Don't know what day it is...ha ha ha Day 5

Well. giving up sugar and caffeine are easier than cheese! I feel sleepy but relaxed and calm. I need to extend my time by a few days to take into account the "weaning in time." I'm really liking barley with almond milk, nuts and berries. It is really satisfying and pretty balanced nutritionally. I'm making a quinoa salad for my sister when she comes over today. Thanks to Amy B. for the recipe. We are going to see Sex in the City, I was at Bunco last night. I won a really cool Pottery Barn shadow box. I love it! Thanks Colleen!

Go outside and enjoy the beautiful day!!!

Namaste! Tricia

Day 3

Being the realistic person that I am, I knew that this detox would be very difficult. It is. I allowed myself 3 days to "wean" off the caffeine, lest I would have the most humongous headaches. I am finally past the sugar, bread and caffeine cravings but I'm very tired from teaching 4 classes yesterday. My sister has been in court for her job the last 2 days and is doing better than I. I'm really proud of her!

AHHHHHHHHHH

I miss my coffee!

21 day detox ...day 1

So my sister tells me that she is beginning a 21day detox program on Tuesday (today) I say I'll do it with her and her friend at work. I am not yet a vegetarian, but am heading there (I generally consume very little meat) I do love coffee, chocolate and cheese, pasta and an occasional bag of healthy cheese curls. I for see my biggest hurdle with the food part being the cheese. I have a cheese stick with some whole grain crackers almost every day for a snack or lunch. Caffeine is my hugest hurdle overall, realistically I am going to wean myself off over 3days otherwise my brain will explode! Here are the detox guidelines: No dairy, refined sugar in any source, meat, fish, alcohol, caffeine, gluten (wheat). I have had only a half cup of coffee with almond milk today. I am off to cook some barley and make a salad for lunch! Wish us luck!!! My sister and I are commenting on this goblogger blog about our daily success and stuggles. Come back and wish us luck!

New tea

I got Organic India's Orange mint and Passion Fruit. They are both good, but don't let them brew for too long. My friend Ann gave me Sweet Rose to try. It is so mellow and smooth. Her sister got it in California, I couldn't find it a Whole Foods but I'll keep looking.
Namaste~ Tricia

Beautiful day and a great dinner

We went to our friend's house for Dinner on Saturday night. It was such a perfect, beautiful day and we had the most beautiful dinner, I didn't want to eat it as it looked so nice. I ordered my books on how to learn Latin today. It's my summer project.

My bio

My life is a journey, I hope to share a little with you to let you know where I’m coming from. On January 8, 1997 when I was 3 months pregnant with my first child, my Jeep was rear ended while en route to my job at the 6a rehab unit at U of M Medical Center. The accident left me with severe whiplash and terrible back pain. I worked in back pain rehab, had back pain rehab (several times) and knew what I had to do to help myself. I couldn't break the vicious cycle of chronic pain, trying to get in shape to help the pain, and frustration at my failure. I gained 60 pounds with my first pregnancy, as a result of the chronic pain limiting my physical activity. I lived with severe, often debilitating pain that led to massive muscle spasms and skeletal misalignment. My PT told me that my spine had the rigidity of a 90 year old woman’s, I was only 26! During labor with my second child, three years later, the epidural failed due to my spine being so out of alignment. I struggled with weight gain and a lack of energy, asthma and frequent tendon injuries. I was literally a physical mess. My husband had traveled internationally quite often over the past 10 years, so I played the single mom role quite a bit. This lifestyle led me to take time away from my counseling profession three years ago. I have focused my energy on my children and the community in which I call home. Up until 39 months ago, I was a very sedentary, out of shape, in pain, stressed out mother of two sons, and two dogs. That was until I found fitness yoga classes. I have devoted much time and effort during the past few years to learning and ever expanding my practice. However, I claim to know nothing as I have so much yet to learn. I finished the 200 hr. level teacher training at the Johnny Kest Center for Yoga and have become a fan of Ashtanga yoga. I continue to look for ways to expand my knowledge and an excited to share yoga with so many wonderful people.

My Yoga practice has evolved into my own mini rejuvenating break from reality. It’s become a way to balance volunteering at school, play dates, kids soccer and football games and all the other things that consumed my time and left me feeling a little drained. I often tell others that you can only give as much as you have, then you begin to feel empty. Yoga fills me up, it allows me to focus on myself. I almost felt selfish at first, kind of like “ Am I doing something completely for myself?” Anyone who is a parent, caregiver, or busy professional can attest to the need to refill yourself, so you can continue to give. The positive beliefs that formed the practice of yoga are beautiful and inspiring. The focus on breath control gives one the ability to remain calm in a sea of turbulence. Richard Rosen, a well respected Yoga teacher and author writes about a journey to the land of Self. Yoga gives me the tools to take this journey and make the most of it. Namaste

Gratitude

Telling someone that you appreciate them can really make their day! Thank you!

mother and baby rabbits

I'm doing laundry in the mudroom and the dogs are going crazy. After a few minutes or so I go into the family room to see what is going on and I see a rabbit next to the window and back of the garage. I look closer and see 4 little bodies under her. She was nursing her babies. I called the guys over and we joked about how "fierce" our dogs were that the mother rabbit choose to make her "nest" right by the house. We watched as she cleaned them and cared for them, the kids were amazed that she didn't flinch when the dogs barked on and on. The little ones looked very healthy and so cute! As much as despise them for eating my hostas and flowers, I have to say they are so adorable, and hungry like the rest of nature. Look a little closer and enjoy lifes little bits of joy !
Namaste, Tricia

Fried rice and yeast cleanse

I made awesome fried rice (Alex's favorite) we stopped at One World Market and picked up razor thin sliced pork and udon noodles yesterday. I used organic brown rice and lots of quickly sauteed veggies and the pork. We use Braggs Amino instead of soy sauce, as it has much less sodium.

We talked about sugar cravings after my 8:30 class today. I mentioned how I curbed my sugar cravings by taking Yeast Cleanse by Solaray. As our yeast levels grow in our bodies we crave more sugar to feed them. This capsule contains herbs to "reduce" the amount of active yeast in our bodies thus reducing the cravings. It really worked for me.

My awesome smelling shampoo disks.

Where I'm reading my book

My current read, interesting info.

Lush Karma

My new obsession is with this smell! Go to Lush in 12 Oaks and smell this stuff, it's warm and very relaxing.

Enjoy your night!

I made filafels and hummus for dinner (the kids ate homemade organic chicken nuggets, broccoli and organic tater tots). I need a bottle of wine now. I'm celebrating the fact that I'm having a wonderful day! Reviewing my summer teaching schedule is becoming a bit daunting (upwards of 20 classes a week).

My fun days!

I taught 3 yoga classes yesterday, twoVinyasa and one Hatha. I got home by 9:30 and crashed.

I started my day with my friend Deanna and a bacon spinach souffle at Panera, then ran all morning preparing to teach Junior Achievement and an art presentation (Culture box on Europe) for my children's classes. Then picked them up at school, we planted sunflower and marigold seeds, ran them to golf lessons, then out for pizza with my husband. Got home at 7:30 helped Alex with a story for school, gave Gar a bath and am now "settling in" before I pass out. Doesn't the life of a typical American mom sound like fun! It really is, sans the bon bons and soap operas. Ciao~

Bird Funeral

I found a dead baby robin in the flower bed today. We held a funeral for it. My 7 year old made a little head stone and we said a prayer for it. My kids have never lost a loved one yet and death is still an immeasurable mystery to them. We pass several old cemeteries on our way to Ann Arbor and we look at the big old gravestones as we drive past. The kids wonder about the people laid to rest there, their names, what they did and how they lived (without the comfort of the internet and TV). We've sheilded them from the death of pets, I can't see stressing a 4 year old out over a dead guinea pig that he "forgot" to play with. They still think Miss Piggy is living in the woods with a band of rogue hamsters, enjoying their days frolicing in the leaves and moss! Little do they know. Sometimes it's the best way.

Getting busy

Whoa, my schedule is fillng up fast and I need to become more efficient. I'm starting my company this week. I need to trademark the name first.

Happy Mother's Day!!

I usually don't get into "Hallmark" holidays but I have to admit, throwing around the "It's mother's day" hint gets things done a little easier! Have a great day!

Contemplation

Just think, don't act.

backup

I took some time to backup my photos on disk today. I learned the hard way when I lost a ton of photos when Vic crashed the computer a few years ago.

Take time to smell the Spring in the air

Spend some time outside everyday, quietly enjoying the majesty of nature. It's very humbling to realize how small humans are in the perspective of the vastness of nature. We seem to encompass all the open space and engulf the landscape with roads and stores. Look deeper and a little further out and you'll see how nature commands attention.
http://www.travelblog.org/Wallpaper/pix/tb_zion_utah_usa.jpg

Namaste, Tricia

Organization

My new mantra for this week. I am devoting a lot of time to organizing all aspects of my life. As I teach more,I am less able to luxuriate around the house looking for stuff. I need to be able to streamline my life to be more efficient so have more time to enjoy life and not waste time looking for stuff that is misplaced. Wish me luck!

Namaste~ Tricia

Happy May 1st!

Fairy Garden blooms