Do Pilates

I have been practicing my handstand which has helped my headstand. Playin’ around. Every day is different. Donna M Otten

Staying focused on my Health. When I'm out and about in life I don't always avoid gluten. I do my best. I do not have celiacs but I am gluten intolerant and it can really catch up to me. So when I am at home I focus on eating healthy protein and a lot of veggies. Find the healthy stuff you love and eat it often. #glutenfree #mondaymotivation #healthyliving #positivevides #behappy

5 weeks ago I decided to set a goal for myself. I worked on it then I didn't. The goal: HANDSTAND/HEADSTAND. This scared me. I didn't think I was strong enough. I wasn't getting closer to the goal just trying at home by myself. So I went to a beginners yoga class. I'd never practiced at a studio before. I was nervous but went for it. I fell in love, but decided I needed to go to an open level class. I loved this even more. I had no clue what was going on but just did the move...ments as everyone else did. Then in class, it was time for "inversions"! Everyone was going to their places and went into there Headstand/handstand and I was so scared and nervous and every part of me wanted to run out. But instead I raised my hand and told the teacher I had never done this before. She assisted me and walked me through it. There is was. Day one. NAILED IT! Ok. She lifted my hips and I put my feet on a wall. But there I was upside down. Defying gravity. It was great. I thought "I want to do this again." So I went to another class. Different instructor. It came around time for inversions. Now with a partner! Anxiety again set in. But a really nice guy who does them all the time partnered up with me. And again. Upside down. Yes I was being held up. 3rd class - inversion again. This time, Alison, the instructor really walked me though. I got it again, this time with no hands on assistance. I was so excited to show my husband. So at like 10pm I was doing a handstand in the hallway for Joshua Otten. He wasn't impressed. "Your feet are on the wall" I tried to explain. He just told me to move me feet. I was arguing with him upside down. Then, I just did it. I moved my feet from the wall! I did It, even though my mind was streaming NO! Push past your comfort zone! #youcandoit #dopilates #yoga #balance #positivevibes #goals See more

This weekend I was talking to some friends about #bulletproofcoffee. They had never heard of it or its benefits, so I thought I would talk about it here. I use the regular espresso beans that I normally use but instead of adding cream and sugar, you add 1 tablespoon of grass fed butter or Ghee(I use Organic grass fed Ghee) and 1 tablespoon coconut oil or MCT oil. I just ordered some of the Bulletproof MCT oil to try it... Its more expensive but I wanted to compare. I make two... double shot expressos. I put them in my #nutribullet with 1 tablespoon each and Blend! Its that easy. I pour into two cups for me and my husband. Bullet proof coffee will increase your daily intake and absorption of healthy fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, K & K2 and healthy fatty acids such as conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs). In addition, this healthy fat combo has the potential to give you sustained energy for several hours afterward. I have read many articles of how it helps #fightinflamation in the body and brain. I even ready an article about how it help symptoms of early onset alzheimer's or memory loss with a healthy diet of course. I mean why not replace your sugary morning coffee with something just as delicious that has great benefits? Try it! Let me know what you think See more

It was February of this year that I decided to do #whole30 It was a game changer for me. In hindsight, I think my symptoms started over 6 years ago. My diagnosis was something like Bilateral Tendonitis I had pain from my neck all the way down my arms. They were so fatigued that I couldn’t do daily chores, or even comb or wash my hair. I was a photographer at the time and I had to leave my job because of over use or repetitive stress. After 6 months of PT and different f...Continue reading

Just hangin' around before lunch. Joshua Otten gets all the credit here. I have been watching him do inversions like this for weeks now and I was so impressed but scared to try it. I didn't think my upper body was strong enough. I decided to grab on to the lower handles and slowly try it from there. I fell quickly the first time just tried to hold myself up. I knew I was in my head. I told myself I am strong enough to do this! Then, I DID! Push past fear. It's a wonderful reminder that it is only me that holds me back. How will you push past fear today!? #yoga #beyondyoga #inversion #yogatrapeze #fearless #motivation #dopilates #pilates

I have changed my diet a lot in the last 10 months. I haven't been tested but through an elimination diet I believe I have an intolerance to gluten. I haven't cut it out completely but I have really limited it in my life. With that change I have felt and seen great positive change in my body. I have always been a lover of past and pizza. I still crave it. Last night my cravings were satisfied with this #glutenfree pasta by Ancient Harvest. It's a gluten free pasta made with c...orn and quinoa so it has 4g of protein which made me happy since I wasn't cooking meat. I topped the organic super grain pasta with a Pomarola Italian tomato sauce. When I really think about why I love past and pizza it's the fresh sauce and ingredients on top that entice me. I found this recipe on Juls' Kitchen - Stories and recipes from Tuscany even though I didn't have enough tomatoes from the garden this sauce still came out delicious. Maybe mine was a little carrot heavy. But so fresh and light. See more

I returned from a vacation which also puts a kink in my routine. I got back into things by exercising regularly, stretching and eating healthy. Feeling like myself again. Having multiple injuries in my body and dealing with Health issues have taught me many things. One very important thing is that you have to take care of yourself no one is going to do it for you. Push yourself! Love yourself. Be happy. #loveyourself #pilates #dopilates #behappy

Doin' my swangin' Thang' Hanging upside down to decompress the spine can relieve back pain, improve circulation and decrease stress. Yoga and Pilates poses that invert the body are also believed to promote relaxation and general health. #dopilates

Breakfast #smootie today. A hand full of spinach, half a banana, a cutie, 3 frozen strawberries, pineapple, ginger, 2 tablespoons of chia seeds, 1/2 teaspoon maca powder and almond milk. I topped it off with cacao nibs, that taste like dirt. But adds a great crunch. #superfoods This can be a meal replacement, #chiaseeds have 3G #protein per serving and 4g of #fiber.

This morning I woke up early. 5am, again. I love Saturday mornings. #earlyriser I have recently discovered that I have an allergy to gluten. I love bread and pizza and pasta, so this was a bummer. Thankfully, in #losangeles you can find #glutenfree every where. I found this recipe for "cloud bread" I couldn't wait to try it. I used to have bagels, cream cheese and smoked salmon for breakfast on the weekends. I can now do it again. Ingredients: egg, cream cheese, salt and pepper.

I started my day off with fried eggs and sweet potatoes with steamed spinach. #eatright To give yourself the energy you need throughout the day.