So you want to improve your health?

I hear a lot of people want to get in shape, look better, feel better... the list goes on and on. 

"So, what's stopping you?" I always think.

Now especially is a tough time to keep up with diet and exercise since the days are growing shorter and it's becoming more and more difficult to get in quality outside time. But we know the holidays are coming and we're bound to put on pounds.

What can we do? How can we stay motivated to keep up with it? Or even worse... what if we decided to take on an early season race for the first time? 

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When the weather starts going bad, yoga has always been the first thing I turn to. Yoga in heated rooms specifically... But more than that, yoga helps keep me focused on staying focused.

Why? Because yoga practice is a discipline.

• Mind: Mindfulness, specifically. Briefly, the first thing yoga teaches is that if you can gain control of your breath, you'll gain control of your mind and self. When you gain control of the self you will be more apt to pay attention to your diet, your physical fitness, your attitude and your will power. 
• Body: The most prominent thing yoga is known for is the physical postures. The physical postures, or asanas, oxygenate and elongate your muscles and joints and strengthen your bones. This prepares your body for a more rapid recovery as well as a number of competitive sports.
• Spirit: By "spirit" we simply mean that you feel good, or how you feel, or what your energy level is. And simply put, even if you stick with only the physical aspects of yoga, you will feel good. Live well, Love much, Laugh often.

What helps you?

Wanna try a new tasty and easy to make delish recipe???

Brendan Brazier’s Raw Vegan “Toasted” Apple Cinnamon Cereal

• 1/2 apple, diced
• 1 cup gluten free oats or sprouted quinoa
• 1/2 cup diced raw almonds
• 1/2 cup ground flaxseed
• 1/2 cup hemp flour
• 1/2 cup unhulled sesame seeds
• 1/2 cup sunflower seeds
• 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp ground stevia leaf
• 1/4 tsp Celtic sea salt
• 1/4 cup hemp oil or Vega Antioxidant & Omega Oil
• 1/4 cup blackstrap molasses
• 2 Tbsp fresh apple juice

1. Combine the apple, oats, almonds, ground flaxseed, hemp flour, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, cinnamon, nutmeg, stevia, and sea salt and stir until well combined.
2. Blend together the hemp oil, molasses, and apple juice.
3. Combine the liquid and dry ingredients and mix well.
4. Spread on lined Excalibur dehydrator sheets.
5. Dehydrate on 115 degrees for 24 - 48 hours depending on how much "crunch" you want. 
6. If you don't have a dehydrator, you can use the lowest setting of your oven. 
7. Break up into pieces and enjoy.
8. This will keep refrigerated for up to 2 weeks.
9. Makes 4 cups or about 5 servings.

This recipe is from THRIVE. 
Learn more about Brendan Brazier and check out VEGA and Thrive Foods Direct.
Follow Brendan on Facebook and Twitter.

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