"What foods will give me more energy?" This is a question that clients and students ask me every week. When I hear this question, I become curious about what kinds of foods they are eating or what activities they are doing that may deplete them of their energy? The "magic pill" approach may sound easier than looking more deeply, at underlying issues. But in the long run, real results require real change.

This reminds me of a lesson that many great spiritual teachers have taught me. They affirm that the compassion, love and spirit that I look for in my life, are all already within me. In yoga, or any spiritual practice, our intention is to unlock that which blocks us from reconnecting with what is already inside.

Energy is the same- we all have an abundant amount of energy. It's just "locked" up . It's locked in our To Do Lists, in "shoulds" and in responsibilities. It's also locked up in caffeine, sugar, processed foods, over eating, or in eating in social situations when we're not really hungry, to name a few!

Did you know that eating in a rush could actually shut down the digestive system? This may result in low energy, constipation or even more serious health concerns. Non-organic vegetables are tainted with pesticides and herbicides and have lower nutritional value, in turn, this leaves us with less energy. Chips, soda and sweets might give us a momentary lift, but what is the long lasting effect? Solid, sustained energy? Not really. The next time you eat junk food, notice how you feel an hour later.

This week I want to encourage us to look at the foods and activities in our lives that drag us down. In the Fruition World we have two names for things that feed us: Secondary Food and Primary Food. We learned these terms from Joshua Rosenthal, our teacher at The Institute for Integrative Nutrition. Secondary Food refers to the food on our plate. Primary Foods are all the other things in our lives that feed us (work, relationships, exercise, spiritual practice). Therefore looking at both Secondary and Primary foods in our lives might give us a clue as to where our energy is or where it might be "locked up".

As you’ve heard me speak about in last months emails many clients and students are starting a 21 day cleanse this Saturday. That can be overwhelming for some people but how about a mini-one day-cleanse? One day where you abstain from the Secondary and Primary foods that give you that jolt of energy that is soon followed by a crash. Yes that means both food and perhaps people in our lives, activities we do or don’t, etc….

For example: I know lots of people in my life, who I love but it’s an adrenaline rush when I see them or a lot of energy out and not a lot back. I love them but sometimes I need a mini cleanse from them just like I would from sugar, caffeine, carbs or chocolate.

Here's my thought, set aside a day or perhaps a weekend in the next couple of weeks. Cut down or cut out the caffeine, cut out the sugar, let go of the packaged foods. Instead, eat whole foods; go organic if you don't already eat organic; try a juice fast. Do something nice for yourself, like getting a massage, going to bed earlier, or trying a gentle or restorative yoga class. Or keep it super simple and just commit to sitting down when you eat and chewing your food. You will feel really different!

At first you might experience what we call the detox headache or you might think, "Darshana, I'm not getting more energy, I'm actually more tired." If that's your experience you are on the right track. Believe me, keep going . If you can get through that first day you might be inspired to see what it would be like to live your life from this place.

Below you will find a refreshing salad and a tasty creamy dressing to get your detox program going. Let me know how it goes.

DARSHANA'S DETOX SALAD AND DRESSING RECIPES

Colorful Rainbow Salad

1 carrot, shredded
1 cup purple cabbage, shredded
1 small, ripe avocado or 1/2 large avocado
1 ear raw corn or frozen organic corn
1 or 2 celery stalks
1/2 cup of sprouted sunflower seeds
1/2 cup of jicama, diced

Cut the corn from the cob. Cut the avocado, celery, and jicama into small pieces.
Add all ingredients into a salad bowl. Toss lightly.

Dress with your favorite dressing or try the Carrot Juice Dressing below.

Carrot Juice Dressing/Sauce

2 1/2 cups fresh carrot juice (depending on desired thickness)
1 medium avocado
3 to 4 stalks celery
1/4 cup lemon juice, freshly squeezed

Mix all the ingredients in a blender until fully blended.

Carrot Juice Dressing/Sauce (Indian spice version)

Carrot juice dressing/sauce
Up to 1 1/2 tsp. turmeric
Up to 1/2 tsp. cumin
Up to 1/2 tsp. curry powder

Blend spices into the carrot juice dressing/sauce, to taste.

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THE FWH LOCAL GROUP PROGRAM : Our first group was so popular that we are starting a second group Monday April 16, 2007. It is rolling admission, so you can join anytime. So if you had a great time and learned a lot in your one-on-one fruition program and want a refresher… Or if you have never participated due to timing or money but have always wanted to, this is your chance to learn about healthy eating and a healthy lifestyle.
Click here for details: http://www.fruitionhealth.com/services_local.html or call us at 415 552 8344.

WOMEN’S YOGA CLASS: Yoga is a practice for everyone—regardless of size, shape or overall health and now a yoga class tailored to only women click here for more info http://www.fruitionhealth.com/index.html

FRUITION AT PHARMACA IN COLE VALLEY: Saturday April 21, 2007.
Alice Moore, Fruition Health Counselor will be leading HOW TO EAT WHILE RECOVERING FROM ADDICTION.
There is a direct connection between what we eat and the function of our
brain chemistry. Drinking alcohol, eating sugar, drinking caffeine, or using drugs dramatically affects our state of mind. As we recover from our addictions, we develop more sensitivity and many of us discover how food affects the way we feel. For more details email us at info@fruitionhealth.com. IT’S FREE!

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