Yoga at the Great Lawn

A few weeks ago, I received an email blast from Flavor Pill

Help us break a world record! Register now to join 10,000 people on Central Park’s Great Lawn, all downward-dogging at once. Yogi Elena Brower leads the class; comedian/beatboxer/musician Reggie Watts performs, along with sonic healer 13 Hands, slam poet Buddy Wakefield, drum/dance troupe O’Nkosi Rhythms, cellist Garth Stevenson, and yogic bassist Wah!. Each mat is yours to take home (thanks, JetBlue), along with a bevy of goodies from SmartWater, Alternative Apparel, and Chico Bag

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This is a perfect example of the fun NYC events I love participating in and therefore I quickly registered hoping I’d be one of the 10,000 lucky participants given a pass.

Fastforward a few weeks and as luck would have it, I was offered VIP tickets and a few for fellow bloggers and readers. While I don’t consider myself a VIP of any sort I’ve never been one to look a gift horse in the mouth and gladly accepted.

After posting some tweets about the opportunity, I ended up heading to the Great Lawn today with Theodora, Lauren, Jess, and Rebecca. Blog Pictures 2010 256

After meeting at 84th and Park, we headed towards the VIP tent per our instructions. We had all read on Twitter or the news that the lines were crazy. We thought it may be an exaggeration. How could the lines be so bad when they were PLANNING the event for 10,000 people? Well, it was no exaggeration. Everything Katherine, Dori, Missy, and Jes had tweeted was true. As we turned the corner we saw it!

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Yes, that is the FRONT of the line! Luckily we were quickly escorted to a table where we received the “orange ticket” which would allow us Blog Pictures 2010 248front row yoga placement, stage access, massages, swag, and more.

Blog Pictures 2010 251The first table had great Yoga at The Great Lawn t-shirts compliments of Alternative Earth t-shirts. The t-shirt is super comfortable and soft even though they are XL.

Blog Pictures 2010 252The next table featured a green swag bag. The bag  is a reusable grocery bag made by Chico Bag which even has a nifty pocket that it FOLDS into when you’re not using it!

As soon as we walked past the tables there were tons of cameras on this lovely yogi so I figured I’d snap a picture of her as well. Later, I found out that she was the woman leading the yoga.

Blog Pictures 2010 250There were three different tents set up for press and VIP bracelet holders. Under the tents were barrels of Vitamin Water

Blog Pictures 2010 254 Blog Pictures 2010 255Awesome Gaiam Balance Ball Desk chairs to test out. I really want one of these for my desk at work. I wonder if they’ll allow it if I buy it. They are only $79.95 on Amazon!    In addition, One Lucky Duck was sampling their delicious desserts, Siggi’s had five flavors of yogurt they were sampling and giving out, I snagged my first Kind Bar, and received a few yoga coupons. I can’t wait to sample these items in my lunch tomorrow. I’ve seen Siggi’s yogurts on Tina’s blog numerous times but have yet to try them. Blog Pictures 2010 257After a hanging around and sampling products we decided it was time to find a prime spot on the lawn. We couldn’t believe the crowds of people that had already gathered on Central Park’s Great Lawn! This event was going to be a success and we were so excited. Blog Pictures 2010 258We were able to snag a spot in the front, left area. We had a clear view of both the screen and the stage!  Blog Pictures 2010 261We were in awe! All we could do for the first few moments once we reached the lawn was turn around and take in the scene of people.Blog Pictures 2010 259Blog Pictures 2010 265How cool is the Manhattan skyline in the background?! I felt like I was getting ready for a huge Central Park concert! Blog Pictures 2010 260We set out our FREE Gaiam yoga mats (Thanks JET BLUE!) and began to wait.                                                    Blog Pictures 2010 263Luckily, while we waited we were able to have some fun together!Blog Pictures 2010 266

We sampled the treats!                                                            Blog Pictures 2010 278Blog Pictures 2010 267Blog Pictures 2010 268 We took pictures.

Blog Pictures 2010 269 Then the clouds started to roll into the area.Blog Pictures 2010 270 And people talked, and talked, and talked.

Blog Pictures 2010 271 In fact, by this point it was 7:25 and we were all starting to get a little bit annoyed. The wind was whipping, the crowd had reached a great mass, and yet guys kept talking on stage and laughing. Even though we were towards the very front we couldn’t understand half the commentary.

Blog Pictures 2010 272   Blog Pictures 2010 275 Clearly, this was quite the event since there were cameras everywhere! Blog Pictures 2010 277  Then the guy in the wild suit announced that we had in fact set the world record. Evidently, he works for the company and was there to make it official!

Blog Pictures 2010 279 Everyone clapped and the world was happy because they saw yoga in their future. A yogi finally took the stage!Blog Pictures 2010 280  Blog Pictures 2010 282 Then the rain started and the umbrellas came out. What happened to “yoga rain or shine?”Blog Pictures 2010 283 A crazy guy rushed in front of us as we were trying to get our omm on as we prayed the rain would subside.Blog Pictures 2010 284 This happy face and thumbs up means we’ve just been told that the yoga will continue and the park service has given word we can continue yoga in the rain! Let the omms begin!Blog Pictures 2010 285 Blog Pictures 2010 286 Blog Pictures 2010 287 Blog Pictures 2010 288 And we did yoga. For two minutes that is until the lightening and thunder forced them to call it quits. Blog Pictures 2010 289 Am I mad? No, I’m sad that the event didn’t have a warm, sunny evening as I was looking forward to some hot yoga on the Great Lawn. But, I had a great opportunity and a fun evening with wonderful girls. I was part of something that will most likely not happen again in NYC and luckily Lauren grabbed us a cab for the 60 block trip home. That, along with all this swag makes for a great night experiencing NYC.Blog Pictures 2010 295 Blog Pictures 2010 291

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Marvelous Monday Meals

Today was the first time in ages when I didn’t get anything take-out or delivery, except for Starbucks! The extra planning guaranteed a delicious day of food!

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Weight Watchers Vanilla Almond Oatmeal

1/2 c blueberries from the Union Square Farmer’s Market

1/3 c 0% Fage (on sale at Whole Foods this week)

Venti Iced Unsweetened Green Tea

Delicious and filling!

Lunch was a salad topped with last night’s leftovers.

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Tomato slices

1/4 c greek quinoa salad

4 shrimp

2 Tbsp Whole Foods FF Balsamic Dressing

1/3 c green bean salad

Mixed greens

This held me over until 6pm when I got home from my doctor’s appointment. As I was prepping dinner, I enjoyed fresh cherries as an evening snack before our favorite easy, healthy dinner.

Did you know that the butchers at Whole Foods will take chicken breasts and cut them into cutlets for you? We discovered this yesterday during our hunt for easy dinner ingredients. We’ve found that cutlets cook easier and more evenly than breasts.

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Chicken cutlets rubbed BBQ spices and pan grilled

Sauteed mushrooms and onions

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I’m definitely in a veggie coma! Delicious!

Want a laugh? Bo’s friend discovered this and it really may be one of the most hilarious You Tube videos I’ve seen in a while! No joke!

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Sunday in the Kitchen: Green Beans, Goat Cheese, and Tomato Salad

This was one busy but wonderful weekend! In case you missed it:

TGIF

Starting Saturday on the Perfect Foot

Summer Sunshine

Yesterday, after a great morning workout, Bo and I met at Whole Foods for our weekly shopping trip. We stocked up on healthy staples that haven’t been in our fridge or pantry in ages such as Almond Breeze, Green Tea, cherries, boneless skinless chicken breasts, tofu, protein powder, and more! In addition, we grabbed plenty of produce for the two side dishes we couldn’t wait to make.

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Before our cooking adventures, I made the most basic yet delicious lunch of a sandwich, pickles, and baked chips. Blog Pictures 2010 566We discovered the new Kettle Baked BBQ chips yesterday at Whole Foods and they are incredible! Whole Foods carries four of the six flavors. I saw BBQ, Aged White Cheddar, Salt & Pepper, and Lightly Salted. In addition they make Sea Salt and Vinegar and a 100 calorie pack!  The website describes the method as follows:

We take real potatoes. Slice them. Season them with fresh, all-natural ingredients. And then bake them to crunchy perfection.  End of story.  With 65 percent less fat than regular chips, 2 grams of fiber, 3 grams of fat, and only 120 calories per serving, it’s time to see what a baked chip is supposed to taste like.

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  Their flavor puts Lays Baked BBQ chips in a corner unfortunately. In addition, they are a thicker cut which provides an extra crip! After lunch some mischief was had as I decided I wanted to read outside without leaving our building. 🙂

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Blog Pictures 2010 572       Yes, I crawled out our 14 inch high window and sat outside reading for an hour! :)  It was definitely a fete but well worth the attempt and will most likely be repeated often!

   

After the adventures, Bo and I ended the weekend with some fresh and healthy summer recipes! We love relaxing evenings which allow us to cook together while experimenting with new recipes and altering favorites. I hope you enjoy this as much as we did!

While I perused the June issue of Southern Living I discovered this recipe and then quickly saw some easy ways to make it healthier. It originally called for more cheese and oil which just seemed excessive. We didn’t have the vinegar it originally used and therefore substituted with white wine which worked perfectly!

Green Bean, Goat Cheese, and Tomato Salad

Adapted from Southern Living June 2010 issue

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Yield: Makes 6 to 8 servings

Ingredients

  • 1/3  cup  sliced almonds
  • 2  pounds  haricots verts (tiny green beans), trimmed
  • 3  tablespoons  white wine vinegar
  • 2  tablespoons  fresh lemon juice
  • 3/4  teaspoon  salt
  • 1/2  teaspoon  pepper
  • 3 Tbsp  cup  olive oil
  • 1  pint cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 2  shallots, thinly sliced
  • 2  garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/3  (4-oz.) goat cheese log, crumbled

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 350°. Bake almonds in a single layer in a shallow pan 6 to 8 minutes or until lightly toasted and fragrant, stirring halfway through.

2. Cook green beans in boiling salted water to cover 6 to 8 minutes or until crisp-tender; drain. Plunge beans into ice water to stop the cooking process; drain.

3. Whisk together vinegar and next 3 ingredients in a large bowl; add olive oil in a slow, steady stream, whisking constantly until blended and smooth. Add cherry tomatoes, shallots, garlic, and green beans; toss to coat.Blog Pictures 2010 575

4. Top green bean mixture with crumbled goat cheese and toasted almonds.

Dinner is served! Greek inspired mahi-mahi (tomatoes, olives, garlic, and lobster broth), green bean salad, and Greek quinoa ala Kath Eats.

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