(Can you tell I’m in the mood for hot sun and sandy beaches?!)

Happy New Year!

Thank you for making 2010 a fantastic year!  We are truly grateful for all the amazing things that occurred and all the amazing things we learned, and look forward to all the wonderful possibilities and opportunities in 2011.  May you end this year on a positive note, welcome the new one with open arms, and know that we’ll be looking forward to starting a new year with you.

What was one of the biggest accomplishments you had this year?  Mine was launching this site!

Namasté,
Nicole

There are lotsa things that bug me.  And don’t worry, I won’t go into them in detail here (unless you have a few hours you’d like to spare – hey, that rhymes!). But one of my biggest pet peeves is wasting food (you can read more about it here).  I really dislike seeing perfectly fine food go to waste, and knowing I spent good money on food that won’t be eaten (hence, more waste).

For that reason, when I noticed my leftover fresh cranberries from Thanksgiving were starting to look a bit less ‘fresh’, I decided I needed to use them ASAP.  I also noticed that I had some leftover pecans from the holiday, as well as a random snack-sized bag of walnuts that needed consuming.

So what’s a gal to do?

The easy route would have been to throw the berries and the nuts into some oatmeal or yogurt and call it a day.  But, the baking bug bit my butt and I just had to go for it.  Plus, who can resist the aroma and taste of a home baked treat?  Not, this gal!

Cranberry Orange Nut Bread
Makes 1 loaf

• 1 1/2 cups of all purpose flour
• 1/2 cup of oat flour (dry oats ground until they reach a flour-like consistency)
• 3/4 cup of evaporated cane juice (I used Florida Crystals)
• 1 1/2 TSP baking powder
• 1/2 TSP baking soda
• 1/2 TSP salt
• 1 egg
• 3 TBSP of Smart Balance 50/50 Butter Blend Stick, melted
• heaping 1/4 cup of Greek yogurt (I used Trader Joe’s Greek Style 2% Lowfat Plain Yogurt)
• 1/2 cup of orange juice
• zest of one orange
• 2 cups of fresh cranberries
• 1 cup of walnuts and pecans, chopped

Saved from the disposal!

1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2) In a large bowl, add all of the dry ingredients (all purpose flour through salt).  Whisk gently and make sure everything is well combined.  In a separate bowl, mix together wet ingredients (egg through orange zest) and then add to dry ingredients.  Mix until everything is just blended together; don’t over mix.  Gently fold in cranberries and nuts.

The dry

The wet

Mixed.

All together now…

3) Pour batter into a greased 9 x 5 inch loaf pan.  Spread down the top with a spatula, making sure the batter is even.  Bake for 50 minutes – 60 minutes (top will be golden brown), or until toothpick comes out clean.   Allow bread to cool before slicing.

Oven ready

Stomach ready

Crantastic!

Loves it…

This bread came out super moist.  The 2% lowfat Greek yogurt did a terrific job as an oil substitution.  I also liked how the oat flour gave this bread a denser consistency than that of just regular all purpose flour.  To be perfectly honest, I had a hard time at stopping at just one piece, let alone feeling satisfied with just a sliver (a fat slice is just a must!).  Also, the bursts of flavor from the orange and cranberries, along with the crunch from the pecans and walnuts, made me wonder why on earth it took me so long to bake this lil’ goodie.

Trust me, I’m not waiting for Thanksgiving (or a few days post-Thanksgiving) to bake this again!

Do you have any New Year’s Eve traditions?  Would you rather party like a rockstar or have a low key night?

Namasté,
Nicole

Source – fuckyeahyoga.tumblr.com

(No matter where you are – physically, mentally and emotionally – just remember, yoga is always there for you!)

Namasté,
Nicole

Well, we have had our first major snowstorm here in Boston!  And, it was kind of a doozie.  While I’m not the biggest winter or snow lover (you can read about it here, here, here and here), I try to do my best to embrace it.  Right now, that means not dealing with it and going outside (hence the pics from my desk window).

Whatever works, right?!

I definitely see some cooking, baking, hot tea sipping, reading, Internet surfing and trashy t.v. watching going on today…

I hope you had a nice Christmas, and if you are outside braving the elements, that you are safe and allowing the light from within to keep you happy and warm.

What is your favorite activity on a snow day? (Mine is eating )

Namasté,
Nicole

Source – http://sayitandmeanit.tumblr.com

Merry Christmas!

We hope you have a wonderful holiday, and that it’s filled with love, cheer, good times and good food.  May there be peace and joy everywhere…

Namasté,
Nicole

Whether you’re busy scrambling around shopping for those last minute gifts, scouring the Internet and your cookbooks for the perfect recipes for your holiday dinner, stuck at the airport waiting for your flight, finishing end of the year deadlines, or just plain stressed and spent for no specific reason, I have the one thing that can help you.

Nope.  It’s not Calgon, it’s not a stiff martini, it’s not an entire sleeve of Peppermint Joe-Joe’s (although that’s not a bad idea), and it’s not that crazy expensive bracelet you’ve been lusting over (although that would be nice, too).

It won’t cost you a cent, and you can do it pretty much anywhere…

Source – www.athleta.net

It’s Viparita Karani (Legs Up the Wall).  And yes, it’s as easy as it looks.

To do this, all you need to do is sit on the floor.  Scoot your body close to the wall, turn to the side and make sure your shoulder is touching the wall.  Then, swing your legs up and over and gently place them against the wall, while resting your torso on the floor.  You might need to move/wiggle your hips a bit from the wall in order to find your ’spot’.

If your hamstrings are tight and/or you just feel like you need some extra support, place a small cushion or folded up towel underneath your hips.  Make sure your legs are slightly spread apart against the wall (you can play around with the distance until you feel comfortable), and that your arms are relaxed, away from your body and your palms are facing up.  Finally, roll your head from side to side, relaxing your neck muscles and close your eyes.  Take a few deep breaths and try not to think about anything.  Just focus on your breath moving in and out of you.

You can stay here for as long as your want (trust me, you will want to).  I usually do this for about 10 minutes (remember I talked about it here?).  But even if you only have a couple minutes to spare, get in this pose and do it.  Your body (and mind) will thank you for it!

What’s your favorite holiday dessert?  Whether it’s lowfat, sugar-free, vegan, full fat, sugar full, raw or gluten-free, I know you have one.  My favorite is anything with white frosting and sprinkled with crushed peppermint.  Not sure why?  I think maybe it’s because I like how festive it looks…I’m a sucker for presentation!

Namasté,
Nicole

Source – http://broviveyoga.tumblr.com

(’Nuf said.)

Namasté,
Nicole

“You were born original.  Don’t die a copy.” -John Mason

Source – www.tinybuddha.com

I can remember back in my pre-teen and teenage years when all I wanted was to be just like everyone else at school.  I wanted to have the same clothes, wear my hair the same way, watch the same shows on t.v. and of course, act just like all of my school chums.  But you know what?  It was tiring.  As soon as one of my friends changed they way they tucked in their shirts, what was considered ‘cool’ to have for lunch, or how they tied (or didn’t tie) their shoes, I had to immediately do the same, even if it meant changing back only a few days later.

Hello, whiplash anyone?!

Just last night a good friend of mine emailed me a picture of us taken during our senior year in high school.  It was a picture with me, my friend and my sister making these silly faces, as though no one was looking and as though no one cared.   My friend was always the one that was different, never conforming or wanting to conform to any of those high school ‘mainstream’ ways.  Whenever we’d hang out, I’d always bellyache laugh.  Never had I met someone so free and open to being just himself.  He reveled in being unique, and in staying true to his core, no matter it was ‘accepted’ or not.  Although I may not have realized this close to 18 years ago, it struck quite a chord with me last night.  All of these people we try to please day in and day out don’t matter, because in the end, all we are left with is ourselves.

Be true to you, and allow that to be the light that guides your path.  It may just open your eyes to a whole new world…

What do you do that makes you ‘you’?  Do you have any zany personality traits or quirky habits that you once hid and now show proudly?

Namasté,
Nicole

My mother always told me I had nice skin.  I never really thought much about it.  I wouldn’t say I took it for granted, but I never really gave it too much thought.  But about a month ago, I had a bit of a mishap in my kitchen.  I had a fight with Mr. Foreman, and I didn’t win.  I guess I should have known; after all, he is a two-time former World Heavyweight Boxing Champion! (insert applause and laughter here)

While I was trying to multitask in the kitchen, I ended up single-handedly burning the daylights out of my arm.  Ouch! I haven’t seen stars like that in a while.  Although the pain from the burn was hard to ignore (my eyes couldn’t stop watering from the stinging), I was more concerned with how it was going to eventually heal.  After all, it was smack in the middle of my arm, and short sleeves will have to make an appearance again (but not for at least another 5 months in this neck of the woods!).

(This is right after the mishap)

I immediately put some toothpaste on my burn to take away the sting (this is something my grandmother always told me to do).  It felt better, but I could see my skin starting to swell and bubble the very next day.  With nothing else left to do, I started to gently apply Palmer’s Cocoa Butter with Vitamin E to my burn multiple times throughout the day.  In addition, I made sure to stay well hydrated, so that my skin would have enough moisture to heal itself.  And of course, I made sure to practice yoga just about every day (just because and because in my mind, yoga fixes everything ).

(The very next day…weird how it bubbled so fast…)

Within the next few days, I could already see my skin healing.  To say the least, there were drastic improvements.  I couldn’t believe my eyes!  I’m not sure if it was due to the great care I was giving my burn, if burns of this nature usually take this fast to heal, or if it was my good genes, but I was grateful.  The awful looking wound that was present on my arm was now starting to fade.  The sting was long gone, and me cursing myself for being so careless in the kitchen was a distant memory.  I never paid that much attention to my skin, and now it’s something I’ll never overlook again.

(Thanksgiving Day (one week later) – What?  You don’t take pictures of your arm while you’re in the car?)

(About two weeks post burn – Almost gone…)

Funny how almost losing something makes you realize all that you have already won…

(Present day – As good as new!)

Is there something you used to take for granted and now it’s something for which you are grateful?

Namasté,
Nicole

The trees have been put up and beautifully decorated.  There’s a gorgeous wreath hanging on just about every home’s door, welcoming family and friends with open arms.  People are decked out in their favorite holiday gear (ugly Christmas sweater included) and looking to celebrate every chance they can get with decadent baked goods, lovely libations and festive music.  Even though the holidays are supposed to be a splendid time of the year, it can also be a stressful one.  The often dreaded gift shopping  can certainly take its toll on us, and quickly turn the cheer into jeer.

For that reason, I wanted include some of my tips on how to include some yoga in your holiday shopping.  It doesn’t have to be as extreme as striking your warrior II pose (Virabradrasana) in the middle of the checkout line (although this might give the people standing in line with you incentive to find another line), yoga is often times about the little, more subtler things.  It can be as easy as taking a moment, changing your perspective and thus, changing your mood.

Let this be your holiday gift to you…

Source – www.innergycorporateyoga.com

1. Take a deep and slow breath. One of the most important things (if not the important) to remember when you’re practicing yoga is your breath.  It will help to calm you down and re-center you.  I know it sounds really easy and basic, but it’s true.  Just try it.  The ujjayi breath can work miracles.  And we’ve all heard of the Christmas miracle, right?

2. Prepare. Take a cue from Santa; make your list and check it twice.  Just like you make sure to be well hydrated before practicing yoga, that you wear the proper fitting garments and arrive to class early, it’s wise to prepare yourself before you run out to those overcrowded malls.  Simply take a moment to think about who you’re shopping for and what they might want.  Jot down some ideas and if you come up empty handed, maybe even ask your recipient for some suggestions.  By picking something from the bunch of ideas your recipient has given you, you can give them something they actually want and the element of surprise will still be there.  Or, shop online.  And whether you’re shopping online or offline, remember to multitask.  Maybe you can buy the same gift for more than one person on your list?  And if you know you’re going to be shopping for a long period of time, pack a snack and some water.  Breaks are good no matter where you are – on the mat or in the mall.

3. Go with your heart, not with your mind. You might think you need to spend a certain amount on a person, or that your gift needs to be from a certain store, or that it has to meet a certain standard.  But is this really the case?  Give from the heart and try to envision what would make the person happy.  It could be something so simple, and if it’s something you’ve put good thought into, your loved one is sure to be pleased.

4. Stop with the expectations. Just because you did a pose one way yesterday, or because you had to modify another pose last week, doesn’t mean it has to be the same way today.  What you did in Christmas pasts doesn’t need to dictate what you do this year.  Go with the flow, and stop putting unnecessary stress and expectations on yourself.  Find a gift you you like and that you think your recipient might like, because your idea of perfect may not be realistic and may not matter.

5. Take a chance; go outside of the box. You know when you have one of those practices and you just want to go for it?  Whether you’re daring to get into scissors pose (Astavakrasana), or trying something new and using a block to support yourself during  balancing half moon (Ardha Chandrasana), you’re going beyond your norm and doing something different.   Try doing this with your shopping and gift giving.  Why not offer to babysit?  Maybe you can run errands for a busy loved one for a day?  Does your sister want to be a better cook?  What about paying for a cooking class?  Is your best friend saving for fancy vacation?  How about giving frequent flyer mileage?  If it doesn’t work, it’s not the end of the world.  It’s one holiday, and it’s one day out of the year.  You still love your family member, and I can guarantee you that your family member will still love you.

6. Practice with compassion. One of the things I’ve been working on in both my yoga practice and in life is practicing with compassion.  And, I can definitely do this with my holiday shopping!  So when we’ve been pushed to our limits, don’t yell at the cashier, flip off the person who takes your parking space, and raise hell when the last roll of wrapping paper is gone.  Try to remember the tenet of Ahimsa.  Be kind and practice non-violence – physically, verbally and mentally.  By giving an eco friendly gift (from cute places like here, here or here), you can practice kindness to our earth.  Giving a handmade gift is also a fantastic way to give with more meaning and compassion.  Think of all the time, love and energy of which a handmade item is comprised (you can find some good ideas here, here, here and of course, here).  Or, you can DIY it and channel the crafter/baker/maker in you (look here, here and here for ideas)!

7. Have fun! ‘Tis the season for peace, love and joy.  Be grateful for each and every day and for the loved ones that surround you.  Make the most of the holidays by doing what you love, and by being with those you love.

What’s your tip for staying calm during the holidays/holiday shopping?

Namasté,
Nicole

source – www.fanpop.com