Viva Repubica Dominicana!!!

Right now I am visiting the beautiful Dominican Republic...basically my home away from home. After many visits to this beautiful land, I have come to realize different things about the culture, people, and of course the food! Speaking of eating, it is done here quite a lot. And encouraged. Women who are shapely, curvy, and healthy are praised, while being thin, skinny, or under weight is seen as less attractive. It is a refreshing perspective to take in, especially while being here in April when the average temp is 95 degrees....and wearing less clothing is not an option but a necessity!

To try a Dominican style fruit salad, use this simple recipe

1= Get a papaya, pineapple, banana, watermelon, and mango and cut in into small pieces

2= Sprinkle with honey or agave nectar

And that´s it! Simple, and delicious. Very much a testament to the country itself.

Zinc Cafe YUMMY!

ZINC CAFE:

Located in the cute, downtown area of Laguna Beach and a walk, skip, n' a jump from the shore, Zinc Cafe is a cute Vegetarian find, even for those who are carnivore eating...!

Unlike the usual almost "hippy dippy" atmosphere of many animal-free eateries, Zinc Cafe is chic, eclectic, and gourmet. They offer a vast array of deli goods (my fav!) that are purchased by the pound, coffee drinks, and even Peonies by the bunch! To top it off they sell grain free, gluten free cookies, could we ask for anything more?

My Nutritional Tips:

-Use the deli counter to pick exactly what you want and dont forget the veggies!
-Treat yourself to Dark Chocolate or Gluten Free treats
- Check out their selection of bottled tea for a low sugar beverage!

Give it a try and lemme know what you think.

HAPPY CHOWIN'!!!
Location:
350 Ocean Avenue
Laguna Beach, CA 92651-2322
Phone:
(949) 494-6302

Website:
http://www.zinccafe.com/about_us.htm

Black Bean with Sweet Potato and Springsalad!

Look yummy? Check out the recipe for this exciting dish in my recipe section!

YOGA, present and past

Good morning! I find this photo of Christy Turlington so inspiring. I mean yeah yeah, she is obviously gorgeous and a supermodel....but! It has always been so obvious to me that she radiates equanimity from the inside out. I have noticed a difference in ad campaigns that feature her photos, and it was no surprise to me when I learned that she also is an avid Yoga practitioner. Her posture is exquisite and I can almost feel the energy radiating from her heart.

Which brings me to the topic of Yoga. And how my practice has change and evolved since I experienced my first child's pose and down dog. Like most things, my Yoga practice is not what I assumed it would be as I quickly approach the age of thirty. I had forever assumed that I would embrace Power Yoga and a dynamic Vinyasa flow as my daily dose of strength building relaxation. Yet, in reality this could not be more far from the truth.

I will remember my first love affair with numerous warrior poses, chaturangas, and pretzel twists forever and ever, yet now I am totally content with a Restorative Yoga practice. I have tailored a twice daily ( if I'm lucky!) sequence to relieve my aches and pains, and maintaining my health and balance as I age . And as I write this, I can feel myself laughing inside. Like my dear Mother has always said: "the more you plan for the future, the less your future will follow according to plan." On that note, maybe I will get inspired to bust out a handstand and standing split as I approach sixty. That is the new fourty, right? :)

Happy Monday! Cheers to you and your own Yoga, whatever and wherever that may be.

Find Your Barre

If you, like me, have often felt an addiction to the health reaping, mind blowing, centering and athletic techniques of Yoga, listen up. Check out www.purebarre.com for a location near you. It is an intense 55 minute class that, if done correctly, willl make your mind and body feel fantastic. If you are looking for something new to add to your already exciting regime, or you could use a good ol' kickstart this just might be the activity for you. I am an Instructor at the Newport Beach location and look forward to seeing you in class. Happy lifting, tonin' and burnin!

Finding Guidance Through Pain

Like many Yoga Instructors, I love my job. I love the smell of a sweaty Yoga room, and the release of a Restorative class. Yet, somewhere along my path, I began to lose sight of my intentions. I found myself suffering. To put it plainly, I found myself injured. Overworking my muscles in various activities and also during my classes, I began to feel pain almost all of the time. The sensations would move; knees, lower back, elbows. I went to the doctor, got sent to another, and then came home to my own feelings of despair and depression. So, I took a bath. And while immersed in Lavender bubbles and Epsom salts I began to listen to my pain. I tuned into my own inner frequency and realized that my worst fear had come true; teaching so often had allowed me to really lose sight of my own Yoga practice. I do belive that this constant imbalance was a major contributor to my physical pain. In honoring my bodily pain, I have decided to cut back my teaching schedule. And, my body already feels better.

Moral of the story: tune in to pain, physical or mental. Allow it to guide you, really letting yourself listen. As mundane as it may sound, your body is trying to tell you something. And as added incentive, review the picture I have posted above to see what NOT listening can do.

Nuff said!

Warmly yours,

Yogalexis

Warm Up with Organic Coffee

Feel the need to kick caffeine to the curb? Instead, do your mind and body a favor by purchasing an Organic Brand instead. Without the use of pesticides and additives, enjoy your cup of joe knowing that you are closer to the source. And for more information...http://ezinearticles.com/?Benefits-of-Organic-Coffee&id=1633824

I recently purchased Fresh and Easy's Organic Coffee and am pleased with both the price and product. To find one near you check it out: http://www.freshandeasy.com/.

Happy sipping!,

Yogalexis