Vineyards are busy, busy, busy this time of year, and we’re right in the middle of it! Our little eco-chic New York retreat lies amongst the vineyards of Long Island Wine Country, so we get a first hand view of all the wonderful things that can come from grapes. There’s a vineyard here in Jamesport (a little hamlet right next to the Hamptons where our retreat lies), and there are dozens more around us here on Long Island. This means we have grapes all around us – you might say I have grapes on the brain!

After and between cleansing, we want to enjoy foods that keep our bodies clean and flowing. Grapes are so good for us for a number of reasons. They’re juicy, sweet, and packed full of Resveratrol.

Resveratrol is a super antioxidant compound that does amazing things for your body. You might have heard that drinking red wine can help reduce your risk of heart problems. Resveratrol is why this is so. This compound really works hard for your blood vessels. It helps keep them from becoming damaged and flowing smoothly as it helps keep bad cholesterol moving out instead of building up. Research has shown that Resveratrol may also help prevent obesity and diabetes. Imagine – something as tiny as a grape could be a big part of your defense against so many health problems!

You may have heard of the French Paradox. People in France have one of the fattiest diets in the world, yet they have a very low amount of obesity and heart problems. Why is this? Studies have pointed out that their love of red wine may be a factor. The Resveratrol in this drink helps keep their hearts healthy and their skin looking younger.

Of course, wine isn’t the only way to get some Resveratrol into your diet. There are so many ways to enjoy this little fruit. We think they are the best snack ever on their own, but toss a few into a smoothies for the sweet component of the five tastes demonstrated in our juicing workshops here or as explained in my book. A special holiday desert here is fresh Concord grape granita which is on our menu next week when Sitara joins us for our kitchari and Kirtan cleanse. I hope you can join us! Its already selling out of this fabulous New York retreat.

Another grape product that can do great things for your body is grape seed oil. This oil does wonders for the skin. Massage therapists love using it because it moisturizes without leaving your skin feeling greasy. It also has no scent, so if you’re sensitive to odors you won’t be bothered. Try using it after shaving to soothe uncomfortable bumps, or use a grape seed body scrub to get rid of dry, dead skin. However you choose to use it, your skin will thank you.

There’s really no end to the benefits you can reap from grapes. Why not find out about some of the vineyards in your area, or come see us in Long Island Wine Country for a tour of a biodynamic vineyard? Add some grapes to your diet and get ready for a healthier, more wholesome and indeed cleaner body!

Special Message from Our Upcoming YOGINI IN RESIDENCE, SITARA

Namaste & Have a Beautiful Day,

Mary McGuire-Wien

American Yogini, a division of Hohm, LLC, is a luxurious eco-chic New York Retreat specializing in juice cleansing, weight loss, detox & yoga lifestyle.

Mary McGuire-Wien, Author of The 7 Day Total Cleanse, is committed to teaching, guiding and inspiring you through your juice cleanse, cleansing detox & weight loss retreat.

© 2010 Mary McGuire-Wien / American Yogini All Rights Reserved.
*Contact the author to obtain permission for republication.

Autumn is my absolute FAVORITE season here at our American Yogini hohm New York retreat. One reason could be that I’m in my SUN period, having an autumn birthday myself. Our Sun period always brings with it radiance and health. Click here to find out when the Sun comes out for YOU. Another reason is the incredibly abundant harvest so full of healthful fresh foods like Pumpkin and the joy of creative pumpkin recipes.

Seasonal food is important because it harmonizes us with the rhythm of nature, and nature always leads us back to our true alignment with source. It is no coincidence that the foods that appear at certain times are exactly what our bodies require to stay in optimal health, and optimally aligned with our true purpose.

Case in point: in the fall, we are susceptible to colds and flu or allergies as the season changes from hot to cold. Pumpkin seeds contain high amounts of ZINC which is spectacular for preventing and even lessening symptoms of cold and flu. With gorgeous pumpkin fields and corn mazes such a major attraction to our East End location, we cannot help but get creative with pumpkins.

Get your hands messy (you’ll be softening your hands as you scoop out the seeds) and have some fun! Here are just a few of the countless recipes and concoctions we are making here at the retreat with and for our guests.

If you have registered for a retreat and you want to try any of these, just let us know at the bottom of your registration form. It would be our pleasure to show you how and share this absolutely gorgeous season with you out here on the East End.

Pumpkin Scrub
A detoxifying, anti-oxidant, calorie free pumpkin pie to make you glow like a lantern as if lit from within!

1/8 cup ground toasted Pumpkin seeds
1/8 cup of pumpkin pulp, pureed
3 TBSP Pumpkin seed oil
1 ¼ cup Mineral salt
¼ TSP Ground clove and cinnamon spices
Mandarin Orange essential oil

Roast the pumpkin seeds at 350 for 20 minutes or until fragrant. Once seeds are cool enough to handle put them through a spice grinder or coffee grinder.
Mix the seeds, salt, and spices in a bowl.
Alternate pumpkin pulp and oil one tablespoon at a time until you have reached the desired texture.
Keep in a tightly covered jar, and luxuriate with prodigious amounts of your pumpkin scrub when you take your next shower. You will glow like the season!

Keep a watch out for my friend Angela’s Om Aroma’s Pumpkin Night Serum launching this week.

Pumpkin Seed Snack Pack
Eat these constantly: great for prostate health and especially for cold/flu prevention.

First pre-heat the oven to 300
Put the seeds in a bowl; mix with salt or any preference of spices and a little oil.
Spread seeds on a baking sheet and bake for about 25 minutes or until fragrant. Keep a close eye on them: turn when brown then toast on second side.
Use these as a simple snack or wrap it in cute mesh bags and give as a nice party favor or harvest gift!

Pumpkin Vase
Cut off the top of the pumpkin and clean out the insides. Gather your favorite flowers, herbs, and plants from the garden and simply place inside. The pumpkin retains the water wonderfully.

Pumpkin Coconut Soup with Ginger
1 TBSP coconut oil
2 cups of cooked pumpkin ( oven roasted or organic canned)
4 cups of vegetable broth or water
1 TBSP of shredded fresh ginger
½ cup of coconut milk
salt and pepper to taste

Heat oil in a large pot and sauté ginger to soften. Put Pumpkin and parts of liquid in a blender and blend together until smooth. Add oil and ginger plus other ingredients. Heat, but do not boil.

Pumpkins don’t have to be just silly, scary, and all lit up. They can be delicious too! So take this time to use what is given to you by nature and use it to your advantage. Pumpkins are full of natural minerals and vitamins great for your health. It is In addition to the rare but perfect for the season Zinc, pumpkins are extremely high in Vitamin A, C, K, and E. Not only do Their seeds contain the magic cold/flu reducer, Zinc, they hold a great amount of minerals that seem to have an anti-inflammatory effect. All the vitamins and minerals that are within a pumpkin and its seeds provide great protection for osteoporosis and prostate cancer. Use these few tips and tricks to help make your harvest season one of warmth, health, and nurture.

NEW! Our “Yogini in Residence” program launches with Sitara this November! If you have wanted to come “hohm” for a structured, intensive retreat experience, and if are ready for a truly transformational and restorative yoga retreat with healthy vegetarian meals, cooking classes, Kirtan, and early candlight morning meditation and yoga (optional, but if you are a morning person its so beautiful with Sitara). Learn More.

From morning mediation and yoga to evening Kirtan, this will be the best retreat of your life – and so close to the city with transportation from 44th and 3rd directly to us.

Namaste,

Mary McGuire-Wien

American Yogini, a division of Hohm, LLC, is a luxurious eco-chic New York Health & Wellness Retreat specializing in juice cleansing, weight loss, detox & yoga lifestyle.

Mary McGuire-Wien, Author of The 7 Day Total Cleanse, is committed to teaching, guiding and inspiring you through your juice cleanse, cleansing detox & weight loss retreat.

© 2010 Mary McGuire-Wien / American Yogini All Rights Reserved.
*Contact the author to obtain permission for republication.

Please be sure to leave us comments, as we value your feedback.

Dry Skin Brushing every morning during your cleanse is great for your lymph system, as recommended in my book, The 7 Day Total Cleanse, at the American Yogini Juice Cleanse & Detox Retreats and during the Hohm Juice Cleanse Delivered.

I start out every morning with this health tip and a smile!

Be sure to find a good dry skin brush for dry brushing your skin and have fun with it.

Let us know how you are enjoying this…

American Yogini, a division of Hohm, LLC, is a luxurious eco-chic New York Health & Wellness Retreat specializing in juice cleansing, weight loss, detox & yoga lifestyle.

Mary McGuire-Wien, Author of The 7 Day Total Cleanse, is committed to teaching, guiding and inspiring you through your juice cleanse, cleansing detox & weight loss retreat.