Done with Deodorant.

I'm done with deodorant. And medicine. And face wash. And house cleaner. Why? Because Martha taught me so. 

Martha is an original. There's no other like her and she's not trying to copy anyone. 100% original. She was the first person that I ever met who had a "self practice" with yoga and did her "daily meditation"....DAILY. She is balanced and eloquent, and I respect all that she has to say- because all that she has to say is important and thoughtful. Anywho, I visited her today between teaching classes and taking classes, and she introduced me to ESSENTIAL OILS. I had basil on my forehead, wild orange in my water, a "balance" blend was blowing through the diffuser on the desk, and I had some other grounding mix behind my ears and dotted into my chest. Boom. Healing. Full power. She also gave me some GI tract supplements to support my cleanse and some really kick ass probiotics. Double boom. The brand is called Doterra, and I'm SOLD. As Martha put it, essential oils are addressing our body as a whole, whereas more often than not people aren't treating the root of our health issues. She said, It's like fixing a shingle on the roof when the foundation is severely cracked. It's like "what's the point?!". 

After we cracked out on essential oils, I asked to borrow their shower so I could clean up for my massage training. Of course it wasn't an ordinary shower- no, there was homemade face wash (baking soda, coconut oil and a few select essential oils) as well as some after shower facial oil. Better yet when I told Martha that I *cannot* find a deodorant to tame my stanky underarms (that's to this cleanse I'm detoxing and the toxins are leaving- but not 'politely'), she responded with "just smear some baking soda under there". Well, GODDAMN....4 hours of massage training and a yoga class later- absolutely no.smell.whatsoever. Amazing, cheap, and not going to give you breast cancer. Hooray! 

The highlight of the afternoon was when I asked for some tea and she responded, "Sure, I just made some Alkaline forming twig tea.."

Martha Martha Martha : thanks for healing me, yet again. 

supplements

face wash and oil

Cailin Callahan

www.cailincallahan.blogspot.com

Tis the season...

Summer Salad Deliciousness

EDAMAME SALAD

mmm dinner.

jenny and her man

I freestyled a salad for tonight's dinner and it was ammmmazing. Mom and I cooked for my awesome cousin Jenny and her kickass boyfriend. We made scallops and moms fresh-caught flounder (which she pulled from the sea just a few hours earlier!). The salad was...

1 bag steamed and shelled edamame
1 red bell pepper diced
1 small zucchini diced
*toss in coconut oil, sprinkle with salt, pepper and garlic and roast in oven for 15minutes on 350

In a bowl mix...
1/2 pint of cherry tomatoes (halved)
Small handful basil
Fresh chives
1 clove garlic, grated
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar

When the edamame mixture is done roasting, toss it with the tomatoes and herbs. It might need to be finished off with a touch of EVOO. This salad was not only easy but it was also delicious. Boom.

MONDAYS.

I've decided that "days off" are for lame-o's, so I'm adding MONDAY MORNINGS in MARGATE to my schedule! Every Monday, starting tomorrow, at our margate Zen Den studio (101 N. Washington). See you there ;)

Missing these two...

Melting Into Music.

Today I was feeling really alone...like I'm not quite sure where my place is. I did some chi qong to try to center and ground. I meditated to find some stillness. I rebel yelled to get rid of all the anxiety. I breathed through alternate nostrils until I nearly fainted in an attempt to chill.out. Wandering is still heavy in my heart and home feels very far away. After a full day I got home and laid on the couch, and though I'm not really a tv person I just wanted to completely tune out and turn off. I watched the final few episodes of Shameless, which was amazing, but the highlight was the song that played during the finale. It was "Ends of the Earth" by Lord Huron. The music itself fit my solemn sad mood, and the lyrics captured and summed up my heart. So amazing how powerful music can be. Check him out. I've been listening to him on spotify for over an hour now and I want to melt into the music...it's *that* good. 

"There is no feeling, except the extremes of fear and grief, that does not find relief in music." 

― T.S. Eliot

• Ooh, ooh
  
  
  Oh, there's a river that winds on forever
  I'm gonna see where it leads
  Oh, there's a mountain that no man has mounted
  I'm gonna stand on the peak
  
  
  Out there's a land that time don't command
  Wanna be the first to arrive
  No time for ponderin' why I'm-a wanderin'
  Not while the
  
  
  To the ends of the earth, would you follow me
  There's a world that was meant for our eyes to see
  To the ends of the earth, would you follow me
  If you will have a say my goodbyes to me
  
  
  Oh, there's an island where all things are silent
  I'm gonna whistle a tune
  Oh, there's a desert that size can't be measured
  I'm gonna count all the dunes
  
  
  Out there's a a world that calls for me, girl
  Headin' out into the unknown
  Well if there are strangers, and all kinds of danger
  Please don't say I'm going alone
  
  
  To the ends of the earth, would you follow me
  There's a world that was meant for our eyes to see
  To the ends of the earth, would you follow me
  Well if you want, I will say my goodbyes to me
  
  
  I was a-ready to die for you, baby
  Doesn't mean I'm ready to stay
  What good is livin' a life you've been given
  If all you do is stand in one place
  
  
  I'm on a river that winds on forever
  Follow 'til I get where I'm goin'
  Maybe I'm headin' to die but I'm still gonna try
  I guess I'm goin' alone

LORD HURON - "ends of the earth"

Cailin Callahan

www.cailincallahan.blogspot.com

To Every Monk...

To Every Monk,

There Is A Path. 

For some, the path is yoga and in yoga the path may be chanting; for some it's asana; for others it's meditation. The point of the story is that there are several ways to climb the mountain and that's going to be unique to each of us. Around these parts I feel like people have only been introduced to one path: asana (postures). And after my time in India I made a commitment to myself and my community that I would teach authentically, from*the*heart, not just asana, but all the different paths...A well rounded person makes for a more open mind. I knew that along the way there would be people who didn't like the paths I was introducing and incorporating. I knew that there would be some people who loved it, and others who thought that I was crazy. But as I said, I made a commitment to honor the decision I made about teaching what's closest to my heart and what is so new and foreign to little South Jersey. Well, the other day it happened. One of my biggest fears. Someone hated what we were doing. And not just that, this person was so irritated that they got up and left in the middle of savasana as we were chanting. It threw me for a second. And then I was upset. And then I was slightly ticked off. And then I was hurt. And then I didn't care. Boom. A flurry of emotions in a matter of seconds. And then I took a breath in and out and all was good. We were chanting aum, all of us, while lying down in savasana. It was a continuous chant of aum for a few minutes as we were working on balancing our throat chakra. I definitely was asking people to come out of their comfort zone, but I was doing so in a fun way and in a safe and sacred space. It comes back to the saying "if you never try, you'll never know"...so I'm happy that some of you are open to trying. The gratifying bit is that after class I got a GREAT response from everyone else in class. They were ecstatic about all the new stuff that I added into class and even asked for more! In the end, you can't please everyone- and the first person that we need to please is ourselves. Authenticity, Authenticity, Authenticity. You can do no wrong when embracing your authentic nature. Blessings everyone! 

Cailin Callahan

www.cailincallahan.blogspot.com

SweatFest

sam, pre-sweat

sam and i, post sweat.

adena and i, full power, en route to ZUMBA

this is where the magic happens....

I love going to yoga, and I love CrossFit...and now I love Zumba! I know that it seemed like a bit much, but my Monday/Tuesday fitness-sweatfest-extravaganza was just what the doctor ordered. My CrossFit partner in crime Samantha joined me at the Zen Den on Monday night for (her first ever) SWEAT class. Well, holy shitballs! It was the sweatiest sweat class that I have ever been to. At one point I started laughing out loud because the heat was that unbearable. Sam looked at me once and said, "Seriously, I couldn't fucking sweat anymore if I tried". Afterwards I felt great though and I hugged all my yogis goodbye...dashing into my car and speeding off to meet Adena for our Zumba date. This Zumba class cannot be put into words...it was one of the most unique experiences I've had round these parts. Armando was our teacher, a long haired, very flamboyant, sass-for-days late-20-something Hispanic man with liquid hips. The Zumba center was in the Cardiff circle in Pleasantville...so the eclectic crowd in there was entertaining in and of itself. The Spanish girls there certainly had the best moves and they compromised most of the first row (which is probably the funniest part of the story: all of the classes in the Zumba center are only $3, but Armando's classes are $5 and if you want to be in the front row in front of the mirror it's $7!). His classes get packed, and rightly so- his enthusiasm is contagious and he has got some wicked sweet dance moves. Now I have always prided myself on being an amazing dancer, but I've never really followed instructions to well (dance classes and salsa lessons were epic fails). So, needless to say, I struggled with the planned steps and moves, but I still managed to keep up and shake my booty! It was so liberating to sweat and sweat, then dance and dance and dance...it was just what the doctor ordered. The next morning, 5:30am crossfit....yeeeeew buddy!

Tuesday Night Yin!

I have been teaching Yin yoga to the athletes at Living Well CrossFit for over a year now, and it has been great!!! It's an amazing practice for any and all people, but is especially important for extreme athletes. I'm also teaching it now @ Heisler Training Systems which is located at 1083 route 83 clermont. I hope to see some familiar faces there!

Shake (the sadness) Out.

Last night, or should I say yesterday late afternoon, I headed to La Costa with Brooke and Grace to 'dance the sadness' off. We went for Jerry Blavet, who has been entertaining down these parts for centuries (literally, he's a million years old). Dancing inside with all the old timers at 5pm with a buzz on was fun, but better yet was when we migrated outside and danced it up with my buddies Eric and Tully. As Florence (and the Machine) says, "Shake It Out, Shake It Out...Shake It Out, Shake It Out"...

"Stop Being So Religious"

What

Do sad people have in

Common?

It seems

They have all built a shrine

To the past

And often go there

And do a strange wail and

Worship.

What is the beginning of

Happiness?

It is to stop being

So religious

Like That.

--Hafiz

Brookie, Grace and Me

Cailin Callahan

www.cailincallahan.blogspot.com

No Meat Athlete Candida Cleanse

I have had issues with Candida yeast since I was young, and I have really suffered and struggled throughout the years because of it. As soon as I think that things are under control, there will be yet another flare up. I'm just tired of it. Tired of feeling like shit. I had experimented with a Candida diet years back, but my boyfriend at the time told me that I was a raving bitch when I didn't eat the food that I loved - so it was the diet or him! Haha poor guy, deprive me of booze, ice cream and bread and I'm sure I wasn't a happy camper. Anywho- I'm older, wiser, stronger, and particularly fed up with how I'm (physically) feeling- so I think it's time to try this again. Abiding by any type of dietary restrictions when you are abroad or traveling is near impossible so being home and settled is my chance to give this diet a second go. Oddly enough, the Candida diet closely resembles Paleo (which all my CrossFitters do), so I'm going to create my own hybrid feel-amazing-kick-ass-complete-lifestyle-change. To make this yet more complicated, add into the mix that I'm not crazy about eating meat (and Paleo is predominantly meat, as is the Candida diet) Matt Frazier writes on the No Meat Athlete blog a paragraph that really sums up how I feel about it:

"...But let's not forget that by the same argument, males are "built" to impregnate as many women as possible.  That's what would maximize the chances of having ones genes propagate, and probably still would today.

But most of us don't do that anymore, because as a species we're beyond that.  And that's how I feel about eating animals.  Even if it's what we're built to do because eating them helped us survive and thrive in the past, it's something most of us are now capable of making a choice not to do, thanks to our advancement as a civilization."

Don't get me wrong, I still enjoy to eat a piece of meat every now and again- but it's usually from an animal that my Dad had killed- not one purchased off the shelf, wrapped in cellophane, from the supermarket. On this new plan ill be eating mostly eggs, with the occasional bit of free range organic animal protein now and again. 

So, here I go. To be rid of joint pain, "lady" problems and general fatigue I am going to give my Quasi-Vegetarian/Paleo/Candida fusion a go! I have nothing to lose and everything to gain, and after reading Matt Fraziers article I am inspired that I can do Paleo without eating half a cow for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Eating with awareness. Boom. 

Matt's article : http://www.nomeatathlete.com/vegetarian-paleo-diet/

Cailin Callahan

www.cailincallahan.blogspot.com

Holding Space.

Wow. What a beautiful day yesterday was. What a beautiful afternoon. What a great night, and what a sad evening. I won't begin to try to understand how our emotions change as quickly as they do - I just accept it. Nothing is permanent, especially not our emotions. The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying by Sogyal Rinpoche says...

"Learning to live is learning to let go...there's nothing wrong with the desire to be happy, but what we grasp on to is by nature ungraspable. Taking impermanence truly to heart is to be slowly freed from the idea of grasping, from our flawed and destructive view of permanence, from the false passion for security on which we have built everything. Slowly it dawns on us that all the heartache we have been through from grasping at the ungraspable was, in the deepest sense, unnecessary."

Then Sogyal Rinpoche goes on to give us an experiment...

"Pick up a coin. Imagine that it represents the object at which you are grasping. Hold it tightly clutched in your fist and extend your arm, with the palm of your hand facing the ground. Now if you let go or relax your grip, you will lose what you are clinging onto. That's why you hold on. 

But there's another possibility. You can let go and yet keep hold of it. With your arm still outstretched, turn your hand over so that it faces the sky. Release your hand and the coin still rests on your open palm. You let go. And the coin is still yours, even with all this space around it. So there is a way in which we can accept impermanence and still relish life, at one and the same time, without grasping."

I always say that we are as happy or as sad as we make up our minds to be....but that doesn't mean that we won't be sad, so don't misunderstand me. Mooji would say that you have to feel whatever emotions come up, but you don't have to PURCHASE them. So hold space for them (keeping your palm open) but don't hold on to them (palm facing down, holding tight). And sometimes sadness can even be a beautiful thing - which helps to season us, to help us grow. Hafiz says....

*My Eyes So Soft*

Don't surrender your loneliness so quickly

let it cut more deep.

Let it ferment and season you

as few human or even divine ingredients can

Something missing in my heart tonight

has made my eyes so soft

my voice so tender

my need of god 

absolutely clear.

--Hafiz

So last night, after the most amazing day, I held space for my sadness. I'm adjusting to life back in South Jersey. I'm adjusting to life without my dad. I'm adjusting to being a daughter living back in my mothers home. I'm adjusting to a full work schedule. I'm adjusting to a life that is different than the one I was just living all winter. So sadness will come, and sadness is okay - as long as I don't try to force myself to GRASP at the happiness I've felt, and as long as I don't purchase the sadness that is simply passing through. So, I'm holding space...for anything that comes up. I cried myself to sleep last night, cuddled into the guest bed in Luther and Adenas home. And then I woke up this morning, feeling fresh and okay. I sat on their porch, cuddled their sweet Biscuit, and then got on with my day.

Impermanence. 

Holding Space.

Breathe In.

Breathe Out.

How can you be sad when your cuddled by this handsome face? Biscuit!

Beach Days of Summertime

Erika and Jen, our preggo-crossfit mamacitas!

My beautiful, powerful and amazing friends and CrossFit partners in crime. Danyl, Pammy, Erika, Jen, Me and PENNY!

Ty thought that my Ukulele was a kid-sized guitar....

This Guy. Chris Paisley. One of my best friends. Without his love and support I don't know where I'd be. So grateful to spend a day relaxing with the people that I love.

Paisleys #1 lady Erika, mama to be. Soaking up sun, laughing and chatting and reading palms. Life is good.

I have worked in a restaurant for years...and years and years. I haven't had off nights ever really, especially not Saturdays. My typical Saturday would consist of teaching a few yoga classes, getting an hour or two on the beach, and then having to jet home to clean up and head to work. I know, I know- I'm a local, so I can go to the beach *every day*, but for some reason, the "weekend" - Saturday - it's just the most important beach day of the week! So after teaching my second yoga class on Saturday I headed to Paisleys house, we packed up his jeep, and headed to Margate for a *proper*, *full*, *Saturday* BEACH DAY. I drank some cocktails and soaked up the sun all.day.long because I COULD and didn't have anywhere to be! It was glorious. I especially enjoyed the crew at the beach-- all of my favorite CrossFit chicas and their families. Jen is pregnant with her third and we dug Erika a hole for her new baby belly so she could rest in the sand on her stomach. The night finished up with some dinner in Atlantic city with the crew and then early to bed. I am so grateful for the schedule that I have this summer - I love only doing what I love to do.

Deck Bar

Nothing but smiles with this (yoga) posse....Me, Hayley, Marie and Paige.

My ukuleles debut!

We yoga together, dance together, laugh together, drink together, and love together. Boom.

Paige was super pumped on my jean jumpsuit!

Even Aggro came out to support my first gig of the season. The night got cold but not to worry because my shawl from India could cover up atleast 3 people....

Last night was my first gig of the season. I've had a wicked cough and no voice since I've arrived home but thankfully yesterday was my best.day.yet. We filled up the deck bar at Yesterday's and had heaps of fun into the late late hours of the evening. The highlight of the night was my jean jumper and new ukulele, and seeing everyone after the long winter was ammmmmmmazing.

Rice + Curry (Re)Creation

Rice and Curry! Dal, String Beans, Okra, Coconut Sambol, Potatoes and Rice!

I attempted to recreate my favorite (Sri lankan) meal the other night..rice and curry! It required lots of prep and slicing and dicing, but it was worth every second of it. I ran into some road blocks...unable to find curry leaves or fresh coconuts, but alas, I was resourceful- some shortcuts were made- and in the end, it tasted pretty damn good! And in true Sri Lankan fashion we ate with our hands- because, quite frankly, it just tastes better that way!

The night ended up Rob and I getting pretty buzzed, putting on some epic Israeli music, and dancing around the kitchen like crazy people. We danced so hard that one of the cast iron pots fell off the wall and *broke*. A small casualty for the amount of fun we had...