A huge percentage of people admit to having a sweet tooth, a little craving for that something sweet.  For that lucky small percentage who do NOT have a sweet tooth: GOOD ON YA!  But for those of us that do (this may sound familiar), you often “treat” yourself with something containing:

•    White or brown sugar (no nutritional value)
•    Honey or maple syrup (a little nutritional value)

This “treat” is really no treat at all.  You may experience a temporary energy lift, but then CRASH!  This upsurge in blood sugar level followed by a big plummet is particularly significant for those that don’t normally indulge; however, it is still felt by those who regularly consume these sugary sweeteners.

Effects of the “sugar blues” can include:

•    Anxiety or irritability
•    Low energy or fatigue
•    Feelings of depression

Long term affects of sugar indulgence has been linked mental illness, diabetes, hormonal and degenerative diseases.

Yikes!  So what is one to do to satisfy that sweet tooth without compromising one’s health and well-being?  Satisfy it the macrobiotic way: brown rice malt syrup!

Brown rice malt syrup is made by a slow, natural enzymatic process, as the whole grains are partially broken down into a thick liquid.  While providing that bit o’ sweet, it only contains 3-4% glucose (the substance that gives the quick hit sugar buzz).  Besides that, it contains complex carbohydrates, maltose and water which allows for a long, gradual digestion period.  That means that it's a prolonged source of energy that is calming as opposed to a sugar high then crash.  To boot, it contains many of the vitamin B and minerals found in rice and barley

Brown Rice Syrup has a simple taste that won’t overpower - add it to your kitchen pantry!

Want to bring the power of macrobiotic eating into your life, but don't know how to do it? Our macrobiotic master, Tanis Kohut, is offering a series of workshops at the studio. Get all the details here.

You can also check out the Macrobiotic Guide, a website chock full of macro tips and information.

Suat Eman / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Staying hydrated is definitely more challenging in the summer.

You’re sweating more than usual with that hot sun beating down. And it sure has been a scorcher here in Winnipeg, eh?

You’re probably more active as you’re out and about playing more sports and enjoying that awesome weather.

With all the parties and BBQ, you might be indulging in more salty snacks. Not to mention the beer :)

And then you add your regular hot yoga practise on top of that, and you’ve got one recipe for dehydration!

So it becomes even more important in the summer months to be conscious of your hydration levels before you step into that Bikram class.

Tips for staying quenched

• Make drinking fluids a part of your routine, so that it’s more difficult to forget to quench up. For example, drink a large glass of water or 2 before every meal. Eventually, it will become second nature.
• Compensate for fluid zappers. Whenever you have a cup of coffee or a fun summer cocktail, drink a glass of water to counteract the diuretic effects.
• Carry water with you everywhere. Often we get dehydrated because we don’t have liquids on hand. Make it a habit to carry a water bottle with you wherever you go, so that you don’t get stuck sans fluids.
• Boost those electrolytes. Sport drinks were created to help athletes deal with the dehydration that is a result of their intensive activity. The problem with them is that they are full of chemicals and additives. Reach for a natural alternative before. Coconut water is an incredible source of the five electrolytes that are naturally present in our bodies. This includes potassium, magnesium, phosphorous, sodium and calcium. Grab some at the front desk, or pick it up from your fav health food store.
• Load up on naturally quenching foods. Think cucumber, watermelon, apples – any fruit or veggie with a high water content will help. It makes it easy that we usually crave these foods in the summer anyways.
• Up your intake. Drink more than you usually do in the summer. Your body needs it. Especially before, during and after rigourous exercise, such as during your Bikram class.

How to know you’re dehydrated

Sometimes you can get so busy, that you might forget to drink all your liquids or you might not be compensating enough for that extra sweat you got on while hanging at the beach.

Here are some common dehydration signs your body is using to urge you to grab that water bottle:

• Bathroon stuff changes. If you notice that you haven’t needed the facilities as much as is normal for you, it’s a sign that your body is running low on liquids. If your urine is super dark, that’s another sign.
• You feel fatigued. Or hungry. Or you have a headache. Your body sends signals to let you know you’re dehydrated, but they often get mis-read. Instead of reaching for that cup of tea, that snack, or that cold cloth, try having a few glasses of water first.
• And obviously, if you’re thirsty you’re dehydrated. You should do your best to avoid getting into this parched state though. Being thirsty is one of the last signs of dehydration, and means that you body is in desperate need of some liquid – asap!

If you have any other hydration tips, please share in the comments. Happy hot summer yogis!

Image source: Idea go / FreeDigitalPhotos.net