Monthly Archives: December 2017

Winter Wassail Recipe

Today is the winter seasonal self care class at OhmMother Yoga. When I posted asking what people would prefer for our seasonal treat many of you had never heard of wassail so I wanted to make sure to get the recipe up if you want to make some at home whether you made it to class or not. I used a recipe from a spicy perspective for a slow cooker wassail but there are so many variations. I halved the original recipe and added a little water so its not quite as sweet.

What you need:

64 oz spiced cider (I got mine from trader joes)

2 cups orange juice

5 cinnamon sticks

1/2 teaspoon whole cloves

2 bags of hibiscus tea

1 inch peeled and sliced fresh ginger

1 apple sliced

1 orange sliced

Add all ingredients to slow cooker and cook on high for 3-4 hours. Add a few cups of water or to taste or not at all depending on your preference.

See you in a couple of hours!

Reflections on the Yoga Challenge

I wanted to follow up and see how you are feeling after last week and taking a minute for yourself to do constructive rest pose. Were you able to do it? How did it impact your days? I thought I would share my thoughts.

Constructive Rest Pose

I found it really hard to fit doing 1 minute of yoga into the middle of my day really hard because of kids and general running around. I found my groove at bath time. Bed time is the hardest part of my day because I’m just ready to check out for a minute after a busy day of running around. There are many nights I creep out of quiet bedrooms with regret knowing the last thing my kids heard was a rushed good night or go to sleep!

After stalling shaninigans. I found setting them up in the bath tub to play while I rested in constructive rest pose in the hall way while able to be at arms reach and hearing distance or having my husband do bath time helped me settle for the day and enjoy the joy filled banter coming from the bath tub. It gave me a recharge to mindfully work through the bed time routine without as much frustration and then when I could “clock out” for the evening I already felt settled and ready for it.

The one big insight I got from simply resting for a few moments in this way is that I could listen to my body. At first it was screaming at me that it needed more rest and I was able to get the message. The second big insight I got that has become my mantra is there is enough time to get done all I need to do. Its so easy to get overwhelmed by those long never ending do to lists but staying present and slowing down somehow creates MORE time. So if you haven’t been able to commit 1-3 minutes to yourself maybe this might help. Really find that time, I promise its worth it!

I’d love to know what your experience was like, share it here or on the facebook page and I’ll see you at the December Seasonal Self Care Class at OhmMother Yoga, there are 2 spots left. 😉

Winter Self Care Challenge

The winter seasonal self care class is approaching quickly (on December 17th at OhmMother Yoga) but that doesn’t mean we have to wait until then to take care of ourselves.

December can be a busy month for so many people so I wanted to invite you to s.l.o.w down with me. If you are coming to class consider it homework because I want to know about your experience.

Here’s the challenge.

Commit to yourself to do 1, 3, or 5 minutes of constructive rest pose every day. If you can do it sometime between 3-7 that is ideal but if that doesn’t work pick any time especially a time that you can make this challenge successful. Now go to the alarm app on your phone and set a self care alarm so you won’t forget! 😉

While you rest in this pose I want you to simply listen to what your body is telling you. Then when your time is up continue on your day and observe how you feel. Share your constructive rest pose pictures or check in when you practice your self care on facebook or IG with hashtag #selfcarewithsarah Here’s more info on constructive rest pose.

Constructive Rest Pose

Lay face up

Arms at your sides, hands far enough away that palms rest comfortably up

Feet shoulder width apart, toes turn in allowing knees and thighs to rest against each other