Please Don't Pass the Sugar!

It's been about 2 months since I stopped eating sugar among other things that aren't good for you. I thought it'd be a lot harder then it is. I was hooked on the stuff and ate a lot more then I would ever admit to. I didn't really have any set goals on my diet other then it being healthy and meat-free. I never imagined it would be this drastic of change nor did I realize how much work it'd be. Don't get me wrong, I love this new diet and lifestyle and I feel great but I have to admit it is a lot of work. I was always one of those people that thought/said "I could never do that" meaning that I could not stop eating sugar. On one hand, it's true I couldn't stop eating sugar, I really loved it, dessert has always been my favourite meal! On the other hand I now know it is a mind set and I just needed to make the choice not to eat it and stick with it. It's been 8 weeks and I have done a great job of not eating sugar, even if it means passing up things that I really love like Starbucks Soy Chai Latte, honey in my (herbal) tea, (homemade) muffins, bread and especially birthday cake and desserts. In the process of this lifestyle change I have lost about 10lbs and my skin looks much healthier, although I still sometimes get my "bindi zits".

Fun with a Blender

I borrowed Maris' (my step-mil) blender a couple weeks ago and I have been using and abusing it. I hope I don't wear out the motor before I return it to her. I've been making smoothies with it mostly. Here's my favourite combo:

Green Smoothie

handful of spinach
few leaves of kale
1/2 Cup water
(I like to puree it at this point)
1 banana
1/2-1 cup fresh pineapple
1/2 cup frozen berries (optional)

blend all ingredients together and enjoy.

Fun with Coconut Milk

When you open a can of coconut milk you have to use up all of in within a couple of days before it spoils. So here are some fun ways to use it other then in curries or soup.

Banana Pina Colada Smoothie

1 small banana
1/2-1 C fresh pineapple, cut into chunks
1/2 C almond milk (or non-dairy bev of your choice or reg milk)
1/2 C coconut milk

Place all ingredients in blender and puree until smooth or use immersion blender.
You could also add 1 cup of ice cubes.

I'll be posting more here so check back or add your own ideas in the comment box, thanks.

New Favourite Soup

I had some leftover roasted butternut squash from dinner and decided to make soup with it. I looked online for a recipe to use but ended up creating my own and it's delicious! Soup is probably the easiest thing you can experiment with in the kitchen, just remember to keep it simple.

Curry Coconut Butternut Squash Soup

2 medium sized butternut squash, roasted, spooned out & skins discarded
1 tbsp olive oil
1/2 onion, finely chopped
1 tsp curry powder
2-3 C vegetable stock
1/2 C coconut milk

Garnishes (optional):
fresh lime juice
fresh cilantro, chopped

Heat oil in large pot, add onions and cook until soft. Add curry powder and heat spices then add squash. Stirring into onions and spices, add enough veg stock to cover squash by about an inch. Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer about 20 minutes.

If you like your soup smooth then puree with an immersion blender or in batches in food processor or blender until desired consistency is reached. Add the coconut milk when ready to serve. Garnish with lime wedges and fresh cilantro.

The Untraditional Thanksgiving

I'm on a Thanksgiving role with yesterday's thankful post and today I'm thinking about the Traditional Thanksgiving Meal. Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner have always been 2 of my favourite meals as far as food goes. I love the roasted turkey and all the trimmings -stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, yams, cranberry sauce. This year I'll be having none of that! This year is the first holiday season that I'm a vegetarian since 1998. Not only am I not eating meat but I have also been sticking with my choice of not eating sugar and wheat. This will be the most interesting and challenging meal I've ever been to since I made the change. I am confident that I will get through the meal without faltering because of the clever plan I've come up with. I am planning on bringing a couple of dishes: Baked Beans and Roasted Root Vegetables. This way I will be ensured of a delicious meal too.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and Festive eating for all -veggie or omni!!
And I say we can all just get along, be sure to bring your own food ;)

What Are You Thankful For?

This Monday is the Canadian Thanksgiving so all this week during our closing meditation I have been asking my students to mindfully make note of something they are thankful for. They are to pick one thing and just meditate with it, not vocalize their idea. And all week I have had the opportunity to do this a few times and I can't help but think of different things every time because every day is different. Since this isn't my yoga class I'm going to take this opportunity to vocalize some of the things that I am thankful for.

-I'm thankful for my friend Sandi and our journey across the country 14 years ago this thanksgiving weekend because without her I would not have made the journey.
-I'm thankful for my husband and his genuine & infinite patience for me.
-I'm thankful for my wonderful kids.
-I'm thankful to have yoga present in my life.
-I'm thankful to have wonderful & supportive people in my life.

I suppose I could go on and on listing all the things I'm thankful for and it's my blog I could if I wanted to but I won't. What I want is to know one thing that you are thankful for, feel free to post it here or just make a mental note to yourself while you have a quiet moment and feel the joy raise within you.

Namaste

Two words that mean everything

(an ongoing account of how my wife and kids enrich and inspire my heart with all the wacky little things they do)

During the week I get up early everyday to exercise. I try to time my workout so that I'm finishing just as the kids are getting up. Joanna sleeps in for a few extra minutes, while I get to spend a few precious minutes alone with the kids. I really enjoy our mornings together, the kids are in a talkative and imaginative frame of mind and our conversations span many varied topics. We talk about their dreams, school, their fears and philosophies about life, I'm often delightfully mystified at some of the things that come out their strange little brains. As much as I enjoy this time, my all-time favorite moment of the day can be summed up in two words "Hi Papa".

We have a safety gate at the top of the stairs (which both kids can open if they want to). However, when the kids get up and they hear me downstairs, they stand at the top of the stairs and say (in a sing-song unison voice) "Hi Papa". This is my cue to continue a tradition that the kids and I have had for the last several years. I walk up the stairs, pick the boys up into my arms and carry them downstairs. As I slowly carry them down, I kiss each one on the head and tell them "This is the best part of my day". When we get down to the living room, I place them on the couch, give them their morning juice and sit down to eat my breakfast as we talk.

The boys are growing so fast that I know that one day soon I won't be able to carry both of them at the same time (I'll have to start making two trips). I also know that one day they will stop singing my name in the mornings and they'll just come down on their own. Although just the thought of this eventuality breaks my heart, something happened a few weeks ago that will live in my heart forever and sustain me through all the trials and frustrations of raising kids.

I was making my morning coffee when I heard the familiar phrase "Hi Papa". "Hi guys" I said as I bounded up the stairs to pick them up. As usual, I picked one boy up in each arm and made my way down the stairs. I kissed each of my sons and said "This is the best part of my day". Kaden nestled his head into my chest and said "Mine too."

I'll remember that as one of the happiest moments of my entire life.

My Homeless Shamin

     I had lots of time to get ready and prepare for my departure for the second day at the Yoga Conference, lots of time to make sure I didn't forget anything.  I checked and double checked.  I headed to the skytrain feeling confident I had everything I needed.  I get off the train and head up towards the convention centre and just as I get off the escalator I have my moment of realization and moment of panic.  I forgot my conference pass!!  There was a panhandler there and he said something to me that I didn't quite register but something about having or going to be a good day.  My reply was "no, it's not"...because I was in panic mode.  Then he said back "oh, I think it is".  I didn't think he was listening to me.  Somehow his words did sink in and they did calm me, I pulled my phone out of my bag to check the time and see if I could go back home and get it.  I didn't.  Called Bryn to see if I could get some help or input from him, he's always the first person I call when I go into panic mode because he's like a crutch and has a way of problem solving.  He didn't answer.  Breathe, just breathe.  Earlier in the day I checked my facebook and Judith Hanson Lasater's status was "Calmness isn't the opposite of agitation, presence is. Namaste".  I had the homeless man's perspective and Judith's words resonating within me.  I made peace with the inevitable fate that was present in front of me.  Since I read the important information email that the Yoga Conference sends out at the start of the conference, I knew I would be charged $40 for a replacement pass.  They were very nice about it and very apologetic to me as they took my money, he gave me temporary tattoos and told me to get a second complimentary grab bag.  By that point I was so at peace with what I had done that I was able to enjoy the moment with him.  I got my new pass and went to the floor show one last time, did my whirlwind tour and then headed off to my last 2 workshops.  Then my plan was to have a light snack during the half hour break between the workshops and eat my dinner I brought after both workshops, at 6:30pm.  Great idea and I was starving afterward.  So I say good bye to some of the new friends I made and the wonderful teacher and found a quite place to eat before heading home.  I forgot to pack a fork.  Yep, another thing I forgot to pack.  I put everything back in my backpack and headed home.  Still feeling light with all the joy and love I experienced at the Yoga Conference.  I only wish I had the opportunity to thank my homeless shamin or better yet, the mindfulness to do it in the moment.

Today's Workshops:
How to create effective and innovative sequencing -with Maria Garre
A class for all: teaching to all levels -with Maria Garre

Again both workshops were absolutely wonderful!  I can't wait for next year!

Sometimes, It's the Journey

     Today is the 3rd day of the 2nd annual Yoga Conference here in Vancouver.  I was registered for an 8am workshop.  Remembering last year's Conference and being booked for an early 8am workshop I wanted to give myself lots of time so I wouldn't feel rushed or stressed, right?  I'm going to a yoga conference after all.

     My alarm didn't go off this morning, which was set for 5:45am.  I woke up naturally but assumed it was too early and didn't look at the clock.  Finally I glanced at the clock just to see how much time I had left...it was 6:05!!  Already 15 minutes behind schedule!  Luckily I had prepared and organized everything the night before.  All I had to do was shower, eat breakfast and brush my teeth.  Finally got out the door at 7am.  Yes I was a little stressed now, but in the back of my mind I knew there was nothing I could do about it and settled with the fact that I might be situated at the back of the room struggling to see and hear the teacher.  So I'm out the door and I walk to the skytrain and it arrives moments later, I'm on my way.  The train wasn't as full and there were no delays like last year.  There wasn't even a crowd spilling out onto the platform anxiously heading for the conference.  There was no line up at the registration desk, yay for me but where is everyone?!  So now that I have my registration pass I finally check the time, 7:40am only 10 mins behind schedule.  I head straight up to my first workshop and I can't believe that I'm the first one there.  So even though I woke up late the journey was still a success.

Today's workshops:
A Dual Approach: Pilates and Yoga -with Maria Garre
Master Headstand and Shoulderstand -with Martin Kirk

Both were excellent and I definitely learned some new things.  I'm not going to go into the workshops and what I learned from them because I'm still processing everything, both mentally and physically.  Both teachers are amazing and a master in their craft.