Attention to detail

/ August 11, 2014/ Holistic Nutrition, Recipes, Yoga/ 3 comments

I spent the long weekend cooking at the kitchen of Grail Springs. It was super hard work. The experience renewed my respect for those that work in this industry. You wonder what this has to do with holistic nutrition and yoga?

Chef Alexi has a vegetarian menu that follows the alkaline diet. It is the perfect complement to the spa programs such as detoxing. But besides learning new recipes and cooking techniques like dehydrating, the teaching that stays with me the most is the chef’s motto attention to detail. She believes that makes a difference between a good and great. She works really hard and does anything that is needed to deliver a meal as beautiful in presentation as in goodness. She is also a loving person and is shown by the way her staff reciprocates her affection with the utmost respect.

I am very grateful for this opportunity where I learned valuable cooking skills and how to combine foods at a commercial level. I was also able to enjoy this beautiful place! walking in the meditation labyrinth, swimming in the lake, and practicing yoga on the dock right on the water. Many thanks to Madeleine for sponsoring this co-op program for the students of the Institute of holistic nutrition.

Holistic nutrition

Attention to detail lends itself well to holistic nutrition. Eating a balance diet that works for you and takes in account your individual needs requires paying a lot of attention to your body’s wisdom to find out what works and what doesn’t. There is no fixed formula that works for everyone. You start from general guidelines and go from there. You can find guidelines in New year resolutions….

So I have been paying attention to my water intake and eating more raw foods this week. This has helped me deal better with internal heat issues. This happens every summer because I am pitta.

Yoga practice

Practicing yoga requires a lot of attention to detail! Listening to your body and respecting your limits. I am paying a lot of attention to my breath and my body alignment. I am doing a body scan once I enter a pose and then focus on the breath.

I prepared a class on wed. but when I got to the studio my yogis told me their issues and I had to change all my plans. I payed a lot of attention to them while they were on their restorative poses. I watched their breath and their bodies and I chose poses to address their needs as best as I could.

If you do not have a yoga home practice, I encourage to start one. Pick a time of the day that works for you and stick to it. Pay attention to your body and your needs and show love and kindness to yourself. Read some tips for a home yoga practice.


2014_08_03 wet oats

Wet raw oats

I want to share this cooling raw recipe a great choice for hot summer mornings. Just takes 5 min to prepare the night before.

Ingredients (1 serving)

  • ½ cup of rolled oats (not quick oats)
  • ½ apple graded (pear or diced peach)
  • ½ cup of unsweetened almond milk or water
  • ¼ cup of chopped almonds or walnuts
  • ½ cup of raspberries or blueberries
  • 1 tablespoon of golden berries, goji berries, or raisins
  • 1 tablespoon of ground flax seeds or shredded coconut

Preparation

  • Place the milk, apple, oats, and nuts on glass container and refrigerate overnight. Use a jar for breakfast on the go and leave space for toppings.
  • In the morning, pour on a bowl. Do this 15 min before eating if you want it room temperature.
  • Add the berries, flax seeds, and dried fruit and mixed. If using a jar, just add these toppings and close the lid. If you are vata, add some cinnamon. Play around with different combinations of fruits and nuts. The possibilities are endless.
  • Eat with gusto! Listen and you will hear your body thanking you for a great breakfast.
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3 Comments

  1. What a beautiful experience! I love reading about your journey. Thank you for that recipe, I am going to do it!!

    I made these ‘energy balls’ the other day:
    Oats, cocoa, shredded coconut and dried cranberries, combined with a little honey.

    Squeeze them into balls and place on a plate in the freezer – delicious! Xxx

  2. Sounds yummy… got to try that for a nut free recipe

  3. I recently started to add a spoon of shredded coconut and water to this recipe and it makes it creamier and milky. Makes a nice nut-free version.

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