Om Hop Yoga

This Christmas...

This Holiday season, whether we are Christian, Muslim, Jewish, atheist, Baha'i, or any other religion, faith or value-system, may we all find time to look into our hearts and discover or rediscover their tenderness and love.  We all too rarely take the time to reflect on what we truly need, deep inside of us, to feel fulfilled, free and at peace.  It's all part of us.  If we allow ourselves to sit quietly without any distractions or even just to pause for a brief moment when we're surrounded by our family, friends and people we love and notice the state of our being at that moment, we can learn what we're missing and help cultivate it.  

When searching for an inspirational and thought-provoking quote to help further illuminate my thoughts, I found a truly beautiful one that also resonates so well for this season.  It is by the son of the Founder of the Baha'i faith, Abdu'l-Baha. [If you'd like to learn more about the beautiful Baha'i faith you can start here www.bahai.com]

"My home is the home of peace. My home is the home of joy and delight. My home is the home of laughter and exultation. Whosoever enters through the portals of this home, must go out with gladsome heart." - Abdu'l-Baha

For me, Christmas-time has always reminded me to retreat and ponder.  For you it may be Hanukkah, the unfolding New Year, the Winter solstice, or simply the spirited coming together for the holidays.  Whatever it is, let yourself take a moment to reflect on how peaceful, delightful, joyful, welcoming and caring your "home" is. Let it be as pure and truthful as the spirit of this season.  

Wishing you all a warm, joyful and peaceful Holiday!  

Juicing with a Vitamix

Last month, I was sick with a fever and chills for an entire week and by the 3rd day a green juice light bulb popped over my head - I realized my Vitamix could yield a wonderful juice and I actually did not need a juicer!  Not sure why my brain had blocked this obvious idea before, but perhaps there's a perfect time for everything and I wasn't ready for this incredible possibility before.  That week I began to make green juices with our Vitamix to get as many vitamins, antioxidents, and virus fighting nutrients in my body as I could and doing so first thing in the morning, after a night of fasting, felt like a brilliant idea.  While a smoothie would have been wonderful as well, my body needed as much hydration as possible.  Also, adding all the ingredients into a blender versus a juicer I retained all that wonderful fiber that would have otherwise been discarded. 

So, whether you're sick or just craving a healthy, nutritious and hydrating juice that will give your immune system a boost, here's a wonderful recipe:

Ingredients:

1/2 cup frozen blueberries/ strawberries

1 cup chopped parsley

3 leaves of kale or swiss chard

Juice of 1 lime or 1/2 lemon 

1 teaspon honey

3/4 to 1 cup water 

Optional: 

1 table spoon blueberry powder

1/4 cup organic unsweetened cranberry juice

 

Directions

Put all ingredients in the blender, blend for 30 seconds, et voila!  

 

To your health!

 

 

 

unsolicited encouragement

I received an unexpected complement not too long ago.  It was one of those that felt so incredibly genuine.  Isn't it that the unexpected ones that so seamlessly enter into a conversation are the most penetrating?  How often do we engage in an activity or project that is incredibly meaningful to us, but for which we may have doubts or reservations?  One little unsolicited complement that comes directly from the heart can turn those reservations right around and make us feel whole again.  I didn't even realize how much I needed to hear my friend's words until she said them.  It encouraged me to keep striving and made me see that others find meaning in what I do.   

Moments like these are blessings.  They're little reminders that we are being true to ourselves and that we are on the right path.  Notice the next time someone gives you such an unsolicited complement for something you may have been struggling with.  Tune into how it makes you feel, it's genuine disposition.  How palpable is it?  I'm going to hold on to the feeling of this one for as long as I can.  It was unbelievably uplifting.  Thank you Natalya.