I love to stay fairly lean year round. As the Queen of my own palace, I choose to stay fit because I other than enjoy counting calories, or, worse yet, buying new clothing just because my pants got tight.
This winter at Superfood Palace I have been experimenting with awakening near 3:00 a.m. and have been getting on either the Eliptical or Recumberant Bike by 3:45 a.m.
There are programs that suggest if we warm up for three minutes and then hammer with as much intensity as possible for 30 seconds we will massively increase our lung capacity as well as torch calories.
After the first 30 second stretch of going all out, we are to recover for 90 seconds and then continue this pattern of 30 seconds of hammering it out followed by 90 seconds of steadily striding or spinning.
The hot aspect of this is, for me, after 30 minutes and a total of 13 sprints, I am fully awake and have, even in a cold room, worked up a sweat.
The idea is to only challenge the body in this way two or three times weekly but I found myself quickly hooked on the feeling I was getting from these morning workouts.
On the days I did not add the high intensity, I continued to hop on to a piece of equipment for a moderate workout. This routine continued for three weeks until I began feeling completely exhausted.
Having a previous history with over doing it, I backed off a bit. I did not get sick. I believe I stopped pushing too hard at the first signs of fatigue.
But this got me too wondering how many zealous fitness enthusiasts are aware that too much exercise can sometimes overtax the immune system?
According to Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine, winter time is the time when, energetically, our roots are sinking downward, and, even though our energy might feel dormant or stuck, we are actually serving ourselves by going inward and not expending too much physical energy.
It is important to stretch, to move, to keep the spine long, fluid, and flexible. The entire body needs gentle movement year round. Foam rollers, yoga, Qi Gong, and simple stretching are ways to nurture the body and nourish the tissues.
For those of us, like me, who love a strong workout, well, yes, we can have those too. However, when the body and mind start feeling so fatigued that no amount of caffeine will overcome the lethargy, it is time to slow down.
Many people push too hard and compromise the health and well being of the immune system. There are superfoods and superherbs that we can take to maintain a strong immune system, however, at the end of the day, a good nights sleep is the best way to stay incredibly healthy.
So please, fitness enthusiasts, yes, do your workouts. And on the days your body says "no", then enjoy the rest. Your immune system and your muscles will thank you and in return will become much stronger, quickly.
And then, when you do exercise, your fully recovered body will feel amazingly wonderful!!!!!
Suzi
Monday, January 17, 2011
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Going to Bed Early
In order to wake up feeling majestic, we have chosen to go to bed as early as 7:00 p.m. We now awaken at 3:00 a.m. and, most days, feel quite energetic at this dark hour.
To try this, one must begin eating a solid breakfast and/or brunch on the first day followed by a dinner that is completed by 4:00 p.m. It is best to avoid bright lights after 6:00 p.m. Consider winding down with a warm bath, stretching, dental hygiene, and/or any form of massage, (you can massage your own feet and also your entire body with a foam roller).
The hours of sleep before midnight are twice as powerful and deep as those post midnight. This "old wives tale", according to many senior citizens that we quizzed, turns out to be the truest of the tales and the tale says that the hours of sleep before midnight count as two for one.
We shoot for bed by 7:00 p.m. and we are lucky to be dozing off by 8:00. Sleeping from 8:00 to 3:00, with the hours before midnight counting as double, makes us feel as soothed and healed as if we received 11 hours of sleep.
In Ayurvedic terms, the hours between 2:00 and 6:00 a.m. are when the Vata Dosha is dominant. Vata is ruled by air and ether. Waking up at 3:00 a.m., we feel enthusiastic, light, inspired, and deeply tuned into our breathing. The hours between 3:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. are wonderful for pranayama (yoga breathing exercises) Qi Gong or Tai Chi, meditation, tuning into the spirit world, and also for enhanced creativity.
In Kundalini Yoga, the hours before dawn are considered The Ambrosial Hours. A sweet nectar is present and we can (due to the fact that the lung meridian has a natural peak of energy between 3:00 and 5:00 a.m.), capture this ambrosial nectar through yoga, Qi Gong, or any healing practice of our liking.
To experience feeling like a King or a Queen, start by going to bed 30 minutes earlier each night and work your way back. If you have children, they will benefit greatly from more sleep and they will quickly adjust to the new routine. Offer the children a reward as in some extra time to color or play in the morning with a cup of herbal tea.
Remember, it all starts with eating earlier during the day and discontinuing all chomping three hours before bedtime. We begin preparing dinner no later than 3:00 p.m. each day so we can be complete near 4:00 p.m.
Sweetest of Dreams to you!
Suzi and Tallison
To try this, one must begin eating a solid breakfast and/or brunch on the first day followed by a dinner that is completed by 4:00 p.m. It is best to avoid bright lights after 6:00 p.m. Consider winding down with a warm bath, stretching, dental hygiene, and/or any form of massage, (you can massage your own feet and also your entire body with a foam roller).
The hours of sleep before midnight are twice as powerful and deep as those post midnight. This "old wives tale", according to many senior citizens that we quizzed, turns out to be the truest of the tales and the tale says that the hours of sleep before midnight count as two for one.
We shoot for bed by 7:00 p.m. and we are lucky to be dozing off by 8:00. Sleeping from 8:00 to 3:00, with the hours before midnight counting as double, makes us feel as soothed and healed as if we received 11 hours of sleep.
In Ayurvedic terms, the hours between 2:00 and 6:00 a.m. are when the Vata Dosha is dominant. Vata is ruled by air and ether. Waking up at 3:00 a.m., we feel enthusiastic, light, inspired, and deeply tuned into our breathing. The hours between 3:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. are wonderful for pranayama (yoga breathing exercises) Qi Gong or Tai Chi, meditation, tuning into the spirit world, and also for enhanced creativity.
In Kundalini Yoga, the hours before dawn are considered The Ambrosial Hours. A sweet nectar is present and we can (due to the fact that the lung meridian has a natural peak of energy between 3:00 and 5:00 a.m.), capture this ambrosial nectar through yoga, Qi Gong, or any healing practice of our liking.
To experience feeling like a King or a Queen, start by going to bed 30 minutes earlier each night and work your way back. If you have children, they will benefit greatly from more sleep and they will quickly adjust to the new routine. Offer the children a reward as in some extra time to color or play in the morning with a cup of herbal tea.
Remember, it all starts with eating earlier during the day and discontinuing all chomping three hours before bedtime. We begin preparing dinner no later than 3:00 p.m. each day so we can be complete near 4:00 p.m.
Sweetest of Dreams to you!
Suzi and Tallison
Superfood Soup Cleansing Feast
Superfood Soups are made with a vegetable broth as a base. In a large pot take onions, leeks, celery, burdock root, kale, and or collards and simmer for one hour. Strain the broth and compost the vegetables. The broth, one quart or so at a time, gets placed in a blender (we like the Vitamix), and to that add 2 tbsp. Vitamineral Earth and 1 tbsp. your choice of seaweed. Blend. Then, when the mix is below 108 degrees add in 1 to 2 tbsp. Healthforce Nutritionals Vitamineral Green and up to 1 tbsp. Spirulina and one to two teaspoons South River Chickpea Miso. Blend again. (note: if you do not have time or desire to make a broth, you can use spring water or an herbal tea made from nettles, alfalfa, oat straw, horsetail, and/or corn silk. By using the tea your Superfood Soup can truly be 100% raw if that is your desire.
In the morning, have a cleansing elixir with green powders such as Blue Green Algae (AFA) and/or Spirulina and whole food Vitamin C powders such as Camu Camu and/or Acerola Cherry Powder. Add MSM and, ideally Shilajit to this cleansing elixir. You may choose to sweeten this with a little Stevia. We like NOW brand Stevia extract powder and only a pinch is required. Build up slowly until you are using 1 tbsp. of the MSM , 2 tsp. of the green powders, 1 tsp. of the Shilajit, and up to 1 tsp. of the Vitamin C powders. Blend all these powders in 1 quart spring water, adding a little lemon juice if available. Sole', a Himalayan Rock Salt Brine, may also be added, up to 1 tsp.
Take any herbal potions that you enjoy such as medicinal mushrooms with your morning elixir.
One hour or so later, have Healthforce Nutritionals Intestinal Drawing Formula (IDF). Make a drink with up to 2 tbsp. of the powder and a pinch of stevia and cinnamon to make it more palatable. Or, take 12 of the IDF capsules with one quart of water.
One hour or so after the IDF, you get to have Superfood Soup or a Superfood Smoothie.
If you like a sweet breakfast, the smoothie can be jazzed up with Stevia and/or Birch Xylitol.
The smoothie is made with a spicy super tonic herbal tea base. Take any herbs that you like from ginger, cinnamon, fennel, cardamom, clove, pau d' arco, cat's claw, juniper berry, licorice root, etc., and simmer for one hour on a very low flame. Strain. Brew all the herbs again for one hour. Mix both brews together and place in jars. This will last up to one week in glass Mason jars in the refrigerator.
When making superfood smoothies, add your choice of Superfoods such as Sun Warrior Rice Protein Powder, Maca, Cacao, Spirulina, Vitamineral Green, and sweeten with stevia and/or xylitol.
With each meal, whether it be Superfood Soup or a Superfood Smoothie, take 2 - 4 of Healthforce Nutritionals Intestinal Movement Formula, 6 Liver Rescue Capsules, and up to 6 Digestive Enzymes, and, if desired, one meal per day, take Healthforce Nutritionals Internal Parasite Formula as directed on bottle.
In the late afternoon repeat the Intestinal Drawing Formula, either in a blend or by taking 12 capsules.
During the cleanse, do as much yoga, Qi Gong, barefoot walking in clean grass or on sand, as possible. Find ways to sweat be it through exercise, saunas, hot baths, and/or by adding garlic and turmeric to the broth or tea for the Superfood Soup.
Continue with the Superfood Soups and Superfood Smoothies with the herbs for 7 days. After 7 days, when adding vegetables, fruits, nuts, and seeds back into the diet, make a commitment to chew all food into a soupy and creamy consistency.
All of our food is a gift from the heavens. Be sure that your smoothies and soups taste good to you and enjoy them with a smile and a heart full of gratitude. Do whatever it takes to make the soups and smoothies taste exquisite so that you feel deeply nourished physically and emotionally.
In Joy!
In the morning, have a cleansing elixir with green powders such as Blue Green Algae (AFA) and/or Spirulina and whole food Vitamin C powders such as Camu Camu and/or Acerola Cherry Powder. Add MSM and, ideally Shilajit to this cleansing elixir. You may choose to sweeten this with a little Stevia. We like NOW brand Stevia extract powder and only a pinch is required. Build up slowly until you are using 1 tbsp. of the MSM , 2 tsp. of the green powders, 1 tsp. of the Shilajit, and up to 1 tsp. of the Vitamin C powders. Blend all these powders in 1 quart spring water, adding a little lemon juice if available. Sole', a Himalayan Rock Salt Brine, may also be added, up to 1 tsp.
Take any herbal potions that you enjoy such as medicinal mushrooms with your morning elixir.
One hour or so later, have Healthforce Nutritionals Intestinal Drawing Formula (IDF). Make a drink with up to 2 tbsp. of the powder and a pinch of stevia and cinnamon to make it more palatable. Or, take 12 of the IDF capsules with one quart of water.
One hour or so after the IDF, you get to have Superfood Soup or a Superfood Smoothie.
If you like a sweet breakfast, the smoothie can be jazzed up with Stevia and/or Birch Xylitol.
The smoothie is made with a spicy super tonic herbal tea base. Take any herbs that you like from ginger, cinnamon, fennel, cardamom, clove, pau d' arco, cat's claw, juniper berry, licorice root, etc., and simmer for one hour on a very low flame. Strain. Brew all the herbs again for one hour. Mix both brews together and place in jars. This will last up to one week in glass Mason jars in the refrigerator.
When making superfood smoothies, add your choice of Superfoods such as Sun Warrior Rice Protein Powder, Maca, Cacao, Spirulina, Vitamineral Green, and sweeten with stevia and/or xylitol.
With each meal, whether it be Superfood Soup or a Superfood Smoothie, take 2 - 4 of Healthforce Nutritionals Intestinal Movement Formula, 6 Liver Rescue Capsules, and up to 6 Digestive Enzymes, and, if desired, one meal per day, take Healthforce Nutritionals Internal Parasite Formula as directed on bottle.
In the late afternoon repeat the Intestinal Drawing Formula, either in a blend or by taking 12 capsules.
During the cleanse, do as much yoga, Qi Gong, barefoot walking in clean grass or on sand, as possible. Find ways to sweat be it through exercise, saunas, hot baths, and/or by adding garlic and turmeric to the broth or tea for the Superfood Soup.
Continue with the Superfood Soups and Superfood Smoothies with the herbs for 7 days. After 7 days, when adding vegetables, fruits, nuts, and seeds back into the diet, make a commitment to chew all food into a soupy and creamy consistency.
All of our food is a gift from the heavens. Be sure that your smoothies and soups taste good to you and enjoy them with a smile and a heart full of gratitude. Do whatever it takes to make the soups and smoothies taste exquisite so that you feel deeply nourished physically and emotionally.
In Joy!
Saturday, January 8, 2011
The Palace is Within You
Superfood Palace is an inspirational and motivational site filled with personal experiences encountered by the authors. At Superfood Palace, we are regularly reminded that the "treasures" in life are "free".
Some say "nothing in life is free". Well, this is true. One must take steps and reach out for that which is served up to us on the golden platter of the Universe.
We all get to breathe deeply however unless we make the effort, take advantage of this God given right, then it becomes worthless. Superfood Palace reminds us that the We are The Palace. Everything we take into our bodies, be it music, food, fresh air, clean water, or inspirations, these are the gems of life.
There are gems and treasures in every palace. Superfood Palace is here to remind us to have gratitude for the gems and treasures that are part of our daily lives. Simple Pleasures like enjoying a bit of sunshine, getting to bed by 10:00 p.m., relaxing deeply during and after stretching, these are a few of the gems and joys of life.
Almonds are now Golden Nuggets, Goji Berries are Rubies, Green Drinks and Vegetables are created from Emerald Crystals, and Raw Superfood Chocolates and other high anti-oxidant foods are Sapphires.
Beyond food, at Superfood Palace we are inspired to sit with better posture, practice more Yoga and/or Qi Gong, incorporate more herbs and teas into our lives, gently switch over to natural fiber clothing and bedding, and to increase our level of consciousness around how we eat, sleep, and entertain ourselves.
Our pages are here for you, written based on our personal experience, so that we shall all be reminded that we are The Palace of our Body, Soul, and Mind.
Some say "nothing in life is free". Well, this is true. One must take steps and reach out for that which is served up to us on the golden platter of the Universe.
We all get to breathe deeply however unless we make the effort, take advantage of this God given right, then it becomes worthless. Superfood Palace reminds us that the We are The Palace. Everything we take into our bodies, be it music, food, fresh air, clean water, or inspirations, these are the gems of life.
There are gems and treasures in every palace. Superfood Palace is here to remind us to have gratitude for the gems and treasures that are part of our daily lives. Simple Pleasures like enjoying a bit of sunshine, getting to bed by 10:00 p.m., relaxing deeply during and after stretching, these are a few of the gems and joys of life.
Almonds are now Golden Nuggets, Goji Berries are Rubies, Green Drinks and Vegetables are created from Emerald Crystals, and Raw Superfood Chocolates and other high anti-oxidant foods are Sapphires.
Beyond food, at Superfood Palace we are inspired to sit with better posture, practice more Yoga and/or Qi Gong, incorporate more herbs and teas into our lives, gently switch over to natural fiber clothing and bedding, and to increase our level of consciousness around how we eat, sleep, and entertain ourselves.
Our pages are here for you, written based on our personal experience, so that we shall all be reminded that we are The Palace of our Body, Soul, and Mind.
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Oil Pulling
Today at The Superfood Palace the King (Tallison) and I (Yogi Suzi) began the practice of oil pulling. Oil pulling is an ancient technique that, from all the claims, appears to be a panacea for modern ailments. Intrigued by the information, upon rising at 3:07 a.m., I, still in my birthday suit which doubles as pajamas, opened the oven door and reached for the slightly warm jar of coconut oil. Tallison had a look of disbelief on his face, almost shock, and I was not sure why. For last night, from the loft of The Superfood Palace I announced that I was to begin the practice of Oil Pulling on this very day and I sent him two informational links on oil pulling.
Oil pulling? Yes, it sounds strange and I shall create more posts sharing the results that Tallison and I receive from the practice.
For you see, in spite of the near look of horror on Tallison's face this rainy morning, when I came back out to the kitchen ten minutes later, he too was swirling and swishing almost one tablespoon of coconut oil in his mouth.
Oil pulling is most often practiced with Sesame or Sunflower Oils. However, many people praise the benefits of Coconut Oil.
The concept is that if one swishes up to one tablespoon of cold pressed oil in the mouth first thing each morning before taking any water or food, all the toxins that have settled in the night will merge with the oil. Old bacteria, viruses, fungus, mucous, and excess will be mixed in with the oil and the saliva. Then, after ten to twenty minutes of swirling the oil, through the teeth, under and over the tongue, against the meridians at the roof of the mouth, miracles will begin to happen.
Arthritis, tooth decay, gum disease, bleeding gums, scars, blood sugar issues, allergies, and many more ailments will all, according to the literature, not only diminish, but will virtually disappear.
Does it sound to good to be true? Stay tuned to Superfood Palace and discover the virtues not only of oil pulling, but of other practices and techniques that will assist you in entering The Kingdom of Health.
Oil pulling? Yes, it sounds strange and I shall create more posts sharing the results that Tallison and I receive from the practice.
For you see, in spite of the near look of horror on Tallison's face this rainy morning, when I came back out to the kitchen ten minutes later, he too was swirling and swishing almost one tablespoon of coconut oil in his mouth.
Oil pulling is most often practiced with Sesame or Sunflower Oils. However, many people praise the benefits of Coconut Oil.
The concept is that if one swishes up to one tablespoon of cold pressed oil in the mouth first thing each morning before taking any water or food, all the toxins that have settled in the night will merge with the oil. Old bacteria, viruses, fungus, mucous, and excess will be mixed in with the oil and the saliva. Then, after ten to twenty minutes of swirling the oil, through the teeth, under and over the tongue, against the meridians at the roof of the mouth, miracles will begin to happen.
Arthritis, tooth decay, gum disease, bleeding gums, scars, blood sugar issues, allergies, and many more ailments will all, according to the literature, not only diminish, but will virtually disappear.
Does it sound to good to be true? Stay tuned to Superfood Palace and discover the virtues not only of oil pulling, but of other practices and techniques that will assist you in entering The Kingdom of Health.
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