What is the difference between raw foods and living foods?

2009-11-10T15:40:51Z

I see this terminology used a lot and in some cases interchangeably but cannot really tell what distinguishes one from the other.

What are the Risks of Bikram Yoga?

2009-11-10T21:29:23Z

So my girlfriend's sister is a huge fan of Bikram yoga (or hot yoga if you don't want to deal with Bikram's copyright issues). She talked us into giving it a try. We found a local hot yoga studio and were going two or three times a week for a week or two before life intervened and prevented me from going for a while. While we were going I was loving it and felt great! Granted it was hard, and hot, but I liked the way it stretched me out and the hot room was getting more and more pleasant as it got colder and colder outside.

However, since I've stopped going I've been feeling like crap. I ache all over. I regularly feel weak, as if I've got mono again. Several of my joints feel as if they have been sprained or damaged. At first I thought it might just be because the yoga had made more sore and I was recovering. But it's lasted for a solid two weeks of rest.

Note, I've been a swimmer, a hiker, a climber and an ultimate frisbee player for most of my life. I've been on a trail crew and hiked all over the White Mountains. I've played through long frisbee tournaments and survived swim team training trips. I'm accustomed to the achings of a sore and battered body. These are not them.

Other folks I've talked to speak as if they are addicted to Bikram, as if they feel physical withdrawal symptoms when they stop doing it. Granted, I've spoken the same way of Ultimate Frisbee - so I'd take it with a grain of salt.

But taking that with the way I feel, I wonder if Bikram Yoga is in fact good for the body as advertised or if it is doing subtle damage. It is a relatively young form of yoga, supposedly, created in the last couple of decades by adding the heat to a specific sequence of ancient yoga positions.

So the question is, what are the known risks of Bikram yoga? Has it ever been known to do more harm than good? Is it at all possible that it's doing me harm, or am I just sore and aching because I've never used these muscles in this way before?

Can you suggest an inexpensive and good sprouter?

2010-07-03T12:21:58Z

I am trying to eat healthy, starting with sprouts. I bought this one

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000N03EK0/

but not happy with it. This sprouter seems to be recommended highly and I can easily afford it

http://www.amazon.com/Sproutamo-Easy-Sprout-Sprouter/dp/B000GHUD86/

Anybody has experience with the easy sprouter from sprout people? Also, suggestion for a better sprouter?

where can I buy them in person (instead of ordering it online) in New York?

What raw food books have influenced you most when you first started?

2009-11-03T03:32:16Z

The title says it all. Can you suggest books that have inspired you to take the plunge? Over the years, have any of these books continued to be an influence on you? I personally, found "Green for Life" by Victoria Boutenko to be excellent.

Thanksgiving feast

2009-11-21T16:19:04Z

Some ideas on a healthier variation or even an addition to the traditional thanksgiving feast?

Chronic back pain?

2009-11-16T15:04:43Z

Suggestions for chronic back pain?

Healthy choices for kids' lunch/snack?

2009-11-05T02:38:02Z

Looking for ideas on healthy food choices that kids will enjoy. I find the difficulty is encouraging healthy eating without making it seem like it is my choice. We had a hard time initially but now my 6 yr old looks forward to the banana-almond-sesame-hemp-honey smoothie breakfast and will even chirp to his friends that it will "make you strong", lol.

Growing Wheatgrass indoors

2009-11-16T15:38:58Z

Have been meaning to do this for a while and don't know where to begin. I read somewhere that perlite and peatmoss can be used. I want a cheap, DIY, fool-proof method. Anyone?

Want to go organic but expensive, suggestions?

2009-11-11T21:25:28Z

We want to go organic but find that it is still substantially more expensive then conventional products. What do you folks do in terms of maintaining a budget and still eating organic?

How do I start composting?

2009-11-04T22:02:25Z

I have been thinking about this for a while and want the easiest least messy way of doing it. I recall long time back a friend used a worm based method that seemed pretty self sustaining. I am concerned about large unsightly messes that neighbors may frown upon so a clean solution is most welcome.

Supplements: Vitamins, greens powders, etc

2009-11-12T14:21:24Z

I am considering supplementing my diet with vitamins and the like. Can you suggest some good ones or even what combos I can take? What do you think of those super foods such as green powders and the like?

What plants do well indoors under a grow lamp?

2009-11-11T18:00:02Z

Specifically vegetable plants and herbs. I live in upstate New York. As anyone who's ever lived in New England knows, it gets cold and dark up here early and stays that way long. But I don't want to be completely with out fresh vegetables and herbs for the entire long dark winter. And I imagine having an indoor garden will help keep my spirits up as the winter progresses.

I've purchased two 54 watt 6400k grow lamps and set them up side by side. I have a number of single gallon pots I intend to use as the homes for the plants. I'm going to aim for as many different herbs and vegetables as I can fit. And I'm hoping to use heirloom varieties wherever possible.

So my question is, what vegetables, fruits, and herbs will do well indoors with grow lamps as the primary light source?

Ant problem, natural solution?

2009-11-11T15:51:17Z

We have a serious ant issue in eating areas and all. Tried everything including those nasty traps but the ants just walk past them and besides we are not too comfortable with the nasty chemicals near kids nor near food areas.

Any ideas on what works with these critters? Some one we know suggested ashes (from fire place or similar) and he swore by them but this is impractical since you can image all the ashes everywhere. I guess it is fine outdoors but we need something else indoors. We also tried looking at where they are coming from but to no avail, basically we need an indoor deterrent. Ideas?

What are you doing to boost your immunity this season?

2009-11-03T15:20:51Z

The double whammy of the standard flu and the swine flu means we need to be extra cautious. What are you doing to help you through the season?

Want to start yoga

2009-11-08T17:27:03Z

I want to start some form of yoga that involves poses, can some one suggest where I can go. I am considering our local gym or YMCA that offer classes but I am not sure.

What are the benefits of meditation?

2009-11-03T04:07:34Z

Did anyone catch the NPR interview of Doris Taylor on "Speaking of faith"? In this interview Doris Taylor claims that research shows that stem cells are created within the body when one meditates for 15 min. everyday. Among several benefits, reduction of stress and the aging process are discussed. Am wondering if anyone knows of other research showing benefits of meditation?

How do I get started with sprouts?

2009-11-05T16:42:45Z

I have been thinking of growing my own sprouts. Could you recommend seeds to sprout that would provide a high-energy breakfast? Would also love to hear your tips on sprouting techniques.

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