I'm on a new kick. And it literally tastes fabulous.

After lots of reflection and recent conversations with dear friends, I have realized how much crap I put inside of myself everyday. Now, I'm not fessing up to eating fast food everday or anything quite so American, but I have my fair share of indulgences that aren't exactly doing much for my brain, heart, muscles, etc.

Some of the things I am not so proud of:

• Diet Coke (I don't need the caffeine after my two delicious cups of coffee every morning and it is loaded with artificial sweetener)
• Ice Cream (in moderation fine, but I'm talking milkshakes that take up half gallons at a time)
• Salt! (sad but true that this is one of my staples)
• Peanut Butter (I have a weakness for peanuts and peanut butter, I don't know if it's the saltiness or what, but I can go through a jar faster than I will admit)
• Frozen Lasagna (sad but true, it's so easy and so delicious)

So my new diet is not one centered on losing or gaining pounds. I'm just trying to be more conscientious of what I put inside of my body. I want to be energized. I want to live abundantly. I want the two of us to be out hiking in the mountains when we are 80 years old. (too much to ask??)

So Adam and I have made an unofficial commitment to eating more "Real Food" (thanks Dr. Axe) and eating less of the processed, hormone enriched, artificial junk that is so easy to grab off the shelf of Giant. Part of this starts with a comittment to taking time to actually make dinner even when I am tired after class. Part of it starts a mile down the street at Glut, our local food co-op, which provides local produce, grains, etc. for us to enjoy. And part of it starts in the soil outside of the backdoor where we are growing lettuce, peas, herbs, patatoes, etc.

Here's to an invigorating adventure!

To end on a delicious note... here are some of the yummy things that will be filling our bellies with on a more regular basis:)













Are you drooling yet?...

Headed Home

Just sitting in the Nashville airport reflecting on the past week I have had to spend with family and dear friends on my spring break. I thought I would make a quick post but will admit that I am mildly distracted/alarmed by the mouse that I just spotted in the airport lounge...lovely. I think I will put away my trader joe's muffin and pick my feet up off the floor:)

Moving on.

The first half of the break was spent with my sweet mama in Sarasota where we enjoyed some much needed time together. All of the sunshine, good food, delicious wine, etc. was wonderful but it was mainly just the time together that was so meaningful.





After catching my fair share of FL rays (though I am still a pasty white:), I headed up to Chattanooga to spend 24 packed hours with my dad, brother, and sister. It was quick, but so fun to get some time with these three.



And lastly, I headed up to Nasvhille for the annual reunion with my dear dear high school friends. I can't imagine what life would be without these precious friends. Fun new addition this year is Baby Reecelyn that will be born to Tay and Joel sometime in early June. It is amazing to think of how long we have all known each other and all that we have been through over the years. I am thankful for the steadfastness of these friendships and I cherish every moment I have with these girls.





And now I am headed home. Looking forward to reuniting with Adam and enjoying a week at home together while he enjoys his spring break. I am so thankful for the people in my life that make it so sweet.

Free time

This is slightly embarassing but for the past day and a half I have been pasted to the couch, eating nachos and brownies and letting my mind wander as far from the classroom as possible. I finished my last midterm yesterday and I feel on top of the world. At the moment, I am reveling in these precious moments when I don't have a single assignment or obligation. I will enjoy it by sitting on the front porch in the rain with a really delicious pint of IPA or perhaps taking a walk with my best friend.

One of the best parts of knowing that my spring break starts in a mere two days is that on Saturday morning I shall fly to meet my mama for a week in Sarasota, FL. On the agenda: mornings of fresh coffee while enjoying the bay view, pedicures, farmers markets, seafood, siesta key, and I could go on...but I don't want to make you jealous. Following this, I will fly for a long weekend in Nashville with some of my dearest friends and sisters...the GPS crew. It will be rejuvinating.

For now, just a few things that have brought me joy over the past two weeks....

This beautiful quote by the profound Annie Dillard:

“I am a frayed and nibbled survivor in a fallen world, and I am getting along. I am not washed and beautiful, in control of a shining world in which everything fits, but instead am wondering awed about on a splintered wreck I've come to care for, whose gnawed trees breathe a delicate air, whose bloodied and scarred creatures are my dearest companions, and whose beauty bats and shines not in its imperfections but overwhelmingly in spite of them..." Annie Dillard

My cousin Emily got married in Sarasota, which meant a weekend reunion of the five girls. I am so blessed to have four of the most beautiful cousins and closest friends, and I'll take any excuse I can get to spend time with these four.

Rachel, Becca, Emily, Ryan, and Me:)

Emily's wedding day was also my Grandparent's anniversary. I love these two and I hope that we look this in love when we reach our 6th decade of marriage.


And with the wedding comes the dancing.

Weekend

Though there were plenty of moments where I felt like I was drowning in lecture notes and index cards, there are several reasons why this weekend has been fabulous so far. First of all, it is perfect outside. The kind of whether where you can't help but spend to much time out digging in the dirt and preparing seeds to go in the ground. I actually really love the winter, but partly because of these weekends where you realize how incredible 60 degrees feels and how great it is to go for a brisk walk with just a t-shirt on with the mild possibility of actually getting some sun. Mmmm, bring on the vitamin D.

Anyways, a few highlights from this weekend...



Getting some good study time out on the front porch.


I LOVE fried eggs on english muffins!




Even managed to get a little pleasure reading in.


Now it's Sunday and I have successfully saved a large portion of my studying for these next 24 hours. So it's back to this...