Off the Mat is a series on YBC that shares bits and pieces about what goes on off the yoga mat, and in my everyday life.
Focusing on
Time for a little check in on what's going on off the mat. The last time I wrote about my life off the mat I'd just finished up a week of regrouping, and had set a goal to continue to find a work/life balance.
YBC Mantra Box Goodies arriving
Wearing: jbrand jeans, f21 top (similar)
So, work continues and I approach every day psyched for the day ahead. I've been really strict on not doing anything work related before 9am or after 6pm and that's helped me to be more present when I'm out with friends or hanging with my fam.
Going to lunch
Wearing: old shorts (similar), sociable apparel top c/o (similar), mala beads
I also take a dedicated lunch break for at least 30 minutes. I usually head outside since it's been nice out and it's such a nice change from my working lunches. I notice that when I'm more mindful about my lunchtime, I enjoy my food more, and go back to my desk feeling rejuvenated.
Wearing lately
My friends at Sweaty Betty sent over a little care package that included this bomb tank. I love the deep cut arm holes so when I'm working out there's good ventilation.
Reading Lately
I had a major bout of food poisoning last week. Luckily, I had just received The Gates of Evangeline - a total page turner that I couldn't put down. I literally read it in one full night. It's got a supernatural element to it which I kind of wrinkled my nose at but I'm so glad I gave it a shot because it had me from the first page!
A sweet blogger friend send me the most thoughtful care package from when I was dealing with all that stress. The package included this book which I'm just getting into now, a bunch of Paleo-friendly goodies I can't wait to try out, and homemade cookies. I mean....does it get any better than that?! I felt so lucky opening that gift up - thank you, Hayley!
Primal Palate spices
Eating Lately
Hayley also sent some of her new line of organic spices that seriously improved my cooking game! The meat and potatoes seasoning is my current favorite. The entire line is USDA organic, gluten-free, non-gmo and Paleo friendly.
In other news, I had sushi today for the first time in.... years. It's not GAPS friendly, but lately I've been doing a cheat meal here and there just to see how my stomach can handle it. My cheat meals are still kind of healthy in the grand scheme of things - homemade french toast (with bread from Whole Foods, real maple syrup, full fat butter, organic eggs), sushi, home fries, Paleo cookies, etc. So far I'm psyched to report my stomach seems to be digesting and handling it well and I think I'll start to ease away from the GAPS diet in the coming months and switch to a more Paleo diet. I'm looking forward to incorporating things like quinoa, millet, and sweet potatoes - I know, really living on the wild side, eh?!
No but in all honesty, I'm feeling so happy. I feel so grateful to be able to digest these silly things like french toast and sushi because it wasn't so long ago that my stomach was in such rough shape from the Lyme Disease treatment that I would get severely distended after eating literally anything. I was in constant pain. The GAPS diet helped (here's my most recent update), and since it's a healing diet, there comes a point when it's time to move on, so I'm psyched that it seems that time has come.
Watched Lately
It'd been a while since we've been to the movies (last saw Entourage, ugh), and so the other day we went and saw Amy, the Amy Winehouse documentary. It was so beautifully done, and so moving. Highly recommended.
Another night, we stayed home and watched True Story with James Franco and Jonah Hill. It was pretty good, although I don't know, nothing to write home about I guess?
Online Lately
First, just quickly, the YBC Yoga Forum got an update and has a really clean, modern design and feel. It's also a bit more user-friendly. Check it out and if you're having trouble logging in, use either the email address you used when you signed up or your display name as the log in id.
In other news, I loved watching this BuzzFeed video on guys putting on eyeliner. I seriously cannot believe that drawing a black line across my eyelid makes me feel ten times prettier, but it's the truth. #WHY haha. "Handlebar eyeliner, yeah, like I'm dangerous." (Careful, there's language. Not safe for work.)
I'm not a mom (unless you count my husky, and actually, I totally think that counts), but this expat mothering series from Cup of Jo is fascinating.
In case you need a laugh
My dog slides if he sits on the kitchen floor unless we give him his magic carpet. 😂 pic.twitter.com/GixDQR8PKZ
— Candace (@yogabycandace) August 2, 2015Let's talk - What's been going on in your life? Read anything good lately? Watch anything I should check out?
Shop the look below