![]() Have you even been arrived at your destination and upon arrival realized you can't remember the drive? You can literally get so engrossed in your repetitive thoughts that you aren't fully aware of what is happening right in front of you. You can simply go into auto-pilot mode and mentally check out. This isn't isolated to your daily work commute. We tend to check-out during many of our daily activities, especially during meal time! Being present when you are eating offers many benefits. Let's break them down:
So hopefully I've sold you on the concept of a mindful meal. It would also be my hope that your implementation of mindfulness can expand to other facets of your life. While it can improve your mealtime, that isn't where the benefits end. If you can be more mindful and present in the following situations, it is likely you would also benefit:
Remember, this moment matters. Even if you are not doing anything that is super exciting or fun right now, hopefully you can accept the moment, and maybe even enjoy it. Be here now. Sincerely, Monica
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![]() This recipe is nothing fancy, yet it is worth bragging about? What is there to brag about? Here are the list of bragging rights:
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. ![]() Often when a person decides to "get healthy" they focus on either exercise or diet. Some may be ambitious enough to tackle both! Ever notice that if you exercise AND eat healthy the benefits are astounding and they tend to work synergistically? What about if you added some other vitally important behaviors to the mix? Being healthy isn't always about simply how our body appears on the outside. You can diet and exercise to an extreme, but still have a compromised immune function. These 5 keys to having a healthy mind and body not only can prevent disease, but can also result in a general contentment with life and the challenges that come your way. I used to feel like I was on a hamster wheel every day, and that feeling changed when I learned how to take care of myself. Below are 5 Keys to Health that produced such a change in my life.
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
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. ![]() After learning that I had the power to decide how my life would be, I tried some other changes. After taking yoga classes at a resort in Jamaica I told my spouse that I was going to do that as well, helping us afford to travel by trading my teaching services. Within one year I completed a yoga teacher training and was taking my family on a trip twice a year in exchange for teaching yoga at beautiful resorts I wasn't satisfied there though. I loved my job in corporate America, however I felt a pull to help other people create the life that they were capable of and craving as well. I finally left my stock brokerage job and here I am at PuraVegan sharing this lifestyle with as many people as possible. If you currently feel like I felt 10 years ago, stagnant, uncomfortable in my own skin, knowing that I was capable of more, then know that YOU have the power to create the life that you want as well. Through meditation, stress management, exercise (yoga and walking for me), and diet I found that I was less affected by my surroundings and more content with life. I was less reactive to my circumstances and able to find acceptance in what I couldn't change in the moment, bringing me more peace and happiness. I also felt that my former lifestyle was aging me and that I was able to slow that down and at times I felt I was reversing some of the damage done to my body from stress and unhealthful foods. My mind felt clear, my emotions more stable and my relationships improved from this. ![]() 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 De-Stress Yoga and Meditation class every single Thursday evening at 5:30pm. 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 We all can quickly come up with a list of obstacles preventing us from taking time to exercise, prepare a healthy meal or relax, but the most frequent reason I hear is guilt. So often we feel guilty for taking action, time or money to do something that improves our health and/or happiness. I say hogwash! How can you be a patient and kind parent, spouse or friend if you are stressed out, run down, or operating on crappy fuel and junk food?
You owe it not just to yourself, but to your loved ones to take care of you! If you have ever flown, you know that each and every time you fly the attendants will remind you that in the case of an emergency you should put on your own oxygen mask before helping others. Why is that? Well you can only go so long without oxygen right? You only have a matter of minutes before you will pass out. After you have passed out you cannot help anyone! In fact, then others will need to help you instead. So, put on that oxygen mask immediately, and you can be of service to the entire plane. Is this any different than real life? I would argue that it isn't. It's likely that you have a number of others that depend upon you including children, pets, co-workers, family members, neighbors and others in your community. If you are neglecting to take care of your health, you won't be able to help anyone else for too long. If you are stressed out and under nourished it is a matter of time before you will exhaust yourself or even worse get sick. Long-term stress that goes on for years can have even more serious results such as chronic diseases including cancers and depression. But with a little planning you can take a few minutes for yourself and take action to feel great for years to come! Here are some suggestions / reminders of ways that you can help yourself out:
These are just a few ideas, I think you get it. The main point is do NOT feel guilty about taking time for you. This life is a gift and so is your body. Take good care of it and reap the benefits of self care. . The goal of the Food for Life: Diabetes Initiative program is to empower people who have diabetes and those concerned about developing diabetes, along with their friends and family members with new information and skills. Each class offers nutrition educational discussion, cooking demonstration, and provides samples of delicious, health-promoting dishes, along with a take-home packet of easy and affordable recipes. Who is this class for? The Food for Life: Diabetes Initiative is the plant-based nutrition and cooking program for type 2 diabetes prevention and treatment developed by the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine. The intended audience for this program is people with diabetes, prediabetes (defined below), a family history or risk factors for developing diabetes, and their adult family members. It is also designed to introduce health care professionals to the basics of plant-based nutrition for preventing and treating diabetes.
![]() from PuraVegan Chef: Rebecca Here's an easy and tasty way to eat more flax! Why eat more flax? Flax is rich in omega-3s, fiber, and LIGNANS! Because of their exceptionally high lignan content, flaxseeds have been found to aid in breast cancer prevention, so I've been looking for more ways to include flax in my daily diet, like this granola. I also included two other lignan-rich foods along with the flax: sesame seeds and strawberries. This recipe is low in oil, increasing the nutrient density per calorie, and will make your house smell like strawberry jam.
![]() Contrary to popular believe, eating healthy does not have to be expensive. You may be surprised how many items you can get from PuraVegan for $6 or less (before tax). Attend our Healthy Vegan 101 Class to learn how to prepare your own food on a budget.
1 TBSP Natural Peanut Butter
2 TBSP Braggs Aminos or Soy Sauce (or Tamari) 1 TBSP agave (optional) 2 TBSP Apple Cider Vinegar Juice of 2 orange 1 tsp onion powder 1 tsp ginger powder Whisk ingredients in a bowl. Serve over noodles, vegetables, in a lettuce wrap, or as a dipping sauce. * To make thinner for salads use less peanut butter and more orange juice. * To make it thicker for a dip use more peanut butter. |
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