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.
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