September | 2011 | CamieKarma

Archive | September, 2011

Here I am

HI hi hi!!! How are you? Let me update you on what I’ve been doing!

I already told you though my theory on blogging- I do it when there are things to discuss so you won’t get bored! Smile

First off- I am so tired of this weather! The rain, the humidity, the cloudiness. No thank you. I’ve said before that I looooove fall- the pumpkins, sipping warm tea (or my decaf coffee), wearing scarves and boots, sipping red wine, and just enjoying the beautiful leaves and crisp air. Can it please get here soon?? Thank you.

Last weekend I got to see the Bubbles Salon Hair Wars! It was in Greenbelt Maryland at Martin’s West and the space was beautiful.

Look at some of these outfits and hairdos!

(That’s M if you didn’t realize)

A lot of my sisters friends came to give her a shout out too.

Mom and her daughters- family bonding time!

(M had like 2 wigs attached to her head- hence the crazy hair)

Very fun Sunday evening!

And then back to reality- there’s been this:

Green juice: 1/2 head of romaine lettuce, carrots, 1 apple, 1 pear, and topped cayenne pepper! Yummmm!

Blueberries and a nectarine

And OMG- have you had these!? Roasted Seaweed Snacks from Trader Joe’s. I die. So freaking good. But- if you don’t like the fishiness- you probably won’t like them.

Green Smoothie! Handful of spinach, 1 cup of almond milk, 1 frozen banana, strawberries, and frozen pineapple. So good!!!

So yes, lot’s of healthy eating because my knee has been flaring up. I even made myself swim laps for 40 minutes yesterday!

Anyways- I want to know what you guys would like to see on the blog for the next few posts. I do have more playlists that haven’t been posted and I haven’t put up any sequences in a while. I’d love to know what you think!

Here’s something to think about:

Don’t worry and fuss about what you’re going to do tomorrow, or how tomorrow’s answers will come. The way to get through a task, a day, a life, is to stay in the present moment.

Racing, pushing, trying to force things forward doesn’t work. Not anymore. Hurrying will not speed up the process, or the journey. In fact, if you race ahead of yourself, you may find you need to go back, return to the parts you skipped over, and go through it again fully present.

Yes, there are times we need to press on, times we need to push a bit more. But hurrying won’t speed up the process. It will just keep us tense, out of step. To speed up the process, we need to fully immerse ourselves in the moment and then focus our energy, our presence, our emotions, our thoughts, and our heart.

Stay in the present moment. Listen to your heart right now. Be gentle and loving with yourself right now. Be open to the guidance around you right now, guidance that will make the present moment come alive.

If you stay in your heart, stay with yourself, stay in the present, tomorrow’s answers will come just as today’s did- naturally, gently, and on time.

~Melody Beattie

Tags: family, food, friends, quotes, something to think about

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All you need

20 Sep

Hi there- How was your Monday?? Things were pretty good here for a Monday! I taught two classes and took zumba with my sister. I’m in pain already!!! It’s been months since I booty shaked it and omg- huts so good!! And surprisingly, my foot, knee, and whatever aliments I’ve had feel ok!

Speaking of zumba- this is my instructor and she is amazing!!!! No lie. If you want to dance and shake it and don’t care about the sweat flying in every direction- you must meet Cynthia!!! I take her class at The Merritt’s Downtown Athletic club on Monday’s. She also teaches at the Canton location as well as other dance studios in the area as she’s a hip hop teacher. She’s awesome I tell you!

There’s the zumba gang!

Here’s a recipe for you!

I don’t really know what to call this…let’s go with Greek Tuna chickpea salad.

Ingredients:

1/2 can tuna drained

Greens of your choice

1/2 cup of chickpeas drained and rinsed (maybe a little less)

Cucumber, tomato, and onion to your liking- chopped

Salt and pepper to taste

Greek dressing (olive oil, oregano, apple cider vinegar/vinegar, salt, pepper, and you can add a bit of feta cheese)

Mix it all together!! Enjoy!

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**Something to think about**

When I was pulling up to the gym tonight- the song All you need is love by the Beatles came on the radio. I immediately started smiling and of course singing a long. That song has sentimental meaning to me and one of those is that I grew up listening to the Beatles. Another is that I got to see LOVE in Las Vegas a few years and that was an experience I will never forget.

But it’s really the lyrics that made me think- even after all the hundreds of times I’ve heard the song.

Love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love. There’s nothing you can do that can’t be done. Nothing you can sing that can’t be sung. Nothing you can say but you can learn how to play the game It’s easy.

There’s nothing you can make that can’t be made. No one you can save that can’t be saved. Nothing you can do but you can learn how to be you in time – It’s easy.

All you need is love, all you need is love, All you need is love, love, love is all you need. Love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love. All you need is love, all you need is love, All you need is love, love, love is all you need.

There’s nothing you can know that isn’t known. Nothing you can see that isn’t shown. Nowhere you can be that isn’t where you’re meant to be. It’s easy.

All you need is love, all you need is love, All you need is love, love, love is all you need. All you need is love (all together now) All you need is love (everybody) All you need is love, love, love is all you need. ~Lennon and McCartney

I think when you surround yourself in a loving environment- with friends, family, the pets, food, and home(mine is with a lot of warm blankets, scented candles, healthy food, and a lint roller for the cat hair!) that comforts you- at the end of the day you can’t help but feel the LOVE yourself. Right? At least that’s how I feel. Even when you have those bad days or dark moments, you can still take the time at the end of it all to realize that life is precious and that it is GOOD. We are all given the opportunity to lead blissfully happy and full lives. You just have to choose to jump in feet first and enjoy it! Because like the song says:

There’s nothing you can make that can’t be made. No one you can save that can’t be saved. Nothing you can do but you can learn how to be you in time – It’s easy. ~John Lennon and Paul McCartney

You just have to be willing to choose love and realize that you don’t only need to give it, but you deserve to have it too. Chase your dreams, achieve your goals, figure out how you want to live your life- for you. At least that’s what I think.

Time for me to faceplant into bed!

Love love love, C

Tags: Baltimore, fitness, food, friends, presley, quotes, recipes, something to think about

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Recap

19 Sep

Hi! How was your weekend??? Things have been pretty low key here and I like it that way. I am LOVING this cool weather. But I will probably be the first one to complain when it gets a few degrees cooler. But I’m just lounging around tonight and I love it.

Hi Monica, Lauren, and Meghan!

Here’s a bit of a recap of what I’ve been up to for the past few days!

I’ve been making lot’s of things with basil. This is from my own plant that is still growing on my fire escape. I made pesto tonight. So quick, easy, and good. I also have been putting basil leaves and lemon in water. So good!

I met this dog the other night at The Owl Bar in Mt Vernon. Her name is Karma of all things. She’s a service dog that actually works a lot with veterans. This was the sweetest and most loving dog I have ever met. I wanted to take her home with me- of course. Her tag says: Karma the Wonderdog. She’s precious!

Ok and I have t to show you this orchid that my dad has raised. I know it may be hard to see- but those string like things are actually long petals! 28 inch long petals. Isn’t it crazy?? It’s called a Pathieopedilum Sanderianum and it’s from Borneo. Crazy!

I spent Saturday with my parents and sis at a going away party for our Friend Clarke. He’s joining the Marine Corps to become a pilot.

Of course I almost started to cry when Clarke’s mom was giving her toast.

God I look like my dad. Lol

Check out the cake:

And their dog:

Precious!!

Clarke- all the best of luck to you!!!

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So I’ve been thinking a lot about the word intention. In yoga classes, we talk a lot about intention or your intent for the class. An intention can be a goal or just a though of something you want to accomplish. Our lives are busy and full of check lists, to do lists, spending time with friends, family, working, and all kinds of other things that we can feel overwhelmed. Then where does your intention go? Umm out the window.

I recently put one of my personal intentions on my bathroom mirror. So instead of forgetting what I want and turning on the mental chatter that we all have in our heads, I’m forced to remind myself of what I want to happen. By simply putting the words out there you intention can become reality. Ask for what you want.

I know a lot of people think it’s a bunch of fluff when you talk about saying things out loud to the universe, but I think when you verbally saying what is it that you want or write it down and see it, it’s a way to put your goals into action. You can’t run a marathon without training and you can’t get a new job without applying for one.

So what is it that you want? Are you ready to put it out there? Live your life and make your dreams happen! It’s cheesy- but if you don’t do it now, when will you?

Time for me to watch another episode of Law and Order: SVU…why am I obsessed with that show??

xoxo, C

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Tags: Baltimore, family, food, friends, quotes, recipes, something to think about

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T is for Tuesday

14 Sep

Hi there- Sorry for the lame post name. I had no idea what to title this! How was your Tuesday?? Nothing too crazy over here today. I spent the morning organizing my life- aka- my apartment with the laundry and the dishes that are pretty much never ending!

The weather was beautiful but I am sooo ready for it to be a few degrees cooler. It’s supposed to be 90 tomorrow. No thanks! Anyone else with me?

I spent the evening teaching yogaaaaaaa.

Hi Sarah!!!! Laura R if you are reading this- we miss you!!!!

Hi James!

Hi Sammy Smile

So for all of you who refuse to get in pictures when I see you- well you don’t make the blog!

I have another recipe for you!

Bean and Veggie Greek Salad

So easy and sooooo good!

Chickpeas rinsed and drained

Black beans rinsed and drained

1/4 cucumber peeled and diced

Grape tomatoes chopped

Onion- if you like diced

Handful of bean sprouts

Combine in a bowl and add Greek dressing (olive oil, apple cider vinegar, oregano, salt, pepper, garlic to taste)

Make this for lunch tomorrow!!! You can add feta cheese if you like. So good and easy to make!!!

This is by no means turning into a food blog. But since having so many injuries I’m just trying to clean things up a little. Like the no drinking and of course eating a lot of yummy vegan food!

Giving up my wine is definitely proving to be a challenge because I really do enjoy the taste of it and trying new wines. And anyone who knows me knows that I love bubbly. But- if I can’t work out like I used to, I guess I feel like I have to try to clean some things up on the inside!

Something to think about:

Life’s challenges are not supposed to paralyze you; they’re supposed to help you discover who you are. ~Bernice Johnson Reagon

See you tomorrow!!!!

Much much love,

Camille

Tags: friends, quotes, recipes, vegan

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Destined to Be

13 Sep

Hey hey- How was your Monday?? I know- it comes up so fast I can barely stand it! was looking over my calendar trying to figure out when I can go camping for a weekend and well- things are being booked up by the second! I guess that’s the way it goes sometime. Things were pretty productive over here…taught some classes, iced my knee, went to Wegmans, helped my sis try to find a new apartment…all very exciting.

So look at this:

Holy amazing. I was destined to be a yogini. Lol. I looked at my phone this am and my childhood friend Annie sent this to me. I cracked up laughing.

Look at this one:

Apparently I loved cats- even back then.

Meowwwwww!

So funny. Look at my teeth- so bad! Can you tell I was a thumb sucker? Thank you mother for my braces and I still wear my retainer from 7th. grade every night. Yes, I do. And so does my sister. Lol

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Here’s something you don’t know about me. Well first one thing you do know. I love to cook. Well- concoct things really. I can make green juice, I can make smoothies of all kinds, dips (crap dip, spinach, taco, hummus, black bean etc), I can bake bread, cookies, muffins, yummy salads, who knows!

But what you don’t know is- when I cook, the kitchen looks like a bomb went off. I almost took a picture but…it’s that bad lol.

However, I have a yummy vegan recipe for you!

I call this Coconut curried lentils and veggies

Directions:

Steam broccoli, cauliflower, and bean sprouts till they’re cooked.

At the same time, cook 1 cup of lentils (add 1 1/2 cup of water and boil, then simmer)

Once all of that is cooked- add the veggies to the lentils. Add curry powder, chopped onions, chopped apples and 1/2 cup of coconut milk.

Stir and simmer.

Add garlic, salt, pepper, and cumin if you like- to your taste. I don’t ever really measure things when I’m making it up myself.

You can’t see- but there was definitely some messy spilling on the side!

You have to let everything simmer for a little while because of the lentils. So simmer and taste and when you’re finished- pour in a bowl and enjoy!!!

I burned my tongue several times though- so as my granny used to do when I was little- fan your napkin over top of it a few times! Lol

So I have some work to do tonight but I just want you all to know about my Costa Rican Yoga Retreat. Please check all the details!

I hope you had a great Monday!

We can’t separate ourselves from one another. We are all part of a vast sea of love. ~Marianne Williamson

Xoxo, C

Tags: friends, presley, quotes, recipes, vegan, yoga

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Again

12 Sep

Hi there- how was your weekend?? Things were pretty uneventful over here. But I kinda like it that way sometimes. I taught in teacher training at Charm City Yoga and did spend a little time with friends.

This is one of my girls Camie. We went to high school and college together and have had a lot of crazy times together. She’s married and has a little one now so it’s been a while since we caught up but we did manage to have lunch together on Friday. Look who she brought with her!

Isn’t he so adorable?? So stinking cut I can barely stand it…even though he refused to sit on my lap!

Look at those eyes- like mother like son!

So- I’m injured. Again. It’s really put a damper on my mood and not mention my level of physical activity. I grew up being active all the time; dancing, taking gymnastics, playing field hockey, running cross country, taking spinning, running, etc. And for the past two years, I have pretty much been injured constantly. This time it’s my knee- really swollen, can’t bend it past 90 degrees, I went to yoga yesterday and that made it worse. After my foot problems had finally healed, I had even gone running a few times. And now this. I’m so sad and frustrated because I’m a fitness professional! And I can’t even do what I teach! Ugh. You can tell I’m not happy. But I guess I will be going back to swimming and the bike. Womp womp.

But thank the universe for this lady:

Stephanie is a physical therapist and she even let me come to her apartment on her birthday! Stephanie I love you!!!!

And look at her adorable fur children!

Leeroy and Hunter. I love love love them!

Not sure what’s up with my knee but I will keep icing, taking the anti-inflamatories etc and try not to be sad and depressed that I’m not in shape! Ugh.

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I don’t want to bring up even more depressing things, but today was 9/11 and we all know what that means. I couldn’t really watch anything on tv about the 10th anniversary about the fall of the twin towers and all of the lives lost because it just made me sad.

I remember exactly where I was on that day. I was in college, I watched the towers fall in the student union with people crying, I remember hugging my sister in the cafeteria, and worrying about my dad because the evacuated downtown Baltimore. I knew nothing about terrorism. I just knew about my private school college life. But the reality is, all of our lives are affected by the events of that day. When something like that happens, we take the time to be appreciate of what we have and who we are- not what we don’t have and who it is that we want to be.

I know we all spent time today thinking about the thousands of men and women who have put their lives on the line for our safety and about those whose lives have been lost. I hope you took time to tell the people in your life how much they mean to you and how much you care about them- even if you don’t say it all the time.

Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu

May all beings everywhere be happy and free, and may the thoughts, words, and actions of my own life contribute in some way to that happiness and to that freedom for all. (source)

I couldn’t say it any better.

Love love love.

~Camille

Tags: family, friends, quotes, something to think about

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It won’t stop

9 Sep

Hiiiii- how are you?? Of course it’s been a minute since I blogged- but I’m the kind of person that- well- if I don’t have anything to blog about, I don’t write anything. And I like things to be fresh and interesting for you!

I took this picture right before the sky opened up and started pouring. It won’t stop! I spent Labor Day weekend with friends and family and it was actually a pretty fun time! Family bbq on Saturday, drinks with friends, family on Sunday which turned into an all day affair, and then on Monday I went to a pool party! Even though it poured- we still got in to pool!

Fun times all around Smile

And look at the dog- so precious!

I love him to pieces!

So fall weather is coming and I’m getting kind of excited! But for now- I’m still dealing with the monsoon! But tomorrow is Friday- yay!!!

I made hummus tonight and just for the record- to get it super creamy…yeahhhh you have to add a lot of olive oil. Lol- probably not the healthiest! But it was good!

This post is kind of a mélange of things but- sometimes that’s the way it goes!

One thing I wanted to talk about was my Costa Rican Yoga Retreat! I have booked dates for January 13-20 2012. Here are the details!

Cost: $1450 (does not include airfare)

What’s included:

Room and lodgings

3 vegetarian meals a day

2 yoga classes a day

2 surf lessons

Ziplining

Trip to Manuel Antonio

Mojito night

Tamascal sweat lodge

Transportation

Feel free to check out Vida Asana’s website as this is where the retreat is hosted. If you’d like to check out airfare- you’d fly into SJO which is Juan Santamaria International Airport.

If you are interested in the retreat please email me at camiekarma@gmail.com

I should have a flyer together within the next week. Costa Rica is beautiful and I would LOVE it if you could join me!

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Another tidbit of information is that I am doing a 30 days of NO DRINKING. A friend and I are trying to be clean I guess you could say. Even though I can be a homebody sometimes, I do love my vino and bubbly. So, just trying to do a little cleanse and see what happens. It’s been a few days- anyone else want to join??

Here’s my latest PLAYLIST

Every Teardrop is a Waterfall- Coldplay

Give me Everything- Pitbull

Moves Like Jagger- Maroon 5

Party Rock Anthem- LMFAO

The Edge of Glory- Lady GaGa

Pumped Up Kicks- Foster The People

Midnight City- M83

Punching In A Dream- The Naked and Famous

Hands Open- Snow Patrol

Uncharted- Sara Bareilles

Heartbeats- The Knife

Fences- Phoenix

East Harlem- Beirut

Blinding- Florence and The Machine

The End- Kings of Leon

Sorrow- The National

Ordinary People- John Legend

Longing to Belong- Eddie Vedder

Someone Like You- Adele

Holocene- Bon Iver

Such Great Heights- Iron and Wine

It is love that brings happiness to people. It is love that gives joy to happiness. ~Rumi

Much love, Camille

Tags: Baltimore, Costa Rica, friends

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Indulgences

3 Sep

Hi friends! TGIF!!! I don’t know about you, but I am so glad the weekend is here. I don’t have any real exciting plans for the holiday weekend but who doesn’t love time off??

Here are some other things I love Winking smile

(source)

I like watching men in Suits.

I like to pain my toes.

I like to eat vegan food- yes this is VEGAN. It’s the bacon cheeseburger from Native Foods Café. And people think vegans just eat rabbit food.

I like spending time with the only man in my life.

I like to do yoga in my living room.

I like to channel my inner Halle Berry.

I like to dance with my twin sister.

And I apparently love the color green. Not shocking at all. Lol

Do you have any indulgences? I want to know!

You only loose what you cling to. ~Buddha

TGIF!!!

Xoxo, C

Tags: family, food, presley, quotes

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Sometimes Life Gives You Lemons

2 Sep

And then you just make a sour face and spit out the seeds! Winking smile

How has your week been?

Things have been ok here but let’s just say I am glad tomorrow is Friday! But before I get into all of that- I managed to go running twice this week!

This is serious victory for me because many of you know that I have had knee and foot problems basically for the past two years. I ran cross country in high school and I loved to go for a run pretty much since college. A 3 or 5 mile run for me was nothing, and now- well, that’s a whole other story! But I’ve gone twice and I plan to go again this weekend. Stretching and icing followed!

Gorgeous gorgeous gorgeous. The weather has been soooo nice- but I can feel the fall weather coming. I have to say though, even though I am sad that summer is ending, I do love fall weather!! Crisp apples, scarves, red wine, and pumpkins!

This is me last fall when I went camping. Who doesn’t love crisp air and beautiful changing leaves??

So I don’t really like to go into full personal details of my life on the blog here- but I’ve had to deal with something this week that I totally haven’t wanted to deal with for a long time. I had to let go of something that I’ve been holding onto for a long time and well- we all know that change is uncomfortable.

Let go of the past and go for the future. Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you imagined. ~Thoreau

But with that being said, I wanted to talk about the word community. I have always had a ton of friends, but since becoming a yoga teacher I have truly found a community of love and kindness. Merriam Webster defines community as “a unified body of individuals” and I those are the words that really define how I feel about the people in my life. When I’m having a hard day or just feeling down, I know that there are friends and family that I can always always rely on.

(source)

So the other day when the lemons were presented in front of me, I had my bad time, I cried, talked to my sister, talked to my mother, and my friends took me out for wine and Indian food. And while I’m still trying to make some lemonade with my lemons, I know that I can rely on the people in my own personal community to be there for me. I used to spend all this time saying I was alone but the reality is, you’re never really alone!

One thing I have learned especially from being a teacher and student of yoga is that life is about how you accept and move through the ups and downs of life- not just trying to avoid the downs. And when you have a bad day, let yourself have a bad day. Cry, sip your wine, do yoga, watch a bad movie, take a nap. Just remember to breathe and live your own life just for you. And if you need someone to help you make that lemonade- just go through you’re community phone book.

(source)

Drinks anyone?

The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience. ~Eleanor Roosevelt

Labor day weekend is almost here!!! Any fun plans????

xoxox,

Camille

Tags: Baltimore, quotes, something to think about