Archive | June, 2012

Recharge

13 Jun mt vernon

picstitch (30)Hi my friends- how are you??? Things have been pretty crazy busy over here.  Teaching the yoga and taking the yoga- and my night kind of looks like this plus a kitten trying to eat and drink everything within reach.

I’ve been teaching a lot of yoga and doing a lot of yoga so when that happens- I really try hard to be prepared with food, drinks, and snacks when I’m on the go.

 

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I’ve been making green smoothies a lot and if you follow me on Facebook or Twitter you will see these pictures.  In this smoothie is:

1 cup of coconut milk

1 frozen banana

2 handfuls or organic spinach

1 spoonful of almond butter (I’ve been using Barney Butter)

1tbs of chia seeds

1 pinch of xanthan gum for thickness

I swear- it tastes like a milkshake.  Peel your bananas and put them in the freezer and make it tomorrow!

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People ask me a lot about healthy eating but honestly  I am just like everyone else.  I love food: I like pizza, wine, cheese, and everything else that is not so healthy.  But the key is balance.  For me if I go on eating gluten and soy- I get a knee flare- so right now I am trying to clean that back up because you know- it’s a pain!

The thing is- if you give yourself two weeks of clean eating- you will feel great!  More fruits and veggies please!

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So how do you recharge your own batteries after a long day or week?

Here are some things that I do and maybe they can inspire you to help yourself unwind:

photoTreat yourself to a mani/pedi

Take a nap (one of my favorites)

Sip some bubbly (another favorite)

Indulge in a movie fest at home- some of my favorites are Sliding Doors, A lot like love, Love Actually, The Holiday, Blue Crush (don’t judge), Sideways, I could never be  your woman, and any of the Felicity and Sex in the City dvds

Bake something- I haven’t done really any gluten free baking- but I LOVE making muffins, breads, and cupcakes.  And you don’t have to indulge and eat it all- pack up half and give some to your friends

Do some YogaGlo

Have a bed day – this is a day where you stay in bed all day,surrounded by  your books, journal, dvds, laptop, iphone, and everything else you love.

Take a day trip

Try a new restaurant or order carryout from someplace other than your usual spot

Infuse your water with lemon and lime or blueberries and strawberries

Or just make this:

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Vegan and Gluten Free Fro-yo

1 and 1/2 frozen bananas

1/2 cup of coconut milk

Pinch of xanthan gum

BLEND!!!!!!!

Add some vegan chocolate chips from Trader Joe’s and eat immediately!

You can clearly add any fruit or dessert toppings you like and it doesn’t even taste like bananas.  I promise it doesn’t.  Add a dash of vanilla extract and bam.  There you go.

Do you have any tips I should add to the list?

picstitch (4)To me, there are three things we all should do every day.  We should do this every day of our lives.  Number one is laugh.  You should laugh every day.  Number two is think.  You should spend some time in thought.  And number three is, you should have your emotions moved to tears, could be happiness or joy.  But think about it.  If you laugh, you think, and you cry, that’s a full day.  That’s a heck of a day.  You do that seven days a week, you’re going to have something special. ~Jim Valvano

Xoxo- C

It’s Thursday

7 Jun be kind

Hi my friends- how is your week?  I don’t know about you- but I am totally enjoying this cool weather.  Windows open, breeze blowing, life is good.  And I also listen to the summer oldies station on Pandora and sing the Beach Boys in my kitchen.  It’s ok- you can laugh.

picstitch (27) I have another recipe for you! Featuring Tessemae’s Balsamic Dressing. As I mentioned before here, Tessemae’s is made locally in Annapolis, Maryland and is family owned which I love.  You can find it at Whole Foods.

I always say that you must make the recipes I post- but really, this one is perfect for summer and the dressing (all natural, gluten free, vegan, and sugar free) gives it just the right zing.

Summer Strawberry Salad

picstitch (28)Organic Spring Mix

Cucumbers

Chopped Walnuts

Herbed Goat Cheese

Pepper to taste

Tessemae’s Balsamic drizzled on top

Yummmmmmmmm

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The dressing solidifies in the fridge but just leave it out for a few minutes before you use it.

I didn’t eat the nuts because they hurt my belly.  But it was good! I know sometimes we think salads can be boring but they don’t have to be.

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What are you trying to prove?

You don’t have to prove anything to anyone.  Not even to yourself.

A subconscious desire to prove ourselves may be hiding at the root of our fears, the root of our tension, the root of our need to do an be more.  Accompanying it can be a burning belied that we aren’t’ good enough, that we need to compensate for some deficiency in ourselves in order to take our place on this planet. 

We may feel like we have to earn our place, earn our right to be here.  Like we’re being watched, graded, and judged.

You don’t have to prove anything to anyone.  You’re fine just the way you are.  You have energy, vitality.  You have particular gifts and talents.  You have been learning your lessons just right in your life.

Let go of the need to prove yourself to others- to parents, people from the past, people in your life today.  Could it be the one you’ve really been trying to prove something to is yourself? The answer is simple: learn to approve of yourself.  Love and accept yourself the way you are today.  Then step right up and take your place in the universe. ~Melody Beattie

One of my friends made me read this yesterday when I was doing my usual I’m sad and feeling bad for myself because of xyz.  We all do that.  We do it every day and it takes practice not to go to that place of feeling like we need to reach perfection all the time.  The reality is is that we are each unique and wonderful people that have our own differences, talents, and characteristics that make us who we are.  You are already whole, complete, and perfect just as you are.

Happy Thursday!!

xoxo- C

**Don’t forget to LIKE me on Facebook, connect with me on Twitter, and check out my next international yoga retreat in Nicaragua.

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Weekend to do’s

1 Jun ganesh

picstitch (25)Hi my loves- TGIF!  I hope you have had a great week and have a beautiful weekend ahead of you.  It’s currently thunder storming but the rest of the weekend is supposed to be gorgeous and not too hot!  My fire escape garden is really looking good already and I am hoping to get in time to plant some flowers.  What are your plans?

Here’s another recipe for you.  You must make this soup!!

Summer cucumber watermelon gazpacho

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Super east to make and all you to is have to blend it up or use the food processor.

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This picture is actually missing one of the ingredients (and I didn’t use any olive oil- but you could use a drizzle).

1 and 3/4 cucumber (peeled and seeds removed)

Small (on the larger side) piece of watermelon.  You could use a bigger piece if you want it to be sweeter

Onion and garlic to taste

Cilantro (this isn’t pictured) and I used a good amount because I love the flavor.

Blend away and refrigerate so it’s extra cold!

As you can see this makes about two of those bowls pictured above so you can always freeze the extra…or slurp it down the next day like I did.  I actually went to the store to get another piece of watermelon to make more tonight.  You can also add tomatoes or peppers as well.  Let me know if you make it!  It would be great for a summer party and you can serve in little bowls as an appetizer for everyone to get a taste.

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Here’s my weekend TO DO list:

picstitch (24)Teach the 200 hour yoga teacher trainers

See my Granny and sister

Spend time with Brad Pitt

Dinner at Tio Pepe’s

Make green juice and green smoothies

Get my yoga on (probably with yogaglo)

Go to the farmers market and get some kale

Work on my art journal

Life is good!

eec

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I want you to check out a video featuring Kim Manfredi! It’s done by Becca Saag (daughter of one of my yoga teacher friends). It’s featured in a film showcase and I would love for you to vote for it! It’s beautifully done. Please click on the stars below the blurb to vote! I couldn’t get the video to come up but click here to see it.

Have a great weekend!!

xox- C

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