Like we say after each event, ‘No this one was our favorite!’ We are quickly learning that you don’t have to have ‘favorites.’ Life is all about balance. Like evenly giving across all of your needs, but not forgetting about yourself. Our body is One Planet, mind, body and spirit.
As we entered into the partnership with Whole Foods, we immediately felt connected to their values: good food that’s locally sourced, with as many wholesome ingredients as possible, and to try, with every piece of your being, to support local businesses. They took that business model one step forward when they established the Whole Planet Foundation.
The Whole Planet Foundation sources microcredit loans worldwide to alleviate poverty. This isn’t done on the sole basis of money. The Foundation supports these small businesses with start-up capital, resources, and education about how to be an entrepreneur. These businesses sustain, as 97% of the loans are repaid and 87% of the loans are offered to women.
The idea of our One Planet event started here...
Let us bring From Mat To Table into some local business partnerships that can do good. If we have the opportunity to bring a community together through yoga and food and support a wonderful cause, we are moving toward a more peaceful world. We couldn't be more grateful to share this experience with both Whole Foods Columbia and the incredible media team of Doctors To You.
A more peaceful planet starts with YOU, you beautiful yogis! The event began as 21 light beings stepped onto their mats. The view allowed us to gaze over Lake Kittamakundi. The group breathed their way in and out of a few heart openers, meditating on the idea of intentional energy toward oneness. We inhaled into a few hip openers and exhaled our way through some delicious twists, aiding digestion of an earlier meal and preparing for what was to come. Practice would not be complete without savasana hands on assists, equip with some peppermint essential oil temple rubs.
Three really loud OMS rounded out our practice and moving mediation together. The first breath: for you; the second: for the world; and, the last breath: for the universal divine that lives within each one of us.
As we transitioned From Mat To Table, we immediately became present with the energy in the market around us.
Appetizers were ready, and the pizza oven behind us kept busy all night. A curious crowd gathered around to peak past the chefs and see what was happening.
We took our guests on a slow tour with six stops around the Planet. Our first visit was France where we were greeted with a slab galette loaded with fresh-gourmet ingredients. We jet-set over to Australia for a quick stop and some shrimp and skirt steak on the barbie, mate! And then we cruised North to Japan, and picked up about 16 pounds of fresh fish on the way. There were family-style platters of seared tuna encrusted with sesame seeds, served alongside of field-greens mixed with shredded multi-colored carrots and radishes. And, a few dressings were offered on the side with a dish of sautéed shrimp.
Around this time in the evening, we stopped to talk about this event, why we we are all here (not sure we ‘truly’ understand exactly why we are here yet..), the passion that draws us all together (we get that energy), and then we breathed out endless gratitude for their support (and a breath for those across the world, and the lives we changed tonight). We wouldn’t be here without each other.
Our two main courses came out family-style, which means we successfully landed the plane in Thailand and Portugal. (Impressive, we know.) There were dishes of coconut curry shrimp with lemongrass and turmeric, served with seasonal vegetables on a bed of rice noodles. And there were platters of skirt steak tacos, smeared with a spicy chimichurri sauce and pickled radishes. To aid in digestion, we had the group walk to their last stop, Italy. And they were pretty famished and parched by the time they arrived at a bucket loaded with gelato. Nine different flavors alongside hot-brewed espresso. It was time to create your own affogato. No one was ashamed to go back for seconds, there were too many choice to try. We are truly sorry.
As we enjoyed the end of the evening together, we started to raffle off some pretty amazing give-aways. And, we announced we were able to change the lives of about 4.5 families with the money we raised through this experience.
Everyone left with relaxed bodies, grateful minds, and beaming spirits.
Together, when we link arms, she has the potential. Mother Earth. One Planet. One Love…and you made it possible.
Peace and blessings,
Molly and Karli
(two humans in one big world, around 7.4 billion humans, roughly)
