new orleans

why, hello friends!

miss me?

i didn't think so;)

i can't believe it's already Tuesday. i've been thinking about writing a blog about my weekend wonderful in new orleans for a few days but my schedule has been more busy than ever. and i'm getting frustrated because i really wanted to put out a spectacular blog on new orleans but alas, this will have to do.

mac and I had a wonderful weekend. it felt so good to be back in the city. i just love everything about new orleans. the smells, the sights, the people, the dirt, the quaintness---everything, i'm telling you!

the yoga workshop with Scotta Brady was amazing. we met some wonderful, beautiful people and really pushed ourselves in the workshop.

we shopped a little, ate some amazing (and interesting) food, and took it all in.

this trip to new orleans was special for me in the respect that it was my first sober trip to the city. i've spent MANY a drunken night there but this was my first real experience sober.

and it was awesome.

it was so incredible to be fully present.

to fully share the experience with others.

to wake up feeling refreshed and remembering everything from the night before.

to participate 100% in the yoga workshop.

it was amazing.

and i'm so grateful.

here are some photos from the weekend.

i was going to write under each photo and link cool stuff to all the fun places we visited, but i just don't have the time right now! I may try and link a few;)

i'll just let these pictures do all the story-telling needed. and your imagination, of course;) 

We stayed at The Parkview Guest House. It overlooked Audubon park and was so quaint and beautiful!

We stopped at P.J’s Coffee and guess who came to meet us?! My bestie, Eric Aycock!

We enjoyed a trolley ride down St. Charles into the French Quarter. But boy was it cold!

I got to see my favorite ex-boyfriend and dear friend, Jason Briggs!

We all enjoyed a traditional Ethiopian meal together in the Quarter.

The view from our window the next morning. This was the coldest I have ever seen New Orleans.

Ready to hit the town!

We hit up one of my favorite places in the whole world! Whole Foods!

We went shopping on Magazine Street!

And got to see Blue Valentine at The Theatres at Canal Place!

The yoga workshop at Wild Lotus Yoga was amazing. Scotta did an incredible job and I learned so much!

By far the best meal we had was at Sukho Thai! And let me also say that getting to eat dinner with Sean Johnson was the highlight of my trip. I truly felt like I was in the presence of someone enlightened. His kindness and compassion and personability(i think i just made that word up. opps!) totally melted my heart. I can not wait to get to visit his studio again and get involved with what he’s doing. He’s truly transforming New Orleans with the way he lives his life. He is my new hero!



Saturday we got to see where Eric lives! His new pad is rad!

We ate brunch with his new roommate, Andy, at Riccobono Panola St. Cafe!

All in all, our trip was a success! Due to complications while writing this blog, (computer acting up, couldn't find pictures i wanted to use) I'm finally calling it done!

Infact, I feel like due to everything going on in my life, I will be taking a hiatus from the blogging community for a while. Don't worry, I'll be back in Spring.

Hopefully with lots of good news and happy pictures.

I hope everyone is enjoying this cold February!

Until next time!
~Jennifer

Is It Thursday Yet?

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend and is well rested for this dreary, sad, and foggy Monday morning! 

(note sarcasm please)

This morning I struggled to get out of bed. More than I have struggled in a long time.

Nothing a few cups of joe's won’t fix, however;)

This weekend was pretty awesome.

I got to eat yet another birthday dinner with my dear friend, Cleve.

We ate at Fratesi's...it's a little hole in the wall Italian place and it is AMAZING. I highly recommend you try it if you haven't.

Saturday, the weather was uber-amazing. I was on a euphoric natural high all freakin’ day.

I ran 7 miles.

WOOT! 

And didn’t do a bit of school.

Infact, lately, I think I’ve been going through a mini-crisis in which I have no desire to do anything I’m supposed to do.

This could be classified as a major case of the “Fu*&-its”.

On Saturday, I thought about joining the Peace Corps (once again) and just going. Going and going and going and going....you get the gist;) 

But, I didn’t. I went to a benefit at Hal & Mal’s for Northern Uganda and rocked my socks off.

Yesterday evening I held my first team meeting for Relay for Life. My team rocks! So far I have about 12 people!

We decided on our team name….

The Planeteers!

(from Captain Planet).

Our goal is to raise $3,000.00 by April 29^th.

So, if you want to donate……..;)

And now on to my ever-full half week because Thursday,

We leave for NEW ORLEANS!

Yoga workshop with non-other than my yoga teacher, Scotta Brady,

Shopping on Magazine St,

Vegan Restaurants galore,

I’m ready!

Lucky Dog Rescue

It’s FRIDAY!

Time to do a Happy Dance!

But more importantly,

It’s time to give to those in need.

I want to introduce you to someone who is changing the world with not just her words but with the way she lives her life.

I’m working on a blog called “The Movers and the Shakers” and she was the first person I thought of when I thought about who inspired me, who makes me want to be a better person, and who is challenging me to live my truth!  She is leaving a legacy of love and hope and fearce determination with every step she takes.

*She* is none other than Ashley Owen Hill.

Ashley and I hail from the same home-town.

She has a passion.

Her passion is animals. Especially doggies;)

She rescues dogs. Everyday.

She selflessly takes them in her home.

And tries to find “Forever Homes” for them.

She has dedicated her life to saving these animals.

WOW!

What an amazing little lady!

She is as gorgeous on the inside as she is on the outside.

Please take time today to visit her site.

And donate either your time or money to her cause.

And if possible, please think about fostering or adopting one of her angels.

We need more people like Ashley in our lives.

People who remind us that we shouldn’t be asking what the world can do for us,

But what we can do for the world.

 This weekend, take a few minutes to get out of yourselves and help somebody in need.

The feeling and knowledge that you helped another living soul is priceless.

So,

Hop to it!

I expect to pass through this world but once. Any good, therefore, that I can do or any kindness I can show to any fellow creature, let me do it now. Let me not defer or neglect it for I shall not pass this way again

 Stephen Grellet

 Click HERE to follow Ashley's Blog! 

Click HERE to donate money! 

The 3 A's

Yesterday I had a bit of a freak out.

It was one of those days when I was convinced the sky was falling.

And everybody was against me.

And that I just wasn’t going to make it.

The reason?

Physics.

My Physics class seemed unbearably daunting.

I wasn’t understanding it.

I’ve never taken Trig.

It would sort of be like taking French 4 without having French 1, 2, and 3.

I felt that feeling of impending doom.

I HATE that feeling.

It also didn’t help that I had only gotten a few hours sleep. When I am hungry, angry, lonely, or tired, I always feel as if I’m just not gonna survive.

Silly, I know.

After class I went for a long run.

I never wanted it to end.

And while I was running, the voice of my yoga teacher was loud and clear,

“remember the 3 A’s!”

Ahhh….the 3 A’s.

Attitude

Alignment

Action

And I started focusing on the first one:

Attitude

Anusara yoga incorporates the principles of the 3 A's—Attitude, Alignment and Action—into every asana. Attitude encompasses the yogi's quality of emotional, mental and spiritual expression through the body when performing an asana. In the highest sense Attitude is the balance between an openness to Grace and the aspiration to reawaken to our divine nature.

I started thinking or re-thinking, rather, my attitude.

I noticed, at first, that I was being highly critical of myself. Telling myself that I wasn’t good enough and I just wasn’t going to get anywhere.

And then I caught myself doing that and started doing the opposite.

I started telling myself that God did not bring me this far to fail me now.

That I CAN do whatever I set my mind to.

I told myself that I’m bright and capable and worthy of good things.

And by the end of my run,

my circumstances regarding my Physics class hadn’t changed,

but my attitude had.

I cleaned off my desk back in my room and am now using it as my place of study and solace for this semester.

As I was cleaning out my drawers,

I found this little card that I had bought a while back but never sent.

It is now a permanent fixture on my desk.

Thank God for yoga.

and my yoga teachers.

and my friends.

and sponsor.

who continue to encourage and teach me.

The paragraph in Italics comes from here.

2 new super foods: Vega & Chia Seeds

This week I would like to introduce you to 2 of my newest, favorite “super foods” that I just can NOT live without.

They aren’t really “new” but they are new to me!

They are:

Vega

And

Chia Seeds.

“Weird”. You’re probably saying to yourself. And yes, it is a little weird that I’m so excited about 2 super-duper healthy products, but hey, my goal is to be as healthy and happy as possible. So, why not?!

Fist off, I don’t even know where to begin on Vega. So, I will let the stats (off their website) do it for you.

Features & Benefits 
Formulated by Brendan Brazier, vegan, professional Ironman triathlete and best-selling author on performance nutrition, Vega is made exclusively from natural plant-based whole foods.

A synergistic collection of Brendan's favorite plant-based superfoods, Vega is not only a complete meal replacement, but also an ideal daily health-optimizing supplement.

High in fiber, protein and essential fatty acids, Vega is naturally filling and satisfying, helping to reduce appetite and cravings. Each serving of Vega supplies:

26g of Broad Spectrum Protein

·                     40% of calories from protein, with all essential amino acids in ideal balance

·                     Alkaline forming, 35% raw protein with enzymes intact

·                     Protein sourced from hemp, yellow pea, brown rice, flax and chlorella

6g of Essential Fatty Acids

·                     30% of calories from naturally occurring fats from whole foods

·                     EFAs mostly in the form of hard to get Omega 3s and zero trans fats

·                     EFAs sourced from whole flax seed (not flax meal), hemp and chlorella

17g of Quality Carbohydrates

·                     30% of calories from naturally occurring complex carbohydrates; no maltodextrin

·                     Naturally low glycemic index and no sugars or sugar derivatives added

·                     Carbohydrates sourced from hemp, flax, brown rice and maca

15g of Fabulous Fiber

·                     Contains both soluble and insoluble fiber

·                     Helps balance blood sugar, reduce insulin, improve elimination

·                     Fiber sourced from hemp, flax, fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) and chlorella

Full Serving of ChlorEssence (High CGF Chlorella)

·                     Rich in protein, chlorophyll and nucleic acids DNA & RNA

·                     Cleanse, nourish, rejuvenate cells and activate, support immune system

·                     Special cell wall fiber binds to and removes heavy metals and other toxins from the body

Full Serving of MacaSure (Organic Gelatinized Maca)

·                     Rich in alkaloids, glucosinolates, minerals and sterols

·                     Increase energy, reduce stress, balance hormones, improve libido

·                     Gelatinization enhances potency and ease of digestion/absorption

Mixed Berry Complex (ORAC 800 blend)

·                     Great source of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals

·                     Helps defend against free radical damage

Probiotics (Dairy-free)

·                     Beneficial form of bacteria

·                     Helps maintains healthy intestinal flora

Digestive Enzymes

·                     Facilitates breakdown of food to improve absorption

·                     Helps reduce nutritional stress digestion places on the body

100% Recommended Daily Intake of Vitamins & Minerals

·                     All essential minerals present in easily absorbable form

·                     All essential vitamins present in natural form

With just 220 calories and 2g of net carbs per serving (natural flavor), Vega is an excellent choice for those on a calorie-reduced diet. High in fiber, protein and essential fats, Vega is naturally filling and satisfying, helping to suppress appetite and cravings.

Easily digested, alkaline and great-tasting, Vega is clean and green, containing no animal products, corn, dairy, egg, fillers, gluten, soy, sugar, wheat or yeast. Absolutely no artificial colors, flavors, preservatives or sweeteners and GMO and pesticide-free.

Vega is available in wholesome and delicious Natural, Berry, Vanilla Chai and Chocolate flavors, in three sizes: individual 30g Snack Packs, small bottles containing 7-8 servings and large bottles containing 15-17 servings. One serving of Vega is a complete meal, exceeding all meal replacement requirements, but people with smaller appetites may find half a serving sufficiently satiating.

Each serving of Vega contains a full dose of MacaSure and ChlorEssence!

I have started adding Vega to my Kale Smoothie in the mornings and I literally stay full for almost 4 hours. It’s amazing. It is a little thicker than normal protein powders but the health benefits can not be beat.

The second supper food I have been adding to my morning smoothie is 

Chia Seeds!

The nutritional profile of the Chia seed is amazing. Here are some of the nutrients you'll find in chia seeds:

·                                 high in omega 3 fatty acids - The Chia seed naturally contains 60% omega 3 fatty acid

·                                 high in fiber - Chia seeds absorb up to 30 times its weight in water or other liquids like juices. A 15 gm serving of chia seeds will provide 4 to 5 gm of fiber. We all need at least 35gm of fiber per day to stay healthy.

·                                 high in Protein - between 19 to 23% of the seed by weight is protein

·                                 full of antioxidants

·                                 B Vitamins - Chia seeds contain Vitamins C and E, plus Cinnamic acids, which prevent the good fats in Chia seeds from oxidizing, or going bad.

·                                 Boron - necessary to bone health

·                                 Calcium - 2 oz of chia seeds contains 600 mg of Calcium, compared to 120mg for a cup of milk.

Chia seeds are useful for:

·                                 weight loss

·                                 heart disease

·                                 diabetes

·                                 bone health

·                                 digestive disorders

Both of these products can be purchased at Rainbow Whole Foods or you can order them off the web. They are a bit pricey ,but I think their benefits are totally worth it.

Jess! 

By the way, I would have never stumbled upon these two little nifty super foods without my dear friend, Jessica Criddle. Jess works in the Supplement department at Rainbow and has a vast array of knowledge on all things good for you! She not only introduced me to these 2 new super foods, but she was also kind enough to give me samples of both.

Thank you, Jess! Go see her if you have any health questions! That girl KNOWS her stuff!

I hope everyone is staying healthy and happy despite this mostly gloomy weather.

Health is the greatest gift, contentment the greatest wealth, faithfulness the best relationship.~Buddha