Meat & Nuts

This might seem a bit bizarre for a breakfast food but it works, meat & nuts. After Kat Eden's food seminar last month I have been trying to clean up my diet. Christmas saw me well & truly fall off the wagon head first into the bowl of chips whilst riding the dessert trolley. 

I gave the meat for breakfast a good two week go before the festive mayhem kicked in and it worked. I was fuller for a lot longer in the morning than when I have my usual carb based breakfast. It did mean preparing and pre cooking my meat for the mornings I was teaching. Cooking eggs at 4:15am wasn't too much of a drama. Making a big veggie frittata is perfect. It's lasts a few days, can be eaten hot or cold and on the run. Here's the link, via Kat, to the blog post by Charles Poliquin all about the meat & nuts breakfast....

Now Christmas is over & the damage is done I'm back to it. Some of my friends are trying detox diets; raw, vegan, juice, vitamin cleansing type things. I fully support their decisions but I need some energy to get me through my busy day. I've tried the detox cleanse thing before. I got really sick and spent a lot of time sleeping. Side effect of that type of diet. I was recently reading that the cold turkey approach doesn't actually do you that much good either. Steady, sensible lifestyle changes are better to avoid the withdrawal symptoms than suddenly stopping everything 'bad' for a few weeks. It's like the 'diet's don't work' theory, they don't, you have to change your eating habits for life. No good watching what you eat for six weeks, losing weight then go back to your old eating habits. What happens? The weight comes back. 80% clean foods, 20% not so clean is the best way so not to be deprived and risk the binge eating fall out. 

Bikram Yoga is the perfect detox. Sweat it out, whilst getting a full body workout. When I'm practicing hard and serious I automatically cut back on crappy foods. Sugar and muscles don't mix. When I eat rubbish my practice suffers. I watch my hydration more carefully so I'm getting enough liquids too. The past few weeks because I wasn't practicing as much I let that slip & felt horrible for it. So here I go, new year, new me, back into shape. Not so much for vanity reasons but for optimal health, energy & a stronger yoga practice. 

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year everyone! Here we are January 3rd 2012, a new year has begun. Thinking back to what was going on this time last year is pretty much the same as today. I'm back at my day job, it is very quiet, I'm planning my week & drinking tea. 

2011 was a great year for me. It was busy, very busy but full of excitement and challenges. New friends were made, dear old friends were visited, I traveled to three continents clocking up a lot of air miles. I saw my family!! I spent a LOT of money, investments for sure, no regrets. I had my struggles but over came them. I believe I have come out the other side a stronger and more focused person. Prioritizing what is important right now & what can wait is a new skill I'm developing. Having the ability to say no, instead of spreading myself too thin just to please others because I think I have to is another thing I'm working on. 

Obviously one of the best things about 2011 was becoming a certified Bikram Yoga instructor. I'm still in the honeymoon stage but every time I teach it keeps getting better and better. It doesn't feel like a job. Probably because I have my full time job for security it takes the pressure off teaching. I can teach for fun because I enjoy it. I have the luxury of not worrying how many classes I teach a week to make ends meet. The bills are covered. Lucky me but it's never all sunshine & rainbows or where's the challenge. 

It is hard work. Our house is a mess, seriously thinking of getting a cleaner. My personal practice has been sacrificed in order to fit everything in. A knock of effect of this is my waist line has expanded because I've not reduced my food intake to fit. I'm still eating like I'm practicing 6 days a week & things are not as toned as they were six weeks ago. I'd love to teach more but it's just not possible right now, I'm not ready put all my eggs in one basket. Some weeks I can go days without teaching & I'm itching to get back on the podium asap. At least I'm fresh & raring to go when I do. It will be very easy to burn out if I'm not careful. Therefore I need to stick to my guns and prioritize! I wouldn't change my life right now for anything, I am extremely happy & grateful to be living here in the moment. Here's to 2012 a year for good health, travel, friendship & fun!

Forgiveness

Happy Christmas Eve Eve everybody! Yes I am still at work, last minute bits and pieces to wrap up (hahaha!) before we are out of here till January 3. 

I came across this the other day....

It got me thinking. I am a dweller, I hold onto things which I shouldn't. Letting go is hard sometimes, especially when I truly think I can fix something that went wrong. This is often not possible, it is out of my control. 

A recent situation has been bugging me. I was left hurt and offended by it. Hands up I probably dished back some of this in return, defensive reaction, you hurt me so I'm gonna stab you right on back. Not very mature I know. But I reached out my olive branch, I opened my heart but that person just wasn't ready. Deep down I know I should just walk away and do the above. Now I will. I know I'm just trying to be a good person but really in this particular case I must accept there is nothing to do but forgive & move on. My life will not be enriched by trying to push myself on someone who doesn't want me. Waste of energy and resources I can be using on someone who cares. 

So I've had a clear out, physically & mentally. Cancel, clear, erase but not forgotten. I've filed this away in the acceptance box of my memories. Time to move into 2012 with a clear mind and happy thoughts for the year ahead.

Kids Yoga January 2012

Very exciting news for January. Both studio's BYJ & BYSB are running kids yoga over the school holidays. One hour class, no heat & lots of fun for children 6 - 13 years old. I was very inspired at training when Jim Kallet's ten year old son jumped up on the podium with Bikram and busted out some floor series poses. 

Children are naturally bendy but lack the obvious concentration span adults have. There for the floor series postures are great for them, balancing in the standing series not so good. Also they can't sweat, hence no heat. It's so fantastic children are getting the opportunity to have a go at yoga in Perth. It will build strength mentally and physically, boost confidence & develop social skills. Yoga for children has also been noted for helping with conditions such as ADHD. By starting children young at yoga will help set them up for an adult practice & a happy, healthy life style. Start good habits at grass roots!!!

If you are in Perth and have children 6-13 bring them along. Details are on both studio websites (BYJ & BYSB) or here's the poster for BYJ.