Vegan Brunch

Jason makes an awesome brunch. Usually he does it with tofu scramble, but we didn't have any tofu when we put this one together, so here's what we came up with...

spicy veggie sausage, baked beans, homefries, mango

we got these at Rachelle-Bery, but you can also get beans in maple syrup at the depanneur

spicy veggie sausage from Rachelle-Bery

home sweet homefries

recipe from Jae Steele's Ripe from Around Here vegan cookbook

Dragon Bowl

One of our favorite meals. It's quick to make and super versatile. We switch from using quinoa, couscous or rice, with whatever veggies we have in the fridge. If it's cold outside we'll fry/roast/boil some onions, carrots, zuccini, sweet potato and layer it with kale/spinach (grain, then greens, then veggies, topped with sauce), and if it's warm out, we'll go more raw with shredded carrots, beets, peppers, bok choy, and occasionally some fried tofu or tempeh. You can pretty much put this sauce over anything. I often cook by color, making sure I have a combination of reds, yellows, greens, etc.

On the side, we'll have brussel sprouts, dumplings, spring rolls, or Jason likes fake ginger chicken from Yuan.

we like to rate recipes... this one got a 12 on 10

Dragon Bowl served with red quinoa and dumplings

Dragon Bowl recipe from Jae Steele's Ripe from Around Here vegan cookbook

Vegan Challenge

A little while ago I wrote a blog about a documentary called Vegucated, I liked it so much I decided to screen it at the studio. It's a "feature-length documentary that follows three meat- and cheese-loving New Yorkers who agree to adopt a vegan diet for six weeks". To follow up the movie, Frances (one of our lovely Jivamukti teachers) suggested we host a vegan challenge of our own. I thought it was an amazing idea... We invited as many vegan/vegetarian friendly businesses to get involved and created a fun filled Vegan Challenge for the month of June, 2012.

As part of my duties I will be posting vegan recipes daily on my blog throughout the month of June. Most will be tried and tested by myself & family, with a couple recipes submitted by our generous sponsors.

Good luck to all those who are taking the challenge! 

Vegan Challenge
June 1st-30th, 2012
In honor of the Vegucated screening, we will be holding a vegan challenge throughout the month of June. If you’ve ever considered being vegan, here’s your chance to be part of a group exploring the realities of veganism, and debunking the myths.
The month will include:
- Unlimited yoga for the month of June at Luna Yoga
- A Screening of Vegucated
- Get it Ripe vegan cookbook
- A guided trip to the grocery store
- Discounts on local vegan restaurants and shops,
- Daily recipes (posted on Jennifer’s blog)
- A vegan cooking course
- Weekly gatherings 
June 1st-30th
Cost: $100
Take the challenge

Vegan Challenge participants will also receive discounts from Crudessence, Green Panther & lole, samples from Tonic, Rise Kombucha & Cocos Pure, 2 week gift membership from My Yoga Online, and 25% off at the Yoga Festival Montreal 

Thanks to all our sponsors for their generosity! 
Please feel free to add your comments, feedback and questions

108 salutations for charity

I've been a part of the Yoga Mala event for the past couple of years and always enjoy it. It brings together 9 teachers from 9 different styles of yoga. We each teach 12 salutations, adding up to a total of 108! All funds raised go to charity. This year the Yoga Mala has founded its own charity The Yoga Mala Foundation: A Montreal non-profit organization founded by Dawn Mauricio that acts as a fund for yoga teachers who would like to lead long-term yoga programs in areas of need (e.g. shelters, low income areas, etc.)

I will be teaching part of the 108 sun salutations, and hope to become one of their teachers to teach in an area of need (if you know of any shelters, etc. that would like a yoga program, let me know).

Healthy Girl

So excited to have just discovered the Healthy Girl community, and... I've just become one of their newest collaborators! Health, wellness and entrepreneurship... love it! Plus they're just launching their french web site, so I'll be attempting to write a bit more in french (or, I'll be writing in English and then getting Jason to help me translate to french...) Here goes...

Je suis tellement excité d'avoir découvert la communauté Healthy Girl, et je suis récemment devenu un nouveaux collaborateurs! Santé, bien-être et l'esprit d'entreprise, j'adore! En plus, ils viennent tout juste de lancer leur site en français, donc j'essaierais d'écrire un peu plus en français (ou, j'écrirai en anglais et ensuite Jason m'aidera avec la traduction.) Voilà...

 Healthy Girl Mission We promote healthy & wealthy entrepreneurship (wellpreneurship). HealthyGirl’s mandate is to bridge the gap between building wealth as an entrepreneur and maintaining personal health & wellness. We are passionate about health, entrepreneurship and wealth-building. Our reason for being is to share and educate on the ideas, events and tools that we believe to be critical to one’s success as a healthy & wealthy entrepreneur!

Retraite de Yoga, Nature, Spa...

Une retraite locale avec cuisine biologique en légumes frais, yoga, natation, des promenades en nature, la détente… située dans les merveilleux Cantons-de-l'Est au Spa Eastman…

Gâtez-vous avec un weekend de paix et de sérénité dans le décor féérique des Cantons de l'Est en vous joignant à nous pour un weekend de yoga au Spa Eastman. Vous y aurez l'opportunité d'approfondir votre technique grâce au professeurs Jennifer Maagendans et Frances Vicente, certifiées en enseignement de Jivamukti Yoga. Le programme comprend des cours de yoga fortifiant et envivifiant matinale, et une pratique plus douce le soir. Le reste de la journée, vous pourrez profiter de l'accès aux piscines, aux bains turcs, aux 15km de pistes de randonnée, au gymnase, etc. Vous pourrez aussi vous offrir un massage ou autre traitement spa offert à la carte si le cour vous en dit.
  
Située à 110km de Montréal, ses 15 kilomètres de sentiers parcourent un domaine de 326 acres de forêts et de rivières, vous invitant à succomber à la tentation de la randonnée pédestre à travers des paysages de cartes postales. Les programmes du Spa Eastman sont proposés dans un contexte de vacances, de détente et de plaisir. Avec sept pavillons grandioses, Il abrite également les salles de soins, une magnifique piscine intérieure et un centre d’entraînement moderne. Sa salle à manger accueillante et raffinée offre un panorama unique sur le fameux étang du Spa Eastman avec toute la splendeur du mont Orford en arrière-plan. La fine cuisine santé du Spa Eastman privilégie les produits de qualité les plus simples et les plus naturels qui soient –produits biologiques.

Le Spa Eastman a reçu le Phénix de l’environnement 2008 et bien qu’il ait reçu ce prix en raison de son bilan environnemental exceptionnel, c’est sa contribution au « développement de la santé durable » qui a été soulignée au moment de la remise du prix à l’Assemblée nationale.
27-29 juillet, 2012
Coût : 395$ + taxes
- 2 nuits inclus, 6 repas (option végétarian), access aux installations (piscines, hammam, 15 km de sentiers, gym, etc.) et cours de yoga

Inscrivez-vous avec la représentative du Spa Eastman Véronique Marchand tel : 450-297-3009.
Courriel : Véronique Marchand ou contactez nous 
www.centrelunayoga.com 

Click here for English version

Local Yoga Retreat, Nature, Spa...

 A local retreat with lots of organic food fresh from the garden, nature, yoga, swimming, walking, and relaxing...  set in the beautiful countryside of the Eastern Townships at the eco-friendly Spa Eastman...

Weekend Yoga Retreat at Spa Eastman
July 27-29th, 2012
Treat yourself to our weekend Yoga retreat at the Spa Eastman and tap into peace and serenity in the beautiful countryside of the Eastern Townships. Deepen your practice with classes led by Jivamukti teachers Jennifer Maagendans and Frances Vicente: one invigorating and inspiring morning class and a softer evening practice exploring meditation and pranayama. The rest of the day will be free to explore the pools, hammam, outdoor baths, 15 km of walking trails, gym, etc… or treat yourself to any of the myriad of spa treatments, massages, and other services offered on an à la carte basis.

Located on 315 acres with an incredible view of Mont Orford, the Spa Eastman is a bona fide vacation spa. With its seven pavilions for accommodation, its 15 kilometers of nature hiking trails, its gardens and picture-perfect scenery, you'll feel instantly at home. The local flora and fauna are the perfect environment for the Centre's activities, and the air, water and land come together to create a memorable setting. Enjoy local, organic food made mostly fresh from their garden. Approximately one hour from Montreal, two hours from Quebec City and a few hours from several American states, this is a destination that is certainly worth the trip.

Spa Eastman has won the prestigious Phénix 2008 in the Sustainable Development category. They are also one of the pionneers in the Réser-Vert certification process and were recently given the highest level of performance in Recyc-Québec's "Ici on recycle!" program. These honours reward our actions and our environmental consciousness: but most of all, they celebrate our fundamental values.
July 27-29th, 2012
Price: 395$ + taxes
-Includes 2 nights stay, 6 meals* (vegetarian optional), access to the installations (pools, hammam bath, 15 km of walking trails, gym, etc.) and yoga classes
* Please notify Spa Eastman if you have any food allergies.*
Registration:
Contact Spa Eastman Representative Véronique Marchand tel : 450-297-3009.
Courriel : Veronique Marchand to register, and once registered, please contact us.
http://centrelunayoga.com/events.htm#eastman

Unplugged in the Bahamas

We just came back from one week on a small island in the Bahamas. Most of the time we had no Internet and no phone. It was so liberating. We had so much more time to read, walk, talk, play games, etc. Emails, texts and the iPhone are all so handy, but also so distracting. When we're away from it, we realize how attached we are, and how much time it takes up. So I'll keep this short and sweet... Close your computer, shut off your iPhone and take the time to unplug and enjoy life! xo

 

Join me this weekend for Lighten Up Your Inversions: A dynamic asana practice infused with pranayama on Friday evening and a Jivamukti class on Sunday afternoon at Centre Luna Yoga.

Golden Days

I just got back from a trip out west to Golden, B.C. for a visit with my sister and her family. I didn't get to take any yoga classes while I was out there, but I did get to teach a workshop at Golden Lotus Ayurveda. This is an adorable little studio run by warm hosts Dalia and Scott, both Ayurvedic practitioners and yoga teachers. There is a variety of styles offered, but mostly a softer approach. After my Jivamukti Workshop the general consenuses was that it was a lot more active than they were used to, but everyone was happy, and felt good getting out of their comfort zone and trying something new. I felt the same... so good to travel, see a different landscape and step away from routines...
and then so nice to come home.

Levi's first swim

Enjoying the mountains in Golden

Lapping up luxury

Kicking Horse Mountain

Lots of love from cousin Devon and Oma

Hanging in Banff

If you're looking for something different to do, check out Dechen Thurman's workshops this weekend at Centre Luna Yoga. Or come to our Yoga Retreat in France in May, 2012 and breathe fresh mountainous air, practice yoga, and step away from your routines!

Yoga Retreat in France, May 2012

My Grandmother used to tell me stories about her trips to France as a young girl. She suffered from respiratory problems, so her parents sent her to retreat centers where they would eat healthy food, breathe fresh mountain air, exercise and take sulfur baths. I always loved listening to these stories and imagined myself one day retracing her steps and taking the time to experience something similar. It's rare that we focus on our health and well-being, for some reason it often gets put on the back-burner. In May, 2012, I'll be heading to France with Frances to recreate my grandmothers experience. I invite you to join me on this journey of health and well-being.  

"Our appointment with life is in the present moment." 

Thich Nhat Hanh

Yoga Retreat in Aquitaine, France
with Jennifer Maagendans and Frances Vicente

Take a break from your daily routine and treat yourself to a special seven day Jivamukti retreat in Aquitaine, France. Be enchanted by the majestic beauty of the Chateau La Perroterie, a lovingly restored 14th century chateau situated atop a hill with 360 degree views of the most stunning countryside in the beautiful region of Lot & Garonne.

Each day will begin with an invigorating, inspiring and uplifting yoga practice with Jennifer, enjoy leisure time exploring the magnificent countryside or relaxing by the pool and end off with a softer, meditative and reflective practice with Frances.
Vegetarian breakfast and dinner are included, leaving you lunch to explore as you please. All meals are fresh, home cooked and produced with ingredients from the local markets.

The comfortable oak-beamed bedrooms are both rustic and modern. The guesthouse is superbly located for touring and exploring; only 2 kilometres outside the medieval town of Duras with its shops, weekly market, cafes, bars and restaurants.
We hope you’ll join us for a week of deepening your practice, your understanding of Jivamukti yoga and your connection with your Self.
Chateau Perroterie as featured in International Lifestyle Magazine
Chateau Perroterie Trip Advisor
 
Saturday, May 5 - Saturday May 12, 2012
Double Occupancy: 1250$ (1125$ before March 1st)
Single Occupancy: 1400$ (1250$ before March 1st)
Reserve your spot (20 people maximum) with a $500 nonrefundable deposit. The balance will be due April 1, 2012 (or March 1st to receive discounted price). Welcome sheet and Yoga Flo DVD gift pack will be sent shortly after receipt of your registration.
Register here!
*Includes 7 nights accommodation, breakfast and dinners, 2 yoga classes daily, access to pool and walking trails, visit to Thich Nhat Hanh's Plum Village.
*Flight not included. If you are all flying, Ryanair or Flybe to Bergerac Airport is best as it's only 35 mins from the Chateau. Bordeaux Airport (Easyjet, BMI, BA and any many other worldwide carriers including a direct flight from Montreal!) is about 80 mins. Libourne Railway Station for Eurostar and Paris connections is 40 mins.
For a list of activites and excursions, click here.
To register, or for more information, please contact us at jennifer@centrelunayoga.com or frances@centrelunayoga.com.

Get Vegucated

We recently showed the movie Earthlings in our teacher training. It's a heavy duty documentary about animal abuse (factory farming, scientific testing, etc). They showed it to us in the Jivamukti training, and it had such a huge impact I thought it was important to pass it on. Although it is a hard movie to watch, the trainees proudly made it through it. After the screening, most of the trainees felt sad, angry, and frustrated. They wanted to share the information with their family and friends, but weren't sure if everyone would be up to watching it... 

This week I downloaded (on iTunes) another documentary called Vegucated. It focuses on vegetarianism, with 3 meat-eaters taking a 6 week vegan challenge. I highly recommend it! It's less harsh than Earthlings, but still informative.

Rent or buy Vegucated on iTunes (super easy!)

Watch Earthlings free online

Grounding Yoga Flo Video Download

This yoga flow class was filmed live at Centre Luna Yoga Studio in Montreal. The union of movement and breath is emphasized in this dynamic Vinyasa (flow) class which incorporates strength, flexibility, and endurance. Focus on joyful and steady connection to the earth.

Grounding Yoga Flo Video Download

This is the fourth live class video of a series 

filmed for My Yoga Online.

Jivamukti Gathering in NYC!

With a last minute change of plans we went down to NYC for the Blueprint for Joy Jivamukti Gathering and Levi's first road trip. With a week of asana classes, meditation sessions and lectures on animal rights, peace and unity, the place was buzzing! Although I wasn't able to attend all the classes, I did get to take class with David Life and Sharon Gannon. It brought me back to teacher training with so many familiar faces and the amazing energy of so many people gathered together practicing yoga and focusing on the goal of peace.

Asana lab with David Life

with Luna teachers Frances & Dawn B in NYC

my boys

Frances, one of several hundred in headstand!

Shopping for Levi's with Levi

Tofu scramble at Kate's Joint

Tea with yogini Kimberly and beau Tim

Vegan treats at Babycakes

My Mini Guru

This morning I practiced one of my classes on My Yoga Online. Levi sat in front of me in his rocking chair smiling and laughing if he liked a pose, and waved his arms and let out disapproving cries if he didn't. Practicing yoga with Levi nearby puts everything into perspective. He definitely helps me stay present and constantly reminds me to see the joy and silliness in everything!

Unifying Yoga Flo Video Download

Yoga = Union. Reconnect with this dynamic practice including invigorating warriors, centering balances, and tension releasing forward bends. Postures taught as a steady flow series. 

Unifying Yoga Flo Video Dowload

This is the third live class video of a series 

filmed for My Yoga Online.

Montreal Mock Meat

I have lots of vegetarian and non-vegetarian friends who love mock meat (simulated chicken, fish, etc. usually made with soy). Although Chu Chai is a great Montreal mock meat restaurant, there are also several places you can buy it to bring home and cook yourself. Two of Jason's favorites are: Tiende Santé Végétarienne on Duluth (mock ginger chicken) and Yuan on St Denis (it's a restaurant and grocery store). It makes a nice side dish, and is a good option if you're making the transition to vegetarian.

Tiende Santé Végétarienne on Duluth

Thinking of bringing a Tofurky for the family gatherings this Christmas... If you have a good one to recommend, let me know (it's gotta be good, otherwise I'll never hear the end of it!).

Yoga Flo for Gratitude Video Download

Open up to gratitude with this challenging Vinyasa flow class incorporating powerful hip openers, abdominal toners and balance poses – both right side up and upside down.

Download Yoga Flo for Gratitude Video

This is the second live class video of a series 

filmed for My Yoga Online.

Centering Yoga Flo Video Download

My Yoga Online is a great resource for yoga classes. As a member you have access to tons of yoga dvds. They recently started filming live yoga classes... great for those times when you can't make it to class, but still want the group atmosphere. Here's a live class filmed with me at Centre Luna Yoga.

Centering Yoga Flo Video

This is the first in a series to come...

Enjoy!

Sample Veggie Brunch

People often tell me they'd like to eat more vegetarian meals but don't know where to start. Here's a delicious veggie brunch Jason put together last weekend...

Tofu Scram from Jae Steele's cookbook

Baked beans in maple syrup (from a can)

Bavarian Veggie Sausage (St Yves)

Baked Potatoes with garlic and herbs

Bon Appetit!

Nature's Yoga

Since having a baby, my yoga practice has definitely changed. I may not have as much time to go to class, but I continue other practices that bring me to that state of yoga (union). One of my favorite things to do is take walks in nature, it's always so grounding and peaceful, and to go with loved ones makes it that much better...  

Mother Nature, My Mom & Levi = Bliss

Hoping this photo will inspire you to unplug, go outside, and enjoy Mother Nature.