CHOCOLATE: The Wonder Food

What is sometimes brown and sometimes white? You can sip it, swirl it; you can freeze it, melt it; you can bite it and even lick it. If you haven’t guessed it, let us tell you. The wonder food we are talking about is Chocolate. This multi faceted food item has been man’s best friend since time immemorial. Every culture in the world has directly and indirectly been associated with two food items at some point of time. The first being coffee and the second being chocolate.

Now what is it that makes this commodity such an important aspect of our food patterns and our cultural identities? Well to begin with a brief history of chocolate is required. The first documented use of chocolate has been seen in the history books during the 1100 BC. Coming from the Cocoa tree, chocolate was first produced in parts of Mexico, South America and even Africa. Many cultures call it the “bitter water” because of the cocoa beans’ bitter taste. It is only after fermentation and drying that it gets the typical chocolaty taste that we love. But what is hurtful to know is that due to modern dynamics of trade and commerce poor chocolate has fallen prey to many health and market myths. But do not worry we are here to bust them and help you and chocolate clean up the mess. Here are a few REAL health benefits of eating chocolate, and by Chocolate we do not mean the highly attractively packaged chocolates packed with a myriad of chemicals and preservatives that nullify all the goodness of it.

1. Sometimes all the complex chemical compounds and chains can be really obscuring , so without giving you the names let us tell you that chocolate contains certain chemical ( naturally present of course) that kill depression and help you feel better. Now, you know why is chocolate so good for heart breaks in all ROM-COMS.
2. A bar of dark chocolate a day lowers down blood pressure in high blood pressure patients.
3. It even lowers down LDL i.e. Bad cholesterol by up to 10%
4. Ironically Chocolate in its purest form prevents tooth decay which of course is balanced by the high sugar content we find in the readily available packs.
5. With many anti-oxidants, chocolate is an Anti-aging product. So it makes you look younger even when you eat it and melt it cool it and rub it on your face with some honey and a few crushed almonds.

Well nothing comes without its share of negatives as well , but chocolate becomes a “ lazy food” only is it is consumed like a many course meal ; in quantities where chocolate as a positive food takes a backseat only to give way to the calorie mounting and fat accumulating sugars that modern companies pack it with. So, be it a heart break or a happy occasion, chocolates have always been our best partners. If you still do not believe us just roll your tongues in your mouths which are for sure wet by your desire to bite a bit of chocolate.

This article is brought to you by YogacaraShop.com – your source for special Yoga Apparel, yoga inspired clothing, comfort clothing clothing designed according to the Colors of the Chakras and the best trendy, high quality and comfortable  Fitness Apparel do visit YogacaraShop.com

PHOTO CREDIT: distopiandreamgirl and mrsraggle on  (www.flickr.com)

UNIFYING YOGA

In the rapidity of modern times we have lost an important aspect of our lives i.e. the innocence and harmony of community and its spirit. The most essential and important social weapon in our hands which has always protected and sheltered us from all adversities is our ability to bond. Unfortunately, these times do not give us the mental, physical and social space to forge bonds with the ease of the days gone by. Today the associations are either business oriented or fed by specific motives in mind.

But there is an ancient weapon that can help us demolish the walls dividing us all. This weapon is not of mass destruction but what we at www.comfortinstylemag.com call “The weapon of mass construction” and that is YOGA. It is only recently that yoga has entered into the personal spaces of our balconies and bedrooms, which is rather deflating to see because by bringing yoga to our personal spaces we are unable to reap the benefits of the many adjunct advantages that come associated with it. Since its inception Yoga has been a group activity promoting a spirit of togetherness. By performing yoga in a group, you too can inculcate certain values which are the moorings for a balanced future. It not only teaches you physical and mental balance but infuses in you a spirit of respect and ability to understand people around you. But most importantly by helping each other attain the perfect balance by being a part of the same space you not only influence others but also become more receptive towards seeking and receiving help from others, making you a socially more responsible person. Whether it is a complex series Asanas or a plain simple breathing exercise, by doing it together in a rhythm you learn to follow a pattern becoming harmonious people in this rhythm lost world.

Being fed by each others’ energies you can learn the essentials of team spirit thus becoming more confident individuals ready to accept new challenges everyday and working together with people to overcome them. This may sound too ambitious to a lot of people who would say “dear friend, life doesn’t run that way”. But our answer to them is “dear friends, take care of the small things, and the big ones will fall into place.”So we urge you all to take some time off of your busy schedules and take yoga out of your bedrooms to a more social plane in order to understand and absorb the true essence of the art.

This article is brought to you by YogacaraShop.com – your source for special Yoga Apparel, yoga inspired clothing, comfort clothing clothing designed according to the Colors of the Chakras and the best trendy, high quality and comfortable  Fitness Apparel do visit YogacaraShop.com

Photo credits: Matt J. Olsen (www.flickr.com)

THE ALLOY OF FITNESS: YOGILATES

Gone are those days when we gathered wild berries and hunted deer in the forest to help calm a growling tummy. We have reached a stage where we can pop open a can of soda, with a nice precooked meal and have a blasting evening. Ever wondered why? It is rather simple; because we are a race of inventors. We possess exceptional mental capabilities which can be seen in the ingenuity with which we try to make our lives simpler. Just like we developed stainless steel by mixing two metals, we have also created a new fitness regime called YOGILATES or YOGALATES.

A perfect amalgamation of the age old practice of yoga, which was born inIndiaand the modern miracle developed by the German Joseph Pilates, Yogilates is a rage among the new age fitness freaks. Despite being criticized by the so called purist groups who believe in the sanctity of the two different forms of exercise Yogilates is fast emerging as the first choice fitness mantra. Now, what makes this a revolution and how is it different from Yoga and Pilates individually? Do not worry. The vast amount of data on the internet can be rather confusing. We bring it to you in a simple step by step point form. Here it goes:-

1. Yogilates comprises of the essential elements of yoga and Pilates, as the name suggest.
2. Using the posture techniques from the Yogi school and the muscle building techniques from the Pilates school it blends the two very similar activities together.
3. It borrows the aim of strengthening the core of the body i.e. the spine, abs, pelvic muscles and those of lower back without bulking them up.
4. It promotes muscle strength without compromising on the flexibility of the body, which it promotes through various yogic practices.
5. Since yoga does not pay much attention to specific muscle groups, yogilates uses various elements from Pilates to concentrate on specific muscle groups.
6. Most importantly , what allows this perfect fusion are the basic principles on which the two activities are grounded i.e. those of breathing and concentration
7. Both Pilates and yoga believe in the power of the mind to affect changes in and on the body.

PEACEFUL …HOLIDAY

This poem is a holiday gift from Jaclyn Ianetti

I come to you when you’re relaxed

A true, serene state

Cool, calm, collected

No room for hate

I’m with you when you’re lounging

Nap, sleep, and dreams

 No worries for tomorrow

Living in the moment is what it seems

Quit the fights, I keep the harmony

On a light hearted scale

No heightened colors

I’d call me quite pale

No air of complexity, simple and plain

Easy going nature

Trouble free, no pain

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Wintery white, shoe prints

Sink in the plush texture

Hides the green bottom layer

Blankets over like a brand new white bedspread

Stained window glare of poinsettias, grapes, gold

Pearly pink, burgundy balls hang

White lights, cinnamon bronzed pinecone

Stuck, intertwined in holly green branches

Enthralled in festive décor

Stand for a moment in silence

In awe, of the magic this season brings

Take small steps, walking slowly to the door

Closer to the window of the spirited symbol spins

Value the beauty from far away

Carry it with me as I approach

Open doors invite in to warmth of loved ones

Cider Soaked Pears with a Vanilla Cinnamon Sauce

·         4 medium and firm Bosc pears peeled

·         Juice of one lemon

·         ¼ cup cranberries

·         ½ cup toasted walnuts

·         1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

·         2 cinnamon sticks

·         ½ cup apple cider

·         2 teaspoons vanilla extract