We are grateful you are here and hope you are taking care of yourself. As the holidays approach, we want you all to be aware that the Optimal Wellness team does offer personal training. We work with a lot of clients in home, online, and wherever our clients prefer. Our expertise is in weight lifting, calisthenics, yoga, mobility, flexibility, and overall wellbeing. Please apply for training here and let us know what your goals are for 2023!
This Month’s Resources
Milk!
After researching and experimenting, we have found that milk is benefitting our health, especially when done right. We recently started drinking milk from Hartzler Dairy farm which is located in Wooster, Ohio and has been around since the 90’s. Their milk is non-gmo, has no rBST, has no antibiotics, comes from pasture raised cows, is non-homogenized, and grass-fed. They also use Vat Pasteurization to preserve the most natural state of milk. Low temperature Vat Pasteurization ensures that the milk retains a majority of its enzymes for proper digestion and good health.
So, what does non-homogenized mean? It means they deter from homogenizing their milk. Homogenization is a process that breaks down the molecules in the milk to give a balanced consistency. Milk that remains in its natural state will have a cream layer that rises to the top of the milk. Non-homogenization allows the molecules to stay intact, and those molecules carry important nutrients for the body.
One of the reasons we stayed away from milk for so long was because of dairy factory farming. The cows located on the Hartzler farm are pasture-fed in the warm months and fed silage and hay in the colder months. They are not given artificial hormones and also follow sustainable farming practices.
Lastly, Hartzler dairy uses glass bottles which are non-porous and keep the milk colder/fresher. Glass is also a much better option than plastic when it comes to personal health and the environment. The point of all of this information is not to sell you on this specific brand of milk and dairy products, but to educate you on certain practices within the dairy industry. If you do not have access to raw cow or goat milk, this might be a good option. Doing your own research in the area you live to find good quality food is very much so recommended. Hartzler does have a store locator on their website to help you locate their products if you are eager to try them.
Ganja Yoga
Yes, you read that right! Written by the first yoga instructor to bring cannabis-enhanced yoga classes to North America, Ganja Yoga is a groundbreaking guide to finding balance in our lives using the ancient method of mixing cannabis with spiritual practice.
Yogis have been using cannabis to enhance spiritual practice for millennia. Today, there is a quiet but growing conversation within the Western yoga community about the potential role of cannabis for modern seekers pursuing a spiritual path. Now, certified yoga instructor Dee Dussault takes this ancient practice mainstream. Ganja Yoga isn’t just mixing cannabis and exercise; it is a ceremony that makes conscious relaxation an intentional ritual that can be enhanced with practice—a lifestyle to help you create a more harmonious and stress-free world.
For some contemporary yoga adherents, marijuana can deepen awareness, acceptance, connection, and relaxation during practice. As state laws loosen and the stigma surrounding marijuana dissipates, cannabis is increasingly seen as a legitimate supplement to increased health and wellbeing. Ganja Yoga explains how to set up a sacred space that allows you to use this relaxing substance with yoga for enlightenment (or at least some awesome stretching and meditation).
Dee walks you through the considerations and best practices for introducing cannabis into your yoga practice, or infusing yoga into your smoking routine. She explains the benefits of both yoga and cannabis to begin and then goes into how to reap the benefits of profound relaxation, assume an altered state in a safe/energizing way, deepen the spiritual practice of yoga, reconnect with the body using ancient techniques, and how to select the best setting, time, method of consumption, strains, poses and breathing techniques to ensure an excellent experience.
Crispy Breaded Air Fryer Tofu
This recipe was such a hit! We have been making tofu for many years now and often times prepare it very simply and stick to what we know. These tofu nuggets did not disappoint! We used gluten free bread crumbs and always love a good dipping sauce.
Costa Rica Retreat!
Find our facebook event here with all the details, suggestions, and updates!