March 20th, Macaron Day NYC

Macaron Day is well known in Paris but confectionery loving New Yorkers have had their macaron day today a third year in the row courtesy of François Payard. The delicate and crunchy sweets have been my favorite for some time now and today I am indulging.

Go out and experience what the talk is all about. Mention Macaron Day at participating bakeries and get a free macaron. Don’t feel so bad about spending on these little treats, a portion of today’s macaron sales will be donated to City-Harvest.

Find your organic macaron on the participating map.

Detox Yoga – Poses to Help You Detox

Prayer Twist

Seems like everyone is doing a cleanse or a detox diet these days. A detox (short for detoxification) diet will remove toxins and poisons from your body. Yoga is a great complement to a detox diet. Your body is designed to engage in detoxification every day. A way to facilitate this process is to do yoga. In a well rounded yoga practice the body is pulled, pushed, twisted and turned upside down. This process is so helpful for removing waste and toxins from your body.

Here are a few specific yoga poses that help with the detox process:

Prayer Twist – (Parivrtta Utkatasana in Sanskrit)

Benefits:

• Rinses the internal organs and kidneys
• Creates flexibility in the spine
• Sculpts buttocks, thighs and muscles along the spine

How to do get into the pose:

1. Bring your feet together (big toes touching), on an inhale, bend your knees, extend your arms overhead (biceps by your ears).
2. Roll the weight into your heels, squeeze your sit bones and engage your quadriceps.
3. On an exhale, draw your hands down to your heart center, palms together in a prayer position.
4. Inhale, draw your chest forward and on an exhale, twist to your right from your torso and bring your left elbow to the outside of your right thigh. Gaze towards your right shoulder.
5. Stack your shoulders and elbows in one line. And press your thumbs to heart center to open up your chest and shoulders.
6. For a modification your could look down. You can also, sit higher in your chair to ease up on the intensity.
7. Breathe for 3-5 breath cycles then release into a forward fold then repeat on the left side.

Revolving Crescent Lunge

Eileen Filomeno, RYT, is a Yoga Teacher in Berkeley, California. She is inspired to share her love of yoga and is committed to sustainable, organic living and well–being.

For a Better Looking New York – Organic Airbrush Tan

Craving that summer glow minus the skin damage? Many are happy to use self tanners and receive airbrush tanning services without thinking about the chemicals. A perfect tan is worth the extra thought and where else can you find what you might be looking for other than right here. From sunscreen to relaxation – If you need an organic summer solution, we have it.

Look for an organic option. Where can you find an organic airbrush tan? The NY Sun Club caters to your specific skin tone and provides you with a custom tanning solution. Organic airbrush tanning is safe, chemical free and odorless. Two beautiful looking locations and friendly as well as knowledgeable staff are ready to give your skin a tan, plus nourishment. Visit the NY Sun Club website to find out more. Remember to keep your skin safe this and every summer.

Beautiful Sunday In The Country

Thoughts on beauty:

The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mode but the true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul. It is the caring that she lovingly gives the passion that she shows. The beauty of a woman grows with the passing years.
Audrey Hepburn

Fruit Smoothies, One Cheerful Drink To Share With Your Friends

Here in New York the weather feels like Spring today and what a better way to celebrate than with a contribution to your health. Cheer with an all natural smoothie that is easy to make and does wonders for your immune system. Simply wash and blend your favorite fruits and combine with crushed ice. Do not be afraid to leave the skins, they hold a good amount of vitamins.

Share them with your friends, they will love you for it.

Yoga in the Park

Are you bored with your regular yoga routine?  Add a new dimension to your practice and try Yoga in the Park.

Top 5 reasons to try Yoga in the Park:

1.  Outdoors – Yoga means being one or being one with nature. With the sun shining, the birds singing in the trees, and the smell of green grass we are reminded of our connection to the world and how amazing it is. We are truly connected to the energy of the earth.

2. Sunshine – Increases Vitamin D which leads to increased serotonin levels. Serotonin has many functions including control over mood and behavior. which means more happiness and increased health.

3. Challenge – With or without a mat, yoga poses done outside can intensify the pose and it’s physical benefits. When yoga is done on an uneven surface such as grass or sand  you build your core muscles. Also muscles that you don’t normally build as much on a flat surface such as the muscles in your feet get more of a workout.

4.Community – Practicing in the park just seems to draw people in and soon you have people wanting to try yoga with you.  Again the feeling of being connected to others is reinforced when you interact with other people. Yoga outdoors also allows you to try different things that you would not normally do in the yoga studio and allows you to be playful and light something we all need once in a while.  Acro-Yoga and Partner Yoga are so much fun doing outdoors!

5. Deepening your practice – Doing yoga outside while trying to concentrate in tree pose or any pose is challenging with the many distractions of people, dogs, grass, sunshine, uneven terrain. Staying in the pose with all these distractions builds mental focus.

There are many places that practice Yoga in the Park.  Just search online or inquire at your local yoga studio to find a place near you to liven up your practice.

Eileen Filomeno, RYT, is a Yoga Teacher in Berkeley, California. She is inspired to share her love of yoga and is committed to sustainable, organic living and well–being.