Sunday, March 17, 2013

How to have a Peak Performance Mind and Body

I have just finished week three of my peak performance detox and reaping the rewards of unlimited energy and a calm and positive mindset.



If you have been following the last few blogs you would have read the recent changes I have made to my nutrition, and routine.

My online 10 week mind and body program is very similar. Particularly with the nutrition. Trying to aim for wheat free, gluten free and easing off red meats, and diary. Many health benefits come with this way of life. Scientifically and medically proven along with healing yoga postures you can do in the comfort of your own home.
http://www.nickyarthur.com.au/#page=10week
However the mind and body herbal medicine has been helping me detox and cleanse my entire internal body inside out.

They say it takes three weeks to create a new habit, and it is true. I now wake up excitedly looking forward to my plate of veges, salad, dips or home made gluten free crisp bread.

I am enjoying whizzing up a new dip each morning made from chick peas, or beans. I have been also making my own Taziki made from natural yogurt or goats yoghurt's for toppings and spreads for the salad and crispbread. Food that fuels my body for my day ahead.

Part of my detox process has been resting the digestive system for 16 hrs. This means I have my last meal in the afternoon. If you are wanting a consultation with my amazing Dr Rama Prasad who is a specialist in the Mind and Body Medicine please contact him on 0425233426 or email info@ayurvedaelements.com
It may be one of the best steps you have taken towards quick starting your body again to renewed energy. Or check out my online program to help you make a start.

It has been so rewarding and exciting how great I feel and I want to share some of the benefits from the detox and cleanse process. For me I thought I was feeling healthy and energised but it has taught me how true it is that most people are not at their FULL POTENTIAL and I had fallen into thinking I was healthy and energised. But slowly things had slipped after a very emotional and challenging past year and unfortunately an acidic body does not necessary  mean it has tom come from the wrong food. Acidity can come from stress. It is vital to rid stress out of the body, I refer to it as stagnant energy. Then you can feel like your are moving forward and free of all pain.

MIND BODY DETOX BENEFITS


  • Increase energy
  • Improved digestive system
  • Better sleep
  • Waking up energised and light, no heavy feeling, or sluggish
  • Clear skin- feel like I have had a facial
  • Increased happiness 
  • Positive Mindset
  • Eliminate sugar cravings and any food cravings, not hungry at all
  • Increased physical training rewards 
  • Better Focus
  • Increased concentration
  • Mental and Physical peak performance
My new Raw Food book is released April 7th 


Next workshop including Yoga Meditation and cooking session April 6th Please email nicky@nickyarthur.com to book today.

Love and light 
Nicky 





Saturday, March 9, 2013

Mind Body Herbal Medicine Journey

If you read my previous blog from my week one following my total detox mind and body program with Dr Rama Prasad you will be interested to know week two the energy is was unleashed and mental clarity is flowing.

How can a tired sore struggling body one week transform into  a peak performance the next. My entire Mind and Body feels different. 
The physical body has gone from sore and struggling and in my training I am able to train with intensity and focus. This is allowing me to go from strength to strength and I can feel the progression in my training each session. The mind is not fighting and is more positive when the tough gets tough.
I can see and feel the difference in my digestive system. The bloated feeling is gone, I am feeling lighter, leaner and more energised, all of what Dr Rama Prasad http://www.ayurvedaelements.com/ promised. 

One of the key things I have learnt is you may think you body is healthy and happy but until you do a detox you learn so much more about your body. I had toxins in my body that needed to come out. My system was a little acidic, even though I claim to eat a very healthy alkaline based diet. How could this be? Its the dreaded word 'Stress' I have learnt though my practice of Yoga and Meditation and Yoga nutrition you just have to get rid of the stress.

I spoke for the Leukaemia Foundation this week and had great pleasure getting to know some of the patients struggles. One lady shared with me she thought she was never a stressed person, but after her research into the her disease she shared with me from her reading and knowledge, it comes from stress. She also said to me with such depth and meaning ' I don't want to be stressed or live with stress' 

Managing stress is something we need to continue to learn to manage on a daily basis. From my experience Yoga, meditation and practising relaxation has helped me let go of stress, and manage  the challenges that can occur in our life. 

It all becomes so logical and clear when you get a good understanding of how the body works, especially our digestive system. If we eat with adrenalin running around our body, or in a stressed state, how can I body process this easily. 

It is important to eat your food slowly and in a positive mindset. It was something I learnt in Bali from the Balinese, to bless your food with gratitude, be calm and around nature. 

When the sunsets I often listen to the birds chirping and preparing themselves to fly off home, its something I remember my mum telling me as a child. She would say ' Listen to the birds, they are all flying off home to prepare for bed' and then in the morning what do we hear, the birds are back and awake chirping and excited about their day, they wake with the sunrise.
Living a natural life aligned to nature helps us understand how the human body can work in its best optimum peak state. The best sleep you will ever get is  researched and scientifically proven it is between 10pm-2am. How many people do you know still up at 10pm- 12 pm. They are missing a whole 2 hrs of quality sleep.

I am in week 3 of my cleanse and I really can't express how amazing I feel. The energy is increasing everyday and there are no low energy periods in my day. I feel vibrant energised and excited about my life and journey. I am not hungry, feel leaner but not focusing on weight loss, but more mental clarity, energy and the cleansing of toxins and releasing any acidity from my internal body. The weight loss seems to be helping my Bikram training and I feel more in a peak performance state, as my training session are becoming more powerful and positive everyday. The negative self talk of not being good enough for this BIKRAM training has gone. Even though it is known BIKRMA tries to break you down and if you don't think you need to be broken apparently you do!

Best of all my body is waking up before my alarm and I feel peaceful and energised to start my day at the crack of dawn with the birds. 

Previously I would do some writing or meditation before I would eat my breakfast. While I am on this cleanse I am doing a mini meditation and straight up to prepare my breakfast, then write.

I would like to share this crisp bread recipe. Because I am on grain free, I miss my breads and this is such a nutritious and satisfying recipe. Preventive health is the way to go adding mindset exercises and Yoga nutrition will get your body in a peak performance and a zest back to your life. 

Note: Be aware it will get your bowls moving, remember a healthy body should be going at least 3-4 times pr day, and should be fluffy and floaty, not sinky and stinky. 

                                                   Quinoa and Kale Crisp bread



1 cup Kale
1/2 cup fresh basil
1 cup pre cooked quinoa ( I use the dark seed)
2 cups LSA
1/2 cup sunflower seeds
1 tsp cumin
1 tspn oregano
1/2 tspn sea salt
1tsp olive oil
1/3 warm water

Process kale, basil, cumin, oil, salt, oregano first add to a large bowl. Process sunflower seeds (or you can add pumpkin seeds) just until forms fine crumbles, add to bowl, add LSA and water, mix well until forms a dough consistency. Be careful with water, add slowly as you mix, you may need more or less. Line out large flat baking tray with baking paper, press mixture out then use another sheet of baking paper to go on top, roll out with a rolling pin on top of the baking paper, so it does not stick, roll out fine, aim for a fine flat bread.

You can dehydrate or bake on a low heat 100 degree for 15- 20 min. Be careful not over cook, it does not take long and is easy to burn. I bake for 10-15 mins and then turn oven off for 5, it usually dries it out nicely. Cut with pizza cutter into nice square and top with avocado, salad, hummus, or just plain Vegemite or a home made fresh jam.

Benefits of Quinoa.

Quinoa  comes from a seed, so it is grain free, people often think it is a grain. So it is gluten and grain free. A great source of protein, fibre , iron. Contains lysine, which is known for tissue growth and repair. Rich in Magnesium, Magnesium helps to relax blood vessels and thereby to alleviate migraines. Magnesium also may reduce Type 2 diabetes by promoting healthy blood sugar control. Other health benefits of magnesium include transmission of nerve impulses, body temperature regulation, detoxification , energy production, and the formation of healthy bones and teeth.
High in riboflavin (B2) and high in manganese - an oxidant which can help prevent damage of the mitochondria during energy production as well as protect red blood cells and other cells by injury by free radicals.
 sourced from http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-4994/7-Benefits-of-Quinoa-The-Supergrain-of-the-Future.html

March workshop was a great success and sell out. Details below for our next Workshop April 6th 9am-1pm Lunch included with Cooking session you will LOVE! To book email nicky@nickyarthur today










Sunday, March 3, 2013

My Amazing Ayurveda Detox

Ayurveda Peak Health for Peak Performance


When I studied Yoga, I learnt about this fascinating holistic approach to nutrition and lifestyle. As many of you know I have been on my own personal to cleaning up my own nutrition and life style. What makes me laugh now; looking back I thought I was healthy. I thought I was living a rather healthy life style.  There were many habits I had fallen into without even realizing.  
Becoming a Yoga teacher has helped me evolve, grow and learn so much more about the human body and learn so many of us are at our full potential of what we could be.

After bringing a regular meditation and yoga practice into my life, I naturally gave up drinking alcohol, nearly four years ago now and have stopped eating any processed foods.
My sugar cravings have gone, and now don't need a chunk of dark chocolate at night to satisfy my cravings. 

Over the past year I have had the great pleasure to get to know Dr Rama Prasad http://www.ayurvedaelements.com/ who is a specialist in Ayurvedic medicine.

One week ago I had a meeting with Dr Rama Prasad to discuss our up and coming workshops together, to help bring awareness to this peak performance way of living to my followers. At the end of the meeting Dr Rama Prasad took one look into my mouth, read my tongue, told me everything that was possibly going on with my body, in which later that week I found out that to be true.

Rama first recommended me to start easing off my nighttime meal, and ease off food from later afternoon and take magnesium oxide that is a colon cleanse.
Note: Ayurvedic is scientifically and medically proven, it suggests by resting the digestive system for 16 hrs it is helping to detox and purify the system and heal the digestive system. 

  The next day I started to follow his instructions. After four days I had lost 1 kilo and started to feel quite sore in the muscles, bear in mind I am doing Bikram yoga most days. I felt very tired and almost lethargic and sluggish like he described I was. Had he just woken me up to how my body actually was functioning and bringing awareness to it. I had put it down to the intense training in Bikram I was doing, leading up for my teacher-training course in Los Angeles in 6 weeks time.
Some of my Bikram practices were becoming harder, and started to feel sick in the class. My mind started to play games with me and the monkey mind went off in all sorts of tangents questioning if this was not a path I should be taking, even though my hearts desire really wants to become a teacher. My mind was telling me cutting out the meals is not working for me, I have no energy, and so on.
Thank fully I had a consultation booked with Dr Rama on the forth day of starting my cleanse. He said to stick with what I was doing as it is all part of the cleansing process. I started to take the magnesium oxide at night to start the flushing process. It works overnight and when you wake at 6am you have a massive clean out of the bowels. The next day I felt even worse. I had booked a massage, had a hot both and rested from Bikram. My monkey mind was still playing games but I stayed with the program.
One thing I had noticed happening was no cravings at all. I eat a big breakfast and lunch consisting of vegetables, nuts or seeds, grain free. I eat fruit in between meals and after 2pm no food. I found myself wanting a peach or piece of fruit later afternoon, sometime early evening at the beginning. Dr Rama suggested to ease into this and it was ok if I had something small, and to listen to my body, and don't go hungry.
The next day I got up early cooked a big raw food breakfast along with some seeded crisp-bread, that is gluten free, grain free. I felt so full and struggled to eat all of it. Two hrs later I went to my class and again felt really sick throughout the class.
I really wanted to leave, and felt like I should not have come. If you know Bikram, you are not allowed to leave the class once it’s started, BIkram says never give up, and even when you are feeling sick you have to stay in the room. The theory is this is part of the detoxing process and the sign of sickness means you are cleansing toxins out. I couldn't help but think, was my body this toxic, I thought I was healthy!

After the class I had to contact Dr Rama about my symptoms, I really need some help and some answers. I was wondering if this was not suiting my body and my training. My mind was fearful if I continue like this leading up to LA, how would I cope with 5 hrs Bikram a day for 6 days a week!
Dr Rama called me back straight away, even on a Sunday. He explained what was going on with my body, and reassured me this can be normal for some people he are cleansing toxins out of their system. 
He also explained the sick and bloated feeling was a sign that the toxins are coming out, but the feeling of sickness means they can be filling back up in the body, and we need to get them out. 

I could not believe the next step and this is why I wanted to share with you.

Dr Rama advised me to drink one liter of cold water with 100mls of boiling water and two teaspoons of salt, drink it as fast as I could standing in the bathroom. He asked me to massage my tummy firmly once I had drunk all of the water; until you guessed it I vomit.
I did exactly what he said and it all went to plan. My insides where being literally cleansed. There seemed to be bucket loads of water. After the task was done. I cleaned my teeth and started to feel a sense of calm in my tummy. It was not long after this I took a hot bath for the sore muscles, and then within 30 minutes there was a huge unleash of energy. I felt completely energized.
The rest of the day I was able to go and teach a yoga class feeling really energized and no sore muscles or tummy. I felt positive calm and centered.
The next day the energy kept on coming, while the energy was high I was able to do a back to back Bikram class as part of my preparation for the Teacher Training course coming up.
I had one of my best classes ever, and I was able to fly through the second class with positive and calm energy. I felt in a very meditative state and felt like the struggle was over with myself and my body from the past week of de-toxing and cleansing. I was in peak performance and challenging myself all the way, with mental clarity. 

Yet it is early days yet and  today is a good day in Mind Body and Soul. I hope I never have to experience that bloated, nauseated feeling.
After the back-to-back class to day my yoga teacher also explained when taking up the challenge of practicing Bikrma everyday these symptoms of the body feeling sore can also come up. They also say the nausea is a sign of cleansing toxins out of the internal body.
She also said it was a positive thing for me to experience this while I am here and not IN Los Angeles so if it happens while I am miles away from home and my loved ones I will know what is going on with my body and know how to cope with it.
So one week down with Dr Rama Prasad and to date I have lost 2 kilos, but as Dr Rama will highlight, its not about the weight it about the mental clarity that will come and the cleansing of the body. To be honest the 2 kilos lighter feels great when you are twisting and folding your body in half. It seems a little more comfortable and I am learning how much my body had become toxic and bloated. I eat healthy but in 2012 I experienced a very stressful year, and its my understanding we just have to find a way to rid any stress or fatigue out of the human body, for longevity and preventative health. Here I thought I was doing this to help prepare my body for Los Angeles but I am learning there is so much more why I have been lead to do this de-tox and restore my digestive system. After slipping into bad habits and eating on the run, not chewing my food slowly has shown me why my digestive system needed help. I know chew each mouthful 30-40 times. Think about it next time you eat, it will bring awareness to how fast you are gobbling down you food. 

I will be blogging about this Auyreveda and Bikram challenge over the next few months so if you want to read my story and keep updated please follow my blog by clicking the follow button on the right hand screen.  Stay connected to me while I prepare for maybe the greatest challenges I have to date and while I am in LA.
If you have any question please email me nicky@nickyarthur.com or stay connected via facebook http://www.facebook.com/nickyarthurMBT?ref=ts&fref=ts



I hope you enjoyed this honest and thorough story of my journey so far with Dr Rama Prasad. I believe when you are awakened to life, you meet people along your journey to help you and the right books, program, teachers and people start to show up along the way.
I am very grateful for Dr Rama's help and guidance, I feel safe and secure to listen and follow through with his instructions. Thank you Rama. 
If you wan a consultation with Dr Rama you can check out his website. He travels all around Australia and also has phone call and skype sessions available. It may be one of the best things  you do for your health and internal body. 

Ayurveda Peak Health for Peak Performance

Love and Light
 Nicky xx



Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Why is coconut water so good for you? And a Quinoa Recipe for the kids


While I was recently in Bali, I practised Bikram Yoga everyday and after every class, the Balinese had glasses of coconut poured from real young coconuts ready for us to drink. My first taste of coconut water made me feel a little sick, but I was unsure if it was from after the gruelling practise that completely rinsed me out from inside out. 



But I noticed everyone was drinking coconut oil everywhere I seemed to go. 

I have grown to love the taste of this water, its so pure, natural and filled with goodness.
The reason why they serve it after a sweaty Bikram class is because of its high electrolytes. Its great for hydrating the body, and the beauty to its natural and no added sugars, and no fat.
Not to be confused with coconut milk which is the fatter part of the coconut, this is the water from a young green coconut.


  • Its a nutritional gold mine
  • Heart drink
  • Full of natural electrolytes
  • Cholesterol free
  • Low in fat
  • Low in carbs
  • Boosts zinc, selenium, iodine, sulfur and manganese, ascorbic acid, B- group vitamins
  • Promotes smoother and more youthful skin
  • Can improve blood circulation
  • Great for healthy digestive system and urinary health
  • Claims it slows down ageing 
It is recommended to avoid coconut oil if you have heart disease, kidney  disease or if you are on low potassium diet. Always check with your Doctor if you have any disease or illness first.

I love coconut water and after a strong sweaty workout I feel confident I have replenished my stores. 


Super Food Quinoa for kids
serves 4


Making healthy nutritious meals for the kids can be  challenging. When little eyes tend to judge how things may look. I know your kids will love this recipe, the whole family can enjoy it. It is vegetarian, packed with protein. Remember a little cooked food is ok. Aim for 80% Raw 20 % cooked.
Children need carbs and this is packed with added  fiber. 



INGREDIENTS


1 cup quinoa - cooked 
1 cup brown rice -cooked
1 can chickpeas 
1/2 cup fresh basil
1 cup green beans
1/2 cup carrots
1 brown onion, diced 
1 Tbsp oregano
sea salt
1 Tbspn olive oil
1 Tbson pesto



My tip- Have brown rice and quinoa cooked, prior to making 
this dish a quick and easy 
meal. Great if you get in the door late, for a quick healthy meal.

METHOD

Wash  brown rice and quinoa, then  add onion, bring to the boil, simmer off.
Lightly steam vegetables. Add quinoa, rice, vegetables, chick peas  and all other ingredients to a large pan, and lightly stir fry until well mixed through. No need to over cook, just enough to warm and mix through. This recipe is quick, easy and tasty.
Is Quinoa a Seed or a Grain? It is commonly referred to as a grain, but it is actually a seed, and grain free. It is cooked and used like a grain. You can make bread from it, and use it for many recipes.



If your time poor there is  'No excuses to eat healthy.' Nicky xx








Saturday, February 23, 2013

Do you take the skins off Almonds?


Why take the skin off almonds and why?



Almonds are filled with nutritional value, and becoming a Raw foodist, vegetarian and mostly Vegan nuts and seeds have become a big part of my diet.  Many years  ago I struggled with health issues from all the  weight  training for competitions and eating a  high protein diet I was left with sugar cravings, fluctuating weight and digestive problems. In fact before the competitions I also struggled with sugar cravings,  fluctuating weight, and low immune system. My mum often said I was burning the candle at both ends. She was right. I was over training, depleting my body and depriving my body from eating a  hundred percent wholesome, natural and varied diet. I consumed protein powders, protein bars, a lot of chicken, tuna.  I exercised like a mad thing, from running races , boxing, personal training , spin classes you name it I did it.   At one stage I worked very long hours, trained hard and partied hard. 

Since I have embraced the healing journey of my Yoga and Raw Food lifestyle I have not felt so vibrant healthy young and energised ever before and I am now in my 40's.

Yoga helps you restore and balance your hormonal system. You needn't pound the pavement for hours like I did just to feel light, energised and grounded. In fact looking back it did quite the opposite. But in your twenties you explore all sort of exercise, and it can be fun setting these goals. I have many trophies  from my achievements and all those experiences are what shape and help me help others today.
Setting personal goals can help you enjoy your life, motivate you and keep you active. However as we age, I believe at some point it is critical to really listen to your body and learn how to restore, rejuvenate and re-organise it.

 'IT's also important to know how to prepare, combine and eat foods so that you can create energy and vitality.'

Almonds are a great  source of protein, full of fiber, vitamin E, omega -3, omega -6 fatty acids, calcium, magnesium and zinc.  However it is important to know how to eat almonds.  Correcting you  digestive system is essential for great health and  weight loss. It really is the key to great health and not enough people are giving their digestive system a break. 

Consuming too many almonds with skin on  makes  it difficult  for your digestive system to break them down and eating too many at once can make you put on weight.  Everything in moderation.  Almonds are usually difficult for most people to digest because of an enzyme-inhibiting substance in their brown coating. Soaking or sprouting removes this inhibitor so that the enzymes secreted during digestion can do their job.  
While I was in Bali having Raw Food lessons, I was shown an easy way to remove the skins. I use to soak my nuts with cold water over night., But this way is quick and easy and the nuts taste Delicious, even my daughters loved them. All you have to do is add the almonds to a glass bowl, pour over boiling water, allow to sit for 10 minutes, then squeeze the skin and it will easily pop off. This is something kids love to help out with in the kitchen.
Once you have skinless almonds you can add them to a green bean salad or a basil and brown rice or quinoa salad for extra protein and fiber. 

Next Workshop March 9th Sydney 
email nicky@nickyarthur.com 
Bali Yoga DVD back in stock order today at http://www.nickyarthur.com.au






Sunday, February 10, 2013

February and Love is in the AIR


It's February 
and 
LOVE 
is in the air... 

"It's not about finding the right person, it's about being the right person." Yoga helps us all be more healthy, more patient, more compassionate, more calm, more loving.  

                        Yoga is all about LOVE.

Sweet Greens Juice

From our test kitchen to your home kitchen
Any one who knows me well, I often have a well stocked fridge with an abundance of fresh greens. One of my favorite greens right now is the super food 'Kale' You can do some much with this green vegetable. This week I have created a stunning sweet and satisfying new 'Green Juice' along with Silver beet that also has many health benefits.

We'll be back next week with another wholesome recipe.

Happy juicing,
Nicky xx

 

INGREDIENTS
3 large silver beet leaves, including stalk 
3 kale, including stalk
1 large green apple
1 cup of  fresh pineapple
1 cucumber
1 zucchini 
3 celery stalks 
½ lemon
1 teaspoon fresh ginger 

 

5-10 mins
RAW
Serves 2
UP & COMING WORKSHOPS

Discover a Healthier and Happier You!
Saturday March 9th 2013 9am-12pm $120
VENUE: Northbridge Sailing Club,
end of Sailor’s Bay Road, Northbridge
PRESENTED BY: Nicky Arthur & Kathy Widjaja

Two fantastic speakers, lunch, recipe, meditation, relaxation,take home mindset tools & handouts
Nutrition: valuable questionnaires to help you asses
your current lifestyle and well being.
Motivate, Inspire, Empower