Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Produce: When you should and should not buy organic!





Every time I shop at my local organic grocer and I see the price of greens beans at $5.99/lb versus $2.99/lb at the local chain grocery store... I have a hard time rationalizing that price difference. It can be challenging to debate whether or not to buy organic... when is it really worth it?


Specific health benefits have been noted for consuming organically grown produce that is largely related to a reduced intake of chemicals like pesticides. Consumption of pesticides and other chemicals found in food can increase the risk of contracting debilitating diseases like cancer. Consuming less and preferably minimal amounts of pesticides will reduce the amount of preventable damage we do to our bodies just like stopping or avoiding smoking cigarettes. Research suggests that avoiding chemicals and pesticides is particularly important for growing children due to it's impact on development.

In a ideal food economy we would all consume organically grown foods, minimally processed, antibiotic and hormone free meats, and foods that were processed in a way that prevented their oxidation. However, we live in this day where for years people have spent their food dollars supporting cheaply grown and heavily processed foods. Due to the economic support for the heavily processed food industry those prices have decreased while organically grown food prices have seemingly increased. It's all about supply and demand :-) Fortunately... the winds of change are sweeping the country.

In March of 2009 the Environmental Working Group (EWG) announced the release of the "Shopper's Guide to Pesticides." The Shopper's Guide to Pesticides is a list of 12 fruits and vegetables that tested positive for at least 47 and up to 67 different chemical pesticides. Their research found that by avoiding the dirty dozen one can reduce their exposure to pesticides and other chemicals by as much as 80%. On the Shopper's Guide to Pesticides you will also find a list of 15 fruits and vegetables that one can purchase relatively worry free due to their findings that they contain minimal to zero amounts of chemical pesticides in their non-organic form.

The Dirty Dozen:

1. Apples
2. Domestic Blueberries
3. Celery
4. Kale, Collard greens, and spinach
5. Cherries
6. Lettuce
7. Nectarines
8. Potatoes
9. Peaches
10. Sweet Bell Peppers
11. Imported Grapes
12. Strawberries

The Clean 15:

1. Asparagus
2. Avocados
3. Eggplant
4. Cabbage
5. Cantaloupe
6. Grapefruit
7. Kiwi fruit
8. Onions
9. Sweet onions
10. Mango
11. Pineapple
12. Sweet Potatoes
13. Sweet Corn
14. Sweet Peas
15. Watermelon

The EWG is a non-profit team of scientists focused on providing information to the public to support our health as well as that of the environment. We have lots of new information at our finger tips to empower us to turn down the processed and chemical laden fruits, vegetables, and meats and use our spending dollars towards promoting minimally processed food.



The "Shopper's Guide to Pesticides" in a handy printable wallet sized form at:
http://www.foodnews.org/walletguide.php

Resources:
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/need-to-know/health/the-dirty-dozen-and-clean-15-of-produce/616/
http://www.ewg.org/newsrelease/EWG-New-Pesticide-Shoppers-Guide



Contact Keri to find out more information about buying organic and saving money, incorporating a more nutritious diet into your lifestyle, and finding recipes to suit your needs.
www.BAYAWellness.com, BAYAWellness@gmail.com

Monday, September 13, 2010

September Yoga Schedule


Public Yoga Classes

Monday
Flow Yoga - All Levels 7:30-8:45am
- Hurricane Martial Arts Center (HMAC) on East Butler Road

Tuesday
Beginner's Yoga 9:30-10:45am
-Dharma Yoga Studios (DYS) on Woodruff Road

Energetic Flow Yoga 5:45-7:00pm
- DYS

Beginner's Yoga 7:00-8:15pm
- DYS

Wednesday
Flow Yoga - All Levels 7:30-8:45am
- HMAC

Thursday
Beginner's Yoga 9:30-10:45am
- DYS

Energetic Flow Yoga 5:45-7:00pm
-DYS


All Yoga classes are $10. Come as you are - wear loose or stretchy comfortable clothing.

Private Yoga Classes

Keri is happy to offer private lessons around the Greenville area in workplaces, homes, churches, community centers, etc.

Private lessons are a great idea for people new to Yoga, those with unique health conditions, or individuals who want to advance their practice. Contact me for details!

BAYAWellness@gmail.com

Thursday, September 2, 2010

And a dream becomes reality....


Several months ago I came to a decision to pursue life as a Yoga teacher and free agent nutritionist. After years of study and self-inquiry I realized that this is the only thing I could see myself doing. I will eternally be a Yoga teacher because I feel that God has granted me this gift and blessing. I feel led to share the teachings of Yoga as this practice has benefited me in every single way. I love the study and constant change that Nutrition offers me with the perpetual opportunity to learn. I hold a Bachelor's of Science in Nutrition from a CADE accredited program. I enjoy learning about both natural and science based nutrition.



My approach to nutrition is based on mindfulness...call me non-traditional :-) I don't believe that there is one perfect diet for anyone. Just like the way nutrition is constantly changing so are people. I believe in making changes from a place of self-acceptance not from judgement. I believe people need practical health advice, someone to answer their questions, and help them understand how to live in way that truly reflects their unique nature.

So I dreamed up a business concept... A nutrition, wellness coaching, and Yoga company that offers practical client centered nutrition advice, support, Yoga, and other wellness inspirations to make healthy changes that can last a lifetime. I believe in making a healthy lifestyle accessible to any and all people! I dreamed of a Yoga business that delivers Yoga into homes, workplaces, and non-traditional environments making Yoga more approachable and convenient. I dreamed of a new way of a approaching health.

Out of these dreams, lots of hard work and planning BAYA Wellness, LLC was formed.

BAYA is an acronym standing for "Be As You Are." We offer a wide array of Yoga, nutrition, food, and Wellness coaching for the individuals, families, and community members in and around the Greenville area.

To find out more please visit my website: www.BAYAWellness.com

Thanks to everyone who has supported this vision!

Who are you living for?



Somedays I am reminded of how much my life, thoughts, and actions are completed in order to please the people I value in my life. When you really sit back and reflect on your day... how many activities did you do for the sake of doing them versus for receiving a benefit?

I listen to my friends going over the ups and downs of life and when they are finished letting their heart speak I keep feeling a resounding need for their actions to be justified. It all comes down to a feeling that all of our actions need to be rational and vindicated.

Think about how much stress we experience in life just by trying to feel approved of. At the end of the day when all the choices are made, the sun has gone down, we lay in bed with thoughts wandering, and we attempt to establish a sense of peace before drifting off to sleep. We're left alone with our own thoughts and opinions. We are left in that place of self- love and acceptance... or placing judgements and negativity.

I've done a lot of reflecting lately on my life and the big choices I've made independently. I struggled in making most of those decisions. Often times the stress, anxiety, and fear I experienced has been directly related to wanting other people to be "okay" with my actions. I wanted to make sure that no matter what I chose I would still be loved and respected.

On the flip side, some of the most liberating and pleasing decisions that I've made in life have been grounded in a deep sense of peace within myself. I reached a decision - and no matter what hardships may come my way I would stand by those choices indefinitely. No matter what judgements were passed I could lay in bed at night in a place of self-love and acceptance.

So who are you living for?

"I want you to be everything that's you, deep at the center of your being." - Confucious

Allow yourself the space to simply be you, imperfect... living in pursuit of happiness. Love and respect others peoples right to be their own unique individual. Be as you are!

By living in a place of self-love and acceptance I am a better version of myself for everyone else. By knowing what I want out of life I am able to follow my dreams, live fully, spread the wisdom I've received, and let go of limiting beliefs.