mind body blissful

announcement: i'm moving!

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea Isabelle Lucas) — Sat, 28 Jul 2012 11:57:00 +0000

OK, so I know it’s been REALLY quiet on the Mind Body Blissful blog these pasts few months. And they have been some pretty exciting months! First off, I did take the trip to Haiti in April, and it was EVERYTHING I could have hoped for, and more. Following that, I’ve been spending lots of time attending some interesting coaching sessions. Oh yeah, and I quit my full time job! I can’t wait to tell you ALL about these things in the months to come, now that I’ve got more time on my hands to write. :)

Something was stirring in me, which prompted me to take all of these actions. Something like a calling. A little voice told me it was time to create something new. There are lifestyle changes and next projects still taking shape, and I look forward to sharing them with you as I go.

But I also wanted to say a little bit about why I haven’t been writing.

The truth is – I feel like I’ve been bullshitting you.

I haven’t been as honest as I could be, and I’m committed to cutting the shit. Let me explain.

See, I felt like I needed to keep things cheerful, not delve into anything too messy with my writing. There were lots of reasons I censored myself – a corporate management role, a chipper blog name, fear of being vulnerable… The thing is: life is not always pretty.

When we hold back our authenticity, when we show only the prettiest, shiniest parts of ourselves, no one is served.

We miss the opportunity for connection. Instead we reinforce a culture of shame. ‘Oh look, she has it all together – perfect kids, perfect body… why doesn’t my body look like that?’ and so on. Who needs it?

I want to share myself with you more authentically, to really connect.

Mind Body Blissful is moving on, and evolving into the Fit Feminist blog! I am passionate about feminism and want to speak more about what it is to live powerfully for women in a culture that doesn't always empower us. I hope this will be a space of risks, authenticity and connection. I hope you’ll challenge me, and I hope some of what we can share will connect us, empower us. And if not, I hope you will love me enough to call me on it.

My blog is moving to my new digital home: andreaisabelle.com. The new blog can be reached at fitfeminist.com or andreaisabelle.com/blog. Come visit me there!! This will be my last post on Mind Body Blissful.

Oh, and what would you like to see on Fit Feminist?? Let me know by commenting on this post, or send me an email.

Thank you for reading and please stay in touch!!

Andrea

this will change lives!

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea Isabelle Lucas) — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 16:49:00 +0000

I am inspired to make a life-changing trip for the many women and children of Haiti who suffer under a widespread sexual violence epidemic in the post-earthquake tent cities that have formed there, where assault has become rampant. As a surivor of domestic abuse I am personally committed to raise money to help these victims and ask for your help.
As you know, I am extremely passionate about empowering women to live healthy, happy lives. This passion was ignited not so many years ago when I myself survived domestic violence, and went in search of healing. Today I am stronger and happier than ever before, and as a result of my experience, I firmly believe that healing for women who have suffered abuse must come from an integrated mind-body approach.
A Boston organization called yogaHOPE is partnering with a group in Port-au-Prince called AMURT. AMURT is creating safe spaces and programming for women and children who have been the targets of sexual violence. Team yogaHOPE has just returned from Port-au-Prince where it began the first of what will be a series of trainings for Haitian Community Leaders in a powerful integrated yoga and mindfulness-based curriculum to aid in these women’s healing—most of whom are survivors of horrific sexual violence. Many of these women's young children have also been raped, resulting in compound trauma for entire families.
I am one of ten Americans who have committed to raise $3,500 toward the project and will have the life-changing opportunity to go and train with the group in Haiti this April. Please take a moment to watch this inspiring video of yogaHOPE’s inaugural training in Port-au-Prince.
100% of the money I raise will go to support this initiative, and I'll be paying my own way to Haiti. I am hoping for 100 of my friends, family and supporters to donate $35 to my page. To some in Haiti, that is one third of a monthly salary; $100 will pay one of these Haitian Community Leaders’ salary for an entire month. What may seem like a little to you is so very much to others.
Please donate HERE! If $35 is too much for you now, please consider giving $10, $15, $20.
Thank you so much in advance for making this possible, and for helping me pay my healing forward!

previous love, a poem by keith althaus

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea Isabelle Lucas) — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 14:00:00 +0000

I've been dying to share this beautiful poem I read in The Sun magazine a few months ago, but I wanted to wait until it got closer to Valentine's Day. It's the perfect ode to someone from the past, for those times when you're feeling all nostalgic...

Previous Love

by Keith Althaus

Previous love,
think of the sky
above us still,
the parade
of clouds here,
the starlit evening
there, and this one
breath expelled
that you might
catch someday
on a street corner
after its long journey
across miles of ocean,
fields, and woods
that comb it,
take out the scent,
the taste, the sweet
stuff, until
there's nothing left
of me or this place,
or just enough
to make you think,
standing on the curb,
waiting for the light,
of me, and us.

Originally published in The Sun

Photo by Meredith_Farmer

mindbodyblissful.com

recipe: chicken with lemon and rosemary

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea Isabelle Lucas) — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 14:00:00 +0000

I got this recipe from my friend and nutritionist Julie Starr-Wood. The original recipe calls for a butterflied chicken, but I just buy the "whole cut-up chicken" that they sell at Trader Joe's. It's easy and good, and we usually end up with leftovers that can be used in another meal.

Whole (Cut-Up) Chicken with Lemon and Rosemary

1 whole cut-up chicken

3 long sprigs of fresh rosemary

Juice of 1 lemon, plus more lemons to serve

1 red onion

6 tablespoons olive oil

Sea salt

Put chicken into large freezer bag. Pull needles off 2 sprigs of rosemary and drop in bag. Cut the lemon in half and squeeze juices in bag, chucking the empty shells in afterward. Cut onion into eighths and add to bag too. Pour in olive oil and then tie up the bag and give it a good squeeze before sitting it in the fridge. Marinate chicken for 2 hrs or overnight in fridge.

Preheat oven to 425 degrees, if you have marinated chicken in fridge, try to let it come to room temp while oven is preheating. Lay flattened chicken, skin side up, on a pan lined with foil, along with the lemon husks and onion pieces, and add the remaining sprig of rosemary torn into a couple of pieces. Cook for 45 minutes. At this point you can turn oven down to 300 and let it remain in oven after it is cooked through (this doesn’t over cook it, it makes it golden and tender).

Take pan out of oven, arrange chicken on plate, along with onion bits, then pour over any juices from pan and sprinkle with sea salt. Cut a lemon into quarters and scatter about the chicken J.

photo by jazzijava

trouble saying no? you may be saying it more than you think.

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea Isabelle Lucas) — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Recently I wrote about an insight that I gained working with my friend Erek of Verve Coaching, and I thought I'd share another great tip that he gave me. I spoke with Erek about my tendency to get excited about so many projects, that I completely overbook myself and wind up feeling tired and spread too thin. He suggested that the next time I want to take on something new, I try the following exercise:

Saying yes to _________ means saying no to _________.

Since the number of hours in a day, week, or year is finite, it makes sense that generally something has to be displaced when we bring something new into our lives. Maybe it's sleep that we will be getting less of, or down-time. This doesn't have to be a bad thing, it's just nice to stop and reflect before committing to one more thing.

I immediately found a way to apply this at the end of the summer when I thought about how badly I'd neglected my blog for a few months. But when I thought about it further, I realized that I'd been saying no to my blog because I'd been saying yes to being on the beach in my hometown and favorite place ever, Ogunquit, Maine almost every weekend. (Sandy laptop = bad.) Although I had unconsciously chosen one over the other, I realized that if I had chosen more conscisouly, I wouldn't change a thing. It was an awesome summer!

Erek credits the Yes/No exercise to a book called Co-Active Coaching (Whitworth, 2007), but I still give him credit for introducing me to it.

[photo by chrisinplymouth]

mindbodyblissful.com

media images of "perfect beauty" bringing you down? watch this.

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea Isabelle Lucas) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 14:00:00 +0000

I watched the documentary Miss Representation over the weekend, which challenges us to think about how much pressure we women put on ourselves to look "perfect," thanks to the ridiculous amount of emphasis the media places on how women look, rather than what we achieve. Meanwhile, controversy has been swirling lately over a sexy yoga advertisement on YouTube. In reading one writer's response to this, I came across this genius video that I just had to share. I'm always looking for ways to infuse this blog with feminist values, without turning it into "mind, body, angry rant.com..." I believe we can keep our feminist ideals, and our positive attitude, and I think this brilliant video does just that. I shared it with my kids, and talked a little bit about what it meant. I'm not sure they understand it quite yet, but I want to arm them from an early age to think critically about the messages they are being sent in the media. I also wanted to remind myself.

Full disclosure: I've been feeling rather like "poop" since the holidays about 5 or 10 pounds that I gained over the last few months. Seriously... I'm over it. What is it that I tell my students? Life is cyclical, we have "on" and "off" cycles. I'm back "on" now, planning what to eat so that I feed myself well, taking time for self-care so that I don't burn out. Miss Representation was a great reminder to put my energy into positive, constructive things, like the people I care about, my work, my goals, and enjoying life!

Have a happy week everyone,

Andrea

hey, it's my first yoga playlist!

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea Isabelle Lucas) — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 16:33:00 +0000

New class! I'm teaching PranaVayu Yoga Level 1/2 every Friday at 10:20am (right after Core Fusion Cardio) at exhale Battery Wharf! Not sure what PranaVayu is? Wanted to try yoga but felt a little intimidated? Come try it with me! I'll totally hook you up. ;)

Here is my first attempt at a yoga playlist...

Lovers.................................Bahramji & Mashti
They....................................Jem
The Ghost Inside..................Broken Bells
Naive...................................The Kooks
Freedom..............................George Micheal
Help I'm Alive.......................Metric
Us........................................Regina Spektor
My Moon My Man................Feist
Tears Dry on Their Own.....Amy Winehouse
The Trapeze Swinger.........Iron & Wine
Glory Box............................Portishead
Swirling Ocean....................Meditation (I'm not sure the artist? I put this on repeat for the last 15 minutes of meditation)

huffington post's year in review for women

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea Isabelle Lucas) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 21:00:00 +0000

Photo: 2011 Nobel Peace Prize Winners, from left, Leymah Gbowee of Liberia, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, President of Liberia and Tawakkul Karman, a women's rights activist in Yemen. They were honored for working for women's rights everywhere.

As 2011 comes to a close, it seems almost nonsensical to have to mention, let alone devote an article to, gender barriers. While women have made great strides, we still have a long way to go. Given the struggle to maintain our place as a leader in the global economy, why would anyone want to place any kind of barrier in front of women (or men) who could help our country compete in the world marketplace?

This next election will determine not only the presidency but also several critical House and Senate seats. We know that some of the biggest wins and losses of 2011 were on matters that will significantly affect our future, so it is important that we consider them as we examine the candidates, their records, and their promises. There are many issues at stake for women and their families.

A terrible decision: The U.S. Supreme Court's sharply divided decision in Wal-Mart v. Dukes prevented the courageous women of Wal-Mart from taking on America's largest private employer as a nationwide class-action group, leaving each employee to file her claim individually or in smaller, reformulated classes. Not only is this a tremendous, and in most cases unaffordable, financial burden on low-wage earners, but such legal fragmentation means that the same issue will come before numerous courts across the country, likely with varying results. However, despite this setback, we remain undeterred. After all, we know that the U.S. Supreme Court can be wrong -- just ask fair pay icon Lilly Ledbetter.

Not just an adult problem: While sexual harassment hurts everyone, girls are disproportionately affected. Crossing the Line: Sexual Harassment at School, our groundbreaking research report, found that just 12 percent of the girls surveyed who were sexually harassed reported it. Boys who experienced sexual harassment at school were even less likely to report it -- only five percent did so. This year, the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights formally reminded schools, colleges and universities that Title IX prohibits sexual harassment and sexual violence. The department also reminded those institutions that they are responsible for stopping, fixing, and preventing bullying. But we still need Congress to address harassment and bullying to ensure a safe learning environment for all students. Children cannot learn if they do not feel safe.

Still earning cents to their dollars: Congress remains regrettably idle on the Paycheck Fairness Act, legislation that would, among other things, give businesses incentives to pay women fairly. Meanwhile, newspaper headlines misleadingly report that young women are out-earning their male counterparts. What they don't tell you is how narrowly defined those studies are. I invite these writers to tell the average woman one year out of college why she already makes less than men in similar jobs with similar educational backgrounds. This is an economic issue that affects all of us, not only women but also the quality of life and buying power of their families. Congress needs to act responsibly and pass this legislation.

A surprising blow: The Obama administration stunned women's health advocates and abortion opponents alike by blocking the Food and Drug Administration's approval of selling over-the-counter emergency contraception. Along with the rest of the women's rights community, AAUW expected the Obama administration to approve the sale of Plan B contraception -- commonly referred to as the morning-after pill -- without requiring a prescription. Let me be clear: our stance is not pro-abortion; it's pro-choice. A woman cannot be reduced to little more than a walking uterus. This administration's stated commitment to follow science instead of politics when making decisions was clearly not in evidence here, a disheartening development.

Challenges to family planning services: House Republicans tried to eliminate the Title X family planning program, which provides reproductive services to millions of low-income women. Despite widespread support, it appears that the program will likely come under fire next year --but AAUW will continue to defend this critical program. Republicans also banned the District of Columbia from using its own taxpayer money to fund abortions for low-income women. It concerns me that the deal was struck with President Obama's consent. This ban was enacted in the spring budget deal and was reaffirmed again this month. AAUW opposes this ban and will keep advocating for women's full reproductive health choices.

A victory in Mississippi: Voters in the Magnolia State defeated a ballot initiative that would have declared that life begins at fertilization, which supporters saw as a legislative foothold from which to launch a challenge to reproductive rights nationwide. The so-called "personhood" initiative was rejected by more than 55 percent of voters, falling far short of the threshold for enactment. Mississippi voters clearly demonstrated that reproductive rights are valued over extreme policies.

A step in the right direction: The Federal Bureau of Investigation will be updating its definition of rape to include both male and female victims and to include sexual assaults in which drugs or alcohol are used to incapacitate victims. The current federal definition, in place since 1929, is narrower than the one used by many local police departments. The current law's focus on only physical violence leads to the under-counting of thousands of sexual assaults each year. Sexual violence is a pervasive social problem, and we need to integrate greater sensitivity and accuracy into reporting sex crimes.

Sparking important dialogue: Whether you love or hate the name, SlutWalks started important conversations all across the country -- women to society, generation to generation, survivor to survivor. Coined in Canada, this tongue-in-cheek name underscores how labels and stereotypes mask the true harm victims experience. SlutWalk's anti-victimization message has gained momentum in communities around the world.

Out of the driver's seat: The two-decade-old campaign for driving rights for Saudi Arabian women continued this year without a happy resolution. It's difficult to celebrate women's rights when so many women around the world are excluded from full participation in society. Gaining the right to drive would be both a tribute to the tenacious women of Saudi Arabia and a beacon for women everywhere who are still demanding equal rights. A special note: our hearts go out to Middle Eastern women who have been on the front lines of the Arab Spring movement, especially now as Egyptian women are fighting for democracy with their own blood.

And the winners are: This year's Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to three women's rights activists -- Africa's first elected female head of state, a Liberian peace activist, and a human rights activist from Yemen.

In addition, U.S. girls swept all three age categories at the Google Science Fair, a far cry from generations past when women were not only excluded from scientific pursuits but told they could not succeed in such fields.

Can you hear us now? Women, yet again, have the power to make a difference in the 2012 election. Efforts such as AAUW's voter education and mobilization campaign, It's My Vote. I Will Be Heard, will engage women across the country to speak out at the polls. Our voices have been and always will be critical to the success of the United States and to the world at large. It only makes sense to organize, mobilize, and make some noise next year. We hope you'll join us in speaking out.

That's our list. What are your biggest moments for women this year?

This article was written by Linda Hallman at Huffington Post

photo of the day: holiday 2011 collage

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea Isabelle Lucas) — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 21:00:00 +0000

A few of our season's highlights --- The kids on Christmas morning, beautiful moments in Maine by the fire and by the tree, holiday party fun with Jay, watching him catch the ukulele bug! I'm grateful for all of it...

Of course, not pictured here are the moments of typical holiday overwhelm and overstimulation! Part of the time, I was feeling pretty much exactly like Tina Fey, the overstressed mom in the movie Date Night, when she says, “There are times when, on my worst day, I’ve thought about just leaving our house and going someplace. Like checking into a hotel. Being in a room all by myself. In a quiet, air-conditioned room. Sitting down, eating my lunch. With no one touching me. Drinking a diet Sprite. By myself.”

Ahh... I hear that, sister! So a few quiet days in Vermont over New Years without the kiddos were just what the doctor ordered! (Hence the photo by the pool.) What a gift! Just keepin' it real people! Hope you had a great holiday season, and that you do whatever you need to recharge!!

what are you doing new years eve?

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea Isabelle Lucas) — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 23:58:00 +0000

How are you ringing in the new year? Jason and I will be skipping the crowds and curling up somewhere cozy here in Vermont, where we've been enjoying a little getaway. We'll be back in Boston soon, and I'll be resuming my classes starting on Tuesday. I hope you've had a wonderful holiday season, that you'll take some time to reflect on the last year, and are getting exciting to start creating a beautiful 2012.

Browsing for great ukulele covers online is one of my favorite pastimes, and this one is just lovely! I'll share a bunch more with you soon, and since I play a little uke myself, I'm thinking I might even upload my own in 2012?? I'll keep you posted!! :)

Wishing you a fun, fit, successful and blissful 2012!

the season of giving revisited

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea Isabelle Lucas) — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 14:00:00 +0000

photo by jaimiearnold.com. dorky embellishments by me.

This sure has been one crazy busy month! I haven't had much time to post, so I thought I'd recycle a few from the past. This one was published last year late on Christmas Eve. Reading it was a fun walk down memory lane! It truly has been a year full of blessings. Oh, and on the topic of holiday shopping and gift-giving, this year I've been alternating between major excitement over giving the perfect gift in some cases, and total annoyance at hunting down more "stuff" in other cases, when it seems to me lately that clearing clutter is so much more enjoyable than amassing more material things. I'm loving experiential gifts this year, things like show tickets, classes/lessons, etc...

What an incredible holiday season it has been so far this year. At last, the gifts are piled under the Christmas tree and there is nothing left to do but enjoy the glow of the lights and anticipate the excitement and joy on the kids' faces in the morning. We've visited with loved ones, and are looking forward to seeing more tomorrow. We've watched our favorite holiday movies, and exchanged a few too many cookies and cupcakes with our wonderful neighbor. I really do feel blessed.

Last week I had the honor of travelling to exhale spa in New York City for training. I immersed myself in the classes of some incredibly dynamic, skilled and talented Core Fusion teachers there, and even got to teach a class at exhale's Central Park South location while I was in town. What a treat! When I returned from New York I received an early Christmas present from the amazing lululemon athletica team at the Prudential Center when they invited me into their ambassador program! Wow, let me tell you, that was a huge goal realized. :) I see the many gifts around me and I am truly overwhelmed with gratitude.

I was scanning the aisles at Target a few days ago to see if anything caught my eye to put the finishing touches on my holiday shopping list, when a memory from about eleven years ago floated to the surface of my mind. I was in a Target store (or something similar), buying paint to dress up the hand-me-down dresser for my baby's room. I was a very young mother, with very little money. I was so filled with judgment for the people I saw around me doing their holiday shopping. It seemed like such a completely mindless exercise. I remember thinking, "They don't even know what they're shopping for, they just want to spend their money on something!"

The memory struck me because I found myself now, eleven years later, doing the same thing. I wasn't really shopping for anything in particular, I just wanted to give something to the people I love that might make them happy. I have enough now. And I want to share. And that doesn't seem like such a bad thing to me anymore. This got me thinking about how I've judged the whole "Consumer American Christmas" experience a little harshly in the past as well. Do we overdo it? Probably. But there is something incredibly gratifying about gift-giving. It really makes you feel good. And let's face it, receiving gifts feels pretty wonderful too. Just ask any child, they'll tell you honestly! ;)

Whether or not you celebrate Christmas, whether for you it is a deeply religious holy day, or just a cherished custom, I wish you all the joys of the season, the giddy, beautifully human experience of giving, and receiving.

xoxo
Andrea

Originally posted at 12:48am on 12/25/2010 by Andrea Isabelle Lucas on mindbodyblissful.com

have you written your wish list?

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea Isabelle Lucas) — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 13:00:00 +0000

photo by Laurie
Liquid Paper

When I was a little girl, I remember writing letters to Santa Claus at Christmastime letting him know quite plainly what I wished for, addressing these letters to the North Pole, and faithfully dropping them off at the post office to be delivered to the gift-bringer himself. I never knew for sure if I would get every single thing I asked for, but I didn't let that stop me from asking. And let me assure you, I never worried for a minute about how Santa would pull it off. He could work his magic. That was what Santa did!

The thought struck me tonight, as my journal lay open in front of me, that I have not completely given up this childhood ritual. Almost every dream or wish that has come true for me has started out on a wish list inside the pages of my journal. I often phrase these wishes in the present tense, writing about how grateful I am for achieving some goal, sometimes months before it actually happens. I guess you could say I do this both with my head in the clouds, and my feet on the ground: to send out positive vibrations into the universe that will attract the circumstances I would like, and to set my "subconscious computer" as the lululemon manifesto puts it. :) I have researched the power of intention from every possible angle: psychological, spiritual, scientific, you name it. I have practiced intention-setting on paper, while meditating, academically, consciously, unconsciously and even religiously. Of course, I can't say that I believe every word I've read on the subject. But I can say that positive intention and gratitude are two of the most powerful forces working in my life, and the majority of the blessings I receive begin as a bold wish that I have committed to paper. The best part is, this works all year round! You don't even have to wait for Christmas!

When you send a wish list to the universe, don't be afraid to think like a child. (You can even address it to Santa if that makes it easier.) ;) You don't have to worry about how any of it is going to happen. The universe can work its magic! That is what it does. But don't forget to take the first step. Go ahead and ask for what you want.

Written by Andrea Isabelle Lucas for mindbodyblissful.com. Originally published 11/27/10

my blue print juice cleanse: the highs and lows

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea Isabelle Lucas) — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 02:00:00 +0000

This weekend I'm finishing up a three day juice cleanse from Blue Print Cleanse. I did my first one back in March, so this is the second time I've committed to three days of liquid nutrition. I wanted to do the cleanse because I just wasn't feeling my best lately. With two children and a full-time work schedule, my eating habits can take a turn for the worst if I don’t make meal-planning a priority. Failing to plan healthy meals has thrown my Starbucks-to-salad ratio completely out of whack. When I stepped on the scale and noticed an extra few pounds, I was ready to get back on track and I thought Blue Print would be a great way to get a kick-start.

The Highs:

· Convenience. The bottled juices, numbered 1-6 for each day, couldn’t be easier.

· No coffee cravings! Instead of my usual morning coffee, I had black tea with agave each morning. I normally crave coffee even after drinking tea, but I haven’t been missing it at all and no headaches either!

· Weight loss. I said goodbye to about 4 pounds of water weight this time, last time, when I followed the plan more strictly I lost about 7 pounds. (Some of this comes back within about a week after resuming regular eating, depending on diet and water consumption post-cleanse.)

· Feeling cleaner and lighter. No congestion, easier breathing, and no sugar or caffeine crashes, are just a few of the ways I feel better.

· Nutrition. BPC is a nutrient-rich product with a fairly reasonable number of calories per day.

· Taste. The cashew milk is my favorite.

The Lows:

· Hunger. Throughout the day, I felt surprisingly satisfied, but towards the end of each day, I did get hungry. I did the BPC Renovation Cleanse, which offers 1,070 calories daily. This is a lot better than some other popular cleanses, but I still found that was not quite enough for me, and I supplemented with a little more food.

· Socializing? It is nearly impossible to socialize without eating and drinking. Food is one of the most fundamental ways people connect and celebrate with each other, which is one of the first things you notice when you stop eating normally!

· Taste. I'm not a big fan of ginger, or beets, so the beet juice was a little tough for me to take, and although the green juice has grown on me, I struggled with it during my first cleanse.

To deal with these issues, I didn’t freak out about sticking to the system perfectly. I wanted to feel better, not more stressed! I allowed myself a glass of champagne at a holiday party, a salad with hummus and avocado, or even a few marshmallows that were calling to me at one point. I’m glad I did the cleanse, and I’m reminded of a few important things that make me feel great, which I plan to start doing again right away, like:

· Drinking lots of water

· Eating a big salad every day

· Indulging in delicious sweets and fancy coffees occasionally, not daily

Blue Print Cleanse is available online, and at select pickup locations, including exhale Battery Wharf and exhale Back Bay, where you can buy single juices and see how you like them before committing to a full cleanse.

mindbodyblissful.com

monday happiness tip to help you get what you need this season

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea Isabelle Lucas) — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 14:13:00 +0000

I’ve been reading The Happiness Project blog for a few years now and so when I needed a little inspiration for this week, it was one of the first places I turned. I’m glad, I did, because this interesting post looked like something worth trying. Last week when I was researching the concept of the “not doing list,” I came across another blogger who compared over-zealous to-do-listing to being a really bad boss to yourself, someone who overworks you with no regard for your needs, like fun or relaxation. So I like the way Gretchen Rubin’s post plays off a similar idea. Check it out:

I remember reading somewhere that writer Anne Lamott thinks about herself in the third person, to take better care of herself: “I’m sorry, Anne Lamott can’t accept that invitation to speak; she’s finishing a book so needs to keep her schedule clear.”

I find that often, the same trick helps me to be realistic about myself. “Gretchen gets frantic when she’s really hungry, so she can’t wait too long for dinner.” “Gretchen needs some quiet time each day.” “Gretchen really feels the cold, so she can’t be outside for too long.”

Yes, I admit, this approach makes me sound a bit affected and self-important, but the thing is, it really works.

For instance, for the last few weeks, I felt…depleted. Physically, I felt energetic enough, but mentally, I was like a cell phone that couldn’t take a charge. I couldn’t figure out what to do, but finally I thought of myself in the third person.

As the long holiday weekend approached, I asked myself, “What’s the best medicine for Gretchen when she feels drained?” And, when I framed the question about my nature that way, from outside myself, I immediately knew the answer. “Gretchen gets mentally refreshed by doing a lot of reading.”

That’s what I needed. No writing; hours and hours of reading. A novel I’d never read before, a novel that was long enough to last, a novel that was absorbing without being so demanding that it would just exhaust me more. Fortunately, I had exactly the right book, right on my bedside table. I spent a good part of the holiday weekend reading Neal Stephenson’s Reamde. And by the time I finished the book, I felt restored.

Self-knowledge! It seems as though it should be so easy to know yourself, but it’s very, very challenging. For me, it’s often easier to gain self-insight by using indirect routes—such as asking myself questions like What do I lie about? or Who are my patron saints?—rather than by trying to look at myself directly.

Here goes: “Andrea gets distracted VERY easily and is rather hard on herself when she doesn’t feel she’s had a productive day. So today, she’ll be working from a secret location to try to eliminate distractions.” ( OK, it’s not a secret location, it’s another desk at the spa that looked like a nice quiet place to hide and be very productive.) Thanks Gretchen Rubin for this interesting tool! The Happiness Project book is a #1 NY Times Bestseller and might make a great Christmas gift!

Have a happy Monday everyone!

backstage peter pan tour with our pirate friend ian! awesome!!

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea Isabelle Lucas) — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 22:15:00 +0000

What an awesome show! Thank you Ian!

http://www.peterpantheshow.com/venues/boston/

this weekend: flying trapeze, good times!

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea Isabelle Lucas) — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 14:51:00 +0000

This weekend, we’ll be doing lots of celebrating, and even swinging on the trapeze at the Trapeze School of Boston, as my son Roman turns 12!! Can’t wait! The trapeze school offers trial swings for $10, 3 swings for $25, and a variety of full classes. (They also have locations in NY, DC, LA, and Chicago.)

Also, a quick reminder:

This Saturday December 3, Chrissy Snyder and Amanda Califano will hold a 2 hour Holiday Kick-Off Yo-Co (Yoga and Core Fusion) workshop from 4-6pm at exhale Battery Wharf. Holiday music and festive lights will make for a great start to the season! The first 15 people to sign up will receive a special gift bag filled with exhale goodies. Check it out under the Workshops/Events tab of the online schedule. (The regular 4:45 pm Core Fusion class is cancelled today for this workshop.)

photo by carbonated

mindbodyblissful.com

photo of the day: low pushup

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea Isabelle Lucas) — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 16:00:00 +0000

photo by jaimiearnold.com

how to stop a common energy drain

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea Isabelle Lucas) — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 13:50:00 +0000

“To-do” lists. I don’t know about you, but I love them! Planning, for me, is almost as much fun as actually “doing.” But if you’re anything like me, maybe you get a little over-ambitious sometimes? Are there items on your to-do list (or your goals) that have been there for weeks, a month, or more, that you haven’t taken any action on? Chances are, every time you think about these items, or look at them on your list, you feel a little pang – maybe it’s guilt, dread, or anxiety, maybe it’s even a physical sensation of heaviness or fatigue in your body. Major energy drain!

I recently spent some time with my friend Erek Ostrowski of Verve Coaching, and he introduced me to a great way to stop this common energy drain. Essentially, the items, plans, or goals in question are things we are not doing. So what we can do is take them off our to-do list, and move them to our “not-doing” list. This doesn’t mean we’ll never do them. It doesn’t in any way limit our opportunity to revisit these tasks whenever we decide the time is right. It just means we are consciously choosing not to do them right now, and we choose to be OK with it. This was really helpful for me! My busy little brain creates tasks way faster than I can actually accomplish them. I really appreciated this insight from Erek, which went hand-in-hand with the realization I had after the ambassador summit about having too many goals.

The first thing I put on my not-doing list: taking a digital photography class. True, I only know how to use my “wicked fancy” camera to about 10% of its capabilities. I’m just gonna be OK with that for now! What tasks or goals have you been putting off? How good would it feel to be able to move them off your to-do list?

photo by little blue hen

mindbodyblissful.com

quote for a happy monday, and this week's happenings

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea Isabelle Lucas) — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 12:00:00 +0000

“The naysayers pride themselves on their supposed realism. However, it is actually the people who see the glass as “half-empty” who are the ones wedded to a fiction, for “emptiness” and “lack”… are abstractions of the mind, whereas “half-full” is a measure of the physical reality under discussion. The so-called optimist, then, is the only one attending to real things, the only one describing a substance that is actually in the glass.” – Rosamund Stone Zander, The Art of Possibility

This week:

Happy to say that I’m taking a long weekend! I will not be teaching my Monday classes. Subs are: 7am Core Fusion Cardio – Nicole Estebanell, 9:15am Core Fusion Open – Ian Paul Custer, 12:15 Cor Fusion Cardio (not Boot Camp today) – Patricia Woodard. The rest of the week I’ll be teaching all my regular classes as usual!
This Friday December 2, from 7-11pm exhale Battery Wharf will be participating in the North End’s Holiday Stroll!
Saturday December 3, Chrissy Snyder and Amanda Califano will hold a 2 hour Holiday Kick-Off Yo-Co (Yoga and Core Fusion) workshop from 4-6pm at exhale Battery Wharf. Holiday music and festive lights will make for a great start to the season! The first 15 people to sign up will receive a special gift bag filled with exhale goodies. Check it out under the Workshops/Events tab of the online schedule.

Have a great week everybody!!

photo by jenny downing

mindbodyblissful.com

my mom's apple pie recipe

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea Isabelle Lucas) — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 14:30:00 +0000

The best kind of recipes are the ones that are passed down by someone who has been making it for so many years, they simply know it by heart. This is one of those. I have never found a bakery apple pie that could top this simple recipe that I got straight from my mom. My kids and I made two of these last night, which means for us, the holiday season has officially begun.

Mom’s apple pie recipe:

10 apples – macintosh, peeled and cut in about 1 inch chunks
1 cup sugar
1 t cinnamon & a little nutmeg
1 t salt
3 T cornstarch
mix it all up
put in a pie shell (I use frozen)
scatter chips of butter around the top of the apples*
put the top crust on
bake 1 hour @350 degrees

*Do not put the top crust on before the butter, or you will have to make holes in the top crust and try to force the butter through the holes, which is ridiculous. Trust me. I would know. ;)

Enjoy, Happy Thanksgiving!

mindbodyblissful.com

for all you new (and old) iPhone users in boston: top 5 apps

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea Isabelle Lucas) — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 15:00:00 +0000

Source: Boston.com

I live in Boston, and there’s an app for that: 5 must-have apps for Bostonians

E-mail |-->Print | Comments (4) Posted by The Next Great Generation November 12, 2011 06:15 PM

By Whitney Prior

As someone who is never without my iPhone, I can say with some level of confidence that I know a thing or two about what makes an awesome mobile app. And since an iPad is out of my budget and my laptop is packed away when I’m on the go, this knowledge often comes in handy. Phone in hand and on a small budget, I’ve learned to breathe easier, live simpler, and get places a heck of a lot quicker with the help of a few fantastic apps.

Here are five must-have apps for Boston residents.

WHERE: Your personal guide to Boston. Boston is full of eclectic neighborhoods, happening local bars, and renowned restaurants, but what good are the city’s best jewels if you’ve yet to discover them? WHERE helps you experience Boston like never before. The free app is “especially helpful when you're in an unfamiliar neighborhood and want to discover your next favorite restaurant,” said Tom O’Keefe of BostonTweet. “WHERE tells you everything that's around you, from restaurants to museums to movie theaters.” In addition to nearby eateries, bars, and attractions, the app shares local offers, nearby coupons, and -- my personal favorite -- gas station prices. Available on all smartphone devices.

Swackett: A meaningful weather forecast. If there’s one thing that sets Boston apart from other major cities, it’s the relentlessly unpredictable weather. And since no one likes dressing for work in short sleeves and jeans, only to walk into a snow squall on your lunch break, I suggest Swackett. This easy-to-use app analyzes complex AccuWeather data and provides you with a visual representation of the forecast. The app doesn’t flood you with meteorologist language that’s over your head; instead, it actually shows you an image of what to wear depending on the forecast. The practical interpretation of weather, fun graphics, and simple user interface make this app a must-have for Bostonians who live in constant fear of random rain, snow, or heat. Swackett is only available on the iPhone. Use a different smartphone device? Don’t be left out in the cold. Get a more traditional forecast on the go with The Weather Channel or WeatherBug app.

GrubHub: Food wherever you are, whenever you want it. Whether you’re pulling an all-nighter during finals week, furiously preparing for an early-morning interview, or partying until an hour that would probably upset your parents, we’ve been there: It’s late at night, and you’re starving. Never fear -- the GrubHub app will help you find food quickly! See which restaurants are currently open, find out who delivers, view menus, read reviews, and place an order all within the app. From there, an awesome customer service team tracks each order to ensure the food you want gets to where you are. Need more convincing? The GrubHub app stores multiple addresses, previous orders, and payment information, making future food orders that much faster. Available on iPhone and Android devices.

Catch the T: Because no one likes waiting. I used to be mildly entertained by the sight of professionals running in heels towards a train, only to miss the open door by a few seconds, but as soon as I became that person, the situation lost its humor. Waiting for the next T to arrive is similar to waiting for water to boil: You're absolutely certain it’s going to happen any minute, but, alas, it does not, so you continue to watch and wait. Be in-the-know and on time with Catch the T, an independently developed mobile app that leverages the MBTA’s location data to provide real-time arrival information for Orange, Red, and Blue Line trains. (Sorry, Green Line-ers; try Open MBTA instead.) A simple user interface paired with close-to-perfect arrival times means no more waiting in the cold (or heat). Don’t ride the T? Catch the Bus offers coverage for all of Boston’s MBTA bus routes and is available on iPhone and Android devices. Catch the T is available exclusively for iPhone.

Zipcar: When driving is required. With the exorbitant cost of parking in Boston, it’s no wonder owning a car isn't always practical or popular. Fortunately, Zipcar and other low-cost, hassle-free car sharing services are available so you can rent a car for four hours -- or four days -- when your destination can't be reached by bus and your goods can't be carried in two hands. "As someone without a car in the city, a lot of the apps I use revolve around transportation," said O'Keefe. "With [Zipcar], you can locate cars available for rent, reserve that car, open the door, and drive away, all via your mobile phone.” Here’s a fun tip: If you can’t locate the car you just rented, use the app to honk the car’s horn. It’s that easy. Available on iPhone and Android devices.

What other apps help you navigate city life?

Photo by A Leslie Wong Blog

About Whitney -- After spending my childhood in Maine, I moved to Boston, graduated from BC, and became one of the city's many outspoken, overachieving, and underpaid young professionals. A social media marketer by day, lifestyle blogger by night, and photographer by weekend, I'm delighted by new media, easy recipes, budget-friendly home decor, and breathtaking landscapes. I'm rarely without at least one of the following: my iPhone, my camera, a good beer, or glass of wine. On a good night, I'll be spotted with all four. You can find me on Twitter @whitneyprior.

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This blog is not written or edited by Boston.com or the Boston Globe.
The author is solely responsible for the content.

happy monday! how to have a super happy day

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea Isabelle Lucas) — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 13:30:00 +0000

Just a few quick updates for this week:

There will be no classes after 12 noon at exhale Battery Wharf this Thursday, Thanksgiving day. My regular Thursday evening classes will be cancelled. However, I'll be subbing 2 morning classes that day instead: 7am Core Fusion Boot Camp and 9:15 Core Fusion Open. Come get a little pre-tox love before the feasting begins.

Don't miss Holiday Retail Therapy this Friday at exhale as well! The VERY talented Christyn Schroeder will be leading complimentary kids' yoga classes at Battery Wharf Boston from 9:30-10:15 and 11:00-11:45 so the kids can have fun while you enjoy complimentary mini spa therapies, discounts in our boutique, giveaways and more. Don't miss out!

And, in honor of Thanksgiving - Want to have a super happy day? Start with Gratitude!

Writing a gratitude list is a quick and easy way to feel GREAT. Have you ever lost your car keys, your wallet, or a special piece of jewelry, and were simply ECSTATIC to find them once again? What a great feeling! But chances are, we weren't particularly grateful for these items at all before we lost them. It's amazing how much we take for granted.

Now take out a sheet of paper and try listing twenty five things you are grateful for. It can be as simple as: "I have a nice warm jacket," "I'm having a hangover-free morning," "I've got friends I can call if I need a favor," "I can do a pushup," "my job allows me to pay for groceries," "everyone in my family is healthy." The exercise is so simple, it might seem pointless or silly, but just try it! Trust me. You'll feel great.

Happy Monday!

original post at mindbodyblissful.com

photo by hatalmas

this weekend: take the stress out of holiday shopping

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea Isabelle Lucas) — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 15:41:00 +0000

A few ideas to take the stress out of your holiday shopping this year:

Start early! By starting before Thanksgiving, you can beat the crowds and begin to put a dent in your list, so that you can spend more of your holidays enjoying the festivities, family, and friends that go along with the season.

Haven’t made your list yet? This weekend could be a great time to get this done. While you’re at it, decide how much you can afford to spend, and make a commitment to stick within your budget.

Shop online. A crowded and unproductive trip to the mall last weekend sealed the deal for me. I’ll be doing most of my shopping from the convenience of home this year! I’ll return to my favorite stores some time after the holidays, but in the meantime, sites like etsy.com make it possible to use the web even for unique and handmade gifts.

**Shameless Plug Alert** Check out exhale’s Holiday Retail Therapy event next Friday 11/25 to enjoy a festive atmosphere with special boutique discounts and giveaways, snacks, and mini spa therapies. Bring the kids along for complimentary yoga classes while you shop! Exhale Battery Wharf will offer kids yoga from 9:30-10:15am and 11-11:45am.

Also this weekend:

Don’t forget to sweat! When you’re done shopping, maybe take advantage of some new weekend Core Fusion classes being offered at exhale Battery Wharf starting this week? Saturday 4:45 Core Fusion Open with Chrissy Snyder, and Sunday 4:45 Core Fusion Cardio with Meg Scannell. Or for the best de-stress, try Exhale Yin yoga with Martica Wakeman Sunday at 4:30 for some deep stretching and relaxation!

Happy shopping and Namaste!

via mindbodyblissful.com

photo: outdoor barre stretch by kadri kurgun for lululemon

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea Isabelle Lucas) — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 21:10:00 +0000

whole egg or egg whites?

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea Isabelle Lucas) — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 20:38:00 +0000

I never gave this much thought because I think eggs are already a calorie bargain for the amount of protein you get. But this made me stop and consider doing egg whites more often. Here is the Fitsugar article:

Are You an Egghead? Egg Whites vs. Whole Eggs

FitSugar / November 5, 2011 8:02 pm / Read More: Food, eggs, egg whites, nutritional information, calorie breakdown

If you're looking to cut calories, fat, and cholesterol from your diet, you may choose an omelet made of egg whites instead of whole eggs for breakfast. But is choosing egg whites over whole eggs really the best choice nutritionally?

The only way to find out is to do a little comparing, so continue reading to check out my chart comparing eggs to egg whites.

	Two large eggs	Three egg whites	One large egg plus two egg whites
Calories	142	51	105
Fat	10 g	.2 g	5.1 g
Sat. Fat	4 g	0 g	2 g
Cholesterol	422 mg	0 mg	211 mg
Sodium	140 mg	164 mg	180 mg
Protein	12 g	10.8 g	13.2 g
Riboflavin (B2)	.4 mg	.3 mg	.4 mcg
Vitamin B12	1.2 mcg	0 mcg	.6 mcg
Vitamin D	35 IU	0 IU	17.5 IU
Iron	1.8 mg	0 mg	.9 mg

As you can see from the chart, choosing straight up egg whites does lower the omelet's calories, fat, and cholesterol content, but it also makes the meal void of vitamins B2, B12, D, and iron. If you're concerned about getting enough of those nutrients, a good option would be to eat an omelet made of one whole egg and two egg whites. It's still low in calories, fat, and cholesterol, but you'll get some vitamins from the egg yolk.

Source: Thinkstock