A “Yogi 4th of July” is the perfect time to celebrate!
We all come to yoga for different reasons, but many of the benefits we share are the same. How great is it when we start to see evidence of our yoga practice show up in our
daily life?
On the mat, we learn to practice ahimsa (non-harming) towards our bodies. Off the mat, we get to practice ahimsa towards the world. This can include eating healthful foods and behaving in environmentally responsible ways. On the Fourth of July, America celebrates its freedom as a nation. Here are some free ways we can make our celebration more yogic.
Make Mindful Preparations
- Reduce your carbon footprint: Walk, ride your bike, or carpool to the festivities.
- Eliminate waste: Bring food and drinks in re-usable containers.
- Pack cloth napkins and tablecloths.
- Eat and drink from re-usable plates and cups.
- Make your own organic bug repellant with ingredients such as citronella, eucalyptus or lavender essential oils.
Celebrate Food Freedom
The discipline and awareness we gain from practicing our yoga poses often leads to a desire to eat healthy foods that support balance in our bodies and clarity in our minds. For many yoga practitioners this means eating a vegetarian diet or incorporating more vegetarian meals into your diet. Take your Fourth of July barbeque beyond hot dogs and burgers with these vegetarian options for the grill:
- Veggie Kabobs: Skewer vegetables for roasting. Slide chunks of peppers, tomatoes, onions and squash alternately on a skewer, brush with olive oil and sprinkle with fresh herbs.
- Deviled Eggs: Use farm-fresh, free-range eggs to make deviled eggs. Try a little Greek yogurt and garlic instead of mayo to make the fillings.
- Potato Salad: Make organic red skin potato salad (with the skins on). Use mustard, Greek yogurt and a dash of olive oil. Add chopped kale, onions, celery, and peppers for a great side dish.
- Bean Salad: Produce an array of cold bean salads using black beans, pintos or green peas. One of our favorites calls for black beans, corn and finely chopped kale, all mixed with garlic, olive oil and red wine vinegar.
- Fruit Salad: A Fourth of July dessert option includes blueberries, strawberries and apples mixed together for a red, white and blue delight.
What's the best yoga pose for Fourth of July? How about a group savasana in the park watching the fireworks with your friends!
Happy Fourth of July!