Asheville, North Carolina Travel Guide
Asheville, North Carolina has been on my radar for a long time now, and when we were looking for a place to celebrate our wedding anniversary this past March, we decided to switch it up and head to the southeast instead of the southwest like we had the previous 2 years.
Lessons from PHO 111
A few years back, I completed The Artist’s Way, a course (via book) by Julia Cameron designed to help creative folks move through blocks and re-spark their creativity. As I made my way through the exercises, it became very clear that what was missing most in my creative life was one thing: photography.
On Becoming a Yoga Teacher
Last week, I taught my 100th yoga class (yes, I count) and it feels like a good time to tell the story of how I started teaching in the first place because there’s a little bit of magic from the universe involved.
Recently Enjoyed Quotes: Spring 2019
From books, articles, podcasts, social media & more, here are some quotes I’ve highlighted, underlined, or scribbled down recently.
Pacific Northwest Travel Guide
While I’m a Northeast girl through and through, I’ve got a major soft spot for the Pacific Northwest. The nature is incredible and easily accessible, the climate is mild with a winter that isn’t bone-chillingly cold, and let’s be real, hipster food, drink, and activity abounds.
My Cousin David
A few years ago I got very interested in genealogy and ended up connecting with a distant Dzenawagis cousin I discovered through the powers of the internet. She shared a lot of interesting information with me, but what I loved the most was what she told me about the meaning of our shared surname.
To My Dad, On His Retirement
Many years ago, right after she got married, before my brother and I were even a thought in her mind, my mom had a psychic reading. The psychic told her all sorts of things, some of which proved to be true, some of which did not, but I remember her recounting to me that she was told that one day she would have a daughter, and that her daughter would have a special bond with her father.
My Morning Green Juice Recipe
For the past year or so, I’ve gotten into the habit of drinking a giant green juice for breakfast. I started doing it for a cleanse, but I quickly discovered that it felt pretty great to knock out 3 servings of vegetables by 9 a.m.
The Best Wineries in Northern Michigan
Call me basic, but I love wine tasting. And I especially love wine tasting with my girlfriends—double basic. Much to my surprise, when I moved to Michigan I discovered that there’s actually a pretty decent wine region “up north” (as they call it here).
Recently Enjoyed Quotes: Fall 2018
From books, articles, podcasts, social media & more, here are some quotes I’ve highlighted, underlined, or scribbled down recently.
My Favorite Yoga, Spirituality & Philosophy Books
I’ve had a few friends ask me recently for my personal recommendations on books related to yoga and spirituality. Through my YTT—and just being interested in the subject for as long as I can remember, I’ve read quite a few books over the years.
My Parents on 40 Years of Marriage
This October, my parents, John & Donna (O’Connell) Dzenawagis, celebrate 40 years of marriage. Since I’ve become the unofficial family historian, I thought it would be a good opportunity to document the story of how they met, their wedding, and get their thoughts on the highs (and lows) of the 40+ years that they’ve spent together
Death Valley National Park Travel Guide
As someone who loves to travel, I'm fortunate that I get to travel for work from time to time for trade shows. While the typical trade show hot spots like Orlando and Las Vegas aren't necessarily my #1 choice of destination, I'm pretty good at doing a little research to see what's within a few hours of driving distance so I can extend my trip to visit someplace I actually do want to spend time.
Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park Travel Guide
After we eloped in Las Vegas last year, we took what I called a "minimoon" to Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks in Utah. March was a little early beach-weather-wise to do our full-fledged honeymoon to Croatia, but I wanted to do something after the "wedding" itself before heading back to the dreary Michigan weather we had left behind.
This St. Patrick’s Day, A Toast to My Grandfather, “The Wild Irishman”
This St. Patrick’s Day, in honor of my Irish grandfather, Francis Stevens Joseph O’Connell, I’d like to share an article that was written about him many years ago.
A Love Letter to the Olympics
In February of 1994, I was a 10-year-old little girl about to discover something that would mesmerize me for the rest of my life: the Olympics. That year, the Winter Olympics were in Lillehammer, Norway, and as a kid watching them for the first time, I was instantly obsessed.
A Short Yoga Sequence for Winter
To help us all make it through to Spring, here's a short winter yoga sequence that you can practice at home. The intention is to move through the poses slowly and mindfully, taking long, deep breaths in each posture and working towards long holds (5–8 breaths if you can).
How I “Self-Care:” A Little Nature & A Lotta Nurture
People in my life have often asked me how I’m always so "calm" and "easy-going." “What do you do? Don’t you ever get angry and lose it?” Part of it is certainly nature—if you’ve met my dad you know what I mean, he is the most even-keeled, laid-back human being I know.
Aunt Carrie
There are moments in all of our lives when everything changes like that. The moments when you physically feel a shift occur. When the pieces fall out of place. When the ground drops from underneath you.
A Short Yoga Sequence for Fall
Designed to help ease the transition between seasons to keep you grounded and centered during the busy holiday season, here's a short yoga sequence to practice during the fall and early winter.