Leave a comment

Everybody Needs a Cheerleader

Posted by Suzanne on January 1, 2014 in Family, Life, Practice

CheerleaderI had my stints with cheerleading in middle school and dance team in high school. It was a logical outlet for a washed-up, too-tall, teen gymnast. It required lot of work, lots of practices and performances. It was also a lot of fun. But, from a parent’s point of view, is that the best activity for my kids to pursue? I heard someone say they would rather have people cheering for their kids than to have their kids cheer for others and it made sense to me. So, in general, we’ve encouraged our kids to participate in traditional team sports for physical activity.

Well, this winter I dropped the ball and didn’t register my youngest daughter for basketball in time, which opened the door for cheerleading. At first, I was really disappointed, she had tried cheerleading the year before and I was ready for her to move on to something new. She’s naturally pretty coordinated and I had hoped that basketball would be a good outlet for her.

As the season progressed I let go of the regret of missing the basketball experience and really enjoyed cheerleading. The fact of the matter is that this girl has a set of lungs on her and cheerleading may just be the right outlet. So, it had me thinking…. doesn’t everyone need a cheerleader. Those positive words and actions of affirmation can mean so much in the middle of the day-to-day grind.

Thinking about cheerleading made me more aware and thankful for the cheerleaders in my life. In respect to yoga, I am blessed with wonderful teachers who play that role. They gently encourage me to new boundaries and are there to celebrate breakthroughs.

As a yoga teacher, I am also extremely blessed with students who are cheerleaders. Their encouragement comes in forms of “thank yous” after challenging classes and in sharing their breakthroughs in their yoga practices (both physical and emotional). It is loud and clear when they encourage other students to attend classes or attend regularly themselves.

I think my internal cheerleader needs to take some queues from my teachers and students. I do catch myself from time-to-time in negative or neutral self-talk. So maybe my inner voice needs a little kick of “go, fight, win”. Positives mantras should do the trick (pom poms optional).

So, thank you to all of my cheerleaders, especially the one with the set of lungs. I think I’ll pay it forward by being a cheerleader myself. I’m going to be more conscious of sharing positive words and actions of affirmation, maybe you can join me. Go out and share a cheer of encouragement to someone today.

Namaste!

(This blog was originally posted on yoginiinprogress.blogspot.com.)

Permalink
1 Comment

Vegetarian Bierocks (a.k.a. Runzas)

Posted by Suzanne on January 1, 2014 in Food, Life

709d3-runza**Be sure to check out the updated recipe** 

If you’ve ever been to Omaha, you’ve probably heard of Runza. It’s a Nebraska-born chain of fast food restaurants that have been a staple around here for 50+ years. Their trademark offering is a German Bierock inspired oven-baked beef and cabbage stuffed sandwich. While it is fast food, the sandwiches are made from scratch daily and are delightful, comforting and filling. They are perfect on a cold wintry day. But, what’s a vegetarian (or experimental vegetarian) to do?

Here you go, my Vegetarian Bierock recipe… enjoy!

Vegetarian Bierocks (a.k.a Runzas)

Yield: 6 meal sized sandwiches or 12 party-sized sandwiches

Dough

¾ cup Water

1 Tbsp. Olive Oil

2 cups All-Purpose or Bread Flour

1 tsp. Salt

1 ½ Tbsp. Sugar

1 ¼ tsp. Bread Machine Yeast

Filling

2 tsp. Olive Oil

½ cup Onion, diced

2 cloves of Garlic, minced

2 – 8 oz. containers of sliced Baby Portabella Mushrooms

2 tsp. Basil

3 Tbsp. Vegetarian Worcestershire Sauce*

¼ cup Vegetable Stock

3 cups of Cabbage, shredded (about ¼ of a medium cabbage)

Salt and Pepper to Taste

2 Tbsp. All-Purpose or Bread Flour

*Vegetarian Worcestershire Sauce Substitute

1 tsp. Molasses

1 tsp. honey

2 tsp. Soy Sauce

1 ½ Tbsp. White Vinegar

  1. In a bread machine at the dough ingredients in order. Run the mixture on the “dough” cycle (mix the ingredients and allow the dough to rise).

  1. Preheat a large skillet, add olive oil and then saute the onion and garlic for about 2 minutes. Add the mushrooms and season with basil and pepper. (Don’t add the salt yet.) Continue to saute until the mushrooms are cooked, about 8 minutes. Add the Worcestershire sauce and cook another 1-2 minutes.

  2. Add the vegetable stock and then sprinkle the cabbage over the mushroom mixture. Reduce heat to low and cover for about 10 minutes.

  3. Runza doughAdd salt if needed. Sprinkle flour into the mushroom/cabbage mixture and stir. The flour should bind any of the remaining liquid. Allow the mixture to cool.

  4. Preheat the oven to 350*. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.

  5. Divide the dough into 7 equal parts. Roll 6 of the pieces out to about a 6X6 inch squares. Divide the remaining piece into 6 equal parts. Roll the small pieces out into about 2X2 inch squares.

  6. Layer the small square in the middle of the large square of dough. Add about ½ cup of the mushroom mixture to the center of the dough. Fold the dough, sealing the edges as you go. Place on the prepared cookie sheet.Runza Prep

  7. Bake at 350* for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.

Tips:

  1. To save time, use your favorite frozen bread dough. Be sure to thaw according to package directions.

  2. You can substitute ½ of the flour with wheat flour in the dough recipe.

  3. This recipe can easily be made vegan with the use of vegan sugar.

  4. These reheat easily and make yummy leftovers.

Enjoy & Namaste!

(This blog was originally posted on yoginiinprogress.blogspot.com.)

Tags: , , , , , , , Permalink
1 Comment

5 Love Languages of Yoga Teachers and Students

Posted by Suzanne on January 1, 2014 in Life, Practice

Love Languages BookHave you ever tried to have a conversation with someone who speaks a different language? It can take a lot of energy, nuances can be missed and intention can be misunderstood – making communication difficult or non-existent. In Gary Chapman’s Book, The Five Love Languages, he presents the idea that we all “speak” and “hear” love differently, just like languages.

The book details the five love languages as physical touch, words of affirmation, quality time, gifts and acts of service. We can all speak these languages, it’s just that some are our native languages. Typically, the way that you most comfortably show love determines your love language. Most people have one or two that are dominate. We can definitely choose to learn or practice the languages that do not come easily.

It makes sense doesn’t it? Your sweetie holds your hand (physical touch), trying to set a romantic mood, but what would really turn you on is if he unloaded the dishwasher (acts of service). Your sister sings your praises (words of affirmation), but what you would really enjoy is day together getting pedicures (quality time). These loved ones are all speaking love in one way or another, but if it’s not your language, it might get lost in translation.

This concept hit home for me several years ago when I first read the book. It helped me to understand my love languages (acts of service and words of affirmation), what I speak and what I hear most clearly and the love languages of my friends and family. It helped me to see that even though my loved ones weren’t speaking my language, they were expressing love in theirs. The piles of presents for my kids from grandma at Christmas were not just an exercise in retail excess, but each one was an sign of her love language, gifts.Heart Hands

The concept rings true at the yoga studio, a place bursting at the seams with love. I think that’s one of the reasons we are a home away, there’s a lot of love here in a lot of different languages. Every day, I see the different languages in action between the teachers and students.

  • Physical Touch – a warm hug when arriving at the studio, confident touch when adjusting a pose or the loving touch of a savasana adjustment.
  • Words of Affirmation – encouraging direction during class, recommendation of your favorite teacher or acknowlegement of a well-planned sequence.
  • Quality Time – arriving to class a few minutes early, being completely present during class or staying after to talk about what you’ve discovered during practice.
  • Gifts – delivering a tissue to an allergy afflicted yogi, the surprise of a perfectly warm chai tea latte or a discount on purchases.
  • Acts of Service – providing personal modifications, putting away the props for a fellow student or researching a personal challenge.

So, what’s your love language? There’s no right or wrong answer. Take a minute to think about what fills you up and warms your heart. But, also take some time to think about how you can speak love to the people in your life more poignantly.

Enjoy the Journey!

Suzanne

(This blog was originally posted on yoginiinprogress.blogspot.com.)

Tags: , , , , , , , Permalink