Saturday, 3 April, 2010
Tuesday, 9 February, 2010
In the Kitchen with Donna
For those of you who know me, and I mean REALLY know me....I'm not that culinarily-inclined ;) However! I do happen upon some really tasty recipes, that with some tweaking, ala Donna, turn out to be quite the vegan masterpieces :) Ok, there's only a handfull so far, but onwards we go...
So, this year, one of my goals is to compile these recipes, probably on-line, because it's so much faster to type than scribble down with a pen and paper, both of which seem to be such commodities these days around the house (Antonis!). If not for Google, finding and creating vegan & gluten/sugar-free recipes would be almost impossible. Making these dishes has become a past-time of mine, for I haven't come across a complete recipe book for this exact eating lifestyle. If you have, please let me know :)
Yes, I'm Vegan ... have been almost 100% for the past 2 years, and LOVING IT! Vegetarianism came easy to me...my son's severe dairy allergy kicked me into high gear to become vegan. His allergy has had it's scary moments and testing times - but I do see it as a blessing, as it has brought us to a more conscious way of eating. To all of life's struggles and hardships there is a silver lining.
Having struggled with weight issues most of my teenage years and early part of my twenties, I realized a big shift was needed. I had to change my lifestyle to allow for my true self to shine through. This lifestyle shift began with weight-training, cardio training, hiring a personal trainer (who eventually helped change the course of my life's purpose! Thank you Grace!). Then, bodybuilding took over, then yoga and meditation.
In terms of nutrition, I went from calorie counting (glad those days are done!), to high-protein and detoxing on a seasonal basis. I saw nutritionists, naturopaths, homeopaths, and more. Slowly but surely, I listened to my body - and vegetarianism is what it wanted :) Going vegan was the next step, and Antoni's dairy allergy caused that to happen practically overnight.
Alicia Silverstone likes to call it the Kind Diet, and that it is. Since beginning it, much like Alicia's story, I have not had to think twice about my weight, my skin is brighter and clearer (having suffered from severe acne for many devastating years), and my step is lighter, I feel happier (especially when not having to defend my food choices) - and overall, more peaceful. It's also REALLY fun finding interesting recipes to suit this lifestyle.
Oh, did I mention, I'm also gluten-free and sugar-free. Now there's the doozy! Try baking vegan and gluten/sugar free ... ask my friends who've ventured into trying my recipes... they'll let you know that the winners are far and few between :) Note to self: don't bake large quantities with xylitol - unless you extremely dislike your guests :)
Why be sugar-free? That's for another day and time - the disastrous effects sugar has on the body should make you wonder why you would want to eat it at all. The grass IS greener on the sugar-free side: think stevia and Agave nectar (nectar of the Gods!).
So, starting today, I'll be sending you my new and tried-and-true recipes that are vegan, gluten-free, and sugar-free. Try them and tell me what you think! Anyone can incorporate these recipes and this style of eating into their current diet.Trust me, if I can do it, you can! Even meat-eaters will tremendously benefit from having one or two meat-less days a week. Your body will thank you :) Plus, my recipes require very little time in the kitchen. They're also full of vitamins, minerals, healthy proteins, and flavour.
I look forward to sharing this culinary journey with you! It's a first for me - to spend time creating and sharing recipes. But it's something I've wanted to do for some time now, and I hope it will help out anyone wanting to step-up their healthy lifestyle habits.
With much love and blessings,
Donna
Today's Recipe:
Yummy-yummy organic tofu bites:
Ingredients:
- organic firm tofu cut in thin slices
- sesame oil
- gluten-free tamari (natural soy sauce)
In a sautee or frying pan, place the sliced tofu and a splash of the tamari sauce (enough to coat the surface of the tofu for a golden colour). Heat on medium until golden and slightly crisp. Just before taking it off the heat, add a splash of sesame oil for taste.
These are a great snack! Eat them as is, or add to your salad, stir-fry,rice, or as a side-dish to pasta or soup.
Enjoy!
So, this year, one of my goals is to compile these recipes, probably on-line, because it's so much faster to type than scribble down with a pen and paper, both of which seem to be such commodities these days around the house (Antonis!). If not for Google, finding and creating vegan & gluten/sugar-free recipes would be almost impossible. Making these dishes has become a past-time of mine, for I haven't come across a complete recipe book for this exact eating lifestyle. If you have, please let me know :)
Yes, I'm Vegan ... have been almost 100% for the past 2 years, and LOVING IT! Vegetarianism came easy to me...my son's severe dairy allergy kicked me into high gear to become vegan. His allergy has had it's scary moments and testing times - but I do see it as a blessing, as it has brought us to a more conscious way of eating. To all of life's struggles and hardships there is a silver lining.
Having struggled with weight issues most of my teenage years and early part of my twenties, I realized a big shift was needed. I had to change my lifestyle to allow for my true self to shine through. This lifestyle shift began with weight-training, cardio training, hiring a personal trainer (who eventually helped change the course of my life's purpose! Thank you Grace!). Then, bodybuilding took over, then yoga and meditation.
In terms of nutrition, I went from calorie counting (glad those days are done!), to high-protein and detoxing on a seasonal basis. I saw nutritionists, naturopaths, homeopaths, and more. Slowly but surely, I listened to my body - and vegetarianism is what it wanted :) Going vegan was the next step, and Antoni's dairy allergy caused that to happen practically overnight.
Alicia Silverstone likes to call it the Kind Diet, and that it is. Since beginning it, much like Alicia's story, I have not had to think twice about my weight, my skin is brighter and clearer (having suffered from severe acne for many devastating years), and my step is lighter, I feel happier (especially when not having to defend my food choices) - and overall, more peaceful. It's also REALLY fun finding interesting recipes to suit this lifestyle.
Oh, did I mention, I'm also gluten-free and sugar-free. Now there's the doozy! Try baking vegan and gluten/sugar free ... ask my friends who've ventured into trying my recipes... they'll let you know that the winners are far and few between :) Note to self: don't bake large quantities with xylitol - unless you extremely dislike your guests :)
Why be sugar-free? That's for another day and time - the disastrous effects sugar has on the body should make you wonder why you would want to eat it at all. The grass IS greener on the sugar-free side: think stevia and Agave nectar (nectar of the Gods!).
So, starting today, I'll be sending you my new and tried-and-true recipes that are vegan, gluten-free, and sugar-free. Try them and tell me what you think! Anyone can incorporate these recipes and this style of eating into their current diet.Trust me, if I can do it, you can! Even meat-eaters will tremendously benefit from having one or two meat-less days a week. Your body will thank you :) Plus, my recipes require very little time in the kitchen. They're also full of vitamins, minerals, healthy proteins, and flavour.
I look forward to sharing this culinary journey with you! It's a first for me - to spend time creating and sharing recipes. But it's something I've wanted to do for some time now, and I hope it will help out anyone wanting to step-up their healthy lifestyle habits.
With much love and blessings,
Donna
Today's Recipe:
Yummy-yummy organic tofu bites:
Ingredients:
- organic firm tofu cut in thin slices
- sesame oil
- gluten-free tamari (natural soy sauce)
In a sautee or frying pan, place the sliced tofu and a splash of the tamari sauce (enough to coat the surface of the tofu for a golden colour). Heat on medium until golden and slightly crisp. Just before taking it off the heat, add a splash of sesame oil for taste.
These are a great snack! Eat them as is, or add to your salad, stir-fry,rice, or as a side-dish to pasta or soup.
Enjoy!
Wednesday, 18 February, 2009
Yoga For Depression & Anxiety
Prana Fitness is NOW offering LifeForce Yoga in Toronto!
I returned from Tucson, Arizona at the end of January having completed a practitioner training program with Amy Weintraub, yogi and author of Yoga for Depression: A Compassionate Guide to Relieve Suffering Through Yoga.
I am so excited to be able to offer my clients a specific system of yoga designed to help treat symptoms of depression and anxiety. Private sessions are excellent for structuring a program around your own personal needs. Group workshops will provide a venue where you can meet others, learn healing tools and connect in an environment of compassion.
Look for upcoming Prana Fitness - LifeForce Yoga Workshops in Toronto, Spring 2009. Or contact me for your personal consultation.
I look forward to sharing with you the life tools that have been passed on to me by a warm and genuine teacher. May you realize that you are the light that shines within you this very moment.
Namaste,
Donna
I returned from Tucson, Arizona at the end of January having completed a practitioner training program with Amy Weintraub, yogi and author of Yoga for Depression: A Compassionate Guide to Relieve Suffering Through Yoga.
I am so excited to be able to offer my clients a specific system of yoga designed to help treat symptoms of depression and anxiety. Private sessions are excellent for structuring a program around your own personal needs. Group workshops will provide a venue where you can meet others, learn healing tools and connect in an environment of compassion.
Look for upcoming Prana Fitness - LifeForce Yoga Workshops in Toronto, Spring 2009. Or contact me for your personal consultation.
I look forward to sharing with you the life tools that have been passed on to me by a warm and genuine teacher. May you realize that you are the light that shines within you this very moment.
Namaste,
Donna
Friday, 12 September, 2008
Light on Yoga - an excerpt
" Happy is the man who knows how to distinguish the real from the unreal,
the eternal from the transient and the good from the pleasant by his discrimination and wisdom.
Twice blessed is he who knows true love and can love all God's creatures.
He who works selflessly for the welfare of others with love in his heart is thrice blessed.
But the man who combines within his mortal frame knowledge, love and selfless service is holy and becomes a place of pilgrimage, like the confluence of the rivers Ganga, Saraswati and Jamuna.
Those who meet him become calm and purified."
B.K.S. Iyengar, Light on Yoga.
the eternal from the transient and the good from the pleasant by his discrimination and wisdom.
Twice blessed is he who knows true love and can love all God's creatures.
He who works selflessly for the welfare of others with love in his heart is thrice blessed.
But the man who combines within his mortal frame knowledge, love and selfless service is holy and becomes a place of pilgrimage, like the confluence of the rivers Ganga, Saraswati and Jamuna.
Those who meet him become calm and purified."
B.K.S. Iyengar, Light on Yoga.
Thursday, 11 September, 2008
How to Create a Daily Practice
September came on with a bit of a chill, signifying that change is definitely in the air. There is something cathartic about aligning oneself with the seasons; bringing about change in our lives as the seasons shift.
So, just as summer is slowly merging into autumn, we too should take some time to create positive change in our lives. Many of you wonder how to create a daily lifestyle that focuses on the meaningful parts of your lives, such as nutrition, prayer, family, fun!, hobbies, goals, fitness, health, etc. How can we incorporate these essential activities and people into our daily or weekly schedule?
1. Prioritize. Sit down with yourself and make a list of the 5 - 10 most important activities to you. Make sure to include both the fun and the mundane (necessary.. ie: bills, meetings, etc.).
2. Outline. Using a daily planner, or even plain paper, outline your daily schedule, starting with your wake-up time, and list every hour until bed-time. I like to create a master-copy that I keep handy in my kitchen, bathroom or inside my planner. This will be your new typical day plan (keeping in mind that plans are always bound to change and new people and meetings are going to pop up and "disrupt" your paper schedule). This is meant to be a template, something to keep you balanced and organized in terms of fitting in your most-loved activities into your day.
3. Create. Now, the fun part! Fill in your hourly time-slots with the activities you would like to see there. ie: wake-up 6:30 am. - practice 15 minutes of Yoga asana. You can take the time to make a weekly schedule if you have some activities that you would like to accomplish only once a week, and others 2 or 3 times a week. This is where you want to fit in your 5 priority activities, either into your daily or your weekly schedule.
4. Rest. Resting time is just as important if not more important than active time. Make a point to schedule in your sleep time (minimum 6 hours per night), and any naps, quiet time, or alone time that you need throughout the day.
5. Put it to the test. Try using this new template for the next week. See how well it works with your life. There may be activities that you would like to do but can't find the time or the means to do them. If you feel a loss, this is an excellent time to re-evaluate your current lifestyle and try out different ways to fit in these essential activities. This can be life-changing, as sometimes our most deeply rooted desires may conflict with our current lifestyle. Time to revisit step 1 . Prioritize.
Spending such quality time with yourself will be rewarding and liberating. You will be able to listen to your inner self and perhaps learn something about yourself you didn't know or were suppressing.
Most of all, have fun! This is a time of change, change of seasons and change of pattern. Do not fear letting your own leaves, your own expressions and extensions of yourself, change colour or pattern or watch them float away, as other truer expressions of yourself spring forth.
Wishing you wellness,
Donna
PS: please feel free to contact me via e-mail if you have any questions. donna@prana-fitness.com
So, just as summer is slowly merging into autumn, we too should take some time to create positive change in our lives. Many of you wonder how to create a daily lifestyle that focuses on the meaningful parts of your lives, such as nutrition, prayer, family, fun!, hobbies, goals, fitness, health, etc. How can we incorporate these essential activities and people into our daily or weekly schedule?
1. Prioritize. Sit down with yourself and make a list of the 5 - 10 most important activities to you. Make sure to include both the fun and the mundane (necessary.. ie: bills, meetings, etc.).
2. Outline. Using a daily planner, or even plain paper, outline your daily schedule, starting with your wake-up time, and list every hour until bed-time. I like to create a master-copy that I keep handy in my kitchen, bathroom or inside my planner. This will be your new typical day plan (keeping in mind that plans are always bound to change and new people and meetings are going to pop up and "disrupt" your paper schedule). This is meant to be a template, something to keep you balanced and organized in terms of fitting in your most-loved activities into your day.
3. Create. Now, the fun part! Fill in your hourly time-slots with the activities you would like to see there. ie: wake-up 6:30 am. - practice 15 minutes of Yoga asana. You can take the time to make a weekly schedule if you have some activities that you would like to accomplish only once a week, and others 2 or 3 times a week. This is where you want to fit in your 5 priority activities, either into your daily or your weekly schedule.
4. Rest. Resting time is just as important if not more important than active time. Make a point to schedule in your sleep time (minimum 6 hours per night), and any naps, quiet time, or alone time that you need throughout the day.
5. Put it to the test. Try using this new template for the next week. See how well it works with your life. There may be activities that you would like to do but can't find the time or the means to do them. If you feel a loss, this is an excellent time to re-evaluate your current lifestyle and try out different ways to fit in these essential activities. This can be life-changing, as sometimes our most deeply rooted desires may conflict with our current lifestyle. Time to revisit step 1 . Prioritize.
Spending such quality time with yourself will be rewarding and liberating. You will be able to listen to your inner self and perhaps learn something about yourself you didn't know or were suppressing.
Most of all, have fun! This is a time of change, change of seasons and change of pattern. Do not fear letting your own leaves, your own expressions and extensions of yourself, change colour or pattern or watch them float away, as other truer expressions of yourself spring forth.
Wishing you wellness,
Donna
PS: please feel free to contact me via e-mail if you have any questions. donna@prana-fitness.com
Friday, 29 August, 2008
Inspiration ... breath from the Gods?
In-spiritus
I tend to use the word "inspired" quite often, and I mean it wholeheartedly. I am usually inspired after a satisfying exercise class, reading a good book, a yoga session, walk or jog in the park with my son, or whenever I look at trees or sources of water. But what exactly does it mean when we say we have been inspired by something, and do we really understand the effect that this has on our bodies, minds and spirits?
There are different types of inspiration, as noted on Wikipedia (one of my favourite online tools). There is Biblical Inspiration, Artistic Inspiration, and physiological inspiration (meaning inhalation of air into the lungs).
Now, having briefly reviewed the three sections, and thrown my own spin on the matter, is there really any difference between the three? I think not.
Biblical inspiration is described as:
c.1303, "immediate influence of God or a god," especially that under which the holy books were written. - Wikipedia
Artistic inspiration is described as:
"Literally, the word means "breathed upon," and it has its origins in both Hellenism and Hebraism in the west. In the earliest discussions of inspiration (in the works of Homer and Hesiod), the ritualistic and divine origins of the breath of a god are important. The oracle of Delphi, for example, as with other sibyls, received divine steam and fumes from a cave sacred to Apollo before she would prophecy. In Odyssey, 22. 347-8, a poet says that his songs were placed within his heart by the gods." - Wikipedia
And, Inspiration as in inhalation is:
"Inhalation (also known as inspiration) is the movement of air from the external environment, through the air ways, and into the alveoli." - Wikipedia
So, what I thread together from these three "forms" of inspiration, is that it is an internalization of air, energy, breath of a God, into our bodies. Artistic inspiration also links this concept of being breathed upon by God to a sudden burst of creativity or insight. So, as a personal trainer and yoga instructor, I add this to the concept of inspiration: that the air we breathe into our bodies through conscious participation in our breathing pattern, is the air/energy/spirit of the divine coming into ourselves. We must circulate this air within us, to enhance our pranic energy, and as we learn to regulate our breath and open up our energy bodies (chakras), divine inspiration will come to us automatically.
So, when you come out of a workshop, conference, meeting with a friend, morning jog, yoga class or motivating lecture...etc., take that notion of inspiration as a sign from God, the universe, whatever you want to call it, to follow this wave of energy. Your soul is calling for it. And in turn, it will make you a happier person - which in the end, benefits us all.
You inspire me :)
Namaste,
Donna
I tend to use the word "inspired" quite often, and I mean it wholeheartedly. I am usually inspired after a satisfying exercise class, reading a good book, a yoga session, walk or jog in the park with my son, or whenever I look at trees or sources of water. But what exactly does it mean when we say we have been inspired by something, and do we really understand the effect that this has on our bodies, minds and spirits?
There are different types of inspiration, as noted on Wikipedia (one of my favourite online tools). There is Biblical Inspiration, Artistic Inspiration, and physiological inspiration (meaning inhalation of air into the lungs).
Now, having briefly reviewed the three sections, and thrown my own spin on the matter, is there really any difference between the three? I think not.
Biblical inspiration is described as:
c.1303, "immediate influence of God or a god," especially that under which the holy books were written. - Wikipedia
Artistic inspiration is described as:
"Literally, the word means "breathed upon," and it has its origins in both Hellenism and Hebraism in the west. In the earliest discussions of inspiration (in the works of Homer and Hesiod), the ritualistic and divine origins of the breath of a god are important. The oracle of Delphi, for example, as with other sibyls, received divine steam and fumes from a cave sacred to Apollo before she would prophecy. In Odyssey, 22. 347-8, a poet says that his songs were placed within his heart by the gods." - Wikipedia
And, Inspiration as in inhalation is:
"Inhalation (also known as inspiration) is the movement of air from the external environment, through the air ways, and into the alveoli." - Wikipedia
So, what I thread together from these three "forms" of inspiration, is that it is an internalization of air, energy, breath of a God, into our bodies. Artistic inspiration also links this concept of being breathed upon by God to a sudden burst of creativity or insight. So, as a personal trainer and yoga instructor, I add this to the concept of inspiration: that the air we breathe into our bodies through conscious participation in our breathing pattern, is the air/energy/spirit of the divine coming into ourselves. We must circulate this air within us, to enhance our pranic energy, and as we learn to regulate our breath and open up our energy bodies (chakras), divine inspiration will come to us automatically.
So, when you come out of a workshop, conference, meeting with a friend, morning jog, yoga class or motivating lecture...etc., take that notion of inspiration as a sign from God, the universe, whatever you want to call it, to follow this wave of energy. Your soul is calling for it. And in turn, it will make you a happier person - which in the end, benefits us all.
You inspire me :)
Namaste,
Donna
Wednesday, 27 August, 2008
Nike+ Human Race 10K - Toronto
The Prana Fitness Group has signed up for the Human Race 10K with Nike and the Running Room.
Location: 4984 Yonge St.
Start time: 8:30 AM
Distance: 10 KM
Visit: http://nikeplus.nike.com/nikeplus/
Create an account with Nike+, then on the Runners page, under your profile you will see an icon for the Running Room. Click on that and register with the Running Room. There is NO fee. We have selected to run with the North York location.
See you on Sunday!
Donna
Location: 4984 Yonge St.
Start time: 8:30 AM
Distance: 10 KM
Visit: http://nikeplus.nike.com/n
Create an account with Nike+, then on the Runners page, under your profile you will see an icon for the Running Room. Click on that and register with the Running Room. There is NO fee. We have selected to run with the North York location.
See you on Sunday!
Donna
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