Life is hard -- Just breathe!

This year, I really started to indulge myself in yoga. I found that having that hour and a half to myself was extremely relaxing and inspiring.



Yoga benefits anyone's mental health by helping them to relax and reduce anxiety and stress, therefore resulting in better mood and concentration throughout the day. It has been used for years to treat a wide variety of emotional and mental disorders including anxiety, depression and even those pesky mood swings.

Not only does Yoga benefit the mind, it also brings benefits at the physical level. Because yoga is all about movement, it increases flexibility. It has positions that act upon the various joints of the body including those joints that are never really used let alone exercised. Trust me, after working those joints, you feel a BIG difference! It increases lubrication of the joints, ligaments and tendons and massages ALL organs of the body/ Yoga is the only form of activity which massages all the internal glands and organs of the body in a thorough manner. By massaging all the internal organs, complete detoxification takes place. By gently stretching muscles and joints as well, yoga ensures the optimum blood supply to various parts of the body. This helps in the flushing out of toxins from every nook and cranny! This lead to benefits such as delayed ageing, engergy and a better outlook on your day.
I personal having notice toning of my muscles. The only way to tone and create a healthy body is to work on the underlying muscles.

Here are a couple of my favorite yoga positions:

Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward-Facing Dog)
This pose builds up strength in the upper arms and give space and opening in the back, neck, chest, hips and shoulders.



Balasana (Child's Pose)
This pose is a simple relaxation position.



Bhujangasana (Cobra Pose)
This pose strengthen the spine, chest and lungs, shoulders and abdomen. It stimulates abdominal organs and helps relieve stress and fatigue.


Utthita Ashwa Sanchalanasana (High Lunge Pose)
This pose strengthen and stretches the legs, knees, ankles, waist, groin, spine, chest and lungs. It stimulates abdominal organs and increases stamina and lung capacity.



Natarajasana (Lord of the Dance Pose)
This pose is known to stretch the shoulds, chest, thighs, groin and abdomen. It strengthens the legs and ankles while improving balance.

Iced Pumpkin Cookies

Last year I found a delicious recipe for Iced Pumpkin Cookies and decided to try them out on my coworkers. OH MY did they flip over them!! I introduced them to my family and needless to say, they are always requested. So this season, I decided to share this amazing recipe with my friends! ENJOY : )

For the Cookies

2 1/2 C of flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp ground cloves
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 C softened butter (I use earth balance)
1 1/2 C white sugar (I use natural sugar)
1 C pumpkin puree (I use 2 C to make them extra moist)
1 egg
1 tsp pure vanilla extract

Glaze

2 C powdered sugar
3 tbsp milk (I use vanilla soy milk)
1 tbsp melted butter (I use earth balance)
1 tsp pure vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350 degree

combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and salt into a medium mixing bowl.


Next, cream together 1/2 butter and sugar. Add pumpkin puree, egg and vanilla to butter mixture. Beat until creamy; then mix in dry ingredients.






After mixing the wet and dry ingredrients together, lightly grease a cookie sheet. Measure out approx 1 large tablespoon of the cookie mix (I use a large soup spoon) and put the dough on the baking sheet. Make sure the dough is in the shape of a round cookie : )





I usually fit about 12 cookies on a sheet. Bake for 13-15 minutes until lightly browned.




After cooling the cookies on a rack, take the glaze and lightly (or more if you want!) drizzle over the cooled cookie. I usually make a mess of it and just coat the top.








ENJOY!!!

Seattle To Portland Bike Ride 2010

It all started with a tipsy New Year's Eve conversation and evolved into the most challenging New Year's Resolution ever! A bunch of decided it would be fun if we training and completed the STP bike ride this year. I have never done something so physically and mentally challenging in my life! As the months drew on, I had the best intentions of training but rarely found the time due to school, homework and work. Every once in a while, Ryan and I would go on a long bike ride and at least 3 times a week, we would work out at the gym. By June, we decided that we would just go for it and register before we left for our trip to the land of fire and ice. The STP event proved too much for some and decisions were made to back out. For a second, I felt that we should back out as well but I wanted to prove myself wrong and do it. The day of the STP started out cold (July 17, 2010) but Katie, Ryan and I were totally pumped and ready to rock this thing! We parked in the U district and decided to ride our bikes to the starting line (Husky Stadium) instead of paying for parking and getting stuck in traffic. As we are taking off from the truck, Katie exclaims "I'm so excited!" and we hear a loud boom noise. Katie popped her tire! After the amazing Ryan fixed it, again we headed out to start our adventure.




The beginning of the ride was pretty flat and easy as we headed to our first pit stop in Kent. I was feeling pretty good and was keeping up at a good pace with a group of people. Of course, Ryan and Katie were probably wanting to go faster (Triathaloners!) but were happy to stay with me. We made it no problem to Kent! We had soon snacks, went to the bathroom and called our parents to let them know we hadn't been killed yet. About 10 minutes later, hit the road again. Mile 25 was complete.

Back on the bike with a smile and heading towards our next pit stop in Spanaway, I still found the course to be fairly easy and enjoyable. That thought was smashed as we approached our first hill (the worst hill of the course) in Puyallup. OMG was it a hill! It wasn't too steep, but it kept going and going and going. Katie and Ryan made it to the top before me but I had to remember to pace myself. I knew I was going to finish, I just needed to believe in myself. Seeing Ryan and Katie at the top made the last couple minutes a lot easier! I joined them at the top and we continued on our way. After that hill, everything seemed a bit easier. We pulled into Spanaway and grabbed a snack and hit the ground. We sat there for a while and stretched and relaxed. Mile 40 was complete.



I couldn't believe we had already gone 40 miles! Honestly, it didn't feel that long and I was waiting to feel tired and pessimistic about the ride. We rode through Yelm and the course switched from road biking to biking on a well groomed walking/biking trail. This was a much needed smooth ride and was easier to talk to Katie and Ryan. After the trail turned back into the rough road, I began to feel a bit tired. My back and nether-region began ache and I was so ready to take a break! The weather dramatically changed from cloudy and cold to warm and toasty! Tenino approached - our last pit stop before biking into Centralia for the night! Mile 75 completed.




It was a little harder to get back on my bike after the Tenino break. My butt was killing me and was extremely tired. Whining was not an option! Everyone was in such a good mood and was cheering each other on that we couldn't help but have a good time. Finally...we made it to Centralia Community College (Our stop for the night)!! After figuring out how to get to Andy's Grandpa's house, we took off to ride an additional 7 miles to his house. I was exhausted! Grandpa was very excited to see us when we arrived. I didn't want to be rude, but all I wanted was water, food, shower and sleep (and in that exact order). Grandpa wanted us to stay up late and have a couple drinks with him but that was proving impossible for us three! He repeatedly told us of how previous STPers would stay up later, drink and have a great time. He also told us that the STPers were in their 40's - I felt bad! After showering, it was time to hit the hay and boy did we! I slept so hard and well, I never wanted to get up.

The next morning (day 2) began as I attempted to sit up in bed. That was the first challenge of the day! I was so sore and exhausted, I didn't know what to do! After eating a great breakfast prepared by Grandpa, we hit the road again. Getting onto my bike was so painful! I couldn't sit down for atleast 3 miles and was trying my best to squat instead of jamming my butt down on the seat. We made it back to Centralia Community College just in time to start riding with a large group of young people. It was funny riding with this group because everyone was just as sore as us and you could hear riders begin to sit on their seats for the first time! UGH! OUCH! AWWWWWW! It was pretty funny

While we were riding, I overheard some riders talking about how today would be full of hills and winding roads ahead. I couldn't imagine doing anything like that and I started to doubt myself a lot. I never once expressed my nervousness or exhaustion to Ryan or Katie because they looked so strong. About an hour into our ride, I spot it. The first of many hills. I take a deep breath and tell Katie and Ryan to meet me at the top and not wait for me because I want to pace myself. I struggled up the first hill and couldn't wait to get to the other side to coast down. The second hill was immediately after. This one was a bit easier because I was already going very fast down the first. After about 6 hills, one right after the other, things were a lot easier and a lot more fun. We were keeping a great pace and enjoying the scenery.


BANG!! The second flat tire of the trip. Ryan's back tire popped shortly before arriving at the Longview Bridge. Like a rockstar, Ryan changes the tire and we are off in no time. GO RY! We finally made it to the Longview Bridge!! It was very exciting because a bunch of riders were grouping together at the base of the bridge, waiting for our police escort to take us over the bridge. Suddenly, we were off! Everyone began racing up the bridge to get to the other side. It was an amazing feeling riding a bike over a bridge that had a road made of metal links! You could see the water and it honestly made me pedal faster and faster to get off of it! Coming over the other side of the bridge, now flying at an amazing speed over the metal road - thoughts begin to run through my head (What if my front tire gets stuck in the metal? What if I hit something and go flying? What if I fall?!) I made it. YES.


Katie, Ryan and I made it to OREGON!!! After a quick pit stop, we began to ride the course ahead: the side of the highway. It was a little scary to be riding unprotected on a speedy highway but it definitely made me work harder and faster to get off the road. The sun began to shine and the scenery opened up. Beautiful fields of flowers and greenery. The course became very flat and boring after a while and it was hard to go the same speed and see the same butt for hours and hours. It was official. Mile #187 was the hardest mile of my life. Finally, (Clearly I'm skipping hours of riding - but for the sake of my readers, I assume you get the picture) we make it to our last pit stop in Scappoose, OR. Let me tell you what, I have ever wanted popcorn, juice, grapes and cliff bars so much in my life! That rest stop was just what I needed and I felt like I could muster up a enough strength to finish.

All of a sudden...Portland was in sight!!! We were riding up the side of the hill and we could see downtown Portland in the distance. Signs began to whiz by us, "Portland Next Left". Next thing I remember, I was riding through downtown Portland. People walking down the street began to cheer for us riders as we approached the finish line. "GREAT JOB!" "YOURE ALMOST THERE!" "KEEP IT UP!!"




We made it!!!!! It was an unreal feeling to have completed the STP and I'm so very proud of Katie, Ryan and myself! Katie's parents and sister met us at the finish line and greeted us with big hugs and praise. It was such a good feeling having love and support right after finishing a major accomplishment like that. Thanks Grete, Doug and JJ!! This was definitely one of the best memories of my life and we all plan on doing STP 2011 next year!

ÉG ást Ísland (Part 6 - Returning to Reykjavik)

Waking up in the middle of no where seemed perfect for our last day on the road. We started to make our way back to Reykjavik to stay with our friends for our last night in Iceland. We pretty much just cruised the rest of the way home and didn't really stop to see much. The scenary was beautiful but no major events : ) The last thing I remember on that drive home was crossing the water. We didn't use a bridge or a road, we went under the ocean in a tunnel! It was so cool but scary at the same time! Hvalfjörður Tunnel is a road tunnel under the Hvalfjörður fjord in Iceland and a part of the Hringvegur (Iceland's ring road). It is 5,762 meters long and reaches depth of 165 meters below sea level! Taking this tunnel only took 7 minutes (instead of driving the fjords which takes about an hour).

We finally made it back to Reykjavik in one piece!!! Great driving Ry! After unpacking once again at Tumi's house, we went over to see MEF, Tumi and Elsa again. I swear, within 6 days, Elsa grew!! She is the most well-behaved baby I have ever met (Great job MEF and Tumi!) That night, Tumi invited us to his friend's graduation party in the city. Of course we accepted - we have never been to a house party in another country! On our way there, we ran into Tumi's friend (our friend as well now) Óttar and invited him out. The house party was pretty fun. It was interesting talking to people at were our age but in a completely different place. I actually met a girl from Arizona who was studying in Reykjavik for two years before returning home to her husband. I thought she had amazing drive and ambition to leave everything she knows to follow her dreams.








After Tumi left the house party to head home to his family, Óttar suggested that we head downtown to get a hot dog and go to a club he liked. Again, of course we said yes! It was our last night in Iceland and we were in the mood to party it up! Heading towards the club, we spot another one of Tumi's friends (now ours as well) Fjalarr. He was already a bit drunk but after we extended an invite to go to the club, he happily accepted. The four of us headed into Óttar's club and Ryan and I didn't know what to expect. After buying a round and starting to dance, I found this club to be extremely fun! Not only did the place play current music, it also played European club music, 1950's swing music and techno! It was so much fun!! Several hours later, I told Óttar that we needed to head out because we needed to leave in the morning. He said that was ok because the club was going to close soon. As we began to walk outside (again, totally light out) I asked him what time it was. Óttar replied, "4:30". I said "WHAT!!?" and again he replied, "4:30". I couldn't believe we stayed out that late! Óttar walked us back to Tumi's house and we said our goodbyes. It was extremely sad to leave our new friends shortly after meeting them and making amazing memories.








The next day, we woke up and tried to be as quiet as possible not to wake Tumi's parents. We headed outside and heard the front door open behind us. Tumi's mom came outside to give us a proper goodbye. His parents and sister were extremely sweet and great hosts to us. We will miss them greatly. After saying goodbye, we headed down the street with our suitcases - heading for the bus that will take us to Blue Lagoon spa. We both have a bit of a headache from the festivities the night before (Or should I say the 2 hours before!) Finally, we get to the Blue Lagoon and it was more amazing than I thought. The Blue Lagoon geothermal spa is one of the most visted attractions in Iceland. The steamy waters and part of a lava formation and the warm waters are rich in minerals like silica and sulphur. It is believed that bathing in the water may help some people suffering from skin diseases. The water temperature in the bathing and swimming area of the lagoon was about 104 degrees. The lagoon is fed by the water output of the nearby geothermal power plant Svartsengi. I was kind of weirded out by this but the water changed my mind. After soaking in the hot water and rubbing silica mud on our faces, Ryan and I decided to treat ourselves to a massage in the water. We layed on floating mats and were covered by blankets while the masseuse rubbed out backs, arms and legs in the water. The perfect hang over spot!









Our trip had officially come to an end. We headed to the airport and boarded our plane back to reality. I'm sure I left out a ton of stuff in this blog but I think I remembered the majority of it. That's what happens when you wait 3 months! I would love to travel back to Iceland in the future. Maybe next time will be in the winter : ) I'm so thankful to have seen Tumi and MEF - especially little Elsa Maria as a baby. I am also thankful to have met such amazing people on our journey (Gunnhildur, Óttar, Fjalarr, and many more!) Hope to see you guys soon!

ÉG ást Ísland (Part 5 - Húsavík, Mývatn, Dettifoss, Storu Tjarnir)

We finally made it to Northern Iceland! YAY! Of course, the number one thing on our agenda was whale watching! Good thing we were in Húsavík. Húsavík was a small town in the north of Iceland on the shores of Skjálfandi bay. Húsavík has become a center of whale watching in the north due to whales of different species the frequently enter the bay. When we arrived at the whale watching tours (Gentle Giants), we were disappointed to find out that all tours were cancelled due to wind and choppy water. The guides told us to hang around for a couple hours to see if the wind died down. We were on a tight schedule that day and decided that we are only going to be able to do this once and decided to stay. Good call because about an hour later (after food and a nap), they re opened and we were ready to sail! We were excited to see whales, dolphins and puffins up close. The guide told us that we might smell a minke whale before we see one (Stinky Minke!) Sure enough, Ryan was the one who smelled the whale and spotted it! Go Ry!! We also saw several dolphins and puffins! What an exciting day!








After whale watching in Húsavík, we got back on Highway 1...headed towards our next stop, Mývatn. Mývatn is a shallow eutrophic lake situated in an area of active volcanism in the north of Iceland. The lake and its surrounding wetlands have a ton of beautiful birds and flowers. The ake was created by a large basaltic lava eruption 2300 years ago. The name of the lake, Mývatn, means (Icelanic Mý ("midge") and vatn ("lake"); the lake of midges) comes from the huge number of flies (midges) to be found there in the summer. OMG were there flies!! We stopped to walk a couple trails and were immediately put off by the number of swarming flied. After sitting in the car and discussing how we could hike, site see and get back to the car as quick as possible, we decided to go for it! We put up our hoods, put on sunglasses and started to run! We made it all the way around the little park in about 10 minutes - fighting flies the entire time! The flies seemed so determined to get into our eyes, mouth and up our noses. Gross.






Next stop, Storu Tjarnir (our last stop before heading back to Reykjavik) was very peaceful and in the middle of no where! On our way to our housing, we stopped at Europe's mightiest waterfall, Dettifoss. It was absolutely amazing! I have never seen anything like it before in my life! Dettifoss is actually a part of the Jökulsárgljúfur National Park (We visited it several parts earlier in our trip) and is situated on the Jökulsá á Fjöllum river, which flows from the Vatnajökull glacier and collects water from a large area in Northeast Iceland. It is the largest waterfall in Europe in terms of volume.







After all the activities and sites we saw, we were ready to relax! As we pulled into our housing, we were completely shocked at our surroundings. All we could see was our housing, mountains, lakes, flowers and waterfalls. AMAZING! Storu Tjarnir was in the middle of no where!





To continued...