Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Day 9 (Class 11) Feelin' Good

It was sooo cold this morning, in the house and outside. I put on my gear and headed to class (hair in same hot mess it was from yesterday's 3:45pm class, I did shower though).

Heaven walking into the hot room (for about 30 seconds). The perfect temperature was sitting in the lobby, with my hoodie on. Perfecto! I could have laid down and slept another 2 hours. But alas, I'm not there to sleep. Practice now, live better, sleep when I'm dead.

Peter was teaching this morning. Thankfully not the animated, auctioneer Peter. He must have been tired.

I may be tooting my horn here but I think I am really rockin' this Challenge. Which means I'm rockin' my practice. Peter gave me some good corrections today and it got me really locked into focus. My arms are actually sore from the pulling. Pulling is the object of stretching. I do have a "sore" lower back, but Jules and I were discussing and we're both convinced it's how high our legs are going up in Cobra. Yayyyyy Us! I actually lifted my legs fully off the floor today. Nothing touching. My own idiocy had me lay out Rabbit. After camel (the new love of my life) I chugged half a bottle of water. OHOH.

On the water topic. I'm going to start skipping the Emerg-C in my bottle. Today I had a weird taste in the back of my throat from it. I just wanted plain old water. Thankfully I had a bottle of that... and hence the chug a lug. I might be using the Emerg-C as a crutch now when I really don't need it. I feel great after class with or without it. If I need it I'll use it, but I'm sure I'll be fine.

Oh, I just noticed my uncomfy pants are comfy again. My bra is fitting better and my (ahhemm...) extra chin is less! Woot.

7 years ago the first Bikram Studio opened up in the city. I regret not starting then. My am thankful I'm committed now.

Viva La Hot Room!!

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Baklava

Grab your gear! One box of phyllo (or make it if you're super motivated), 1 pound of nuts (whatever you want), half a cup of butter and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon. Mix the cinnamon with the nuts.Turn your oven on- 350.

Start layering... so freaking boring... phyllo, butter, nuts, phyllo, butter, nuts... wash, rinse, repeat. Did I mention you should butter the pan? Cut the baklava before baking- trust me here.

While this is baking (usually 30-35 minutes in my oven) boil together one cup of water, half a cup of sugar and half a cup of honey. Or if you want to sub the honey, use maple syrup (Aunt Jemima is not maple syrup). Let it simmer for about 20 minutes. Cool. When the baklava comes out of the oven, let it rest for about half an hour and then pour the syrup all over, every bit, every piece. Let it cool down at room temp. Do not cover or put in the fridge. DO NOT. It will get far too sticky.

The pan is gone. They were good.

Day 8 (9) Caution: Potty Mouth

You have no idea how much patience I have. I should be nominated for Saint Hood. Someone call the Pope.

Beside me today in the 3:45 pm class was the loudest fucking groaner you have ever encountered! I cannot believe I didn't strangle him. I've heard less groaning watching gay porn. The guy was groaning in Half Moon and it only got worse. The instructor actually said "Remember this is a quiet room, keep your mouths closed and control your breaths through your nose, no groans allowed" "I hear groaning..." "I'm getting concerned with the groaning, is the groaner ok" This nearly cracked me up. But remember I'm avoiding wrinkles by not moving my face...

He was 8 inches from me, we had to stack our arms in Full Lotus. I probably could have thrown an elbow and knocked him out into final Savasana before his time.

OMFG

Otherwise my class was great. I went deeper, pulled harder and really had a good clear practice. Even with the Great Groaner beside me.

I talked to the instructor afterwards (Kelsey) and she assured me that one day I will get my head to my knee. Its just my anatomy...

sigh...

Day 7 (8) Part II

Oh La La! I forgot how packed the 7:45pm class can be! And loud. So much buzzing around as people are coming in and chatting. I guess I got use to 6am and how we're all walking zombies with puffy eyes and bad hair.

There was a lot of grunting and groaning in class. Kind of like a cattle drive. I am very stoic in my practice. I like to concentrate on me and mine and nothing else. Come to think of it I am like that most of the time. I am that straight faced, not easily impressed, shocked or otherwise gal. You get use to it. And its good for not getting wrinkles!

I had a new (1st class) girl practice beside me and kudos to her, she pushed through the whole practice, didn't layout once. I nearly puked my 1st class.

Peter was instructing this class and he was talking so fast and animated, I kept looking at Jules and laughing. I felt like I was at an auction! SOLD!! He admitted he was a bit hyper from doing a class, then straight in teaching the next. But Lord Love a Duck it was extreme.

All in all, for a double I felt good. I think I might have liked the back to back more. Jules said she liked the double more. Either way, we were two sweaty chicks that did a double and enjoyed it. (that sounds perverse...) I do like putting up two stickers in one day box on the Challenge chart. Actually, I don't do it. Someone else does (usually Jules stretching for all she's worth). Being tall has some advantages.

I'm doing a 3:45pm class today. I think the sleep in today did me well. I have a yummy dinner planned for me and Mister and a night of knitting on the couch.

Oh speaking of knitting... the new kitten likes wool... could be trouble if I forget to put things away.

Shittles! I still haven't posted the Baklava!

Monday, September 28, 2009

Day 7 (8) Where did the heat go?!

This morning with Abbey went by in a flash! I got in a bit late and was the ONLY PERSON in the front row (later 2 more wound up there) and kind of liked it. Though... staring at myself that close I really did notice I need a dye job. Platinum hairs poking out random, not a pattern in sight, just BOING!

The fans didn't come on today at all until final Savasana, and it was OK!. Jules mentioned there was no towel where the gap in the door is, that was probably it. But I like to pretend we're becoming more efficient!

I thought I had a pretty decent practice. Alot of pushing myself beyond yesterday. Abbey complimented me today (I think): "Miss. Tattoo, you can go much more closer with your legs next time, you have the perfect anatomy for this pose" Separate Leg Stretching. Mister will be proud.

Did Abbey notice for the life of me these boobs are inhibiting anything touching my knee?! Or that they were touching my chin in Lotus? Pick a Lotus any Lotus... One day I'll get there.

Maybe tonight when we do a second class to kick start this new week! Woot. We're turning into Nutjobs. Yogini NutJobs... Hmmm... could be a good name for a granola bar.

Oh I did make baklava last night- I'll post it tonight when I get home.

Happy Monday Bendies

Sunday, September 27, 2009

Maisie aka Sad Sack


Olive's baby Wilson

Olive keeps bringing home this young male kitten. No collar, skinny as can be. He seems to live in the bushes by our house. Of course we feed and let him in. I haven't seen any posters around so I'm not sure if he's a stray, but if he keeps coming in I'm going to keep him in. I'll put out a note but whomever, if anyone owns him they better step up. He's getting neutered asap.

Cute thing is, Olive is very attentive to him. Grooms him, lets him use her box, doesn't cut him to bits when he comes around... very motherly of her. And he follows her around like a baby.

I call him Wilson.





Day 6 (7)... Conclusion

Apparently I wasn't as tired as I let myself think I was. I got to the studio at about 9:05am and I wasn't the first keener there. I got my favourite spot as soon as the coast was clear and then came back out to sit in the corner, also my favourite spot. And... woot, Jules walked in. I thought she was going to do a later class so it boosted me to see my yoga partner in crime arrive.

Sweet Baby Jesus that class was hot!! I will never get why there is zero continuity with instructors and when or when not to keep the fans on. I do say when people leave half way through the class or are just laying out completely, a little mental/ physical boost of fan power can't be that detrimental. Either way, I always feel sad for people that leave or get sick or just can't stick it out. For the love of God when you see the air in the room look like fog rolling in, turn on a fan.

I had a great practice regardless of what was going on. I layed out Bow Pose- Mother Nature is on her way tomorrow and she was hitting me with cramps like she was going for Olympic gold. Bitch.

I use to HATE camel. Hate hate hate! Now... Love love love. Who would have thought?

Oh! Jules and I are doing a double tomorrow. Not back to back but 2 classes spaced well apart. We do have day jobs you know.

I'm glad I went early today. I feel refreshed, a bit tired but I have a day of knitting and baking planned (laundry thrown in for shit and giggles). I'm going to pull out a few episodes of Dexter and finish up what I've missed and await the new season with baited breath.

I'll be posting again today but its going to be Baklava. I thought I'd be done it by now but I didn't know the phyllo needs 4 hours to thaw, its just thin dough after all.

I'm hungry again...

Day 6 (7)... Pre- Practice

I'm off to a 9:30am soon. I'm really tired so wish me luck! I had a flip flop night and I think it's because I was too hot, too cold, hot, cold, hot, cold... I woke up again with my arms tightly gripped over my head, hands in steeple, which I always think is funny. Either waiting the words to do something OR getting ready to Karate chop mister. Sipping cafe and getting ready to go (my hair is still in yesterday's bun, it too is ready to go). TTYS

Saturday, September 26, 2009

Day 5 (Technically... 6)

You know what really makes you work in a practice? Having Ida Ripley (World Champion) lead your class... Yup, that will do it.

Friday, September 25, 2009

Day 4 (5! Plus 1) We Rock!

We did it! We did it! And we did it well!!

I have a perma- smile today since I'm still stunned we did the back to back 6am- 915am). Who would have thought the 2nd class was going to be so smooth!? Not us that I can tell you. (We're thinking of doing it weekly! **small squeal**)

So... Le Sigh... we make it through our first class, no glitches. We actually high five each other while laying in final Savasana. We don't lay much longer than 3 minutes before we get up and maul the watermelon container. Which FYI was the best thing I had ever eaten up to that point.

A couple of comments regarding us doing the back to back: "You are retarded" OR "You two are super rockstars, AC/DC rockstars!" Nothing in between, retarded or rockstars. To the naysayers... Rockstars.

Going back into the hot room we suddenly realized- its not so hot right now! Because we were still sweating buckets? Who knows or cares. We got on our mats (Oh neither of us bothered changing the towels, I rather enjoyed the extra grip too) and honest to god I either blacked out half the class or time flew by at unaccounted for speed. All of a sudden we're back in Savasana, at the same time Jules and I look at each other... dumbfounded. We giggle.

The floor series seems to be a dream, it just flowed past. I do remember in my mind saying "OMG we did it, we did it!"

In final breathing I had such a revelation that we have been under estimating ourselves and we are better than we gave ourselves credit for. We are rockstars!

We looked like shit at that point but we felt like vanilla cupcakes stuffed with soft marshmallow custard topped with whipped buttercream icing. We felt decadent.

And we are.

Thursday, September 24, 2009

Day 3 (4!)

It frightens me that I'm awake before the 515am alarm. Waiting... what if I've lost my ability to sleep in?! What if I'm becoming an old lady already? The one that gets up at 3am and putters around but is in bed at 6pm?? C'est la vie? I guess so. How sad that 7am will be a sleep in from now on.

Some things I was thinking about while waiting for class to start today... just sitting on my mat looking around.

I always wonder how long haired people can keep their hair down while in the hot room. ICK! Mine is up in a bun so tall I can't see my foot come over my head in Standing Bow. I can't do anything else with it that is tolerable. If I feel it coming apart I start to pray it doesn't fall completely. It gives me the heebie jeebies thinking of it.

Glasses. Don't they fog up???

Long pants and a long sleeved top!??!!! I have nothing to say on this...

Are my feet as dirty as that?! I hope to hell not. I try very hard to keep them clean for class so that no one is thinking this about me.

God I wish I could wear a bandeau top. Or at the very least a top with cute straps that are not 2 inches wide. I pray every class I will drop 2 or 3 cup sizes. They truly get in the way.

Am I the only one sitting in here that already has sweat rolling down their back?? I think I am.

My toenail polish is chipping. Note to self: redo tonight.

In walks Jacqueline to start the class- lights on and we're all blind.

I felt super strong today and thus really concentrated on everything. I still don't enjoy Half Moon, will tell you when I do. Guess it would be bad to take a knee on the first posture huh?

I felt like the entire standing series just zoomed by. Any hints on how to get my forehead to knee, by passing my boobs?? Talk about "throat choked". I literally had my face up to the top of my nose jammed into my cleavage. I can't get pass them! And I try incredibly.

Ahhhh... to the floor.

Ever notice how in Bow Pose one leg is lower than the other and takes more effort to push up, and not let the other drop? Yeah... me too.

I must say I pulled out my best Camel Pose to date. I was pushing and pushing. Had I been pregnant for sure I'd have birthed right there. I felt so overwhelmed afterwards- but in a good way, almost dizzy. I layed out Rabbit and got my head together and flew through the rest of class.

I got home and felt so awake. I washed my gear, made some yummy coffee for me and Maisie (she gets cream in a cup, but I call it coffee and she goes nuts), packed my lunch for work and got into the shower. And not in 5 minutes I thought "I want a nap". I didn't but oh boy would it have been good.

Juliana and I are going for a back to back tomorrow. 6am-730am, then 745am to 915am. Wish us luck.

I'm in charge of bringing watermelon.

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Day 2 (but really day 3!)

Another 6am. I do love doing (OMG I type DONG everytime!!) that class. It's just a great way to start the day- though I'm sure I'm not as balanced at that hour. Admittedly I'm a bit tired come mid- day but am sure it will pass.

I must rant on mat retardation for a moment.

Do you really not see me or my mat before you plop yours directly in front of mine? DIRECTLY in front! You stare at me enough, so I know for a fact you saw me. Tomorrow I will ask you to move your mat should you decide you need 8 feet of space on either side of you and the only way you can get it is by standing in front of me. Namaste.

David was teaching again today. He said an interesting thing which Bikramyogachick said in her blog as well. "Wash rinse repeat" Then started breaking down how long it takes a woman to get ready... ahh not this woman. Clearly you don't see me pop out of bed at 530am and out of the house in 9 minutes. His point was that if you take all this time in a day to get yourself ready for other things, what's 90 minutes to reinvent yourself for your entire life? It's not much, but it is everything.

David decided today to NOT turn on the fans until... 8 minutes prior to the end. I heard a lot of groaning and huffing in the class. I enjoy a cool breeze every now and again, I'm sure you do too... but come on! You need to groan? This isn't sex noises in a sauna class. Is it necessary? I don't grunt or groan. I tried to move it out of my mind but sometimes you can't hear anything but. So I started singing in my head, Dolly Parton's "Harper Valley PTA". Only thing I heard then was dialogue and the command to "change". Wooot. Feel free to use it.

Juliana and I were having sushi today and just gabbing away about yoga, feigning poses while sitting in our chairs. I'm sure it was a sight to be seen. Both of us agree that we spend a lot of time thinking about yoga, analyzing the poses, analyzing ourselves in the poses, trying not to beat ourselves up and honour what our bodies are telling us. We both came to the conclusion that we have not found or done another physical thing in our lives that we enjoy as much as this. I look forward to waking up to go! At 6am.

You should join us.

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Day 1 of the 30 day Challenge- technically Day 2!

So, there it was 5:36 am with the Mister standing over me saying "Aren't you suppose to be up by now??" Holy Hell! I fly out of bed, little dog is thinking "WTF are you doing!!!?" I run to the bathroom where Mister then says to me "Look at the size of...." Well shit, I turn and run so fast, past him, over the cat... he's laughing and then says "Look at the size of that fluff of hair the cat left on the carpet" I thought he meant spider. Either way- heart rate was up to 140. I jam my toothbrush into my mouth, splash water on my face and all over the place, pinning hair up, leg through shorts, tangled in bra top... and make it out the door at 5:45am.

I get to the studio in literally 60 seconds (only a couple of blocks away) and David is smiling away at the counter, I look around for Juliana (my yoga friend and work mate), whew... there she is. Ok, heart rate back to normal.

I go into the hot room and set my mat up in my new favorite area- second row from the front, next to Jules. Everyone had good mat etiquette today and we all got very clear views of ourselves in the mirror.

And we begin... deep breathing went off without passing out. Good job.

My nemisis is Half Moon Pose. Why? Cause I have this blob of side fat that hopefully one day will disappear! I push past it most days- today was not that day. I felt crazy stretching in my sides, good I know... But then my back was being a bitch-whore. So I kicked her in the ass and told her to move it along. During back bend I saw the lower half of the back wall for the first time. I followed every one of David's words and pushed further than I ever have. Yayyyy me!!

Front bend... oh hello gut!! I'm not a big person at all, but when you're nearly naked and bending in less than flattering ways, things pop out!

By the time we hit the floor I am sweating. Really sweating. Which I LOVE. But my god, when I bend over and the accumulated sweat in my cleavage comes running out and goes up my nose I feel like I'm drowing in a pool. I know you know what I mean if you've got ample cleavage and do Bikram.

I don't know about you but I like an instructor that talks a bit fast, and tells the occassional funny and sometimes forgets which pose we're in. Makes them more human, more approachable. Like this morning "Come to the top of the mats, for... the 3rd part of Fixed Firm which is a different pose..."

I had a great practice this morning. I'm so glad we (I, but really we. The support of your friends really helps) decided to do this challenge. We're going to do a back to back on Thursday. Yup... 6am to 9:15am. We can do it but at the same time eeeeeeekkkkk!

Here's to the next 29.

Monday, September 21, 2009

BAH!

Juliana and I get to yoga today- 6am no less. Our 30 day challenge doesn't start until tomorrow. We weren't the only ones surprised, even the instructor was. Le sigh... guess I'll be doing the 31 day challenge. Regardless, I think we rocked this class out- one of those days I'm sure I could have done a back to back, but alas, work calls.

Stay tuned for tomorrow's commentary of my 31 day challenge :)

Friday, September 18, 2009

New Tattoos


I don't have to explain what they are do I?

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Not the element I was thinking...

So I get home from work the other day and see these on the fridge...



I guess Mister was really bored and the local paper had an ad for the free yoga weekend at the studio I go to... so he did some art. Oh boy...

Sunday, September 13, 2009

I'm adding an element...


If you know me (lucky you :), you will know that I have a new obsession in my life. I say obsession because I think about it all the time, I dream about it, I talk about it (when I'm not talking food or knitting)... all the time! And I'm talking about Bikram Yoga. That's right- the 'Hot Yoga'. As frightening as my first week of classes were (I'm into my 4th month now) I became hooked. Hooked on the movements, the reintroduced flexibility, the sweating, the energy and the overall euphoria that presents itself after every class.

So, from here on in, along with
baking and chihuahuas you are going to start seeing my day to day life while doing Bikram. I hope you try it, you should. I wish I had started a long time ago. But I'm here now and I'm rockin' it out.


Thursday, September 10, 2009

Carrot Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Icing









I'll post the recipe and directions tomorrow... I'm tired :)

Saturday, September 5, 2009

The Saanich Fair






This baby Alpaca was the most precious thing you have ever seen.











Gingerbread


Preheat the oven to 350. Butter a 9x13 pan or line with parchment (which I think works the best).

Gather your ingredients



Cream the butter and sugar. Add the eggs one at a time. Add the molasses and ginger. Slowly add the dry ingredients. Scrape everything down and mix it up again. Slowly add the 1 cup of boiling water. Mix. Pour into your prepared pan.



Bake for about 35-45 minutes- the middle of mine was cracked and still pretty soft when I took it out at 40 minutes, but it turned out to be perfectly cooked and still really moist.


Cool it down (though I didn't :) and cut however you like.


Perfect chilly day/ evening treat.

A Day at Coombs