Good times last night at my beloved Dead Dog Saloon in Sea Isle. Thanks to everyone who came out!

Living WELL.

Jean, Brooke, Lauren and Carmen in supported headstands in Wednesdays Sweaty Vinyasa / Yin class @ Ocean City Zen Den (922 Asbury Ave).

 Holy shitballs...it feels like every day of mine is full - every.single.minute. But, I'm okay with that. I have been seeing Dr. Adonis for my knee/hamstring lately and there have been miraculous results. After NO success with my Orthopedic, and no help from my doctors - my knee and hamstring are completely pain free for the first time in a year (and after only 3 visits). Dr. Adonis is the man who has me teaching Yin at his CrossFit center. So the other day (after my truck broke down and I was stuck with Chris Paisley at Living Well CrossFit) I was peer pressured by trainer Chris Paisley to finally try out a cross fit "WOD" (workout of the day). I was ill prepared - bare feet, bathingsuit, and a negative attitude towards exercise. Well, I only worked out for about a half hour - but it kicked my ass. Pullups, rowing, air squats, crunches, pushups, hell. Surprisingly, I felt good after - invigorated. 

Next day - not feeling as epic, but feeling strong. It was a GOOD tired. Now, two days after the workout I feel exhausted - I can barely bend or lift my arms - but I have been reassured that the first time is the most painful and then it becomes less painful as time passes. 

Well, last night when I was teaching YIN at Living Well CrossFit, I read a quote from Osho about pain (yin poses can be quite uncomfortable...):

"When pain disappears, the desire for pleasure also disappears. When you are not in anguish, you don't ask for indulgence."

So instead of the fighting and resisting the pain, I'm surrendering. I'm super excited for the SIX classes that I'll be teaching these next three days, and I can't wait to get back into Dr.Adonis's office, and into CrossFit.

I'm Living WELL...how are YOU living?

Be A Donor.

My Dad has an inoperable brain tumor. There is nothing that the doctors can really do for him aside from treating him with chemo and avastin, hoping to extend his life for as long as possible. There is nothing that I can do to help him -- because if there was, trust me, I would do it. I wish that it could be as easy as giving him an arm or leg or blood or marrow, but it's not. I would give anything, anything, to save him. Life is such a precious thing, and it is so very fragile. The people that are in our lives are what give life such meaning, which is why I decided to become a bone marrow donor. 

This decision was inspired by the nightly news. One womans plea to pay someone to donate marrow to save her daughters life. There were no matches in the registry (which has about 8 million people) and she was urging people to join the registry. Of course, paying someone for bone marrow is illegal, which is why this was on the news. I decided to look into it and found out that donating bone marrow isn't as horrific as I thought it was: my understanding had always been that it was a horribly painful procedure which involved a giant-sized needle being inserted into my spine. Come to find out that the most common form of donating today is...

PBSC Donation: Peripheral blood stem cell donation. 

For 5 days before donation, the donor receives daily injections of a drug that increases blood-forming cells in the bloodstream. On the fifth day, the donor's blood is removed through a needle in one arm and passed through a machine that separates out the blood-forming cells. The remaining blood is returned to the donor through the other arm. Donor side affects may be headache or muscle aches for several days, but the side effects typically disappear shortly after donation - getting back to your normal routine within one to two days. 

There is also the other procedure, the Marrow Donation, which is nothing like I had pictured it:

Marrow donation is a surgical procedure. While the donor is under anesthesia, the doctor uses needles to withdraw liquid marrow from the back of the pelvic bone. After donation, marrow donors can expect to feel some soreness in the lower back for a few days. Marrow donors are typically back to their usual routine in 2 to 7 days. 

After doing the survey and registry online, I received my kit in the mail:

It took less than 2 minutes to swab the insides of my cheek, seal up the package and send it off. 

Joining is free, but the cost to process one kit is about $100, so I made a $100 donation along with becoming a part of the registry. 

If you are a match for someone, the donation process could take up to 30 to 40 hours, including travel time to attend your appointments. This time is spread over a 4-6 week period. Think about it: 30 hours of your time, to give someone a lifetime. That's some powerful shit. 

My Dad means everything to me, and each day with him is a miracle and a blessing. Who gives your life meaning and makes it worth living? Wouldn't you want someone to do the same for that person if they were in need? Take the time to make a change for someone, to give them a chance. 

BE THE MATCH: 

BE THE ONE TO SAVE A LIFE. 

Happy Birthday Ari!

Ari in Scorpion on the beach.

Lucy, Ari, Jack + Mick, and Adam. Amazing Family. 

Today is Arianne Greens birthday!! She is MY teacher, my friend, and my inspiration. Gratitude for all of the love and support that she has given to me this past year. Love, Love, Love. 

www.goodkarmaguide.com

Yin

Erika in Butterfly.

Yin isn't for cissies. I have been teaching at the Living Well CrossFit center in Northfield for about two months now and I'm loving it. These athletes love their bodies, and they understand the importance of adding Yin into their very active (Yang) workouts. One of my students here is even a professional boxer!!

Unfortunately I had to cancel my 5:30pm Yin class in Margate because of poor turnout, but the classes at the Living Well CrossFit center are open to everyone and are at 7:45pm every Wednesday night. Classes are $10 for crossfit members and $15 for non-members. The class is an amazing group of individuals, so drop on in and get your Yin on!

Supported Headstand.

Btw: the photo below is of crossfitter Chris Paisleys' hand after one of his workouts....

Yoga On The Pier

Yoga on the pier was amazing...tons of people, great energy. It felt good to teach to such a large crowd...I think I'm addicted.

Yoga on the Pier

I'll be one of the four teachers at this years Summer Solstice YOGA ON THE PIER (on the ocean city music pier) @ 6pm tomorrow! Hope to see you there!!

Happy Fathers Day!

Brooke in a heart opening butterfly. 

My friend Brooke was down for a day and a half, and in that the we had two yoga sessions, and enjoyed some coffee, fresh juice, hot tub time, wine and sushi. Last night I played at the Dead Dog until 2am, and she made it out for some of that as well (despite a 5am wake-up-time to commute 1.5hrs to work!). Also out last night were both my Megan's (Albrecht and McD), Yeeew. Summer fun has begun.

Megan Albrecht and Megan McD 

Edible Exfoliator

Honey + Baking Soda = Amazing Face Wash

Okay, so maybe you don't want to eat honey with baking soda, but if you wanted to, you could!! (and you sure as hell can't eat your Neutrogena face wash...). This mixture is one teaspoon baking soda and a little scoop of organic (raw) honey. Mix it together in your palm and then use this edible, exfoliating scrub on your face and neck. I apply in a circular motion and let it sit on my face for less than a minute before washing it off. Your face will be glowing afterwards, I promise!!

Chattarungas and Coffee

I taught a super fun sweaty vinyasa this morning and then enjoyed a cappuccino with my friend Martha @ my favvvvorite local cafe, Who's On First. Feeling super grateful for such a nice day :)

Toni Hilson

"Stay together friends. 

Don't scatter and sleep. 

Our friendship is made of being awake."

- Rumi

Toni Hilson is a family friend, and one (of the many) that showers my family and I with endless love, support, food, and positivity. At least once a week Toni stops over with a shit-ton of food: appetizers, entrees, seafood and alcohol (once a week - SEVERAL bottles of wine, and a few 6 packs...every.single.week). She's given my mom a whole bounty of plants and herbs for the garden and, knowing that my mom won't do anything for herself, she went on a shopping spree for my mom - giving her a whole new wardrobe. To call her "generous" would just be scratching the surface. The least that I can do in return for all that she's done and continues to do for my family, is to brag about her on the blog. As my Dad would say, "God Bless Toni Hilson": thank you for feeding our bellies and our hearts.  

Tonight's spread: Artichoke Asiago dip, Crab Claws, Shrimp, She Crab Soup, gourmet stuffed Olives, Pasta Salad and Potato Salad, Cheeses and Charcuterie.

Me and Toni.

Enjoying good food, good company, and an epic playlist (thanks to Pandora "The Lumineers" station).

Snapper says that the soup is good.

Sent from my iPhone

Chambord + Champagne

The night started out with an early dinner at my FAVORITE RESTAURANT IN NEW JERSEY: THE DIVING HORSE - and no, I'm not talking about the 'gentlemans club' in AC, I'm talking about the amazing-locally-sourced-and-perfectly-prepared-restaurant in Avalon. I had the Crab Wedge (which has a ton of fresh herbs, the fresh tarragon makes it extra special) and the tuna crudo appetizer (raw tuna, over watermelon sprinkled with some sea salt and served with a chipotle sauce). Epic. As amazing as I remember it. I went every week last year. Unfortunately I can't afford it this year, but I'll still try to make it in every once in a while. Lauren and Nate were our servers, and I felt like I was seeing old friends again. It was great to catch up with them and to hear about their winters. The chef sent out two desserts for our table: a polenta panna cotta with rasperry couli and their 'kit kat'. Amazing. 

After dinner with MariaLena, Kaitlina and Becky - the four of us saw Snow White and the Huntsman (again). We said our goodbyes and then I headed back into avalon for one cocktail with the Blondtourage: Kristy, Lauren and Bridget. It's been foreeeever since I've seen Bridge, so it was great to catch up. We sipped on champagne with a shot of Chambord in it - and it was FREAKING FANTASTIC. 

Chambord is a French black raspberry liqueur, which when added to champagne will rock your world. Check.It.Out and Drink.It.Up.  

Summer Sun + Fun.

John Lombard in Tripod Headstand.

The last few minutes of class (recess: move into a posture that feels best for you) before final relaxation @ beach yoga. (41st Street Beach, Ocean City)

This beautiful card, along with a Lao Tzu book of poetry + a packet of Morning Glory seeds, were gifted to me at beach yoga by my beautiful friend Lorraine. My good friend John DiGenni introduced me to the Serwakta family, and I am so blessed to have them in my life. Lorraine, Brooke, and Tommy: thank YOU for sharing your positive love and light upon me.

After yoga I met my parents at the beach in Strathmere for two hours of relaxation and sunshine before heading to Sunset Pier to waitress for the night. The beach was beautiful and work was steady :)

After work I felt the need for a few laughs and a cocktail - so I forced Johnny to hang out with me for a bit. Hung at his house and had many, clutch-your-ribs holy-hell-my-face-hurts laughs and then headed home for bed. Life is beautiful.

Peach Inspiration.

Peach season is approaching, and I can't wait!! Peach pie is one of my most favorite things, and local, fresh, in-season make the best pies. On the beach now and reading this months Food + Wine and came across this Grilled Peach recipe (with charred onions and bacon). Can't wait!! Recipe up this week...

Long Days.

Super-flexy hips in Saturdays slow flow vinyasa @ the Margate Zen Den.

Bathing my body now in Traumeel (joint/muscle pain gel, all natural) as I lay in bed and plan out my tomorrow. Muscles are aching, limbs are twitching and my body is finally starting to realize that the day is over and it's time for bed. About 5 hours of rest before another (busy busy bussssy) day. This morning I taught two yoga classes back to back and then met my family at the beach for a bit. Every time I dozed off for a second someone would wake me up. Oh well. Only a bit of time for leisure before I jetted to Sunset Pier for work. Home a little after 11....sipped on some wine as I soaked my aching body in the hot tub, jets full blast. In bed now applying the Traumeel and coming up with tomorrows flows (7am beach yoga, 9:30am flow) and getting together clean work clothes for tomorrows shift. Boom, and so summer begins....

Dad and his buddy Gary...just hanging out and strolling down to the water.

Food Friends Fun

Beach Yoga 41st Street Beach, Ocean City.

Started my morning on the beach with Katy, Eileen and Gen for some beach yoga. The sun was shining, the weather was glorious and the flow was just what the doctor ordered. Went home and got some things done at the house that needed doing and then met Rochelle for our afternoon adventure. I had somewhat of a nervous breakdown the other day and Rochelle just so happened to witness it. So she played hookie from work and we had a girls day. We went for a later lunch in south Philly @ my favorite GREEN EGGS CAFE. We shared the epic duck pastrami sandwich with fries and a roasted peach and Gorgonzola cheese salad with almonds. Deeeeelightful. Then we bopped through shops in the Promenade (in Marlton) and ended with a trip to whole foods to stock up on healthy essentials. We are en route back to beach now to eat pizza and watch Game of Thrones. Thankful for good friends.

The Duck Pastrami sandwich, the french fries, and the homemade garlic dill pickle at Green Eggs Cafe are LIFE CHANGING.

Mesculan greens with grilled peaches, gorgonzola and almonds. MmMmMmMm.

Well Behaved? No Thanks.

Snow White and the Huntsman

Today I went to movies with my Dad and my friends Kaitlin + Becky to see SNOW WHITE & THE HUNTSMAN. It was ammmazing, I loved every bit of it. It was a bit slow in the beginning, but I enjoyed that about it. So far I've heard from a few people that said it wasn't good - but those are the people who like sappy, depressing independent films that have very little talking and very awesome soundtracks. The special effects in Snow White were amazing, I love Kristen Stewart (<3 bella), and the Huntsman, Chris Helmsworth, is just B.E.A-utiful. 

Thank you Mr. + Mrs. Helmsworth for your beautiful beauties: Liam (who is "Gale" in Hunger Games, and Chris "Huntsman")

Charlize Theron was a badass, totally scary queen for sure. 

From now on my type is no longer "pirates", instead....I'm looking for a dirty "huntsman".....

When an arrow was shot at this sacred animal, the audience gasped and Dad shouted "YEAH!!!". Kill em and Eat em. Ha.