herhabitsofhealth-deactivated20 asked: Since you are the queen of all things Seattle (so says me), a few questions: 1) best place to view the ferris wheel on the waterfront? 2) best burger/sweet potato fry places? 3) any other recommendations for someone who hasn't been to Seattle in 3 years and whose partner went to UW? As in, any cool new places in the U district?
Awww, thank you! I hope it’s okay I post this publicly so some lovely UW ladies I know can comment as well since it’s been a bit since I trekked into the U-District.
1) All along Alaskan Way are where the piers are and where the Ferris Wheel is. I like just being around there and people watching where some of the piers jut farther into the water. You can see it from several spots in Pike Place (where there’s really good gelato/bakeries/fresh produce as well). Restaurant with a view recommendations you can see it? Maximilien at the Market. Great view in general? The Olympic Sculpture park.
2) Best burger/sweet potato places? Lunch Box Laboratory in South Lake Union. Blue Moon Burger in South Lake Union/Capitol Hill. 8 oz. Burger Bar in Capitol Hill. I’ve heard good things about Uneeda Burger in Fremont but I haven’t been.
3) The only places I consistently went in the U-District were Thai Tom (the food OMG), Trabant cafe (my favorite chai), and Portage Bay (my favorite brunch place but there’s also one in South Lake Union!)
darcythrives-deactivated2013052 asked: How did you & D meet??
Oh, I’ll answer this publicly since a few people have asked. We met online! I have an OKC account that I’ve mainly been too afraid to use. I hate first dates. I’m so uncomfortable meeting new people ANYWAY. When he messaged me though… it was like we were already going to meet and it was weird we hadn’t already! His gym is two blocks from mine, we go to the same yoga studio, we have mutual friends, and we easily walk to each other’s apartments. He was forward without being creepy, east coast without being rude, open yet mysterious, confident without being cocky, and dedicated to similar things I was but different enough where I didn’t feel we were in competition. ALSO, he has an adorable dog sooo that helped.
Anonymous asked: You seem to have a lot of man friends.
That’s how I roll. I got 99 problems and all but two of them are gay.
Anonymous asked: Are you not doing yoga anymore?
Oh no no no. Yoga is my priority. Yoga reunites my mind, body, and spirit when I feel alone and lost. I’d consider it my therapy, my safe place. I canceled my yoga membership due to soon loss of funds (and my place is pretty bougie…) but I’ve practiced long enough to feel a good sense of alignment and sense of direction in my personal practice. I’ll still get discounted hot yoga packages from time to time. I’m actually trying out Yogaglo now. So far, so good.
Also, my gym membership is cheap and I can rationalize that. Pretty great to be able to focus on HIIT and lifting for a bit as well.
Anonymous asked: Alright, enough already! If you ever come to Germany we have to cook together and drink wine and also, we could light a campfire in a park near by (not even illegal), lay in the grass and look at the stars. Please. I also have the greatest collection of green tea, we can do a tasting. Anything else I need to get you here? - Jane
Awww, Jane, my love, I would LOVE to visit Germany. I’ve always wanted to but you just made my desire increase tenfold. You do a tea tasting and I’ll do a wine tasting. Do you have favorite boutiques? And since you don’t have Tumblr, HOW did you find me? <3
Anonymous asked: I have a very wide rib cage and I was wondering if you knew how I could add more definition to my waist since I have wide hips, too. Thanks!
Well, first, losing fat all over will peel away some layers covering your waist. Second, you may not ever have an incredibly defined waist and HEY, that’s okay. I have a wide rib cage and hips too. At some of my leanest times, I never had much of a defined waist and no one cared or noticed. ROCK IT, YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL REGARDLESS, OKAY?! See:
Anonymous asked: Haha, this is really weird.. I wrote you before, about being enough, you remember? ;) It is weird how much we have in common. I read the Golden Compass 3 times in a row when I was about 13 and loved the whole trilogy so, so much. On another note.. have you ever tried Amarone? It is made from dried grapes and the richest wine I have ever tasted. So rich I always have it after dinner because most meals just can't handle it, haha. Sorry for being so all over the place, I had no sleep.. - Jane
I do remember that message, Jane! I remember it very very well. I still think about it and sometimes get teary-eyed (because I’m sentimental like that). Do you not have a Tumblr? Do you have other favorite reads because I’m on the search? Yes, I love Amarone. Along that line - Brunellos as well. No need to apologize, I hope you found your sleep! xo
Anonymous asked: I'm in the market for a new yoga mat - where did you get yours? Do you have any recommendations?
I have a Jade mat. I’d recommend it! It has lasted through over two years of hot yoga and it still stays in its place on the carpet.
Anonymous asked: Hey there, you once mentioned that you use maroccan oil for your hair (which is so gorgeous), what exactly does that mean? Do you leave it in your hair or do you rinse it, is it a shampoo or a conditioner? And what brand do you use?
Hi anon, thank you! xo
The hair oil I use is a leave in moisturizer. A leetle goes a long way though and I focus on putting it on the ends. When I *DO* wash my hair (which is maybe once a week), I condition it too, lightly towel dry it, then run a dime sized amount through, and then let it air dry… VOILA.
Here it is:
Anonymous asked: It seems ridiculous someone even has to tell you that, but I get it. I need it too. So here it is: You are more than enough. You are beautiful and strong and being weak and lost and sad from time to time is a big part of it. It makes you so much more beautiful to me, so much more likeable, because there is no way to admire someone's strength when he has never been through struggle.
You sweet, wonderful, beautiful Anon. I can’t. There are no words. Thank you thank you thank you. Your timing is impeccable. *tearing up*
Anonymous asked: is it okay to practice a scorpion pose while i'm in headstand position instead of resting on my forearms? i just dont think i have enough upper body strength to not use my head for balance and strength yet! ps. hope your shoulder heals sooner rather than later :(
When I’m in a headstand, I barely have any weight resting in the head. I sort of “ground down” with my forearms/hands and core to get my lift so if you keep that principle, I don’t see a problem! Go slow and build up strength and remember you can still practice planks and dolphin pose hops to build that forearm balance strength! (Google dolphin pose… it’s like a downward dog on your forearms and from there you can alternate hopping up legs over your head!)
Anonymous asked: First off, I've never had a tumblr crush. So, you win. Secondly, where does all of your motivation come from? I want so badly to be fast and furious, but some days.. it's just not happening. Also, what were your biggest obstacles when you first started yoga?
Awww, shucks, thank you! (I love winning.)
Hmmm, motivation. I think the motivation that sticks around comes from somewhere deep inside us. No one can give it to us. We can be inspired but that seems more fleeting. I think for me it came from a place of always being so uncomfortable in my own skin. I never felt like myself and I was always so timid around people. Couple that uncomfortableness with my mild obsession of fashion made me want to better myself and gain more confidence and feel more comfortable in clothes (… and out of them). So I strive to feel more and comfortable in my own skin. I finally feel more “me” if that makes sense. I just remember how much happier I am when I consistently make choices to better myself. Don’t beat yourself up if you have an off day or heck, even a month. What matters is the overall trend. I have bad weeks where I’ll take 3-4 days off because I’d rather mope or be a little crazy but I always come to the “fast and furious” thing because that’s when I feel best.
Biggest beginning yoga obstacles? I was incredibly unfit and unflexible so it was most difficult just to SHOW up because I felt like everyone was staring and judging me. The thing is (that I have to keep reminding myself in beginning weight lifting) is that people don’t really care what you’re doing. They’re just trying to keep up and do their own thing. No one’s going to judge you harshly for doing something good for yourself. Eventually poses started to click with me and I felt more at ease going everyday. The choices eventually became a habit. ]
<3
Anonymous asked: Hi, I totally have a huge girl crush on you omg :3 You inspire me to keep persevering with my Yoga and I was wondering what mat you use and what you reccomend/heard is good? Anything that's not a fortune please :') Thanks and keep being awesome cos it makes my day okay! xxx
Hi, I think you’re totally sweet! I have a Jade mat I keep at my studio and it’s nice and plush. I got it for $60 and it’s been through about two years of hot yoga. I may have to replace it soon though because it’s losing its “stick” to the floor type of feeling and I feel I’m flying around too much when I’m jumping around on it. I also have one I got for $20 at some convenient store I travel around with (it’s much thinner so rolls up easier) but it’s very flimsy. I’ve heard good things about Manduka mats but I think they’re pricier (around $100?). Good luck in the perseverance!
Anonymous asked: This is not so much a question, so much as feedback, I suppose. I just wanted to let you know that your blog inspires me so much! There was a period in my life (not too long ago) when the idea of being skinny pretty much consumed me, but I'm working hard to get past that, and your blog reinforces to me the benefits of being fit and healthy.
Awww, thank you! This sounds like me a couple years ago. Don’t get me wrong, I still struggle a lot with health and my perception of self but deep down I know being strong and well rested with the occasional indulgence makes me a happier (and more sane) individual.
Anonymous asked: You are my favourite fitblr, and biggest inspiration!
Awww shucks, thank you! I wish I knew who you were!
