Healthy Living – Page 3 – YogaBirds Pilates

March 8, 2014February 1, 2015

How To Purchase Young Living Essential Oils

Happy Saturday everybody! It is Day 4 of my 40 Days of Young Living Essential Oils series. If you’re just tuning in, you can catch up on the series by CLICKING HERE.

For Day 4 I had planned on writing about Thieves Oil since it is one of Young Living’s signature products. But, in the last 24 hours, two people have inquired how and where to purchase the oils. Then today I received my most recent order of a box of goodies from Young Living… it is my most favorite and super happy mail day!!!

Today’s package includes three purse-sized Thieves spritzers, Thieves toothpaste, Morning Start Shower Gel, Eucalyptus Radiata, and Orange Essential Oils. Ready for Springtime aromatherapy!! Oh but I have digressed.

Back to the subject at hand….. So how do you purchase from Young Living?

You can sign up to be a Retail Customer.

What is a customer? As a customer, you are simply signing up to purchase oils directly from Young Living. There is no obligation to ever buy more or to sell anything. When purchasing oils as a customer, you will be paying retail price, and will receive no discounts or rewards, just lots of wholesome delicious smelling products. However, if you are currently a customer, and would like to begin receiving the 24% discount a wholesale member account offers you, you have the option to upgrade your account.

You can sign up to be Wholesale Member. Wholesale Members receive wholesale pricing (24% discount from retail), options for Essential Rewards, and the opportunity to build a business.

If you want to receive wholesale pricing, but do not want to sell anything, that is absolutely cool. There is never any obligation to sell these oils – EVER. If you do change your mind (like I did) and want to sell (be a distributor of) the oils, already having a wholesale account makes it easy to start if you chose to do so.

These are the steps to join Young Living as a Wholesale Member or Customer:

1. Click here to begin the enrollment process.

2. Select Wholesale Member so you can get the wholesale discount, or Retail Customer to pay retail.

3. My member number is: 1572095. This number should already be filled in the Sponsor ID and Enroller ID boxes. If it is not filled in, please fill in my number so that I can get credit for signing you up. (Many Thanks!!)

4. Fill out your name, billing address, shipping address, and contact info. (The reason you are asked to list your social security number is for tax purposes. If you make over $600/year selling Young Living products, you will receive a 1099 form in the mail, as is required by law. Young Living will never share this info with anyone.)

5. Create your password and pin which you will use to log in to your account and order your oils. If you chose Retail Customer you can skip to step 8.

6. If you chose the Wholesale Member option you must now purchase the Starter Kit of your choice to activate your membership. This is where you can specify which starter kit you would like (see below for an explanation and description of the Starter Kits) – they range in price from $40 on up. You only need to spend $40 to get the 24% discount. Note – you must sign up with one of these kits to become a wholesale member. This is mandatory. To maintain your 24% discount going forward, you only need to spend $50 worth each subsequent year with Young Living on any product in their store. That’s it! You can also purchase other items at this time if you wish.

7. If you chose the Wholesale Member option, you may also now set up your *optional* Essential Rewards Program (ER).Don’t be confused by this next step (like I was). Buying one of the Essential Rewards kits is not a requirement to sign up as a wholesale member! This is a (COMPLETELY OPTIONAL) rewards program you can opt into to start earning money back to help pay for your oils. If you do not want to set up an Essential Rewards Program, at this point, you can skip this step by selecting: ‘No, thank you. I plan on enrolling in the Essential Rewards Program later’. If, however, one of the Essential Rewards kits looks valuable to you then by all means get one in addition to your starter kit but please understand that you cannot buy an Essential Rewards kit in lieu of a starter kit. The Essential Rewards program is the most economical way to purchase your oils and other products. I choose to purchase my products through the Essential Rewards Program, but please note that it requires making a monthly minimum purchase. If you’re not interested or ready to join the Essential Rewards program now, you can always opt-in at a later time.

8. AGREE to Terms & Conditions

9. CONFIRM YOUR ORDER. I have had many folks miss this step and end up not fully checking out. Make sure to confirm. The tool will log you in and it will show you your order again and you will be prompted to enter in your payment information again. If you don’t confirm, your order won’t process and you will not receive your oils. And that’s no fun!

10. CONGRATULATIONS! That’s it!! After you set up your account and place your initial order, send an email to me. I will send you some additional materials and resources to help you navigate the wonderful world of Young Living. As well as introduce you to the Joyful Healing Oils Team that introduced me to the oils. Your oils should arrive on your doorstep in one week!

What is this Starter Kit? And why do I have to purchase it to be a Wholesale Member?

Basically, there are four starter kits of differing price and value offered to new sign-ups. Each kit includes your lifetime membership fee, which is why the purchase of a kit is required. For $40 you will receive the Basic Starter Kit, $75 for the Basic Plus Starter Kit, and for $150 you may choose either the Premium Starter Kit with an oil diffuser or the Premium Starter Kit featuring NingXiaNitro. I fully realize it’s a lot to shell out at one time, but the Premium Starter Kits get you the most bang for your buck because they come with the collection of 10 Everyday Oils in addition to the bonus Stress Away Oil. That’s 11 oils to play with right off the bat.

The four Starter Kit options are:

THE BASIC STARTER KIT / $40 ……. When you purchase the Basic Starter Kit, you will receive 10 YL oil samples {2 each of Lavender, Lemon, Peace & Calming, Peppermint, and Thieves}, a 5 ml bottle of Stress Away essential oil blend, 2 NingXia Red samples, AromaGlide roller fitment, and information about Young Living’s essential oils. This is all you need to get started as a distributor with Young Living.

THE BASIC PLUS STARTER KIT / $75 ……. Another option is to purchase the Basic Plus Starter Kit, which saves you 35%, as compared to purchasing the Basic Kit. This kit comes with everything in the Basic Kit, plus a FREE home diffuser!

***THE PREMIUM STARTER KIT / $150 …… The third option is the Premium Starter Kit, which gives you a 37% discount, and is the kit with the best value for the oil enthusiast and is the kit I chose to start with. This kit comes with everything in the Basic Kit, the free home diffuser, AND the Everyday Oils Kit. In this kit you will receive 10 of Young Living’s most popular essential oils which have a multitude of uses: Lemon, Lavender, Peppermint, Frankincense, Thieves, Valor, PanAway, Purification, Peace & Calming, and Joy. Each bottle contains 85-100 drops of oil so this collection gets you around 900 drops. A typical application is 1-4 drops so they will last you awhile.

THE PREMIUM STARTER KIT featuring NingXia Nitro / $150 …… The fourth option is new at Young Living and is perfect for those who are serious about transforming their lives. This kit has everything the Premium Starter Kit has but instead of the free home diffuser, you will receive two 14-packs of NingXia Nitro.

I realize this is a lot of info. Simply put, there is a minimum $40 start-up fee to become a wholesale member, and you only need to spend $50pv per year to keep the 24% wholesale discount. And that’s all folks!

If you have any questions, or need more information on how to purchase, please email me at melanie@yogabirds.com or call me at 251-508-7099.

In Peace, Health and Scented Bliss,
Melanie Buffett
Member #1572095

www.youngliving.com/yogabirds

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any disease. I’m just sharing my experiences! As always, do what you feel is best for yourself and your family.

March 7, 2014February 1, 2015

10 Ways To Use Purification Oil

Well it’s Friday and Day 3 of my Lenten blog series 40 Days of Young Living Essential Oils. If this is your first day tuning in please read the intro to the series.

Today I am highlighting one of my favorites, Purification Oil. Two years ago when I went to India, a friend gave me a small sample bottle of Purification Oil to take with me. We slept in different and very foreign places every night for a month. I applied the oil on my temples before bed at night which gave me emotional balance in the midst of the intense (and wonderful) travel experience. It’s been a staple in my daily wellness regime ever since. Purification Oil is a blend of Citronella, Lemongrass, Lavandin, Rosemary, Melaleuca, and Myrtle essential oils. This blend has been found to be especially helpful in neutralizing odors, as well as, being effective on mold and mildew. It is fantastic for cleansing and disinfecting the air. And for many other uses.

10 Ways I Use Purification Oil

As a deodorizing, and germ-fighting spritzer at the fitness center where I teach classes
On mosquito bites
To freshen up stinky sneakers, place a drop of Purification on a cotton ball and place inside of shoes
In a diffuser to freshen up at home
A few drops in the washing machine for super fresh laundry
In a spritzer to freshen up the dog beds
In a car diffuser to make my car rides extra pleasant
Inhale straight out of the bottle in the steam room at the gym
A few drops in a hot bath of a refreshing and detoxifying soak
To stay emotionally and physically balanced when traveling

Are you using Purification Oil in your daily home/health regime? Please share in the comments section below. Also, please ‘Like’ the Yoga Birds Facebook Page and Follow Yoga Birds on Twitter. I love being in touch with you all!

Until tomorrow….

Peace, Health, and Scented Bliss,

Melanie Buffett

Young Living Distributor #1572095

If you would like to become a Young Living Retail Customer or Wholesale Member under my (Yoga Birds) sponsorship please CLICK HERE or go to www.youngliving.com/yogabirds and chose ‘Sign Up Here’ from the menu. My member number should be pre-filled into the online form. If it is not, please fill in my number (#1572095). THANK YOU!! Send me an email if you sign up so that I can help you navigate the wonderful aromatic universe of Young Living. xoxo Mel

March 6, 2014February 1, 2015

Basil Oil

So here we are at Day 2 of 40 Days of Young Living Essential Oils!

And, yes, I am counting yesterday’s intro as Day 1. Today I am highlighting Basil Oil which I use everyday in a shower spritzer that I make. The scent immediately sends a message to my brain to wake up. It has become a ritual that I look forward to every morning upon rising. The spritzer is a mix of distilled water and YLEO Basil Oil.

A Few Interesting Bits About Basil Oil:

In old folklore tales, basil was considered by the ancient Greeks as the ‘king of plants’ and was used to anoint kings.
It is also said to have aphrodisiac qualities and was used by Italian women to attract possible suitors—well who knew?!? 🙂
Historically basil oil has been used for respiratory problems, digestive and kidney ailments, insect and snake bites, fevers, and malaria.

My first experience with basil oil was in a yoga class 10 years ago. The teacher came around in final relaxation pose with the scented oil on her hands and gave me a very nice and gentle head and neck adjustment. The aroma opened up a whole new dimension to my breath and my practice giving a heightened sense of clarity. At first I thought the oil was exotic but when I discovered it was basil, I was surprised because it is so common in kitchens and gardens. I have been interested in the many properties and uses for basil oil ever since then.

Ways I Have Used Basil Oil:

in a diffuser with success for help alleviating migraine headaches.
inhaling the scent to ‘wake up’ and motivate to teach fitness classes when I feel mentally fatigued.
one drop in my favorite smoothie recipe: pineapple, banana, spinach and almond milk.
one drop in scrambled eggs. It totally adds another dimension to the flavor and aroma of these quick meals.

For me, YLEO Basil Oil is a ‘must-have’ oil. My most recent experiments with using the oil in cooking is super exciting. I might actually be a foodie after all!

I will keep you posted on other ways I use the oil. If you are using Basil Oil in your daily routine or in your house, please share your experiences in the comment section below. Also, please ‘Like’ the Yoga Birds Facebook Page and Follow Yoga Birds on Twitter. I love being in touch with you all!

Until tomorrow….

Peace, Health, and Scented Bliss,

Melanie Buffett

Young Living Distributor #1572095

March 5, 2014

40 Days of Young Living Essential Oils

Today is Ash Wednesday and the start of the Lenten Season. This year I am attempting to write more consistently, actually daily. If you follow my Yoga Birds blog you know that it’s pretty sporadic at best and varies in subjects that span mindful movement, travel, healthy eating, sewing and crafting, conscious living, and most recently my new fave, aromatherapy.

In my Lenten practice of daily writing I have decided to highlight aromatherapy, specifically talking about Young Living Essential Oils. I figure, since I use the oils daily in hundreds of different ways, finding 4o things to ‘say’ or write about them should be …. easy? We shall see.

I mentioned in my last blog post about Thieves Oil eradicating a vicious invasion of the flu which was the impetus for my becoming a Young Living distributor last year. Since becoming a wholesale member and distributor I have had the pleasure of exploring many more of the oils and blends in the diffuser, spritzers, bath, laundry, vacuuming, dusting, and even cooking.

It is fascinating to me how just by awakening the sense of smell with certain fragrances correspondingly opens and enhances all of the other senses. I also feel better (like wayyyyyy better) about using non-toxic products to clean my home. I feel more awake and aware and ALIVE incorporating the oils into my life and my home. And my husband likes them too!

What these next 40 Days will look like on the blog (or at least this is the plan):

I will post several tips, ideas, and resources for using oils, as well as, how to become a distributor and the benefits of being a distributor. I am also going to share some of my must-have oils! It’s going to be a wonderful, consciously uplifing forty days. I hope you will join me! Please join in the conversation by leaving comments. Also, please ‘Like’ the Yoga Birds Facebook Page and Follow Yoga Birds on Twitter. I love being in touch with you all!

In Peace, Health, and Scented Bliss,

Melanie Buffett

Young Living Distributor #1572095

October 23, 2013

A ReInvention of Sorts

This time last year I had one of those pivotal moments where I hit a wall and was faced with the reality of my life and the choices that lay before me. Things were going relatively well. A third teacher-training group was about to graduate from my Yoga Birds program and the studio was chugging along offering valuable services to the community. I had a nice house, great husband, awesome dogs, and loving family all around me.

My practices of daily asana and meditation were steady, life at home was good…but something was missing or just not right with me. I prayed and I meditated and finally realized that I was not where I wanted to be or doing what I truly wanted to be doing.

It was one of those God-moments when I realized in full force the finite nature of my time on earth, the importance and impact of every choice I make, and the preciousness of every moment that has been given to me.

I started making plans to close my beloved little yoga studio and to get back into film acting which I had left in 2008 when I moved to Fairhope from New Orleans. So, in case you were wondering, that’s where I have been all year…. In acting classes in New Orleans. More on that later…

I have not abandoned yoga. Or, more accurately, yoga has not abandoned me. I have taken a massive break and rest from daily vigorous asana (poses) practice. It was not intentional and happened naturally as I stopped teaching so much. I am still a firm believer and advocate that asana yoga teachers should be practicing what they are asking of their students. I asked a lot of my students ergo I spent a lot of time on the mat in my own personal practice doing sun salutations and warrior poses, etc.

This break from the physical yoga for me has been utterly healing and informative…which is essentially what our practices should be about. So yes, my chaturanga and my pinca mayurasana probably SUCK right about now, but really…. I don’t care. And this is cOMpletely LIBERATING for me!

What I do practice regularly is Restorative Yoga. Apparently my nervous system needs a daily re-set to truth, consciousness, and joy. My husband Burke who is a brilliant wordsmith dubbed Restorative Yoga a practice of ‘pillows and gravity’. It is absolute heaven and gives back to me ten-fold in the currency of connection to Spirit, relaxed groundedness, breath awareness, clarity, patience, kindness, happiness, contentment, and vibrant energy. All it asks of me is to stop, become still, and hang out there for 5 or 10 minutes at a time. And BTW… it’s not nearly as easy as it sounds.

In these past several months I have explored different neighborhoods –literal and figurative. I miss my friends and family and community of yogis in Alabama and further east. I have made some incredible new friends in the acting and film and fitness communities of New Orleans. Life is a constant paradox. But it is certainly wonderful.

I am ready to start teaching again with a fresh new perspective on how yoga can support day to day life and courageous choices that foster the manifestation of the sparkling, healthy, vibrant lives that are our birthright.

Next month I will be in Fairhope at Prana Health and Wellness Sunday, November 24th. Becky Ardrey and I are co-hosting an open house and discussion about the collaborative 2014 Yoga Birds Teacher Training being held at Prana. Stay tuned for more details about the open house and about the training.

Also in the works in New Orleans is a yoga class in conjunction with the indoor cycling classes (called RIDE) I have been teaching at Romney Pilates Center on Magazine Street. More details TBA.

On Sunday morning, November 17^th I am presenting a Restorative Yoga Session at the Mahabhuta Yoga Festival. I can’t wait to immerse in yoga for the whole weekend with so many friends and teachers! I hope that you can join me there for my class or to attend some of the fantastic classes of other teachers with me.

That’s all I have for now. Please be in touch with a comment below or drop me a line or a ‘like’ on my personal profiles at Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. And if you’re interested, check out my new acting website at www.melaniebuffett.com. Hope to see y’all soon in a festive and joyful place!

Much Love and Peace,

Melanie Buffett

June 12, 2013

Pain In The Asana

Asana: pose, posture, seat
Ahimsa: to do no harm

THE DISAPPEARANCE OF A PAIN IN MY ASS
Since the beginning of my 6-week teaching sabbatical I have also taken an intentional break from my regular asana practice of Sun Salutations and classical poses. This is the longest uninterrupted rest from asana I have taken in 17 years of practice. Interestingly, one of the results is that I am pain-free in some of my chronic areas of aggravation… specifically in my hamstring attachment area. Basically, that nagging long-suffered ‘pain in my ass’ has evaporated. This state leaves me simultaneously euphoric and frightened. My asana practice has been my savior, foundation, therapist, refuge, friend, entertainment, release, adventure, and source of livelihood. But apparently it has been the source of a little suffering as well.

Supported 'Head Stand' With 2 Chairs — Supported ‘Head Stand’ With 2 Chairs

JUST HANGIN’

For the past month and a half my daily yoga practice has consisted solely of a couple of restorative poses a day, including my longtime fave of hanging upside down between two chairs (see photo). This break from my regular practice of vigorous asana has enlightened me to the fact that it’s time to re-pattern it so that I can maintain this blissful pain-free state that has happened.

PATTERN AND RE-PATTERN

Re-patterning does not necessarily mean taking on a whole new practice or ditching cherished poses and sequences. I miss and love practicing Sun Salutations. I believe in their healing power. They provide me with focus, concentration, courage, and empowerment like nothing else. And I LOVE TO SWEAT. I do not want to give them up. What to do???

WHAT NOW?

I’m in the process of breaking down the Sun Salutations. Essentially I am re-configuring actions, alignment, and habits of practice tailored to and nurturing of MY body’s story. The intention for practice is ahimsa (causing no harm to myself or others) while still honoring the Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga Hatha tradition from where the sequence comes. For me this means approaching practice with courageous honesty and self/body-directed wisdom. It means making changes and proceeding with care. In every moment we must recognize if we are causing suffering, to ourselves or others and adjust accordingly.

AWARENESS

Awareness of a pain in the ass the first step. What we do with that is the interesting next step. I will keep you posted on my progress.

I’d love to hear about your experiences in asana practice. Write me a note in the comments section below. Or let’s chat about it on Facebook or Twitter. Hope to see you soon on a yoga mat!

Peace & Love,
Melanie
Shameless Plug….
Upcoming Sun Salutations Workshop Saturday June 29, 1-5pm, at USA Rec Center in Mobile, Alabama.

Early bird rate $60 ends June 15th.
REGISTER ONLINE NOW

May 14, 2013

On Not Teaching Yoga

I continue to receive messages from folks looking for my public teaching class schedule. For the record, I joyfully report that I am on a teaching ‘Sabbatical’ and spending some quality time in my home away from home, New Orleans.

It feels a little bit strange to not be teaching a regularly scheduled public yoga class. It is the first time in nearly seven years that I have taken more than a week off from doing it.

This break has been utterly restorative. It is giving me fresh perspective on my reasons and intentions for practicing and teaching yoga. In a nutshell it is that yoga provides a relief from suffering.

Until there is no suffering, I will continue practicing and teaching yoga to the best of my abilities, in the context of perpetually evolving life.

I am still meeting with private clients and working with folks in therapeutic and restorative applications of yoga. I really enjoy working one on one. sharing yoga in this format, I feel like I am really helping people identify with good practice techniques for relief from the individualistic physical pains that we all suffer. This teaching break has also been a great opportunity and time for me to re-commit to my studentship and finish the Therapeutic Anatomy training with Leslie Kaminoff.

Combining my love of the Classical Ashtanga Primary Series with training in therapeutic yoga (which, believe it or not really can integrate well), this Summer I am excited to present a workshop at The University of South Alabama Recreation Center in Mobile. And then there’s the retreat to Jamaica in September. All of the info for these events is on the website. One thing not yet posted on the website is a Fall one-day retreat at Camp Beckwith, Saturday October 26. Be sure to save the date for that.

I am enjoying being more active on Twitter (@yogabirds), Facebook, Instagram (@melaniebuffett), and sometimes Vine. If you’re on any of those platforms. I’d love to connect and keep in touch while I explore life outside of Fairhope and the yoga studio for a while.

Wishing you all the best Summer ever. And of course PEACE LOVE & YOGA!
xoxo Melanie

P.S. If you liked this post, please leave me a comment! I’d love to hear from you. Also, if you’re there, we can keep in touch on Social Media too!

May 1, 2013

Jazz Festing & Yoga (of course)

It’s festival time! Every year for almost 40 years, there has been at least one (if not more) member of my family present, out ‘in the Gumbo’ of music, food, art, and culture that is the New Orleans Jazz and Heritge Festival. This year my cousin Savannah and I are carrying the torch. We have been festing together since we were kids.

The fairgrounds can seriously tap energy stores if not adequately prepared. From experience and lessons learned we know to carry a bag of survival essentials to deal with sun, mud, port-o-lets, and logging miles on the track. It takes practice and stamina to work it right.

latenite — **(Very) Late Night Dance Party**

Along with the festival comes about ten straight days of incredible night shows all over town that run into the wee early morning hours. A big fest day can literally mean 18 hours.

Considering that one of the main reasons to be out in all of the wonderful madness is THE DANCING, it’s essential to keep our bodies feeling good and well. This year at the fest I heard more than a few folks talking about aching backs. And this just breaks my heart. No suffering allowed at Jazz Fest!

But, I can relate and it’s totally understandable. My back gets tired and aches after doing anything strenuous for an extended time and a New Orleans party is no joke! Whether it is the joyful occasion of a marathon of music and dancing, or any event that calls us into full mobile action for a considerable duration of time, we can and should participate fully without it taking a massive toll on our bodies. This is about enjoying life after all, right? So how do we do it all and still feel great for another day?

And yes, my answer is once again yoga. In this year’s scenario of epic Jazz Fest stamina, I have been extra diligent about weaving 5-15 minutes of restorative yoga breaks throughout my days. When I do the poses, if it’s possible, I give myself the full treatment of bolsters, blankets and an eye covering. If that’s not possible (or if I am out on the fairgrounds) I simply lie on my back with bent knees and cover my face with a hat or t-shirt or something. I turn the cell phone ringer off, and use the cell phone as a timer to make sure that I stay in the pose for a good amount of time–at least 3 minutes, but preferably 10. Using a timer actually helps to calm and quiet my mind more deeply and quickly which leads to the deep relaxation of the muscle fibers that restores them. Then the timer lets me know when it’s time to resume with activity.

fairgrounds — **The Pearly Festival Gates**

This past weekend I did a supported bridge pose for 10 minutes before leaving for the fest. After a full day of walking lots and dancing in the sun to funk, blues, and rock-n-roll, when I got home, my back was tired. I did legs up the wall and reclined cobblers pose. And voila, the ache-y tired back was completely restored in a matter of minutes and I was ready to go out for another round of fun. Saturday night required a few supported poses too, and the payoff was great. I had enough energy to stay up and watch one of the greatest music lineups of the year which started at 3am. Yes. Oh yes I did stay out all night long dancing! Which I have not done in as long as I can remember. My alarm clock (that wakes me up) went off before I went to bed. I can safely say that has never happened.

I even surprised myself that I was still up with energy to spare! No aching feet or back. And I am ready for another 4-day full weekend of it starting tomorrow. It hasn’t always been like this for me. There was a time when at this point in the festivities I was having to force and push myself into unhealthy places to endure the fun. That’s one way to do it, but I am much more happy and healthy (which is really what it’s all about) this go around. It’s all yoga and dancing and art and culture and most of all good company that fuels my fire.

At 40, I am more vibrant and have more stamina than I did in my 20’s and 30’s. This year’s Jazz Fest I feel better in body mind and spirit than ever. The longer I explore the art of restorative yoga as a daily practice, the more I believe in the healing and supportive gifts it offers in every scenario that life presents.

So…Get thee to a bolster, and then meet me ‘in the Gumbo’ for some dancing!

If you have enjoyed this post and photos, you’ll find more good stuff at the Yoga Birds Facebook Page, Yoga Birds Twitter Feed, and at Instagram. PEACE LOVE YOGA & KEEP IN TOUCH Y’ALL

April 11, 2013

LuLus, A Perfect Fit For Yogis

Most people don’t associate eating at LuLu’s with a yoga retreat. But Friday afternoon that collaboration manifests with the first ever Yoga Birds weekend retreat, catered by my mother’s restaurant LuLu’s at Homeport.

The retreat has been seven months in the making. I am ready and excited for the yogis to arrive. In the beginning planning stages I forecasted 8-10 folks attending. The coordinator at Camp Beckwith advised me to set my capacity higher, really just to be on the safe side to reserve rooms. So I set it at 20. Fifteen sign-ups in the first two weeks. I called the retreat center again and upped it to 30. I really did not anticipate selling out. But it happened.

This is totally great news, right? Yes. And then well… a couple of months into it, my original plan for catering fell through. And my second choice was not available. Teaching yoga…I got that. Feeding 30 people over an entire weekend…panic mode set in.

Obviously a call to my mom was in order. I needed motherly comfort-words and somebody to tell me ‘everything will work out.’ Plus, she is, after all, THE ultimate dinner-party guru of the Gulf Coast. If yoga is clarity, steadiness, and skill in action, then my mother’s yoga is the ability to feed large numbers of people with brilliant ease and a smile. Hence, the phenomenal success of LuLu’s.

Her restaurant is one of the top tourist destinations in Alabama and one of the highest grossing restaurants in the U.S. Her most famous offerings are her stellar Gumbo and (naturally) the Cheeseburger in Paradise. And although the burger is consciously made with local grass fed beef (which is unheard-of in these parts and in the high-volume restaurant industry in general), it is probably understandable that LuLu’s was not my first choice in doing the food for my all-vegetarian yoga retreat weekend.

Like an awesome mom, she totally stepped up for me, offering to help in any way that she or the restaurant could. In our initial conversation we thought there might be a few items on the LuLu’s menu that we could use. And then the plan was for her to personally work in her home kitchen to make the remainder of what the LuLu’s kitchen could not accommodate.

With yogis in mind, we embarked on detailed menu planning. We pulled items from all areas of the LuLu’s menu. And before we knew it, we had crafted nearly the entire vegetarian yoga retreat menu. We altered a few things by placing cheese and dairy products on the side and making soup with vegetable instead of chicken stock. We did add a couple of ‘outside’ items. But the majority of the meals are ‘ALL LuLu’.

Alabama Caviar (vegetarian black-eyed pea dip salad)

A brief synopsis of the weekend fare is: Friday night, a Greek salad, lentil soup, hummus, and pita. Saturday lunch is a big beautiful garden salad, LuLu’s famous Alabama caviar (pea dip salad), and raw veggies. Saturday dinner is black beans, brown rice, Cantina Salad, guacamole, salsa, and tortilla chips. Sunday is a ‘brown bag’ to-go lunch with my recipe for quinoa salad, an apple, and pita chips. Breakfast is granola, fresh fruit, juices, and muffins.

LuLu’s might be most well known for cheeseburgers, crab-melts, key lime pie, and margaritas. But you don’t have to dig too deep in her menu to find excellent choices fit for a bunch of vegetarian yogis.

It’s easy to be healthy at LuLu’s if you want to. And sometimes it’s fun to indulge in good old-fashioned comfort food. It’s all about balancing discipline and joy. Either way, mom’s got you covered and she’d LOVE to have you over for lunch or dinner this summer. PEACE LOVE YOGA & LULU Y’ALL

Check out mom’s place at www.lulubuffett.com.

August 5, 2008

Bliss On A Bolster

Supta Baddha Konasana, aka reclined bound angle pose, is one of my all-time fave restorative poses. Draped over the support of the bolster I go deep into relaxation in this one. The shape of the ‘propped-up’ pose makes for an effortless opening of the front body and a natural lift of the heart. It always leaves me high and full of light.

Judith Hanson Lasater is the queen of restorative yoga. I love her and have read most of her books. Check out her web site at http://www.judithlasater.com/about/