Okay, I need to start this post by saying, I’m leaving for Paris in 2 days!?!? I think it finally hit me this morning, when I realized I haven’t packed or even washed what I want to bring. We leave on Thursday afternoon and arrive early Friday morning, but I have to leave Rhode Island tomorrow, so I need to step it up. Someone pack for me?

I left work yesterday and walked to the yoga studio where I am doing my work study. You might not have read my post about the 4 things I was excited about, but one of them was “free yoga”. I’m practicing at a really beautiful studio in exchange for taking yoga mats to the laundromat, which turns out to be extremely easy. It takes 30 minutes, the laundromat has wireless, I hang them to dry on my porch and drop them back off the next day. That totals about 2-3 hours, which permits me 2 free yoga classes per week. I’ve been doing 90 minutes of Iyengar Yoga and each time I leave feeling extremely strong and wake up the next morning feeling extremely sore.

Yesterday’s class was both physically and mentally challenging, one reason being that I haven’t worked out in over a week, and the more important reason being that I have narcolepsy (joke, but really). I went to a concert on Sunday night and didn’t get home until 2:00 am, then I woke up and went to work all day Monday. I felt pretty good until about 5:30 when we were laying down in preparation for class to start. I  legit entered my REM cycle of sleep immediately. Reasons I self-diagnosed narcolepsy: I take a 20 minute nap in almost every movie theatre if the film is after 9pm. Whenever I watch a movie in bed or on a couch, I fall asleep no matter what!! Even if it the most exciting, thrilling, suspenseful movie ever, I’m out. I just can’t keep myself awake once my body decides it’s ready to be sleeping. So, between downward dogs and warrior poses, I napped. My teacher kept asking if I was okay because in the middle of a pose, I’d just let go of it and fall asleep. Issues.

I came home, James lit the grill and a fire ensued. We had to cook burgers on the stove (blaeahkjsdgh) and I made this simple Carrot Ginger soup for the first time. It was really spicy. I think it needs a little work. Next time, I’ll probably add coconut milk to set off the bold flavors of curry and ginger.

Carrot Ginger Soup

*Recipe from Whipped

3 Tablespoons olive oil
1 yellow onion, chopped
1/3 cup peeled and finely chopped ginger root
3 cloves garlic, minced
6 cups vegetable or chicken stock
1 1/2 pounds carrots, peeled and cut into 1/2 inch chunks
Pinch curry powder (optional)
Salt & ground pepper
Optional Garnishes: plain yogurt or sour cream, chives or parsley

Heat olive oil in a large stock pot over medium heat. Add onion, ginger and garlic; saute for 5-10 minutes. Add the stock and carrots. Heat to boiling. Reduce heat and simmer uncovered over medium heat until the carrots are very tender, about 30 minutes. Puree the soup with an immersion blender or in batches in a blender or food processor. Season with curry powder, salt and pepper to taste. This soup may be served immediately, keeps in the refrigerator for at least 3 days and freezes well.

Closet Renewal

LBWD (Little Black Work Dress)

Black Ruffle Dress, Anthropologie
Sky Blue Watch, Skagen Denmark
Gold & Aqua Earrings, Pink Pineapple
Shoes, Denver, CO