Odds & Ends (& Something EXCITING!)

First things first, I apologize for being away from the blog for the last few days.  Things - somewhat unexpectedly - got a little crazy around here.  I ended up substituting for five different yoga classes this week, Bo was busy flying, and lots of other exciting things happened too...which, of course, is what this post it all about.  So, let's get to it!

1.  We FINALLY received orders!  

For those of you that aren't familiar with military lingo, orders are the official paperwork that tells you when you will be detaching from your current base, and when you are required to report to your new base.  Thankfully for us, we got lucky!  We will be detaching from Jacksonville, FL at the very end of November, and will have to report in Whidbey Island, WA sometime in December.  Our plan is to spend the month of December visiting family and enjoying the holiday season.  Then we will jet on up to Whidbey before the end of the year!  Truthfully, we couldn't have asked for a more perfect situation.  Once again, we are blessed.

2.  I recently discovered the cutest little health food store - what I would call a "local gem" - in none other than small-town Orange Park, FL.

For the past nine months, here I have been thinking that Orange Park had nothing of the sort; and then, the other day before yoga class, I overheard one of my fellow practitioners saying that she works in a health food store right down the street.

Seriously, how did I miss this?!

Anywho, I decided to swing by and check it out.  It was amazing!  Stocked to the brim with local produce, whole grains, vegan/vegetarian fare, and herbal remedies.  Now THIS is my kind of store!  I only wish my mom or friend Paige were here to go with me...they both love this sort of place.

Wall-to-wall grains, cake mixes, and cereal!

TEA...honestly, how could anyone choose just one?!

Organic and/or local beauty products...if only they weren't so expensive.

Beautiful. Organic. Produce.

CHOCOLATE!

(By the way, the Endangered Species is my absolute favorite brand of chocolate.  The best bar - in my opinion - is the 80% cocoa one.  But the 72% Dark Chocolate with Blueberries is a close second.  

I also feel really good about supporting the company because every time you purchase a bar, you raise support for species and habitats worldwide.  Each year, Endangered Species Chocolate donates 10% of net profits to environmental non-profits that are focused on wildlife conservation and habitat preservation.  Cool, right?!)

Almond/hemp/rice/oat milks and protein powders.

3.  We bought me a NEW CAR!

We are now the proud owners of a 2007 Honda CRV!  We got a great price on the car, and it has less than 50,000 miles on it.  It also has leather seats, cruise control (a HUGE update for me), heated seats, all-wheel drive (which, was a MUST for Whidbey), an Ipod dock, and much, much more.  Needless to say, I am THRILLED!

4.  My hair keeps on growin'!

I am hoping that by my birthday at the beginning of the new year it will officially be back down to my shoulders.  For the longest time I felt like my hair was growing at a snail's pace, but now when I compare pictures from my last birthday to now, I am amazed at how much it has grown.  If you don't believe me, see for yourself below!

January 8, 2012

October 27, 2012

I feel like it will DEFINITELY be back down to my shoulders by the time I hit the big 2-9!

Question of the Day:

Are there any "local gems" where you live?  If so, what are they?  Do you visit them often?  What makes these places special enough to call them a "local gem"?!

Blessings,
Ally and Bo

Northeast Florida Yoga Fest

Yesterday I had the honor of teaching in - and helping to organize - the 2nd annual North Florida Yoga Fest!  Since I wasn't around for last year's inaugural event, I didn't quite now what to expect.

But let me tell you, this event was OFF-THE-CHARTS AMAZING!

Savasana - Corpse Pose

Hundreds of yogis and yoginis circulated throughout the days' events.  There were children as young as 7 and 8 year's, as well as men and women in their 70's, all practicing on their mats at the same time.  It was truly AWE-inspiring!  The event also raised funds for Off the Mat, Into the World: a non-profit organization founded by yogi Seane Corn that uses the power of yoga to inspire conscious, sustainable activism and to ignite grassroots social change.  100% of the funds raised will go directly to Off the Mat, Into the World!  According to the donation page this morning, almost $5,000 were raised for the cause: power of yogis/inis UNITE!

Savasana - Corpse Pose

According to the event's official website:

The North Florida Yoga Fest is a collaboration of the Northeast Florida yoga community  to share yoga with everyone regardless of age, size, or ability.  Our mission is to preserve the integrity of yoga and share all the practices in a playful, loving, and  non-intimidating environment.  Yoga studios from all over North Florida come together once a year to bring you a family friendly yoga festival with some of the best teachers and classes in one place!!

Chandrasana - Crescent Moon Pose

During the morning's All Levels class, I served as an assistant (which, in yoga speak, means that I walked around and offered physical adjustments and assists to students practicing various yoga postures (i.e. asanas) throughout the class).

Chandrasana - Crescent Moon Pose

Look at those two cutie pie's practicing Downward-Facing Dog (Adho Muka Svanasana) with their mother!  Just imagine, by the time they are teenagers they will both be rock-star yoginis!

Just look at all those three-legged doggies!

Cobra (Bhujanghasana) and/or Upward Facing Dog (Urdhva Muka Svanasana).

Later in the afternoon, I served as one of twelve teachers in the "108 Sun Salutations to Benefit Off the Mat, Into the World" class.  Although it's blurry, below is the photographic evidence that I did, indeed, teach on a stage in front of hundreds of yogi/inis!

My, oh my, that was both thrilling AND a bit nerve-wracking!

Just look at all of those gorgeous Downward Facing Dogs!

Anjaneyasana - Low Lunge

Shining the heart towards the heavens in a gentle backbend!

Opening the heart space can feel SO yummy!

If you don't want to take my word for how AWE-some yesterday was, then here are just a few examples of what people had to say about Yoga Fest on Facebook last night:

• "Amazing group of energy today!  Thank you to all the yoga fairies who sprinkles their pixie dust under the bridge today!
• Awesome event! HUGE thanks to all! Organizers and participants!  Offering gratitude!!!
• You all did SUCH an amazing job!  Thank you!  Peace!

Talk about words of praise!  

Although I won't be in Jacksonville for next year's Yoga Fest, I can only imagine that it will continue to grow and grow, and become more and more empowering for practitioners all over North East Florida.  I feel incredibly blessed to have been a part of it this year, and know that I will take this passion and beautiful energy with me as I head to Whidbey Island, WA in a few weeks.

JAI Jacksonville yogis/inis!

(P.S. Jai means "victory" or "victorious" in Sanskrit.)

Question of the Day:

What's the most recent event you have attended in your community?! (i.e. Fall Festival?  Summer Concert?  etc.)

Blessings,
Ally and Bo