vegan pork. impossible? we think not.

Before I get too ahead of myself, let me introduce you to my new favourite thing (aside from coconut oil, that is) – jackfruit. This mother of a fruit (seriously, it’s the largest tree-borne fruit known to mankind) should get an academy award for its star performance as pork in this sandwich. Not only does it, when properly prepared, take on the appearance of meat but its heartiness and mild flavour also really helps it own the part. The fruit is rich in dietary fibers and potassium and is packed with vitamins and nutrients making it an awesome, natural, vegan alternative to meat.

your shopping list:

pulled jackfruit sandwich

You can find the recipe I used on the blog, Clean Green Simple.
She offers a ton of insight into the recipe and some awesome photographs so you know exactly what you’re getting yourself into. I highly recommend checking it out!

the good, the bad, the ugly (mostly good though)

• yum, yum, yum. Did I already mention I'm a fan?  – I’ll be making this again and again and again
• once you have all the ingredients it’s very quick and easy to make #winning
• jackfruit can be a bit tricky to find – your best bet for scoring the stuff  is at an Asian grocery store
• this recipe calls for 100% jackfruit in brine (can) – which is what I used. Rumor around the office is that fresh jackfruit can be quite stinky so experiment at your own risk!

Whip it up, you won’t regret it and let us know if you love it too!

Call me a skeptic, but I find it a bit silly to be slithering around like a snake on the gym floor reciting "ahhhhh, sexy spine" out loud.

It was my first Nia class and I had trouble keeping a straight face. I couldn't make eye contact with my fellow lululemon Ala Moana educators for fear of cracking up as we danced barefoot, twisting our spines and awkwardly flailing our arms in the air.

Nia, which stands for Neuromuscular Integrative Actions, is described as a body-mind fitness and lifestyle program. Students kick off their shoes as they incorporate movement and philosophies from dance, yoga, pilates, martial arts, and more – moving their way to a healthier and more empowered mind, body and soul.

During the class, as I willed myself to keep an open mind and allow my body to relax, I watched the teacher let loose and encourage her students to do the same. People around me were spontaneously spinning, singing, clapping, and even releasing shouts of "yes!" I also noticed that no one could stop smiling as we danced around the room. That freedom made me shun my self-consciousness and I started to shake and shimmy to the music.

I think my change of heart came after noticing I was surrounded by women of all ages who were fully aware of their bodies, with no hesitation to express their grace and power. It was a place that gave me a sense of freedom, pushing me to become more energized, strong, and confident.

I'm convinced that Nia is a fun stress-buster, as well as a joyful way to get in shape, become more in tune with your body, and even find happiness while sweating it out. To find a Nia class near you, visit a lululemon store and ask them to point you in the right direction, or check out the Nia website at www.nianow.com.

How are you letting go today?

This past month, my husband and I decided to join a local organic co-op at The Movement Dallas. I help out with it every other Saturday by sorting all the produce into the almost 60 bins. We enjoyed zucchini, tomatoes, raspberries, mangoes, red leaf lettuce, bananas, oranges, cantaloupe, sweet peppers, avocados, celery, broccoli, cauliflower, and spinach. All organic! It came out to be less expensive than a trip to Whole Foods.

Why organic? To be organic, food must not be treated with pesticides or chemicals and isn't farmed with synthetic fertilizer. Organic farmers use sustainable resources and conserve soil and water to enhance environmental quality for future generations. By eating organic, not only are you bettering your body, but also promoting a better world!

You may wonder if it is more expensive to eat organic. The answer is yes and no. The cost of organic food reflects the true cost of farming. Conventional food doesn't reflect the cost of environmental clean-up. Some organic foods such as meat and cheese may actually cost less! As organic foods become more and more popular, the cost will continue to go down.

Eating organic not only helps the environment, but leaves you feeling healthy and clean. Want to do your part? Check out local co-ops and farmers markets to buy organic. Research online at www.localharvest.org or www.cog.ca

After checking many yoga studios' websites and taking an informal poll of local yogis, the general rule of thumb is to eat something light that is easily digested 2 hours before your yoga practice. The goal is to practice yoga on an empty stomach so that nothing tries to come back up during your downward facing dog!

Fruits (low acid) or veggies, yogurt, a bowl of cereal, or a granola bar are all good choices. The most important thing is to not eat anything heavy, such as meat, pasta, fried foods, or processed grains. The one exception to this is if you have low blood sugar, and then you should try to get a little bite to eat within 30 minutes of class.

What if you’re going to yoga after work and you’re starving? The best choice in this situation would be a bowl of cereal, a granola bar, or a sports bar. Still try to shoot for that 2 hour time frame, eating before you leave work if you can.

In a pinch, go with a handful of nuts or an apple on the way to class, which shouldn’t bother your stomach once your practice begins.

Ultimately, everyone is different, so try out different kinds of snacks and different time frames to see what works best for you!
Namaste!