My Journey

therunnerinme:

For all of the runners out there who are also devoted yogis, there’s no doubt that you either do a bit of asana before or after a run – and probably both.

However, have you ever thought about doing yoga while you run? Or running as a form of yoga?

Have You Ever Thought Of Running As A Moving Meditation?

Some of us run alone, some in groups and others in races. We all have our preferences.
But, whether we’re in a marathon, or running down a path by ourselves, it is something that we essentially do alone. Running requires us to rely on ourselves – our strength, balance and endurance. It also requires our complete attention, just like meditation.

Running Is A Lot Like Yoga.

Like yoga, running is a great way to study the self. Yoga is a form of practicing our mind and body connection – just like running, we rely on listening to the body to keep us moving towards our next goal – and when we don’t, we end up getting hurt.

When we do listen to the body, breath and what surrounds us, our mind becomes clearer, and so does our practice and focus.

Outside of endurance, how much attention do you give to the way you breathe? Or where you place your feet each time they hit the ground.

Turn your run into a running meditation.

Here are a few ways enhance your mindfulness during your next run.

1. Notice Your Breath

This one thing we always do in yoga class becomes essential for runners as well. As the breath becomes more forceful when we tire, the system becomes more fatigued. Try monitoring the breath using an even breath count – whether it’s in 2, out 2 – try to challenge yourself to keep it consistent – just as if you’re doing a vinyasa, or a moving meditation.

2. Notice Your Alignment

Are you leaning forward? Hunching your shoulders? Are your knees stable? See what happens when you consciously open your chest with shoulders back and your spine straight – does your breath feel any different?

3. Look At The Space Around You

Just noticing what is in front of you, or around you, can help determine your path. Check for obstacles: tree roots, pot holes, and other bumps in the road. Also, try noticing new things on an old path – what has changed? What haven’t you noticed before?

4. Take A Different Path

Seek out new life and new civilizations and boldly go where you haven’t gone before. If your path get’s predictable, it’s time to change. If you’ve always stopped at the pink mailbox, try a new goal. If you’ve always run through the same trail in the woods, try somewhere with more sun. If you’ve always run on flat land, try an area with some hills.

5. Compete Against Yourself Instead Of Other People

This applies if you run with others or not. If you typically run 3 miles, go for 5; if it’s 6, go for 10, and so on. Notice what might be holding you back.

Connecting with the witness of “who” is running allows us to be in the moment. Resist the urge to create a grocery list, or play out the day’s drama, can help you to focus more on your awareness.
Using the principles of yoga to increase performance and endurance, can help you develop the witness in each moment.

Know what’s around you, and within you, and that you’re capable of expanding your practice on the running path, just as you are on your mat.

by Julie Phillips-Turner 

(via runnersclub)

berryhealthy:

1. Green Machine Smoothie – Whole Living
2. Cherry Almond Vanilla Smoothie – Running To The Kitchen
3. Kale Spinach and Pear Smoothie – Joy The Baker
4. Tropical Green Smoothie – 52 Kitchen Adventures
5. Preet’s Special Smoothie – Yyoga + OrganicLives
6. Power Protein Smoothie – Whole Living
7. Mango Coconut Water Smoothie – Whole Living
8. The Mojito Smoothie – My New Roots
9. Crunchy Coffee Fix – Runner’s World
10. Banana Oat Smoothie – Martha Stewart
11. Pineapple and Banana Smoothie – Whole Living
12. Key Lime Pie Protein Smoothie – Peanut Butter Fingers
13. Gingered Beet Smoothie – With Style & Grace
13.1 Raw Blizzard – Rawified (Hey, with all that running we’re doing we deserve a sweet, healthly(ish) treat! And yes, that’s Blizzard like DQ Blizzard.)

(via fitness--for--life)

vegansofig:

I’d like to start off by apologizing to anyone with a nut allergy, because this post is nuts. Nuts are very healthy and nutritious. Nuts are high in essential amino acids and healthy fats, making them an important part of any vegan’s diet. Here are some key nuts and seeds that should be apart of your diet.

1⃣  Almonds are a good source of protein, vitamin E, manganese, magnesium, copper, vitamin B2 (riboflavin), and phosphorus. Almonds are also concentrated in protein; a quarter-cup contains more protein than the typical egg. Although one-quarter cup of almonds contains about 18 grams of fat, most of it (11 grams) is heart-healthy monounsaturated fat.

2⃣  Cashews are high in antioxidants and have a lower fat content than most other nuts; additionally, 75 percent of their fat is unsaturated fatty acids. Cashews are also a good source of monounsaturated fats, copper, and a good source of magnesium and phosphorous.

3⃣  Flaxseeds, also known as linseeds, are an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids. Flaxseeds are also rich in fiber and manganese and are a good source of folate, vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), magnesium, phosphorous, and copper, and lignan phytonutrients.

4⃣   Peanuts are actually legumes, but they are a good source of heart-healthy monosaturated fat, flavonoid (resveratrol), antioxidants, phytosterols, phytic acid (inositol hexaphosphate), and folic acid. Peanuts are also a good source of vitamin B3 (niacin), folate, copper, manganese, and protein. FYI, some Planters dry roasted peanuts contain gelatin. Choose another brand. 

5⃣  Pumpkin seeds are a good source of the essential fatty acids, potassium, phosphorous, magnesium, manganese, zinc, iron, and copper, protein, and vitamin K.

6⃣   Sesame seeds and tahini are rich in beneficial minerals. Not only are sesame seeds a very good source of manganese and copper, but they are also a good source of calcium, magnesium, iron, phosphorous, vitamin B1 (thiamin), zinc, dietary fiber, and healthy (monosaturated) fats.

7⃣  Walnuts are an excellent source of omega-3 essential fatty acids. Walnuts are also a good source of manganese, and copper. Walnuts are also an important source of healthy (monounsaturated) fats. Walnuts also have bio-available melatonin, which helps regulate sleep. #vegansofig

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(via fitness--for--life)

ucsdhealthsciences:

Malcolm Has a Mini Stroke: three questions for Alexander Khalessi, director of Neurovascular Surgery

Last week, former childhood star Frankie Muniz suffered a “mini stroke.” The news was remarkable for several reasons as Muniz, who was the titular star of Malcolm In the Middle, is just 27 years old and seems to live a healthy lifestyle. According to Muniz, he has “… never had a sip of alcohol in my life. I’ve never had any drugs, I’ve never even smoked a cigarette.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control, stroke is the leading cause of death in the United States, attributing to over 800,000 deaths a year. The causes for stroke range from existing conditions such as high blood pressure, to adverse behaviors such as smoking and excessive drinking. But what if you don’t have these risk factors?

We’ve asked Alexander Khalessi, MD, MS, director of Neurovascular Surgery and surgical director for the NeuroCritical Care unit at UC San Diego Health System three questions about strokes.

Question: What is a mini stroke and how does it differ from other types of stroke?

Answer: “Mini strokes” usually refer to a Transient Ischemic Attack or TIA. These events involve a temporary lack of blood flow to part of the brain. Fortunately in these cases, blood flow to the brain is spontaneously restored without permanent damage. Symptoms vary based on the part of the brain involved and may include vision loss, weakness, numbness or speech difficulty. TIA’s carry an increased risk of future stroke and often signify plaque narrowing one of the four major arteries that provide blood flow to the brain. Sudden occurrence of these symptoms requires immediate medical attention.

Q: Frankie Muniz is 27 years old and, except for suffering a stroke, in good health. Does this mean that anyone can be at risk for stroke at any time?

A: Ischemic strokes are caused by a blockage of one of the major blood vessels supplying the brain, narrowing of the arteries of the brain itself, abnormal heart rhythms, or clotting disorders of the blood. Stroke risk increases with these known conditions or comorbidities including obesity, smoking, drug use, high blood pressure or diabetes. The incidence of stroke in young people has doubled in the last decade. In a young healthy person with Mr. Muniz’s presentation, a carotid dissection or traumatic tear in the wall of the carotid artery is likely the most common cause.

Q: After suffering a stroke, what can people do to limit their chance of reoccurrence?

A: After suffering a stroke, receiving a work-up at a center that diagnoses the cause of the stroke is critical to risk assessment and secondary prevention. Were an arterial blockage responsible, the patient’s stroke risk may remain high without open surgery (carotid endarterectomy) or treatment with catheters (carotid artery stenting). For strokes due to arrhythmias of the heart, blood thinning medications and heart rate control treatments may be required. Similarly, clotting disorders of the blood may require aggressive treatment. Stroke diagnosis represents only the first step in preventing a second event.

Image source: FanPop

(via fuckyeahmedicalstuff)

ucsdhealthsciences:

UC San Diego Researcher Funded for Stem-Cell-based Preeclampsia Therapies
Pregnancy complication is primary cause of induced premature deliveries

Mana Parast, MD, PhD, an assistant professor of pathology at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, has been awarded a $3 million grant to continue her research into new therapies for preeclampsia, a pregnancy complication that often results in additional neonatal complications. The grant was part of more than $36 million awarded today to 12 researchers by the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine or CIRM, the state’s stem cell agency.

Preeclampsia is characterized by high blood pressure and abnormal kidney function and affects roughly 5 to 8 percent of all pregnancies. It’s responsible for a significant proportion of maternal deaths and growth-restricted babies, and is the primary reason for inducing delivery prematurely.

The condition involves the placenta, the temporary organ that connects mother and unborn baby. Parast’s work focuses upon the stem cells that give rise to the placenta, which are called trophoblast stem cells. Her lab has created a human trophoblast stem cell model – a first – that can be used to study stages of placental development. The CIRM grant will fund continuation of this work and be used to identify potential stem cell-based therapies for treating preeclampsia without resorting to premature delivery.

Parast’s funding is part of the third round of CIRM’s New Faculty Physician Scientist Translational Research Awards program, which supports promising young researchers in the early stages of their career. Parast is the fifth researcher from UC San Diego to receive such funding.

(via fuckyeahmedicalstuff)

(via fitness--for--life)

garden-of-vegan:

wheatlets with raspberries, banana, almond butter, flax, hemp hearts, and soy milk