Alexa Lane - Faith | Wellness | Performing Arts
Christian Artists Lifestyle & Wellness
Five Positions of Dance
The Five positions of dance initiate many movement patterns. When working in these positions, maintain lateral rotation from your hip joints. Evenly distribute the weight of your body over your toes, balls of your feet, and your heels.
First Position
Begin with your legs parallel and your feet together. With your heels touching, laterally rotate your legs from your hip joint.
Second Position
Begin in First Position. Separate your heels one foot apart. Ballet instructors will assist their students in finding the healthiest and most appropriate position to suit individual needs.
Third Position
Cross one foot in front of the other, placing the foot in the middle of the other foot. Balance your weight evenly on both feet.
Fourth Position
From First Position, cross one foot in front of the other about one foot apart. Align your heels with your big toes, maintaining excellent lateral rotation.
Fifth Position
From Fourth Position, bring your feet together. Align your heels with your big toes. Balance your weight evenly on both feet. Maintain your lateral rotation from your hip joints.
Plant Based Nutrition
As a professional dancer and actress, being conscious of the food I put into my body is an important part of my job. Early on, I discovered a whole food plant based diet works best for me. Subsequently, I went on to study nutrition with Dr. T. Colin Campbell and earned a certificate in Plant Based Nutrition from his school, The Center for Nutrition Studies.
Over the years, I shared my nutrition tips with many of the dancers and artists I worked with. I truly want to help people end their struggle with their weight.
It’s about turning up the volume on body positivity and making healthy choices that raise your vibration!
I truly want you to know, “Eating more whole plant based foods can set you free from trendy diets and endless calorie counting!”
You may be thinking, do plant based diets have all the required nutrients?
Yes!
Whole food plant based nutrition is nutrient dense, low in fat, high in vitamins & minerals, high in antioxidants, high fiber, and supports overall health. In addition, whole plant foods do not contain cholesterol or high levels of saturated fats which are linked to disease and obesity. Current research conducted by T. Colin Campbell, Dr. John McDougall, and Dr. Caldwell B. Esselstyn, Jr., supports that consuming a diet rich in whole plant foods has been shown to lower your risk of disease and is endorsed by the American Dietetic Association. Learn more about the American Dietetic Association’s stand on Vegan diets here.
Can I lose weight on a plant based diet?
Absolutely!
As mentioned above, plant based diets are low in fat and provide your body with optimal energy derived from complex carbohydrates. You will lose weight safely and naturally, while consuming delicious, healthy foods. Overtime, you may notice that you no longer are driven by unhealthy food cravings.
How does it work?
As you begin to detox your body from unhealthy food, you will begin to notice you have more energy and your digestion improves. As a result of the weight loss, your body will feel lighter. Your physical endurance will improve and your workouts will be more effective. Additionally, many people who have blood sugar issues find that plant based diets help stabilize blood sugar and aid in establishing a healthy metabolism. Also, you may notice that once you stop consuming meat and dairy your skin clears up and has a healthy glow.
Why buy Organic Foods?
When shopping for whole plant foods, try to buy organic when possible to avoid pesticides which have been linked to disease. The list below names the fruits and vegetables that contain the highest pesticides, therefore try to buy these foods organic.
Buy organic to avoid pesticides in the following foods: Apples, Celery, Cherry Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Grapes, Hot Peppers, Nectarines, Peaches, Spinach, Strawberries, Sweet Bell Peppers, Kale/Collard Greens, and Summer Squash.
Transitioning to a Plant Based Diet. – An article we wrote for Natural Awakenings
Free E-Book
Clean Beauty Tips
Clean beauty tips
Many conventional personal care products contain chemicals that may be harmful to your health, cause allergic reactions or respiratory issues. While many of us think about detoxing our bodies from unhealthy food and substances, we may not think about what we are putting on our skin each day. To help get you started on cleaning up your skincare routine, I listed ingredients to avoid in my free eBook, Grace Spirit Beauty.
You may download it here Download my Clean Beauty Book
A few chemicals to avoid are:
- Aluminum
- Formaldehyde
- Hydroquinone
- Parabens
- Talc
- Propylene Glycol
- Animal based ingredients
Once you toss your old products out, you will probably need to purchase new, clean beauty essentials. Below is a short list of skincare and makeup basics.
Skincare:
- Makeup Remover
- Facial Cleanser
- Exfoliator
- Eye cream
- Facial moisturizer
- Serum
Makeup:
- Foundation
- Concealer
- Blush
- Powder/Bronzer/Highlighter
- Eyeliner
- Eye Shadow
- Mascara
- Brow Pencil/Gel
- Lipstick
- Lip Gloss
For a lovely selection of clean beauty products, visit credobeauty.com!
Makeup Expiration Dates
Your makeup and skincare does not last forever! To keep your skin healthy and vibrant, pay attention to expiration dates and throw away your expired makeup and skincare.
Below are the standard expiration dates:
- Foundation: 1 Year
- Concealer: 1 Year
- Cream Blush: 1 Year
- Powder Blush and Pressed Powder: 1 Year
- Gel Eye Liner: 3 Months
- Liquid Eyeliner: 3 Months
- Pencil Eyeliner: 2 Years
- Eye Shadow: 1Year
- Mascara: 3-6 Months
- Lip Gloss: 1 Year
- Lipstick: 1-2 Years
- Nail Polish: 1 Year
Mushroom-Bean Balls
Ingredients:
- 14-16 oz. white or Baby Bella mushrooms medium-fine chopped
- One medium red onion and 2 cloves garlic (optional) finely chopped
- One can (12-15 oz.) of either red kidney or garbanzo beans (experiment with different beans)
- 1 Tbsp. of miso paste (brown or red)
- 1 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar
- Vegetable stock
- 3 Tbsp. of nutritional yeast
- 1 Tbsp. tomato paste
- Half cup wheat gluten or brown rice flour ( gluten free)
- Spices (add what you like)- ½ tsp of: oregano, thyme, basil, red pepper , salt, black pepper
Combine mushrooms, onion/garlic, vinegar, nutritional yeast, miso, tomato paste, spices, and a few tablespoons stock in a non-stick (ceramic) pan. On medium-high heat, cook down stirring occasionally until mushrooms are reduced and onions become translucent. Set aside and allow mixture to cool for 15 minutes.
Drain can of beans and rinse with cold water. Combine in large bowl with ¼ cup vegetable stock. Hand mash and add cooled mixture and combine well. Add wheat gluten (or brown rice if you prefer gluten free) and fold in until combined (mixture firms up – try not to overmix).
Scoop with tablespoon and form into balls about 1.5 inches in diameter – makes about 20-22 balls. Place on parchment paper on baking sheet. Cook in 375 degree preheated oven for 18 minutes. Turn each ball on side and cook an additional 10 minutes. Turn once more and cook a final 10 minutes. Let sit 5 minutes before serving. You can combine with your favorite low/nonfat sauce.