Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Planks are cool.

Practice the plank everyday and remember it's a full body exercise.  When clients ask me for homework, this is always one on the list!

Monday, January 27, 2014

Soup time!

So it's that time of year when I make lots of soup - pretty much once a week.  In my quest to keep my soup interesting, I came across this recipe that totally rocked my world.  I definitely wish I had made a double or triple batch...




Carrot Soup with Miso and Sesame

Soup
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 pounds carrots, peeled, thinly sliced
1 large onion, finely chopped
4 regular or 6 small garlic cloves, peeled and smashed
1 tablespoon finely chopped or grated ginger, or more to taste (it could easily be doubled)
4 cups vegetable broth
1/4 cup white miso paste, or more to taste

To finish
Drizzle of toasted sesame oil
2 scallions, very thinly sliced
Heat oil in heavy large saucepan over medium heat. Add carrots, onion and garlic sauté until onion is translucent, about 10 minutes. Add broth and ginger. Cover and simmer until carrots are tender when pierced, stirring occasionally, about 30 minutes.
Puree soup in batches in blender, or all at once with an immersion blender. In a small bowl, whisk together the miso an a half-cup of the soup. Stir the mixture back into the pot of soup. Taste the soup and season with salt, pepper or additional miso to taste.
Ladle into bowls and garnish each with a drizzle of sesame oil and small mound of scallions.

Friday, January 24, 2014

MEOWLS and the Quest for The True Self


The general consensus in the Pilates industry is that our bodies are machines that we must learn to control.  However, the more I practice Qi Gong and meditation I find that belief to be erroneous.  The ways that we move can be explained mechanically but does that necessarily mean they are inherently mechanical?  When you watch someone move beautifully or gracefully does it look like they are trying to control a machine??  Probably not.

Movement in your body is the unique experience and expression of the self.  What is the true self?? The true self is what remains when you peel back all the tension, fear and anxiety you have collected over your lifetime.  The true self is pure beauty, energy and light.  It is creativity and intuition.  It is raw, vulnerable, unbridled and brilliant.

So, whats the deal with the picture of the Meowl???  You know, the hybrid cat owl creature thats clearly the fabrication of someone who found it hilarious.  
It a raw expression of the true self!!!!

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

A good looking, healthy lentil soup

Golden Lentil Soup

  • Makes 6 to 8 servings
  • Start to Finish: 1 1/2 hours

Ingredients

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 sweet onion, finely chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
1 serrano chile, seeded and minced
½ teaspoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon ground cumin
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
¼ cup white wine
2 cups golden lentils (available at gourmet markets and specialty grocers), rinsed and sorted for stones
8 cups vegetable broth (or water)
Plain Greek yogurt, as garnish
Roughly chopped cilantro, as garnish
Pinch of smoked paprika, as garnish

Directions

1. In a large pot, warm the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and sauté until translucent, 5 to 6
minutes. Add the garlic and serrano chile and continue to cook, stirring frequently, until the onion is
caramelized, 8 to 10 minutes more.
2. Season the onion with coriander, cumin, salt and pepper, and cook until fragrant, 1 minute more.
Add the wine, bring to a simmer and cook until the liquid is almost completely reduced.
3. Add the lentils and stir well to combine. Add the broth and bring to a simmer over medium heat.
Reduce the heat to low, then cover and cook until the lentils are just tender, 25 to 30 minutes.
4. The soup can be served immediately or refrigerated in an airtight container for up to four days. To
serve, ladle the soup into bowls and top with a dollop of yogurt, a sprinkling of cilantro and a pinch of
smoked paprika.


Monday, January 20, 2014

Good News, Coffee Lovers! It's OK To Have That Cup Of Joe

I love to start my day with a cup of Joe. This article talks about how coffee fights cancer and is good for your heart yet also goes into the downsides. Click below to read more.




http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-12312/good-news-coffee-lovers-its-ok-to-have-that-cup-of-joe.html

Saturday, January 18, 2014

Starting Student Teaching... Once Again!

So, as many clients of Urbancore that have met me know, I'm a preschool teacher by day. Therefore, I've already completed over 700+ hours of student teaching. Well, I'm at it again and all those feelings I felt at the beginning of my last student teaching endeavor are resurfacing! The exciting feeling of something new and the ambition of making a difference (cheesiness makes an appearance right there!) come with the beginning of learning something new one is passionate about. And I'm so excited to pass on that passion, and cheesiness (hee hee!) to each person I work with at the studio!

Let the fun begin!

Friday, January 17, 2014

Want A FREE Facial? (And Wine)


Please join us for
Annie's Business Launch with a free facial - Botanical, Vegan Style!

Saturday, January 25th 3:30 PM
With your hosts Annie & Angela
Urbancore studio
3656-G N. Lincoln Ave.

Please RSVP to Annie at annielaugen@gmail.com or 312-952-2448

Annie/Angela has found a new skincare line she loves and wants to share with all of you. Come for a vegan, botanical, cruelty-free facial experience. Your skin will look youthful and feel fantastic! Please RSVP, and let us know if you'd like to bring a friend. 

If you'd like to check out the products before the party (We have everything from anti-aging to baby care to cosmetics to nutritionals) you can browse the web at Arbonne.com


Thursday, January 16, 2014

Noises Off!

In my household there is a divide in thinking concerning ambient noise.  I am of the 'quiet is best' school of thought, while my significant other prefers to have background noise at all times.  Luckily we are able to compromise peacefully most of the time, but our discussions sometimes get me thinking about just how much noise we accept as 'normal' in our everyday lives.  I really enjoy the times I'm able to completely unplug and find some quiet in my life, and now I have some science to back up my gut feeling that these are valuable and recharging periods.  Here's an article I found that highlights some of the dangers of excessive noise in our lives.  How do you feel about noise?  Is silence golden, or does some background music help you think?

Resolutions?

Anyone make any resolutions this New Year?  Any chance you are starting to feel a little less enthusiastic about them?  Maybe a little frustrated that you have not yet achieved some of them?  
It has now been a couple of weeks, and making change may not feel quite so exciting.  It's hard to reprogram our habits!!  So here is a little inspiration for you:





Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Breakfast from the blender


Check out this mornings' breakfast juice before and after. Kale, green apple, tomato, lemon, cucumber, beet, carrot, ginger, water & ice!


Monday, January 13, 2014

11 Ways To Be The Change You Wish To See In The World

Great article. I love this!

http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-12189/11-ways-to-be-the-change-you-wish-to-see-in-the-world.html

Do you ever get frustrated that the world seems to be on a downward spiral? It’s easy to feel helpless in the face of war, environmental damage and inequality. But there's a way you can take back your sense of control and power and, as the saying goes, be the change you wish to see in the world.
1. Be grateful.
Not just for the things you have in your world, but for the people too. Tell them how much you love and appreciate them.
2. Show it when you're thankful.
Had a great service in a restaurant? Did someone say something kind to you just at the very moment you needed a lift? Thank them. Why not give those around you (yes, even those you don’t know very well) the gift of a positive comment?
3. Be joyful.
It can seem like there's so much negativity in the world: news programs that only show disasters, corruption and arguing politicians, illness, relationship breakdowns, layoffs, conflict. Many of us can get into a funk or worse when we see all the conflict and drama. So provide a counterbalance for those around you, and become a role model for joyful living. This doesn’t mean being a Pollyanna, ignoring pain or laughing at misery. Nor does it mean pretending to be happy when that’s not how you feel inside. But it does mean not being afraid to share your joy. Look at the Dalai Lama — exiled from his country, witness to so much horror and cruelty in his lifetime, yet smiling and joyful.
4. Be kind.
I don’t know why, but kindness seems to be out of fashion in lots of circles, replaced by tough love and blaming people for their misfortunes. It would seem the milk of human kindness is in short supply, according to many newspapers and reality TV shows I see. But I refuse to believe it to be true. Reach out when you see someone fall. Give the kind word. Help with the groceries. Compliment people. Be compassionate. Just be a bit nicer. Don’t let the world grind you down and harden you. Put out what you’d like to get back.
5. Beware of judgment.
We all judge. We all look down on people. Every. Single. One. Of. Us. Don’t beat yourself up for it — just be aware and make sure you don’t act on it. Make sure you challenge yourself when you do. And make sure you’re aware of WHY you judge. When we judge, we dehumanize and reduce someone down to her actions. We do it to make ourselves feel better. Instead of judging, try a bit of empathy. It works wonders.
6. Let go of the need to be right.
How many times have you found yourself in an argument and forgotten what you were arguing about? Ask yourself if it’s really worth it. Where can you find some common ground? Would you rather be right than be happy?
7. Accept things for what they are.
Fighting the things that can’t be change is the surest route to unhappiness. Instead, accept and make the best of your situation, even as you try to make changes.
8. Practice self-compassion.
Being good to yourself will help you to be a kinder, more compassionate person all around. You can’t give to others what you don’t give to yourself.
9. Don’t take your sh*t out on other people.
We all have bad days. We get stressed out. It doesn’t help anyone if you're snapping, snarling and generally discharging to everyone around you. If you need to blow, take yourself off somewhere quiet and deal with it. Don’t be the cause of someone else’s bad day.
10. Connect with your sense purpose.
When you live and work to your values and purpose, you build joy, resilience and passion. You discover strengths you never knew you had and become a beacon of possibly to others.
11. Look for the good in the world.
It’s all around you. Smile. That’s infectious.

Invest in yourself this year


That's my kind of motivational poster!

Sunday, January 12, 2014

Pilates at Lululemon Southport!

This morning we had a great group of chicks at our guest Pilates mat class at Lululemon Southport. Thanks to all our community friends in the neighborhood and at Lulu for making it a huge success!

Friday, January 10, 2014

You > Any Weather



I can't say that I would personally recommend attempting what this woman is doing in the photo
above, however the spirit of the picture is important.  Brave the cold and do the damn thing!!!

Thursday, January 9, 2014

Brrr!


Happy Thursday everyone!  It may still be cold outside, but we're keeping it warm here at Urbancore, come and join us!

Displaying IMG_20140108_191321.jpg

Wednesday, January 8, 2014

the big warm-up!

After a few days of arctic blasts (and lots of excuses to delay those 2014 workouts), it's going to be 40 degrees in Chicago this weekend.  Downright balmy.  So get out there and move.  Or get in here and move!






Monday, January 6, 2014

Do You Know What's Really In Your Tea?



If you are a tea drinker, you might want to read this. Very interesting. I did not know that most conventional tea is not washed before putting into bags and contains pesticides. I also did not realize that tea can contain artificial flavoring, natural flavors and hidden GMO. I just assumed most tea is healthy. Wrong!

You can check out the full article here:
http://foodbabe.com/2013/08/21/do-you-know-whats-really-in-your-tea/

Thursday, January 2, 2014

Have you ever been a January Joiner?

imageHere we are in January again, and many of us have made resolutions to make 2014 the best year yet.  A noble goal, as always, but what can we do to make sure the surge of good intentions brought on by a new year don't fade into apathy come February?  For me, it took a number of factors to change my perspective on working out and being healthy, but finding a workout I truly loved was a pivotal moment.  I'm hoping many of you will give Pilates a try this year and fall in love like I did, and even if it's not Pilates, I hope you find whatever it is out there that makes you want to be your very best you.  If you're having a hard time finding motivation or thinking about the pitfalls of this whole January Joiner phenomenon, you can check out this old article I dug up on the subject, here.  Happy New Year!!