Mid Month Moment of Health with Guest Blogger Heather Askinosie! - 'Yoga, My Saving Grace'

We are super excited to bring you our first official 'Mid-Month Moment of Health' for 2011, with a very special Guest Blogger! We plan to bring you a special Health Related Post every month on the 15th, with rotating Guest Bloggers, feel free to reach out to us if you are interested in contributing an article! And as always we encourage you to comment and show our Guest Bloggers some love, make her feel welcome everyone!

~ Ascending Butterfly

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@Pablo Lomeli 2011



I have been doing yoga for the past 20 years and it has been my saving grace. Sometimes my practice has been strong, flexible and powerful, while other times it has been reflective, slow and gentle. The one constant is that yoga always gives me what I need at that moment. When you are on a spiritual journey life gives you lessons, obstacles, joy and many choices. Our current state of mind determines how we choose to handle each situation which arises.

If the mind controls the body, then the mind needs to be calm, clear and balanced, which is much easier said than done. However a great meditation will help the mind shift to a state of nothingness, and some days this works better than others. One of the main reasons I find yoga vital in my life is because I do not have time to think. Rather the act focuses on the breath and the expansion and after an hour and a half my perspective changes. Everything becomes more manageable and clear. My personal connection with the divine is reinstated and my connection with myself is more complete.

Yoga has taught me that some of the greatest things in life take multiple years to learn. Poses can be perfected but in time that too will change. Each day on my yoga mat is different because each day I show up I am different.

"Yoga has taught me to be kinder with myself and accept where I am right now in this moment." ~Heather Askinosie

Yoga is a healer, a teacher and one of the greatest gifts one can offer to yourself. After every class I thank my body for being healthy and allowing me to do the YOGA.

Namaste,




@Pablo Lomeli 2011

About the Author: Heather Askinosie's mission is to educate and reconnect the world to the ancient wisdom and healing properties of crystals and gems. She has traveled the world to learn ancient healing and uncover lost knowledge that serves to help guide the mind, body and spirit. Her jewelry line, Energy Muse, serves as a tool to help you tap into your inner power and manifest your desires.

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FTC Disclosure Information: This is not a sponsored post. No compensation has been received in conjunction with this guest post. This is a regular feature on our blog where rotating Guest Bloggers speak on the topic of mind, body and soul health and wellbeing. All opinions expressed by our Guest Bloggers are solely their own, as are the experiences they relay in their posts. Our Mid-Month Moment of Health does not offer Medical Claims, it is recommended that you check with your own physician regarding physical fitness and any form of excercise.

Official Winners List For Holidays 2010 Buying Guide!

I wanted to thank all of our sponsors for our Holidays 2010 Buying Guide, it was an amazing guide and a wonderful season of giving. I kind of felt like Oprah!

I especially want to thank each and everyone of you. For Liking our sponsors on Facebook, for following them on Twitter. For posting to their walls, and sending re-tweets. Because you are all so active, we received tremendous feedback from the brands involved in our guide. They send you their thanks and I join them in thanking you for making this community my favorite reason for turning my computer on each day! Many of you have also referred a friend and shared our facebook page with your friends and family and for that I Thank You as well!

As promised, even though we posted the winners along the way on our facebook page, twitter feed and the giveaway pages itself, we still wanted to be sure we posted an official winners list that contained the names of each and every winner of each giveaway in our 'surprise-a-day' review and giveaway countdown to Christmas!

Please note we only post winner Follower Names for privacy:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - $100 Hayneedle e-Gift Certificate – mamawj

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - ActiveIon Ionator HOM unit – Jaime

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Disney Tangled Prize Pack Giveaway! - huhbaby2

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Clean Rest Allergy Blocking Window Panels, 2 winners – Kathy Pease and Nicole B.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - The Search For Santa Paws Blu-Ray/DVD Combo Pack Giveaway – Cheryl

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Night Before Christmas Activity Kit by RedEnvelope - Giant Sis

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Protect-A-Bed Luxury Pillow System – 2 winners – Ardy22 and amweeks

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Satya Jewelry Golden Entity Cuff Bracelet – Deb

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Exuviance Age Reverse Eye Contour Giveaway - 3 winners! rusthawk, CatalinaK, Kimberly C.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Le Mystere Dream Tisha Bra and Panty Set – SlipofAGirl

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Valentino 1200 Thread Count Sheet Set - Bigguysmama

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Salux Cloths - stroker881

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Layla Grayce $100 e gift card – paula Michele

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Energy Muse Rune of Riches Necklace – BigHappy

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Borghese 4 winners! - Cura C: @evrywoman (Twitter winner), Fango Mud: Theresa L. (subscriber winner), Mascara: Kellye123 (GFC Follower winner), B Gloss Lip Gloss: Susan Said What?! (Facebook winner)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Leggett & Platt $300 Gift Card – Cori Westphal

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Ceiva Digital Frame with one year subscrption – Benny Williams

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Lava Pro Styling Tool - purango

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Yoplait 2 product coupons and Kitchen Aid Blender – brianpiero

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - SakRoot Boots Bag - Shanda

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - $50 1800flowers.com gift card – tyson2468

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Xyron Creatopia – AmyLynn

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Human Touch Foot Massager – Lynda Del.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Watperpik Twin Turbo Shower Massager – heartnsoulcooking

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Ice Cream Theory Book Signed Copy, 2 winners - Benita & Lissa

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 1800baskets.com Basket of YOUR Choice, 2 winners – Yoga Mommy & JBAFaith

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - MOR Dear MR. Patridge Limited Edition Gift Set – Tracy Suzanne

That is quite a list! Congratulations to all of our lucky holiday winners! Didn't win? Don't worry 2011 has some amazing surprises in store. In fact, the current active giveaways are pretty amazing! Our first January 'New Year, New YOU' giveaway has launched with the Pair of your choice men or women's style of Ryn Footwear! And we re-named our handbag feature and start off with a phenomenal Leather Handbag!

Stay tuned tomorrow, we have an amazing guest blogger who has a special post for us for our Mid Month Moment of Health Feature, something very much in line with the New Years Resolutions of Many!

Active Giveaways!

1) - Ends 01/13 - NEW YEAR, NEW YOU! Giveaway - Win the pair of Ryn Footwear Shoes of YOUR CHOICE with Rocker Technology! Men or Women's! Enter HERE!

 

2) NEW! Ends 01/27 - Spotlight Handbag of the Month: Win Marissa Del Rosario's Leather Prairie Tote in color 'Kaffir' Giveaway! ARV $350! -  Enter HERE!

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Advertising Special:

For the month of January only, you can purchase ONE month of  homepage advertising on Ascending Butterfly for only $20.11, send all inquiries to us via our online contact form (you can use this promo during the month of your choice, but it must contracted before 01/30/11 to secure the promo rate!) here:

http://www.contactify.com/2ee21

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Spotlight Handbag of the Month: Win Marissa Del Rosario's Prairie Tote in Kaffir Giveaway! ARV $350! Ends 01/27

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This giveaway is now CLOSED. Thanks so much to our wonderful sponsor Marissa Del Rosario! We look forward to working with you again! The winner is Bunny B. Congrats Bunny! Remember: There are great giveaways active on the upper right hand side of the page!

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Today's Butterfly sponsored by:

Ascending Butterfly is super happy for the return of our ongoing handbag feature! We return with a new handbag from one of our favorite designers who was featured by us in 2010, Marissa Del Rosario!

Last year we reviewed a super hot leather bag in one of my favorite colors, Red, with ahead of the trend East West Zipper detailing called the 'Somerset Hobo', you can re-visit that review HERE.

This year, Marissa is back with another hot leather bag from her 2011 collection. I had the privilege of testing this bag before it was ready for launch, and I can tell you it has become my 'reach-for-first' bag. It's a Super Soft washed grain leather and I just can't resist rubbing it every time I have it on. And apparently neither can friends and family who have all given me compliments on this bag since it's debut on my arm in December! Each time someone has complimented it they would touch it, then rub it! I have even had guys approach me when I'm out, and say 'my girlfriend would love that bag where did you get it'? If only the Universe would send me a Boyfriend so thoughtful!

Prairie Tote

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Soft washed grain leather

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Color: Kaffir

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Swivel snap hook and inside magnetic snap closure

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Front slip pocket

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Handles 1" wide

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Shoulder drop 9"

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Inside has 4 slip pockets & zipper pocket

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Turquoise fabric lining

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 14" (l) x 13" (h) x 6" (w)

My Take

Pros:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - The leather! It's super soft, a buttery feel leather, a leather so sumptious you'd expect a much higher price tag, it's great to get that kind of quality at such an affordable price!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - The Color! The Kaffir color goes great with military inspired trends, but it's not limited to it, and that's the best part! If you're anything like me and tend to put practicality first, you go for blacks or neutrals, but you will find this color is trendy yet exceptionally versatile and will go well with your wardrobe, allowing you to get multi season use out of it, and that's an incredible plus, especially in our current economy!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - The Drop! I began wearing this in December, with bulky sweaters, layers and a coat and I didn't have to hold this bag in my hand, I can wear it comfortably with bulky layers on my shoulders, keeping my hands free.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - The Size! This bag is not too big or too small and I am a daily public transportation commuter, so it has taken quite a beating and does not look it, I literally carry everything imaginable with me, lets face it, I am my mobile office, and while I love fashionable and trendy bags, they have to be able to be completely functional for me to be worth the investment. This bag fits my super picky bill. I have a lot of requirements for the 'right' bag, and I tend to hate constantly switching out, I love this bag and WANT to wear it everyday. Usually I find most bags that are fashionable, are usually way to small for my day to day needs, but this bag has really worked out perfectly for me, and trust me, that's a shining endorsement coming from me!

Cons

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - There is only one major con I have found with this bag, well OK maybe two. (1) Everyone you know will want it! And ( 2) I now want one in EVERY color, and I do mean every color. While you would think that is a plus, us 'starving writers' have very strict budgets! But I now have visions of the Prairie Tote in 'Denim' dancing in my head!

I love how Marissa's bags always seem to have one eye on the hottest trends, yet still remain extrememly practical and usable for everyday. The hardware detailing, the feet to keep it safe when you set it down, great organizational pockets for your phone, MP3 player, sunglasses and a privacy zippered pocket on the inside for essentials, the pretty lining, all the important details are there, a great variety of colors and just the right size for your essentials. I have greatly enjoyed the opportunity of presenting Marissa and her fashionable bag designs to Ascending Butterfly readers! We have re-named our handbag feature, and we are proud to name Marissa's Prairie Tote as our FIRST 'Spotlight Handbag of the Month' for 2011.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - WIN IT! - Ascending Butterfly and our friends at Marissa Del Rosario want you to win a Prairie Tote for yourself!  Don't you just ♥ Marissa Del Rosario? I know I do!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - How to Win:  Here are the Easy 1,2,3 Steps to Winning!

(1) You must be a PUBLIC follower of Ascending Butterfly to be eligible for this and all giveaways. Indicate in your entry that you follow (if your 'comment name/user id' differs from your profile id, please let me know what name you follow under) and

(2) MANDATORY entry- Visit our friends at Marissa Del Rosario and LINK us to another great bag that they sell that catches your eye! REMEMBER: You CANNOT post a link to the prairie tote in Kaffir, or the entry will be disqualified.You may select the prairie tote in a different color if that is your favorite! :-)

(3) You must also leave your email address somewhere in your comment. (You can format it this way for security, example: ascendingbutterfly AT mail host DOT com). (If your email is clearly visible in your profile, you can just say so, that's OK!) Please follow the easy 1, 2, 3 steps to winning! This giveaway is open to USA residents who are 18 years of age or older. No PO Boxes. We are  no longer sending courtesy reminders when entries do not qualify, make sure you are following publicly and your entry comment complies with giveaway win it instructions or it will be deleted.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Please follow directions or you will be disqualified! All comments are moderated, they may not appear on the site right away (comments like "I want this" or "I want to win" will not be entered). You have from Thursday, January 13, 2011 until Thursday, January, 27, 2011 at 03:00 PM (EST) to comment and be entered for a chance to win. You will have 48 hours to confirm if we do not hear from you we will be forced to move on to an alternate. (We only notify winners DIRECTLY via email, so if your profile or your comment does not have an email your entry will not be processed)

EXTRA CREDIT:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Blog about this giveaway, linking to this giveaway post. Leave the URL in a comment. (If your blog post contains more than just a pic and link you'll get 5 extra credit entries!)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Grab our Button and put it on your Blog. Leave the URL where we can see it in a comment (if you already have our button, just let us know, you will still get extra credit!)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow @Tracy_Iglesias on Twitter and give me your twitter ID in a comment

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Tweet this:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ #ascendingbutterfly and @MarissaDRosario Win the leather Prairie Tote #Giveaway! ARV $350! Ends 01/27 - http://tinyurl.com/4zyuzqv

(Leave a comment with the tweet’s url so you can get a valid entry (click on the time your tweet was sent to get the direct URL and then copy and paste it here). You can Tweet TWICE per DAY. If you Tweet more than that, that entry will be disqualified.)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow @MarissaDRosario on Twitter

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Digg about this giveaway and leave your digg username in your comment

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Fave this blog on Technorati and leave your Technorati user name in your comment

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow Ascending Butterfly on Facebook HERE

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow Marissa Del Rosario and tell them Ascending Butterfly Blog Sent You on Facebook HERE

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow Ascending Butterfly on Networked Blogs HERE

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Join Ascending Butterfly's NEW Community/Real Time Chat, Group HERE

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Vote for Ascending Butterfly on: Fuel My Blog

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Have you entered another giveaway on Ascending Butterfly? Let me know which one and you’ll get more extra credit!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Have you commented on a non-giveaway entry? Let me know which one here and you’ll get more extra credit!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Press the button below and join, you get an extra entry for this giveaway and a shot at more great prizes, lets win together! (one time extra credit, will be verified before entry can be accepted)

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FTC Disclosure Info for this Giveaway: This is not a paid insertion. This is a non-compensated post and all opinions regarding the product and the sponsor are my own experiences. I was provided product to facilitate the review and giveaway. Sponsor is fulfilling directly to prize winner(s), this in no way influenced my opinion of the products. Once a winner is selected and their information has been forwarded to the sponsor, the responsibility of prize fulfillment, rests with the sponsor.

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Today's Words of Inspiration - Ah Those Tricky Virtues!

Title: 'Church Banner Patience' Photo Credit @sawlong101

 Ah Those Tricky Virtues!

Learn the art of patience. Apply discipline to your thoughts when they become anxious over the outcome of a goal. Impatience breeds anxiety, fear, discouragement and failure. Patience creates confidence, decisiveness, and a rational outlook, which eventually leads to success. ~ Brian Adams

Patience is one of those pesky little virtues that life constantly puts to the test. And sometimes dear readers, I pass with flying colors. And other times, well, Not So Much!

These week has been a true test of patience on many levels. My PC which is my pretty much lifeline is acting completely wonky, but it's only a few months old! It was purchased mid 2010 and has not even made a full year. It was purchased to replace a dying laptop from the same manufacturer. I guess in this instance brand loyalty, did NOT serve me well. At one point it wouldn't even power on, and I really thought I'd lost a year's worth of music and pictures not to mention my blog back up files.....I haven't been able to process entries or respond to emails in the timely manner I am used to handling things. This week has not made for a happy camper!

This week has also shown me I have a TON more to learn about Patience. Like most I am super glad 2010 is behind me, but I don't want 2011 to be a repeat in any way and to do so, I need to learn to better master the art of patience!

Today's Challenge: So How do you Keep your Cool, when it's hot as Hades in your Life?

The heat is on, certainly not literally we have back to back snow storms in the City that never sleeps, but figuratively speaking it's getting HOT in here! This week deep breathing, affirmations, every positive tool in my arsenal flew out the window. Leaving me quite confused! That's why I'm happy I came across this quote, it served as an instant reminder that my impatience and frustration with the challenges and obstacles I've faced this week, are only putting me in a 'negative catch 22' the more impatient I was about the work piling up that I could not conquer because my PC was down, kept me from doing things that I very well COULD have accomplished. Impatience actually zapped my productivity! Not fun, but lesson certainly learned, and now shared with you!

 

Today's Words of Inspiration'

Use 'Today's Words of Inspiration' as a breathing meditation to still your mind, quiet your thoughts and bring in positive energy. As you inhale bring in only positive energy by saying in your mind, I breathe in positive energy (or you can say creative energy if that is what you wish to create more of) and as you exhale, Affirm out loud 'I am patient, with myself and others and maintain my equilibrium in all situations.'

Spend some time each day enjoying focused breathing AND soul guided meditative visualization, in doing so, you can bring about profound and powerful changes in your life.

Visualize yourself manifesting something unique, guided by universal forces that emerge spontaneously from within your soul. Do this at least twice today and see how by taking a moment away from the hectic pace and breathing in positive energy and affirming what you wish to create, your thinking will become different.

Remember, attitude really does determine altitude.

It is OK to *Re-Tweet* the link to this post and You can find me (@Tracy_Iglesias) on Twitter here! Twitter love: re*tweet by copying and pasting the following into your update field:

@Tracy_Iglesias #ascendingbutterfly - Today's Words of #Inspiration - http://tiny.cc/n4Thx

Make this your best day ever, Bless and Be Blessed!

Active Giveaways!

1) Ends 01/13 - Dear Mr. Patridge Limited Edition Gift Set from Mor Cosmetics Giveaway! - Enter HERE!

 

2) NEW! - Ends 01/13 - NEW YEAR, NEW YOU! Giveaway - Win a pair of Ryn Footwear Shoes with Rocker Technology! Pair of YOUR Choice, Men or Women's! Enter HERE!

˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙

Advertising Special:

For the month of January only, you can purchase ONE month of  homepage advertising on Ascending Butterfly for only $20.11, send all inquiries to us via our online contact form (you can use this promo during the month of your choice, but it must contracted before 01/30/11 to secure the promo rate!) here:

http://www.contactify.com/2ee21

˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙

NEW YEAR, NEW YOU! Giveaway - Win a pair of Ryn Footwear Shoes with Rocker Technology! Ends 01/18!

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This giveaway is now CLOSED. Thanks so much to our wonderful sponsor Ryn Footwear! We look forward to working with you again! The winner is NoNoSugarMomma. Remember: There are great giveaways active on the upper right hand side of the page!

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Today's Butterfly sponsored by:

As I am sure many of our regular readers remember, we worked with Ryn last year in our 'Slip Into Summer' Special Feature, for a complete recap you can read that review HERE.

For new readers, I just thought I should drop some science behind the brand, this graphic sums it up perfectly:

What is Does

Ryn Trail Sympatex Red

Oiled nubuck Sympatex protective upper with Ryn Encapsulated Air Tunnel Stabilized for a stable ride. Provides the cushioning you want, and the stability you need.

Ryn Rocker Sole Technology: As the foot strikes 1.heel, 2.mid-foot and 3.toe-off on Ryn's seven layer sandwich structure, its EVA embedded graphite shank see-saws on the Ryn AIR TUNNEL, thus recreating the stable natural foot strike environment humans were evolved to follow. As a direct result of this guided motion, Ryn footwear: reduces stress on back, hips, knees and ankles; strengthens and tones the core, gluts, thighs, calves and back muscles; aligns the body; stimulates the arch and enhances blood circulation; stabilizes and guides the foot strike and promotes energy return.

Sympatex: New German Made world-leading membrane that: 1. Allows external protection from the cold and wet (100% waterproof, 100% wind proof), 2. Has 100% breath-ability properties (layering) that whisk away internal moisture from feet, 3. Keep feet dry and maintains an optimum foot temperature in line with weather conditions and activity.

Fits true to size. Width adjustable through speed lacing system.

My Take

Pros:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - There really is something to 'practice makes perfect'. Having had experience with the rocker technology and better still with a pair from Ryn, I am much more comfortable and confident walking in my shoes!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - In addition to improved posture, I have dropped a dress size in a couple of months, without significantly changing my lifestyle. These shoes have played a great part in the process, from the confidence that comes along with improved posture, coupled with these being all weather shoes, allowed me to get my fitness walking done with ease, even when the weather in New York City wasn't quite sunny and bright.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - You can actually feel AND see the toning results when worn regularly!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - And OK I wouldn't be a true Aries without pointing out that I dig the Red Color!

Cons

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - I don't think it's a true con at all, but ALL rocker shoes regardless of the manufacturer do take getting used to. And I will admit, even after a significant amount of time, I still have to 'concentrate' when taking the stairs with these. (I'm on the Fifth Floor with no elevator, so I definitely get my 'tightening and toning' on!)

Ryn shoes are the best investment you can make for yourself! Are they pricey? Yes. Are they worth it? Yes. I consider dropping a dress size, improving my posture and feeling all around more confident with every step I take, perks that I can't really put a price on. When you can literally get a gym in a shoe, how do you put a price on that? While I cannot guarantee you the same results I experienced, incorporating fitness shoes into a well balanced diet, and increased activity will help you advance your goals!

Ryn can be purchased at rynfootwearusa.com and at feetfirstfitness.com

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - WIN IT! - Ascending Butterfly and our friends at RYN want you to win a pair for yourself! Because we have both male and female readers, One winner will win the pair of their choice! Don't you just ♥ RYN? I know I do!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - How to Win:  Here are the Easy 1,2,3 Steps to Winning!

(1) You must be a PUBLIC follower of Ascending Butterfly to be eligible for this and all giveaways. Indicate in your entry that you follow (if your 'comment name/user id' differs from your profile id, please let me know what name you follow under) and

(2) MANDATORY entry- Visit our friends at RYN and give us the name of another great shoe that they sell that catches your eye, preferably the shoe you'd pick if you won! REMEMBER: You CANNOT mention the Ryn Trail Sympatex Red  or the entry will be disqualified.

(3) You must also leave your email address somewhere in your comment. (You can format it this way for security, example: ascendingbutterfly AT mail host DOT com). (If your email is clearly visible in your profile, you can just say so, that's OK!) Please follow the easy 1, 2, 3 steps to winning! This giveaway is open to USA residents who are 18 years of age or older. No PO Boxes. We are  no longer sending courtesy reminders when entries do not qualify, make sure you are following publicly and your entry comment complies with giveaway win it instructions or it will be deleted.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Please follow directions or you will be disqualified! All comments are moderated, they may not appear on the site right away (comments like "I want this" or "I want to win" will not be entered). You have from Monday, January 10, 2010 until Tuesday, January, 18, 2010 at 03:00 PM (EST) to comment and be entered for a chance to win. You will have 48 hours to confirm if we do not hear from you we will be forced to move on to an alternate. (We only notify winners DIRECTLY via email, so if your profile or your comment does not have an email your entry will not be processed)

EXTRA CREDIT:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Blog about this giveaway, linking to this giveaway post. Leave the URL in a comment. (If your blog post contains more than just a pic and link you'll get 5 extra credit entries!)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Grab our Button and put it on your Blog. Leave the URL where we can see it in a comment (if you already have our button, just let us know, you will still get extra credit!)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow @Tracy_Iglesias on Twitter and give me your twitter ID in a comment

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Tweet this:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ #ascendingbutterfly and @Rynshoes Win a pair of Ryn Rocker Shoes #Giveaway! Ends 01/18 http://tinyurl.com/4eo92wb

(Leave a comment with the tweet’s url so you can get a valid entry (click on the time your tweet was sent to get the direct URL and then copy and paste it here). You can Tweet TWICE per DAY. If you Tweet more than that, that entry will be disqualified.)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow @Rynshoes on Twitter

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Digg about this giveaway and leave your digg username in your comment

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Fave this blog on Technorati and leave your Technorati user name in your comment

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow Ascending Butterfly on Facebook HERE

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow Ryn and tell them Ascending Butterfly Blog Sent You on Facebook HERE

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow Ascending Butterfly on Networked Blogs HERE

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Join Ascending Butterfly's NEW Community/Real Time Chat, Group HERE

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Vote for Ascending Butterfly on: Fuel My Blog

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Have you entered another giveaway on Ascending Butterfly? Let me know which one and you’ll get more extra credit!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Have you commented on a non-giveaway entry? Let me know which one here and you’ll get more extra credit!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Press the button below and join, you get an extra entry for this giveaway and a shot at more great prizes, lets win together! (one time extra credit, will be verified before entry can be accepted)

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FTC Disclosure Info for this Giveaway: This is not a paid insertion. This is a non-compensated post and all opinions regarding the product and the sponsor are my own experiences. I was provided product to facilitate the review and giveaway. Sponsor is fulfilling directly to prize winner(s), this in no way influenced my opinion of the products. Once a winner is selected and their information has been forwarded to the sponsor, the responsibility of prize fulfillment, rests with the sponsor.

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Sunday Moment of Gratitude and Great Giveaways Too!

Photo Reads: 'I Beleive in Gratitude Big' Credit: @Bing

On Sunday's, 'Today's Moment of Inspiration' becomes the weekly 'Moment of Gratitude'. While I do still live in Gratitude each and everyday, I decided to change this feature to a weekly to allow a full week of Inspirational messages and focused breathing meditations.

This week, I am grateful for:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Ushering in a Brand New Year! Filled with new hopes, new dreams, and new promise! I hope you all had a safe New Year's Eve and I wish you all a very happy, healthy, productive and prosperous New Year! Yes we were off last Sunday, which was the first official Sunday of the New Year, so we added our wishes to this Sunday Moment of Gratitude instead! :)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - A new 2011 Attraction Board! I make a new board each year to reflect new goals! Did you make yours yet? Did it change greatly from 2010?

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Leaving 2010 behind, FAR behind. I don't know about you, but I am super happy to put 2010 behind me!

What are you grateful for today? I'd love for you to write in and share what you are grateful for this week. The more you say it, the more you speak it, and the more you live in gratitude, the more you will find reasons to be grateful for, and the more reasons that the universe will send you to be grateful for. So join me on this journey of gratitude and inspiration. And you can post here daily (even though my list will be posted weekly).

Remember, attitude really does determine altitude.

It is OK to *Re-Tweet* the link to this post and You can find me on Twitter here (@Tracy_Iglesias) Twitter love: re*tweet by copying and pasting the following into your update field at Twitter:

OK to RT: @Tracy_Iglesias This Week's 'Moment of Gratitude' and Great giveaways! - http://tiny.cc/n4Thx

Active Giveaways:

1) Ends 01/-10 - Win the Basket of YOUR choice with 1800Baskets.com! 2 Winners! Enter HERE

2) Ends 01/-13 - Dear Mr. Patridge Limited Edition Gift Set from Mor Cosmetics Giveaway! Enter HERE

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For those of you who are interested in keeping a gratitude journal this year, here is my recommendation and where to purchase it:

Make this Your Best Day ever, Bless and Be Blessed!

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Surviving a Hiatus that was NOT self imposed!

Technology. Sometimes a blessing. Sometimes a Curse. Sometimes just a plain old pain in the .......

My apologies for the inspiration free day on Friday, but I awoke to a computer that would just NOT turn on. I panicked. I yelled. I all around FREAKED out.

And then I thought backwards, I realized that I had done something new, there was new hardware installed and that new thing had to be the culprit. And so it was. After hours thinking I had a second dead computer on my hands and surely the tech Gods hated me, (and by the way the laptop that died last year, less than a year to the date that the manufacturer 'fixed' it and my desktop are both from the same manufacturer who I will NEVER trust again), I finally got the machine to power on! Insert singing choir here. I spent hours doing another system back up before I was up and running.

So what happens when the girl who pretty much lives to inspire is frustrated, angry, and most certainly not in the mood to write?

She reads.

And then she gets inspired again.

I'm a member of Seeded Buzz and I was sent an email that initially I didn't feel like I had time for since I have so much catching up to do now, and was going to open it later. I am super happy I did open it! It led to a chain of reading and ideas I just had to share!

I read a blog post on the blog called 'The Illustrator's Wife' called 'Pick Me Up' - The post reads part like a Diary Entry and a Poem Hybrid. I wasn't the only one who was motivated by the article, I went on to read a blog post called 'Home Is Where Your Heart Lives' by a blog called 'Monkey With Glasses' who apparently had a very similar reaction to The Illustrator's Wife's post.

It was just what I needed at that moment, here I was angry about my computer frustrations when I could have taken and just enjoyed the enforced hiatus. Indulged in the comforts of home of a snowy, cold winters day. Both posts reminded me of the joys of my home, the joys of just being in the moment and enjoying what is now.

Borrowed from Illustrator's Wife and Seeded Buzz:

I find some things are too ethereal to describe directly. We must simply create the sacred space and invite the moment. Even earthy coffee, if partaken with a willing surrender, can usher in encounters with the divine.

What simple things in your life offer moments of transcendence?

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Today's Words of Inspiration - What color is YOUR Grass?

The Grass is ALWAYS greener on the other Side! Well isn't it?

 How Green is YOUR Grass?

First, you didn't have grass, so you just wanted Grass. Then you got that Grass, and before you took the time to even enjoy it, you saw someone else had a lawn, and then you wanted that Lawn. That big, lush, manicured lawn with life-sized Topiaries. What happened to those simpler times when you would have been just happy with the grass?

Don't worry about how big, how lush, or how much greener the neighbor's lawn might be, roll around in your own. Be grateful for the one you have. Give THANKS for the patch you have. It won't ever be bigger, fuller, lusher, or prettier until you enjoy it, RIGHT NOW, AS IS. Yes, as is.

Today's Challenge: See How Green Your Grass Really Is

Yes, your grass is green! You worked hard for that grass. So enjoy it. Make some memories! Go toss the ball around with the kids, play fetch with the dog, lay down and look at the clouds and try to find different shapes in them. Or tonight just lay out on it and count the stars. Have a cookout with your friends and neighbors. Later in life you won't even care or remember how lush that grass was, but you will remember the memories you created there. Don't fall victim to the 'grass is always greener mentality', Be a Victor and be Thankful for the grass you've got! Whether it's astro turf or crabgrass, it's YOURS, and that is something to be PROUD of! That doesn't mean I don't encourage you to reach higher, there is absolutely nothing wrong with a goal to reach toward, just enjoy your current achievements along the way.

Today's Words of Inspiration'

Use 'Today's Words of Inspiration' as a breathing meditation to still your mind, quiet your thoughts and bring in positive energy. As you inhale bring in only positive energy by saying in your mind, I breathe in positive energy (or you can say creative energy if that is what you wish to create more of) and as you exhale, Affirm out loud 'I am grateful for all that I am and all that I've achieved so far!'

Spend some time each day enjoying focused breathing AND soul guided meditative visualization, in doing so, you can bring about profound and powerful changes in your life.

Visualize yourself manifesting something unique, guided by universal forces that emerge spontaneously from within your soul. Do this at least twice today and see how by taking a moment away from the hectic pace and breathing in positive energy and affirming what you wish to create, your thinking will become different.

Remember, attitude really does determine altitude.

It is OK to *Re-Tweet* the link to this post and You can find me (@Tracy_Iglesias) on Twitter here! Twitter love: re*tweet by copying and pasting the following into your update field:

@Tracy_Iglesias #ascendingbutterfly - Today's Words of #Inspiration - http://tiny.cc/n4Thx

Make this your best day ever, Bless and Be Blessed!

Active Giveaways!

1) Ends 01/08/11 -The Ascending Butterfly Book Club - Ice Cream Theory Two SIGNED copies, 2 Winners Giveaway! - http://ascendingbutterfly.blogspot.com/2010/12/ascending-butterfly-book-club-ice-cream.html 

2) Ends 01/10 - Win the Basket of YOUR choice with 1800Baskets.com! 2 Winners! -  http://ascendingbutterfly.blogspot.com/2010/12/win-basket-of-your-choice-with.html

3) Ends 01/13 - Dear Mr. Patridge Gift Set from Mor Cosmetics Giveaway! - http://ascendingbutterfly.blogspot.com/2011/01/dear-mr-patridge-gift-set-from-mor.html

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Advertising Special:

For the month of January only, you can purchase ONE month of  homepage advertising on Ascending Butterfly for only $20.11, send all inquiries to us via our online contact form (you can use this promo during the month of your choice, but it must contracted before 01/30/11 to secure the promo rate!) here:

http://www.contactify.com/2ee21

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