mac&cheese&peas

Life Updates!

May 152013

On teaching yoga: I think I hit a milestone this weekend. I felt comfortable teaching in front of 10 people this past Sunday. I didn’t realize it until after I finished teaching my 5 poses, but I actually didn’t feel nervous while I was up there. I think what helped me was not standing in the front of the classroom awkwardly half-demoing poses, and instead, walking around, staying behind the students, and doing hands on assists. I’ll talk more about this in my YTT weekly update!

On Acupuncture: I haven’t talked about this for a while because I stopped going after 5 sessions. I got one needle in my hand that caused my nerve to become aggravated and it was very painful and disruptive to my job and my yoga practice. The acupuncturist didn’t hit the nerve, he just hit a sensitive area that became inflamed and caused the nerve to be unhappy. I was getting a zap, or jolt, when I moved my wrist in a certain direction. I couldn’t do certain things at work, and I couldn’t do arm balances (!!!!), so I called the acupuncturist to talk about it. He explained what had happened, and he told me that since yoga involves some much pressure on the wrists that I might need to take a break from yoga (!!!!). This was obviously not something I wanted to hear, so I decided to stop going until it got better (it’s fine now) but I realized it might not be worth the risk. I think my case is rare, and I know acupuncture helps so many people, but it’s just not for me right now. I would rather deal with weird stomach issues than have to deal with a painful zap sensation on my wrist.

On Learning to Drive a Standard: Still working on this one, but I am getting a lot more comfortable. I drove all the way to Charlestown this weekend, and I only stalled once, and only got beeped at twice. Vast improvement! CJ’s aunt suggested hanging a sign in the car that says “learning to drive a standard” and I’m thinking that’s not a bad idea!

On my Job: Still loving it! I still can’t believe how lucky I am sometimes. Developing new ice cream flavors is a dream job I never even dreamed of! I wish I could share more, but everything is confidential. Nerd Alert!

On Blogging: Can I blog about blogging?? Thanks so much for sticking with me through the changes my blog content has been going through. In order to stay authentic, I have to blog about what I am doing currently, and that so happens to be lots of yoga, and not so much running, races, cooking, or baking. I appreciative everyone who has continued to read MCP, and I hope you stick around for more exciting things in the future! Running might not return, but recipes definitely will!

On CJ: My Mom once asked me if everything was ok with me and CJ because she hadn’t seen much of him on the blog! Ha! So I feel like I should update you, and let you know what we are still doing good! Just signed our lease for another year! We are both super busy, but we make time for each other when we can, and I have a fun (for me) date planned for us later this month. It’s surprisingly hard to keep up the once monthly special dates! Sometimes It’s easier to have homemade pizza on the couch date night.

On life in general: I’ve been having the best year, and it’s only May! I’ve made my health and happiness a main priority. I still have bad days (we all do!) , and get into funks (like this past Saturday when I couldn’t peel myself off the couch), but I feel like I’ve found the tools to get myself back to center. One of those tools is…yoga! I believe that happiness is a choice, and health is definitely worth the extra effort. I’ve also realized the importance of mental health, spiritual health, and emotional health this year. In the past, my measure of health was my current jeans size and how I looked in a bathing suit. Now I care more about maintaining life balance, and emotional wellbeing. I read this blog and this blog for inspiration.

Aerial Yoga

workouts, Yoga 6 Responses »

May 142013

Hello there,

This Sunday I had the opportunity to try out Aerial yoga at South Boston Yoga with one of my favorite Teachers, Andrea Isabelle Lucas. She posted a request on Facebook about a week ago, looking for people who wanted to try aerial yoga for free, while the class was being filmed for a internet reality show. I responded right away, and booked a spot in the class. The show it was being filmed for is called “Fit or Fad” and has and not yet been released, so I don’t have much info about it. Once the video comes out, I will share a link so you can all witness me embarrassing myself on camera.

I arrived at South Boston Yoga around 7:30. The class ended up starting 45 minutes late because they had to film some dialogue first with the host, but I guess that’s the price you pay for a free class! Eventually they let us in, and I was so excited to try the silks that I forgot all about the waiting!

For those who might not know, aerial yoga, sometimes called anti-gravity yoga, is a style of yoga using silk swings to bring you off the ground, and use gravity to deepen to poses, and the instability of the swing to build core strength. Watch this short video to learn more about aerial yoga.

The class started with some basic yoga warm-up moves on our mats, and then we started moving through some aerial yoga “sun salutations” which involved stepping up into the swing and using the swing under the knee to hold the body up in standing poses like warrior one and two. Some of the poses felt familiar, but there was a totally different element when using the fabric for support. I could definitely feel my core engaging. After we warmed up, we got to step all the way up into the swing and do some fun stuff.

This side plank-like move was surprisingly hard! Basically you have to hold all your body weight in one hand. I realized how fearless I have become when it comes to yoga. I used to be too scared to try “scary” poses like crow, or headstand, but now I practice them all the time. I think this opportunity for aerial yoga came at the right time because I am at the “I’ll try anything” stage of my practice. I was thinking that if I tried this out a year ago, I would have probably spent more time watching other people instead of trying it myself. Once I stopped being afraid of trying new things, my practice got a lot stronger. I guess it’s true what they say:

One of the coolest things about aerial yoga (besides the savasana, I’ll get to that in a minute) was that once you take the gravity out of certain poses, they become easier. Example A: Dancers pose with both arms reaching back and grabbing the foot. I am unable to do this pose right-side-up without the use of a strap. My foot feels miles away from my hands. When you try the pose upside down with the support of the fabric, miracles happen!

Now for the best part! For the final resting pose, aka savasana, we stretched out the fabric completely (it’s pretty wide!) and layed down inside like a cocoon. It was the most relaxing thing ever. You are completely covered from head to toe, and you feel totally weightless. Once you are all settled and comfortable, you cross your arms over your chest like a vampire, close your eyes, and feel the gentle swaying of the fabric.

It was amazing! I don’t know if I will try it again for a while, but only because I don’t like to miss my usual yoga classes. I have one for every day of the week now, except Fridays. Fridays are my rest days, or gentle home practice days.

Stay tuned for next week when Cj and I try acro yoga at the Breathing Room in Cambridge! (See, not that I’ve published this post, he can’t back out! muahahah)

Yoga Teacher Training, Week 17

Yoga 4 Responses »

May 072013

“Yoga is not about touching your toes, it’s about what you learn on the way down.” -Judith Lasate

Hello yogis and yoginis,

I learned so much this week in teacher training! We had our Sunday seminar on giving assists, and it was awesome. I really got a lot out of it, so I wanted to share that with you. If you are unfamiliar with yoga classes, teachers sometimes give adjustments, or assists, in poses to allow you to go deeper, or to correct alignment.

Assists are awesome to receive, and I look forward to getting them, but that wasn’t always the case. When I first started practicing, I just wanted the teacher to leave me alone, because I thought getting an assist meant I was doing the pose wrong. When you have a type-A personality, you can view the assists as corrections, and that is something your ego will not like. When I was new to yoga, I would make a silent prayer in hopes that the teacher would pass me by. I didn’t understand the motive behind the assist. As I dove deeper into my practice, I began to understand the power of a good assist. Now I’m practically screaming “pick me! pick me!” when the teacher is going around the room.

I’ve worked one-on-one with a couple of my friends, and I’ve tried giving some assists, (especially in savasana) but other than that, I don’t have much experience. Before the 6 hour seminar this weekend, we had discussed assists a little bit, and we learned a few good ones, but we didn’t go very deep. On Sunday, we had plenty of time to apply our anatomical knowledge in order to give an effective assist. It was so helpful, and now I feel prepared to assist a class for another teacher, or do assists in my own class someday.

Touch is powerful, and we all need it. Incorporating touch through the form of assisting is definitely something I want to explore as a new teacher. It was awesome to hear how everyone felt about giving and getting the assists. One of the words someone threw out there was ‘supported.” The assists made her feel supported. Not one person said that the assists were bothersome. That was good to hear because me, along with some other students felt a little unsure about how long to stay with one student, how much pressure to use, etc. We also talked about how some students may be triggered by touch, and it is important to read the signs and know when to back off. Overall, most students will be open to assists, and will come to enjoy them.

It’s really cool to be able to help someone come deeper into a pose. I know that when I am getting an assist in class, I try to remember the action the teacher is using, so I can use it in a later class. I feel like the assists stay with you, and serve as a reminder for certain alignment points in poses. Phew, that was a little bit of a brain dump! Thanks for sticking with me! Now, I really can’t wait to get my hands on some of my friends to try out these assists… any takers???

Namaste!

Blogger Brunch at Bar 10, Westin Copley

blogger, Brunch, Champagne, Restaurants No Responses »

May 052013

One of the perks of writing a blog is occasionally being invited to try really fun restaurants. This weekend, I got to attend a blogger brunch held at Bar 10 in the Westin Copley Hotel. Fancy! This event as organized by Jen from Boston Bachelorette, and the lovely people at Bar 10 were generous enough to provide brunch and cocktails for 15 Boston area bloggers. It was a fun event with a great group of young ladies.

Back Row from left, Tracy from Tracy Nutrition, Jodi from Jodibeansblog.com, Kerrie from Urban Foodie Finds, Stellina from My Yogurt Addiction, Jane from Corn in the USA, Jilian from Big City, Lil Kitchen, Front row from right, Jen from Boston Bachelorette, Stacey from Sweat, Savor, and Smile, and Me Smile

They started us all off with a complimentary champagne drink with pineapple and raspberries. It was nice and refreshing, and a great way to kick off the tasty meal to come. Nothing like a lil bubbly on a sunny spring day in Boston!

We were able to chose our meals from their amazing brunch menu, which is home to the famous Green Monster Omelette. All of their choices looked amazing, but I went with the Crab Cake eggs benedict, and a Pom Fizz cocktail.

I liked how the menu was labeled “brunch bites” and “brunch sips” so girly and cute. In my opinion, brunch is just about the girliest thing there is. I was thinking about that episode from “How I Met Your Mother” when this happened:

Anyways, when the food arrived, the table grew silent (after a frenzy of photo taking) as we ate our meals. Everything looked so tasty, and my crab cake eggs benedict was amazing. I loved the little tomato garnish, I always appreciate an effort to make food look pretty.

I’m so glad I got to spend Saturday morning with some of my favorite blogging friends, delicious food and drink, and a beautiful restaurant that graciously served us all. The staff at Bar 10 really went above and beyond. They even brought out some dishes from the brunch menu that no one ordered, just so we could try everything! I definitely appreciate good service like that!

If you are looking for a fun place to get brunch, or a cute date spot (hint hint, CJ!) check out Bar 10! Thanks again for having us, Bar 10! I look forward to my next visit.

Photoshoot with Caroline Winn Photography

Photography, Yoga 2 Responses »

May 042013

Hello! Happy Saturday! I promised to share more of my photoshoot pictures, so here they are! These were all taken at Breakheart reservation by the lovely and talented Caroline Winn. It was a perfect day with a perfect background (and gorgeous lighting), and I am so happy with how they came out. I did the shoot to have some professional pictures for when I am done with teacher training and looking for yoga jobs. I can’t believe that will all be happening in the next few months. Eeek.

Caroline’s Website, Blog, Facebook page. Be sure to check her out, she is a gifted photographer.

Yes, this is me. haha. Everyone that has seen this picture so far has asked that question.

LOVE this one. I feel like the little mermaid. Who knew she was a yogi??

Also, LOVE this one. It reminds me of how important it is to just surrender all your “stuff” to the mat, so you can clear space within your body and mind.

What do you think?

Yoga Teacher Training, Weeks 13-16

Yoga 3 Responses »

May 022013

“A Spiritual practice is one that brings us full circle- not to a new self but, rather, back to the essence of our true selves. Yoga is the practice of celebrating what is.” – Rolf Gates, Meditations from the Mat

Hi Yogis,

It’s been a while since my last yoga training update! Teacher training is going great, and I’m really loving my fellow teachers in training these days. We have created such a supportive environment that and even though I sometimes feel nervous when teaching in front of the class, I know that there is absolutely no judgment inside those walls. It’s an amazing thing.

I’ve been thinking a lot about my practice, and how it has changed me, and how I can use it to help other people. I think I’m becoming the “crazy yoga girl” at my new job, because it’s all I ever talk about. I think it might be my mission in life to convince as many people as I can to begin a yoga practice. That’s why I am so thankful for my yoga teacher training, because it is providing me with all the tools to be able to do that.

I recently started freaking out about the training coming to an end. Originally, it was supposed to go to the end of June, but for scheduling reasons, it is being extended to July 2nd. Even though it’s only a few more days, it makes me feel a lot better. Everyone I’ve talked to that has already gone through the training has said how much they miss it, and wish they were still in it. I’m beginning to understand what they mean. I really don’t want it to end, yet I’m excited to graduate and begin teaching. I know it doesn’t make much sense, but that’s how I feel. I’m going to try to soak up the last weeks of training as much as I can. Maybe I’ll be able to enjoy the last few moments of class each week that we spend discussing the sutras, instead of just wishing I was at home in bed.

I’ve been trying to do more teaching with my friends to get in some practice. I’ve done yoga in my living room with a friend a few times, and I even taught a friend outside in a park. I know that the more I practice the verbiage, the easier it will be to teach when I am done with training. You think it would be easy to instruct people into poses, but I’m finding it very difficult, and tricky. It’s hard not to sound awkward! I hope to get better with practice, so if anyone would like to be my guinea pig, please leave a comment below and we can work something out!

This past Monday, I had a yoga photo shoot with my good blend (blogger friend) Caroline. I wanted some professional yoga pictures for when I start teaching, so we had a sunset shoot down in Breakheart Reservation. I’ll have the pictures up soon to share with you, but for now, check out a sneak peak on her blog! Caroline recently completed photography school and yoga teacher training, needless to say, she is one ambitious and talented young lady. She does portraits, weddings, engagement shoots, you name it! I really can’t wait to share the pictures with you because they really came out beautiful!

Namaste!

Yoga Reaches Out!

fundraising, Uncategorized No Responses »

May 012013

YRO 2013 was an amazing event. Together, 1000+ yogis joined forces and raised over $500,000 to benefit the Boston Children’s Hospital and Tumor Foundation. It’s hard to put into words what it was like to be there, and while photos help, they don’t really do it justice. Imagine being in a room with over 1000 people all OMing together. It was a truly inspirational experience.

I wanted to say a huge thank you to everyone who donated and sponsored me for this event. I am grateful to have so much support in my life, so THANK YOU!

Since words really can’t capture it, I’m not even going to try. Please enjoy a few pictures from the event.

P.S. I want that car!

p.p.s Check out the photos from my shoot with Caroline!

The Right Stuff at Salvatore’s

blogger, Restaurants, vegetables, Veggies No Responses »

May 012013

This past Sunday, I had an amazing opportunity to attend an event called “The Right Stuff” at Salvatore’s Restaurant in the Seaport district of Boston. The event was a competition between two culinary students from Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts. Each chef had to prepare a three course meal, and the diners got to vote for their favorites.

From the website:

“Two battling students have been asked to create a 3-course meal that works within the conceptual framework of Salvatore’s Restaurants, yet at the same time, pushes those boundaries and expresses their own individual creativity.

The dinner is interactive and gives customers the opportunity to help decide who the winner will be. Each diner will be presented (2) dishes for each of the (3) presented courses and they will be asked to vote via ballot on which student makes the final cut. The customer vote will count towards 50% alongside a panel of celebrity and industry judges deciding the other 50% of the vote.

Scheduled judges for the evening are: Kara Baskin, Editor of Grub Street Boston, Kerry Byrne, Food Writer, Boston Herald, Cheryl Fenton, Freelance Food + Lifestyle Writer, Rachel Leah Blumenthal, Contributing Writer, Eater Boston, Rachel Cossar, Boston City Editor for The Daily Meal, Jenny Johnson, Co-Host of NECN’s “TV Diner,” Leah Mennies, Food Editor of Boston magazine and Sal Lupoli, Founder, CEO Lupoli Companies, Salvatore’s Restaurants and Sal’s Pizza.”

I’ve been to Salvatore’s before and was very excited to be invited back for some more delicious food. They served their famous pizza as an appetizer, and it was so good! I spent the earlier part of the day at my Yoga Reaches Out yogathon (post to come!) and CJ spent the day on a 40 mile moped rally, so needless to say we were both ready to eat!

When we arrived, we were seated at a table with another blogger, Fiona from A Boston Food Diary. We chatted with her, ordered some drinks, and before we knew it, it was time for the first course.

Chef Kristen went first for each course. She is a very talented chef who specializes in fresh, natural food, with a vegan fusion style. I was super excited to have a gourmet vegan/vegetarian meal. I think she had a slight disadvantage serving vegetarian food because a lot of people prefer meat, but I was rooting for her! I firmly believe in a more plant based diet, and I was hoping she could prove that you don’t need meat to have a flavorful and satisfying meal. Chef Jesus is a young, creative, and passionate cook. I couldn’t wait to try his courses because they sounded so well constructed. CJ was excited to see that each one of his meals contained meat.

The First Course:

Kristen’s first course on the left, and Jesus’ first course on the right. The salad had so many complex flavors, I really enjoyed it, and the chilled pea soup was interesting, and left me intrigued and wanting more. I favored the salad, while CJ chose the pea soup as his favorite.

The Second Course:

For Kristen’s second course, she served a Cripsy baby artichoke and spring pea farro risotto with a herbed sugo verde. It was so good! Unlike anything I’ve ever tasted. Jesus served a braised pork belly with pickled vegetables, arugula, frisee orange, and agridolce vinagrette, which was also very good. I wasn’t a huge fan of the pork belly (too fatty for me). I went with Kristen’s dish as my favorite, while CJ once again picked Jesus.

The Third Course:

Kristen’s third course was the only one of her meals that I didn’t love. She served a Lemon Thyme mock duck confit, truffled wild mushroom ragu, creamy chived polenta, and roasted spring vegetables with a vegan bagna cauda. Just typing that out makes me hungry! The part of this delicious-sounding meal that threw me for a loop was the mock duck. All I could taste was soy, which I assumed was the main ingredient in this substitute meat (I could be wrong). The rest of the dish was delicious. Jesus got my vote for this dish with his Rabbit two ways (including a rabbit ravioli), mascapone polenta, spring asparagus (also prepared two ways) and natural rabbit jus.

Unfortunately, CJ and I did not stay until the end to find out the winner, but I have a feeling it was Jesus. Both Chefs were incredibly talented, and I’m so glad I got an opportunity to attend “The Right Stuff.” Hopefully, Salvatore’s will plan more of these events in the future, it is definitely worth the trip to see two up and coming chefs in action.

The meal was complimentary, but all opinions are my own.

#BostonStrong Pilates Boot Camp Fundraiser

Uncategorized, weekends, workouts, Yoga 6 Responses »

Apr 272013

Hello! It’s been a little while since I last posted, and I apologize. I was still processing everything that happened, but now I’m back! This morning I met up with Tracy to take Jen Phelan’s donations only outdoor pilates bootcamp. It was a seriously fun workout, and I loved it!

All donations from the class went to The One Fund. Sweating for a good cause, what can be better? The class started at 9:15 on a bright sunny day in Boston. It was a little cold when we started, but we quickly warmed up as soon as Jen started the workout. But, before we warmed up, Jen talked about how she was able to deal with the tragedy, and how teaching pilates and being together as a community, really helped her. I almost got a little teary eyed because it was so moving! She really knew what to say to give respect for what happened while maintaining her positivity and hope. Jen is an awesome leader/teacher/instructor, and her energy and attitude are contagious. She told us that when we want to give up during the tough parts of bootcamp to think about all the people injured by the blasts, and to be strong for them. I liked that, and found it as a very effective way to motivate me through the class.

This is the first of Jen’s twice monthly free pilates bootcamp classes that was held outdoors. I was so happy to be able to workout outside now that spring is finally here! Tracy and I grabbed a spot in the sun, and set up out mats.

Tracy was smart and wore her Boston hat, while I forgot to wear anything “Boston-y”. Luckily, Jen passed out ribbons for our hair so I could show a little bit of the Boston Strong spirit.

Tons of people showed up, including Sarah Fit! I creepily snapped this picture, (she’s the one on the right.) I loved being a part of this class, and it was awesome that there was such a large turnout. So much support for #BostonStrong.

The workout was 45 minutes, and included a warm up, plank series, bootcamp drills (high knees, burpees, squats), pilates ab work, and even a savasana! It was kinda cool to do a savasana right in the middle of Quincy Market on the cobblestones. It really showed me how you can find a peaceful moment, even in the middle of a busy city.

Of course I had to end the class with a celebratory headstand, which was a little tricky on the uneven cobblestones! Thanks for the picture, Tracy! Hope it wasn’t too embarrassing to take my picture like that in the middle of Quincy Market. Winking smile

I am so glad I woke up early this Saturday to attend this class. Being, and acting as part of a community is definitely a way to heal and deal with the tragedy. Jen talked about how she felt better when she was surrounded by people, especially her pilates students, and I can certainly agree with her on that one. There is so much support to be found when you need it. I found tons of support in my yoga teacher training, and I was incredibly grateful for that in the aftermath of the Boston Marathon tragedy.

So Hum Shanti

Yoga No Responses »

Apr 172013

Meaning, “ I am peace”

This past Sunday, in a yoga teacher training seminar, one of my fellow teachers lead us in a centering mediation before practice. He recited the mantra “so hum shanti” as he rang a chime. It was moving, and powerful. It took me two days of being in shock until these words resurfaced and brought me some comfort.

In light of the recent tragedy in Boston, I couldn’t continue with my regular blogging. I wanted to write about it, but I struggled with finding the right words. During my teacher training on Tuesday night, our teacher shared this sutra about ahimsa, the practice of nonviolence.

“In the presence of one firmly established in nonviolence, all hostilities cease.”- The Yoga Sturas of Pantajali 2.35

Isn’t that what we want? All hostilities to cease; not just in Boston, but everywhere? This sutra really helped me see the light at the end of the tunnel, because even though I am just one person, by committing to ahimsa, I can make a difference. I felt empowered instead of fearful, and more importantly, I felt at peace. I am peace.

#peaceforBoston

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