Shop & Give with TOMS shoes

My Mom and I went shopping last weekend and each picked up a pair of TOMS shoes. They're an amazing company. For every pair of TOMS shoes sold, they give a pair of shoes to a child in need. They're available online or around town in many of the shoe shops.

matching shoes with Mom

One for One

In 2006, American traveler Blake Mycoskie befriended children in Argentina and found they had no shoes to protect their feet. Wanting to help, he created TOMS, a company that would match every pair of shoes purchased with a pair of new shoes given to a child in need. One for One. Blake returned to Argentina with a group of family, friends and staff later that year with 10,000 pairs of shoes made possible by TOMS customers.

http://www.tomsshoes.ca/our-movement

Viva Vegan

Last weekend we discovered Boutique Viva Vegan on St Laurent. It's an adorable little shop with all kinds of vegan delights: dried goods, snacks, sandwiches, cosmetics, books, DVD's, jewelery, clothes, frozen goods, etc.

Boutique Viva Vegan 

4148 St Laurent, Montreal, Qc

yummy vegan treats

they even have vegan chocolate chips (not so easy to find)

was inspired to try out a new vegan banana bread recipe... YUM!

(I substituted the walnuts for chocolate chips since I have a bit of a sweet tooth)

Mother Nature

Happy Mother's Day to all the Mother's out there, and to Mother Nature herself. Since my Mom and I are both nature lovers we spent the afternoon walking in the woods on Rigaud mountain. 

My Mom and I at Lac des Castors in Rigaud

First sighting of wildflowers

My Mom identifying wildflowers 

(she was almost as excited as our nephew on his easter egg hunt)

So pretty!

Nature + Loved-Ones = Perfection

Conscious Cycling

Got my bike fixed up last week, and am happy to say I biked to work all week long! Rain or no rain, all it takes is a little perseverance and a pretty heavy outfit.

An increase in levels of bicycle use in Canadian cities would entail a number of benefits:

• Environmental benefits, through reduced emissions of toxic pollutant and greenhouse gases;
• Health benefits related to higher levels of physical activity, including improved cardiovascular health and lower risk of obesity;
• Health benefits related to the reduction of airborne pollutants, including lower incidence of respiratory diseases;
• Economic benefits, such as reduced household expenditures on transportation, reduced work hours lost in traffic jams, and reduced healthcare costs thanks to the effects of regular exercise and reduced pollution.

Transport Canada
www.tc.gc.ca

60 Minute Yoga Flo Podcast

A 60 minute Yoga Flo sequence.
Thanks Jason Kent for the music & to Tim for figuring out how to post it.

http://centredeyoga.netfirms.com/Podcast/60minPODCAST.mp3

Luna Yoga Teacher Training

After much thought, encouragement, and a little bit of pushing... we've finally decided to offer a Luna Yoga Teacher Training! Although I was a little reluctant at first, now that we're in the full swing of planning, I'm super excited!

At first 200 hours seemed like so much time to fill, but after having met with all the participating teachers and hearing their thoughts & proposals, it's a challenge to fit in all the amazing ideas. We've got such a good group together, and everyone is super enthusiastic about their topics. I feel super lucky to be working with such a great team, and am excited about the material we've put together.

We just posted up the training info on our web site last week and already we have 3 registrations! The response has been amazing! We've decided to cap it at 20 people max... if you're interested let us know asap.

Starts May 20th, 2011
Info & registration: http://www.centrelunayoga.com/training.htm

Detox Flo Yoga Workshop Playlist

I couldn't figure out how to properly post a playlist (with links to iTunes, etc), so I've written out the track titles with the artists name. If anyone knows a better way, please share!

Detox Flo Yoga Workshop (Jan 30th, 2011)
Warrior Dub by Alex Theory
Jaia Ganesha by Dum Dum Project
Rock on Hanuman by MC Yogi
Tribute to Ms. Lonely by Milkman
A Little Bit of Riddim by Michael Franti & Spearhead
Jive Talkin' by Bee Gees
Krishna Love by MC Yogi
Everybody Ona Move by Michael Franti & Spearhead
Stayin' Alive by Bee Gees
Twin Soul by Kaya Project
Wicked Are Good by Wade Imre Morissette
Rap Music Is Beneath Me by Milkman
Axel F by Harold Faltermeyer
U.K. Girls (lets get physical mix) by Goldfrapp
Chakra Beatbox by MC Yogi
Second Hand News by Fleetwood Mac
Son of Shiva by MC Yogi
Om Namah Shivaya by Wade Imre Morisette
Zebra by Beach House
Love is Real by Jason Kent (written by John Lennon)
Shiva Invocation by Benjy Wertheimer
Mega OM by Frank Natale