Wednesday, May 25, 2016

Whats Up Wednesday (5/25/16)

It's the last Wednesday of the month and time for another What's Up Wednesday!



On the last Wednesday of every month I'm linking up with Shay to answer these questions:



1.  What we're eating this week...

This week we're eating breakfast for dinner!  Its so simple, and one of my favorite things to make and eat.  Something about having breakfast food for your dinner makes you feel like you're eating comfort food.  Another thing that I can't get enough of lately are Acai bowls!  They are so yummy if you're never tried one.  Basically like a smoothie with granola and fruit and whatever other toppings you choose.  
Bowl from Swami Juice on S. MacDill

Bowl made for lunch by me!

2.  What I'm reminiscing about...

Four amazing years with my person.  I can't believe its been four years already, time really flies when you're having fun.  Our wedding night was one that I will never forget, surrounded by our closest friends and family in one of our favorite cities.  I remember it like it was yesterday, and can't believe how far we've come in four years.  




I'm so thankful for this man! The father of my children, my constant supporter and the one who puts up with me.  I love you babe! Happy Anniversary!

3.  What I'm loving...

Watching the bond between brother and sister grow.  These kids make my heart happy, and seeing them together makes it want to explode!  I have also decided that there's nothing cuter than baby jeggings :)




4.  What we've been up to...
Lots of time outside playing and swimming before it gets too hot and I will never want to be outside.   
Vincent running through the new sprinkler toy we got him

Arianna at the pool with our awesome neighbors

5.  What I'm dreading...

Potty training! The closer we get to August, the more I know that Vincent needs to learn how to use the dang toilet! Ugh...add it to the list of some of the not fun parts of motherhood, but its time.  

6.  What I'm working on...

In June I will start teaching regularly at Green Locus Yoga.  I've been working on my sequences for my classes and playlists for them.  I'm looking forward to getting back to the mat and sharing the practice that I love.  Come take a class with me!

7.  What I'm excited about...

In just a few weeks I will be an Aunt again! My brother and his wife are expecting their daughter on June 2nd and I can't wait to see her face and learn her name!  I'm excited for his family to grow and experience all of the fun that we've had over the last almost four months.      

8.  What I'm watching/reading...

Yep, the Bachelorette is back, so after I put the kids to bed this is what my Monday nights consist of now.  I loved watching JoJo on Ben's season, and know that I will love her as this season's Bachelorette.  The first night did not disappoint! 

9.  What I'm listening to...

My sweet boy has really started talking in full sentences.  I love having conversations with Vincent and he cracks me up with some of the things he comes up with.  He also recently started saying "I love you mommy," which is the best sound in the world! However, soon after, he also told me that he loves Campbell, a cute girl in his class...No Vincent, you are too young for your first girlfriend!

10.  What I'm wearing...

A lot less workout/yoga clothes since I went back to work this month.  It feels good to get up, get dressed and put makeup on.  

11.  What I'm doing this weekend...

Celebrating my four year anniversary with my hubby and spending time with my babies during the long weekend.  We don't have any plans, and that's ok.  June will be a busy month for us, so I'm looking forward to some down-time this weekend.  

12.  What I'm looking forward to next month...

As I said, June is going to be a busy and fun month for us.  It's Mike's birthday, then we have Father's Day, and then my cousin is having a baby shower for her twin girls!  Our weekends are pretty much booked for the entire month.  

13.  What else is new...

We're just busy getting used to our new schedules around here with me going back to work and Arianna starting daycare.  Vincent loves having his baby sister at school with him, and it makes things easier with him.  We're still in a bit of an adjustment period, but so far its been good for everyone.  
 My sweet girl and her big brother on her first day of daycare

14.  What I'm looking forward to this summer...

Lots of time relaxing with my family and finally shedding the rest of this baby weight.  My goal is to be back to pre-baby by my 35th birthday, and I think I can do it!


XO

Shari

Wednesday, May 11, 2016

Yoga Expo - My Three Takeaways

Last month while we were visiting Mike's family, I was able to attend the Yoga Expo in Ft. Lauderdale.  Thanks to my hubby and mother-in-law, I was able to step away for a half day of some much needed "me time" and enjoy the expo.  One of the principles my yoga teachers focused on during our 200hr teacher training was that you should never stop being a student of the practice, there will always be new things to learn, and having your own practice is just as important as teaching and sharing it with others.  Thinking back on the experience, there were three key things that I took away from the day.  

1.  Importance of Meditation
Having a daily meditation practice can do so many things for you.  Some of them being lowering stress, supporting your immune system, helping you sleep better and improving the function of your brain!  As I sat in a convention center conference room filled with over 100 people, and we discussed the importance of meditation and spent time in a meditation exercise, I was reminded about how many benefits meditation has.  


I have to admit, at first I was a little claustrophobic, and had thoughts running through my mind,"how are we going to let our minds rest with this many people, this close?"  The instructor shared her background and how meditation saved her from addiction.  She talked us through using a four-part breath breathing exercise to start and then led us through a guided meditation.  It was a great way to start the day, and something that I have promised myself to do more of.  

2.  Healthy Living  
What you eat is as important to your healthy lifestyle as your physical activity.  One of our old co-workers from Office Depot is the owner of Atlas Meat-Free Delicatessen in Hollywood, FL.  I saw that they would be participating in the expo, and I was excited to try their food.  The food was great, you could not tell that it had no meat. I would highly recommend it to anyone living near the area - great job Ryan!!



After participating in some of the yoga classes, I treated myself to a juice from RawBar.  It was so good!  Pineapple, Green Apple, Cucumber, Mint, Lime and Purified Water - a yummy treat for my ride home.  


3.  Be Inspired  
I took two great hour-long classes at the expo.  They were challenging and included new sequencing that I had not done before.  The class was the largest yoga class I've ever been a part of.  Being surrounded by 200+ yogis moving through their asanas left me nothing short of inspired.  All levels were participating, and the way that the teachers I took the classes from spoke and guided the room certainly left me inspired to be a better teacher myself.  Taking time to invest in my personal practice will help keep me inspired by this practice that I love.  






I left the expo feeling renewed and happy.  I am hoping to make my attendance to the Yoga Expo an annual event.  Hopefully, if they have one in Tampa, I may even teach at it in the future.  As I was walking out, I was asked to take a picture with someone who had the same Target style as me :) Sure...why not?!


XO

Shari