it's a big, bridal world out there. start here.
This year, my husband wanted to take a different approach to savoring the produce of summer. As winter is a tough time for local produce in the Midwest, we froze a few vegetables and fruit last winter. However, with limited freezer space, we decided canning and fermenting was the way to go.
Fermented Pickles (Photo by Suzanne Ko)
If you log quite a bit of time running or cycling, it is a good idea to make time for stretching. The best complement to these activities is yoga. Even if you cannot make it to a yoga class, there are a couple key postures you can do to open those tight muscles. You can even do this while watching TV, which is probably a good way to get off the couch! My two favorites are Pigeon and Crescent Moon Pose.
Pigeon Pose with Additional Quadriceps Stretch (Photo from SKo-Fit)
Do you spend a lot of time sitting in front of a computer or driving? Check out Matsyasana or fish posture ~ a great way to counter the postural defects of rounded shoulders.
Matsyasana or Fish Posture (Photo from www.skofit.com)
For most brides, the wedding dress is one of the most important components of the wedding. After selecting the date and securing the venue, dress shopping is usually the next item on the to-do list. As a bride, you may fall into two categories – having a dress passed down by family or an ideal dress you envisioned. Whatever the reason, selecting the right dress involves several steps to help you look your best for your “big day”. To help me, I enlisted the help of Carmel Pijoos of Carmel Bridal (she also happens to be the mom of our lovely Eye Candy writer – Candyce Paraggua!). Carmel has been a Bridal Consultant/Stylist for eight years. She is a leading expert in the bridal industry, where she has gained the trust and respect of her brides and fellow workers. She attends bridal markets locally and has traveled abroad to keep up with the latest bridal trends. She has a knack with that special touch, putting the complete look together every bride dreams of. I asked her what brides should expect when selecting their dress.
Wedding Dress Fitting (Photo from Carmel Bridal)
Recently, the New York Times featured a growing trend among New York fitness fanatics – working out two to three times day! I am not talking about working out at the gym but rather taking fitness classes at different boutique studios. These women are professionals with full-time jobs, who manage to find time to squeeze in these workouts. Some trekking from one class and across town to another. You have to admire their dedication because that is some serious motivation! To meet this demand of mix-and- match workouts, FITiST was created by owner Neda Talebian Funk, offering class packages at partnering studios.
Balance Is Key (Photo from www.cakitches.com)
As a yoga teacher, I try to constantly evolve in my practice, which does not stop the second I step off my mat. As I mentioned before, yoga is more than a physical practice (see TIP TUESDAY: Myths vs Facts About Yoga). It translates to how you live your daily life, which can be incredibly hard, even for me. The best way to describe this translation is from the Yoga Sutras 1.12-1.16: Practice and Non-Attachment. Practice and non-attachment are the two core principles on which the system of yoga rests. These two work hand-in-hand, with non-attachment as the essential companion to practice. What does this all mean?
Practice & Non-Attachment (Photo from www.swamij.com)
Smartphones have made us too accessible. Everywhere you look, people are glued to their cell phone, oblivious to their surroundings. As a result, some have a hard time disconnecting even at the gym!
Turn It Off! (Photo from www.mobiledia.com)
I was going to comment on the controversy surrounding the K-E diet, featured in the New York Times last week, but there already has been a conversation. If you do not know what I am referring to, this is a diet used by brides as a quick way to meet their wedding weight loss goal. While it is fairly new in the United States, it has been popular for many years in Italy and Europe. Essentially, for the price tag of approximately $1,500, a nasogastric tube (a tube is inserted through the nose, down the esophagus, and into the stomach) is used to provide nourishment (with no carbohydrates) for ten days.
There Are NO Short Cuts! (Photo from www.someecards.com)
Do you truly live your life to its fullest? This is much more than completing a bucket list. I am talking about taking care of your body and not taking it for granted. We are only given one chance in this lifetime, so why would you not treat each day with care? These thoughts are brought on by the passing of my uncle last week. He was diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer about three years ago. I remember the day when I found out. My mom called me as I was walking to catch the bus. I stopped in my tracks, refusing to believe it and did not understand why. You hear about people being affected by cancer all the time. But, until it affects you personally, you really do not put too much thought into it.
Uncle Andy (Photo by Essence Photo & Video)
I recently had a conversation on twitter with my friends Desiree and Mindy on starting an exercise program. Some of you may remember Desiree from my profile on her (TIP TUESDAY: Be Passionate About Your Lifestyle). As usual, Desiree and I were geeking out over TRX exercises. Mindy comments on how she has no idea what we are talking about, but that it just sounds scary. She said she is just glad she can get through running a short distance without stopping. Desiree and I advise her to start somewhere, no matter how small. If you look at the long climb to your goal, rather than all the steps leading up to it, you can potentially set yourself up for failure or just get discouraged. With a strong foundation, you can effectively build your strength. Being patient takes time, hard work, and dedication, but will prevent injuries in the long run.
We Could Not Say It Better! (Photo from www.pinterest.com)
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