Yoga On Tap - A Positively Uplifting Experience!

The day my friend, Ashley, told me she was leaving our Clark Kent Day job to pursue her dream (aka Yoga), I was SO proud of her and sad all at the same time.

Proud that she was pursuing something she loved, and sad because I wouldn't see her glowing face and radiating positivity around the office any more.

If you have ever met Ashley, aka the Happy Yogi, aka founder & owner of Yoga on Tap, she just oozes positive vibes, has a contagious smile, and is just my one of my favourite people to hang out with (aside from Husband and the Zoo, of course!).

I knew as soon as she told me in confidence about her plans that she  would excel at whatever she put her heart into. 

I also knew that we would stay friends after she left.  I have like no friends at work whom I hang out with outside of work. But for some odd reason, we clicked from Day 1, and it's been an awesome journey so far.

Yeah. This is us. Being us.

Her initial plans turned out to be not as she planned. 

Anyone who knows the Happy Yogi knows she is HIGHLY organized, and loves her lists and plans.

What did she do instead? 

She went to India to obtain her Yoga Instructor Certification.

A few months later Husband and I went to her apartment for dinner with her and her now-husband and she looked SO excited she was going to burst.

This is common and I love her enthusiasm - it's hard not to get excited for and with her.

She told us about her plans for Yoga on Tap - Husband and I looked at each other, and we couldn't help but to become invested emotionally in this rollercoaster with her. 

What an amazing idea.  And something that the growing beer community in the Ottawa area didn't have.  We had never heard of such a thing before. 

If anyone could pull it off, Ashley could!  And she has.

Because she's an artist, she created her own symbol (yoga character with hops), and does it all.  Marketing, paperwork, projections, plans, and of course, teaching! 

Ashley's mantra for Yoga on Tap is to create a sense of Yoga + Beer = Community.

She is very involved with the local community, supporting local businesses, and create an overall life balance. 


After a great YOT session @ Bicycle Brewery

What is Yoga on Tap?

It's balance.  There are normally 4-6 sessions of Yoga on Tap per season, and you can purchase single, double, or all exclusive passes.

With each session, you meet your Yoga partners at the chosen brewery a few minutes before your Yoga session is to start, place down your mat, and get ready for an exhilarating experience.

You don't have to have Yoga experience.  During your practice with YOT, you are encouraged to go at your own pace.

Ashley brings us through an hour journey of Vinyasas, Yoga Breathing, Warrior, Tree poses, and more.  It's very flowy and relaxing.  At the same time, it *is* a test of your strength and power.  Each yoga practice teaches you more about your body, strength, and the ability to clear your mind of negativity.  It is energizing and empowering for women and men alike. It's such a thrilling feeling afterwards - literally your stress just drips away.

During the session, she uses Red Solo Cups, hops, and beer references to add some beer fun to the practice. And the hour long Yoga session goes by in a flash.

With thoughtful music choices and Ashley's support throughout your practice, you really just  don't want it to end.

Oh wait, it doesn't - there's more!

Next up are healthy snacks (prepared by Ashley herself - she's an AMAZING chef!) and beer tastings! 

After a taste or two, you go on a tour of the brewery.  They explain what they do, their history, go through the beer making process, and answer any questions you may have. 

It's a very social atmosphere and a lot of fun. 

Although the sessions are slated for 2 hours - people generally stay longer as they are too busy chatting and meeting members of their community with some common interests (beer and yoga to say the least). 

So sign up for a Practice with Yoga On Tap, or book your private or group lesson (great party idea!) with the Happy Yogi today!  You won't regret it!

And if you don't think Ashley will make you grin from ear to ear by the end (or beginning) of your session, you're mistaken.

She is a contagious spirit whose attitude and zeal for life is one we can all strive for.

Watch out, World, this is only the beginning for Yoga on Tap and Ashley!

Summer 2015 Session @ Bicycle Brewery

Fall 2015 Session @ Whiprsnapr Brewery

It's Been Forever!

So...we kind of got off the biking bandwagon after the accident.



BUT 3 weeks after The Accident, I did start my daily workouts again.



I wasn't able to find Cize when I finished Insanity Max 30, however, I did have the 21 Day Fix Extreme, so gave it a go.



As it was only 21 days, I decided not to note every single workout - it kind of takes away from it all.

Autumn Calabrese kind of annoyed me at first, but she grew on me eventually.  She sounds like she's from Minnesota with a Canadian Accent.



And she's a tough cookie.  She brought back the weights, and maintained the squats, lunges, and goddam tricep dips.

I didn't realize how much I missed the weights (Shaun T doesn't generally use weights - only in the Gamma Round of T25).



I didn't do the diet part, as I'm not that hard core.  I'm okay with a long term maintenance plan vs a short term plan.  That's just me though - some people just do the diet part.  I don't need more tupperware, and we generally watch what we eat, with some cheating (wings and beer anyone??).



I didn't really like the app, as the days I didn't workout (there was a wedding in the middle, so I had to remember which day I was on, as the app just assumed you didn't skip a day):

The bridal party

I think my arm looks dented - you can kind of see it in the top left - yeah!

And someone actually commented on how muscular my back looks - sweet!  All my hard work the last 10 months is finally paying off.  Being not-20-years-old, it's a lot more difficult to get rid of those unsightly bulges and bumps.  Husband still says I'm hot no matter what, but it also matters what I think.



I want all the muscles!



And working out also gives me more energy, makes me happy, and fills in that time I used to spend bird toy making for Crystal's Bird Toys.



CBT feels like a lifetime ago since I closed down the store.



Anyhow, back to Apps - I like Apps for my workouts, so I can check it off there.  I'm horrible with paper. Even if it's posted on my fridge.



Like now.



I tried Cize for 2 days, and just missed the weights, squats, and lunges - it's mainly cardio and co-ordination, and a whack load of fun....but I need more than that to meet my targets and not get bored.  Doing the same workout every day for a week is one way for me to just stop doing it.  It's boring and repetitive.



So, I found a schedule that incorporates the 21 Day Fix Extreme WITH Cize.  It's perfect!  3 days of weights, lunges, and squats, 1 Yoga day, and 3 Cize Days a week.



I think I might do this with Body Beast (a program I haven't attempted as I don't want stupid huge muscles, and NEED my cardio to get best results) - a bit of T25 or P90X3 and Body Beast together?


 Yes please!



Cize is basically 30-40 minutes learning a 45 second dance.  My favourite move so far is the row-boat move - it took me about 4 days of Cize to figure it out, but now it's fun.  Again, I trip over my own feet and am not that co-ordinated, so this is a great challenge for me to attempt and succeed at.

I start the new dance (week 3) today, so I'm stalling for time.  New moves in Cize scare me a bit.


 This is good - to challenge yourself to do things you ordinarily wouldn't do.




I also only had one pair of workout shorts that wicked sweat away - my other two were old pant cut offs, and not working for me at all.  I'm a fitness clothing snob. I admit it.  I like my Lululemon. It does exactly what I want, and I shop in the We Made To Much section, so the pricing is actually much better that normal priced fitness clothing, at a quality I have become accustomed to.



So I saw some shorts on sale that might work better than the last pair I got (I need to shrink a tad bit more for those ones to fit - fitness goals!).



They are Amazeballs!

A workout is not complete without a Ridgeback aka Lumpy Fynn

The only problem with shopping in the discount section...you have to wait. And wait. And wait if you want a not-size 2 or 4.  I'm an 8 in tops (which are getting flowy) and 10 in bottoms right now - the 8s don't like my hips, which seem to be holding on for dear life.



A bit of a long winded analysis of the last few months, but I'm still journeying along :)



There are no excuses acceptable (beyond having no limbs) to not putting yourself, your mental & physical health, and overall well being - first.  Do it for your family and do it for yourself.



Keep fit, smile, and remember - if you have 30 minutes a day to watch tv, you have 30 minutes a day to workout in your living room.

My Favourite Chili

I admit that some mornings, I just can't do it all in under an hour.

I am out of bed by 5:20 and out of the house by 6:20 at the LATEST.

In this time, I have to shower, make myself look presentable, hope I can dress in clean clothes that look ok in the dark, feed the birds, go downstairs and feed the dogs, make lunches, let dogs out, remember pants, and take my vitamins.  

I usually remember my pants.

And normally don't have matching socks.

And yes, I know I should make lunches at night, I just don't always have the enthusiasm after biking, making dinner, possibly working out with my man (Shaun T), and having some R & R time with my other man (aka Husband).

So I have a back up plan for morning that don't include an extra 5 minutes.

Beef Chili with Beans!

I revamped the original recipe a bit (*) and cook it in the crock pot, as I generally cook spaghetti sauce at the same time (ingredients are fairly similar).  Two of our stove burners don't work, so I can only cook in one big pot at a time.  It's called kitchen compromise.

Gather

1 pound lean ground beef (I use 1/2 to 3/4 of a family pack)

1 Tbsp. oil

1 medium onion, diced

*2 sweet bell peppers, diced (red, yellow or orange)

1 12 ounce can or bottle of beer (lager, pilsner or pale ale) ***BEER IS A MUST!

1 to 2 tsp. cumin

1 tsp. coriander

*4 Tbsp. chili powder

¼ tsp. chipotle chili powder (I use this instead of black pepper)

1-½ tsp. salt

*1 28 ounce can of diced tomatoes

1 8 ounce can of tomato sauce

*2 cans pinto, kidney, and/or black beans, and/or chick peas, drained and rinsed

* 1/2 cup Sliced mushrooms 

Step by Step

1. Heat a large pot or Dutch oven over high heat. Add the oil and the ground beef to the hot pot allowing the meat to brown and caramelize slightly before stirring.
2. When meat has finished browning, remove it with a slotted spoon to a paper towel lined plate. The paper towel will absorb any excess grease and oil.
3. *Put everything in the crock pot on low for 4-6 hours.
4. Eat with nacho chips. You'll never eat Chili without them again!

Nutrition

WW PP 8; Calories 342; Total Fat 8.0g; Saturated Fat 2.2g; Trans Fat 0.0g; Cholesterol 68mg; Sodium 968mg; Total Carbohydrates 31.3g; Dietary Fiber 7.8g; Sugars 5.7g; Protein 32.4g

I'm making this today, as Friday I was in a rush, and realized I had no chili as a quick lunch back up and had no time time make my salad medley.  

I'm thinking of adding some of our garden items, like green onions and spinach, but am not sure if that's too weird or not.  We'll see how I feel in an hour.  

More great recipes to come from my old school binder cook book.  I got rid of the cookbooks I had, and just print out recipes I will use, and keep the recipes I like in plastic pages - to prevent ripping and splashes.  If I don't like a recipe after eating it, I just recycle the paper.  

My old school binder from when I had a personal trainer in...2002?

Insanity Max 30 Month 2: Max Out Strength

This routine is similar to Month One's Tabata Strength.

But the moves are 45 seconds long with a 15 minute stretch "break" in-between.

Don't be fooled by "break" in the world of Shaun T - he doesn't really mean it.

Oh, but I'm sort of kind of starting to see some Rambo muscles going on. So his whip it attitude is doing something for me besides sweating gallons and cursing his very presence in my living room.

See...that little dent in the shoulder...it looks much better in person!

Back to hating on Shaun T (I love him, but I don't).

5 Minute Warm up - again, don't be fooled - you can Max Out in his warm ups!

None of the moves are repeated.

Split Plyo Lunge - Chair pose to alternating rear lunges - arms are up in the air the entire time

Plunge Plyo Squat - Chair to moving alternative side squats - arms go in and out with the move

2 Hop Squats - 2 Lunges - 2 Pulsing Squats, turn to side for 2 pulsing lunges - Alternate moves & sides

Hop Squat Lunge - Same as above, but only single pulses (no doubles)

Squat Thrust Lunge - Alternate single side lunge to centre, then squat with a thrust (aka tighten your behind) at the top - alternate lunge sides.

Squat Thrust - Squat with hands crossed at the front, stand up with a thrust and arms to the behind (kind of kinky!)

Push Up Jack Tap - Push up and tap alternate shoulder with hand at the top

Push Up Jack - In the modified version (aka me) - it's just a modified push up.

Plank Jack Push Up - Plank and side jacks - alternating legs

Plank Walk Push Ups - Push up and move alternating arm to side - similar to alternating push ups

Knee Push UP - Self explanatory, but a wider push up than the previous push up moves

8 Count Knee Push Up - Shaun T is a Jerk!  This move is self explanatory

Floor Switch Kicks - Lifting body like the top of triceps pushes, lift your butt off the ground - lift and kick alternating legs.  Similar to a standing swtich kick, just at a 90 degree angle.

Tricep Reach Kick - On your behind with legs bent, touch alternating foot with alternate hand.

Tricep Knee Taps - Tricep hold butt off ground, legs bent, and bring alternate knees to chest.

Tuck Extension - Start by laying on your back, come up and bring alternate knee to hand (meeting at the waist)

Floor Tuck Jumps - On your behind, hands on floor beside butt, knees bent and feet off the ground - these are like crunches, but pulsing very quickly.

Speed Knee and Ab - Head up and legs straight, bring hands to alternate knee in an oblique crunch

Tricep Push Up Jack - Plank and jack out alternating legs

Dive Push Up - On knees with hands close together, push up and hold at the top for a few seconds.

Lat Push Ups Alt - Body stays centred, but the hands move so you alternate push ups on either side

Knee Push Up Pulse - Low pulsing push ups - THE BURNING!

8 Count Knee Push Up - Slow knee push ups. Curse you, Shaun T!

Low Plank Hold - just that - knees off the ground, but low to ground.  SO difficult, but I did it!

Calorie Burn = Approximately 424 in 30 minutes.

One more work out in month 2 before they start repeating - I ought to be finished in 3-4 weeks or so, as sometimes biking gets in the way, or my CFS acts up, and I literally can't move and need a day off.

On a side note, as we're really making a conscious effort not to really drink alcohol, I find beer pint glasses make AWESOME water glasses for my workouts - they hold SO much more water than normal glasses!

Fake beer (aka Water)