How Yoga Helps Me Run 06/12/2010
 Today I did my long run of the week, 9 miles. I'm building up one mile a week and have started doing 1 or 2 of my weekly runs on a treadmill. Well treadmills bore the crap out of me. Especially 9 miles on a treadmill, (I might as well express myself freely here right!) and I found my mind wandering. My mind really started wandering at about mile 4 or 5. I had had a cramp in my side for a few miles and I think I was trying to escape the discomfort by being in my head. I also was periodically feeling like I needed some replenishment and even getting a little light headed. (I listened to my body and gave it some water here and there as well as a bite of a cliff bar mid run.) I needed to change something if I was going to last for 9 miles. I remembered how part of the benefit of savasana after an asana practice is that it is a time for your mind to rest so that your body can use all of that energy for healing. Mental energy is energy used by your mind that could otherwise be saved for your body. At that point I consciously directed my awareness into my core, and 1st and 2nd chakras. I thought about and felt my body being energized through the first chakra, and the 1st chakra taking in energy from the earth. Any time I started feeling a little less energized or light headed I was reminded to stop thinking and come back into my body awareness. With the help of this awareness, I was able to make it through my 9 mile run strong. Yoga has given me so much body awareness that comes in so useful in other areas of my life. Yoga gives my body more flexibility to help prevent injury in other activities, it teaches my body to find peace in my breath even in physically challenging circumstances, and yoga helps me be more aware so I can find more enjoyment in staying physically, spiritually and emotionally open. Vegetarian Protein Sources 06/04/2010
There's so much hype in the athletic world about protein. Protein shakes, protein bars, make sure you're getting enough protein to rebuild your muscles! Well, when you combine the need for protein with scriptural wisdom to "eat meat sparingly" you will rationally come to the conclusion that there must be plenty of other sources for protein and that they would likely be BETTER for you than dead flesh! (not editing my personal phrasing there...and yes I do currently still eat some dead flesh). The counsel to "eat meat sparingly" is proven as inspired counsel. Red meat is horrible for you and ups your chances for strokes, heart attacks and heart disease. It also can contribute to gout (which I've heard is extremely painful and miserable), liver and kidney issues. Animal proteins are harder on your body to process than plant sources. I've always liked the fact that cows and horses manage to become quite muscular by eating plant foods, NOT by eating animal protein. So why don't WE get the protein straight from the plant source?! So here is a short list of alternative protein sources for those who want to consume less meat but want to make sure to get their protein! Quinoa (little yummy grain you can buy at Costco or health food stores) 1 cup cooked, 8 grams of protein Almond butter (health food stores) 1 Tbsp, 2.4grams protein Peanut Butter 1 Tbsp, 4.6 grams protein Soy (Tofu,soy milk, etc) 1/2 cup tofu, 10 grams protein All nuts and seeds All beans (black, garbanzo, kidney,lentils, peas, etc.) 1 cup cooked black beans, 15.2 grams protein Orange (I chose a random fruit, they all have some) 1.2 grams protein Your recommended protein intake? Well there is no one consensus but here's a ballpark from Web MD. I never count the grams or really worry about it. If you're eating a salad, add some garbanzo's, have a fruit or veggie snack with some peanut butter! Not a big deal, just pay a little bit of attention and remember even your grains, fruits and veggies are giving you some protein!
I would add another logical exception...if you are an athlete doing a lot of endurance training, up the protein. :) Many sources, including some scientists claim these numbers are too high...the jury is still out. Just do your best Natural Remedies for Allergies 04/10/2010
I have started feeling some serious outdoor allergies the past week. I've only been bothered by allergies for 3 or 4 years, about as long as I've eaten dairy while living in Utah. Last year I tried several natural things to kick the really horrible itchy eyes but nothing natural was doing the job, and I gave in to Zyrtec which made me feel totally drugged. This year I have remembered what I learned from Dr. Christopher's School of Natural Healing: astragulus and marshmallow. Dr. Christopher sells a formula of this combination called Immunocalm that you can pick up online or at natural food stores and if they don't carry it, they can at least order it. This combination helps your immune system stop overreacting to things it should be okay with. So on my bad days I'm taking those pills, and using some homeopathic allergy eye drops. Natural remedies don't kick it quite like drugs do, but they bring it under control enough that I don't want to lock myself indoors. The other, and probably most important thing that I'm doing, is cutting dairy out of my diet. I want to be completely rid of allergies once again and 99% of people with allergies would be allergy free after a year max without dairy. I am setting out this year to prove this to myself (and my skeptic husband :)). I do have a friend last year who cut out dairy for two of her children who had bad outdoor allergies. Within days they could handle being outside and she could see a major difference. Honestly, it's only been a week, and not knowing exactly what I'm allergic to or what the pollen levels are, I am feeling a big difference. I would love to hear from any of you who have had success with your allergies by natural means, and especially from cutting dairy! Heal, Strengthen, Renew! God Food 03/31/2010
 I have a 3 year old that is a very picky eater. Recently, I had a conversation with him about how God made his body and that the foods that are best for his body are the ones God made. I was thinking on that yesterday and about the vibration of foods. This is not a new train of thought for me. I spent years as a vegetarian, more years as a vegan, and 2 years as a raw foodist, only now to have a pretty typical (but definitely on the healthy side) American diet. You can probably imagine I have a lot to say on the topic of what foods we put in our bodies, and I know at some later point in my life I will end up eating different than I do now, because the knowledge that I have will take me back there. All foods have a vibration right?! So looking at food in a vibrational light, "God foods," straight from God and unaltered with chemicals, have the highest vibration. When what we put in our bodies has a high vibration, it raises OUR physical vibration, and our energy level, which turns out to be of a lot of assistance emotionally and spiritually. The more God food you eat, the better you feel. I have books more to say on this topic, but for now, add more fresh, loving God foods to your daily diet and listen to the signals your body gives you! Heal, Strengthen, Renew! I took this information from an article on organicconsumers.org. Sometimes I need to be refreshed on why I want to avoid certain ingredients in foods. I hope this provides a refreshed incentive to eat a little closer to nature! :) Namaste! Dr Mercola's Comments In case you forgot, or never knew in the first place, the number one source of calories in the US is high fructose corn syrup. Let me say that in different words so you more fully appreciate the impact of this fact. Remember that fat has 250% more calories than sugar, but even with this major disadvantage, the food that most people get MOST of their calories from is sugar from corn, primarily in the form of soft drinks. Even though I have known this for years, it is still shocking to me every time I reflect on the enormity of this truth. But, like W. Clement Stone, I believe that there is a nugget of good in this horrible fact. The good is that stopping this pernicious habit is one of the easiest things to do. Since this is such a pervasive problem in the US, we could make radically outrageous improvements in our health as a culture if we just simply stopped everyone from drinking soda. I am HIGHLY confident that the health improvement would be FAR more profound than if everyone stopped smoking because elevated insulin levels are the foundation of nearly every chronic disease known to man, cancer, heart disease, diabetes, aging, arthritis, osteoporosis, you name it, and you will find elevated insulin levels as a primary factor. This evidence of an increase in triglyceride levels and LDL (bad) cholesterol levels is just the latest among countless findings pointing to the dangers of High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS). Part of what makes HFCS such an unhealthy product is that it is metabolized to fat in your body far more rapidly than any other sugar, and, because most fructose is consumed in liquid form, its negative metabolic effects are significantly magnified. HFCS has also been linked to: * Diabetes * Obesity * Metabolic Syndrome The delusion that fructose is an acceptable form of sugar is quite prevalent in many nutritional circles. In fact, nearly all simple sugars are metabolized quickly and disrupt insulin levels, which contributes to most chronic illness. Eating small amounts of whole fruit will not provide tremendous amounts of fructose and should not be a problem for most people, unless diabetes or obesity is an issue but fruit juices, sodas and other beverages sweetened with fructose should be avoided. To add insult to injury, the corn that the high fructose corn syrup is metabolized from nearly all comes from genetically modified corn which is fraught with its own well documented side effects and health concerns. High fructose corn syrup is is not something that should be in your diet at all. But HFCS is the primary caloric sweetener in U.S. soft drinks. Researchers estimate that most Americans eat 132 calories of HFCS per day, while the top 20 percent of sweetener consumers eat over 300. And some, they say, eat as much as 700 calories per day of HFCS. Sodas, of course, are not the only source of HFCS (though they represent one of the main ones). This dangerous sweetener is also in many processed foods and fruit juices, so to avoid it you need to focus your diet on whole foods and, if you do purchase packaged foods, become an avid label reader. Yoga as Medicine 09/03/2009
There is a new book that I'm adding to my recommended reading list . . . Yoga As Medicine. Below is a very interesting chart from the beginning of the book showing different ailments and the percentage of people who were helped in those ailments from a yoga practice. Medical Condition #of people reporting %helped by yoga Alcoholism 26 100 Anxiety 838 94 Arthritis and Rheumatic Disorders 589 90 Asthma or Bronchitis 226 88 Back Disorders 1,142 98 Cancer 29 90 Diabetes 10 80 Duodenal Ulcers 40 90 Heart Disease 50 94 Hemorrhoids 391 88 High Blood Pressure 150 84 Insomnia 542 82 Menopausal Disorders 247 83 Menstrual Problems 317 68 Migraine 464 80 Neurological and Neuromuscular Disease 112 96 Obesity 240 74 Premenstrual Syndrome 848 77 Smoking 219 74 If you have any ailment that effects your physical abilities be sure to let your yoga teacher know so that you can work together to make your practice as beneficial as it can be. Not every class, or every pose is right for every body and this is the best way to insure that you get yoga that is right for you. Miraculous You! 08/20/2009
The premise of nutritional and herbal healing is that your body is an amazing miracle. It is always functioning properly and knows exactly how to heal itself. It is divine! All we need to do to allow our bodies to heal is provide them with the resources they need, whether that be provided through nutrition, herbs, energy, or in the case of yoga, oxygen. When you provide the resources, your body is a miraculous self healer. There is a quote that says, "Let your food be your medicine, and your medicine be your food." Take the time to show some self love through what you put into the vehicle you've been given. The more you show up on your mat to honor yourself, the easier it will become to demonstrate that same self love in the kitchen. Namaste! Raw Foods Chef Challenge 07/21/2009
 To any who are into or interested in a living foods diet, there is a get together happening July 27th at 7pm at Wheeler Farm in Salt Lake for a $5 donation. The address is 6351 S 900 E. "Raw Food Chefs will take part in the 3rd annual Raw Foods Chefs Challenge. Chefs will challenge the clock, their skills and creativity to create a special recipe with no advanced knowledge of what ingredients will be available. The fun continues as the chefs present their gourmet raw food dish for auction to the highest bidder. Proceeds will be donated to charity. Our Guest Chef is Dr. Craig Sommers author of The Raw Foods Bible, also participating are Agi of Agi’s Raw Food, Raw Melissa, Ian of Sages, Karen of Inspired Ice Cream, Nadhirrah author of Thriving on Food Storage and Becky Johnson." (FYI- I spent years on a raw food diet, felt amazing and never got sick. I believe the more living, unprocessed foods you can consume, the more vital and radiant you will be. I also found on this diet that it was easier to live and feel on a higher spiritual plane because of my body being more pure with no chemicals bringing my moods up and down.) How to Cultivate a Daily Meditation Practice 05/21/2009
 "Plan to meditate at about the same time every day. You can do it as soon as you get up in the morning, in the afternoon, and/or in the evening before bed. Sit as long as you can every day. An ideal session is twenty to thirty minutes, but even five minutes twice a day will connect you. Determine before you sit how long you will meditate. This will prevent your ego from diverting your initial intention. Keep it simple. The purpose is not to induce a state of mind but to bring a new dimension of awareness and perspective to your daily experiences. Let go of expectations. Be open and receptive to what comes up. Let go of judgements and the head stuff that keeps you from being present." -Baron Baptiste Journey into Power, p 201 Our Cleansing Experience! 04/01/2009
Here it is! The long awaited narrative on my husband and I's cleanse. | About Me
Amber Gurr I was first introduced to yoga in 2001 and quickly fell in love. In 2004, I completed my 500 hour teacher training with D'ana Baptiste and have done annual trainings since that time with notable teachers such as Mark Whitwell, David Williams, Baron Baptiste and Rolf Gates. I love teaching and I love seeing yoga bless both the physical and spiritual aspects of people's lives. I have a husband and 4 little boys, ages 9, 3, 2 and 0 that keep me busy and playing. I decided that now is the time for me to be home with my family so now I just sub a yoga class here and there. I also am a nutritional herbalist, herbalist, doula, have an Associates degree in music, teach piano and do some energy readings and healing here and there. I am excited to share some of the tid bits of truth that I have come across that have shaped my life thus far and hope that this sharing will assist many others in their journey. Namaste! |