Meatless Monday: Fajitas

Welcome to another Meatless Monday Recipe!

My husband and I decided Fajita's were what was going down! I do enjoy eating "south of the border". With the lovely cutting of yours truly and the seasoning and cooking of the Hubster, we got a yummy and pretty healthy I would say dinner! 

It was very simple really.
1. Cut up your veggies. We used, 1 green pepper. 4 mini sweet peppers, 1 onion

2. Stir fry your veggies with vegetarian chicken strips. Add taco seasoning and spices to your liking.

 3. Cut up one Avocado. You can mash it into a paste if you wish, or just scoop out and spread it onto a flour tortilla. Use as much avocado as you may wish. My husband doesn't like beans so I figured avocado would be a decent substitute. 

4. Finish with a few "veggie toppers". Spinach, lettuce if you wish, and tomatoes. (Not all the garnishing is on this one. But you can imagine how yummy it is! 

5. If not, here it is! Yummy! Enjoy! 

Namaste all,
~Wy 

Weekly Updates: (September 9)

Incase you missed it, here are the my weekly updates! 
Links Below

Life Lessons from Don Quixote 9/3 The story of a Mad Man. Or is he? (My second MindBodyGreen article!) 

Meatless Monday: Broccoli Stuffed Tomatoes 9/3 A Yummy Recipe! 


What Tears Are These?: True Story 9/4 I respect my body and my journey. What tears are these? It is because this has turned into a prayer? 


In All Earnestness 9/5 Be fine with the fact you know good and well you can't keep up and Modify the Heck out of it! 

Dear Father's Of Mine Who Have Passed 9/8 An unexpected letter and lesson in love. 

Now here's a video to boost the spirits! I know it does mine! I hope everyone had a great week. Cheers to the new one! The Future is Ours! 

Namaste My Friends,
 ~Chelle aka Writer Yogi 

Dear Father's of Mine Who Have Passed

I wrote this as a response to Jennifer Pastiloff's post asking for letters to someone alive or passed. It was part of one of her posts to encourage connection between everyone and have us share our stories. I put it in my blog as a draft, and I kept it for some time and I'm not sure why. 

Perhaps because when I wrote it, I wasn't expecting what came out. Or I didn't realize that I was loved by three father figures in my life growing up in a single parent mother home and being around my friend's mothers. The dad's didn't influence us at all.

After high school, I found out that without even knowing it, my definition of a dad was "That guy married to your friend's mom who doesn't really talk to us (or when he does it's just annoying) and that your mom doesn't really like". Something to that extent. Which when you look at it is pretty bad. 

I am sad about the short time I got to have with my fathers. I do wish I could have spent some of that time better. I can say that I am very fortunate to have had them at all. Three of them. I guess, in a way, her post made me realize, instead of having no father's in my life at all, throughout this first quarter of my life, I have had three. This lifts and saddens my heart at the same time. Regardless, I believe the joy will eventually outweight the sorrow if I look at it the right way. 

I had three Father's in my life who loved me very much. Still something surprising and crazy to wrap my head around. I suppose though, when it comes to love, that's all that really matters. Here's my letter...

Dear Father's of Mine Who Have Passed,

Grandfather, thank you for playing games with me in your big old leather chair. I remember the cool feel of the brown and the smooth cracks with fluff I'd stick my fingers in. I will never forget you reaching over to the side pulling a lever, saying I broke the chair as we reclined and me laughing wildly as I shout "I saw you!"

Step Father Larry, thank you for loving my mother and letting her love you. You were the first man in my adult life to like me as a daughter. Growing up around mothers (and fathers that did nothing) I didn't understand it. I do still love you and I'm happy you loved me and my sister too.

Dad, I know we didn't know what do to with each other the first and only time we met. We didn't understand how one so old and one so young could meet on common ground. Thank you for telling my oldest brother, who you were very close to, how much you loved me. It means a lot.

Namaste my Friends,

~WY

In All Earnestness

During a wonderful practice with Amy Fecher, one of the great teachers at Practice Yoga, I get three things I love. Yoga, Sweat and Spirituality.

Great asana that crumples you up, or twists you around and bends you so at the end, you are open. In reality, you don't feel mashed at all. At the end of class, I feel all ironed out. I'm smooth. I am oh so happy. 

The sweat means I'm warm. I'm working. My Ujjayi is rolling in and out. All the toxins and bad vibes are seeping through my skin and on the surface. Taking a towel I can wipe them away. There are points when I don't even have to. It can't hold on for it's life and drips to puddles on my mat. 

When my mind wandered in savasana, as it often does, I won't even deny it (and neither should you) I noticed what it was actually wandering too. Oooh, I should make a smoothie with that frozen fruit I have, I'm glad I have been practicing daily lately, My body feels so good it's like it's not even there. I think I may be my soul right now, a bit outside of my limbs. 

Amy always says, "You are already there." I Love That! Every time. I am already there. When she says it, my mind immediately perks up with excitement and victory. Yeah I am! I'm good. I am who I am supposed to be. There is no battle, I already won. Everything I think is not going to be okay, already is okay. 

Another thing I notice is, I go to her class knowing full well I can't keep up with everything but I Don't Mind. I go to her class and am willing to modify the heck out of whatever I need to or just child pose for a moment. Like all beginners, and some not, I don't always feel completely at ease when everyone else is still flowing. That's normal. The point is, for the most part I am fine. The moment of not appreciating where I am at passes rather quickly. Realizing this today opened my mind up to my own home practice and Mysore style. 

The reason I don't feel the same for my home practices is for the fact I don't come to it with the same attitude. I skip a pose because I know I'm not there yet, even though I probably could at least try. I leave out a few vinyasa's to save energy to finish the practice  later. That is Not giving my all to myself! I understand, you are not supposed to wear yourself out. I am not saying that. You Do however have the obligation to put whatever you have into it. Be fine with the fact you know good and well you can't keep up and Modify the heck out of it! 

After class my mind went to the Yoga Sutra's I am making my way through. The Sutra that hit home the most so far is "Practice becomes firmly grounded when well attended to for a long time, without break and in all earnestness" (I.14). Did you catch it? "With All Earnestness"! I go into Amy's lovely class completely comfortable with my skill level and give it all I have. That is how my practice will grow if I can do it For Myself and On My Own! No matter what practice, whose practice or where, in order to reach my fullest physical, mental and spiritual potential I must approach it with all earnestness or I will forever stay stagnant. 

Thanks Amy for the wonderful class again! I really learned a lot today!

Namaste my Friends,

~Chelle aka Writer Yogi 

What Tears Are These?: True Story

I respect my body and my journey.

When I thought that up for my mantra, I don't even think I completely knew what it meant. I knew, but the depth wasn't there. I knew I wanted to focus on my goal for better health and patience on my journey through yoga and properly following my calling in life. Okay, I'll go with it.

I was holding my mala. Rubbing each uncultured pearl in my right pointer finger and thumb. Then my left. Switching between the two. At first just going through the motions. 

One, two, three.....
Sixteen, seventeen....
Thirty Seven, Thrity Eight, Thrity Nine....

I respect my body and my journey. I respect my body and my journey. Have I reached the middle of the strand? I don't want to miss one pearl. 

Uneven and smooth in my fingers.I respect my body and my journey. Again and again and again until I made the choice to use the mala for what it was for. 

I'm going to put this mantra into my mala. I will put my energy into every pearl so it can't forget. It will forever hold this energy and mantra as the foundation of its power. I respect my body and my journey.

Fifty One,
Fifty Two... Fifty Two,
Fifty Three,
Fifty Two,
Fifty Three,
Fifty Four... Fifty Four... Fifty Four....

I wasn't counting anymore. I was trying to feel the pearls at the end and repeated some. There wasn't enough to move on and I didn't want to go back to where I was. So I grabbed the whole mala in my hands. Clutching them like a baby blanket from years passed. 

I respect my body and my journey. Why am I crying? What tears are these? Is it because this has turned into a prayer? 

Just below room temperature and the size of  dew drops. I can't bend my mala to fit completely in my hands like warm stones from beach sand. So I clutch and rotate. 

I respect my body and my journey. I respect my body and my journey. I won't stop until this trinket has all the energy I have to give it. I will build a foundation of good energy. This will be the beginning of all that is good for me. I will leave my prayer here and I can always come back for it later. Then add more.I respect my body and my journey. Tears to chin. I respect my body and my journey. Tears to t-shirt. I respect my body and my journey. I respect my body and my journey. 

I finish with a Namaste to the yogis before me for passing on the practice, Namaste to the universe, Namaste to myself for being brave enough to practice and meditate. Who knew it would turn into a prayer? 

~WY

Meatless Monday: Broccoli Stuffed Tomatoes

Time for another yummy recipe for Meatless Monday! 

I actually made this some time last week. It's a recipe I got from an old book for Broccoli Stuffed Tomatoes. For those who don't like tomatoes, this recipe can be substituted with a potato I'm sure, or something else of the sort! Now I do hope you pardon the picture quailty. I will give you the recipe in a nutshell then give you the step by step photo instructions from my tiny hallway I call a kitchen! haha.

 Hollow out four tomatoes and boil a 10oz package of frozen chopped broccoli 

A better view of the tomatoes. I honestly used a plastic ice cream scoop to accomplish this. It was really easy!

Here is where I got creative. Drain the broccoli. I honestly have no idea what a garlic roll is so I used Mozzarella cheese, and a dash of garlic and herb spice and my liking of garlic salt. (Can you tell I tend to cook as I feel at times?) Heat it so the cheese gets melty.

Lasty, stuff the tomatoes with your cheese and broccoli mixture and place in an oven preheated at 375 degrees for 10 mins and you have a lovely meal!

Buon Appetito! Happy Meatless Monday my friends,

Chelle aka Writer Yogi 

Life Lessons From Don Quixote

My life changed when I saw the 1972 movie Man of La Mancha with Peter O'Toole and Sophia Loren. Don Quixote was the smartest man ever! Yes, the man who called a windmill a giant and a tavern prostitute a chase maiden and meant it. How could this man who appeared to get it all wrong, actually get it all right? 

Find out in my second article to go live on MindBodyGreen: Life Lessons From Don Quixote.

I am so honored and proud! Thank you for reading!

Namaste my Friends 

Weekly Updates (September 2)

Alright all my friends, in case you missed it, it's time for my weekly updates! 

Links Below

Meatless Monday 8/27: My first Meatless Monday and why I've decided to join in! Will you? 

Take A Step Outside 8/28: Sometimes five minutes is all you need to catch something great! 

3 Reasons To Live An Ujjayi Life 8/29: And introduction to my blog and Victorious Living! 

September is National Yoga Month!! 

A month created by the Yoga Hearth Foundation dedicated to teaching those unfamiliar with yoga about the practice and also to encourage current practitioners to continue theirs or get back into it if it's been lacking. One of my end of the year goals is to practice at least 4 times a week. What a perfect opportunity to get that started! Oh universe, how on time you are. So in the spirit of the month here are some words from the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali.

"Practice becomes firmly grounded when well attended to for a long time, without break and in all earnestness." 

Namaste and Much Love to My Friends and Readers

~Chelle aka Writer Yogi 

3 Reasons To Live An Ujjayi Life

Non Yogi's always ask me when they see the name of my blog "What's that word?" I then tell them Ujjayi is a type of breathing in yoga and how breath is life. Furthering my yogic journey I've found this word means so much more! Ujjayi translates into VICTORIOUS. 

Reading the section on breath in "The Ashtanga Yoga Practice Manual" by David Swenson, I read this and stopped. Then re-read. It means what?! Let me explain why I was so blown away. It totally enhanced my understanding of yoga, breath, and the meaning of my own blog. So here are my 3 Reasons To Live An Ujjayi Life.   

1.) It's the key to Yoga and Asana practice. Often You will hear the teacher say "You may now begin your Ujjayi breathing" or ""Don't forget your Ujjayi." I can now think of this term beyond "lions breath" or the "ocean sound".  I can begin my victorious breathing. Can't forget to my victory. See how fulfilling that is?  I can see why it is often said if you can breathe, you are practicing yoga. According to Patanjali in the Yoga Sutras "If the restraint of the mental modifications is achieved one has reached the goal of Yoga." We accomplish this by breathing. Clearing, enhancing and strengthening the mind. (Let me not get ahead of myself).

Breathing into a pose will be so much more meaningful now. Usually the thought crosses my mind that I need to push so that I can stay in the pose for just one more breath. If we breathe ujjayi; victorious, into our falling arms or heavily sighing thigh muscles in Warrior II, it can be a more pleasant experience. A boost up into the pose instead of a push forward. 

2.) Breathing clears the mind in more than one way. (Now onto the mental aspect.)  The breath gives you something powerful to focus on rather than you're own random thoughts during meditation.  All that good ole oxygen helps increase grey matter in the brain. I'm not the the scientific sort so I unfortunately can't fluently describe this. In Chelle speak: "It's good stuff for your brain woot!" In times of frustration, sadness, stress or what have you, what are we always told? "Calm down and take a breath." Now, I won't take any breath.  I will let the ocean soar from my throat or a humble lions roar. Victory in and out of my lungs. What ever is gong on will soon enough be sorted out. 

3.) Life Itself! When I realized I named my blog "Victorious Life" my heart jumped weeping excitedly. Is that not the goal of this blog, my life, all our lives? Controlling all the negative nonsense that floats around in our heads. Being present in every moment possible so we don't miss today, which is everyday. Expressing who we really are, which is always inside of us and fulfilling our purpose.  Connecting and learning from one another as if we all had ancient secrets in our DNA that mutated beautifully with freedom. Opening our hearts so they are not whole vessels but cups perpetually to be simultaneously filled and overflowing with love. 

So here it is. My Official Introduction to my blog.

Welcome to Ujjayi Life

Our Victorious Life 

Welcome and Namaste My Friends

Yours,

~Chelle aka Writer Yogi

Take A Step Outside

So this week I am on vacation!! Yay!! That means I get to write as much as I want and to have the energy to  enjoy what we are supposed to enjoy on a regular basis.  That doesn't mean I don't have the tendency to shut myself inside on the computer. This happened most of yesterday, but I did have a weekend of outings and the week is still young! 

Taking a quick moment to think, "I should go outside and read a few pages of the Yoga Sutra's" (so pumped to read it!) I did just that. I wish I could remember the article I read, but I believe it said something about if you don't follow a decision you make within 30 seconds (it could have been less) you won't do it. So if I hadn't gotten up, grabbed my book after putting some cinnamon rolls in the oven and stepped outside I would have missed this!....

It was a lot brighter outside but my phone couldn't handle it haha. I still love how they turned out. Especially when I began to play with effects. I'm so glad I listened to myself in the few seconds it took that thought to cross my mind. I noticed the wind was blowing and ran all the way upstairs and took my phone off the charger to get these pictures because a few minutes later, that gap in the trees was bare! If I had remembered I have an actual camera (it had been so long without one I am still not used to it!)  I would have shown you the spider web on my porch railing connecting to the bush beside it, if I could have figured that out. *chuckle* 

Today, or any day for that fact, Let's attempt to use a few minutes or seconds to take a step outside. 

Namaste my friends,

~Chelle aka Writer Yogi