Transformation Through Yoga

This is an informal journal of my experiences with Bikram yoga. Through my practice I have become a better version of myself. Not only has my health improved in marked and measurable ways, I have also become much more deeply happy, connected with the present and have moved further down the path of enlightenment toward kindness and compassion for all beings.

I hope eventually to become engaged in dialog with others practicing Bikram yoga with their own intentions and experiences. Please share your comments. I will receive them without judgment or attachment, and with an open heart.

Namaste

Saturday, July 9, 2011

Supporting My Practice (and my Path) with Healthful (and indulgent) Eating

In December Some friends introduced me to the film "Forks Over Knives," about the health risks inherent in consuming animal protein. I won't outline the arguments here, but would encourage anyone and everyone to see this compelling and convincing documentary. I left the theater thinking very seriously of converting from vegetarian to vegan, or assuming a completely plant-based diet. I did cut way back on dairy consumtion, but it was not until after reading "Eating Animals" by Jonathan Safran Foer that I could no longer, in good conscience, eat animal products. The horrors of factory farming, the abject cruelty inflicted on the animals, the damage to the environment- and the undeniable human health risks- made me realize that for myself, eggs for breakfast or a big glass of milk were no longer options.

Thankfully, I was supported by friends on the same path and had great people to help me process all of these new realizations- and to suggest a good non-hydrogenated, dairy-free butter spread. They gave me books and blogs and shared their own weaknesses and temptations- mostly cheese! Throughout the final months of school I got by very well on brown rice, lentils, whatever vegetables I could get my hands on, tofu and miso soup. These I would eat very simply, steamed or quickly sauteed. But with all the great books and websites, I was so excited for summer and the time to try some different things.

Now that I'm in full summer mode, I've begun indulging in some of these foods. Many ideas come from Alicia Silverstone's book "The Kind Diet" but I find I'm using it so far just as inspiration, taking a recipe as a jumping off point to use what I have on hand. (I just picked up our first CSA order, supporting a small farm instead coporations at the roots of the big Factory farms)

In my next posts I'll share a journal of a week of good eating.

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