How To Make Your Health Dollar Go Further

I have a friend who regularly reminds me that if you jump off the top of an 80-story building, for 79 storys you can actually think you’re flying. It’s the sudden stop at the end that gets you. When I think of the financial boom, bubble and bust the US has just gone through, I often think about that image. We thought we were flying. Well, we just met the sudden stop at the end. The law of gravity, it turns out, still applies.

This was actually an introduction to an article in last week’s Age, written by journalist Thomas Friedman, but I just had to use it - quite the vivid picture, I thought!. If you live in the civilised world, the chances are high that the financial crisis has affected you. Maybe you’re lucky and it hasn’t hit you in the wallet, but it has to have made some impact, if just that you’ve been forced to listen to every armchair expert pontificate on reasons and outcomes for the situation at hand.

Maybe you’re one of the lucky ones and your career, finances and plans are not dependent on current financial climate, and the only impact for you is a drop to your mortgage payments. But for many people, things are suddenly looking tight. Scary, even. And – regardless of promises that Australia will not enter a recession – it’s no surprise that many of us are suddenly paying closer attention to our outgoings.

So I thought now would be a good time to look at ways to flip things. To find the positive side of being forced to tighten the purse-strings. And to just share with you some great tips for making your health dollar go further regardless of what’s going on in the world. I think we can all agree that it’s always nice to save money, whether or not you actually need to. And if you want the 79-story-drop rush then you could even go ahead and re-invest the dollars you saved back into the share market! (No, that’s not part of my advice!)

Four Ways To Make Your Health Dollar Go Further

1. Buy Better Quality, And Cheaper
Did you know that the average fresh grocery spend at a market is between 30 and 40% lower than what you’d shell out at your suburban supermarket and is often half the price of shopping at express stores within the CBD? Plus, market food is fresher and there’s lots of interesting things you’d never find on the tired old shelves of the supermarket. Kind of a no-brainer, isn’t it? Going to the market can be more time consuming than running into the city IGA (mind you, how many times each week do you have to run out for last-minute groceries?), so why not turn it into a planned weekly excursion and have some fun with it. I’d suggest doing your weekly shop in one big hit, but if you’re up for a challenge then grab a friend, a sibling, or a handy neighbourhood kid (good for bag-carrying!) and set yourself a $15 budget each. The goal is to buy enough food for a delicious and tasty meal for two – see who can come up with the most interesting mix. Remember to arrive early for the freshest produce and greater selection, or at least check on the internet for closing time – most markets start winding down around 2pm.

2. Hit The Factory Outlets For The Latest Gym Gear
When it comes to non-Yoga exercise, even if it's just a simple walk down the street, costs can add up. The average retail cost of a pair of sneakers is around $180, but you’re paying top dollar to walk into that conveniently located city store. Find the factory outlets in your area (google it) and you can save up to 70% on your sports shoes. Same goes for gym gear. And I’m not talking about dodgy 80’s lycra jobs, factory outlets carry quality brand-name gear that is usually only one season out of fashion. Fact is, it doesn’t really matter what you clothe your bod in whilst exercising – Target leggings and your Dad’s old t-shirt are fine, but a good pair of sneakers is hard to beat. So why not shop smart – head down to Foot Locker or Rebel for a fitting, note down your preferred brand and style and then make the effort to hit the outlets on the weekend. Definitely worth the effort!

3. Invest In Wellness Not Sickness
Did you know that in 1998 Americans spent one trillion dollars on doctor and hospital care? And a further one point three trillion dollars on prescription medicine?! It’s fair to say that countries like Australia and the UK are proportionally similar to this. So how much of this horrifying expenditure is coming out of your pocket? And – more scary still – how much could you have prevented by taking preventative measures to preserve your wellness and quality of life? I’ve always thought that if you don’t spend the money on your health now, you will be forced to spend it on your sickness later. I know which I’d rather do. Especially when the reality is that sickness can cost a heck of a lot more than wellness. Don’t gamble with your health – in this case the obvious bet really is the best bet.

4. Challenge Yourself To Achieve Exceptional Stress-Handling Fitness
We all know that increased fitness helps us to handle stress. But how often do you truly think about and apply that information? Avoid the temptation to throw it all in and hide in the jungle with your hands over your eyes by actually making use of the dollars you are already spending on your health. Hit the Bikram studio three times a week (or more) – regardless of whether your work/financial world is falling down around you. Commit to maintaining your healthy eating plan despite the fact that colleagues are drowning their sorrows in creamy bowls of pasta. Get up early, focus on the positive, dance around in your living-room while singing into the vacuum head (okay, that’s just me) but basically do whatever it takes to remind yourself that this is your life, and that despite what’s going on in the world, in fact in spite of it, that the choice to be healthy, fit and vibrant is yours. And that now is definitely not the time to waste that Yoga membership or single-handedly fund your local pastry store’s Christmas party.

Remember –

Not just Food for Yoga. Food for Life.

Kat

*Do you have any tips for making your health dollar go further? Please share in the comments section!

What's Clogging Your Pipes

According to foodmatters.tv (now that’s a fascinating documentary - definitely worth purchasing the DVD):

‘A physician from Berlin, whose life work was performing autopsies, stated that 60 per cent of all the corpses he worked on contained worms and putrefied faeces in the alimentary canal. He further stated that in nearly all cases the intestines and colon were also lined with a crust of hardened faeces, making it evident that these organs had degenerated to a state of utter inefficiency.’

The article goes on to detail a fairly vivid and stomach-turning picture of your innards. Yes, I am talking about you. And - according to autopsy physician’s - that’s even if you drop the kids off at the pool daily.

This fascinating piece (please don’t read it while eating) concludes with a quick sales pitch for a colonic cleanse program. Personally, I haven’t tried this brand. But I do have a few tips of my own for cleaning up your dirtiest parts:

• Drinking plenty of water is a start, but our tap water is purified, and this kills off important minerals. Add a pinch or two of organic sea salt to your water. A quality brand, such as Himalayan Sea Salts (any organic brand is fine), will add over 85 vital nutrients back into your body. This will aid all bodily functions, digestion in particular.
• Practise Bikram Yoga regularly. As I'm sure you've already heard, the postures we practice in Bikram not only help us feel amazing both mentally and physically, but also enable our bodies to perform digestive and other functions more effectively.
  
• Follow the 80/20 rule: Eat quality, non-processed, preferably organic foods 80% of the time, and keep the nasties to a minimum of 20% or less. The big offenders are caffeine, sugar, refined wheat products, and alcohol.
• Consider implementing some sort of detox or cleanse at least once a year. This could be as simple as eating 100% organic food and avoiding all nasties. Personally, I’m a new but raving fan of the Isagenix 30-day cleanse. The products are organically based, contain quality proteins, fats and carbs (a balanced meal), I love the taste, they work out at less than $7 per meal, and they’re hugely convenient in my busy life.

Food for Yoga. It's Food for Life

Kat

The Truth About Bad Fats - Be Afraid, Be Very Afraid

For those who have perused some of the older articles I've written for this site, you might have come across my piece 'Eat Fat to Lose Fat'. If not, then definitely check it out. Today I want to lead on from that topic .. kind of. Well, actually what I have to say today is more about eating fat to gain fat. No, I'm not contradicting myself! You see, as much as I'm pro-fat when it's the good kind I do still have to admit that some fats are most definitely to be avoided.

So here they are:

*Yes, I've geared most of my explanations here toward weight gain/loss because it's a useful analogy when talking about fat. But, as I'm sure common sense will tell you, these nasty fats will affect not only your weight, but your overall health and wellness, as well as most definitely your energy for Bikram and other activities.

1. Trans Fats.
Why they’re nasty: Otherwise known as hydrogenated fats, these fats start out as vegetable oils such as corn oil, sunflower oil or canola oil. Through a process that includes adding tiny metal particles, mixing with soap-like emulsifiers, and sometimes cleaning with bleach, the oils are changed from a liquid to a solid fat. Trans fats lower HDL (good cholesterol), raise LDL (bad cholesterol), raise blood sugar levels, and cause weight gain through digestive and hormonal upset. So why are they on our shelves?! Trans fats are much firmer than natural baking fats. This means the baker can pack more in without a greasy feel, so you feel full when you eat them. They’re also cheap.

2. Low grade olive oils.
Why they’re nothing like their extra-virgin cousins: Cheap olive oil is basically the leftover of the leftovers. Think of extra-virgin as the cream of the crop, the first batch of oil produced from the olives. Virgin olive oil is what comes next. The olives still have some nutrients remaining. The end of the oil-making process consists of squeezing out every last remaining drop to produce plain olive oil. Yes, it might be cheaper and still have some attractive tuscan-style packaging, but it’s definitely no good. How does this affect your body? You won’t get the nutrients that good fats should give you to aid hormone production, balance blood sugar levels, and get your metabolism and digestive system moving. It’s also not as satisfying as quality fat, so you may eat more throughout the rest of the day.

3. Skin, fat or rind from conventionally farmed animals.
Why you’ll gain weight: It’s simple really. Fat stores toxins. Conventionally farmed animals are kept in close quarters, generally indoors, and fed cheap grain when they should be eating grass. This causes them to get sick. Sickness equals antibiotics and other drugs. The excess of this chemical concoction is stored in the animals fat. Anything stored in fat cells causes them to expand. So what happens when you eat that fat? Well .. fat stores toxins. And not just in animals. Don’t want to expand your existing fat cells? Don’t fill them up with toxins.

4. Low-fat dairy products.
Low fat for weight loss is a huge myth. Why it doesn’t work: Dairy in its full-fat state is a whole food and your body recognises it as such. Low-fat dairy is confusing to your digestive system, slowing digestion and other metabolic functions. This can lead to bloating and fluid retention in the short-term. In the long-term, anything that messes with your digestion contributes to weight gain. Add to this the fact that many low-fat dairy products have substantial amounts of sugar added and you have a recipe for a fat belly. Go with full fat and you’ll notice your belly shrink and your appetite diminish as you give your body what it needs. Ps – when it comes to dairy, I always advocate organic as it is free of nasty antibiotics and the cows have been grass-fed.

5. Excess polyunsaturated or Omega 6 fats.
What do I mean? Commercial vegetable oils such as sunflower, corn oil, soy oil, safflower oil, canola oil, or products that contain these oils (margerine and basically any baked or processed product!). Why they’re bad for you: This isn’t even the complete list, but here goes. Excess consumption of polyunsaturated oils has been shown to contribute to a large number of disease conditions including increased cancer and heart disease; immune system dysfunction; damage to the liver, reproductive organs and lungs; digestive disorders; depressed learning ability; impaired growth; and weight gain. It’s scarily easy to consume an excess of these fats, so up your chances by steering clear of processed or packaged products.

Questions or comments? Get involved in the comments section - let's build this community!

Not just Food for Yoga. Food for Life.

Kat

What To Eat Before Bikram Class - Part One

This morning I made a big mistake. Huge. In fact, looking back, it was really pretty silly of me. After all, I've been practicing Bikram for 18 months now, and have run a business in the Fitness Industry for nearly a decade. And yet I still thought it was a good idea to eat scrambled cheese and basil eggs for breaky just one hour before class. Okay, I also had toast. And spinach. And bacon. The shame, the shame! The truth is, I knew it wasn’t the best idea, but I just pushed that passing thought away and went for it anyway.

As any of you who have ever gone to class with a full belly will testify, my enjoyment was short lived.

And, needless to say, it was a pretty tough class. Posture by posture I struggled through, gritting my teeth and praying that some kind of super digestion would soon kick in and rid me of my bloated, heavy belly.

Well, that didn’t happen, and my energy remained on a downward droop for the better part of the day. It’s 5pm now, and I’m really only just starting to feel awake again.

I guess I deserved to feel in a slump all day. After all – I know better. And most of the time I do the right thing. But that doesn’t mean I don’t veer off course from time to time. And when I do, it tends to be in a major way. The kind that makes you feel like vomiting while lying face-down in class.

Having said that, there’s a small part of me that realises today’s experience was actually pretty positive. After all - it was certainly a good reminder of why I don’t normally indulge that way prior to entering the sweat centre!

But enough about me. How about you? Do you know what works best in your body before class? What you should eat in order to boost your energy while still feeling nice and light in the belly?

In speaking to students at the Fitzroy Food for Yoga seminar and around the studio, I’ve come to realise that many people really don’t know what – if anything – they should eat before practice. If you fall into this category, ask yourself the following:

Should I Eat At All?

Not everyone needs to eat before class. In fact – for many of us – we’ll get more out of our practice on an empty belly. The question of whether to eat may depend on the time of day. If you’ve been awake for only an hour or so, it’s best to hold off on the food. Food in your belly during class will drain you of energy. This is because you’re body must focus first and foremost on digestion. That pretty much puts a stop to reaching any new limits with your postures, and you may even make yourself feel quite ill. For the same reason, regardless of the time of day, I’d generally cease eating at least 90 minutes before class. There are some exceptions, and I’ll get to that.

If you’ve eaten a large meal on the day in question, I’d leave a good 3 hours before practising and avoid ‘eyes-bigger-than-stomach’ snacking until after class (if at all!) This may be difficult to adapt to initially, but I promise that you will ultimately feel much better for holding out, and your body will thank you for leaving your system free to focus on going the extra mile in class.

But What If I Just Can’t Get By With an Empty Belly?

Those of you who ‘love food and live to eat’ as opposed to ‘eat to live’ may need to eat something small, even if it’s quite close to class. This is mainly for morning classes. Not sure if you fall into this category? If you wake up ravenous most days, seem to digest most foods within an hour or two, and generally have a good idea of what your next few meals will entail, then I’m talking about you.

But even if this is not you, three hours is still a little too long if you haven’t laid a good foundation. For example – if you ate dinner quite early, went to bed hungry, and then didn’t eat more than a light breakfast and a salad for lunch, you may find it pretty tough to hold out through 6pm class until late dinnertime. If you’re not sure whether you need to eat, think back to your last 3 meals. Were they a ‘solid’ meal or just a light snack? If you’ve eaten 3 solid meals within the past 16-24 hours, you should be okay to hold out. If you’ve been skipping meals or grazing, I’d suggest eating something light around 90 minutes before class.

So Which Foods Are Best If I AM Eating Before Class?

We all have different ‘types’ when it comes to which foods work best. To put it very simply, some people function, feel and look their best on a (good quality) high protein/high fat diet while others do better on carbohydrates. I’m definitely a protein person. When I eat predominantly protein and fat, with most of my carbs from vegetables, I’m like a well-oiled machine, and I stay in good shape. If I eat a high-carb diet (even if it’s ‘healthy’) I start feeling and looking awful. But my Mum is exactly the opposite. Long story short – what you should eat before class, and indeed in general, is a very individual matter. The best approach is to eat a light meal with both protein/fat and carbohydrate represented. For example:

• A soft-boiled egg with a little spinach and fetta
• Some natural plain yogurt with half a banana

If you choose carbs alone (fruit, cereal, salad) you may find you feel great initially and then you slump. Choose protein without carbs and you it’s likely you’ll experience a heavy feeling in your gut which will slow you down during class. Combine both and you have a recipe for success.

I hope I’ve given you the knowledge to start to figure out what the best approach is for you. Don’t worry – I’m not going to leave it there. In my next post I’ll give you an insight into foods you should definitely avoid before class (and why), as well as some more specific ideas on pre-yoga food combinations for different types of people. In the meantime, why not record what you do or do not eat before your next three classes, and track your response. Pay attention to the way your stomach feels, your physical energy, and your mental focus. A 'tick' in all three areas is usually a sign that you're doing things right. I'd love to hear from you in the comments section - what works best for you before class? Do you have any questions for me? Or maybe just something to share about your practice.

Until next time, remember -

It's not just Food for Yoga. It's Food for Life.

Kat

*Oh – just so you know, I didn’t write this all in one go. I actually finished it a couple of days after the big breaky day. In fact, as I write, I’m sitting at a café enjoying my post-yoga poached eggs, spinach and avocado. A much better approach than the one this article began with!

Water, Sugar or Electrolytes? What You Should Drink During Practice.

I had a wonderful class today with Johannes. One of the things I enjoy most about practising at Bikram Fitzroy is the diversity of teachers. With such varied styles there is certainly no chance to switch off from an engaging practice - no matter how long your day has already been, you’re somehow forced to gladly participate to your utmost. I once heard a fellow student comment that 'it doesn't matter how you feel before the class, you're always glad you went once it's over', and I think this really sums up one of the things I most love about Bikram.

As far as variety goes, difference in teaching styles is just the beginning. Now I know I shouldn’t be looking around the room (eyes on self!), but I just can’t help but notice that it’s not just plain old H2O being carried into the room with many students. Apart from a naughtily wandering mind, the bottle we bring with us to class is really our only crutch. Our only (if ever so brief) escape once the sweat starts dripping. So I guess it’s no wonder we all have our own particular ways of individualising and perhaps getting more out of that liquid lifeline.

But personal preference aside, what should we be drinking in class? Well, water is definitely a good place to start. Certainly preferable to sports drinks, which generally contain plenty of sugar and artificial colourings, not to mention a litany of synthetic chemicals. In case you’re wondering, this is a sure way to dehydrate your body, as your liver will be working overtime to flush out those toxins by taking water out of your muscles. The only reason you should ever consume these or any other sweetened drinks in class would be if you are becoming extremely faint and the teacher gives you one.

So is water alone sufficient to help you get the most out of your practice? If it’s plain old tap water, then no, I’d have to say it’s not. This may come as a surprise to many readers, but the truth is that (although it may be highly purified), our tap water does not contain adequate minerals to replace that lost through sweat.

When you sweat, you lose vast amounts of water and sodium (salt), but also a host of other minerals and trace elements including chlorine or chloride, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium, zinc, copper, iron, nickel, chromium, and manganese. Many of these are absolutely vital to our health. For example, chromium assists in reducing sugar cravings and stabilising blood sugar levels. It is absolutely essential to replace these lost elements. Particularly when you imagine how many of those vital nutrients are contained in the 3 or more litres you may lose during a particularly busy class!

It’s crucial to ensure that you replace not just the lost fluid, but the health and energy-giving nutrients that are found in that fluid.

There are several ways to do this:

1. Use organic sea salt in your water. You can purchase this at any health food store. Ensure it is organic, or it may have been subject to bleaching. Pure organic sea salt contains over 80 minerals and nutrients. Did you know that we are supposed to get nearly 85% of our minerals from our drinking water? Unfortunately, the purification of water not only kills of bacteria, but also destroys these vital nutrients. By adding sea salt to your water (around 1-2 pinches per 500ml), you are re-mineralising (otherwise known as re-energising) that water and basically turning it back into the life-giving substance it should be. I actually like to add this much sea salt to all my drinking water, with a little extra thrown in for Bikram.

2. Take Electrolytes during or after class. Electrolytes are available in most Bikram studios for purchase. The generally have a pleasant citrus-y taste, and perform a similar job to that of sea salt. If you’re practising 4 or more times per week, I’d recommend both approaches.

3. I’ve heard some talk of people adding lemon, a little vinegar, and some maple syrup to their water. Lemon and vinegar can certainly both aid in digestion, so if this is an area of concern for you, it’s not a bad way to help finish off the natural process that some postures begin for you. Maple syrup is a little more questionable. Even if it is natural and organic, it is still a form of processed sugar, and as much as it might taste nice and give you a small energy boost with each sip, the fact is that each time you ingest sugar your body begins to flush existing water from the body. Can’t escape your physiology on this one I’m afraid! If you struggle with energy throughout class, it is worth looking at what you’ve consumed in the lead up. In my next post I’ll be discussing what best to eat before class. You can also ensure optimal energy by making sure you are well hydrated before class. If you wait till you get into the room to drink up, you’ve left it too late.

Do you have your own tips or habits for getting more out of your water during class? I’d love to hear your comments, ideas and feedback. Please get involved in the comments section below!

Food for Yoga. Food for Life.

Kat

Girls Listen Up: How to Feel Normal and Maintain your Practise at That Time of Month

Now this one’s for the girls, but don’t you men wander away just yet – what I’m about to tell you could save you having to listen to your partner moan about how huge, uncomfortable, and out-of-action she is at that time of month. Just be careful how you go about passing on my suggestions!

Now, I know I’m not the only woman out there who puffs up when I get my period. Let alone a week beforehand! I know it because every new client who comes to see me tells me all about it!

I mean, really, we do have it a bit tough. Mood swings I can handle (even if everyone around me can’t handle me), but it’s just so frustrating to feel like all the hard work, sweaty clothes, early-morning or late-night practise, not to mention a general attempt at healthy living was paying off; and then BAM! It’s like flipping a switch for some women! Overnight you seem to gain not just one but several spare tyres, your emotions spiral out of control, and your energy slumps as you contemplate working your way through the entire confectionary aisle. Many women consider this an optimal time to take a break from life. To cross Bikram out of their diary, pause their gym memberships, and say good-bye to healthy home cooked meals.

Over the years, as I’ve come to understand more about how hormones affect us at that time, and after trying and testing just about anything, I've found some semblance of an answer.

So here’s what works. Seriously. Remember - you could continue to moan and whinge and consume chocolate like a one-woman army, or you could just try the following tricks, and feel (at least) semi-human during this tormenting time.

Flatten your Bloated Tum By Avoiding Processed Carbohydrate

Regular readers will know that I don’t encourage you to eat processed carbs as part of your regular diet. By processed carbs, I mean white breads, pasta, rice and even white potatos. Cakes, biscuits, chocolates, crisps and soft drinks also fall into this category. Around that time of month (a week before, and during), it’s particularly important to replace these foods with fresh vegetables, fruits and whole grains. This is because processed carbs contribute to out-of-whack hormones, and may cause an additional output of estrogen – one of whose jobs is to make your body think it’s pregnant! Which equals: bigger. Makes sense, doesn’t it?

Curb Cravings and Up Your Exercise Desire with Quality Protein and Fat

During times of stress or hormonal change, you’ll often notice sweet cravings. In many cases, this is because your body is not getting the building blocks it needs to run your system, balance your hormones, and keep your digestive system going. In the lead-up to your next period, try increasing your intake of quality fats and proteins. Include avocado, extra virgin olive oil, organic meats such as lamb, beef and chicken thighs, and even supplement with some Omega 3 capsules. The idea is not to eat extra food (in quantity), it’s more about changing the percentages of your carbs to protein/fat slightly in favour of more protein/fats. I guarantee this works – I haven’t had a single client for whom it hasn’t!

Flush out the fluid with sea salt

I plan to write soon on the benefits of adding sea salt to your water during practise. In my opinion, it's almost a must. In the meantime, think about this: many people believe salt consumption will make them retain fluid. Whilst this is true, lack of salt can also cause you to puff up! If you’re cautious about salt consumption, this could be you! I’m not talking about bleached white table salt – go for the grey chunky sea salt crystals. You’ll find them in any health food or organic store. Add a few pinches to your water and meals and watch your body deflate. On Bikram days, go for a little extra to replace what’s lost when you sweat.

De-bloat your Belly with Gentle Exercise

Please, please, please – don’t be one of those girls who shies off Yoga - or indeed any exercise - for a week when you’ve got your period! Honestly – you’re not that fragile. While it’s true that high-impact exercise, record setting lifts in the gym, or Bikram in the front row without a handy bottle of water may not be a great idea at this time, gentle exercise is a great idea. Bikram is one of the best things you can do for your body at this time. It will lift your energy, get your digestive system moving, and can also mean at least 90 minutes in the day when you won’t be sitting around feeling sorry for yourself and giving in to sweet temptation.

What are your tricks for keeping your body on track and sticking with your practise during your period? Get involved in the Bikram Fitzroy community by leaving a comment below.

The Great Debate: Sugar vs Fat

The truth about fat is that it’s generally not the evil criminal you may well imagine it to be. In fact, it’s not even the main offender when it comes to weight gain. I realise how ironic that sounds! But the truth is that eating fat can not only keep you in good physical shape, it can affect your hormones, your energy, your digestion, and even your sleep. Not to mention give you the vitality to bend, reach, twist, and pull to your maximum!

Five things you need to know about eating fat for optimal nutrition and an enhanced practise.

1. Your body will make fat whether you eat it or not. In fact, most fat in your fat cells is made in your body from carbohydrates! This means the more sugar you eat, the more those fat cells expand. This will have a detrimental effect not only on your waistline, but also your health and the longevity of your vital organs. (Pst: that means your life-span).

2. Fat (no, I don’t mean candy bars, I’m talking about good fat) is an important and necessary nutrient for your health. It’s needed for calcium absorption, it protects the liver from toxins, and it enhances the strength of your immune system

3. Without enough fat in your diet, your body will deliberately slow your metabolism and hold onto existing fat. This is a survival instinct that you can’t fight. Rather than using fat, your body will eat up all your muscle for energy, which will only slow your metabolism further, and make you feel terrible!

4. Choosing a high-carb diet that is also low in fat can cause your body to release insulin more day in, and day out. Insulin’s main job is to enhance your fat storing capabilities. This will literally make you a fat storing machine, and will slow your digestive system, robbing you of energy and leaving you tempted to sit out all those tough master poses! Eating the right amount of fat will help balance your hormones and flatten your stomach by burning existing fat stores, and will give you the get-up-and-go to push through even the longest triangle pose.

5. We all have individual fat requirements. The best sources are from natural, organic sources, such as coconut oil, organic meats, raw nuts, and quality oils. To learn more about how much fat you need, stay tuned for our next Food for Yoga seminar, and keep reading this blog.

Of course, you don’t have to wait for my next musing to learn more – I welcome your questions at any time, regardless of how related they are to this topic! If it has anything to do with Food for Yoga, I’m your girl. The comments section of this blog is there for a reason – don’t be shy; get involved. Today!

And remember – it’s not just Food for Yoga. It’s Food for Life.

Kat