Today I am pretending that I live in a farmhouse in Vermont and have fashioned my lunch accordingly.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Monday, March 15, 2010
Thinking...
I often think about the person I am and the person I want to be. The person I want to be is crafty and earthy; grows her own herbs and vegetables and makes healthy homemade meals. The person I am gets tangled up in work and school, like everybody else, and forgets about the really grounding kinds of activities. It's kind of like what happens to yoga during the week when I'm busy: it falls off the map (though I've been once a week for the past two weeks! Sadly, that's an improvement). Yoga class is literally one of the only places I find myself feeling really whole. The fact that I 'have to' pass it up for homework or errands, etc, is disappointing. It is as big of a priority as other things, if not bigger!
This week I'm on vacation from work (so I can do homework! I kid you not) and I am going to make sure that each day I do something that makes me feel like I'm getting in touch, learning, communicating with the earth and myself.
On that note...off to yoga!
This week I'm on vacation from work (so I can do homework! I kid you not) and I am going to make sure that each day I do something that makes me feel like I'm getting in touch, learning, communicating with the earth and myself.
On that note...off to yoga!
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
True Blue Dream
I had a thought in my yoga class that 'I am right where I am supposed to be'. It came from thoughts about my clinical training (and where I am right now is...not quite sure what the hell I'm doing, LOL). Welcome, good thoughts! I like you!
Yoga is so inspiring. It was so hard tonight, that after class I felt like my legs were just going to shake until I fell over. In the hour, I sweat out tons of toxins, breathed in good thoughts, and thanked God for today and the good things in nature that we can count on (and have to take care of!) like the blue sky and greenery and air and sun. Our practice was set with a poem about the birthday of the sun, and our rebirth...and as we sweat and slipped and wobbled, the upcoming spring and season of transformation was the perfect undertone for why we were there on our mats, working on our selves, all the while hoping that this is the season we unveil some more of that inner spirit.
As for my Ayurevedic Adventure, I'm waiting patiently for Vasant Lad's The Complete Book of Ayurvedic Home Remedies to come in the mail. In the meantime I'm eating lots of sweet potatoes, carrots, oatmeal, and soup. I read today that while nut butters are okay for Vata types in general, peanut butter is something I'm to stay away from when possible. Peanut Butter!! I freaking LOVE peanut butter!! Ha ha. Mannnnnnnnnnn.
Bob and I are having Ayurveda date night once a month, which equals me preparing an ayurveda-inspired meal. Fran's House of Ayureveda is a pretty happenin' website I found with some tasty looking meal and treat ideas :) I'll keep you posted on what I make and ... er .. how it comes out...
Spring Break this week, which means I don't have class tomorrow night. Yippee! Instead, I've deemed it paper writing night. Oh...boy!! Get EXCITED!!
Anyway. I'm exhausted. I need to go roll over.
Goodnight!
Yoga is so inspiring. It was so hard tonight, that after class I felt like my legs were just going to shake until I fell over. In the hour, I sweat out tons of toxins, breathed in good thoughts, and thanked God for today and the good things in nature that we can count on (and have to take care of!) like the blue sky and greenery and air and sun. Our practice was set with a poem about the birthday of the sun, and our rebirth...and as we sweat and slipped and wobbled, the upcoming spring and season of transformation was the perfect undertone for why we were there on our mats, working on our selves, all the while hoping that this is the season we unveil some more of that inner spirit.
As for my Ayurevedic Adventure, I'm waiting patiently for Vasant Lad's The Complete Book of Ayurvedic Home Remedies to come in the mail. In the meantime I'm eating lots of sweet potatoes, carrots, oatmeal, and soup. I read today that while nut butters are okay for Vata types in general, peanut butter is something I'm to stay away from when possible. Peanut Butter!! I freaking LOVE peanut butter!! Ha ha. Mannnnnnnnnnn.
Bob and I are having Ayurveda date night once a month, which equals me preparing an ayurveda-inspired meal. Fran's House of Ayureveda is a pretty happenin' website I found with some tasty looking meal and treat ideas :) I'll keep you posted on what I make and ... er .. how it comes out...
Spring Break this week, which means I don't have class tomorrow night. Yippee! Instead, I've deemed it paper writing night. Oh...boy!! Get EXCITED!!
Anyway. I'm exhausted. I need to go roll over.
Goodnight!
Sunday, March 7, 2010
I love Sundays
...especially ones like today, where the sun is shining and the doors are open and my boyfriend is happily napping with the cat.
I've been following an Ayurvedic diet for a couple of days now, after meeting with an Ayurvedic practitioner my friend recommended to me. I knew the most basic stuff about it; as when I first met my boyfriend, he was following an Ayurvedic diet for his type (pitta) and briefly filled me in on what that meant. Since that time, I've thought it would be fun to go to a practicioner and get their take on my dominant dosha. Turns out I'm Vata, with a bit of an enlarged liver and some toxins trying their best to get out of my body (!) My directions are to follow a Vata-pacifying diet, eating warm and soupy foods to nourish my liver. More sweet potatoes, bluberries, soups, and less dry crackers, breads, and cookies. However, sounds like (after reading a couple of things) Vata types do well with bread, but should perhaps dunk it in a bit of that lovely soup first :)
So far, so good, and I must say...I honestly feel better in these past couple of days than I have in a while. Helps that Spring is on its way :)
I'll keep you posted on my Ayurvedic adventure...
Poor Raina had two teeth pulled on Thursday. She is a trooper and actually didn't seem to be in too much pain (hard to tell of course) and is acting like her old self already. I will say, however, that they sent me home with Buprenex, an oral analgesic, to adminster every 8 hours or so. After giving it to her and noticing her CRAZY behavior (extreme hunger, little paranoia), I looked it up and discovered that it is a narcotic, stronger than morphine. Ummmmmmm. Once I realized that and also concluded that she seemed to be dealing all right without it, I stopped giving it to her. Didn't sit right with me. Thankfully she didn't seem to be in too much pain, otherwise I'm sure I would have made a call to ask the vet of other alternatives.
Did some homework this morning so I could go out and play this afternoon, ha. Felt like a kid again! Met Bob at a great little Thai place for lunch, then shopped for my friends Brand New Baby Boy! Born yesterday...9 pounds, 12 ounces, and she delivered naturally! I knew my friends were rock stars, but oh baby! After my little shopping trip I came home, found a sleeping boyfriend, and went out for a half hour walk.
Now I've got some strawberry kombucha (synergy brand, love it!) and the rest of the afternoon to bask in the glory of a sunny Sunday.
Peace, love, and Ashwaganda!
I've been following an Ayurvedic diet for a couple of days now, after meeting with an Ayurvedic practitioner my friend recommended to me. I knew the most basic stuff about it; as when I first met my boyfriend, he was following an Ayurvedic diet for his type (pitta) and briefly filled me in on what that meant. Since that time, I've thought it would be fun to go to a practicioner and get their take on my dominant dosha. Turns out I'm Vata, with a bit of an enlarged liver and some toxins trying their best to get out of my body (!) My directions are to follow a Vata-pacifying diet, eating warm and soupy foods to nourish my liver. More sweet potatoes, bluberries, soups, and less dry crackers, breads, and cookies. However, sounds like (after reading a couple of things) Vata types do well with bread, but should perhaps dunk it in a bit of that lovely soup first :)
So far, so good, and I must say...I honestly feel better in these past couple of days than I have in a while. Helps that Spring is on its way :)
I'll keep you posted on my Ayurvedic adventure...
Poor Raina had two teeth pulled on Thursday. She is a trooper and actually didn't seem to be in too much pain (hard to tell of course) and is acting like her old self already. I will say, however, that they sent me home with Buprenex, an oral analgesic, to adminster every 8 hours or so. After giving it to her and noticing her CRAZY behavior (extreme hunger, little paranoia), I looked it up and discovered that it is a narcotic, stronger than morphine. Ummmmmmm. Once I realized that and also concluded that she seemed to be dealing all right without it, I stopped giving it to her. Didn't sit right with me. Thankfully she didn't seem to be in too much pain, otherwise I'm sure I would have made a call to ask the vet of other alternatives.
Did some homework this morning so I could go out and play this afternoon, ha. Felt like a kid again! Met Bob at a great little Thai place for lunch, then shopped for my friends Brand New Baby Boy! Born yesterday...9 pounds, 12 ounces, and she delivered naturally! I knew my friends were rock stars, but oh baby! After my little shopping trip I came home, found a sleeping boyfriend, and went out for a half hour walk.
Now I've got some strawberry kombucha (synergy brand, love it!) and the rest of the afternoon to bask in the glory of a sunny Sunday.
Peace, love, and Ashwaganda!
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Snow Days
Wow, so far this month has been *snowy*! Digging out a few times in the past couple of weeks, and trying to keep my frigid apartment somewhat warm.
Eating dinner in the warm bathtub is not unheard of, LOL.
School is under way, panic attacks and revelations all happening right on cue. Planning research projects, writing papers, increasing hours at the library all mark mid-semester. I'd like to take a few days off from work next month and go a little nuts on schoolwork. Focused time is precious!
Spent last Friday and Saturday in a lifespan class, then had a celebration lunch on Saturday with my sister and brother in law, their two little ones, and my college roommate, her husband, and their 1 1/2 children...the '1/2' due March 6th. We went for Indian, indulging in our love for the cuisine and hoping the spice might kick my friend into labor...nothing yet :)
My lovely boyfriend and I celebrated Valentine's with roses, chocolate (for him), some music, and the Indian lunch. I'm very lucky to have him in my life and love him more and more each day; he's an amazing caregiver and takes better care of me than I do!
Yesterday he even took my kitty to the vet in the snowstorm for her annual exam, and then back at my place he set up my coffee pot so it was all ready for me this morning! It's the little things...I know.
Oh and I'm not even mentioning the Olympics! I'm relatively addicted and want to watch as much as possible. Last night I watched Lindsey Jacobellis disqualify, bummer! Men's figure skating, wow those are some flashy costumes! I'm amazed by these athletes, and also by their humanness, which I appreciate, given the level at which they perform. It reminds me of the value of imperfectionism as well as the difficulty of what they're doing (and how easy they make it look, overall!)
I'm an Olympic procrastinator, so I better get going on my tasks for the day.
Have a lovely one!
Eating dinner in the warm bathtub is not unheard of, LOL.
School is under way, panic attacks and revelations all happening right on cue. Planning research projects, writing papers, increasing hours at the library all mark mid-semester. I'd like to take a few days off from work next month and go a little nuts on schoolwork. Focused time is precious!
Doing my own research study on weight gain, apparently, ha ha. It's titled 'How eating a lot severely alters which clothes fit'...
Spent last Friday and Saturday in a lifespan class, then had a celebration lunch on Saturday with my sister and brother in law, their two little ones, and my college roommate, her husband, and their 1 1/2 children...the '1/2' due March 6th. We went for Indian, indulging in our love for the cuisine and hoping the spice might kick my friend into labor...nothing yet :)
My lovely boyfriend and I celebrated Valentine's with roses, chocolate (for him), some music, and the Indian lunch. I'm very lucky to have him in my life and love him more and more each day; he's an amazing caregiver and takes better care of me than I do!
Yesterday he even took my kitty to the vet in the snowstorm for her annual exam, and then back at my place he set up my coffee pot so it was all ready for me this morning! It's the little things...I know.
Oh and I'm not even mentioning the Olympics! I'm relatively addicted and want to watch as much as possible. Last night I watched Lindsey Jacobellis disqualify, bummer! Men's figure skating, wow those are some flashy costumes! I'm amazed by these athletes, and also by their humanness, which I appreciate, given the level at which they perform. It reminds me of the value of imperfectionism as well as the difficulty of what they're doing (and how easy they make it look, overall!)
I'm an Olympic procrastinator, so I better get going on my tasks for the day.
Have a lovely one!
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Food, Inc
Spring Semester has begun, and I'm feeling more calm this time around. I think I actually have more work than last semester, if that's possible, but either it hasn't hit me yet or I'm pretty confident that hey...it'll all get done. Always does!
My pre-clinical training class is really fun/interesting. We're taught exactly how a session goes and exactly...what to say, really. A beginning therapist's dream :)
Another class, Substance Abuse, seems chock full of projects/papers/books. I'm reading Drinking: A Love Story by Caroline Knapp and I totally recommend it. We were also asked to give something up that we do/enjoy every day, for ten weeks. I gave up chocolate, and instantly regretted it, ha! Maybe when the 10 weeks is done, I won't even want it anymore. I'll...keep you posted. Or, you'll hear that I've run off to be the editor at Chocolatier Magazine and am in full swing training my chocolate lab while learning the art of fondue.
Have brought my yoga practice out of the studio and into my living room, due to class costs and time restraints! Enjoying some David Life and Sharon Gannon DVD's as well as an Ashtange Primary Series on YouTube and a mix of a couple other ones. I want to develop my second bedroom into more of a yoga space...any ideas?
I got into a bit of a Netflix/iTunes movie groove this past weekend with Bob, and we watched Ashtanga, NY (with Pattabhi Jois!) and Food, Inc. OhhhhhmyGod. Please, please watch it. And please, please do what you can to stop factory farming by supporting your local farms and organic fare.
A common misconception is that if you support organic foods, you have to eat ONLY organic. That isn't true! There are certain animal products (meat, milk, eggs) and fruits/vegetables (pears, strawberries, grapes, bell peppers, spinach, potatoes) to name a few that are Must-Buy organic, but there are also lists of the same types of things that DON'T have to be organic. So, learn what's safe and supportive and go from there. You can find so much information online; it's easy, you have no excuse!
Awareness is the answer!
My pre-clinical training class is really fun/interesting. We're taught exactly how a session goes and exactly...what to say, really. A beginning therapist's dream :)
Another class, Substance Abuse, seems chock full of projects/papers/books. I'm reading Drinking: A Love Story by Caroline Knapp and I totally recommend it. We were also asked to give something up that we do/enjoy every day, for ten weeks. I gave up chocolate, and instantly regretted it, ha! Maybe when the 10 weeks is done, I won't even want it anymore. I'll...keep you posted. Or, you'll hear that I've run off to be the editor at Chocolatier Magazine and am in full swing training my chocolate lab while learning the art of fondue.
Have brought my yoga practice out of the studio and into my living room, due to class costs and time restraints! Enjoying some David Life and Sharon Gannon DVD's as well as an Ashtange Primary Series on YouTube and a mix of a couple other ones. I want to develop my second bedroom into more of a yoga space...any ideas?
I got into a bit of a Netflix/iTunes movie groove this past weekend with Bob, and we watched Ashtanga, NY (with Pattabhi Jois!) and Food, Inc. OhhhhhmyGod. Please, please watch it. And please, please do what you can to stop factory farming by supporting your local farms and organic fare.
A common misconception is that if you support organic foods, you have to eat ONLY organic. That isn't true! There are certain animal products (meat, milk, eggs) and fruits/vegetables (pears, strawberries, grapes, bell peppers, spinach, potatoes) to name a few that are Must-Buy organic, but there are also lists of the same types of things that DON'T have to be organic. So, learn what's safe and supportive and go from there. You can find so much information online; it's easy, you have no excuse!
Awareness is the answer!
Monday, January 18, 2010
Progress, not perfection!
Wow.
I really need to start playing nice.
Lately I've been playing this game called eat-bad-food-get-really-stressed-yell-at-your-boyfriend.
Trust me, it's not a game you can win, so you may as well put it back in the box and send it back to the factory for an overhaul.
I know that I'm anxious about upcoming changes this year, and that finances really can hit me over the head and cause a bit of confusion and upset, but come ON now. Enough is enough and I'm making everyone around me probably want to run screaming.
Sooooooooo I'm trying to get out of this funk. Think of others, meditate, laugh at the little things and not take life so seriously.
This week: School starts Wednesday night! Saturday, Bob and I head to the city for a chant and meditation workshop. After that is a vegetarian dinner and Sunday morning, a free yoga class back in town. I'm excited for the block of serenity we've marked on our calendars and just hope my stinking thinking doesn't get in the way!
Tonight I had a peanut butter and fluff sandwich though, that was fun. And I got my haircut, which it needed. And I have the sweetest boyfriend in the world.
Just thought I should check in and remind myself (and you while I'm at it!) that there is so much to be grateful for and we're all here, together, one day at a time.
xoxo
I really need to start playing nice.
Lately I've been playing this game called eat-bad-food-get-really-stressed-yell-at-your-boyfriend.
Trust me, it's not a game you can win, so you may as well put it back in the box and send it back to the factory for an overhaul.
I know that I'm anxious about upcoming changes this year, and that finances really can hit me over the head and cause a bit of confusion and upset, but come ON now. Enough is enough and I'm making everyone around me probably want to run screaming.
Sooooooooo I'm trying to get out of this funk. Think of others, meditate, laugh at the little things and not take life so seriously.
This week: School starts Wednesday night! Saturday, Bob and I head to the city for a chant and meditation workshop. After that is a vegetarian dinner and Sunday morning, a free yoga class back in town. I'm excited for the block of serenity we've marked on our calendars and just hope my stinking thinking doesn't get in the way!
Tonight I had a peanut butter and fluff sandwich though, that was fun. And I got my haircut, which it needed. And I have the sweetest boyfriend in the world.
Just thought I should check in and remind myself (and you while I'm at it!) that there is so much to be grateful for and we're all here, together, one day at a time.
xoxo
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