****Holiday Joys****
I'm filled with gratitude for the wonderful students like you that keep showing up to my online classes week after week. And to those who subscribe to my On Demand Library- you are making this new venture possible through your support! It is my deepest pleasure to provide health through movement to you.
Although it may look so different than we expected, we have an opportunity to experience this season in a new way. We can open our hearts & find joy in new ways of doing things, both with holiday traditions, gift giving and celebrations. I absolutely love the effort I've seen to shop local as well as eco-friendly this year. I have a few ideas to share if you're looking for more!
Shop Small & Local
I'd love to share some gift ideas that are inspiring to me around our community. These ideas support local and some are eco-friendly!
My People's Market: A marketplace re-imagined as an online gathering of Portland’s diverse and vibrant entrepreneurs, makers, artists, culinary wizards, and beverage crafters. Explore the diverse entrepreneurial talent of Portland. Support over 80 local multicultural businesses. So many different types of gifts in this online shop!
Deadstock Coffee: Local, Black owned, hip & delicious coffee. I pick up these beans at Haven Coffee Shop right by my studio but you can order or pick up at their NW Couch St location. I'm sending some to my bestie in New York as part of her gift this year!
Hammer & Vine: My favorite local plant shop! You can now order online and do curbside pick-up. I used to walk over here after teaching at the MAC or stop in whenever I popped over to Elephant's on NW 22nd. They have a wonderful staff. Best part is they will pot any plant for you. I have brought my pot up to the door during covid and they take it in and pot the new plant I buy for me! Pick out a plant for a gift and then grab an air plant or succulent for yourself!
Thrift Books and Semicolon: Book store options I've been using lately when ordering books. Neither are local but both have aspects I am supporting! Thrift Books is eco friendly as you're purchasing a used book and Semicolon is a Black owned book shop a student suggested to me. Lately I've read Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi, Stamped by Jason Reynolds & Ibram X Kendi, Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid, and more than a handful of books about birth!
Favorite Cookbook of 2020: Made Whole Made Simple by Cristina Curp: A Latina woman who has had to adopt her diet to match some auto-immune conditions she's facing while remaining true to her Latin roots with flavor. She creates the most amazing recipes with super nutrient dense foods. I believe her recipes are part of the reason we got pregnant as they align with the ideas of the fertility diet while also healing the gut. Also includes a ton of reading about the immune system and food as medicine.
The Louie's Favorite Local Restaurants for Take-Out
One of the best things you can do right now is support local restaurants!
Nong Khao Man Gai: Tony and I love this Thai Chicken & Rice with peanut sauce. The original Khao man gai is from Hainan province, China and we ate something similar on our honeymoon in Vietnam. Nong is the owner and she just makes one dish like they do at food carts back in Thailand-and she does it very well! SO good and she uses Mary's organic chicken. It comes with the liver if you want it (organ meat is a super big nutritional powerhouse and is making Baby Louie very smart) The walk-up window feels super safe for pick-up during covid, plus she really needs our support right now to make it through this tough time! Located just over the Burnside bridge. Pssssttt.....get a side or two of the fried chicken skins- you may have to ask when you walk up! Click here for direct link to buy a gift card.
New Cascadia Pizza Nights: New Cascadia is a gluten-free bakery that has allowed me to eat pizza again! Tony has praised this pizza despite the lack of gluten! He says "It's got a nice crust with a little chew but fairly crisp". Take out pizza nights are Thurs-Saturday. Order online and pick-up at their SE Division location. I know, it's not super close to us either but since we rarely go anywhere we don't mind the 15-20 minute drive to pick-up!
Dove Vivi Pizza: More pizza. This one has a cornmeal crust-not entirely gluten free but seems to be less bothersome to me (I do not have celiac). So good and absolutely need to try this if you live in Portland! We suggest the Sausage & Pepper, Blue Thyme or Corn (add sausage). Great quality local ingredients and local family! Funny thing after these last two suggestions- We don't actually eat pizza that much, but when we get carry out on occasion, we do like pizza!
Paiku: This is actually my sister's favorite restaurant in her St. John's neighborhood and she has made it a point to support them during this tough time. They are known for their pie's and the biscuit's and gravy, but they serve breakfast, lunch and dinner. All of the food is hearty and can be made vegetarian. They have a Friday night "picnic pack" for carry out going on which serves dinner for 2-4 people. Or you could consider ordering pies for your holiday meal from them. Again, a little drive, but they may have delivery options if you call, and if you go pick up at night you will see some good Christmas lights in a different area of town! Find them on instagram @paikupdx or call them (503) 860-4773.
Plus, a few exercise related ideas for you. Because I'm your Pilates teacher.
*Everyone can use a soft foam roller for my classes or On Demand Videos.
*Mini Stability Ball- if you have the smaller blue one, try the Orange one!
Light Hand Weights- we may start using these in Mat Pilates soon too!
The Ritual Rug: A one-of-a-kind, handwoven yoga mat made with organic hemp and non-toxic, eco-friendly foam. This is a local Portland company and the mat was made with the design in mind of a traditional Mysore mat from India. I love this company’s story and you may have seen me using this unique mat in some of my videos and online classes! *Disclaimer* I was part of product testing The Ritual Rug.
On Demand Video Library Subscription: Access to more than 50 videos by yours truly with additions coming monthly! Pilates, Yoga, Pilates + Fitness, Tutorials, Express classes and a Prenatal section. Video my website and hit Subscribe Now. Within 24 hours you will receive a password to the site. Login, fill out the waiver and get moving! You will be automatically billed $25 each month and receive a special subscribers only email newsletter at the start of the month with news on new videos and a new password.
Gift a Monthly Subscription to yourself or a loved one!
What People Are Saying about the Video Library:
"I look forward to using them because I can pick the one that I have time for and the kind of exercise I want - Mat Pilates, Pilates with props, or Yoga, etc. The exercises are successful not only because of content, but also because of the level of instruction. Your clear, friendly manner making sure our form is correct and offering many options makes the time spent with each video a pleasure. I hope many of your clients are aware of the videos and are using them. At this time when we can't be in a live class, this is the next best thing." -Connie M
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Have a beautiful, joy filled holiday season!
Love, Mandee Louie