The BODY challenge!

We encourage all to join us in a transformative 2 week promise to your greatest ally - yourself. Starting March 1st, give yourself the gift of committing to 3 or more of the following awareness building practices. Be sure to check in with yourself everyday and experience the sensation of creating space within. Here are a few of the challenges that some of us here at BODY are taking on...We hope you join us!

* Wake up 15 minutes earlier than usual & start the day with a short meditation. Create an intention for your day.

*Speak the truth, deliver it kindly.

* Eliminate media as much as possible from everyday routines. This includes TV, radio, newspapers, internet, books, etc.

* Spend at least 30 minutes outside each day. Watch the sun set from start to finish, immerse yourself in the night sky, or spend time with the rising sun.

* Create a daily practice of yoga, tai chi, or breathing exercises. Focus on nuturing your body. Thank it for all it does for you.

* Elminate recreational eating. Choose all meals by nutritional value. Listen to your body to determine what foods are best for your individual needs.

* Acknowledge all of your efforts at work, with family, etc... by fully relaxing for a set amount of time each day. Take a nap, a hot bath, or simply sit. Be careful to keep your mind from wandering.

You are beauty

"The moon lives in the lining of your skin."
-Pablo Neruda

Take this quote as inspiration to find the beauty and the infinite potential that lives within.

-Keryn

A few additions to our website

We have gotten a lot of comments from our clients over the years about things that will make BODY better for them. We are slowly going through that list to add as many of those items that we can. One of the newest items, is the ability to purchase gift certificates on-line. You can print them right away, email them, or order a gift card to be shipped. I hope it makes it easier for everyone to treat all the people they love. Don't forget that the best way to get a gift card is inside BODY because then you can treat yourself to a chai or hot chocolate in this cold weather. Always feel free to add other items you think could make body better to this Blog or email info@bodyofsantafe.com. The link to purchase gift certificate is http://www.bodyofsantafe.com/body_spa.html.

Kendra

Healthy Resolutions

The results are in!

Did you know that in our most recent poll, the most common resolution for BODY lovers was split 50/50 between vowing to eat more consciously and dedicating to a more regular yoga routine?

I suppose it is no surprise, our café has been bustling as usual! I've also noticed recently that the studio classes have a wonderful communal energy. Thank you for your participation in the poll!

Next time you find yourself in our café try something from our menu you've never had before. A favorite among BODY staff is the Asian Green Curry (featured in the photo). It's perfect for chilly winter days when you need to warm up from the inside out.

-Keryn

Hasbeens

BODY boutique is thrilled to announce that we will soon be carrying eco-friendly Hasbeen shoes, Lucky magazine's must have shoes of the year. As one of Sweden's fastest growing fashion brands, Hasbeens are made of ecologically prepared natural grain leather with heels crafted from sustainable wood. Ever since 1972, Hasbeens have been handmade in the same small factory in Sweden. BODY is happy to be the exclusive local retailer in Santa Fe to carry this brand that prizes creativity, joy, quality, and eco-friendliness above all else.

Hasbeens were chosen as the trend of the year in Sweden at the annual Trend Award Gala 2008 in Stockholm. During 2008 Swedish Hasbeens have become one of Sweden’s fastest growing fashion brands, triple their sales during only one year, attract some of the world’s best stores and expanded their brand to sell in more than 15 countries.

We expect our first shipment of Hasbeens soon! Until then, we are having a 25% off sale on all shoes!

-Keryn

Love your Community!

Here at BODY community comes first, which means we respect everyone's opinions and political leanings. That's why we are so inspired by the following community building project that transcends political parties!

Known as "A Call to Service", this project encourages Americans to get involved with their communities by committing to start volunteering today, January 19, 2009. Spokesperson Michelle Obama motivates us all in an online video to serve our neighborhoods, simply by routinely donating a little of our time.

Find a way your own way to give back to Santa Fe. For a list of local volunteer opportunities, Click here

Wah! is coming to BODY!

Wah! is a prolific songstress of Sanskrit chant, who seamlessly infuses a unique mix of Hindu chorus, pop, reggae and storytelling. Wah!’s concerts are always uplifting celebrations of spirit that are said to be “sensual enough to accompany candelight and playful enough to make a grown man shimmy”. Audiences tend to be a mix of people seeking a transcendent musical experience and fans who just want to have a night out dancing.

Wah! focuses her performances around interaction, frequently involving the audience in call and response, which she calls “mantras in motion”. The healing essence of mantras may be what attracts so many fans to Wah!’s performances, literally giving listeners good vibrations. Wah! writes all songs with the intention of healing for herself and her listeners, and considers chanting to be a community building practice.

You may recognize Wah! as the guitarist for Krishna Das, the best known American singer of Indian kirtan-style devotional music.

Buy your tickets in advance for this amazing event! Tickets will sell out. Wah! will be in concert at BODY on Saturday, March 28, 7:00 pm. For more information about Wah! Visit www.wahmusic.com

The transformative power of compassion

Compassion and peace are not the first things that come to mind when thinking of prison life. But with the help of Venerable Robina Courtin, a number of prisoners across country have been able to find peace, and even happiness, during their incarceration.

Venerable Robina Courtin, a nun for over 30 years in the Gelugpa tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, helped to create the Liberation Prison Project, which introduces prisoners to Buddhism. This project helps rehabilitate and provide spiritual refuge to interested prisoners through teaching compassion for others, meditation, and other important aspects of the dharma. The project intends to give prisoners tools to live productively outside of prison, and thus end the cycle of crime and violence that frequently brings people back into prison. The success of this project accentuates the need of rehabilitation on a grander scale; a service that our prisons fail to provide to inmates.

Perhaps the most surprising outcome of this project is that Ven. Robina Courtin successfully teaches happiness (and thus freedom) to people in prison. How inspiring that happiness can be found in such difficult circumstances!

Ven. Robina will be at BODY from January 30 - February 1 to give a series of lectures focused on happiness. Don't miss this incredible opportunity to meet such an important teacher of our time!

Artwork by a Liberation Project student

Click here to know more about the Liberation Prison Project.

-Keryn

Welcoming Winter

Glittering flakes:
The wind is breaking
Frozen moonlight

- Horiuchi Toshimi

We hope you're enjoying the beauty of winter as much as all of us at BODY. Simply by keeping warm, taking time out of your day to enjoy the seasonal sites, and by going at your own pace, you will be sure to enjoy this wondrous time of year! Remember that winter is the season for introspection and rest. Here are some ways to keep you balanced and in tune with the changes of nature:

1. Meditate 5 minutes longer when you wake up in the morning. Be sure to take a seated pose to get the most out of your practice.

2. Warm yourself from the inside out. Ginger Tea will warm your core.

3. Remember to keep moving. Don't abandon your yoga or nia practice due to a tight schedule. Flexibility will keep your body and spirit nourished.

4. Bundle up and spend some time outside. Open all of your senses to the season. What does this winter look like? What sounds are around you? What are some smells? You might be surprised by what you notice with a heightened awareness.

5. Don't hesitate to hibernate. Follow nature's cues by going to bed earlier. With the sun setting around 5:00 pm, this will be easy.

-Keryn

The coming Holidays

It is the time of hustle and bustle for last minute shopping for the holidays. Just to make things a little easier we have create many beautiful custom gift baskets for you to choose from. Baskets include A massage with body lotions and oils; a facial gift certificate and our wonderful spa technologies products; baskets for the coffee or chocolate lover; and many more. Don't fret in this last minute time. Drop in to Body boutique and get a wonderful gift last minute. We know how stressful this time of year can be and many of us forget to take care of ourselves. We just want to make it a little easier. And don't forget to drop in and get yourself a massage too!

Better yourself in the New Year

There are many ways to better yourself both mental and physically. The new year is a time where many of us reflect on the past year, ourselves, and our hopes for the future. Maybe you set a new goal for yourself to begin exercising or to save money.

Reflecting on all the things we often set as goals in the new year, one thing stood out in my mind, continuing education. What way is better to truly improve yourself, create self-empowerment, and to be the best you can truly be. I do not mean the formal type of continuing education. There are many ways to continue your education in this world. Continuing education is about going out and learning things that you did not know before. This can be done through reading books, attending, lectures, workshops, or a class.

Santa fe offers extensive opportunities for growth and learning and there are many classes about health, cooking, and spirituality. If you have taken a “vow” to be healthier this year, instead of struggling with it on your own, go take a class in cooking. There are oppotunites to learn about raw, vegan, vegetarian, or any other type of food. Or maybe you decided you would like to be a better, kinder person; take a class in Buddhism. Learning can help you continue on a healthier track. Joining a gym is great, but taking a class in why it is important to exercise, may help you continue to go to the gym.

Striving to be a better person is attainable through continuing to grow through education. The world offers us every opportunity to grow. We just have to reach out there and grasp it.


My new verision of an old saying, “it is never too late to teach an old dog new tricks!”

Get Healthier with Raw Chocolate

Have you ever tried REAL chocolate? I'm not talking about that highly processed stuff you find in vending machines or the waxy, chalky stuff that sits on grocery store shelves for ages. I mean raw, natural, unprocessed chocolate - straight from the cocoa bean. Raw chocolate is not only richer in taste and texture, but it is actually considered a medicinal food!

Like many foods, chocolate loses its vital health benefits when processed. Raw chocolate, however, is loaded with bioflavinoid antioxidants, known as flavanols. In fact, raw cacao contains two times the antioxidants of red wine, and three times more than green tea! Cacoa's combination of flavanols and high magnesium content promote a healthy heart, through lowering blood pressure and maintaining a healthy blood flow. Raw cacoa also contains sulfur, a mineral that is actually good for your skin and hair! There are many more health benefits of raw cacao.

Stop by BODY to try our new line of organic raw truffles, and see for yourself. All truffles and Love Cups are handmade and are sweetened with Agave Nectar. Finally you can satisfy your sweet tooth AND be kind to your body.

-Keryn

Harmonize Your Home

We've all heard of Feng Shui, however the newest trend in mindful home design is inspired by an ancient Indian science of architecture and design. Vatsu, as it is called, is a Vedic design system that incorporates harmony and honors nature as its main precepts.

Much like the philosophy of Feng Shui, Vatsu stresses the importance of the arrangement of furniture in rooms, the home's orientation to the sun, and the power of ornamentation. Vatsu's appreciation for nature is perhaps what has set its recent resurgence into motion. Today's movement towards green, sustainable households that are free of toxins fits right into the philosophy of Vatsu. In Sanskrit, the word Vatsu translates as energy, and through harmonizing the flow of your home, you will find a balance of energy.

If you'd like to learn more about how to balance the five elements of creation; fire, water, earth, air, and space, in your home; you can find Sherri Silverman's book - Vatsu: Transcendental Home Design in Harmony with Nature- in BODY's eco-boutique.

-Keryn

Holiday Giving and Receiving!

"Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck."- Dali Lama
Although this quote has nothing to do with the giving and receiving of the holidays, it made me think of the deeper level of the holidays. The stress of getting the perfect present, the stress of not receiving the presents we wanted. It is important to remember that it truly it the thought that counts. Remember that you may not have gotten what you wanted, but the other person cared enough to stress themselves over finding you the "perfect gift." Above all the holidays are about love and togetherness.
And I must add in a little shameless self-promotion. We now have gift registry, you can sign up in the boutique. One way to get what you want.
-Kendra

What have you done to GREEN your life?

As we enter the last month of 2008, I encourage some reflection on the various choices you have made throughout the year to "GREEN" your life. Make a list of all of the conscious ways you have changed your lifestyle to lessen your impact on our earth. Then make a new list, of the ways you plan to continue to grow towards a more eco-friendly existence in 2009! Remember, every small change is an accomplishment, so whether you have donated to an environmental charity fund raiser or you simply have bought your first eco-friendly sweater, it all counts! Little by little, every step you take will help. Here are a few things BODY has done to lessen our impact:

1. All café and boutique bags are recycled and biodegradable.
2. All office paper is recycled and used sparingly. Scraps are re-used for drawing in BODY kids!
3. Our recent remodeling uses recycled and eco-friendly materials.
4. We use Bio-Shield eco-friendly paint.
5. We buy our produce from local organic farmers.
6. Our boutique features eco-friendly, sustainable brands only. Nothing is made in sweatshops.
7. All Gift Wrapping for the holidays is organic and sustainable.

This is only a tidbit of what BODY has done to be an environmentally conscious business, and we are doing more every day!

-Keryn

TIBET: A Compassionate Dialog

Are you a supporter of Tibet? Would you like to like to know more about the rich culture of the "Land of Snows"? This coming Thursday, we will be hosting a Forum for Compassionate Dialog presented by Tamdin Wangdu. This educational (FREE!) discussion will focus on Tibet and the ways you can make a direct impact to help Tibetans.

Tamdin Wangdu, founder of the Tibetan Village Project, a non-profit organization, has raised funds to help Tibetan people through education, healthcare, and through promoting micro-enterprises for self-sufficiency. His organization offers T-shirts, calligraphic Tibetan prints, Tibetan note-cards and stunning photos. Please join us for this thought provoking and heart warming event. According to Wangdu, this conscious dialog may even " bring your mind closer to your heart and world peace from inner tranquility."

-Keryn

Surviving the Holidays vegan and raw

Surviving the Holidays Vegan and Raw
As seen in Natural Awakenings Magazine

The holidays are a time of family and food. Eating goes hand and hand with every holiday, making it especially hard if you are a vegan, vegetarian, a raw foodist, or simply trying to lose weight. If you find yourself in one of these categories, you will undoubtedly find this time of year challenging, as it is a time when traditional and comfort foods take precedence in most households, and eating healthy is put off for the New Year. There are many ways to avoid all of the problems that arise for those who are food conscious. Invite your family over for their first raw food feast or bring your favorite raw food dish to your holiday event to share! Bringing a non-traditional dish to a holiday event may feel like a risk, but by doing so you can introduce your loved ones to some very wholesome and tasty holidays meals.

Some people think Raw food consists of only salads or plain granola with no taste. To the contrary, chefs have developed wonderful raw gourmet recipes, such as Marinated Exotic Mushrooms with arugula or Bleeding Heart Radish Ravioli. Introduce your friends and family to this wonderful form of eating that is delicious and beautiful. I highly recommend the book “Raw” by Charlie Trotter and Roxanne Klein. This book presents numerous wonderful recipes that could make your raw food dish a hit at any holiday party. You can find this book at BODY, as well as a five other raw food books that carry some great recipes for all year round. For a wonderful vegetarian book try One Taste by Sharon Louise Crayton.

Introducing family and friends to vegan, vegetarian, and raw food, may be the beginning for them to become healthier in their lives. One taste of delicious raw, vegan cheesecake or chocolate ganache could be the first step. It may be their turning point to make a decision to be healthier, lose weight, lower cholesterol, and feel fantastic. Creating healthy desserts is a great way to introduce people to raw or vegan food. Even chocolate can be healthy! It is only a matter of how it is produced and what is mixed into it that causes it to become high in fat and calories. Surprise your family by not telling them how healthy your dessert is until after they ate it and have been full of praises.

If you do not have time to spend preparing food yourself, BODY café can offer some very special treats for your holiday. You can order delectable cakes, exquisite pies, and many unique raw treats to go. BODY café has raw, vegan, and vegetarian food, as well as selections for those with other special diets. BODY café is currently working on developing their to-go selections, is beginning catering, and will be serving BODY chocolate all made in house. Their goal is to make eating healthy, easier and more accessible for everyone.

Lorin Parrish, Chef and owner of BODY, has shared a few of her favorite recipes for the Holidays. She believes that eating raw means feeling good without sacrificing great taste. There is no reason to give up flavor for health! The recipes are raw and are best when prepared with organic ingredients. Try the local farmers market to get the freshest organic ingredients.
The holidays are a time when it can be hard to eat healthy, but it is possible with a little determination, creativity, and help from BODY café.

Mock Meat Loaf
*1-2 sweet potatoes, grated
1-2 red potatoes, grated
1 turnip, grated
1 onion, cut-up
1 cup cauliflower
1 medium beet, grated
3 celery stalks, with leaves
1/2 lb brazil nuts
3/4 lb pound raw pecans
1 TB nutritional yeast
1 tsp Celtic salt
1 tsp fresh ground pepper1 TB pressed garlic

Put each item in a food processor individually. When each item is processed, place in a large bowl. Mix together and refrigerate overnight. Next day, shape into a loaf. Dehydrate 6 hours at 105. Slice and serve.


*Mashed "Potatoes"*
6 C chopped cauliflower
1 tsp nutritional yeast
1/4 c flax oil
Celtic Salt to taste
In a food processor chop the cauliflower with an "S" blade. In a large bowl fold in the remaining ingredients and put in dehydrator for 1 hour. Serve warm.


Butternut Squash Cookies
4 C butternut squash, peeled and chopped
1 C raisins
1 orange, juiced
1/2 t nutmeg
1 t cinnamon
3 T raw honey
Mash squash in food processor until smooth. Put in a separate bowl. Process raisins and orange juice until smooth. Add raisin/orange mixture, nutmeg, cinnamon, and honey to the squash, and mix thoroughly. Spoon 2 TB size cookie mixture onto a dehydrator tray. Press each cookie to a 1/2 in. thickness. Dehydrate cookies at 115 degrees for 4 hours. Flip cookies and dehydrate for another 10 hours.


Beet Salad
2 beets, peeled and grated
1/2 lg head of cabbage, shredded very fine
3 carrots, peeled and grated
1 C of raisins
1 apple, diced
4 TB lemon juice
4 TB orange juice
1/4 C olive oil
1/4 C water
Mix all ingredients thoroughly


For more information about raw or vegan food contact BODY at info@bodyofsantafe.com.
BOOKS ABOUT RAW
• Raw: The Uncook Book: New Vegetarian Food for Life by Juliano Brotman and Erika Lenkert
• Raw by Charlie Trotter and Roxanne Klein
• RAWSOME by Brigitte Mars
• The Raw Gourmet by Nomi Shannon

Kendra

Love your Faucet!

We all need water on a regular basis. The more you drink, the better for your health. So while it may be easy to buy bottled water, the ecological impact of plastic bottles is an ugly trade off for convenience. Not only are plastic bottles forming an island of waste in the Pacific ocean, but the carbon footprint that they create simply from transporting the product to your local market is wasteful and unnecessary.

All of us that live in the United States have the luxury of clean water flowing right into our own homes through the faucet! While many people dislike the taste of tap, and question its purity, I suggest you reconsider. Water Departments across the country have strict standards on public water, and test it frequently for contaminants such as e. coli, pathogens, Giardia and chemicals. The regulations on public water are higher than most bottled water standards, making tap the healthier choice! Plus, by drinking tap you avoid nasty problem of plastic leaching into your water.

So, use your faucet! And if you need a re-usable eco-friendly to-go container, check out our line in BODY’s eco-boutique. Our re-usable mugs and water bottles are made from bio-degradable materials and will not leach into your water.

-Keryn

Give yourself a little gratitude

As Published in the Sun Monthly November 2008
Give a little gratitude to yourself
By Kendra Arnold


The holidays are coming, and so begins the dizzying hustle and bustle of searching for that perfect gift for the ones that we love. Holiday rituals, like shopping, decorating, and attending parties, certainly puts us in the spirit; however these festivities can also create pressure, stress, and frustration. I want to give you all a little reminder that during this time it is important not to forget about yourself. Remember to take a break, relax, and appreciate yourself for all the hard work you have done this year. It is important to reconnect with yourself so that you can be fully present to enjoy this beautiful time of year. Here in Santa Fe, there is a spa or massage therapist right around every corner. Book an appointment for a massage or facial. Take an hour for yourself, to find a little bit of personal peace.

This goes for everyone, no matter male or female, young or old. What good can you be to your family and friends if you are stressed from dealing with too many people, too much traffic, and too much to do in too little time? Taking care of yourself is good for you as well as your family. It takes a lot of energy to balance everyday work and family and then add in the work of shopping, cooking, and traveling for the holidays.

Stress leads to headaches, jaw clenching, body pain and tension, headaches, heartburn, stomach pain, anxiety, depression, and a list that continues for miles. The Mayo clinic offers some suggestions to cope with the holidays, “Take a breather. Make some time for yourself. Steal away to a quiet place. Listen to soothing music. Find something that reduces stress by clearing your mind, slowing your breathing and restoring inner calm.”

Many men I know cut themselves short; by thinking that spa treatments are for women. I recently got my husband to a massage after some prodding. When he walked out of his appointment, his first words were, “ that was amazing, I want those all the time.” He went on to explain all the ways he felt better. I was thrilled that he now understood the wonders of massage. The benefits of massage, facials, and body treatments are not just about the pampering, although it is a perk. These treatments, when done by a good therapist or esthetician, bring about relaxation and healing in the body.

The medical benefits of massage are enormous. Massage can help alleviate stress, fatigue, muscle pain, and tension headaches. It can also strengthen your immune system and increase your ability to concentrate. Many do not realize how much impact one tight muscle can have on the entire body. A tight muscle can change your posture and balance. This can cause a chain reaction within the body leading to more and more issues.

You might even get yourself a facial. The benefits to your skin are numerous and you get the time to lay back and relax. Facials relax the muscles of the face and jaw, increase circulation, and help lymphatic drainage, which helps drain toxins from our bodies. Don’t forget you will also look great for all of the holiday photos that are coming.

Massage and facials are not the cure all to holiday stress, but they will leave you with less tension. Time constraints are often an excuse to put off taking care of ourselves until later, but it is important to stop and give yourself a break now. Give yourself a little thank you for all your hard work.

Living in the present

“The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, worry about the future, or anticipate troubles, but to live in the present moment wisely and earnestly.”

-Buddha

Why is it so difficult to always live in the present moment? Even with the best intentions, we all experience mind wandering, with our heads racing to tomorrow’s problems or dwelling on our past failures. Take a breath, and re-center, even if just for a moment. Enjoy the perfection of this exact moment. In today’s world of hyper-stimulation and media bombardment, it is virtually impossible to be fully present all of the time. So start small. Be like water and flow with the present 3 times a day. Make yourself available to anything. You might be surprised what you experience!

-Keryn