Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas from Center Your Health!!!!!

Enjoy all the yummy holiday cookies!

For the Love of Scarves

As many of you already know, I have a serious love for scarves. My coat closet will not close because of the piles of scarves hanging from the door. I have them draped over doorknobs, over my windows, around chairs, and have a few stashed in the backseat of my car. I wear scarves all year round and even sleep with them at night (during the winter). When I'm clothes shopping, I almost always pick up at least one new colorful scarf. When I was in India, I easily bought a good 10 scarves to bring home, they were SO cheap and SO gorgeous! Keeping my neck warm keeps the rest of my body warm, and it also adds flare, color and style to any outfit I'm rockin'! So, for those of you who share the same love for scarves, below are a bunch of fun ways you can tie your scarves. =)

NJ Life Health and Beauty Magazine Publication on Laughter Yoga

Over the summer I was interviewed by the New Jersey Life Health & Beauty Magazine on Laughter Yoga (Hasya Yoga) and it's finally published in their holiday 2010 issue! Click on the image to the right to read the article, however, disregard that first sentence about "my studio"...HA! Although I don't teach Laughter Yoga classes (but am a Certified Laughter Yoga Teacher), I do feel very strongly towards it and its many health benefits. I encourage you to google a Laughter Yoga class near you and give it a try. They are a blast!!

About Laughter Yoga (By: Sebastien Gendry, who certified me!)

Laughter Yoga is a deceptively simple, yet very powerful and potentially life-changing, form of exercise that anybody can do — anytime, anywhere. Its core premise is that your body can and knows how to laugh, regardless of what your mind has to say; Laughter Yoga is a body-mind approach to laughter, not something mind-body. The distinction is very important. Here you do not need to have a sense of humor, know jokes, or even be happy. Laughter Yoga invites you to fake it until it becomes real.

Laughter Yoga is non-political, non-religious, non-racial, non-threatening, and non-competitive. It comes with no strings attached. There are no jokes or comedy, and there is no judging. Because there is no mind, there is also no ego, and no room for conflict or power struggle. Laughter is a universal language that transcends all barriers: language, age, gender, race, and social background. It improves interpersonal relationships and enhances communication. It interrupts the power struggle and breaks down the instinctive barriers between people.

At a deeper level it proves that pain can be overcome and also that we can all live in peace together. It is now indisputable that laughter plays a role in healing, staying healthy, controlling stress reactions, and maintaining emotional balance. Laughter has been rediscovered as a powerful tool in the battle against many mental and physical diseases.

Laughter Yoga also teaches you emotional resilience: how to make happiness a choice and not a consequence, and how to respond positively even in the face of adversity.

Should you laugh every day? Only if you want to feel good.

Click here for some example Laughter Yoga exercises to help get an idea of what it's like. It's very silly, but SO much fun! Poke around that site for videos of exercises to try. =)

Best Albums of 2010

Throughout this past year, I've been logging in and jotting down a sentence or two each time a new album comes out that is worth mentioning. Here is my list below, along with many others that I totally enjoyed along the way.

Arcade Fire - The Suburbs

Best album of the year. Period.

Sufjan Stevens - All Delighted People EP

I wrote a blog post on how beautifully amazing this EP is. I'm not gonna lie, I'm not too into Age of Adz. It's good, but too electronic for me. I totally dig electronic, but this was a little to over the top.

Local Natives – Gorilla Manor

This album is totally ridiculous from beginning to end. The sounds of drums have never excited me the way they do in this album. It may just make my list of one of my favorite albums ever.

Beach House – Teen Dream

I went to see the National at Prospect Park this past summer and as I was walking towards the park I heard Used to Be playing. I skipped along to it thinking they were just playing the album but it turns out they were opening and my girlfriend never told me! Best surprise EVER!

Broken Social Scene - Forgiveness Rock Record

I was definitely hesitant of how this album would be since their last were so right on and complex, but they blew me away. I was lucky to catch a show this past Spring around my birthday in NYC. Amazing watching so many of them live on stage together!

Yeasayer – Oddblood

I still think I love their first album more, but Oddblood was definitely amazing. I missed their show this past Spring because I had stupid strep throat, boo!!! Sleigh Bells opened for them and I heard they blew so it made me feel a little bit better about missing the show.

The Black Keys - Brothers

When I hear the Black Keys I think: Raw. SEXY. Blues. Garage-rock & roll. This is their best album yet, hands down.

Gonjasufi - A Sufi And A Killer

A yogi with a raspy voice, hip hop beats with a psychedelic-rock twist. Yes please. The Caliph's Tea Party (his latest album, released 7 months after this one), is much more haunting and trance-like...I dig it.

The National - High Violet

This album is brilliant.

Bonnie 'Prince' Billy - The Wonder Show of the World

My friend, Colin, one of my few musically inspiring friends (you know who you are) that I constantly exchange albums with, introduced me to Bonnie 'Prince' Billy this past year. It was love at first listen and luckily enough, he came out with a brand new one to enjoy this year. I love the song, With Cornstalks or Among Them!!

Wolf People - Tidings

This album is totally unrefined, but that's what I love so much about it. Along with its British rock sound, it's so reminiscent of early Floyd that it makes me turn on The Piper at the Gates of Dawn after listening.

Deerhunter - Halcyon Digest

I love Bradford Cox and anything musically that he is affiliated with! Did you know his blog offers albums of the music that Atlas Sound creates on the side for free?! Just another reason to love him more.

Tama Impala - Innerspeaker

This album will forever remind me of the Summer of 2010 and my drives to and from Asbury Park. Sun, ocean, sandy feet, boardwalk, paying parking meters, rompers, beach bars, sun-kissed skin…all that beachy-summer stuff.

Junip - Fields (and Rope & Summit EP)

Dear Jose Gonzalez, how I love thee. Your soft voice and lovely guitar strumming continually captivates my heart. Junip's new album does just this along with your Rope & Summit EP. Please don't stop.

Govindas & Radha - Light Inside You: Kirtan Vibrations

Let's not forget, I am a yogi so I totally get down with kirtan…like, at some point of each and everyday. I chant during my long commutes, while I clean my house, as I cook, work, etc. I've been anxiously awaiting Govindas & Radha's new album since their last one. This one has quite a few solid tunes on there to chant along too, yay!!

If i had all the time in the world I would write a bit about each below because there are definitely some gems, but life gets in the way. You know how it goes!

Some of my other favorites this past year:

The Morning Benders - Big Echo

Wild Nothings - Gemini

The Drums - The Drums

Band of Horses - Infinate Arms

LCD Soundsystem - You Wanted A Hit

Erykah Badu - New Amerykah Part 2: The Return of the Ankh

Los Campesinos - Romance is Boring

Sean Carey - All We Grow

Department of Eagles - Archive 2003-2006

She & Him - Volume II

Natacha Atlas - Mounqaliba

Caribou - Swim

Philip Selway - Familial

Vampire Weekend – Contra

Broken Bells - Broken Bells

The Radio Dept. - Clinging to a Scheme

DId I miss any? What were some of your favorite new albums this year? Please do share below!!

Sweet Potatoes vs. Yams

My clients are always asking me what the difference between a sweet potato and a yam are. Here is a quick explanation below with a delicious recipe to try!

In the United States, the term "yam" is usually mistakenly used to label orange-fleshed sweet potatoes. Yams—thick, white tubers with little flavor—are actually not related to sweet potatoes at all. Sweet potatoes originated in South America and come in dozens of varieties; the orange-fleshed ones in question are only eaten in the United States. Yams, on the other hand, are rarely available in the United States, though they are popular in South and Central America, the West Indies, many Pacific islands, and parts of Asia and Africa. Orange-fleshed sweet potatoes have a rich, sweet flavor; yams are particularly bland, starchy vegetables that are best used as a background for more flavorful accompaniments. Sweet potatoes typically have a smooth skin, while the skin of yams is rough and somewhat shaggy.

In the supermarket, you will generally see what is technically a sweet potato labeled as a yam. You are unlikely to find a true yam at your average supermarket, although they are slowly making their way to some, so if you are shopping for sweet potatoes, you should be safe putting a "yam" in your cart. When recipes call for yams as substitutes, most are referring to red-skinned, orange-fleshed sweet potatoes that have been labeled as yams—not the white-fleshed, bland tuber.

Difference in Health Benefits:

Sweet potatoes are relatively low in calories and have no fat. They are rich in beta-carotene , having five times the recommended daily allowance of Vitamin A in one sweet potato, as well as loaded with potassium. These nutrients help to protect against heart attack and stroke. The potassium helps maintain fluid and electrolyte balance in the body cells, as well as normal heart function and blood pressure.

Wild Mexican "yams" which are related to the sweet potato, seem to have anti-weight-gain, anti-cancer, and anti-aging properties. True yams do not contain as much Vitamin A and C as sweet potatoes.

Information above adapted from: http://www.bonappetit.com

One of my favorite cookbooks, Clean Food, is by a fellow IIN grad, Terry Walter. Her recipes are simple, healthy, quick and totally delicious. Try satisfying your sweet and salty cravings with this healthy take on French fries.

Spiced Sweet Potato Fries

Serves 6

Ingredients:

3-4 sweet potatoes or yams

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

Tablespoon balsamic vinegar

1 tablespoon maple syrup

2 teaspoons cinnamon

Coarse sea salt

Directions: Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Wash potatoes and remove blemish spots and dried ends. Slice into sticks and place in large bowl. Drizzle on remaining ingredients and toss to distribute evenly. Spread coated potatoes in single layer on cookie sheet and bake 10 minutes. Remove from oven, flip slices and bake another 10-20 minutes or until tender and browned (cooking time will vary depending on thickness of potato slices). Serve hot & enjoy!

CYH's Song of the Moment: Roses & Cigarettes by Ray Lamontagne

I've been wide awake since 4:30am this morning. It was pitch black when I left my place and there were wispy light flurries throughout my drive to NY. It was a Ray Lamontagne morning. This song was an extra on his 2nd to last album, Gossip in the Grain. I adore his song-writing and but for some reason these particular words in this song just get to me, especially this morning.

Ray LaMontagne: Roses And Cigarettes

Plastered in your newspaper palace

Dishes and the backdoor slams

The dogs on the floor

They don't roam anymore

And the rivers gone deaf at the dam

The dust falls like rain on your doorsteps

Chokes you when you lift your rake

A wine so sweet is the taste of your mouth

But your love aint the kind you can keep

Oh roses and cigarettes

Pillow case that remembers you

the scent of you still lingers on my fingertips

Till I think I might go insane

When will I see you again

Seen how you look at the stranger

I see how you waite when he's gone

If I told you I thought that there was a sin in your heart

Could you honestly tell me I'm wrong

Oh roses and cigarettes

Pillowcase that remembers you

the scent of you still lingers on my fingertips

Till I think I might go insane

When will I see you again

He tells you that he needs you, he's a liar

He tells you he's a hero, he's a fool

He tells you he'll stay till the lords breaking day

Then babe he ain't nothing but cruel

Oh roses and cigarettes

Pillowcase that remembers you

the scent of you still lingers on my fingertips

Till I think I might go insane

When will I see you again

CYH's Song of the Moment: Jon Hopkin's Vessel

i love art, dance & music!!!!