Om for the Holidays

When one has a cute and cuddly nephew who enjoys lots of snuggles, one is prone to getting the sniffles. I can hardly count how many times I have started to get sick this past year. Alack and alas, I am adding one more common cold to the count.

It came on suddenly last night and reminded me of how I really do need to take some extra time for self care and immune system building. As someone aptly pointed out yesterday, during the "Season of Giving" we are prone to giving to everyone else but ourselves. In order to best take care of others, however, we need to remember the importance of taking care of 'us'.

Yesterday, I enjoyed a wonderful afternoon doing just that. Our barre instructor Stephanie just got certified at Core Power Yoga. Core Power touts a physical workout with the mindfulness of a yoga practice. I arrived at the Brea studio for a noontime workout and was pleasantly surprised to find out the class is heated.

I have always wanted to try a heated class. Given that it was pretty cold outside (for California), I was especially excited. The class begins with the usual yoga flow, but quickly dives into an aerobic workout - pushups, arms, jumping jacks - all in manageable sections with music that will keep the mind off the burn (and heat). The best part: the class returns to the yoga flow with a meditative, shavasana ending. As you lay there like a puddle, the teachers come around with essential oils and massage your arms, neck, and head. I never wanted to leave that mat (wow, I just spelled that as Matt... who am I!?)

I managed to drag myself with the promise of stopping by Nekter on my way home. I eyed the juice bar (and there I go again, this time typing barre... can you tell what occupies my free time?) on my way to the studio and was excited to give it a try. I've been trying to boost my nutrition in these last months leading up to the wedding, and I figured an extra large serving of fruit and veggies would do me some good, especially since Sundays tend to be the day I want to grab for all the goodies. I opted for a toxin flush.

[Oh so greeeeen]

The toxin flush is a refreshing mix of Parsley, spinach, apple, lemon, and ginger. Provided a nice little punch and tasted totally refreshing. Turns out it was needed as later that day the symptoms of my raging cold began...

I was pretty down and out for a few days, but managed to keep to my routine as much as possible. By the time the holidays came around my sinuses were still acting up, but at least I could breath! And heck, I'd rather have gotten the sickness out of the way before the wedding. Although I did consume a lot of soup, illness did not keep me from the good stuff. But again silver lining: my lack of eating anything but soup for several days balanced out the few days of indulgence. It's all about balance.

We rang in the New Year with my family this year - watching movies, eating homemade pesto pasta made by Mosicle, and sipping on spirits. Ringing in the New Year was especially exciting as Matt and I will be celebrating by getting ourselves hitched! What a special way to start the year :)

[New Year's Day Hike]

On December 28, officially one month til the wedding, we enjoyed an afternoon out for lunch and then getting our marriage license. We are one permission slip closer to marriage! It's funny the amount of paperwork and steps you need to go through just to prove that you 1-aren't already married and 2-aren't first cousins. That and the amount of dough they want you to fork over. Oh well.

[Outside the County Recorder!]

The holidays were a wonderful time to yes, get some of the wedding stuff accomplished, but to also have time with Matt and with family to cherish time together during this extra special time in our lives. Looking forward to the joys to come in 2017!