A bubbly new year's resolution

Now, I'm not one to get all gung-ho and make ambitious resolutions at this time of year, because I know how difficult the change process is and I think the whole "New Year, New You!" phenomenon is just a setup for failure. But today, I'm taking a cue from Tom Haverford and making this the year to "Treat Yo Self."
To that end, I vow to take more bubble baths. I resolve to enjoy a fine cup of coffee in the morning and not feel guilty about my caffeine dependence. I promise to move my body in ways that I enjoy as many days of the week as I want. I plan to read a ridiculous amount of new fiction. I intend to write a ridiculous number of words about new fiction. I resolve to wear my new nerd glasses with no hint of irony. In short, by the end of 2013, I'll probably look a lot like this guy:

And I can't wait. Happy New Year!

Yoga for dudes

Once again, Bill Broad has written an interesting piece for the New York Times on the dangers of yoga. This time, he specifically targets men. He cites some disturbing numbers that he uncovered while researching emergency room data that indicate men are getting hurt in yoga classes much more often than women. His medical adviser attributes it to the strength that men bring to the mat; because their muscles can be used to force their bodies into poses, they suffer many more injuries than their more flexible female counterparts. It's yet another reminder to practice yoga with a qualified teacher who can offer modifications to ensure the safety of, and optimal benefit for, each participant.

Top Chef? Not quite

As someone who likes to be prepared, I often cook a big batch of something or other on the weekend so that I can portion it out for weekday lunches. This week, I treated myself to a big ol' batch of curry squash with tofu, served over quinoa. The delicious butternut squash was a remnant from the last CSA box of the season, courtesy of the the awesome Andy Watson over at Sprouting Acres farm, who I can't praise enough. The dish turned out to be filling, satisfying and crazy healthy, and it saved me so much time during the week that I was able to relax and enjoy one of my favorite TV shows, "Top Chef." No, I might not cook like Stefan or that dude with the handlebar mustache, but having a homemade lunch ready in minutes feels so much better to my body than nuking yet another frozen tray of factory-assembled, oversalted junk. I feel so grateful to have the resources to cook such healthy, comforting food. So I ask you, what do you cook for yourself that brings you comfort?

The ultimate staycation

It was a busy autumn season for me, with classes, working, reading and writing. Those who know me know that I love to overbook my schedule. I hate to miss opportunities to learn and grow, so I take classes, I say "yes" to volunteer opportunities, and I practice yoga with abandon. In that spirit, I decided to practice a little ahimsa for myself this past week. The first yama in the yoga traditions, ahimsa teaches nonviolence. It's this principle that most yogis cite as their explanation for a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle -- the principle that all life is sacred and deserves respect. With the idea of ahimsa in mind, I decided to practice nonviolence on myself and take a vacation consisting largely of lazy days with my nose in a book. Here's what I read:

"The Fault in Our Stars," by John Green (incredible)
"The O'Briens" by Peter Behrens (not bad, not great)
and most of
"The Round House" by Louise Erdrich (not finished yet, stay tuned)

As my vacation draws to a close, I feel refreshed and renewed. The lesson I learned on my staycation is this: I often commit subtle acts of violence against myself by packing my schedule from dawn to dusk. By quieting my life, I was able to connect with my higher self. I feel like a completely different person, one who is prepared to be of service to those who seek my support.

Also, I totally organized my sock drawer. Bring it, winter!