...take Kundalini Yoga.

A month ago, I realized that a Groupon was about to expire...so I packed up my yoga mat and headed down to the Yoga Circle.  I didn't do much research, but showed up on a Wednesday morning for an hour and a half class.

It was amazing.  Carrie was subbing for Gabriela and she was very welcoming and informative of what we would be doing.  "Breath of Fire" is a breathing technique in which we breathe very quickly and with our stomachs pumping each breath.  It's challenging as I'm used to taking long, deeper breaths.  After getting more comfortable with this technique and practicing for 3-5 minutes at a time and then returning to regular breath, it feels as though I've released pent-up energy I wasn't even aware of.

To be honest, it's hard to explain Kundalini--but if you are interested, there's more information at http://www.spiritvoyage.com/kundaliniyoga.aspx
I've introduced the class to Lauren and I try to attend once a week and practice a daily meditation to keep my head clear.  I wish I could say I'm becoming more flexible with yoga...but not yet!!

If you have a yoga studio nearby and want to switch things up a little, see if they offer Kundalini Yoga, it's eye-opening.  The best part is when I'm walking away from class, I feel like I've realigned my body, both physically and mentally.  I feel renewed.

...meet the newest addition to our blessed family!

Introducing AMELIA KAREN RATHMELL 

born Sunday, September 17, 2011.  8 lbs 13 oz, 20.5 inches

Susan and Marshall did a fabulous job on Sunday.  We were all so anxious for her to arrive--she was supposed to be here on Friday, but she wasn't ready!  After her water broke around 7am, Susan hung out til around 1 o'clock--at which point Bubbe came over to take care of John Marshall, while his parents headed to UAB!  I'll share one of Susan's birthing stories that I've enjoyed the most:

If you don't already know it--my sister-in-law is crazy....crazy strong!  This is her second NATURAL birth.  Yes, you read that and you know what it means.  NO drugs.  none.  zip.  whatsoever.  While she was in a lot of pain Sunday, she kept telling Marshall that she didn't want to do it "this" way.  Marshall would ask her questions like "What do you need?" "How can I help?" "What will make you feel better?" but it took a while for her to finally say "I WANT DRUGS!"  As Marshall was continuing to deter her from this option (as she had requested him to do prior to being in labor), he commented "ok.....but it's a REALLY big needle...."  This made her quit apparently and it's something she shared with us on Sunday post delivery.  I continue to be amazed and impressed with what a wonderful husband and father Marshall has turned out to be.  Boy, does he love Susan, John Marshall, and now our beautiful little Amelia too!

Mama and baby are coming home today and John Marshall is thrilled.  He has missed his Mama very badly and is ready to bring baby Ameya (that's how he sounds to me) home.  

So happy that our family has expanded...can't wait to watch this little one grow up :)

...get my Zumba certification!

A couple of weeks ago, I ventured down to Tuscaloosa for Zumba training!  For those unfamiliar to Zumba, it's a cardio class that incorporates dance--mostly Salsa, Meringue, Cumbia, Cha-Cha, and some hip hop :)  I love taking it at the J and decided that it would be fun to get my certification and possibly start teaching. 

Erick, the instructor, had crazy fun energy.  See me on the front row? :)

I'm on the front row in the green shirt

New friends and Erick Santana, the instructor.

I really enjoyed the training, although it wore me out.  We started around 8am and around 3, I was exhausted.  The class still had 3 more hours!  We didn't get out until 6 on the dot.  Most of that is because they were trying so hard to sell more program options to us.  Pretty annoying if you ask me.  I've attended a few Zumba classes since and have started facing the class while instructor teaches--but am not ready to teach quite yet.  I have made up a Meringue dance that I am supposed to introduce on Sunday.  Keeping my fingers crossed I don't mess up! :)

...run in the rain.

With Hurricane Lee bringing so much rain to the Southeast (THANK YOU!), Abby and I only had the chance to get out for a couple of short walks yesterday.  She loves hanging out on our backporch, but doesn't seem to want to do much of her business in the backyard--so I have to get her out so she doesn't make herself sick holding it in.  The rain has been light to heavy all day, but we went out in it anyway.  We had a nice 4 mile run on Overton Road and came back soaking wet.

With only having a latte this morning, I was ready to get something else into my system!  After David's trip to Whole Foods yesterday, our fridge is overflowing with fruits and veggies.  I headed out to the garden to get a cup of parsley because he forgot to get wheatgrass and the recipe we made called for one or the other.  I'm glad to use my parsley since I've only used it for one other recipe this summer.

Today's drink 'Cleansing Cocktail'* came from our Juicing book.  It calls for wheatgrass or parsley, carrots, apples, celery, and a beet.  I double the recipes in this book as they seem to only be 1 serving--and this doubled definitely made enough for a 12 oz glass.   I enjoyed that the apples and carrots gave it some sweetness but the parsley and beet were also noticeable.  David is still not a huge fan of how overpowering the beets are in a drink, so he feels that the first cocktail (carrots, celery, apples) was his number 1.  I think that one is very basic and does not have as many nutrients available--plus I like the taste! 

With burning around 400 calories and still having barely any in my diet today, I had some crackers and a spoonful of Natural Organic Peanut Butter.  I was definitely feeling a little loopy, but I know we'll have a good amount of other food items at Mom's Labor Day gathering tonight.  I'm not planning to make it a habit of only having juices during the day--I know I need more substantial food items as well, but it will make a difference when I have plans of eating out of the house.  Happy Labor Day everyone!  I'm sorry to those who had to stay in this long weekend while at the lake or the beach, but I'm going to be selfish for our earth--we needed this rain!!

*it worked for me pretty quickly--and of course it's beetified!

...add "juicing" to my diet.

David and I frequently have conflicts regarding our eating habits.  While he could go without meals because he isn't hungry, I could eat an extra meal because I'm always hungry!  It doesn't turn into an argument often, but we have both made sacrifices for one another.

 Recently, we were at a friends birthday party and a couple of guys were telling us about their 'juice fast'.  Their strong interest and enjoyment of this diet caught our attention.  David researched juicers and picked what he felt was the best juicer.  He also ordered "The Complete Book of Juicing"by Michael T. Murray, N.D.

The first juice we tried (from the guide that came with the juicer) consisted of 3 carrots, 4 apples, and 4 celery stalks (for 2 servings).  I washed all of them and then cut the apples into quarters and we ended up breaking the carrots and celery in half so that they went into the juice more easily.  It was surprisingly delicious!  I'm not a big fan of carrots but didn't mind them in this concoction. 

I enjoyed one of David's weekend lattes (mmmmmmm, I love the weekends) and that held us over for a few hours.  I made a salad for lunch and hoped that would keep me satisfied through 4 hours of massages.  It did!  I was a bit cranky when I made it home around 6, but that's to be expected when changing a diet.  We tried the "Better Red Than Dead" from our juicing book that consists of 1 beet (with top), half a medium sweet potato (cut into slices), and 3 carrots (1 serving size).  This recipe claims that it will give your skin some color and the carotenes also protect you from burning in the sun. 

This drink was potent of beet!  Although I enjoy beets, David's still adjusting to them.  He doesn't seem as eager to try this drink too frequently, but if it really does give me some color--I'm in!  I love having a tan, but I know how harmful it could be in my future.

It'll be interesting to see how this addition to my diet will effect me in the upcoming weeks.  I will attempt to take a daily photo around the same time and in the same place to see if I can see a difference in my skin, color, or size.