it's a running thing!

Last Sunday, my friend Angi and I ran the 5km at the Spring Fling Running Thing in Smiths Falls.  It has been years - and I mean a lot of years - since I last ran in a race.   1998 may have been the last one.   Oh, and let's qualify "race" - I mean I jogged.  Certainly not competitive - I'm more like the Penguin (at least I think that was his/her pseudonym) who wrote columns for Runner's World magazine; slow and steady, watching the world go by.   I loved those columns.

But I digress.  I had so much fun!  I was reminded of the hospitality, the support, the encouragement and the FUN that lives within the running community.   As far as organized athletic events go, I don't recall ever experiencing that kind of camaraderie or sense of community in any other sport.  Most others I have always found to be uber-competitive.  But running?  Nope, never running.  

Being a runner (ok, jogger) is kind of like being a Jeep owner or motorcycle rider.  I'm always seeing motorcycle riders acknowledge each other (Dad, I'm sure you can tell me what that's all about) and it's happened to me ever since I bought my Jeep - a wave as we pass each other (took me a while to figure out it was not my eyesight betraying me and that no, I really did not know those people).  And out running, well it's just about anything - a "good morning", "have a great run" or even commentary about the route up ahead. 

It's like within each of those communities there is a little secret; a treasured secret that only Jeep owners, motorcycle riders and runners know about what they get to experience.  And the wave from the Jeep,  acknowledgement on the bike, or "good morning" on your run is like saying "CAN YOU BELIEVE WE GET TO DO THIS?!?!"

All to say, I certainly won't be letting another 15 years (sidebar: holy s*@t I'm old!) go by before my next race.   

See you at the finish line.

yeah, about that plan from earlier this year...

You might remember the plan I had - weekly goals around 3 key commitments I had - family, health and yoga.  

Perhaps I was a little overzealous with the idea of weekly goals - a tad too much to manage I have come to realize.   

BUT, and here's the but. I have been finding success nonetheless.  What I have realized is that the key is really keeping those commitments top of mind, checking in and asking myself how aligned I am in my actions to those commitments.   Not all that dis-similar from how I approach my yoga practice and teaching and it's feeling good! 

Example about family time - a couple of weeks ago, between work, volunteering and teaching, every weeknight was going to be taken up with time out of the house or in front of my computer.  The key difference was that I was fully aware I was not aligned with my commitment around family time.  Knowing it was going to be a crazy week, I made sure to carve out time.  I got into work early and left earlier so B and I had some time before I headed out to teach; I spent some time in the morning before heading to work hanging with the dogs, kicking the ball around with them.

It wasn't as much time as we would normally spend doing these things, but it was quality time and that is what really matters. 

So, as much as I thought the "plan" was the solution, I now realize it was really only a tool to get me keeping those commitments top of mind.  The plan was the equivalent of training wheels and it's now smooth sailing for this girl!  Doesn't mean I won't take a spill from time to time, but that will just be a reminder that I've lost sight of my commitments to myself, that they for some reason fell out of being top of mind. And that will be an opportunity for me to refocus.  

Kissing the training wheels goodbye and I'm off to the races! 

namaste 

spring!

What was it I was saying about long weekends?  Wow, what an awesome 4 days last weekend to relax and recharge!  The weekend mostly involved sleeping in, watching movies, dinner with friends, lunch with friends, and a jog on the trails in warmer weather with that gorgeous warm sun beating down!  

Nice way to relax after what feels like a ridiculously long winter might be a bit of an understatement.  I also realized, this is my favourite time of year - the sun comes up earlier and is getting warmer, we have longer daylight hours, I can ditch the winter boots, my tulips and crocus' are starting to poke their heads out of the dirt and the birds are out in full force.  Soon, my yard will be awash with colour and butterflies and dragonflies will be floating through.  And maybe, just maybe the odd hummingbird.   Encouraging, no?

This year, we've also had some trumpeter swans show up in Smiths Falls - I had never, ever seen swans in flight and wow are they something to see.  And something to hear... that part is less nice, but I can live with it.  They are more than clear in their trumpeting that spring has arrived.

And that's kind of where I'm at right now - spring is here and everything is starting to come back to life, including me!   So off I go to enjoy what is proving to be a gorgeous day here in our lovely little Smiths Falls!

The sun is beaming and so am I.

Namaste

and the long weekends begin!

The last few weeks have been a tad overwhelming.  Between work, volunteering, fundraising, helping plan for said fundraising, spring cleaning and teaching, my days and evenings have been pretty well overtaken with "stuff" to do.  These are all things I choose to do, enjoy doing and make time for though, so I sure ain't complaining!

But boy oh boy, is this long weekend ever coming at just the right time.  It's the first of the season of long weekends that stretch right through to Thanksgiving and I adore them.

It's not just about having a day off work; it's about having some time to recharge, spend some lazy time with B watching movies (The Hobbitt is on our list this weekend!), sleep in late, take a day trip to one of the many neighbouring towns and the restaurants we love and catch up with friends.  Basically a little extra time to do whatever the heck we want and break out of the routine a bit!

So, this long weekend, take some time to break out of your routine!  Have some fun, kick back and be lazy if that's what you want to do!

Whatever you do, just enjoy it and the extra time you might find yourself with; I know I will!

Namaste

5 of my favourite things (ok, maybe 6...)

These may sound utterly ridiculous, but are some of the little things (in no particular order) I have come to love that make life SO much easier!

1. I will never wash merino wool sweaters in my sink with special soap ever again.  The handwash cycle on my washer is a miracle; nothing has yet come out the size of clothing for a 5 year old
2. Since I bought the monster bat-catching net 2 years ago, we have not had any bats in the house. Murphy's law, but I don't care since I'm no longer ducking out of the way of flying rodents. 
3. Crock pots.  If you've used one, this requires no explanation.  If you haven't, go get one.  Now.
4. Hot water, grated or minced fresh ginger, lemon juice, honey and cayenne pepper.  A miracle for a cold or flu.  Forget Neo-Citran, this is better (and cheap and 100% natural).  Leave the cayenne out if you don't do spicy.  
5. My Roots boots.  I wear them everywhere, except during the summer months.  My feet are always warm and dry and salt stains are mysteriously non-existent.  2 years of use and I don't have to spray or clean them in any way, shape or form.  Thank you Roots for making the best boots I have ever owned! 

Oh, and my newest favourite - I just bought a food processor.  Seriously, throw a few ingredients in, whiz it up for 5 minutes and ready-to-eat FOOD comes out; white bean rosemary dip and chocolate fudge protein bites are recent addictions.  

What are your faves? 

catching up & kissing winter goodbye!

As usual, life takes over sometimes and I'm learning to be ok with that.  I am finding myself not completely obsessed with my to do list and the usual feeling of defeat when it doesn't get done.  It does mean my piles of laundry have grown substantially, but, whatever, I still have clothes to wear!

Though I haven't been diligent about setting weekly goals for each of my 3 commitments, I find myself naturally doing things that align with them (I'm guessing that's a good thing!).  This past week, for example, I created time for lunch dates with 2 wonderful friends.   I hadn't seen either of them in almost a year and it was SO nice to reconnect with both of them.  It was a subtle reminder of how easily great friendships can take a backseat to less important things.

I also signed up for whole foods cleanse that kicked off yesterday for 2 weeks, which I intend to just carry on.  When I learned of my food sensitivities 4 years ago, I did the same thing and, somewhere along the lines, fell off the wagon.  A sandwich for lunch, some fresh bread at a restaurant and next thing you know I'm eating wheat all the time!  No good, says the body (and it provides plenty of feedback through fatigue and headaches in particular).

The dogs?  Well, they're awesome as always, though driving me a little batty now that spring is arriving.  The winter doldrums are leaving them behind as well and they want to go, go, go!  Really can't wait for that damn dog park to open so we can take them to run.

And me?  Well, spring fever has hit here too.  I can see my beloved plants more and more as the snow melts and am totally yearning to get into the garden.  That's about a month off yet, but it fills me with such excitement for the coming spring and summer seasons, my favourites of the year!

How are you starting to shift out of winter and into the liveliness that spring brings?

recalibrate...

ahh...  peace and quiet, breathtaking views, time to relax, some awesome yoga practices and most of all, amazing company!

This afternoon I returned from a yoga and fitness retreat that I had the opportunity to co-lead with a good friend and mentor, Darlene Maclachlan, owner of the Yoga and Wellness Studio in Smiths Falls, Ontario (just outside Ottawa, our nation's capital).  Here's a little peak at our view out over the lake from the lodge!

We were thrilled to host the retreat at a beautiful lodge about 30 minutes away in one of the most sought after cottage areas in the province (Rideau Lakes).

This retreat was an opportunity for me to bring together 2 of my loves - yoga and food!!!  While my partner in crime took care of organizing the schedule and instructors and everything else, I took care of menu planning, buying supplies for and preparing the weekend's meals.  And, while to others this may have seemed the worst responsibility possible, for me it was pure bliss.

I love cooking and I especially love cooking for others.  I love good food and I love sharing good food.
So for me, this was HEAVEN!

The weekend's menu was simple - nothing too complicated, it being the first time cooking for such a large group.  Oatmeal, fresh fruit, homemade almond milk, quinoa salad, spinach salad with roasted veg, fruit salad, vegetarian chili, mushroom tacos and more.   Here's lunch!

Between happy time in the kitchen, spending time with long time friends and new friends and having some downtime to relax in a beautiful space, this weekend was indeed a time for me to recalibrate.

Much appreciated to have had the opportunity to cook for all of you this weekend and hoping to do it all again soon!  Next time at the lodge, I'll pick out one of the books they've got on site and find a corner to curl up in - as you can see, lots to choose from :-)