foodie wednesday: slow cooker gumbo {guest post}

Hi Lifestyle Maven fans, Sam here from fitness food & faith.  I’m super pumped to be sharing one of my favorite fall recipes on Cailen’s blog while she’s off becoming a wife!  As soon as the weather cools down, one of the first things I do is pull out my crock pot to make a delicious, easy and warming meal.  I love a good gumbo as it’s a great way to use up some lingering leftover vegetables in the fridge.

Slow Cooker Gumbo

1lb boneless skinless chicken, cut into 2 inch pieces

1 10oz package frozen okra

2 links smoked chicken sausage, sliced

1 cup chopped onions

2 celery stalks, chopped

1 green bell pepper, seeded and chopped

1 tsp dried thyme

1 tsp dried oregano

1/2 tsp salt

2 bay leaves

1/2 tsp onion powder

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1/2 tsp mustard powder

1/2 tsp cayenne pepper

1/4 tsp ground black pepper

2 cups chicken broth

1 15 oz can tomato sauce

2 cups cooked rice

print recipe {here}

Combine all ingredients except the rice in crock pot.  Mix well, cover and cook for 8 hours on low (or 4 hours on high).  Serve over rice with hot cornbread.

Thanks, Cailen, for letting me take over your lovely blog for the day!  I hope you’re having the time of your life. 

why i yoga

credit {here}

i practice yoga because:

- it makes me feel good inside & out
- it quiets my mind
- i like its simplicity and grace
- it makes me feel strong
- it challenges me (both mind & body)
- stretching feels goooood
- i <3 it
- it connects me to my body
- i stand up straighter
- it kicks my butt (sometimes)
- i have more poise & balance
- it works my entire body
- it strengthens and tones my muscles more than anything i've ever done
- it's all about practice not perfection
- it's just for me : )

credit {here}

if you're interested in hearing more about my workout routine, follow me @cailenascher.  i tweet my workouts all week long.


so, what do you do that's just for you?  have you ever tried yoga???

me & my mat (yoga: a love story)

ahhh yoga.  for all my fellow yogis out there, you'll completely understand the sentiment of my first sentence.  yoga is relatively new in my life.  i "found" it last year.  i was following the p90x workout program (yes, it was as intense as the infomercial seems.)  anyway, one of the p90x workouts was a yoga dvd.  initially, i must admit, i didn't "get" it.  (well, tony horton is no yoga instructor for starters...) but as the weeks passed, i found myself actually looking forward to it.  go figure.  without even meaning to, i had fallen in love.

spontaneous yoga at philly art museum

yoga is all consuming when you first fall.  you talk way too much about it to everyone you know.  you find yourself bringing it up in completely unrelated conversations, and people begin to wonder if you've joined some kind of cult.  but you can't help it.  it's wonderful and new and is completely unlike anything you've done for yourself before.  it's kind of like swimming on land.  it's very fluid (or you try to make it fluid...)

because of p90x, i was introduced to yoga as a work out.  it's not really, by the way.  yeah, it can make you sweat and can give you muscle definition and has helped to get me in the best shape of my life.  (no joke, it really has.)  but first and foremost, it's a practice.  something you work towards - not something you tackle or accomplish.  a ritual, if you will.  a gift to yourself.

it connects you to your breath.  your inner self.  it makes you feel alive in a new kind of way.  a way that enables you to fully inhabit your body and walk a bit taller.  you feel healthier, fitter, graceful and more at peace.  it's truly miraculous.  i start almost every day now with some yoga - it just puts me in a better place.  there's nothing like a few sun salutations to set you right with the world. 

now, i know that it's not for everyone.  no one thing works for everybody or is experienced in the same way.  but, if you're interested in trying yoga, don't say i didn't warn you.  you might fall.  and fall hard.

me, han, craig (nice pose, babe)

namaste.

if you're interested in trying out some yoga, here is a link to a few of my fave dvds: the yogaworks series is great, and if you're a newbie their "beginner yoga" program is really wonderful : )

Maintain Your Motivation

Isn't it great when you first set a goal for yourself?  You're so pumped and ready to go and just know that you're going to succeed.  Nothing can stop you!  Fast-forward one week.  Still feel the same way?  If you're like most people, probably not.  After the first few "honeymoon" days, reality begins to set in.  You start to questions yourself and your resolve.  So, how do you power through when your motivation is fading fast?  Below are some simple, easy tricks to harness your motivation to reach all your healthy lifestyle goals!

1. Change your vocabulary. Saying "I want to workout" or "I choose to eat healthy foods" is much more empowering that victimizing yourself and saying "I have to..."

2. Make a list. Making a list of all the reasons why your healthy living goals are important is a great way to harness your motivation. List everything from "fitting into my 'skinny' jeans" to "being able to play with my kids". Reread the list whenever you need a motivation booster.

3. Share your goals. Sharing your goals with others is a great way to hold yourself accountable. Telling your family and friends what you're hoping to achieve is a wonderful way to motivate yourself because if you fail to reach your goals, you'll not only disappoint yourself, but you'll have to "explain" it to your friends and family.

4. Recruit a friend. So many of us aim to get healthier as one of our primary goals. So, why not reach out to a friend, sibling or spouse to accompany you on your journey. Teaming up is a fantastic way to get your butt in gear!

Best of luck : )

New Features!!!

In order to better serve my clients (and potential clients) I've created some cool new features on my website and blog : )

First off, I've designed a few online stores to share products and resources that I have found particularly useful (and fun) on my ongoing quest for "Well-Designed Living". Feel free to visit, browse and offer your thoughts and suggestions. I'd love to hear your feedback. My Amazon store has dvds, books, exercise accessories and more to help you reach your wellness goals http://astore.amazon.com/cailaschdesi-20. My CafePress store has gear that will make you smile and empower you on your journey to health and happiness http://shops.cafepress.com/WellDesignedLiving.

Another great service I'm just starting up is Phone Consultations (see the blue "call" button to the right?). For those of you who are too busy or live too far away to meet with me in person, I'm now offering Lifestyle Consultations via phone. So, give me a call and we'll discuss how you can design your lifestyle to support happy, healthy living. (FYI: It's free to call, and I'd love to hear from you! But just so you know, if you choose to continue with a full lifestyle consultation you will be prompted to finalize payment before continuing. Consultations can be any length you choose : )

I hope that you enjoy and make use of these new features from Cailen Ascher Design. They're pretty cool, if I do say so myself....

Happy, healthy living!

Harness Your Motivation!

Below are some simple, easy tricks to harness your motivation to reach all your healthy lifestyle goals!

1. Change your vocabulary. Saying "I want to workout" or "I choose to eat healthy foods" is much more empowering that victimizing yourself and saying "I have to..."

2. Make a list. Making a list of all the reasons why your healthy living goals are important is a great way to harness your motivation. List everything from "fitting into my 'skinny' jeans" to "being able to play with my kids". Reread the list whenever you need a motivation booster.

3. Share your goals. Sharing your goals with others is a great way to hold yourself accountable. Telling your family and friends what you're hoping to achieve is a wonderful way to motivate yourself because if you fail to reach your goals, you'll not only disappoint yourself, but you'll have to "explain" it to your friends and family.

4. Recruit a friend. So many of us aim to get healthier as one of our primary goals. So, why not reach out to a friend, sibling or spouse to accompany you on your journey. Teaming up is a fantastic way to get your butt in gear!

Best of luck : )

Finding the True You

Though all our lives take different courses, I've realized lately that we're all really searching for just one thing. The true essence of who we are. We long to understand what makes us "tick", and when we discover this elusive concept, we can begin to truly appreciate and be at peace with who we are. Lately, I've just begun to sense who I REALLY am - and I'm not talking about all the superficial "fluff" that people think they're made of (i.e. clothes, cars, careers, etc.). I'm talking about that deep-down, undeniable core of who you are.

How did I begin to "see" this inner me? One word. Yoga. Until the past few months, I never really "got" yoga. I thought is was a trendy fitness cliche for celebs and celeb wanna-bes. But, as I began to practice more frequently and do research on my own, I began to discover what yogis have known for centuries...Yoga opens you up and puts you in touch with your inner self. It clears your mind, opens your heart and challenges your body. It helps you to be present as you focus on your breath. Yoga sets you free (for a little while at least) from the trials and tribulations of daily life.

So, for me it is yoga. For you, it may be something else that helps you to see beyond all the outer layers that cover your true core. But whatever it is, it's worth looking for. Believe me.

Happy, healthy 2010!

Well-Designed ...

By Cailen Ascher Poles

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Measurements

The measurements are in.........drum roll please.........I lost 1.25 inches off my waist and about an inch off each of my thighs. So, I guess things are working in a positive direction after all - what more can you ask for, right?!

Thanks, P90X! Here's to another great month!

For more information about Cailen Ascher Design or my upcoming book, Well-Designed Living, visit www.CailenAscher.bravehost.com or email CailenAscher@gmail.com.

P90X Almost 30 days....

So it's been almost 30 days following the P90X workouts, and I have to say I really, really like them. They're challenging, fun and alternate enough that you're never bored (which is really important if you're going to stick it out for 90 days, right?). I haven't lost much weight - maybe a pound or two, but I'm definitely building muscle. My arms are firmer and my biceps and even triceps are more defined. Also, my stomach is getting flatter!

Though I wasn't in it to lose weight, I was still a bit confused (and slightly frustrated) that the scale hasn't really budged. I eat very healthy - lean proteins, lots of fruits and veggies - so it doesn't seem to add up. I'll guess we'll have to see what the inches say.... I'll be doing measurements this weekend, so I'll update with my changes in inches after that.

One thing is for certain - these workouts really kick your butt! They get you sweating and really push you. It's been a great way to rev up my routine.

If you want to see visible results, however, you definitely have to make sure you eat healthy, nutritious foods. For the first part, it's the "Fat Burning" phase. You eat low-fat, high-protein to help you shed any excess fat you have and build lots of muscle. I've used their nutrition guidelines as a reference and have created a similar diet that meets my needs, and as I said, I am noticing a bit more muscle definition already. Very cool!

Today is Kenpo X, part of my recovery week, which gives you a break from weight training. Looking forward to it!

For more information about Cailen Ascher Design or my upcoming book, Well-Designed Living, visit www.CailenAscher.bravehost.com or email CailenAscher@gmail.com.

Lifestyle Classes

Reserve your place today in

Cailen Ascher Design's lifestyle class!

Session 1 - Wellness

(Aug 18th - Sept 22nd)
discuss nutrition plans . develop fitness regimens . identify your health goals . learn what motivates you .

discover how to live your best life!

Session 2 - Home

(Oct 6th - Nov 10th)
align your home & lifestyle . learn to simplify and refine . develop a sense of beauty & function . learn to trust your design style . get insider designer tips!

$150 per 6 week session - Only $25 per class!

Tuesday Morning 10am - 11am OR Tuesday Evening 7pm - 8pm

A non-refundable deposit of $25 is requested to hold your seat.

Call 908.581.8191 or email CailenAscher@gmail.com

Family Boot Camp

This summer I've created a "Family Boot Camp" to help my family stay motivated as they embark on a journey toward healthier lifestyles. My aunts, cousins, parents and sister are all on board! We've created a shutterfly website (http://www.familybootcamp.shutterfly.com/) so that we can help one another stay on track.

We have weekly workouts, a healthy lunch date every other week to discuss our progress, and send emails and update the website daily to keep us all moving towards our goals. So far everyone seems to really be enjoying having a network to reach out to when they're in need of some motivation and inspiration.

Having a workout partner (or several for that matter) is a great way to keep you focused. You may not mind skipping out on exercise when you only have to justify it to yourself, but having to explain it to others is sometimes a different story. Letting family and friends know your goals holds you accountable. So, don't be afraid to share your goals and progress - it'll really help to keep you focused and on track!

For more information about Cailen Ascher Design or my upcoming book, Well-Designed Living, visit www.CailenAscher.bravehost.com or email CailenAscher@gmail.com.

New Pants, New Outlook

For the past few years, I have made the effort to workout each morning, Monday through Friday. I have come to really enjoy (and dare I say even look forward to) my morning routine, but lately I've been feeling a little "blah" about it all. I felt I wasn't feeling and seeing the same results from my workouts and consequently wasn't feeling as "pumped" and positive about my workouts and myself.

Whenever I feel that I'm hitting a self-esteem plateau, I've realized that what works best for me is trying something new and being especially kind to myself in my thoughts, words, and actions. For my birthday, I received a kettle-bell (a ball-shaped weight with a handle used for aerobic strength training) and a few pairs of very cute yoga pants. This past Monday I used my kettle-bell for the first time. It was challenging, and I broke a sweat in the first 5 minutes! I felt so great afterwards. I had tried something new, challenged myself, and re-energized my enthusiasm for my workouts.

Today, I sported one of my new pairs of yoga pants during my workout. They fit me much better than my old sweats, and I actually felt cute instead of slightly frumpy. This small, cosmetic change really affected how I felt during and after my workout. Really, it did.

If you are feeling tired of your workout routine or are trying to start one up, think about things that challenge you, sound like fun, and make you feel good. Never go into it thinking "I have to do this to lose weight" - that takes all the fun out of it and makes you feel like a prisoner of your exercise routine. Make a list of all the physical activities you enjoy (even if they're atypical, like gardening or window shopping). Anything is better than nothing! Lastly, take the time to nurture yourself. Buy new sneakers, sign up for a dance-aerobics class, or take a few minutes out of your day for a peaceful walk. It'll make a world of difference.

For more information about Cailen Ascher Design or my upcoming book, Well-Designed Living, visit www.CailenAscher.bravehost.com or email CailenAscher@gmail.com.