So here is another healthy recipe. This one vegan and is also from the Biggest Loser Simple Swaps cookbook and is very yummy.  :) So here it is!  Sorry no picture! Print and enjoy.


Vegetarian Curry Stew


Ingredients:
1 Tbsp olive oil
2 cups finely chopped red onions
2 Tbsp finely chopped, peeled ginger
1 Tbsp minced garlic
1 cup diced fire-roasted tomatoes or chopped, seeded, peeled fresh tomatoes, or tomato sauce
1 Tbsp ground coriander
1 Tbsp ground cumin
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground cardamom (I didn't have this and it was still yummy)
3 cups fat-free, low-sodium vegetable or chicken broth
1 (12oz) sweet potato, peeled and cut into 1/2" cubes (about 2 cups)
1 cup cooked black beans (you can experiment with different beans or try lentils or tofu)
1 cup cooked chickpeas
salt and pepper, to taste
1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro without stems
fresh lime wedges


In a large heavy pot, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the onions and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 10 minutes, or until tender but not brown. Add the ginger and garlic and cook for about 1 minute, or until fragrant. Do not brown the garlic.


Add the tomatoes and simmer for 5 minutes. Add the coriander, cumin, cardamom, and cinnamon and cook for about 1 minute, or until very fragrant. Add the broth and bring to a boil. Stir in the sweet potato and simmer about 4 minutes. Add the beans and chickpeas and simmer about 5 minutes, or until cooked through. Season with salt and pepper. Serve hot, sprinkled with cilantro and a squeeze of lime juice.


Makes 8 (1 cup) servings
(Believe it or not 1 cup is quite satisfying! Even for Justin!)


Per Serving: 160 calories, 6 g protein, 28 g carbs, 2 g fat (0 saturated), 0 cholesterol, 6 g fiber, 250 mg sodium
 
The First Chakra 03/25/2010
 
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Sanskrit Name: Muladhara
Location: Base of the spine
Color: Red
Vowel: "Uh"
Crystals:  Tigers eye, hematite, also black, gray and red stones for grounding ...follow your guidance, you can use any stone to feed any chakra as long as it feels right to you
Associated Muscles/Organs:  hamstrings, quads, organs of  elimination, adrenal glands
Yoga Poses: any forward folding posture, standing or seated, quad strengtheners such as chair, and warriors
Use the more active, strengthening poses to help balance out this chakra if it is blocked.  Spend some time in more passive, calming, stretching poses if your root chakra. is overactive. 
Symptoms of blocked 1st chakra:  lazy, avoidance of physical activity, sickly

Symptoms of overactive 1st chakra:  anger, physical cruelty



The first chakra emotionally is associated with your "foundational" belief system, the lens through which you see the world.  It also is related to the amount of physical energy you have, your will to live, and your immune system. 


The vitality of this chakra is higher for those who live in the present moment and know that they have the power to create their own life and reality vs those who believe that they are a victim and often indulge in self-pity or blame.


The highest truth for your first chakra is, ALL IS ONE.  Know that you are always taken care of and everything can always be used for your highest good if you choose it.  You can use ALL IS ONE as a mantra when clearing your first chakra and imagining a bright red ball at the base of your spine.  Since all is one, this means, you are connected to the Earth and everything and everyone on it.  
 
 
 
The ujjayi breath taught in the above short meditation is the breath traditionally practiced through out a yoga asana practice.  The ujjayi breath can also be used as a meditation in itself.  I use the ujjayi breath when I bike or jog  and I find it helps keep my heart rate down.  I have also used it during parts of labor, after being stung by a jellyfish, and when doing energy work.


If you are not confident with your ujjayi breath after this short lesson and meditation please let me know and I will be happy to answer any questions you may have.


Some of the BENEFITS of the ujjayi breath are:  it lowers blood pressure, slows the heart rate, is calming to the nervous system, helps with insomnia when done before bed, it is relaxing on the psychic level, and it helps alleviate fluid retention in the body. 
 
Chakra Intro 03/16/2010
 

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The chakra system is an energy system inside your body.  There are 7 main chakras located throughout your body and each is associated with processing different frequencies, emotions and beliefs.  The quality of energy stored and run through each chakra effects the physical body and also the way you see the world.


The frequency of each chakra attracts things of similar frequency.  Everything in this world has a frequency, a vibration: light, sound, masses, thoughts and feelings all have a frequency.  



In the following weeks I will post information about each chakra:  what color matches it's frequency when it's a healthy chakra,  what area of the body it is associated with, and how you may know that chakra may be closed off or out of balance.  I will also give several ideas of things you can do to bring healing to each chakra; among these will be meditations, visualizations, positive affirmations, sounds to tone (sound healing), possibly crystals, and yoga postures.

Heal, Strengthen, Renew :)
 
 
Hey guys . . . here's one of my favorite recipes from the Biggest Loser Simple Swaps cookbook. I took it to my son's blue and gold scout dinner and it went over really well. I was so happy it did. It tastes a little like rice-o-roni so kids will like it but its also REALLY good for them. Feel free to take out the cheese, I'm sure it's just as yummy!
Ingredients:
2 tsp olive oil
1 cup diced onion
1/2 cup diced celery
1 tsp minced garlic
1 cup quinoa, rinsed well
2 cups fat free, low sodium chicken or vegetable broth
2 cups shopped spinach, kale, or swiss chard
1/2 cup chopped mushrooms
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp ground black pepper

In a saucepan, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the onion and celery and cook for about 5 minutes, or until soft and translucent. Add the garlic and quinoa and cook for about 1 minute longer, stirring occasionally. Do not brown the garlic. Add the broth and bring to a boil.

Reduce the heat to low and simmer for about 12 minutes, the mixture will be brothy and the quinoa almost done. Stir in the spinach and mushrooms and simmer for 2 minutes longer, or until the quinoa grains have turned from white to transparent. Add the cheese. Season with the salt and pepper. Serve hot.

(also good as a cold salad)

Makes 6 - 3/4 cup servings....160 calories, 7 g protein per serving!
 
 
Yea!  I messed with the sound and got it louder!!  I'm very excited!  Please let me know if you all can here it now and how the meditation goes for you!
This is the first of many guided meditations.  There will definitely be a learning curve here for me.  Turns out the mic when I was recording wasn't turned up very far so the whole thing is very quiet.  Oops!  So when you listen make sure you turn the volume on the player and on your speakers all the way up.  The next meditation will hopefully have much better sound! :)

This meditation is 21 minutes long and is a loving, healing meditation.  Please enjoy!

Heal, Strengthen, Renew!
Namaste!
 
 
For those of you who are not familiar with mantra meditations let me explain.  A mantra is a word or phrase that is used to repeat internally or out loud in meditation.  This word or phrase is one that will have an edifying, consciousness raising effect.  "Om" is a commonly used mantra and a Christian mantra could be, "Be still and know that I am God."


Today's mantra meditation is "love."  Chant love internally each time you inhale, and each time you exhale.  As you inhale, receive love freely and fully.  Feel it coming in from all around you, from everyone you come into contact with, from yourself, and from God.  As you exhale, give love freely.  Let it seep from your pours to every person, every creature, to yourself, and to God.  As your mind is occupied with the word love, you will FEEL it moving in and out without narrating this process with other thoughts.  Inspiration may come to you in the form of thoughts as you practice this meditation.  If it does, accept it, soak it in, and come back to the word LOVE.

Remember God is love and you are a part of God. 
Namaste!
 
 
There is a wonderful meditation that feels SO good and can be done at any time you need a spiritual pick me up, literally.


In a comfortable seated position, move your attention to your breath. Feel your breath in your body moving in and out, up and down.  Allow your mind to rest on the sound and feeling of your breath.  Your breath is a wonderful tool to bring you into the present moment.  


When you feel ready, bring your awareness into the base of your spine.  Imagine a light there.  I always imagine a white light but if you feel inclined to make the light any other color, go with it.  That color will be balancing to your system that day if you are attracted to it.  If it helps you to sense this light more you can imagine it carries warmth with it as well.  As you inhale, let this light move all the way up your spine.  On the exhale, imagine this light coming out, like a head lamp, from your third eye center.  Continue as long as desired, ideally at least until you can really feel the light.


This meditation will activate your intuitive center and help you have more spiritual clarity.  If you need grounding at the end of your meditation you can let the light come back down your spine on your last exhale, and imagine it going all the way down connecting you to the center of the Earth.


If you have any questions feel free to post a comment!  Many blessings!

 
 
I had some thoughts on recycling today as I broke down a cereal box to stick in the can. Several months ago I was in my pantry and had a distinct personal revelation, or inner voice that said, "Every little bit counts."  Since then I have made a little more diligent effort to recycle every piece that can be recycled although it takes a little more effort to clean out some of the containers from food or break down a box.

My thought today was of how each of us uses the Earth's resources.  We all use paper that came from our trees, we drive on the roads and we walk on sidewalks from cement and asphault that got dug out of the sides of our mountains and we live in houses built with wood.  We all use our portion of the Earth's resources and it's not asking much for each of us to "reduce, reuse, and recycle" every little bit we can.  Every little bit counts!
 
 
I thought some of you may be interested in the information I have found out today.  I have been calling around to find a pediatrician to take my newborn to for the second part of his PKU.  I called Alpine Pediatrics, the IHC Instacare - the family practice and Zenith Family Health, all in Saratoga Springs. 

I don't vaccinate my children and I hardly ever take them to the doctor.  I asked each of these places if they are willing to see children who are not vaccinated; Alpine Pediatrics said no, the IHC place very hesitantly and in a disapproving tone said yes after I was placed on hold for a while, and Zenith Family Health said "YES" immediately.  Refreshing!  So there you have it, if you have some unorthodox views on vaccinations, Zenith Family Health seems to be the place to go in the area. :)
Namaste!
 
    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!
heal strengthen renew