Stuffed Peppers & Yoga

Day 17 - I think it is finally starting to hit me that this is a marathon and not a sprint.  Change is hard.  It requires serious determination and discipline.  But, mostly?  It requires desire!  You have got to have a burning desire to make any lasting change.  Not a half-assed, toe dipped in the pool, too many excuses paltry effort of going through the motions without emotionally connecting to what you are doing and why.  You've simply gotta want it!

As I was driving back home from the bus stop this morning, (woohoo, the last time for 88 more days since school is now done for the summer) - I noticed my stomach was contracted.  I had my belly button pulled toward my back and good posture and I could feel my stomach muscles tight in my core.  I compared this to the big giant marshmallow of a belly I started with and felt good and strong in my body.  I still have a ways to go, but I know that I am getting there.

So last night, from my hardback cookbook Mediterranean Cooking, by Sterling - I attempted to make their Stuffed Pepper recipe.  It was really good.  I had to make some adjustments (which I've noted on the recipe below).  I want to point out that adjustments are fine.  I reminded myself of this last night as I replaced the sun-dried tomatoes and dried apricots with raisins and dried cherries and cranberries. My budget for groceries is only so big, my enthusiasm for grocery shopping for a single ingredient or two is only so big, so sometimes you just gotta roll with what you have and make the best of it.  No one is grading me on my dinner except my taste buds, and they were pleased.

I paired the stuffed peppers with a simple salad and my first attempt using my new salad dressing bottle (with the recipes on the side).  I chose Greek (hello!) and really put much effort into pressing the garlic, fresh squeezing the lemon juice and meticulously measuring all of the spices.  1 tsp each of parsley, oregano and minced garlic.  Then 1/8 cup each of blue and feta cheese.  I didn't have blue cheese so I went with 1/4 cup feta.  You top it off with extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar and lemon juice.  I would state the measurements but it only has lines to pour til, so I'm not sure.  It was an acquired taste.  At first I was disappointed it was bitter, but then I got used to it and it did pair nicely with my pepper.  It was a very hearty and yet also very light meal.  My husband declared this recipe a keeper.

After dinner, I was excited to go to Sri Yantra Yoga Studio (in Houston, PA) to give my body a much needed session of Gentle Yoga.  I really can't praise this Yoga studio enough.  I have been going there on and off for several years.  Not "on" enough, I'm afraid.  But I have always been greeted warmly and felt a wonderful energy in the space.  Very open and inviting, peaceful and uplifting.  It is small, but very authentic and nurturing.

Come take a look:

If you are local and interested, check out their website @ sriyantrayoga.com.  If you aren't local, I would highly recommend looking around for a quality studio near you.



After 75 minutes on my yoga mat, I felt like I had just received a full body massage.  The Gentle Yoga class really is my favorite.  I love the slow pace and the mind/body connection from simple movements.  All of their classes are wonderful though, as well as each of the Yoga instructors, who are genuinely lovely.

I slept like a baby last night and was ready to tackle my 3 mile walkaway workout this morning.  I chose one without resistance training today to give my arms an extra day of rest, after their extreme soreness.  I finished with an ab session on the mat.  Day by day.  I've got this.  Even when I think I don't, but I keep going.  Are you with me?

Until next time...  Be well!
Tracy