Paula

Book Review: I Quit Sugar

July 9, 2014 12:05 pm

If I had only two pieces of diet advice to give, they would be: Eat very little (or no) sugar, and eat more vegetables.

The truth about sugar is out. Many have seen Dr Robert Lustig’s documentaries and presentations, particularly “Sugar: The Bitter Truth,” has 4.8 million views on YouTube. Dr Lustig is the main guy leading the anti-sugar charge here in the United States. Obesity and type 2 diabetes are referred to as epidemics and most of us know this has something to do with sugar. We know we should eat less sugar, particularly the highly processed kinds like high-fructose corn syrup and white table sugar. The problem is how. Read More →

Summer Smoothie

July 7, 2014 2:41 pm

I know, I know…… just what the internet needs. Another smoothie recipe! Besides, I find everyone’s taste in smoothies is so individual – one person’s nectar-of-the-gods is another person’s everything-IN-the-kitchen-sink-garbage-disposal-sludge.

However, I promise this is delicious and apropos for summer, and I think I have two excellent tips that if you don’t already know about them you will be grateful. Read More →

Let Thy Food Be Thy Medicine

July 3, 2014 6:22 am

Have you seen Terry Wahls TEDx talk? Yeah, neither had I, until recently. I can’t believe this escaped my attention for so long. Terry talks about how she beat multiple sclerosis. Yes! Completely beat it into submission! She did it with food. Hippocrates was absolutely right, and as we can see from Terry’s testimony, food can have a therapeutic effect on the body. Read More →

Playlist: Breathe

July 1, 2014 12:45 pm

This is one of the first yoga playlists I put together. What makes a playlist a yoga playlist, you ask? Good question! For one thing, their timing and pacing is arranged to follow the arc of a yoga practice. It starts off pretty chill, something that’s good to breathe to, to introduce movement. Then it picks up in energy to accompany warming up with sun salutations. Next I usually do a series of standing postures and floor postures and the music I use here can really range in tempo and style, I think it just needs to not be too chill, just good stuff to help sustain the practice. Finally there is the wind-down and savasana, this is where is gets super chill. Music really helps to enhance relaxation. Savasana songs are my favorite.

All my playlists have a theme. This one not only features a number of tracks with the word “breathe” in the title, but I also feel that it is light and flows – like breath. Read More →

Harmony

June 26, 2014 10:34 pm

I think harmony is a beautiful word. It has a good sound to it, and it’s meaning has special resonance with me. I’m a singer – ever since I could talk, I would sing – just ask my parents. As a “child of the 80’s” I remember driving around with my mom, listening to the radio and singing along with just about everything. The Bangles and Pat Benatar were particular favorites. I sang in church and school choirs, 1st Soprano, I liked singing in my upper register (I fancied myself sounding angelic or something!) and I liked singing melody.

Then, a few years ago I did something I always wanted to do: join a band.

Read More →