May10

Pose + Purpose: Malasana

Posted By: Daphne's

Categories: Healthy Living, yoga poses, yoga postures, YogaBabes

Apr12

YogaBabe on Red Onions

Posted By: Daphne's

Categories: benefits of red onion, California Greek Culture, cooking blog, Daphne's California Greek, EAT WELL, Jessica Mulvey, red onion health benefits, red_onion, yoga classes, yoga poses, YogaBabes, YogaBabes

What would so many of our favorite dishes be without the red onion? This versatile vegetable is used in many dishes and sauces because of it's delicious flavor and irresistible crunch, but it also contains some important health benefits. Let us get acquainted with the red onion. 

First know that it can be consumed both raw and cooked, but the flavor changes dramatically once cooked. When selecting a red onion, look for one with a dry, papery skin that has no blemishes or wet/dark spots. Onions should be stored in a cool, dry location that is away from potatoes. (Placing onions near potatoes will cause them to both spoil quickly.) Also, a fun fact about the onion in general, is that it gave the city of Chicago its name. The Chippewa Indians found these "she-gau-ga-winshe" growing at the site of the modern day city... yep sound it out, it sounds like Chi-ca-go!

On a more relevant note, red onions are very good for us because they have been found to contain anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties. Nutritionally, red onions are low in calories, have no cholesterol, and contain zero fat! Red onions also provide significant amounts of vitamin C, vitamin B6, and are a good source of dietary fiber. 

Needless to say, don't fear the red onion because it makes you cry when you cut it. Rather add it to your salads, classic pita sandwiches, and flatbreads. It’s tasty, crunchy, and really good!

-Yogababe
Image source

Feb21

YogaBabes + Blood Oranges

Posted By: YogaBabes

Categories: benefits of blood oranges, blood oranges, Daphne's California Greek, EAT WELL, healthy living, Healthy Living, Live Well, where to find blood oranges, YogaBabes, YogaBabes

Good news- blood oranges are back in season here in sunny California! A great majority of these oranges come from the Mediterranean so take advantage of the local harvest .You may already love blood oranges for their amazing flavor, but they provide some wonderful health benefits as well.

This vibrant citrus fruit contains high amounts of ascorbic acid (aka vitamin C). Vitamin C helps boost our collagen production (think great skin), supports our immune system, and may even reduce strokes.

Unlike other citrus though, blood oranges have anthocyanins, which have amazing antioxidant properties. Why do we love antioxidants? They fight those pesky free radicals (think cancer fighting abilities).

Blood Orange tips and tricks:

1. Store your blood oranges in the fridge—they can last up to two weeks.
2. They contain fiber, especially if you eat some of the white fleshy part that is found right underneath the skin.
3. When picking blood oranges, look for those that are firm and heavy for their size.

ENJOY!
-YogaBabe

Jan24

POSE + PURPOSE: Parivrtta Utkatasana

Posted By: YogaBabes

Categories: Jessica Mulvey, yoga classes, yoga poses, yoga postures, YogaBabes, YogaBabes

This month's pose + purpose is Parivrtta Utkatasana, or Chair pose with Prayer twist. This twist stimulates your abdominal organs, stretches your spine, improves balance, and strengthens your core and legs. Chair pose with Prayer twist is a beautiful posture that is accessible to yogis of all levels.

1. Begin by finding chair pose, feet are together, legs are bent deeply, arms come up overhead, and your shoulders stack over your hips. (YogaBabes tip: make sure you tuck your tailbone, it will protect your lower back! I notice that most of us stick our bums out while in this pose.) 

2. Bring your arms to 'prayer' position. Inhale and lengthen your spine, then exhale while twisting your shoulders to the right. Draw your left elbow to the outside of your right knee. 

3. Puff up your chest to maintain good posture. Glance down at your knees to makes sure the left knee is not pulling forward and your hips are squared. Gaze over your right shoulder so that your cervical spine is part of the spinal twist. Finally, press your hands together on each exhale to twist a little deeper. Remain in the pose for 5 slow breaths or more to fully experience the benefits of the prayer twist.

4. Slowly, release back to chair pose on an exhale and repeat on the other side. After you preform Parivrtta Utkatasana on the left side, gracefully surrender to a forward fold to release any lower back tension that may have been created.

-YogaBabe

Dec29

YOGABABE POSE + PURPOSE

Posted By: YogaBabes

Categories: Daphne's California Greek, Exercise, Healthy Living, healthy living, Jessica Mulvey, Live Well, Parsva Bakasana, side crow, yoga classes, yoga poses, yoga postures, YogaBabes, YogaBabes

This month's pose + purpose is Parsva Bakasana or Side crow, which is an arm balancing posture that enhances your sense of balance while toning your core simultaneously. Please note that if you have any wrist or lower back injuries, you should avoid this pose.

1. Come to a squatting position with the knees into the chest.

2. Come up on to the balls of your feet and bring your palms flat on the floor in front of you about shoulder's distance apart.

3. Keeping the palms in place, twist so that your lower body, your knees and your hips face to the left and bend your arms to a 90-degree angle

4. Hook the outside of your right knee on your left elbow. Lift your left leg and glue it on top of your right.

5. Bring your gaze about 6-10inches in front of you and shift your weight forward so that your toe float up off the ground

6. Engage your core and lift up slightly in your chest. Smile!

7. Now try the other side.

-YogaBabe

Nov17

yogababe pose + purpose

Posted By: Daphne's

Categories: Daphne's California Greek, Exercise, Fitness, Healthy Living, Jessica Mulvey, Live Well, Prasarita Padottanasana, yoga classes, yoga poses, yoga postures, YogaBabes

This month’s pose and purpose is: Prasarita Padottanasana or wide-legged forward bend (with hands interlaced behind your back). This posture is wonderful because you can easily perform it at your office. I chose this posture because if you are reading this blog is most likely means you are sitting at your computer, yeah? Which also means that a nice anterior deltoid and pectoralis major stretch could be just what the yoga instructor ordered.  Essentially, this pose stretches your hamstrings, your pecs, and your shoulders while also releasing neck tension. 

Stand with your feet about 3 feet apart. Reach your hands behind you, and interlace your fingers. Take a deep inhale, lift your chest, and slow fold forward. Once you have folded forward enough to feel the hamstrings being stretched, micro-bend in your knees. A micro-bend is when you slightly bend your knees so that it protects the joint, but it’s a bend so small you would not visibly notice it. Now, slowly move your hands up and over your head so you feel a gentle stretch through your chest and shoulders. After your take 5 slow breaths, release your hands to your waist and slowly roll up to standing. 

-YogaBabe

Oct20

Yogababe + Cucumbers

Posted By: YogaBabes

Categories: cucumber recipes, cucumbers, Daphne's California Greek, EAT WELL, Healthy Living, Jessica Mulvey, YogaBabes

This yogini loves Daphne’s menu options, and my favorite items are the ones with cucumber. Want to know why? Cucumbers are magical. Yes, I know magical may seem like a bold statement, but hear me out.
Not only are cucumbers sodium-free, fat-free, cholesterol-free, and low cal, they are also an an excellent source of:

-vitamin A, which supports good eye health, a healthy immune system, and proper cell growth.

-vitamin B6, which stabilizes blood sugar levels.

-vitamin K, which prevents bruising and strengthens bones.

-minerals such as silica, potassium, zinc, calcium, and magnesium.

And besides being chock-full of vitamins and minerals, cucumbers also come in handy.
Gardeners claim that if you place a few cucumber slices in an aluminum pie tin it causes a chemical reaction that only the bugs can smell – and the bugs hate it! Ever wonder why beauty spas love cucumbers so much? Cucumber slices placed on the skin will release phytochemicals that, for a few minutes, tighten wrinkles and cellulite. Even rub a slice of cucumber over a mirror and it will eliminate the fog while leaving your bathroom smelling like a spa.

So like I said – Cucumbers – Magical.

Sep27

Guest Blog From YogaBabes

Posted By: YogaBabes

Categories: Jessica Mulvey, yoga classes, yoga poses, yoga postures, YogaBabes

Namaste,

I'm Jessica from YogaBabes and I couldn't have been more delighted when Daphne's invited me to be a guest on their blog! 
I am a passionate yoga teacher, food connoisseur, green living lover, and blogging enthusiast that will be dropping by Daphne's blog monthly to share my yoga tips and tid bites on healthy living. I have my bachelors in science from Loyola Marymount University in Natural Science and yoga certified through CorePower Yoga.
Seeing as though this month is National Yoga Month, I wanted to celebrate with Daphne's by giving half off (starting today through the end of October) to anyone who mentions Daphne's when booking a private yoga session through YogaBabes. Email me HERE for scheduling. 

Alright, now for the Pose & the Purpose
The pose of the month is Marichyasana, also called: 1-Legged Seated Spinal Twist. I love this pose because it elongates your spine, improves posture, and it also aids in digestion.

Begin seated on your mat with your legs extended straight out in front of you.
Bend your right knee and place your heel as close to your right sit-bone as you can. 
Reach your right arm behind you and plant your palm on the floor. Press your right hand on the floor behind you to help lengthen your spine. 
Place your left elbow on the outside of your right knee to encourage a deeper twist. Stay here for 5 or more. Use each inhale to lengthen the spine and each exhale to twist further.