Healthy Spicy Life
Spring 2013
Kim Stetz
pinkflower
Happy Spring! If you are reading this then congratulations! You made it!

I'm very excited to be leading my first yoga retreat at a sanctuary in Costa Rica! Yogi Jeff Gossett, Co-Creator of The Sanctuary at Two Rivers, former owner of Moomba and Spy Bar, has been living off the grid at the sanctuary developing the land for the past 8 years. Jeff and actress, yogini, Perrey Reeves, Co-Creator, graciously invited me to lead a retreat post Jeff reaching out to me, an old friend from crazy days in NYC, 1993! Jeff and I took each took "the path less traveled" and it looks like our paths met up again. Karma!  I have a couple of spaces left and great prices offered to HSL readership. If you missed the promo before, and hear a voice big or small saying, "I want to go", then contact me! We'll make it happen!  

 

I've listened to your requested and put together an online "whole foods" detox program concluding with a yoga class in NYC on May 10th. Please see the promo below. For those who want support and to continue with their new healthy habits, an eight week program is in the works and will be ready to launch post the May cleanse.

 

The Interdependence Project aka IDP, a Dharma center close to my heart, continues to thrive in their fifth year of offering secular Buddhist studies and contemplative practices. The mind is so powerful. By cultivating awareness, we can see what is possible as individuals and community, live in this world more peacefully with each other and take care of the earth. One person doesn't have to do everything; every person must do something. My studies continue with Sangha in our "IDP Advanced Immersion Training" and I've enrolled in a four year contemplative science program at Nalanda Institute. Dr. Miles Neale leads the way the first two years of the program. Phew! Lots going on, but this is how I keep going! 

   

Healthy beings learn to love themselves and let go that which doesn't serve. Self care is also very important. We must slow down and refill our tanks before running on fumes and disease invades the body. Self care can be any of the following practices, restorative yoga, yoga nidra, meditation, acupuncture, chiropractic adjustments, talking to a therapist, or having a heart to heart with a loved one. You don't have to spend money to receive self care! A warm bubble bath reading a book, listening to a dharma talk, or just closing your eyes for a few minutes and breathing deeply. You can also plan a spa day with friends just leave out the booze or spend A Day With Me and learn about self care! I personally love to go on retreat and unplug for days. You can only know what this feels like if you have the experience.

I thank students, teachers, clients and friends who continue to learn and evolve through our experiences together and apart. There's so much more to health than food and exercise, but nutrition and mindful movement like yoga are great places to start.

You're going to change, there's no arguments about that. How you change and what actions you take to feel better, smile more, relax more is up to you.
 
Contact me if you want help with making positive changes that will work for you.
  
Here to serve, Kim
Come to Cost Rica and slow your asana down!
yoga retreat
Hanumanasana  
Retreat details here. Please contact me for HSL readership prices! Still a couple of spaces left!

4 sponsor cleanse
 
Very grateful to have Fatima da Costa (The Bhakti Center Kirtan Connection) open our hearts leading kirtan and  Hannah Thiem (Wanderlust) weave beautiful sweet violin melodies during yoga practice.

Thank you sponsors for the wonderful gifts in our goody bags!
Tata Harper Skin Care (she's a client!)
Clean Plates (sign their mailing list!)
Pro Love Movement (insider tees LOVE IS MY RELIGION)
The ID Project (meet awesome people doing amazing things at a Dharma center)

 

Meditation
Daily sit
Daily sit    
Our #Dailysit community is growing and Insight Timer now offers groups within the community. You can join our Dailysit - IDP group. Each week there will be an opportunity for anyone who wants to participate in a community sit online. You don't need the Insight Timer app to meditate, but it sure makes for a warm and fuzzy feeling when you see others dedicated to mindfulness sitting somewhere with you.  

Join me and others on Saturdays at 9:00 AM EST for a 30-minute sit from your home or wherever you are. I will do my best to make this the regular time for the community sit; however, stay tuned to the posts to get the weekly community online sit time. You can find and add me as a friend and join the group Daily Sit IDP on Insight Timer.  

 

   

Nutrition
Eat more greens! 
    
Nutritionally, greens are very high in calcium, magnesium, iron, potassium, phosphorous, zinc and vitamins A, C, E and K. They are crammed with fiber, folic acid, chlorophyll and many other micronutrients and phyto-
chemicals. And yes, greens do have protein - broccoli, spinach, romaine an kale to name a few! Whenever possible, choose organic. But eating non-organic greens is much better than not eating any greens at all! I don't think it's possible to eat too many greens and we need them in our bodies. Greens are alkalizing to the blood. When the blood is slightly more alkaline than acidic, your health will improve tremendously. Viruses thrive in an acidic environment leaving you more susceptible to getting sick.

Some of the benefits from eating dark leafy greens are:
Blood purification
Cancer prevention
Improved circulation
Strengthened immune system
Promotion of healthy intestinal flora
Promotion of subtle, light and flexible energy
Lifted spirit and elimination of depression
Improved liver, gall bladder and kidney function
Cleared congestion, especially in lungs by reducing mucus

Raw Kale Salad

raw kale salad
delicious!

1 lemon, cut in half and juiced
olive oil 

sea salt
1 tablespoon honey (optional) 

1 bunch kale, cut into ribbons 

1/4 cup almonds, toasted (or your favorite nut raw or toasted)
pomegranate arils 

 

Mix the lemon juice with several tablespoons of olive oil to make a simple vinaigrette.

 

Place the kale in a large bowl, sprinkle with sea salt and drizzle with half of the dressing. Using both hands, gently rub the dressing into the kale for about 2 minutes. You will notice that the kale turns deep green and becomes softer. Stir the honey into the remaining dressing. Add the nuts and arils to the kale. Drizzle with the remaining dressing to taste.

 

Also tastes great with apples. I got this recipe from my friend Jess Hilton! 

 
Author Bio

 

 

Kim Stetz is an Experienced-Registered Yoga Teacher (ERYT), meditation teacher and a Certified Health Coach (AADP). Her dedication to health and wellness comes from her passion for yoga and nutritious food. From the very first time she stepped on a yoga mat in 1992, she knew her life was about to take the path less traveled. Kim has yoga certifications from OM Yoga NYC, Yoga For Two The Barnes Method, Relax and Renew Judith Hansen Lasater, and Anatomy Studies For
Yoga Teachers with Jason R. Brown. Kim is also a  graduate of The Interdependence Project's Meditation Teacher Training and Buddhist Studies programs. For services please visit my website.

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