Saturday 31 December 2016

A Healthy Breakfast idea - Cinnamon and Cacao Granola.

Our friend Jo brought this delicious dish to Christmas morning breakfast.  She says it is fast and very easy.  We think  we will add this to our bircher muesli. So here is the recipe.


Cinnamon and Cacao Granola

150g Coconut flakes
80g pepitas - pumpkin seeds
80g sesame seeds roughly chopped
125g pecans
80ml rice malt syrup, or honey - we're using honey
60ml melted coconut oil
1/2 tsp sea salt
2 tbs cacao powder
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Method

Preheat oven to 125C/255F
Add all ingredients to a mixing bowl
Combine (use your hands) to coat evenly
Line two trays with baking paper
Bake for 30 minutes turning once
Remove from oven and add goji berries or other dried fruit, as desired
Store in an airtight container.

Saturday 3 December 2016

Mobilize and Stretch, Habit of the Week, HOW

Each week we try one thing.  One small practice to implement. It is like homework.  And the more you practise the easier it gets.

This week's habit is to mobilise and stretch your joints.  This is a beneficial, especially if you sit for prolonged periods, commuting, or computing, driving, studying, sewing or doing that cryptic crossword.

As we grow tired and stiffen up, pain may overtake us. One way to alleviate the pain of stiffness, in say, neck, shoulders, or back is to do small semi circular movements of the shoulders, and ribs. These movements bring extra blood flow to the area and can help stimulate joint fluid.  And ah! we feel better.

An example may include shrugging the shoulders, or hands on the shoulders and draw circles with our elbows.  Lengthen the back of our necks and gently turn our head from side to side.
And, of course, stretching.
Three big stretches stand out, i.e. most bang for your buck.  
One of the most valuable stretch is the calf muscle stretch.
Secondly, the hamstring stretch
Thirdly, the deep hip stretch.

We talked about these in class, we do them every week.  They keep hips, knees and backs healthy and in the case of the calf muscle help to restore chronically tight muscles, and thus help our feet and knees.

Habit of the week, Stretching and mobilising,  Big impact, little effort.