We had another really nice day here in New Hampshire.... so naturally, we hit the beach.
My favorite beach is in York, Maine. I've spent many vacations (including my honeymoon) in this beautiful place and I feel so good every time I visit. I plan to bring Violet often too -- I want her to love it as much as I do.
Here are some pictures and a short video of our day today:
It was cold! At least a good 10 degrees cooler than inland.
Although my fitness level was pretty much nonexistent this week, I did really well in terms of food choices and meal planning. I enjoyed a lot of fresh, yummy food like veggie bowls and scrumptious, frothy smoothies. I prepared meals for myself instead of eating prepared items, like soup or hummus (major staples of mine as of late). I also made my usual morning green juice before work each day. I am proud of myself for sticking with homemade!
Lunch break - woot woot - So good!
I made this lovely cucumber and tomato salad with a dash of olive oil (trying to limit my use - yikes), salt, pepper and fresh dill. The dill smelled soooo good, I couldn't resist it at the market. Mmmm. Fresh herbs can def make a salad *pop* with flavor.
Pineappley goodness.
Then I brought some fresh pineapple for dessert. Fresh cut pineapple is like cake or pie - like a dessert treat you feel really good about in so many ways. I actually bought it earlier in the week and looked forward to having it for days.
Violet and I were both sick this past weekend so I was unable to do any yoga or exercise as I had planned. I did OK with food and drink though. We missed a special Easter breakfast with my mum and sisters - which made me cry - but I was kind of glad in a way too, to take care of my sick girl at home. It is satisfying to care for her that way. I am crossing my fingers that she will stay illness free for a while now. Not being exposed to all these germs over the years is definitely catching up with her now.
Although I haven't jumped ship completely, I have had more than my fair share of sweet treats lately. Candy and desserts are NOT on my healthy foods list. Between Easter goodies and my own regular chocolate stash, there are homemade maple candies and yummy cookies in the kitchen right now. I can't resist. Yikes! I wonder if all of this sugar this past week is what let my flu in - I am well aware that sugar weakens the immune system. I better watch it.
When I feel my energy come back I will get right back on my regime. I miss my jumping jacks. The flu kicked my butt and made me realize again that Mommies do NOT get sick days!
It is getting pretty long now. But lately, I have been thinking of getting it chopped! Very short. It is my favorite way to wear it.... but there are people in my life that like it long though.
Food wise, I'd say a giant cinnamon dolce latte from SB. Love wise, I'd say time with my girl. Object wise, I'd say a sweet camera to take pictures of this lovely, sunny day.
I don't even remember. That means it is long overdue.
Sometimes. It is fun.
Aeroplane by Bjork.
Yes of course. All the time.
Nah not really. I used to work at a concert place during the summer between semesters in college. I saw a lot of famous people close-up but I didn't meet them.
Miss Violet reads to me just about every night before bedtime. I used to read to her and loved it but right now she is in a phase where she will not allow it. She wants to be the reader with me as her listener. This is okay because many times, her version is better than the original!
Above is a video of her reading me a very appropriate book, Little Brown Bear Won't Go To School!In this particular story, when little brown bear does not want to go to school one day he learns what it means to "have a job" instead. His Mommy and Daddy both have jobs while he is a school and very importantly, little brown bear realizes he has a job too -- his work at school!
Violet continues to hate going to preschool just about every single day with varying levels of hatred. Sometimes she begs and cries. Or some mornings she will just drag her feet and look at me with such desperation. Those big, beautiful blue eyes beg me to skip work and be with her. It suuuuucks! Let me tell you. I feel bad at every drop-off and I barely recover before the next morning comes and we do it all over again.
I chose the preschool I did because (1) it is one that offers many things a regular preschool does not, like a fitness focused curriculum and swim class! (2) because I felt really good about putting her somewhere my friends had raved about and (3) I personally needed to have her somewhere other than in home-based care or a very low income type facility (which I *know* is not good). BUT these things matter not to Violet. She would not appreciate going ANYWHERE, regardless of how awesome it would be. She wants to be home again with me and her Daddy... and I understand. I just wish I could have it all!! I wish I could have this job I really like AND have Violet feel happy about school. Ugh.
So... the battle rages on I guess... Work is good, in general excluding Violet related stress. I feel useful and productive most days. The Museum prepares to open next month and I balance three very important parts of that opening. All Tours and Workshops are my thing. And I feel like I can't wait for them to happen, as if watching a seed I planted turn into a blossom. I feel close to the things I do for my work and I want to be a part of the success of it all.
I continue on my journey to better health as well. I am sore right now from a yoga routine yesterday morning. It was intense. I was working hard and sweating pretty good at 5:30 in the morning. Everyone was asleep but I was greeting my day the best way I know how.
This is the video I used:
Ana Brett is so cute and lovely. Her smile is infectious and you actually forget the yoga is working you so hard. I don't do this routine nearly enough!
The other night I did 300 jumping jacks! Again, I was working my body hard and it felt SO GOOD.
My goals are coming along nicely. To check me out on socialworkout.com, see HERE. It is super cool to track my goals like this. Keeps me accountable and motivated.
