Best Power Vinyasa Yoga Playlist!!!

Mum

Aaliyah

Geofresh

Jhene Aiko

Katy Perry

Justin Timberlake

Skrillex

John Legend

Beyonce

Drake & the Dream

Lumineers
Richard Hawley

Teaching in Thailand

Feels like a dream.

5 years ago I was in Thailand, teaching English to 50+ students per class.

3rd and 4th graders.

2% of the class knowing broken English.

I was an observer.  A learner. A seeker of the unknown.

As the weeks passed, I started noticing something.

I didn't have to know the language, I could observe the behavior, investigate the feelings.

I saw friends fist-fighting over being made fun of.

I saw young couples sneaking kisses and holding hands.

I saw teachers laughing and gossiping.

I saw lonely kids who were overweight.

I couldn't speak their language and they couldn't speak mine.

But I could connect with them.

I could give them hugs and try to teach them songs.

I could give them laughter.

I could teach them how to wave hello and goodbye.

I could give them eye contact and hold their hand.

I could give them quality time.

5 years of being back in Seattle.

Keeping my wanderlust in my back pocket, letting it sit there like a benchwarmer.

Getting cheap thrills on weekend trips, conversations with taxi drivers

and googling images of faraway places.

There is nothing like traveling, nothing like surrounding yourself by a culture that is not your own, listening to a language you do not speak, nor understand.

The gifts are often received years later.  The gifts you don't know you are receiving, until one day, you wake up 5 years later and realize how valuable life is.

How grateful you can be knowing that you've found your tribe, or your tribe has found you.

Join for Friday Yoga with J!

EVERY FRIDAY in 2014!

Sueno's de Salsa
11:10-12PM 50 minute Lunchtime Yoga
12:10-1PM 50 minute Lunchtime Yoga

Suite C, 473 N 36th St, Seattle, WA 98103

David Barton Gym in Bellevue

4-5PM Yoga Core

5:15-6:30PM Candlelight Yoga

11111 NE 8th St, Bellevue, WA 98004

Job Loss

It happens.  To everyone.  One day, you have a job, you know what your day is going to look like and then BOOM!  No job.  No pay.  No weekly schedule.  Bills keep coming  and planned vacations are the new fear.  Crap.  Talk to the boyfriend.  Wait a sec.  He's weirdly excited.  He says, "Great! Now you can do your own thing.  Nothing to step in your way.  Go after you dreams babe!"  Wow.  He is supportive, kind and believes in me.  Okay, who's up next?

Mom.  She'll know what to do.  Mom says, "Oh!  Sorry sweetie, I know you really liked that job, but you have so many other opportunities!  When one door closes, a million more open!  Good call on ringing Mom.  But why isn't anyone else having a slight freakout like I am?  Call Dad, he offers to set me up with a part-time Receptionist position in his engineering firm.  I take it.  Hell, it's a few dolla dolla bills ya'll.

Talk to sis, she gives me the sympathetic/surprised face and says, "WHAT!?" awwww....there is the response I needed.  I immediately feel better.

A few days later I go into my Dad's firm, I wait to talk to the guy who needs a receptionist and the thought of being in an office setting, even for a few days a week, make my chest tight.  I write the guy a note while he's on the phone (and I've been waiting patiently for 15 minutes), "Hi!  Thanks for accepting this interview, but I've decided I'm not an office person!  Have a great day!"  (hope Dad isn't mad)  I tell Dad.  Surprisingly, he's not mad, he even has a smile.  I'm beginning to think that other people know me more than I know myself.

And then I decide to OWN who I am.

I am NOT an office person.  The very thought gives me anxiety.  The thought of wearing something other than yoga clothes make me feel like a fraud.  I AM meant to be in the yoga world.  I AM meant to own 10+ pairs of stretchy pants, tank tops and layers.

After I leave Dad's office, I start reaching out to my yoga friends and ask if anyone is hiring a Power Vinyasa Instructor.  The feedback is overwhelmingly wonderful and I am open to receive all kinds of gifts.  Gifts that appear when you ask the universe, "What am I doing here?"  And then the universe answers.

LVC in 2014!

LVC!

aka Ladies Volunteer Club

I didn't know how changed I would feel after one event.  Our first event was volunteering in the kitchen at a shelter in downtown Seattle.  I was scared out of my mind because the place we volunteered wasn't in the best part of town and as a woman nearing my 30's (insert shock face), I steer clear of dangerous situations.  I'm so glad I didn't turn around and that I wasn't a no show, because there were a few minutes after parking that the thought crossed my mind.

Our next event is February 7th, 2014 @ hauteyoga Queen Anne.  The event is dedicated to an organization called Africa Yoga Project and it's a yoga class led by Leah Zaccaria.  The class is full of inspiration, play, raffle prizes and a gift for all participants.  Donating time/money feels good.

And we all have at least one of those.

Not only that, it's a sober way to have fun with your friends.  Let me know if you want to join + feel like spreading your joy!

Sugar Free Hot Chocolate!

I don't know about the rest of you, but I am FEELING these winter blues!  I workout early in the morning, work all day from home and around 5PM I decide that I am not going anywhere!  It's like my sweats are on before I know what's happening!

A natural mood booster is 100% CHOCOLATE!  WAHOOO!!!  (insert jumping up and down pictures here)  This is why I drink zee hot cocoa + immediately feel like starting a dance party!!!

Want to show me a couple moves??  DRINK THIS:

• 1 CUP WATER
• 2 TBSP 100% UNSWEETENED COCOA
• 1/2 TBSP XYLITOL
•  1/2-1 TBSP VANILLA
• CINNAMON (amount your choice)
• 0-1 Drop of Liquid Stevia

Stir it up in a pot on the stove & SMILE, you're on candid camera.  .  . I couldn't help it.

EAT WHOLE, PRAY FOR HEALTH AND LOVE NATURAL MOOD BOOSTING FOODS!

Healthier Choices for Fast Food!

These meal plans were written by Harley Pasternak in an article he wrote for People.com.

I added some changes if you're trying to consume less than 1900 calories per day,

(changes in red).

"Below is an example of what 2,000 calories from McDonald’s, Subway and Wendy’s looks like. I’m not suggesting you start following a fast food diet, but it’s an interesting illustration that how much we eat is as important as what we eat!"

McDONALD’S

Breakfast
Egg White Delight, 250 calories
Apple Slices, 15 calories
1% Low Fat Milk Jug, 100 calories
Subtotal: 365 calories

Lunch
Ranch Snack Wrap (Grilled), 270 calories
Premium 
Southwest Salad (without Chicken), 140 calories
Newman’s Own 
Creamy
 Southwest Dressing, 100 calories
Water, 0 calories
Subtotal: 510 calories

Dinner
Quarter Pounder with Cheese, 520 calories Remove the cheese.
Medium French Fries, 380 calories
Diet Soda, 0 calories Don't need this, drink water instead.
Vanilla Ice Cream Cone, 170 calories
Subtotal: 1070 calories

Fries or vanilla ice cream cone.  Choose one.

Total Calories: 1945

SUBWAY

Breakfast
6″ Egg White Omelet Sandwich with Cheese and Ham, 350 calories
Apple Slices, 35 calories
12 oz. Low Fat Milk, 160 calories
Subtotal: 545 calories

Lunch
Chicken Noodle Soup, 100 calories
6″ Subway Club, 310 calories
Doritos, 250 calories
Water, 0 calories
Subtotal: 660 calories

Choose the soup or the chips, don't need both.

Dinner
6″ Tuna Sandwich with Cheese, 520 calories
Chocolate Chip Cookie, 220 calories
Diet Soda, 0 calories Drink water instead.
Subtotal: 740 calories

Total Calories: 1945

WENDY’S

Breakfast
Artisan Egg Sandwich, 360 calories
Small Orange Juice, 130 calories
Subtotal: 490 calories

Lunch
Grilled Chicken Go Wrap, 260 calories
Garden Side Salad with Light Ranch, 250 calories
Water, 0 calories
Subtotal: 510 calories

Dinner
Jr. Cheeseburger, 290 calories
Medium French Fries, 410 calories
Diet Soda, 0 calories Drink water instead.
Small Chocolate Frosty, 290 calories
Subtotal: 990 calories

Either the fries or the chocolate frosty.  WAY too much sugar and grease for dinner.

Or double up the egg sandwich at breakfast & remove the OJ.

Total Calories: 1990

Less than $2 Natural Hair Mask

2 Ingredients to use then eat...

Get your hair smooth!!

•    ½ cup Plain Yogurt
•    ½ cup honey

Smooth on from roots to ends and let it sit for 20 minutes.  Rinse with warm water, than cool water to seal the cuticle.  Shampoo, condition and style.