Fruit from Heaven

gâc Superfruit

In some parts of the world it has long been revered as a gift from above. An indigenous fruit, remarkable, known for its unusual and short harvest season, which peaks in December and January, as well as its astonishing nutritional content. Surely, only providence could send such a wonderfully nutritious fruit at a time of year when fresh fruits and vegetables are at such a premium. The fruit is called gâc, and until recently it was known only to a select few outside of Southeast Asia.

gâc fruit is found predominantly in Vietnam. It is also known as Spiny Bitter Gourd, Sweet Gourd, or Cochinchin Gourd. It has been traditionally used as both food and medicine in the regions in which it grows.

Because it has a relatively short harvest season (which peaks in December and January), making it less abundant than other foods, gac is typically served at ceremonial or festive occasions in Vietnam, such as weddings. It is most commonly prepared as a dish called xôi gấc, in which the aril and seeds of the fruit are cooked in rice, imparting both their color and flavor. More recently, the fruit has begun to be marketed outside of Asia in the form of juice dietary supplements because of its allegedly high phytonutrient content.

Gac grows on vines and is usually collected from fence climbers or from wild plants. However, the vines are sometimes cultivated in home gardens and can be commonly seen growing on lattices at the entrances to rural homes. It only fruits once a year, and is found seasonally in local markets. The fruit itself becomes a dark orange color upon ripening, and is typically round or oblong, maturing to a size of about 13 cm in length and 10 cm in diameter. Its exterior skin is covered in small spines while its dark red interior is divided into six carpels, or segments, of fleshy pulp and seeds.

The Art of Yoga

Yoga: means the union with the divine, yoga is a philosophy and discipline applied to the development of mind, body, and spirit. There are many disciplines of yoga emphasizing different aspects or combination of mind body spirit. Through practices of holding a variety of body positions or asanas, and the centering of the mind and breath in a meditative way, the practitioner increases body awareness, posture, flexibility of body and mind and calmness of spirit.

When the restlessness of the mind, intellect and self is stilled through the practice of Yoga, the Yogi by the grace of the spirit within himself finds fulfillment. When the senses are stilled, when the mind is at rest, when the intellect wavers not then, say the wise, is reached the highest stage. Yoga has also been described as wisdom in work or skilful living amongst activities with harmony and moderation. Asanas (Postures) should never be practiced immediately after Pranayama (Rhythmic control of breath). If Pranayama is done first allow some time at least an hour to elapse before starting Asanas. All the ancient commentaries on Yoga have stressed that it is essential to work under the direction of Guru (Master/Teacher).

The practice of Yoga induces a primary sense of measure and proportion. Each unfulfilled area of tissue and nerve, of brain or lung, is a challenge to our will and integrity, or otherwise a source of frustration and death. Yoga is a timeless pragmatic science evolved over thousands of years dealing with the physical. moral, mental and spiritual well being of man as a whole.

Yoga for children is certainly one way to ensure that our children grow up healthy and happy. Of the many aspects of Yoga, Yama, Niyama and Asana are relevant for children. While the principles Yama and Niyama reinforce the universal values such as Truth, Non-violence, Cleanliness and contentment, The Asanas help a growing child develope physically, emotionally and psychologically. In this way Yoga is a necessary complement to formal education. By practicing this wonderful science and art children can blossom into healthy, and well balanced men and women with strong bodies, clear minds and pure hearts.

Meditation

Take a little bit of your time to meditate. It would just cost you 5 minutes of your day. And it would make your day more exciting. I have taken this from a site...

MEDITATION
Meditation is frequently confused with various forms of concentration. The purpose of concentration exercises is to focus our full undivided attention on a specific aspect of functioning of our mind and/or the body in order to accomplish a certain goal or develop a certain skill. Exercises such as yoga, tai-chi, breathing exercises, visualization are all forms of concentration. In contrast, meditation is an exercise, aiming to prevent thoughts in a natural way, by deeply relaxing the physical body and then trying to keep the mind completely "blank" with no thoughts whatsoever. This state may be maintained for a few seconds or a few hours, depending on your skill. Purity of the mind achieved during meditation is essential to gain access to Higher Self. It seems that our Higher Self does not admit any impurities.
To reach the Higher Self it is best to concentrate on the source of the "inner sound", leading to the "inner light" - a nucleus of the Higher Self, which initially seems infinitely far "at the other side of a long dark tunnel". When we get sufficiently close to our Higher Self, the inner light becomes much brighter than the Sun, and when we are allowed to join it, the bliss cannot be described in any human language. To get that far, we have to achieve a complete purity of the mind during meditation, have pure intentions, and then intensively concentrate for some time on the "inner sound" and "inner light".

Confusing isn't it.. ;) But anyway there many ways to meditate. My way of meditating is by sitting still in most comfortable postion and then for the time being slowly release all your thoughts by slowly creating a humming sound, and focus on it, for the whole time keep on humming and focus on that because on that moment. all your thougths clears up and you well feel lighter. and then after all these slowly return to your daily routine. and thats it (",). Well it might not work for you, coz every person is unique. So thats why i said, that there are many ways to meditate.

And daily meditation can greatly contribute to your daily health. ;)

Health

For starters, i would to thank you for visiting my blog ;). Now I would like to talk about HEALTH, I always belive in the fact that "Fitness and Health doesnt always go hand in hand" what i'm trying to say is that the people who we see are "physical fit" are always the one who are healthy also and vice versa. And its sad to say that many people take there HEALTH for granted. They dont even care in doing anything about it. Some of the people that i know says that "why do we have to think about that (health), for as long as i'm not sick i'm fine."

Hmm.. sound familiar ;).

As for me, well i'm not really that healthy. But at least i'm doing something about, by being a health conscious person. And convincing other people to become one. "One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind." (",)