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Author: anne

Qi Gong Workshop this weekend at Sellwood Yoga

My personal acupuncturist/ naturopath Nicole Yezman is leading a Qi Gong workshop this Sunday March 27th from 1 -2. I’m going and you should too!

Qi Gong is a moving meditation that incorporates breath into each body movement, helping you become centered and grounded.  Qi Gong’s health benefits span from reducing high blood pressure to assisting with digestion issues, insomnia, weight loss, pain reduction, stress management and much more.

In this introduction to the ancient Chinese meditative art of Qi Gong you will learn the Yin Yang Sheng Jiang Kai He Gong form, a great style for beginners as it can be done be either seated or standing.

To learn more, check out Nicole’s website at www.clinicofnaturalhealth.com or contact Nicole directly by phone 503.729-3617 or email drnicyez@clinicofnaturalhealth.com

Maui continued…

I’ve got some more photos to share courtesy of Blainey – Fluid’s official “staff photographer”.

First I have to tell you, we have been eating like the big Kamehameha himself.

Our first day on the island Blainey and I found an awesome farmers market near the airport.  We scored fresh pineapple, papaya, avocados, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, zucchini and eggplant (which we later grilled) fresh herbs and a cherimoya – a weirdly sweet and creamy fruit.  We chopped and ate a fresh pineapple almost every day with lunch (did I mention in my earlier post the rum soaked pineapple upside down cake?).

At another market in north Kihei we found fresh young coconuts (with meat so soft you could scoop it out with a plastic spoon).  A cute hippe chick wielding a machete takes a few whacks at the top of the coconut, sticks a straw in and off you go.  They also sold banana bread and coconut candy (I went back more than once to this place).  At the ABC store we found some local Kona coffee, Hana Bay Rum for Mai Tais and Laura scored a screaming deal on chocolate covered macadamia nuts.

Most grocery stores carry several varieties of poke, a cold sushi like salad of ahi tuna mixed with any variety of onions, garlic, avocado, hot peppers, wasabi, soy sauce and seaweed.    Our favorite was shoyu poke. Here is an easy recipe,

 

Also delicious was the lomi lomi salmon, a mix of chopped tomato, onion and salted salmon.  We were inspired by the kalua pork at the Luau and tried a haole style crock pot version that turned out really yummy.  I used my friend Mark’s super easy recipe.  You cook a pork butt for most of the day (or if you want to get the jump on it start it the night before) with a spice mix of your choice.  We used brown sugar, garlic, onion, cayenne, salt, pepper, and a cup of ginger ale (beer would probably work as well).  After it is done and you have shredded the pork and pulled the fat toss in a cup or so of bbq sauce and serve.   Ono baby!

Speaking of living like kings.  Who doesn’t love a massage outdoors?   As Kathy put it “There is nothing like opening your eyes after a massage and seeing blue skies and the moon coming up”.  We have been outside as much as possible, eating meals on the lanai, outdoor yoga and Pilates classes and massages.

More massage relaxation shots.    ahhhhh….Hawaii.

We saw (and most mornings heard) every kind of bird from songbirds to hummingbirds in the backyard.  Anybody know what this guy is called?

For such a laid back group we managed to pack in quite a list of activities – three long bike rides for the guys, one big group hike, Pilates and yoga classes, massages, hot tub time and the occasional pub crawl (hey this was a stress relief vacation not a fast).

Tuesday Dan and George went for a bike ride and us ladies hit the art gallery at the Grand Wailea.  They had mostly local artists work on display.

We saw Chihuly Glass and paintings (who knew he did both?)

We didn’t know it, but Dan was taking in some culture as well.  Here are a few shots took along the Kahekili Highway:

an artist’s gallery…

banana bread anyone?

Our last day we tried stand up paddle.

We tried surfing but Dan was more successful than I was.  I preferred the calm waters past the breakers.  We saw several sea turtles out here.  They came up for air, floated around and waved at us and hung out for a minute before heading back underwater.

Dan catching a wave.  Cowabunga dude.

More SUP…

Ok birds, geckos, sea turtles, I just realized I haven’t mentioned the whales yet.  We are here in February – whale season – and up until now I had never seen them from shore.  On the way to Lahaina for the Luau several people in the car claimed to see them (I was of course focused solely on the road).  They seem be especially frisky right before sunset (the whales, not our group).

Several nights we headed down to the beach around 5:30/ 6 and caught whales playing maybe 200 feet offshore.  Pretty cool.

It is with sadness that we bid farewell to Hawaii, but I am already hatching a plan for Hawaii spring 2012.  Keep your eyes here for more details…

Aloha big beach…

Aloha Plumeria…

See you next year!

Chickpea and Spinach Curry

Looking for a meatless main dish?  Here is a hearty option the whole family will love.  Most of these spices can be found at the grocery store or definitely at the Asian market.  The tomatoes, spinach, ginger, turmeric, garlic and onions all help detoxify the body and are part of an anti-inflammatory diet.

Chickpea and Spinach Curry:

  • 1 Tbsp Olive oil
  • 1 Large onion, finely chopped
  • 2 Garlic cloves, crushed
  • 1 inch of fresh ginger root, finely chopped
  • 1 Green chili, seeded and chopped
  • 2 Tbsp curry paste
  • 2 Tsp ground cumin
  • 1 Tsp Turmeric
  • 8 oz can chopped tomatoes
  • 1 Green or Red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
  • 1 ¼ cups vegetable stock
  • 1 Tbsp tomato paste
  • 8 oz fresh spinach
  • 14oz can of chickpeas
  • 3 Tbsp chopped cilantro
  • 1 Tsp Garam Masala
  • brown rice

Heat Olive oil in a large heavy pan and cook the chopped onion, garlic, ginger, and chili over gentle heat for five minutes, until onion has softened but not browned.  Stir in the curry paste, ground cumin and turmeric and cook for one minute.

Add the chickpeas, tomatoes, red pepper, tomato paste and stock, bring to a boil, then lower heat and simmer for 15 – 20 minutes.  Check the peas to see if they are tender enough.  Stir in the spinach and cilantro and let them wilt.  Spoon into serving bowls, sprinkle with the Graham Masala and serve with rice or naan.

How to injure your back while cooking a turkey

That’s right, you heard me – injure your back.

Using poor posture while pulling a 20 lb turkey out of the oven is the easiest way to hurt your back this Thanksgiving.

Here I am showing an example of “bad” movement – back and shoulders hunched, knees locked, not moving from my center:

And here is an example of “good” alignment, knees bent, tummy pulled in, back straight, lifting with my legs not hunching my back:

While the holidays are fun and festive time to enjoy yummy food, friends and family this can also be a time of added stress and tension.  As we head into the holiday season our schedules fill with shopping, parties, cooking, maybe time spent on the road or sleeping in uncomfortable beds.  While I would consider this “good stress” this can take a toll on your body.

To keep your back pain free I suggest you use principles of alignment and mindful movement while cooking your turkey dinner.

Any chef worth his or her salt knows the importance of “mise en place” – organizing your ingredients and tools prior to cooking. Here are a few more tips for success:

  • Bring your work to you. Sit at the table to peel potatoes instead of hunching over a counter.
  • Orient yourself correctly. Stand with weight on both feet, knees slightly bent, facing your cutting board, bowl, pot etc…
  • Lower your work area. One of my clients suggested putting the mixing bowl in the sink as opposed to on the counter top.  This keeps you from hunching your shoulders while stirring.
  • Ask for help. Enlist the family – even little ones can wash and peel veggies, the hubby or aunt sis can help you pull a heavy pot of potatoes off the stove.
  • Stop every once in a while and notice your posture.  What muscles can you relax?  Do you need to tense your neck and shoulder to stir that cake batter?  See if you can move from your center, keeping your neck and shoulders relaxed.

Here’s to a healthy and happy Holiday season!