My first attempt at raw pizza was pretty good. I started with the Easiest Crust recipe from Living on Live Food that I made yesterday,
then added some raw marinara sauce (sun-dried tomatoes, fresh tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, fresh basil and parsley),
and some yellow squash and portabella mushrooms.
I stuck it in the dehydrator for a bit longer while I prepared a little salad. Grapefruit, fennel, avocado, olive oil and lime juice. I meant to add some mint but I forgot!!
I love fennel. It smells like licorice!
This pizza definitely could have gone a little longer (in fact, I put the leftovers back in for a while and they crisped up nicely) but I was too impatient and wanted to try it.
I’d be lying if I said it was better than the real thing. Let’s be honest, nothing can beat hot, gooey pizza right out of the oven. But this was good! It wasn’t fantastic like “Oh my gahhhh this is the best thing I have ever had!” good, but it was very good! I want to try a different crust recipe next time. This one was good but I think I could make one with a bit more flavor for the next time. First attempt: not too shabby! It was quite filling and satisfying.
I’m still not totally convinced that all raw is the way to go. After eating lots of raw foods for the past couple days I have found myself craving something hot and comforting. There are just some things I refuse to live without! I’m ready to get cooking again.
Off the Mat
So, I haven’t done an “Off the Mat’” post in a while. You see, the problem is that in order to have an off the mat story, I have to get on my mat first. And that’s where the dilemma is.
For some reason I have had little to no desire to practice yoga at home this past week. And I have only been to one class at the studio too. What the heck? Who am I?
I think I know what the problem is. As part of my teacher training we are required to practice at home 6 days a week and record it in a journal. It’s that word….required. It just takes a bit of the fun out of it for me, ya know? The same holds true for me for other forms of physical activity. I was thinking about it today as I took a walk. I didn’t feel like I was exercising, but I was. I was outside, walking under a canopy of trees on a gorgeous Summer day. Not burning calories or working out, just enjoying my walk. But if I felt like I had to go to the gym and walk on the treadmill for 30 minutes, or that if I didn’t walk it would be some sort of fitness crime, I probably would do everything in my power to avoid it. When it comes to exercise, as soon as you put a label or requirement on it, I’m not interested!
Thinking about all of this today on my walk made me realize what I love about yoga. It’s not just a physical experience for me. I’m not just building strength in my arms with hundreds of chaturangas, or stretching my hamstrings in seated forward fold. There’s a whole spiritual side of yoga that I just love and that’s what keeps me coming back for more.
So the goal for this next week is to just remember that. No pressure to do a challenging at home practice or put a time requirement on my session. I’m taking the requirements out of the picture and just enjoying what I love about it.
Do you ever feel like this? How do you deal with resistance to exercise?
{ 35 comments… read them below or add one }
That’s funny… I just did a post on my blog about how I can’t go raw because I love cooking too much. I found myself holding back in the kitchen because I felt “guilty” for not eating raw. Finally I was like “screw it”! I am cooking. It will be meat. I will enjoy it. Let me tell you, it was the best day. Then, I made raw almond milk! hahahaha I prefer to leave myself uncategorized and happily flit back and forth between vegan, vegetarian, raw, and omnivorous diets. I’m too ADD to stick to just one! :-) hahahaha
I feel the same way about exercise. The way I deal with not feeling like working out is… by not working out. Usually the feeling doesn’t last more than a day then I’m back into my routine. I work out because of how it makes me feel. My energy, optimism, and general outlook on life are so much better once I’ve done some physical activity. I will NEVER force myself to do something I don’t enjoy though. (ie- running… I HATE RUNNING! I don’t understand how people think it’s fun. To each his own.) I will also never let myself feel guilty for not working out. There are enough things in this world dragging us down. Guilt over not going to the gym should not be one of them. Working out should be something you do for your body and soul.
Okay… I just wrote a novel. I’ll stop monopolizing your wall space now! :-)
I’ve always wanted to try raw pizza. Your version sounds tasty!
Pretty pizza. The sauce sounds particularly good – I love sun dried tomatoes.
Well, even if it wasn’t the best tasting pizza, it certainly was pretty! :-)
i know exactly what you mean about the yoga…at the teacher’s training i’m attending, we have to do the same thing–practice everyday and put it in a journal–and for the first two weeks i just couldn’t get myself on the mat. finally one day i remembered that i do yoga not because someone tells me to do it, but because it makes me feel good and centered.
and it is the same with exercise. if i feel like i -have- to run or i -have- to go to they gym instantly i’m like: “oooo! law and order marathon on tnt!”
I’ve dealt with that issue a lot. As of late, ESPECIALLY. I always used to just have this goal in mind and that motivated me to go to the gym. Butttt, now I’m asking myself: “Why do I *have* to go? Why does it have to seem like a chore?” I’ve always been one to exercise because of the lift it gives me and how hardcore I feel after a good workout. Pilates and yoga have totally switched that around for me, now. I feel connected with myself, as you do, when I’m using my body as it’s own resistance. It’s an incredibly empowering feeling. Much moreso than cranking out at the elliptical for 30 minutes (eww.).
I was thinking about that this morning – are you feeling hungrier than normal when eating raw? How about your energy levels? Just curious! Have a WONDERFUL day!
I know what you mean about a raw diet – if I eat too much raw food, I crave heavier, cooked foods like crazy! I find that having some raw and some cooked food balanced throughout the day has been what I’m tending toward lately. It’s so true that everyone is different though.
Resistance to exercise can be so tough to deal with. I usually experience this in the last month or so of training for a road race and it seems like running becomes a chore. Generally, I try to change it up by going on a trail run, or running with a friend and that helps put the pep back in my step.
Good luck with your practice!
well, the pizza looks beautiful! and the salad sounds amazing, too.
Great observation about the “requirement” thing – I get like that, too. Once I know I “have” to do something, it takes away the appeal for some reason!
That pizza definitely looks interesting! Glad to hear it was a success, even if it wasn’t fantastic. :)
I can totally relate to this off the mat post. I am the EXACT same way. It’s actually the main reason I’ve never played sports in school even though I loved gymnastics and still love tennis. It’s also why I prefer to practice yoga at home on my own time. Forcing myself to exercise takes all the fun out of it and makes me feel like I’m not getting anything out of it. I believe that exercise has both mental and physical benefits, so I want to get the best possible experience and benefits from my workouts/fitness.
So true about labeling exercise like that! There’s a quote out there that says “do what you love, and love what you do.” When it comes to working out, I think you should do what makes you happy and the most satisfied :) If one day I’m not feeling the whole exercise thing, I think it’s great to take a day off. Then the next day I’ll actually want to go out for that run. Hope this helps!
PS those portobellos look perfecto on that pizza!
I had to come over (from Google Reader) and comment because I have this EXACT problem with “requiring” myself to exercise. There is nothing to make me NOT want to exercise more than feeling like I have to do it. I really believe in lifting that from yourself so that you can be free to find activity that inspires and fulfills you. On the other hand, you do want to be a yoga teacher. I think, for me, in your situation what I would try to do would be to reframe things. So for instance I might try to remember that it’s not that I HAVE to practice just because I HAVE to. It’s because I’ve set this goal of becoming a yoga teacher and my own teachers, in their yogic wisdom, believe that regular practice is important to that goal. So I could choose not to become a yoga teacher, but if I’m going to become a yoga teacher then this is something I need to do for that goal. I wonder if that framework might help, even going so far as to separate that from the yoga you do just for you. It’s a little problematic because ideally your practice is seamless and what you do for the requirements informs your own practice etc. – so the mental distinction might not be the best route. But I think reframing this “requirement” as something – like a challenge – that you have chosen to take on in order to reach a greater goal might help. I totally know how hard that can be tho. I would also maybe talk to a yoga teacher that you trust – I’m sure you’re not the first one to wrestle with the conflict between an organic spontaneous practice and the requirements of becoming a teacher!
That pizza looks so elegant!
wow. even if its not QUITE as good as the real deal, that looks out of control deeeeeeeelish! mmmm
first of all.. stop pretending you made that pizza and tell us who the real gourmet chef is ;) just kidding girl.. you’re amazing! that pizza is a masterpiece!
I love your *off the mat* post today.. from suffering with disordered eating and at one point in my life.. an obsession with exercise (well, burning calories that is..) ive known what it feels like to feel *obligated* to work out.. and the unhappiness that goes along with this. I used to have a super healthy relationship with exercise.. i would take walks because they set my mind at ease.. i would run because of those lovely endorphins.. but then once my battle with my weight began i felt as though i needed to exercise solely to burn calories.. and thus, the feeling of obligations began and with that the joy i got from exercise disappeared. I agree – working out (and especially yoga) should be something that we do because we desire to.. not because we have to “6 days out of the week” in your case.. I’m sorry that this commitment has taken a little bit of fun out of it of it for you.. but i think you’ve implemented a wonderful goal for next week :)
blah sorry about the monster comment! have a beautiful day, Courtney!
love,
Jenny
i know EXACTLY what you mean!! i hate “working out” i love being active bc of how it makes me feel but i can not go for a run just because it burns calories. I would love to do yoga and i am thinking of doing it soon. But now i just go to a fun fitness class at my gym to do it for fun
do you know any good beginer videos?
Well let me tell you it certainly looks delicious and so fresh and yummy!
And yes, I have definitely experienced that feeling about “required” yoga. It’s just a contradiction for me!
I wrote a post yesterday about how I’ve been struggling with going to my yoga classes… there’s just this crazy boredom that is setting in and I don’t know what to do about it!!
I don’t have that problem with running – but I’ve also been running for much longer than I’ve done yoga (5 years vs. 1 year) and so running has become second nature to me.
Great job on the raw pizza… that actually looks good though I don’t think I have the patience to “cook” raw food! I love warm foods that sit nicely in my belly.
wow your raw pizza looks so gourmet! i loved your off the mat post, and it is so true! i feel the exact same way, and its sometimes hard but you’ve got to find a true passion behind exercising or you won’t want to do it
I so need a dehydrator so I can make delish raw goodies
That salad looked awesome! So summer!
Courtney! Girl you seriously have a gift with foodie-ness. haha I love looking at how you plate things or the delish recipes you come up with!
Hope you are having a fab summer =)
Your fennel shoutout makes me happy. It is one of my favorite foods!
It’s so interesting to see how much you can make with raw food. For instance, I see Gena’s blog and it’s incredible how certain food combinations can sometimes imitate the “real” thing.. or in some cases taste even better! That pizza just looks like it needs an avocado on it. I think I’m just on an avocado fix right now haha!
Raw pizza eh? I’d be super interested in trying that! I definitely don’t think I’d have the patience for a dehydrator though… I hardly have the patience to microwave foods fully half the time haha.
As for exercise, I’ve definitely been a bit resistant to it lately. I used to crave it and want to do it and feel pumped up for it. Now I feel I “have to” or “should” and I’m never really in the mood anymore. I’m stuck in a bit of an exercise rut and its such a bummer. I want to reexperience the love and rush that exercise brings! I’ve been trying to break out of it by switching things up and exercising a little differently each day, and not forcing myself to do too much or go too long when I’m just not in the mood. It’s kind of helping. Exercise is so much better when there’s no pressure involved though and you should do it because you WANT to.
“I’m taking the requirements out of the picture and just enjoying what I love about it…”
LOVE THAT, COURT! :)
I have taken many a year to figure that one out. I never dreamed in a million years that being active for the sake of FUN or just walking to the store or whatever “counts.” I really is true freedom to wake up and not HAVE to get in your “workout” when you just want to live life!
I think that you will love teaching for this reason! Yoga is so different. Somedays I love love love it and others, meh… I just want to maaaybe bend over in ragdoll for 17 seconds. :) and that is totally okay. As a teacher I get to love on my students (like what we here from Heather in her amazing post today) and that is a JOY to just encourage them. Sometimes I do most all the class WITH them, and then others… I just teach and watch and do as much as feels right.
Anyways… sorry for rambling, it is awesome to have weeks or days or even seasons where we just don’t feel it. Like oats (that only last like 2 days for me!) but I need a break. I find a new love (green smoothies) and then I get sick of those and go back. Same with exercise and anything, really. I think being able to acknowledge that and LOVE that is part of growing, don’t you?
Well shoot… my kitchen is STILL a mess from making massive amounts of almond butter (the crumbs fly everywhere since my little topper thingy on my food processor melted in the dishwasher ;) and anyways… the creamy YUM is so worth it!
Love all the raw eats!! Enjoy that oatmeal tomorrow… if ya want. :)
XOXO
sorry for the MANY typos in that post!! I do know how to spell, sorta!! :P
I am so happy to hear about your “off the mat” experience. I just went through yoga teacher training and feel guilty because I have not wanted to get on my mat either. I am sort of yoga’d out.
A new studio is opening on Sunday that is close by my house and I am hoping that that will prompt me to get back on the mat doing the thing I love again… Yoga!
Yep, I feel like that sometimes. There’s this weird equation we make between exercise/not fun that leads to that feeling. I used to feel like if I didn’t hate it, it wasn’t exercise. How mixed up! Exercise, just moving your body, is what we’re meant to do. It’s wonderful to just go for a walk on a beautiful day, like you do. Fitness and exercise is just as much about mind + spirit as it is about the body. I’m sure you’ll reignite your passion for yoga as you think about how much you *enjoy* it for what it is, not for the calories you burn or to cross it off the to-do list. Enjoy the movement! :)
Hmm… when I press send it’s telling me “duplicate comment detected…”. I’ll keep trying!
Yep, I feel like that sometimes. There’s this weird equation we make between exercise/not fun that leads to that feeling. I used to feel like if I didn’t hate it, it wasn’t exercise. How mixed up! Exercise, just moving your body, is what we’re meant to do. It’s wonderful to just go for a walk on a beautiful day, like you do. Fitness and exercise is just as much about mind + spirit as it is about the body. I’m sure you’ll reignite your passion for yoga as you think about how much you *enjoy* it for what it is, not for the calories you burn or to cross it off the to-do list. Enjoy the movement! :)
Ha! There we go :)
hi girl! i just found your blog and i am totally in love. it’s so beautiful!
the pizza making looks like so much fun too! do you live in NC? that’s my dream place to live!
ok i know i haven’t been commenting a lot lately, but i’ve been reading!! I love what you wrote today about yoga, I realized that when I was actively doing it all the time…so I made a decision that post marathon i would commit to doing it daily and seriously only 3 days in i just feel better…love it for the whole connection it creates!
Amanda,
Thanks! I actually live in Tampa, FL. But I have spent many summers in NC. It is so beautiful!
Gorgeous pizza!!!