Plant-Based Veggie Grill’s Comfort Food

Veggie Grill continues to lead the pack of plant-based fast casual restaurants in not only in California but across the country. The Veggie Grill Downtown LA is an outpost of this growing group of restaurants. What I love about their menu is that while everything is plant-based, the items are recognizable fare. They don’t offer concoctions that render the plants unrecognizable.

Veggie Grill really brought comfort food to the plant-based game. Wraps and salads? On the menu. More than that. If you want a burger and fries? They have the best. Mac-n-cheese, taco salad? Yum and YUM.

I know I love Veggie Grill. And and when I was reading other people’s reviews, I found it interesting how many started with the phrase, “I’m not a vegetarian, but…” Then they go on to extol the virtues of their four different kinds of burgers, as well as sandwiches, tacos, and side dishes such as fries and cauli-mashed potatoes and gravy.

Veggie Grill Downtown LA

The DTLA location has the familiar and cozy Veggie Grill feel with streamlined ordering and dining experiences as well as convenient take-out and delivery to serve the growing vibrancy of the downtown live/work area.

Veggie Grill was started in 2006 by Kevin Boylan and friend T.K. Pillan who vegan were discussing various new projects, and after personally experiencing the benefits of a veggie-based diet, wanted to create a way for others to have the same breakthrough. It has now grown to 32 locations in four states.

According to Veggie Grill CEO Steve Heeley, “With this opening, Veggie Grill will be a part of Downtown Los Angeles’ revitalization and cater to a dynamic community who believes in our purpose – better for you. Better for the planet.” Word, Steve.

Eat Veggie Grill

Find Veggie Grill in Downtown LA at 523 West 6th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90014
And visit: veggiegrill.com

Julie Hale

Julie Devi Hale, MFT, eRYT is a psychotherapist, yoga and meditation teacher who attends to private clients in Los Angeles as well as runs retreats regularly in her home away-from-home; the Sequoia National Forest: juliehale.net

The post Veggie Grill Downtown LA Shares Fast Casual Plant-Based Fare appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

For as long as I can remember, the forest has been a place of healing for me. As a child I would gravitate to the woods for hours. As an adult in this modern multi-tasking world, it has been harder to keep up the habit regularly. I mean, really – if you go outside, you should be exercising and checking your watch to hit that magic number of 10,000 steps. Right?

And into the forest I go, to lose my mind and find my soul.
—John Muir

Wrong. Finally, I have discovered some real science about the positive effects of being in the woods – the practice known in Japanese as Shinrin-Yoku; (English translation, ‘forest bathing.’) In 1982, the Forest Agency of Japan spearheaded Shinrin-Yoku encouraging people to walk outside to reduce stress.

Because of this movement and the subsequent research studies, I now have 21st-century clinical data telling me to go chill out in the woods! As of 2017, more than 127 research papers about Shinrin-Yoku have been published in the scientific literature.

For example, this mindfulness-based method is medically proven to reduce blood pressure and stress hormone levels, increase the NK cell count in the immune system, and even decrease blood glucose levels in diabetics — just to name a few superlative benefits.

How Shinrin-Yoku Works

Here’s how it works. You’re not hiking, or even walking. Shinrin-Yoku is more like wandering. You walk for two hours and go….maybe a mile? It doesn’t matter. What matters is that you put your phone on airplane mode, and open up all eight of your senses to your surroundings.

(Yeah, eight, did you know that? I didn’t. I’m assuming you can get to five on your own, then there is proprioception, interoception, and the vestibular system. For the purposes of brevity, I have to leave it at that, but I highly recommend you explore on your own.)

So, you spend time ambling in silence and seeing what draws your focus. What kind of focus. Sound? A movement in your peripheral vision? Or if you open up all eight senses to on tree or view – what do you experience?

It’s that same mindful, magical feeling we all seek; that space where the monkey mind falls into the background and you begin to feel, dare I say it? At peace. Inside and out. At one, with it all, dropped away from the trick of duality that our ginormous, ego-driven, prefrontal cortex sometimes plays on us. Then, we can build on that feeling through a myriad of methods; we can store it up so it sustains us long after we’ve left the woods.

Nature is alive, and talking to us. This is not a metaphor.
—Terence McKenna

Discoveries of Shinrin-Yoku

One of my favorite things I discovered about the science of Shinrin-Yoku is the extra benefits of bathing in a coniferous, or evergreen, forests. This explains my compulsion to run up to the Sequoia National Forest whenever I can and hug a Redwood sequoiacum.

The bark of these particular trees contains a compound called phytoncides. While this phytochemical protects the tree bark from insects, it also raises our immune system’s NK or killer cells.

Get this: in one study, subjects stayed in a hotel room for three consecutive nights with Hinoki Cypress oil diffusing in a humidifier. The subjects had remarkably heightened levels of these immune boosting suckers in their systems, even up to seven days later. They also reported whiter teeth and fresher breath. (Not really, I wanted to make sure you were still with me.)

The methods I’ve been using in my practice of forest bathing are based on a book by M. Amos Clifford, A Little Handbook of Shinrin-Yoku. I concur with his underlying premise that our personal and societal healing is a two-way street with our planet.

Shinrin-Yoku: The Takeaway

Mother Earth does take care of us, but we must also take care of her. Forest bathing is not only about taking in the healing effects of our environment, but participating reciprocally in methods such as place tending.

Do you wander around the same places? Engage in this practice of place tending or taking care of the environment by bringing a bag for trash. Collect on the way back, so as to not interfere with the forest bathing experience.

These principles can also work in our urban, everyday lives. While writing this, I am sitting in my back garden and I can hear someone playing the electric guitar…I notice sounds of a soccer game…but also I can hear birds.

Some are close, some far away. I can hear the wind in the trees, and align my breathing with that rhythm. I can look around and see bird feeders, little potted seedlings just starting, a happy cat and dog here, too. All this I offer back to Mother Gaia.

The Earth Has a Soul.
— Carl Jung

Forest Photo by Kyle Wolfe

Julie Hale

Julie Devi Hale, MFT, eRYT is a psychotherapist, yoga and meditation teacher who attends to private clients in Los Angeles as well as runs retreats regularly in her home away-from-home; the Sequoia National Forest: juliehale.net

The post Shinrin-Yoku: The Practice of Forest Bathing appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

About the Hanuman Chalisa

The Hanuman Chalisa is a 40-verse devotional song written more than 700 years ago by the poet Tulsidas; it is sung by millions of Hindus and others worldwide every day. Students of Neem Karoli Baba, including Ram Dass, Krishna Das, and others, shared this tradition when they returned to America in the 1970s to spread Maharaj-ji’s message of unconditional love and acceptance.
 

Taos Hanuman: The Neem Karoli Baba Hanuman Temple Collection of Chalisas

That’s just the historical aspect of this album, let’s get down to the music. Every offering on this compilation is a heartfelt contribution by the Who’s Who of kirtan artists, known as wallahs, such as Krishna Das, Trevor Hall, Nina Rao, Jai Uttal, and Raghu Markus.
 
There’s even a funky reggae version by LA’s own Govind Das. The lineup includes tracks by a number of other notable musicians including the Taos Temple Band and Shyama Chapin (her “First Light Chalisa” is a beautifully mesmerizing version of the chant).
 
I’m still learning the Chalisa. It has become an important part of my daily practice, my sadhana. When I need some extra grounding, I play this compilation. My life hasn’t changed in any dramatic ways—yet. But when I’m listening to this album I feel a comforting connection to something that’s bigger than me and my little existence—and I think that’s a pretty good start.
 
Proceeds from this album benefit the Taos Hanuman Ashram and the new Hanuman temple under construction. To learn more about this project visit the website.
 

Julie Hale

Julie Devi Hale, MFT, eRYT is a psychotherapist, yoga and meditation teacher who attends to private clients in Los Angeles as well as runs retreats regularly in her home away-from-home; the Sequoia National Forest: juliehale.net

The post Taos Hanuman: The Neem Karoli Baba Hanuman Temple Collection of Chalisas appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

When you walk into Tender Greens off of Westwood’s busy Glendon Avenue, you can feel a sense of immediate respite from the neighborhood bustle outside. In order to accommodate the farm to table eatery, the historic building has been lovingly remodeled. One area has been stripped down to the original brick walls while the addition of a huge skylight in the main dining room—directly over the communal table—offers soft, natural sunlight to support the large centerpiece of fresh salad greens from a local farm in Oxnard. The walls are covered with striking paintings by a local artist. This ambience supports the overall philosophy about the food served here, clean, natural with elegant touches. The fast casual counter ordering ensures that you can be in and out of there quickly if you need to, but the relaxed atmosphere of the restaurant and the nice beer/wine/aqua fresca/kombucha selection invite you to stay and chat for awhile.

Tender Greens is unique in that while many locations share menu items, each location has its own Executive Chef (with a fine dining background) who not only ensures the quality of the dishes offered, but creates their own daily specials. Says Westwood’s Executive Chef Kirsten Walker, “It’s a creative challenge to come up with recipes that fit into not only the philosophical quality of our food, but that can be offered as fast casual fare.” The menu items are locally and sustainably sourced with options for omnivores, vegetarians, and vegans alike, making this suitable to satisfy a wide variety of palates and preferences. The big plates are offered mix-and-match style with choices of main dish and sides and can be served as a sandwich, hot plate, or salad. In addition, a variety of comfort soups, salads, rotating desserts, and kids’ options are on offer.

Just a warning, it’s Westwood, so street parking is scarce. Walk, bike, take transit, carpool, or plan ahead and stack your visit with a trip to the local Trader Joe’s. Even with that challenge, as an express, healthy and affordable new option—Tender Greens is a welcome addition to Westwood Village.

Tender Greens
Westwood Village
1109 Glendon Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90024
(213) 335-5359
tendergreens.com

Julie Hale

Julie Devi Hale, MFT, eRYT is a psychotherapist, yoga and meditation teacher who attends to private clients in Los Angeles as well as runs retreats regularly in her home away-from-home; the Sequoia National Forest: juliehale.net

The post Tender Greens Westwood appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

Curl up with a cup of warm hot tea and steep yourself in this meditative and intimate documentary about day to day life in a Vedantic ashram in a remote part of India.

Filmed partly ‘cinema verite’ style (where the camera attempts to just be an observer and not comment or lead the viewer towards a specific conclusion) this film wanders around the environment of the Arsha Vidya Gurukulam in the jungle of Southern India.

“Gurukulam’ means the house or extended family of guru. This particular gurukulam is led by Swami Dyananda Saraswati. HIs teachings of Vedanta philosophy, as well as the intimate personal moments that are revealed in this film, are particularly poignant given that he passed away shortly after the film was made.

For the most part, the documentary simply wanders around the sheltered compound. There are very few deliberate interviews as the film allows the images of mundane, yet magical life at the ashram speak for itself—and speak it does. Gurukulam paints a beautiful portrait of pure and simple ashram life, as the film chronicles the academic, spiritual and domestic daily rituals of life devoted to the study of Indian philosophy.

An old woman sweeping the pathway with a crude broom, a young man walking by jabbering on his cell phone—the theme of the juxtaposition of the modern and ancient running throughout the film reminds the viewer of the timelessness of these teachings. The philosophy of Vedanta has been studied for thousands of years, and hopefully, will continue this way for thousands to come.

Directed by Jilian Elizabeth and Neil Dalal. Matson Films. See this on the big screen when Gurukulam opens June 10 in Los Angeles at the Laemmle Monica Film Center and Playhouse 7.

For more information visit: http://www.gurukulamfilm.com

Julie Hale

Julie Devi Hale, MFT, eRYT is a psychotherapist, yoga and meditation teacher who attends to private clients in Los Angeles as well as runs retreats regularly in her home away-from-home; the Sequoia National Forest: juliehale.net

The post Documentary Film Gurukulam Depicts Ashram Life appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

“Good movie?” she asks? “Good movie,” I reply.

This documentary is indeed a magnificently moving and sometimes hilarious tribute to the relationship between Ram Dass (aka Richard Alpert) and Timothy Leary, narrating the ways in which their paths, both together and separately, profoundly changed our culture’s ideas about consciousness, spirituality, psychedelic drugs, and death.

Narrated by actor and activist Robert Redford, Dying to Know interweaves a chronicle of their fascinating lives with an intimate and frank conversation between the two filmed just before Timothy Leary’s death in 1996. Fleshing out the sometimes unbelievable incidents they experienced (Richard Nixon once called Timothy Leary ‘the most dangerous man in America’) are interviews with others who were there along the way including Dr. Andrew Weil, Roshi Joan Halifax, and Timothy’s son, Zach Leary, to name a few.

Having just recently had the honor of holding a parent as she passed on (hence, the tears while watching this film), this documentary serves as a reminder that there is still so much evolution to occur in modern society regarding our own mortality and the idea of having a conscious death. In a culture that makes “death seem like a failure instead of a natural passage,” (as they say in the documentary) this film presses the question that these two men brought to the forefront of our society over 45 years ago: What it means to live—and die—well.

Directed by Gay Dillingham
Produced by CNS Communications

Julie Hale

Julie Devi Hale, MFT, eRYT is a psychotherapist, yoga and meditation teacher who attends to private clients in Los Angeles as well as runs retreats regularly in her home away-from-home; the Sequoia National Forest: juliehale.net

The post Dying to Know Film Review appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

Mark Whitwell is a name widely recognized in the yoga community. An accomplished yogi and sage who has been on the forefront of the contemporary yoga scene for over 20 years, his new, slim publication distills his trademark message into an easy to assimilate and follow format.

Mark is the author of several other books including the seminal Yoga of Heart, The Healing Power of Intimate Connection. He describes the purpose of The Promise as “a soft message for a hard time” for humanity that is increasingly losing its ability to connect on a truly intimate level.

Mark’s ‘promise’ is this: by doing yoga as described in this book, you will be able to realize your true potential as a human being in relation to yourself as well as to others. Mark’s yoga is a very specific combination — every movement must begin with a synchronistic inhale or exhale. He explains clearly how in only seven minutes a day, ‘our direct participation with the nurturing power of this cosmos’ can serve as a powerful catalyst for transformation.

The Promise is actually a simple premise, explained thoroughly, with engaging photos and other supporting visuals. And – it WORKS. I know, from my own experience – I promise you, also!

(Full disclosure: About 10 years ago, as a novice teacher, I followed Mark for several months as his apprentice, wanting to fully absorb his methods and his wisdom.)

Published by Urban Family Publishers

Julie Hale

Julie Devi Hale, MFT, eRYT is a psychotherapist, yoga and meditation teacher who attends to private clients in Los Angeles as well as runs retreats regularly in her home away-from-home; the Sequoia National Forest: juliehale.net

The post The Promise – Mark Whitwell appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

If you dream of yoga being offered in more schools throughout Los Angeles—connect with the nonprofit organization Youth Yoga. May marks their second annual Youth Yoga Week and since last May they’ve organized ongoing yoga programs at Abraham Lincoln High School and Ramona Opportunity High School (an all-women school for at-risk youth). So far during Yoga Week free classes will be offered at Abraham Lincoln and Ramona Opportunity as well as Los Angeles High School for the Arts, Widney Alternative High School, Hollenbeck Middle School, Harris Newmark Continuation High, and Metropolitan Continuation High. If you are a teacher looking for a place to volunteer, or part of a school looking to offer yoga, visit YouthYoga.com

Julie Hale

Julie Devi Hale, MFT, eRYT is a psychotherapist, yoga and meditation teacher who attends to private clients in Los Angeles as well as runs retreats regularly in her home away-from-home; the Sequoia National Forest: juliehale.net

The post Youth Yoga Week appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

The film is a very broad comedy but with a movement behind it; to bring awareness to the cause of rescuing pets.

Set in a fairytale fake southern California beach town (too perfect if you actually live here!); the story revolves around a handsome cafe owner (engagingly played by Paul Haapaniemi) and his rescue dog best friend. Over-the-top-bad guys, narration by sarcastic seagulls, and of course, a love interest are all part of the predictable, yet adorable, plot line.

Busted Buggy Entertainment founder and actress Courtney Daniels was approached to star in the film, and given her commitment to animal rescue, she was compelled to come aboard as a producer as well. “We want this to be a great family film, but we also want to be able to make a difference for animal rescues around the country,” says Rescue Dogs screenwriter and actor Jordan Rawlins.

The notion of ‘who rescued who’ about pet adoption is the only thing about this wacky, madcap film that has any restraint to it, but it definitely comes across effectively. The movie leaves you with that warm fuzzy feeling that makes you want to rush home and hug your dog.

Opening April 1 in theaters, the producers of Rescue Dogs intend to partner with animal rescues across the country to host animal adoption events and fundraisers over opening weekend. Learn more at rescuedogsmovie.com.

Directed by MJ Anderson and Haik Katsikian
Busted Buggy Entertainment

Julie Hale

Julie Devi Hale, MFT, eRYT is a psychotherapist, yoga and meditation teacher who attends to private clients in Los Angeles as well as runs retreats regularly in her home away-from-home; the Sequoia National Forest: juliehale.net

The post Rescue Dogs Film Review appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

The LA Parks Department has water system improvements to do that will benefit the surrounding communities as well as the Fire Department. “Completely closing down the park’s hiking trails ensures that the work can be done faster,” says Lauren Stillman of FORC (Friends of Runyon Canyon).

The good news is that, thanks to the advocacy of Friends of Runyon Canyon, the park’s yoga field will remain open and still offering donation-based classes seven days week, confirms Daniel Overberger of Runyon Canyon Yoga. They have six teachers offering a variety of styles, and for the next couple of months, parking will be a breeze.

With no specific dates announced, we will have to stay tuned as to when the park will actually reopen. In the meantime, there are great hiking alternatives nearby such as Franklin Canyon Park and Fryman Canyon Park. (And if you happen to see Amy Schumer at one of them, give me a jingle, will you? I’m convinced we need to be BFFs!)

The Runyon Canyon Yoga schedule can be found on Facebook and Twitter.

Julie Hale

Julie Devi Hale, MFT, eRYT is a psychotherapist, yoga and meditation teacher who attends to private clients in Los Angeles as well as runs retreats regularly in her home away-from-home; the Sequoia National Forest: juliehale.net

The post Yoga Continues During Runyon Canyon Renovations appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

When I was a freshman in college, my parents announced they were selling the house I grew up in and moving 600 miles away. Upon hearing the news, I felt so abandoned; that home was supposed to always be there for me.

I had similar feelings when I heard exhale Center for Sacred Movement in Venice was closing. Sacred Movement was the place where I cultivated my own yoga practice through hours and hours of sweat, laughter, and tears. “Allow your feelings,” Micheline Berry would say in class. “Commit yourself to working towards a higher good,” said Christi Christensen.

So I did, and regularly. I went there, actually more like lived there, for weeks while completing my first teacher training. I went there to grieve and heal when my marriage died, my dog died, my mother died. And I know I was just one of the many yogis who were devoted to the communal healing experiences that happened in that space. Those rooms held an important place in the history of yoga in Los Angeles. Then the doors of the Venice location closed in December 2015. (Exhale as a community still operates studio and spa locations at the Fairmont Hotel in Santa Monica and the Loews Hotel in Hollywood)

 
Fast forward to the first week of this New Year: I’m practicing in a spacious event venue called The Rose Room. (Where if the teacher says look at the sky, you actually can, through multiple skylights.) Christi and Micheline are teaching together seamlessly, accompanied by Joey Lugassy and DJ Sol Rising. And I am again sweating, dancing, laughing, and crying.

When exhale announced the closure of their Venice location, Micheline and Christi were determined to answer the collective plea from the community. Enter Thomas Elliott, the co-owner of The Rose Room and the adjacent organic restaurant and pub The Venice Ale House (among others). A longtime student at Sacred Movement, Thomas understood the imperative need of this tribe yearning for a new home.

So in the space of just a few weeks, Micheline and Christi created Pop Up Yoga Venice at the Rose Room. They brought in a number of other teachers including Samantha Mehra, Jenna Giles, Dearbhla Kelly, Denise Kaufman, Hala Khouri, Jenny Cho, Kate Duyn Cariati, and Blake Shields Abramovitz. Workshops are also planned with teachers Sienna Sherman, Shiva Rea, Annie Carpenter, and Seane Corn.

The vision is still percolating. Micheline and Christi, both longtime Westside residents, are committed to following the historical principles of Venice as a haven of radical inclusivity. They have plans to add more teachers and classes, as well as workshops, art showings, live music, and even doga (dog yoga—yeah, you read that right).

As a community, they’re on the path to doing what it takes to help increase the accessibility of yoga. While no one will be turned away for lack of funds, the team suggests what they call Justice Pricing to allow for greater inclusion. The community class rate is $15, $18 for a Sustainer, and $22 for a Supporter. They say, “If you can afford to be a Supporter or Sustainer, please consider paying it forward.”

For more information and class schedule visit: popupyogavenice.com. After class, be sure and stop in Venice Ale House (venicealehouse.com) next door for organic fare and a craft beer.

Julie Hale is a yogi and psychotherapist who supports individuals on their life’s path as well as leading workshops and retreats year round: juliehale.net.

Julie Hale

Julie Devi Hale, MFT, eRYT is a psychotherapist, yoga and meditation teacher who attends to private clients in Los Angeles as well as runs retreats regularly in her home away-from-home; the Sequoia National Forest: juliehale.net

The post Pop Up Yoga Venice appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

Love Everyone book review 

Love Everyone is a a series of engrossing first-hand recollections by followers of the Indian saint and spiritual teacher Neem Karoli Baba, affectionately known as Maharajji. Although I didn’t meet him in person, my life has been enriched by being a follower of his teachings for the last ten years of my life.

In the late 1960s, an assorted collection of Western seekers travelled to India and wound up at the feet of Neem Karoli Baba. The group included Ram Dass (formerly Dr. Richard Alpert), Dr. Larry Brilliant, psychologist Daniel Goleman, and kirtan rock stars Jai Uttal and Krishna Das. They all report to be all instantly transfixed and ultimately transformed by this saint who “exuded pure unconditional love.”

The author, Parvati Markus, was also one of those in India some 45 years ago. She has lovingly woven together this anthology with a skillfully conversational flow and with just the right amount of clarification to keep the reader from getting lost in the complex Hindu traditions that were a part of the experience. The book serves as a proper and devotional homage for those dedicated to this teacher and his teachings; it is also a juicy and completely absorbing reading experience for anyone curious about the path of Bhakti Yoga.

For more information about Neem Karoli Baba, visit the Love Serve Remember Foundation, dedicated to the teachings of Maharajji and Ram Dass: ramdass.org.

Julie Hale

Julie Devi Hale, MFT, eRYT is a psychotherapist, yoga and meditation teacher who attends to private clients in Los Angeles as well as runs retreats regularly in her home away-from-home; the Sequoia National Forest: juliehale.net

The post Love Everyone book review appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.