Where do you get your Protein?

Many people who practice yoga also practice a Vegetarian or Vegan lifestyle.  Some people practice vegetarian/vegan diets to practice Ahimsa अहिंसा (non harming to all living things), some do this because they love animals, some do this because they are anti-meat industry, and some just prefer veggies.  The truth is a plant based diet provides optimal benefits for health and wellness due to the prana प्राण (vital life force energy), the high amounts of oxygen, water and vitamins that are easily absorbed into the body.  While many studies like the China Study, or Gershon Theraphy have brought light to the benefits of plant based diets, which has been the normal lifestyle for many Indians for centuries.  

Yet, still many people question where they get protein.  The reality is our human body does not have the ability to properly break down the proteins in meat, we lack the necessary amount of hydrochloric acid in the stomache, bile in our liver, and it is taxing on our colon.  

Some Yogis in India when brought into the debate of eating meat, the question will be said that our human body is designed to eat meat, and the response is, then go bite a cow.  The hilarious reality is, an animal can go bite into another animal, but we cannot and do not, do that.


I myself have a love for animals, I have extensively researched the benefits of plant based diets, and the dangers of meat based diets.  From a scientific perspective, I am so glad to have lived a vegetarian life with an abundance of energy and stronger immune system.  From a spiritual perspective, I feel a sense of connection to this Universe and a love for animals beyond just petting a puppy.  From a superficial perspective, my hair that is shinny, my nails are strong, my skin is clear, and my body is fit due to a healthy liver, colon, and kidneys as a result of a plant based diet.  Our health on the outside is a reflection of our health on the inside, which is from our dietary habits.  We can see how cancer rates, obesity, and many other diseases can be linked to meat based diets, so why not make the conscious change to better health?  While dark green veggies are the best source of calcium that our human body can absorb, and nuts provide protein and healthy fats, and spirulina is a wonderful amino acid protein.....here is a list of my top 10 other sources of protein.

Top 10 veggie lovers protein sources.

1. QUINOA - 1 CUP - 11g of protein
2. LENTILS - 1 CUP - 18g of protein
3. SEITAN - 4oz - 30g of protein
4. TEMPEH - 4oz -25g of protein
5. BLACK BEANS - 1 CUP - 15g of protein
6. CHICK PEAS - 1 CUP - 12g of protein
7. SPINACH - 1 CUP - 5g of protein
8. MUNG BEANS - 1 CUP - 14g of protein
9. KIDNEY BEANS - 1 CUP - 14g of protein
10. SOY BEANS - 1 CUP - 29g of protein

These are just a list of options for people wanting to embrace this lifestyle.  Juicing is also a wonderful addition to daily diet.  I realize that many carnivorous people find this topic annoying, and I understand that people have their own perceptions & beliefs, so perhaps just substituting some plant based options may be the first step. 

Beat the Heat with Watermelon-Strawberry Pops

This summer has been a sizzling hot & humid summer and many people have enjoyed their Fan or Home Air Conditioner.  Another way to keep cool is to stay hydrated.  Eating foods rich in water, and making refreshing juice is always a bonus.  This weeks juice was a Watermelon-Strawberry Juice.

Watermelon is high in Vitamin A, C and B6, while strawberry is an amazing source for Vitamin C.  Many of you have seen my youtube channel where I make yummy juice recipes, well what about taking your juicing to a whole new level for the SUMMER?  I used the pulp for making Raw Vegan Burgers before, but this time, we made Watermelon-Strawberry Pops.  Pour the left over pulp from the juice into a popsicle tray, add the sticks (in our case spoons because someone threw out the sticks) and wait till they freeze.  After, Voila, and amazing healthy, refreshing summer snack for everyone to enjoy!!!

Life exists in our breath

We live in a world that is constantly moving, where our time is bombarded with so many obligations, distractions, memories, joy, pain, escapes, fantasy that at times we forget to come back to stillness.  Yet, stillness is one of the most natural things for us to be.  The constant marketing tactics of magazines, internet, and corporations, with subtitles of promises and illusions, are all just a distraction from the real title which is YOU.

"The sun and moon create time in the form of day 

and night. Sushumna (the central passage along

the spine) is the consumer of time, this is the revealed secret. "

- Hatha Yoga Pradipika 4.17

Many people look to meditation for freedom from these external and internal distractions.  We must accept that any external distraction is one that we internally allowed.  In meditation, we do not need to limit our focus, rather expand our focus to the greater picture that exists in our breath.  Our breath is the most basic function of our daily life.  Have we ever focused on it during yoga asana, while we are preparing a meal, while we are enjoying a beautiful view of nature?  If yes, we understand the bigger picture, and we truly experience time as it is meant to be experienced, we become truly connected.   This experience of becoming one with our breath, allows freedom to take place.  Now we can ask ourselves have we ever become focused on our breath during an argument, during a passionate exchange, during a time in our life when the person we trusted abuses that trust?  This times may be more challenging to focus on our breath, however, if we do we experience the reality of freedom in a magical way. No longer are we limited in our beliefs, no longer do we cling to vicious patterns of behavior, no longer do we feel this awful concept of separateness, instead we become one with our Universe.

"Those who aspire to the state of yoga should seek the Self in inner solitude through meditation" ~ Bhagavad Gita

There will always be moments when we think, analyze, or evaluate an experience or perhaps we just enjoy the natural flow of just being present.  When we allow ourselves to be present, there is no distinct between yesterday and tomorrow, no need to compare, no need to digress, and instead we are one with our reality.  Becoming one with our reality with acceptance is the true essence of meditation.

"I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live" ~ Ezekiel 37:5

In our meditation practice, lets look to become one with our breath.  In Hinduism, breath or prana is life force energy.  For Christians breath is life (Ezekiel 37:5, John 20:22, Genesis 2:7).  If we live our life in a panic state, always short of breath, or holding our breath when stress arises, we are living a limited life.  Despite common views on meditation that we need to clear our mind, instead we need to fill our mind, expand our mind with attention on our breath.

"He breathed on them and said 'receive the Holy Spirit'" ~ John 20:22

Many health care experts like Dr. Oz recommend patients to practice meditation, which is an ancient practice.  Amazing Gurus like Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and Baba Ramdev invite yoga aspirants to experience liberation through Yoga Kriyas and Pranayama.  Scientists like Dr. Gerson who realized the power of healing disease through juicing, for the purpose of providing more oxygenation to the body, cells and blood by the use of prana rich food sources.  


"And the Lord formed man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living soul" ~ Genesis 2:7

Discover the secret to living a full life, free of limitations and take some time to breathe deep. ~ Om Shanti

Ashtanga Yogis explore Anatomy & Ayurveda

Welcome to the new group of 200Hr Certified Ashtanga Yogi's in 2012.  It was such an honor to share in the journey of these wonderful people in Los Angeles.  While the original plan was to be with this group from day one, I was only with them towards the last few weeks.  Big thanks to my friends Deon & Deona that invited me to stay in their beautiful home & borrow their car for my commute to Beverly Hills.  Deon (a phenomenal drummer I have been friends with since meeting at Berklee College of Music) is actually on a juice fast, after self educating himself with films like "Food Matters",  "Food Inc.", "Fresh" and many more.....in his own words, he is not anti meat, he is anti meat industry.  In just 9 days, Deon lost 14lbs, feels so energized, and notices the changes in his body....that is right, just with an adjustment to Diet!

The irony of me having to drive in LA traffic daily was amazing for me, as I have enjoyed being a NYC pedestrian/subway commuter for very long, and I have been in multiple car accidents.  This was yet another opportunity for me to face my fears, and in such a beautiful setting.....Los Angeles you are a gorgeous place!

Back to the Ashtanga Yogis....Thank you Caroline for inviting me to be a guest teacher in your Training!  This amazing group of people from all over got together in Beverly Hills for daily Ashtanga Training.  By the time I met them their bodies were ripe with purification, their spirits were open to self exploration, and their minds were eager to learn more.  I was so happy to share with them Anatomy, Chakras, Ayurveda and Yogic Diet.  The funny thing I realize from every experience of teaching is that the student teaches the teacher so much.  This particular group was very receptive, ready with questions and optimistic about sharing this new light with others. 

The responsibility of a Yoga Teacher is one that I feel should always be addressed in any training.  We are not doctors, we are not therapists, we facilitate a compassionate experience for a student to explore their mind, body & spirit through this amazing practice of Yoga.  Without attachment to their reaction (praise or otherwise), we must always be a witness to their experience.  Thank you all for allowing me to share your journey!  I wish you so much Love & Light as you share this ancient practice with others. 

"In the light of dispassion, or non-attachment, the aspirant attains freedom from his desires, whims, ambitions, and anxieties." ~ SWAMI RAMA