Month: December 2014

Gluten Free Blueberry Muffins

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One of the things in life I’m so grateful for is having a husband who is not only so amazing, he rocks my world everyday, but he’s also passionate about health and fitness. Let me tell you, it’s SO hard to keep healthy lifestyle if your partner is not on board! I remember when my aunt and uncle would try at different times to quit smoking, but they were only able to do it when they kicked the habit together. My sweet husband never complains about my kitchen quests for better, healthier food, and I’m extremely grateful. As a teeny tiny thank you, I try to convert his favorite recipes into healthier versions. Let’s be real, if a person’s taste palate is used to refined flours and refined sugars, healthier options will rarely completely measure up, because there’s a certain heavier flavor panel that comes with using those products. Whenever other health nuts tell me “you won’t even taste a difference!” I know that’s probably not quite true. Spaghetti squash does not equal spaghetti noodle;) BUT …

Inversion Workshop with Marie Belle

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Workshops are an amazing and frustrating experience. They’re a phenomenal way to learn new tips and tricks, but at the same time, there are some yoga skills that you simply cannot ever ever ever learn overnight. Yoga forces us to be patient and persistent. You might be able to conceptually understand how to do an asana, but your body will demand you work to obtain the strength and flexibility to get there. Time is our friend when it comes to learning yoga. We can look back and see great growth, even if it doesn’t feel like it while we’re marching on. District Yoga recently held an incredible inversions workshop by internationally renowned Marie Belle. Not only is she a phenomenal yogini and teacher, but she has the most intelligent and beautiful approach to life. Over 100 people crammed into the studio to learn from her, and she still made it feel like a group of friends just hanging out to do some intense yoga. I’m personally tremendously inspired when someone has a rare combination of …

Alis volat propriis: She Flies with Her Own Wings

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Alis volat propriis is a gorgeous and inspiring Latin phrase that translates “she flies with her own wings.” I truly believe we as individuals are meant to see, be, and do great things…but we are often prevented from realizing our potential because there are people who devote endless amounts of time and energy to breaking the wings of others or stifling their flight. I don’t understand this. I truly can’t comprehend why people would want to hurt others or even wish ill will on them. The simple truth is, there are people out there who either simply don’t know how to be happy for others, perhaps because they themselves have experienced great hurt in their own lives and merely continue the cycle. Some lovely, beautiful spirits get completely crushed and broken under the weight of hurtful words and actions of these kinds of people. What a true tragedy, because the body heals faster then the heart ever will. On the flip side, sometimes we rely far too greatly on others, and we never reach a …

Gluten Free Choc-Oat-Chip Cookies

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I have a major sweet tooth, and even though I try to avoid sugar altogether, sometimes a girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do. I recently experimented with some chocolate chip oatmeal cookies to try to a health-ish version, and I was able to whip together a recipe that turned out really quite nicely. While this recipe cuts out the gluten (you won’t even miss it! Seriously!) and a huge amount of calories and lowers the overall glycemic index, it doesn’t sacrifice the flavor or texture. I brought these cookies with me to Girl’s Night In with my besties last night, because my one friend has celiac disease and constantly misses out on what everyone else is eating. No one even could tell they were GF, which is a big win in my book. So basically, these cookies are like ninjas and totally incognito. True story. Ingredients: 1 3/4 cups Pamela’s Products Gluten Free Artisan Flour Blend 1 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt (optional) 3/4 cups packed brown sugar 1/2 cup Dried Coconut …

How to Do Vasisthasana |Side Plank

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Vasisthasana is one of those fabulous asanas that’s a one stop shop arm balance. Not only will you get an intense ab workout that targets those often neglected obliques, but it tightens the entire core. It’s such a great pose, that it’s been borrowed by non-yoga workouts as a secret weapon for keeping abs tights and the waist small. It primarily strengthens entire core, but it also targets the gluteus medius and gluteus minimus in the hips, as well as the adductor muscles located in the inner thigh. But wait! There’s more! The secondary the side plank also works several other muscles that provide additional stability as you hold the position including the gluteus maximus, the quadriceps on the front of your thighs and the hamstrings on the back of your thighs. TIPS: Keep your shoulders, hips, knees and feet in one straight diagonal line, Important: make sure your neck and head continue the line of your spine. Keep obliques pulled up up up at all times to avoid hips collapsing. HOW TO: From downward facing down, come …

Just Be Present: Part 2

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What happens when we pursue our goals, when we dedicate ourselves to them every day? We stretch, we grow, we even begin to fly. And one day, we start soaring. “Your wings already exist. All you have to do is fly.”  We have the power to do that which inspires us, we must simply devote the time, energy, and effort to make it happen. Remember the scene at the end of the Wizard of Oz when Dorthy asks Glenda how to get home? She said, “You always had the power, my dear. You just had to learn it for yourself.” Stand firm. Don’t let life shake you, break you, or remake you into something that is untrue to yourself. The stronger a tree’s roots are, the more it flourishes. How do we grow stronger? By walking on a good path, following principles of truth and what is right. “Blessed is the man [who walks in goodness]. He will be like a tree, planted by rivers of life giving waters.” Psalms 1:3 Set goals and stay …

Gluten Free Banana Bread

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When I was growing up, I had an obsession with banana bread that I’ve yet to live down with my family. I was a little more than mildly fanatical about it, and since it’s not exactly cake and it’s not really just bread, I would usually try (unsuccessfully) to convince my mother that it was in my best interest to let me eat say…the entire loaf. Kids have had worse aspirations, I guess…right? Regardless, I still just love a thick piece of banana bread with a cup of tea and a good book. That’s a scene from a little corner in my heaven, friends:) Being gluten free, sugar free, preservative free, etc etc etc often feels like it ends up being taste free. Texture is often unpleasant and the final result is a really bad knock off from whatever original recipe from which it was fashioned. I don’t think clean eating has to come at that high of a price, especially when it comes to my gd beloved banana bread, so I experimented with a …

On and Off the Mat: Just Be Present Part 1

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Is it December already? Seriously, Time! Pull those reigns in! You’re running away from me! As the holidays roll around, it’s usually a startling reality that the year has flown by, usually in a blink of the eye. Christmas, like weddings, always seem better in concept than in reality. An entire day dedicated to love, fellowship, and joy? Sign us up, right? But people are usually wildly stressed out and haggard by the time the actual day rolls around. The planning, shopping, organizing and trying to corral everyone together can be a big fat energy zapper. Ask any bride planning a wedding or a mother trying to get things in order for the holidays. I’m not saying it’s all a miserable experience, because big events (like Christmas and weddings of course) often bring huge amounts of joy. It’s the days leading up that often cause us to focus on anything and everything but our current time and place, and to soak it up and enjoy it. I personally despise the mall and would rather trek …

One Pot Scrumptious Rice Noodle Soup

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I am a soup fanatic. It’s basically an entire life source for me. I just love, love, love soups of all kinds, colors, and varieties. As winter settles in DC, the weather is turning more gray and dreary. It’s the perfect kind of weather for curling up on the sofa under a blanket while sipping on warm soup.

The challenge with vegan and vegetarian soups in finding a mix that’s hearty but soothing. I can only do so many bean variations, if you know what I mean! My mom makes a should-be-famous chicken noodle soup that unquestionably is good for the soul….

An Asana of Freedom: Wild Thing Pose

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I absolutely love the yoga community on Instagram. I am constantly inspired and encouraged by the mutual journey I get to take with other yogini’s, and I am deeply moved when people take time to comment. It’s so uplifting! I try to do the same for others, because it honestly is such a lovely encouragement to me and I want to be that for others. I was recently tagged by a friend to do a stop, drop and yoga pose, and I thought over which one to do. I felt like so many people chose mind blowing poses that demonstrated such strength and inspiring skill. I was tempted to pull something similar out of my bag of tricks, but I felt moved to do one of my favorite poses: wild thing. To see tips on the pose, jump to the bottom of the page. I love the pose wild thing because it’s accessible at many skill levels, and it reminds us we’re all wild at heart and should never let life break us or totally …