1. Sytropin – We have used this product, taken a break from it and returned to it. We have definitely found that overall it has made the biggest difference in performance, especially from an aerobic capacity and endurance standpoint. We have also found benefits in weight management and lower body fat. Sytropin is our top pick for 2009. It is a homeopathic spray with a comprehensive array of amino acids and growth factors that stimulates the body’s own production of human growth hormone.

2. Immunocal Platinum – Best new discovery of 2009. If you haven’t already heard of glutathione, you will. Glutathione occurs naturally in the body. It is the body’s major anti-oxidant, immune system optimizer and detoxifier. It exists in virtually every cell in the body. It is produced within the cell by glycine, glutamine and cysteine. In the average North American diet, cysteine is either non-existent or scarce. An additional challenge is getting cysteine into the cells in a biologically active state. Immunocal Platinum is the result of decades of research conducted primarily at McGill University in Montreal, Canada. It is the only natural product that is both clinically and scientifically proven to optimize the immune system by raising glutathione levels. It is an undenatured whey protein isolate that is backed by over 70 worldwide patents. Coincidentally, it has also been clinically proven to enhance muscle performance.

3. Primorye Stress Relief Plus – Best stress reduction product. Named after the region in Russia from which most of its herbs are derived, this product is the result of billions of dollars of research over decades, spearheaded by the Soviet Academy of Sciences. Oxyfresh combined the herbal extract with aloe from Costa Rica and other micronutrients to formulate a truly remarkable product. Its benefits are many, not the least of which are the regulation of excess cortisol, a reduction in overall stress, increased focus and an immune system booster. Use it daily and use its partner product Primorye Gold before and after workouts.

4. Montmorency Concentrated Cherry Juice – This product is also a new discovery for us. It is a powerful anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and contains naturally occurring melatonin, which helps with sleep and is a brain anti-oxidant.

5. Vega Health Optimizer – Our favorite protein powder. Developed by Brendon Brazier, a vegan triathlete, this product contains the correct amount and balance of the various proteins required to repair and rebuild muscle tissue. It is available in a variety of flavors.

6. Oxyfresh Foundation Formula – This is our favorite comprehensive daily multivitamin and mineral packet. It not only contains 3 multivitamin capsules, but omega-3, vitamin E, antioxidant and digestive enzyme capsules as well. It contains the best types of nutrients and the most optimal amounts and combination of nutrients for athletes. For endurance and elite athletes, we recommend 2 packets a day. Capsules are packaged in very convenient packets for easy transport while on the road.

7. Vega Sport Performance Optimizer – Fantastic electrolyte and energy powder easily added to water. Comes in a variety of flavors.

8. Oxyfresh Joint Formula – Best new product of 2009. This product was introduced by Oxyfresh last year and is the best joint formula we have come across to date. This scientifically proven formula is formulated to start repairing joints and relieving pain within 30 days. It reduces joint discomfort, restores mobility and flexibility and protects joints from deterioration. Joint Formula contains the patented UC-II, an undenatured  type-II collagen, derived from chicken sternum cartilage.

Instructions:
Heat organic oil in a saucepan until hot, then sauté organic garlic until soft. Add organic vegetable juice, purified water, organic lentils, organic bay leaf and season. Bring to a boil and immediately reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for about 30 to 40 minutes. Lentils should be tender, but not mushy. Remove the saucepan from heat and take out the organic bay leaf. Stir in organic couscous, chopped organic tomato and organic basil. Cover and let stand for about 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork and serve immediately.

3 cups organic butternut squash, peeled and cubed
3 tablespoons + 2 teaspoons organic olive oil
1/2 teaspoon organic pepper, divided
6 organic garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons organic balsamic vinegar
1 teaspoon brown organic mustard
1 pound fresh organic spinach
2 (15 ounce) cans cannellini beans, drained and rinsed (organic, if possible)
1 tablespoon organic sage
1/4 cup organic Romano cheese, grated

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.Spray a cookie sheet with a non stick organic cooking spray. Coat the organic squash with 1 tablespoon of organic olive oil. Sprinkle the organic squash with 1/4 teaspoon of organic pepper. Place the organic squash on the prepared cookie sheet. Bake 25 minutes or until fork tender. Place the 2 tablespoons of organic olive oil and organic vinegar into a mixing bowl. Whisk to combine. Add the organic brown mustard and 1/8 teaspoon of organic pepper. Whisk to combine. Place the remaining organic olive oil into a skillet over medium heat. Heat the oil to hot but not smoking. Add the organic spinach and cook until wilted. Sprinkle on the remaining organic pepper. Remove the organic spinach from the heat and set aside. Place the organic beans in a microwave safe bowl. Add the organic squash, organic vinegar mixture, organic garlic and organic sage. Stir gently to combine. Microwave on high 1 minute or until warm. If not warm enough after 1 minute microwave at 30 second intervals to your liking. Serve over the wilted organic lettuce and sprinkle with the organic cheese. Serves 5

1 tablespoon organic honey
1/4 teaspoon organic cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon organic nutmeg
2 (6 ounce) containers organic vanilla yogurt
2 1/2 cups organic honeydew melon, cubed
2 cuts organic raspberries

Instructions:

Place organic honey in a mixing bowl. Sprinkle in the organic cinnamon and organic nutmeg. Add organic yogurt and blend ingredients well using a rubber spatula. Cover and refrigerate 30 minutes. Serve with the organic fruit when chilled. Serves 4

1 cup boiling Water
4 Organic Green Tea with Mandarin Orange Flavor Tea Bags
1/2 teaspoon organic honey or organic agave nectar
1 ripe organic banana
1/2 cup ice cubes

Instructions:

Plate the organic tea bags in the boiling water and allow to steep for 2 minutes. Remove tea bags and squeeze out any remaining tea. Add organic honey or organic agave nectar and stir to dissolve. Place in the refrigerator and allow to chill about 30 minutes. Place the chilled tea in a blender. Add the organic banana and ice cubes. Blend until smooth and creamy. Serves 2

10 cups organic broccoli florets
1 tablespoon unsalted organic butter
1 organic shallot, minced
1 organic garlic clove, minced
1/2 cup toasted bread crumbs
2 teaspoons organic lemon peel, grated
1/4 teaspoon organic pepper, divided
1 tablespoon organic olive oil
2 tablespoons organic lemon juice

Instructions:

Fill a saucepan 2/3 full of water. Place on high heat and bring to a rapid boil. Add the organic broccoli and steam for 3 minutes or until broccoli is crisp tender. Cool under cold tap water and drain well. Place the organic butter in a skillet over low heat and allow the butter to completely melt. Add the organic shallot and organic garlic. Cook 2 minutes stirring occasionally. Add the bread crumbs and continue cooking 2 minutes or until the bread crumbs begin to brown. Remove the mixture from the skillet and place in a mixing bowl. Add the organic lemon peel and 1/8 teaspoon of organic pepper. Combine well. Place the organic oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the steamed organic broccoli to the organic oil and cook 4 minutes until slightly brown and heated throughout. Sprinkle the other 1/8 teaspoon of organic pepper over the cooked organic broccoli and stir to cover. Pour in the organic lemon juice and sprinkle the top with the bread crumb mixture. Serve hot. Serves 8

1 cup organic all purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon organic baking powder
3/4 teaspoon organic baking soda
1/4 teaspoon organic nutmeg
2 organic eggs, separated
1 cup organic buttermilk
2/3 cup whole milk ricotta cheese (organic, if you can find it)
1 tablespoon grated organic lemon peel

Instructions:

Place the organic flour, organic baking powder, organic baking soda and organic nutmeg into a large mixing bowl. Whisk together, blending well. Place the organic egg yolks in a separate bowl. Pour in the organic buttermilk. Add the organic ricotta cheese and organic lemon peel and whisk until completely blended. Place the organic egg whites in a separate bowl. Beat with an electric mixer on medium high speed until soft peaks begin forming. Add the organic ricotta cheese mixture to the organic flour mixture and blend until just combined. Carefully fold in the egg whites. Heat a skillet over medium heat until hot. Coat the skillet with organic oil. Pour 1/4 cup of batter onto the prepared skillet. Cook 2 minutes or until bubbles appear around the edge. Flip and continue cooking 1 minute or until a light brown. Continue until all the batter has been used. Heat oven to 200 degrees and place cooked flapjacks on an oven safe platter in the heated oven to keep them warm until ready to serve. Makes 15 flapjacks

1/2 cup organic mango, pitted, peeled and diced
1 organic green onion, sliced thin
1/4 cup organic red bell pepper, diced
2 tablespoons organic cilantro, chopped
1/4 organic jalapeno pepper, seeded and chopped fine
2 tablespoons organic lime juice
1 (8 ounce) container pineapple cream cheese spread
32 slices baguette French bread

Instructions:

Place organic mango, organic green onion, organic pepper, organic cilantro, organic jalapeno and organic lime juice in a tightly sealed container. Turn to coat ingredients with the juice. Refrigerate at least 2 hours so all the flavors can blend together. Spread each slice of baguette bread with the cream cheese. Use a slotted spoon to top each of bread slices with the salsa. Serves 16

1/4 cup organic olive oil
1/4 cup organic orange juice
2 tablespoons organic rice wine vinegar
1 tablespoon organic honey or agave
1/4 teaspoon organic pepper
8 cups mixed organic salad greens
1 organic pink grapefruit, in segments
1 organic orange, in segments
1 organic pear, sliced
1 cup organic grapes, seedless
1/2 cup organic dried cranberries

Instructions:

Pour the organic olive oil, organic orange juice and organic vinegar into a small bowl. Whisk slightly. Add organic honey and whisk briskly until the honey is completed blended in. Add the pepper and stir. Place the organic salad greens on a plate. Top the greens with the organic grapefruit segments, organic orange segments, organic pear slices, organic grapes and organic cranberries. Drizzle the dressing over the entire salad. Serves 4

Shayne states that Budokon is really a “living art.”  He goes on to say that it includes the complete being, “It is your waking and your sleeping, your walking and your sitting, your living and your dying.” Shayne promises that there are no gimmicks with Budokon, there exists only something he calls “The Way.” Despite the fact that “The Way” sounds like an association to a religion or another structured principle, Shayne highlights that it is just a zen way of getting close to your life and is not meant to be taken as enlightenment.

There is a unique philosophy attached to practicing Budokon as a means of connecting spirituality to the physical and mental levels of the art, but it mostly centers on the individual and letting go of attachments and being true to oneself.

There’s three steps to Budokon. Number one, study the practices and do them regularly, keeping a fluid motion within your body and an open communication with your mind.

Second, learn the ten cultivations of Budokon and study the food recommendations in order to attain the highest level of success and to completely bring balance to your health. The cultivations are basic and consist of going from simple and direct to the more complex. Food guidelines are also straightforward and simple to follow by advising against eating or drinking much before practice and sticking with light foods, maintaining a diet of leafy vegetables during the day, eating meat sparingly, staying away from dense foods, and trying to consume only natural sweeteners like honey, agave and stevia.

The third and last step to acquiring full Budokon is to keep a flow going from the relaxing yoga poses to fast moving cardio kicks to the sitting meditation as the final section of a class. Of course, the steps are aquired over time and inexperienced persons aren’t obliged to be graceful immediately.

Try out a class or two and challenge your body to work outside of its comfort zone. Budokon may end up being another fad exercise trend that celebrities will wear out soon, but it is very much gaining strength for now. As long as it makes you feel good, makes your body attain a higher level of fitness, and brings you in closer connection to your spirit, more power to founder Cameron Shayne and the refreshing style called Budokon.

Budokon: Flow & Flexibility Yoga
Budokon: Power & Agility Yoga
Budokon: Strength & Balance Yoga