It’s no small irony that probably the best way to gain weight in the long term is to go on weight loss diet. But, considering the weight loss industry generates more than $60 billion in sales annually,  what incentive would this industry have to share this information?,

The weight loss industry is big business for selling books and the latest fad diets, aligned with brilliant marketers promoting dietary supplements, prepared meals and other products and services to people who want to lose weight.

Kale is one of the most nutritious foods available—hence why this leafy green continues to takeover menus across the nation. Just 1 cup of raw kale provides about 3 grams of protein and a day’s worth of vitamin C, in addition to large amounts of vitamins A and K. As the kale fad continues and grows, it’s important to find lively recipes that help balance out the bitter flavor and tough texture of kale.

Welcome to our #WellnessWednesday yoga primer. Yoga is a wonderful way to become attuned to your body and increase circulation and flexibility. Each week I'll offer you a pose with benefits and instruction. 

Week Eight: Parsvottanasana/ Pyramid

Since the 1950’s, lawns have become engrained in American tradition – a rolling lawn is about as American as the white picket fence it sits behind. But lawns can actually be quite taxing on the environment – from pollution to dissolution of habitats for wildlife. This article will explore the ramifications of lawns and the care they require – and how to mitigate the effects while still enjoying your lawn.

Lawns in general are working against the environment in terms of habitats and pollution:

Earlier this week, I sat in a sangha among a roomful of spiritual seekers, gathered together in pursuit of a shared goal to reset the self.  Prior to coming, we were given the task to cut physical clutter from our lives. A few folks shared their experiences: various items of stagnant energy ushered into the forsaken trash - the ex’s toothbrush, the taunting pack of cigarettes, the size 4 pants that paraded in the past - or my personal favorite “an ex-boyfriend’s comforter he got from an ex-girlfriend”… folks were purging it all.

As Director of an after-school program, I have worked with children for many years. During this time, I have come to appreciate the many benefits of yoga for kids.  After-school programs offer many varied enrichment opportunities (as they should), but the yoga classes stood apart. 

Following a day cooped up at their desks, children usually came to the program rambunctious and with the day’s pent-up energy and frustrations.  I would send them into their class with silent sympathy for the yoga teacher.  They came out an hour later noticeably tranquil and calmed.

Welcome to the sustainable housing series with Basmati.com! Each week, I’ll write an article that talks about structures that promote sustainable living. I’ll cover everything from construction to average price. This week, I'll be exploring Earthships.

Week 1: Earthships

The great Persian poet Rumi offered his inspired take on love, advising the seekers to consider, “your task is not to seek for love, but merely to seek and find all the barriers within yourself that you have built against it.” Substitute the word “healing” for “love” and you have the basic philosophy that lies at the heart of any true holistic healing modality. Your body naturally cultivates wellness. Every second of every day, every cell in your body is working to bring your body back into a state of optimal functioning.

Breathing. You might say it’s important.

Sure, we know it is life juice – a necessity to think, do, speak, say, move about our ways. But what is the real deal behind breathing? Why do yogis and mindfulness practitioners believe in the power of the breath?

Pollinators are an integral part of many aspects our daily lives: they provide food, beautiful flowers, and agricultural production. Recently, honeybees and other pollinators have been facing an increasingly threatening environmental landscape. There are steps you can take to protect pollinators on a local level, from getting on your area’s ‘NO SPRAY’ list, to making your backyard a sanctuary for these important creatures. Below is a guide on how to attract pollinators and provide them with a habitat in your backyard.