Simplify

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We spend so much time plugged in. Little screens, glowing blue on our faces.

What if instead of holding your iPhone, you held a couple of fresh-cut flowers?

Give yourself time, the time you need. Unplug. Rest.

Be.

What if you washed tomatoes slowly, pausing to look out the window, not hurrying to eat... but instead relishing in the sound of the water dripping through the strainer...the smell of spring air wafting in the window...the quality of light as it glints off of things in the room?



The world is alive with beauty. Stop for a moment. Witness it.



Namaste.

PS Can you tell I spent the weekend cleaning the apartment, clearing out empty spaces? :) Mother's Day yoga also relieved my body of all knots of tension. It was a blissful class; more about that soon! Be well, friends.

Eat Clean: Nutrition for Yogis

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All photos via Pinterest.
What should I eat before and after yoga class?


This is a question I've pondered since the start of my practice, and by experimenting, I've learned how to better support my yoga by choosing a careful diet. 


You are what you eat, as they say, and this rings especially true when you're hanging out in a twist or forward fold and suddenly realize what you've put into your stomach is still sitting there, doing the yoga with you.
As you Bikram yogis know, things get even more interesting when the element of heat is thrown in!

Today I bring you a lovely guest post by writer Angelita Williams, who shares her perspective on ways to maximize the benefit of the foods you eat before and after class in order to get a great yoga flow.


 

Whether you have just started yoga or have been practicing for some time, it’s essential to maintain a diet that will support the yogic lifestyle. This includes eating at the right times and making sure to eat the right foods, both before and after class.

To give your body the fuel it needs to get through an entire yoga class, choose foods that will be healthy and robust, without weighing the body down. 


Never eat directly before class. If you eat too soon before practicing yoga, your digestive system will be working to process the food during your yoga session, making food more difficult to digest and your workout more difficult to sustain. 


Eating meals at least one hour before class (preferably two) is the best bet. Try to avoid heavy meals before class at all costs, just because it’s hard on your system. If you are going to be eating a heavy meal, try to do so 3-4 hours before class.





The best foods to eat before yoga class are light and easy to digest. It’s also great to load up on foods that fill you up but contain mostly water, like fruits and vegetables. Smoothies are perfect pre-workout snacks, and you can get protein, carbs, fiber and water all in one easy step. For a pre-session snack or meal, try blending yogurt, milk, strawberries, bananas, and flax seed for a delicious source of fuel and hydration. 


Another light option is a bowl of soup loaded with veggies. You will need some grains to help sustain your workout, but avoid overloading on dense grains, meats and fried items.


After your yoga session, replenish your body with the proper nutrition and hydration.
Post-session is the perfect time to take in the whole grains that you were craving beforehand. 


Things like long grain brown rice, rolled oats, and whole grain pasta help to refuel your system. Along with grains, it’s also a great time to have some high-protein foods such as beans and lean meats. 


Also, try to add some iron in the form of fruits and vegetables, like bananas or spinach. Try to shoot for a balanced mix of grains, protein, and vegetables to restore blood sugar levels. You can also bring a snack to class with you so you have something on hand right after you finish. Try bringing along a carbohydrate bar (watch the sugar content) or some fresh squeezed juice to pour on ice.




If you know that you will be doing a more strenuous yoga session, then it’s important to plan ahead and make sure you have enough snacks on hand to get the fuel you need. You will want to eat enough carbohydrates to get through the workout and also add a small amount of protein for added fuel. 


It doesn’t take much food to energize your body; it’s just important to eat the right kinds of foods at the right time. Eat a small snack before your session, with enough carbs to fit in the palm of your hand. 


Things like trail mix or bread with peanut butter have healthy carbs and protein. It’s also a good idea to bring some form of replenishment in case you need something during class. Some fruit juice or a protein shake will travel well and can be sipped mid-session, as long as you're not in a Bikram class. 


  
This guest post was contributed by Angelita Williams, who writes on the topics of online courses.  


Comments? Questions? Feel free to post below, or you can reach Angelita at angelita (dot) williams7 (at) gmail (dot) com.

What are your favorite pre- and post-yoga snacks?

Farmer's Market Bounty: Episode 1

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Photos by me.

Saturday the Farmer's Market in Evanston opened. Even though it was grey and misty out, I couldn't have been more excited to walk over and check out all the fresh foods, beautiful plants, and curious folk.



I love that there is a hustle and bustle going on, but I can walk around on my own and observe all the details there are to see. 

Witnessing the color of a mushroom I've never seen before. Taking in the texture of a stalk of willow, the way the fuzziness reminds me of a blanket on my couch. Stopping for a minute to smell the scent of freshly baked bread as it mixes with the aroma of coffee brewing.

  

During my visit I enjoyed a delicious all-fruit blueberry smoothie from the Seedling stand, and a fresh-baked chocolate croissant.

The bounty I brought home included purple asparagus, rhubarb, and a handmade portabella red pasta sauce.



Of course there was no choice but to make a strawberry rhubarb crisp right away and serve it with some vanilla ice cream... mmmm. The photo does not do it justice! :)
  

I'm happy to report the asparagus was a huge success, too, and I'll be back for more next weekend. I think this year I'm going to take a photo of each market bounty I bring home, too. Stay tuned for more fresh, green goodness coming soon to Alive in the Fire. Namaste.

Identity

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"I am not my body image."

This photography project is breathtaking. Steve Rosenfield of Ganesh Photography is using models of all ages and ethnic backgrounds to explore what courage it takes to expose our insecurities.

"I am not my ears."

"I am not my weight."

As Steve puts it: 

The "What I Be Project" is all about honesty. In today's society, we are told to look or act a certain way.

If we differ from these "standards," we are often judged, ridiculed, and sometimes even killed over them. I started this project in hopes to open up the lines of communication, and to help everyone accept diversity with an open mind & heart. 


"I am not my shyness."

"I am not my anxiety."

"I am not my communication."

"I am not my withdrawal."

I love that the photos and their accompanying captions address a lot of insecurities that women and young women face. May we accept each other and love ourselves for who we are.

Be well!

*All photos by Steve Rosenfield. "Like" the project and see more on Facebook.

Recent Eats, Lunch & Treats Edition

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Photos by me.

Here are a few more glimpses from my kitchen, friends. What are you eating these days?

Avocados galore! 

Ice water with a slice of lemon. Refreshing!

Avocado pesto pasta.

Vanilla crisp from Whole Foods.

Naked juices, to get over a cold.

Rice Dream, Naked juice, and Greek yogurt.

Caprese salad (tomato, basil, and mozarella goodness).

Dark chocolate sea salt almonds from Trader Joe's. Mmmm!

White chocolate chip walnut cookies. Heavenly. Shared with coworkers for maximum bliss.

Yoga Wear for Springtime

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 Photos via Iluka Activewear. 

Spring is in the air! 

If you're looking for a little springtime fashion and yoga inspiration, check out Iluka Activewear. 

The shop has some lovely new Phat Buddha halter tops, Onzie items on clearance, and these beautiful kaftans.

  
 

I can picture wearing one to hang out with friends before class, cover up on the way to the beach or the pool, or even under leggings while at work. So comfy and stylish!

*Full disclosure: this is a sponsored post.

Spring Picnics

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All photos via Kinfolk's Austin dinner.

I could go for a sunny, lazy picnic these days. One with baskets of fresh food, preferably the kind you eat with your hands, definitely strawberries.

With lots of happy people around (and maybe even a dog or two). 

The kind of picnic where you kick your sandals off and lay back on the blanket, enjoying the sun, soaking up good company.





What springtime adventures have you been having lately?

Lisbon, Portugal

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Photos via Pinterest.

Guys, I'm going to Portugal next month! I'll be spending a week in Lisbon for a work event. I'm so, so excited -- I can hardly stand it.

I may also spend a day in Mittenberg, Germany with my mom. (Incidentally, she is in Europe around the same time frame on a cruise with some friends.) There's a chance I'll take a couple days after the work event to see a friend in Madrid, Spain as well.

I'd love your advice on what to see in any of these three cities (Lisbon, Mittenberg and Madrid). What's there that I absolutely shouldn't miss? :)



 

It's been ages since I was in Europe... the only other time I've visited was when I was a sophomore in high school. I took a whirlwind trip with a bunch of other students to London, Paris and Rome (we saw Florence, too, and that was my favorite). We raced around all over the place for 10 days, but I got to see a lot of landmarks.

Highlights included: seeing Queen Elizabeth wave at the crowd from Buckingham Palace during the parade for her birthday, being up the Eiffel Tower at night, swimming out to a tiny island off the coast of the Isle of Capri, the Louvre, the Sistine Chapel, authentic Italian pizza margherita and gelato, and being blessed by a French monk when we stopped to visit Notre Dame Cathedral.

I can't wait to return as an adult, and as a yogi. I'd like to try and take a few classes while I'm abroad -- please let me know if you guys have suggestions for studios to try. 

Happy Friday, all! XO

Karma Yoga Series: Love More

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Photo illustration by me.

Go out into the world. Love more.

Love others. Love your neighbors, your enemies.

Love your teachers, and those who follow you. Love those who look up to you. Love little kids and old people who cross the street slowly.

 
Photos via Pinterest.

Love the person who takes your parking spot. Love the person who helps you check out at the grocery store.

Love your family, even when they hurt you. Love them on the good days. Tell them about your love. Share it with your friends and coworkers in little ways, and in big ways, too.

Remember to love yourself.

Quieting the Mind

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Illustrations via LilieZenCoach on Tumblr.
How does one quiet the mind?


How do you get from the first picture (above) to the second one?


You practice. You come to the mat again and again, ready to empty out what you think you know.


You let go. You stretch. You open the channels of the body, the mind, the heart.


The spirit follows suit, finding peace. The body is relaxed and calm. The heart is full. The mind, finally quiet. Namaste.

Art for Peace

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Picture this: you're walking down a city street in Chicago and you stumble upon a Buddha head peeking out of the sidewalk. Or you walk by a park and see one nestled peacefully in the grass. Maybe you're at Lake Michigan and discover a Buddha resting peacefully along the water's edge.

The Ten Thousand Ripples (TTR) multi-platform public art project hopes to make this a reality. Artist Indira Johnson is teaming up with a group called Changing Worlds to combine sculpture, community engagement activities, art residencies, a citywide exhibition and an ongoing conversation about encouraging peace in the world.

Video and photos in this post via Ten Thousand Ripples on Kickstarter.

I love that the project draws awareness around the topic of peace through the medium of urban sculpture art. As it reads on the project's Kickstarter page:

We’ve designed it so that artists, neighborhood leaders, and residents are at the center of this community-driven planning and public involvement effort. 



Help support the ripple effect to promote peace! Donate here. 

PS Evanston residents might recognize the work of Indira -- she's the lady behind the bronze chairs at Raymond Park, too. :)

PPS Big props to my lovely friend Shuling for shooting the video! You really are doing what your motto says: creating a better world through media.

Namaste, all.

Defying Gravity

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This guy has some serious gravity-defying moves on his bike. I'm inspired by his fearlessness, body awareness, and what must be some really flexible joints :)

Thrill seekers, you should also check out this post on skylining (aka the closest humans can come to flying). Eeeek! 


Have an adventuresome weekend, all.

Returning to the Heat: My Recent Bikram Adventure

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 Photos via Pinterest.

Last weekend I took a Bikram class, my first in quite a few months. I arrived a little later than I wanted to, and rushed in to find a spot.


Sweaty yogis lined the room, familiar faces I have missed. I set up on the hot side, feeling brave, wiggling into my hips a few times before class started.


The teacher pushed us hard. Pranayama lit me up inside; I could feel the glow of fresh oxygen in my lungs. I felt strong through Half Moon, Hands to Feet, Awkward and Eagle. I took my tiny sip of water during "Party Time" and smiled, thinking about all the systems in my body working together to create the sweaty magic that Bikram brings.



The balancing poses of the standing series kicked my butt. I hadn't done Balancing Stick in months! My knees wobbled, the arches of my feet felt weak and achy.


But I listened. I kept going. I let go instead of resisting.


I felt stronger in Triangle than I ever used to, even way back when I was at the Bikram studio up to 5 times a week. I realized it's because I've branched out -- because I've done Vinyasa and Hatha and yin classes -- that other parts of my body have grown stronger than they could only taking Bikram yoga.


I finished class smiling, dripping sweat, wanting more. I'll be back to the Torture Chamber soon :)



I believe in balance. I'm so glad yoga found me, and that I've been blessed to get involved with a number of local Evanston studios. I hope to continue switching up the style of yoga I practice, and I know I'll always come back to Bikram and the healing those 26 postures and 2 breathing exercises have to offer.


What kinds of classes have you been taking lately, yogis?