Why Hot Yoga is a Bad Idea

Welp, I went and did something stupid. I signed up for hot yoga, which I knew would be a terrible idea, I just didn't know why.

A few years ago, a fellow PR major and classmate opened a yoga studio, Sumits Hot Yoga. I always wanted to try it, but was convinced I would pass out. I mean, I almost pass out in a hot shower. So my fear always kept me out of the studio. About a year ago, my pal Mal started pressuring me to try it out. Knowing how much I'm a slave to my calendar, she even went as far as putting invites on my calendar. Through a series of events, I finally decided I would take the plunge.

I look nothing like this - source

 And I fell in love with it. I know. I was as surprised as anyone. I really thought I would hate it. But within a week, I caught myself wanting to go every day. And then this happened.

It was a Monday. I had a cleaning at the dentist (perfect!). I had about 30 minutes between the cleaning and class. Anytime I have short snippits of time, I like to time myself doing a task that I loathe, mainly unloading the dishwasher. In my haste, I dropped the first glass I grabbed to put away. Awesome. I tip-toed out of there, put on some flippy-floppies and returned to the scene to clean. I swept. I quickly mopped. And I ran a wet towel over the area to pick up any shards left behind.

Cut to the next night and I ram a rather large piece of glass into the side of my foot. It was very apparent I did not clean the area very well. And folks, this cut was a bleeder. Within minutes my kitchen looked like a scene from CSI: Miami. It was a mess.

So you see, hot yoga is a terrible idea. Had I not been in a rush to go do something semi-healthy, I would have never unloaded my dishwasher (let alone do it under pressure). I would have never dropped a glass. I would have never sliced my foot open.

The end.

That Moment...

When you pulled out a pillow and a book to go lay on your yoga mat.

Something tells me I'm doing it wrong. 

Hillbilly Caviar

I feel a bit silly posting this recipe because I feel like everyone has their version or take on this dip. I make it a million ways depending on the crowd and what ingredients I have on hand but it's always a hit. The one ingredient that I 100% always use is roasted corn on the cob. I think it makes a huge difference. Roasting the corn pulls out the sweetness of the corn and gives it a good smokey flavor.

Ingredients

3-4 ears of fresh sweet corn (in a pinch I thaw frozen ears)

1 can of fire roasted tomatoes (juices drained)

1 can of black beans (juices drained and beans rinsed)

1 onion

1-2 bell peppers (any color)

1 poblano pepper (roasted and skins removed)

1/2 - 1 jalapeño pepper (depending on the level of spice you prefer)

Juice if 1 lime

Palmful of cumin

Salt and pepper 

Tortilla chips

Preparation

Coat a dab of oil on the ears of corn and roast them in a grill pan over medium heat. Turning occasionally. 

Roast your poblano in the grill pan or under your broiler. I sometimes will also add the jalapeño to be roasted. 

Chop onion, bell pepper and poblano and jalapeño peppers. Mix together with tomatoes and beans. Add lime juice, s&p and cumin. 

Once corn cools, cut the kernels off the cob and add to the veggie mix. 

Ta-da! You have a party pleasing dip! It's best to let sit a few hours to over night so the flavors can blend. 

I have made this dip without black beans, with cucumber, or adding cilantro. Really any veggie your heart desired. It's always delicious and very pretty. 

And when I make it, I always save a cup for myself to just eat with a fork or add on top of tacos. 

That Moment...

When you sneeze right after applying mascara.

Every. Darn. Time.

30 in 30

 

It's my birth week! And as you know, I'm embarking on not only a new year, but a new decade. And what's a new year without resolutions? I made a few, to be specific, I made 30. Thirty health, travel, house, fun, and money related resolutions I would like to accomplish this year.

I invite you to follow me as I kick this bucket(list) off.

1. Become a Runner
• Not a May-to-October Runner
• Run at least one 10K and five 5Ks
• Panther Run: 10/5/13
2. Touch my Toes
• Yes, that is correct. I can not and have not been able to touch my toes my entire life
• Attend twice-a-month yoga and twice-a-month barre classes
3. Eat More Whole Foods
• Limit grocery store food purchases to food with less than 5 ingredients (most of the time. Follow the 90%:10% rule)
4. Limit Meals out to Four Times per Week
• Not gonna lie, I'm leery of this one
5. No Purchasing of Shredded Cheese
• It goes with number 3... just more specific
6. Prevent Skin Cancer
• I spent my first (almost) 30 years avoiding this. It's time for sunblock, sunblock, sunblock
7. Continue Not Washing My Hair
• I'll explain later
8. Bi-Monthly Massage (at least)
• What? It's totally doctor prescribed
9. Visit Nisch and Natalie in NYC. Like for real.
10. Get Scuba Certified
11. Go on a Weekend Roadtrip with the Girls
12. Go Hiking at Whitaker Point
13. Buy a Big Girl Dresser
• I've been living in crates like a college-kid for my entire adult life. It's time to quit buying clothes and finally buy something to put them in.
14. Weed it Out
• Take care of my lawn and get those darn weeds (and poison) out. Sadly, I'm willing to kill it all. Muhahahaha.
15. Seal Leak in Basement
16. Get a Bookshelf
17. Finish Bedroom Basement
• Paint
• Bed frame
18. Get Internet at my House
• Well, maybe not. I'm still toying with this one.
19. Finish those Stupid Antlers AND Hang Them
20. Make a Tres Leche Cake for my Birthday
• Okay, this is a bit of a cop out... but I need something to scratch off immediately!
21. Go on a Game Show
• Even if it's a dorky Branson one.
22. Perfect the Art of Making Plantains
23. Play an Entire Round of Golf
24. Print my Instagram Prints
25. Eat At... (this list could grow)
• Iguana Roja
• Cafe Cusco
26. Make (and stick to) a Monthly Budget
27. $$$SAVE!$$$
• And not for trips! I need a new roof and a new car soon... but still put a little money away for Bali 2015
28. Decide on a Rotary Club
29. Decide on that Doctorate
30. Be More Creative
• How? I don't know. But once a month, I will do something creative. Writing, painting, drawing, crafting, etc. Look out Pinterest! Here I come! Jay slash kay. I'm not joining Pinterest.

So there she be. The KG 30 in 30. Let's kick the tires and light the fires, big daddy, it's showtime. I don't know how that applies, but it sounded better than "Time to start crossing items off the list."

What is on your list? Would you like to join me? C'mon. It's a really long list. We can divvy it in half. Okay, fine. I made this list, I guess I have to lie in it.

Or something along those lines.

Now excuse me, I'm off to buy ingredients for that cake while I can.

 

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Fajita Street Tacos

I had the most fabulous long 4th of July weekend filled with friends and family at pools and lakes getting my fill of vitamin D... and food. It was so much fun but I needed to start the week with something a bit more healthy.

I have a slight obsession with PBS and found this recipe while watching America's Test Kitchen on Saturday. This recipe is fairly healthy (although does have oil, a bit of sugar, and a bit of cream). It is also gluten free (as long as you use corn tortillas). 

A Quick Thank You Note

You know what I don't say often enough? That you people are a pretty incredible bunch of folks, and if you are reading this, you impacted my life in some way. Good or bad, I wouldn't be who I am without you. So kudos to you, you glorious person whom I love.