Day 2 still alive!

I am having so much fun! I just had a session to start the day in a sacred way with Lilas Folan. She is so funny and nice! I am attending a life bliss meditation session now. More to come. Namaste, Tricia

Three classes and I'm beat

I am so tired and I want to finish my mint tea, so I'll share a little of me to let it cool a bit. I taught three classes today, I am trying to get all my stuff ready for the conference and cleaned the house all day. How did you guess that you can't tell that it was cleaned? Well, I left to teach and my family went cookoo as usual! The impermance of life is really rearing it's head today in many ways. Goodnight!

Here is a view of my gorgeous iris. Ahh the majesty of nature

So much to say!

At church today our Pastor said that we have to weather many storms in our lives, just as Jesus and the disciples did when the sea tossed their boat to the point of near death. The point he made was that we need to trust Jesus to be there and to have faith that we will be okay. I can honestly say that I feel at peace and generally happy. I feel free from the anxiety of worrying about the economy and the future, as those are not in my control. I just trust God that I will be fine and work my hardest to serve his as best as I can. I feel so fortunate to be able to share yoga and the message of peaceful acceptance and gratitude with all those that practice with me. I try to be very careful not to come across as I am attempting to evangelize. There are better times and places for that. My hope for all who practice with me is that they can come to a realization that they are where they should be and that they will be fine if they find internal happiness. freedom from external expectations is bliss in itself!



My blogging has really suffered due to my early nights. I did have one cup of coffee this morning, and did not enjoy it. Just checking. Rosehip and green tea worked well today. A few months ago I was thinking about tracking down a book or resource to help me balance vegan recipes. I am very concerned about getting the right amount of amino acids, proper protein and other essential nutrients. I serve quite a few vegan meals to my family and want to make sure that we aren't going to become malnourished. I have been pretty obsessed with nutrition and my kid's health and vitality are a pretty good indication that I have been doing my best.


We watched the Secret tonight, again. I swear we need to watch it over and over to remind ourselves, especially the kids that the Law of Attraction pervades all in our lives. I try to live in bliss as much as I can and can honestly say that compared to a few years ago, I am not the same person that I was, in such a good way! I was not a bad person, just a nervous, competitive, anxious and materialistic one. Wow, it is really easy to say that now, honesty is very telling of where we were and where we are now. So the point about the Secret is that we can attract what we need. I found an awesome book about vegan nutrition for athletes! Brendan Brazier took two years to develop a balanced nutrition profile that meets his needs as a Professional Ironman Triathlete. It has a lot of good recipes, many raw and very easy to use. Hey the secret worked! The book is titled Thrive, The Vegan Nutrition Guide.



We went to One World Market and got some Japanese food and then went to Happy Hippo Pastry house to get our favorite pastries.



I'm so excited about the conference. I am going to blog a lot of pics of our conference antics and will give tips along the way that I pick up.



My mother in law is having a ball in Hong Kong and is really enjoying her time with baby Ashton. He is such a cutie!

Donation Yoga in Northville is up and running!!

Every Monday at 8:15 pm and Tuesday and Thursday morning at 9 am we meet for a slow flow yoga practice that centers around the breath, feeling the movements and presence.

Miss Harriet's Dance Studio in scenic Downtown Northville.
133 W. Main Suite 190
In the Northville Square Mall

Flowers, yoga and soup

I went to Johnnie's class yesterday and I can still feel it today. That to me is the sign of a good class. I definitely could not do another one today. I did practice a mild slow flow and breath for a while. For the last few days, I have been busily planting the annuals and veggies that I got this weekend. I had a piece of vegetable lasagna from Nico and Vali for lunch today. It is so amazingly delicious, with tender pasta, the right amount of sauteed veggies and a perfect cream sauce. Nico and Vali is a small Italian eatery in Plymouth. Check them out for authentic Italian food that is fresh and Ala cart. Also try the almond cake, it is mouth watering. I chaperoned Garrett's class on a field trip to the Natural History Museum at U of M. We love this place and have been there at least 6 times, but this time we had a guided tour of the dinosaurs and got to touch fossils. My lunch was really late and I was famished, so I really enjoyed every bite. Great food makes me happy and I don't miss meat at all! I made a huge pot of vegan veggie soup and I have been eating it pretty much all day long for three days now.

The recipe is very easy, I use all organic ingredients

The night before soak one cup of organic dried beans in water, rinse once or twice

coarsely chop 1/2 pound of baby bella or crimini mushrooms and saute in Olive oil

add in :
1 onion diced
5 stalks celery diced
1/2 to 3/4 pound carrots diced
saute until soft
add in:
1/2 head of cabbage, sliced into fine shreds
6 cloves garlic
2 chopped tomatoes
1 28 oz can diced tomatoes with broth
1 6oz can tomato paste
add in pre soaked beans minus the soaking water
1 cup barley
enough water to cover everything with a few inches left over
simmer for while until the beans are tender

Now add some salt to taste and pepper, chop up a whole bunch of flat leaf parsley and throw it in. Enjoy!

Learn about yourself

When is the last time you really thought about why you do the things you do? This question really hit me today as I was in class today. Why I drive 40 minutes to take a class, why I can now not drink coffee and not want it. Introspection and self evaluation are valuable tools that we have to learn to break down our patterns and habits. I absolutely love taking classes and need to fit a few more in per week. My home practice always leads to arm balances and not enough of the postures that I have difficulty with. It is so important to have a teacher to lead you on your journey of self exploration. This teacher can be yourself in the form of journaling and looking back at events and how you processed them. It could be reflecting on difficulties with a trusted friend or family member. Discover ways to look inward not outward for happiness and a greater understanding of why you are who you are.

Three weeks of coffee free life!

This goes to show you that someone can say things for a while and repeat themselves and someone is listening! Johnnie repeatedly encouraged us to give up coffee during teacher training, and at every class that I attended. His constant reminders rang in my ears and it stuck. I have listened to him say this for nine months, it took me being ready for it to happen. I am coffee free and really happy about the relaxed outlook that I have. I am not jittery and do not have the highs and lows that I had with constant coffee consumption.

Live your life as an example for those around you to follow. Lead others to believe that they can be the best and to acheive their dreams. Most importantly live in love.

Namaste, Tricia

Quote of the Week

Always aim at complete harmony of thought and word and deed. Always aim at purifying your thoughts and everything will be well.
Mahatma Gandhi

Interesting weekend

I hosted a party for 50 people this Saturday. I was running out the door with my sister to the church service. We hopped into her car and I realized half way there that I forgot my slip. She is such an awesome sister, without hesitation she said "Here take mine, I'm wearing a heavier skirt and it won't show." I told her that I was going to blog about it. She is so awesome! She ordered four gourmet cheese cakes for the party, they were so good. The cheesecaks ladie's business is called the Sugarplum Fairy. We had such a fun time, the party lasted until 3am! I spent most of Mother's day straightening out the house and just finished up today.

New classes

Contact me at yogatrish@wowway.com to find out where the new Weds and Friday classes at 9am are.

Perfect class

I taught this Springs first outdoor yoga class today. The setting was fragrantly embellished by the aroma of the crab apple blooms. They smelled absolutely amazing! To inhale in their presences was a joy! The birds were singing and the ground was soft. It is so different to practice outside, it's quite challenging to tune everything out. Good practice!

I am not able to blog as much due to my coffee free lifestyle, I am in bed by now on most nights! I am yawning as I type, so I'll keep it short. 14 whole days and not a bit of coffee. I made a pot for my parents who were over to help out with the kids and did not even want any.

I feel even and balanced but my mind has taken a while to readjust to the lack of caffeine. My classes are going well and I am adding a few new ones in.

I'm having 60 people over on Saturday and I am up to my elbows in cleaning, touching up the trim work that the kids destroyed with their lacrosse sticks and organizing. Wish me luck, it should be a blast!

We're loving these black bean chipoltle burgers from Morningstar farms (big box of 12 at Costco for$13.50). I try not to eat processed foods but I have to give in when I am in a pinch. I made burritos for Cinco de Mayo and will cap off the night with a adios amigos!

Cody at 6 months

He is so big and cuddley!