Aloha and Namaste Prospero Ano Nuevo

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah & Happy 2008 resoultions
 with YOGA LOVE from Michele the Trainer!
 
What is your attainable resolution?  I'm not in love with New Year's as a holiday..(I mean, one more day, big deal...)  But....I LOVE LOVE LOVE riding the wave of New Year's motivational energy...Like the start of a marathon--when there are a zillion people all fired up about running, and you can run effortless miles until about mile 3 and 4...just because of the elation of the crowd.
Use it, use it, use it!!!!
It's a time of self-improvement mania.  Last year I actually surpassed
my weight loss resolution and I plan to continue that thread this year in a mood of "maintaining &
chiseling".  Let's dream big people.  Don't get comfortable!  Really try to ride this wave for as long as possible.  More on this in January!
 
You Better Watch Out:
Geez, don't eat holiday food you don't even really like.  It's everywhere.  Be picky.  The more I think about this the more I realize that there are MY PERSONAL FAVORITE restaurants I would MUCH rather eat at, then random crappy office treats or "traditional" foods that might be comfort foods for others, but not necessarily for me.  Television really makes this worse with the holiday junk food commercials.
Just because someone made it "Just for you" does not mean you have to eat it---what is that about really?
Think about "What do I really really NEED (foodwise) to make me feel holiday complete", and I'll bet it's only
a few things, rather than the tons of stuff. 
Think about "What else will give me a warm holiday fuzzy that is NOT food"...and I'll betcha that list is longer.......HUGS TO ALL! (add that to your list)
 
 
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Feet in PNGYoga Lifestyle

It's winter and I'm freezing....especially my feet. I think this is one of the root issues with holiday indulgence--being cold.  So let's get creative and think of ways to warm and get cozy without curling up next to a plate of "cookies of regret"  :).  Don't let that Santa sugar cookie commercial suck you in!
 
When we were in Israel I had a not-so-fantastic deep tissue massage where they warmed sesame oil on a candle and they used SO SO much of it on me that I was in a big big puddle by the time they were done (I mean, it was an excessive puddle).  The massage lady told me not to wash it off, and sure enough, my skin absorbed almost all of it.  I was glowing--for days!  (It really made up for the so-so massage..LOL.)  One of the first things I did when we arrived back at  home was buy a big bottle of organic sesame oil.
 
You can warm your toe-sizes by rubbing sesame oil on your feet in between your toes and then wearing socks to bed.  This will eliminate the drying that we endure from the windy cold season.  There are many Aruvedic benefits to using Sesame oil on the skin....Google homework!
 
Yes I have other more complicated aromatherapy oil loves (Neem, Castor, Mustard, etc.)...but for now let's keep it simple!
 
(Yes those are our feet when they were warmer on our honeymoon--that's the New Guinea flag)
GreysonCARDIO DISTRACTIONS
(we could call this section bookworm, but it's more like "stress relievers" really!)
I love distrations...books, music, the great outdoors, magazines....and I really love other interesting  things to think about whilst I'm doing cardio...
This month I read
"Greyson" by Lynne Cox...It didn't take me that long to finish (a few hours-I'm NOT speed reading diva Evelyn Woods)...it's a cute story about Lynne befriending a lost grey whale baby during one of her morning open ocean swimming workouts...
 
Her first book is fantastic too (I love it even MORE) if you are an endurance athlete or swimmer, "Swimming to Antarctica" (If you loved Lance's first book you will not put down "Swimming to Antarctica"--great format for the treadmill with no micro font!)
 
Send me your cardio distractions of choice so we can share them!

TIMESLOTS

Let me know ASAP when you have a timeslot if you want to do a private or free fitness consultation--
My calendar is pretty packed....but I would LOVE to work with you!
FIELD TRIPS FOR 2008::
"What Does Michele Eat" Farmer's Market Field Trip-date TBD
 
Did you know that the NEW food pyramid now includes activity & 4-5 servings daily of fruits and vegetables?
2008 will bring Michele's Seasonal Farmer's Market Field Trips (MSFMFT)--these will happen on Sundays... I can share with you, who's got the best deals & the best tasting organic produce.  "What Michele Eats" recipe handouts will be included.  Think about finding a rolling ice chest to use for this event, unless you want to gain more pedometer steps with a zillion trips to your car.
Also, if you don't get out much (like me), this is a nice opportunity to fancy up a bit and strut your stuff.
This will be free for my current clients with a small charge for others. 
Let me know if you are interested in joining us
 
YOGA LIFESTYLE Field Trip-date TBD
If there is an interest....grab the kids (or not) and let's do a trip in 2008 on a Sunday to The Gentle Barn.  http://www.gentlebarn.org/id58.html
 
I'm donating my old truck to them!  I saw a movie premier years ago that featured them, and it was very sweet.

"The Gentle Barn is located on a six-acre ranch in Santa Clarita, CA, and is home to horses, cows, pigs, sheep, goats, chickens, turkeys, ducks, dogs, cats and a donkey. All of the animals have been rescued from abuse and have amazing stories."

My allergies are well managed, and I do admittedly have some cardio-allergy hesitation when it comes to hugging farm animals (nothing worse then a runny nose in Spin), but this is a place that I would like to see on a Sunday....
I'm not going to charge for this since it aligns with my Yoga lifestyle and core values
...but there is a donation ($5) to enter the Gentle Barn. 
Please let me know if there is any interest so we can get this on the calendar
 
Big Sur Marathon, April 27
Oh Oh Oh this is my favorite race and if the planets align in my favor, I'M GOING THIS YEAR!
I'm already signed up for the 21 mile walk this year
The course is more beautiful than the Maui Marathon!
I might be able to get you into the Sold Out 21 mile walk, if you're interested. Let me know ASAP.
It's not a bargain entry price, but they do give a really nice Asics long sleeve wicking shirt!
Let me know if you have any questions:
 

Connecting QuoteCB Christmas

This part of Charlie Brown Christmas always make me teary because it's so sweet..it comes from Luke 2:8-11

Charlie Brown: (shouting in desperation) Isn't there anyone out there who can tell me what Christmas is all about?
Linus Van Pelt: Sure, Charlie Brown, I can tell you. Lights, please.
[a spotlight shines on Linus]
Linus Van Pelt: "And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the fields, keeping watch over their flocks by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the lord shone round about them, and they were so afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not, for behold, I bring unto you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you this day is born in the City of Bethlehem, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; you shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel, a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on Earth peace, good will toward men'". That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie brown.

Bat from Lisseneung

Michele the Trainer