My 'Yoga Inspired' Intention

I'm back! And have a new drive and intention for My Candid Gallery.

My blogging inspiration and newfound intention comes from my new hobby: yoga.

At the beginning of most of my yoga classes my teacher asks us to set our intention for our practice. Our intention is often something that is bigger than ourself, or perhaps it's thinking about someone that needs to be lifted up in a spiritual way during our practice.

I took the idea of setting my intention during yoga one step further and decided to set my personal life intention for 2010. I spent the last three weeks thinking: What do I want to do with my life? What do I believe in? Who do I want to become?

Luckily, I think I have some answers to these questions. Or, at least I'm on my way! My goal is to explore my life intentions further in 2010 and document my exploration in My Candid Gallery.

Now, I know Blogger doesn't always make it easy to comment on blogs, but I want to thank you all for at least reading My Candid Gallery in 2009. Thank you also for giving me flexibility these past few weeks to think about my personal intentions, goals and purpose for 2010. And finally, thank you for taking a look at your own lives and setting your own personal adventures and intentions. Perhaps the most exciting 2010 adventure is my dear friend Katie's life journey. She quit her Chicago job of five years, moved to Vail, CO and is spending the next few months on a "ski-batical." Her story is an inspiration and I encourage you all to read her Ski-batical blog.

Ok...here it is...my intention for My Candid Gallery in 2010:

To grow mentally, spiritually and physically as an individual (i.e. athlete, photographer, friend) through deeper understanding of the world of yoga.

Yup, you heard me right! I want to explore not only the practice of yoga but the lifestyle of yoga, the healthy way of eating while practicing yoga, sleeping for yoga, thinking and growing with yoga. I want to dive deeper into the spiritual part of yoga, the meditation of yoga and the health benefits of yoga.

So, here's blog numero uno: Health and food for the soul (necessary for a successful yoga practice), a.k.a My First Home-cooked Meal for Matt.

For those of you who don't know, I gave Matt a "gift that keeps giving" for Christmas:
One home-cooked meal a week for one year!

It's a tough goal but it's one that I'm excited to explore. Enjoy the pics from My First Meal.

Sweet potato fries close-up!

I baked chicken stuffed with feta, pesto and sundried tomatoes (kudos to my co-worker Sarah for the inspiration).

Matt, who normally cooks all meals, cleaned his plate! My first meal = success!!