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The website allows you to search for recipes, browse the recipes or submit a recipe. Additionally, the protein shakes and protein smoothies are split it a featured category and a most popular category.

“Whether you’re interested in losing weight, building muscle, saddling up for a long-distance bike ride or creating a drink that’s as nutritious as it is decadently delicious,” said Jeremy Galanes, the webmaster of OptimumSmoothie.com, “you’ll find not one but dozens of options at OptimumSmoothie.com.”

On the recipe page, you can find a list of ingredients, the directions, the nutrition facts and a description. From the same page, you can also print the recipe, email the recipe to a fried or review the recipe.

If you have gotten tired of your standard protein shake or smoothie, check out the Optimum Smoothie for a new recipe to spice up your routine.

Post from: EveryJoe

Protein Shake and Smoothie Database

Four top nutritionists put together criteria for each category and then dozens of people throughout the company tested different brands that met the standards. The category I was most interest in was the bread.

I can never figure out which bread is actually good for you and how to balance the carbs and the fiber content to find the best one. For bread, Nature’s Pride 100% Whole Wheat came out on top.

The 2009 Healthy Food Awards winners were announced in the FITNESS magazine, July/August 2009 issue. On their website, you can find some terrific coupons and recipes for the product winners.

Image: www.naturespridebread.com

Post from: EveryJoe

Fitness Magazine 2009 Healthy Food Awards

Got a headache?  I do tonight.  Here’s what I am going to go do right after I log off.  It has really helped me in the past, hope it works wonders again tonight.

It’s called the Supported Headstand, or Salamba Sirsasana.  And it goes like this:

-Put a pad or your mat on the floor, and kneel down

- Clasp your hands, intertwining your fingers. Set your forearms on the floor

-Roll your upper arms slightly outward, while pressing the insides of your wrists firmly into the floor

-Position the crown of your head on the floor.  Gently push your hands together, and cup the back of your head with your hands

-Inhale, and lift your knees slowly off the floor

-Slowly walk your feet closer to your elbows, while keeping your heels elevated

-Press the shoulder blades against your back, and lift them up towards the tailbone

-Exhale and lift your feet off the floor. Be sure to lift both of your feet at the same time. Bend your knees if necessary to do this

-Continue to press your shoulder blades against your back; widen them if needed to give you more support

-Beginners should probably hold this for about 10 seconds only.  Advanced practitioners should be able to hold the pose about three minutes. Bring youself down slowly with an exhale

Ok, this should take care of my headache.  Give it a try, and take it slowly at first.  It really relieves headache stress and pressure, and soothes your mind.  Really nice.

Peace 

Post from: EveryJoe

Got a Headache? Give This Pose a Try

Well, it’s not earth-shattering news, but apparently, there is a new category for folks who are vegetarians MOST of the time :-)  You’re called flexitarians, and around Thanksgiving, I have to admit, I become one of you, too.

 In fact, the food industry is targeting these folks, providing vegetarian fare with just a wee bit of protein on the side.  Flexitarians could and would be considered vegetarians most of the time.  But when a slice of meat or fish passes under their noses, they don’t say no.  And restaurants and grocery stores are beginning to package food and menu items just for you!

In truth, a true vegetarian diet can be deficient in protein, iron and essential amino acids.  You do have to be vigilant about what you eat to be a successful vegetarian or vegan.  So from a nutritional perspective, there is an argument in favor of the “flexitarian” diet.

As someone who practices yoga and meditates regularly, I really do buy into the belief that it is healthier for me spiritually to abstain from meat–although I do like my holiday turkey and fish at times. 

Either way, it is kind of an interesting way to categorize the almost-vegetarian person.  And here I thought I was just cheating a little. Didn’t know a whole new category was emerging just for me and my comrades :-)

Peace. 

Post from: EveryJoe

Any Flexitarians Out There? Raise Your Hands!

It’s winter in the northern hemisphere, and I don’t know about you, but I’ve already seen a fair number of pretty cold days.

For me, this isn’t such a bad thing.  I use this time to turn my thoughts inward, and that normally benefits my practice and my outlook. 

What I do find helps make the transition to these homebound days a little easier is turning a private space within my home into a meditation and practice room.  I can’t move everything out.  I know that.  But I do spend a few days each year clearing out things I don’t need, moving them into another space, and making room for my daily meditation and yoga. 

This is especially important for me, because I also tend to practice and meditate much more frequently when I find myself indoors more during these colder months.   Instead of mornings or evenings, I find myself doing both.  And if I’m off, I add a mid-day routine to my schedule. 

I change my shopping habits a bit, too.  I stock up on things like notebooks (for journaling), and look for items I just love to look at and focus on during my meditation.  This year I am changing my diet quite radically, too, and am trying the “raw food” vegetarian regimen I wrote about the other day.  Figure I won’t be moving about quite so much when the snow starts falling here, so I am going to experiment.  So far, so good.  I kind of do miss eating hot meals though, during these cold days and nights :-) But I am going to give it my best shot.  Also have removed as many processed foods as humanly possible from my diet to help clean out my system, and really use these months when life is a little more dormant by nature to calm down–and pare down–everything.  A little less stimuli can be a very good thing.

Winter is a wonderful time to do a really deep dive into meditation.  The world is quieter.  My thoughts are more focused.  Let’s face it, when it is 20 degrees and there is about 18 inches of snow on the ground, you are forced to think about everything you do, how you’re going to do it, and how you are going to get to where you need to go.  It’s only natural.  So I am going to go with the flow and take full advantage of these winter months to sow the seeds for real growth, spiritually and physically, too, with my practice.    

Would love to hear from all of you on how you plan to grow your practice during these cold winter months.  It’s a great time to nurture and enhance your bodies and your minds.

Peace.

Post from: EveryJoe

Change of Seasons, Change in Practice

I do everything I can to watch what I eat.  Sometimes, too much.  Already a vegetarian.  Thinking about going vegan.  But first, I think I might go to a “sub-class” of vegetarian nutrition–the raw food vegetarian.

It makes sense. Raw vegetables, fruits and greens are the healthiest things you can put into your body.   But there are people out there who are eating what I call “raw beyond the pale”–consuming raw eggs, raw dairy products, and yes, raw meats.  Organ meats in particular. 

I can do the raw fruits and vegetables.  Nuts, legumes, etc., too.  But a raw kidney snack?  Come on.  I mean, come on.  These individuals call themselves “Native Nutritionists,” and they try to eat like ancient tribes did many, many years ago.  I’m sorry, but we have come a long way.  For example, we have refrigeration.  And electricity.  And safe drinking water. 

I can see the case for raw vegetables and fruits.  Some raw foods do contain living enzymes that aid digestion, and are destroyed when cooked.  So I am going to experiment a little with raw food vegetarianism. It may advance my ongoing quest for inner peace, outer calm and a healthier body. But going native?  Sorry to say, liver and onions as a kid was bad enough.  A big, flopping slab of live liver as an adult–no way.  Not happening.  To everyone out there who is giving it a try, bless you for your bravery, and be sure you get your shots.

Peace.

Post from: EveryJoe

How “Raw” Will I Go?

That’s right.  Got the results from my physical last week, and they were awesome. I am never sure–at least not since my bout with breast cancer a few years back–how the test results are going to come out.  But I felt pretty good going in, and I have been working hard to change my diet, de-stress whenever possible, and just plain take care of myself.

After meeting with my doctor, one message came through loud and clear–my diet is doing amazing things for my health.  I grew up a die-hard, meat-eating carnivore.  In my late 20s I changed that up somewhat, my thirties, even more so.  Now in my mid-forties, I have all but wiped meat out of my diet.

I eliminated the meat at first because my family history is not so good on the cardiac side, but at first it was a half-hearted attempt.  And to this day, I still haven’t completely kicked Thanksgiving turkey off of my plate.  But for the most part, I am meat-free, and feeling very good.  The sluggish days where my diet and its high concentration of animal fats ruled are gone, along with the lingering side effects I used to feel.  

The best part–my doc told me I possess the physical fitness, blood pressure, cholesterol, flexibility, endurance and bone density (yea!) of someone half my age.  So it’s really paying off.  I never thought much about the longevity aspect of it–I just wanted to purify my little engine and feel better, but added longevity…wow, what a bonus!

I do owe a lot to meditation and yoga, too.  Especially the low blood pressure.  Training my mind and body to relax and be present has also made a huge difference.

Still on the fence? I hope not.  I know it isn’t for everyone, but at least give yourself the added edge of increasing the amount of vegetables and fruits in your diet.  That step alone can really help a lot.  And put down that sugar, too.  I’m living proof it is never too late.

Peace.  

Post from: EveryJoe

Living Proof–A Greener Diet Can Help Keep You Young

Whether you’re on the vegetarian track or would like to be, rice is a great way to add important B vitamins and fiber to your diet.  It is an important part of the daily diet of over half the world–and a sacred ingredient in places like Tibet and Indonesia, where the rice goddess Dewi Sri–and rice– are believed to have a spirit and a soul.   There are a ton of varieties to choose from–about 120,000 to be more precise.  So how do you choose?

Well, it isn’t easy, but each rice has its own set of culinary qualities.  Here’s a rundown of those most commonly consumed:

Arborio

My personal favorite. This classic Italian rice is used in dishes like risotto. Arborio has the ability to absorb flavor, and a lovely creamy consistency. It takes on the flavor of your favorite sauces or condiments easily and that makes it twice as yummy.

Basmati

A staple of the Indian diet, basmati is an aromatic long-grain rice, with a hint of roasted nuts.

Black

Black rice hails from China and Thailand. When cooked it turns a dark purple. It has a nice nutty flavor, and retains its firmness when cooked.

Brown

Any variety of rice that has had its husk removed but isn‘t milled is considered brown rice. This rice is chewier, has more nutrients, and takes longer to cook.

Jasmine

This rice is used quite a bit in Thai cooking. Jasmine rice sticks together a bit more than others, and has a nutty, floral scent.

RedRed rice has an earthy flavor and is kind of chewy in consistency. It can also take a bit longer than other varieties to cook.

Sweet

Sweet rice is also known as glutinous rice (minus the gluten–not sure how that works). The grains are both long and short, with a chalky white kernel. Sweet rice often loses its shape, and can get a little sticky and chewy when you cook it.

Wild

Wild rice is actually a seed grown from a type of grass in the United States. A big favorite (and considered a sacred grain) of Native Americans, this rice is actually harvested from a canoe.

This is all very healthy stuff.  And a great way to fill your tummy if you’re on a budget or going meatless.  To take it to the next level, say your own form of grace over rice before eating.  It is a traditional way of giving thanks to the sun, earth and the farmers who grow these grains for the bounty they provide. 

Enjoy and Peace.

Post from: EveryJoe

Rice On: A Great Way to Add Nutrients, Body and Soul

The healing ways of Ayurveda are so plentiful, they can even make getting up in the morning a pleasure.

Try some of these rituals for a lovely, relaxing way to start your day tomorrow. Give them a try and see for yourself. You might even want to make them a part of your daily routine.

As part of its approach, Ayurveda emphasizes the importance of developing morning rituals that help balance your body with nature, and work your doshas. It’s true-building just one of these practices into your daily routine can change the way you experience your day.

-Get up before the sun rises. It’s a simple–and somewhat difficult push for many of us, but the early morning air is believed to possess special qualities and energies. Ayurvedic philosophy holds that Vata energy fills the earth’s atmosphere during pre-dawn hours. And the bonus–if you’ve already awakened your body by the time the sun rises, you’re more than ready to meet the day when the sun comes up.

-Get your body moving. A very soothing Ayurvedic practice is drinking a glass of warm water with a slice of lemon or lime. The warm water wakes up your intestines and tummy. The lemons and limes are high in vitamins and minerals, which can help loosen the toxins in your digestive tract.

-Wake up your face. I don’t know if you’ve noticed it, but waking up your face after a sound night’s sleep can be a challenge. You’re puffy and dehydrated. Ayurveda recommends splashing the face with water. Try seven splashes–seven is an important number, as it represents the number of chakras or energy centers in your body. Well, this does feel good. And I find it a relaxing way to refresh my skin in the morning.

-Douse your eyes. While you’re at it, splash your eyes, too. I’ve actually done this by accident, before trying any type of Ayurvedic practice, and it felt good, even then. Try splashing your open eyes with cool water in the morning. It’s believed to help balance your dosha, and it does wake up your eyeballs. You might even try lukewarm water at first. This feels good, too.

-Eat lightly. Yes breakfast is the most important meal. But according to Ayurveda, morning is the time to get your body exercising and moving, so it’s recommended you eat lightly, maybe some fruit, vegetable juice or yogurt. Some whole grains are always a good choice.

Lovely ways to start your day, and hopefully, rituals that will become day-changers for you too!

Post from: EveryJoe

Good Morning, Sunshine

I don’t know about you, but I don’t have a lot of time to read labels when I shop. But I also don’t want to grab something I just know I won’t eat later, either. Well, hopefully the dash through the grocery aisle will become a lot simpler after today’s announcement that new front-of-pack nutrition labeling (although voluntary) called “Smart Choices” will soon be available on products in grocery stores across the U.S.

The criteria that will determine which products will and will not qualify for the new labeling system were set by a group of scientists, nutritionists and manufacturers, and were built on science-based nutrition data, in hopes of helping Americans make better food and beverage choices.  You’ll see the “Smart Choices” symbol begin to appear next year on products that don’t exceed the standard for “nutrients to limit,” and, for many of the categories of products measured, they must also possess positive qualities like “nutrients to encourage,” or “food groups to encourage.”  Products that do qualify for the new label will also be required to clearly display caloric information on the front of the package. It’s about time!

Not a big surprise, some of the “nutrients to limit” include saturated fat, trans fat, sodium, added sugars and cholesterol.  “Nutrients to encourage” include fiber, potassium, calcium, magnesium and vitamins A, C and E. 

The new initiative was unveiled today at the American Dietetic Association’s Food and Nutrition Conference and Expo.  A lot of major companies say they’re already on board–ConAgra, Kraft, General Mills, Kellogg and even Wal-Mart.  But the products they plan to request for inclusion in the labeling program have yet to be announced.

It’s great to finally see food manufacturers acknowledge how important it is for them to encourage the ravenous American consumers they normally capitalize on to make better life choices.  I hope it becomes the new way to do business.  What a great thing that would be for the universe! It’s so important what we feed our bodies and our minds.  And sometimes we could all use a little help and guidance.

Peace. 

Post from: EveryJoe

New Nutrition Labeling Should Make Healthy Choices Simpler