October 1, 2008

Collapse

One of the yoga studios where I like to take classes is closing its doors. 

When I read the notice, my heart started to sag a little. 

Then I came home and learned that an editor I enjoy working with is leaving her publication. 

More sagging. 

Later, I sat down at my desk and tried to figure out my voting registration options. I concluded that I’m going to have to cancel my registration in my “old” state and re-register in my “new” state. 

Deep sagging. My ties to the place I consider “home” have been loosening a little at a time, but today it felt like a big branch was severed. 

Anyway, I remembered what I’d learned in yoga class earlier. The teacher had said, “When we hear discouraging news, our chest collapses.” So she had us all began the class by opening our chests – lying on our backs on top of a rolled up blanket that was set just below our arm/shoulders to boost our breastbones in the air. We also practiced a modified version of handstand (it lifts mild depression). 

By opening my body, I’m able to open my mind and spirit too. Good things can come from change. So although change can be hard to accept, I embrace the new paths ahead.Š

Posted by Jennifer at 11:06 am | Permalink | Comments (1)

September 29, 2008

Yoga DVDs

One of my favorite blogs to read is Susiej’s. She is a mom raising four boys (for a good laugh, read her Kid Quotes), but despite the craziness that entails, she is dedicated to practicing yoga each day, usually with a yoga DVD. Her advice on this method is great – she stresses the importance of learning the basics before trying DVDs at home. I’ve never practiced with a yoga DVD before because I figured I’d be constantly straining my head to see the TV. But it dawned on me the other day that I know the poses well enough that I could simply listen to the DVD – no need to watch. Here are Susiej’s Top Ten yoga DVD picks. She includes a wide variety, and her description next to each one might help you decide which of them appeal to you. Š

Posted by Jennifer at 2:24 pm | Permalink | Comments (0)

September 26, 2008

Plain Old Garlic

Talking with an acupuncturist the other day, I was advised to eat a clove of garlic each day, especially in the fall and winter to ward off colds. Garlic is a superfood, she had said (here’s an article about it). I like garlic, but the idea of eating a plain clove doesn’t appeal to me. Instead, on the days I make vegetable juice, I’ve started adding two cloves of garlic to my concoction: 1 lemon (peeled), 2 stalks of celery, 6 dark green lettuce leaves, 1/2 cucumber with the skin, 1 green apple, 2 cloves garlic. Anyway, I thought the flavor would overpower the juice, but it doesn’t. Are you a fan of garlic? Do you eat it plain? Š

Posted by Jennifer at 2:37 pm | Permalink | Comments (2)

Yoga Injury

I have my first yoga injury. Well, that’s not really fair to say. It was an old injury that I (accidentally) revived in yoga class the other night. Years of running has exacerbated the muscles that run along my right side (I think they’re officially called obliques). During the yin yoga class, I did a deep twist. And I held it for quite a few minutes. The next day my side muscles were so irritated I could barely stand. That night, I woke up every time I turned over. For the most part, yoga helps prevent injury by improving strength and flexibility. But I do remember years ago when I took an introductory to yoga class, the teacher talked about injuries. Wrist injuries are the most common, she had said. As a result, I’ve always paid close attention to the placement of my arms, hands, palms and fingers during down-dog and plank. Anyway, after resting for a few days my side feels better. Š

Posted by Jennifer at 12:44 pm | Permalink | Comments (0)

Hooked

I’m officially hooked on a lunch spot that opened down the street from where I live. It’s at the point now where I’m actually embarrassed to walk in there. I find myself secretly hoping there will be a different waiter than the one that served me, um, just yesterday. Except I’ve rotated through them so many times, it’s pointless. I love their vegetable soups and their fresh organic breads and a couple of their salads. Come to think of it, I like their sandwiches, too. Today I opted for the organic apple ginger juice (hot) in lieu of my forever favorite drink, coffee. It was perfect for a September afternoon, and I’m already looking forward to ordering another one tomorrow. I’m trying to figure out how I’m going to explain all these lunches to my husband when he balances the checkbook. Do you have a place you’re addicted to? Š

Posted by Jennifer at 12:43 pm | Permalink | Comments (3)

September 24, 2008

Yin Yoga

Yin: feminine, dark, passive. 

Yang: masculine, bright, active. 

Went to “yin yoga” tonight. We practiced a series of poses to stretch out the connective tissue of the body (vs. yang which is muscle and skin). These are areas where there is little blood flow. It was helpful for working on my flexibility, which I loved. I could actually feel my muscles soften and loosen with each stretch. My favorite pose was where we sat against the wall and brought the bottoms of our feet together with our knees bent. Instead of bending forward, we kept our backs and shoulder blades against the wall. We then placed a yoga block in between our feet, pushing the stretch a little further. The block was set to the narrowest width, so we turned it wider, stretching more. Finally, we turned it to its third and widest position, stretching the most. This is a pose I’m going to practice at home. 

Here are some more yin asanas. Š

Posted by Jennifer at 2:50 pm | Permalink | Comments (0)

How to Ruin Cookie Time

First, instead of placing the cookies on a plate and setting the plate on the table for dessert, just grab the box out of the cupboard and bring the whole thing. Second, as you and your husband take a few cookies, announce that you bought these cookies in particular because “ginger-lemon cookies” sounded tasty and (relatively) healthy. Next, as you munch away, pick up the box and start reading the list of ingredients out loud, making faces as you share the news about all the sugar, corn syrup, and partially hydrogenated oils. In between saying, “These are so yummy,” also say, “but they are horrible for you!” Finally, continue to rant on and on about the ingredients until your husband takes the box from you because you are ruining his cookie eating experience. Š

Posted by Jennifer at 2:42 pm | Permalink | Comments (0)

List of Ingredients

Love it when I’m at a restaurant or store and order a good tasting meal and the menu lists every single last ingredient that’s included. Because then I can copy it down and make it at home. The other day I zipped into a local store to grab a quick lunch. I ordered a mixed greens salad and an additional orzo side salad. A little sticker was on the container of orzo. The fine print said: orzo, feta cheese, kalamata olives, pine nuts, sun dried tomatoes, scallions, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, salt and pepper. I’m adding it to my recipe book.Š

Posted by Jennifer at 2:41 pm | Permalink | Comments (0)

September 17, 2008

Mind Reader

Went to the new “yoga works” class today – the one I’ve been looking forward to. It was great. Toward the end of the session, we were in a seated pose when I grabbed a blanket and put it under my butt to elevate my hips. As soon as I sat on the blanket, I started worrying about whether using a blanket was a proper modification for that pose. My mind then jumped to a childhood memory of the summer I learned to play golf. It was around 5th grade or so, and the monitor only allowed each of us 10 shots per hole until we had to pick up our ball and move onto the next one (otherwise, the round would’ve taken forever). One day I was in the middle of a fairway, and I was frustrated because every time I swung the club I’d hit a “worm-burner” (where the ball rolls along the ground instead of flying into the air). It dawned of me that if I placed my ball on a wooden tee, the way I did at the tee box, I’d get more loft. So I plucked a tee out of my bag and pierced it right into the fairway. Our monitor didn’t say a word, she just encouraged me along, and it was only later when I learned that it’s against the rules of golf to use tees on the fairway. Anyway, so I was sitting there in class thinking of all this and wondering whether I was “breaking the rules” by using a blanket. If so, the teacher let me be. But she did say, “Let go of your inner chatter.” Oops. Right. Stay in the present. We moved into pigeon pose, and I was all over my refreshed efforts of staying present. Yep, I was in the here and now. Then the teacher said, “Let go of the tension in your teeth.” Lo and behold, I was clenching my teeth. My new yoga teacher is a mind-reader.  Š

Posted by Jennifer at 12:38 pm | Permalink | Comments (4)

September 15, 2008

Thanks, Hubby

When I started down this whole “let’s eat healthier” path my husband jumped right on board. Even though he considers himself a meat and potatoes guy, he was more than tolerant when I replaced his steak with veggie dishes and his potatoes with whole grains. And I’m so grateful. Trying to steer toward a living foods diet is not an easy road – it takes planning and patience, not to mention a new palate. And we still have a long way to go (our journey has been one of baby steps). But as challenging as eating well can be, I know it would be harder if my partner wanted cookies and ice-cream and bacon. I imagine this goes on in a lot of households with some sort of logic along with lines of “You wouldn’t have to eat any of it!” That plan would be a disaster for me, especially with the tempting cookies. Anyway, so my dear hubby, when you ask what’s for dinner and I share with you the evening’s menu, thanks for being so agreeable. Brown rice and asparagus it is. Š

Posted by Jennifer at 9:58 am | Permalink | Comments (0)