Wednesday 18 July 2012

Yoga Meditation 4221 - Yoga for Fat loss


Yoga can help you lose fat.

 (Must be practised carefully and consistently, while paying attention to diet)

        1

        Do the standing side stretch. This is a great exercise to work out the obliques (or sides of your belly) while burning off belly fat. Stand up straight with feet shoulder-width apart with arms at your side. Raise one arm straight up and bend your body from the waist as far to the side as possible. Return to centre and repeat with the opposite arm.

        2

        Do the cat cow  pose. This is a great stretching pose that tightens and tones the abdominal muscles. Get on your hands and knees, positioning them about a foot apart. Look down at your mat to begin with your back is perfectly flat. Inhale and take your gaze towards the ceiling, your belly button towards your mat. Exhale bringing your head down, rounding your spine towards the ceiling, pressing your pelvis forward. Your spine will resemble a dome. Repeat. Hold each position for about two seconds, and repeat about five to 10 times.

        3

        Do the locust pose. Lie flat on your stomach on your yoga mat, extending your arms and legs as far as possible. Lift your arms, chest, head and legs simultaneously, and hold for about two to five seconds, then lower. You can extend your arms out in front of you, or move them around toward your buttocks. This exercise pose engages your abs and fully utilises your ab muscles to burn fat.

        4

        Do the bridge pose. This is a great exercise for burning belly fat and strengthening ab muscles. Lie down flat on your back with your knees bent and your feet about a foot apart. Place your arms close to your side, palms facing down. Exhale and lift your hips off the floor while leaving your head, shoulders and feet on the floor. Hold for about five to 10 seconds, then lower. Do about 10 to 15 reps.

        5

        Do yoga crunches. Lie down on your back on a yoga mat. You can lift your hips, place your hands under your sacrum, palms facing down. Face the souls of your feet to the ceiling as you raise your legs. Using your abdominal muscles, lift your legs up toward the ceiling, lifting your buttocks about two or three inches off your hands. Do 15 to 20 reps about three times a week.

All yoga poses are best practised with a Yoga Instructor.



Disclaimer:
Before attempting any of these stretches seek advise from your doctor. We can not and will not be responsible for any injury caused by your attempt to exercise following these instructions.


Wednesday 4 July 2012

Yoga Meditation Studio 4221 - Delicious Raw Carrot Cake Recipe


Super Food Packed Raw Vegan Carrot Cake Recipe 

*Recipe By : Crystal Bruneau Hacienda Del Sol Retreat Center'
- Makes 10 – 12 servings

2 cups almonds
1/12 cups pitted soft dates
2 cups raisins
4 cups carrot pulp
1 tablespoon cinnamon
1 ½ tablespoons fresh ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon cardamom
1 tablespoon lemon zest
1 tablespoon orange zest
pinch sea salt
½ cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Lemon Frosting (to top the vegan carrot cake recipe)

1 ½ cups whole raw cashews
1 cup agave nectar

1 tablespoon maca

1 cup dried coconut

1 cup orange juice
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon lemon Zest
1 tablespoon vanilla

Making This super food packed Vegan Carrot Cake

To make the cake batter: Soak the raisins and the dates, in separate bowls each in 1 ½ cup water for 5-10 minutes to soften. Drain the soak water and set aside.

Using a juicer, juice about 20 carrots in order to acquire the 4 cups of carrot pulp needed and drink the carrot juice ?

In the vita-mix grind the almonds into a fine mill. Add the dates and one cup of the raisins and grind until you have a smooth paste. In a large bowl, mix with the carrot pulp, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, lemon zest, orange zest, sea salt and walnuts, and the remaining one-cup of raisins.

To make the frosting: Soak the cashews in 2 cups fresh water for 30 minutes. Drain and rinse.

In a food processor or a vita-mix blender, grind the dried coconut into a powder and set aside. Blend the cashews; agave nectar and ½ cup of the date soak water, orange juice, lemon juice, lemon zest, and vanilla until smooth. Add a touch more of the date soak water if necessary to aid in blending. Add powdered coconut and blend well. It may be necessary to help the blending along by scraping the sides of the blender with a rubber spatula and continue to blend. Allow to stand in the refrigerator if necessary to thicken.

Put the Super Food Vegan Carrot Cake Recipe Together

To layer the cake: Split the cake batter in half. Line a serving platter with plastic wrap or waxed paper. Press half of the dough into an even circle. Slip pressed dough on plastic wrap or waxed paper off the platter. Press the remaining dough directly on the platter into an even circle for the bottom layer spread just less than half of the frosting on the bottom layer leaving a 1-inch border. Delicately flip over the layer on the plastic wrap or waxed paper onto the frosted layer. Re-shape any mishaps and smooth the sides. Spoon the remaining frosting on top of the cake and spread evenly over the top and sides.
If you wish, this cake can be prepared into one layer. Press the cake dough into an even circle on a serving platter, and frost evenly.

For best results, allow chilling and setting in the fridge for one hour or more. Stencils can be used to create designs. Cut starts, hearts, and spirals out of cardboard and lay on the cake before sifting, or sprinkle with ground almonds and cinnamon.


Be brave and have a go at making this. Looks Delish ...!