Embodhi Nutrition and Yoga

"Carbs" are not the enemy! In traditional Chinese medicine practices, sweet/pungent foods like complex carbohydrates and small amounts of animal products are said to balance the spleen and pancreas. If you notice yourself feeling fatigued (mentally or physically), experiencing poor digestion or are sensitive to certain foods, swipe to see what foods you should incorporate more of during this late summer season. Cooking foods so they’re easily digestible and having s...mall frequent meals in the initial stages of the healing process is important as well! If you have IBS or are particularly reactive to (seemingly) all foods, it would be more beneficial for you to work with a dietitian to identify personal food sensitivities as some of these foods might not be supportive for you. Know that the spleen/pancreas is associated with our worries...obsessing and overthinking, which can manifest as digestive dysfunction. #foodforthought See more

Feeling stagnant? Crank up your favourite tunes Give yourself a kick in the butt and move the current through your body with our water salutation sequence! Learn to ride and embody the wave Practice being buoyant by riding the wave of your breath Join me through yoga on demand using in bio or at www.embodhi.ca

Dairy-free and missing cheese? Try this amazing vegan feta recipe that’s ready to go in 5 min! Chop up some veggies and toss them on a tortilla, pita or pre-made crust along with the feta for a super quick Friday dinner

We are in an information overload age that causes overthinking, worry, and mental hyperactivity, which leads to diminished heart function. Remember that summer is the season of the The five element correspondences in chinese medicine show us that the bitter flavor of any food affects the heart. It is said that these foods cleanse the physical heart and lowers the overabundant processes in the head , concentrating them to the heart - as if bitterness has a cente...ring property. Bitter aspects of foods are found in grains like wheat and rice, mostly contained in the germ and bran. What's interesting is that science has shown us that these foods are rich in essential fatty acids and B-vitamins that support stress and anxiety. Magnesium in the bitter unrefined grain and green veggies also support anxiety. Notice that in TCM, it considers these "bitter foods" to support the mind, heart..or heart-mind, while the science tells us a similar story from a micronutrient level to support mental health (fascinating stuff yes?? ) As I learn more about traditional chinese medicine theories and practices, it’s wonderful to be able to connect some of it to the existing science. Science-based evidence is new in the grand scheme of things and there’s so much knowledge to be gained from centuries of traditional practices of various cultures I'm not endorsing ALL traditional practices, but encourage looking at them with an open mind. Have you used or grown up with traditional practices that are now "mainstream" or more recently science-supported?? See more

Look around yourself. How do you set yourself up (on the mat, in the day to day)? I always teach developing new habits and techniques through repetition, but consider how ritualizing small changes on a daily basis can train you to be more resilient, to bounce back more quickly from whatever life throws at you. Purposely throw yourself off a little, change it up, have a new experience. Do you set your mat up in a super zen space? Try setting up in a less optimal space. How does that feel? Can you adjust? What comes up for you? #thursdaythoughts

Consider the stories you tell yourself. Negative self-talk and limiting beliefs can interfere with our health. Take time for self-reflection - what are the behaviours that reinforce your story? Are you ready to rewrite the same old story that’s been on repeat for years? You are worthy of health, wealth, love, of time for yourself...you’re allowed to say no, to work healthy work hours, to do what nourishes you. Start by asking yourself: How do I want to feel?

Fresh batch of water kefir! So light and not too fizzy - perfect for this heat wave I used to love it plain, but it’s strawberry season so I just had to add it in! These little kefir grains get to work and brew so quick - a fresh batch is ready in 2-3 days so you always have a (dairy free) probiotic rich drink on hand! And if you’re wondering...I got my water kefir grains from kijiji (pre-covid...sort of) it wasn’t too sketchy I haven’t tried the dehydrated grain...s so can’t speak to those! Have you tried water kefir? Chat me up

Our gut microbiota (or gut flora) refers to the wide array of bacteria living in our intestines. These bacteria are important as they help keep our gut and other areas of our body healthy and functioning well! Flora-enhancing foods (a.k.a fermented foods) help balance the gut bacteria which enhances our mood, immune system, energy, motility, and reduce intestinal inflammation. Adding in flora enhancing foods helps increase good bacteria and fight off harmful bacte...ria that can cause illness or inflammation. With a lighter mood, less stress and a greater ability to move around, our digestive system will be able to keep things moving along smoothly to eliminate excess hormones, toxins and all the things we don’t need! Flora enhancing foods include yogurt, kombucha, kimchi, sauerkraut, kefir, miso and some cheeses. I’m personally brewing water kefir these days which I’ll introduce to you soon if you’ve never tried it! Be mindful if you have lots of digestive symptoms. Although these foods are helpful in the long run, make sure to work on the elimination diet first before adding in too many fermented foods. Work with a dietitian if you’re not sure how to get started. The last thing you want is to feel worse! What are some of your favourite fermented foods? Comment below! See more

Drinking teas teach us to slow things down and relax. As things pick up pace again post COVID, sipping a warm beverage like tea slowly, can help us stay hydrated and relaxed, supporting healthy digestion. Licorice root helps fight inflammation and gives this tea its sweet, refreshing flavour. It can help to soothe the stomach and ease indigestion. Maybe even satisfy those sweet cravings!Ginger has also been known to help with digestive discomfort and gives a subt...le kick of flavour. For a fun summer twist try this recipe over ice! Caution and contraindications for licorice root in pregnancy, heart, blood pressure, liver, and kidney concerns or disorders. Always check with a medical provider before adding herbal remedies. @mchrunik

What people are saying about their nutrition experiences with me... I thought it would be a good idea to finally get some feedback from my clients. I know that I certainly am NOT the right fit for everyone, but I’m thankful for those I’ve been able to support in setting up the conditions for transformation. Since dietitians aren’t allowed to use testimonials I thought creating a word cloud would be a fun way to showcase what they’re saying. It’s also a great reminder for myself because I often forget about the impact I’m making

I'm not saying donuts, cupcakes and sweets are villains Our food choices are influenced by our emotional and physiological states. How can you start to make more conscious choices to manipulate the physiology so you can bounce back more quickly from states of stress and anxiety? Read more on our first blog post by our team member Winnie in the link in bio!

Look at this beauty! The Peanut Butter Banana Oat Bowl Oatmeal is a great summer breakfast, it’s quick, satisfying and packed with energy for all those summertime activities! The peanut butter and bananas in this recipe add a nice sweetness without added sugars (use natural peanut butter here). Chia seeds, oats and bananas are all mucilaginous foods that can help soothe the intestinal tract helping us feel full and satisfied. As an added bonus there's a lot of fib...re packed into this oat bowl to keep our gut microbes happy & our sailing smoothly @mchrunik See more

What are mucilaginous foods? Mucilage is a thick, jelly-like fibre found in plants. Soothing mucilaginous foods like chia, flax, oats, okra, lotus root, cactus pears, and plantains can support reducing inflammation and healing the inflamed intestinal lining. Even common foods like avocado, bananas, spinach, cabbage, and cucumber have gut supporting mucilage. Need extra support? Marshmallow root, licorice root and slippery elm are mucilaginous herbs you can... use to make soothing teas How do you use foods to nurture the healing potential of your body?

Take in the sights, sounds and smells of nature. Allow it to soothe and heal our overworked bodies and overwhelmed souls One thing I love about working for myself is that I can take time whenever I need to nurture myself, whether in nature, in community, or in my own home. This allows me to better show up for my clients and my students I’m so grateful to my friends, family, clients, students and lovely volunteers who have been so supportive along the way! What are you grateful for today?? #practicegratitude