Fitbit Drama

I finally broke down 9 weeks ago and a) joined Weight Watchers to release the stress weight the last 7 years has attracted to my physical body and b) bought a Fitbit (the flex because I'm still in unchartered waters here) to motivate me to move more.  Both have worked wonders and I'm releasing weight at a healthy clip.


I already knew and now have re-confirmed that I'm highly competitive when it comes to myself.  When I used to run I wasn't satisfied if I didn't at least match, but preferably exceed, my PR.  I was brutal to myself.  I'm at it again!  I get giddy with excitement when I feel the band vibrate on my arm indicating that I've met my daily goal (I'm even more excited when that information is given to me before noon).  I love watching the activity on my Fitbit get converted to points on my Weight Watcher app.  The more points I accumulate throughout the week the better!


My partner and I went away for the weekend.  We went hiking each morning.  Saturday we hiked 5-1/2 miles (his Fitbit gives us WAY more kudos than mine) and Sunday we logged on 3-1/2 miles.  By the time we got home, my Fitbit had decided to retire ... PERMANENTLY!  I was pissed!  It wouldn't charge.  It wouldn't record anything.  It was DOA.  I went to bed with the "well there goes everything" attitude. 


Seriously?  I was going to let my Fitbit dictate whether I got my happy butt out there and moved?  It appeared so.  I came in from feeding my horses early in the morning to the news from my partner that my Fitbit was charging away and my life wasn't over.  JOY!  Apparently he said some magical words and summoned the healing powers of the universe and kazaaaam!


So here's where I'm going with all of this.  We need to move.  We need to eat healthy foods that fuel our body.  We shouldn't require fancy gadgets to get us there, but we seem to.  It's the world we have created for ourselves.  So if you are someone who loves a little healthy competition, either with yourself or with your friends (yes, you can have friends and chat with each other and encourage each other and see how you are doing comparatively), then by all means go out and get one of these little babies.  You can score them on Craigslist for pretty cheap since so many are upgrading to a bigger and better model.


Today?  I've pretty much doubled my goal and am feeling pretty great.  The question is, would I still be feeling great about my accomplishment today if I wasn't wearing my little gadget?

Noon Yoga!

Today I attended a class up at Yoga Fusion in San Ramon taught by Gloria.  It was a Ropes on the Wall class.  Although I've taken ropes classes before, I've never taken Gloria's ropes class.  It was, of course, amazing.  Gloria promised not to disappoint us and she made good on her promise.  I LOVED the class.

I was thinking, though.  Noon time is a perfect time for yoga!  The mornings can be a bit rushed if you are dealing with little ones.  For me, I just really get into my vibe in the morning and have a minimum three hour routine.  I love the mornings here on the compound and it's a wee bit difficult to pull myself away.  The evenings are just a no-go.  Once I get home there's not a good chance I wanna jump in Herkie (my car) and head back into town for much of anything.  

So noon it is!  What a coincidence!  I teach a noon class.  That's right!  I teach tomorrow (Thursdays) at noon.  My class is Gentle Yoga.  It's a great class to pre-kick off the weekend (okay, I'm being a bit over enthusiastic here).  Actually, noon is a great break from your day if you are a 9-5er.  It's a nice way to start your day if you're a swing shifter.  It's a nice break from home if you're a stay-at-home momma.  Yeah, it's just nice all the way around.

I really hope that you will take advantage of this time and join me on the mat tomorrow.  I promise not to disappoint (sorry, Gloria, I had to copy).

Getting in the Body

I was working on this blogsite today and realized it's been quite a bit of time since I've posted anything.  Mostly just recipes.  Although eating is a good thing (okay, it's a down right BEAUTIFUL thing!), there is more to life than food (I have to keep reminding myself of this).

I have been focusing a lot of energy as of late on my yoga classes.  I am constantly working on putting together creative and effective sequences so that my students can gain the maximum benefit from their yoga experience with me.  I know I've had a great class when my students are packing up to leave the studio and I hear comments like, "Wow, I am so blissed out right now."  Inside I have a big smile knowing that I'm doing my job.  That's my goal . . . to have my students leave feeling relaxed, refreshed and renewed.

Tonight I teach YogaPlus up in San Ramon at 7:15.  I have put together a class targeting the hamstrings.  Although, the class is designed to enable mostly people with larger bodies to learn to develop and embrace a regular yoga practice, most of my students are popping in because the time fits their schedule or they are seeking a beginning or gentle class.  Well . . . you're in luck!  That's perfect and all are welcome.

My music is a mix of a little of this and lot of that.  I try to keep it neutral so that it is just in the background and my students can focus on being in their body.  After all . . . isn't that why we are on the mat?  To be inside of our body?

I heard a beautiful quote that I'd like to share right now with you:  I do not use my body to get into the pose but rather use the pose to get into my body.  

Truly, I feel that this is beautiful and exactly how I choose to teach.  I want each of my students to walk away with the euphoria of having spent time "in the body."

Raw Vegan "Meatloaf"

I got this recipe when I was up in Montana at school. It's actually one of my absolute faves. Funny story . . . Danielle saw me making this up and she indicated how disgusting it looked to her. When it was prepared, she took a "girl scout" bite and declared, "OMG! This is amazing!" So there you have it!

Up there in Montana, at my school, they don't EVER use exact measurements so I've kind of had to fudge it. Just play with it so that it fits your taste.

Rutabaga, turnip, beet, carrot or any root you enjoy
2 avacados
about 1-2 cups Buppies sauerkraut
2-3 cloves crushed garlic
Sliced cabbage

Slice one of the avacadoes on a plate. Put the other avacado, root, sauerkraut and garlic in a food processor. Process until it's a bit chunky but not smooth and runny. Place on top of the avacado and shape like a meat loaf. Surround the outside of the loaf or even over the top with the cabbage. Serve with your choice of dressing. I'll put a recipe for a good dressing on here soon.

Vegan Tortilla Soup

The question that is on a lot of minds and I'm sure it's on yours is this: What is Sunshine making for dinner tonight? Well, the suspense is over. Here we go!

1 T olive oil
1-1/2 cups chopped onion
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 bell peppers, chopped
1 zucchini, chopped
1 ear fresh corn
1/2 cup green onion, chopped
3 T ground cumin
One 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
1 can chopped green chili peppers, drained (optional - I don't use it because my twins hate "spice")
3 cups vegetable broth
2 T chia seeds
1/2 - 2 cups cooked black beans
salt and pepper and crushed red chili pepper to taste
Fresh lime juice to garnish on top
Non dairy cheese for sprinkling
Chopped avocado for garnish
Tortilla chips

In a large pot over medium to low heat, add the olive oil, onion, and garlic. Saute for about 5 minutes.

Meanwhile, chop the peppers, zucchini, green onion, and remove corn from cob. Add veggies into the pot and saute for another 5-10 minutes.

Add in the crushed tomatoes, cumin, broth and chia seeds. Stir well and season with salt and pepper. Simmer on low-medium heat for 25-30 minutes.

After the soup simmers, ladle into bowls and top with chopped avocado, fresh lime juice, cheese, green onion, and tortilla chips. Serve immediately. Keeps in fridge for up to 5 days or can be frozen for 1 month.

Not Guilty Chocolate Chip Cookies

These are pretty amazing. A nice alternative to streamlined Tollhouse Cookies.

1/3 cup plus 1/4 cup gluten free flour
1/8 t salt
1/4 t baking soda
2T to 1/4 cup vegan choclate chips
4T raw sugar
1/2 t vanilla extract
1 T unsweetened applesauce
1-3 T rice milk

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Mix your dry ingredients, then add in wet. Form cookies and bake 6-7 minutes. Take out when still underdone - they'll continue to cook while cooling, and so you don't want them to get hard.

I usually triple this recipe because of the size of my family.

Foot Zoning

Yep, one more post about zoning. I just can't seem to get enough of this stuff. Actually foot zoning is what I've been doing the longest. About three years now. It was my first endeavor into the world of zoning. It took 1-1/2 years to get certified because it was so dang extensive. I had to learn so much about anatomy and how to access each point on the foot AND memorize the entire procedure (which is not easy task, my friend).

So, yeah, the feet are the most accurate and complete modality of healing that I have to offer. The foot zonology is the science of the signal system in the feet. Every part of the body has a signal on the foot. Can you believe that? It's freaking amazing.

This time, however, you get to sit in my chair and allow me to work on your feet. Sometimes things get a bit intense - like if you have a disturbance in a particular area (because who doesn't have a disturbance somewhere in their body, right?). I, once again, play some soothing music to relax my client and give them some soft lighting.

When the zone is over - you got it - I massage some amazing oil that I have blended just for my client into the feet and then I allow my client to sit with their blissfulness until they are ready to exit my zen existence.