Quick Collard Raw Wraps

Posted on July 24, 2012 by Ana

Eat your greens: Yummmm!

 

These yummy little morsels make a nourishing snack, or a light, energizing meal. Sneaky tip:put raw collard leaves in a plastic bag and freeze them until they soften and turn bright green (maybe an hour). This breaks down the cell wall making them more pliable, while keeping most of the raw nutrition!

Enjoy as is or with your favorite dipping sauce.

  • 8 large Collard leaves, frozen
  • 2/3 cups raw almonds, soaked overnight in pure water and drained
  • 1 ½ Tbsp. flax oil
  • 3 Tbsp. chopped fresh basil or cilantro
  • 6 tsp. fresh lime juice, divided
  • ½ tsp. Celtic or Himalayan salt
  • 2 ripe avocados, peeled and pitted
  • 3 carrots, grated
  • 2 red bell peppers, cut into strips
  • 1 ½ cup arugula
  • 4 oz. sprouts of choice
  • 1 bunch scallions, thinly sliced on a sharp diagonal
  1. Process almonds, flax oil, herbs, 4 tsp. of lime juice,  and ¼ tsp. salt until nearly smooth.
  2. Mash avocado with remaining lime juice and salt.
  3. Arrange all the veggies on a platter separated.
  4. Place Collard leaves on a second platter.
  5. Spread small amount of avocado mixture on Collard leaf. Add a dollop of almond mixture at one end, and then add small amounts of whatever veggies you like. Roll up and enjoy!
  6.  If you are enjoying this with others invite everyone to assemble their own. 🙂

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Posted in beauty, detox, fat loss, food allergies, gluten-free recipes, healthy recipe, increase energy, nutrition, raw foods, raw recipes, recipes, weight loss | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Everything in Moderation: Is it really a good idea?

Posted on July 24, 2012 by Ana

Can you "do" moderation?

The other night while out at bar/restaurant watching a friend perform, one of my girlfriends said the phrase “Everything in moderation, right?”, as she was describing her latest get healthy regime.

And I noticed, as I always do, how this statement just rubs me the wrong way.

When I noticed my internal reaction, I wondered “am I just being judgmental or rigid?’

But when I really checked in, I realized the answer was not so black and white.

Is everything in moderation really a good idea to blindly embrace?

And more importantly, is it in service to your or my highest good?

Before I go any further, what do you feel?

I came to conclusion that this phrase is way too vague and obtuse to be of any service. For some people moderation (depending on what that means) can be a healthy way to keep them from being to restrictive and rigid (if we assume that we are applying the word “everything” to just food).

But for others, this could be a dangerous and non-committal way to keep feeding an addiction or offer too much opportunity for ping-ponging, guilt and lack of self-confidence and trust.

So, is moderation in all things really a good idea?

It kind of depends.

And in many cases I feel that it’s really NOT such a great idea.

Is moderation going to help an alcoholic?

Not really.

Or someone who has food sensitivities or allergies?

Probably not.

What about those with eating disorders, emotional eating issues, etc.?

Most likely, no.

I came to the conclusion that it is not whether “everything in moderation” works or not, but that it is all in HOW you can approach this idea.

If you can approach it from a place of balance, confidence and empowerment, then it’s absolutely harmless.

However, if you embrace it from a place of uncertainty, low self-esteem, no sense of self or making excuses, then it is really not of service.

Here’s a little 3-step “moderation” exploration for you:

  1. What does YOUR version of moderation look like? Do a little exploring and create your own rules. What do you KNOW really doesn’t serve you? Do you have any potential “triggers” that could send you into a raging binge, cause bodily harm or send you into an addictive cycle? Are you too strict with yourself? What are those things that you know really DO serve you in a big way? Are you including those regularly?
  1. Always act from a clear intention. When and if you do choose to have something that may not be in service to your highest good, be clear on why you are choosing it at this time. If it is coming from a space of love, then enjoy! If it comes from a place of proving, pleasing someone else, numbing out, self-punishment, etc., then it may be better to find a different distraction.
  1. Be willing to be different. Most people are living in a disempowered “what ever everybody else is doing” kind of daze. This is NOT a judgment at all. In fact, I totally support each person in their path, however that looks. But I know that most of the women (and men) reading this do have a desire for a little something more than status quo, which requires a willingness to stand in your power and enjoy being a little different. 🙂

What do you think of moderation? How does it serve you, and maybe, how does it not? Leave a comment below and let me know.

Posted in binging, Body Love, cravings, depression, emotional eating, finding balance, food allergies, healthy eating, healthy habits, Love, natural health, sugar addiction, weight loss | Leave a comment

Anti-Anxiety tip

Posted on July 10, 2012 by Ana

Does anxiety sometimes feel like it’s consuming your life?

Do you ever feel like you just can’t turn off the “monkey mind”?

This quick video tip shares a very simple yoga tip to help quiet the mind, bring you clarity and alleviate anxiety.

In this video, I share a special “mudra” and eye gaze that helps quiet  the mind instantly. It’s a special little secret I use almost daily in my own life . ..

so enjoy.

Please leave a quick comment below and let me know how it goes!

Posted in anxiety, binging, depression, emotional eating, happiness, increase energy, Inspiration, longevity, meditation, relaxation, self-care, spiritual transformation, stress reduction, Yoga | 2 Comments

Cooling Summer Fresca

Posted on June 29, 2012 by Ana

Prana Fresca

Prana in yoga refers to life force, so this tasty little summer time beverage will help energize and enliven, while delivering some cooling nutrition. Enjoy poolside with pleasure.

Combine in the blender:

  • 1 cup honeydew melon
  • 1 organic cucumber
  • 10-12 mint leaves
  • 1 Tbsp. lime juice
  • pinch Celtic salt
  • 1/4 tsp. ground coriander
  • 1 or more drops stevia if desired
  • 1/3 cup water or brewed, cooled mint tea
  • 2-4 ice cubes

Blend until smooth and enjoy!

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Stopping the Superwoman Syndrome

Posted on May 24, 2012 by Talinan-Admin

 

Superwoman Syndrome got you a bit wound up?

I was recently interviewed for an Anxiety Busting Summit with Gina Rafkind of VedaSun, and during the interview I came to the realization, or really the KNOWING that it is really difficult to “see” yourself in a true light.

Gina was asking me about some of my journey around overcome my hardships and my anxiety, and I shared that a huge part of my “recovery” from depression, anxiety, extreme digestive issues, hormonal imbalance and body image issues, was to finally allow someone else to assist me and reflect back what she saw.

These were things that I needed to hear from someone else because I was so wrapped up in my own drama and skewed vision that I really couldn’t see what was holding me back, keeping me stuck, tired and extremely unhappy.

After years of trying to do it on my own, rejecting the help of others and being almost addicted to my own autonomy, I finally surrendered to the power of a mentor or someone who can hold you up to your highest, while being lovingly truthful about what they see keeping you stuck.

I have now embraced this idea whole-heartedly for myself, and yet still when I talk to prospective clients, they often duck out of having this kind of support and accountability because they decide to “just try to figure it out on their own”.

I actually don’t believe we are here to do “it” alone. I believe at the very core of being human is the need to collaborate, be supported and to reflect light back at one another. I also feel that as women, this is especially important because this is this biological desire or need to always help and nurture others . . . and yet a resistance to being nurtured. Can you relate?

Let me say that I definitely believe in autonomy, in finding your unique voice and path, in being independent . . . but I don’t believe in the exhausted and unfulfilled superwoman syndrome that seems to be plaguing the modern woman (I know this one ALL too well!). When I was at the height of my own Superwoman Syndrome, I just remember suffering so much!

Are you fiercely independent? Maybe to a fault?

Do you find yourself not valuing the support you require to fully step into the healthy, vibrant, abundant, fulfilled woman you are here to be . . . a woman that enjoys her life and feels amazing in her body?

Well, then let’s take a look at how to break the cycle, OK?

1. Make a list of all the women you admire. These could be icons, women leaders and those you don’t really know . . . or they could be friends, community members, professionals, family members.

2. Make a list of your top 3 goals (could be health/body, personal growth, business, financial, family, community, etc.). Get clear about what you desire.

3. Now see where the parallels exist. Who’s doing what you would like to do? Who do you trust and value as a person and woman. Who has tread the path that you see going down? Who is maybe an authentic “expert” in this area?

4. Reach out! Take action girl, no time like the present. You might reach out to one woman, or maybe you require to seek out a small “mastermind” of like-minded beauties to collaborate with.

It can be scary to reach out and ask for help, but my advice is to just do it. : )

My first experience reaching out was to the healer that really reflected back to me how much my eating and lifestyle habits were destroying me. Since then I’ve reached out to personal and professional mentors as well as good friends.

I’ve gone on retreats with teachers whose presence I know to be powerfully transformational. I’ve sought out powerful “masterminds” of like-minded women, and this has been invaluable (especially for someone like me who always felt all alone or like an outsider).

I would love to hear what works for you, your ideas, thoughts or what’s on your mind! Leave a comment below, and we’ll nip the Superwoman thing in the bud. ; )

Can I support you?
Come join Ana for a live workshop on June 3rd called “Awakening to Your Heart’s Desire”. Get the full details here.

Join us for this year’s Divine Diva Detox, and release what’s keeping you stuck, tired and uninspired, while awakening the power, peace and purpose of the woman you are here to be. Learn more here.

Posted in abundance, anxiety, Body Love, cleansing, depression, detox, digestive disorders, finding balance | Leave a comment