Tag: vegetarian

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Hey there followers, readers, bloggers, lovers of food! I’m posting a video of myself and my boss talking about body image and judgment. I sound weird and look weird (but hey, I’m my biggest critic) but here it goes. Hope you enjoy it! I had fun recording it.

What it’s about: Dr. Cari, director and founder of Center of Spiritual Light sits with Guramrit Khalsa, current health coach student at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition and Center of Spiritual Light’s Social Media Assistant. Dr. Cari and Guramrit discuss our judgments regarding our own and others body types and what it means to feel that you are the right weight/size for YOU.

(Source: http://www.youtube.com/)

Listening to Understand Your Body

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I’m dedicating this post to the discussion of how to really obtain a firm connection and understanding of your body and becoming one with yourself by listening to what you need.

I admit I had assumed people would just get this since it feels so natural to me. I feel that I’ve maintained such a reverence for my body that listening to it is incredibly crucial. I know when I’m tired, when I’m hungry, when it’s time to rest and when I simply don’t feel well. This takes time, conscious effort and awareness. When there is a lack of awareness, there is disconnect, imbalance and often illness.  I do understand that many people struggle with body image, self-control, self-esteem and other nutrition and health related issues and this may seem as though it is a great challenge. Luckily it’s easier than you think. And what’s even better about it is thinking about it (in regards to listening to yourself) is discouraged and unnecessary. 

However, for the moment maybe you might want to reflect just a bit on your current lifestyle. What do you want to change to better your health? How is your environment, career, relationships with others influencing your health? In case you didn’t know already, all of these things influence our health (but that doesn’t mean to go blame someone for your health, just recognize the impact these different aspects of your life have on you). Our minds, bodies and souls are all connected, they are one entity. When one is slightly off, the other aspects are influenced.

How often do you find yourself eating but then realize after you had scarfed down a whole bag of salty potato chips that in actuality you were not truly hungry?  How often do you find yourself merely eating out of habit or out of pure pleasure rather than for your health?

Before you grab something to eat today take a moment and really ask yourself how you feel.  By taking just a minute (you can spare one of those, right?) and observing how you feel opens up your awareness of yourself. The moment you stop to pay attention to yourself, awareness increases.

When you are truly hungry, you are not eating to cover up or fill an emotional void. A perfect example is the stereotypical pint of Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough after a stressful day. Sure, it tastes great but what are you really feeding? Most likely you’re not feeding your body, you’re feeding your emotions. When you are truly hungry, your body will tell you. Your stomach may start to growl; you may not be able to focus properly. Don’t underestimate how intelligent your body is. You are blessed with an incredible system. If you just pause for a moment and allow yourself to really pay attention to your needs, you can hear your body subtly hinting to you. Self-awareness is silent, reflective and intuitive and in the beginning takes time. Recognize that you are truly worth it. You are the only you.  

Peace, love and NO beef here.

Guramrit

Tuning Into Yourself

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How often do you really sit with yourself and thoroughly contemplate what it is exactly that your body needs? Often we are not completely in tune with our bodies and what our bodies need. We are blessed with a phenomenal system. Our bodies are incredibly intelligent and if we listen close enough we can actually decode the hints our bodies are giving us. 

I must admit that even though I find myself to be incredibly health conscious and aware, I have my moments of weakness when I try to sneak in something like a scoop of ice cream or even a few nibbles of pizza. Almost instantly, my body shuts down and I start to feel nauseous, sick and weak. My body knows that this is not normal for me and rejects the junk food. I am constantly promoting the concept that we are what we eat. What we eat determines how we feel. If we are eating “crap” on a daily basis, what do you think you will feel like? That’s right, crap. 

Taking the time to actually listen to your body when it’s hungry, thirsty or craves something requires effort. But taking the extra step to channel that and figure out what exactly your body needs requires great skill and patience. Sure, after a stressful day a nice glass of wine could do the trick to ease your nerves. But what does your body really need? Maybe a relaxing bath, classical music, a loving home cooked meal. 

Stop for a second and breathe. Take a moment to connect with your body and what it needs today. Just know that by simply listening to your incredibly intelligent body, you are improving your lifestyle and bringing yourself to a balanced state. 

Remember, what works for one person may not necessarily work for you. You are unique and require a nutritional lifestyle that is personal to you. But of course, eating healthy, whole, natural foods applies to everyone universally.

Peace, love and no beef,

Guramrit

Autumn Cleanse

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With every change of season, I begin thinking about new beginnings. With the fall approaching, kids are going back to school and vacations end, I can’t help but think the fall warrants some sort of change. By change I don’t necessarily mean a drastic haircut or completely altering yourself. My idea of change comes as cleansing, detoxification. 

To cleanse, by definition means, to make thoroughly clean, or to rid (a person, place, or thing) of something seen as unpleasant, unwanted, or defiling. It is synonymous with purging, purification, clearing and refining. In order for our bodies, minds and souls to feel completely replenished and achieve equilibrium, we must purify and cleanse ourselves.

In my experience, when people hear detoxification or cleansing they immediately think it is entirely related to diet. Yes, eating clean is an important part of purging your body of toxins but separating yourself from negativity from all angles is where true results lie. 

There are numerous detox and cleansing diets from the master cleanse (also known as the spicy lemonade diet) to a raw food diet. Each, if done properly, is meant to purge the body of toxins. These diets are not meant to bring permanent results, they are intended to purify the blood, liver and get your system back in balance. Now, I don’t believe in doing a cleanse for weight loss. I believe that doing, let’s say a three-day purifying cleanse is ultimately helpful to get your body to a state of equilibrium. But of course, please take extra precaution if you have serious health risks or ailments. 

Detoxification is ultimately about you realizing what it is your body needs to feel better; whether it is taking a break from social networks, allowing yourself to have a break from emails, removing yourself from negative people or situations, making conscious healthy choices for your day to day diet. Take time for yourself. You’re the only you. Be good to you.


Peace, love and no beef!


Guramrit

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So I have about 3 weeks until Nutrition School. I bought my school supplies and I’m obsessed with Integrative Nutritions Focus Class and Dietary Theory Library. I love the resources available at my fingertips. Such a great feeling.