Category: Recommended Products

How, When, and Why To Use Yoga Blocks

July 12, 2013
Yoga Block

Yoga blocks are made from durable, scratch-resistant, lightweight foam, and are shaped like rectangles with rounded edges.

The blocks measure 9″ wide by 6″ high by 4″ deep, and come in multiple colors, with prices ranging from $9.00 to $12.00.

Five Reasons You Need To Use Yoga Blocks

  1. Prevents struggling, and makes your practice more enjoyable.
  2. Safely supports and modifies poses.
  3. Brings the floor closer to you.
  4. Provides stability, and extra height.
  5. Braces your weight, and keeps you balanced.

Who Benefits From Using Blocks?

Triangle Pose with block.
  • Seniors
  • Beginners
  • Pregnant Women
  • Runners
  • Anyone with tight muscles, or injuries.

How To Use Yoga Blocks 

  • Under your hand in Trikonasa (Triangle Pose), and in Arda Chandrasana (Half Moon Pose).
  • Under your feet or low back in Setu Bandasana Sarvangasana (Bridge Pose).
  • Sitting on a block in Gomukhasana (Cow Face Pose), and Virasana (Hero Pose).
  • Under your head when there is excessive arching of your neck in supine poses, as in Ananda Balasana (Happy Baby Pose).

When To Use A Yoga Block

  • Can’t reach the mat in Uttanasana (Standing Forward Bend)?  You need a block under each hand.
  • Using your fingertips instead of the palms of your hands?  Use a block under your hand.
  • Is your front knee bending in Parivritta Trikonasana (Revolved Triangle)? Use a block under your hand.
  • Do your feet hurt in Virasana (Hero Pose)?  Sit on a block.

Where To Buy Yoga Blocks

There are many internet sites where you buy Yoga blocks. Three are listed below.  These companies also sell a full line of Yoga clothing and equipment.

Copyright 2013 Irene Pastore and Blue Moon Personal Training

5 Quick Meat Substitutes

July 8, 2013

Boca Burgers

Grill these heart-healthy burgers, instead of burgers made from meat.  Boca Burgers come in several flavors, and are made from soy, veggies, cheeses and seasonings.  Protein: 14 grams per serving (one burger).

Light Life Tofu Pups

The original vegetarian hot dog made from soy.  They cook faster than meat-based hot dogs, and contain no cholesterol or nitrates.  Protein: 7 grams per serving (one hot dog).

Tufurky Vegan Deli Slices

Lunch meat sandwich alternative to meat. Available in Roast Beef, Peppered, Oven Roasted, Hickory Smoked, Bologna Style, and Italian.  Protein: 13 grams per serving (5 slices).

MorningStar Farms Veggie Bacon Strips

Smoky flavored strips that tastes just like bacon.  Sautée to a crisp texture, and add to sandwiches or have them with your breakfast meal.  Protein: 2 grams per serving (2 strips).

Trader Joe’s Chickenless Mandarin Orange Morsels

Asian inspired entrée made from soy, wheat, grains and veggies. Serve it with rice or noodles and your favorite green veggie.  Protein: 16 grams per serving (10 pieces).

Copyright 2013 Irene Pastore and Blue Moon Personal Training

Recommended Product: Autobiography of a Yogi

May 13, 2013
Swami Yogananda
Swami Yogananda

First published in 1946, by the Self Realization Fellowship, Autobiography of a Yogi, is the life story of Paramahansa Yogananda, one of the world’s most well-known teachers of Yoga science. Since its first printing, the book has sold over 4 million copies.

Autobiography of a Yogi describes Yogananda’s spiritual journey, and his search for enlightenment.  He was born in India in 1893, and in 1915 became a monastic.  Yogananda moved to the United States in 1920, where he founded the Self-Realization Fellowship to disseminate his teachings.

Autobiography of a Yogi is an inspiration for anyone considering the spiritual path, or for those already on their way.  It will make an excellent gift for Yoga lovers.

Visit the Self Realization Fellowship website to read more about Yogananda’s teaching.  The SRF web bookstore sells his books and CDs.

Copyright 2013 Irene Pastore and Blue Moon Personal Training

Cookin’ Healthy With One Foot Out The Door: Quick Meals For Fast Times

May 12, 2013
Vegan Cookbook

Recommended Product

Vegan authors, Polly Pitchford and Delia Quigley call themselves the “bad girls of natural foods.”

There’s nothing bad about this terrific little cookbook that gives time-saving, healthy recipes for hurried, health food fans.

Get recipes for breakfast, lunch, dinner, salads, sides and desserts. Prep times average between 5 to 10 minutes, and cook times from 6 to 20 minutes.

Packed with easy recipes, this little book is fun to read, has gotten great reviews on Amazon, and won’t take up much space on your cookbook shelf.  Buy it at amazon.com for only $9.95 new.

Copyright 2013 Irene Pastore and Blue Moon Personal Training

Recommended Product: Lightlife Vegetarian Food

May 2, 2013

Lightlife is a Massachusetts company, founded in 1979, that sells a full line of ready-to-eat vegetarian prepared foods.

Vegetarian Hot Dogs

Their products are sold in the refrigerated and frozen food section of health food stores, and supermarkets such as Whole Foods Market and Trader Joe’s.

LIGHTLIFE MEATLESS PRODUCTS

  • Frozen Entrees
  • Burgers
  • Hot Dogs and Sausages
  • Deli Slices
  • Ground Meat
  • Cutlets
  • Tempeh
  • Breakfast Bacon

If you’re currently eating meat, and would like to cut back, Lightlife products will help you break the meat-eating habit, and reduce your cholesterol intake.

For more information visit the Lightlife website.

Copyright 2013 Irene Pastore and Blue Moon Personal Training.

Mu Mu Meusli: No Added Sugar

April 8, 2013

Shopping in Whole Foods Market last week, I came across a vendor offering free samples of  home-made Mu Mu Meusli.  This product is made without added sugar, in upstate Sharon Springs, New York.

There are 8 ingredients, and it tastes great. It’s made with oats,  cranberries, wheat flakes, coconut, raisins, dates, flax, and almonds.

Mu Mu Meusli is sold online, and in health food stores, including several in New York City.  If you’re a meusli fan, and prefer avoiding added sugar in your breakfast cereal, check it out.

Meusli cereal originated around 1900 in Switzerland, by a doctor who wanted to offer his patients a healthy diet.

While there are variations, basic  ingredients are rolled oats, dried fruits, nuts and seeds.

Other varieties of meusli  may contain wheat or rye flakes, honey, spices, such as cinnamon, or chocolate. Yogurt, fruit juice or fresh fruit, and nut milks may be added to meusli.

Meusli provides a nutritious, quick breakfast, or a healthy snack.

Copyright 2013 Irene Pastore and Blue Moon Personal Training