A central theme of yoga is doing what is most natural for your body – this brings vitality, strength, and longevity.
In the above video, Professor Pig brings forth many salient points in his endeavor to lead humans onto the point of health and well-being through food choices that are suited towards their (i.e. human) biological & anatomical make-up.
Of course there are many reasons for choosing a plant-base diet – human health, environmental concerns and ecology, animal well-being, and more. This particular video looks at human anatomy and physiology.
(The below is an excerpt from an article titled, Bill Clinton Declares Vegan Victory, that was published by USA Today on Aug 25, 2011)
Where’s the beef? Not in Bill Clinton’s diet.
The former president, known for his love of burgers, barbecue and junk food, has gone from a meat lover to a vegan, the strictest form of a vegetarian diet. He says he eats fruits, vegetables and beans, but no red meat, chicken or dairy.
Clinton, 65, who had quadruple bypass surgery in 2004 and then stent surgery in 2010, is following this eating plan to improve his heart health.
He talked about his plant-based diet last year, saying he lost 24 pounds on it for his daughter Chelsea’s wedding, and he chatted about it again recently on TV, drawing national attention to the potential health benefits of this type of diet….
About 3% of U.S. adults are considered full-fledged vegetarians because they never eat meat, poultry, fish or seafood, and about 1% of people are vegans because they also never eat dairy, eggs or honey, says the Vegetarian Resource Group. “The percentage of vegetarians has doubled since 1994,” says John Cunningham, consumer research manager for the organization…
Elizabeth Turner, editor in chief of Vegetarian Times, says, “A much larger number of people — 22 million based on a poll the magazine did in 2008 — are what I’d describe as vegetarian-inclined. These are the people who might have the occasional chicken or fish. They’re interested in vegetarianism and moving in a veg direction, but they aren’t all the way there yet.
“What the science shows is that people who are vegetarians have a lower risk of heart disease and cancer, especially colon cancer, and they tend to live longer,” Turner says. “They’re also less likely to be overweight.”…
Clinton says he was inspired to follow a low-fat, plant-based diet by several doctors, including Dean Ornish, author of Dr. Dean Ornish’s Program for Reversing Heart Disease. Ornish has been working with Clinton as one of his consulting physicians since 1993.
After Clinton’s angioplasty and stents in 2010, Ornish says he contacted the former president “and I indicated that the moderate diet and lifestyle changes he’d made didn’t go far enough to prevent his heart disease from progressing, but our research proved that more intensive changes could actually reverse it,” he says.
View our earlier post on this in January 2011 that features a short video interview with Mr Clinton about his dietary changes…
Constipation is a fairly pervasive issue – most at some point in their lives have suffered from it. Yogis take this as a very serious condition as it adversely affects major glands like the kidneys, liver, spleen, and heart and has a detrimental affect on the mind, making one irritable, short-tempered, and distracted.
In the west, some medical professionals define constipation as having 3 or less bowel movements a week.
Yogis have an entirely different perspective. They feel a person must clear the bowels within 15 minutes of rising from the bed each and every day, and best is if one has a strong impetus to go upon waking.
In my many years of living with my teacher in India, if for some reason I did not clear the system upon rising, he would take the matter very seriously and would not allow me to engage in any other work or eat food. Full attention was paid to righting the system.
If one is constipated here are some simple steps one can take:
(1) Drink 1 or 2 liters of warm lemon/salt water in the morning. Squeeze 1/4 or 1/2 a lemon or lime in your empty container, add a pinch of salt, mix them, and then add warm water. Drink the solution within 10 -20 minutes, or more quickly so long as you feel comfortable. Then be sure to walk around the house and do standing side-bends.
(2) Some foods are a natural purgative. Spinach is one such food. If constipated then eat upwards of a 1/2 pound or even a full pound of fresh, raw, frozen or lightly steamed spinach with your meal. The greater the percentage of spinach in your meal the better. 100% spinach is fine.
(3) Here are some further do’s and don’ts: (a) Only eat when you feel strong hunger; (b) Do not eat when you are not hungry; (c) Try to minimize snacking; (d) Refrain from eating packaged and processed foods; (e) Drink plenty of lemon water (see #1) all morning long – wait some time – and then eat juicy fruit like pears, oranges, etc. Refrain from eating bananas until one is regular again; (f) Avoid oily foods; (g) Do not overeat; (h) Drink plenty of water in-between meals (3 liters or more over the course of the day) and refrain from drinking with your meal as it dilutes your body’s natural digestive enzymes in the mouth (saliva) and stomach (acid); (i) Eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables with your meals and take a high-fibre diet; (j) Avoid constipating foods like meat, dairy (yogurt & cheese), potatoes, and other “heavy” & oily foods like avocado.
(4) A regular yoga practice, walking and other low-impact exercises are extremely beneficial. Poses to relive constipation and stomach disorders include: Uddayana mudra, agnisara mudra, utksepa mudra, yoga asana, bhujaungasana (cobra pose), trikonasana (triangle pose) among others. For more information about this write me.
(5) For the long-term, switching to a plant based diet will bring a wonderful result. Some excellent medical and cookbooks have been published by Dr Neal Barnard and Dr John McDougall.
(6) The topic of proper digestion is a vast topic in the world of yoga and considered absolutely critical to cultivating a healthy body and positive mind. There are many, many more aspects to this matter and anyone is welcome to write me if they have questions.
(7) The western and eastern worlds have quite divergent views on this topic. I personally have found the teachings of yoga and ayurveda to be far more beneficial and insightful. Here is one website (Ayushveda) that I feel offers good information – no doubt there are others as well.
Join us for this sumptuous foodie event. Neatly nestled within the holiday season, this is the perfect time to take a break, enjoy healthy dishes, learn new recipes, and share quality time with friends, family and our community. You will gain techniques for preparing nutritional foods in a tasty, zesty manner, sample exquisite recipes, discover new ingredients, and go home with a heightened awareness about food (as well as with lots of delicious edibles). Oh, and did I say not to eat beforehand. Do come on an empty stomach as we will be exploring lots of great dishes for this winter season. All foods will be prepared with fresh, organic produce and whole grains. No processed products or refined sugars are used. Our varied menu includes appetizers, main dishes, and desserts(!). In addition, special attention will be paid to the how’s, where’s, and why’s of healthy – yet economical – food shopping. Come out for this wonderful workshop; register early as spaces fill quickly. Limited to 20 participants.
Note: (a) Do bring empty food containers; (b) do inform us of any special dietary needs; (c) sorry, no refunds 72hrs before this seminar.
About our host(s):
Bethanne Kashkett is a vegetarian / vegan cook who specializes in creating simple, healthy dishes and raw foods. She does culinary demonstrations at MOM’s Organic Market (Jessup) 3 days a week. She also works part-time as a personal chef, teaches culinary courses at community colleges, and caters small retreats and gatherings. In addition, she is the founder of the Quaker project: “Cooking for Peace”, which raises money and awareness for social causes through cooking classes. Her husband Kenny is also an excellent vegetarian cook. He is famous for his onion rolls, hash brown potatoes and veggie lasagna! When not cooking Kenny attempts to keep Bethanne organized and on track (a job all by itself!)
Tuition: $40 by Dec 1; $45 after Dec 1; $50 after Dec 5. Register early and $ave.
This weekend, top doctors and chefs will gather at New York’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center to offer health and cooking advice for people with diabetes.
For those interested in learning about the wonderful benefits of plant based foods check out these two great medically renowned websites on health and diet.
(The below is an excerpt from an article titled, Bill Clinton Declares Vegan Victory, that was published by USA Today on Aug 25, 2011)
(4) A regular yoga practice, walking and other low-impact exercises are extremely beneficial. Poses to relive constipation and stomach disorders include: Uddayana mudra, agnisara mudra, utksepa mudra, yoga asana, bhujaungasana (cobra pose), trikonasana (triangle pose) among others. For more information about this write me.
