If you're stressed out, there are so many ways that yoga can help. Typically when you are stressed out your breathing becomes shallow and you hold tension in your body. Yoga can help you release tension and breathe deeper, not just in class, but with time outside of class when you feel stress creeping in. You don't have to be flexible or able to touch your toes. Yoga teachers know how to help you get the most benefit out of your time on the yoga mat, offering you modifications when necessary, which also helps to avoid injuries. We hope to see you in a class soon!

Sol Asar was born and raised in St Louis and has been sharing his culinary creations in the PuraVegan kitchen for a few years now.  When he isn't creating magic in the kitchen, he is focused spreading the knowledge of body mind and soul. He is a Reiki Level 1 healer, a student and teacher of Kemetic Yoga (Sema Tawi) activist and musician. Sol is interested in awakening the divinity within humanity.  

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Sol  currently offers the following weekly class:
- Kemetic Yoga & Meditation, Fridays, 4:00 - 4:30pm, Donate what you can afford

This recipe is nothing fancy, yet it is worth bragging about? What is there to brag about? Here are the list of bragging rights:

• it's delicious
• it's easy
• it's affordable
• it dirties minimal dishes
• it's versatile 
• it's nutritious 
• no expensive equipment required (whisk and bowl)
  
  

I am a big believer that if I am going to prepare a sauce, I need to be able to use it multiple ways. Almost every salad dressing that I make is versatile enough that it can be enjoyed in a wrap, as a dip, on top of cooked vegetables, drizzled on a baked potato, I think you get the picture. Tahini is one of my favorite ingredients because it is nutritious, affordable and easy to whisk by hand without using a blender or food processor.

What goes in it?

1/2 cup tahini
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
3/4 cup water
1/4 tsp garlic powder or 1/2 clove finely minced
1 TBSP liquid aminos (soy or coconut), soy sauce, tamari, or nama shoyu

Blend or whisk - add any other spices that you enjoy. I personally put pepper in just about everything. You may like citrus juice, coriander, mustard or anything. Don't be scared to experiment. If you want it thicker use less liquid. Should store for five days in an air tight container.

​Ellie views yoga as a healing practice for both the mind and body. Ellie began practicing as a hobby around 2011 long before she understood the incredible medicinal benefits of yoga. Around 2013, she developed a committed personal practice and learned to release emotions stored in the body. Ellie loves to share a holistic approach to yoga and she hopes to encourage ease, flow, and acceptance through out her classes. In addition to practicing yoga, Ellie is incredibly passionate about whole body wellness, nutrition, and personal development.

Ellie currently offers the following weekly class:

• Wednesdays, 5:45pm, Yoga Flow, Donate what you can afford

​Josh's classes are focused on finding a deep connection to breath. Use of breath to clear the mind and the body of stress and fatigue. As you move through postures or sequences you are reminded to stay with the movement of practice with clear mind to the best of your ability. His inspiration for the design of classes comes from Iyengar Yoga and Ashtanga Yoga. Get ready to open up and breathe!

Josh currently offers the following weekly classes:

• Tuesdays, 6pm,  Powere Vinyasa Yoga,  $10 drop in
• Wednesdays, 12pm, Power Yoga,  Donate what you can afford
• Thursdays, 9am, Vinyasa - All Levels, $10 drop in

1. NUTRITIOUS FOOD
   Fuel yourself with food in its natural state, unprocessed, and a wide variety. Plant food that is rich in fiber, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals helps your body do the job it was intended to do - to heal and prevent disease. Food that was designed by companies to have a long shelf life, create addicts (lifelong customers), and maximize profit are NOT designed to help your body do its job. Sure, they may provide calories which give us energy, but most processed foods have excess calories and are deficient in nutrients. Keep it simple - a variety of colors, raw and cooked, fruits, vegetables, legumes, seeds, and nuts!
   
   
2. STRESS MANAGEMENT
   Chronic stress can make you sick. Stress is our bodies natural response to change or triggers in environment. Stress triggers our sympathetic nervous system "fight or flight" response, to protect us from perceived dangers. Let's face it, most of us are not in danger most of the time, but live perpetually in "fight or flight" mode based upon our thoughts and worries. It is imperative that you find ways to activate your parasympathetic nervous system "rest and digest" response. Meditation, yoga and breathing exercises are a great way to undo the physiological damage from chronic stress. I tell clients every day that if you are eating healthy and exercising, but chronically stressed out, your immune system is compromised leaving you prone to disease.  Come to one of our donation based weekly meditation classes if you are new to this!
   
   
3. QUALITY SLEEP
   Never underestimate the power of a good nights sleep. Sleep deprivation can affect your health and happiness on a deep level. Much cellular repair that our bodies require take place during sleep, as energy can be allocated to other functions when we aren't walking around, talking, and doing our waking tasks.  Inadequate sleep is associated with accelerated aging of the brain, impaired cognitive function, elevated cholesterol, increased blood cholesterol levels, and obesity according to studies. So, don't feel guilty about sleeping - consider it a gift to yourself contributing your overall health. And when you are healthier that benefits all your loved ones as well!
   
   
4. LOVE & FRIENDSHIPS
   Us human beings are social creatures, even if you don't consider yourself to be social. Meaning we get feelings of pleasure including a dopamine response in our brain's pleasure center when we have satisfying interactions with others. You don't have to have a million friends, maybe you even enjoy interactions with companion animals, such as cats and dogs.  "We are creatures of community. Those individuals, societies, and cultures who learned to take care of each other, to love each other, and to nurture relationships with each other during the past several hundred thousand years were more likely to survive than those who did not. Those people who did not learn to take care of each other often did not make it." -Dean Ornish
   
   
5. PHYSICAL ACTIVITY & SUNSHINE
   Physical activity is vital to keep your body operating at its best! There are all sorts of physiological functions that occur when you exercise including cancer prevention! Not only does exercise help you maintain a healthy body, but it also provides a pleasure endorphin response in the brain, helping ward off depression.  Better yet, physical activity combined with some sunshine can make you feel high on life! Our skin converts sun exposure (specifically UVB rays) to Vitamin D (actually a hormone), which is proven to prevent all sorts of  chronic diseases. During the summer months get outside a few minutes every day and let your skin do its magic job of taking in some rays and making them do their job!
   
   Back to exercise now: physical activity is NOT optional, but if you don't like going to the gym that is A-OKAY! You can do anything that you enjoy. If you have been very sedentary and are just starting to get up and moving, it may feel uncomfortable in the beginning. You may wonder how anyone could ever enjoy it! I promise that once your muscles, lungs and heart get stronger you will then wonder why you waited so long to start. If you aren't sure how to begin, just put on some of your favorite music, get up off the sofa and start dancing! Sound silly to you? I think staying sedentary is much sillier, so lets get that body moving!

As I mentioned above, there is a synergistic relationship to all of these five behaviors. If you start eating healthy and hydrating, managing stress, sleeping well, exercising AND spending some time with friends you will feel like a superstar! I think you should get started right NOW!

~ Monica

WHEN:   Mondays, 5:30 - 7:30pm,    Feb 29, March 7, 14, 21, & 28
WHERE:   PuraVegan Cafe!
WHO:     Taught by Monica
$ 195 for all five sessions   (includes meal, handouts, recipes, discussion & new friends!!! )

Discover which foods are optimal for weight management, learn about various health topics including blood pressure and digestion, and get empowered with the practical cooking skills needed to help you on your journey to better health. In our classes, attendees do all of this while enjoying a cooking demonstration and tasting delicious, healthful dishes in a supportive group setting.
Featured Class Topics

• Power of Your Plate
• Let’s Go!
• Getting in Gear
• Breaking the Food Seduction
• Keys for Natural Appetite Control

Praise for the Program
“I enjoyed tasting healthy foods I would never have cooked! I hope to lower my cholesterol, blood sugars, and weight by eating more fruits, vegetables, grains, and legumes!”
—Bonnie W., Kennewick Community Education, Kennewick, Wash.

“The instructor’s enthusiasm and knowledge made the class one of the best classes I've sat in. The food was delicious! I know the changes I've made will be permanent. I've lost weight, gained energy, and feel the best I've felt in years!”
—Leah M., Southlake Library, Southlake, Texas

“This class is helping me change my life. And I am so very grateful for being able to take it. Thank you for making that needed change possible. I will worry a lot less about my diabetes and expect the weight to drop.”
—Barbara B., Dayspring Enrichment Center, Wasilla, Ark.

In 2011, PCRM delivered our lifesaving message through 1,300 classes, to more than 9,000 people, in more than 150 cities.

written by Monica Stoutenborough, PuraVegan Owner
Ten years ago I never would have believed that I could feel this amazing. In fact, I didn't even realize just how bad I felt until I started feeling GREAT! I was 30 years old, beginning to gain weight, accumulate a variety of medications, suffered from regular migraines, and serious digestive pain. In spite of all that I thought that I was healthy simply because I was a vegetarian. Boy was I wrong. I was surviving on processed vegetarian food that was lacking in nutrients but abundant in calories, cholesterol, additives and lots of words/chemicals that I cannot pronounce. 

In 2007, I took the plunge to eat a healthy oil-free plant based diet and it was a real shocker. Before I knew it my migraine medication had expired because I wasn't requiring it, my digestion pain was gone, I lost 30 pounds and felt like a super human! My weight loss took place over many months, but the relief from pain and discomfort was almost overnight. I felt like I discovered something that was too good to be true and became the office health nut at my job. ​​

In assembling the amazing group of employees and teachers at PuraVegan we have built a team of passionate, positive, health focused people that want to help YOU. Please come in and try a class, the food, check out some of the books in our shop - many of them were motivators and catalysts for change during my transformative period and that is why we stock them.

I teach a donation based 30 minute Intro to Meditation class every single Tuesday evening at 5:30pm. If you cannot afford a donation for that class I am personally inviting you to attend anyway. Bring a friend. I don't care how healthy you eat - if you are stressed out your immunity is still compromised. It is time to take care of yourself and your whole body. Do not think that you have to be affluent, skinny, perfect or anything other than what you already are to start living the life that you desire. Your time is now - and we at PuraVegan would love to help support you on your path to feeling AWESOME!  You start from here and now.

Sincerely,
​Monica