About

Welcome to Balance & Spice!

This is where I share my love of yoga, healthy living, great food, exercise in all it’s forms, world travel, and of New York City. Please join me here for recipe successes and failures, great workouts and yoga sequences, and the adventures of a chaotic but joy-filled life

About Me:

I’m a 24-year-old native New Yorker, who has been on a health journey for the past six years.

For the first 18 years of my life, my exercise of choice was changing the channel. I also ate like a typical teenager – tons of sugar, white carbs, and nary a vegetable to behold, save for dinner with my parents.

When I turned 19, I was struck with meningitis, and promptly lost about 20 pounds in 2 weeks. I couldn’t walk for three weeks, and spent much of my sophomore year of college (at the University of Southern California – Go Trojans!) riding around campus in a granny scooter.

When I was able to walk and move again, I knew I wanted to take responsibility for my health and well-being.

So, I started exercising and eating better. For the first six months, I just did the elliptical machine in my university’s gym. Then, I started working with a personal trainer to get stronger and build muscles.

I had never felt better in my life, and was starting to make healthier eating choices as well – incorporating more vegetables and fruits, and less refined foods. However, as exercise started to become a bigger part of my life, I knew I wanted more than just an hour at the gym, five days a week. I wanted to work towards something that felt significant and more than just a past time.

So, I decided to enter a triathlon. Note, I hadn’t ridden a bike since I was 10, swam more than a few meters in my life, or ever run a mile. However, there was something in my gut that just made me want to overcome my fears and give something I thought was impossible a “tri”. Ba-dump-bump.

So, I did. I competed in the Hermosa Beach Sprint Distance Triathlon in October 2007, almost exactly year after I was bed ridden and unable to walk. The feeling of accomplishment was unbeatable and addictive, and in the coming years, competed in about 15 different triathlons and run races. I was never fast, but I always had a blast.  I worked with an amazing coach,  who I highly recommend to anyone, anywhere.

Then, after a few years, it stopped being fun. I kept getting injury after injury, most likely due to an undiagnosed case of severe anemia. I broke my foot, and had a peroneal tendon strain which made running a nightmare. So, I decided I needed a break, and to discover a different style of exercise. Yoga, which I had dabbled with in the past, became my respite and my life. More about my yoga experience here.

Today, I am working to find the balance between yoga and traditional fitness training. I became a personal trainer in 2009, and work at a lovely gym on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, as well as privately.

I also am constantly searching out the best recipes, bang for your buck meals out, and fun times.

Who’s Who

Anthony is my partner in every way (including training!) We met in 2010, and moved in together four months later. Sounds crazy, and was the best decision I’ve ever made. He’s Australian, an IT developer, and a total genius at all things computer. He’s also outrageously funny, kind, generous, smart…and did I mention he’s Australian?

Mom and Dad are well, mom and Dad. They met working at Grey Advertising. They rock. Dad’s a semi-professional chef, wine collector, and all around awesome dude. Mom is an incredible animal photographer. You can check out her work here.

I also have an amazing sister,Alysia, brother-in-law, David, step-sister, Cindy, and step-brother-in-law, Neil. They’re all pretty awesome.

Aly and David also created possibly the most amazing person on the planet – Livia Charles Basche, my niece and fashion goddess, who is about to turn three!

And then there’s Chewy…

Chewy is Anthony and my imaginary dog. (S)he hasn’t come in to our lives yet, but she’ll be coming soon!!

Transition Of Balance And Spice Since 2024

Since 2024, the transition to writing an informative blog on “Yoga and Fitness” has been a natural evolution for me, reflecting my ongoing journey and commitment to health, well-being, and the joy of movement. This new focus allows me to delve deeper into the practices that have significantly impacted my life, particularly after overcoming health challenges and discovering the transformative power of yoga and fitness.

The content on my blog covers a wide range of topics within the realms of yoga and fitness. Readers can find:

• Detailed Yoga Guides: From beginner to advanced sequences, I share step-by-step guides that help practitioners of all levels deepen their practice. These guides are infused with personal insights and tips to enhance the yoga experience, whether it’s building strength, flexibility, or mindfulness.
• Fitness Journey Stories: I open up about my fitness journey, including the triumphs and challenges, to inspire others. From my initial steps into exercise to completing triathlons and finding solace in yoga, I aim to show the realistic path of personal health and fitness, acknowledging the ups and downs.
• Healthy Living Tips: Recognizing that fitness is just one piece of the wellness puzzle, my blog also offers advice on nutrition, mental health, and lifestyle habits that support a balanced and healthy life. I share recipes, meal planning tips, and ways to incorporate mindfulness and self-care into your routine.
• Exercise Routines and Reviews: Whether it’s breaking down the benefits of different types of workouts or sharing my favorite fitness gear and yoga mats, I provide practical advice to help readers make informed choices about their exercise routines. I also review fitness classes and yoga workshops, offering insights into what might work best for different fitness goals and preferences.
• World Travel and Fitness: Combining my love for travel with fitness, I explore how to stay active and healthy on the go. From yoga retreats to running in new cities, I share how to blend adventure with wellness, ensuring that travel enriches both the body and mind.
• Personal Training Insights: Drawing on my experience as a personal trainer, I offer professional advice on exercise form, injury prevention, and building personalized workout plans. These insights aim to educate readers on how to exercise safely and effectively, tailoring their fitness routines to their unique needs and goals.

This blog is more than just a collection of posts; it’s a community for those looking to transform their lives through yoga and fitness. It’s a space for sharing, learning, and growing together, inspired by my journey and the collective experiences of our readers.