I have become a Yoga junkie....I just cannot get enough. I have three different books that I am reading right now that are in the Yoga family. I must get on Yoga Journal maybe 2 or 3 times a day, it's crazy.
I have been reading more about meditating as well as balancing out my diet. One of the more interesting topics I have been reading about is all about Ayurveda. "Ayurveda, which translates as "knowledge of life," dates back 5,000 years to the ancient Sanskrit texts, the Vedas. It's a system of healing that examines physical constitution, emotional nature, and spiritual outlook in the context of the universe. According to the philosophy, universal life force manifests as three different energies, or doshas, known as vata, pitta, and kapha." (This was copied from yogajournal.com).
There are five elements of space; air, earth, fire and water that make up everything in the universe including our own human bodies. In Ayurveda they come together to create three different types or doshas. Which are known as Vata, Pitta and Kapha. By knowing what type you are you can understand what activities, food and lifestyle elements that can help you nurture your health as well as what might cause you to become unbalanced.
I found a really cool website where you can take a quiz to find out your type, it's called What's Your Dosha. It gives you all kinds of info about what are good foods for your to eat and ones that you might want to stay away from, as well as how you might sleep, how stress affects you, etc. I was truly amazed at how spot on alot of the information was, for me at least.
Since I have started planning our meals for the month we are eating more healthy meals. But for me personally I still am not very good about eating fruits or grains/legumes. I eat a Luna Bar in the morning along with my coffee, I usually have whatever Max is eating for lunch (PB & J, Mac-n-Cheese, nuggets & fries), and then whatever we might be having for dinner. I am not good about eating a balanced breakfast OR lunch and if I snack it's not on things that are good for me. Which is ridiculous because the things I give Max to snack on ARE healthy; bananas, oranges, apples, grapes, or maybe pretzels. I am not sure why I just don't eat the same things I am giving him....
After yesterday and reading all about my dosha I have decided to make it a personal challenge. I printed out a list of foods that are balancing for my dosha (which I am a Vatta in case you were all wondering) and I am going to try and eat at least 1 or 2 things off that list. Then I am going to try and build up to 3 or 4, etc. What kind of example am I setting for my children if I am not doing the same thing.
Namaste'.
29 May 2010
26 May 2010
Recipe of the week...
Yogurt Marinated Chicken and Grilled Asparagus
1/2 cup plain yogurt, preferably Greek style
2 T. extra virgin olive oil
2 t. chili powder
1 t. ground coriander
Grated peel and juice of 1 lemon
1 1/2 pounds of skinless, boneless chicken breasts
Salt and Pepper to taste
1. In a large bowl, combine the yogurt, 1 T. of olive oil, the chili powder, coriander, lemon peel and
1 1/2 t. lemon juice. Season the chicken with salt and pepper, then toss with the yogurt marinade; let stand for at least 10 minutes.
2. I grilled mine but the recipe calls for using the broiler but it was just too hot to turn the oven on. If using the broiler follow recipe below:
(Preheat the broiler. Position a greased rack on a rimmed baking sheet, then arrange chicken in a single
layer on top; drizzle with 1 T. olive oil. Broil the chicken about 3" from the heat for 5 minutes. Turn with
tongs, drizzle with another 1 T. olive oil and broil until browned and cooked through, about 8 to 10
minutes.)
If using the grill preheat to about 350-400'. Cook for about 7 minutes on each side till cooked through.
For the asparagus I just drizzled some olive oil on top, seasoned with Tastefully Simple Seasoned Salt. Then I grilled it for about 7 minutes (put the asparagus on when I flipped the chicken.)
It was PHENOMENAL!!! Of course I LOVE asparagus but the chicken was really juicy and had great flavor.
{This recipe was in Rachel Ray Magazine, May 2010}
1/2 cup plain yogurt, preferably Greek style
2 T. extra virgin olive oil
2 t. chili powder
1 t. ground coriander
Grated peel and juice of 1 lemon
1 1/2 pounds of skinless, boneless chicken breasts
Salt and Pepper to taste
1. In a large bowl, combine the yogurt, 1 T. of olive oil, the chili powder, coriander, lemon peel and
1 1/2 t. lemon juice. Season the chicken with salt and pepper, then toss with the yogurt marinade; let stand for at least 10 minutes.
2. I grilled mine but the recipe calls for using the broiler but it was just too hot to turn the oven on. If using the broiler follow recipe below:
(Preheat the broiler. Position a greased rack on a rimmed baking sheet, then arrange chicken in a single
layer on top; drizzle with 1 T. olive oil. Broil the chicken about 3" from the heat for 5 minutes. Turn with
tongs, drizzle with another 1 T. olive oil and broil until browned and cooked through, about 8 to 10
minutes.)
If using the grill preheat to about 350-400'. Cook for about 7 minutes on each side till cooked through.
For the asparagus I just drizzled some olive oil on top, seasoned with Tastefully Simple Seasoned Salt. Then I grilled it for about 7 minutes (put the asparagus on when I flipped the chicken.)
It was PHENOMENAL!!! Of course I LOVE asparagus but the chicken was really juicy and had great flavor.
{This recipe was in Rachel Ray Magazine, May 2010}
My True Passion....
Last Sunday I got to do something REALLY, REALLY, REALLY cool! My friend Trish (from my playgroup) invited me to come to a photo shoot that HER childhood friend was doing.
Her friend is launching a clothing line and this was to be her very first photo shoot highlighting the clothes. Trish has asked me if I would be interested in doing the models makeup. I was flattered and VERY nervous. For most of you that know me know that I am a total girlie-girl. I LOVE make-up, and for that matter clothes, shoes, purses, etc....so I immediately said YES. Then of course started freaking out about it.
BUT none the less Sunday morning came, gave the Fam lots of hugs and kisses and headed off to Valley Forge, PA. Just want to add that I was a nervous wreck the whole time. I am by no means a "professional make-up artist", and this was someone's vision, possibly a huge dream of their's being fulfilled.
When I first got there I had a chance to meet Jen (the creater) and then got a quick glance at the clothes (ADORABLE by the way), and got started. The models were going to be outside so Jen wanted a very natural look for the girls - I got to work.....
I had an absolute blast!!! I ended up doing four models and then hung out for a little bit to watch the photographer at work. It was so amazing seeing some of the pictures, the models did great, the photographer was awesome, it was just such a fun experience. I am so glad that I didn't let my fear overtake something that I really love to do. When I was younger that was my dream ~ head to New York and get into the fashion scene, but I didn't want to work with the clothes (although I dooo love them), I wanted to be doing the hair or make-up. Of course my life did not quite go in that direction and I love my life but I wonder sometimes what my life would have been like had I actually followed that path.
What dream did you have when you were younger, what did you THINK you would be doing when you reached adulthood? I wonder how many people can say they actually do what they wanted to be doing. That is one thing I really want to instill in my children ~ really do something you love, regardless of the pay. Because doing things you really love fills you with joy and that truly worth more than any amount of money.
Her friend is launching a clothing line and this was to be her very first photo shoot highlighting the clothes. Trish has asked me if I would be interested in doing the models makeup. I was flattered and VERY nervous. For most of you that know me know that I am a total girlie-girl. I LOVE make-up, and for that matter clothes, shoes, purses, etc....so I immediately said YES. Then of course started freaking out about it.
BUT none the less Sunday morning came, gave the Fam lots of hugs and kisses and headed off to Valley Forge, PA. Just want to add that I was a nervous wreck the whole time. I am by no means a "professional make-up artist", and this was someone's vision, possibly a huge dream of their's being fulfilled.
When I first got there I had a chance to meet Jen (the creater) and then got a quick glance at the clothes (ADORABLE by the way), and got started. The models were going to be outside so Jen wanted a very natural look for the girls - I got to work.....
I had an absolute blast!!! I ended up doing four models and then hung out for a little bit to watch the photographer at work. It was so amazing seeing some of the pictures, the models did great, the photographer was awesome, it was just such a fun experience. I am so glad that I didn't let my fear overtake something that I really love to do. When I was younger that was my dream ~ head to New York and get into the fashion scene, but I didn't want to work with the clothes (although I dooo love them), I wanted to be doing the hair or make-up. Of course my life did not quite go in that direction and I love my life but I wonder sometimes what my life would have been like had I actually followed that path.
What dream did you have when you were younger, what did you THINK you would be doing when you reached adulthood? I wonder how many people can say they actually do what they wanted to be doing. That is one thing I really want to instill in my children ~ really do something you love, regardless of the pay. Because doing things you really love fills you with joy and that truly worth more than any amount of money.
21 May 2010
Not a stellar moment for me...
Lately Max has been not wanting to use the potty. He was doing soooo great, well at least when it came to going pee, not so much on the other end... lol!
Anyway the last couple of days he really has been fighting me. Whenever I tell him it's time to go he screams, throws things, etc. Alway entertaining he is....so this morning he was doing his usual ~ screaming, yelling and even some tears. As this is going on he runs out of the bathroom, naked of course.
I can feel myself starting to lose my cool, I have already been deep breathing for about 10 minutes at this point and can feel that it's not working. As I see him running away all I SEE is RED. I kind of do a loud (really loud) Monster voice and say "MMMMAAAAAXXXXX".
He stops dead in his tracks in the hallway...turns around to look at me and starts to scream. But scream in a bad crying way. He runs back to the bathroom and says, with a look up ut-most terror I might add, "Mommy scared me, Mommy scared Max....." and wailing ensued.
I felt horrible. Like the lowest human being EVER! I just scooped him up and held him and told him over and over how sorry I was. He just kept telling me how I scared him ~ over and over again. I am dung at this point...really old stinky dung. I walk into his bedroom and keep telling him over and over again how I didn't mean to scare him. I try to explain that I was upset and was trying to get his attention (usually he loves it when I do crazy voices, but I guess I sounded a bit TOO monster'ish). So I told him again that I was so sorry and I wouldn't do it again and he just looks up at me with his big ole' blue eyes and says, "ok mommy, ok".
Yah....a big ole pile of dung, that is me.
Anyway the last couple of days he really has been fighting me. Whenever I tell him it's time to go he screams, throws things, etc. Alway entertaining he is....so this morning he was doing his usual ~ screaming, yelling and even some tears. As this is going on he runs out of the bathroom, naked of course.
I can feel myself starting to lose my cool, I have already been deep breathing for about 10 minutes at this point and can feel that it's not working. As I see him running away all I SEE is RED. I kind of do a loud (really loud) Monster voice and say "MMMMAAAAAXXXXX".
He stops dead in his tracks in the hallway...turns around to look at me and starts to scream. But scream in a bad crying way. He runs back to the bathroom and says, with a look up ut-most terror I might add, "Mommy scared me, Mommy scared Max....." and wailing ensued.
I felt horrible. Like the lowest human being EVER! I just scooped him up and held him and told him over and over how sorry I was. He just kept telling me how I scared him ~ over and over again. I am dung at this point...really old stinky dung. I walk into his bedroom and keep telling him over and over again how I didn't mean to scare him. I try to explain that I was upset and was trying to get his attention (usually he loves it when I do crazy voices, but I guess I sounded a bit TOO monster'ish). So I told him again that I was so sorry and I wouldn't do it again and he just looks up at me with his big ole' blue eyes and says, "ok mommy, ok".
Yah....a big ole pile of dung, that is me.
20 May 2010
A New Seat...
This morning I went for a ride on my brand new bicycle...it was beautiful out. The sun was just rising the birds were chirping and I was ready.
However a few minutes after I started out I was dying...and not because of what you think. The seat was killing me. I don't know who invented those seats but they obviousley did not ride on them before hand. It felt like I was riding on a piece of cement that was just shaped like a seat. I ended up doing 2 miles and thought I was not going to be able to walk when I got off the thing...love the bike - hate the seat.
I will be making a trip to the store very, very soon so that I can get something a tad more comfortable, otherwise my bike will be gathering dust in the basement because that was pure torture.
However a few minutes after I started out I was dying...and not because of what you think. The seat was killing me. I don't know who invented those seats but they obviousley did not ride on them before hand. It felt like I was riding on a piece of cement that was just shaped like a seat. I ended up doing 2 miles and thought I was not going to be able to walk when I got off the thing...love the bike - hate the seat.
I will be making a trip to the store very, very soon so that I can get something a tad more comfortable, otherwise my bike will be gathering dust in the basement because that was pure torture.
04 May 2010
Love, Love, Love Yoga!
In case you didn't catch that I LOVE yoga.
Last Christmas while playing the Wii with my mom I was informed by the "voice" in the Wii that I was only 10 pounds away from my ideal weight. Of course in my head I imagined myself much bigger and that I thought I should lose much more than that. BUT I decided to actually try and lose the last 10 pounds of my baby weight, so when we got home I started exercising.
I did something almost every morning...aerobics, walking on the treadmill, pilates, and yoga. Not long after I started I realized that I was really enjoying the yoga more than any other exercise. I started doing it every day...and loving it even more. I subsribed to Yogajournal.com, as well as the a subscription to the magazine, basically became obsessed over it. I started reading everything I could, buying books, etc. And I still LOVE it! I go to two different classes each week ~ they are both amazing teachers! I learn something from both of them each time I go...Thank you to my teachers!
At first I didn't feel like I was losing any weight, nothing was changing, all my clothes were fitting the same but then it seemed like overnight NONE of my clothes fit. I was suddenly searching all over for a belt, which I haven't needed in a long time. One day I decided to go and try some pants on. I thought I would try on an 8 and just pray that they would zip up - to my amazement I could almost pull them off without unzipping them...so I wandered back out and grabbed a 6 and even more to my amazement they FIT!!!!!!! I have not wore a size 6 in a very LONG, LONG, LONG time. Karl even noticed that I had lost weight...he told me I looked skinny.
Now it's not even about the weight, (btw I have lost 8 pounds), I enjoy practicing my yoga everyday (or atleast almost every day...) and learning how to ground myself and just breathe. Yoga has not only helped me go down three pant sizes it is helping me be a better Mom, a better Wife, a better Human in general. I find myself thinking about my practice all the time; find myself doing poses at different times of the day; trying to perfect my posture, standing in Mountain Pose to ground myself if I get frustrated; while playing with Max I do Down Dog so he thinks I am flying over him...I just can't get enough.
Last night I was talking to the instructor letting her know that I would be missing next Monday's class because of my trip to Michigan and she informed me that she thought I was ready to go up to the next level, a more challanging class...that made me feel so happy. I can't wait to get back and see what new things I can learn!!!! Namaste!
Last Christmas while playing the Wii with my mom I was informed by the "voice" in the Wii that I was only 10 pounds away from my ideal weight. Of course in my head I imagined myself much bigger and that I thought I should lose much more than that. BUT I decided to actually try and lose the last 10 pounds of my baby weight, so when we got home I started exercising.
I did something almost every morning...aerobics, walking on the treadmill, pilates, and yoga. Not long after I started I realized that I was really enjoying the yoga more than any other exercise. I started doing it every day...and loving it even more. I subsribed to Yogajournal.com, as well as the a subscription to the magazine, basically became obsessed over it. I started reading everything I could, buying books, etc. And I still LOVE it! I go to two different classes each week ~ they are both amazing teachers! I learn something from both of them each time I go...Thank you to my teachers!
At first I didn't feel like I was losing any weight, nothing was changing, all my clothes were fitting the same but then it seemed like overnight NONE of my clothes fit. I was suddenly searching all over for a belt, which I haven't needed in a long time. One day I decided to go and try some pants on. I thought I would try on an 8 and just pray that they would zip up - to my amazement I could almost pull them off without unzipping them...so I wandered back out and grabbed a 6 and even more to my amazement they FIT!!!!!!! I have not wore a size 6 in a very LONG, LONG, LONG time. Karl even noticed that I had lost weight...he told me I looked skinny.
Now it's not even about the weight, (btw I have lost 8 pounds), I enjoy practicing my yoga everyday (or atleast almost every day...) and learning how to ground myself and just breathe. Yoga has not only helped me go down three pant sizes it is helping me be a better Mom, a better Wife, a better Human in general. I find myself thinking about my practice all the time; find myself doing poses at different times of the day; trying to perfect my posture, standing in Mountain Pose to ground myself if I get frustrated; while playing with Max I do Down Dog so he thinks I am flying over him...I just can't get enough.
Last night I was talking to the instructor letting her know that I would be missing next Monday's class because of my trip to Michigan and she informed me that she thought I was ready to go up to the next level, a more challanging class...that made me feel so happy. I can't wait to get back and see what new things I can learn!!!! Namaste!
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