The BEST Weekend

Every couple years my Birthday falls on Mother’s Day! Talk about an incredible gift – I got to celebrate my birth on the day we all celebrate the women who gave us life. I was so thrilled when my mother told me she and Dad would be coming out here for the long weekend,  I totally over-planned and obsessed over their visit! It was such a great trip – we tried new vineyards and regions that we typically don’t venture & shared some of our favorite spots too. It was nice to spend time, just the four of us, and be in such a beautiful region! I can’t even believe the weather stayed as nice as it did and everything turned out perfectly.Now, as if I were some sort of jet setter, I’m heading to Alaska! This means I have traveled to Tahoe, Sonoma, Napa, Palm Springs, Nashville, New York, Philadelphia, Seattle, Victoria, Juneau, Skagway, & Ketchikan all before the 6 month mark. I am so lucky to have a partner who likes to travel & explore as much as I do! In other news, I am going to start announcing my departure from the city to the students at the studio & my clients this week. I feel foolish leaving a place I am finally establishing a following, but it’s for the best. We’re embarking on a brand new chapter & it’s going to be amazing!!

 

’til next time, keep smiling! 🙂

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Getting Real

So I feel like my blog is slowly turning into a weekend recap and quite frankly, thats not interesting to anyone…not even me! Today its getting a little more real…YES, this weekend we enjoyed a great dinner with friends on our roof and were blessed with a magnificent sunset BUT that doesn’t begin to scratch the surface!!

First, there are less than 90 days until Phil and I say ‘I do’ and our ToDo list is massive! We have set lists to review for the band, shot lists to approve for the photographer, floor plans to sign off on for the planner, photo montages to compile and that’s not even half of it…but this weekend is my bachelorette and this is one item on my wedding to do list I am VERY excited to check off!!! We’re going to have the most glorious time in D.C….right after I squeeze in my dress fitting and cake tasting Friday morning!

Second, i have the start of my 500 hr training in about a month and I am not even teaching yet! I KNOW I need to be easy on myself…acknowledge I am trying to tackle a lot of significant life events ALL at once and there is no reason I should be putting so much pressure on myself…but at the same time this is what life is about! I am making a plan this week to prep for training – I have to study, practice more, and bump up my meditation game!

Third, and while I haven’t touched on it lately here, Phil and I are doing our best to maintain a healthy diet and exercise routine. BUT for the first time in a very long time, I am keeping less track of whats going in and how much I am burning….AND I feel great. I am always very aware when I have indulged too much or feel like I need a treat – I am letting my body and intuition lead the way and I’m enjoying the results!

’til next time, keep smiling! 🙂

Thursday Thoughts

Making a major change in life is never easy. While it can be full of excitement and fun, there are times when being away from the familiar really smacks ya in the face. When Phil and I moved to San Francisco it was definitely exciting but I missed home and family a lot.As we slowly settle in, those feelings aren’t as frequent, but when they come they’re more intense – more doubt, more fear, and a little more pain. When I think of all the things I am missing back home its often hard to remember the things that are so great about being on this adventure….and there really are a lot of great things! Chief among them my handsome husband to be.

 I am so lucky to be here with someone who cares enough to buy my flowers because he knows how happy they make me, who meets me when I work late because he doesn’t want me riding my bike alone at night, and showers me with love…it’s also pretty nice to have such wonderful weather, be so close to so many amazing destinations, and live in a city full of excitement 😉 but I must say the best thing about San Francisco is Phil!

Feelings of homesickness are going to come up, we’ve only been here 12 weeks, but as long as I remember I have everything I need right here with me, everything will be fine!

 

 

 

’til next time, keep smiling! 🙂

Thursday Thoughts

Good Morning Lovers!

We’re one day closer to the weekend and with Ash Wednesday behind us, as well as the lunar new year (also know as the Chinese New Year), its time for some changes. The priest at our new church described a 1-1-1 plan for Lent in his homily yesterday evening and I was intrigued: one sin, one positive and one give up. First, pick one sin to focus on during this 40 day fast/time of reflection. Try to create a greater personal awareness around why you’re committing it and what you can do to work on it. Second, choose one positive activity to add into your routine, and lastly pick one vice and try to avoid it.

For me, I am working on my quick emotional reactions – I can’t necessarily denote the ‘sin’ but can point to vices that include but might not be limited to pride, envy, wrath, and avarice – I’m excited to continue exploring how I can better respond to what life throws my way. Phil and I are both giving up processed sugar which I am super excited about because it gives me an excuse to take a break from the sweets and get creative with dessert options! However, what I think I’m most excited about is the addition of my positive activity…Thursday Thoughts!!!!! Obviously this blog is my thoughts, but this post, each week, will be more of a reflection on the greater lessons of yoga, life, etc..Today is a reflection on my experiences on the cliff across from campus on Hawaii. While completing yoga training in the jungle there were these cliffs where we could go sit and watch the Pacific in our free time. It was in moments there I was reminded of the perfect beauty that is mother nature. From awe striking sunrises to afternoons watching whales, waves and sea turtles every moment renewed this natural connection I’d somehow lost.

We’re all a part of something so much greater than ourselves and everything that surrounds us is a gift for which to be grateful. Remember to be present and appreciative for each moment in time because there truly won’t be another like it again.

 

’til next time, keep smiling! 🙂

Back to life, back to reality

Happy Hump Day Friends! 

While I have been back on the workday grind since Monday, the reality of life is still struggling to sink in. Don’t get my wrong, I don’t hate my job, maybe just in comparison to the alternative, but I’m finding it hard to wear regular clothes and resist the urge to spontaneously break into a yoga flow. 

I’m even noticing it in my relationship with Phil. I love my fiance so much but spending a week surrounding by like minded women who support and share in my passions is hard to come back from. He asked me, as a looked at pictures my yogi family posted on social media, if my fantasy life was more interesting than my real one, and my heart wanted to scream YES! 

Thats not to say my ‘real life’ isn’t appealing, because I recognize how blessed I am, but I don’t understand why I can’t have both. Why I can’t be financially successful, LOVE what I do, and be surrounded by people who share my passions?!?!?!

I have to believe the answer is I can…I just need to figure out a way! For now, I need to remember to find contentment in everyday, look for the good/love/light in every situation, and most importantly never forget that I always get to choose my attitude!

Until next time, keep smiling! 🙂

Thursday Already?

Hey there friends! How on earth did it get to be Thursday already?!?! Even though there’s still one more day until it’s official, I already feel like the weekend is here! My college bestie Michelle is in town with her beau Mike and I am so excited to start the weekend early! 

I was able to sneak a little cardio in yesterday after work (awesome 22 minute routine that totally kicks butt – break down below). and am hoping for a little yoga today…there are only 58 days until I leave for my Yoga Medicine teacher training & with the craziness of the last 6 weeks I have not been as diligent about my practice nor my supplemental exercise as I’d like to be! 😦 I don’t know about anyone else but I am totally a routine freak! I feel best when I am organized, regimented and sticking with a daily routine. I can’t decide if that’s good or bad…does it mean I’m unable to healthfully adapt to life’s changes?! OR is it a product of juggling family, school, sports & a social life since before I can remember?!?

I often wonder if the things we crave in life – routine, food, vacation spots, etc. – are simply a product of our childhoods or expressions of something deeper within ourselves. This is yet another thing I meditate about…finding the ability to express my deepest, truest self & honoring me first…not easy for someone who has allowed decades of external influences define my inward and outward ‘self.’

ANYWAY, I still have that bulu review I promised last week (maybe today will be a double post kind of day), & I’m excited to share my version of cherry chunk ice cream with walnuts and dark chocolate for Foodie Friday tomorrow – trust me, Ben and Jerry have got NOTHING on this girl!! 

‘Til next time, keep smiling! 🙂

 

22 minute circuit 

• 60 sec. down dog push ups
• 10 sec. rest
• 45 sec. burpees
• 10 sec. rest
• 90 sec. front & back lunges (45 sec. each side)
• 10 sec. rest
• 45 sec. mountain climbers
• 10 sec. rest
• 30 sec. forearm plank 
• 20 sec. rest

* 4 times through ( 5 min. 30 sec. each round) *

 

The Right Attitude

Happy Hump Day Lovers!!

In a world full of negatives, it can hard to maintain an attitude of gratitude. Ironically, its constant gratitude for this miracle we call life that can carry through those negatives! When I find myself all consumed by the negative, I close my eyes and remember how grateful I am for this life! I have my health, I have my family, I have a man who adores me, friends who love me, and the means to care for myself…I have everything a girl could possibly need & FOR THAT, I am always consummately grateful!

Busy Bee & Being Happy as Me

Hey there friends! I have been go go go lately and there doesn’t seem to be an end in sight…oh well! I guess I really should be grateful to have such a full life but sometimes its hard to enjoy the busy buzz when all you want is a moment of quiet.

The Dhyana Yoga Pose-A-Day in May Challenge officially ended Saturday & I am itching to find something else to do! I know I just got finished saying how busy things are, but the yoga challenge was a fun way to share my practice with people from all over. Please feel free to check out all the poses on my instagram – it was a great dance & so cool so see certain alignment issues I didn’t realize I had!

I didn’t get a chance to recap Memorial Day weekend, but it was awesome! I woke up early every morning to meditate & watch the sunrise, practiced yoga everyday, kicked some serious mini-golf butt and ate my weight in deliciously indulgent eats…it was awesome! The weather was perfect for the unofficial start to summer & even though Phil & I had to end the trip a day early to move him out of his condo, it was still an amazing weekend.

Its seems we just kept the good times rolling with a celebratory condo close dinner @ Butcher & Singer, my brother’s 25th Birthday dinner @ my parent’s & an awesome outdoor lunch date @ In Riva. I had an open water swim with one of my clients Saturday, so Phil and I got up early Saturday to ride out to the race. Afterwards we paid a visit to my folks & stopped for some lunch. All and all we road over 30 miles which made all the indulgent meals that much more rewarding…I mean, I had to replenish my glycogen somehow, haha!!

Anyway, even with all this happiness, I have been really down lately. There are a lot of things ‘up in the air’ for me right now, a few things that haven’t been going my way, work is downright insane & I have totally let it all take over. If I spontaneously break into tears one more time, I swear I am having myself committed….what’s this about?!?! Instead of being happy as me, understanding the ups & downs happen & going with the flow, I’ve been fighting it (not very yogic of me). I guess being aware of it is half the battle & even if its just for today, I am going to be happy with me..right where I am, just as I am!

I’m giving the ‘Daily Eats’ a break for a moment…there are some exciting things coming, both for me and my blog, so stay tuned!

 

Power beyond Words

Hello Friends! I will be back next week with a recap of what I’ve been up to, the end of the Dhyana Yoga Pose-A-Day May Challenge and some progress photos but for now, I need a break.  Today, I would simple like to acknowledge the legacy of an amazing woman, Maya Angelou, who just passed. She just celebrated her 86th Birthday last month & has touched many lives for decades with her written & spoken word. 

I always found Ms. Angelou to be an incredibly strong woman & she had a potently powerful way with words. There are so much amazing quotes I want to share but the one above, coupled with the photo, resonates with me and the way I try to live. As Ms. Angelou said, it’s how you make people feel that will endure the test of time, not necessarily what you said or what you did – live each moment like it matters!

 

 

Until next week friends…

 

 

In the Family

Well Hello WordPress family!

I was quite honored yesterday to be nominated by the lovely Meagen Rice of Cookies and Chaos for the WordPress Family award. I feel blessed and honored to be a part of the WordPress family.

Instead of sharing some things about myself, I want to dedicate this to my Swimming and Diving family; more specifically, the man who started it all.

Richard Shoulberg has been a coach, mentor, leader, father figure and friend to me for the last two decades! The legacy he has created and continues to cultivate is something I couldn’t be more proud to be a part of – both as an athlete and now coach. His unwavering dedication to the Germantown Academy family, in particular the Aquatic program he founded over 40 years ago, is evident through the success of his athletes as well as the glowing praise sung by most everyone who has had the pleasure of meeting him! Its now, more than ever, that every member of the Germantown Academy Aquatic program needs to remember we are a FAMILY!

I want to thank and nominate the following bloggers who I consider inspirational members of my WordPress family!

• The Flexi Foodie
• Conscious Nourishment
• Fitness Meets Frosting
• Chocolate Covered Race Medals
• F2BF
• Vegetarian in Vegas
• On her way to perfection
• The Journey to Stay Happy, Healthy and Sane
• eatbreatherun
• Fit for 365

Please take a moment to check out these inspiring blogs and remember to keep it in the family!!