live without expectations.

Welcome Home.

Today is the day that I have chosen to get back in to action or in true Nat Attack fashion start attacking my balanced lifestyle and getting back to blogging. I do believe now is a better then ever because I a lot has changed in my life since my last post, which dare I say was back in August 2010. It is a whole new year…welcome 2011.

My life has been completely shaken up by the Christchurch earthquake on February 21, 2011 and has brought me down to Queenstown, New Zealand.  Queenstown is a perfect environment to live a healthy, happy and balanced life. Winter is fast approaching as I look out side and view the snow peaked mountains.

the gorgeous view from my house

I however have a different plan to stay warm this winter. I am currently taking part in my 2nd Bikram Yoga 30 Day Challenge. However, instead of practicing at my home studio Bikram Yoga Christchurch, which is closed down to due the recent damages that took place due to the earthquake, I am practicing at Bikram Yoga Queenstown. I am lucky that this studio is a beautiful place of peace, happiness and a great variety of yoga classes. It is also filled with amazing people who are not only instructors but people who are beautiful on the inside and out. I am pleased to say that I completed day 15 this morning and I am loving my 90 minutes of 38*Celsius temperatures, Bikram yoga ” is a 26 postures sequence selected and developed by Bikram Choudhury from Hatha Yoga. It has been proved and experienced by millions that these 26 postures systematically work every part of the body, to give all the internal organs, all the veins, all the ligaments, and all the muscles everything they need to maintain optimum health and maximum function.  Each component takes care of something different in the body, and yet they all work together synergistically, contributing to the success of every other one, and extending its benefits.” (Accessed: 16th May, 2011 http://www.bikramyoga.com/BikramYoga/about_bikram_yoga.php)

I have also taken the opportunity to meditate and give thanks by dedicating each practice to an aspect of my life or someone else if I choose. After each Namaste at the end of class I surrender to my thoughts and transfer my energy into life, love, friendship, success, fitness, the small things in life, to music, to travel, to particular people that I care about, to people I have never met, to being open (thanks Pascale my little frog helps me to remember this too). For instance, my practice today was devoted to living without expectations, which I can honestly say is a lot easier said then done. We all live with expectations and people tend to have expectations about us.

Although I have neglected to keep up to date with my own blog I have kept up to date with all my favorite bloggers out there and it is because of you that I am here today welcoming home Nat Attacks. During this challenge I am taking my practice to a whole new level, which requires proper nutrition. I do not have any pictures of my recent eats but over that last few months I have been able to make some incredible blog inspired recipes that have blown my taste buds away.

Recent Eats Include:

Mama Pea’s Vegan MMM Sauce

(http://peasandthankyou.com/recipage/?search_term=mmm%20sauce)

Mama Peas’ Beetroot Red Velvet Cupcakes with Vegan Cream Cheese Frosting

(http://peasandthankyou.com/recipage/?recipe_id=6000701&prev_term=dessert)

Katie’s Not-So Naughty-Fudge

(http://chocolatecoveredkatie.com/2011/01/22/banana-chocolate-coconut-butter/)

Angela’s Green Monster Smoothies

(http://greenmonstermovement.com/)

Smoothie Girl Eats too Two Minute Microwave Jumbo Protein Muffin (http://smoothiegirleatstoo.blogspot.com/2010/11/moist-low-calorie-microwave-protein.html)

Nat Attacks Salad Monster Bowls (Nat Attack Original Recipe)

I hope you enjoy these recipes as much as I have. They are all worth making. I am especially hooked on MMM Sauce, Green Monster Smoothies and 2 Minute Protein Muffins.

Namaste.