LYM Challenge: Week 7 Review and Final Thoughts

Wow I can't believe this challenge has come and gone so quickly! 7 weeks is a fairly long challenge but it just flew by for me. This could perhaps be because I wasn't focusing on practicing yoga EVERYDAY which is fairly time consuming. Also, the challenges were all attainable, and knowing that I would be able to complete them probably helped the time go faster because I wasn't getting disappointed.

Week 7's challenge was the most difficult for me. Not because I talk too much or don't like to sit still and be silent, but because of life. We have been extremely busy the last few weeks, and this last week was no exception. Not only was Mike gone last weekend, but this past week/weekend we had a visitor from out west. Because they were out of the house in the evenings, I was with the dog, and it is very difficult to be silent when you have a puppy running around trying to eat everything in your house. A few days I did manage to get some silent time in, but it may not have been the full hour, and it was mostly in the evening when I could put the pup in his crate so he would settle down. All in all it was an ok week, but I think because I was so busy with other things I didn't focus on it as much.

This challenge was a really great 7 weeks for me. Although I didn't practice as much as I would have liked, I tried not to focus on that. I tried to instead focus on what the challenges could bring to my everyday life once they were completed. I am going to review the challenges now and give a little blurb about what I've learned or what I plan to carry into my life now.

Week 1
Be Healthy-No processed foods/toxins in your home.
This challenge wasn't very difficult for me because I had already been eating clean (mostly) for several months. This is something I feel very strongly about now that I have lived it, and I will continue to eat as clean as possible in the future. The benefits definitely outweigh the taste of fast food that is conveniently packaged.

Week 2
Be Accessible-Practice active communication with those around you.
This challenge was an eye opener for me. It is really amazing how much talking we do and how much of those words get lost, or lost in translation. I have made a point to really listen to people when they are talking to me, and then asking them questions before I jump to conclusions or race in with my own opinions. I will absolutely be taking this part of the challenge into my "normal" life.

Week 3
Live Green-Eat only vegetarian meals. I didn't have any trouble with eating no meat for a week. I actually enjoyed it! I don't think I will go vegetarian in the future but I have been including less meat in my own diet. Mike of course still requires it at every meal though! All the meals I made felt light in my stomach without the meat, and I didn't notice any loss of energy or anything.

Week 4
Sangha Support-Practice 1 random act of kindness each day. This was probably my favourite challenge week, because I love doing nice things for others. I had a lot of fun making cards, little treat packages, giving Mike some breaks here and there and sending little love notes in his lunch, and baking treats for coworkers. This is definitely a challenge that I am going to bring forward into my life always. Knowing that you can make someone's day, or even just making someone smile really makes a difference in my own life.

Week 5
Outreach-Volunteer for an hour. I wasn't able to find an organization to volunteer with during this week, but I did get a trade volunteer position at the Moksha Brampton studio where I practice. I am now about a month into my trade position and I am really enjoying being a part of the studio, and of course getting to practice for free. I am still looking to volunteer with the Victim Services of Peel but haven't heard anything back yet. Applications were only being accepted until June 1st I believe so they are probably reviewing them all now. I'm hoping to get a call for an interview. Fingers crossed! This week did teach me that being a part of the community is very important, and it actually feels good knowing that I'm giving up my own time to do something useful for someone else. They would never be able to keep the studio as clean as they do without all of the trades, and so this is an important part of their community.

Week 6
Live to Learn-Read 30 mins each day, and 2 hours each weekend day. LOVED this challenge, because it forced me to make the time to read. Although I didn't read many intellectual things during this week, I really enjoyed catching up on The Hunger Games series. I have already purchased 2 other books to start reading once the series is finished. I've always loved to read but life sometimes gets in the way. Our busy schedule hadn't really allowed much time for reading, but even now I look forward to those few minutes before bed that I give myself for reading.

Week 7
Be Peace-1 hour of silence each day. I had a hard time with this one, but I still recognize how important it is to have silence and peace in your life. Even if I can't fit in a full hour, I will still do my best to take at least a few minutes of silence each day.

Avocado Mac n' Cheese...Otherwise known as Heaven

Comfort food and healthy aren't usually two words that work together. But at tonight's dinner they did! Mind you, I had to make this on a night where Mike wouldn't be home, because he is not a fan of avocado (I don't understand it either).

Here is the recipe for this amazing Avocado Mac n' Cheese, from a new blog I found. It is not a clean blog but generally healthy and they use fresh ingredients for the most part. This wasn't a clean recipe, so I changed it to make it healthier and cleaner. It wasn't entirely clean but pretty close to it! Here are the changes I made:

-I used organic kamut pasta (penne because macaroni is too small for me and takes forever to eat I find)

-I used Monterey Jack cheese instead of pepper jack (Because I've never heard of pepper jack and neither had the cheese lady at Fortino's)

-I used Organic unsweetened almond milk instead of regular milk

-I used vegan margarine instead of butter

-I didn't add any salt

-I used whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose white flour

I also had a problem using my blender...in that it wouldn't blend. There wasn't enough liquid. So I just mashed it up like I would guacamole and it was fine. 

It was so tasty! Definitely better than a box of KD, and healthier. The cheese sauce was so creamy and full of cheesy flavour, and the avocado mixture added even more creaminess. The cilantro and lime were nice flavours that you wouldn't normally see in a mac n' cheese, so it kind of ages it a little. I wouldn't be putting ketchup or hot dogs in this gourmet meal!

I added a spinach salad and a little Hunger Games and it was pretty much the best beginning to my night I could have had:)

You MUST try this one!

The Art of Making a Baby Giveaway!

Ok so you are probably wondering why I am sharing a link to a giveaway for baby items. Before you jump to conclusions...I am NOT expecting!
I will be planning for a family in the future though, and this blog is full of information, product reviews, great photos, and insight into what motherhood is like for this particular new mom.
I have been following her blog for probably the last 10 months or so, and although I do not have any babies/kids I find her posts informative for the future. Especially the product reviews!
She often has giveaways for various products that she has used herself and reviewed, so you know they are probably worth winning!

The Art of Making a Baby Giveaway Check out this giveaway for a 3 pack of glass bottles and a bottle warmer. If you are interested check out the rest of her blog which is a timeline of her pregnancy from the conception planning phase to motherhood:)

LYM Challenge: Week 7

It's the final frontier! I can't believe the last 6 weeks has passed so quickly and that I am finally facing my 7th and final challenge. I have had so much fun, and learned so many new things during this on and off the mat challenge. I have continued a lot of these things after the challenges have ended, which I'm proud to say has only helped me.
The seventh Moksha pillar is "Be Peace".

Be Peace - We offer the benefit of our practice to the benefit of all beings everywhere.

Sounds like kind of a tall order but it’s actually pretty simple!  When we improve ourselves from within, we have more to offer our family, our community and the world.  For us, this is what yoga is all about.  Working hard on all the pillars, sweating buckets on our mats, all for the benefit of all beings everywhere – all for peace.

The seventh and final challenge is:

Practice 1 hour of silence daily for the next 7 days!

Check out this interview with Deepak Chopra on Listening and Stillness. He has listed some "to dos" to help you be silent.

This challenge is going to be difficult for me. Not entirely because it's an hour, but also because it will be hard to find an hour where I don't have to be speaking to the dog. Most likely I will have to do this later in the evening when I can put him in his crate for bed.

For the next 7 days, enjoy extended Savasanas after each day you practice.  If your studio has the time, work towards 20-30 minute long Savasanas.

If you aren't sure what savasana is check out this video which will show you the posture. Why is savasana so important? Check out this article The Importance of Rest.

Savasana is one of my favourtite postures in yoga. It is in savasana that I am able to let go of all of my stress from the day and just lie there. It is a lot harder than  you think. So many times I am tempted to wipe the sweat that is dripping from my body, open my eyes, take a drink, or get up. But whenever those things come to my mind, I remember that I need this rest, and it is just as important, if not more important than the other postures I practiced today. This is one of the reasons I loved Power Yoga Canada. Savasana was part of the practice there. For about the last 10 mins of practice, the whole class was able to enjoy savasana together, in silence, before we close the practice together. There were no distraction allowed from the other people. At Moksha it is a little different. We spend about 1 min in savasana before closing the practice, and then are given the option to stay as long as we wish. Unfortunately, most people rush out of class to get to the showers, tearing their mats off the floor (which is now sticky from humidity so it makes a very loud noise). It is almost impossible to drown out the amount of noise that is going on, so my savasana is often cut short, not by my choice. I try to remain if I can for at least 10 mins, and then I close my practice in my own way. For this challenge when I do practice, I will try to increase that another 10 mins.

Here are some other links worth checking out that were included in this week's newsletter:

50 Peaceful Things-This is a really neat list of peaceful things to do that the author has created based on "The Book of Awesome". My copy is currently in the mail so it will come at the perfect time for this week's challenge. I'm going to try to do a number of these peaceful things during the week.

The Power of Silence-This article gives us 5 examples of when to use silence and why. Most of us can benefit from reading this article. Two that I was really interested in were gossipping, and during arguments.

The Dalai Lama: 18 Rules for Living-Very inspirational way to look at living your life. Definitely some important lessons in there.

Shhhh...Time to be silent.

LYM Challenge: Week 6 in Review

When I found out what the challenge would be this week, I went out and bought the first book in The Hunger Games series. I can't believe I didn't read the series sooner! From the first page I was hooked. I definitely read at least 30 mins per day during the week, and my 2 hours each weekend day. I finished the first book by Saturday early morning, and went out that day to purchase the second book in the series. By Sunday evening I was already more than half way through that one as well. Monday morning I ordered the third from Amazon.ca because I couldn't find the paperback version at Walmart and generally the books on Amazon are a lot cheaper. I'm hoping that it comes within two days because I'm almost finished the second book already.

Mike was gone from Friday-Monday for a bachelor party cottage weekend, so I didn't think I would have much time for reading with an energetic puppy all to myself. Because it was so hot on Saturday, he was actually very sleepy. We hung out in the shade in the garage, him chewing a bone, and me reading for a couple hours. It was a nice little day together.

I realized this week that I really do love to read. The problem has been finding the time to read with the busy schedule we've taken on in the last 7 months or so since getting the pup. Although we love having him in our little family, he does take up quite a bit of time! It has definitely helped me with my time management skills because I still have to figure out how I will accomplish my regular tasks like cleaning, cooking, and getting my exercise in. Having a challenge to read for 30 mins a day has helped me see that it is entirely possible for me to have the time to read. I ended up reading for about 15-20 mins in the mornings while eating my breakfast, sometimes I would read when I was at home for lunch, and then usually before bed for about 20-30 mins. Each day I ended up reading more than the required 30 mins, and it didn't disrupt my normal schedule at all. I barely watched any tv all week!

I had wanted to try to read some educational articles during the week, however I only ended up reading some of the ones posted in the challenge email. Here are links to those articles:
Inspirational Quotes by the Buddha
Learning and Unlearning
Beginner's Mind

All three articles were very interesting. I was familiar with most of the 10 inspirational quotes, but the explanations below were great at helping me understand them further. The second article really reminded me of my 40 day challenge where I had to start deprogramming myself from what I learned about how to react and what to think about certain situations. I had some similarities when it came to noticing the changes that have taken place in my life, especially surrounding relationships. The third article was a great way to look at things. I really liked one of the tips to "celebrate falling down as well as getting up: it's all part of learning". Rarely do we do this in our lives.

I will definitely be continuing this reading challenge even though it's technically completed. After I read the third and final book in The Hunger Games series, I plan on reading "The Book of Awesome" which is another one I've had my eye on for awhile.

For the supersize challenge, I wasn't able to take hour long walks with no destination. I would have loved to, but with the dog I need to map out routes that I know will work for him. We did go on lots of long walks, and often we would stop so he (and I) could take a look at the nature around us. His was more looking at geese and squirrels and figuring out how he was going to catch them, while mine was noticing how green everything has gotten with the rain, and how much growth there is on the sides of the paths we have walked since the fall when there was practically nothing. There were also a few hikes in there which I always love.

Happy Reading!

Asian Flavoured Veggie Stirfry

This was a tasty little lunch number I threw together because I knew I was going to be having a late dinner that night. And because Mike was away for the weekend I didn't have to include any meat in my meals if I didn't want to. This is my own recipe, and here is what's in the bowl:

Veggies

-cherry tomatoes halved

-spinach

-orange and yellow peppers

Sauce

-2 tbsp E.V.O.O.

-1 tsp toasted sesame seed oil

-1 tbsp low sodium tamari

-1 clove fresh garlic minced

-1/2 tbsp freshly grated ginger

-pepper to taste

1. Mix all ingredients for the sauce in a bowl.

2. Stir fry veggies for about 4 mins (I used some olive oil cooking spray in the pan)

3. Add sauce and cook for another minute or two until sauce is heated

4. Serve over your choice of side-I ate it with quinoa

Enjoy!



LYM Challenge: Week 6

Wow it's hard to believe there are only 2 weeks left of this 7 week challenge. Where does the time go?

Before I get into week 6's challenge, I'll give you a quick recap of how week 5 went.
Unfortunately I wasn't able to find somewhere to volunteer for an hour. As I had mentioned before, most organizations require a volunteer screening process, and most take more than a few weeks to arrange. I was also busy in the previous weeks trying to complete the challenges that I just didn't have time to look for places.
I still did my volunteer trade shift yesterday, which is 4 hours.
I also practiced at the studio for the first time since the 30 day challenge which ended in April! It felt good to be in there again, and not just having to rely on myself to practice at home. I will try to get there a few times a week for the rest of the challenge.

Onto Week 6's challenges!

Read 30 minutes every week day and 2 hours a day on the weekend.

This is the perfect challenge for me right now because I have been wanting to get back into books for a few months now. Ever since we got the pup, and I've been doing challenges, I've had a hard time finding a spare minute to grab a book and read. This will force me to find the time. I've also wanted to read The Hunger Games series, so this gives me an excuse to go out and get them. I am going to try to read anytime I'm at the table eating alone (breakfast and lunch), and before bed. It will probably end up being more than 30 mins a day but where's the harm in that?
Check out this article from O Magazine on How Reading Can Improve Your Memory.
And here's an article about what reading has to do with yoga.
Ok so after reading this article, my choice of The Hunger Games doesn't seem to fit the description of "jnana yoga". I am still going to read it, however I have also decided to read some more intellectual things as well. I will keep a list of my readings and those will be included in my post at the end of this week.

Go for a walk every day this week with an undetermined destination.  Super, super-size... observe nature wherever you find it.

I will try my best to do this portion of the challenge, but I already walk the pup everyday for a minimum of 45 mins. Usually he gets two 45 min walks and a 15 min walk when I go home for lunch. It's hard not to have a pre-determined destination with the dog because we take routes that we know don't have any obstacles for him. We are always observing nature on our walks/hikes with him, and so is he (especially when we run into a flock of geese and their babies like we did this morning, and Mowgli's hunting instincts are awakened).

The reading challenge is a pretty simple one for anyone that wants to try to complete it as well!

Mike will be out of town for a bachelor party cottage weekend for 4 days so hopefully I will get lots of hiking and reading done during that time, as well as trying out some new recipes.
I'll keep you posted!

Home Made S'mores Gift Box

Lately I've started crafting a lot more, especially with all of the showers I've been going to. I've been making my own cards, wrapping and decorating gifts myself, and now I've stumbled upon a great mini gift idea.
It all started because I wanted to give friends of ours a little date night type gift so they could spend some quality time together before their baby arrives. When I thought about a perfect cute and cozy date night, I thought of hanging by a fire with your hunny eating s'mores. Now because most of us don't have fires readily available to us, I made it home friendly. Pair that with cute packaging and voila!

The finished product

Here's what you'll need:
1. Treat box-I got mine at Michaels in a pack of 3 (40% off with coupon)
2. Small food safe clear plastic/cellophane bags (Michaels in the gift packaging isle-make sure they say "acid free")
3. Chocolate-I used Hershey Milk Chocolate and Hershey Cookies and Cream (it is easier to assemble the s'mores with flat chocolate bars)
4. Graham crackers
5. Marshmallows
6. Tissue paper in colour of your choice
7. Ribbon in colour of your choice
8. Cardstock in colours of your choice

How to:
1. Assemble your favour box
2. Place 1 package of graham crackers in centre of box
3. Scrunch up 2 pieces of tissue paper and place one on each side of the graham crackers
4. Place your chocolate bars on top of tissue paper on one side
5. Fill a clear food bag with marshmallows and tie ribbon to close it up, curl the ends of the ribbon using scissors. Place on tissue paper on other side of graham crackers.
6. Write a personalized note with directions for baking s'mores in the oven on cardstock and layer with a contrast colour
S'mores directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F
2. Assemble s'mores on baking sheet
3. Bake for 1-3 mins until marshmallow starts melting

My note said "Enjoy S'more love before 2 becomes 3" and then directions

I made this in about 15 minutes, and I've since made another for part of a friend's bridal shower gift. They are a nice little addition to another gift or just something quick you can make if you are visiting someone or just want to brighten someones day. I can't wait to make other versions of these for other occasions. Here are some ideas I have in mind:
-Christmas hot chocolate kits
-Easter egg/chocolate kits
-Personalized birthday kits (mini alcohol bottles, candies, small gifts, etc.)
-Coffee/Tea kits (with different flavours and biscuits/cookies)

 I think for every birthday now I will buy small gifts that are personalized to that person and make up a little kit of them. Adding that personal touch, and hand making things really means something to people I believe. I would much rather get a gift where the person had to think about what I would like and take the time to pick things out, than just a gift card (although I love those too!).

This is going to be fun!

Clean Eating Banana Muffins

These muffins are by far my favourite clean variety to date. They are delish! If you enjoy banana bread, you will love these. Plus just like the other muffins I've tried, they are super easy and quick.

Here is the recipe from The Gracious Pantry.

The only thing I did different was not adding the nuts, maybe I will try to add some walnuts next time.

Clean Eating Creamy Potato Onion Soup

This was one of the recipes I wanted to try from The Naked Kitchen blog. It turned out great. I've always loved cream of potato and bacon soup so this was a clean version for me.

Here is the recipe. I pretty much followed it exactly, the only changes I made were as follows:

-I had to add more milk and broth at the end of the 20 mins cooking time because it got pretty thick and probably 1/4 of the liquid had evaporated.

-I used approximately 1 tsp of salt. You still couldn't taste the salt much but I didn't want to keep adding more.

I don't even think Mike got a bowl of this, he only got a spoonful of mine! I had it for lunch the next two days:)

Photo Journal: May

My good friend Shauna and I at a Bridal shower

The beef stewing in yummy juices getting ready for the stew



My Mother's Day flowers and card from Mowgli:)

Card I made for a friend's Surprise Baby Shower



Shorts from last summer are way too big now!



Sunnies are out, yay summer!



Cheesecake tartlets I made for Mother's Day




Mowgli and Opa having a nap at the cottage




Life couldn't be better, my two boys napping on my lap:)




First family track day of the season



Beautiful mother to be and I at her surprise baby shower



Handmade S'mores kit I made for some friends (these are my go to mini gift from now on!)




Bride-to-be and I at her shower



My new rain boots! Needed these on a few hikes this past weekend.




Fresh batch of clean banana muffins, sooo yummy!




My two fave boys napping together (we were dog sitting for some friends)

   

Upcoming Recipes From My New Favourite Blog

I found another clean eating food blog that I love!
It's called the Naked Kitchen, and it is a great source for recipes. I have already selected and printed off a few that I will be trying in the next few weeks (I may even tackle some this weekend as it looks like it's going to be cold and rainy), including:
-Creamy Potato and Onion Soup-->I love creamy soups so I'm really looking forward to this one
-Parsleyed New Potatoes-->These look like they may be the perfect side dish.
-Peanut Butter Cookies-->For Mike of course.
-One Pot Stew-->Another one for the slow cooker.
-Slow Cooker Lasagna-->Mike is always asking me to make him lasagna.
-Asian Slow Cooker Chicken-->Because I love me some Asian flavours!
-Sweet Potato Beer Fries with Roasted Tomato Ketchup-->I haven't eaten ketchup in probably about 6 months, so I'm excited to try this natural form  of it.
-Lemon Poppyseed Muffins-->I started loving lemon poppyseed muffins after having those gigantic ones from Costco, so I'm SO excited to find a clean recipe.
-Crispy Garlic Chicken Tenders-->I love anything that is chicken and breaded.
-Spicy Crispy Chicken Wings-->Mike gets wing cravings from time to time so this one should be great.
-Toasted Cashew Chicken-->Absolutely love cashews and chicken together!

Like my fave clean eating blog The Gracious Pantry, there are tons of recipes, meal plans, and tips on clean eating.

A lot of the recipes call for "raw coconut crystals" so I'm going to try to find these somewhere. I also still haven't located whole wheat pastry flour and have just been using regular whole wheat flour. This may be a perfect time to finally visit the Whole Foods that opened near Square One!

Stay tuned for my reviews on these recipes, I can't wait to try them all!