Bittersweet October.

The mellow, messy, leaf-kicking, perfect pause between the opposing miseries of summer and winter.  Carol Bishop Hipps

Is this not the most idyllic scene? I hope to dream about this very place tonight :)

"Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth
seeking the successive autumns."
- George Eliot

Like squash? Wild Rice? Roasted pecans?

Mmmm...this recipe was so delicious. I am about to embark on some leftovers for lunch! The only thing I screwed up on was, I sliced the squash down the middle instead of lengthwise. (didn't seem to matter too much). Made them a little wobbly, thats all.

Here it is: Roasted Acorn Squash with Wild Rice Stuffing

• Ingredients-
• 3 medium acorn squash (about 1 1/2 pounds each), halved lengthwise and seeds removed
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 1 tablespoon packed dark brown sugar
• 1/2 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
• 2 medium shallots, finely chopped
• 4 celery stalks, finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon minced fresh thyme leaves
• 2 cups cooked wild rice mix (1 cup uncooked)
• 2/3 cup pecans, toasted and finely chopped
• 1/4 cup dried cranberries, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more as needed
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more as needed
• 
  
• INSTRUCTIONS
• 1. Heat the oven to 450°F and arrange a rack in the middle.
  2. Place squash cut side up on a baking sheet, brush 1 tablespoon of the melted butter over the tops and insides of the squash halves, sprinkle with brown sugar, and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Roast in the oven until just fork tender, about 25 to 30 minutes.
  3. Meanwhile, place 1 tablespoon of the melted butter in a large frying pan over medium heat. When it foams, add the onion, shallots, and celery, season with salt and freshly ground black pepper, and stir to coat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until just softened, about 6 minutes. Stir in the thyme and cook until just fragrant, about 1 minute.
  4. Remove from heat and stir in the rice, pecans, cranberries, and measured salt and pepper.
  5. Divide the rice filling among the roasted squash halves (about 1/2 cup for each) and drizzle the remaining tablespoon of butter over top. Continue roasting until the squash is completely fork tender, the edges have started to brown, and the filling is heated through, about 20 to 25 minutes.

Happy September everybody!

Can't believe it's September already! No wonder I awoke with the above tune in my head!

(not kidding, I really did. I really was around when that song came out haha).

It's time for transitions of all kinds. Hectic schedules, cooler temperatures and shorter days are on the way for all of us.

Feels strange having the rest of the week off as we transition from our Summer sessions to Fall. I hope you'll remember to include your own self care in your fall plans/scheduling.

Fall is a time to turn inward, and you can not be available to anyone else in a healthy way if your needs aren't meant. Don't forget precious "you" time whether that includes a Yoga practice or something else.

Yoga-wise I have classes for absolutely everybody of every age and ability. Both during the day and in the evening starting next week at the Roundhouse and the following week at Mount Pleasant.

At The Roundhouse Arts and Community Centre-604-713-1800

Tues Sept 6 - Prenatal Yoga 5:45-7:15pm & Mixed Levels 7:30pm-9:00pm

Thurs Sept 8 - Baby and Me Yoga 12:30-2:00pm , Prenatal Yoga 5:45-715pm and *new* Yoga for Limited Mobility 7:30-8:30pm

At Mount Pleasant Community Centre -604-257-3080

Mon Sept 12- Baby and me Yoga 1045am-1215 and Daytime Yoga 1230-2pm

Wed Sept 14- Daytime Yoga 12:30-2:00pm and Prenatal Yoga 6:30-7:45pm

Thanks for a great summer!

Wishing you energy, vitality and health this fall & hope to see you on the mat!

(My Facebook Page Yoga with Lori Lucas can be found here and is updated daily as well).

Namaste xx

the hood

I was literally running down the street yesterday for the bus when I had to stop in my tracks and pull out the camera. I love this season. It is so moody. The shadows, the colours..anyways thought I'd throw a few pics up.

The time of the autumn equinox is here

Technically it is still summer in these parts until tomorrow but I'd like to wish you all a really glorious fall. The leaves here in Vancouver are only just beginning to change, but the smell of fall in the air is undeniable. In fall and winter yin energy is at it's highest. The sun is rising later now and nightfall is coming sooner than expected. Our days and nights are closer in length, and south of the equator spring is just beginning. Whatever fall is conjuring up for you I hope it's lovely, inspiring, healthy, safe and very happy.

Heres the lowdown on classes as of this morning!

So far all classes are a go! And going smashingly well I might add!

*With the exception of Monday Daytime Yoga at Mt.Pleasant.

*Attendance wise it is hurtin' :(

This class is from 1230-200pm in the afternoon and is as cheap as I can make it.The session is from Sept 13 to Dec 13 and costs $132.50 to register which amounts to $10.19 per class.

This class had quite a few teachers in it all summer long, and with school going back it is now lagging behind in attendance unfortunately. Strangely enough these classes get loads of drop ins every class, but reaching the minimum "registration-wise" is needed for them to keep them running.

Wednesday's daytime class is doing better and there is always the option of doubling up and doing the Monday and Wednesday (2 times per week) for a total of $252, which is dirt cheap.

So..I just wanted to put it out there! *If you wanted Monday Daytime yoga to continue, register asap as it may soon be gone. Register in the next 48 hrs if you can.

You can click here to register!

Register and please tell your friends, and let's do it up! ASAP!

*It is a great deal and quite likely the most inexpensive yoga in the lower mainland.

♥namaste yoga friends♥

So it's the last long weekend of the summer...*sniff*

Hope you are having fun! I sure have been. Every single day.

As much as I try and embrace change I do seriously love summer and have struggled with not wanting it to end. However I do know that autumn will be wonderful as well, as it always is!! It will be colourful and vibrant, and well..."moisturizing". haha.Thats one fall promise we all have living here in a rainforest!

I have just been going over my schedule this morning and it is a tad confusing with some fall classes starting up again on certain days, and others on other days.

Heres the run down (as well, you can find my full fall/winter schedule to the right of here).

Mount Pleasant CC

Monday's -Baby & Me Yoga- Sept 13-Dec 13 (1045-1200pm)

Monday's- Daytime Yoga -Sept 13-Dec 13 (1230-200pm)

Wednesday's Daytime yoga-Sept 15-Dec 15 (1230-200pm)

Wednesday's-Prenatal Yoga- Sept 15-Oct 20 (630-745pm) *class is drop-in only Sept 8

The Roundhouse Arts and CC

Tuesday's-Prenatal Yoga- Sept 7-Oct 26 (545-715pm)

Tuesdays-Mixed levels Hatha-Sept 7-Oct 26 (730-900pm)

Thursdays-Baby & Me Yoga-Sept 9-Nov 4 (1230-200pm) *no class Sept 30 due to the yoga conference.

Thursdays-Prenatal Yoga-Sept 9-Nov 4 (545-715pm)

Thursdays-Mixed levels-Sept 9-Nov 4 (730-900pm)

Elsie Roy Kid's Yoga-Oct 14-Dec 3

So if you are headed back to school...have children going back to school...or like me are just coping with the seasons changing, I have yoga classes for you. Daytime. Night time. Afternoon time...

Sweet, delicious, affordable Classical Hatha Yoga.

Lets make the transition to fall smooth and wonderful and as stress free as possible.Looking forward to seeing you on the mat!

Namaste♥