Ananda Kennard

SmartFlow® Yoga

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Finding Your Way Back To The Light

I would like to share a tip that has helped me in my own life. Recently, I found myself moving in a downward spiral, as I became flooded with negative thoughts about many situations, which lead to a depression. The content of my inner dialogue was consistently one of negativity. My attention was being pulled to everything that was wrong or “not good enough”. As a teacher of yoga, I was aware that where I placed the attention is where our power lies. In this moment, I was not the mover but the moved, and I realized I was not in control.

This simple reflection, or re-cognition, brought me back to myself. I was the able to turn my attention to another type of positive thinking within my experience, to supplement the automatic thoughts. I recognized my true desire, and used mantra to help me turn a radical corner. From my experiences, I invite you to develop a phrase that is personally inspiring and helps shift your perspective. The mantra that I am currently using is: my life is a work in progress, I am happy and I am free.

I invite you to reflect on your current styles of thinking, to see if you think you could benefit from a change in perspective when approaching certain situations. I use mantra to continually turn my attention to the thoughts that shape my life. When I find them moving in a trajectory that isn’t helpful, or I find myself overwhelmed, through this awareness I can pull myself out for a moment. When saying a few important words to myself in such a moment, another option emerges.

Some mantras that may be of service, and help switch the content on your thoughts include:

I am my own authority.
My life is a work in progress.
Things are as they’re meant to be.
I am what I have been seeking.
Life is my practice; Practice is my life.
I am committed to living my life fully.

Choose a mantra that resonates with your life and recite this positive message as part of your practice. You are enough within yourself.  You can pull yourself out of problematic situation with the attitude you use to approach it.  By reciting the right words, you can move your thoughts in the direction you desire.

* man·tra  /ˈmantrə/

Noun

  1. (originally in Hinduism and Buddhism) A word or sound repeated to aid concentration in meditation.
  2. A statement that is frequently repeated; a characteristic formula or refrain. Via Your Zen Life.

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Dairy Free and Egg Free Crème Brulee

We stumbled across a great and healthy recipe for Crème Brulee on Your Zen Life. Ananda is excited to contributing to Your Zen Life so watch this space!

creme brulee

Ingredients: 

2 cups of raw cashew
4 tbs maple syrup or agave nectar
2 cups of water
6 tbs vanilla custard powder (gluten free variety)
½ tsp sea salt
Coconut sugar

Instructions: 

Put all the ingredients minus the sugar in a blender, and blend until smooth.
Transfer to a saucepan and over low heat, whisk while the mix thickens.
Put the custard mixture back in the blender and blend very well.
Place ramekins in a baking tray.
Fill up the ramekins with the custard to ¾ full.
Sprinkle the sugar over evenly.
Place under a hot grill for 5-7 minutes or until browned a little (ie brulee, to burn).

Berry Compote:

450 g frozen mixed berries
water

In a saucepan bring the frozen berries to the boil with enough water to cover. Allow the berries to bubble and liquid to evaporate, stirring occasionally. The berries are 65 calories per serve (hello – easy weight loss) and keeps in the fridge for a good week. Continue to use the rest with yoghurt, Bircher muesli, or porridge. It helps with organization if you prepare food in bulk, that way there is always something to nibble that is diet plan friendly. Serve the Crème Brulee with the berries on top or to the side.

Enjoy!