Downward Dog Balls and Other Yogic Snacks

Well, here it is folks. I’ll be MIA for the next few weeks as I’m undertaking an endeavor even scarier than walking on stage in hooker heels and a $175 rhinestone bikini…gulp - a 200 hour yoga teacher training.

Am I ready for this type of yogic intensity? We’ll see. Is yoga ready for my irreverence and penchant for flippant remarks? Again, that remains to be seen.

My intention was never to become a teacher although if the perfect opportunity arises, I would do it. I will help friends and family who want to learn the basics of yoga, but this training is for my own personal growth. My worldview has been steadily evolving – less weightlifting (but not abandoned by any means), drastically less gym time, more walking, more playing, less obsession. Yes, I’ve gained some weight that irks me immensely, but my body is thanking me and my psyche is healing from overtraining and overdieting and frankly, demanding way too much of myself.  Biology wants us women to have bigger butts. It’s a sad fact that Mother Nature has plenty of junk in the trunk. But apparently, some of us (damn you DNA!) cannot be rail thin in order for our hormones to function normally.

I’ll be logging 10 hour days of intense yoga immersion for the next few weeks, with no time for blogging and very little time for eating. I will only have energy to move and breathe, with perhaps a little time leftover for sweating.

I’m nervous about my energy levels. I’m sure I’ll cry. I’m sure I’ll hit the wall. I’m sure at some point my muscles will give out. I’m sure my body will unfold its tight places in amazing ways to new places of release. I’m sure I’ll miss my yummy shakes and of course all of you.

You can bet your pigeon pose that I’ll bringing along some carbohydrate & protein based power balls to try to maintain my energy.  It’s basically just protein oatmeal and not actually a cookie, so measurements are arbitrary.

Downward Dog Balls

• 2 1/2 c. old fashioned oats
• 3 scoops protein powder (about 1 c.)
• 1 egg
• 1/3 c. golden flax meal
• 1/3 c. golden raisins
• 1/3 c. walnuts
• 1/3 c. sunflower seed butter (or any nut butter)
• 1/3 c. granular sweetener
• 1 tsp vanilla or almond extract

I cooked 2 cups of oats with 2 cups water until thick but still underdone and then folded in the raw oats. Mixed in remaining ingredients and popped onto a nonstick mat with an ice cream scoop. Baked for about 10 minutes at 350 until firm. Popped into a container for the freezer.

Also stashed in the yoga bag:

• An amino acid supplement.
• Vega Shake ‘n Go, because I have some left after my review.
• Vitamin C and Coromega fish oil packets.
• The Aurorae yoga mat that I won from Super Sana. (Thanks Sana and Namaste Aurorae) I love this mat and I love the non-slipping chalk bag that came with it.
• Water bottle with water and green tea. Yes, no doubt that I’ll need the caffeine.

Unfortunately, I won’t have this magical Glucose powder that I saw at the local Indian market. For Non-Stop Energy! Awesome. Yes, sugar is that magical white energy powder that was so popular in the 80’s, isn’t it?

There will be little of this protein girl on the web for the next couple of weeks. Hope you all have a great summer and see you soon.

Namaste,

Allie