Yoga Conference Breakdown

Happy Hump Day Lovers! My yoga conference buzz is still pushing me through this gloomy week! I know I’ve said I love rainy days but let me be clear, I am not a fan of several in a row!ANYWAY, I promised to share all the amazing details of The Yoga Journal Conference in New York this past weekend! The lovely and talented Kristin Ritter of Nourishing Storm was my partner in crime for the weekend & I couldn’t have been more blessed to have such an inspirational force to share the weekend with!

In addition to our 6 workshops this weekend, Kristin and I decided to do a little yoga throughout the city, striking a pose wherever and whenever the mood struck…

All silliness aside, I learned so much this weekend. I started with Tiffany Cruikshank’s ‘Inspire’ workshop which focused on the breath and harnessing our inner strength with the breath. Afterwards Jason Crandell did a 360 degree tour of the hip joint in his workshop! We dissected all the different muscles that connect/wrap through the hip joint and the connection to the spine/back bending – totally awesome! Finally, I finished Day 1 with Shiva Rea’s ‘rhythmic vinyasa’ workshop. It was all about understanding our synchronicity with the universal rhythm and using the fullness of our breath to tap into that rhythm…totally inspirational!

Day 2 began by de-mystifying revolved triangle with Rodney Yee and his wife Colleen Saidman. The two worked in tandem to expand our understanding of twists & totally revolutionized the way I look at getting into poses, holding poses, and directing my energy during practice…those two are no joke! While I loved Rodney & Colleen’s worksop, it was a total yogic juxtaposition to take ‘down to fly’ with Dana Trixie Flynn next. With rock/rap music blaring, glitter flying & dance parties in between sequencing DTF approach to yoga is definitely unique but I love her message: be authentic to yourself, have fun, & keep it light! I closed the conference with Tiffany Cruikshank’s ‘release’ workshop. Our focus was on myofascial release and boy did we need it! I have messed around with myofascial release after intense work outs but it was totally invaluable to learn from a yoga, sports medicine & chinese medicine expert!

Since this post is already long enough I will save my take aways & action steps moving forward for tomorrow! Game 7 of the Flyers v. Rangers Stanely Cup Play offs is tonight…LETS GO FLY GUYS!!

 

Daily Eats

• Breakfast: Greek Yogurt & Blueberries
• Snack #1: Pumpkin Seeds
• Lunch: Brown Rice Noodles & Tofu w/Vegetables
• Snack #2: Sweet Potato Chips’
• Dinner: Citrus Cod w/Snow Peas
• Dessert: Popcorn & Cacao Fudge Bars w/Coconut

 

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Checking in..

Hey there WordPress family!

Sorry I have been MIA but since my return from the Yoga conference I have been trying to get back into the swing of things…perhaps I will get back into the rhythm by tomorrow. I want to recap all the excitement from the weekend as well as my take aways but for now, here are a few of the highlights from my yogatastic weekend!

From striking a pose…

…to cracking fresh coconuts…

…I learned a lot…

…and got to see some amazing performances…

 

I can’t wait to share more photos & every delightful detail…Namaste!

 

Daily Eats

• Breakfast: Strawberry Yogurt Smoothie
• Lunch: Tofu Stir-Fry
• Snack: Pumpkin Seeds & Apple
• Dinner: Poached Cod w/harbed quinoa salad & snow peas
• Dessert: Cacao Pudding w/Strawberries, Unsweetened Coconut & Sliced Almonds

 

Foodie Friday

Happy Friday Folks! I am positively consumed with excitement for this weekend and can’t wait to share all the yummy details as soon as I get back. Speaking of yummy, remember these pancakes from my hump day breakfast date?!?!…as promised, today’s Foodie Friday Post is dedicated to these little pillows of heaven!

Clean Pancakes

• 1 banana
• 2 eggs (one full one just whites)
• 1/2 c. gluten free oats
• 1/4 c. organic unsweetened apple sauce
• 1 scoop protein powder
• 2 tsp. cinnamon
• 1 pinch salt
• coconut oil to grease pan
• 1/8 c sliced almonds
• 1/8 c dried cranberries
• 1/2 c. 0% fat greek yogurt

Pulse the oats in a food processor or blender until flour consistency then add banana. Once well combined add eggs (already beaten together in a separate bowl), apple sauce, protein, cinnamon & salt. Grease non-stick pan with a little coconut oil & using a measuring cup portion a 1/4 c. of batter onto the pan. Flip once you see small bubbles rising to the top and make sure its cooked all the way through before removing from the pan.

I put greek yogurt in the middle & on top, then sprinkled with almonds, cranberries and a generous drizzle of honey before serving…it was heavenly! The batch is the perfect amount for two people & totally worth indulging since its right around 300 cal, 9.5 g fat, 16 g protein, 40 g carb per serving!

Have a wonderful weekend!!

 

Daily Eats

• Breakfast: Banana w/Honey & Peanut Butter
• Snack #1: Greek Yogurt w/Blueberries & Pumpkin Seeds
• Lunch: Brown Rice Sushi w/Seaweed Salad
• Snack #2: Edamame
• Dinner: Whatever I can find once we’re in NY 😉
• Dessert: Cacao Mousse Tart & Red Wine

 

YJC 2014 & Today’s Adventures in Exercise

I may not leave for the conference until tomorrow but my excitement is already palpable! That’s right, the road to Yoga Journal Conference NYC 2014 is almost complete – in a mere 33 hours I’ll be checking in for a weekend full of incredible energy, excitement & inspiration!

Last year I attended the business of yoga workshop & participated in the free group classes but this year I am taking 6 workshops covering various aspects of practice. I’m super excited to learn from some of the world’s most amazing yogis – no joke, most of these inspiring folks are internationally recognized & travel extensively to share their practice – but I’m a bit nervous! Considering a lot of the conference attendees are teachers themselves or veterans in the yoga community, how could I not be nervous?!?! Instead of letting my nerves get the best of me, I’m transferring that energy into absorbing all the weekend has to offer! Beyond the workshops, its incredible to feel the sense of community & positive energy from everyone around – knowing you’re surrounded by people who share your passions is very powerful!

Wish me luck!

Today is pilates class number four & I finally feel like I am getting the hang of it! I really enjoy the isolated movements…you can totally feel the shape of your muscles changing! Also, this will be the second week I’m experimenting with weight lighting. Its been years since I have done any lifting but with my back pain increasing it makes sense to try & strengthen all the supporting muscle groups. I am lifting with my pilates partner in crime over at Kissing Chubby Goodbye since she’s been into the lighting scene for about 8 months now & we’re definitely easing me back into it. The plan is to keep it simple, play it safe with the spine & see how it goes…I’ll keep ya posted!

Have you tried anything new lately? I’d love to hear about it!

Daily Eats:

• Breakfast: Quinoa Protein Porridge w/Banana
• Snack #1: Greek Yogurt w/Blueberries
• Lunch: Egg Salad w/Mixed Greens & Pita
• Snack #2: Peanut Butter & Honey Whole Wheat Pretzel Sticks
• Post Workout: Apple
• Dinner: Baked Tofu w/Exotic Mushrooms & Sweet Potato Fries
• Dessert: Cacao Mousse Tarts

Morning Date & Time to Myself

Happy Hump Day!

Phil left for his business trip this morning so we had a breakfast date to say goodbye…I’m gonna miss this guy! We’ve wanted to do one during the week & figured it’d be a great way to get over the mid-week hump! Don’t get me wrong, I love my morning smoothies, but its nice to whip up a little something special & sit down to enjoy a solid meal in the morning! I made pancakes w/almonds, cranberries, greek yogurt & honey – clean eating style of course – and they were divine! I’m thinking these little circles of heaven will be this week’s Foodie Friday post because they’re too good not to share!

While Phil is away I am definitely playing around in the kitchen, working out a little more & getting some much needed cleaning done! There are a few clean recipes I’ve been meaning to whip up, a yoga class I haven’t gone to in awhile & some floors that require attention – of course I’ll sprinkle in a hair mask, biore pore strip &  girly movie or two…ya know, the kind of stuff ya just CAN’T do with your man’s around, haha!

 

Countdown to the yoga conference is 70hrs and counting & I couldn’t be more excited…but more on that tomorrow!  What are you doing to get over the mid-week hump?

Daily Eats

• Breakfast: Pancakes w/Almonds, Cranberries, Greek Yogurt & Honey
• Snack #1: Apple & Peanut Butter
• Lunch: Egg Salad w/Mixed Greens & Whole Wheat Pita Bread
• Snack #2: Hummus & Cucumber
• Dinner: Mixed Veggie Stir Fry w/Quinoa & Tofu
• Dessert: Cacao Chia Pudding

Celebrate Nature

Happy Earth Day! Even though its supposed to be a little stormy today, its still a fabulous day to celebrate the beauty of Mother Earth! Especially if you live in a place where the weather is warm & sunny, take advantage of the outdoors & appreciate the simplistic perfection in all little details.

We may not be  flowers, grass or trees

but we’ re as much a part of nature as any of these

With pollution & trash her beauty we mask

to keep her pristine can’t be too much to ask. 

We admire her gifts from wake ’til retire

Our gentle kindness her only desire.

Daily Eats

• Breakfast: Tropical Green Smoothie
• Snack #1: Apple & Peanut Butter
• Lunch: Mixed Greens w/Strawberries, Almonds & Goat Cheese
• Snack #2: Greek Yogurt w/Blueberries & Pumpkin Seeds
• Dinner: Hummus Plate w/Veggies & Pita
• Dessert: Almond Cacao Fudge Bar

 

Weekend of Whimsy

What a wonderful weekend…I didn’t want it to end! I took some extra time lingering around the apartment this morning and lazily preparing for the day ahead…it was awesome! I highly recommend starting your Monday’s off with some ‘me’ time, whatever that may look like for you – it sets such a positive tone for the week!

Anyway, the weekend couldn’t have been nicer! Phil & I got to spend lots of time with our families, met up with some friends for dinner, had a leisurely afternoon out and about in the city, & even made time for a little picnic/ bike ride just the two of us – it was glorious! We definitely indulged a bit but we had lots to celebrate: Phil passed his ASLI test which he has been studying hard for over the last several months (I’m so proud of him), I took my final test for school & am an official Institute for Integrative Nutrition graduate (yay!), Phil sold his apartment (only on the market for a week), I reached 250 followers (thank you!) which means Phil is taking us to Vetri (my ultimate favorite restaurant I have never been to) & oh yea…EASTER!!

 

Just because it was a weekend full of celebrations doesn’t mean I didn’t make time for fitness: I had a great ride Friday, an intense hour and a half yoga practice Saturday and a solid thirty minutes of circuit training Sunday…I feel great and even though I took today to rest, I’m already planning the weeks workouts in my head – gotta get that six pack before memorial day, haha!

 

This week will be interesting with Phil away for business most of the week & me leaving for the yoga conference on Friday. I’m going to miss my man 😦 but I’m totally excited for my weekend in New York & to get things done around the apartment (having a handsome man around isn’t very conducive to cleaning)!

 

Daily Eats

• Breakfast: PB & Banana Smoothie
• Snack #1: Greek Yogurt w/Blueberries & Pumpkin Seeds
• Lunch: Balsamic Strawberry Mixed Green Salad w/Almonds & Goat Cheese
• Snack #2: Carrots & Apple
• Dinner: Quinoa Salad w/Roasted Portobello Mushrooms
• Dessert: Cacao Almond Fudge Bars

Is there anything you’re celebrating & want to share?!?!

Foodie Friday

Welcome to the weekend folks! Since its Good Friday, a solemn day of fasting to commemorate the crucifixion of Christ, today’s Foodie Friday post has a little bit of a spin. It didn’t seem congruous with the holy day to post tempting treats or even clean eats, so instead, I’m offering more of a motivational reminder!I will post more progress pictures of my own toned tummy soon, but I’m saving those for week 20 (memorial day) so the results are more obvious….I digress, haha!

Anyway, we all understand, in theory, that our body’s are sacred temples. These glorious vessels that carry us through everyday life are only as strong as we choose to make them, both through fuel and fitness! I watch people do hours of exercise only to scarf down a post-workout cheese steak and fries…not gonna cut it…you wouldn’t put regular gasoline in your high performance sports car, would you?!?

I’m all about indulging…pass the pasta & pinot please…but only on occasion & definitely in moderation! While creamy plates of pasta and luscious red wines trigger sensory responses that make us feel happy, excited, sexual & alive, they’re the same pleasure sensors triggered when a drug addict indulges in their fix of choice. Once the hormone that’s excreted dissipates, you’re left wanting more…so you find a reason to indulge again…and you keep putting junk in your body!

Make no mistake about it, food is a drug – It can be used as medicine to fuel your body & bring you to your optimal sense of being! It can also be used like a street drug -getting through to the next ‘fix’ – leaving you on an emotional roller coaster with a whole host of medical issues & a much larger waistline…NO THANK YOU!

Even though its the weekend, don’t treat your stomach like a waste basket and indulge responsibly!

 

* No Daily Eats since its Good Friday *

 

Happy Friday!

Giving Back

The weekend is a mere day away and I can’t wait! Phil and I have a double date planned at our favorite Italian spot, Porcini! Also, for all those Catholics out there, it happens to be Easter weekend! I’m looking forward to our various family affairs Sunday: Church & brunch with Phil’s family and dinner with mine…this whole splitting time on the holidays thing is interesting, LOL!

ANYWAY, yesterday was Germantown Academy’s annual blood drive. Guess who has two thumbs, viable blood for donation and an irrational sense of obligation to her alma mater’s charitable events?!?!….THIS GIRL! I used to help organize the blood drive when I was a student at GA, about a decade ago, so when I saw the email circulate, I had to sign up.

There were several years throughout my late teens/early 20s where I couldn’t donate (I kept getting tattoos) so I was eager to give again! I forgot how uncomfortable the whole thing was though…maybe I had a higher threshold for discomfort years ago but it felt like my arm was going to pop, haha! I kept reminding myself why I was doing this; it wasn’t about me, it was about giving back to the global community. Only 38% of the population is eligible to donate blood and there are 5 million patients in need annually…that’s a blood transfusion every 2 seconds.

Giving back, for my anyway, is just as much about the personal satisfaction I get as it is about the greater good I am contributing to…selfish, huh!?! I mean it though  – I get a real sense of happiness from giving back that I don’t get elsewhere – it just feels right.

 

Daily Eats

• Breakfast: Green Flax Smoothie
• Snack #1: Greek Yogurt w/Pumpkin Seeds
• Lunch: Citrus Poached Cod w/Roasted Asparagus & Sweet Potato
• Snack #2: Chipotle Pepper Hummus w/Cucumber & Plantain Chips
• Post Work Out: Apple
• Dinner: Asian Tofu Stir Fry
• Dessert: Cacao Chia Pudding

Is there anything you do that just makes you feel ‘right’?!?!

 

 

Taken to School

Happy Hump Day! Sorry I was MIA yesterday but a migraine kept me out of commission for most of the day. I haven’t had one in awhile but noticed it seems to happen when there is an extreme change in barometric pressure…odd, huh?

Anyway, Phil and I wasted no time diving back into the swing of things with an evening at The Wine School of Philadelphia. Phil actually planned this as part of our Valentine’s Day celebration but the snow was terrible and we had to reschedule. We chose a tour of Italy, both north & south, and it was deliciously entertaining. The teacher was very passionate about the history of Italy, so we learned a great deal about the different cultures in the various wine regions of the country – SO interesting!

 

We went through 4 flights, 8 wines & each one was better than the last! We had such a great time learning about Italian wines & culture, as well as some great tidbits on buying wine, tasting wine & how to maximize the ‘bang for your buck’! Phil & I are eager to try another class soon to increase our wine knowledge; plus, who doesn’t love a relaxed evening tasting some delicious wines and learning something new?!?!?

 

While the detox is over, Phil & I are still making every effort to eat clean most meals & I plan to include daily eats at the bottom of my posts as a way to hold myself accountable. We had homemade adzuki bean burgers with roasted portobellos, avocado, cilantro & lime for dinner and cacao chia pudding for dessert last night-SO yummy! The recipe still needs work but no complaints here!

 

Daily Eats

• Breakfast: Chocolate Banana Smoothie
• Snack #1: Apple & Almonds
• Lunch: Citrus Poached Cod w/Roasted Asparagus & Sweet Potato
• Snack #2: Chipotle Pepper Hummus w/Cucumber & Plantain Chips
• Dinner: Barramundi w/Quinoa Salad
• Dessert: Adzuki Bean Brownie Bar w/Cinnamon Banana Icing

What are some new things you’ve tried lately?!?! Wine tastings, fun activities, interesting date nights, new diets, volunteer opportunities…I would love to hear about it!