The Ultimate Cornocopia of a Blog entry-Obliques, acknowledgements and food

Although I strive to embrace a calm mind, there are days where this seems an impossible task. This morning is proving to be one of them. Factors in our external environment can often drown our the peace and calm we try to create internally and the voice we should be listening to, that of our inner teacher, becomes just background noise. I really need to open my ears some days and listen to her a little more!

Obliques

From the fabulous Sadie, for all of you who have commented on that great oblique series we have been doing....The Boomerang: Lie on one side, forearm perpendicular to body, elbow under shoulder. Stack your legs. Lift your ribs away from the floor (in other words lift so your elbow and shoulder aren't collapsing into the ground-if your elbow is grounding into the floor re-align and lift your ribs from your mat) Reach your top arm to point at your top foot, then lift top, or both legs off the ground. Repeat 3-5 lifts. Good to have the hips on a blanket so you don't grind the hips.

Why can't we acknowledge Ourselves?

This week I started the seasonal process of packing away winter clothing and bringing out the summer and spring wardrobe. This process really tends to bring on some angst-some clothes don't fit as well as they did last season; don't look great on; seems to have gotten shorter ( or maybe that's my hips getting bigger?) and the list goes on. The end result is one really unhappy yogi, who most definitely does not feel like going shopping. My resolution to what I affectionately call "the changing of the clothing" is to not focus on the physical image or emotions brought on by how I think I look, but to focus on my positive attributes.

Why is it easier to be critical of ourselves than acknowledge the characteristics you possess and that others see in us? It is difficult to stop self criticism and this contributes to bringing imbalance to our energies, reflective of our tendency to "give, give, give" but hesitate when it comes to receiving. Balance is your life is essential to the quality of the life you lead.

Instead of focusing on the negative, make an effort to acknowledge the great attributes you have. These can be physical, spiritual, emotional or any characteristic that others acknowledge in you or, if you admit it to yourself; those attributes you acknowledge in yourself. Your sense of humour; your determination; great arms, back, abs; stellar smile; your ability to make others feel secure, etc. Be truthful to yourself and acknowledge those great qualities you possess. The next time, you start to be critical of yourself, open yourself up to being receptive and acknowledging your positive attributes-Remember Live Life. Balanced.

The Wrist Free Yoga Wednesday Class-Last Night

An entire class without down dog, plank, cat-cow, or any other asana that engages the use of the weight placement over the wrist and just so much fun! I will post the sequence later since I have a few e-mails asking for the sequence-and Thank you!!

In Lieu of French Fries

The smell emitting from the chip trucks near my office appears to have the same effects as the sirens on sailors in Greek mythology. The smell of deep fried potatoes on a nice spring day draws the office group like a magnet. I am not a fan of french fries as personally I don't enjoy them - but my family do enjoy oven baked alternatives.

Serves4
Prep Time5 min.
Total Time25 min.
Nutrition Profile: cal: 102 per serving, carbs 13 g, fat 5g (1 g saturated fat, 4 g monosaturated), protein 2 g, Cholesterol: 0mg

INGREDIENTS
2 large Yukon Gold potatoes, cut into wedges-option: sweet potatoes
4 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme, (optional) I use curry when using sweet potatoes

COOKING DIRECTIONS
Step 1 Preheat oven to 450°F.
Step 2 Toss potato wedges with oil, salt and thyme (if using). Spread the wedges out on a rimmed baking sheet.
Step 3 Bake until browned and tender, turning once, about 20 minutes total.

D