We’ve blogged about Self Magazine’s workout videos before (I’m a big fan), so I was excited when my Honey gave me their Utimate De-stress Yoga DVD as a gift. And I’m happy to report that Self impressed me yet again!

It’s 45 minutes of stretching, toning, breathing and relaxing. Stephanie Cullen has the perfect voice for yoga instruction and the mountain range backdrop is super calming. The best part is that it’s divided into 2 segments: active and restorative. They’re designed to allow you to choose the whole workout or, especially useful for the time-pressed, choose the best one to fit your mood.

Here’s a short clip of the more relaxing yoga workout:

Today marks the first day of Lent for Catholics. Millions of people around the world have decided to give up a behaviour or substance for 40 days. This is considered a `partial fast’, and Catholics aren’t the only ones doing it!

Even though fasting customs vary across religions, such as timing, general guidelines and reasons, Wikipedia says,  “Fasting for religious and spiritual reasons has been a part of human custom since pre-history.”

While controversy rages over whether religion is helpful or harmful, maybe it’s tradition for a reason? I can’t help but think fasting has a basic survival element to it. It would explain why we still fast today and why it’s a shared practice among so many people from different backgrounds across the globe.

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If you’re taking care of yourself and living a healthy lifestyle, why not take care of the planet while you’re at it? I always cringe when I chuck a used pen into the garbage. That’s why when the Green Pen dropped into my lap, I couldn’t help but get excited!

It’s 100% biodegradable, except for the ink cartridge which takes care of more than half the waste. MVP Design has successfully replaced plastic with Mater-bi, a specially manufactured biodegradable, compostable cornstarch based material.

The company claims that, “Mater-bi does not release any metal or toxic residues, it comes from the earth and it returns to the earth without altering the eco-system.”

The crazy, fun part of this pen is that you can plant the Green Pen in a flower pot or in your garden and 8 months later, it’ll have decomposed and become fertilizer! They also sell pens with a bottom cap full of flower seeds. All you have to do is plant it and watch the seeds sprout and bloom while the pen decomposes into the soil. Cool, eh?

The Green Pen has been certified by BPI (Biodegradable Products Institute), approved by the CPIA (Canadian Plastic Industry Association), and has obtained the CEE safety mark for children. For all you pen-chewers, that means good news!

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This past week we’ve been talking about sprouts, what makes them healthy and how to sprout at home. I’ve just harvested some tasty sunflower sprouts (which I’ve never tried before last night), and fell in love with these earthy, crispy, subtly sunflower seedy tasting sprouts. Dying to try them in a recipe, and since it’s still wintery cold up here in Canada, I tried them in this very warm and `sunny’ stir-fry.

Inspired by a Brown Rice with Lentil and Sesame Seeds recipe found in The Vital You’s Ultimate Holistic Cookbook, here’s my very bright version:

Steph’s Sunshine Stir-fry

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Some people believe that sprouts are one of the most nutrient rich food in the world, a superfood that will help prevent and fight disease. The bonus is that it’s super easy to grow your own ‘wonder food‘ in any kitchen!

Sprouts’ magical qualities come from germination. Germinating (or sprouting) a dry bean, legume, nut or seed can increase the nutrient content (digestible energy, proteins, amino acids, bioavailable vitamins, beneficial enzymes, minerals and trace elements, and phytochemicals) by 300% to 1200% compared to its original, dry state. In addition, it’s calorie and carbohydrate content decrease. However, they are not considered a complete food, so they are best consumed complementing healthy meals.

Sprouts are `living food‘, which means that they continue to grow and increase their nutrient content even after harvest! Kinda creepy, eh?

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Considering the economy, isn’t it nice to know you can grow your own food in the comfort of your home? It’s called sprouting; and don’t worry, it doesn’t require piles of dirt to grow this highly nutritious food… unless, of course, you want. Intrigued by a sample sprouting workshop given by the Toronto Sprouts at a Women’s Healthy Environments Network event, it seemed super easy and with minimal start-up equipment.

But before investing in workshops and tools, try this SUPER easy, very cost-efficient way to sprout. Thanks to my Mom-in-Law and her tips, I’ve so far successfully grown alfalfa, fenugreek and at this very moment, there are sunflower seeds bursting with young, healthy, crisp, white sprouts – in my kitchen cupboard! The miracle of birth and power of youth are in sprouts – it’s absolutely amazing to see them change with every rinse.

An Easy Way to Sprout for the First-Timer

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All life’s pleasures have some sort of health benefit. Mix a couple of them together and, whoo-ey, look out!

Check out this 1 minute romantic love scene of a couple (that’s me!) enjoying some mouth-watering chocolate chip scones, strawberries and chocolate fondue, and tell me that romance and chocolate aren’t good for you:

Motivatorman calls that a foodgasm! So for Valentine’s Day tomorrow, try a little love and chocolate on your Honey and see what happens!

Here are some fun health facts about romance and chocolate to help encourage you:

• Having sex 3+ times a week can reduce your risk of heart attack or stroke by half! Check out this Forbes article for more benefits of sex.
• This article cites a study that proves romance, chocolate, fruit and massage are heart healthy and the perfect Valentine’s Day gift.
• Our survival depends  on the healing power of love, intimacy and relationships. Read this article to find out why!
• Dark chocolate is considered a health food.

Does this psych you up for a chocolatey rendez-vous with your love? No matter who you spend the day with, I hope there’s lots of love.

Happy Valentine’s Day, Readers!

Celebrating Heart Month, last post we introduced a designer necklace financed by the United Soybean Board to raise funds for the heart health research foundation, WomenHeart. We touched only briefly on how soy is related to heart health. The following information is found in one of four health benefit sections, Heart Health, professionally referenced and provided by the United Soybean Board in the pamphlet, “Soy for Health Benefits”:

The American Heart Association has recognized soyfoods for their role in an overall heart-healthy diet.

Soy protein directly lowers blood cholesterol levels, a major risk factor for coronary heart disease (CHD). In 1999, after reviewing significant clinical research, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved a health claim for soy protein and coronary heart disease. Similar claims have been approved in at least eight other countries.  Read the rest of this entry

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Not only is February Heart Month, Valentine’s Day is coming! If you haven’t already found the perfect token of your love and appreciation for the women in your life, then think about giving them a gift that not only improves their lives now, but also invests in their future!

The United Soybean Board has teamed up with Hollywood jewelry designer, gorjana, to bring you a sleek and stylish Heart to Heart charm necklace. All sales proceeds benefit WomenHeart, the only national organization dedicated to promoting women’s heart health through advocacy, community education and patient support. “We are excited to partner with soybean farmers across America for such a good cause,” says Gorjana Reidel, designer of the Heart to Heart necklace.

Dangling from a sterling silver 18″ chain, this beautiful charm was inspired by the delicate shape of the soy bean. “Worn alone or layered with other pieces, the necklace is a fashionable and meaningful addition to the jewlery wardrobe of women, young to old,” claims fashionista, Gorjana.

It’s only $45, and did we mention that 100% of that money goes directly to increasing awareness about a heart healthy diet, research and education about women’s heart health? Read the rest of this entry

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Do you want heaven on Earth? Easy. All you have to do is create peace by altering your state of consciousness. Don’t laugh! Everyone has the natural ability to do this. It’s a skill that can be taught and mastered. It will give you power to free yourself from suffering mental and emotional pain. Tolle teaches the art of creating peace through conscious living. It means that you can be in and around drama and remain totally unaffected. Cool eh?

Here’s a little taste of Eckhart Tolle and his teachings on The Hour with George Stroumboulopoulos:

So what do you think: can learning the art of creating peace contribute to a healthy lifestyle? How?