I visited a new (to me) yoga studio tonight. I was really in the mood for a super hot, super sweaty, super tough yoga class and the 90 minute all-levels vinyasa class at Yoga One spoke to me. My friend (who is a yoga teacher), Sarah, discovered her love for yoga at Yoga One and did her teacher training with them. I haven’t attended a class there before today because it’s not easy to get to from where I live and I have been happy with my yoga routine.

Tonight’s class was exactly what I needed in my yoga life. The change of scenery was so nice and the class was challenging in totally different ways than the normal classes I attend. I was shaking, sweat was pouring off of me and it took every ounce of mental energy I had and focus on breath to hold some of the poses our teacher had us in for way longer than I’m used to. In addition to the long holds, there were plenty of vinyasas to keep that internal fire burning. I felt like I was practicing ashtanga with all the sun salutations we started out with. We finished the class with at least three-minute holds in shoulder stand and frog (I really think it was closer to five).

The class really dug at the core of my yogi self and had me questioning my practice and wanting to fight to become a stronger, more disciplined, more well-rounded yogi. As I continue my yoga journey, I think it is important for me to challenge myself in new ways and experience new teachers and class styles. I will definitely be returning to Yoga One.

I could go on all night but I will spare you! 😉

Let’s talk food…an overview of what I’ve been eating the last couple days.

Breakfast Tuesday morning was overnight oats at my desk after a morning ashtanga practice.

Oats, banana, Silk Nog, plain Greek yogurt, chia seeds, blueberries, pumpkin pie spice and dried cranberries topped with sunflower butter and pumpkin butter.

I was in meetings all day Tuesday and was finally able to grab lunch around 2:30. I stopped by Berrybrook Farm for a sandwich and kombucha. Berrybrook Farm is a natural foods store that is very close to my office. I had a co-worker with me when I stopped in for lunch on the way back from a meeting and I’m pretty sure she thought my lunch selection was crazy.

Half of an egg salad sandwich, an organic apple and kombucha.

Dinner was Cajun Jambalaya.

I used wild caught East coast shrimp and organic chicken in the jambalaya. It was delicious!

Wednesday mornings are my “no exercise before work” mornings and I get to sleep in until 7:15. I managed to get eight and a half hours of sleep last night and felt amazing when I woke up this morning. I had a bowl of banana oatmeal at my desk for breakfast and then came home for lunch.

Vegetable lentil soup, toast with melted pepperjack, organic apple and carrots.

The only thing I wanted after yoga tonight was a big plate of vegetables. I assembled a giant salad as soon as I got out of the shower and it completely hit the spot.

Spinach, tofu, roasted acorn squash, dried cranberries, feta, carrots and mushrooms with a cherry cider/balsamic vinaigrette.

I just had a bowl of ice cream and chamomile tea and now it’s time for bed and a book. I just finished Friday Night Knitting Club (which I enjoyed) and just started a new book that I’m not loving.

And one last final note – the recipe is up on Bakin’ and Eggs for the Chocolate Peppermint Bark Cookies from last week’s cookie exchange exchange.