SUMMER CAMPING HAMMOCK

What is a girl to do when she has a new camping hammock, dude with great hair, and a friend with a camera at her disposal? PHOTOSHOOT!!

So I am obsessed with this new camping hammock. It is great because it comes with everything needed to set it up and hang in it 

(2 steel carabiners, 2 hanging ropes, and an attached storage bag). 

Two people can lay in the hammock (up to 450 lbs).

This hammock is made of strong parachute nylon material.
It measures 107" X 55" (or 270 cm x 140 cm).

It is lightweight and perfect for taking on a hike or anywhere you might want to enjoy an adventure.

#hikingsolutions

I was able to purchase this item at a discounted price in return for my honest opinion.

NEW YEAR IN PRAGUE

I was given a last minute opportunity to drive to Prague for a night or two for a New Year celebration. 

In Prague, I found myself being a tour guide to a lost individual, 

 sharing sparklers with someone who had NEVER lit them before tonight, 

introducing foreigners to the most delicious Czech cinnamon treats called Trdelnik

(It is totally worth it to get it with a little nutella spread inside).

speaking with an Australian girl who was crying because it was the first time she was experiencing snow and she was so happy (not pictured), 

and viewing some aerial fireworks lit by random people on the street (possibly drunk). I didn't stay long because I was afraid of getting shot in the face with a roman candle, but I sat in the window in the apt on Parizska and watched and listened to the works all night long.

May we spread joy and smiles around the world this coming New Year and try to make at least one person's experience a little brighter each day (including yourself).

Happy New Year.

I love you.

A LITTLE BIT COUNTRY...

I used to be a member of a country dancing team, and then I started traveling and dancing with them wasn't possible. It appears that I'm in Utah for a good chunk of time now and the team just sent me an invitation for a road trip to dance our way across the states to the Grand Ole Opry.

That means it's time to dust off my boots, turn on the country music, and get scootin. It's time to be a little bit more country. I'll share my favorite song of the week to help get you in the country mood too.

YOGA SWEAT

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.

I believe some people are made to do yoga and some are not. If you watched me when I first put on the Yoga Sweat DVD, you might have politely told me to try another form of exercise. 

Julie Schoen (yoga trainer, author, founder of yoginiology.com, and the lady in the video) looks fantastic and does the moves with ease. Deanna (mean Reese's Peanut butter cup milkshake maker, dog walker, and kinda lazy lately) looked more like an elephant trying to tiptoe.

I'm not posting any photos of me because my dog does more graceful poses than I do.

I know from other experience that stretching is super good for your body. I get a lot of knots in my shoulders and my body really lets me know when I have been slacking with exercise/stretching. So I thought why not give yoga a try?

I am an absolute beginner! I was able to follow along pretty well with the 10-minute warm-up (and it really did warm me up). The first 30-minute workout came on and the instructor goes a little fast. I'm sure it will get easier once I learn the poses. I realize it isn't so repetitious as an aerobic routine video where you do a small move a bunch of times in a row so you can catch on after the first couple. The moves are all named off as they are performed on the DVD. I've never heard chaturanga, dandasana, upward facing dog, downward dog, eagle in the nest, warrior 2, hopper step forward, offer the heart, etc. It was a little intimidating (like a foreign language). DON'T GIVE UP! You will get it. Practice makes perfect. The second 30-minute workout was more my style and KILLER for the core (you'll feel it in the legs, glutes, arms, and back too--no worries). To end, there is a nice 10-minute cool-down that helps with your breathing (in savasana) and is full of stretches that I am already familiar with from previous stretching in PE classes from high school.

It is supposed to be powerful and fun yoga for weight loss and beginners…don't let the intensity scare you. Don't give up on it. I have no doubt this 80-minute yoga DVD is great for losing weight, toning your body from head to toe, and working out in an effective way. #namaste

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.