Yoga Jesse

Lower your Blood Pressure…Au Natural

jessebaron — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 11:17:40 +0000

Looking for ways to lower your blood pressure? You could skip all the work and just run to your doctor and get a prescription. Or you could do some research, change your diet, add some workouts, and do it yourself. The following are some food you should add to your diet if you’re looking to lower your blood pressure:

Celery, beans, onions, parsnips, potatoes(not fired or as french fries. I know, it’s a harsh world.) Add some Virgin Olive Oil to your diet as well. Dill is also good for lowering blood pressure. Sprinkle some on fish or a salad. Apples are high in iron, potassium and contain 84% water.

And of course….a nice long walk, run, bike ride, and my favorite…YOGA!

Cranberries

jessebaron — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 13:38:36 +0000

Cranberries are more than just a side dish that you pick at during Thanksgiving. Cranberries are packed with antioxidant proanthocyanidins. Let me break down that one… In short, an antioxidant is a molecule capable of slowing or preventing the oxidation of other molecules. Antioxidants are widely used as ingredients in dietary supplements in the hope of maintaining health and preventing diseases. And Proanthocyanidins can be found in many plants such as grapes, apples, and cinnamon. Studies show that proanthocyanidins, such as what we find in red wine can be linked to a reduced risk of coronary heart disease.

Cranberries are great at preventing urinary tract infections, they have a high amount of vitamin A, which increases heart health, and cranberries get rid of ulcer causing bacteria in our stomach and mouths.

So, with that said: Cranberries are good stuff. However its hard to find cranberry juice that isn’t from a concentrate or non-pasteurized for under $15.00. I splurge on that every once in a while. Like I would on shoes.

Crock Pot Potato Leek Soup

jessebaron — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 13:46:51 +0000

I’m obsessed with this recipe. It’s so good, that I was licking the serving spoon as I was cleaning up last night.

In a large Crock Pot add the following:

4 Med sized leeks. White part only. Thinly sliced

4 Med potatoes. Peeled/diced

4-6 C chicken broth

2 T butter

Set slow cooker on high for 6 hours. When soup is done puree with a hand-held mixer. I added some blue cheese on top.

Enjoy.

Stop Cleaning with Waste!!!

jessebaron — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 20:48:01 +0000

No more wasteful household cleaning products! I can’t take it anymore. It’s not hard to make the switch. It’s like starting an excercise program. Just do it. (Nike would be proud. Wait, are they still using that slogan? Sorry, I just lost my train of thought) Okay, so what’s the big deal? You’re used to the bleach and the products that you can toss in the trash can. I get it. It’s easy to clean your home when you don’t have to wash dirty rags or mops. Also, are we afraid that those mops and rags are going to carry deathly disease ridden bacteria? Is that why we are all being so wasteful with our cleaning products? First of all we need bacteria. It helps us become strong. But I’ll go on that tangent in a later post. (don’t get me started on the overuse of anti-bacteria dry soap) I love a germ free home as much as the next person. But I’m not going to add trash to the landfill to get it. Fist of all… Get rid of your Swiffer. That’s right. Toss it. It’s not that great anyway. Let me reintroduce you to what our Mothers and our mothers, mothers used to use. The mop. The mop is making a comeback. I’ve made the switch. I know others that have made the switch. I’ve already noticed that my floor is more clean than when I was using a Swiffer. Method has come out with this Squirt and Mop hard floor cleaner that is non toxic. You just squirt and mop. Plus it smells really good. No messy cleanup. When I’m done using the mop, I run it under hot water and dry it out in the closet. Nothing goes in the trash. There are so many earth friendly household cleaning products out there. Its time to become more aware of our actions inside our homes and out.

Next topic… Lysol wipes….. to be continued.

Om

jessebaron — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 13:59:59 +0000

There is something to be said about a really powerful Om. An Om that you can feel vibrating through your bones. The other day I was told that I had a really beautiful Om. ”Thank you” I simply said. And went along my yoga practice feeling somewhat awesome. But there really is something about a truly beautiful Om. When the universe in the yoga room is just right and everyone is sending off the same energy, that Om can transform a moment. It can ground you to the earth and make you feel at peace. Om is supposed to be the sound of the universe. The word we give to the unknown. The sound that we make from our lips, from our lungs, and from our core is Om. So it’s not surprising that a good Om can set the tone of the day. By chanting Om we feel more connected to the ever changing universe. But Om is not for everyone. You really need to open up to the idea of it and not look at it as a waste of time. (you know who you are) If we are all connected by this amazing energy, then that small moment of Om can open our hearts and give us a taste. So the next time your in a yoga class and the teacher says…”inhale for Om.” Just close your eyes, inhale deep, and ride the wave.

Yoga for Menstrual Cramps

jessebaron — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 18:12:33 +0000

Everyone has their own home remedy for menstrual cramps. Hot baths, or tea. I think that a major dose of pain meds and chocolate will always do the trick. However there is also a great yoga pose for those annoying, laborious, mother nature kicking your ass, cramps. Dhanurasana (Bow Pose).

Lie on your belly with your knees bent. Reach back with your hands and take hold of your ankles. Keep your knees hip width apart. Inhale and lift your heels away from your buttocks and, at the same time, lift your thighs away from the floor. Press your tailbone down toward the floor, and keep your back muscles soft. Continue lifting your heels and thighs higher. Draw the tops of your shoulders away from your ears. Gaze forward.

This pose is known to relieve menstrual discomfort. And If all else fails, there is always the pain meds and chocolate.

Morning Cleanse

jessebaron — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 13:29:02 +0000

I’ve never been able to do a full body cleanse. I start to get headaches and more importantly I get really, really hungry. I think I was able to last six hours once and then paid for it all night with a pissed off stomach. However, there is a great way to mini cleanse your body every day and not suffer the hunger or headaches. First thing in the morning, before your coffee or tea. Squeeze a half lemon into a cup, dilute with a little water. Maybe half a cup or so. Then sprinkle some cayenne pepper into the cup. Give it a few spins with a spoon and drink. Cayenne is great for circulation within the body and the lemon will help cleanse the bloodstream. Why should you do this in the morning? When you first wake up your body is empty (unless you snack in the middle of the night) and the lemon and cayenne will act faster and work better with your body on an empty stomach. It’s also a great jolt to your morning.

Ginger

jessebaron — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 16:05:03 +0000

I think ginger is just the most amazing root or if you want to get really technical, it’s the most amazing tuber. It’s best known for its ability to relieve nausea and aid in digestion. But did you know that it can also reduce pain from colds, flu, sore throat, headaches, and cramps? And according to a recent study published in the Saudi Medical Journal ginger may also lower cholesterol levels.

I like to make ginger tea. I cut a few small pieces of the ginger, mash it up, put it into my tea strainer, and let it steep for a few minutes. Then add some honey.

A Happy, Healthy New You

jessebaron — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 14:33:42 +0000

It’s the new year and we all know what that means. Over crowded gyms with people who have no idea how to use the equipment and will only be there for the month of January, and promised resolutions that will be long forgotten by March. I don’t believe in New Years resolutions. I believe that if you want to make a change to your life you should just do it. Just get healthy. Just start doing the things that make you happy, and just start taking care of yourself and your loved ones.

Happy New Year.

Get Thankful…

jessebaron — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 13:50:34 +0000

I don’t really like to list the things I’m thankful for around Thanksgiving. I believe we should be thankful every day of our lives. But since most people are on the cheesy side and like to follow the hallmark trend, I’ll let you know what I’m thankful for, not just around this time of year but every single day.

I’m thankful for the following….

My family, old and new, my dog (now that I’m a dog owner I understand that he should be listed in the same categorie as my family). I’m thankful for my friends, and all the love that surrounds me. The air I breath and my health. I’m thankful for my sense of humor and my love of books. I’m also thankful that my mother forced me to learn how to drive a manual transmission. I can’t believe how many people don’t know how to drive a stick.

The list of things that I am thankful for can go on and on. But that’s not my point. Today and everyday, we should remind ourselves what we are thankful for. Don’t save it for once a year. Also, it never hurts to share your list with others. Anytime.