Anu Kaur: What is yoga therapy? And what type of yoga therapy do you teach?

Dilip Sarkar, MD: Yoga therapy is a state of empowering an individual toward wellness and health by the application of the philosophy and practice of yoga. The philosophy we teach is “Yoga Sutra of Patanjali” and the practice is “Patanjali Ashtanga Yoga.”

AK: As an advocate of yoga, how do feel yoga changes a person physically, mentally and spiritually?

DS: Yoga by definition is the union of the mind-body-spirit. It cures a disease and maintains health through self-realization. You look inside yourself, atman darshan (introspection), and observe what is bothering you and hurting you. Yoga tradition believes that, you are the cause and cure of your disease. By doing yoga, you achieve overall wellness and protect yourself against the progression of disease.

AK: How should conventional medicine and integrative medicine play a role in people’s lives?

DS: Traditionally, chronic diseases are first diagnosed in the acute phase, and that is when we start our customary evidence-based medicine of tests and treatment. By also incorporating integrative medicine into evidence-based medicine, we can add personal lifestyle modification to the treatment of disease. In time, if that personal lifestyle modification helps, then your doctor can cut down or take off pharmaceutical medicines slowly.

AK: Given your 40 years of experience in conventional medicine and extensive knowledge of integrative medicine, where do you see society headed in this information-filled world?

DS: The evidence-based physician is looking for and finding more and more data and information about integrative medicine. I believe that conventional physicians are going to change their modalities, in particular in chronic disease, because we have failed in the treatment of chronic disease arena.

A beautiful example of the integration of Western and traditional medicine is this: In the 1920s, the Chinese government began to accept Western medicine and ignoring traditional Chinese medicine. In the 1950s, new political forces who were pushing for universal health care did not have enough Western-trained physicians in the country, so the government relied again on traditional Chinese practitioners, putting them back into practice. Both the systems became integrated, as is evidence today. For any acute health care issue in China today is treated with Western medicine, and chronic health care issues are treated with traditional Chinese medicine.

AK: Any last bit of advice to our readers?

DS: Lifestyle modification is more powerful than taking medication. Lifestyle modification is a strong but slow medicine, so people need to stick to it. Remember, body, mind and spirit are not protocol-driven. It is an individualized response that can take up to six weeks or up to six months, depending on what is happening for the individual.

What Type of Yoga Workshop Would You Like to Attend?

Savor the Moment

Are you so busy that you multi-task in all areas of your life, including your eating habits? Functioning at maximum level, how many of us have eaten lunch in front of the computer or in the car, skipped a meal or inhaled something that our taste buds did not even catch? Is your schedule packed with meetings, chores, deadlines and social obligations? Have you ever found yourself in front of the candy dish at work without even remembering walking to it? Maybe you actually do sit down and have a meal, but you’re so preoccupied while eating that you still don’t taste the food.

If that is the case, mindfulness can be a wonderful tool to begin using in your life. Mindfulness is the opposite of being on autopilot. In today’s busy, information-loaded world, multi-tasking has become the accepted norm and eating is no exception. However, mindless and unaware eating can have an effect on us, both psychologically and physically—and eventually takes a toll on our body and overall quality of life.

More and more research is showing that mindfulness can play a role in managing stress, depression, anxiety and medical conditions such as heart disease, obesity and disordered eating. The beauty of mindfulness is that it is simple and available to you at all times.

What is Mindful Eating?
As babies we eat instinctively—in other words, we eat when we’re hungry. Over time most of us train ourselves to eat in response to certain emotional or environmental cues, which have us reaching for food even if we’re not hungry. Mindful eating is about understanding why and how you eat, and it means approaching eating with patience, acceptance and trust.

To practice mindful eating, do a quick assessment of how hungry you are before you start to chow down on the food in front of you, whether it be a bag of Doritos or a gourmet meal. Remember to neutrally observe yourself as you eat and acknowledge how full you are when you are done eating. You always have a choice in how much you eat.

Tips for Mindful Eating*

1. Arrive. Come to your meal and eat in a specific place. Acknowledge that you are eating.

2. Check in. Ask the simple question: Am I hungry and if so, how hungry? This helps you learn to eat until you are full, rather than until the food is gone.

3. Slow down. Take the time to eat and appreciate the food. The entire experience can be completely different from when you’re eating quickly.

4. Be curious. Think about the food you eat and where it comes from. A healthy dose of gratitude for each grain of rice can affect us.

5. Savor. Take pleasure in eating. Food is not just about calories or restricting them. Rather, it is about pausing and soaking it all in.

*Reference:  The Center for Mindful Eating

Mindful hunger checks allow you to make choices with awareness. Notice the sensation of satiety or fullness. How does it feel to be overly full versus two-thirds full? When it comes to healthy eating, satiety cues, such as feeling a slight stretch to the stomach, feeling energetic and feeling satisfied, are just as important as hunger cues like hunger pain, irritability and poor concentration.

We all have unique triggers for mindless eating; acknowledging personal triggers (fatigue, boredom, watching TV) and coming up with an alternative can minimize mindless emotional eating.  To get more tips on Mindful Eating and learn how I used mindfulness in my own life read the full article as featured in ABCDlady Wellness Section.

The Power to Transform

Mindful eating helps uncover parts of ourselves that we usually bypass as we rush through our day focusing on either the past or the future. Mindfulness is about the present, and mindful eating is the opportunity to enjoy your eating experience at a new level.

Consider mindfulness as you start 2010 and see what personal discoveries come your way. I eventually realized I didn’t like sweets as much as I enjoy crunchy and light savories. Who knew? I discovered this preference once I gave myself permission to slow down.

Ultimately mindful eating is about your life attitude. Do you choose to be present in the moment and enjoy the food that nourishes you? The gift of mindful eating is to give you a richer experience. Over time, the practice of mindfulness seeps into the rest of your life. Enjoy this New Year’s gift and share your experience with us.

What Have You Mindfully Eaten?

Dilip Sarkar, MD

Dr. Dilip Sarkar is one of the healthiest vascular surgeons in Portsmouth, Virginia. He exercises, eats right and gets regular check-ups. He doesn’t smoke, have no traditional risk factors and doesn’t have a family history of heart disease.

While no one expects to have a heart attack, Sarkar was completely unprepared for the heart attack he suffered on his 52nd birthday. He narrates his experience and begins the story of how he transformed his life.

Dilip Sarkar: It was my operating day. I still remember it was a Wednesday. I had just completed 7 or 8 surgeries and had come home. I was not feeling well (unexplained fatigue) but I did not have any classic symptoms of a heart attack, such as chest pain or shortness of breath. When I shared my discomfort with my wife she said that I looked tired and that I “must be over worked.” A family friend came for my birthday dinner that evening and I could not eat properly during the meal. My friend also said, “You must be overworked.”

After my friend left, I checked my pulse and it was high. As a physician, I knew it was a cardiovascular issue. My wife told me to call a physician, which I did. My cardiologist friend was waiting for me at the hospital when I got there. He took my EKG and told me I was having a heart attack. He took me right in for a coronary angiogram, which showed triple vessel disease. The doctor recommended coronary artery bypass surgery, which was performed two days later.

From that moment, something changed inside me. I have always been a spiritual person. But at that moment after surgery I said to God, “Have it as you will.” I had to surrender to him. I had been one of the busiest surgeons in town, yet when I came back home after my operation I decided I was not going to go back to work part time, as suggested by my cardiologist.

This experience had me questioning, “Why me? What is next in my life?” My cardiologist had told me after the surgery that I did not possess any risk factors for a future heart attack, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, etc. Therefore, the remedy was not in medication (to control the risk factors), but rather in learning to control the mind and the stress of daily life. I wondered what else should I do since all of my life I had studied science and medicine.

New Life

So I decided to take a different approach and look to alternative and spiritual remedies for health and wellness. I met an Ayurvedic practitioner who told me, “We will use food as medicine.” So I had my dietetic consultation from this Ayurvedic practioner, which introduced me to the discipline of Ayurveda.

At the same time, my mother-in-law, a retired professor of history in India, shared her experience of yoga asana (postures) and pranayam (the science of breathing) with me. She herself had become a Swami Ram Dev certified teacher and was teaching to groups in India. She suggested that I also incorporate yoga asana and pranayam into my recovery, along with the medications and dietetic consultations.

I looked at yoga asana and pranayam video by Swami Ram Dev and I was sold. Immediately I started to practice yoga as therapy and began to study Ayurvedic nutrition and cooking. It took me six years to learn about these alternative and complementary therapies. In the meantime, I downsized my lifestyle. My wife and I moved out of a large family home and bought a condominium. I was not working, but my recovery was going fairly well. Eventually, this new lifestyle of integrating Ayurveda, yoga asana and pranayam resulted in improvement in my organ functions. My cardiac stress test was improving. My doctors took me off the beta-blockers and eventually, took me off most of my medications.

I have literally used food as my medicine and still do, by balancing my diet through Ayurvedic principles. I currently do not take any medicine. What I do instead is daily yoga asana and pranayam in the morning for about 1 ½ to 2 hours. I supplement this with weight training and treadmill activities every other day. However, more importantly, I live a yogic lifestyle. I have mind control and my body is relaxed. According to Ayurvedic thinking, if the body and mind are relaxed, then food is properly digested because digestion is a complex process of mind, body and spirit. If one is not relaxed in mind, body and spirit then food is not holistically digested and more toxins are produced, which becomes the root cause of disease.

Stay tuned for Part II and learn more about Dr. Sarkar’s new lifestyle.

As you enjoy the holidays and gear up for 2010…

How Do You Want to Relax Your Mind and Body?

It could have something to do with the how snug your jeans feel around your tummy. Or, it could be the fact that you are too tired to exercise after work, taking care of the kids, or any of the things for which you are now responsible as an adult. It could be your blood pressure rising as you get stressed out about the traffic, work deadlines or the many small annoyances that trigger stress. Perhaps it could be abnormal cholesterol levels of which you are unaware because you haven’t gone for your physical in a while. It could even be a family history of diabetes and your current lifestyle that makes you a bit more prone to heart disease.

All or any one of these risk factors are little red flags to remind us to check that our daily habits align with our desire to be healthy.

Daily eating, exercising and stress management habits determine how healthy our heart will be. Lifestyle is a powerful tool. Many of us with busy lives just do not prioritize food or exercise. It is the first thing to give if we have a lot to accomplish that day. Exercise helps you not only lose weight or maintain a healthy weight but also can improve cholesterol levels and arterial wall damage. The best part? Exercise is also a stress reliever.

So what does it take to live healthier while eating food you like? Acknowledging our personal pitfalls can be a great start.

Common Pitfalls

Yes, many people love to celebrate with food. The fact is we often associate socializing with “special occasion foods,” which in most cases are high in saturated fat.

The cost of food indulgence may eventually lead to cholesterol-lowering medications, symptoms such as fatigue and chest pain and really just not feeling well enough to do all the things you used to enjoy doing. It may not happen today or tomorrow but eventually it can catch up with you.

Many of also eat or exercise differently on the weekends and weekdays. Weekends are when the parties happen and our portions tend to expand. Unhealthy eating habits might not just be about what you are eating but how much and how often you are eating.

All or any one of these risk factors are little red flags to remind us to check that our daily habits align with our desire to be healthy.

Risk Factors for Heart Disease

- High Blood Pressure

- Smoking

- Physical Inactivity

- Dyslipidemia (abnormal cholesterol levels)

- Diabetes – Peripheral Insulin Insensitivity

- Increased Body Fat (Especially upper body waist obesity)

The secret to eating heart healthy is to make gradual changes and try adding more of your favorite fish, fruits and vegetables. Relinquish the “feast or famine” mentality and see how eating moderately at parties and on the weekend makes you feel. Heart healthy eating does not need to be all or nothing. Small steps can eventually lead to big results!

Visit ABCD Lady, an on-line magazine for the original full article and more tips for eating Heart Healthy Indian food.

What is Your Favorite South Asian Indian Dish?

I went on to buy freshly picked figs from the farm.  Do I do things like this usually?  No.  Would I like to buy straight from the farm more often? Absolutely. It felt like I was taking my first baby steps into the Slow Food Movement. I am starting to become more in touch with where my food comes from and how it is produced.

It felt so nice to see where a pumpkin — or any food for that matter — starts out and really appreciate the work that goes into the food we eat. To realize that it takes time for a vegetables to grow before you can harvest, and get food on a plate was a small moment of wonder.

I was so motivated by my experience with the pumpkins, that when I saw Brussels sprouts on a stalk, I decided to buy them even though I had to no idea how to cook them.  After two days of the stalk taking up a whole shelf in the refrigerator, my husband asked me gingerly if I was planning on cooking them any time soon. I decided to search for some recipes.

It took two minutes to snap all the Brussels sprouts off the vine, 5 minutes to steam and 5 minutes to sauté 1 pound of Brussels sprouts.   I was out of thyme so I substituted with McCormick’s Greek Seasoning and enjoyed my Brussels sprouts with a slice of Greek Z-Pizza. The next day, I tossed some chilled Brussels sprouts on my salad and was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked this new vegetable – and appreciated all it took to get to my plate.

Anu’s Brussels Sprouts Recipe

1 teaspoon olive oil

½ Tablespoon of Butter

2 cups trimmed and Steamed Brussels sprouts

½ teaspoon of McCormick Greek Seasoning or Thyme

Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat.  Add Greek Seasoning or Thyme and steamed Brussels sprouts; sauté 5 minutes.  Add ¼ cup water, salt and pepper.  Cover for a two minutes or until tender.  Eat as a side or toss into a green salad and enjoy.

What Have You Bought Directly from the Farm?

Maryam, Yoga Instructor

Maryam was born in Iran and came to the US when she was 6 years old. She grew up in the Reston/Northern Virginia area and was exposed to art through her father, Nasser Ovissi, a living legend of Contemporary Iranian art.

Maryam studied Art Management and opened a gallery dedicated to Iranian-American Art Gallery in California.   She is an artist who now co-owns the amazing yoga studio, Beloved Yoga, in Reston, Virginia.  As she describes it “a place for people to just do yoga.”  Maryam is not new to the fitness world.  Maryam and her husband are also the owners of Kamp Pendleton Personal Training Studio.

I had the pleasure of spending some time with her at the delightful and refreshing Cafe Sano in Reston.  I discovered a place that locals enjoy and got a glimpse of Reston’s lake culture.

AK: Tell us more about your own yoga practice, how that started for you and eventually led you to opening a yoga studio?

MO: My path to yoga started when a friend of mine, Simin, planted the seed in 1999 by asking me to go to a private yoga class with her when I lived in Northern California. I was intrigued and started my yoga training with a Yogafit’s weekend training and went on to do a lot of self-study. I decided in 2001 that I really wanted to find a teacher and eventually found a teacher, Bhekaji and began studying with her. I began teaching at the YMCA in Reston in 2001 and met my current co-founder of Beloved Yoga, Odisa there.

AK: How do you feel yoga changes a person physically, mentally & spiritually?

MO: Yoga means union. Yoga forces you to face the idea of union. You create union with your breath, body, mind, and eventually with your spirit/divinity. Yoga brings it all together. If you stick with the unity in yourself it allows you to become one with your body. When you face the idea of union it challenges you physically and mentally. You have to be present and be careful to notice your dialogue with yourself.

AK: How did it feel to enter into this lifestyle and career change of owning a yoga studio?

MO: I have always been spiritual. I could finally bring it all together with a yoga studio. In this society we compartmentalize. The practice of yoga eventually comes off the mat and into your daily life.

AK: What did you intend or want Beloved Yoga to be and offer to people?

MO: A place to do yoga. We weren’t trying to open the best yoga studio. We told ourselves we would be perfectly happy if we had 1 person in a class or 10 people in a class. We just wanted a place to do yoga. We went with the more urban style of passes because both Odisa and I are moms and we wanted to be flexible. It has been a blessing and we recognize we did not do this alone.

AK: What recommendations do you have for others who want to be their “own greatest teacher?”

MO: To just get quiet. Stop talking. Spend time with silence. You can study with teachers and books but spend some time with the divine also. It starts with just one minute of breathing and silence. Or it starts with even just looking at something that is beautiful. When you are a parent you don’t have two hours. Sprinkle silence into your day. I also recommend that every few months you allow for some time to gather yourself.

AK: Any recommendations for those toying with the idea of starting a yoga class?
What should one consider or look for in a yoga class or studio?

MO: Well, there is this book, Teaching Yoga that says, “ A good teacher will bring out the teacher within.” A yoga teacher is a guide that challenges you not from a place of fear but from a place of empowerment. Start with a beginner’s yoga class.  You can find a yoga class everywhere now, the gym, the YMCA, at work, etc.   Just be open-minded and don’t think you know what yoga is. It is useful to look at the teacher’s training, see if they are seasoned and if you have injuries be sure to communicate that with your yoga teacher.

AK: So far what have been your favorite life/yoga experiences?

MO: Seeing how to overcome adversity. Being kind when someone isn’t. Being loving when someone isn’t. What I admire in a teacher is courage to believe in something and say it and not always be politically correct.

AK: Any last Bit of Advice to our Readers?

MO: The world of yoga is a big world – there are many paths and there is no one path that is the best. There are many paths, Iyenger, Ashtanga, Vinyasa, etc. So try and see what you find best for you. Yoga comes from necessity and is the art of living and breathing.

Come visit Beloved Yoga to see some of Maryam’s own art and try a drop-in class $16 or $8 on Sundays at the Reston location)

Beloved Yoga
Maryam & Odisa
Owner/Yoga Teacher
www.belovedyoga.com

What Type of Yoga Class Have You Enjoyed or Would Like to Try?

]]> http://www.anuhealthyyou.com/blog/2009/10/a-yoga-instructors-perspective/feed/ 1 http://www.anuhealthyyou.com/blog/2009/10/three-mealing-planning-tips/ http://www.anuhealthyyou.com/blog/2009/10/three-mealing-planning-tips/#comments Tue, 13 Oct 2009 03:47:07 +0000 Anu Kaur http://www.anuhealthyyou.com/blog/?p=1569

A kitchen is like a favorite soft t-shirt; it feels better the more you use it. Settling into your kitchen can take a bit of trial and error as you figure out the ergonomics that will best fit your needs. Learning the key place to keep your favorite sharp knife so you can quickly dice onions and vegetables and toss them into the pan while the cumin sizzles or placing your spices within arm’s reach as your prepare a meal in under 30 minutes after work can take a bit of customization.

The kitchen is an amazing space in many ways. When guests come over, they all congregate here, no matter how beautiful your living room or how much seating is available elsewhere. The warmth of your kitchen draws people to it and ultimately to the nourishment it can provide. It is the part of the home where tantalizing aromas are created and waft through the hallway and into rooms, beckoning everyone to inquire, “What’s cooking?”

The responsibility of cooking for two (or more) is peppered with the reconciling of tastes. He likes it spicy; you like it bland. She says coconut curry; you say no way. Where do you start when blending tastes, coordinating schedules and dividing daily responsibilities? Awareness and planning can make all the difference.

As a dietitian, I have found that healthy eating for couples and families ultimately revolves around three main things: the menu, shopping and prep. One of the most useful things is acknowledging what you don’t like because then figuring out what you do like is easier. Having said that, here are a few things to consider:

The Menu…

Plan a menu with variety. Are you a beans and rice gal at heart while your partner prefers Thai food? Most of us have been exposed to many cuisines growing up. As you plan your menu for the month, week or next few days, consider cuisines that you both will enjoy. Not sure? Ask your partner and take the few minutes to discover both of your favorite foods. Having a game plan is a must in watching your pocketbooks and waistlines.

The Shopping…

Designate a grocery day. As planned as this may feel for you creative souls, this one simple decision has helped many of my clients enjoy the process of grocery shopping rather than being overwhelmed or annoyed by it. Choose your grocery day and time but, of course, be flexible when life and work happen. Having a backup grocery day can be a lifesaver or utilizing online grocery shopping services, such as Peapod, may be an option that works better for you. To avoid buying junk food, be sure to pick a time of day when you are not hungry.

The Prep…

Manage your time. It is just as important to manage your time in the kitchen as it is at work. Knowing how long it will take to prepare something can save a lot of frustration down the line. Also be sure to keep cushion time for when you try new recipes. If you lead a busy life or are new to cooking, try to choose recipes that can be made within 30 minutes. As you build familiarity with dishes, the process will become faster.

Meal planning doesn’t have to be elaborate or lengthy. It could be as simple as jotting down what you both like to eat. If planned right, grocery shopping can become an adventure as you discover new ingredients. And preparation is best appreciated when both parties are involved. If you manage your kitchen efficiently and take ownership (which includes healthy delegation), you may find it pays you back in the kindest of ways. And perhaps, just perhaps, the pleasant call of “What’s cooking?” will give you pride and personal satisfaction, as you play a major role in helping yourself and your family stay healthy.

Visit ABCD lady, a magazine for the American Born Confident Desi for the full article and more meal planning tips.

What’s Your Favorite Meal to Cook?

Anu Kaur, MS, RD, - Emerging Dietetic Leader

“This is a relatively new award that is intended to honor a Virginia member who shows great promise in their early career to move our profession and association forward… [Anu Kaur] has been described as a pioneer of the “whole-person” approach in which she employs the values and practices of East and West philosophy to focus on the mind-body-spirit. A unique aspect of her business is “Tea Time With The Dietitian” in which she conducts home nutrition parties by sharing a cup of tea (preferably “chai”) with the host and guests while discussing nutrition topics in a casual, intimate setting… Anu’s mission is authentically connecting with people and guiding the process of mindful changes in daily living.”

I’ve been familiar with the VDA, but when I received this award it occurred to me that it is a great resource for my readers as well. If you want to find out how to get in touch with a dietitian in the state of Virginia and learn more about the profession, then the VDA is a great place to start.  Find people out there who can give you guidance on eating healthier and get some one-to-one time with a nutrition health professional.

The America Heart Association recommends a diet high in monounsaturated fat and low in saturated fat (7% or less of your caloric intake) because this diet helps decrease LDL (the bad cholesterol) without reducing the good cholesterol, HDL.  Olive oil is coveted for it’s monounsaturated fat and is one of the main ingredients of the Mediterranean Diet.  A serving of olive oil, 1 tablespoon, is made up of  77% monounsaturated fat, making it one of nature’s greatest natural resource of monounsaturated fat.   Like other oils, olive oil also has saturated fat (14%) but is less then what is found in other fats, such as butter and palm kernel oil.

We know olive oil is good for us but what type olive oil should one buy?   We have so many choices…extra virgin, virgin, light, lite, pure, or refined.  I often hear questions like:  Which type of olive oil would be lower in calories?  Which one can I use for frying, baking, and drizzling?

If you see the terms, “light, lite, pure, or refined” it does not mean that a serving of this olive oil is lower in calories.  The terminology instead is referring to the treatment of the olives to make the oil and indicates that chemicals and heat have been used to treat the olives.  These oils as a result typically don’t have a heavy aroma but they have less beneficial phytochemicals like polyphenols and antioxidants, like vitamin E, found in olive oil.  

Extra virgin oil refers to the first press oil of the crushed olive and it does have a stronger taste.  According to olive oil aficionados and the Italian government it tastes better too.  Since extra virgin olive oil has not been chemically or heat treated it has a higher content of polyphenols and other nutrients.   The only voluntary guidelines to ensure the quality of extra virgin oil in the US is currently through the California Olive Oil Council, COOC (a non-profit) which has a Seal of Quality stamp indicating it is certified extra virgin olive oil and laboratory tested following COOC’s guidelines.

I suppose taste and aroma are preferences but there is that piece of more phytochemicals and antioxidants in extra virgin oil.  I know the die-hard Neapolitan 2 Amy’s Pizzeria in the Washington DC area was formally recognized by the Italian government for it’s use of “legally permitted” ingredients, including extra virgin olive oil, to create an authentic Neapolitan pizza in the US.  Needless to say, the type of olive oil used is serious business to many.

Although I am not obsessed with the nuances of extra virgin olive oil I have found some that really do enhance my food, even the likes of simple scrambled eggs.  Are you ready to explore different varieties of extra-virgin olive oils with COOC seal of approval from on-line places like We Olive?   Start with the smaller olive oil bottles because you really don’t want to keep your fine extra virgin olive oil alone on the shelf.  Better use and savor then barely use and save.

Try the simple 2 Amys peeled and sliced orange, red onion, olives and chives salad drizzled with a touch of extra virgin olive oil of choice and perhaps top with shavings of dry Jack cheese.  Tired?  Whip out extra virgin olive oil and use it as a simple dip for roasted asparagus or drizzled over a baked potato instead of sour cream or butter and add a dash of freshly ground black pepper.

Life is about variety and balance and that that holds true for any equipped pantry.  Having a combination olive oil (one that is simply a blend of extra virgin and regular olive oil) or a straight olive oil does work for sautéing or frying since it does have a higher smoke point (410º F) than virgin or extra virgin oils.  It is a better choice (and usually cheaper) for the occasional deep frying.  Falafels anyone?

What Olive Oil Do You Use & How Do You Store It?

How absolutely beautiful it looked on the small crystal platter next to the smoked salmon.  Enticed with its beauty and delicacy I put the entire wedge in one big swipe into my watering mouth.

My lips puckered and my tongue recoiled from the tartness that hit all four sides of my mouth as I devoured the Mexican staple!  I had been duped by the simple lime without its rind.

The green lime, precisely speaking, the Citrus aurantifolia, with its yellow undertones, is the pinnacle of loveliness when it ripens to its full green color.  Rolled with the palm of the hand, to let its juices willingly flow, it is an appreciated accent to entrees and beverages such as the likes of Ceviche and Cuban Mojitos.  As far as a straight shot goes – well I suppose that is a personal preference.

However, my favorite use of the lime is in water and and my Trader Joe’s non-alcoholic Mojito drink.  As someone who experiences headaches and fatigue on days when I drink too little water throughout the day I am always looking for ways to enjoy the most important unsung nutrient, WATER.

I believe that the majority of people would experience a significant boost in their energy if they drank water consistently every hour or at least every few hours.  The Nutrition Twins and other Registered Dietitians know that water is one sure fire way to improve your metabolism and lose weight.  The trick is to create a habit of drinking water in a way that appeals to your taste-buds.

Three Ways Water Can Taste Better

1.  Drink Water with Fruit- this can change the basic taste of water.  My favorite cafes will have orange slices added to the water which provides an aromatic and flavorful taste.

2.  Drink Water with Vegetables – Red Door Spas give their guests water that has been imbued with cucumbers for an hour or so (and then removed).  Extremely refreshing.

3.  Take Water with Herbs – Try this Refreshing Mojito version below and enjoy the mint.

Anu’s Refreshing Mojito Drink (non-alcoholic)

Ingredients

1/2 cup Trader Joe’s Sparkling Mojito Drink (sweeten already)

1/2 cup Trader Joe’s Blu Italy Sparkling Mineral Water with Lime

3 quarters of fresh lime

1-2 sprig of mint

ice

Directions

In your favorite tall glass combine the lime and mint.  Mash/muddle together with a wooden spoon.

Add the Sparkling TJ Mojito and TJ Sparkling Water.  Stir everything together.

(If you can’t find the TJ’s Sparkling Mojito you can make your own simple syrup and add 1 Tbsp to your Mojito.  Use 1 cup of sparkling water in that case).

Add ice, top with an extra sprig of mint and wedge of lime.

Sip tenderly and enjoy the fireworks.

Happy Fourth of July!

What’s Your Favorite Way to Enjoy Water?