new GIVE-BACK retreats!

working with PROJECT SOAR just last month in Marrakesh

When I began EAT.PRAY.MOVE several years ago, it was my dream to one day be able to incorporate a humanitarian side to the company - either by including service opportunities on retreats, an annual full-service retreat, or just sharing in the profits of the retreats so we, along with our guests, could help in even a small way to groups in need. There have been many ideas on the table and plans are finally moving forward to make this more of a reality!

leading yoga class last year with Project SOAR

Since last year, I've been able to work with Peacock Pavilions, our hosts in Marrakesh, to help lead small yoga workshops for the girls of the nearby village on the days surrounding the retreats. Recently Peacock Pavilions officially announced their new non-profit company PROJECT SOAR which will continue to do work with their neighborhood village of Douar Ladaam, just on the outskirts of Marrakesh.

the girls showing their drawings of some of the animal names of yoga poses we learned

Starting with the next retreats in Marrakesh this coming September, both EAT.PRAY.MOVE and Peacock Pavilions have pledged at least 10% of profits to go directly to the efforts of PROJECT SOAR! We are also working through details to offer guests the opportunity to help with a small village beautification project during some of the free time of the retreat week! 

WHY NOT JOIN US IN SEPT FOR OUR FIRST "GIVE-BACK" RETREAT!

Spots are filling: Sept 14-20 and Sept 21-27

Be sure to check out the PROJECT SOAR website and video below where you can learn more...and even find a way to help!

PROJECT SOAR BELIEVES THAT THE WORLD WOULD BE A BETTER PLACE IF WE WERE ALL BETTER NEIGHBORS.

Project Soar uplifts underprivileged communities through art, design and movement. The Marrakesh village of Douar Ladaam in Marrakesh -- home to hundreds of families -- is our first pilot community. Cultural constraints sometimes allow girls fewer opportunities. So Project Soar empowers girls to GROW strong, smart and creative. We also bring beauty to communities through art, rehabilitation and cleanup projects, helping them THRIVE for years to come. We want us to all SOAR high together.

TRAVELER TESTIMONY :: Repeat Impressions (Liz - California, USA)

One of the greatest joys of EAT.PRAY.MOVE is the opportunity to meet amazing people from all locations and walks of life. We thought we would share some of our friends with our amazing community in this kick-off of the new series "TRAVELER TESTIMONY". 

We recently caught up with Elizabeth Jimenez, a repeat guest of our retreats. An avid yogi from Long Beach, California, she and her family first joined us for a retreat in Marrakesh, Morocco and continued on to the Tuscany and Ischia retreats the following years. Liz, her husband Rene and mother-in-law Blanca are absolutely wonderful people and lovers of life - they've inspired us, made us smile, and most importantly have become friends along the way! To share them with you we did a little Q and A with Liz and loved what she had to say!

·      What drew you EAT.PRAY.MOVE Yoga Retreats?

I started taking yoga classes for the first time right before my 49th birthday and when I saw an ad for EAT.PRAY.MOVE Yoga Retreats on Facebook, I just knew it would be a different yet very exciting vacation for us. The itinerary and pictures for the Morocco retreat at Peacock Pavillion looked like heaven! It was something straight out of a magazine layout, and I knew it would be a very special.  When my husband and I excitedly shared with my Mom that we were attending a yoga retreat in Morocco, she immediately invited herself!!

Liz, Rene, and Blanca in Marrakesh

·      How did your trip compare to your expectations?

The EPM Morocco yoga retreat went BEYOND our expectations. From the pictures I knew we would be arriving to a beautiful location, but experiencing the environment, our accommodations, the food, daily yoga…it was the most luxurious vacation my husband and I have ever experienced. We really enjoyed Erin as our yogi, as well as our tour and cultural guide! She provides a personal touch and she's so easy to talk to. We especially enjoyed the daily excursions she chose for us.

Y.O.G.A on the beach in Morocco

·      What did you learn on your trip? Did anything surprise you?

Vegetarian food is quite delicious!! We didn't miss eating meat while on the retreat.

·      What was the best part of your trip?

Practicing yoga outdoors, under the canopy, early in the morning and late afternoon was so refreshing. Each day we felt energized and the fresh vegetarian food was amazing and delicious.

riding camels in Morocco

·      What lasting impressions did you have?  

It definitely left an impression!!  The way we eat, move and pray has definitely changed for the better!! My husband changed his diet and cut out red meat entirely! He really enjoyed the vegetarian diet at the retreat and when we returned he was able to lower his cholesterol by sticking to a fish and vegetarian diet. I've continued to practice yoga daily in my home. It has kept me limber, provides me peace, and helps me most when I feel stressed out from work. Rene and I love to travel and especially enjoy vacations that include a healthy component.  For that reason we've attended two additional EPM yoga retreats! We love each retreat’s unique location. We look forward to experiencing the culture, food, people and practicing yoga with Erin.  That's what makes it so special. 

Thanks for sharing and traveling with us, Elizabeth, Rene and Blanca!  We look forward to more adventures with you in the future! 

ps: Follow Liz and her yogi adventures on her instagram page @lizlovelaugh

welcoming a new EAT.PRAY.MOVE member!

We are so happy to announce that we've added a new member to the EAT.PRAY.MOVE family and wanted to introduce her to you all, as you may be in contact with her someday. Sarah is currently living in Brooklyn, NY and is a health and life coach and an overall amazing woman who just teems with positivity. She'll be helping with social media, press, and customer relations. To get to know her more, we did a small Q&A...say hi to Sarah!

 at the top of the Castello Aragonese in Ischia, Italy

How do you know Erin and EAT.PRAY.MOVE?

After meeting Erin in NYC, I took one of the retreats to Ischia, Italy, and my life was changed!  First of all, I got to cross two life list items off—taking a yoga retreat and going to Italy.  But the takeaway was so much bigger than just a vacation.  I have never come away from time off with so much insight into who I am and what needed to change in my life.  Taking one of her retreats makes you realize who you are beyond the noise of regular life, and it lets you experience joy you didn’t know was possible. People noticed a tangible difference in me when I came back home. 

What do you do outside of EAT.PRAY.MOVE?

I am a certified holistic health and life coach, in addition to being a blogger. I work with modern women who are stuck or in a transition period and need support to move forward in life. From nutrition to relationships, I look at the big picture and help them remove obstacles and give them tools to become the best version of themselves. I have had my own struggles with health and stress in life, and I love being able to use my experiences to help others break through to the other side. 

Why is yoga important to you?

I found yoga in a dark time in my life, and it truly saved me.  While all the rest of the world was stressful, I found that the space of my mat was a comfort zone.  And it was one I could access at any time.  It’s a gift, not only to our bodies, but to our hearts and minds. It’s a reward really, after all the stress we put on our mind and body on a daily basis.  It balances me in so many ways. 

 living it up on the beautiful Amalfi Coast in Southern Italy

What do you love about travel?

I was fortunate enough to travel North America for 3 years with my husband’s work, so I was kind of forced into it a nomadic life for a bit. Within a month, I was hooked.  I realized how much is out there and how much of it I didn’t even know I needed to see. You also get to see how much people are alike, no matter where they live. You get to learn the feeling behind a place, what drives it.  Most of all, you get to learn and relearn how small you and your problems are.  Travel makes me feel alive, period.

Favorite place you have traveled?

It’s a toss up.  I loved Lake Louise, in Banff National Park, Alberta, I got to kayak in mint colored glacial waters, surrounded by snow capped mountains.  It was like stepping into a postcard.  But I was speechless at the beauty of Positano on the Amalfi Coast of Italy. Italy in general is everything you have ever imagined it to be and more. 

 throwing a coin in the Trevi Fountain in Rome, ensuring a return visit!

What makes you happy?

Most things in life do, when I take the time to savor them. 

But I love my husband, yoga, a good cup of tea, anything that gets me close to water, beautifully made vegetables, pugs, paperback books, cupcakes and TRAVEL!

Where is next on your travel list?

Paris! My husband pointed out that all of my favorite movies take place there—Amelie, Sabrina, Midnight in Paris.

I just want to drink amazing wine, eat the best croissants, see amazing art and wander through Montmartre.

What is your life philosophy?

“When the student is ready, the teacher will appear.” 

vegan-licious banana bread

Towhdayh Ih wahtwehd—

...sorry my mouth was full...

Today I wanted to share one of my favorite go-to recipes that I tend to make kind of regularly. I use the ripe bananas that I didn't use up for my acai smoothies throughout the week. When I see I have 2 or 3 bananas that are at the end of their yellow-ness I whip out this recipe, which is not only delicious, but also vegan!

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VEGAN-LICIOUS BANANA BREAD

1/4 c earth balance veggie-"butter"

1/4 c natural apple sauce

1 c organic natural cane sugar*

3 Tbsp milk (almond or coconut)

1 tsp pure vanilla extract

3 ripe bananas

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp baking powder

pinch sea salt

1 tsp cinnamon

2 c all-purpose non-bleached flour

*If you have a preference, you can substitute a bit of the sugar with brown rice syrup. Here's a substitution I found for 1c sugar = 1 1/4 rice syrup plus 2 extra Tbsp flour and 1/2 tsp baking soda. I tend to just use an organic natural cane granulated sugar.

BONUS: you can also add some other healthy-boosters like a 1-2 Tbsps of flax or chia seeds- and then if the batter is a bit too dry add about 1 tsp of coconut oil.

Cream "butter", apple sauce, and sugar. Add milk, vanilla, and bananas. Add dry ingredients. Bake in greased loaf pan 350º for 1 hr or until done inside and browning on top.

EASY PEASY + extra good with a tiny bit of fruit preserves on top.

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If you make it, please let me know how it went and if your taste buds thought it agreeable! xo

time for some updates...

SALUT! SALAM!

So we're back from the back-to-back yoga retreats in Marrakesh about a month ago, and also from a scouting trip in Provence, France. Looks like there is lots to catch you up on.

First of all - what an AMAZING time we had in Marrakesh. Peacock Pavilions was lovely as always, and the groups were so much fun! I should do an upcoming post just about the dishes we enjoyed each day - as there were many.

This time of year the air was so clear that you could see the gorgeous snow-capped Atlas Mountains in the distance. Such a strange and beautiful juxtaposition from the desert.

We enjoyed some relaxation (with Moroccan mint tea of course!) around the pool...

...while listening to the many songbirds sing away from the branches of the olive trees.

That is, of course, when we weren't out watching fire dancers...

Plus, something new since last time in September 2011 - the yoga tent now has a beautifully painted floor that we all got to admire during those downward-facing dog poses.

 Both groups were full of energy, laughter, wonderful spirits, and (newly made) friends!

Now don't miss out on the ONE SPOT LEFT for Sept 23-29 this year - and 2 weeks are on the site now for MARCH 2013! http://eatpraymove.com

ps. I'll talk to you soon about the NEWLY ANNOUNCED retreat in PROVENCE, FRANCE after my time touring the area and getting details set up... stay tuned!

and the winner Is...

CONGRATULATIONS to Heather from I Heart doTerra for being our giveaway winner of the signed copy from Maryam's upcoming book, Marrakesh by Design!

I for one can't wait to see this finally in print! Thanks to everyone who participated....

...wishing you a wonderful weekend!

Happy GIVEAWAY Time!

Have you been to Morocco? Maybe joined (or will be joining) us on a yoga retreat in Marrakesh? Have you always wanted to experience the exotic pleasures of this faraway land but just haven't made it there yet?

Well now you can have a little piece of Marrakesh at home! Some of the beautiful colors, sights, textures, and patterns...

The beautiful Maryam of MyMarrakesh, and owner of the boutique hotel Peacock Pavilions, the location of our EAT.PRAY.MOVE Yoga Retreats in Marrakesh, has just completed a lovely book titled Marrakesh by Design, published by Artisan Books and set to be released in May!

AND YOU CAN WIN A FIRST-EDITION SIGNED COPY!

Or better yet, why not join us for a trip of a lifetime this year! Spots still available for Feb 26-Mar 3 and Sept 23-29. FIND OUT MORE AND SIGN UP HERE!

Read what one of our past guests had to say:

"I have always had a love of travel and a spirit of adventure, but as an almost 69-year old single woman, I believed my opportunities were limited and tame. Then, EAT. PRAY. MOVE came into my life and boy am I hooked! I signed up for the September ('11) trip to Marrakech and it was one of the finest travel experiences of my life. The accommodations were beautiful. The service. wonderful, The feeling of family and good friends surrounded us. Instead of being in a hotel, with the usual hotel culture, I was able to experience a true Moroccan lifestyle, including delicious food served on a delightful porch near the beautiful pool during the day and in a picturesque tent in the evening. The activities were fabulous: walking around in the walled old city with shopping galore, going on a day trip to a beach town including riding a camel. (I fantasized being Lawrence of Arabia.) and dining in exceptional Marrakech restaurants. We received henna treatments and spent an afternoon at a spa. Of course, there was yoga and meditation every day, too. It was a wonderful, exciting and affordable trip. I can't wait to see next year's schedule!"
- Bonnie

HOW TO ENTER GIVEAWAY:

• COMMENT on this post with what exotic Mediterranean location you'd love to EAT, PRAY, and MOVE in! *Be sure to include your name, email (if not directly linked in comment), and if you completed the Facebook and/or Twitter additional entries*

OPTIONAL ADDITIONAL ENTRIES:

• "LIKE" us on FACEBOOK

• TWEET (copy and paste this exact message) "Enter to win signed book by @MyMarrakesh & Join us for #YOGA Retreat w/ @eatpraymoveyoga http://eatpraymoveyoga.com"

Contest runs until Feb 14, 2012 11:59est. Winner will be announced later that week and prize delivered when book is released in May 2012. *ONLY US &CANADA mailing addresses accepted*