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Archive for February, 2010

Muffin Mania – or take 2 blueberry muffins and call me later

Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010

So many of my clients are busy folks and have a tendency to scout out breakfast options on their way to work. One client does a fairly good job of picking from the high fat options and orders a toasted English muffin with egg whites, no cheese, and a black coffee. While that’s certainly lower in calories than a Dunkin Donuts blueberry muffin (510 calories, 16 g fat, 51 g sugar) – or even the fat-free blueberry muffin (450 calories, 10 g fat, 45 g sugar), it doesn’t sound particularly appealing.

Were you surprised at the very little difference in calories between the regular and fat-free muffin selection?

What if I told you that 2 Dunkin Donut glazed donuts have 440 calories, 18 g fat and 24 g sugar? What? I can have TWO donuts or ONE muffin and still have LESS sugar? That’s right. Even so, all of these choices fill you with unwanted fat and sugar that crash down on your spinning, low-blood-sugar head mid-morning and it’s off to find more of the same. Can you say ‘carb and fat’ addicted? (more…)

Tags: Dunkin Donuts
Posted in Fat, Nutrition, Sodium, Weight Loss | No Comments »

Do You Know Right-of-Way at a 4-way Stop?

Friday, February 12th, 2010

One thing I know for sure is that no one in my neck of the woods knows the right-of-way rules for a 4-way stop – or they ALL know and just don’t mind the rule. For instance, it’s easy when cars arrive at the intersection at differing times. First come, first served. But when 3 cars arrive at the same time, not counting a California stop, the driver furthest to the right has the right-of-way. But…… (more…)

Tags: Pulsation
Posted in Yoga | No Comments »

Universal Theme

Wednesday, February 10th, 2010

On Sunday, after a leisurely hour with a cuppa Jo and The Boston Globe, I pen my yoga theme for the week. Lingering at my computer, I venture forth into authorship with a thought that might have come to me earlier in the week, or like last Sunday, from reading Adam at Home in the funny papers. As I write, I first draw upon what I know, then what my teachers have taught me. Their teachings are imbedded into the hard drive of my computer like flashing lights of wisdom.

I’m continously captivated to realize that there is a Universal Theme. The Universe pulses herself into the moment in the same way for us all. This last week, in classes with three certified Anusara teachers, the threads of their theme were woven deftly into the same fabric as mine. From their loom, the elements of earth, water, fire, air and ether, like threads, integrated and fused boldly together to create a tapestry of rich and royal hue (to borrow from Carol King). The fire blazes brightly in eternal and internal flame, continuously burning as air gives herself to it. The water yields as it follows the banks that guide it without restriction, that serve it while affirming the beauty of life.

Then, to bring it all home, in a thank you email from Todd Norian today, I find a lovely poem written by a friend of Todd’s that ties the threads together once more.

Use Earth to support yourself wherever you stand.
Use Water to move in your own way and in your own time.
Use Fire to seek that which lights you up.
Use Air to breathe your dreams into reality.
Use Sky to feel safe in all that is unknown and unseen.

Deb Koffman (debkoffman.com)

The Universe has spoken.

Tags: Air, Earth, Elements, Ether, Fire, Water
Posted in Philosophy, Yoga | 1 Comment »

Temptations of the Ego

Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010

This blog is courtesy of my friend, Daniel Max, Nutrition and Health Counselor, Life and Wellness Coach, Massage Therapist specializing in Shiatsu, and a Yoga Instructor. www.MaxSenseOfSelf.com

As the end of January approaches, it becomes more difficult for many of us to keep our New Year’s resolutions. Fearing change we may begin to make excuses to keep us repeating old patterns.

We all have egos that endeavor to maintain a sense of control and do everything possible to prevent us from breaking out of our comfort zones.

Although we understand that it is time to take action and make changes, we often experience a strong resistance. Our ego whispers, “don’t bother. It’s too much work. Things are fine the way they are.”

As we begin applying ourselves towards creating change (getting fit, losing weight, quitting an unhealthy habit, prioritizing family and friends, becoming organized, etc.), the trapped energy within our bodies and minds begins to stir. Things swept under the rug rise to the surface, making change to be a somewhat difficult experience. This is when the voice of discouragement and doubt can grow louder.

The ego’s most common strategy is resistance; saying we are too tired or too busy to deal with such things, that we can do more constructive or enjoyable tasks. Ego manifests as reasoning to celebrate our weight loss with a cookie, or as an injury that occurs just as our new workout has become routine.

Resistance is like breathing, even if we don’t think about it, it just happens. The ego is not evil; It is just trying its best to keep us safe. Making changes in our lives and taking steps towards self-improvement can be overwhelming. The ego, rooted in fear, much like an overly protective parent, prefers us not to take any chances that might cause us to feel hurt. (more…)

Tags: Resistance to change, Soul
Posted in General Health and Wellbeing, Guest Post, Weight Loss | No Comments »

Winter’s Pulsing

Monday, February 1st, 2010

In Adam @ Home, a comic strip in Sunday’s Boston Globe newspaper, Adam has a chat with Mr. January, taunting him that he’s beaten Mr. January one more year. Even with the heavy snow and cold temperatures, and some brutal winds, at the end of the month, Adam stands unscathed. He jests he should change his name to “June Jr.” Mr. January dumps a wheelbarrow load of snow on him from the porch roof. “Lesson learned. Don’t trash talk Nature,” emerges from underneath the snow.

Nature’s way is one of pulsation and this time of winter is the pulsation of turning inward. Sometimes, though, we turn too far in – we get complacent in our Snuggie on the sofa, and when our noses stick out from under the down comforter, we withdraw deep into the insulating warmth.

Pulsation has two sides. If we turn in too tightly, bury down so deeply, we can forget there’s a beautiful wintery world out there, pristine and sparkling. We lose our subtle awareness that there’s a deeper essence within – we become fixated only on protection of self, we become too free in the unlimited dimensions of self with the greater possibility of becoming lost.

Pulsation is inherent in the idea of sequence – one thing coming after the other. All that turns cold and blustery will one day be sinfully warm. (more…)

Tags: Nature, Pulsation, Smile
Posted in General Health and Wellbeing | 3 Comments »

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