At dinner a month or so ago with dear friends and colleagues Leah Stewart of LiveLife Pilates For New Mother’s and Lisa Hubbard of Rhythm Pilates, we were discussing how the past six month’s have offered a welcomed shift in our small Pilates community. Many of us have been teaching for years now, slowly building our own brands, navigating the waters of competitors, who’s doing what, how’d they get there and managing the temptation of feeling jealous.

So yeah, that jealous feeling. Truth be told, I decided awhile ago to do my best to excommunicate it. This is partly why I began theming my season’s. Healthy competition I’ll happily keep around, but jealously leads to feeding the dysfunctional ego and general toxicity from the inside out. What I’ve learned and gained much perspective on, is that supporting one and other not only feels good, but it truly makes a difference within our community at large. Additionally, I often times think back to those who have championed and paid it forward for me, and the fact that I/we should consider it our duty to recognize talent, passion and purpose and help push those qualities forward.

Having had a wonderful Summer of Bliss and a mind blowing Autumn of Solidarity I was telling Leah and Lisa that I was sad to be “leaving” (but not forgetting) solidarity because so many amazing opportunities have surfaced during this time of “juicy goodness.” I remember saying, “I’m in such a great flow right now.” I have definitely realized what I don’t want and made steps to stare what I do want directly in the face and put it out there. This is when it happened! The theme for my winter. I am now officially in the winter of flow and loving it!

flow: v. - move along steadily and continuously in a current or stream. circulate continuously within a particular system. proceed or be produced smoothly, continuously, and effortlessly. 

Take some time, regardless of your industry, and think about who and how you can support. Break down the walls of negative thought, self loathing and playing the comparison game. Remember you are uniquely you and there is plenty of room and opportunity to go around. Think about your undercurrent, your message, your passion, your purpose and what those qualities can offer to others. You’ll be pleasantly surprised at the boomerang effect and the great group, or collective of people, who enter and stay in your life. Pay it forward. Pay it forward. Pay IT forward. And always remember…to go with the flow.

As my Summer of Bliss Tour comes to a close, I reflect on what an amazing and positive experience it was to create a theme or mantra for that season. It allowed my energy and attitude to be focussed on staying true to the theme, as well as setting new goals and daily musings accordingly. Some of the simple yet lovely undercurrents of my Summer of Bliss included Stand Up Paddling more, packing picnics, changing my “to do” list to my “tah dah” list, sharing compliments and smiles with those around me and cherishing / making time / reaching out to friends.

Because of the economical and effortless outcome of the Summer of Bliss, and my wish to continue to enlist / utilize the aforementioned learnings, it’s time for me to delve into topics for autumn and what this season will mean. When September arrives I often think of the word “change.” The air begins to get a bit more crisp and smells fresh. You see the color of the blue sky become more vibrant and punctuated with bright marshmallowy clouds. I also think about connectedness and cohesion. We are getting prepared to finish out the rest of calendar year and need to remain focussed yet thoughtful.

This brought me to the word SOLIDARITY.

“Our SOLIDARITY is what gives us the credibility & power to make changes.”

sol.i.dar.i.ty: noun – unity of agreement of feeling or action, especially amongst individuals with a common interest. mutual support within a group. synonyms: unity, like-mindedness, agreement, accord, harmony,  cooperation, consensus, fraternity, mutual-support.

So there you have it. Entering into fall begins my Autumn of Solidarity. I hope to remain enchanted and inspired by my Summer of Bliss and continue uncovering new possibilities / setting clear intention and purpose paving the path for the new year. Won’t you come along?

Okay, so my husband truly is the person responsible for this post. He’s VERY into his running shoes and quite picky about the “feel” of his toe box, positioning and support of the arch and general coziness of the heel bed. I, happily, just ride the wave of his research and am lucky that our foot beds and toe strikes are similar. So, here’s the skinny:

Shoe: Brooks Green Silence

Surface : Road/Track

Pronation : None/Normal

Build : Small, Medium

Competition : Road racing

Arch : Flat, Medium, High

Category: Competition/Neutral

Weight: 6.9 oz

One of Brooks More Minimal Shoes:
• Midsole Height: Heel (18 mm), Forefoot (10 mm)
• Outsole Height: Heel (3 mm), Forefoot (3 mm)
• Heel-to-Toe Offset: 8 mm
• Tooling Height: Heel (21 mm), Forefoot (13 mm)

Green Features:
• BioMoGo, the world’s first-ever biodegradable midsole for running shoes
• 75% of the shoe’s materials are post-consumer recycled
• Biodegradable insole and collar foams

OVERALL:

So far, I test drove these for an easy 3 miler to break them in, and also for 90 minutes of HIIT, including many sprints and fast twitch changes. Overall, these shoes are brilliant for MY feet. Toe box is roomy, but not overly. General fit is comfortable and not too tight. Sole is nice and juicy, without feeling like you’re running on top of marshmallow creme. No blisters, no new calluses. Fit is pretty true to size. You may be able to go DOWN a half size; however, as you wouldn’t want as much space as your cushion distance runners. I went from an 8.5 to an 8.

LOOK:

Super cutting edge look with interesting lace patterns. A variety of colors for both men & women. Definitely stylish and comment worthy.

USE:

I will use these for shorter run / speed days, plus HIIT training. Runs which are more than 5 miles, will stick with my Montrail trail running shoes or Adidas Supernova for road.

PRICE:

These guys are in the $100 range, but we found ours at Road Runner for $79.00. Considering my trail & cushion shoes run about $100+, I was pleasantly surprised.

If you’re a neutral runner in the market for a fun run flat and want to look great while challenging your pace, these shoes are for you. I will definitely purchase another pair.

Here’s to happy feet!

I’m not quite sure why, but for some reason I wanted to theme my summer. I guess it’s my way of saying “welcome” and additionally creating an under current / subconscious focal point, (reminder if you will), during times where I may slip into a slightly sour space. After moving through some challenges in the beginning of 2011, I put some thought on what I would like to perpetuate during the summer months….and perhaps beyond. BLISS was one of the first words which came to mind. SO, enter my Summer Of Bliss journey, tour, theme, mantra…you get it.

One may think the word BLISS may seem costly or expensive, but this summer I’m dedicating my time and energy on finding inexpensive, simple and easy ways to experience the aforementioned. Okay, I know this isn’t original thought, but in my mind, it’s all about perspective. A way of looking and things, life, that moment, that minute, that simple pleasure. It’s there. You just have to find it!

And so my journey begins. So far, I’m about a week and a half into this tour and my BLISSFUL encounters are as follows, with hopes to add many, many more in the coming months. I encourage you to theme your season as well, or happily jump on board the Summer Of Bliss Tour!

• Riding in Blue Baby (our ’71 super beetle convertible) with the two dogs, witnessing strangers smile and wave.
• Ginger Agave Elixir & exciting news from a dear friend.
• My husband declaring that it’s speedo weather and opting to garden in them vs. board shorts.
• Allowing time for my body to rest and not feeling guilty for skipping my exercise regime for a few days.
• Reconnecting & reminiscing with my cousins.
• Swimming, swimming, swimming.
• Reading, reading, reading.
• Perfecting and permitting myself to nap.
• Wearing a durndl (think the St. Pauli Girl outfit here) & dancing the Chicken Dance with my lederhosen clad husband.
• Taking a road trip and not turning on the radio one time, but instead chatting with my husband.
• Learning about Ancient Civilizations (yes, this was incredibly boring as an adolescent, and surprisingly much more fascinating as an adult).
• Frozen mango.
• Choosing to log-out of technology and log-in to life more often.
• Changing my TO DO list to my TA DAH list.
• So far, a few “party of one” living room dance sessions to Pitbull & LMFAO.
• Afternoon iced coffee with almond milk & stevia made with the leftover from the morning pot.
• A mild sunburn (no, not proud here, but did remind me of my childhood) and putting on soothing aloe vera gel.
• Quitting my Words With Friends & Scrabble games. FREEDOM!
• Planting a lettuce garden.
• My blooming gardenias which are ready to cut and fill my home with free cheerful cut flowers.

Okay, so that’s my jumping off point. I’m TOTALLY ready to continue, explore, learn and enjoy! Won’t you come along? Or at the very least, find inspiration and get your Summer of ______ Tour on the road.

Do you ever have those childhood memories where you HATED what your Mom cooked for dinner? I do, unfortunately. I love my Mom. I love even more that she tried desperately to fuel us with over cooked Brussels sprouts, spinach, lima beans, radishes, (served with mayo on the side no less), and much more, but was unconvincing in her cooking technique.

As an adult, and newfound foodie / passionate cook, (ahem, I used to only know how to make sandwiches and Mac & Cheese from a box when I first married 15 years ago), I’ve realized that the aforementioned, (plus MANY other amazing super foods which I used to HATE), are delicious, delightful and decadent.

Today, I focus and share a recipe based on the tender and satisfying lentil.

Madras Lentil Frittata: (Gluten Free, Vegetarian, Includes Dairy)

Okay, so I cheat a bit here. I’m a girl of truth and ease, so one day I went to Costco and found these bags of Organic Madras Lentils by Tasty Bite.

You had me at hello. Unfortunately the jerks at Costco, (I kid), discontinued, so I still order online. If you don’t use Tasty Bite, that’s FINE, just buy the Madras Lentils pre-packaged from Trader Joe’s.

• 1 Package Madras Lentils
• ¾ c. Brown Rice (cooked)
• ½ c. Egg Whites
• ½ c. Mexican Blend Shredded Cheese

These items are ratios, which you can happily adjust. If you want it more “cheesy,” “eggy,” or “ricey,” please play with what works best for your macronutrient ratio. For instance, if I want more protein, I will increase the egg portion. If I need more complex carbohydrates, I’ll make sure I add in more brown rice.

Gently heat up your Madras Lentils in a 10-12” non-stick sprayed skillet, (medium heat), add brown rice amount of choice. Let sit for about 2-3 minutes. Pour egg whites on top to cover and let begin to set, (about 3-5 minutes). Add cheese (optional) re-cover and let cheese melt.

Remove from heat and let rest for 3 minutes. Slice in pie shape and serve with fresh avocado slices or homemade guacamole.

ENJOY and MUCH LOVE!

We are in FULL SWING with the fitness conferences under way! Below you will find information on my upcoming workshops and presentations scheduled for 2011. Hope to see you there and please click the links attached for further information and to register. Cheers, in good health!

Balanced Body Pilates On Tour, Miami

July 15, 2011 – July 17, 2011

Workouts: Morning BOSU® Studio Pilates on Friday, Saturday, Sunday

Workshop: 3 Hour BOSU® Studio Pilates Intensive, Sunday

IDEA World Fitness Convention™, Los Angeles

August 11, 2011 – August 14, 2011

Workshop: BOSU® Studio Pilates, Friday

Inner IDEA® Conference, San Diego

October 6, 2011 – October 9, 2011

Workshops:

Dynamic Group Reformer Harmony, Friday

BOSU® Pilates 3D (MY NEWEST CREATION!), Friday

Progressive Studio Pilates On The Reformer, Friday

BOSU® Studio Pilates, Saturday

Balanced Body Pilates On Tour, Chicago

October 21, 2011 – October 23, 2011

Workouts: Morning BOSU® Studio Pilates on Friday, Saturday, Sunday

Workshop: 3 Hour BOSU® Studio Pilates Intensive, Sunday

Pilates Method Alliance, Palm Springs

November 2, 2011 – November 5, 2011

Exhibitor and representative for BOSU® Balance Trainer and Ballast Ball™. All products and DVD’s will be available for purchase, including the widely popular BOSU® Studio Pilates with Stacey Lei Krauss and myself.

A Quick Tune-Up Tip:

About a year ago I embarked on a 21-day detox / cleanse through the amazing Dr. Junger’s CLEAN Program. Although it was a bit pricey, for my first long term cleanse / fast I wanted to make sure I chose something safe, high quality, not based upon starvation and backed with legitimate information, research and data behind putting your system into cellular detox.

I cannot rave enough about my experience, (good, bad and ugly at times), and have continued to implement 7 day tune up’s once every three months to bring my system back online. However, due to the cost, I have since explored my own way of re-booting and utilizing high quality yet less expensive products found at Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods and your local supermarket.

CLEAN consists of a fiber laden protein shake each morning and evening, with a mid-day hypoallergenic or largely macrobiotic, (meaning no dairy, red or dark meat, night shade vegetables or refined products with gluten), meal and supplements, (such as pro-biotic and digestive enzyme), with each. When on maintenance, I typically stick to the morning shake and still eat as hypoallergenic as possible, allowing for indulgences and life’s enjoyments. Below you will find my “High Brow” and “Medium Brow” options for the shake.

“High Brow” – Whole Foods

Nutribiotic Brown Rice Vegan Protein Powder – ½ – 1 scoop

Garden of Life Detoxifiber – 1 scoop

Stevia Extract – 1 package

Organic Blueberries – 1/3 c.

Almond Milk (no more than 60 calories per serving) – 1 c.

“Medium Brow” – Trader Joe’s & Local Supermarket

Designer Whey Protein Powder – ½ – 1 scoop

Benefiber – 2-4 tsp.

Stevia Extract – 1 package

Organic Blueberries – 1/3 c.

Almond Milk (no more than 60 calories per serving) – 1 c.

Can you take 3 minutes and do the following exercise? Think about what you are grateful for currently, and also what you have gained and reflected upon in the last year or lifetime. It only takes 90 second’s each if you’re HONEST. DO IT, BE AUTHENTIC, BE THOUGHTFUL, LEARN, GROW, APPLY and MOVE ON. Here I go:

Gratitude in 90 seconds:

• a roof
• a delightful partner
• love
• live music
• Chicago
• turning off the tv
• supportive and edifying friends
• sunrises hearing the train in the distance
• knowing that 64 degrees inside the house is COLD
• a comfortable clean bed
• coconut water
• almond milk
• french press coffee
• chilly and tango
• san juan hills
• catalina sunsets
• teaching until my feet hurt
• teaching the next day when my feet still hurt
• GETTING not HAVING TO TEACH while my feet still hurt
• being the master of my own schedule
• BOSU
• an amazing bunch of fitness colleagues who have embraced this Pilates person
• PCH between Laguna and Dana Point
• running with a beanie, b/c it’s 48 degrees

Perspective in 90 seconds:

• concentric circles
• job struggles
• lost
• afraid
• confused
• angry
• unsure
• a roof
• a delighful partner
• love
• TRUST
• live music
• supportive
• non judging
• rest in the future which may be out of your control
• admiration
• talent

I am honored to be a regular contributor for IDEA Pilates Today. Click on the link below to view and read the November Issue!

IDEA Pilates Today, November 2010

Don’t know what to do with Spaghetti Squash? I do. My husband and I eat a largely macrobiotic diet, (with indulgences of course…what would life be without?). We steer clear of inflammatory and high sugar foods such as anything refined processed or white, wheat, bananas, strawberries and a myriad of other produce, but certainly still crave the ‘comfort foods’ when fall arrives. Do we eat lasagna? Yes, on a rare occasion. Do we enjoy a burrito with a flour tortilla? ABSOLUTELY, usually every weekend! With that said, I wanted to share a recipe that is delicious and satisfies all of our comfort food cravings. I hope you’ll try AND enjoy.

• 1 Spaghetti Squash (halved and seeded)
• 1/2 lb. ground lean meat of choice (optional)
• 1 small red onion (chopped in large segments)
• 2-3 garlic cloves (minced)
• 1 28 oz. can of diced tomatoes (NOTE: tomatoes are high in sugar and an inflammatory ingredient, use in moderation)
• 2 tbs. of fresh basil
• 1 tsp. of fresh or dry oregano
• 1/2 lb. of skim mozzarella cheese (rBGH free or Vegan)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Preparation:

1. Season squash with salt/pepper and drizzle with olive oil. Place dome side up on a baking sheet. Roast in a 375 degree oven for 30-40 minutes until al dente, but not mushy. Rest for 5-10 minutes.
2. While squash is roasting, saute onion, garlic, meat (if desired) in 2 tbs. of olive oil. Add tomatoes and cook down. Season with salt/pepper, add basil, oregano and any other spices you enjoy. I love crushed red peppers. Let simmer on low for 30-40 minutes.
3. After squash has cooled, use a fork to separate and fluff the ‘spaghetti like’ strands. Keep the squash in it’s shell, unless you’d like to remove it and make a baked pasta dish, which is fine too.
4. Top each squash dome with sauce and cheese (optional) and return to oven to bake for 10 minutes.
5. Turn on broiler and finish for 3 minutes to get cheese golden.
6. Let cool and enjoy!

Peace and love,

Erika