A POWERFUL TIME FOR NEW BEGINNINGS As the spring equinox approaches and the seasons are set to change, we too shift our own energy. This is the time
A POWERFUL TIME FOR NEW BEGINNINGS
As the spring equinox approaches and the seasons are set to change, we too shift our own energy. This is the time where dark and light are in balance. This is the time to free yourself from anything in the past that is holding you back. At this time we think of renewing ourselves. We renew our thoughts, our dreams, and our aspirations. We think of renewing our relationships. This is an excellent time of year to begin anything new or to do with growth or revitalization. I invite you to open your body, mind & soul to welcome the change that the spring (vernal) equinox brings on March 20th.
NEW SPRING YOGA SCHEDULE
Wednesdays & Thursdays at 7pm
Mar 23/24 - Apr 27/28
6 Classes for $75 or $15 each
Drop in anytime
All level Hatha Classes
No experience necessary
St. John's Anglican Church, Jordan (3694 McKenzie Dr)
NEW LOCATION May 1st
3775 19th Street, Jordan (next to Toute Sweet)
Look for our new yoga schedule too!
Coo coo for Coconuts
This superfood is everywhere I turn lately (including my recent vacation to Hawaii) so I thought I should shed some light on this amazing powerhouse, in case you haven't heard any of the buzz around this incredible functional food.
Coconut is not really a nut nor is it wholly a fruit. It's a drupe. Yep, that's a word you can look up. Go ahead, google it. A drupe is a fruit with an outer husk or skin with a succulent middle layer, usually enclosing a seed. Other drupes include mangos, olives, pistachios, dates & apricots.
These little nutritional powerhouses are packed full of vitamins, minerals & fiber. While fresh coconuts are somewhat foreign to our Canadian diet, we easily have access to imports, coconut water, coconut milk and coconut oil. All of which have amazing nutritional value as well as taste. Take coconut water for example, the liquid inside the coconut, it's available just about anywhere you stop today. It's loaded with electrolytes, B vitamins, calcium, magnesium & potassium. Drink it just like water, after your yoga class, daily exercise, or anytime you need to replenish vitamins & minerals. Or try a recipe that includes coconut milk, the expressed juice of the meat & water of the coconut to get the same benefits of eating the coconut itself. Thai dishes are great examples of where to use the milk, but it's also great in smoothies. Give it a try.
Then of course there is my fav, coconut oil, which comes directly from the coconut meat & contains healthy medium chain fatty acids. Use it for cooking, sauteeing, baking or spreading on toast. You can also use this amazing oil externally on your skin and hair. Yes, it's true. Check out my coif, it's compliments of coconut oil. Sorry to my fav hair stylistists, it's au naturel for me.
If only I could grow some palms in my back yard to yield me some of my favorite drupe. Let's not forget about the real deal either. If you can find some fresh raw coconut or even dried add it to your diet, in trail mixes, salads, smoothies, raw nut snacks or wherever your imagination takes you.
I'd love to hear how you use your drupe.
Here's one way I love to use the mighty coconut
Thanks to Marie McNiven, I've used this recipe and many variations of it hundreds of times.
1 cup of CAROB chips (use the unsweetened kind)
1 cup of coconut oil
Heat both gently in a pan on medium heat. Once melted add shredded coconut (1/4 cup) along with anything else that sounds good to you (like chopped nuts, hazel nuts work great, along with any dried berries that you choose). Pour the mixture into mini muffin tins and refrigerate for about an hour. Pop the little dyno's out and store in air tight container in fridge.
Enjoy the little bombs or goodness, guilt free and of course embrace and cherish the drupe!
