My favorite things: Laughter

What's better than a good 'ol fashioned, do it 'til you crying and your face hurts laugh? Nothing. I dare you to disagree. My greatest friends and best relationships have been with those whom I can bust a gut laughing. If I'm not laughing within the first few minutes of meeting you, we probably won't "click". Nothing personal, I simply need to be given the right to laugh long and hard, even it it means laughing at myself.

Videos are a perfect way to share and re-live your favorite funnies. Watch a few of my favorites below. There's something for every taste.

Enjoy....and keep laughing.

~ K ox

Meet Dug - Up



Ricky Gervais and Jon Stewart on The Daily Show

Rolling a Reliant Robin - Top Gear - BBC



Hugh Grant Dancing in Love Actually

Between Two Ferns with Zach Galifianakis: Steve Carell

Between Two Ferns with Zach Galifianakis: Steve Carell from Between Two Ferns

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My favorite things: Cookies

~

I love cookies.

The End.

P.S. This week I will be taking part in a serious-as-hell cookie bakeoff with a group of my greatest friends. Points are awarded for taste, originality, and overall holiday style. The prizes aren't substantial but what's really on the line is pride. I need your help finding the BEST holiday cookie recipe. Post your favorites here or send them to me via Facebook or Twitter.

Ginderbread yoga people by Patti Paige of Baked Ideas.

Update (Dec 16th): And the winner is....not me. Well, that's not exactly true. My cookies won the "Most Creative Cookie Award" but alas did not grab the most coveted prize of placing No. 1 overall. My cookies tied for second, not that bad for only my second time entering the contest. Watch out next year, dear competitors. I'm coming back stronger than ever and with more icing sugar.

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My favorite things x 2: The Montreal Canadians & the Heritage Classic

Only in Canada will you find 45,000 people whilling to sit outside on a bitterly cold February day to watch a sporting event. I'm one of them.

Unfortunately, I wasn't on the ball keeping up with ticket release dates. %$#@!!!

I've missed out on getting tickets to see my home team the Montreal Canadians play in the 2011 Heritage Classic in my current home base of Calgary, AB. In the spirit of the season, a girl can still wish for miracles. Anyone wishing to sell their tickets for a resonable price (obstructed views not included) can contact me here or via info@kimmcneilyoga.ca. I promise to provide fellow nearby seat holders in-between period yoga sessions to keep the body loose.....and coffee with Baileys.

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My favorite things: Pets

I don't have kids so having pets is the closest opportunity I've had to parenting. The similarities between parenthood and pet ownership don't elude me though: the messes, the tantrums, the numerous dollars spent on weekend visits to the doctor, er, vet. Being responsible for other little beings is something not to be taken lightly.

Like parenthood, I wouldn't give it up for the world. My pets make me laugh and teach me important life lessons like unconditional love and acceptance. Plus there's the "Don't get attached to material things and cry over the seatbelts and headrest your dog just ate" lesson.

This Christmas I'm thankful for having my pets to keep me warm and fuzzy on the inside and out.

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On a serious note: There is too much violence in the world

Allow me to stray from the usual favorites things list with a wish for the future.

Today marks the 21st anniversary of the École Polytechnique Massacre. I remember reading the headlines of the event in the Montreal Gazette as a young girl. A photograph included with one of the articles has stuck with me ever since: a school custodian taking down a Joyeuse Fêtes holiday decoration from the walls of the chaotic school cafeteria in the aftermath of the massacre*.

My holiday wish is for this type of cruel act to never repeat itself. I realize how naive this sentence reads but I can think of nothing better to write as I revert back to the thoughts of the 12 year old girl I was back in 1989.

To the lost women: May you forever rest in peace.

*My apologies if my memory of the photograph is skewed. I haven't since been able to find the photograph in newspaper archives to verify what I remember. I'm afraid it's because the complete content of the photograph is too painful and was removed out of respect for the families of the lost women.

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My favorite things: A shiny ring

No, not THAT kind of ring. I'm talking about the gorgeous rings designed and hand-made by my good friend and Murano glass artisan Sofia Fuga of Vetro Fuga.

These decadent oversized cocktail rings are a colaboration between Vetro Fuga and Serafino. The 1 3/8" ring comes with a stone in black, herb with gold leaf, aqua, red, and clay. The only problem? Which one to choose...

Lesson learned: Large rings are strictly for après-yoga and are not conducive to practicing Sirsasana.

P.S. If you want one of this stunning rings, let me know. I know the designer.

(Note: You can't have one until I choose one for myself)

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My favorite things: Anything by Renata Morales

I don't consider myself a fashionista. On a good day I'm lucky to leave the house wearing yoga pants without dog hair. But I digress.

I discovered Renata Morales in the December 2010 issue of Elle Quebec. Excellent timing as I was looking for inspiration for my annual Christmas party threads. I then did what any normal girl would do: I searched her on Google.

I had no idea Renata was a fellow Montréalaise until visiting her site. It's no wonder I took to her clothes so quickly. Her Fall 2010 collection is truly something special. Modeled by the stunning dancer, Mistaya Hemingway, the clothes have a whimsical feel reminiscent of another of my Montréal-born favorites, Cirque du Soleil. Unfortunately, you can't buy pieces by this Montréal atelier in Calgary. I was assured when I emailed Mademoiselle Morales' Customer Relations rep she would make something for me to order. *wipes drool off her face*

Alas, this lonely yoga instructor can't afford her pieces...yet. But a girl can dream, yes?

Who is your favorite designer and why?

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My favorite things: Vanilla goodness

I was fortunate enough to have been taken to a swanky restaurant for my birthday last month. The last course of desert was offered with what I would said was the best thing to hit my lips in a long time: Navan Vanilla Cognac. I felt like I was being wrapped up in a warm blanket. Scrumptuous.

Maybe not the typical holiday gift request from a yogi but I can assure you you'll love it. All I can hope is that I've accumulated enough good karma points this year to have a glass of this delicious goodness offered to me this holiday season.

Lesson learned: Yogis especially this one can adore cognac.

What's your favorite sinful holiday drink?

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My favorite things: Preloved slippers

You can never have too many pairs of slippers especially ones which is made of recycled sweaters. Preloved make the cutest and most cozy slippers around and they're eco friendly. Because they have soft, flexible soles they're perfect for when you're parciticing restorative yoga, meditating, or while in Savasana. In Calgary you can find them at my favorite boutique Shisomiso.

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#58 There's no time to make a holiday list

Every Christmas I receive the same dreaded email from my boyfriend's family with the subject line "Time to send us your lists". Dreaded because I NEVER have a list ready nor am I ever close to having it ready. Every year I go through the same thought process: "I know they'll be wanting our lists soon so I had better get a jump start on mine so it's ready in time". It never makes a difference. My boyfriend and I are always the last of the family members to send out our lists. Luckily he's as big a procastinator as I am. It's a Christmas miracle we ever receive anything from his side of the family at all! I do rather appreciate their ability to send out their own lists early however as it makes it that much easier for me to get my holiday shoppping done on time. But I digress...

Partially I think it's a good thing I never have my list done. I'm usually so busy with teaching that I completely forget about writing up a list of my wants. There are more important things to do like helping the world have flexible hamstrings.

Then there's the flip side of the coin. I feel just a little bit selfish that I make my family wait to do their shopping. I know how inconvenient it can to brave the shopping mall at Christmas . I'm sure there's a positive correlation between shopping closer to the big day and the chance of you clubbing another shopper with your bag. I know for my family's sake I should get them my lists on time.

This year I thought why not share my list with you? In the days leading up to Christmas I'll post about my favorite things. Some of the things I already have and love, some I want, others I plan to give, and others still won't be 'things' at all. Check back soon to see my list.

I'd love to hear about the things you love to give and receive. Plus, I could really use your help with writing up my list.

Cartoon credit: toopthpastfordinner.com

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#57 You can learn a great deal from someone you've never met

I've never met the man. I couldn't even tell you the details of his coaching stats. I do know he was the first NHL hockey coach who's name and face I knew. Watching my first Montreal Canadians game years ago with my father, Pat Burns stood out. Beyond his antics behind the bench, I quickly learned he was one of us: Montreal born and raised. He even had a career as a police officer, just like my father. No wonder the face stuck.

Now years later I cry for a man I've never met. A man who seemed to stare death in the face with more courage and grace than I ever could. Although he never lived to see his name inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame, I hope he left us knowing he was a winner in many of our hearts. '

'You don't cry because it's over, you're happy because it happened." - Pat Burns, 1952-2010

Photo credit: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Shaney Komulainen

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#55 Legwarmers are back

I bought my first pair of legwarmers a couple of days ago from Roots Canada while on a day trip to Banff, Alberta. They were calling my name and were 25% off. How could I afford not to buy them?! I wasn't old enough to appreciate the last time these babies were in style. Good thing too because I would never have worn the fluo-coloured, outrageously in your face versions of the 80's.

Fast forward to 2010. The modern version of the legwarmer is dare I say a little more sofisticated, a little less garish, and lot less in your face with their delivery. Mine are grey knit organic cotton. How can it get any better than that? Plus, I've found the perfect use for them: keeping my shins toasty while I give myself a winter at-home pedicure, or while going to and from yoga on a cold Calgary day.

Don't judge me.

Lesson learned: Certain things deserve a second chance including legwarmers.

Let's take a poll: Are legwarmers here to stay or should they be banned forever? Have your say by commenting below.

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#54 I remember

Today I remember with a heavy heart those who selflessly served and died for us.

Lest We Forget.



War is heavy, peace starts inside.

~ Eion Finn (Fellow Canadian Yoga Instructor)





Painting by Maggie Thompson.

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#53 Yogis can break

I first hurt my back pre-yoga when I was 21. Long story short I was told by my doc sans any form of physical, "Your back muscles are inflamed; take a Motrin", where she proceeded to give me a few samples hidden in her desk drawer. I've dealt with a lower back issue ever since.

Fastforward to yesterday. I decided to take advantage of the unseasonably good weather to do some much needed fall cleanup in the garden. My back was speaking to me from all the raking, bending, and lifting. I was however being careful to keep good gardening form. Apparently not good enough. I knelt over to pull a few weeds and when I stood back up again it happened: Crippling, shocking pain in my lower back. Ugh!

Picture me, a fit 30-something yogi grasping for support on anything I can so as not to stay frozen in my hunched over position for eternity, eventually making my way to the ground where I lay in the half-dark (*insert discussion over the drawbacks of Daylight Savings Time here*), unmoving like someone three times my age. I wondered if my neighbours would look out their window and think 1) Their neighbour is crazy, or 2) Do 'ya think we should bring her some dinner?

No light stretching, ice, heat pad, more ice, or bed rest has helped. Sitting is a chore. Moving is a choir. I literally may need to stay horizontal for the rest of my life.

Off to physio to get a proper diagnosis and then it's time to kick this back pain in the ass once and for all. I'll keep you posted on my prognosis.

Have a similar story? Share it below and let me how you nursed yourself back to health.

Cartoon credit: Sam's World

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#52 Birthday wishes can come true

I woke up to dozens of voicemails, emails, and messages wishing me a Happy Birthday. I'm a lucky girl to have fabulous friends and family and I feel blessed for all the love. Some of their messages mentioned hopes that my birthday wishes come true. This got me to thinking: What is my 2010 birthday wish?

There's an easy answer to that question: I wish for the Power of Movement 2010 Calgary Edition to be a success.

Power of Movement is a nation-wide fundraising drive benefiting the AARC to raise money for arthritis and autoimmune research. Why do I care enough to get involved? I do it for my brother, brother-in-law, best friend, and countless other friends and students who suffer with arthritis. All are young, all help to dispel the myths about the face of arthritis. For these reasons I want the 2010 fundraising event to be the biggest, most successful one yet.


But I can't do it without YOUR help. I've come to realize recently that one person can make a difference, but a team of people can make miracles happen.

So, as part of my wish (and if you can't ask for the moon on your birthday then when can you, eh?), I'd like YOU to help me get the word out about Power of Movement. Here are some of the ways you can help:

1. Learn about Power of Movement by going to their website
2. Follow the cause on Twitter at @powerofmovement. Re-tweet the hell out of their tweets
   
3. Join the Power of Movement Facebook Page. Bonus points: Share their posts
   
4. Register for the Calgary Mega-Session on Sunday, February 27th,, 2010 by signing up here. A $5 donation is all it takes to attend the yoga session. Pretty good price for a yoga class with a few hundred of your friends all in the name of a good cause. Your attendance will guarantee your good karma quotient to go way up
5. Can't attend the mega-session? Show your support by fundraising. It's as simple as signing up and collecting pledges online here
6. Help get the word out by becoming an Ambassador of the Calgary event like me
   
7. Donate your time. Calgary needs volunteers to help on the day. If you're interested, fire me an email at info@kimmcneilyoga.ca
8. Donate your talents. Calgary needs support in terms of prize donations on the day, exposure via media coverage, etc. If you have serious skillz and connections you'd like to offer up, I'd be more than happy to take advantage of them ;)
9. Get involved if you're a guy. At least from my perspective, there aren't enough men involved in the cause so come forward if you have a Y chromosome and want to help. Let's break down those "yoga equals no men" sterotypes. This is for arthritis research, damn it, and last I checked, the disease doesn't discriminate based on sex
   
10. And finally, re-tweet and share this post so others can help make my wish come true

That's my shameless plea for this next year. Thanks to all of you for helping to get the word out. This birthday girl really does believe cheesy Walt Disney-esk wishes can come true. With your help, my wish will.

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#51 Face plants hurt

I knew it was going to end badly.

On this particular night I had already been practicing for a good hour when it happened. I pushed myself into the relm of the unknown, asking my body to do something it had never done before. What was I expecting, a miracle? Rarely does the first attempt at a new pose go well but I thought, "Why not, I'm going for it!" This was going to end badly.

BOOM.

Face plant into the shag carpet. I checked my nose. Seemed straight. No blood gushing out...yet. The first thing that came to mind: I KNEW that was going to happen. The second thing: I can't afford a nose job with my salary.

My other half must have thought we were under some military attack the way the upper floor shook from a 135-pound body crashing to the floor. This is it, head to the basement! Hope the emergency reserves get us through.

Lesson learned: If you think it's going to end badly, it probably will. Save your face; try a new pose another night.

Share your humbling yoga practice stories below. I'd love to hear them. Better yet: if you have pictures of the aftermath, share those too. (I once made a hole in the drywall. No pictures to prove it though.)

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#50 Pinot Blanc grapes are mutants.

Did you know the white wine grape Pinot Blanc is actually a mutation of the Pinot Noir variety? I didn't until this past weekend when I was told this nerdy wine fact while leading a yoga and fitness retreat. I've always loved a good Pinot Blanc and now I know why: they're made from something special.

I also discovered my new favorite bottle, a 2008 Vineyards Reserve Pinot Blanc by St. Hubertus Estate Vineyard in the Okanakan (see photo on the left). Crisp, fruity, and aromatic.

And so continues my education into wine.

Now time to go do more research, practical studies of course.

What's your favorite wine and why?

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#49 Salmon should be slow cooked

I just returned from co-hosting a weekend-long yoga and fitness retreat for a great group of women. The retreat was a custom designed to give some much needed R & R for the normally busy and over-worked corporate group. Without a doubt the menu and food served at the retreat stole the show all thanks to the wonderfully talented Mish Lee Hobbs, our Red Seal Chef extraordinaire. My know-how of food preparation and wine tasting skills improved ten-fold after the weekend. The photo on the right is a picture of the actual dish served. Yummm.

Greatest lesson-learned: slow cooked salmon is a little piece of heaven. Here's the recipe of the dish Mish preparred for the group one evening. Try it out yourself and let me know what you think. I'm guessing you're going to enjoy it as much as we did.

Slow Cooked Salmon with Red Wine Butter

Yield: 4 servings

1c. Red wine

2 Shallots (1 diced fine and 1 rough chopped)

8T. Butter (6T soft and 2T diced)

2T. Finely chopped parsley

1T. Julienne parsley

3 Leeks (discard dark green parts, wash and julienne)

1/2T Marjoram

1/2T Thyme

1t. Crushed fennel seed

1/3c. Dry Vermouth

2c. Heavy Cream

1T Fresh Lemon Juice

4 Salmon Fillets (Skinless)

3T Olive oil

1 Clove garlic, diced fine

Salt and Pepper

Method:

1. Combine wine and rough chopped shallots in a small sauce pan, bring to a boil and reduce liquid until 1 T. remains. Strain and discard shallots. Once the wine is cooled add soft butter, fine diced parsley and season with salt and pepper. Place butter mixture on a piece of saran wrap and roll into a log. Refrigerate.

2. Heat remaining butter in a medium sauce pan and add leeks, marjoram, thyme, fennel and salt. Cook for 2 minutes until leeks are wilted. Add vermouth and cook on medium heat for 8 minutes. Add cream and lemon juice and simmer for 25 minutes. Adjust seasonings and keep warm.

3. Heat oven to 275F. Combine fine shallots, oil and garlic and rub onto salmon filets and season with salt and pepper. Place fish on a baking sheet lined with tin foil. Roast in oven for 12 minutes to reach medium rare. Cut butter into 4 equal pieces and place on fish, let cook in oven 3 minutes more. Divide leeks into 4 plates or shallow bowls and top with fish and garnish with julienne parsley.

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