STEAMBOAT SPRINGS - ADVENTURE + RELAXATION

This year, I went on Holiday to Steamboat with my fiancé and his family: his father and mother, sister, and her boyfriend. We were excited to host my fiancé's family this year in our current home state of Colorado. We stayed at the Village at Steamboat for a full week and it was one of the best vacations ever.

Steamboat Springs was already white with snow upon arrival and we got about foot of snow total throughout the week. We hit the mountains (most of us snowboarding, the parents are skiiers) every day except travel days and Christmas... I look a refresher lesson as I hadn't been on the mountain in two years. Did I mention EVERY person who worked on the mountain or in town - they were all so laid back! It was absolutely refreshing.

Snowboarding and skiing the hills made up most of our vacation. We were also lucky enough to go NIGHT TUBING and hit the Strawberry Park HOT Springs. One of our most interesting activities occurred Christmas Eve. We took the gondola to the top of the mountain and from there took a SLEIGH RIDE to our Christmas Eve dinner. Ragnar's Snowcat Sleigh Ride Dinner was unforgettable, delicious, and different from anything else I had done on Christmas Eve!! The sleigh ride gave us fabulous views of the ski town at night and the dinner was awesome! That evening gave us a different taste of the city. The weather was in the negatives but we were in the company of loved ones and warm blankets... This all made the trip worth it!

We also happened to be in town during the Mogul and Aerial Olympic Trials. We attended both events on the mountain - you either had to hike up or snowboard/ski down to get there. It was breathtaking to see these athletes work their magic on the powder. Please visit this link for more information on these events!

How can one say no to a "no worries" Ski Town with miles and miles of Champagne Powder ?! We are so glad we said yes! Don't forget to hit up a hot tub to soothe your muscles after a long day on the slopes!  I will be adding more photos of our trip as I download them. Hope you enjoyed!

A YOGI ONCE SAID

During these crazy days... the holidays - the deadlines - the traveling... I have learned how essential "me" time is. I have found this time in yoga and in running... but moreso in yoga because of the crazy cold weather we are having! These are the times when I am able to reflect on my week and on my life. Yoga brings me to the present as it should, but it also allows me to just let go. It lifts the weight off my shoulders, and I just breathe in the present.

This practice brings clarity and awareness into my life... I follow my breath and weave it into my movement and the world melts away. My gaze is soft and my body is light yet grounded into the earth. I dedicate my practice to whoever I feel needs a prayer or a little faith in their life. I open up my heart and let it shine. As I gaze out I am really gazing into my own being.

Iparsva Bakasana (Side Crow) has become my favorite pose. When I get it - I am balanced to the point where I know everything is just right for a few moments. This balance is not just a literal form. This balance I am speaking of is "balancing life". Seek out balance in your life - whether it is through yoga or some other form... You will learn that anything is possible! Yoga uplifts me from this crazy depression I fall into during these cold winter days. If you experience this when things start to get dreary and chilly, you probably know what I mean.

I leave my practice out into the cold weather and my heart is warm and I am glowing. The snow can fall. The freezing wind may blow...but my heart is warm and I am glowing.

THE JOURNEY IS THE REWARD: MY FIRST 1/2 MARATHON

I ran my first half marathon October 18, 2009 - The Denver Half Marathon in beautiful downtown Denver! I pretty much trained on my own for this race - just kept a running calendar - worked on my mileage and my pace and just kept on running without looking back! This race was a goal I wanted to see if I could achieve on my own... With the help of G-d beside me.

(via Zazzle)

True Fact: I had never loved running or called myself a "runner" in the past. It was never quite my thing. Sure, I would run 5Ks often for charity and completed my first 10K in May, but I never considered a long distance such as 13.1 miles!!

After fulfilling a couple of major life goals during this past year, I knew I didn't want it to stop. I had spoke with friends who had run half and full marathon distances... They made it sound possible to me, while I had always thought it impossible.

Race day came and I couldn't believe it was my day to run... But that day I ran for so much more than myself.... I ran for my parents, my fiancé, my sisters, my friends who are like family to me.... I ran with G-d, and without him I am not sure if I could have finished. The sunrise was beautiful during the first mile - it calmed me down and allowed me to reflect and to pray and to just take some time out... I learned that I wasn't running for myself; I was running for the world.... If I could do this, then maybe someone else would be intrigued to try and reach their goals... Running isn't always about getting the best pace, finishing first... Running is about the JOURNEY... The Journey you have with yourself, with G-d, with your thoughts...

THE JOURNEY IS THE REWARD.

YOGA, DANCE, LIFE: Quotes to Live By

(via here )

“I did not come to yoga to stretch. I came to live.” Maya Breuer

“What I want to say is that there is a strong relationship between yoga on the mat and yoga off the mat. I’ve really come to believe that the energy accumulated in practice has a lot to do with my ability to get clarity about the reality of things.” John Friend

“When you’re experiencing peace, it’s coming from within you, you’re ‘doing’ peace. And this is true of anything else you might be looking for. Love, happiness, contentment, well-being come from within. Nothing external needs to change for you to have what you want…..If you want to be happier – be happier. If you want to be more relaxed – relax. If you want more friends – be friendly. Sounds simple. It is.”  Cheri Huber

"Doubt everything. Find your own light." -Buddha

The most important pieces of equipment you need for doing yoga are your body and your mind. -Rodney Yee

Fear less, hope more; eat less, chew more; whine less, breathe more; talk less, say more; hate less, love more; and all good things are yours. (via my sister)

Watch your thoughts; they become words.
Watch your words; they become actions.
Watch your actions; they become habits.
Watch your habits; they become character.
Watch your character; for it becomes your destiny.

- Upanishads

First of all the twinkling stars vibrated,
but remained motionless in space,
then all the celestial globes were united into one series of movements.
… Firmament and planets both disappeared,
but the mighty breath which gives life to all things and in which all is bound up remained.

– Vincent Van Gogh

There is vitality,
a life force that is translated through you into action.
And because there is only one of you in all time,
this expression is unique,
and if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and be lost.
It is not your business to determine how good it is,
or how valuable it is,
or how it compares with others expressions.
It is your business to keep it yours,
to keep the channel open.
You do not even have to believe
in yourself
or your works.
You have to keep an open mind
and be aware directly to the urges that motivate you.

-Maratha Graham

"Fall with awareness and acceptance" -Brian Kest

"Health is wealth. Peace of mind is happiness. Yoga shows the way." - Swami Vishnu-devananda

"Follow your bliss." - Joseph Campbell

"Imagination is the beginning of creation. You imagine what you desire, you will what you imagine and at last you create what you will." -George Bernard Shaw



"Be here now." -Ram Dass

MAIBERRY FROZEN YOGURT

So, I am on a quest to find the best frozen yogurt in Colorado... My first stop: MAIBERRY. Their website may be found here . I went with my fiancé and his best friend on a whim. There was a long line, so we knew there was something good to be found in this place!!

via Maiberry's FB Page

As we started coming closer in line to view the menu and the display, we were in awe... Blueberries, raspberries, Cap'n Crunch, Fruity Pebbles, Granola... etc. The fruit is super fresh.

Did I mention in addition to their yum fro-yo, they have impeccable interior design: bright colors to reflect their vibrant selection! This place will just bring a smile to your face.

via Maiberry's FB Page

I went for the vanilla with blueberry topping and coconut cream. Sounds like a weird mix, but it was quite fabulous.

The boys decided on vanilla fro-yo with blueberries and Fruity Pebbles. Gotta love the 25-year old boys and their love for Fruitie Pebbles!! Cute.

You will find all of this information on their site... I found out that their fro-yo is "Greek-Style Yogurt-based". "All-Natural", "Low-Fat",  "Low-Calorie" and it's DESSERT... And, lastly and most importantly, it is YUM IN THE TUM!!

Go get you some Maiberry !!

BACKPACKING

I discovered a new summer hobby this year. Yes, see above! I absolutely adore it. I discovered it in Jackson, WY... We drove up there to say with a good friend from college who was interning for Teton National Park for the summer.

Besides the backpacking, I also was able to reunite with some college friends which made the trip amazing!! My first roomate in a college (potluck) as well as a good friend from my major. Such sweethearts with big hearts.

My friend we were staying with had two large overnight packs and great hikes planned, so I was psyched.. I have done my share of 14ers in Colorado, but never had I hiked and camped and hiked, etc. We chose the Paintbrush Canyon Trail. We started at 1PM.. pretty late for a 9 mile hike into the Tetons... but we kept on truckin and saw beautiful views and met some nice people. The back country was unreal, so untouched and wild!

We stopped just a few times to get some nourishment and take in all the scenery... It took my breath away!

We were almost to the lake where we would camp for the night, and it was becoming pretty chilly. Soon, it began to hail. But I am talking about Dippin-Dot sized hail and nothing bigger! Thankfully! So, we decided no more stopping. It was already 7PM by then and we needed to get the lake and choose a site!

One new thing about the Tetons that I hadn't experienced in CO were the BEAR CANISTERS we had to carry all of our food in so we didn't lure the bears in. Very interesting addition to our packs... No, we did not get to see any bears this trip....

So back on subject, the hail began to slow down and we were almost at our site. Then. It. Began. To. SNOW! We knew this sort of thing was a possibility for our trip, but it just wasn't one of those things you think REALLY happens. Oh, but it did...

We made yummy pasta on our camping stove that evening after we pitched the tents. We were surrounded by a winter wonderland. Did I mention this happened in AUGUST?!

Needless to say, the hike was insane - in a good way. We woke up to white-powdered everything surrounded by blue skies. I felt like we were living in a snow globe. Then as we set off for more hiking, the sun shined down bright as we entered an open field and we saw one of the most beautiful sights! We were above the clouds...

I ended up purchasing a pack after this trip in the town of Jackson.. How could I not? Backpacking will definitely be a special part of my Spring/Summer next season!! =)

FIRST POST!: SUNNY SIDE UP

Here are a few things I'm passionate about: my family and friends, travel, interior design, supporting local charities, fashion design, graphic design, and dance! I see the world SUNNY SIDE UP! You have to go through the storm in order to notice the bright, beautiful sunshine coming through the clouds! Life is SO much more than THINGS tangible. It is about EXPERIENCES. Live in the moment! Be present, as we say in yoga - on and off the mat. Have fun, make some goals, reach them. Keep Climbing!

I'm also getting married in the upcoming months so many posts will be about the progress! I appreciate any feedback you may have. Namasté.