being green in early spring

We have forgotten our former states, except in early spring when we slightly recall being green again.
-Rumi

Another great quote, as seen in a Mutts comic strip here. Hope everyone's having an enjoyable spring so far.

Keeping Up With Yoga, If Not With My Blog

My 'online presence' has been lacking lately, due to some 'real life' factors, and I apologize for that. My blogging will pick up soon, I hope. In the meantime, I've been doing a new series of yoga poses and stretching that I thought I'd share. I try to do it in the morning and before bed, as well as whenever I need a quick mental break.

As always, look into this stuff yourself to learn the proper way to do it and whether or not it's right for you...this is just what *I* do....


I start in a Seated Forward Fold to get myself focus and centered. I loop my index and middle finger around my big toes to hold the pose and breathe. Sometimes I use my fingertips to push my toes towards my body, one at a time. I started doing this because I once had a massage that included some stretching of my toes, and I was shocked how good it felt just to stretch the toes around. I think it must help with circulation or something. Perhaps someone knows about reflexology and can fill us in?



Next I do the Bound Angle Pose. I do the variation where I also fold forward from the hips for a deeper stretch.



From there, I ease my body back into the Reclining Bound Angle Pose (I've also heard it called the Goddess Pose), using my hands and arms to get into this position, not my ab/back muscles. I like this pose because it makes me feel very grounded, and when I think of it as the Goddess Pose, I feel like I can relax into the pose in a more spiritual sense. I just find it really calming.


Here I do a couple stretches that aren't exactly yoga (I don't think), but they just feel good. Still lying on my back, I keep one foot on the ground with my knee bent, while stretching the other leg straight up. I hold the back of my thigh and pause for a few moments for a hamstring stretch, then switch legs. Then, with both feet on the floor and knees bent, I let my knees fall to one side while I look to the other side, then switch.



Then I sit back up and move forward onto all fours so I can get into the One-Legged Pigeon Pose. I do it slightly different from the image, with my lower leg at an angle behind my hand, rather than in front. I've always liked this pose because it just plain feels good to stretch out the hips.



Finally, I sit back into the Easy Pose to become centered, focused, and relaxed.

Namaste~

All images from www.yogajournal.com, a great source for all things Yoga.

strength in what remains behind

What though the radiance which was once so bright
Be now for ever taken from my sight,
Though nothing can bring back the hour
Of splendour in the grass, of glory in the flower;
We will grieve not, rather find
Strength in what remains behind
-William Wordsworth

This verse from the poem "Ode on Intimations of Immortality from Recollections of Early Childhood" by William Wordsworth was featured in Criminal Minds this week. It's always been one of my favorite verses from any poem, particularly the last 4 lines, because it's something I've always felt I need to keep in mind.

understand through nature

Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.
-Albert Einstein

This was featured in the Mutts comic strip for April 24, 2008. I love that comic strip and thought this quote was great, especially considering who said it.

More Bourjois Goodies

Bourjois has some new stuff out! I haven't had a chance to try it out yet but thought I'd share anyway.

**Update**
I just saw links for the new Brush Foundation and new Brush Concealer on Ulta's website.

Image from Ulta.com
Brush Concealer


Image from Ulta.com
Brush Foundation

Yay! :)


The Shimmering Shine Liquid Eyeshadow looks like all kinds of fun. I have no idea what color I'd get. The Gris Platine is probably my favorite:


Image from Ulta.com

but I have no idea if it would look good on me. If I was getting any, I'd probably go safe and get the brun magnetique, beige metallique, or blanc chrome. ;)

They also have a new foundation brush and concealer brush - the product is in the handle and comes out directly into the brush at the end. I haven't found them online yet, though Ulta is advertising it in the latest ad I just received in the mail. The lovely Mademoiselle Bourjois demonstrates how to use the foundation brush and concealer brush in the following video:



You can see other instructional videos and Bourjois commercials at the Mademoiselle Bourjois Channel on YouTube.

My Veggie Garden May Soon Be Underway

Had some more help from my personal gardening expert (aka Mom) this weekend. I've finally figured out what will go in my garden:

• bell peppers


• tomatoes


• lettuce


• carrots


• green onions


• cucumbers


• green beans


• spinach


• watermelon


• cherry tomatoes


• chili peppers

and where. I'll post a picture after it's all planted.

Some of those things are for fun (watermelon), some are requests from my chef/hubby (chili peppers), and most are to enjoy our own homegrown goodness. I've always wanted to see if I could have a successful garden, so here's hoping!

My parents also gave me a couple of hanging baskets (fuchsias) for my birthday. I love them! I think they look so nice hanging up. One is called "Pink Marshmallow", not sure what the other is (white base with a purple center). I'll post pics soon I hope!