Author Archives for Kelsey Finkle

What Is Yoga?

Why hello there!  It’s been a little while since my last post (confession?).  I am not going to make excuses I am just going to accept that right now I am blogging when I can find the time.  And if no one is reading that’s okay.  But if someone is, well I’m glad you’re here and I’m still excited to share with you!

I was sifting through some old emails this week and found my Final from Yoga Teacher Training.  Part of my final was to write “What is Yoga?” to me.  I always find it’s an interesting experience to read my own writing months or years later.  I’m usually taken back by the wisdom that I can find in my own words when I read them after the fact.  Typically as I’m writing there is always a little voice in my head saying ‘this stinks.’ Maybe that’s a deeper conversation for a different post!

After reading my ‘What is Yoga?‘ piece almost a year later, I knew I wanted to share it.  It’s funny, it hasn’t changed all that much for me.  What brought me to yoga, kept me coming back, and ultimately led me to become a yoga teacher is still all the same. Here’s what I mean:

What is Yoga?

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When I first rolled out my yoga mat three years ago it was out of the desire to try something new and add dimension to my exercise routine. After that first 90 minutes my curiosity was awakened. I knew I had to explore this practice more. Continue reading

Homemade Sunflower Butter

Game changer alert! I had never tried Sunflower Butter until a few weeks ago.  I guess I just never had the opportunity and I sure wasn’t going to buy a $12 jar at Whole Foods just to risk not liking it.  Well when I tasted my first spoonful of Sunflower Butter, to my surprise it tasted much more like peanut butter than any other nut butter I’ve had!

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Peanut butter is one of those things that I randomly will realize I haven’t eaten it in a few years and really crave it. Sunflower butter to the rescue!  Since I’m on the 21 Day Sugar Detox and on a ‘homemade’ kick right now, I thought I’d give it a go and make the sunflower butter at home!

Now it definitely takes a little more time and attention than Almond Butter, but it is definitely worth it!

Sunflower Butter – No Sugar Added

Ingredients Continue reading

The 21 Day Sugar Detox Round 2 – Week 1

Hey guys!  I hope everyone’s week is off to a great start.  We are slowly but surely starting to thaw out here in Connecticut which is beyond exciting.  You know that time of year in New England when it’s about 45 degrees and you see people with windows down and jackets off?  Yup sounds about right!

In preparation for our upcoming trip to Jamaica in April, I decided to give the 21 Day Sugar Detox a go again.  The first time I took a stab at this was in January of 2014.  Back then I did it to kick start my year, detox, and maybe eliminate some things from my diet.  My reasons are pretty similar this time around.  I’m not looking to lose a ton of weight (of course a few pounds would be nice) but to just clear out my body of the toxins I feel I’ve been over indulging in since the New Year.  I’ve had lots of celebrating to do!

The 21 Day Sugar Detox was developed by Diane Sanfilippo.  Diane is a well known nutritionist in the Paleo / Primal community and developed this program to help thousands of people get their blood sugar in check and kick their cravings.

To be honest, following the 21 Day Sugar Detox for me doesn’t require too many significant change since it’s highly based on a Paleo diet.  But it does force me to look more closely at what I’m eating, and eliminate some sugar and ‘addictions’ I have.

Here is what my first week looked like.

Grocery List

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  • Chicken Thighs
  • Nuts and Seeds (almonds, walnuts, pumpkin seeds)
  • Green Apples
  • Green Tipped Bananas
  • Tomato Paste
  • Coconut Oil
  • Kale
  • Beef
  • Avocados
  • Eggs
  • Bacon
  • Veggies

Continue reading