my day was.... {a labor of love}
happy fall y’all!
labor day marks the end of summer, so I guess it’s time for cooler temps and root vegetables! yahoo, bring it on!! I am getting a little over zealous, considering the triple digit temps outside. but… I do believe in the power of positive thinking. at our house we aren’t focused on the end of summer, we are celebrating the beginning of fall! eat well. be safe. do good. make today’s fete a labor of love!
my day was... {naturally flavored}
if you're still drinking soda pop, i have a challenge for you- give it up!
they say you should drink 6-8 glasses of water per day. personally, i think i need more like 10 glasses per day. try making a pitcher of flavored water at home to boost your water intake. last night, i mixed cucumber + mint to provide a day full of super refreshing, natually flavored agua. bottoms up!
my day was... {working it}
some exciting things are being planned, strategized, and designed! totally psyched to be doing business with the guys at gold lunchbox in the near future.
{photo from gold lunchbox}
"you are what you eat". such a true notion, and one i'm learning to live by. if you were to write a letter to your younger self, would you include any sage advice about eating habits? oh, i would! (in fact, i would likely give myself too much advice... maternal instinct or know it all??) so, here it is... my words of wisdom to myself, the person i know inside + out:
savor sweet treats + baked goods only a few times a year. enjoy those yummies during celebrations + special occasions, not everyday. sugar is as sneaky as it is tasty, and it will stay with you in ways you don't imagine until you hit your thirties ;-)
last night, i went out for ice cream. i enjoyed the company, but not the treat. today, i eat strawberries. and... i will run longer and do extra lunges to try and prevent that waffle cone from sticking around too long.
my day was... {moving}
eat less + exercise more = the solution to all of our problems… right? although getting into a regular exercise routine can be an adjustment, it really can be simple. thirty minutes a day, five days a week is my commitment at this point (in addition to my dog walks three times a day, of course). it is totally doable, even with a busy work schedule. i like to mix cardio and strength training into my workouts to keep from getting bored… although hula hooping or running with a kite would make it even more exciting! i’m getting to the point where my workouts are necessary both mentally and physically. i do some of my best thinking and idea generating while sweatin’ to the oldies, not to mention how good it makes me feel.
there are also a slew of ways in which you can focus on fitness + doing good at the same time! joining a group like team in training or livestrong allows individuals to focus on an athletic goal and a fundraising goal simultaneously. volunteering for a youth fitness organization is a great option as well. i just submitted my information to marathon kids, in order to get involved in the community and throw in a few extra workouts.
they say it takes twenty- one days to form a habit. so… what are you waiting for? get moving!
(photo of street sign love :: palm beach, florida)
isn't it lovely that inspiration is something different for everyone? from sights + sounds to ideas + dreams, what motivates us is individual. i also find it interesting that what inspires me has evolved throughout the years. i used to be awestruck by confections... sugary sweet treats were part of my everyday routine. but- while i do still savor the perfect piece of cake on occasion- my tastes have changed. now, i'm more intrigued by a pure, delicious, local piece of fruit. i'm inspired to learn the story behind my food, are you?
my day was... {a happy return}
good news… it’s officially official, i’m headed back to texas! in just six weeks, i will be leaving the sunshine state and returning to austin. wowzers! i cannot believe i’ve been away for a year. in some ways it seems as if time has flown by and in other ways it feels like an eternity. there are countless reasons why i’m anxious to get back. i will share the top six…
1.) family. if you know my husband, sister, brother-in-law, and nephew, then enough said. if you don’t… get to know them, those relationships will not disappoint!
2.) good food. i mean, REALLY good food!
3.) new acquaintances. i will be able to personally connect with a few folks i’ve been fancying from afar.
4.) old friendships. for those relationships i have not been able to foster this year, please forgive me!
5.) community connections. sfc foodies. outstanding in the field. austin food + wine festival. who else should I be involved with?
6.) opportunities. there are big dreams , bigger risks, and the biggest rewards in the future.
the countdown is on… see ya’ll in six weeks!
my current diet consists mostly of food. REAL food…the things that come from a garden or grow on trees. i am eating at least eighty percent food, and working to eliminate “food-stuff” from my everyday meal plan. although i have written into my personal rule book that i will enjoy a celebratory piece of cake for birthdays, weddings, and holidays.
side bar: i am proud to announce that i decided to forgo the slice of cake on friday, which i could have easily eaten in celebration of the fairytale royal wedding.
back on topic… most nights, i’m perfectly satisfied with throwing together a salad, making some quinoa, and steaming a vegetable (remember the crush i have on broccoli?). however, i have decided that in order to maintain my status as a charming + fun wife, i need to learn how to make some amazingly delicious recipes made out of food.
in honor of meatless monday (love the cause, not so smitten on the name) i will share with you an incredible recipe from terry walters. it comes from her book clean food. it is a fantastic cookbook with recipes that are delightful, healthy + delicious!
GOLDEN BEET AND SNAP PEA SALAD
4-5 golden beets | 2 cups snap peas | 2 cups frisee
DRESSING
¼ cup extra virgin olive oil | 3 tablespoons chopped fresh dill | 1 tablespoon maple syrup | juice of 1 lemon | coarse sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
INSTRUCTIONS
place whole beets in large pot of boiling water and cook until tender throughout when pierced with knife (about 20 mins). drain water and set aside until cool enough to handle. holding beets under cold water, gently push away outer skins. cut away root ends and any blemishes, slice into wedges and set aside.
to prepare snap peas, pinch stems and pull down to remove ends and strings. place in mixing bowl and blanch with boiling water for 30 seconds. drain and rinse with cold water. return to mixing bowl, combine with bets and set aside. in small bowl, whisk together all dressing ingredients, pour over beets and peas and toss to combine. arrange beets and peas on bed of frisee and serve.
my day was… {an extra helping}
sometimes i forget to thank my lucky stars. and boy, oh, boy do i have a charmed life… amazing family, talented + supportive friends (yes, if you are reading this, i am talking about you!), my health, a great job, a big heart with a desire to help, lots of sunshine, and most days at least a glimpse of the ocean. my current passion, as well as a long term goal, is to help support the school food system. an effort that i believe will contribute to improving the health + well being of the future generation. you know the ghandi quote “be the change you want to see in the world”? that sure speaks to me! i want to help, in order to see the positive impact nutrition + exercise can have on our country’s youth.
what about you? what change do you want to be?
my day was...{cultivating}
i first learned about foodcorps a month ago. i began researching childhood obesity issues in the good ol’ u. s. of a. and, after doing a little surfing (the web kind, not the waves crashing around me kind. of course!) i found myself on the foodcorps website. i’m head over heels with their mission and the work they are planning to do. after having a chat with one of their co-founders today, it’s safe to say that i am totally inspired. stay tuned to watch as they cultivate a program that will provide measurable results. dream big, and watch the garden grow!
{photo taken of window at arcature fine art :: palm beach, florida artist :: nathan coley}
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