Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Prana - The one nutrient behind everything



If you have ever been to a yoga class or seen some earthy crunchy types walking around you've may encountered this word, Prana, before. This is not some mystical cult or voodoo magic that is practiced by a secret society. It simply means energy. Energy is the one thing that exists and has always existed, as far as we can tell. There is no explanation for it, energy is just there and always will be! I like the word Prana, because it sounds cool and I got admit I own a couple of those shirts with the cool logo I posted above.

The Kripalu Psychologist Stephen Cope describes Prana like this:

Prana is life force - the stuff of those million, zillion stars circling and exploding. Human beings receive it directly into the body through the air. We take it in other ways as well - through live foods such as fresh fruits and vegetables, through fresh water, through living, breathing, trees and vegetation, and, if we are open to it through the love of other people and creatures. We probably take it in more mysterious ways, too, I think - through music, the sound of inspiring words, and perhaps through beautiful sights

Prana - is the first and most essential nutrient. In many ways Prana is what this blog is all about. As Mr. Cope said we can get prana from eating fresh and living foods but also through a myriad of other ways. Make sure you are getting your daily reccomended dose of Prana each and every day. Consider the amount of energy that is pulsing through your food when you are packing or picking out a lunch. Ask yourself if you are actually breathing in enough air each and every day. And for Prana's sake laugh and give someone a hug...even if it is just your dog....or a tree...just do it! Okay, maybe I've been wearing these Prana shirt's a little too much but I guarantee it will make you feel better.

Stay Positive,

Matthew

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Wherever you are is a great place to start!

Hello Positive Eaters,

I am so glad you decided to read my blog today. Discovering the depth of what is possible is the most fascinating subject to me. We often look to athletes and geniuses to witness amazing feats of both body and mind. Usain Bolt, the great sprinter, just ran 100 meters in 9.69 seconds! We see the leaps being made in technology on a daily basis and marvel at what human minds are able to think up.

What we often forget is that these possibilities are within ourselves as well. Within each person's DNA lies vast human potential. We all experience momentary flashes of genius and find ourselves capable of amazing feats in our lifetime. These are not just chance encounters with adrenaline, luck or divine intervention. This is our inner self reminding us we are fully capable of anything we can possibly dream up.

Human beings are equipped with phenemonal intellect and imaginative capabilities. We were also blessed with a body that could perform an inexhaustible amount of functions. The tools are there to build your dreams, all we need to do is hammer a way a little bit each day. A vision becomes realized when it is held in the mind and transferred through our neurons to every cell in our body. We can literally feel our fingers and toes curl with inspiration.

Here are some of the visions that pass through my mind that I intend to bring into reality. What are some of yours?

1. Run a Half Marathon (Philadelphia 2009!)
2. Run a Marathon (Boston 2012!)
3. Own a beautiful home (In the Merrimack Valley!)
4. Earn a Master's Degree (Counseling or Education!)
5. Earn plenty of money doing something I love
6. Speak and Write professionally
7. Have a beautiful, healthy and happy family that is well taken care of
8. Eat the best and highest quality food for my body
9. Serve others in the most honorable way I possibly can
10. Make a lasting impression on every person I meet

What ten things do you want to accomplish? Can you name five? What is one thing you really want to accomplish? I look forward to supporting you.

Stay Positive,

Matthew

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Suprise - Apricot Muffins!



Hello Positive Eaters,

Today I decided to suprise some of the people at my Mom's work with Apricot Muffins. I was hankering for some muffins and wanted to do something different. I had some Polaner Apricot Fruit Spread and it hit me! Apricot muffins! Now I must admit this is not an original idea...I got the picture above from another person's blog who posted on Apricot Muffins (visit their blog here). There are a couple ways to make these muffins. One way is to chop up dried apricots and soak under warm water for 10-15 minutes...the other way is to just add apricot fruit spread to the batter. I used the fruit spread and kind of wished I'd used the dried apricots after. I guess next time. Here is the recipe!

Apricot Muffins

- 1 Cup chopped dried apricots or 4-6 Tablespoons Apricot Fruit Spread
- 2 Cups of Whole Wheat Flour (pastry flour or regular flour)
- 3/4 Cup Maple Syrup or Agave Nectar
- 2 Tbs Orange Zest
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp baking soda (I think they are the same thing too)
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 2 Large Organic Eggs
- 3/4 Cup Yogurt if you want a heavier muffin

1. Preheat oven to 350 Degrees. Pour hot water over dried apricots and let sit for five minutes (if using this ingredient)
2. Coat 12 cup muffin tin with cooking spray (I reccomend rubbing coconut oil inside).
3. Combine dry ingredients in one bowl.
4. Combine liquid ingredients in another bowl.
5. Combine dry and liquid ingredients and fold in apricot (spread or dried fruit)
6. Fill muffin tins to top with batter. Bake these twenty minutes and allow to cool ten minutes in the pan.


Enjoy!

Stay Positive,

Matthew

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Nomadic Eating


Hello Positive Eaters,


The past couple weeks were absolutely crazy! I am just getting around to blogging now. During this time I moved apartments and my meals have resembled a nomadic moveable feast. I was like a viking minus the goofy hat.


We all go through times where we seem to be eating in a different location every time we sit down to feast. Taking the time pack food can be time consuming and we often just don't know what to pack. We also seem to forget eating is essential part of daily functioning. We seem assume it is just going to happen magically on its own. If you were a viking you would simply go into a town and demand quarter for you and your viking band. This convenience is no longer available to us.


Remember to schedule your meals as you plan out your day. This is an important time for you to take care of yourself. If you are unable to pack your meals as you travel amongst the landscape pick a healthy place to pick up both your lunch and your dinner. This will save you time in the long run and assure you get two healthy meals. Avoid golden arches, cute little red heads with pig tails and dogs that give you advice on what you should eat! Pull into a grocery store instead grab yourself some bread and whatever you can put in between two slices that will satisfy your hunger. This way you will have plenty of food and you did a little grocery shopping too!
Alright...the real reason I am posting on Nomadic Eating was to show you these awesome videos below. My good friend Jeff showed me this and I almost fell out of my chair laughing. Have a look see and let me know what you think!




Stay Positive,
Matthew