My Meatless Life: Elixirs, Smoothies and Yoga

By Ayinde Howell

The problem with being self employed is the schedule! I find myself literally neck deep in 4 major projects–two of my own and two “jobs.” I’ve spent the past month hopped up on my vegan energy potions. It got me to thinking: what the hell am I doing with my life?!

We all have those moments and yes I’m dramatic, but I am a professional actor after all duh! I’ve written before about living in the unknown and how much it annoys me. however upon more investigation it seems to be going around. I spoke with my father who is really into this dec 21st thing and told me it’s just a sign of the times, we are all on the presuppose of a literal new age. Whether you believe in all the end of the world stories or think there was simply a Walmart style strike at Mayan’s calendar factory, you cannot ignore numbers. The planets and stars do stuff every day regardless of what we think–they are on a cycle. It just feels like recently, the cycle switched to spin cycle. So if you are spinning out like a lot of us are, I thought about what I do with food and herbs to calm my self. It might help you.

I like to drink this tea in the morning. It wakes me up, and with the mate and the nettles, it’s like drinking a multi vitamin. I don’t use sugar or lemon but you can add what you like.

Better than coffee

- 1 bag nettle leaf tea

- 2 tablespoons Yerba Mate

Allow this to steep for about 5 minute to get a strong brew, and you’re off!

I have been cooking a LOT lately so what does that mean? I’m getting a lil pudgy. So if I want to skip a meal, I’ll load up on a good smoothie instead.

Super smoothie

1 cup orange juice

1 banana

1 cup frozen blueberries

dash of lemon extract

Step one: Place all ingredients in blender and blend until smooth.

What else do I do to center myself? Yoga! But when I can’t get to a full hour and a half class I do a quick yoga recharge.

Down dog creates space in the body. 10 breaths

Plank pose invigorating! 10 breaths

Twist (on a chair or the floor main thing is make sure your sits bones are both grounded) 5 breaths each side

Headstand (if its available to you) 20 breaths.

Meditate (mantras are easy to concentrate on) 5 minutes

This is helpful to me hopefully it’s helpful to you!