Cabbage and White Bean Soup

This is a recipe I barely modified from Heidi Swanson's blog 101 Cookbooks. I cooked my own beans but you could definitely use the canned equivalent.

You'll need:

Olive Oil
Salt and Pepper to taste
4 or so Yukon gold potatoes chopped in cubes
1 onion chopped
1 small head or 1/2 medium head of cabbage sliced thinly
2 or more (I used more) cloves of garlic
1/2 cup dried (then cooked) or a can of white beans (rinsed thoroughly)
Stock (or water, adjust seasoning)

You can totally cook some bacon or ham (if your karma is up for it)and use the grease instead of the oil, then sprinkle the rest on top. I am going to do this next go round per Josh's request and I think it will give it more depth.

Heat the oil and add the potatoes and cook until they begin to brown and soften. Add the onions and then wait just a few minutes before adding the garlic. After everything is just soft, add some stock or water to cover the veggies plus 2 inches. Then add the cabbage and your beans and cook until the desired tenderness is reached. Remember to season the entire time (through each step, and yes taste test it for sure) or you may have a watery soup at the end.

I served mine with cornbread muffins and pats of butter. It was great reheated the next night too :)

Jess' Best Salsa (for Gary)

I guess I am back on the recipe kick. It's turning into fall, and that's when I really like to hang out in the kitchen. I LOVE making soups, but this one is a little more summer inspired. Also, it is super easy!

Summer Salsa:

2 tomatoes (seeds removed)
2 avocados
1/2 red onion
3 scallions (white and green parts)
3 cloves garlic
2 jalapenos (seeded and ribs removed)
1 can of corn (rinsed)
1 can of black beans (rinsed)
small palm full of cumin
salt and pepper to taste
juice of 2 limes

I chopped the garlic and jalapenos really small, almost a mince, and left the other veggies pretty chunky, mix well and enjoy! This goes great on tortilla chips but could also be served as a salad or topping for fish, etc.

Day Twentyseven

I slept in and missed class this morning. Oddly, I don't really feel bad about it. I think I am just super excited for vacation! Josh has the truck all ready to roll, we are cruising to Myrtle Beach in black betty, since my car doesn't want to cooperate lately.

I am psyched to be traveling with my mat. I am looking forward to some morning beach yoga practices. I am so grateful to be able to get away for a while and it seems like an appropriate 'reward' for myself after almost 30 days of Bikram yoga.

While I will miss it a little, I am looking forward to what comes next and how my practice will develop from here.

Namaste ya'll :)

Day Twentysix

I cannot believe I have made it this long, the practice is feeling like second nature. It will be strange to change things up again for the month of July. I am excited though to be getting back to my mat, in my little yoga room to dive deeper into my personal practice. I will certainly visit the Bikram yoga studio from time to time, to sweat it out and to recharge.

I can feel the vacation daydreams coming on strong now, I don't even feel like blogging!

One day to go!!!

Day Twentyfour and Twentyfive

Day Twentyfour, I counted down the minutes until I could get away from the computer and go to class. I have been worried about finishing my current work load before I leave for vacation Saturday.

It was really good, and I needed to sweat so badly. My knees are still a little sore, but nothing that a week at the beach wont fix.

Today (day twentyfive) is a whole nother story.

I am skipping class.

I know! Part of me spent a good ten minutes berating myself for skipping, the majority of me decided that I am about spent myself and I still have to teach a class tonight. I don't think the rainy day helps. Didn't Milli Vanilli sing that song, blame it on the rain, yeah, yeah? (I know some of you sang it in your head as you read the words.)

Anyway, Ive decided I need to chill, maybe do a few yoga poses to get ready for class tonight and it feels pretty good.

I may be easing into vacation mode fairly easily after all.

Day Twentythree

Oh the list of what not to do in Bikram has grown.

I spent the first half of the entire standing series in pain, a very strange pain that I was having difficulty deciphering. I noticed that throughout the first few minutes of class my knees were filling with a sort of burning sensation. As you know, my knees have been sore the past few days, so I was left thinking, "Oh my god, what have I done now." These types of thoughts continued for what seemed like hours and I kept returning my awareness to my breath, breathing through the sensation. The sensations were different from most joint pain I have ever felt. It was a hot burning feeling, like boiling water hot, flowing through my knee joint.

By the time we got to eagle pose, around 25 minutes in, it dawned on me. I had rubbed badger balm all over my knees this morning to soothe the ache. Well, badger balm it turns out, burns the crap out of your skin when you are sweating in an extremely hot room!

So I spent the remaining 90 minutes praying that the badger balm would sweat off and that I wouldn't accidentally rub it in my eye during all the head to knee postures!

It's pretty funny now, but I have realized that rule #2 of what not to do in Bikram Yoga is: Do not put badger balm on your skin even six hours before class. Rule #1 of course still being: Do not forget to do laundry before class, because you may end up with no pants on.

Day Twentyone and Twentytwo

Oh man, I had a glimmer of hope in the back of my mind that it wouldn't happen, that I could easily push myself to the limit for 30 days without any negative repercussions.

My knees are a little bit mad at me, they are sore, inflamed, and tired.

They say to kill yourself for 90 minutes instead of 90 years. Maybe I took the 'killing' part a little too literally.

On the other hand, my back feels better, stronger, longer than it has in a while. Maybe my knee comfort was sacrificed for my back, who knows, but I know it is time to slow down.

I am going to continue with my Bikram yoga journey, but it will not be for a full 30 days. I am not going to quit due to my sore knees, and actually Im not quitting at all.

Josh and I leave for vacation on Saturday which intersects my 30 day challenge (I obviously didn't think that far ahead when I planned this latest adventure.) It looks like when I finish this week it will be 25 days of Bikram- minus the two that I skipped while in Asheville, so 23 days of Bikram. Who does a 23 day challenge?

I guess I do, and it sure has been a challenge. The true Bikram challenge is 60 days, I don't think I would have the balls of steel needed to complete it, though I have met two inspiring ladies who have done it or nearly finished.

I have decided that I am super proud of my 23 days in total challenge and I am starting to think I will really miss it everyday! My downdog, shoulderstand, handstand, arm balancing self has gotten accustomed to the same 26 poses every day, none of the above included.

I have to admit that I did the first headstand in a while in the middle of my day today and it was awesome; I could have held it FOREVER!

Mmmmm headstand, downdog, handstand, crow....

Day Twenty

By far the funniest practice ever.

Warning: Do not forget to wash your yoga clothes the night before or you may end up wearing no pants.

Well, not quite. I did forget to wash my yoga clothes and was left with very few options: Bathing suit, or board shorts and yoga top. I opted for bathing suit bottoms under board shorts and white yoga top (which I now know becomes see through when you soak it in a gallon of sweat, oops.)

During the Bikram yoga sequence there is a time 25 minutes into the practice that some call party time. Jamie, one of our teachers, says it's the saddest party in the world; a few deep breaths and a sip of water. (You refrain from water the first 25 minutes to warm up, and yeah I know, it's already 104 degrees, but ok.)

So the first 25 minutes for me was borderline miserable, mostly because of the board shorts. They were too hot, too long, to wrong for practice. So, I thought to myself, you have a bathing suit on just get over it and take off your pants!

Well, that is exactly what I did. During 'party' time I whipped off my board shorts leaving myself standing, immediately cooler, in just my bathing suit bottoms.

It's the thing with Bikram, I've noticed that you leave all inhibitions at the door, and you don't care because it is just so hot. I think some people would show up naked if they would let you.

After class, It was pretty funny discussing the pants removal with the teachers. Derek said, "At one point I looked over and you had no pants on." Haha.

Well, I wont make it a habit to show up to parties with no pants on, but if said parties are heated to a staggering 104 degrees, watch out.

Day Eighteen and Nineteen

Bikram yoga day eighteen left me so tired I completely forgot to write about it. I went about what has become my Thursday routine. Wake up, have tea, check email, make a big fuss about all the emails I don't have time to answer, calm myself, go teach to a group of amazing yogis, come home, eat lunch with Josh, check and respond to emails, go to Bikram, proceed to get my ass totally kicked- not that I needed any help on this day, hurry home, shower, go teach to a new group of amazing yogis, return home, check and respond to emails....crash. There wasn't a seamless flow to the moments in between, everything was rushed, and hurried. It was a day full of yoga and a day without yoga in a sense- the in between stuff, the added doses of worry here and there. It was a day that reminded me of how much pressure I put on myself.

A lot. I am admitting here and now that I expect a great deal out of myself, sometimes to my detriment.

So, how did I begin my Bikram yoga day nineteen? By rolling out of bed at 9:00 (late), hurrying to find my yoga clothes and mat, running out the door and down the street to show up in time for my Bikram class. I was greeted at the desk with, "The newspaper is here and they are going to be taking some photos and videos." Oh my gosh are you kidding?!?! Let that go, push my body to the limit for 90 minutes, s l o w i t d o w n, walk calmly back home, take a nice relaxing shower, check new emails, write blog. It is my intention for the rest of the day to focus on the in between yoga, the transitions, the places where the monkey mind takes over. I want those times to be mine too, for them to not get caught up in the whirlwind that I can so easily create around myself.

Maybe take it easy, it is Friday after all.

Day Seventeen

Practice today was very invigorating. I walked in the studio feeling tired and a bit lethargic after having spent the majority of the day working on the computer. The heat really took the edge off as soon as entered the studio.

It's funny how one of the most uncomfortable aspects of this practice in the beginning has become so comforting now. My strength came out of nowhere today, maybe I was accessing some hidden reservoir, perhaps it was because of the time of day.

My body continues to surprise me. Just when I think I have reached my edge in a pose, I go that much deeper. The pace of physical transformation is very quick these days. I am sure it will slow eventually, but I am enjoying extending my flexibility through strength. It reminds me of my dancing days. It also reminds me of how smart the body is, that it can acquire muscle memory through repetition and in so little time!

I must remember though, everyday is a new day, who knows how it will be tomorrow.

I'm gonna go back and find out.

Day Sixteen

What I like best about this practice is the sequence. It's one of the same reasons I am attracted to Ashtanga. You can see improvement with time. I know that my body may not move like this forever, but I am going to keep it as tuned up as I can. I felt like a rock today. Solid, sturdy, focused and calm. Many of my poses were deeper than they ever have been. I feel like I am getting the 'locked' leg and my quads are getting super strong. I can feel my body using muscles I didn't even know existed, but then I have definitely said that before. Maybe in all these 26 years I haven't really been using my body to it's fullest potential, or maybe it was all the slacking off in college I am making up for. Regardless, it feels good. Who knows what will happen tomorrow, I will at least know I did it full out today.

Don't put off tomorrow, what you can do today.

Well, I didn't.

Day Fifteen

Wow, I didn't realize it until I typed it but I am halfway through my Bikram Yoga journey. Today's class was hard, really hard. Towards the end I was really having trouble getting my energy to stay even. It felt half-assed at times, even though I was working as hard as I could.

Monday, Monday, and now as I write this I am feeling even more tired. As one of the teachers Derek says, "the practice gives you exactly what you need." Well today I need a nap, but unfortunately can't take one. I am going to be nice to myself and not push beyond this afternoon. I will do my work with a clear head and heart, and move throughout my day as peacefully as I can.

Yoga today has shown me that I need some rest, it didn't give me the usual extra boost of energy and that is ok with me. I would have liked a little extra umph for the beginning of this week, but hey work with what you're given right.

Day Fourteen

Bikram Yoga day fourteen. It seems like these two weeks have flown by at super sonic speed. Time flies when you are having fun right. Well that's just it, Bikram yoga is fun for me. I am really enjoying the challenge and it reminds me of times in my life when I have engaged in exciting outdoor adventures like kayaking, rock climbing and hiking. I love the way this yoga 'excites' my body from bones to skin, as they say. It is truly invigorating and filling a hole that outdoor sports used to. I love seeing what the human body is capable of, mine and other peoples.

I am continually fascinated by the people that show up in the room. Today there was a 12 year old boy. Just think if we had all started practicing yoga that young, I envision a bunch of my friends just sitting in lotus pose hovering a few feet off the ground bending spoons and such, appearing in two places at once, and so on and so forth. It is a magical practice.

My body felt pushed to the limit today, in a good way. It was more challenging than normal- mostly mind stuff, and also the energy in the room effects me greatly. When other people's energy dies around you, it is hard not to fall like dominoes. At one point though, it gave me a little more umph to push harder hoping to bring the energy of the room back up with my energy. At other times, it made me want to crawl in a little bawl on my towel and not move for the rest of the class.

I feel really good now after practice and the walk home was very quiet for the streets that are normally bustling, serene even.

Not a bad Sunday afternoon I must say.

Day Thirteen

My body and mind feel lighter, I think I am nicer to myself and others, I am full of gratitude and love. I'm not as worried, I am less anxious, more free. I am more grounded, less resentful, more gracious, less angry. I am healthy and happy. My glass is more than half way full. I am really starting to dig the routine, the Virgo in me loves it. I miss downward dog and headstand, I will visit them again soon.

Day Twelve

Tonight's class was amazing! There were more than 30 bodies in the room, which fed the energy in a very interesting way. I found the trick to staying cooler is to get in the front row, which is the farthest away from the heating vents (this is really good to know.) I felt much cooler the past few classes, maybe due to the front row or my body becoming acclimated to the heat.

The shear number of people showing up to this studio speaks strongly about this style. I have seen a lot more men in these classes. Josh and I discussed that men may be drawn to this style more for the 'workout' aspect of it. I say, hey, whatever gets them in the door. The more styles of yoga there are, the more people they can reach out to.

As I walked by Bar.Food after class, I was stopped by a man and his wife having a sip of wine on the sidewalk. (It is always the last thing you want to be doing when you look as if you just went swimming in a pool of your own sweat.) We pleasantly discussed yoga and how there is a style to fit everybody. I encouraged them to try it. I hope they do. I hope more people get outside of their preconditioned box and try things that they never thought possible. It is our self created fears and anxieties that prevent us from doing amazing things. That part of the mind that creeps up and tells us "You're not good enough."

Well that my friends is bullshit.

We are all good enough. Everyone that has been blessed to receive a human body that breathes air all by itself, deserves to be free of the suffering caused by the mind.

Get out of your head today; try something new. What the heck, maybe even take a yoga class.

Day Eleven

It is hard to believe that it's day eleven already. It has been a theme lately that when I need time to slow down, it speeds up and vice versa. The practice has been going by much faster. Is it because I have become used to the heat and am now daydreaming, or is it because I am so focused on the moment they all dissolve into one? I can't really tell.

I know that class today felt almost easy, yup almost. It went by at lightning speed. Perhaps I have found my edge and now that needs an extension. It was the first time I went for the straight leg in standing head to knee post, one that requires a very locked knee before moving into. I am beginning to notice my quads getting stronger, one benefit of the locked knee approach, which is very different from other styles of yoga I have practiced. It really takes concentration, awareness and strength. After more than a week of trying, I could see my knee "locked" in the mirror.

It is pretty fascinating to concentrate so much on a specific body part that you are able to make it move in a different way. I need to do this with my brain. I am going to take this awareness and concentration and move it from my knee to my brain, removing old thought patterns like I am lifting my kneecap.

It is going to take practice though, maybe more than eleven days.

Day Nine and Ten

Poor day nine and ten, they got no love. My days were full of food and drink, so much so that I think I'll be full for a week. Josh, Steph and I had an amazing time exploring Asheville and the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains, (looking at them fuels my soul.)

One thing I did not do was yoga. Actually I did a few handstands against the awesome brick wall of the hostel, but that was the extent of it.

I absolutely feel it in my body and mind now, how much has changed in two days. It just goes to show how much impact a strong daily practice can have. I am super pumped to get back to Bikram and never thought that will come out of my mouth.

We'll see how I feel after class.

Day Eight

Thank goodness for this practice today. It was great getting to practice before heading to Asheville, NC for a few days. The best part of this practice was all the stress and tension it released before the drive. We had some car trouble on the way, an ongoing problem I can't seem to have fixed regardless of how many times I take it to the mechanic. So as we are stuck in the town of Clinton in 111 degree heat index trying to find an auto parts store, the anger that bubbled up inside me was cooled by my practice earlier in the day. I know that if I hadn't had such an intense practice that morning I may have punched the man that said, "Well, it's hot out there. Turn off the AC and roll down the windows."(in order to solve the problem) I wanted to say, "Well no shit, Sherlock," but refrained. It appeared that the calm yogi in me was winning the battle.

I must say it was a true test of patience, one that was also helped by the seemingly forever grounded and level headed Josh. So, our journey continued on and we made it to Asheville just in time for check in at the Sweet Peas hostel and dinner at Doc Cheys noodle house:)

I think just about any problem can be solved by a bowl of their thai basil noodles, at least mine was.

Day Seven

I am so excited that I finished an entire week of daily Bikram yoga. So excited that I am taking two days off.

Well not entirely. Josh and I are off on a last minute adventure today to Asheville, NC to meet his sister Stephanie, who is driving all the way from Indianapolis. So, the dilemma is whether to continue to practice Bikram while I am there at Bikram Yoga Asheville or go to my beloved Asheville Yoga center to visit amazing teachers from my teacher training.

Well, I think Asheville Yoga center wins, of course I am going to Bikram this morning before we leave. I also realized over the weekend that my 30 day experience ends on the 7th of July, and we will have already left Savannah for Myrtle Beach on the 3rd. Oiy Vay. So, the only real solution is to double up days. Yes, I mean two classes in a day- only enough to add up to 30 total. So, here and there over the next few weeks I will experience 3 hours of Bikram yoga instead of 1.5, I think it will be a challenge but I know I can do it.

I realize this sudden change in schedule is quite like life. We can fight against it, or go with the flow. I am choosing go with the flow and I am going to flow right up to Asheville, NC. See you in a few days :)

Day Six

Writing about practice seemed more daunting than practice itself!

Well 1/5th of the way through- gosh when you phrase it like that it seems like I have just hit the tip of the iceberg. Today's class wasn't unusually easy or hard. It was a mixture, just right in between. The most interesting part for me was that everytime I thought I was about to loose it, Derek (our wonderful teacher du jour) would say the exact right thing to pull me back in. After class, I mentioned that it felt as if he were talking directly to me. He said that usually all verbal corrections can apply to the majority of the class- boy is he right!

Physically class was interesting, more on the challenging side today for sure. I had some tingling sensations in my arms and face which I am attributing to lots of prana (life force energy) moving freely throughout my body. Strange but not uncomfortable.

After class I spoke to my mom, who said, "So, after day six its not kicking your ass anymore." I responded, "No, it still continues to kick my ass everyday."

There is nothing simple about this practice and at the same time it is the most simple practice we can have. BREATHE. The breath is truly what yoga in all forms is about.

Who would have thought you could kick your own ass just by breathing?

Well I know now :)