What is Ragnar??? ESPN breaks it down for all of us...

Check out this awesome video from ESPN that details the Ragnar race here in Utah, known as the "Wasatch Back".  We have some crazy clients that will be running the Ragnar race in Nevada come October.  Maybe you've seen Ragnar stickers on cars and wondered what it all means?  Well, it's a relay race run over a period of 24 hours with a team of 12 members, totaling close to 200 miles!

This video gives you a great look at what it's like to run the race without having to actually do it! ;)

Watch as team "Nevernude" experiences The Wasatch Back...

(If the video link isn't playing, click on the title below and it will link you to the original article)

Sunday, August 14, 2011ESPN looks at running craziness of Ragnar Relays

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ESPN looks at the phenomenon of the Ragnar Relay.

Summer Eating!

So I started taking baby steps to eat less sugar, less gluten, and less dairy, and to eat organic as much as possible.  I've always been pretty good at eating all things in moderation, but as of late I've felt the need to just TRY to improve even more.  I'm also not an all-or-nothing person, thus the 'baby steps' to achieve this goal.  It's been about a month and I'm starting to feel better, I'm cooking more, and making better use of the food I purchase.

A couple of things have helped me through this change:

I signed up for Tagge's Famous Fruit CSA box weekly here
Because I don't have a garden, this allows me to pick up organic, locally grown produce every week!  Tagge's gives me the ripest crops for that week, and I then eat them up raw, steamed, and used in new recipes.  I love it!  They have a pick up down the street from our studio, which makes it really convenient for me to pick up, but they have other pick-ups all across the valley.  I know there are lots of other co-ops and farms where you can get locally grown produce, which I think is great not only for your own health, but great for our local economy!  I love the local farmer's market to pick up extra produce, as well, and to support local artisans.

I also LOVE this website I found for recipes that are gluten and sugar-free!  Yesterday I made the recipe for homemade banana cherry frozen yogurt and it was so yummy!  The only ingredients are Yogurt, frozen bananas, and frozen cherries.  Tart, but just sweet enough :)

PLEASE share with us if you have other great ideas to help cook/eat healthier options.  Do you use a co-op? Do you know of a great website or have a great recipe to share?  What about restaurants that offer a great variety of gluten-free, sugar-free, or dairy-free options?

Attitude is Altitude: A Must-Watch Story

Thanks to the Daily Spark blog for this awesome post!  I definitely found it inspiring and hope you do, too!

Attitude is Altitude: A Must-Watch Story

By: Stepfanie Romine : 8/8/2011 6:00 PM    19 comments : 2,015 Views

My friend, Caitlin, often shares heartwarming links and stories. She's a blogger-turned-author andmotivational speaker. Last Friday she shared this one. Whoa. I loved it!

Having been born without arms or legs, Nick Vujicic suffered bullying, depressionand loneliness. Instead of letting this get him down, he fought back--by doing things people said he never could and inspiring others in the process. The Australia native earned a college degree and moved to the US, where he operates the nonprofit Attitude is Altitude. He's also recently engaged.

From Attitude is Altitude: "Imagine being born without arms. No arms to wrap around someone, no hands to experience touch, or to hold another hand with. Or what about being born without legs? Having no ability to dance, walk, run, or even stand on two feet. Now put both of those scenarios together: no arms and no legs. What would you do? How would that effect (sic) your everyday life?"

Watch Nick's inspiration video now:

One of the best quotes: "It's a lie to think that you're not good enough. It's a lie to think that you're not worthy."

Bunny Bradley Scholarship Recipient 2011

We are so pleased to announce the recipient of the Bunny Bradley Pilates Scholarship 2011--Congratulations to Kim Desautels!

Kim found Pilates during her long road to recovery from cancer, and especially enjoyed taking classes from Bunny Bradley.  Here is a small excerpt from Kim's winning essay:

"As an occupational therapist that specializes in neurology (for almost 25 years), I have witnessed how the human body can create new neural pathways and heal in ways that sometimes defies traditional medicine in both the young and old.

My dream is to empower other women (and men!) who have experienced cancer or other debilitating diseases through special Pilates classes designed for them. It would be an extreme honor and privilege to be awarded this scholarship and carry on Bunny’s legacy, believing women with cancer can be whole again, as Bunny believed in me."

We thank everyone who submitted their essays for the scholarship.  Everyone's story left an impression and it was a difficult decision to make. We will be offering the scholarship again next year, and we encourage those who applied this year to reapply.  

Sugar Snap Peas with Mint!

I've been loving fresh mint in my water this summer as it adds a refreshing twist (and is good for digestion!), so I loved this idea to add some mint to some fresh sugar snap peas!  Thanks to The Glamour Blog!

Afternoon Snack: Sugar Snap Peas With Mint (Amazing)

Comments (3) Post a comment Monday, 08/ 1/2011 2:02 PM

You may not have considered pairing sugar snap peas with mint, but put the combo on your list! You will love...

Over on the food blog Pipp & Ebby, I was inspired by their simple snack or side dish recipe for sugar snap peas 

tossed with mint, and I just whipped up a batch. Yes, I'm sort of obsessed with mint lately 

(since it's growing like weeds in my garden, and I love the fresh flavor it adds to all kinds of dishes!), 

and think it's genius to mince up and toss with snap peas and a drizzle of olive oil 

and a sprinkle of kosher or sea salt.

Enjoy!

P.S. More healthy snack ideas!

Read More http://www.glamour.com/health-fitness/blogs/vitamin-g/2011/08/afternoon-snack-sugar-snap-pea-1.html#ixzz1TynOQXPd

The Greatest Weakness of Strong Women

Thought this was a great post by Psychology Today...Are YOU trying to do it all on your own?  

The Greatest Weakness of Strong Women

Stop being the One-And-Only

Published on July 28, 2011 by Marcia Reynolds, Psy.D. in Wander Woman

Alice's relationship was rocky for years. She is a powerful executive coach who is asked to speak onleadership topics world-wide. When she met her boyfriend Dan, he was the marketing VP for a well-known global corporation. During their relationship, he moved on to creating his own consultancy. The travels and changes in their lives made for a bumpy relationship.
One Thursday evening Alice and I were on our way to a business meeting. She took a detour, explaining that she had to give Dan something. They had broken up for the upteenth time. I knew the stop was a way for her to see him, but I didn't say anything. When we got to Dan's house, I busied myself looking at pictures in his hallway while they talked.
In the middle of their hushed argument, Alice blurted, "You have no idea how much I need you."
After a long silence, Dan said, "I would have never known."

that conversation led to them getting back together. They are now married.

This was an incredible lesson for me. We strong women often feel we need to tough it out on our own. We forget to give others the gift of letting them help us. Do you ever wave off offers of help or reject suggestions from the people you love?
What will it take for you to open your arms to the gift of assistance and allow yourself to be comforted?
This is not just a personal problem. Playing the warrior, heroine and martyr can be even more intense at work. When was the last time you accepted advice from others? When you are under pressure, do you feel you have to know everything and keep things together? Are you afraid you would disappoint, let people down, or lose status in their eyes (or more likely, your own) if you let someone else step in and handle the situation?
If you are shaking your head in agreement, you are a victim of two beliefs. You might have one or both. They are equally powerful in shaping your behavior:

1. To be seen as a "strong women" you adamantly block anything that would resemble "being girly." You in no way want to be mistaken as one of "those women." Any small action that might make you look needy and dependent is repulsive.
2. You have been brought up with messages about being strong, tough, and the greatest at what you do. In an effort to shield you from the needy girl syndrome, or even The Imposter Phenomenon, one or both of your parents adamantly instilled a sense of righteous independence and significance in you. Now you are plagued by this Burden of Greatness.¹

As a result, you have created a wall that not only blocks other people from supporting you, it keeps you from creating intimate, mutual relationships. At work, your leadership could be questioned as you prevent full collaboration and respect for everyone's ideas.
Contrary to many leadership tomes, I don't think the answer is to "show your vulnerability." The problem is that you have defined accepting help as being vulnerable, which means you are susceptible to being wounded or hurt, including being open to criticism.
The truth is, you are vulnerable no matter what you do. Either the attack is to your face or behind your back. Either way, it hurts you whether you feel it or not.
When you accept help, listen to other ideas and let someone else do things for you, you are stronger, not vulnerable. You can accomplish more. You get better results. You are appreciated and respected for who you are as well as what you great things you do.
What step can you take today to take a brick from your wall? Can you:

1. Ask someone for their suggestions and then patiently and amiably accept them.
2. Give away one of your tasks that is meaningful (not just drudge work) such as allowing someone else to make a presentation for you, attend a meeting or event in your place or take on a piece of your work that will help them develop their skills.
3. Tell someone how much you appreciate their help and assistance. Acknowledge what they mean to you.
4. Accept well-intended advice whether you plan to use it or not. Be gracious. Acknowledge the gift instead of treating it as an annoyance or attack on your intelligence.

Create interdependencies. This doesn't make you dependent. These days when work blurs into your home life with cell phones and email, embracing help makes you more powerful than trying to do everything alone.
¹ The Burden of Greatness emerged as a strong theme in my doctoral study of today's high-achieving women. This trend is full explained in my book, Wander Woman: How High-Achieving Women Find Contentment and Direction (Berrett-Koehler, 2010).