When Life Comes Full Circle

Today was pretty nostalgic for me. In January 2009 Kit and I opened a dance studio/creative arts center here on Kauai, and we even lived in an apartment we built in the back of it. 

2 weeks later we unexpectedly found out we were pregnant. It was the hardest year of my life, being pregnant with 7 months of severe morning sickness, laying flooring, renovating, teaching dance 6 days a week, etc. 

Ironically, about a dozen friends and acquaintances also had babies (mostly girls) that year on Kauai. When Ivy was born in October 2009, I was just about out of energy. 

We closed our business on December 31, 2009 and moved to Maui to recuperate, saying goodbye to our Kauai family, friends and our vision. 

You can still see where it says Green Light above the address

Yesterday, for the first time since we closed, I went back to the building where we had our studio. It's now a yoga studio that also rents out the space to dance teachers. I went there to teach 3 dance classes for KUGA. As I began my first class, I was filled with so much joy and ease. The space we created was still being used for dance education, and it all came back to me as I remembered how I loved the studio size, the lighting and the light wood floors. But the coolest part was that 5 of those little Kauai girls, who were born in 2009, were there, as they are now old enough to dance in my classes. That was my dream 5 years ago, and today it came to fruition. 

Ivy was a little sleepy when we arrived, and wasn't understanding the significance of where she stood. :)

Thank you to my friends who brought their kids to class yesterday. For you, it may have been just another day, but for me, it was one of those moments I won't forget - where life comes full circle, and everything you worked so hard for finally means something. 

Aloha,

Rebecca

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How To Cut Open A Pomegranate

I feel like pomegranates are fairly new on the scene (as in, the last 5 years). To prove this fact, I had to ask my friend, Jenna, how to eat one (ie: "do you eat the husk? is there a husk?"). She gave me really good step by step instructions, but then I forgot them, so I had to do a little research on my own. So, if you're like me and are (were) clueless about this fascinating super-fruit, here's your lesson:

Choose a fruit that's on the heavier side. 

Color actually doesn't matter, but seriously, who doesn't want a nice ruby red pomegranate?

Step 1:

You will need a bowl full of cool water, a cutting board and a sharp knife. 

I also threw on an apron because I heard the juice is pretty red and would stain my clothes!

Step 2:

Cut off the top 1/2 inch or so.

(See the juice?!)

Step 3:

Cut 5-6 evenly spaced shallow slits in the the peel.

Step 4:

Place the pomegranate in water and gently unpeel it while separating the seeds from the rest of the fruit.

Step 5:

Remove the large chunks of peel, and anything else that is not a seed. Some of the pith will float to the top, but some won't. Either way, you don't want to eat it, so get it out of there with your fingers or a spoon.

Step 6:

Rinse in cool water. 

And that's it! You're ready to eat it. 

My friend, Jenna, likes to crunch on the seeds. 

I DO NOT. I just swallow them whole. 

Ivy, on the other hand sucks them, then spits out the seeds. Typical 4 year old. 

Below you can see the pomegranates in the tupperware on the far right...

This is how Ivy likes to eat breakfast. In a jazz table top.

Here's to a few more years of popularity for the pomegranate. 

Aloha, Rebecca

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Instagram Friday 4

It's time for the IG Friday 4.

Follow them on Instagram and find them on their Blog or Facebook.

You won't regret it!

@gypsyjacket - Blog

@barriovintage - Facebook

@kovey_ - Facebook

@ampersanddancecompany - Facebook

Aloha, Rebecca

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Free Printable! The Kelly Clarkson Edition

We were dancing to this song in my contemporary class last week and just fell in love with the lyrics! It just deserves to be shared. Take and use as you please!

Click here to download this file. 

Enjoy!

-Rebecca

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