Hi, I'm Peruvianlily

Welcome to my first Blog for Peruvian Lily Yoga, you guys! I’m super stoked on getting the opportunity to connect with you all more and because it’s January I felt drawn to the theme of Renewal to begin the New Year with a fresh path for ourselves. Here in Northern California gradually bulbs are popping out showing their new vibrant green shoots. As winter slowly comes to an end, we begin to see the days grow longer and we can also sense the energy of Spring coming our way. This is usually known as a time of inspired imagination, new beginnings and creativity so perhaps new goals or desires for the year may have come to you over the past months. As Cait Johnson & Maura D. Shaw describe so eloquently regarding the mystical world of Dreams, “Working with our dreams gives us real information about the self. Dreams are, in fact, messages from the Deep Self, where change, healing, self-confidence and greater awareness gestate and from which they may emerge to manifest in our waking lives.” So if somethings came to you during the hibernation of winter consider allowing those aspirations to come into fruition.

Some good Asanas to do during the Winter Season are:
*Standing poses that create heat while opening the chest like Parsvakonasana (Lateral Angle Pose).
*Back bends like Setubandhasana (Bridge Pose) that generate energy and heat plus opening the lungs.

Winter is typically damp, cold, cloudy and grey which makes it in Ayurvedic terms the season of Kapha, when in balance it can provide vigor and strength but if out of balance then it can produce negative emotions like greed, envy, sluggishness or weight gain can be felt in the body. Ways to put the body back into balance at this time is to keep your body active~find plenty of time to sneak outside to play even for short periods as opposed to hibernating inside, consider beginning your days with Sun Salutations, Meditate- then afterwards make sure to eat warming foods like soups and stews, spicy foods as well as incorporating ginger and cinnamon into your meals is beneficial to the digestive system during this time, use a humidifier at night, do things that make you feel happy, be silly!, eat local-

seasonal fruits & vegetables, sit in a sunny area when indoors which provides Vitamin D, treat yourself to a sesame oil message which heats and invigorates the body. Visits with family and friends keeps you in a happy vibe as well. Aromatherapy is also powerful stuff so bring sweet scented bulbs inside your home to grow like hyacinth, which soothes the body and mind. Try to reduce hard/eratic qualities and instead introduce grounding and soft qualities. Reduce dry foods like crackers and chips or cold foods too.

One of my favorite memories I have of winter is the home being filled with the scent of stewed cloves on the back burner as I’d spend the day baking and cooking warm treats for my children when they were little. One of their favorites was Baked Apples....enjoy this lovely recipe with your loved ones on one of these chilly evenings by Ayurvedic Chef Johnny Brannigan! :)

Baked Apples w/Cranberries & Cloves

Ingredients:
4 large apples, any variety, cores removed
1/4 cup cranberries or dried blueberries
1/4 cup raisins
4 dried figs, finely chopped
2 dried un-sulphured apricots, finely chopped
1 teaspoon ginger powder
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 cup apricot or peach juice
16 whole cloves
4 teaspoons honey or agave (optional)
Preheat the oven to 350*F
Remove the core from each apple, without cutting all the way through the skin on the bottom.
Place the cranberries, raisins, figs and apricots in a mixing bowl. Sprinkle in the ginger and cinnamon and pour in the apricot juice. Mix the ingredients thoroughly

and then fill the apples with the fruit mixture, allowing some to sit on top of the apples.
Place the apples in a baking dish and pour any remaining fruit mixture over them. Pierce each apple with 4 cloves.

Bake for 25 minutes or until the apples are tender. Remove from the oven and place on individual serving plates. Drizzle with honey, if desired. Bon Appetite!

Namaste!

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