GET FIT WITH KATE

Day 32

Tour of Mayacamas by the GM –

Mayacamas Ranch, a Generocity Resort, is Northern California’s premier exclusive-use group retreat center for companies, non-profit groups, weddings, and families.

Set on a hilltop ridgeline above the town of Calistoga in Napa, CA and surrounded by spectacular 360-degree views, Mayacamas Ranch provides an awe-inspiring, natural setting for a variety of group gatherings and workshops—including corporate and non-profit retreats, family celebrations, and destination weddings—making it an ideal place to renew, reflect, and connect.

With its secluded and expansive grounds, comfortable guestrooms, distinctive cuisine and multiple meeting spaces, Mayacamas Ranch can accommodate overnight or multi-day events. Group retreat customers include Apple, Google, Bank of America, Craig’s List, Genentech, Comcast, Sierra Club, Santa Rosa Chamber of Commerce, and other leading Fortune 500 and Bay Area businesses.

Mayacamas also provides a peaceful setting for ongoing yoga retreats, workshops, meditation groups, and sacred unions. A spectacular destination, Mayacamas Ranch is a stunning, secluded hideaway that inspires both quiet contemplation and enthusiastic celebration.

I was reminded of how vital COMMUNITY is to our well being today as I toured Mayacamas and tapped into the energy of the two retreats being held on the premises. What a beautiful space to integrate, reflect and PAUSE to appreciate the positive in life.

FAVORITE part of the visit was meeting the hula hooping chicks, what cool ladies…

Day 31

My off the beaten path personality has deprived me of this local, popular gem for too long! Today’s first – hike to Tennessee Valley Cove/Beach via TV trailhead parking lot with the one and ONLY Mia. The company was as illuminating and inspiring as the serene surrounding nature. I get on my knees and thank the sky for you, Miss Mia Falco Rossi!

Day 30

Drive and Park a Mini. Check. Thank you, Teena B! T, who rocks on all fronts, kindly saved me an after work trek to Mini of Marin to knock out today’s ‘first’. Nothing quite like solid friends along this life journey…*days when I’m tired and this ‘new a day’ weighs heavy on me I am surprised how easy it is to accomplish with a little planning and reaching out. Best of all you end up spending extra time with good folk and also learning – had not realized this car originally came about because of a fuel shortage caused by the 1956 Suez Crisis.

Mini’s Tagline: Outstanding design, excellent agility, functional flexibility and space-saving cleverness. Since 1959.

The MINI is the direct successor to Sir Alec Issigonis’s 1959 Classic Mini, which was produced until 2000. The original is considered a British icon of the 1960s. Its space-saving front-wheel drive layout (allowing 80% of the car’s floorplan area to be used for passengers and luggage) influenced a generation of car makers.

Check out this cross-section pic:

Teena’s wheels below 🙂 Felt a lot more spacious than I had anticipated, thought I would feel compressed. Overall smooth ride, very easy to park and fun to drive.

Brief History: Designated by Leonard Lord as project ADO15 (Amalgamated Drawing Office project number 15) and the product of the Morris design team, the Mini came about because of a fuel shortage caused by the 1956 Suez Crisis. Petrol was once again rationed in the UK, sales of large cars slumped, and the market for German bubble cars boomed. Lord, the somewhat autocratic head of BMC, reportedly detested these cars so much that he vowed to rid the streets of them and design a ‘proper miniature car’.

His basic design requirements: the car should be contained within a box that measured 10×4×4 feet (3.0×1.2×1.2 m); and the passenger accommodation should occupy 6 feet (1.8 m) of the 10-foot (3.0 m) length; and the engine, for reasons of cost, should be an existing unit.

By October 1957, they had designed and built the original prototype had been designed and built – named “The Orange Box” because of its color.

DAY 29

‘the eyes are the window to the soul.’ Matthew 6:22-23

Day 29: Stare into your OWN eyes for 5 full minutes, in silence.

I cannot believe how challenging this was – 5 minutes felt like an eternity. **(ended up having to attempt this ‘first’ twice because during the first go I broke my gaze and looked at the bridge of my nose.)

Physiologically speaking: It was hard to look directly into both eyes simultaneously while close to the mirror, I had to resort to swapping back and forth between focusing on the R and L. I wanted to be close enough to the mirror to really hone in on the eyes only, but not so close as to blur the perception. The deeper into your eyes you peer, the more fascinating they are. Kaleidoscope was the word that kept dancing into my thoughts as I directed my focus further INTO each eye. Just like the cylindrical toy with mirrors, the eye seems to hold tiny beads of color and bits of glass that reflect all sorts of colorful patterns.

Mentally speaking: It is fascinating where your thoughts start to go. Until I completely relaxed my forehead and let my mind sink into the experience, my thoughts seemed forced and almost strained. Once I let go the time spent staring into my eyes became meditative and calming. I started to feel more like an observer looking in and I was just another person, will have to remember that next time I try to take myself too serious.. just one out of the many masses, beautiful to feel a teeny tiny part of the whole.

Day 28

New wine n’ dine spot via http://www.dineabouttown.com/ (check it out, goes till end of January and circles back in June) with one of my favorite peeps I’ve met since moving to San Francisco – K2, Kate Kirby. Restaurant name: Oola

about venue:
Oola Restaurant and Bar focuses on local California ingredients, seasonal produce, and organically farmed meats. Chef Ola Fendert’s menu reflects his European culinary training well as his 23 years of cooking in S.F. restaurants.

before I post the Mahi Mahi entree, I feel obliged to note the highlight of the meal – dessert. (I know I spelled that right b/c my grade school English teacher mentioned you always want MORE dessert, hence 2 s’s ;)).

while big sweet teeth reside in this mouth of mine, Oola’s bread pudding somehow challenged my ability to put the fork down..

On a random side note, the arms below are K2’s rockin’ limbs that spend way more time out paddling through waves and climbing rocks than stuck inside in a gym. Just sayin’ because I know you must have been wondering … 🙂

Mahi Mahi:

ambiance at Oola:

All in all cozy spot – scene was mellow, food delish, service friendly (but super slow just FYI). After chatting with the staff, sounds like late night is best to frequent this jam. Be sure to check out dine about town, a ton of spots to choose from – http://www.dineabouttown.com

Day 27

Taste of Terroir – Cacao

What is “Terroir”?: (from terre, “land”) it is the set of special characteristics that the geography, geology and climate of a certain place, interacting with plant genetics, express in agricultural products such as wine, coffee, chocolate, tomatoes, heritage wheat, cannabis, and tea.

I had not realized how analogous to wine making chocolate would be, but my tastebuds were pleasantly surprised to learn they are quite aligned. Today’s first was a tour at TCHO’s (New American Chocolate) factory with crazy cool and unique friend Haley (side note Haley is about to launch her own sleepwear line, stay tuned – I’ve seen the product apparel sample and you are going to want this item!).

Haley and I with Meb, tour leader..

The tour starts off with a brief powerpoint on the company – TCHO. It was co-founded in December 2005 by Timothy Childs, a technology and chocolate entrepreneur who once developed vision systems for NASA’s Space Shuttle program, and Karl Bittong, a 40-plus year veteran of the chocolate industry. One of the only two bean-bar chocolate manufactuers (Dandelion is the other) in San Francisco, TCHO A new way to think about chocolate, based on the pure flavors of cacao. They are dedicated to partnering directly with their growers.

(behind the scenes, no cameras or cell phones allowed, shhh! ;)) :

After the tour of the factory, Meb took us through a chocolate tasting. TCHO is clearly flavor driven. As for how to ‘taste’. First, close your eyes and smell. Second, take the piece of chocolate close to your ear and snap it in half, you want to hear a crisp break. Lastly, set it in your mouth and savor as it melts.. (H and I both admitted we are impatient and tend to chew chocolate, but this tasting may have changed our ways…)

Beautiful Haley post tour and tasting..

Day 26

Today’s first is not going to be a last – fun way to sweat on a Sunday (and learnin’ some new moves for the dance floor never a bad idea!)..

Hip Hop Cardio class at Roco Dance in Tam Junction. The teacher Jackie was inspiring.

Instructor post class:

photo 1 (40)

bonus..

Dancing improves brain function on a variety of levels. Two recent studies show how different types of practice allow dancers to achieve peak performance by blending cerebral and cognitive thought processes with muscle memory and ‘proprioception’ held in the cerebellum. Through regular aerobic training that incorporates some type of dance at least once a week anyone can maximize his or her brain function.

Venue: http://www.rocodance.com

Day 25

Biked the new Bay Bridge bike and pedestrian path (stoked to have Cat join in the fun)..

INFO:

For the first time in history, pedestrians and cyclists have the chance to travel across the new East Span of the San Francisco – Oakland Bay Bridge.

Two-thirds of the Bay Bridge Trail opened to the public on September 3, 2013, allowing visitors to traverse just past the span’s 525-foot signature tower. Before the pathway can be extended the 2.2 miles between Oakland and Yerba Buena Island, contractors must dismantle a portion of the original bridge that sits in the way.

Two access points provide a direct route to the bicycle and pedestrian path: One at Shellmound Street in Emeryville, just outside the IKEA store, and another at the corner of Maritime Street and Burma Road in Oakland.

OLD BRIDGE:

It’s not the Golden Gate, but still a beautiful bridge and unique perspective of the bay. Being accustomed to ride from city to north bay, felt funny to hit a turn around point yet I trust some day the full path will be constructed. In my lifetime hopefully? 🙂 :

Day 24

*The ‘first’ today that reminded me of the wise ‘laughter is the best medicine’ quote was taking 4 minutes and 14 seconds to watch the ‘most viewed youtube video of all time’ : PSY – GANGNAM STYLE with 1779 Million views as of Janurary 14. I had never even heard of it, then again I don’t watch music videos, but – really?! THIS is what mankind spends time watching!? It did make me laugh, I will give credit on that front.. (worth the 4 minutes, but really you only need to watch a minute or two for a laugh)

Had to counter that with some time learning about this wild brains of ours and their ability to change..

Took the time to sit down and watch a documentary I have been wanting to: BRAIN FITNESS: PEAK PERFORMANCE.

TAKE HOME POINTS:

Our brains have 100 billion cells, about the same as the number of stars in the sky.

We create our competencies through effort until what we what we work at becomes automatic. Unless we continually strive to retain these skills, they’ll be lost. In the case of experts, how they engage their plasticity and refine their performance is not unique, rather it is an ability that lies in the neurology of all of us.

*our brains can be physically and functionally changed depending on how they are utilized. The ability for our brain to change is called neuroplasticity and takes place throughout our lives.

*Motor maps/Visual Maps – our experiences shape our brains. In the past it was thought that once we have these ‘maps’ they are set. (this was thought because of stroke victims who had paralysis and were unable to bring back memories. Now we know that our brains are plastic throughout life and can be fundamentally changed, new methods to kickstart those embedded ‘maps’ do exist. So long as the injury is not too extensive, we can use certain exercises to bring back the functionality and re-animate maps.

*Daily practice and concentrated effort transforms ability into expertise. We can become experts at anything we pay concentrated attention to.

*ATTENTION: First principle of peak performance

*PREDICTION – allows for efficient learning

*PRACTICE: Creates lasting brain change. practice with specificity. *practice the finer points to be able to execute them accurately.

*PASSION: passion contributes greatly to refining skills through motivation.

*MOTIVATION: intense motivation. It’s a lot more fun to be successful. Motivation leads to engagement. Critical engagement is necessary for learning.

HOW TO KEEP SKILLS SHARP?? RULE #1: BE ACTIVE. B/c when you are active it inherently puts you into unpredictable situations that keep your brain sharp. It is crucial to learn to adjust – brain seeks out new and novel. Active challenges are important to find. Taking it easy will simplify our environment and we will regress. Our brains thrive off of dealing with uncertainty. It’s Important to train them in this way. Variability is essential. Our brains like things that are rewarding, physically active and force us to pay attention.

We’re all specialized in some way and we have all mastered something. We must continue to practice those things that matter to us. Those abilities that define us as the individuals we are. If we undertake tasks that invigorate our brains, engage ourselves socially and keep our bodies healthy and active, we can remain masters of our lives. We can expand the view of our world and harness the power of our brains plasticity and reach our own ‘peak performance’.

FIND WHAT INSPIRES YOU AND FOCUS

Day 23

Received Moxibustion and Cupping. Up until today, I had only experienced receiving Acupuncture when it comes to Traditional Chinese Medicine. . Thanks to the expert, Kristi Oshiro L.Ac.., I was exposed to 2 new techniques.

CUPPING:

Cupping therapy is an ancient Chinese form of alternative medicine in which a local suction is created on the skin; practitioners believe this mobilizes blood flow in order to promote healing. Suction is created using heat (fire) or mechanical devices (hand or electrical pumps). *Kristi explained it well in that it draws blood to the stagnant area to provide nourishment which of course promotes healing.

don’t be alarmed nor worried if any ‘marks’ are left 🙂 ..

Moxibustion:

Moxibustion is an alternative therapy that involves burning herbs and applying the resulting heat to specific points on the body. It is typically administered in conjunction with acupuncture.

What it does: According to practitioners, the heat generated during moxibustion helps increase the flow of Chi (vital energy) throughout the body via certain pathways (known as “meridians”). In traditional Chinese medicine, stimulating the flow of chi is considered essential to achieving health and wellness. In fact, physical and mental health problems are thought to develop (in part) as a result of blockages in the flow of Chi.

When to use it:

Pain due to injury or arthritis, especially in “cold” patterns where the pain naturally feels better with the application of heat
Digestive problems and irregular elimination
Gynecological and obstetrical conditions, including breech presentation in late term pregnancy
Protection against cold and flu strains

Practitioners often do both acupuncture and moxibustion in the same clinic session when appropriate to the diagnosis and treatment strategy. They believe that the therapies increase each other’s effectiveness when used together. Unlike acupuncture, which is almost always done by a trained practitioner in a clinic setting, moxibustion can be easily used at home. It is not uncommon for Chinese medical practitioners to train their patients to use moxa on themselves to strengthen the effect of the clinical sessions between appointments.

What Does Moxibustion Involve?

There are two main types of moxibustion: direct and indirect. The technique most commonly used today, indirect moxibustion, often involves burning moxa (a substance created from dried leaves of the herbs mugwort or wormwood) on top of the acupuncture needle. Kristi just got a new moxa box to facilitate the application of moxibustion on her patients.

An added bonus – first time ever experience ear needles, yes as fore-warned they have an initial ‘bite’! subsides quickly though 🙂

Immediately after the treatment I felt a bit sore and when I was riding back over the golden gate bridge on my route home felt more tired than usual but perhaps that was because my body was relaxed. Now (5 hours after the treatment), I noticed that the congestion I had in my sinuses and throat has cleared. Am certainly ready for bed, feeling quite mellow.

Overall a cool experience.

As for the practitioner – she was awesome. Answered any questions I had thoroughly and was really knowledgeable in her field.

About Kristi:

Kristi’s journey in Chinese medicine began with her interest in nature, healthy living and the environment. She received a Bachelor of Science from Humboldt State University California in Environmental Communications and Buddhist Studies. Kristi discovered that Chinese medicine’s perspective on the body integrates her interest in healthy living, natural systems, and Asian philosophy.

“Much like an ecosystem, Chinese medicine views the body as an interdependent system rather than individual parts separate from each other.” Everything affects everything else. This holistic perspective allows Kristi to focus on bringing the body back into balance therefore addressing the underlying imbalances rather than simply masking symptoms.