Ideas to make you warm!

Take a hot bath, don't forget candles, a big fluffy robe and scented bath salts.

Sip on a cup of hot tea, like lemon or mint with honey.

Snuggle up in bed early with a good book. I'm reading The lost memoirs of Jane Austen by Syrie James (this read appeals to my hopeless romantic inclinations).

DO YOGA!!!

Tea and scones

What a night for hot scones and herbal tea! I'm going to make a fresh batch of white chocolate mixed berry scones tomorrow morning! They will be wonderful with a cup of tea with milk and sugar. My energies have flowed in a new direction lately. I've taken a part-time position to provide PR and marketing for the Plymouth Community Arts Council. It should prove to be an exciting challenge!

Vice

Vice, addiction, guilty pleasure, bad habit, indulgence or whatever you call it, may not be a good aspect of ones life. Smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, illicit drug use, gambling, shopping, overeating or any other "habit" comes to mind. Our challenge this week is to think of an area that needs to be addressed and to challenge ourselves to think before we indulge our ID response to gain gratification or satisfaction. A suggestion was to write a vice on a piece of paper, crumble it up and put it in your pocket. It should be big enough to feel it, or to notice it (uncomfortable). The next time an urge arises, remove the paper, open it up and cross the vice off in red marker, then write "I don't need this! This doesn't control me" below it. Put the paper back in your pocket. For the next week, challenge yourself to control these impulses as much as possible. Mind over matter is true to a certain extent in some cases. Your personal goals and dreams are achievable if you choose to place your energy in a positive activity, something that helps you to grow!

Patience

Patients is a virtue they say, they must not have had children. I'm not sure if patients is in order or if an increased tolerance on my part for disobedience is necessary. I know they can hear me, they understand English, and they are intelligent. They choose not to listen, even when asked repeatedly. Oh, you've guessed right; I'm having a lovely day with my boys. I hope you are blessed with a peaceful night.

BTW did you check out the humongous full moon tonight???

Ripple Effects

I started challenging my students 3 weeks ago. The first challenge was to engage a smile, "hello, how are you?" with someone that is "negative" force in their lives. The second challenge was to make one consistent change to impact the earth in a positive way. I pointed out that my family used 1600 disposable water bottles a year! I really never thought the humongous number of bottles that we used, it was always a case at a time. We bought refillable water bottles and have been using them daily (either filtered water from the fridge or Brita water filter) since Earth day of 2007. That is 8 months ago,or should I say 1200 bottles ago. We really never thought about our impact on the earth it that way until we sat down to to make choices that we could really live with. My third challenge is to explore a new food, fruit or veggie this week. I had 200 students attend my 4 classes this week. 200 people being invited to challenge themselves to grow. Over the past 3 weeks of challenges we as a group(200 week 1, 90 week 2, 200 week 3) totaled 490 times to make a small difference. How inspiring! If we all just share a little goodness and a little encouragement to grow, we all could cause a positive ripple effect to make our lives that much better. I am humbled and honored to have so many wonderful students attend my classes. I want to thank all of you for being a constant source of inspiration for me! Namaste~ Tricia

FUN!!!

Try to have some today! Comment on your funnest experience you've had this week.

Technology

I've been swamped with technology lately. I feel like a dinosaur! I finally got a Blackberry, how cool!

New challenge

I asked my students to join me for a new challenge today. To make one committed change to their lives that will make a difference for the earth. Find some way to make a difference, no matter how small it is, if you make it a consistent change it will have an effect.

Google bar

I've added a google search bar so you can search products right from my site!

Happiness 101

Hopefully, or willfully you make the choice! Will you be happy or miserable today? We are in some ways, in control of our state of self. We can choose to react to a situation in a positive or negative way. The outcome can be effected by our response. PAUSE, SMILE, then REACT. Make this your mantra this week.

Pause...take a deep breath, I mean really deep!
Smile...this will change your emotional state
React...calmly, procrastination is never a bad attribute when reacting to a negative situation


PAUSE, SMILE, REACT
PAUSE, SMILE, REACT
PAUSE, SMILE, REACT

Inspiration!~

Find it everywhere! Look in the most oblivious places! I am so inspired by the bright, clean looks coming into the fashion scene. Everything looks so fresh and happy! A trip to Whole Foods surprised Vic, he was astonished at how fresh and delicious all the fruits and veggies looked. I told him that's why I love to shop there, everything looks good and is good for you! Despite the cold weather and dreary skies, look forward to Spring! It's only a few moons away!

Positive Thinking

My resolution to avoid negative thoughts is really working! I've been really positive and not frazzled by the usual ugliness of life. I challenged my class to challenge themselves by reaching out to a person that they are at odds with and to just say "Hi" and smile. People who are generally negative are going to be that way regardless of their situation. Allow yourself to be immune to pessimism and discontent. There is always a positive aspect to ones life, look for it and write it down, do this daily. Look back at your list after one week. Have a blessed day!

New Years Wishes

I wish the following for all who read this and humankind at large:

Undying appreciation for the Glory of God, if you don't know much about him; make a point of learning.

For all to have peace of mind.

To appreciate the challenges in life and to remain positive.

To look for opportunities to grow and learn.

For all to have the gift of feeling good, physically and mentally.

Almost Happy New Year!

I have really enjoyed the time off from our regular routine! We've been playing video games, eating way too much and sleeping to 8:30! I've really been enjoying my classes lately, more than usual. My students are wanting more challenging classes and I'm happy to oblige. I'm seeing tremendous gains in their strength and flexability. I'm surprised at how much I've improved over the past 6 months. I'm making an effort to set my resolution for the new year now. I'm resolving to not think or speak negative thoughts. I believe that negativity eats up our positive energy and we "fester" over things longer than we should. Join me in making one resolution that can really make a difference in your life.

Merry Christmas!!!!!!

Let it snow!!

A view inside my back yard door.

A view out my back yard door.

How awesome!!! I love a great snow!~ Get your gear on and go outside and play!

Gratitude

I was really touched after class today. Many of my students came up to tell me how much they loved my class and my style of teaching. I am very humbled and so appreciative of the opportunity to help others, as I have been given the gift of yoga as well. I really love teaching, and it shows. If your heart isn't in something you're doing, try to figure out why? Ask yourself a question "If I had to do it all over, would I do this again?" If it's your job, first be thankful that you have one! Second, realize that sometimes one has to work for a living and find really fulfilling hobbies to increase one's sense of satisfaction in life. If you're thinking of changing your job or field, take time to really think through your options. Spend some quiet time reflecting on your state of self. Make a goal list and start working toward it today! Remember that being healthy and fit are a lifestyle choice not a diet or a routine!

Peace and light~ Tricia

News

Why do they call it "news"? It seems to be more like "tonight's depressing spiral of moral decay." I think the media is creating the "mass murder super star syndrome". Our society need to refocus on positive information, and inspiring stories. Maybe more people will be inspired to do good in our world.

A good day for Chicken soup!

Both boys are home sick today! I caught whatever cold Alex has, so I feel just lovely! I'm making a big pot of chicken soup, with a whole head of garlic! I finally got the Christmas lights on the outside of the house, and almost all the shopping done! Find my chicken soup recipe onthe Nov 9th posting.

I made a batch of almond crescent cookies, we ate the whole batch in 2 days! The recipe is really easy, here it is:


2 sticks unsalted butter
2/3 cups sifted powdered sugar, plus more for rolling
1 1/2 t vanilla extract
1 T almond extract
1 1/3 c finely chopped almonds
2 1/2 c sifted all-purpose flour

preheat oven to 350, line baking sheet with parchment.
Cream butter and 2/3 cup of sugar until fluffy.
Beat in extract, then add almonds. Stir in flour and beat until well mixed.

Roll into crescent shapes about 2" long and place on baking sheet. Bake for 15-20 minutes. Let cool and roll in powdered sugar.

Spirt of giving

The boys had the pleasure of really giving something back. Our church has trees with gift tags attached. They received information from 15 Detroit area charities, including shelters and a veterans service center. The boys each chose a tag, with the age and description of what the child would like for Christmas. They went shopping and chose items for the children, and paid for the gifts from their own money that they earned. They were so excited to be able to help another child. It really warmed my heart to see them learn to think about another person who is in need. Look past your own needs and find a way to help another person.