Yesterday was day 1 of the DO what you DON’T challenge…and I did something I don’t do: yoga.
[My April goal was 30 minutes once a week]
I can officially say a few things about yoga: 1) I liked it, 2) it’s HARD, and 3) I’m sore. But most importantly, I did it. In fact, I did 51 minutes of yoga (Yogaworks Body Slim on Exercise TV, to be exact).
My “yoga studio” 😉 Lily made herself right at home.
Bring it!
Woooooo! DONE!
Cooking an artichoke…
Several of you had never steamed an artichoke before and wanted to know how. Good news, it’s easy breezy!
Directions: Cut any excess length off the stem of the artichoke. Splash the artichoke with water, place in a bowl, and cover with plastic wrap, venting slightly. Microwave on high for 4-5 minutes until the leaves turn to a dull, olive green and the heart (base) is soft. Serve with butter, butter + horseradish, mayonnaise, etc.
My dietitian friend from grad school posted about artichokes yesterday, too. Total coincidence! Erica’s method is a little fancier than mine, but it sounds delicious all the same!
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Mr. Prevention and I are Vegas-bound today! We’re meeting some friends there and have lots of fun stuff planned! A bit non-traditional for Easter, but I can’t wait. 😀
Question: Do you practice yoga? If so, do you use yoga more so for fitness or pleasure?
…And who got a jump start on the DO what you DON’T challenge?
Namaste,
Thanks for the post about artichokes! I definitely tried steaming mine and well, the result was ok. I’m going to try your way with the second one we bought tonight!
When I was still a MA student at UIUC, I did a lot of yoga to relax. I find/found its a great workout that leaves you invigorated and feeling peaceful.
Have a great trip to Vegas!!
I just got a yoga dvd in the mail that I plan on giving it a try sometime today 🙂
Have fun in Vegas 🙂
Vegas!! Have a great time, I am super jealous! We went there on our honeymoon and we looooove it.
Thanks for posting the artichoke method! And congrats on doing yoga!
Have a blast in Vegas 🙂
Artichokes totally intimidate me. Thanks for the tips!
Have so much fun in Vegas!!!! I’ve never been, but I really want to go!
Yay for yoga!
oooh lala have fun in sin city!
Thanks Nicole for the shout out! You should try Bikram yoga (hot yoga)! Now that is a challenge! Have fun in Vegas!
PS: I love Lily…she is adorable 🙂
Glad you enjoyed the yoga! Yoga is definitely more of a pleasure thing for me, and the fitness effects are just an added bonus. Yoga is wonderful at subtly toning EverY part of the body, but even more importantly, it’s a great de-stressor, and allows me to center myself. I’m curious to hear how you like it as you continue to do it. It’s always fun to see yourself become more flexible through time!
Grilled artichokes are the best! After you cook them (steam or however), cut in half, remove the choke, brush w/ EVOO, s&p then grill ~ 5 min on each side. Delicious!
We just went to Vegas in March – have fun! and good luck!
Enjoy Vegas! I’ve never been, so I’m super jealous!!
for lent rather than giving something up i added yoga into my day and though i have missed a couple days i do feel better so i say i add it for health
Have so much fun in Vegas! Can’t wait to hear about your trip 🙂 Sooo much yummy food out there!
have fun in vegas!!! i have always wanted to go there. i’m sure you will have a blast! this weekend i may pop in an old yoga dvd… i really do love it but never take the time out to DO it.
you go girl!
Have fun in Vegas! I love it there, love the nickel slots (that is as big as high rolling that I get 🙂 )
I have tried yoga with a dvd and am afraid my form is really off. I find it hard to try and see what they are doing on the TV and do the poses at the same time.
I would love to g and try a class sometime.
Thanks for the instructions- I’ll have to work up the nerve to try it! 🙂
I’m not a huge fan of yoga at all really- but it is the one thing I can seem to do that doesn’t bother the leg so much, so I do it with a smile until other options are allowed…
Vegas!!!! Agh – I am SO excited for you. Can’t wait to see the pics and your recap!
I have fallen in love with yoga, and I never thought I would. I do love going to take classes….there is just something calming about the instructor’s voice that calms me. I do it for the final relaxation part at the end, but, wow – it is quite a workout, too! I love how strong I feel afterwards.
Have a great time in Vegas!
haha isn’t that the typical bulldog? They always like to make themselves at home in the worst spot. Great job on doing the yoga. I need to give it a try myself!
have fun in Vegas!
thanks for the cooking tips for artichokes.. must do that soon :o)
I used to do yoga but I stopped when my knee started hurting. I’m hoping soon I can start up again. I love the way I feel when I’m doing it.
Have fun in Vegas!!
i love yoga but don’t do it enough……and i love your doggy-she is soooo cute! have fun in vegas 🙂
Artichokes scare me for some reason. I’ll try your method! 🙂
I used to take a yoga class every week but now mainly practice at home. I actually always feel like it’s a workout… But I also love that it relaxes me… 🙂
Have fun in Vegas!!! 🙂
I want to try yoga too!
Great job on the yoga! I just started doing it regularly last fall and although I still struggle with a lot of the poses, I truly enjoy it! Vinyasa style is my favorite.
Have a great Vegas trip! Sounds like a perfect way to spend Easter weekend to me. 🙂
Oh man! Body Slim is so hard core! We call it “hard yoga” at home. There is an “easy yoga” (the core workout) that I usually try to convince my husband to with me instead of Body Slim.
I use yoga for fitness reasons at the moment 🙂
Sadly, I do not do Yoga…I should! 🙂
Have a great time! I walked my dog for 45 minutes yesterday. I have never tried yoga, but I would like to.
Yoga is really tough but worth doing it as it really does wonders…i have tried it doing many times but now should start once again
Go you for not only setting goals but achieving them also! Awesome!
Have fun in Vegas. Hope you win!
Did Lily do yoga too? Hehe.
I like doing yoga, but I don’t do it regularly. So when I do it I do it for pleasure not for fitness. It’s nice to stretch and relax and clear the mind. 😉
I just did a yoga workout today for my do what you don’t! I will definitely be doing it for fitness purposes since I know flexibility is my weak point, but I really liked the personal part of it too. To be able to relax and find strength and peace in a workout.
I followed through on my do what you don’t challenge and flossed! hooray I hope that at the end of the month it is an ingrained habit.
Have fun in vegas, perfect time of year warm but not broiling.
I love doing Yoga and I do it mostly for pleasure but also as a form of exercise =)
I love lily’s downward dog lol
Congrats on the yoga! I love yoga but haven’t been in awhile.
Let me know if you need any recommendations while you here. Since you love yummy food as much as I do check out:
http://www.hashhouseagogo.com/
It was featured on Man vs. Food and the place is awesome. It is off the strip but not to far to cab it for cheap. I hope you have a great time while you are here and I can’t wait to see pictures! =)
Haha, my dogs never fail to go straight for my yoga mat when it’s out. So funny! 😉 And Andrew never fails to say to them, “c’mon and show us your best downward facing dog.” Hilarious. 😉 Anyway, great job on the yoga workout! I love that yoga slim workout!! I need to do that one sometime again soon.
Have a great trip!! 🙂
Im just getting into yoga too. Im surprised at how much I like it!
I love yoga and I don’t do it often enough. Glad to hear you liked it, so good for the body! Looks like Lily likes it too. Have a wonderful time in Vegas with your hubs 🙂
I did yoga 3 times 3 years ago. It was pretty good. Lot harder workout then I thought. Stopped going when they wanted me to pay 🙂
Yoga frustrates me because I am so not flexible. People make me mad because they always say if I did yoga I would be more flexibile, however after 10 years of gymnastics, 3-5 times aweek, I was sadly, the most unflexible gymnast. I think it has to do with my short torso, not to make excuses, but my legs are very long for my height, and most people do not relize I am under 5 feet tall.
Have fun in Vegas. Let me know if you need any suggestions.
I don’t do too much yoga but should to help with stretching out. Hope you have fun in Vegas!!! That would be cool if we could meet up, how long are you staying?
I’ve always been too intimidated by artichokes to buy them when I see them at the store — now I’ll have to pick some up! Thanks, Nicole!
Haha, Lily looks ready to do some yoga! How sweet. I wasn’t a fan of yoga until recently, but I adore it now. It just hurts so good!
I actually took a yoga class last semester and really enjoyed it–but yes it’s harder than it looks to be. Vegas sounds fun–hope you have a blast!
I always have a hard time enjoying yoga but I really want to learn! It’s a great workout and relaxing. I’ve always been a runner so i’m use to fast past workouts, yoga is a change.
Dana
http://happinessiswithin.wordpress.com/