Young Essential Oils for Yoga- 100% Natural

Essential Health and Fitness

Wellness Consulting: Young Living Essential Oils

I have been using Young Living Essential Oils for over 12 years now in support of my health and wellness. As a Kinesiologist and personal trainer, I have experienced firsthand the positive results of these products with my own clients. I now educate others on the benefits of Young Living products.

Twelve years ago my mom, Carla Green (a physiotherapist and acupuncturist), was introduced to Young Living by Dr. Carolyn DeMarco, a medical doctor in British Columbia, who regularly prescribed these therapeutic grade Essential Oils to her patients. Since then, Carla has had stunning clinical results with her clients, so when I entered the health and wellness field it was a natural transition for me to not only incorporate them into my own practice, but also to educate others on their natural healing benefits.

These oils are of such a high purity that you can actually use them internally for a wide variety of health benefits. When comparing essential oils on the market, the words ‘for external use only’ are a major warning sign of impure oils – and if you look closely you’ll find the majority of products on the market fall into this category. With 100% pure, organic essential oils, there is no reason you should not be able to use them internally. This is why I exclusively use Young Living Essential Oils, and to date neither Carla nor I have found any other company that rigorously monitors every aspect of the production of essential oils – “From Seed To Seal” – and which takes as much pride and passion in the integrity and quality of their products.

As I know a lot of studio owners are concerned about ‘scents’ and allergies, you will be pleased to know that due to the 100% pure nature of these essential oils, they cannot cause allergic reactions. There are no synthetic chemicals present in Young Living oils, and due to the steam distillation process that Young Living uses, the protein/polypeptide molecules required to produce an allergic reaction are not present, as they are completely separated out during this process.

For further information, you can contact Adam Green through his website or respond to me through twitter/ this blog and I will connect you with him!

http://www.wellnesspurposeabundance.com/yl/adamgreen

Chrissy's Mediterranean Bell Pepper Salad

 Great new recipe by my friend Chrissy. So delicious and healthy!
Mediterranean Bell Pepper Salad

Step #1

1 cup - Couscous

1 1/4 cup - Water 

1 teaspoon - Olive oil

Boil water. Add olive oil then couscous, stir, cover, set aside and let sit.

Step #2

4 tablespoons - olive oil 

3 - Bell peppers (large) (chopped)

2 - small hot red peppers (add according to preferred spicyness level !) (Sliced into tiny slivers)

2 - Cloves of garlic (finely chopped)

1/2 - Purple onion (large) (chopped)

2 tablespoons - Cumin 

2 table spoons - Coriander 

1/2 squeeze bottle - Gourmet Garden Mediterranean Herbs and Spice Blend 

1/8 - cup of water

Warm olive oil at med-high temp in Wok pan. Add all ingredients above, cover with lid till vegetables are almost cooked.

Step #3 (Optional)

0.5 Ib - Extra lean ground turkey 

Mix into vegetables, sprinkle black pepper over meat, cover and let cook. Still on med-high temp.

Step #4

1/8 cup - water 

1/2 squeeze bottle - Gourmet Garden Mediterranean Herbs and Spice Blend 

1 teaspoon - Olive oil 

2 handfulls - Spinach leaves

Mix ingredients together in cup. Add couscous and cup mixture to wok, stir often. Let flavours simmer at med-low for 5-10 min. 

Step #5

1/2 cup - Feta Cheese 

Top with Feta Cheese. Serves 4. Enjoy either hot or cold. :D

Lululemon's "Happy" Movie Premier in Calgary

This saturday, February 11 Lululemon is holding an exclusive screening of the documentary 'Happy" at Hot Yoga on 17th! 6:00 pm Fun times, an inspiring movie, and snacks! Click on the link below to see the trailer and learn more!!


http://worldhappyday.com/

A little Green Fun at Hot Yoga on 17th

I've yet to be disappointed by a class at Hot Yoga on 17th. The teachers are fun, energetic, and great people: Elmira, Shaima, Caitlin, and Jilaine (just to name a few) rank among the top instructors in the city of Calgary. The classes are always buzzing with positive energy and people who are happy to be there. It only makes sense that such an admirable group of instructors would attract such an enthusiastic and fun group of students from Calgary. Hot Yoga on 17th is beyond just a studio; it's a studio that really cares. Their website includes parking tips for the students, which is absolutely great because 17th ave is a nightmare to park on. They are also an eco-aware space. Firstly, the studio has a 'HVAC' system. A 'HVAC' system allows fresh oxygen from outside to be brought into the studio at least 12 times per hour. In a studio heated to 105 degrees, 50% humidity, and packed full of 30 or so students sweating their weeks out onto their mats, it makes an immense difference to the air you are breathing in deeply through your ujjayi breathing. But it doesn't stop there. The studio walls are 100% natural, consisting of natural clay that help maintain a dense molecular structure and shape, giving it the capacity to produce a self-generated negative charge upon hydration. So...what does this matter to your yoga practice? Here's a little tidbit from the studio, "Negative ions are proven to produce positive biochemical reactions in humans. A negative charge in a space acts on our capacity to absorb and utilize oxygen, making us feel energized. Negative ions also increase levels of the mood chemical serotonin, helping to alleviate depression, relieve stress, and boost our feelings of well-being." With an abnormal environment created in hot yoga studios (abnormal to Calgary that is), at Hot Yoga on 17th you can relax knowing you're practicing without potentially toxic heated substances whizzing past you. 
Nervous about trying hot yoga for your first time?? Watch first times Marc and Fuzzy from Vibe 98.5 attempt it at Hot Yoga on 17th! Marc & Fuzzy Try Hot Yoga on 17th
Hot Yoga on 17th has an affiliate studio in Crowfoot if this one just isn't in your neighborhood. 16$ for a drop-in class and 14$ for a student- and great package rates!! 


http://hotyogaon17th.com/welcome/about-us

Final Update for AthLEAN-X with Shay Dodds

First off, let me start this final review off by reminding everyone that I am not a physical trainer, nor do I have any formal training in physical conditioning.  I am however, like most people that read this blog, a person who likes to keep healthy and someone who can provide an unbiased opinion.  It was my girlfriend who first introduced this program to me when she randomly stumbled upon it searching for exercise programs on her iPhone.  I saw the simplicity and fun within this program and decided to give it a shot.  For the $2.99 I spent in order to purchase the app, I definitely got my money’s worth!  If you’re like me and are really bored with your current abdominal exercises, or just want to spice things up, Athlean-X will not disappoint.

As mentioned throughout these reviews the program starts off fairly simple with no additional equipment required, just your own weight to combat.  Lots of isometric type exercises are incorporated, mixed with burst speed, high target heart rate ones.  This mixture is what makes this program really fun for me; one second you’re doing a plank and the next you’re doing rapid fire mountain climbers that target the same muscle group, but in an entirely different manner.  Each workout lasts between 5-7.5 minutes, consisting of 6-12 exercises that can range from 30 second durations to one minute.  However, past week 1-2 of this program you will need to buy additionally equipment to continue following along.  I will go on a side tangent here very quickly though, before following the natural course of this review.

I want to take a quick second to mention here, that like many things in life, you do not need to follow a precise outline in order to get results.  What I mean is you do not need to follow this program exactly and run out and buy resistance bands, plyometric balls or a hanging bar in order to improve your core strength.  You can use this program to simply reshape you’re current workouts and get more well-rounded ab exercises by using whatever you have available.  Incorporate what pushes you personally and repeat the workouts you think work best for your level.

Continuing on with the review, the following weeks present more of a challenge, for me anyway, since they focus more on the strength side of things.  By introducing unique, fun exercises that really target the various muscle groups in your trunk. With these workouts you can stay entertained, while looking forward to your workout each day.  Near the end of the program it blends lots of the workouts together, but requires a bar in order to hang from.  If you’re at the gym then this is easy, however if you’re 6’3, 190lbs like me doing this in your house, it may not be so easy.  I worked around this by taking my own advice and swapping out exercises that I couldn’t do and replacing them with ones that challenged me and targeted the same muscle groups.

I think I’ve mentioned enough that this program is a great “bang for your buck.”  It offers fresh, innovative ways of working out your core, it’s quick and easy to follow, can be implemented into current work out programs, and requires very little space and equipment.  The app allows you to use your own music and tells you when to change work outs, while giving you time remaining in the exercise while tracking your progress with a built in schedule.  The most important question though is, does it really work?

To answer that question you must be willing to ask yourself are you really going to follow the program, and more importantly, are you eating correctly in order to promote the development of lean muscle.  Personally, I noticed a difference after two weeks of using this program.  My abs were on fire after each session and definitely more defined after a couple weeks.  My running has even improved because my core strength has improved so much that I actually changed my running position and posture.  I suffer from ITBS (Iliotibial band syndrome) and now I barely notice any lateral knee pain while running- although this is also a result of hip strengthening exercises that I perform as well.  Aside from following the workout precisely for about the first 5 weeks, I also followed the meal plan.  I completely changed the way I eat and although I still indulge in a couple meals out a month, and a dessert here and there, my main meals are all derived from this program.   Eating is such a huge part of staying in shape and many people forget that.  The trap is often, “Well I worked out today so I earned myself this cheesecake, or this donut, or whatever that desire may be.”  I have nearly cut all carbs out of my diet, as well as fats and that’s why I think this worked so well.  If you think you are willing to try a new diet out, then this program can certainly change the way your core looks and feels, helping you achieve that oh so desirable 6 pack.

Inspirational Health/Fitness Enthusiast of February

Links:


Sound Advice website and facebook group:
http://www.soundadvicenightlife.com/
http://www.facebook.com/groups/169922274060/

Spread Love Not Dislike Buttons:
http://www.facebook.com/groups/285304577910/

Eclectronica Vol. 2: Lost & Found
http://www.soundadvicenightlife.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=192%3Aeclectronica-vol-2&catid=44%3Amix-downloads&Itemid=92

Scott's Recipes:

Moroccan Chickpea Stew Ingredients
• 1 tsp olive oil
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 1 small piece of ginger, minced (or 1/2 tsp ground ginger)*
• 1 carrot, chopped
• 1 zucchini, diced
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp ground cumin*
• 1/2 tsp ground turmeric*
• 1/4 tsp paprika*
• 1 16-ounce can diced tomatoes
• 2 cups vegetable stock or water
• pinch saffron (optional), soaked in 1 Tbsp hot water
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 apple or pear, chopped
• 1/2 cup dried apricots, chopped
• 1 lemon, zested and juiced
• 2 1/2 cups cooked or canned chickpeas (about 2 14 oz cans, or 1 1/2 19 oz cans)
• 2 Tbsp minced fresh mint and/or parsley
• 2 Tbsp sesame seeds (optional)
*If you don't have individual spices, you can use 1 tsp Indian Spice Mix - Homemade spice mixes, or your favorite curry powder, along with the 1/2 tsp of cinnamon.
Moroccan Chickpea Stew Directions
1. Heat a large soup pot over medium heat until hot. Add the oil and onion, and saute until softened, then add the ginger (if you're using ground ginger, add it with the spices later). Add the carrot and zucchini, stir and cook for 2 minutes, or until they've just started to sweat.
2. Add the cumin, cinnamon, turmeric, paprika, and pepper and saute for a minute or two. Stir in the tomatoes, stock or water, saffron, salt, apple or pear, apricots, lemon zest and juice, and chickpeas. Reduce the heat to low, and simmer for 30 minutes.
3. You can also saute the vegetables in a small pan, then transfer to a slow cooker with the rest of the ingredients. Turn to high heat until the stew gets to a simmer, then turn to low and leave for about 4 hours.
4. Just before serving, stir in the mint or parsley, spoon into bowls and sprinkle with the sesame seeds.

Black Bean and Sweet Potato Chili
Shopping List: 2 bell peppers, 3 cans black beans, 1 chipotle chile, cilantro, 1 bottle of beer, 1 can tomatoes, 1 pound sweet potatoesPantry Items: Olive Oil, Onion, Garlic, Salt, Cumin, Chili PowderTotal Cost (for 4 portions): $12
Ingredients
yield: 4
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 1 orange pepper, diced
• 1 red pepper, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 2 teaspoons chili powder
• One 15-ounce can diced tomatoes
• Three 15-ounce cans black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 small chipotle chile pepper in adobo sauce, minced
• ¼ cup chopped cilantro stems
• Kosher salt
• 1 bottle dark beer
• 1 pound sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
• ¼ cup chopped cilantro leaves
• 1/2 lime (optional)
• sour cream (optional)
Procedures
1. Heat oil in large Dutch oven or heavy-lidded saucepan over medium heat. Saute onion and peppers until soft and beginning to caramelize, 5-8 minutes. Add garlic, cumin, and chili powder and continue to sauté until very fragrant, about 2 minutes. Stir in tomatoes, beans, chipotle, cilantro stems, and 1 teaspoon salt. Turn heat to high, and pour in beer. Simmer for 10 minutes, then add sweet potatoes.
2. Continue to simmer until potatoes are tender, but not falling apart, about 20 minutes. Taste for seasoning. Spoon chili into bowls and garnish with cilantro leaves, a squeeze of lime, and a dollop of sour cream. Serve with corn bread.

Vary your practice and try it for the lowest cost in Calgary

Yoga Passage, located in the heart of downtown, is a great way for any downtown-worker to stay and shape and incorporate some relaxation through yoga into their lives. No excuses when the studio is minutes away from your work. Besides great location, Yoga Passage also offers the lowest cost for drop-in fees in the city- 10$ for students, seniors and under 18 years of age and 14-16$ depending on the length of class. A lot of studios charge one fee regardless of the length of class, so at Yoga Passage you are really getting the best deal.

There is two spacious studios at Yoga Passage so the classes can include a lot of people. However, with the larger size and the big area and pillars, I found it a bit tricky to see the instructor and know exactly what to be doing at all times. But, this makes great incentive for improving your own practice as to not have to look to others and also be savvy about where you place your mat in the room.

I have heard a similar issue from yogi to yogi that hot classes just aren't for them. At Yoga Passage however, the hot class they offer is about 10 degrees lower than some of the notoriously hot studios such as Calgary  Hot Yoga, Hot Yoga on 17th, and Hot Yoga on Crowfoot. So, it is a great place to ease into hot classes before attempting the hottest of the hot at 108 degrees - which you will soon become addicted to with time. Or, a place where you can handle the heat and still enjoy your practice if ultra-heat is just not for you!!
Yoga Passage offers 15 styles of yoga, prenatal yoga, private and group sessions and massage! (YES!)

http://www.yogapassage.ca/#

The Hypothermic Half Marathon: Kick Your New Year's Resolution in the Butt

I cannot think of a better way to start off the year by running in, or volunteering at The Hypothermic Half Marathon in Calgary February 11th. If you can get through 21.1 km of running in a Calgary winter- you can do ANYTHING. 2012 is about going above and beyond your new year's resolutions- so DO IT NOW! If you don't feel like you have enough time to prepare now- volunteer! I volunteered three years in a row for races, and on the 4th year I ran an 8km race and the 5th year I ran a half marathon. Being around inspirational runners and seeing their faces when they cross the finish line is the push a lot of people need- including me, to see how amazing it feels to accomplish something so great. So... GO!! Go and cheer, go and help, just go and give support to these amazing athletes- these TRUE Canadians!
Currently, they need 2:00 pace bunny's, marshals, water station personal, start/finish line personal and lead/sweep cyclists. You can contact Bruce Cevraini for more information about how to help out at BCevraini@runningroom.com
We are a community Calgary- let's show our neighbors some support!! I can promise you if you put in even a few hours of volunteer, you will be so inspired for the rest of the day and not be able to wipe the smile of your face. :)

http://www.events.runningroom.com/site/?raceId=4169

Happy Birthday to Yoga Mandala- but instead of Cake, FREE YOGA!

This weekend, Yoga Mandala has kindly extended a welcoming invite to the community for FREE or by donation yoga for their 5th birthday! Not only that but they will have refreshments, sales on their passes and yoga products and some great door prizes- word on the street is some great ones from Lululemon Athletica! 

All levels are welcome!!! Try someone new, you have no excuse when it's free. Miracles happen when you least expect them! Yoga mandala is at Plaza 34- 3522A 19th street SW and here is the class schedule for the weekend!

Friday: 5:30 to 7pm

Saturday: 9- 1030 am, 11am-12:30pm, 1:30- 3pm, Meditation 12:34 to 1:30 AND DANCE PARTY 8:30 pm TO MIDNIGHT!

Sunday: 9:30-11am, 11:30- 1pm, 2-330pm, Meditation 1:15-2pm, Yin/Yang Yoga 5:30-7pm

See you all there! http://www.yogamandala.ca/

Love your practice; Love your mat

I came across these two websites recently that are great ideas for what to do with your old yoga mat!!! They are really creative and useful!! Unless you have a Manduka that is, with a life time warranty!!

http://www.hellobrit.com/living/20-creative-ways-to-repurpose-old-yoga-mats/

http://life.gaiam.com/article/50-ways-reuse-your-yoga-or-fitness-mat

"Elevating the world from mediocrity to greatness"

I can't think of a more inspirational group of individuals gathering in Calgary for a 'sweat date' (as Lululemon calls it), than those that did at 2110 Fitness last week: an elite of managers, assistant managers and great leaders from Calgary's Lululemons and last but not least founder of Lululemon, Chip Wilson and Lululemon's franchisee, Russ Parker. With their vision of 'elevating the world from mediocrity to greatness", these leaders bring all that they can to their business, people they interact with as well as their personal lives. Chip Wilson's standards for his company has created an amazing environment for employees and guests to the store through the company's promotion of a positive life style including goal setting, community involvement, integrity and greatness to name a few.

2110 Fitness made a befitting environment for such a gathering of greatness. Their instructors are extensively knowledgeable and not only willing to help as much as they can, but eager and passionate to teach and aid others in building strong, able bodies for themselves. The circuit-type plan they came up with for our group challenged each of us to push ourselves beyond what we thought possible. By the end, I was in disbelief about what I had accomplished- I didn't think I was physically- or mentally capable of completing such a grueling and intense workout. 2110 offers numerous classes and also a drop-in gym to use. They are located very close to Chinook Mall- perfect for shoppers or anyone working at the mall!

http://www.2110fitness.com/

Get ripped in Heaven... surrounded by angels

Need a little extra motivation to get going with your workout? Finding that you can't get going on your own? Try out Phillip's Martial Art Fitness and he will kick your ass with motivation. A have never laughed and smiled so much during such a grueling workout in my life. Everyone in the class was having a great time as well! The workout was INTENSE but the hour felt like 10 minutes because I was concentrating hard on what I was doing, while having fun! Phillip is amazing at pumping up the class and getting everyone involved. He made sure no one was left out and was constantly correcting people or pushing them one on one to push it harder when he knew they had it in them. Make sure you grab a low enough hand weights before class for you to use all class (I'm talking 2 pounds). Also, there is a few things to set up before class, so get there a few minutes before and ask someone else or just follow the crowd on what you need. It's intense and non-stop for 1 hour- so be ready!!


Not only was the class exhilarating, but the club is stunning and the staff were complete angels. I had a secret urge to set up a sleeping bag and spend the night because the club gave me such great vibes!!  Your first class is completely free so you have NO EXCUSES not to try it out! Just to a name a few of the other great things Heaven's offers: child care, an array of group fitness classes, yoga, personal training, steam room, massages, nutritional counseling, life coaching, clothing store, and a snack bar!
Over the next few weeks I will be doing some reviews of the different classes at Heaven's, so stay tuned and in the mean time- try some out for yourself!!


http://heavensfitness.com/

Shay Dodds with AthLEAN-X Update after Week 4

The meal plan for this week is roughly the same as the others with a lot of similar main ingredients (chicken, turkey, protein shakes, whole wheat pasta, white fish, salads, etc.) but with new minor twists.  For example you could have chicken for dinner the previosu night but then reuse leftovers for lunch the next day in a cajun chicken wrap with salsa.  Also, instead of always having turkey in the form of a deli meat in a wrap or sandwich you can make turkey burgers or sausage.  The one downside to this diet is it does get pretty repetitive so don't be afraid to experiment and mix things up.  Try different things out in your homemade trail mixes, or different low fat sauces or dressings for salds, burgers, stir frys, etc.  Also, protein shakes can be fun and really try out different fruits or even throw some veggies in there to change it up.  Same goes for stir frys and steak, if the meal plan calls for steak for dinner don't be afraid to look up recipes online or in cook books and make "healthy' (low fat) versions of those.  You can do alot with rice or whole wheat noodle stir frys and the given recipes should in no way limit you.

As for exercises, resistance band training comes in around the one month mark of the program once certain muscle groups have been built up.  I have accumulated different strengths of bands but you can buy groups of bands at any Sport Chek or similar store.  Start with what's comfortable because pushing yourself with the bands can be dangerous if the resistance of the band prevents you from performing the proper motion.  Coming from a running background I really enjoy using bands and I find it adds a new, exciting element to core strengthening.  For example, side plank lifts are alternated with side plank rows where you hold a side plank and pull a band inwards.  The one difficulty with these exercises is finding a proper place to "mount" your band.  Stair railings work really well, as well as the legs of heavy tables.  There are some fun burst speed twisting style exercises that come into the mix here too and bring some excitement to the program.  The balance between the band, plyo ball and stability is great and provides a challenge compared to some of the previous work outs.  The best part of this program is I can now really notice a change in my core and I feel better too!  5-7 minutes 5 times a week can really make a difference. 

Toned and Tight- A KILLER workout from your home

Two years ago I realized that I wasn't young enough any more for my body to just stay fit on its own- I actually had to work at it to keep my legs toned and arms flab-free. For 1 month I researched as much as I possibly could on how to get my thighs and butt in tight shape and came across a video that 2 years later is still in my exercise regime. The video is called "Love your Legs" by Kim Overton. It specifically focuses on cellulite reduction- also meaning super tight and jiggle-free lower bodies!  AND you can buy it for less than 40$! It comes with a nutrition plan and interviews on the DVD about how to best get into and stay in shape. The actually video is amazing. It only takes about 30 minutes and kicks your butt. The first time I ever did it, I literally could not walk for 3 days. You can feel it working every single inch of your lower body and even helps your abs out! It is high intensity and the exercises it teaches you, you can implement into your regular gym routine! Kim's amazing body is also incentive to keep going so you can look like her someday!!

http://www.kimberleyjane.com/about.html

Inspirational Health and Fitness Enthusiast