Health and Wellness with Allison

My friend recently introduced me to Kabocha Squash, and it's my new favorite food! Kabocha has a creamy and buttery flavor that melts in your mouth. My favorite way to eat the squash is simple, just steamed in the oven. This technique maximizes the Kabocha's flavor and leaves you full and feeling warm. It's a perfect pairing for this cold and rainy weather! Step 1 Set the oven to 375 degrees Step 2 Cut the Kabocha in half and take out the seeds. Step 3 Put the Kabocha on a baking tray with water in the oven and cook for 35 minutes And Enjoy! *Namaste*

I love yoga, and have an eclectic taste for the practice. I enjoy my freedom to pick and choose what I like best from each discipline of Hatha Yoga. I've taken classes in Restorative, Yin, Kundalini, Bikram, Power, Vinyasa Flow, Prana Flow, Forrest Yoga, Ashtanga, Iyengar as well as Anusara-based and Dharma-inspired yoga classes. In each class, my body experiences an "ah-ha" moment. The "ah-ha" can sometimes be subtle or muted, and other times it's a verbal "oh, ah-haaa!" and then, there are the rare moments when my "ah-ha" is more like "boo-hoo" and I'm bawling in a yoga pose. My practice is a beautiful hodge-podge of these moments. And I love that whatever class I take, and with whomever is the teacher, I experience a shift in my practice on the mat that transforms my life. I have been cautioned by some people for my eclectic taste which they consider to be "cafeteria-style." They warn with good reason, saying...

Home: Where there is fear, there is also so much love! I've been afraid most of my life. When I was young I was afraid of the dark. As I grew older, my fear evolved into an existential fear - I was afraid that I was not living the life that I am supposed to live. Fear has influenced my life in many ways. It has shaped my intrapersonal (with myself) and interpersonal (with others) relationships. I could even say that at times, it has even taken on a life of its own. Fear has made decisions for me and has acted for me because of its power to dictate my thoughts, feelings, and emotions. The practices of Mindfulness Meditation and Loving Kindness Meditation has helped me to sit with fear.  I have been able to experience the bodily sensations of fear and not run from them. I've noticed that fear causes a quickening of my heartbeat and a shortening of my breath. I feel like I am suffocating when I am afraid. I used to rely on crying to help me release from that state, b...

HOW I AM HANDLING EMOTIONS It has been a while since I've written on my blog because nothing has seemed to compel me to write. But perhaps it the idea of what I think is worth writing about that has been blocking me.  Today, I found inspiration in what seemed to be a "normal" dilemma in an average Monday. Today, I was told that I could not register for a class but had to sign up on the waiting list. I was to come back in two days to see if there was an opening for me. Initially, I tried to give my reasons for why I really needed to be in the class and why the administrative rules should not apply to me. (This is so of my character!) I was polite but persistent in trying to get my way until finally I accepted the fact that I needed to wait like everyone else. I thanked the lady for her time and left the building. That's when a surge of emotions appeared.  First there was fear. I was afraid that without this class, my plan would dissolve and I would not ...

Make Your Own Lavender Spritzer For a refreshing way to cool off this spring and summer, make your Lavender spritzer. Making the spritzer is as easy as 1, 2, 3! Lavender is a wonderful plant, with a rejuvenating aroma and many healing properties. What You'll Need Lavender Essential Oil Clear, Unscented Alcohol Water Spray Bottle First, add 10 drops of lavender essential oil into a spray bottle. Next, add a little bit of clear, unscented alcohol. Finally, fill the rest of the bottle up with water. Spray and Enjoy! Namaste*

Healing White Sage Salt Scrub White Sage is a plant that speaks to me. I have benefitted from its healing properties by using it in many different ways: as an essential oil, a hydrosol spritzer, a tea, and smudge bundles. I use White Sage products from Lucky Six ( luckysixfarms.com ). They have the highest quality and best White Sage products in the market. The sage is wildcrafted, and the oil is made by hand in small batches. Their products are truly phenomenal! White Sage is an adaptogen . It is a plant that can both stimulate and calm you, depending on what you need. If you are feeling stressed, it can relax you. If you are feeling lethargic, it can energize you. White Sage is highly revered in Native American culture and is one of the most healing and medicinal plants in the world. I have chosen to make a salt scrub out of this plant, but as always, I encourage you to make this product your own! Find a plant that speaks to you (may it's lavender or rosemar...

A lesson on  Allowing. I finally fixed my bike! It had been a big "to do" for me for many months. The bike is my grandpa's. It is old (I found out that the brand of bike no longer exists, and some parts will have to be special ordered) but in great condition. I was able to put off the project for such a long time because I had many excuses . . . and a car! The biggest reason why I hadn't started the project was that I told myself "I didn't have time" for it. Finally, on this past Saturday, different factors aligned so that I could finally fix my bike. It was a beautiful day, I felt energized, and I had one less commitment and therefore a window of time to dedicate towards the project. My bike went from being another "to do" in the back of my mind to being my top priority. I had so much fun fixing my bike !! at The Bicycle Works, a bike co-op in San Anselmo. It is a very welcoming environment with lots of creative energy and fun people. ...