Seriously, why don’t I do more yoga?! I love everything about it– the breathing, bending, stretching, strengthening– and I always feel great afterwards. So, why the heck isn’t it in my weekly rotation? *Sigh* I need more yoga in my life.
A couple of weeks ago, I took advantage of a deal through LivingSocial.com: 6 yoga classes for $30 at Real Life Yoga. After my failed attempt at my Yoga Challenge last March, I’ve been meaning to add yoga back into my life. I figured if I paid for 6 classes, it would motivate me to go and help me get back on track. Once I shelled out the money, I was committed. I didn’t want to waste 30 bucks!
When I arrived at the address for Real Life Yoga, I was a bit confused. All I saw was a big, stone church.
I really wondered if I was at the right place or not.
But, then I saw this sign:
I walked into the church and followed the signs upstairs and down a long hall to the yoga room. To be honest, it was not at all what I expected! I guess I’m just used to “traditional” yoga studios and not a room in a church. Even still, I stayed and enjoyed a wonderful, much-needed Beginners Yoga and Meditation class.
We did so many hip-opening poses– a few of which were new to me. It felt so amazing on my tight hips and hamstrings. Ahhhh! I loved it! Again, why don’t I do more yoga?!?
Lunch
After class, I worked for a couple of hours and broke for lunch at exactly noon. I was more than ready to EAT! I threw together a mile high-salad with all sorts of goodies in it.
In the mix:
- Romaine
- Tomatoes
- Cucumbers
- Roasted sweet potatoes
- Carrot and Apple Slaw
- Balsamic vinegar
For the sweet potatoes, I sliced one into small disks, coated a baking sheet with non-stick cooking spray, spread the pieces on the baking sheet, and roasted them for 20 minutes on 350*F. It was so simple and the sweet potatoes came out great.
I also chugged-down a big bottle of water. I’ve been so thirsty today! (Probably from the 3 glasses of wine that I drank last night! 
)
After lunch, I enjoyed a special treat: apple slices + caramel dipping sauce! SO YUM!
The caramel dipping sauce is a new product in my shop. It’s actually part of a 3-pack bundle, which includes caramel cream, caramel topping, and caramel syrup. Of course, they’re all very delicious. Mal tried the caramel syrup in his iced coffee this morning and couldn’t stop raving about it.
Best snack ever! I nuked the caramel topping in the microwave for 10 seconds to soften it up. The end result was sweet, gooey, and perfect for dipping a crisp apple. Amazing! 
The caramel 3-pack bundle is just $28 and you can buy it here. Don’t you think it would make a great Mother’s Day gift?!
Murphy and I are headed outside for a long walk. Hopefully, the rain holds off.
P.S. Carrots ‘N’ Cake has a Facebook page! Are you a fan!?! 
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I love sweet potato anything – what a great idea to roast them and put them on top of a salad! And caramel and apple is definitely a match made in heaven.. yum!!
That salad looks delicious already, but then to add roasted sweet potatoes?!? DELISH!
The yoga “studio” looked so cute and welcoming! I agree, I also need more yoga in my life, but it always seems to get pushed to the backburner…
I’m not a fan, but I will be in about 5mins hopefully!!
I’m the same with yoga – everytime I do it, I feel fab and vow to do it more…2 weeks later, I’ve forgotten! GAH!
I literally just licked the screen to get the caramel topping. I love that snack! I may be making a very similar salad for din din tonight!
I always think the same thing after a yoga class! I’m starting marathon training next month and I think my body would appreciate a little more yoga lovin!
*drool* Oh Caramel…I love thee…
I’ll be a fan when I get home from work tonight!
Caramel cream?! That sounds delicious!
I really need to try yoga!
I keep saying it but then I never actually do it. Maybe I’ll do it on my rest days this week.
Yum! Sweet potatoes on a salad, i’ve never thought of that!!
Yay for a Facebook page!
I love yoga too, but I don’t do it because of the cost. I’m better at doing it at a studio than the gym/at home but I need to make more of an effort!
I love yoga too but like you I forget about it sometimes
In the month of May I am actually taking a challenge at my studio to do 31 classes in 31 days, yikes! It’s only about $4 per class since it’s a special so it’s affordable (well, maybe not to do every month, but once…). I am so excited but a bit scared about the extra time commitment. I’m hoping I will feel amazing at the end of it though! I love caramel and apple, I’ll have to get some of that dipping sauce, yum!
Tina with your birthday coming up so quick I thought I would let you know about the free birthday gift at Sephora. I just got mine and love it, because I love Sephora makeup
Anyway, you might already be a beauty insider there, but if you are on the fence about signing up I put a picture of the gift on my blog. Just thought I would share the tip with the soon to be birthday girl. Have a wonderful day!
Yoga is definitely one of the things that slides off my list, but when I get back into it I feel SOOOO good! I really love yoga download because I can do it anywhere as long as I have my ipod with me.
Those apples & caramel look delicious – the perfect sweet treat!
I’m finding it hard to fit in yoga as my focus these days is on walking and Bodypump. There’s only so many hours in the day to fit everything in.
it’s incredible how yoga in the mornings makes the rest of my day go so smoothly! you should totally do yoga more often. it’ll probably help a LOT in your marathon training too
I’m a fan! I need to do more yoga also, more traditional yoga I should say.
What a cool setting for a yoga class. And that is exactly what I say EVERY time I do yoga (maybe once or twice a month)– why don’t I do this mor often?!?
Ooo I looove sweet potatoes on a salad! So good!
Yoga in a church definitely sounds reflective and relaxing.
that’s such a gorgeous yoga space! i need to do more, too. i used to do it almost every day a few years ago and was so in love with it – i still have 3 free sessions left and for some reason i’m never “in the mood.” but you’re right – gotta do it more! you’re inspiring me to do it, tina!
Tina! I LOVE yoga too! We do it at lunch 3-4 days a week! I wanted to tell you how funny it is that I have put into use so many of your little tips, meals, etc.! It really hit me when I logged in and saw your lunch – I have the EXACT same salad today!! We have roasted sweet potatoes and roasted brocolli weekly now! Last night I did sweet potatoe fries with greek yogurt/chipotle dipping sauce and my husband LOVED it!! You have changed my daily life!!!!!! Thanks!!!
I need to try that with my sweet potatoes. I always just microwave them, but yours look so good.
What a beautiful, meditative space to practice yoga!
That yoga studio/church is amazing! I go through such phases with yoga where I am all about it for a while and then just suddenly stop for no reason. I am always happy once I go back to it. Yoga is the best
That yoga place looks so cool!
Wow that yoga class looks so surreal! What a pretty building and what a yummy looking lunch
Wow! I love the look of that yoga studio. It just seems so relaxed.
What a pretty church! I’d love to do yoga in that setting, but I’m a total history nerd and love the older feel to it.
That looks like a cool place to do a yoga class.
That’s such a beautiful place to do yoga. My yoga studio is in an old warehouse in town. It took me a bit to find it.
That looks amazing! What an awesome atmosphere!
The sweet potatoes in your salad look amazing, I want some right now! And I don’t think I’ve had apples and caramel since elementary school, definitely an awesome throw back!
I love that the studio is in a church. Such conflicting ideas, but it’s awesome that the church is open to it.
Caramel! Yum! I need to get back in the swing of going on Facebook, Im just too busy reading blogs!
I’ve been leery about getting back into yoga because of my two knee injuries, but I’m at the point where I think they can handle it. I’ve been so tight and sore lately and I’ve been sitting extra long hours at work that I think my body needs it!
gahhh i wish i could get into yoga! i just feel so antsy every time i’m in a yoga class! i gotta learn to CHILL.
@Julie @ Peanut Butter Fingers: That’s exactly how I usually feel! But, today was actually pretty good. I didn’t start looking at the clock until there was about 15 minutes left!
I love yoga! It is my favorite workout by far. There are tons of great Baptiste style yoga studios in Boston too! I think you would enjoy that style if you haven’t tried it before. What a killer workout and probably great for your marathon training!
What a beautiful place for yoga!!
That yoga studio is super cute! I must admit that I have never tried yoga…
It’s been forever since I had caramel dip for my apples but the pictures are so tempting. My mom has NO sweet tooth but my birthday is coming up so maybe a good me present?
That is a truly beautiful yoga studio. I think I would be able to get more in the “mood” for yoga and relax more being in that kind of a studio rather than a gym like where I do mine.
The caramel dipped apple looks super yummy!
I know you really enjoy drinking iced coffee and I was wondering if you’ve ever tried cold brewing the coffee instead of using the regular coffee pot. I tried this last night and it was SOOO yummy! The recipe I used was here http://tinyurl.com/55e2h3.
You should do more yoga! There is a lot of great yoga in boston. Have you been to Om Warrior? I took a class there on a trip to Boston and loved it, it’s a great little studio and it’s ashtanga based, so may keep you interested for longer.
I became a fan of Carrots ‘N’ Cake! The yoga place sounds nice! I stopped doing it as much as I used to. I am trying to get back into it. Your lunch looks mighty tasty today! Caramel and apples…yum!
Your salad is gorgeous! I have been reading CnC since the beginning.
Your yoga class seemed interesting — I like a darker room that seems warmer than what you got, but $30 for 6 classes is a great price!
I NEED MORE YOGA IN MY LIFE… I think I say that every day
That actually looks like a really neat place to do yoga. I have recently started doing yoga twice a week and I am loving it. Feels so good!
ooooh I LOVE caramel
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