On the subject of Post Workout meal/drink - 2

Having an exercise routine that you love is important, as is, to keep it challenging ! For most of us, our jobs or home life does not involve any physical exertion, so we need to embrace some sort of activity to keep our bodies fit. It also helps if you enjoy your workout. To keep things interesting, I try different things - yoga, training for a run, dance etc when I need a change from lifting.

I do believe though, that as a nation full of people, suffering from a multitude of lifestyle diseases like  diabetes, high cholesterol, osteoporosis, obesity, we are not interested enough, in exercise. Some of us stick to a mandatory stroll post dinner for years, believing that is sufficient. Well, its not!
Exercise has become synonymous with losing weight for a lot of people. And if you are thin then you do not need to exercise! Thats so wrong... We all need exercise, what we choose to do can be different, there is no perfect, or right exercise. Do what keeps you motivated, do what is fun for you, otherwise its difficult to keep at it.

Hippocrates wrote, "All parts of the body, if used in moderation and exercised in labors to which each is accustomed, become thereby healthy and well developed and age slowly; but if they are unused and left idle, they become liable to disease, defective in growth and age quickly.”

We all need exercise (brisk walking in the park, football, hiking, aerobics or what ever works). Even with healthy eating habits, exercise comes with its own benefits - lower body fat, cardiovascular benefits, positive impact on blood pressure, heart rate and overall mortality. Regular exercise even helps people with mild depression.

If you do not exercise regularly, start today! To motivate you, I am sharing these pictures.:) Thats me dead lifting more than my body weight.

Raw Oats with Fruit, Seeds and Nut Butter
This is the perfect breakfast and post workout meal, bursting with nutrition and goodness. I have to say, this is my favourite food, and I eat it almost everyday!

Ingredients

For Oats
1/2 cup steel cut oats
3-4 cashews
3 dates
1/2 - 3/4 cup water

Toppings
1 tbsp flax seed powder
1 tbsp or more peanut butter / almond butter
a handful of gojiberries or raisins
1 mango diced

or

1 tbsp flax seed powder
10 - 12 pistachios or 6-7 walnuts
1/2 cup pomegranate seeds
8-10 strawberries sliced

Process
Soak the oats and cashews overnight. In the morning, discard the water and rinse well 5-6 times. In a mixer, add the oats, some fresh water and dates and blitz for a few seconds.
It can be served with the fruit and nuts. Raw oats can also be stored in the fridge for 4-5 days in an airtight glass jar.

On the subject of Post Workout meal/drink - 1

Hi Everyone! I have been away for a while, focusing on some other aspects of my life, you know, child, home, work, learning how to drive (yeah, can you believe it, I had to be 32 years old to tick that one off!) and trying CrossFit (yes, the first rule of CrossFit, tell everyone you are doing CrossFit ;))

So, anyway, it is really true, CrossFit is amazing, it is truly a full body workout, ensuring your full attention at all times. To me, it was like meditation, that one hour of workout, I was in the present moment, no thoughts or worries about the rest of the day, meetings nothing!
Physically, I pushed harder than ever. I have been lifting weights for a few years now, but have never seen such an improvement so quickly. Of course, it really helps to be surrounded by such driven people - the coaches, the fellow cross fitters !

Anyway, while I was at it, you know trying to CrossFit 4-5 times a week, I realised the importance of RECOVERY, all over again! That is rest and nutrition, especially Nutrition. The crucial post workout meal or drink!

What exactly are we looking for in a recovery drink or meal? Well, Protein, to help the muscles repair the damage, wear and tear from the exercise. Now, of course everyone has a favourite source, that they claim is the secret behind their super power, especially protein supplements! Now, I am, as you know a firm believer of natural and whole foods. That is not to say, that protein supplements don't have their advantages, they do, the very ease of not having to plan your meals and worry about preparation and planning. A word of caution on protein supplements, choose a product, that has its ingredients listed (pronounceable ingredients), source natural, minimally processed, preferably organic, ideally plant sources like sprouted grains etc, this will also ensure a better bio-availability and no scary, potentially dangerous compounds and chemicals with side effects.
The recovery meal also needs to be antioxidant rich. This is essential, because exercise causes free radicals, which in turn can cause oxidative stress, unless the body has enough defences of antioxidants.
We need to include carbohydrates, preferably with a high glycemic index, which will help the muscles restock glycogen.
Another crucial factor, is to consume this meal within 20-30 mins post workout.

Ultimately the purpose of exercise, is to enhance our health, fitness, strength, stamina, appearance and well being. It is not, (hopefully for anyone) to just build bigger muscles or lose weight! Since our health goals are multi fold and we pursue various physical regimes to achieve them, it becomes our responsibility to not be complacent about what we eat.  Giving our recovery drink or meal some extra attention is paramount.
I have come up with a few great post workout meal and drink options, that I want to share with you, over a few blog posts. These are all natural, wholesome, vegan and yummy, hope you enjoy them!

Garbanzo Broccoli Coconut Stew


The garbanzo beans, provide an excellent source of protein and a unique source of dietary fibre and a multitude of antioxidants. It helps body regulate blood sugar (wonderful for diabetics), provides cardiovascular benefit and keeps you full for longer for fewer calories (ideal for weight loss goals).

Broccoli is a good source of protein and is very rich in Vitamin C as well. But broccoli gives an added benefit in muscle building by limiting body's naturally occurring estrogen and even the sythentic compounds that mimic estrogen. This allows you to negate the negative effects of estrogen on your muscle building goals. Broccoli also helps with protecting the skin against UV damage among other things.

So, here is the recipe -

Ingredients
1 cup cooked garbanzo beans (soak the dry beans overnight and cook them in the pressure cooker with fresh water for 30-35 mins)
1-1/2 cups florets of broccoli
5-6 cherry tomatoes or 1 big tomato chopped
1-3 green chillies slit (to tolerance)
1 onion sliced thinly
1 tsp ginger
5-6 curry leaves
4-5 cloves
2-3 tbsp coconut milk
3/4 cup water
1 tsp extra virgin coconut oil
salt to taste

Process

In a large wok, heat the oil and add the cloves, onion, ginger, chillies and curry leaves. Stir and add the broccoli and garbanzo beans. Cook for a minute and add the coconut milk mixed with water and salt. Let it come to a boil. Turn the heat off and add the tomatoes and mix in.
Enjoy it hot off the wok with a red rice dosa or by itself.

3 minute dessert!!!

Do you have days, when you just crave something chocolatey and sweet, but really don't have the inclination to spend a long time in the kitchen? I do, and those days, I pray that my vegan and healthy cooking friends are baking something yummy in their kitchen, which they would send across for me to try:). That wish does come true sometimes!!!
Well, for the days it does not, I share with you, this 3 minute chocolate cake!!!

Ingredients

2 tbsp flour
1 tbsp palm sugar
11/2 tbsp raw cacao powder
3 tbsp cashew milk (or any other nut milk)
1 tbsp extra virgin coconut oil
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 small pinch of baking soda
a bit of oil for brushing the mug

Process

Brush the mug with oil. Put all the wet ingredients in the mug and whisk it well. Now add the dry ingredients and whisk really well.
Put the mug in the microwave for 1 minute, 30 seconds. Check for firmness, if it isn't firm, microwave for another 10 seconds.
This is a rich chocolatey adult dessert, not very sweet (intended to eat with some fruit), if you prefer it sweeter, do add more palm sugar!
Enjoy and share!

Balance - sweet, salt & sour. Day 5 Juice for Radiance

Today's juice is a perfect balance of sweet, salty and sour and probably thats the reason it is so satisfying! Celery, carrot, apple, amla is a really yummy combination.

Celery has natural salts which make it an ideal veggie to use while creating juices that are not too sweet. And it does bring in a huge profile of nutrients that have a host of health benefits - it regulates the body's alkaline balance which improves digestion, reduces acidity etc. The magnesium in celery acts as a stress reliever and also provides better sleep. It helps reduce bad cholesterol and lower blood pressure. It is rich in Vitamin A and is great for eye health. It also has cancer fighting antioxidants!

Amla or Indian gooseberry is a local superfood! It is a rich source of Vitamin C ( has more Vitamin C than oranges!). Amla helps strengthen the liver and flush out toxins, which helps detoxification. By aiding digestion, it also helps better absorption of calcium, which in turn positively affects bone health, teeth and hair! It is especially known to promote healthy hair growth!

Balance - sweet, salt & sour

10 carrots
1 slim bunch of celery
4 apples
3 amlas

De seed the alma. Wash everything well. Juice!

Ruby Warmth - day 4 of Juice for Radiance

A perfect juice for a cold winter morning, this juice literally warms your insides and puts the pink in your cheeks:). This beet, bottle gourd, sweet lime juice with turmeric and ginger is especially great before your workout and may actually enhance your overall physical performance and heart functioning during exercise, thanks to the red beets! 

Beet roots are one of the richest dietary sources of antioxidants and nitrates that improve blood pressure and blood flow throughout the body, including the brain, heart and muscles. They are great for maintaining lower blood pressure and a healthy heart.

Sweet Lime or musambi is rich in Vitamin C and is also amazing for digestion. With its high flavanoid content it is great for ailments like indigestion, irregular bowel movements and other gastrointestinal issues.

Fresh turmeric and ginger provide warmth and immunity benefits and add just the right kick to this perfect juice for this weather!

Ruby Warmth

3 large red beets

1 medium/small bottle gourd

6 sweet limes

1 piece ginger

1 piece fresh turmeric

Wash all the ingredients. Peel the sweet limes. Juice and head to the gym!

The Classic - day 3 of Juice for Radiance

'The Classic' is a perfectly sweet way to start your day! This carrot, apple, ginger juice provides the  right amount of sugar and gingery kick to wake your senses and get you ready to face the day, believe me, you wouldn't even miss the coffee!

Apples are one of the fruits with the highest antioxidant activity and are specifically responsible for a decreased risk, for chronic disease like cancer, coronary heart disease and type II diabetes. Apples are also known to protect brain cells against oxidative stress induced damage, providing protection against diseases like Alzheimer's. For diabetics, its a great fruit to include in one's diet - as Apples, lessen absorption of glucose from the digestive tract, stimulate beta cells in the pancreas to secrete insulin and also increase the uptake of glucose from the blood by stimulating insulin receptors.


The Classic (5-6 glasses)

10 carrots
4 apples
a piece of ginger

Wash, chop and juice!

Green Goddess - mother of all juices!

Dark green leafy vegetables should have their own spot on the food pyramid, considering how nutritionally potent they are. In fact they have one of the highest nutrients per calorie ratios!

So, as the name suggests, the star of the show is a dark green leafy veggie, and a popular one at that - Spinach! Bursting with Vitamin K, its great for bone health and also provides anti inflammatory benefits and host of antioxidants. Oranges are a great source of Vitamin C, as we all know and protect our DNA from free radical damage (includes the damage that causes signs of ageing)! Bottle gourd or opo squash is great for liver health and helps detoxify.

So, here is the recipe which makes 4 glasses.

Ingredients

3 bunches of spinach

1 bottle gourd

5 oranges

1 piece of ginger

1 small piece of turmeric (optional)

Process

Wash and juice!