So, as some of you may know, I recently returned from the delicious gift of a week in the Outer Banks practicing mad yoga with David Garrigues. And I was all set to tell you all about it, share the trials and tribulations, but I find I can’t do it. Not this time.
Author Archives: Laura
Cookie Dough is Health Food
Hello my little kale chips! I’ve missed you, and I know, I’ve been a little light on the blog posting. Sometimes a person needs to take a step back from the digital world. Don’t you think?
Anyway, while I’ve been away, I’ve been cooking more than ever, really connecting with my yoga community, and grooving on the yoga in general. Phew, I feel better.
So here I am in the Outer Banks. Actually, I’m leaving, and I’m really sad.
It’s been a great time. I got to practice and breathe and chant and study, every. single. day. But I’ll tell the truth, I was a bit nervous about it. We all know I’m…specific..about my food and habits, and well, going away to an unfamiliar place, with people I’ve never lived with before, I was bound to have a few jitters.
But here’s the great thing: in a house with a kitchen, I am always at home. The other day, as I was feeling a little windy, a little at loose ends, I decided to make dinner and dessert for the posse, and all of a sudden I was singing (and maybe dancing a little bit, but fortunately no one caught it on camera).
Dessert??? What??? Yes, we are all yogis, we are all trying to be healthy and somewhat moderate. But you know, there’s no use denying it, everyone loves treats! And this brings me to a key point of the A Life Delectable food philosophy: Treat Yourself Whole. You don’t want to punish yourself, but you don’t want your little indulgences to make you feel icky either. Eat delectable things and feel delectable after!
So, I got in the kitchen, and found my happy place, and treated the whole workshop to some chocolate chip cookie dough balls. Whole food. Sweet treats. Serious energy for the Mysore room. And no belly ache after. Score.
These are not my recipe, but I have a fall version in the works and coming as soon as I’m out of this southern humidity. In the meantime, hop on over to one of my favorite blogs, Oh She Glows and try these. You won’t be sorry. And maybe you’ll even have the energy to hold that Catwari.
Use Your Noodle (and, it’s GIVEAWAY time)
I can’t get out of my own way today. I tried one thing. I tried another. I dropped a few things on the floor. I wrote and deleted a post. I’m just noodling around apparently. And, although I had a heartfelt yoga musing planned for this week, I think it’s not going to happen. So, I thought I’d finally do a long-awaited giveaway. READ MORE
Thursday Things
I wanted to write something earth shattering. I wanted to write something insightful and thoughtful. I wanted to write that deep post and shout it to the heavens. And, nothing earth shattering is happening today. And, though I’ve got all kinds of recipes in development, they’re not ready for you yet.. So, here are just a few fun Thursday Things.
This week I’ve been seriously hitting the juice, and today I made one huge juice, having the rare time at home.
In the Mix:
1/4 Fresh Pineapple, cut into chunks
Juice of ½ Lime
Small Bunch Cilantro
½ English Cucumber
1 Whole Head of Romaine
A Handful of BHH Kale
It was yummy! And big. Sipped on it all morning.
On the other hand, it cost me just as much to make as it costs me to buy my favorite Heartbeet Juices at the shala while running between teaching, practicing and the office. Even with the BHH grown kale. Plus, it was messy. Oh well, it was still worth it, to make my own blend.
I also ate this:
It’s awesome. No, I am not really Pitta. I just liked the ingredients listed in it but I love the idea of the bars made specifically to pacify the doshas. Maybe I’ll review all three soon! Meanwhile, I probably need something Vata pacifying today, this post is getting windy.
Later, I got overwhelmed. And I felt like I would cave up, shut down or cry. So I put on the soundtrack to Forrest Gump (Gotta revolution!) and hula hooped. Yes, I am totally a dork. But it was kind of uplifting. I managed not to break any valuables, by the way, but just barely. I highly recommend hula hooping as a silly counterpoint to a serious yoga practice.
And, I tried four superfoods and made the BHH try them too.
I’ve had them all before, mostly in smoothies, and wanted to see what they would be like in cashew milk, as a nice plain base for flavor testing. I loved the Lucuma and instantly made a smoothie out of it. Here’s what the BHH said to the taste test:
- Mequite—“I feel like I should be grilling with it.” He’s silly. It tasted yummy and malty to me.
- Lucuma—“That’s better, sort of mapely.” Yes, and I added maple to the smoothie for a great maple walnut ice cream type flavor.
- Cacao—“It’s almost like chocolate.” ‘Nuff said.
- Maca—He didn’t say anything. He made a face and spit it out. Yes, it’s an acquired taste he won’t be trying to acquire. And I think it kind of smells like old feet. Gotta think about what this means for incorporating it in “common man” recipes.
I’m also working on a big post about superfoods in general, mostly ones you can find in the produce aisle (hint, it’s blueberry season!).
What are your favorite “Thursday Things” and what’s up for the weekend?
Summer Lovin’: Massaged Kale Salad
Well, I got that off my chest. And, of course, it’s only one small facet of the issue of yoga and body image and enjoying asana while realizing it’s a tiny piece of the yoga puzzle. Well, I guess that’s what’s wonderful about yoga. There’s always more. I’ll have to post a “retort” to my own post!
But for this beautiful Monday, let’s talk about something a little lighter. Food! I love the summer season. The flavors and colors are so vibrant. Everything is so fresh. The BHH grows an amazing garden and I don’t even have to go shopping to get my greens. READ MORE
Don’t Envy the Dancers
I’ve been struggling to post something, anything, for a little while. It’s not that I have nothing to say, it just felt like I had something big to say, and until I said THAT, I couldn’t say anything.
And so, forgive the long silence. I’ve finally spoken my mind. On Elephant Journal no less.
“You can’t know what’s going on inside another practitioner, just to watch them from across the Mysore room. Ashtanga and asana and yoga and life all together are never easy. Some way, you will be forced to face your stuff.”
Intrigued? Find the full article and join the discussion here:http://www.elephantjournal.com/2013/07/do-not-envy-the-dancers-laura-olson/
I’d love to hear from you!
Lemons, Love, and A Leap of Faith
I was going to post a well-thought out musing on fear, body image, yoga and growing up. I was also going to book a trip to India. I was going to do a major spring cleaning of my house. But apparently, I was not going to do any of those things this week.
Instead I thought I’d write a fluffy post about birthdays and lemon pie. But more on that later.
I’ve just done something HUGE. For me, that is. I MADE A DECISION. And for those who don’t know me, that’s hard! I can agonize over what’s for dinner, over what to wear, over this word verses that, over a weekend upstate or a weekend on the boat. READ MORE
On Nourishment, Flexibility, and Meeting in the Middle
When I first began my health/wellness/yoga journey, I was pretty rigid about my diet and lifestyle. Though it wasn’t the inspiration, or intention, I ended up being rather harsh and judgemental about myself. And I almost never lived up to my “perfect” standards and was constantly disappointed in myself. Pretty “yogic” eh?
5 Ways to Enjoy Asparagus Right Now
Asparagus. It’s what’s for dinner. No, seriously, I think we’ve had it every day this week. As my friend Maria put it “It’s the only thing AT the farmer’s market right now.” READ MORE
Solo Practice Problems? Just do it!
I’ve had a lot of company in my practice lately. I’ve had a lot of teachers in my practice lately. I’ve had a lot of time for my practice lately. I’ve been pretty lucky.
But this weekend, upstate with the BHH (and enjoying it thoroughly by the way, not to say it’s not a great thing), I found myself facing my mat solo. I got one day with a good friend and some good gab, but then Monday morning rolled around and I found myself thinking “wouldn’t it be nice to just read the paper and drink coffee? So what if I have a 5 day week, right?” READ MORE
