Yoga was introduced to the West in late 19th century and has been since eagerly adopted by a very receptive audience. Despite the huge popularity of yoga, its medicinal counterpart Ayurveda, was left behind. Yoga and Ayurveda are complementary practices that share a close relationship, so much that they are often described as two sides […]
Traditional religious practices in Christianity, Buddhism, Islam have all included fasting (Karras et al., 2016). In yoga, fasting is a pillar of the philosophical principle of sauca, or purity. While abstaining from worldly delights (sex, food, alcohol) is certainly a test of mental fortitude, research has shown that caloric reduction through intermittent and periodic fasting can promote […]
It was day one and I was already befuddled. First of all, allow me to confess that I drank a glass of wine. I know, I know! SO not paleo! But I just moved into a new apartment, and a glass of wine was the perfect toast to end my Ikea-bed-assembly-beg-my-neighbor-for-help-adventure. And – I’ll have you know: […]
Travelling to NYC this weekend, I had some strategies for staying sugar free while in transit. Airplane snacks are a no go for the most part: airlines sugar and roast their nuts, add sugar to the hummus (yuck!), add sugar to all dressings, and almost everything comes with gluten crackers and wheat. However, here are some options that […]
The FDA has just approved a “belly balloon” that will let people feel full so they won’t eat. Reminiscent of gastric bypass surgery (by the way, there is currently there is a longitudinal study being evaluated to assess the effectiveness of surgery), it’s another example of people taking radical steps to help them manage their […]
So, how do I feel after 30 days on a sugar-free diet? Summary: Good. Not life changing, but solid. Lost weight, gained diversity. Here’s a run down of the changes. I’ve lost weight. While that wasn’t the intention going into this, it’s pretty remarkable to see how the pounds have shifted. And interestingly, I’ve been […]
So I decided to do a Pinterest board to celebrate and share the love of being sugar-free this month. To add to my board, I do a search for “sugarfree”, and lo and behold, my search returns…. …desserts. They’re sugar-free, grant you. But they’re all desserts. So I add “paleo” to the description. After all, I’m being paleo inspired this month […]
I usually like a breakfast of coffee, more coffee, and cream. The burners in my kitchen are pristine from lack of use. In the olden times I’d scarf down a protein vega bar around 10 AM and be ravenous by about 11:30. But during this sugarfast, I’ve been a positive breakfast dynamo. Three egg omelettes include with fish, […]
Oh my god. Who knew that squash would be so delicious?? But I get ahead of myself. So I was asked by a friend, “Rachel, what exactly are you eating? Can you write out some of your menus?” Why yes, I can. So here’s what a typical day has looked like for me over the […]
One week down. “Be safe,” my girlfriend continues to caution. She knows I’m going sugar free this month. What does sugar-free mean, anyway? Is it really that big of a deal? Is it dangerous? “Sugar-free” can mean different things. We can’t be truly sugar-free, of course, nor should we be. Our bodies convert the foods […]
I LOVE my hot chocolate. Love it. Well, generally, I just love chocolate. But if I’m going sugar-free, I don’t want to dive into a chocolate bar, no matter how dark. So here’s my absolute favourite treat. It’s oh so good. And it’s dairy free, sugar free, gluten free and even kinda healthy. Unsweetened almond milk – 1-2 cups in […]
I’m usually a hangry girl. Vata-deranged, angry glint in my eye, don’t-get-between-me-and-my-chocolate-at-3pm kind of person. But the last couple of days, my body has felt…well, weirdly satiated. I eat a big ol’ breakfast at around 9 and don’t even really feel hungry for lunch. That isn’t to say that I haven’t craved an apple (oh, […]
Here’s how the day broke out: Breakfast of eggs, squash, spinach, hummus. Lunch: steamed greens, omega 3 dressing, and a chunk of sweet potato. Dinner: turkey, walnuts, squash. And my yummy stevia, unsweetened almond milk, cocoa delight. So…no rice, no flours, just whole plain recognizable foods full of goodness. Wasn’t hungry for hours after my […]
My mother never knows what to expect when I come home. Chatting about my plans for Thanksgiving, there will come the inevitable pause as she tries to plan her menu, “ So, uh…what exactly are you eating now?” Then the big (and well-deserved) sigh, “I can never keep up.” Poor Mom. Yogis change diets like […]
I’m back to my food shenanigans people. Back with a vengeance. Oh, the food adventures that I have been having! Well, since we last connected about food, I have become interested in the power of paleo. Just a little. That’s right, I’m exploring what it’s like to run with the dinosaurs (I know that statement […]
I really suck at preparing for the holidays. Oh, how I long to be the person who mails their holiday cards weeks in advance, or buys christmas presents in April! If only I were more like my Grandma Vera, who just bought next year’s holiday cards in the “After Christmas Sale” rack. Now that woman is prepared. But […]
My god, what a week. The fatigue was unreal. I’m not sure which had the greater effect on my energy – caffeine withdrawal, the food detox, or the kick-my-booty yoga workshop with Desi Springer and John Friend – but I was a tired puppy dog. Surely it’s a combination of all three, but I’m putting my […]
Um, I think I’ll consider this week a warm up week. A…mostly elimination diet week. I’ve done a pretty good job of cutting out the potential causes of digestive alarm, but…there have been a couple slip ups. Mostly involving decaf coffee and diary substitutes. (Starbucks – why do you only have soy? Why?) […]
Oooohhh, coffee! Coffee I miss you! Ohhhh, your sweet, sweet caffeine-y goodness! Well, I have to share, I’m not off to the most perfect of beginnings. Let’s just start with coffee. I’ve spent the last ten days in Hawaii, where I went a little overboard (okay – a LOT) with the kona deliciousness. Oh, delicious […]
Herein begins the tale of a 3-week odyssey into an….(bum bum bum) elimination diet! Ever since a trip to India awhile back, my digestion has been plagued by inconsistency. I’ve tried being vegan, omnivorous, seen two naturopaths, seen an acupuncturist, done the antibiotic route….and still had a grumpy gut. Having spent the last while happily […]
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