Simply Meditation

Quick Fantastic Taco Salad

Maha — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 09:05:15 +0000

This salad is a complete meal in itself. Beans are a high source of fibre, protein and minerals and can be prepared an infinite number of tasty ways. Sometimes kids can be reluctant to try beans and legumes. However, once they discover some of the wonderful ways they can be served, they will develop a surprising enthusiasm for them!

This recipe is a very tasty way to introduce little ones (or anyone) to beans. They will ask for a second serving of it, guaranteed!

Ingredients (for 5 to 6 servings):

Salad:
- 1 can red kidney beans, rinsed and drained (or black beans)
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 2 cups frozen corn kernels, thawed under hot water and well drained
- 1 seedless cucumber, diced
- 1 cup grated cheese
- sliced green or black olives to taste
(you can substitute any other crispy vegetable you like)

Sauce:
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1/3 cup eggless mayonnaise or creamy cucumber
dressing
- salt and pepper to taste

For serving:
- shredded lettuce (iceberg or romaine hearts work well for a nice crunch)
- salsa
- corn chips

1- Mix all the salad ingredients together and toss with the sauce. This can be served right away or it can be refrigerated for a few days.

2- Serve on a bed of lettuce with your favorite salsa and corn chips. My kids like to crumble the corn chips into the salad and mix it all together. You can also add a few slices of avocado.

Great for picnics, and for summer days when you want to eat something filling without having to cook!

Energy-to-Go Balls

Energy-to-Go Balls

Maha — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 23:12:56 +0000

These little balls are big on flavor and energy. You won’t believe how good they are until you try them.

BALLS
- 1/2 cup walnuts
- 1/4 cup raisins
- 1/2 cup pecans
- 3/4 cup almonds
- 3/4 cup almond butter
- 2 cups dates
- 1/2 cup ground flax seeds
- 1/2 cup sunflower seeds
- 1/4 cup chocolate chips (optional)
- 2 Tbsp lemon juice

COATING
- 1/2 cup shredded coconut
- 1/4 cup ground flax seeds
- 2 or 3 dashes cayenne pepper (optional, but nice!)

1. Cook the dates with a little water (about 1/4 cup) about 10 minutes over medium heat. Let it cool down.

2. Meanwhile, chop all the nuts finely (pecans, walnuts and almonds) or use a food processor.

3. In a large bowl, mash the dates until smooth. Add all the other balls ingredients and mix well.

5. Roll into bite-sized balls.

6. In a separate bowl, mix together the coating ingredients.

7. Roll the balls into the coating mixture with a light pressure to coat them completely.

These balls keep well in the refrigerator. They are a perfect afternoon pick me up snack. They are high in protein and will help you fight sugar cravings. Take them wherever you go!

Quick Fantastic Taco Salad

Asana of the Week –

Maha — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 04:12:12 +0000

I Don’t Have Time to Meditate!

Maha — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 23:52:11 +0000

Hmmm… If you don’t have time to do meditation, chances are, you REALLY need to meditate! Having a hectic schedule for an extensive period of time can take a toll on your health. Stress can damage your internal organs permanently. And stress also affects your mind. Your concentration, your enthusiasm, and your patience dwindle, and your relationships can suffer greatly – but you already know all that… The good news is that you only need to devote a small amount of time each day to reap great benefits from meditation. Here are a few tips to get you started:

First Experience with Yoga Exercises

Maha — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 00:14:35 +0000

My first experience with yoga exercises was a real disaster. I somehow landed into an intermediate yoga session that was part of a weekend health retreat I was attending. It was some form of power yoga, where the poses are all linked to each other, so you are in constant movement – going from one pose to another with little or no rest in between. I now really enjoy this type of yoga, but back then I didn’t know any of the postures, and trying to keep my eyes on the instructor while stretching left, right, and all over the place, was nearly impossible. So I was always lagging a couple steps behind. I felt like a dog running after its tail.

My body was rather strong, but quite stiff, and stretching it in so many different directions was uncomfortable to say the least. I couldn’t even do the poses half-way, and I felt like a donkey in the midst of ballerinas. I thought: “Well, that’s it for me, Yoga. Hello and goodbye! It was nice meeting you, but we’re not meant for each other…”

Little did I know that less than a year later I would have another surprise encounter with yoga exercises – and this time I would fall in love. Once again, a yoga session was part of a weekend I was attending, this time it was a meditation retreat. I was apprehensive but it couldn’t be worse than the first time. I promised myself I would just leave the class if it was too difficult, but what a pleasant surprise I had. It was a truly blissful experience. At the end of the class I felt like a different person. I felt a deep sense of harmony. I felt extremely relaxed, and more alive at the same time. I felt a renewed energy and enthusiasm for life. It was magical. Since that day, yoga asanas have been one of my favorite exercises.

At Simply Meditation, our primary focus is sharing meditation. But many of us really enjoy keeping our bodies fit with yoga exercises. We encourage you to give yoga a try. It will make your body feel years younger, more energetic, and more comfortable. It will make your mind feel fresh and open. Yoga is truly a universal practice. Whether you are young or old, weak or strong, athletic or out of shape, mellow or hyperactive, there is a style of yoga that will work for you. Just make sure you don’t begin with an advanced class like I did!

Asana of the Week –