a link to a chai site

I got this comment on a posting and wanted to share it.

"For those of you Chai lovers out there, visit Yogic Chai Traditional Masala Chai blends at http://www.yogicchai.com

Om Shantih!Raghavendra"

rope yoga

http://www.russayog.com/

This is a style of yoga that utilizes ropes dangling from the ceiling. I'll check it out and let you know how it went:) I may go on Sunday.

RussaYog chia tea recipe

• What is Chai? How is chai made?Chai, the Hindi word for tea, is a delicious, healthy, hot tea drink, ubiquitous all over India and other South Asian countries and the Middle East.
"Masala chai" is a blended beverage of mixed spices, milk, and honey or sugar. It is a healthier alternative to hot chocolate, latte or cappuccino, and can be made with regular milk or dairy-free alternatives.
There are many different chai blends unique to their region of India but the original recipe was created out of the need for a medicinal and healthy recipe to combat minor discomforts for those without easy access to medical care. It is perfect for cold winters, and surprisingly refreshing even on a hot summer day! Below is the RussaYog recipe. It is easy to make. For a decaffeinated version, use decaffeinated black tea. The black tea and spices we use are purchased at the local Indian Grocery store. They can be found in your local grocery store, although you are more likely to find loose tea at the Indian grocery store. Wikipedia has a good explanation of the origins and types of "chai." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chai

Recipe for RussaYog Chai: For four cups of chai you'll need: 2 qt. pot (large enough to hold 5 cups of liquid)1 whole cardamom pod, crushed 1/2 inch (in length) stick of cinnamon 3 whole cloves 1/2 tablespoon of fresh ginger , peeled and grated set aside 2 teaspoons of black loose tea (or 4 bags of black tea) 1/4 can of skim evaporated milk (or whole milk, if you prefer) 4 teaspoons of sugar or honey (or more, if you prefer)
Pour five cups of water into the pot. Add the spices. Turn the fire on high heat. Bring just to a boil, then add black tea. Turn the fire low. Brew 2--3 minutes. Add sugar and milk. Turn off the fire. Stir, then strain into teapot.Enjoy!

Welcome to me!

Oh BTW hello new follower Shara! I'm so happy to have you along for the ride!

2 new studio experiences in 2 days

So, as I wearily attempt to find a studio to practice at that is a little closer than the Center; I have taken two classes at local studios yesterday and today. I really enjoy the classes at the Center but the distance is logistically prohibitive to support on a daily basis (40 minute drive). In addition to a 40 minute commute, one has to plan to get to class at least 10 minutes early (15 for busy classes), so we're looking at at least 2 1/2 hours for a class. Not going to happen. I went to Evolve in Canton, Carrie taught a Basic class. It was nice and the space is good but the class selections are as such that many overlap when I teach so my choices are really limited. The Plymouth Yoga Room just opened and could be a "twin" for the Center. They did a beautiful job on the decor, the Vinyasa class was nice. I will go back to check out Brent's class in a day or two. I don't really "need" a teacher, just the proper environment to practice at. It's hard to explain but a home practice is not the same as the energy that a group develops. My meditation and practice are developing deeper connections and I want to continue to grow. I want to try the "flying" yoga on State Street in Ann Arbor. Vic found some conferences that are coming up in April (Toronto). I may go for a few days to immerse myself. I feel that life is just getting back to normal after teacher training, but life as normal is so much better now! Yea!!!

Technology for a non techie gal

Hey, well look at this! In the past week I have added:
1. a geocounter to track how many and where people are viewing my blog from.
2. A quote of the day widget to expand your literary experience
3. A pose of the day widget to inspire you to try new poses

All these goodies! How exciting! It was actually very easy.

Let yourself expand the horizons in which you live, laugh and love!

Itunes pick of the week

Check out Itunes for a free song of the week.

Sacred lotus

Find joy in the priceless gifts that we all have

Gratitude bestowed is never forsaken

Honesty and purity of thought lead to peacefulness and tranquility

Cessation of attachment and cravings free us from enslaving thoughts

The sacred Lotus, Nelumbo nucifera, is an extremely important spiritual symbol in Eastern religions. It represents purity, divine wisdom, and the individual’s progress from the lowest to the highest state of consciousness.

Higher states of consciousness are available to all who seek enlightenment. Looking past our insecurities, defenses and habits are a good starting point. Meditation is the tool to reach past our outer human existence.

Trademark

I just paid 500.00 to legal zoom to trademark my company name. OUCH!! that is a lot of classes! I want to proceed with my business plan and this is the next step.

Hey how can you tell if it was a really good haircut? When you can actually style it and it looks good!

Tchotchke day 2

I'm still working on the kitchen. I feel as if a lot of space has been created and properly utilized:) Trentmoller, Last Resort is my new chill cd, 23 tracks of goodness.

Help with setting goals

Check out this link I found on the Lulumon site.

http://goals.lululemon.com

Quote of the Week

This quote is from my Teacher Training manual. Here is a website that I found that has links to quotes http://thinkexist.com/quotes/marianne_williamson/


Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn't serve the world. There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We are born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us, it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”


This is so true and hard to acknowledge sometimes. Be inspiration to others today!

Tchotchke

I actually pulled out the old Webster's collegiate dictionary for the correct spelling of junk. Tchotchke, we all have it. It is like a parasitic infection that we did not ask for. We went to dinner with Peggy, Andy and the kids last night then we went to their house. They finished their living/dining rooms and the house is amazingly gorgeous! I am so proud of their hard work as the house reflects so much of Andy's hard work and talents. Vic couldn't help to notice that everything was perfect. I was totally inspired to wake up this morning and to begin my de-tchotchke routine. Every time I see "How clean is your house", I clean my house out of sheer anxiety that my home may end up that way! Peggy has the house so elegantly free of clutter and so zen. I want that feeling of mise in place, everything in it's place. We have so much "little" kid stuff that the boys have outgrown and that I have not had time to really sort through. I started with the top right kitchen cabinet. The line about tchotchke being a parasite is not false. So much of what I found tucked way back is stuff we got as "party favors," promotional water bottles and mugs and stuff like sippie cups. Well a full trash bag later and I reclaimed that cabinet. I don;t need a bigger kitchen, I need to get rid of what I don;t really use! I recycled what I could like the Carnival cruise line "brandy" looking glasses we got on our honeymoon. I have never used them. They have been cluttering a cabinet for 14.5 years! I am on a campagne of a clutter free life. A life free of party favors, class "gifts," and unnecessary hoarding of something that I may need later (a plastic cup from Applebees that the kids can use for watercolor painting projects). I challenge all who read this entry to really look at what we are doing and what we are having to expend energy on to organize and care for stuff that is nothing but an ATTACHMENT.. AHHHH the A word! Yes folks Attachment to tchotch! Wish me luck as I begin cabinet #2~

Fun night at the ice rink.

We took the boys to see South Lyon Varsity play against Plymouth Salem tonight. South Lyon won 4 to 1, it was nerve wracking! I am so proud of them!! Garrett did quite well for being so tired (got up at 7 a.m. the game ended 10:30). He fell asleep right away, so I get a chance to play with itunes.

I am posting the article on soy candles here for more info: http://soywaxcandleinfo.org/

I went to Lush today and got a new fresh face mask called BB seaweed, it is supposed to be moisturizing and a great refresher. I liked the Cosmetic Warrior one, despite the fresh garlic smell. I'm going to go put it on and make some new playlists. Bon soir~

Audacity

Wow, Blago has quite the case of delusional thinking! Sheppard Smith was yelling at him over the mic. It was like watching a train wreck in slow motion. My little cousin Bozena came to my yoga class today. She did great and built up a good amount of heat. I am contemplating my future and have so many things I want to do and so much excitement I don't know where to start!

My new haircut from David at Tricho.

I love him!!! He did such a good job and was so fun to be around! My hair moves and has a lot of body, but still has the length I like.

New scent! Great deodorant that works

This is a sweet new scent from Kiss my Face. I use it and don't smell like a barn!

Soy candles are good for you!

Alex, my 11 year old did a science fair project using soy candles. He found out that regular paraffin wax candles release 11 harmful chemicals and that they are heavily dependent on foregin oil as a source of the paraffin. Soy candles support American farmers and are more ecologically friendly as well. Yea for science!

cool video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BbnZhGeNS4g

Indian pizza

I took a garlic Naan bread and put spinach Punjab sauce on it, some mozzarella cheese and black beluga lentils. 10 mintes in the toaster oven and it was a yummy vegetarian lunch. I can't do soy cheese any longer so my options are pretty limited (I tried Almond cheese and really gagged). I did an all vegan diet for 21 days in May then from late June to October. I ate a lot of soy cheese, soy milk and tofu. My face exploded! I was covered in red, inflamed bumps. It turns out that the bioestrogens in soy are not well tolerated by my body. I had to learn the hard way! My skin is finally healed and now I really watch how much soy I consume (mostly just an occasional Miso soup). Here I was thinking I was doing something really good for my body and health, not to mention the earth and it turns out that I caused a massive amount of infamation to develop! I am looking into more soy free vegan options and wil post any good recipes that I come across.

I downloaded a few new songs from itunes and have used them in class. One is Teardrop from Massie Attack. Check it out:)