NYC #15 // Stretch out with UNDO

  

Yoga. It makes everyone a more loving, compassionate being on earth. After any session, I am always in Slow-Motion. I move, touch, eat, drink more mindfully. If you haven't read my small THANK YOU note to Yoga yet, here it is again:

Every single session is such a healing gift for my body and mind. I've learned how to combine breathing, physical exercise and meditation. This is real quality time. Always, always love yourself first before you go out and spread it. Also, you start recognizing how breathing is so important while doing yoga. You become more mindful and grateful for everyday little things. When you incorporate yoga and meditation in your hectic, crazy schedule, you will see small changes. Small changes with big impact. And the more I do it, the more I love life and feel happier, more grounded, more myself and confident. 

These pictures were taken at the Undo x WithoutWalls Yoga Event held for the launch of their 2nd Issue. After a small meditation intro session with Ben Turshen, Shae led us through a nice yoga flow. Thanks to UndoMagazine who made this happen!

Healthy Friday: More and more Vegan

This is no regular Food Friday and I actually wanted to post this on a healthy wednesday, but since I moved to New York almost three weeks ago, things are a bit crazy over here and I barely find time to really embrace myself into blogging! Just so you know, there will be some changes in the next couple of months and I am not sure, if I will be able to post on specific weekdays.

Still, no excuses and I really wanted to share this important fact with you. Well, okay, this is not big news because some of my friends did sense that, but I do eat more and more vegan now. How come? I tried several times last year, but was never able to stick to it for more than a week. And then, something happened to my skin. After my summer in Berlin, I started getting eczema and it was really bad, so bad that my skin turned completely white and dry because I could not resist scratching. I never had it before and after a few check-ups with my doctors and failed treatments with creams, I took the chance and just try it.

McCarren Park Greenmarket

Brooklyn, NY

Let's go vegan for 30 days, strict. As you know, I already did tend to more vegan and vegetarian food since I post them in my food friday recipes, so this was actually not that hard for me. But, I have to say, it was very benefical to not stay with my parents and their Vietnamese cooking, therefore I was forced to cook for myself when I spent that month in Berlin. Additonally, I did not consume dairy before, and I could definitely live without cheese. So, the 30 days turned out to be very experimental and at the end very eye-opening. My skin got better and better and it seemed like my eczema was gone.. for good... until life becomes stressful again and your body shows it to you.

Nevertheless, it's been around three months now and I would say that I am still 80% vegan. Why only 80%? Because I do have my exceptions. The very first month was strict, but then later, I figured out for myself that most of the time and especially when I am cooking for me, I can definitely stay vegan. But you know what, there are situations such as birthday parties, having food at home with your parents etc., where I do not ask whether there is egg or milk inside the birthday cake or the spring roll. I would either bring my own food or just eat with my friends and family because I don't want to make a big deal about my lifestyle and we still want to be social, right?! If friends came over to my place, it would totally be all-vegan. And why not back to meat? Not only did my skin turn better, but in general I feel better, too! :) 

So amazed by the COLORS! *.*

Here are some tips to start out with veganism: 

1. Start small, try a day, then a week, 

then a month and if it suits you, keep going 

2. Of course, it helps when you're open-minded 

and want to learn more about this lifestyle  

3. Inform yourself to get the right nutrients and 

also protein from your vegetables and fruits

4. Don't try to convert people, 

always be nice and open, too!

5. You can substitute everything:

cow milk with soy/almond/hemp/flax milk

eggs with soy milk/bananas/other fruits etc.

 cheese with almond butter/ cashew butter

6. Be creative! Look up amazing recipes on the WWW, 

find some of mine here

.. and most of all: don't be too harsh on yourself, this should be about your health and food should be fun and enjoyable!

Happy Experimenting!

Rocky Mountains // Mount Fairview

Mount Fairview 2744m

5.1km to summit

1013m elevation gain

6hour round trip

In the Hiking Map it said: 

In a region that was explored by Swiss Mountain Guides in the early 20th century, it makes sense to challenge your inner mountaineer with a steep hike up a famous peak. And the 'fair' view at the top? It's downright spectacular!

A few thoughts from me:

This was the hardest hike I've ever done. I had my stick because I just sprained my ankle, but still it was really challenging. It was very very steep and the last 400m were just crazy. There was actually no way, no trail, only stones. We had to climb up there. Yep, it was hard for me and the sun was burning, we had little water. At some point, I was like: fuck it, boys, you go by yourself, I'll wait here.. but I was almost up there.. after a short break: okay, let's do this, I came so far and want to see the view, let's not look back, take your time and walk up slowly and safely!

WE MADE IT :) :) :)

Everything was gone and we were so so so happy!

Enjoy the pictures and see what nature offers to us!

Happy faces on top of Mount Fairview, thank you guys!

On our way back, we got somekind of lost and didn't take the same route back, hello shortcut! We skipped most of the forest part and sat down to slide down the stones.. Going downwards was painful for my ankle, but sitting and sliding was really good! Yes, it was fun, but we had no more water, so we rushed to come back down to Lake Louise to dunk our heads into water.. 

This was my last post from the Rocky Mountains in Canada and I'll assure you, I'll be back, better trained and better prepared for many more hiking trips! Cheers! ♥

Rocky Mountains // Banff Nationalpark // Lake Louise

Parker Ridge

Our plan was to stay at the Icefield Center for only one night and pack up our stuff to hitchhike to Lake Louise, the next biggest town in Banff Nationalpark.. until.. Ellen offered us some hot tea. I was the only one receiving it since my body craved something warm after the hike to the Athabasca Glacier in the morning. Yep, we weren't as well prepared for this camping trip. The boys wanted to keep it adventurous and wanted to do stuff like: camping wild, making our own fire, using soup cans instead of pots.. didn't work out that well I'd say.

But anyways, so at the end, we stayed one more night and Ellen gave us a ride to Lake Louise. Again, we were really fortunate to meet her because she even offered us to stay at her place when we would arrive back in Vancouver. Crazy, huh? So, it's always better to not plan and just go with the flow..

The day we drove towards Lake Louise, we stopped at several sightseeings and did one short hike, which was manageable for my swollen and blue ankle. First, we did the 2hr, 5,4km (with return) Parker Ridge Trail which brought us to the amazing view of the Saskatchewan Glacier and the Saskatchewan River. Then, we stopped at Peyto Lake, which has this incredible ice blue color. The third stop we did was at Bow Lake, which was just amazing and beautiful. I loved it there because you could also walk by the water and not only stand on a platform to look at it.

Peyto Lake

Bow Lake

Num-Ti-Jah-Lodge at Bow Lake

Since we spent so little time in the Jasper Nationalpark, we decided to stay the rest of our trip in Lake Louise. At first, we really had a hard time finding a space to pitch our tent because it is high season right now and the campground here was full, but for the first night everything turned out fine because the Hostel in town had three spots left. It was kind of expensive but at that point (it was early evening again) we would take anything. After checking in, we went hiking shoes shopping and although it was super expensive, I was happy with my purchase. That day we did not do much and were glad about a hot shower and some warm food. You really get to appreciate it. The next day, we got up early and hoped for a spot at the campground. Again, we had luck and booked three more nights there. Funny thing, when we walked to our site, there was a stick on the table, which turned into my hiking stick and it was just perfect for my ankle..

Mount Temple

Mount Fairview to the left at Lake Louise

The first day, we hiked from the campground to Lake Louise, a 4km + hike, which would be our little warm-up for what was coming. Arriving at Lake Louise, it was really crowded and touristy so that we decided to hike further to Mirror Lake. When we arrived there, we were like: Well, it's actually not too bad, let's hike up to the Tea House and to Lake Agnes. In total, we did something like a 14 km (with return), 400m elevation gain, hike. So, at the end it took us pretty much the whole day, but it was totally worth it, hope you enjoy the pictures!

Mirror Lake

Lake Agnes

Yes, my very first pair of Hiking Shoes!

The next day, we rested a bit for our big hike coming up.. We wanted to conquer Mount Fairview because Ellen recommended to us: if you guys only had one day in Lake Louise, do Mount Fairview, 5.1km to summit, 1013m elevation gain, 5 to 6 hour roundtrip. And yes, although a bit handicapped, I wanted to do it, too! 

The German neighbours, there are so! many travelling :)

A new post, only for the Mount Fairview Hike is coming up the next days, so stay tuned for more beautiful pictures! 

And the pictures underneath were taken after the big hike at the Hostel in Lake Louise. After three nights of camping and lots of hiking, we decided to volunteer and work there to stay for free. We wanted to relax and one night, I got to listen to some elders of the First Nation, they talked about their culture, how they had to adapt to the West and what they would do when seeing a bear. I had a blast that night!