Working on those goals :)

I may have mentioned before that my most recent life/career goals include taking a yoga instructor course and obtaining certification as a holistic nurse.

Last week I contacted a yoga studio near my house. I had search tons of programs near my home and even up to an hour away. The problem was scheduling, every program meets Friday-Sunday. Unfortunately, I have to work 2 Fridays every month so that wasn't going to work for me. When I thought all was lost, I came across Tulaa Yoga Studio. This studio is 30 minutes from my house and meets every Thursday and every 3rd weekend. It will take 8 months to complete. I spoke with the studio owner who was kind enough to offer support and advice while I prepare for class next year :) I also learned that Tulaa's training program will include some theories and teachings from the Himalayan Institue

Finally, I discovered The Birchtree Center . I even spoke to the owner/operator. This center center provides training for nursing seeking holistic education/certification and more. The next training session isn't until spring and fall 2013. I also spoke to an instructor at my old nursing school, she is a graduate of the Birchtree Center and highly recommends the program. I love how everything is falling into place. I really hope and pray that things will continue to work itself out:) I don't know yet what I will do with this new education/certification, but it's on my heart so I must pursue it. Who knows where it may lead me!

Can you say EXCITED!!!!!!!!!!

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Complementary and Alternative Medicine Online Certificate Program | 60141 Continuing Education Unit at Nurse.com

Complementary and Alternative Medicine Online Certificate Program | 60141 Continuing Education Unit at Nurse.com

Newtown,CT

I'm sure you have heard about the terrible tragedy.a school shooting at an elementary school, in a kindergarten class room! I believe 27 people where killed 28 including the gun who killed himself and his mother. Ava wanted to stay home yesterday because she want feeling well. I agreed, when I heard about the shootings I just looked at her and cried. I was so thankful she was ok and at home even though her school was ok. My prayers and thoughts are stuck on those families, I had a hard time falling asleep just thinkin how they must be feeling. I held my son for almost and hour with tears in my eyes while he slept. If only we could hold our babies in our arms forever. It really breaks my heart knowing that we have to send our children out in this world. How am I suppose to explain toy daughter thy she's safe at school? Thank god she doesn't know what happened and I debating whether or not I should tell her. I don't want her to hear about it elsewhere, and be confused and scared. We must pray!!! We must have faith that God is always in control and does not make mistakes. We must have faith that those 27 people don't die in vain!

A blessed day

Yesterday, I attended 2 parties one being my nephews 4th bday:). Before the parties I was able to cook, do laundry, yoga, and retwist my hair! My yoga DVD also arrived, It was a very nice day!!

The birthday boy and I

 

My daughter and nieces

 

Standing forward fold

 

 

My growing yoga/holistic health library

 

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Yoga today :)

I kept it simple. Very relaxing

Legs up wall

 

 

 

 

Bow pose

 

Cat pose

 

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Yoga and Instagram

Earlier today, a yogi blogger at yogabycandace.com referencing the "competitive nature" that is becoming of some yogi instagramers. In a nut shell, Candace blogged about the concern for yoga becoming competitive and losing its true meaning. I read her blog early this morning, and here at 1030pm its still on my mind! Im not sure if its because I feel guilty or if its my true love for yoga awakening.

I decided I would like to take a Yoga Teacher Training class. Not so much to teach, although I would like to one day. But I want to take the course to learn so much more about yoga than I ever could through youtube, twitter, and instagram. Yoga has done so much for me these past few months and I just want to learn as much about it as possible.

Gosh darn, off the topic lol. Anyways, since reading Candace's post, I have decided to shy away from these yoga challenges. My intentions aren't good, to be honest I am participating "because I can" i love the ego trip you get when you upload a cool pose and receive a ton of likes. Im embarrassed to say this, but its the truth. THis is not what yoga is about however, like Candace says. Instead I am going to continue my practice and upload at my leisure. I really want to be develop a "strict" yoga practice. I really want to know the basics. Instagram has been hindering me from getting where I need to be with yoga in a way. Tis all for now :)


For some seriously annoying reason,I can't get links to work! Please google search "yogabycandace" Sorrrrrryyyyy..........

Maybe I won't be gluten free

I did pretty well last week, but this week I was horrible. The 3 days I worked I ate pretty well and avoided gluten all but one day. The 3rd day of work, I just decided to buy lunch and ate a sandwich on regular bread with feta cheese! I felt so bad about messing up, I just figured I would continue to do damage and ate a huge chocolate brownie cookie. Fast forward to the past two days, I am still bloated and I ate pizza today despite already having issues. Im sitting here feeling pregnant because thats how tight my stomach is. Im trying not to get too discouraged, because I know I can do this. Its just a little harder than I expected. Next week, I need to make sure I buy enough fruits/vegetables, and cook at least 3 meals/week. I also have to buckle down on my food diary Heres to next week....

Why Yoga?

There are so many reasons I started practicing yoga and even more reasons why I continue. My initial reason was to help repair my diastasis recti. As I learned about the ab separation I have and why its so, I decided I needed to focus on my body as a whole. I also wanted to do some cool asanas and not just those boring core postures lol. Core postures are so important though, I just get bored easily so I needed to explore movement within yoga. Thats when I learned about Vinyasa flow and so on. By no means am I even an intermediate level yogi, but some days I pretend to be lol

Ok, we are getting off track. I explained why I began yoga, now I will get into why I continue to practice. I am so ashamed to admit, but I have issues. I have moments of depression and low self esteem! Shocking, I know if you know me personally, but yes its true. I also have the problem of comparing myself to almost everyone else, and wondering if I need to change so many things about myself and my life. Even though I am truly blessed, I still would feel sad for no reason and just question if I am truly happy. This is when I decided I needed to be able to take time away from it all and just be. Just breathe, think, reflect, and feel that I am ok! I will never forget my first few yoga sessions, I instantly felt like a heavy weight was lifted. I was on an emotional high. I felt so good, and this was only after maybe 20 minutes or so lol. So, its very easy to see why I continue yoga... but there are so many more reasons~

My self esteem issues... smh, I can't believe I am going here. Don't get me wrong, I know Im not ugly and I know theres nothing "wrong" with me. But again, I would constantly worry about how I think I should look?!?!? Jarred tells me all the time I am beautiful just the way I am, and that I don't need to change a thing. He gets so upset when I share my body issues with him, because he just doesn't see me as I see myself. He sees a beautiful person inside and out, without flaws and I truly love him for that. He doesn't care that I have locs, he doesn't care about my flabby stomach, stretch marks, or skinny legs. These are all my issues. But with yoga, I am really learning to appreciate all my "flaws" they aren't even really flaws! My biggest insecurity right now is my stomach and sometimes flabby small appearing boobs lol ( hey child birth and breastfeeding did this ) The more I practice, the more I am loving my body just the way it is. I am becoming more concerned with my overall health, more so than my physical appearance. Being half naked in yoga outfits, has made me so much more confident. I always felt really skinny , like I had no shape lol. But the more I look at myself and feel my body moving and muscles working, I see that I'm not so bad after all lol.

I still have such a long way to go, but I feel so much better than I did months ago. Physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. I know if I continue this journey I am on, I won't be disappointed. I encourage everyone to try yoga, theres something in it for everyone, mediation alone is powerful! Just taking a moment to breath and relax your mind and body,with just the sound of your breath is uplifting. How many times a day do we just consciously breathe? Of course we are breathing all day long, but to mindfully breath in and out for even just a few breaths will do wonders~! Give it a try, you will not be disappointed! Namaste :)

Holistic Health

Since practicing yoga and searching for a healthier lifestyle, I have almost become obsessed with learning how to deepen my practice and knowledge. I dream one day of being a yoga instructor and holistic health coach. Since I am a nurse, I naturally started my search on becoming a holistic practitioner with the http://www.ahna.org/. I got a little discouraged there, because in order to obtain certification you must already be a practitioner. I know there isn't many jobs out yet sooooo.... Im not sure I will be able to go that route. But, I am a big believer in nursing entrepreneurs and alternative nursing careers so I won't give up yet. I also found this site http://inursecoach.com/ This course cost about $4500 and requires four weekends thursday- sunday of training, I believe its based in NYC. The course I am most interested in is here http://www.wholehealtheducation.com/ this one is online, and provides enough hours to sit for certification. Its designed specifically for nurses. Cost is $5000.

With my new career goals, I just don't want to abandon being a nurse. After all, nursing was exactly what I wanted to do! But since making all of these lifestyle changes, I realize it only make since to incorporate them into a career if I can.

Another goal is taking a yoga teacher training course. Not just because I would like to be an instructor one day, but because I really want to know what I am doing lol. The cost is roughly $2500-3000 depending on where you go.

Decisions, decisions, I know anything is possible. I just have to decided what I want to do and how I would like to do it. Naturally, these ideas won't go into full affect until maybe 5-10 years from now :( But i do want to take either the nursing certification or yoga certification in the next couple years.

I have also been looking for yoga and holistic nursing/health conferences. I would love to attend one, this way I can meet people, and get information.

We will see what happens :)

My first "gluten free week"

Well, I am happy to say I made it through the week. Its been pretty easy to eat gluten free, the hard part is avoiding temptation of food I know will upset my stomach. I kept a food diary and updated it almost everyday. I basically ate kale salad for 2 or 3 days for lunch/dinner and breakfast was fruit and bacon or boiled egg. I also made a zuppa toscona soup inspired by Olive Garden. I used coconut milk and fresh vegetables/herbs. This soup was hearty and lasted me about 4 days. Things got tricky when I had a couple free hours before work wednsday. I needed breakfast and gave into a bacon and egg croissant. Initially I only ate half the croissant, but it was so good I had to eat the whole thing lol. Surprisingly, it didn't make my stomach feel horrible, I had bloating but it didn't last all day. I noticed my stomach has definitely gotten smaller. I stood in the mirror smiling for almost 10 minutes this morning because I was in shock!

After all my progress, I gave in again and ate mac n cheese, apple pie, and a small piece of chocolate cake. lol it wasn't all at once, but all in one day. Today actually, so Im a little bloated right now, but not uncomfortable.

I need to get planning for the week so I can keep this up. Oh, I almost forgot! I found a delicious gluten free cereal. Honey Nut chex!, that has been my go to breakfast/snack. I also tried Vans Gluten free waffles, they taste just like regular waffles and are both diary/gluten free :)

My next endeavor will be to try an herbal tea mixture. I watched a youtube video on using coriander, fennel, ginger, and cardamon to help with bowel distention. It sounds like it would taste awful, but I'm hoping just 4 or 6 ounces could help. I don't think I could take more than that lol

Last but not least, I expanded my yoga/health library today. I ordered I can't wait for it to arrive!

Homemade thin mints

Could it be true? I love girl scouts thin mints. Lucky for me, I have a handful of coworkers with daughters that have been selling them every year for the past few years :) I came across an amazingwebsite/blog while on one of my gluten free recipe searches.


I forgot to buy peppermint extract and needed andis peppermint for another recipe, so I just improvised. I melted the chocolate and peppermint together and all was well. I also didn't have parchment paper, so I used foil coated with vegetable oil. Surprisingly, the cookies didn't stick, didn't taste like oil, and weren't too messy lol. I can't lie, the chocolate did melt in my hands a little.

 

Anyways this recipe took about 10 minutes to prepare and 25 minutes to cool. I'm about to go use up the rest of my ritz crackers to make another batch lol

 

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Gluten free?

I've been considering this lately. I think I mentioned before how bloated my stomach gets....this happens no matter what I eat it seems. I made a lot of dietary changes lately and I think gluten elimination needs to be another change.

I cut diary almost 2 years ago after having abdominal pain and terrible gas after eating anything diary related.

Red meat was eliminated last year, it just made me nauseated. I was never a big meat eater anyway, so this was an easy one :)

Fast food and dining out has slowed down too. Im al it's afraid to eat anything I haven't prepared because I dont know how my stomach will handle it

Anyways back to gluten... I have been doing yoga daily, specifically trying to strengthen my core. So far I think I'm doing pretty good but, my stomach still looks like I'm pregnant most of the time :) I can suck the fat in and my little muscle show, I can feel the muscles but the bloating takes over. If I am good on a particular day, my stomach is almost flat!

After some research and pure desperation , I'm considering eliminating gluten! We will see how that goes. I've been reading blogs all day and I've found some amazing recipes :)




http://glutenfreegoddess.blogspot.com/

http://www.theglutenfreevegan.com/

http://tasty-yummies.com

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What were we doing 10 years ago?

The other night I was randomly thinking how much time I spend on Facebook, instagram, etc. I am a big tech, Internet, social media junkie, but it's consuming my life. The first thing I do in the morning is check Facebook and instagram smh I know. I take my phone in the bathroom with me, I eat holding my phone in one hand lol. It's just becoming too much. All of these social media outlets kinda make you obsessive. I am also finding that I constantly compare myself to others and sometimes get jealous if I see a status about something I want. Again smh, NOT Normal! But I won't put all the blame on myself, these apps make you becomes this way. Why do we need constant updates of each others lives???? Lol

Back to the point of this post, the other night I was trying to remember how I occupied my free time 10 years ago. Now, I did have a cell phone and computer then but there weren't apps like today. 10 years ago I actually held conversations with people, read actual books, had face to face contact. I am already anti social and these times have just made it worse. I dont even want to talk on the phone because my addiction to cyber stalkIng is calling, I need to take 50 photos of myself and upload them, then I must contantly check my phone to see how many likes and comments I get lol

Craziness, I know! So we are all wondering what am I gonna do to get myself out of this mess? I can't just go cold turkey! I thought about deleting all social media apps from my phone for a week, I thought about disabling my accounts, I thought about locking my phone in my car.. I'm not sure how I'm gonna become "normal" but I am going to.

 

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Yoga,yoga, yoga!!!

I have become obsesssed!

 

Seated forward bend

 

Crow pose

 

 

 

I'm considering taking an instructor course. I really want to learn how to properly get into poses and the benefits.

Oh and if you didn't notice.... We moved!!! We were blessed to move into our dream home just last month :)

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30 day yoga challenge

Over on instagram one of my favorite yogis proposed a challenge. I'm gonna join in but with modifications, hey I know my limits lol. Basically I will be practicing yoga daily ( easy) trying a new pose daily, mediating, and blogging via instagram daily what I am grateful for. Today I tried a new pose the lotus pose. I did yoga outside on the backyard, it's a cloudy day but I loved every minute of looking at the clouds. Most of the time on cloudy days I get a little sad. I love sunny days and when it's not sunny it does affect my moon. But, since I am tying to be more grateful in all things, I was able to truly appreciate today, clouds and all:)

God knows how to get your attention!

I have been so stressed and sad lately.... Over what you may ask? I have it all, a good husband, healthy kids, stable career,good health, wonderful family And friends, a home. So why have I been acting this way? The answer is easy, I am a spoiled brat. I get obsessed when there is something that I want, I stress and stress and stress until I get what I want or I figure out that I have it let it go.

Let's rewind to may..... Remember my post on "our dream home"? You would think we have closed by now right? Lol that is not the case. If you have ever been through the home buying process you know that its not easy, nothing goes as planned, everything unexpected happens.

Here we are basically In september,and we still have not closed! No fault of our own exactly. We're basically at the PMI ( private mortgage insurance) mercy. They have the final say so, because they are insuring the loan. They basically would have to pay if we default. So I understand it's a big risk for this company especially because many other companies like this have gone out of business.

I am so upset because I just wanted to be in the house before Ava would start school. Well, that's this coming Monday sooooo......:(

Back to the point of this post, I am learning that God has to show us every so often that he is always in control and should be your focus. This has happened to me time and time again. I get a big situation and think that I should do everything in my power to have things my way, losing focus. Knowing that all I have to do is ask for gods help and believe that he will get things done, his will,his time!

I spent my whole summer stressed about this house,I can't get that time back:( its a sad reality. It's my fault though, I forgot to be thankful and to live, life is so precious and I am so blessed! I had no reason to waste my time like this.....

 

 

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Back to the basics

With yoga that is. I have been practicing yoga almost daily for a few months now. I started out with the goal of healing my diastasis recti, but as I learned more about yoga I started doing more. I became obsessed with conquering some pretty advanced poses. I can do any beginners pose, almost all intermediate, and even a few advanced poses. But, because I neglected my core to do these cool guru poses my diastasis has gotten worse. Well at least I think so. Initially after about a month of yoga, I could feel the difference in my diastasis. I went from a 4-5 finger split to only 3 fingers :) But the more I played around with being a goru, I neglected my core. Things didn't start to click until i started having mid-lower back pain. Well, its more like I feel like my back is really tense and tight. When I attempt to bend over front or backwards, my back aches like crazy. Now, I am not 100% sure that this pain is a result of my weak core or something else.... but I'd bet money that its because my core is weak.

No worries though, I have decided to challenge myself to completing at least 10 minutes of core yoga every day for 30 days. I initially wanted to do 30 minutes of yoga daily for 30 days, but I have to be realistic. I have been doing yoga almost daily, but at 5-10 minute increments. It is also more important to me to get my core in shape than to conquer poses. I know it takes time to be a yoga guru, so I don't know why I thought I would be one overnight, lol

Anyways, thats all I've got for today. I really hope the slacker in me won't interfere with my challenge....

iYogaLife.com : Slideshow Extras : Core Power Hour Part 1 Video

iYogaLife.com : Slideshow Extras : Core Power Hour Part 1 Video

Locs and Lazziness

ugghhhh...I have become so lazy when it comes to my hair. you can add "tender headed" to the list two. I don't know if its because my locs have grown and got thicker or if its just laziness. I can't even do my 2 braid braid out anymore. Its just hard to put braids in my thick a$$ hair lol. it also hurts, even when I don't braid tight, I can't wear any kind of style for more than a day because I feel like it "hurts" well I can just feel my hair being pulled and I don't like that feeling.... i don't know what it is. I may as well become a free former, but with over 130 locs that just wouldn't work.

Ok end of vent :)

These are a few of my favorite things:)

I know it's not Christmas time, but that song came to mind when I got the idea to do this post. Anywho, in no particular order these are some of the things I have not been able to be without lately.

Toni Braxton channel on pandora. It's the best music ever, takes me back years ago... I'm talking at least 10 years lol makes me feel old.

Instagram..... Is quite an obsession. What can I say, I love a good picture:)

Yoga!!!!!!! Almost everyday I am practicing. Even if it's just taking a few deep breaths. It's such a calming rewarding experience. I look forward to yoga daily

Simple braid out, just two braids gives my hair such a great wave

 

Peanut butter banana smoothie with almond milk.... Ummm the best smoothie ever!

Peppers and tomatoes! We have a ton this year and I've had no choice but eat them almost everyday lol

 

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Mandy Ingber's YOGALOSOPHY: Total Body Toning Yoga Workout

Mandy Ingber's YOGALOSOPHY: Total Body Toning Yoga Workout: Summer is finally here. It's too late to be perfect, so why not simply commit to the joy of moving your body just because it feels excel...

Yoga and a very productive day!

I have started yoga again and it's become my latest obsession. It's so rewarding and exciting to be able to do a difficult pose or to actually be able to hold poses. I started power yoga with jeanette Jenkins yesterday and made it 20 minutes into the DVD, tonight I went about 5 minutes longer conquering another pose. After tonight's yoga, I also did some of my favorite poses for about another 20 minutes.

Oh yeah... The productive part of the day lol, I was able to do Ava's hair, wash and retwist (part) of my hair, and squeeze in my yoga! I am going to bed feeling so blessed and happy! Lately I have been able to sacrifice a couple hours of sleep to be able to get some "me" time. Now if only my hard working husband weren't so tired, we could have more time together:( but it will all be worth it in the end.
Lastly,
Check out my side plank!

Mandy Ingber's YOGALOSOPHY: Ab-Flattening Yoga Workout

Mandy Ingber's YOGALOSOPHY: Ab-Flattening Yoga Workout: We are all looking for those ever-elusive, perfectly taut "Jennifer Aniston" abs. Abdominal exercises give you more than just a flat tu...

Randomness

I enjoyed a week long "staycation" last week. I spent plenty of time with my kids, husband, and me myself and I lol. Anyways, here are some memories

Ava's ballet recital was friday, I couldn't have been more proud!

I discoverd a new hair do, now I usually don't like updos or styles on locs because I feel like it looks "too done" but this me was perfect

Ava and I also enjoyed a very impromptu tea party :)

Stay tuned for part 2 of my randomness update... Oh yeah forget what I said about weebly... It ain't all that lol

Weebly

So I knew this day would come. I know it will probably be an inconvenience to some who follow my blog..... But I have to move on. Blogger was good while it lasted but as technology and my gadgetry has advanced, blogger has stayed behind.

Weebly is new for me, but I love the fact that I can post from my phone. I will still keep this blog up, but post will be very sporadic... Kinda the way it's been the last few months.

Anyways, I hope weebly will serve my needs and if not then I will be back :)

Tifny148.weebly.com

Trying not to be too over confident...

but... I have this gut feeling that all will be well. As you can see from my last post, we are trying to "move on up" lol. We have found our dream home and will be trying to sell our current house. When we bought the current house, it was a foreclosure, but in move in condition. We didn't have to do anything! Now, our kitchen isn't up to date or bathrooms, but they are functional and not exactly "dated". I have been working on "staging" a few rooms and even my closets lol. Ive been searching recent sales and current sales in our area. According to my research, we should be good. Houses are still selling in our area and the best part is that we should break even. we aren't looking to make a profit, we just want to get what is owed on the house and be out! lol again, trying not to be over confident.... but I have prayed and I feel like God is in total control of our situation and with that, I know things will work out! If we can't move right now, its not the end of the world. We are truly blessed, in the fact that we don't HAVE to move. Time, would also not be a bad thing. Because it will give us more time to save and continue "staging" .

My weekend in pictures

Nothing to special, just basically enjoying everyday life :)

A little backwards.... But Sunday jarred and I went to an open house for new constructions homes. I pray that things go our way. Jarred is in love with this house and we have been looking for it for awhile now. He works so hard and really doesn't ever want anything but his dream house.... I have a feeling his hard work will pay off. He surely deserves it :)

 

Random retwist before the open house

While Ava spent the weekend with my mom and jarred worked, Jk and I hung out

 

 

I played in my hair a lot this weekend lol

 

Finally Sunday evening the princess returned home :)