I have a tendency to start posts, get distracted, busy with work, etc, etc, not finish it, then time passes and it no longer applies. Case in point, the original title of this post was “Long Weekend.”
Long weekends are amazing. I realize I’m pointing out the obvious, but it just deserves to be said. Mine was lovely and completely relaxing. I started to do a little prep for moving, but other than that just did yoga, hung out, read, watched TV and cooked. The best part is that the weather seems to have FINALLY made a switch and Sunday we woke up to cooler temperatures (“cooler” is now considered as ‘highs in the 90s’) and it feels amazing. Unfortunately that’s been overshadowed by the wildfires across central Texas. ugh, so sad, but it sounds like they’re starting to get them a bit more under control.
It’s been a fantastically yoga-filled few days! The flow sequence we’re currently doing at my main studio (if you’re ever in Austin you must go here for Hot Vinyasa!) is kicking my butt! I read a blog post once were the writer said she thought there are two groups of yoga folks: 1) Arm Balancers and 2) Twisters. I am definitely an arm balancer! haha Twists are not my favorite, or my strength (those often go hand in hand it seems), which usually means it’s something I need most.
In Someone Else’s Words
For the last couple months I’ve been reading “Meditations from the Mat” by Rolf Gates. It’s amazing. It’s broken into 365 entries, separated into 8 chapters based on the 8 limbs of yoga. I might not read a post everyday, then read a few on the weekend. Either way, it seems I come across exactly what I need to hear on any given day.
I find it so much more difficult to write about yoga than fitness. To me fitness is straight forward, which isn’t a bad thing. I have confidence talking about it, not because I think I’m an expert but because I understand it. Do this, do that, eat this, not that.. boom (ok, a bit more complex than that, but you know what I mean). Whereas yoga is this immense physical, emotional, spiritual experience, where you’ll never stop learning, changing and growing.
I think I’m getting more comfortable/use to chatting about it here, after all, it’s just might experience, so I don’t think there’s really a right or wrong. But either way, sometimes it’s nice to borrow someone else’s words.
This was an entry in “Meditations from the Mat” and while reading it last weekend I got a little teary eyed because it completely describes my experience with yoga. In this piece one of Rolf’s students is speaking:
“Before yoga, I had a nagging suspicion that something was off. I had had a lot of success in sports and academics, but my success had been an escape, a way to get approval, and this culture really rewarded me. I was a success, but I was empty and yearning inside.
Yoga breaks down the barriers to knowing your true self. Before yoga, I would get sporadic glimpses of that self, but then I didn’t have sight of my soul, or true being, I was not existing on all levels–physical, spiritual, emotional, mental. Yoga allows me to balance all four levels. On the mat, I am face with me–this beautiful soul, with all of this clutter. Yoga clears that clutter.”
I’ve warned you I get all “yoga cheesy!” Anyways.. had to share with ya’ll.. and I’ll work on my own words 
In the spirit of my continued efforts to meal plan, I went a little cooking crazy last weekend! I didn’t quite realize how much so until I was portioning it out last night, ran out of tupperware and already have half in the freezer. Love it! I shouldn’t have to cook or grocery shop for weeks.. which is perfect considering the move coming up soon. On Sunday I made:
Major successes were had! I of course made a few adjustments, and I will try to get each recipe posted!
I am not a tidy cook..
Savory
First we have Chicken Tikka Masala. Ok, confession I didn’t do anything creative for this, but instead used McCormick’s Recipe Inspirations. This is the first time I’ve used this handy dandy short cut, and I love it! I am bad with spices. I have half a cabinet full, but I’m never sure what to add or what will go with what. I’m starting to get more adventurous with it, but still appreciate a nice shortcut! I used the recipe on the instructions but subbed in Plain Coconut Creamer for Heavy Cream and didn’t use the Butter it called for.
Sweet..Sort Of
I used Tosca Reno’s recipe from her 2nd Clean Eating cookbook, but made a couple adjustments. I was really happy with how these turned out. I split her recipe in 1/2, it made 27 muffins, and they have great nutrition stats (numbers below don’t include the mix-ins). These make the perfect healthy carb addition to breakfast, or a quick snack!
Bran Muffins
2 cups Flour (I used 1 cup Whole Wheat + 1 cup Spelt)
2 cups Bran
2 tsp Baking Soda
2 tbsp Ground Flaxseed
1 tsp Salt
Stevia to taste
2 cups Unsweetened Almond Milk
3/4 cup Unsweetened Applesauce
1/3 cup Egg Whites
Mix-Ins: 1/3 cup chopped Walnuts + 1/3 cup dried Cranberries
Mix dry ingredients. Mix wet ingredients. Mix them together. Pour into muffin tins and bake at 425 F for 15 minutes..
Um.. nothing new to report.. though I really should start packing at some point.. 
Have a great Thursday!
Fun Links
Twitter: bodynsoil
says:
I don’t do yoga as much as you I am sure but when I do I get a different sense of accomplishment than I typically do with fitness. My journey with yoga started with a desire to stretch more thoroughly and of course it certainly does that. I want to experience hot vinyasa as I have heard it is wonderful to do. Great recipe, I don’t have Tosca’s second book yet, I think I will try that later this afternoon but will have to make myself some applesauce first.
Off to explore more about the “Meditations from the Mat” by Rolf Gates book.. Thanks for sharing.
Those bran muffins look delicious and nutritious..book marking this page now!
haha..love the kitchen pic! thats what mine looks like every other day!