Hello Bloggie Friends! Well, Monday and most of Tuesday are behind us. What have you been up to? I had a super, amazing special day on Monday. I haven’t done something this cool in ages!!!!! I went to a 2.5 Hour Master Class with Dharma Mittra!
The non-yogi readers are like, huh, who? Kinda like I am when my husband told me something important happened with football this past weekend. I was like huh? More on my Master Class with Dharma in a hot second. But first, thanks for all the amazing compliments you left me on my Vegan Gluten Free Pancakes!
Yes, Pancakes were one of those kitchen frontiers I was sorta scared of. Not any longer! Seriously, my recipe is pretty much goof-proof. Heather told me in my Comments Section (who was told by one of her readers) that unless you use Baking Soda in the presence of an acid, i.e. buttermilk, that it won’t activate. For my recipe, therefore, only Baking Powder will become activated because it is heat activated, but since I didn’t even use Baking Powder, and they still “turned out”, it basically means that you don’t have to use either, and they’ll still “work”.
Now that your eyes are thoroughly glossed over, we can move along. In case Alton Brown’s reading or anything, I wanted to give the science behind the baking powder vs. soda issue.
Next there was yesterday’s epic Yoga FAQ Post! Everything you’d ever want to know about getting into yoga, what styles to look for, what DVDs I’d recommend, how to score free podcasts on itunes, yoga attire, types of yoga classes/levels, the whole yoga magilla.
Plus Tons of Yoga Pose Pics
Moving Along to My Super Cool Day with Dharma Mittra…and about 250 other yogis, I kid you not, it was packed.
The day started out beautifully. A cloudless, crisp, sunny, but still chilly, winter day in Scottsdale, AZ.
And an open air courtyard
And walked Into a Ballroom
Complete with 200+ sweaty yogis, who’s mats are literally touching or inches apart.
And Chandeliers shined brightly and annoyingly in our eyes illuminated our hearts.
And here is the Master: Dharma Mittra
The man has been teaching yoga daily, daily!!!!!, since 1967.
If you look closely, you can see my reflection in the mirror as I am snapping pictures. No shame, I tell you, gotta get the shot!
Before Class Started, I asked the girl next to me to take my picture. Her comment, “Wow, you look so happy?!” I said, “Why wouldn’t I be…I am doing yoga with a Master in a roomful of like-minded yogis with all this great energy; I’m ecstatic!!!! She said, “Wow, that’s a good way to be!” As if this was somehow news to her. It was like Christmas morning for me….how could I possibly be anything BUT ecstatic!!
She captured a blurry lovely picture of me and Dharma! More than a little bummed ’bout the blur, but hey, my yoga work is letting go of a chance-of-a-lifetime photo op that went blurry. Om shanti, let the blurry pic go.
All in all, it was an utterly fabulous class. The sense of sangha (community) was palpable, the energy in the room was glorious, the messages that Dharma had for the students were beautiful. A few highlights were:
- Sirsasana (headstand) is the second most important pose, and do it for 10 minutes per day (we held a 5-minute headstand in class. People were droppin’ like flies, but not me) .
- But, the most important pose is sitting tall & upright with a straight spine. On the floor is better, but sitting in a chair is fine, too. Keeping your spine straight keeps your energy channels clear so you can tap into your 7th and highest chakra at the top of your head.
- God is in your heart.
- Alternate nostril breathing for 12 cycles per day (minimum). His words, and I quote, “Get High Without Drugs!”
- Find bliss and happiness from inside and within, especially when you are young, because nothing external will ever fulfill you and this only intensifies as we age.
- Be comfortable sitting with yourself, doing nothing, just being still. He mentioned that most people can’t even sit still for 10 minutes, I agree.
So, from a wise sage, those are your Tips of the Day!!!!!!!
Moving onto Some Food Round Here…
My Pumpkin has a little cold
Poor thing, watching your kiddo sniffle and cough breaks a mama’s heart. But she’s still making goofy faces for the camera, so she’s hanging in there like a trooper!
I decided to give her some Kidz Amazing Grass
Grape Vitamin Water, basically. And she digs it. Cool because it’s better than Flinstones Vitamins!
The Food…
A Raw Veggie Salad: Brock, Sugar Snap Peas, Carrots, Tomatoes, Mixed Greens, Cukes, & Brussels Sprouts (I steam the Brussels for 1 minute in 1 inch of water in the micro)
And I tossed Everything with a fresh batch of my Homemade Vegan Slaw Dressing
[print_this]
Vegan Slaw Dressing contained:
1 cup Veganaise
1/3 c sugar, or to taste (Or try stevia, Truvia, lucama, agave)
1/3 cup Apple Cider Vinegar
Whisk until combined
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It will keep in the fridge for a long time…at least 2 weeks. This will last our family about 4-5 days. I like to strike a balance between very freshly made items coupled with practicality and common sense: If I am gonna make my own salad dressing, I need to do it smart so that I am not enslaved to my kitchen and prep work. Batch cooking whenever possible is the name of my tune!
For Dessert, I had made a fresh batch of my high Raw Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Balls episode. For full recipe info, click right on over to here! 10 minutes til heaven in your mouth if you get started now!
Cashews & Oats
Add the Liquids (Maple and/or Agave or both, Vanilla Extract)
Add the Chocolate Chips
Blend for a Secondor by hand
Form the balls
After refrigeration they looked like this. And they will keep for weeks in the fridge. I forgot about a batch I made before we went on our 3+ week long trip to Aruba and when I came home, they were fine. I mean, I don’t recommend it on purpose, but there you have it, they’re “good keepers”.
I love the big hunks of (vegan) chocolate chips.
Yoga Today is Everything I Just Mentioned!
Tip of the Day: Dharma Mittra’s Tips that I mentioned above! Do any of those bullet-pointed tips resonate with you? Do you have an easy or a difficult time sitting still and just doing nothing? In our fast-paced, instant-gratification culture, it seems that we want everything…..yesterday. And that heavens forbid, if we have to work, sacrifice, plan, or have patience or faith for something it throws everyone into an anxiety-ridden tizzy! It seems that many people have a hard time just sitting back, and letting things unfold, letting things come to them, having the faith and patience that things will work out if you just let it. Or if you work, sacrifice, and plan for them. I believe good things come to those who wait; and also to those that make a conscientious, focused, and honest effort.
I made myself a huge kale salad with any chopped off veggies I had (I LOVE my rabbit food) and I have to say your slaw dressing totally made the salad! I didn’t know adding a tiny bit of sweetener and some ACV would do so much. And soaking the kale prior to serving made all the difference. YUM. :)
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Good quality food is an essential and I buy it regardless of what my finances look like- but I am unsure if this qualifies as an indulgence. I think my main indulgences are Netflix and when I have the cash a Spa Mani Pedi. Oh yeah, and everything gets shaved, except my legs cuz my leg hair is pretty close to invisible. :)
i tried to comment yesterday to say happy bday to skylar…but couldnt get thru !
anyway…this is all lovely..love maple syrup….those GLO bars look amazing…wish i could try them…oh well, they look great.
u look very happy and had a great weekend. u accomplish more in one minute than i do in a year. i slept all day…same as every day … :) seriously.
Half Moon Pose rocks!!!! Im glad you had a day yesterday to pamper yourself, every girl needs that!!!!
Have a great Sunday! xoxo
I am an eyebrow threader all the way.. Every wondered why many Indian women have gorgeous eyebrows?? That's why. It's a little hard to explain, but I'm sure you can find a video on youtube. Also, I love half-moon!! I literally do it sometimes and don't even realize what I am doing until my eyes focus on the ceiling– LOVE IT! Lastly, good food and acupuncture are my splurges (we have a community acupuncture center with a sliding scale, so it's really not that bad after all).
–Manda
girl you had some SERIOUS luck with the bloggie giveaways lately!
zevia AND glo bars :) hip hip horray!
i always feel so fresy fresh after i get my bros all waxie up
I am woman hear my eyebrows roar- LOL! Funny stuff!
Hair removal- LASER. Changed. My. Life. Let's see, I think I have a razor around here somewhere- hmm it's been about 4 months since I last shaved. Yes you are right- doesn't work for blondes, but DOES for brunettes like moi. I still go for touchups. THAT was my indulgence. Mortgage the house expensive, but so happy I did it.
BTW I'm sure that Angela's bars are a.maz.ing. but yours look equally good.
It's really fantastic that you'll soon be trained to the highest level, I'm sure anyone would feel honoured to have a yoga instructor with as much strength and positivity as you possess.
And those pancakes look yummy, I've had an infatuation with american-style pancakes for the longest time, but haven't actually tasted them before so in a few weeks when I have a bit more time for breakfast I'll be putting in the effort and making a truly amazing batch! xxx
Haha, our teacher training group stops at Starbucks after our morning classes every weekend. It's just something we all deserve in life. :)
Half Moon and Twisting Half Moon require so much focus… love 'em!
xxoo
Heather
Although I haven't said it before, I've thought it many times while reading your blog… Avery is so lucky to have you for a mommy. I really think she is at an advantage being raised in such a conscientious and loving home.
Hey hey! Glad to hear you had such a nice Saturday morning! I am glad you treated your mind and boy well :) What a fabulous week you had. When is Skylar's birthday? She is SUCH a cutie! Josh's birthday is in two weeks! Hooray for February birthdays :) Hope your Sunday is going well
Aww your daughter is honestly the sweetest thing i've ever seen! She is soooo adorable :)
And all the glo bar shots, your desserts, the fresh strawberries!! Aww i'm in love. So hungry now :)
Oh how I love your highlights of the week!! Such a great re-cap.
Let me know how those glo bars are.. I cant go on a blog without seeing them. ARe they worth the hype?!?! They are super pricey.. with shipping it would be like 40 bucks for a few bars? (totally awesome though bc I realize they are handmade etc!!)
Hair removal? BLEHH.. yah, just eyebrows. What a waste o money! lol
There's a salon by you just for waxing?! That's awesome! I have such a hard time finding someone who can wax eyebrows juuuust right, and I'm sure a salon that specializes in waxing could!
Hope you have a fab Sunday, sweetie!
Fortunately, I'm pretty much a hairless brat. :) No waxings for me, wahahah! I'm intimidated by them.
Like someone else said, good groceries are my real indulgence. I almost never buy new clothes or fancy accessories. I guess I would rather channel my moneys towards what I put IN my body rather than ON it. But sometimes a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do, right? We gotta keep sane somehow. :)
I forgot to mention I tagged you! I bet you already have done this but I'm nominating you again cause I think your a beautiful blogger! x x
I have lots of indulgences but being single and child free its easier I guess! I'm a plucker waxer shaver and am looking into laser, anything will do as long as I can be hair free! What a fab array of foods I wanna come stay with you! x x
Just wanted to say that I'm loving your blog! Your enthusiasm is infectious and I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the healthy dessert recipes!–my favorite part! Keep up the great work and good luck on your yoga cert. journey :-)
Sounds like a successful week! I still can't believe you did a 2.5 hour yoga class… but you'll be proud of me: I bought 10 Bikram classes to use in a month!
I do a combination of waxing/shaving…I have super sensitive skin that razors tend to irritate, so it's kind of neccessary but definitely still a splurge! I've gotten over the pain aspect pretty quickly, though!
Have a relaxing Sunday!
Oooh, scandalous hair removal question. Let's just say your tip on the blades resonates with me.
I think that Tuesdays last forever because there's (figuratively) nowhere to go. But my goal this year: learn to like Tuesdays or at least appreciate them!
This blog is fun!! Especially the end of the week re-cap! Thanks for all the great fun and ideas! Hope your baby is feeling better.
This Stay-At-Home-Home-Schooling-Mom sneaks out at 5:00 A.M every morning for her favorite caramel/almond latte, and, of course, it MUST be a large and MUST be extra hot. I pick up my mail before hand and relax for about an hour. Then the house begins to wake up, and I'm again on duty for another 24 hours! I also go to the day spa and get my nails done when I can. Since my hair is very fair, I don't need to really shave, or, maybe it's because I've lost all of my hair since being a wife and mother, JUST KIDDING!! , LOL….yet….I wonder……
Sweet haul on those Glo bars!! Those look awesome!
My indulgences are typically food. Including those overpriced bars, nut butters and vitamuffins. I never really splurge on anything else.
I only ever do the waxing thing if I'm going away on vacation and know I'll be in a bathing suit everyday. Otherwise it' too much too keep up with!
mamaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
can you make me a raw salad please?! it looks esp. good since i can't have fresh veggie for 5 weeks!!!
love that you love gum as much as I do!!
MWAAAAAAAAAAAAH
GC
I have never waxed anything. I'm not a very hairy girl, lucky I guess. I indulge in time alone. It's free and I NEED it! And yeah, good food. I never feel bad about spending money on food!
How do you keep winning all this loot?!?! :D
Gahh! I can't believe that I haven't tried your raw chocolate chip balls yet. I have been drooling over them since forever ago.(Okay, sorry about that…it sounds sort of preverted. Haha!) But, in all seriousness, I am going to be making them soon!
Good chocolate, a cinnamon dolce latte, veg out TV time, sleeping in, and super soft PJ pants… these are my indulgences.
Hair removal: I used to wax my brows until Irish's layoff; now I'm back to plucking. The other key areas get shaved. I can't stand stubble either!
Love the recap, and congrats on winning Glo Bars! You'll have to review them, they sound so wonderful!
Averie, please enter me in the iherb giveaway. :) The pancakes look FANTASTIC! WOW!!! Seems as though you had a full, productive week. I am at my parents and planning on making the snowballs for my Dad…I forgot to get the coconut oil, though, so maybe tomorrow! Have a fantastic weekend!
Jessica
nice, i want to try zevia! i drool over each and every one of your posts, loveee em! re: luna protein bars, if you want to try the cookie dough one i could definitely send you a couple! let me know! so awesome about your highest level certification, you rock!
Happy Birthday Little Skylar…I love your name!
Averie, you are my hero. I want to be able to do the yoga poses you do!
I CAN COMMENT NOW!! yayaya!!
Girly, you have ALL the luck! You win all the best giveaways! You'll have to tell me where you got your eyebrows done because mine are definitely in need of a wax! My indulgences are haircuts (which I'm also in need of…) and days off spent vintage shopping! I love the thrill of the hunt!
Congrats on your wins! Fun stuff!
Our Saturday flew by too. Left the house at 11 am to do the shopping and didn't get home until after dark (mind you, that wasn't all grocery shopping, we did get a little distracted). Oh, how I miss longer daylight hours. ;-)
Awesome recap of the week!
My special treats are pricey groceries, particularly nut butter! Also, I love to treat myself to an Awake tea latte or soy latte from Starbucks…feels like a special day if I get to pick one up!
Oh, and I hope you enjoy your glo bars – I've been wanting some for ages but the shipping price is a little hefty! Maybe I'll try and save up my "treat" days for awhile. Happy weekend!
Wow your eats this past week look so great! Hope you're having a great weekend! :)
I love the recap posts :)
I actually don't touch my eyebrows! They're really light so you can barely see them anyway. Plus I have this weird thing about people (or anything) touching my face
Some of my indulgences: Trashy reality TV, Cosmo magazine, scalding hot showers (well, that's everyday!)
what great poses. can i just say, everytime i read your blog i get a little more hopeful that i will be able to do these poses with practice/!?!? i am a crazy tight runner and lifter..and it shows. =D
hmmm. i think my total indulgence is a nice pice of clothing..or hmmm a cool gadget or something- i'm not really big on indulging (must be my past) but i'm working on it! =D and i shave. no wax. and nair smells like SHIT!
I've never done waxing, but I do pluck my eyebrows. Thank goodness for tweezers!
I love your recap posts!
<3 jess
xoxo
What a great week!
SHEW, what a week you've had.
my indulgences are trips to sprouts for coconut butter and more of my favorite but pricey food fav's.
Today I did just that. more NOOCH, hehe, coconut butter, water and a real live coconut. I did buy some vitamin D today too.
I have waxed my eyebrows exactly once in my life. I loved it. don't know why I don't more often. Hubs and I are getting a massage at South Coast spa I think next weekend. (christmas treat)
can't wait.
my treats are few and far inbetween but soon, our tight wallet issues should be better.
get some rest, I know you've had a long week!
xo
So glad you got a little beauty treatment in!
I shave the legs and underarms, wax everywhere else. I would looooove to get laser hair someday when I have spare time and $$ – luckily I have dark hair!
On the agenda for sometime, either this spring break or summer, are a fancy new haircut (right now it's naturally colored, super long, all one length) and a pedicure or too. I always have my toenails painted but usually I do it myself to save some dollah bills.
Have a great Sunday!
Yes!!! I love these pancakes, I will make them again tomorrow morning :)
Also, I made the snowballs, but I have a real hard time getting it out of my bowl! LOL…but they are tasty!
Have a great weekend!
XXOO
I can so relate to the indulgence thing!
Before I had my daughter I would be pedi/mani's every few weeks. Now its a major treat/indulgence! I'm dying to get one soon!
I love you recap/weekly highlights!
By the way, I made your vegan slaw dressing… it was so good :)
Congrats on winning the Zevia giveaway! I wish I had known about that one!!
Have a great night!
Groceries. Good groceries are my total indulgence, especially nut butters, jams, and dessert sauces. I never treat myself on clothes or anything like that–I just want good food.
Awesome loot from the Glo bakery! Can't wait to hear all about those
HAlf-moon pose is my favorite pose! Yay for featuring it! My indulgences include cookie/indulgent dessert Friday and the occasional massage! And I'm an eyebrow waxer all the way :)