Eat Like a Yogi

In the Western society, most people tend to think of yoga as a physical practice, when that is actually only one of the components. According to the teachings of the Sivinanda Yoga lineage, the Five Points of Yoga provide the foundation for healthy living:

- Proper Exercise
- Proper Breathing
- Proper Relaxation
- Proper Diet
- Proper Thinking and Meditation

Food is an essential part of our everyday life, but do you think about the food you feed your body? One of the Five Points, Proper Diet, talks about eating with awareness. As a yogi, it is about choosing foods that has a positive effect on the body and mind, while having a least negative effect on the environment. So what better way to showcase this than with a yoga and cooking class? I partnered with Natural Foods Chef Amanda Skrip for Eat Like a Yogi last weekend at the Whole Foods Market Wellness Club, which featured a 45-minute Sivinanda-style class taught by myself, followed by a cooking demo by Amanda. Attendees were treated to samples of the dishes, as well as a goodie-filled bag and a copy of the recipes to try at home.

Healthy meal preperation can seem overwhelming for many of us. Lack of time is also a big factor. Amanda made it seem very easy, while also creating dishes that were nutrient dense, plant-based, and gluten-free. She also showed how to create dishes with two components that many do not know how to cook with - kale and quinoa. After sampling all the dishes, everyone was excited to try out the recipes at home. Not only were the dishes nutritious, but delicious! That is a win all around, in my opinion. Here is what we were treated to:

Kale Salad with Mango, Red Onion + Pepitas
Very refreshing! The addition of mango added color and a nice balance.

Saffron Quinoa with Tomato + Arugula, Vegetable Nori Rolls with Parsnip 'Rice', Peanut Dipping Sauce
Substituting parsnip for sushi rice was genius and still tasty!

Cashew 'Cookie' Energy Bites
This was a huge hit with everyone. A great alternative for a pre-workout snack or a light treat for dessert.

Chia Bowl with Berries + Toasted Coconut
What a great way to incorporate this superfood!

Overall, everyone enjoyed the mash-up of yoga and cooking. Those new to Sivinanda-style yoga appreciated the more meditative practice. Amanda made cooking seem less daunting and enjoyable! You can try out a couple of the recipes and see for yourself. Check out Amanda’s blog for the kale salad and cashew energy bites. Look for future events like this coming your way in the fall!