Instructions
Preheat the oven to 375F/150C.  To form the pizza dough, lightly beat the eggs and coconut milk in a bowl.  Add in the coconut flour, baking soda, and seasonings and mix into a smooth batter. Spread the batter onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, using a spatula to smooth into either a circle or rectangle.  Bake for 18-20 minutes or until the top is golden brown.  Remove from oven.  Carefully flip over.  

While the crust is baking, cook the bacon in a skillet over medium heat. Reserving the bacon fat in the pan, set the bacon aside to cool and crumble into pieces. Barely wilt the spinach in the leftover bacon fat. Add toppings to the baked crust. Start with bacon, tomato, spinach, and spring onions.  Carefully crack eggs onto the crust. Sprinkle with parsley.  Bake for 12-15 minutes more, just until the egg whites have set. Slice and serve warm.


NETTLE - THE EDIBLE WEED WITH POWERFUL PUNCHES

NETTLE - THE EDIBLE WEED WITH POWERFUL PUNCHES


By paleohacks.com

Of all the edible ‘weeds’, nettle is one that is not only easy to identify but is one of the most nutritionally dense and most commonly found around the world.
If you’ve ever been stung by the nettle plant, it’s definitely something you’ve never forgotten, however, put any pain and suffering aside that has come about from the nettle plant and be ready to open your eyes to the diversity of this amazing plant; you may be surprised to find out that nettle is one of the most nutritious greens available!

A plant that is very diverse, nettle can not only be used for natural remedies but is also extremely valuable as a food source. Nettle is also very fibrous and has been used to make fabrics as well as being used to make vivid green dyes.
Nettle has an extremely high antioxidant source, is rich in vitamins and minerals and consists of up to 40% protein (by dry weight). Nettle is also very rich in calcium, in-fact with a serving of around 150g of nettle you will satisfy the daily recommended intake of calcium.
The next time you stumble across nettle, take the opportunity to harvest them for your next meal, you will want to prepare yourself with gloves, with one hand holding the stalk and the other using scissors or a knife to cut the plant. When harvesting nettle, pinch the leaf from underneath and fold in half to pick it from the stem if you don’t have gloves – this process can be seen as best practise even when wearing gloves.

Friday 25 September 2015

HAPPINESS COMES FROM GIVING AND HELPING, NOT BUYING AND HAVING

HAPPINESS COMES FROM GIVING AND HELPING, NOT BUYING AND HAVING


By wakeup-world.com - Steve Taylor Ph.D

Materialism doesn’t lead to well-being, but altruism does.

So many of us strive so hard for material success that you might think there was a clear relationship between wealth and happiness. The media and our governments encourage us to believe this, since they need us to keep earning and spending to boost economic growth. From school onwards, we’re taught that long term well-being stems from achievement and economic prosperity – from ‘getting on’ or ‘making it’, accumulating more and more wealth, achievement and success.
Consequently, it comes as a shock for many people to learn that there is no straightforward relationship between wealth and well-being. Once our basic material needs are satisfied (i.e. once we’re assured of regular food and adequate shelter and a basic degree of financial security), wealth only has a negligible effect on well-being.


For example, studies have shown that, in general, lottery winners do not become significantly happier than they were before, and that even extremely rich people – such as billionaires – are not significantly happier than others.
Studies have shown that American and British people are less contented now than they were 50 years ago, although their material wealth is much higher. On an international level, there does appear to some correlation between wealth and well-being, partly because there are many countries in the world where people’s basic material needs are not satisfied. But this correlation is not a straightforward one, since wealthier countries tend to be more politically stable, more peaceful and democratic, with less oppression and more freedom – all of which are themselves important factors in well-being.

Thursday 24 September 2015

I'M A DOCTOR WHO SPECIALISES IN DIET AND NUTRITION. HERE'S WHY I DON'T HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT VEGAN DIETS

I'M A DOCTOR WHO SPECIALISES IN DIET AND NUTRITION - HERE'S WHY I DON'T HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT VEGAN DIETS



By mindbodygreen.com - Dr Gareth Davis

As a doctor and weight loss expert, I often receive requests to counter arguments that claim a vegan diet is bad for you. Most I ignore. As much as I would like to respond to the anti-vegan propaganda, it would often mean that I'd basically be arguing with people who have no understanding of science or treating patients.
But recently, one article on this website really got under my skin. There are many articles I love on this site, and many I disagree with. But I found this particular one to be particularly troublesome. Let's go through why.
The author starts with the title, "I'm A Nutritionist. Here's Why I Have Concerns About Vegan Diets." Well, I'm a medical doctor who specializes in diet and has studied nutrition in depth — and I am not the least bit worried by a vegan diet.
To start, her first "worry" is that vegans are not getting enough protein. You gotta be kidding me. I recently wrote a book on this topic, Proteinaholic: How Our Obsession with Meat Is Killing Us and What We Can Do About It. The bottom line: There is zero, and I mean zero, evidence that vegans get too little protein.
In fact, I've never seen a case of protein deficiency, as long as there's adequate consumption of calories. The recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for optimal protein intake is 0.8 kg/lean body mass. So that would be 44 grams for females (about the amount found in three cups of cooked beans) and 54 for males. This is enough protein for 99% of the population — and beans, nuts, grains and veggies, which have tons of protein, could cover this amount easily.
Also, if vegans aren't getting enough protein, then why in the Adventist Health Study do vegans live longer? Why do the NIH-AARP Diet and Health Study, the Nurses' Health Study and the EPIC-PANACEA study, to name just a few, show that higher protein is associated with diabetes, heart disease and cancer?

ESPRESSO CHOCOLATE HAZLENUT FUDGE

ESPRESSO CHOCOLATE HAZLENUT FUDGE



INGREDIENTS
300g/2 cups hazelnuts (skin removed)
150g/1 cup almonds
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons cacao powder
4 tablespoons date paste (store-bought or 1 rounded cup of Deglet dates, blended)
55g/1/4 cup almond butter
120g/3/4 cups dark chocolate chips
30g/1/4 cup fresh ground espresso




Instructions
Line a 9×9-inch baking pan or dish with parchment paper.  Set aside.  In a separate pan, bake hazelnuts at 350°F/175C for 8-10 minutes. Watch them closely to prevent burning. If your hazelnuts still have their brown skins, peel them off once they have finished roasting. Don’t worry about getting every last piece of skin off. (You can leave them raw if you prefer; roasting draws out the oil in the nut and makes it easier to transform them into a butter).  While the nuts roast, blend one rounded cup of Deglet dates until they reach a paste consistency. Set aside. (I always like to use 2 cups of dates anytime I am making something with dates. 2 cups gives the food processor something to dig into when it blends and I think the result is better; you will only need to use 1 cup worth of dates for this recipe, but you might want to blend 2 cups worth and reserve the extra for another project.)  Place slightly cooled hazelnuts, almonds, and salt into food processor. Blend until you have a nut butter consistency. This will take about 10 minutes and requires a bit of patience. Don’t get discouraged, your powdery nuts will turn to a creamy nut butter consistency, it just takes time.  Once you have a nut butter consistency, add in the cacao powder and blend until fully incorporated.  With the food processor on, drop in your date paste bit by bit. The mixture will become thicker and should clump together when pressed between your fingers.  To add a final bit of creaminess, add 1/4 cup of smooth almond butter and blend for another minute or so.  Scoop your fudge into your prepared 9×9-inch pan and loosely spread so that the fudge is evenly distributed across the pan. Do not press down.  Pour chocolate chips evenly across the top of the fudge and now press down firmly creating an even and compact top. The fudge will be warm and the chocolate will start to melt into the fudge (this is a good thing!).  Sprinkle your espresso grounds evenly over the top, using your hands to distribute.


Place a piece of parchment paper snuggly over the top of the fudge and place in the freezer for 20 minutes.  Remove and serve. Store covered in the refrigerator.

BANANA NUT PORRIDGE

BANANA NUT PORRIDGE


By Danielle Walker - AgainstAllGrain.com

SERVES: 4

INGREDIENTS:
75g/½ cup raw cashews
75g/½ cup raw almonds
75g/½ cup raw pecans
1 very ripe banana (makes it easier to digest plus adds a little more sweetness)
480ml/2 cup coconut milk
2 teaspoons cinnamon
dash of sea salt for soaking water





INSTRUCTIONS:
Place the nuts in a large bowl and sprinkle the sea salt over them. Fill the bowl with filtered water so the nuts are covered by at least 1 inch of water. Cover and soak overnight.  Drain the nuts and rinse 2 or 3 times, until the water runs clear.  Add the drained nuts to a food processor or high-speed blender. Blend the nuts with the banana, coconut milk, and cinnamon until smooth.  Divide it into bowls and microwave for 40 seconds or put all of the porridge in a pot on the stove and heat over medium-high heat for 5 minutes.  Serve with raisins, chopped nuts, and an extra splash of milk if desired.


THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU DO DOWNWARD DOG EVERY DAY

THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU DO DOWNWARD DOG EVERY DAY


By lifehack.org - Dylin Redling

Adho Mukha Svanasana, more commonly known as Downward Dog, is one of the most widely practiced yoga poses on the planet. You could probably even call it the poster child of yoga poses.
In almost every style of yoga, you’ll find yogis doing the old Downward Dog. It’s routinely practiced in Iyengar, Bikram, Vinyasa, and Ashtanga yoga styles.
At first glance, Downward Dog doesn’t look like an overly difficult pose. However, if you’ve been practicing for awhile, then you know it requires strength, flexibility, and stamina to perform correctly.
Downward Dog is one of the few yoga poses that strengthens and stretches almost every muscle in the body. At the same time, it provides the benefits of other poses, like inversions and backbends.
So what will happen if you practice Downward Dog every day?


You’ll Work All the Muscles of Your Upper Body

We tend to hunch over at our desks, computers, and mobile phones throughout the day, which causes tension and tightness in our chest and upper backs. There’s even a word for it now – computer hunch.
Downward Dog is a great pose to stretch those muscles and relieve that tension. By stabilizing your upper body in Downward Dog, you engage and strengthen the muscles of the arms, chest, back, and shoulder area.

Wednesday 23 September 2015

COCONUT FLOUR PORRIDGE WITH ROASTED APRICOTS

COCONUT FLOUR PORRIDGE WITH ROASTED APRICOTS


by onegreenplanet.org - Elsa Brobbey

Apricots:
8-10 small fresh apricots, pitted and halved
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Pinch of salt
1 teaspoon brandy, optional

Porridge:
60g/1/2 cup coconut flour
480ml/2 cups water
240ml/1 cup almond or coconut milk (or more or less based on desired porridge consistency), plus more for serving
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Coconut sugar and/or maple syrup (or agave) to taste





To Make the Apricots:
Preheat oven to 400°F/200C and line a baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper.  Arrange apricots in the prepared baking sheet arranged with the cut sides up, in a single layer.  Sprinkle with cinnamon and salt, splash apricots in brandy.  Bake for 15-20 minutes, until apricots are caramelized and tender but still retain their shape.

To Make the Porridge:
In medium saucepan, mix coconut flour and sea salt with of water and mix until mixture is smooth and free of lumps.  Let it stand for 2-3 minutes for the coconut flour to sop up the water.  Add milk, stir and cook over medium heat stirring frequently until porridge thickens.  Lower heat, keep stirring and check the consistency of the porridge, add more milk if desired.  Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract.  Ladle porridge into bowls; add more milk (if desired), top with apricots and drizzle with coconut sugar and maple syrup, and any other desired toppings.



Tuesday 22 September 2015

UNDERSTANDING MERCURY RETROGRADE IN ASTROLOGY

UNDERSTANDING MERCURY RETROGRADE IN ASTROLOGY


By wakeup-world.com - Simon Vorster and Jennifer Langstone

Its that time of year again, Mercury Retrograde has now started and will last 3 weeks.  This is a time to take stock of our lifes and to look at ways to address issues or sort out things that have been overlooked.  Its also a time for clearing out and moving on from the past.  Here is a great article to understand more about Mercury Retrograde.
There is no doubt that humanity is becoming more awakened to the interconnected nature of its existence. We feel that as we shift into clearer states of awareness, a deeper understanding of the truth about our connection to planetary cycles and what they symbolize can be of immense benefit to us.
In this article we would like to share some of our personal ideas and truths around an astrological phenomena known as Mercury Retrograde. Although the term is fairly well known, most people know very little about it other than the popular interpretation of it simply as a period of frequent miscommunication. With this article we hope to offer some clarity on what Mercury Retrograde actually means, how retrograde activity affects and reflects our energy, and how we can integrate it into our lives.


So, what is Mercury Retrograde? What does ‘retrograde’ even mean?

What is Retrograde?

In astrology the term retrograde is used quite often. In astrological reports you will read that a planet is retrograde, meaning it appears to be moving in a backward motion, as opposed to the forward or ‘direct’ motion.
There is an illusion behind this phenomena. The planets themselves don’t actually move backwards, they orbit the sun in the same direction as Earth. But during retrograde cycles, from our Earthly perspective they appear to be moving backwards, the effect caused by the relative positions of the Earth and planet in their respective orbits in the solar system. From our ever changing perspective, planets spent most time moving in a direct motion, going retrograde at intervals