paulcats02

Hey, I resemble that remark. Actually without humor, especially self-defacing humor, I find life too heavy a weight to bear... Humor aside, I think the appeal of a magic pill is high... but for the long term, it's about living a lifestyle that has both discipline (to stay active doing things hopefully we like or even better we love or we do just because, and to eat healthy & nutritious and delicious or just healthy & nutritious and edible) and mindfulness (for what when and how we go on and off that path). I'll admit I have taken "substances" (such as coffee, protein powder, creatine, amino acids, chromium, garcinia, hoodia, etc) prior to working out for something extra but the idea of a pill that allows you to not work out and that allows you to eat with reckless abandon, imo, is kind of a hollow victory; it's like making a mega-huge salary for doing a job you really really can't stand; more likely it's a scam and or a sham (*you have to exercise & eat sensibly which on it's own may be enough or as above mentioned, by cubby, there are adverse side effects that aren't even known yet). In any event, the former I'd do again (coupling nutritional supplements with exercise/eating style) but the latter (the "do nothing" magic bullet) ain't me; not today and probably not tomorrow, either.

i often wonder with studies, who is doing them and what their "agenda" is. for example, soy: soy manufacturers will look at results one way including favorable results and not disclosing unfavorable while beef or dairy producers will flip the script. it's hard to find unbiased scientific holistic studies is what i am saying. and regarding carb feeding or any dietary style for that matter i wonder if the most important variable that is the trump card is the person and their individuality: in this case, metabolism, or in other cases, food allergies, intolerance or sensitivity.

i often wonder, and this may be a good poll to run, do certain forum members not read certain other members posts because of reasons like the above (which is their personal freedom to do so) but is unfortunate because every once in a while somebody may change their tune or maybe within the "same thing" or ranting and raving... may lie a jewel of an idea. let us not forget we are dynamic not static beings! furthermore, how many members just post their reply to original thread starter post and not even read any of the other posts? anyway, i don't want to go too far off topic here... so back to oats: sometimes i throw them into shakes to bump up their fiber. i also wonder rolled oats vs steel cut, what are the benefits? last but not least: soaked and sprouted, soaked and cooked, cooked from dry, or blended from dry? i usually do the latter 2 but am interested in the soaking approach in general and looking forward to try at some time...

you know that's where it's at: awareness... of how the body works, how we breathe, how we move, how we eat, how we rest... in a nutshell, how we live Namaste

yeah, teachers rock! i prefer to take class with the interactivity of a teacher and the collective energy of the yogis & yoginis present but that doesn't always work out due to time & schedule. still with technology today, it's amazing; one can "study" and "practice" with teachers worldwide both past & present via books, tapes, DVDs, and the internet (ie just do a youtube or yahoo video search). just this morning i took a wonderful "Zen in Your Den" class with Jennifer Galardi via cable TV (http://exercisetv.tv/studio/videos/player.php?id=688081363) and she said some really profound things that, on one hand, were obvious but, on the other hand, i quite often forget (like the most important thing in yoga is breathing... to connect breath with movement... how whatever you're doing today is fine for today... and the great thing about yoga is it's never perfect...". namaste to all and happy trails

Thanks Richard for sharing and caring and thanks to raVen for starting this thread as well as all the other posters...

Thanks again, Richard. Does this mean there were some dishes at the raw banquet, such as "the cannelloni bean burgers with a special sauce made from Vegenaise", that were not raw? they sound delicious and if they weren't raw that shows a certain openness. sometimes and someplaces, it's either all or none; my way or the highway. personally, i try to move beyond duality. it seems like the definition of raw can vary but that's what i love about this forum: the blurred lines, overlap, and tolerance of the varying paths. in any event, as for learning i consider the planet, inhabitants of, life itself, and the Self, the ultimate teachers and classrooms, and my self a student trying to keep an open mind. i live in NYC, and work full-time supporting a family of 4, so work study or solo excursions at this time are not likely but i am gracious and touched by the suggestions, compassion and kinship by of and with you and our fellow forum members, maybe online study (including here on the forum) and or the "survival" book is the way to go for many of us... Paul

Great advice & visualizations, Gaia; as it is said, let the pose conform to you as opposed to you conforming to the pose... and also wherever you are today, is fine. i especially dig (pun intended) your "...give give give...", reminds me of that timeless classic, The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein which blurs the distinction between wants & needs, selfishness & selflessness, and may be the ultimate metaphor for humans and the planet.

Thanks so much Richard, I look forward to trying nut & seed soaking as well as sprouted grains! Soaked nuts & seeds, and sprouted grains do seem like much more of a natural approach than the processed protein powders we use so, at the least, if we introduce the former we can possibly reduce the amount of the latte? I did have one further question for you, what is your take on beans? In the past, I have soaked them prior to cooking them ( although much of my diet is raw, i do still eat cooked food), do you recommend soaking them (as one soaks nuts & seeds) or to make bean sprouts out of them, or both? regards Paul

hello Richard i read in one of your earlier post that for an optimal protein, you highly recommend the seeds and nuts (raw then soaked overnight and blended up with the various spices, fruits, and or sweeteners), can one do the same with say brown rice (or other grains such as oats or barley) or beans/legumes? regard Paul

did you make your legendary "pudding" with it?

i actually did some tree poses this morning, and i thought about you and another tip: when you get steady, then your foot will be even with your body (so it will be a 90 degree angle) but for now don't worry bout that, try it with your leg maybe at around a 45 degree. also, regarding material i remembered reading about these (or something like them) http://www.yogastickysocks.com/home.html http://www.amazon.com/Crescent-Moon-Non-Slip-ExerSocks-Value-Pack/dp/B000HDJQGO i don't have 'em but may get some (actually, come to think of it, when the kids were lil' they used to have these non-slip socks with a similar grip texture on the bottom)...

you can't be a tree overnight!. actually that's not true; some people are amazingly flexible and balanced either due to genetics or perhaps prior experience in gymnastics or dance... but it takes time for most of us to get there, so laugh and enjoy the ride! remember: start out as a seed, sprout then a sapling... grow every pose little by little day by day week by week or try to do it all in one day or an hour, you choose if you haven't mastered the tree pose with the leg low then try starting out there ie with your leg placed just above the ankle. have your hands at your side preferrably near a wall or table or chair (so if you fall, you can stop the fall), remember to breathe and remember if you're falling; this is okay, be patient you most likely will steady with time... and still on occasion you may shake and even fall after years it's fine, yoga is also about the mind and mindfulness, too, and especially about balance between the body and the mind next, work your hands to your hips, enjoy that after you can do that, bring your hands up to your heart last variation: outstretch your hands above. okay now you can work your leg up towards the knee or eventually thigh repeat with the same baby steps mentioned above... another question that could lead to a tip, are your legs uncovered? are you barefoot? certain fabrics grip while others slip try doing it with different attire or no attire at all i remember when my son met rodney yee, he asked him why he was almost naked when he did yoga? rodney laughed and said that the reason he does yoga like that was so he could really see and be attentive to what his body was or wasn't doing. have fun

i don't know much about texas but the above tips for NY are excellent. just for clarification, i'm guessing when you say you are coming into NY you are referring to NYC as in Manhattan the big apple? because there are 4 other "boros" that have a lot going on, too, but they are more spread out and not as easy to get around (i live in queens but you also have brooklyn, the bronx, and staten island). but focusing on manhattan: whole foods actually are in more than one place: the underground one is at the time warner bldgs by columbus circle, which is at the foot of central park (an excellent park to visit, as well), in addition i've been to one in chelsea area on 7th ave btw 24th & 25th St, and one in union square area on 14th st (union square is a great park with an excellent farmer's market, too). a few blocks away (also on 14th st) there is a trader joes which is an excellent alternative to whole foods in that it's not as fancy so the prices are fairer, in general. speaking of fair prices, there are fairway markets which are excellent; one on the upper west side on 2127 Broadway btw w 74th & 75th, one in harlem at 2328 12th Avenue & 125th st, and one in red hook brooklyn on van brunt that is right next door to a beatiful park called Pier 44 http://www.bridgeandtunnelclub.com/bigmap/brooklyn/redhook/gardenpier/index.htm there's also a ton of smaller health food stores and all kinds of restaurants in manhattan. and yes mostly all places know what vegan means. not always but on an under 23 sq mile area island of more than 1 million people, even vegans who are ~1% of the main US population, are strong in numbers! each neighborhood has excellent choices. upper east side you have the candle cafe who have the original on 3rd ave btw 74th & 75th and then the upscale candle 79 (on 79th St), both excellent. midtown has hangawi (12 E 32nd St) that is an out of this world experience as well as their teahouse franchia nearby 12 Park Ave btw 34th & 35th. east village has caravan of dreams (on 1st ave) which is vegan/raw and excellent, also curly's vegetarian on E 14th (not too far from union sq). chinatown has buddha bodai, house of vegetarian (both on mott st but different ends) and vegetarian dim sum (pell st off of mott st). there are 2 little indias: one on lexington ave between the mid 20's & mid 30's and also downtown on 7th st between 1st & 2nd Ave where there are excellent priced vean friendly all you can eat restaurants and shops. pretty much every cuisine you can imagine. as we say in NYC, fuggedaboutit! there are literally 100's of places. there is a "vegan guide to NYC" booklet that is affordable that you can buy at many vegetarian restaurants and HFS as well as online guides (happy cow, etc) because i've just scratched the surface... i grew up outside the city so i'm a long timer and susceptible to being jaded but there are some places that may or may not be touristy that are still awesome to visit such as grand central, bryant park, nyc public library, port authority, times square, the museum mile along central park, washington square park, as well as the above mentioned central park, columbus circle, chinatown, east village... there are also amazing churches along 5th ave and buddhist temples in chinatown, the piers down at the south street seaport, east west is an amazing book store at 78 5th ave & 14th St (has books, art, a cafe, yoga, and events)... there are one-off yoga classes (http://www.yogasutranyc.com), gym passes, cagefighting (http://www.campundefeated.com), martial arts (http://www.fighthouse.com). when you first get into town see if you can pick up the local papers (village voice, ny press, NY Spirit, etc.) or even look online at craigslist nyc. i also recommend you look on wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_City i just did and there's stuff i don't know after 45 years! it really comes down to what are you into whatever that may be you can find it here... as far as a place to stay, you could certainly find less expensive digs outside of manhattan (in the other boros or nearby NJ) but then you'd have to deal with getting in and out of "town"; for the most part the public transportation is best if you stay in town. you could stay at a Y or a 4 star hotel (which may have a pool and a gym) or on the cheap there are no frills places, too; it depends on what you are lookin for. there are some excellent landmarks, parks, stores, and food outside of the big apple, too, (off the top of my head, there is an amazing vegan fast food place that doesn't claim to be healthy but is great for occasional decadence called foodswings in williamsburg, brooklyn which is an excellent area to visit, too, there's socrates sculpture park that was originally an illegal dumping ground in astoria, queens, right across the street from the noguchi museum & rock garden, there's the queens botanical gardens on main st in chinatown several blocks away from buddha bodai and happy buddha, 2 excellent vegetarian restaurants, there's the flushing meadows park where there is the globe from the world's fair and the queens musuem which has an insane panorama of nyc...) but if you only have a certain amount of time, you won't see them all. i'd say get a map of the city (manhattan) so you can get oriented on uptown downtown east and west and the various neighborhoods. heck if i had never been here i might even do the tour bus http://www.coachusa.com/newyorksightseeing/ or circle line (boat ride that goes around the island). regards, paul ps you could do a websearch on any of the above and dollars to donuts you could find info or sites for them...

well i'm no woman, at least not in entirety, but thats exactly what i'm aspire to eat, a CRON (Calorie Reduced Optimum Nutrition) based eating style. Yeah, some guys do it also, I didn't mean to offend if I did. It is just most common to see female lifters using supplements in that way. Guys usually throw it on top of tons of food for more protein...If you are shooting for a CRON style diet, I would recommend looking into Dr. Fuhrman's stuff. His diet is the most nutrient dense diet I have come across. Cubby, no offense taken, I was just applying a dose of my twisted sense of humor in there . And thanks for the tip on Dr. Fuhrman, I have one or two of his books (may have lent out them though). I need to look for them! I've actually been reading about the Velocity Diet by Chris Shugart and thinking about doing a modified Vegan version: 28 days of 6 shakes a day each shake having protein, fiber and healthy fat, then 1 week of 5 shakes and 1 solid meal, then 1 week of 4 shakes and 2 solid meals, then back to normal. I have plenty of vegan protein powders and was thinking to use hemp protein, flaxseed meal and pysllium for the fibers and fats. Has anybody heard of the Velocity and what do you think about that? Either the above, or I need to start documenting the exact calories input vs output because I just can't bust this plateau (I mean I suppose I could but I'm struggling) . I also heard bout 7-KETO which supposedly lowers the body's set point, has anyone taken it? I'll search the forums for Velocity and 7-KETO (or make new posts on them). Cheers Paul

detox and cleanse could be good; the biggest challenge is what happens after the detox cleanse. what i suggest instead, or in addition to, is a food/activity log. i always find when i record exactly what i eat & drink and what activity i do, most of the time it keeps me eating clean and staying active (and even if i make a bad choice or 2, since i am logging it, it's usually minimal?). in my opinion, the caloric intake is a much larger variable then the caloric expenditure from exercise/activity so i'd focus on high water content and fiber foods, try to minimize or eliminate the calorically dense stuff like nutritionally devoid snacks if that is what you are eating and or stuff like nuts or fried things (of course activity will help maintain muscles, increase metabolic rate, and be good for the mind, too). speaking of activity, i'd try to be consistent, persistent and dedicated to doing some daily physical activity . anything. see if you can work something into your life in anyway even if it's 5-10min here or there. remember if you are trying to lose fat you don't need to go crazy but just keep doing stuff that keeps you challenged or that's enough to maintain your flexibility, strength, and endurance. more importantly, realistic. example, i get on and off the train 3 stops (1.5mi) away so that builds 15-30min walking to my day. and this summer i take our son to summer school before work which is 3.5mi away so i get that, too. i forgot who said it but it goes something like this: it's not what works if you stick to it; it's what you can stick to, that works. lastly speaking of chaos the other day i took a free yoga class in times square nyc on the summer solstice and the teacher said some beautiful things; one was a quote that said peace is not a place with no noise, trouble and hard work but it is calmness in a place of noise, trouble and hard work namaste

well i'm no woman, at least not in entirety, but thats exactly what i'm aspire to eat, a CRON (Calorie Reduced Optimum Nutrition) based eating style. but my question is, is there a true amount of protein as well as fat and carbs that needs to be met?

i do like that "if it's not found in nature, it's not necessary" but i guess i'm one of the few (?) using powders, isloates, tvp, etc. "who want to meet our protein requirements with LESS calories". still i can't help but wonder am i falling for the myth that i need "x" amount of protein ("x" being the grams per pound of bodyweight formula)?

15 avocados this year? that'd be about 1 every 3 weeks or 1/20 an avocado a day. regarding your aim, are you going the route of exact counting calories, specific food choices (low fat), or both? you look pretty close to single digit bf% in your pic (i'm probably closer to 15 than 10% but i'm shooting for single digits, too). and whats in a name, durianrider? because i love durian, they are a rare fruit, unique in taste to say the least, also in that they are like 1/3 fat or something...

it's actually a great question because it brings up the point of fat albeit good fat. the main consensus being to a certain degree it's all about caloric expenditure vs caloric input. fat like protein are good food choices because they slow digestion which keeps us satiated longer. along with high water content, high fiber, low GI carbs coupled with daily physical activity, we're on the right track to fat liberation and release.

not to force the issue, but that's exactly why a class could come in handy; because corrections and adjustments might be administered when and where needed. on the flip side, many people are self taught at everything from baking to yoga, so it certainly can be done. a lot of dvds and books will even show you the wrong way along with the right way. actually one could say there is no wrong way... my main advice is as i posted earlier, really really try not to overdo it; seriously, if anything underdo it; then increase your comfort zone in small increments. this way you will minimize your risk of injury. happy trails

try it out, have fun, don't overdo it, underdo it and then work your way up slowly, remember to breathe! breathing is often automatic but when done consciously and with awareness, it can change ones mind, mood, life, energy, and essence. i often forget to breathe (consciously) and then i get angry or stressed or tense then i remember to breathe, to let it out to take it in the new, the open, the free... that's probably the heart of yoga, to remind one to breathe and move and to be with oneself. another great pose is warrior (there's actually several) http://www.abc-of-yoga.com/info/warrior-pose2.asp. what i love about this pose is as one of the teachers i practice with used the metaphor of the mat as the battlefield and the war being within. hey i saw in an earlier post of yours you're in NY, is that NYC or NY state...whereabouts exactly are you, if you don't mind me asking? Anyway wherever you are, that's the place to be... at least at this moment. my recommendations, from a decade long drop-in ad-hoc irregular student of Yoga, among other things, is taking class; it could be an experience worthwhile on an ongoing or occasional basis! but keep in mind it's like going out to dinner; there are different schools, centers, styles, classes and teachers etc. so i'd try a few at different places. ultimately my foundation is solo training (yoga, running, weights) but i find occasional classes to be refreshing and rejuvenating.

That sucks! I used to eat Cheerios all the time as a kid. Sorry for the cross post. hey man no worries ahh the things we used to do as kids! when we didn't know any better...

hey i think the wii and the wii fit are great; if it gets you up and moving, why not? the wii really makes video gaming interactive in a way that hasn't ever been done on this scale or level. anyway, while you certainly can do Yoga solo (actually I believe "Yoga" is derived from the sanskrit word yuj which means "to yoke" the body and mind thru the breath so... you may being doing it now... that is if you are breathing and your body & mind are cohabitating ), imo there is no substitute for taking a class to see yoga being done in person 3D, get you started, and keep you on track. plus there can be a wonderful energy when a group of people practice together and with the guidance and compassion of a teacher. the other day i was able to share the experience of doing yoga in times square NYC with a wonderful teacher Connie Chan, it was truly an ethereal experience. i used to practice at Sivananda and currently i am taking yoga at Yoga Sutra also in NYC. i'd say if you can, try to take a class (or 2 or 3), that'd be excellent even if it's on an occasional basis. if you are low on dough, many communities/yoga centers/gyms have inexpensive and free classes for all levels. as veganmomma suggested yogajournal.com is an excellent resource. there are also a lot of excellent other resources online (http://yoga.about.com, http://www.abc-of-yoga.com, http://www.yoga.com/, http://www.exercisetv.tv/, http://www.youtube.com), TV (Priscilla's Yoga Stretches, Wai Lana Yoga), books (The Complete Illustrated Book of Yoga by Swami Vishnu-devananda, Yoga: The Path To Holistic Health by B.K.S. Iyengar), and DVDs (Rainbeau Mars, Rodney Yee, Patricia Walden). the main things that i've read, heard, that stick with me regarding yoga are: If you're alive, you can do yoga. Don't conform to the pose, let the pose conform to you. Let the pose come to you. You are never too old, never too sick, never too bad, never too late to do Yoga. Wherever you are, just be there. If you don't ever fall or lose your balance, you're not doing Yoga. yes, you may do yoga for the physical aspect, but some amazing things may happen when you step off the mat or come out of the pose and back into your life... as for your question, there are some poses i enjoy because they come easily to me like plank, bridge, cobra, and tree but i have to say the ones that are more challenging like downward dog, back bends, and shoulder stands are really rewarding, as well. ultimately my favorite pose is savasana aka corpse pose http://yoga.about.com/savasana.htm, http://www.abc-of-yoga.com/yogapractice/thecorpsepose.asp; it's all about total surrender and the ultimate relaxation thru discovering the tensions and releasing them. that is the easiest yet most challenging for me! as for spinal twists, i'm sure a variation of them are yoga but they also can be found in other magnificent moving meditations such as tai chi and chi kung, too. I hope you experience joy and bliss in your practice and namaste (the spirit in me salutes the spirit in you). btw i checked your website out, very cool and helpful.

but you still are... because "being vegan is endeavoring not to use or consume animal products of any kind". that's what we do but, inadvertantly, we end up getting spiked. i'll tell you, years ago i used to go to this luncheonette everyday and get homefries which the owner assured me were just potatoes and butter (at the time i was a lacto-ovo vegetarian). one day i saw him making them and he was pouring bacon grease all over them! imo, at that point, if i ate them i wouldn't be vegetarian (because i knew) but prior to that i still consider myself one (because i didn't know). people get all over me about not eating supplements in gelatin capsules and other incidental animal ingredients such as honey... but for me it's a matter of principle; i endeavor not to use or consume animal products.