Tunes: Sex On Fire

Thank you Sugarland for covering this song. The original version is written and performed by Kings of Leon and totally awesome but man oh man, this video is absolutely sensual, hot, rockin and you got it... on FIRE! I especially like the acoustic guitar... and Jennifer Nettles, wow what a voice! So, although this probably won't be found on my yoga playlist (sorry guys), you bet I'll be playing it in my car singing at the top of my lungs!

Enjoy... and have a lovely weekend! I know I will, after teaching my 9:30am vinyasa class at Yoga Shala in the morning, I will be meeting friends from Nydia's Yoga Therapy for lunch and a sutra study with the lady of the afternoon - Ms. Beryl Bender Birch! I cannot wait to meet and learn from this wonderful teacher, author and yoga therapist!
~Namaste

Grub: Chicken and Cous Cous Salad

Okay okay, I admit the intention of this part of the blog is so that I push my self to cook more! I haven't been such a good wife in regards to making delicious, healthy dinners for my man and I. For the most part, I blame my teaching and crazy schedule. It had gotten to a point where we were eating convenient and tasty Kashi pizzas 3 days in a row for dinner. I know... slap on the hand (but those are darn good if you haven't tried)! 

Anyway, my goal is to make a new dish at least once a week and this blog will surely help keep me accountable! Instead of posting the professional photo from the site, I'll post my own just so you have proof I'm sticking to my plan! 

This week I made a very tasty and fresh salad, chicken and cous cous. It's wonderful for summer bbqs or pot-lucks. We had plenty leftover for lunch the next day. (I was so happy when Eddie came home from work and asked if we had any left! That'll be my test to see if he really did like it!!) 

Serves: 4

Salad Ingredients:

1  1/4 cups fat-free, low sodium chicken broth

1 (5.7 oz) box uncooked couscous

1 1/2 cups cubed cooked chicken (6 oz)

1/2 cup thinly sliced green onions

1/2 cup diced radishes (about 3 large)

1/2 cup chopped seeded peeled cucumber

1/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

2 tablespoons pine nuts

Dressing Ingredients:  

1/4 cup white wine vinegar

1 1/2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

1 tspn ground cumin (I didn't have any and it still tasted fine)

1/2 tspn salt

1/8 tspn freshly grounded black pepper

1 garlic clove, minced

Prep:

Bring broth to boil in a medium saucepan; gradually stir in couscous. Remove from heat; cover and let stand for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork. Spoon couscous into a large bowl; cool. Add chicken, onions, radishes, cucumber, parsley and pine nuts; toss gently to combine. 

To prepare dressing, combine vinegar and remaining ingredients, stirring with a whisk. Drizzle dressing over salad; toss to combine. 

Note: You can toast the pine nuts in a dry skillet over medium/high heat. Stir frequently, as soon as they become fragrant, remove nuts from the pan. We warmed up a few pieces of pita bread as well!  : )

(Recipe courtesy of Cooking Light)

Fab Find: Newest lulu campaign

I'll admit, I LOVE that lulu pants eliminates the hated frontal wedgie. C'mon any other tight-fitting workout pant would naturally ride up. That's what makes them worth every dollar. Not only that, but there's no need to worry about the (luon) fabric darkening in the crotch when you're in a sweaty vinyasa class. lululemon continues to shock people with this cheeky ad in the upcoming June issue of Yoga Journal. Model is accordingly in ustrasana pose... or camel. Oh and how appropriate - today is Hump Day! Okay, okay I'll stop.
~ Namaste

Posture: Ubhaya Padangusthasana

(oub-HA-ya pod-awng-goosh-TAWS-ahna)

Ubhaya - Padangusthasana
both - big toe pose

A deep hamstring stretch, this pose focuses on balancing on sit bones with legs extended. The index, middle finger and thumb grab the big toes and heels kick out. Drishti (gazing point) is towards the toes or nose and spine is long with shoulders relaxed.

Benefits include: abdominal toning * hamstring stretch * massage of the entire spinal column, as each vertebrae is stimulated * purifies and strengthens waist, genitals and stomach.

On a side note, check out this inspiring video from CNN about a Detroit man who lost over 300 lbs. and credits YOGA! Weight should never be an excuse as to why you cannot get started!

Motivation: Universal Loving - Kindness Mantra

May I be well, happy and peaceful.
May no harm come to me.
May no difficulties come to me.
May no problems come to me.
May I always meet with success.

May I also have patience, courage, understanding, and determination to meet and overcome inevitable difficulties, problems, and failures in life.

Tunes: The XX

My dear friend (and yogi sis) Esme introduced me to a band called The XX. I have them on my yoga playlist and for the past few weeks, I've LOVED Crystalized - don't think I can ever get tired of it! It's a sweet blend of male/female vocals and pretty awesome electronic vibes! Check 'em out here: XX.

Grub: Grilled Portobello-Goat Cheese Pitas

courtesy of Cooking Light

Serves: 4

Ingredients: 

1 1/2 tspns bottled minced garlic

1  tspn olive oil

4 pita rounds

1/2 tspn salt

1/4 tspn black pepper

1 (6 oz) pkg portobello mushrooms

2 medium tomatoes, cut into 1/4 inch thick slices

1/3 cup goat cheese

1/2 cup chopped fresh basil

Prep: 
Preheat a grill pan over medium heat.
Combine garlic and oil; brush evenly over pitas. Sprinkle 1/4 tspn salt and 1/8 tspn pepper evenly over pitas. Place pitas in a pan, and cook 2 minutes on each side or until toasted.
Sprinkle 1/4 tspn salt  and 1/8 tspn pepper evenly over mushrooms and tomatoes. Place mushrooms in a pan; cook 6 minutes or until tender, turning once. Remove mushrooms from pan. Add tomatoes to pan; cook 1 minute. Spread goat cheese evenly over pitas. Arrange mushrooms and tomatoes evenly over pitas. Sprinkle with chopped basil! Whala! I cannot wait to try!! 

Fab Find: Custom Yoga Mats

Has your practice become a little dull? Check these babies out... custom design yoga mats from Yogamatic. Now I'm not gonna lie, I love my Manduka mat, it goes everywhere with me but these are pretty sweet! There's one for every personality... take the ones above: couch potato yogi (don't think there's such a thing), computer geek yogi, gambler yogi, Michael Phelps, etc. They're just fun to look through and think, 'would I ever walk into a studio and lay this thing down while everyone is trying to focus and become centered?' I mean seriously, how do you not just fall asleep on the first one? Take a look for yourself and let me know which one suits you! You also have the option of sending in a photo and their in-house designer take care of the rest! You could be doing a handstand on top of the Eiffel Tower! 

Price: $85 

Posture: Urdhva Mukha Svanasana

(OORD-vah MOO-kah shvon-AHS-anna) 

Urdhva - Mukha - Svana

upward - face - dog

Simple and full of grace. This posture is also commonly referred to as "upward facing dog".  


Benefits include:  opening the heart, chest and lungs * stretching your upper back and entire front of the body * strengthens wrists, arms, shoulders and spine * relieves sciatica, mild depression and fatigue * can be therapeutic for asthma as it stretches the lungs and chest * counteracts bad posture.


Be mindful of the following:  pregnancy * carpal tunnel syndrome * headache * any previous back injuries.

Motivation

“The power of God is with you at all times; through the activities of mind, senses, breathing, and emotions; and is constantly doing all the work using you as a mere instrument.” - Bhagavad Gita