Namaspray: An End to Your Stinky Yoga Mat

Photo via YayEveryday.

Photo via Coffee and Yoga.

Every Bikram yogi knows: the nose matters.

If your mat stinks in class, life is not good. Mostly because your face gets pretty close to your mat during a lot of the postures in both the standing series and the floor series. 

Having a clean, odor-free yoga mat is the difference between having a great class and suffering through. 


We've all been there...


You start your first week at a lovely, well-kept Bikram studio. You're rockin' your yoga and discovering new flexibility and strength that you never knew you had. Perhaps you're even losing weight, burning off toxins, and feeling better than you have in years.


But then you find out that being lazy after class doesn't serve you. You've been too tired to wipe down your mat at the end of class and by the end of only a handful of sweaty classes, your mat smells. 

Branding images via the Namaspray site.

Well, I have an easy solution for you. Check out Namaspray. This line of yoga mat disinfectant is my favorite, and comes in the best scents around. You can go for eucalyptus (my vote), minty fresh (a close second), or spicy orange (also wonderful!).

Branding images via the Namaspray site.

Namaspray is awesome because it doesn't have harsh chemicals, comes in an easy-to-carry size, and is made to be used on a wide variety of surfaces (anything from yoga mats to flip flops, gym bags, or workout machines!). For the full list of where you can put it to great use, read here.

Sweaty guys, sweaty gals: treat yourself to a little Namaspray. Your nose will thank you, and so will your Bikram yogi neighbors!

PS You can also shop for Namaspray on the Yoga With Style site, where there are hundreds of yogi-wear and yogi-accessory choices! :)

Branding images via the Namaspray site.

The Little Ones

Photo by Anna Rummey of Rummey Bears.

Photo by Tyler Branch.

Today's post is the latest in the Beyond Childhood series, which features conversation about living love, putting your family first, and how to enjoy marriage and parenthood.

Photo (and all photos below) from the Little Sapling Toys shop.

Today I bring you Little Sapling Toys, a lovely Etsy site with all natural and safe infant and toddler toys. 


Shop owners Nick and Kimber would like to offer 10% off any order to all Alive in the Fire readers. Use the coupon code ALIVE10 when checking out (valid until February 14th).


More about the shop:
We all have a hand in design, production, business, or packaging in some way. During those necessary breaks we play hide and seek, eat, bike or jog. On Sundays we go to church, eat and play games together.

Toys: We brought life to the classic wooden teether by offering the widest selection of shapes available. We have designed and produced a solid selection of organic developmental toys and blocks. Our newest endeavor is the land of personalization with Blue, our laser engraver.

Our Philosophy: Here at LST, we are committed to quality toys and a healthy earth. We plant a tree for every toy sold, use FSC Certified hardwoods, recycled content packaging and participate in our local green power program.

Each toy is handmade in our workshop (which is in transition right now between Boise, Utah and Minnesota). We design our toys to help young children develop creativity, pattern recognition and fine motor skills. However, the most important toy any child can have is his or her caregiver. For this reason, our educational toys are most effective with interactive play.

Read more on Little Sapling Toys and keep up with their sales and giveaways on their Facebook page or their main site.


Get shoppin' for your little ones!

Check out this adorable stacking toy. And what a cute picture!

Little Sapling Toys makes a ton of cute teethers, like this guitar.

Or an airplane, if your little guy loves things that go.

A Christmas Tree to Remember

Currently our mantle is decked out for the holidays. Note jade plant at left :)

Did you buy a real tree for Christmas this holiday? Or perhaps go green and find a potted one that you can keep year round?

The Hubs and I opted to decorate our little jade plant with lights, paper snowflakes, mini ornaments and a ribbon. Since we're out of town all but one week in December, we figured it'd be the easiest way to go. We also threw up some twinkly lights in a triangular shape over the mantle, so it looks like a super-mod, urban rendition of a Christmas tree.

I'm loving creative trees, especially those with little to no environmental impact or those that can last. Check these out!

A lovely little bonsai in the minimalist tradition. Photo via CKCK.

Sweet stackable tree shelves! Photo via Apartment Therapy.

Stacked succulents make a so-Cal Christmas tree. Photo via Green Wedding Shoes.

Perhaps my fave: a sticky note Christmas tree! Photo via The Girly Nerds.

Artsy wall collage with buttons and frames to form a tree. Photo via The Girly Nerds.

A lovely little rosemary tree from Whole Foods. Photo via The Kitchn.

What's your tree like this year?

Also, we've got a winner from the Minneapolis giveaways! Congrats to Diane. I'll be emailing you about the lovely Sacred Suds soap.

Thursday Giveaway: Yoga Leggings & A Zany Print

These Steven Brahms prints in his "Evasion" series are crazy awesome and quite manly.

To continue our week of all things masculine, for today's giveaway Alive in the Fire brings you some awesome White Iguana sport leggings and a clever "Clive Does Yoga" photo print from BAClori on Etsy. 

These White Iguana Apparel leggings are great for yoga, running, biking and more.

To win both, see below for more info! Both guys and girls are encouraged to enter (ladies, these would be a wonderful holiday gift for your man!).

Three "Clive Does Yoga" 5x7 prints from BAClori on Etsy.

Allie Yoko, the owner of White Iguana Apparel, started the sport clothing line based on her passion for living an eco-friendly lifestyle. As said in one of the company's press releases, "What started out as a class project turned into a real-life career calling for graphic design student-turned athletic apparel entrepreneur, Allie Yoko. The 24-year old Chicago resident has taken her eye for design and her passion for an eco-friendly lifestyle and turned it into one of the country’s first bamboo-made line of athletic clothing.

'I loved the idea of bamboo clothing,' says Allie, 'but hated the thought of having it manufactured overseas, so I was determined to find domestic manufacturer.'

Mission accomplished, White Iguana Apparel is not only eco-friendly but it is 100% made in the U.S.A.

Armed with a passion for fashion and a desire to help others find easy ways to make their lives more eco-friendly, Allie was determined to make her dream a reality."

In the company's stylish logo, you can see Allie's creative eye for design.

More from Allie on her products:

Our leggings are designed to keep you comfortable while living your life. They are lightweight and will keep you warm while resisting odor and wicking away moisture. The leggings are full-length and fit closely to your body to keep you feeling warm and dry without itching or chafing. You hardly notice that you have them on but will feel incredibly fresh all day and night since our organic microfiber bamboo leggings are also naturally antimicrobial. They provide excellent breathability and you wont get an ugly red rash that inexpensive competitors' leggings give you. They are the perfect base layer for biking, hiking, snow sports, running, dancing, working out, yoga and wearing under a dress for a night on the town. Our leggings are made from 94% viscose from organic bamboo and 6% spandex, which makes them amazingly soft. This moisture management fabric keeps you dry and comfortable.

On the company's environmentally-friendly approach and holiday plans:

Basically, we are a company that cares about the environment, about being healthy and being active and we wanted to create a product that would help others in doing the same!

For the holidays, we just want our product to be shared with as many people as possible. We have great products and we want everyone to get to experience them. We plan on having sales (going on right now) to make things even more affordable for people holiday shopping!

In the coming year, we hope to get our products in more stores and out to as many customers as possible. We are looking forward to continue growing our brand and sharing it with the world.

Enjoy connecting with Allie and the White Iguana brand by visiting their store for some shopping, connecting on Facebook or Twitter, or reading their stellar blog.

Also, be sure to check out the store's great sale items!

Next in the giveaway is a group of photographs by artsy Etsy seller BAClori featuring Clive the yoga model in a set of three 5x7 photos.

Her description of the fun and wacky pictures:

"Clive Does Yoga" is a group of photographs using a relatively posable art model doll that I have dubbed "Clive" as he works his way through a series of basic yoga poses.  I find the series to be quite calming and soothing, mostly because when you look at Clive, you don't assign an instant judgement to a figure who has no expression making it easier to enjoy the poses (even if they are a bit rigid!).  

Lori's description of the shop:

Basement Art Creations is original photography by Lori O'Connor shaped by imagination, inspiration, exhilaration, procrastination, distraction and a pretty good sized slice of insomnia!

A few other prints from the shop.

Lori on what inspires her photography:

I enjoy having to scoot right up to an object and take a closer look.  I admire detail.  I like finding something brilliant from the simple and uncluttered.  I feel I have found my niche taking photos of things that you might not normally look at twice, but when photographed, you may want them hanging on your wall just so you can smile at them!  

On her yoga practice:

Like Clive, I am also quite stiff at times as I stretch to learn new poses... but I enjoy the calm and meditative state you can find when you quiet your mind and body!

I love Lori's unique and witty style and her willingness to turn the mundane into something playful. Pair these photos up with the pair of athletic leggings and you'll be super inspired to practice yoga through the new year!

To enter the giveaway contest, please:

• Check out White Iguana Apparel and BAClori's shops.
• Consider buying a workout shirt for your friend and sending it with a holiday snowman card, or other great sale and holiday items.
• Double your chances of winning by connecting with White Iguana and visiting Lori's other main shop.

Also, please tell your guy friends to enter and be sure to check out our Real Men Do Yoga series and consider submitting your story. Many thanks to Whit Conway, my desk neighbor at work, for putting me in touch with Allie. Namaste!

Congrats to Catherine for winning the lovely duende74 party top and the Lindsay Satchell scorpion print. Will be emailing you shortly to put you in touch with the vendors!

Beards, Adventures and Chocolate

The Mast Brothers from The Scout on Vimeo.

Just found this video via Honest Fare, one of my favorite food bloggers, and had to share. These guys could totally pass for pirates as well as chocolate makers! Plus, the Mast Brothers have a masculine strength and fascinating intellect that fits perfectly with the new Real Men Do Yoga series, I say.

Their story is beautiful, their beards impressive, and their philosophy spot-on. As one brother says, "Everything roots back to our love affair with the spirit of craft." From their chocolates to the papers that wrap them, to their restored printing press and the sailboats that carry their cocoa beans, the brothers are inspired by the handcrafted items that surround them.

Super cool chocolate makers. Photo from The Mast Brothers Facebook page.

Even more awesome: they aren't looking to produce anything en mass. It's all intricate, detailed, original. As they say, "We're looking for an inconsistent product so your taste buds are not only enjoying the sensuality of (the chocolate), but they're also learning." Every bar is its own little joy!

Chocolate with the adventurousness of a Mark Twain story. Chocolate made with adventure, curiosity, and spirit. I love it! 

Check out their Brooklyn chocolate shop, their Facebook, and their sweet blog. Hope you get a bar in your stocking!

From the Island: Eco-Friendly Hand-Sewn Goods

Next up in the Winter Extravaganza is NuovoVerde from Etsy. Her shop features eco-friendly hand-sewn goods.

I love Ingrid's earthy, colorful style for her headbands, bags, clutches, business card holders/ coin purses, and hair accessories.

She is offering one lucky reader a practical and beautifully-handcrafted mini purse made with organic cotton canvas. As she says, it's a hip and modern way to carry your money or credit cards! The purse is hand-painted and made with low impact inks, so it's super green.

This is your last chance to win a handmade item from Puerto Rico, so enter now!

More from Ingrid about her shop:

NuovoVerde means "The New Green" in English. This refers to the main goal of the company: to focus on fusing ethics and aesthetics. Garments are unique or limited-edition pieces, crafted via a combination of reclaimed, recycled and organic materials mostly by me, Ingrid Iglesias in Puerto Rico (Caribbean Islands). 

Educated as an artist but with a continuous interest in all design and art themes, I've being looking forward in my creative ventures and also responding to my conscious awareness of the environment.

I have experimented with lots of materials and techniques and this shop is a reflection of that. NuovoVerde features a variety of accessories, paper goods and other cool stuff inspired by art, good design and sustainability. We're hoping to expand soon, so keep an eye out for new products in the near future!

As Ingrid says, all items in her shop are handmade, hand-painted and embellished with much love in her little studio. All pieces are unique, one-of-a-kind and are designed to express individual personalities. Maybe yours? 

Advice on what to do in Puerto Rico:

In Puerto Rico, you can't miss the beaches. Excellent beaches can be found almost all around the island, but the best for my "needs" are Gilligan's Island in Guanica (south side of the island) and Flamenco Beach on Culebra Island (one of the municipalities at the east of the island). This beach has been classified as one of the 14th best beaches in the world. 

Also, be sure to visit El Yunque rainforest, nominated as one of the seven marvels of the modern world, and finally, the walled city of Old San Juan, part of the UNESCO World Heritage list. This is a very important spot for culture, history, good food, music, and a lot of fun!

To win the coin purse, please:

• Leave a comment below with your favorite item from NuovoVerde's Etsy shop.
• Leave feedback and favorite the Etsy shop.
• Add NuovoVerde on Twitter and Facebook.
• Utilize the 15% discount in the store through January 15 by entering ALIVE12 as a coupon code when you check out.

Finally, we've got a winner for the BijouxHibou necklace! Congrats to MommyYogini. Please contact me with your email and I'll connect you with Wandie so she can mail it to you.

Bag Free @ Healthy Green Goods

Hey green Evanstonians: today's Chicago Tribune local features a story about Healthy Green Goods on Main Street and how Dr. Marny Turvill, the store's owner, has been bag-free for a year now.


"Most people don't even react," she says. "They just pick up their stuff and go."


Do you shop with your own reusable bags? Know of stores that do? Please share below.


Thanks to your smart shopping choices, Healthy Green Goods, and other earth-conscious stores, Evanston will save money and the environment.

Breaking Into Healthy Breakfasts

Howdy, readers! This is yesterday's breakfast at The Other Brother cafe in Evanston, the newest endeavor by The Brothers K. The cafe is a stellar spot: beautiful, sleek, modern design. Simple. Lovely. And of course they are continuing the tradition of delicious coffee & pastries (the baked goods are brought in by another store, I believe). Located at Sherman & Grove. You should stop by and try a latte sometime soon! Those frilly frothy drinks will make you smile.

 Today? I'm juicing it up! Pictured is a recent creation featuring Hammer Nutrition WHEY powder. In this morning's mix, I threw in some of Hammer's awesome Montana Huckleberry gel as well as a myriad (read: PILE) of fresh stuff, including...

• carrot juice
• berry juice
• orange juice
• frozen banana
• frozen strawberry
• frozen blueberry
• parsley
• spinach
• flax seed (ground)

Whirl, grind, instant energy! Tasty, too. I'm thinking of doing a 7-day detox cleanse with all green juices. Just got some books to read from the library about it.

I'm pretty much turning into a health food junkie, huh? :) Hey, at least I'll be clean, balanced and ready for the heat at Teacher Training. I imagine it'd be nice to start with a clean slate while I'm heating it up in Bikram's Torture Chamber... What do you think, fall 2010 #BKTT trainees?

Happy Tuesday from the newlyweds. Hope you're juicin' it up for breakfast out there! More recipes coming soon. And for those of you who are still passionate about eating cupcakes and other treats, try Ming Makes Cupcakes. A beautiful site!

Blog Action Day 2010: WATER

I'm participating in a great cause coming up and if you blog, you should too!

Check it out:

Change.org|Start Petition

More to come soon. Stay tuned. And enjoy your day!


Note: apologies for the repeated image/content up top right now, but I want to get the word out about this. :)

Feels Like Summer: A Guest Post from a Friend who Attended The Renegade Craft Fair

All photos and review below by the talented Sarah Klein, a friend of mine who's livin' it up in Chi-town. And about to start Bikram too!

So a few weeks back I hoped to make it down to the lovely Renegade Craft Fair in Chicago, but I missed out. My hubs and I were super busy all weekend...but fortunately a talented and gracious friend of mine, Sarah, checked it out and took some beautiful photos to prove it!

Here's her stellar review.

The Renegade Craft Fair Chicago

A Review by Sarah Klein

Division street was packed. I've honestly never seen so many indie-artistic-looking 20-somethings in one place. Walking around, I was greeted by colorful pottery and screen prints, the smell of funnel cake and lemonade, multi-colored sunglasses, and a girl creating giant bubbles with a bubble wand. It felt like summer.

What struck me was how many of the products were recycled and re-purposed material... jewelry made from old maps and typewriter keys, bags and clothing made from reused plastic and wool, and stand upon stand of recycled paper goods. The first stand i went into was full of hand-made cards and journals with quirky prints on the covers. I bought myself a journal with two purple upside down octopuses on the cover.

There is something very satisfying about buying a craft straight from an artist, even if it's only a silly journal. I spent a few hours wandering around, taking pictures, and people watching. I ended the day with a funnel cake and a sleepy bus ride home. Yay local crafts!