Mantra Monday: I am resilient, I am focused

We all face hurdles each and every day. Some days are harder than others; some days are easier than others. When something happens that catches you off guard or makes your day a little harder its important to stay focused. Throw yourself into what you are doing and say to yourself "I am resilient, I am focused."

NYC: Eataly

A few streets away from Union Square lies one of the most unique restaurants I have ever been to, Eataly. 

This is another one of Mario Batali's restaurants that has mastered Italian food once again. I have been to several of his restaurants located in NYC and LA, but I have never come across one so different. It was set up like an Italian marketplace with different stations. There was a panini station, mozerella bar, seafood station, pizza station, gelato station, etc.

 Eataly also sold many Italian products and also sold food in a deli style. 

My boyfriend and I opted for the pizzeria station since we had just flown into NYC on the red eye and all we wanted was a piece of pizza and some wine.

 I recommend this restaurant to anyone visiting NYC. This was an amazing find and I can't wait to go back to NYC one day and try another station. Maybe the Gelato? 

Meat and Cheese Deli 

Fresh Fruit- I like the way its displayed in baskets for a marketplace feel

Our first pizza in NYC - YUM!

Freshly butchered meat

Piggy bank above the meat dept.

Holy Lobster!

Varieties of Pasta: they had so many!

NYC: Sweets

Went to a candy store in Hell's Kitchen which seemed to specialize in gummy candy. Every animal and type of food was turned into its own gummy rendition. I love gummy candy and was so delighted at all the selections!
See all the fun ones below. My personal fav were the gummy penguins.

New York City and Boston Vacay!

Yes, it's that time of the year again. I am heading on vacation. This time I am going to NYC and Boston. I've never been to Boston and I AM SO EXCITED. I'll be sure to keep you all updated on my adventures in these two cities! I think I am most excited for the great food in NYC and experiencing Boston  for the first time.

Bon Voyage! :)

Mantra Monday: Set Intentions Daily

Today's mantra is set an intention daily.

I used to get very confused in yoga when a teacher would tell me to set my intention for the class (usually done at the beginning of the class). In turn, I started to set goals for myself during each class. I would try to hold certain poses a little longer, try something new, or make myself go to my ultimate edge.

Recently, I learned that there is a big difference between setting an intention and setting a goal for yourself.

When you set a goal for yourself, you are striving for a particular outcome in the future. When you set an intention, you set a focus on something that is going on in the present. This can be something that is going on around you and your life or it can simply be a focus on just breathing. Whatever it is, it should be something that will help you through what is going on right now rather than what is to come. Sometimes I even set my intention for someone in my life that needs good energy coming their way. Setting an intention will help you live in the moment and really enjoy life as it is.

So take a minute and revel in the present and set an intention each and every day.

Happy Mantra Monday!

We volunteered and so should you!

I love that my work has a volunteer event every quarter and everyone at the company takes a half day off of work to help a charity in need. This quarter we helped out an organization that helps children in crises that run away from home. This organization is called Angel's Flight located in south Los Angeles. Here the children are given clothing, food, medical care, counseling, recreation, and schoolwork. The ages of these children range from 10-17 years old. 

My work came in and saw what needed to be done and delegated jobs that the could really help the organization. We repaved the asphalt and painted a basketball court so that the kids would have somewhere nicer to play. We organized their clothing closet and painted murals in the children's bedrooms to make it a little happier.

 I only captured a couple pictures of the mural painting since that was the assignment I was given, but I really feel that this will have an impact on their daily lives and give them a nicer place to go in this time of need. 

Volunteering is great for the soul and everyone should do their part and lend an extra hand. There are so many people and places that could use a little extra care and help and you can make the difference!

Very Belated Mantras and Making it Count

Hey everyone! Sorry I went quiet for awhile. I have been using up all my free time at my new gym (time to get in shape for summer!) and at work. Not to mention, I haven't been feeling too inspired lately. But today was an incredible day, and I think you will be hearing more from me again!

After work, I had a heartfelt yoga class where the mantra was simply to give gratitude and say thank you. It was refreshing to give gratitude to the many people and things in my life that make it wonderful. And then after class, I reconnected and reconciled with a dear old friend that I haven't spoken to in years. It was  one of those feel-good extraordinary days.

And then I saw this video on YouTube and it made me realize how thankful I really am for everything in my life and how I need to make each and every moment count. My favorite mantra thus far, make it count!

Enjoy the video!