Having Food Allergies Does NOT Suck

look at all those veggies, yum! 

In my last post I filled you in on my new found food allergies. When I tell people that I have them, I get one of two responses.

1) Really? Me too! You should really try this product/blog/website/store.

2) That sucks. I'm so sorry for you.

When I engage in conversation with person #1 we usually end up talking way too long, however, there is a great over abundance in sharing of information. What works, what doesn't work, etc? It's great to learn from others and get recommendations on good finds. I also enjoy knowing I'm not in this alone (not that I ever thought I was), but it's always helpful to have friends that you can talk to about these things.

Said second person is a little trickier. At first I would respond with a "yeah, I know, right?" But I don't anymore because I don't think there is anything sucky about having food allergies. In fact, the way I see it...

...I'm taking control of my my diet in order to heal my body and become a healthier, happier person.

What's so sucky about that? Given that I'm a baked goods, pizza loving, bagel fan, it was a little tough to stomach at first. But the more I researched about the types of products that are used in my favorite foods, the easier it began to give them up. It seemed so natural to cut the unnatural out. It also made me rethink my relationship and attachment to food, but let's leave that for another post!

Case in point, after learning I was allergic to gluten, soy, corn, cow's milk dairy, peanut, walnuts and a bevy of other products, I had a "working lunch" to attend. My colleagues decided to order Chipotle that day, one of my favorite places. So, I thought, I can do this. No problem! I just won't have the sour cream or cheese and I should be good, right?

Wrong. Since I'm trying to be really good about what I eat, I decided to check out the allergen information on the Chipotle website and was shocked to find out that almost all of the "gluten-free" foods have a soy derived ingredient in them. The website says that "refined soybean oil is excluded as a major allergen." While I may be okay with the soy derivative, I didn't want to take any chances. I'm trying to clean up my system as much as possible, so taking in anything that's not 100% free of allergens doesn't make sense at this point. Besides, what is soy doing in my rice, beans and vegetables? Yes, they probably use the soybean oil to cook the rice, beans and vegetables, but considering there are a plethora of people allergic to soy, do they have to use soybean oil? No sir. Not for me. I packed my lunch that day and was much happier for it.

For me, it boils down to this.

If I want to get healthy and heal, I've got to nourish my body with foods that will help the process, not slow it down or hinder it.

In the same way that yoga teaches us that we have the power to change our thought patterns, we also learn to cultivate awareness around our words and actions. This involves making better, healthier food choices. You want to feel like junk, then eat junk. You want to feel healthy, vibrant, and happy, then eat healthy, vibrant, clean foods. It's that simple. So, yes, saying goodbye to Chipotle was a little bittersweet, but I know my gut will be much happier in the long run.

I feel empowered in my life by making proper food choices. 

Knowing that I have a choice in my healing process makes me reach for the home cooked meals more than the takeout foods. Not only that, but my passion for cooking has been reignited so I want to cook at home more because I know the food is good for me. I have a fire in my belly to learn more about the healing qualities of food as well as the not so kosher practices plaguing the food industry today. Also keep in mind that what's working for me may or may not work for you or the next person. Everyone has to find their own way. This is my personal experience on this new adventure.  Some days I feel overwhelmed and like I'm just at the starting line of this journey and on other days I feel like I'm well ahead of the pack, but if you haven't noticed by now, I'm running this race called life I intend to go the distance.

What healthy food choices have you made recently? Have you learned about a food allergy and made a switch? What healthy eating practices do you use when eating out? 

Good Things Come in Threes | Yoga Retreats, Teacher Training and Food Allergies?

Within the last month or so, three amazing, life-changing things have happened. 

1) I went on my first yoga retreat to Costa Rica. You can read about it here. Everything was amazing. The yoga, food, people, friends, adventures, and relaxation were spot on. I keep asking myself "why haven't I done this sooner?" I'd like to go on another in the near future and who knows, maybe one day I'll even lead one myself! 

2) I was officially accepted into the 500 hour Life of a Yogi Teacher Training program with Sri Dharma Mittra in NYC for this Fall. I have been wanting to do this training for a while and been studying with various Dharma teachers as well as Dharma himself. I plan to share my thoughts on this process leading up to the training, during and after on this blog. Stay tuned! 

And finally....

3) I found out I'm allergic to nearly every food imaginable! Okay, not really, but I do have to stay away from gluten, soy, corn, cow's milk dairy, peanuts, walnuts, just to name a few. It's been a crazy learning curve and quite frankly and uphill battle cutting out some of my favorite foods. I always thought of myself as someone who ate pretty well. I follow a vegetarian diet and get most of my groceries from the organic market or farmer's market. However, I do have soft spot for pizza, baked goods, and lattes, all of which have been removed from my go-to lists from now on. 

So what started all of this? If you follow my blog, then you know I have been managing my ulcerative colitis (an irritable bowel disease affecting the colon) for over 18 years. My yoga practice has been key in keeping myself healthy and maintaining the status quo with regards to a wellness routine. However, over the past six months I have been feeling really crummy and when I had my most recent test my colitis, which had been in remission or inactive for over a year or two, was fully active again. Defeated just barely describes how I was feeling. When I asked my doctor how could this happen? I follow a good (enough) diet, exercise regularly, keep my stress levels at a minimum, and whether I like it or not, take the medicine they prescribe. The answer they gave me made my jaw drop. 

"We don't know." 

Okay, you know, I've heard a lot of nonsense from medical professionals over the years, but this made me irate  You don't know? Really? I didn't buy it. That was when I finally decided to call a referral my friend gave me a few months ago for a holistic practitioner. We met. I had some lab work done and after a few rounds of allergy testings I was given my list of no-nos. 

My Trip to Costa Rica | Yoga Retreat in Paradise

I returned this weekend from my first yoga retreat. Yes, that's right...my first retreat, and hopefully not my last. It was so much more than I could ever imagine and I'm so glad I went. A group of us traveled to Finca Lunca Nueva in Costa Rica and practiced yoga twice a day, every day. It was amazing! I thought about blogging while I was away, but tried my best to go on a "technology fast" on the retreat. Needless to say, no blogging was done...and I will be honest to say, I didn't abstain from technology as much as I hoped (but that's for another post), so here we are. 

yoga pavilion in the rainforest

tasting raw cacao...amazing!

Let me start by saying that if you have the chance to visit Finca Luna, then you must GO! And if you're looking to hold a yoga retreat, do it there. It's wonderful! The property itself is a certified organic, bio-dynamic farm. What better place for a bunch of earth conscious yogis to reside for a week? The farm  mainly grows tumeric (it's the same tumeric you'll find in New Chapter vitamins) as well as host of other delicious veggies and fruits. In fact, most of our meals came straight from the farm. Everything was fresh, clean and nutritious  One of the highlights of the trip for me was going on the Farm Tour where our guide Steven Farrell, one of the partners at Finca Luna, taught us about composting, bio-dynamic farming and let us sample various spices and veggies. My friend Claudia shares her insights about the farm here. She works for an organic market and has great insight. Read and enjoy! 

Our days went like this...wake up 5:00-6:00 am.  Pranayama/meditation 6:30 am. Yoga 7:00 am. Breakfast 9:00 am. Break. Lunch 1:00 pm. Break. Yoga 5:00 pm. Dinner at 6:30/7:00 pm. Bedtime. 

view from the yoga pavilion

I'll admit that at first I was a bit nervous about the schedule. How was I going to get up and moving by 6:30 am for practice when I can hardly roll myself out of bed at home? It was simple. Literally everything in the rain forest wakes up at 5:00 am. Sure you could probably sleep through it, but why would you? Sitting outside, watching the world wake up around me while reading my book was so relaxing. I immediately fell in sync with this schedule and found I had more energy than at home. Now that I've returned home, I am trying to keep it going. Since I've been back, I've managed to get up and practice every morning. It's my goal to keep it up! 

So what did I do when I was not doing yoga? One day a group of us took a hike to the Arenal Volcano. That was spectacular. Our tour guide Ishmael was so knowledgeable. It was equal parts adventure and education...my favorite. Another day during the week we visited the hot springs at Ecotermales. This was a night for the group to relax and unwind. The venue was amazing and water was so soothing and healing. I wish we could have stayed longer! Other trips during the week included zip-lining, stand up paddle-boarding, waterfalls and hanging bridges. However, I decided to treat myself to a massage instead and save some activities for the next time I come. I also worked on perfecting my hammock pose (see picture below). 

hike to Arenal Volcano

tree pose at Arenal Volcano

have you tried your hammock pose today?

And now for the yoga. It was perfect, but I already knew it was going to be. My friend Brittanie led some pretty amazing practices which were the types of experiences that you really can't put into words. While some of the classes left me feeling energized, others were slow and restorative. And yes, of course, there were a few that broke my heart right open (just what the doctor ordered). One message that came through to me multiple times was "I'm much stronger than I think I am." It became my motto for the trip and even since I've returned home. More on that to come.

first go at Acro Yoga!

I left for Costa Rica feeling unwell, stressed out and unbalanced. In the weeks leading up to the retreat I learned I was allergic to almost every normal food you can think of (gluten, corn, soy, peanuts, walnuts, etc.). It has been a life changing experience and one I hope to share about on my blog soon. I've learned so much in the past few weeks and this retreat was well-timed for the path of healing that has begun (oh Universe you sneaky devil you!). I returned feeling much healthier and stronger and clearer about the road ahead. Having this experience, my perspective on practice and teaching has shifted, not dramatically, but enough to feel re-energized and re-inspired. I made new friends, caught up with old ones, tried new yoga poses and ventured beyond the comfort of my home. Already I'm planning my visit to Costa Rica for next year. Pura Vida!

8th Annual DC Yoga Week | Speak Softly and Carry a Yoga Mat (April 29-May 5)

Check it out. The 8th Annual DC Yoga Week is happening right now! 

Today, the DC Community Yoga Association (DCCY) kicks off the eighth annual DC Yoga Week. DC Yoga Week brings together the local yoga communities in Washington, DC, Virginia, and Maryland for a week of $5 and free yoga classes all week long. The week culminates on May 5 with Yoga on the Mall, one of the largest, free, outdoor yoga classes in the country.

DC Yoga Week and Yoga on the Mall provide an opportunity for seasoned practitioners and novices alike to enjoy affordable classes at their favorite studios and explore new studios and teachers. In addition to free and $5 classes, throughout the week participating studios will also offer discounts on class packages, workshops and yoga merchandise. The 2013 theme for DC Yoga Week is “Speak Softly and Carry a Yoga Mat.” Class registration is free and available through individual studio websites. 

So, what is DC Yoga Week? Their mission is to....

1. Provide opportunities for people living in the Greater DC area (DC, MD, and VA) to start or expand their yoga practice at a reduced cost.
2. Increase awareness and encourage greater health and well-being through a physical yoga practice and meditation.
3. Build a strong community of the Greater DC yoga studios and teachers to support each other and share valuable information and offerings with the busy and vibrant yogis of DC, MD, and VA.
4. Work with and provide a platform for area not-for profit and corporate partners who offer specialized healthcare education and programs or gear we need to get on the mat.

Follow the events on Facebook, Tumblr or Twitter and keep up with all the latest happenings and I'll see you on your mat!

About DC Community Yoga
DC Community Yoga (DCCY) is a tax exempt non-profit bringing the DC yoga community together to support the practice and growth of yoga in the DC metropolitan area.

For more information about DC Yoga Week and DC Community Yoga Association, including a list of participating studios, please visit www.dccy.org.

Kickstarter Project I Love: Tribe Truck Farm | A Mobile Classroom (Urban Farming Goes Bio-Diesel)

Every now and then I come across some great Kickstarter projects and just have to share them with you. What's caught my eye this time? A Truck Farm! William & Mary students Jes Carr and Nicole Broder are working to bring a Truck Farm to their college campus. The goal? Inspired by filmmaker Ian Cheney, they aim to educate people about where their food comes from, something we all need to know more about. Sounds delicious to me, so I'm on board! I took a few minutes to ask Nicole and Jes about their project as well as a few other capricious questions. Check out what's driving them towards sustainable agriculture and the Tribe Truck Farm and support their project!

Question 1: What's a Truck Farm? 

Jes: Well, a Truck Farm is literally a farm in the bed of a pickup truck. It's basically the same concept as a green roof. It uses the same planting methods except it is in the back of a pick up truck.

Nicole: The purpose of a Truck Farm is not to convince everyone to go out and buy a pick up truck to plant a garden in, but rather to show that food can be grown in unconventional spaces. It's important to realize that anyone can have a connection with their food, no matter where they live.

Question 2: What makes a Truck Farm a good vehicle for learning?

Jes: One of the most important aspects of the Truck Farm is  that it is mobile. We can travel around campus and to surrounding elementary, middle, and high schools to educate about sustainability in agriculture.

Nicole: The Truck farm also is a visual point of interest, it makes you stop and wonder what's happening with this garden in the back of a truck?

Question 3: What will you grow?

Nicole: There are so many options for what we can grow! It’s amazing how much you can grow in a small space. We definitely want to grow multiple types of herbs. We also want to grow tomatoes, peppers, and potentially lettuce. We are open to suggestions!

Jes: We aren't exactly sure what's going to work best in our space but we are excited to experiment with many types of plants and growing techniques. Also, we plan on composting in the back of the truck during the winter months, so that's another learning experience.

Question 4: In general, what it your favorite tip for sustainable living?

Nicole: If it's yellow let it mellow...

Jes: If it's brown flush it down.. But also, using bar soap for shampoo and body wash is a really easy switch, and something I personally do, to reduce the amount of plastic waste.

Question 5: If you could be any vegetable, what would you be? 

Jes:  I think I'd be kale, it's leafy, delicious, and full of vitamins. Who doesn't want those things?

Nicole: I'd definitely be a zucchini. There really isn't a reason, zucchini are just really delicious.

Question 6: Why should someone support this project? 

Nicole: We think it is important that people have a relationship with their food. People should have a real stake in the processes that their food undergoes. If through Truck Farm we can have any impact in getting people to think more critically about what's on their plate, it would be a great accomplishment.

Jes: Not only is knowing where your food comes from important for personal health, but sustainability in agriculture is vital to the overall health of the environment around us. By supporting Truck Farm you support these perspectives.

Want to support and learn more about the Tribe Truck Farm? Check out this great video! Video not showing? Go here.

Support the Tribe Truck Farm by backing this Kickstarter Project today! 
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Work Hard and Be Nice

I saw this sign at the Merrifield Garden Center on Sunday. My husband and I were there shopping for items for our garden. He's way beyond excited about our garden this year and I'm all too happy to support him in this endeavor. Who wouldn't want their own fresh veggies every day? 

But that's not really the point, when I saw this sign it made me smile. Then it made me think of my friend and fellow yoga teacher who always reminds her class to "be nice to everyone you meet and in that way you are always practicing yoga, even between classes." 

I like this sentiment. I share it with my students too. It's a simple practice that I think everyone could use more of, after all, when we start to take our practice off our mat is when we see the most impact. 

Work hard, not work yourself to death. Life is all about balance, no? I think about all of the work situations I've been in over the years and how hard it was at times to be nice to people simply because of the negative environment I found myself in, but still I persisted (or at least I tried!). Being nice doesn't mean you have to be a doormat. Being nice means finding a non-violent, compassionate way to communicate with others. It's about putting your differences aside to support a common goal. Work hard, don't get lazy, stick to the task at hand, stay focused. Practice your tapas. You will come across people that will challenge you in ways you cannot imagine, but that's the practice and probably your karma too. In the end, just be nice. If you need more guidance, remember the four keys to happiness. Do what you need to do to move past the situation, but remember to be nice.  

Keep up your practice and start by being nice. Why invite in negative thoughts and emotions and let yourself get bothered? Try to find the nice way to handle what or who is in front of you. Be nice to everyone you meet and you will keep a calm, happy mind. 

Surprising Moments Make the Best Moments | Reflections from Teaching

Sometimes my students say the most surprising things...

Take today for example. I've been teaching my college classes about the Yamas. You know, ahimsa, satya, asteya, brahmacharya, and aparigraha. Each week I introduce a new tenet, we discuss and I ask the students to try and weave the practice into their daily life. We touch base at our next class and talk about how it's going. Then we move on to asana practice. Next week we start the Niyamas.

Since we finished up the Yamas this week, I asked my class today if they had any questions or observations after discussing these ideas and practicing with them. One of my students raised his hand and said the following (paraphrasing as little as possible here so you get the full effect!).

"Yes, I've been thinking a lot about these ideas. To me, it seems like the whole world is an ocean of energy and if you don't know about these yamas, it's like your anchored the bottom of the ocean floor, stuck and unable to move. However, once you learn these ideas, you release your anchor and start to float to the top of the energy ocean and learn to ride the waves as they come. You are free and able to navigate the energy without getting pulled to the bottom again." 

Needless to say I was floored and at the same time, overjoyed. What a beautiful explanation and given I spend most of my time thinking the students are bored of talking about the Yamas, I was in shock that one of them had given the ideas so much thought. And yes, perhaps he was inspired by song lyrics or something he read somewhere, but it felt genuine and not contrived. Not only that, but he had artfully described a concept that we hadn't or wouldn't even touch on this semester. What he was talking about was liberation, or Jivanmukti, someone who is liberated in this life time. Ironically enough, I was wearing my Jivamukti Charleston t-shirt today.

I was then taken aback when only five minutes later another student of mine beautifully described what true love means to him. Again, I was floored. I won't even try to reiterate because I can't do it justice. I've tried already and have typed, deleted, and retyped it too man times. Just trust me on this one.

Of course, my students also say a lot hilarious things, but they always have the best questions. It's days like this though when I really love my job.