Blog Posts by Intent.com

By Monique Minahan

Do you remember your first yoga class? It usually makes an impression.

We are the fortunate recipients of an ancient practice that has traversed time and countries to land at our doorsteps, even at our fingertips.

Whenever and however we practice yoga, we become part of a venerable, healing, unifying, honored tradition.

And it's never been more popular than now.

There's something irresistibly magnetic about yoga beyond its stretching and strengthening powers. I think it's the subtle power of a regular practice to transform, not only our bodies, but also our deep-seated attitudes and beliefs. On our mats we are able to tap into the inherent peace of mind we often lose track of through our busy days.

Peace of mind. That's not something we often find at our local gym.

True to its flexible nature, yoga continues to keep up with our changing times.

While yoga was originally passed on from guru to student, in a sacred oral tradition, we find

stockingsLooking for some simple, practical, healthy gifts to stuff your stockings? Here's our top 5 healthy stocking stuffers under $25. Throw in a cute reusable grocery bag and you're good to go!

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1. Stackable Lunch Pot

A vertical, airtight stacking system for lunch at the office or snacks to-go. The perfect alternative to plastic baggies or bulky Tupperware, and a great incentive to start taking your own healthy lunch or snacks to work come January 1!

2.Wakaya Perfection Ginger Powder

A perfect sampler size and one of the healthiest, most versatile gifts you can give this year. Print out one of these great recipes and include it with the ginger. It's hard to go wrong with a gift that made Oprah's list and the New York Times!

3. Citrus Zinger

Infuse your bottled water with lemons, limes, or oranges and get an extra boost of Vitamin C on the go!

4. Zen Salt Cube

This beautiful Himalayan salt cube turns everyday cooking into an art. Grate finely over

By The Chopra WellScreen Shot 2012-12-11 at 12.22.52 PM

What if we could improve our memory, reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease, and keep our brains young with just a few simple mindfulness techniques?

Deepak Chopra recently appeared on the Dr. Oz show discussing memory and the brain. With the recent release of his new book, Super Brain, co-authored by Harvard neuroscientist Rudy Tanzi, there has been a lot in the air about the connection between the mind, aging and brain health. Deepak and Rudy discuss some key themes from the book, including memory, love, and sleep, on The Chopra Well series, SUPER BRAIN.

As it turns out, we have more of a say in the strength and resilience of our brains than we may have thought. Here are three myths to dispel before we can harness the power of our "super brains." If we can wrap our minds around these, then we are off to a great start.

Myth #1: Over the course of our lives, our brains continuously lose cells that will never be replaced.

Truth: We do lose brain

giftsThis holiday season we've rounded up a few of our favorite things to share with you, in hopes you might share them with others. Whether you're celebrating Christmas, Hannukah, Kwanzaa, or Winter Solstice, these items are sure to inspire you and your loved ones this holiday season.

Remember, the best gifts are not always the most expensive. It's the thoughtful, personal, and heartfelt ones that get remembered.

So grab your shopping list, a cup of tea, and settle in!

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1. Art of AtArt of Attentiontention

For the avid yoga student or teacher, this stunning, thoughtfully crafted book is the creation of Elena Brower and Erica Jago. More than just a coffee-table piece, it's an inspiring workbook for creating your own practices or taking your teaching to the next level.

2. Jewelry

• Courage Bracelet

• Moon Ring

• Wisdom Bracelet

For the person who brightens up with a little sparkle, these are our favorite jewelry pieces with lots of meaning behind them.

For many of us, the first images that come to mind when we think of ginger are of sushi or gingerbread cookies. We may not realize what a powerful cleansing agent ginger can be for our bodies internally. Ginger root, in its natural form, has antibacterial, antifungal, an anti-inflammatory properties, which means it's great for keeping our intenstines healthy and for healing illnesses and imbalances.

Ginger has been used in Chinese medicine to treat everything from diarrhea to asthma to nausea to arthritis. It can also help to alleviate pain and reduce joint swelling without the side-effects of over-the-counter painkillers.

To learn more about the role ginger can play in fitness and health, we spoke with fitness model and health expert Owen McKibbin. Owen is a widely respected voice in the wellness industry and has graced the cover of Men's Health Magazine 19 times! He is also founder of McKibbin Fitness - a unique online personal training site that has workouts for every

By Monique Minahan

My local coffee shop sells Fair Trade coffee. I love their coffee, but for a long time never gave much consideration to what that really meant. I knew it was "good," but I wasn't sure why.coffee beans

Fair Trade is a term we often hear thrown around when it comes to coffee, tea, produce, and even diamonds. What does it mean, though, and how much difference does buying Fair Trade food and products really make?

Products that are Fair Trade Certified meet specific labor, environmental, and developmental standards. The certification system covers a number of products, and the list continues to grow. Fruit, cotton, vegetables, and wine are a few main ones, with coffee and tea leading the pack in Fair Trade Certification. Certifying precious gems is being looked at closely, preceded by companies specializing in conflict-free diamonds, such as Brilliant Earth.

Fair Trade has been in the works for quite some time, but a major breakthrough happened in 2001, when USA

Family life today is challenging. In the majority of households both parents work long hours. Feeding your family nutritious meals and keeping them active can seem like a daunting task at times. It's becoming more and more rare to see families that eat together, play together, and laugh together. We are all inspired when we see how successful families keep it together through childbirth, mortgages, and life's ups and downs.

We spoke with the Duers, an All-American family of five living in New York, on how they stay connected, sane, and healthy while juggling family and work responsibilities. We love Betty Duer's suggestion for a "good, old-fashioned, super hearty belly laugh." She also shares her yummy Apple Cider Sangria recipe below:

DuersJoe, as a professional model and a family man, how do you maintain balance while juggling all your responsibilities?

My Family is Priority #1. I'm fortunate to be in a profession that provides the time and flexibility to be a provider, as

With the news about Kate Middleton's pregnancy this week, everyone is talking about morning sickness. One of the best natural remedies for an expectant mama's upset stomach is ginger root. Ginger powder is simple, easy to use, and provides a host of wellness benefits - both for pregnant people and non-pregnant people alike! And with Hannukah, Christmas, and the many other wintertime holidays are right around the corner, we figured it's a perfect time to share a delicious ginger recipe.

gingerTo get some ideas on how to incorporate ginger powder into tasty holiday dishes, we spoke with Peruvian Chef Jean Paul Desmaison, owner of Jean Paul's House; a 1920s cottage-turned-bistro restaurant and market located in Miami.

Chef Desmaison specializes in New World Cuisine. He's known for using organic, locally grown, sustainable ingredients in simple dishes that let the tastes and textures shine through.

He weighs in below on keeping food and decor simple and shares a delicious