Shake That Thought, Give Yoga A Shot

We’ve heard it from every angle and we’ve read it on the cover of every magazine, the benefits of yoga and the myths of yoga. If you are a beginner or maybe a little bit skeptical of yoga, we can clear some common misconceptions up for you!

There seems to be a popular misconception that you have to be flexible to do yoga. Sure, yoga has a lot to do with flexibility but that doesn’t mean you should shy away from trying it even if you don’t consider yourself flexible. If you are a beginner, you should start in a beginner’s class, that way you can ease your body into the idea of performing the new yoga moves. Yoga is an individual practice, not a team sport, so your level may be different than that of your friends, remember this is okay! Flexibility from yoga comes with time. You have to begin somewhere so just be patient and consistent and you might surprise yourself at how quickly you will see and feel the results. Some gravitate towards yoga because it is assumed as the new found religion, while others steer clear from it because of any perceived religious affiliations. Either way, yoga should be looked at as a practice to calm the mind, body and soul. Yoga itself is not a religion. It should be looked at as a self meditating practice, to self reflect, to feel the silence of the body and most importantly, to breathe which many of us sometimes forget to do.

Another myth is that yoga is an expensive hobby. It can actually be one of the most inexpensive forms of exercise, if you want it to be! Whether you are in a yoga studio, a park or even in your own home, yoga is yoga. It shouldn’t matter where you are doing it, as long as you are doing it. Think about it, you may be spending 20-60 a month on a gym membership when you can practice yoga for free in your backyard! Not to mention all the energy you are saving by not using heavy powered machines as a part of your daily workout.Many assume that yoga will not give you a workout because it is not considered cardiovascular activity. However, it is a different type of work out, which still gets your heart rate dancing. It is also very good for your heart and lungs as you learn how to inhale and exhale properly.

So bottoms up to a healthy you in 2010. Now that the misconceptions have been cleared up you can be on your way to one of the most invigorating and relaxing workouts your body deserves!

The most important piece s of equipment you need for doing yoga are your body and your mind

- Rodney Yee

If you need any yoga equipment, we have a variety of great eco friendly yoga products! Check them out!

Feed Your Eco Featured September Recipe: Organic Roasted Tomato Sauce

I found this month’s Organic Recipe on a great site devoted to green living in our nation’s capitol:  City Renewed- The DC Area’s Most Comprehensive Green Resource Guide.  I encourage you to visit their site when you get a chance.  It is filled with informative articles with excellent tips and advice anyone can use to make their home and/or office a more eco-friendly environment.  This site is also terrific resource for DC residents to learn more about local events, educational opportunities, Farmers Markets, festivals, and more.

Here in the southeast, the hot summer days yield an abundance of delicious, juicy, ripe, red tomatoes for us to enjoy well into the month of September. The process of roasting the vegetables in this sauce really brings out the natural flavors.   Many of the ingredients can be grown in your own garden or can be purchased at your local farmers market.  Try making this over the weekend and let us know what you think!  Thank you to City Renewed for sharing this!!

Organic Roasted Tomato Sauce

Serves 4

Ingredients
4 or more medium organic tomatoes, cored and cut into quarters or eighths
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 small or one medium onion, cut into quarters or eighths
1 large red bell pepper, cut into large pieces
1 leek, cut in half lengthwise, washed and sliced
1 small head of garlic
1/4 cup basil, chopped just a little
2 ounces goat cheese (optional)
Black pepper

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray large glass baking dish with nonstick spray. Put tomato pieces in dish, pour olive oil over tomatoes and stir. Bake for 30 to 50 minutes, stirring tomatoes every 20 minutes. Stir again then add onion, bell pepper and leek. Wrap garlic in foil and put on rack in oven. After about 30 minutes, when everything looks and smells delicious, remove baking dish and garlic from oven. Unwrap garlic, cut the top and squeeze the softened garlic into the tomato goodness. Add basil and black pepper, and mix well. Serve over chunky pasta. A dollop of goat cheese can be put on top for extra zing.

Photo Credit: helenkosings.wordpress.com

Will Michelle Obama’s White House Garden Change The Way We Think About Food?

It is no secret the past few months has been a rough climb for the Obamas.  It never is easy when you are trying to implement change.  No matter what your political view is- I hope people will acknowledge how First Lady Michelle Obama’s organic garden on the White House lawn is helping to bring positive change to local children.  Her mission is to inspire families to view food and our meal times differently so that we take the time to incorporate healthy seasonal fruits and vegetables and most importantly- to sit down as a family and have dinner together.

The White House kitchen garden was planted in the spring with the help from local elementary students.  The children actively participated in cultivating the soil and the harvesting of the garden.  As a result- some parents noticed their children adopting better eating habits and enjoying their vegetables more.  This organic garden was planted with seeds that were passed down from Thomas Jefferson’s estate and is the first White House garden since Eleanor Roosevelt’s Victory Garden was planted decades ago.

This video features White House chef Sam Kass and First Lady Michelle Obama explaining in her own words how she hopes to change the way America views their food.