Summer Sun Repair with Brenda
Duke University recently conducted a clinical study showing the performance of CE Ferulic on human skin. The results of the study reinforce the importance of topical antioxidants to help combat not only the visible signs of photo aging, but also more serious skin conditions. The study shows that CE Ferulic offers appreciable UV protection against DNA damage linked to skin cancer. Previous studies have shown the limitations of using only sunscreen to prevent UV damage. Daily use of CE Ferulic in combination with sunscreen provides superior antioxidant protection from UV radiation to improve skin health and prevent visible signs of damage including fine lines, and wrinkles.

Subtle systems such as Jin Shin Jyutsu or Cranial-Sacral Therapy, when applied with caring hands, quiets the mind, relaxes the body, and soothes the nervous system. This work brings about the awareness of natural rhythms, alleviates pain, and promotes a balanced attitude, which aids in the natural healing process. In these styles of bodywork, practiced over clothing, the therapist targets specific areas of the body to harmonize and restore the energy flow.

September Special:
3 sessions for $210 (to be completed within one month).
Appointments confirmed and pre-paid.

Everyone who attends a yoga class has an intention in mind - a commitment to achieve a specific purpose. The intention might relate to improving health or enhancing physical appearance - or it might be limited to making social contacts. Since only you can bring your intention to reality, as a yoga student it is your responsibility to make your instructor aware of your intention so that they can offer appropriate expertise and support.
Setting an intention is a good starting point. However, staying committed can be a challenge. Your instructor can help you succeed at each stage: first, by making sure you have stated the intention in the most effective way for producing results; and secondly, by encouraging you to use strategies that will support a commitment to your intention.

Set an Effective Intention
Intentions are most effective when they remain broad. An intention that is too specific may be harder to achieve, leading to disappointment. In the beginning stages of setting an intention, try not to get bogged down with how the intention will be accomplished. The details will become apparent in time. If the intention is prematurely specific, the results may be disheartening. On the other hand, if the you sets a broad intention (for example, to improve flexibility and balance), any positive outcome resulting from practice will satisfactorily achieve the intention. This will help encourage you in your practice and stick with your goal. Since life is not predictable, no one can know exactly how an intention will play out. When you focus on the outcome of a very specific intention and fail to realize the desired result, you may decide that exercise is not worth the effort. Holding the big picture and not worrying about the details allows the specifics to unfold within the natural flow of your life.

Focus Attention on the Intention
One of the most effective ways you can stay committed to an intention is to focus attention on the intention as often as possible. This is a useful strategy for keeping an intention in one's consciousness. How? - by thinking about the intention as often as possible. You may require some "attention reminders" to remain focused. For example, imagine that "Zoe" sets the intention to develop healthy eating habits. To remind "Zoe" of her intention when she is around food, she made an index card that says "Eat Mindfully" and places it in front of her plate before each meal. "Zoe" also places a card which says "Choose Mindfully" inside her food pantry and on her refrigerator. She even created a grocery list with "Shop Mindfully" printed at the top.

Imagine How Good It Will Feel
Take a few minutes at the start of each yoga class to imagine what it would feel like to be living your intention right now. This serves two functions. First, the good feelings created when you imagine living your intention right now can be motivating and inspiring. Secondly, it is a reminder of why you are taking yoga in the first place. It will help you stay focused on your body and breathing throughout the class.
While everyone has a purpose in starting a yoga class, how successfully that purpose is realized depends on how effectively the intention is set, and how much attention is paid during the process. You have the opportunity to rely on your instructor to guide you in setting an effective intention and helping you to remain focused on it throughout your yoga practice. Successful realization of an intention is a key element of your yoga practice.

Use compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs).

CFLs are efficient, less expensive, reduce pollution, produce high-quality light, and are versitlie.



Efficient: CFLs are four times more efficient and last up to 10 times longer than incandescents.
Less Expensive: Although initially more expensive, you save money in the long run because CFLs use 1/3 the electricity and last up to 10 times as long as incandescents.
Reduce Air and Water Pollution:
Replacing a single incandescent bulb with a CFL will keep a half-ton of CO2 out of the atmosphere over the life of the bulb.
High-Quality: Newer CFLs give a warm, inviting light instead of the "cool white" light of older fluorescents. They use rare earth phosphors for excellent color and warmth. New electronically ballasted CFLs don't flicker or hum.
Versatile: CFLs can be applied almost everywhere you would use incandescent bulbs.

DID YOU KNOW...
Although commonly thought to be a grain, buckwheat is actually a fruit! Since buckwheat is a fruit seed (related to rhubarb and sorrel), it makes a good gluten- free alternative to grains.

Buckwheat has a distinctive three-cornered tan seed. Buckwheat groats (the hulled kernels) are pale tan and green, and have a milder flavor. Kasha (roasted buckwheat groats) has a deep brown color and a toastier, nuttier flavor. Buckwheat is available in grits and flour, and is used in pancakes, crackers, breads, and other baked goods. Find prepackaged buckwheat in most natural foods or grocery stores. Store it in a cool, dry area in a sealed container - air, moisture, and sunlight can cause the oils to go rancid.

Whole buckwheat is very nutritious. The protein in buckwheat contains all eight essential amino acids and is high in lysine. Buckwheat is high in fiber (1 cup of cooked buckwheat groats contains over 4 grams of dietary fiber). Buckwheat is also rich in many B vitamins as well as phosphorus, magnesium, iron, zinc, copper and manganese. It is a good oil source of alpha-linolenic acid, which is one of the two essential fatty acids we must have to be healthy.

Diets containing buckwheat have been found to lower blood pressure and reduce bad cholesterol. Buckwheat's beneficial effects are due in part to its rich supply of flavonoids, particularly rutin. Flavonoids are phytonutrients that protect against disease by extending the action of vitamin C and acting as antioxidants. Buckwheat's lipid-lowering activity is largely due to rutin and other flavonoid compounds. These compounds help maintain blood flow, keep platelets from clotting excessively, and protect LDL from free radical oxidation into potentially harmful cholesterol oxides. All these actions help to protect against heart disease.

Buckwheat also contains almost 86 milligrams of magnesium in a one-cup serving. Magnesium relaxes blood vessels, improving blood flow and nutrient delivery while lowering blood pressure-the perfect combination for a healthy cardiovascular system. Buckwheat lowers glucose levels and is beneficial for managing diabetes.

Buckwheat Pilaf with Chickpeas
Equally colorful and delicious, this festive dish is perfect for any summer gathering. Buckwheat is one of the ultimate Kapha-balancing foods.
Serves 6

Ingredients

2 C. buckwheat groats	2 T. finely chopped red bell pepper
4 C. filtered water	2 T. finely chopped yellow bell pepper
3 T. ghee or sunflower oil	1 C. cooked chickpeas
1 T. grated ginger	3 T. seedless raisins
2 t. whole cumin seeds	2 T. finely chopped parsley
1 T. curry powder	2 T. finely chopped cilantro
1 C. chopped kale	1 T. Bragg's amino acids
1 C. chopped mustard greens	freshly ground black pepper
3 T. vegetable stock	6 whole lettuce leaves

1. Put the buckwheat in a large saucepan. Plcae the pan over medium heat and cook, stirring continuously, for 5 minutes to toast the groats.

2. Add the water to the saucepan. Raise the heat and bring the water to a boil. Then reduce the ehat and simmer, uncovered, without stirring until the water has been absorbed, about 12 minutes.

3. Heat the ghee or oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Add the ginger and cumin seeds and saute for 3 minutes. Stir in the curry and cook 2 minutes more. Add the kale, mustard greens, peppers, and vegetable stock and cook for 4-5 minutes more.

4. Add the chickpeas, raisins, parsley, cilantro, and Bragg's snd stir well. Continue cooking briefly until all the ingredients are heated through.

5. To serve, arrange the lettuce leaves cupped sides up on a platter or individual serving plates. Spoon the pilaf into the lettuce cups.