Have a Hug

/
All photos by Tyler Branch.

It's a Monday afternoon... which means we could all use a hug or two right about now! Go on... sneak up behind someone you love and give them a squeeze.



Or if you're even more daring, run up behind and snatch a piggy back ride hug :)


You could even sneak off somewhere quiet and have a romantic hug... the possibilities are endless.

YogaEarth Coconut Water Giveaway

/



Calling all yoga addicts and runners...




all sexy yoginis and sexy yoga dudes...


...and all people who love to feel refreshed and rehydrated after a great workout.
This giveaway's for you! 


Win a one-month supply of YogaEarth's Purity coconut water made from 100% organic coconuts from Bali. Purity is eco-friendly, delivered in convenient one-serving sticks, and has the best taste you can find.

To enter, please visit YogaEarth and sign up for their VIP Membership program or their weekly community email (see the bottom of the page), and leave a comment below noting that you've done so. (Note: this giveaway will be open until Wednesday, Nov 23.)

And as always, if you'd like to place an order for Purity, please do so through my Facebook app! Thanks and good luck in the drawing :)

Photos via Lululemon, YogaChocolateLove, Yoga Dudes, Pinterest and YogaEarth.

Brighten Up

/
All photos via Color Me Katie.

I recently discovered the most happy-go-lucky blog. Just browsing through the posts and silly photos at Color Me Katie makes me smile.

Katie is a freelance photographer and street artist dedicated to making fun things.

Two of my favorite posts of hers are about brightening up the world.

For instance, say it's a rainy day. Why let the weather get you down? Instead, place rubber duckies in puddles around town and watch as people smile as they realize there's a reason to be happy for the wet weather. Those ducks seem pretty grateful, don't you think? :)



Or, turn some plain rocks into colorful creations that almost blend into their environment. Adorable!



What's Pure (YogaEarth Purity Coconut Water)

/
Photos via Pinterest and YogaEarth.
I'm not going to lie. I have a thing for the taste of coconut, the smell of the air after a sudden downpour, the feeling of wrapping up in pajamas after I towel off from a shower, and the bright, clean light of mid-morning coming through a window.

There is something precious about purity. I think I know why this is: because it's not common in our world.

Photos via Minimalissmo.

And yet, we need more things that make us feel refreshed. We need more simplicity. Our modern world could use a little of what we cherish on our yoga mats: focus; clarity; plain, graceful movement.

In my experience, the brands I enjoy most are the ones that produce a feeling of effortlessness when I experience them. For a brand to be memorable, there has to be something organic, something that just feels right about engaging with its products, something worth trusting in what's being offered. It's always been this way with YogaEarth... plus I've fallen in love with their latest and greatest: Purity, featuring 100% organic coconut water.


Photo by yours truly.

Purity is my favorite YogaEarth product to date, and a big reason why the brand falls into this category for me. While the other superfood supplements are wonderful, there's something so  approachable about Purity. Yogi or couch potato, it's a drink you can love. There's nothing demanding about YogaEarth Purity; when you drink it, you're asking for clean and easy hydration -- no performance, no endurance, no drama.

And its simple, classic coconut taste out ranks any other coconut water I've tried (including -- gasp! -- the name brands you see at the grocery store and in your studio's refrigerators).  Plus, that pure taste brings me back to the sunny beaches of Puerto Rico... honestly, who could ask for more?
Photos via Kamp Photography and YogaEarth.
Thirsty to try some? Check out my lovely Facebook app -- you can save $10 on any order using my special coupon code ("rachelstroud"). Good until 11/11/11!

In Pursuit of Coziness

/
Photos by me.

Exciting news: I finished knitting a cowl! I'm pretty proud of my crafty work, especially since now I have something quite cozy to enjoy all fall and winter. I do so love this time of year when you can bundle up.

I've also been enjoying my muck-lucks lately :) My slippers are all worn out since I wear them around the house so much (the bottoms have come off and flop everywhere, but I can't seem to let them go quite yet). Any suggestions for new pairs?




Oh, and I almost forgot my favorite part of the cowl -- it doubles as a hood. I'm stoked for super warm ears and afternoon naps where no one notices me snoozing under all that yarn :)


If you'd like to make one for yourself, check out this knitting pattern. (FYI I decided since I don't have a fear of commitment and I didn't want to fool with a button every time I put the cowl on, it would be easier to sew the ends together as one big loop. Pretty clever, right?)

Fall Finds: Treat Yourself to Some Autumnal Love

/
Above photo via Rose and Crown. Below photo via Sarah Rhoads.

Fall is in full swing. Before winter creeps up on us,  why not indulge in a little extra autumn-inspired bliss? Here are my favorite finds for the season.

Fall Fashion

Grey polish
via Pinterest

Knit socks and cozy cowls
via Union

  
via Urban Outfitters
 

At Home
 Freshly baked cinnamon rolls
via The Answer is Always Pork

Fresh milk delivered to your doorstep
via Pinterest
For milk delivery in Chicago, check out Oberweis, PeaPod and Fresh Picks.
For the Puget Sound area in WA, try Smith Brothers Farms.
For New York and Connecticut, try Hudson Milk.

Candles that smell like fireplaces or leaves
via Candle Delirium
via Yankee Candle

Lip balm and anything from this Etsy shop, really

Winter spice tea
via Twinings

Ready to curl up on the couch? Me too :)

Falling for Fall

/

November is the perfect month for taking afternoon walks and crunching in the leaves on the way to meet a friend for pumpkin chai.



And then admiring the sunset on the way home, enjoying the smell of fires in fireplaces.


I wish someone made a candle that smells like fallen leaf piles, wood fires, and neighbors baking chocolate chip cookies. :)

Bikram Yoga Reading

/

Photo via 365 Days Yoga.

For all you Bikram fanatics, I've got a few interesting posts and articles to check out. Happy yoga reading!


Lucille's Yoga Adventure
A blog featuring reflections of a Bikram Teacher Training graduate who opened her own studio. She offers honest, down-to-earth advice on things to consider if you're planning to open a studio (step number one is to find good people!), plus how to make the most of your training (ignore the drama, take notes on teaching styles you like, and live in the moment).


Photo via 365 Days Yoga.


Doctor's Orders
Yoga Lily's posts are the perfect mix of wisdom and whim. She's not afraid to get into the nitty-gritty details of a real-life yoga practice -- like the way even Bikram yogis feel lazy sometimes, and the fact that sometimes your body feels like a cat sitting on an old radiator during class. This week she offers an inspiring post on practicing Bikram yoga while recovering from injury. As she says, self-healing takes "caution, self-awareness, diligence. Yoga is not a magic bullet. But self-efficacy is."


Photo via Lululemon.

Prima Yoga Opening on Patch
An inspiring story of two sisters who opened a studio together. As someone who's always dreamed of doing business with my twin (or at least living closely so we could practice yoga together!), this one had me smiling.

Green Cleaning and Happy Memories

/

As you know, I'm a big fan of green products... especially the ones that support my wish to breathe free of toxic chemicals, and inspire me to clean with a smile.

When Maggie from Eco Store USA contacted me a few weeks back, I was excited to try out a few of their products, including their luxurious coconut vanilla body wash and handy all-purpose citrus cleaner.


Right away, I fell in love with the body wash. The smell takes me right back to Puerto Rico! It turns something as simple as my daily shower routine into a mini-vacation right at home :)  And of course, brings back lovely memories of all those yummy pina coladas on the beach.



Highly recommended! This would make a perfect stocking stuffer for a sister, mom or friend.

I also tried out the citrus spray cleaner, and was happily pleased with its performance. There's nothing better than being able to wipe down your kitchen counters and bathroom sink without worrying that yucky chemical residue will be left behind. As the bottle reads, "no nasty chemicals" here!



Eco Store USA has a wide selection of wonderful bath and body, household cleaning and baby care products you should check out. They even feature green pet care products! For all you stellar moms and homemakers out there, theirs is a store that's not to be missed. Also be sure to check out Eco Store USA on Twitter and Facebook.

Afternoon Tea Treat

/
Photos via Flickr and Google Images.

I had my lovely friend Lindsay over last night and she introduced me to the tastiest tea treat. The best part? It only requires three easy ingredients!

Make yourself a cup of chai tea (we used Yogi Chai Roobios). Then add a spoonful of raw wildflower honey (which, amazingly, has the consistency of ice cream) and a dollop of coconut milk (out of the can works perfectly). Bliss in a cup if I do say so myself! :)

 

Focus Friday: Move Freely

/

Focus Friday: how can you deepen your yoga practice this week?

It's been a while since I posted in this series. I'm approaching it a little differently now, more freely, much in the way my approach to yoga has changed. Lately I've been allowing myself to follow my natural rhythms and move in the way I need to move, in the moment. Instead of applying a stringent formula to how I practice, I invite the postures I most need and sometimes I take a night off.

This video struck me, especially the question: what moves you?

Photo via Prana.
Shiva Rea has always been an interesting yoga figure to me. She seems to approach the mat more openly than many teachers, and the way she incorporates dance into her practice is inspiring.

Shiva always seems so elated when she teaches -- it's as if she's right where she's meant to be, don't you think?

This makes sense when you take a look at her description of finding flow in yoga. As she says, "Vinyasa is a natural sequence unfolding with creative intelligence - a conscious evolution connecting each moment with unifying breath." She is willing to move with the moment, to let it unfold organically, unrestrained.

Today's focus: freedom. How do you need to move today? Let your body find its natural rhythm. Be willing to ask: what moves you? Then let the answer guide your practice.

Namaste.

How Do You Beat Winter Blues?

/
All photos via Rose and Crown.

Chicagoland is starting to get chilly. And snow storms have already hit the east coast... which means: I need your help!


I would love some ideas on things to do at home other than watching TV or sitting in front of the computer. I do love going out, too, but sometimes I like being cozy and staying in -- which can make beating the winter blues even more challenging.


Thoughts? What do you do when you're home in winter?


Here are a few of my ideas:
  • Buy some board games and invite friends over to play
  • Whip up some homemade marshmallows to use in hot cocoa (and generally try new recipes together)
  • Photo shoots 
  • Make a new mix and have a dance party in the living room
  • Plan a vacation
Please chime in with your thoughts below. Thanks for your help, readers!


Have a Classy Weekend!

/
Photo via Emersonmade.

Stay classy, my lovely readers!

Here are some links for the weekend...

It's fall! If it's already raining where you are, enjoy a hot cup of coffee. Or, make your own marshmallows for hot chocolate!

Hilarious yoga cards.

Can you believe it's almost Halloween?! Not dressing up? How about this little black dress and some sexy eyeliner for a date instead?

Incredible Bikram photos. My favorite is the one of bow pose.

Kissing tales. 

Tips and postures to practice for improving your headstand.

Quick meditation: do one thing at a time.