Whole30 Challenge Accepted

I am officially at the halfway point of my Whole30 Challenge.

What? You've never heard of it? It's basically a 30 day gut cleanse where you don't eat foods that have the potential to cause inflammation in your body. That means: no dairy, no grains, no beans, no processed or 'natural' sugars, and no alcohol.

I (being the eternal optimist) prefer to focus on what I CAN eat: fruits, vegetables, meats, nuts, seeds, and several other 'whole' foods or whole food products - like almond butter.

After the 30 days you slowly begin reintroducing the items that were restricted back into your diet to see how your body reacts to them. Pretty cool, huh? (I know, I'm a masochist.)

I heard about this program two years ago and was intrigued. I didn't think I'd be able to do it though- it seemed really hard. (No wine?! No chocolate?!) About a year ago, I bought the books: It Starts With Food and Whole 30 because I wanted to learn more. I became even more intrigued...so much so that I decided to do my OWN version of Whole30...you know, I cut out dairy, I ate more fruits and vegetables, tried to cut back on sweets and still allowed myself a glass of wine or two in the evenings. I don't have to tell you how that one turned out...

Fast forward to fifteen days ago when I decided to take the plunge and just do it already. I was tired of feeling tired. My brain was foggy, my stomach hurt, I was having skin issues, and my body was just plain achy. After working with a chiropractic neurologist - we discussed the possibility of my issues being food related. I was really committed to feeling better so I dug out my books and polished up on a few concepts. I spent the next day cleaning out my pantry and restocking it with Whole30 compliant food. And then, voila! I started.

I can't say that it's been rainbows and butterflies since starting this challenge (my sugar cravings have been out of this world!), but I CAN tell you I think there's a lot of truth to food being medicine.

Fifteen days down...fifteen more to go. I cheers you with my kombucha (which is Whole30 approved by the way:)) and considering I survive this, I'll post more on my experience.

A Walk in the Woods...

If you're walking in the woods and you forget to wear your FitBit...do the steps actually count?

This is a question I pondered out loud recently as friends and I embarked on a three mile hike through the Florida Greenway. I had a brief moment of discontent and panic when I realized moments after starting the trail that I forgot to put on my beloved fitness tracker. "Shoot," I thought..."There goes my chance of getting 10,000 steps today." I professed my disdain aloud and tried to brush it off as I put my full attention into what was going on around me:

The only thing that bothered me more than forgetting my fitness tracker was the fact that I was SO BOTHERED by forgetting it. The opportunity to disconnect from technology and the outside world are two of the reasons I love hiking in the woods. I realized that maybe this love of disconnecting should include detaching from my FitBit too. In the end (although I didn't have proof) I still hit my 10,000 step goal...I did the work...and isn't that the whole point anyway?

We (and by 'we', I really mean 'I') can get so caught up in capturing and tracking every detail of our lives that we often miss the big moments and the beauty that is all around us.

I think I'll ponder this a bit more while hiking in the woods...sans FitBit. And I think you should too!

I'm Not A Blonde Anymore

Driving home from dinner with my mentor and the thing that stands out the most to me is the fact that we didn't talk about my hair...and thank GOD.

You see, I stopped dying my hair blonde about a year and a half ago...it's been slowly growing out into an ombré style and not only do I really like it, but it feels like ME. I had been dying my hair for over 15 years and I had no idea what my natural color was anymore. I figured since the ombré look was in, this was my shot at growing it out...plus, it just fit into this more natural, less chemical lifestyle that I wanted to live.

Fast forward to the present when I cut my hair. I cut off all of the blonde leaving me with a long, brown bob (my hair stylist calls this a 'lob'). Up until this point, no one really noticed my darker hair. But like the switch of a light, it's as though everyone had an opinion and they weren't afraid to share:

"I liked you better as a blonde." 

"You were prettier as a blonde."

And the one that stopped me dead in my tracks: "You used to look so young and full of life. Why did you stop dying your hair?"

And these comments were made TO MY FACE. Maybe I should be happy that I've fostered an environment where people feel so comfortable to tell me what they think? or I should be happy that people even care about my hair? But, let's be honest - after a while, these comments started to get to me. It hurt my feelings. How could you like me better? I'm the exact same person! Granted, there were a lot of positive comments too, but somehow it's the negative voice that always speaks louder...know what I mean?

Let's get back to dinner with my mentor...I can't tell you how lovely it was to catch up and talk about what I was doing, what I was creating, and what the next couple of months will look like for me. It wasn't superficial or surface conversation...it was nitty gritty. It was about goals and dreams...stuff that MATTERS. Stuff that makes me feel ALIVE. It wasn't about my hair or the way I looked and I found it so refreshing. So refreshing that it was one of my biggest take-a-ways. I want to have more of these conversations!

One of my words for 2017 is "authenticity" and for me, part of getting closer to my authentic self means not covering myself up. For now, this also includes dying my hair. The surprising plot twist is that while I get comfortable with my authentic self...I'll also be getting comfortable with the opinions of others. You know, in a world that can be quick to condemn, criticize, and overreact - I want to be the one who is quick to be kind. And in being kind, I hope this helps others to be their authentic selves with me.

Today

Today I refused to pull out my cell phone. Today I was at the deli waiting for my number...number 98...to be called and I refused to take out my cell phone and idly scroll through Facebook or Instagram to fill the empty space. It was painful. Well, not really. But, I had to really CHOOSE to stand there and just be. To be present. To make eye contact. To offer a smile to not only the people passing by, but to the people behind the counter that were overwhelmed with the task at hand. And do you know what happened? I met an 89 year old Navy veteran who played polo as a 20-something. He grew up in rural Illinois - where the horses out populated the people. "You had to own five horses if you even wanted to compete in polo." He said. His hat showed me that he was a WWII survivor and his spirit showed me so much more.

We find ourselves in the midst of hundreds of people on a daily basis...but we refuse to connect. We choose to stare at our phones and purposefully ignore others. Why? Is it because of an inability to converse? Is it a choice we make or is it just automatic? I'm not sure, but I do know that my interaction with this man was exactly what my soul needed. Connection. Eye contact. Conversation. It was all of maybe four minutes, but those four minutes made me walk out a little lighter and I carried it with me throughout the day...I can only hope that it did the same for him.

New Year (kinda). New You? It's not too late!

This is a screen shot from my headspace app. One of my goals, or dare I say 'New Years Resolutions,' for 2017 is to be more present. This can be a bit ambiguous - as it's hard to measure, so I felt that a daily mediation practice would get me where I wanted to go (or at least help). 20 minutes a day...most days of the week. I could do this.

Let me back up...I am very goal-oriented and self driven (most of the time!) I typically start thinking about my goals (resolutions) for the year to come around October/November. I like to put my plan into action by December, so that in mid-January, when I'm most likely to fall off the band wagon, I am well on my way to a solid routine. This might not work for everyone, but it works for me...I think mostly because it doesn't have the 'New Years Resolution' stigma since I begin well before the shiny ball drops at midnight.

When I was looking at my stats (pictured above) I was blown away that I have already spent 24 collective hours meditating! That is an entire day - how cool?! Step-by-step, little-by-little, I'm getting it done. And I must say that now that I've started, it's hard to picture my life without it. Meditation for me has been a saving grace...but more on that in a later post.

So, where are you? Did you already fall off the bandwagon? Did you not even set new goals because you knew you wouldn't be able to follow through? Well, a wise person once told me that you can choose to start over at any moment - even if it's in the middle of the day. You don't have to wait until a Monday or even a new day or the start of a new month. You can start right now. Whatever you want to change in your life - you are full of the unlimited potential to make it possible!

If you do one thing this week, check out this podcast from John O'Leary. I promise you won't be disappointed and it will give you the tools and inspiration to start your journey. Yes, February is coming to a close and March is right around the corner, but there is no better time to hit the restart button than now.

Living Intentionally

Are you living intentionally?

How often do we find ourselves just skating through life...allowing life to simply happen. We just exist or survive with no real direction or purpose.

What would you be doing if you knew you couldn't fail? What are your goals, dreams, and aspirations? What do you need to do TODAY to get to where you want to be tomorrow?

Dictionary.com defines 'intentional' as something being done with intention or on purpose. I challenge you to start living on purpose right now. Make every moment and action count.

If you're unsure of where to begin or have no idea what to do - start by taking steps to becoming a better you - maybe it's reading a self help book, speaking to a therapist, exploring different creative outlets (writing, painting, playing an instrument, etc.). Make a difference in your community - contribute, volunteer, be useful! Instead of settling in and getting comfortable, do things that challenge and push and make you feel vulnerable. Allow yourself the room and experiences to grow and become a better YOU. Find out what sets your soul on fire and chase it with wild abandon!

I challenge you to start living intentionally.

"The purpose of life is to find your gift. Then once you've found it - give it away." - Unknown

Lessons on Life From Running...and Loss

My ‘running career’ began in high school at the age of 17 when I joined the cross country team. My reasons for joining were two-fold. At the time, I could barely make it around the 1/4-mile track without being completely winded and stopping to rest. I thought if I joined the cross country team and competed in the 5k races, then I would be able to conquer anything! Also, I had just gone through a breakup with my high school sweetheart and needed something to occupy both my time and the space in my mind. 

From the start, I had a love-hate relationship with running. I showed up, I trained, and I’d like to say that I conquered, but that’s not even close to the truth - it wasn’t pretty, but let’s just say that I finished and yes, at the end of that semester I did feel like I could accomplish anything.

It wasn’t until 12 years later that I would decide to lace up my running shoes again. Feeling restless as an almost-30 year old. I wanted that feeling of doing something for the first time again…something that was challenging and that I had to work on…something that was hard for me and that would push me out of my comfort zone. I set a goal of running my first half-marathon. 

Like any good wanna-be-runner, I found a race that sounded fun - I settled on Disney’s Wine & Dine Half Marathon - because if anything was going to get me to run 13.1 miles - it would be a glass of wine at the finish line. Plus, I cleverly coerced one of my best friends to sign up too. It would be fun I said!

I quickly found that the love-hate relationship with running still existed deep within me as I began my weekly training. I do believe the only thing that got me out on the pavement was the thought of not being able to complete the 13.1 distance on the day of the race. And how embarrassing would that be?! I’d check in with my friend monthly and found myself relieved to hear we were ‘on the same pace’ in our training - meaning we were running maybe twice a week and getting those long runs in when life didn’t get in the way. 

As the days started to get shorter, I brought my training inside to the treadmill. What I liked most about this, was that my mom would join me after work and walk on the treadmill beside me - usually reading a book or catching up on her entertainment television. Mom’s weekly encouragement and pride in me was just the boost I needed to really buckle down and slide into that home stretch of training. I think she enjoyed our weekly workouts just as much as I did and even signed up for her first 5K!

Me & Mom at her first 5K race!

On September 28, 2014 - six weeks before the big race - my mom died unexpectedly from a heart attack. The weeks that followed are still a blur. The thought of running without her by my side took my breath away and left me curled up in a ball. I didn’t think I could continue training and go through with the race…my friend understood and said that the decision was mine to make - she would support me either way. The days drudged on and four weeks before the race, I woke up from the haze. Maybe I SHOULD put my running shoes back on…maybe running will fill the time and the space in my head just like it did so many years ago…

"It is not so much that I began to run, but that I continued." - Hal Higdon

I didn’t feel completely ready, but on November 8, 2014 I completed my first half marathon with one of my best friends at my side. There’s no doubt that Mom carried me through - especially those last two miles when so many emotions were running through me that all I could do was cry. The best part for me was that for the first time I experienced that ‘euphoria’ or ‘runners high’ that everyone talks about. I had it! and it was amazing! Crossing the finish line hand-in-hand with one of my best friends and accomplishing that goal was like nothing I can describe. Not only did it push me out of my comfort zone physically, but the emotional battle I went through with the loss of my mother and the uncertainty of how life could go on for me was incredible. In that moment I was so glad that I didn’t give up and I knew that my mom was too. Life does go on and it’s up to you to show up and make it worth it. I don’t just live for myself now, but for mom too. 

Me and Amanda

PERMA-GRIN Part II

Wow! I haven't posted in almost two years (and to the date at that)! I didn't mean to take a hiatus, at least not consciously. Let's see if I remember how to do this...

To follow up on my last blog post, which feels like it were both yesterday AND ages ago, here are the details of the couples shower I threw for my brother and (now) sister-in-law :

I hosted it at an adorable family-owned winery called  The Corkscrew Winery in Ocala, FL. I gathered the bridesmaids together about two months before the shower date for a fun Friday night of wine-making. This also gave us a fun opportunity to meet and get-to-know each other.

The experience itself was like none other - the owner taught us about the grapes, helped us determine what kind of flavors to add, and we even got to mix the ingredients together ourselves!

 While our wine fermented, we had the chance to make our own label - luckily, my step brother is good at this kind of thing. This was his design:

Two months later at the couples shower (which was also hosted at Corkscrew), each guest got to bottle, cork, and label a bottle of wine from the vat we created! It was a fun 'party-favor' and it made for a unique experience. I know I may be biased, but it was one of the most fun bridal showers I've ever been to.

 

We had a few extra bottles left over - one of which I added sulfates to (this keeps wines from going bad and allows the wine to 'get better' with age) and gave it to my brother & sister-in-law on their one year anniversary. The rest we drank the weekend of the wedding of course. Cheers!

PERMA-GRIN Part I

So, it has taken me almost three days to recover from this past weekend...and I say 'almost' because being fully recovered is still debatable. You know when Monday rolls around and you still have a silly smile on your face because you can't help but keep re-living all of the fun moments from the past couple of days? That's been me...I like to call it my perma-grin (insert emoticon here).

Friday kicked off with an unexpected trip to the hospital...for a happy reason! My long time friend had her first child! She welcomed her beautiful baby girl to this world on Thursday morning and I couldn't get down to the hospital fast enough for some newborn snuggles and to check on the new Rockstar Mom.

I rushed home from the hospital to get ready for a crazy Friday night...two of my college friends were driving up from Orlando so that we could see Vanilla Ice in my hometown's annual BikeFest. Yes, I said Vanilla Ice- as in Rob VanWinkle...Ice Ice Baby. You might be rolling your eyes, because I did too at first...and then the twelve-year-old girl inside of me couldn't stop doing cartwheels and I knew at that point there was no turning back.

Front & center, baby!

Vanilla Ice's Twitter picture and if you look closely...

That's Me!!!

It must have been a combination of the company, belting out songs from my childhood, and the amazing VIP access...but this was one of my favorite nights of all time. Epic. Please don't judge me. Please.

Saturday morning I woke up entirely way too early but I couldn't contain my excitement for the festivities about to ensue. Today was the day that I've been planning for the past three months: Rob & Melissa's Couple Shower! I hosted it at The Corkscrew Winery in Ocala, Florida. It was recommended from a client of mine and when I went to check it out- I knew it would be the perfect venue and atmosphere for the shower I had in mind for my brother and his fiancé. 

To be continued...

April (Wedding) Showers

Life is so beautifully full for me right now and I wouldn't change a single thing. Work is going great, albeit busy and a little stressful...I still wake up every morning extremely fulfilled. This is the first time in a long while that my personal life has me busy every weekend from here until July. I've got one wedding down and two more to go in the next couple of months.

Me with the beautiful bride earlier this month- one of my best friends from high school.

I am sitting here listening to Spotify on my iPod which I just recently discovered and have no idea how I made it this far into my adult life without. I am obsessed with the 'Smart is the New Sexy' playlist as well as the 'Top 100 Indie Tracks.' I haven't listened to much else this month!

I am busy this week putting the final touches together for a shower I am throwing for my brother and his fiancé. I drove down to Stuart, FL this past weekend to attend a shower for the bride-to-be in her home town. She is such a beautiful woman inside and out and I am so excited to officially call her my sister!

The beautiful bride-to-be!

My bridesmaids dress for their wedding arrived today and it made me so excited.  Everything is starting to come together for their special day and I am really trying to cherish each and every moment. There is truly so much love and celebrating going on right now- that at times I feel as if I might burst- cheesy I know, but it's the truth!

I'll leave you with a quote:

Get it right!

I am obsessed with quote-collecting. So much so, that my 'Quotes' board takes up almost half of my total 1.3K pins on Pinterest. (Just re-reading that makes me think I should get a hobby...) 

I've come across a lot of sayings, one-liners, and inspirational messages. Today, a client of mine shared an inspirational quote that hit home for her and it's one that made me stop in my tracks and REALLY think (I love it when that happens!). Here it is:

"Don't stop trying when you get it right. Stop trying when you can't get it wrong." 

This was from Geno Auriemma, the head coach of the University of Connecticut women's basketball team, who just so happens to be taking his team to the NCAA Final Four this weekend!

It's a little hard to digest at first, but once it does- it's so inspiring! I believe it's that kind of thinking that separates the 'good' from the 'great'. Whether you're an athlete or a business(wo)man ...you can't stop once you get it 'right' or when it's 'good'. You have to keep going...keep evolving. That is what makes you stand out- when your 'good' or your 'right' is better than your opponent's 'great'. Catch my drift? Made you think, didn't I...

Wedding Season

Does anyone else's refrigerator look like this?

So, it looks a little more cluttered in the photo than it does in real life, but in case you can't tell, there are 10...count them TEN wedding or baby related invitations on the door and that's not counting the two that came today. Part of the reason it has taken me so long to get back to writing is that my days and weekends have been full of celebrating my friends and family's exciting milestones.

This is officially wedding season and I couldn't be more happy for the three couples in my life that are about to embark on the beautiful journey of matrimony. I have had multiple weddings each year since college graduation, but this is the first year that three *very important* people in my life are all getting married within months of each other! They include: one of my high school best friends, my college roommate, & one of my brothers (yea!! I'm going to finally have a sister!).

Although some of the festivities have come and gone, there are still many more on the horizon and I couldn't be more excited for the special people in my life. That being said, it's back to online dress shopping for me...Wish me luck!

Things I'm Loving

Happy Fat Tuesday Eve! I wanted to share with you a couple of things that I am loving this week:

• In honor of Mardi Gras & Lent, I am loving GOOD'S  '40 Days, 40 Acts of Generocity'. Check it out and join the movement. It's not too late!

• I eat several small meals throughout the day and right now I'm loving this fiber rich shake as my first meal of the day. It's Advocare's Fiber Drink Mix and this week I'm mixing it with a handful of ice and 8oz of green goodness. Yummy! It's just the thing to get the day moving...if you know what I mean 😉

• I'm obsessed with my home brewing kit! This weekend I bottled the beer that has been fermenting over the last two weeks. Although this process was a lot harder than I originally expected, it was very rewarding and I made my first 6-pack! It still has two more weeks left until 'tasting day,' but from the smell of it- I think I'm going to be pleasantly surprised at the outcome.

Hope you have a great week and take the chance to give back, do good, and live generously!

Dinner with an ex: Do or Don't?

Well, I did. Last week. And I'm still thinking about it...

Let me set up the scene: I had just gotten home from work and I no sooner plopped myself on the couch when I received the text, "Hey, I'm in town if you'd like to grab a beer after work." Now, nine times out of ten I would have just ignored it. Never responded. Just gone on with my evening as usual, but I was actually really genuinely interested in seeing/hearing how this man (who was once a major part of my life) was doing.

Now, before you get ahead- nothing happened. Scouts honor. It was drinks (two to be exact-my new maximum when out on dates and apparently for meeting exes too), dinner, & a game of darts. Not completely harmless because there might have been a little flirting- but that's it. I really enjoyed catching up and seeing how well he's doing in life and it was equally exciting to talk about all of the good things going on in my life too. I guess the part that has kept me thinking and somewhat baffled was our intricate discussion on 'exes'...

For both of us, we are the only past relationship that we still keep in loose contact with and by 'loose contact,' I mean Facebook friends and the occasional text or phone call. I hadn't seen this 'friend' of mine in over two years and it had been at least six months since we've spoken on the phone. Everyone else that I've ever dated, I have completely wiped off my radar...like they never existed. Is that crazy? I've never really thought about it at the time, but to have someone that you are thiscloseto in one moment and then nothing the next- is just crazy. But then again, isn't it crazier to think that you can be friends with all of your exes? And what makes this particular person different?

I guess in situations like this, there really isn't a 'normal' or 'black & white' answer. My usual advice (to others and myself) is to 'trust your gut' and lucky for me, my gut is usually right. I'm not sure what prompted me to agree to drinks...which turned into dinner...which turned into darts, but I'm glad I did.  Speaking candidly to someone, who at one time I was very close to, was extremely healing and empowering. I loved being able to bounce ideas off of him and get his perspective without having to be held accountable to him later. It was really a refreshing experience...one that definitely left me pondering the idea about meeting up and being friends (just friends) with your exes.

Wise Words Wednesday

I learned a very valuable lesson today from a client of mine. She was expecting a package from the postal service and it never arrived. After two weeks past it's expected due date, it finally showed up on her door step with an apology from the postman saying it was at the bottom of his bundle and he had simply overlooked it. This package was of great importance to my client and she had it in her mind to go to the post office the next day and complain to the manager about the poor service she had received.

Upon waking the next morning, she thought more about it and came to the conclusion that nothing good would come from her complaining. She would be yelling at someone who was not the cause of the situation and releasing that negativity would only bring her more negativity. Why put that stress & grief onto someone else? Instead, she bought a box of chocolates, took them to the post office and thanked the postal workers for their hard work and dedication.

A lot of times, I think we forget that we are in control of how we react to our circumstances and how we react can have a positive or negative outcome. Why spread more negativity? At the time, it might feel like the right thing to do and it would be a great release, but what good does it bring? None. Does it resolve the problem or just make matters worse? I'm really going to focus this week on how I react to the situations around me and try to 'be the light.' I'll leave you with this brilliant quote I found on Pinterest:

Home Brew

I carved out some time this weekend to utilize one of my Christmas presents and to keep myself entertained. In our annual gift exchange with my dad's side of the family this year, I received a Beer Making Kit. Home brewing is something I've had on the back-burner of my mind recently, but had no idea where to start. I was beyond excited when this was the gift I ended up with in our Chinese gift exchange and hate that it's taken me so long to whip it out. 

The whole process from brewing to bottling to drinking takes about 4 weeks, so my home brew will be ready just in time to drink & enjoy with the same family members at our March celebration of birthdays & anniversaries (4 birthdays, 1 anniversary, and this year...a retirement & house warming party all rolled into one).

Here's how my kit came and it had just about everything I needed. The only extras that I had to buy were an 8 quart pot & a fine mesh strainer.

"The Mash" - this is what makes the beer. It's a lot like making oatmeal, but you have to watch the temperature closely. This process took about an hour.

"The wort" - this IS the beer! It's the left over liquid for the mash + an additional 4 quarts of water strained through the mash. This has to stay at a low boil for about an hour. It's at this stage that the hops are added.

Almost finished! Once the boil is over, the pot goes into an ice bath (I made mine in the sink) where the liquid chills to a 

nice 70 degrees. The yeast is added and the tube goes in the cap to allow the carbon dioxide gasses to escape. After 2 days, this baby will be sealed with an air lock cap and go into my office closet for fermentation. 

Although the process was a lot more involved than I had originally anticipated, I really did enjoy it and found myself browsing the Brooklyn Brew website for my next creation. I'll keep my fingers crossed in the meantime and hope that my yeast doesn't die and that my wort turns into a delicious IPA that I can enjoy with my family. Stay tuned!

Happy Valentines's Day!

Despite popular belief, not ALL single people loathe Valentine's Day. I, for one, have (almost) always enjoyed this holiday and when looking back, it's the years I've spent it 'alone' that bring back the fondest memories.

I've had the opportunity to celebrate this special day with several gentlemen and only a handful have been lucky enough to celebrate with me more than once. Valentine's Day can come with its own unique set of pressures. These include, but certainly are not limited to: the pressure to get the best gift, to be creative, to find the perfect outfit, to plan the most amazing weekend get-a-way, to make your partner's day special...the list could go on and on. And let's not forget that you're secretly trying to out-do the relationship that came before this one (come on, I can't be the only one...). 

Now, being in love is fantastic and I hope to one day find my soul-mate, but I'd be crazy not to take this opportunity now while I am single to show myself how much I love ME. There is so much love around all of us: love between parents, siblings, friends, co-workers...all of it should be celebrated!

Since (hopefully) I won't have too many Valentine's Days as a single lady, when the opportunity arises, I choose to fill this day with the things that make me happy. I was lucky enough this year to spend a gorgeous afternoon with the man who first fell in love with me- my dad.

We played a round of golf at Palmer Legends in The Villages, FL and it couldn't have been a prettier day.

unWINEding

Had a busy day and came home exhausted so I will keep this short and sweet. After a day like today two of my favorite things to unwind with are a hot bath and a good book (wine is a given). I am currently reading The Silent Wife by A.S.A Harrison- the first read in a book club I've just joined. So far, so good. Here's to hoping I can stay up long enough to get at least one chapter in!

Motivation Monday

Happy Monday! I found this little gem on Pinterest a few months back and I think it's just the thing to nix the Monday blues. Each time I look at it, it reminds me that 'Monday' isn't the enemy. Mondays are a fresh start and the beginning of what could be an exciting & eventful week...the only difference is our outlook and how we choose to expend our energy.

Since 'm' stands for motivation, I chose to re-motivate myself today to get back on track with my running training. I set a goal back in November to run my first half-marathon in 2014. With my sights set on The Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon this Fall (because nothing makes me want to run more than a glass of Pinot Noir waiting at the finish line) I've got to get my butt in gear!

I've started by training for a 5K distance using the 'Couch to 5K' app that is powered by Active. It has been a great training tool and I highly recommend it. Although my workouts haven't been consistent, I completed 'Week 5/Day 3' today which included a 5-minute Warm-up, 20-minute jog, & 5-minute cool-down. It might not sound like much, but I'm already thinking I will carry over the 'y' for yoga into my workout for tomorrow.

One of my favorite quotes is from Zig Ziglar: "People often say that motivation doesn't last. Well, neither does bathing. That's why we recommend it daily." 

Domestic Procrastination

I finally took my Christmas tree down today (don't judge). 2014 has proven to be very eventful thus far which is helping me with my New Year's resolution to play just as hard as I work. However, it has also caused me to neglect a lot of things on the home front. I started off dedicating this weekend to all things domestic: laundry, vacuuming, dusting, taking down my Christmas tree...but it has quickly turned into a reflection of how much has happened in the short six weeks since we've rung in the New Year. True to form, I've made a quick list:

Things I've done so far this year (in no particular order):

• Learned to play euchre (card game- look it up)
• Flew to Pasadena, CA to cheer on my Seminoles in the BCS National Championship
• Had a birthday
• Spent 5 days on my couch with the flu
• Ran a 5K (AND shaved 3 minutes off my previous race time)
• Attended my high school best friend's bachelorette party (which may have included a party bus to Monster Jam)
• And lastly, flew to the Bahamas for a quick weekend celebrating my college roommate's bachelorette party.

So, here's January in a nutshell:

Well, enough procrastinating for me. Back to chores so I can get cleaned up for dinner with friends tonight. Ciao!