Hello!
Thank you so much for your insightful and touching comments about this morning’s discussion question. I urge you to read the comments if you have not done so already…they were really, really inspiring. Some of them brought tears to my eyes…but I guess that shouldn’t come as a huge surprise to my regular readers.
I’m really looking forward to exploring many more of these ‘life’ topics on the blog as I think that we can all relate to them on some level and we can learn from each other. I have another fun quote and question coming up tomorrow so please stay tuned for that.
Today was one of those soul-cleansing and rejuvenating days that just made my heart sing. Every second was spent doing something that was good for my soul and that made me happy, so much so that I felt the need to tap my husband on the shoulder and tell him so several times throughout the day.
I would like to think he was amused by it all…it helps me sleep at night.
Me: ‘I’m having such a great day…I’m so happy.’
Eric: ‘So I hear….’
Then I see a sly grin in the corner of his mouth as he walks away. He thinks I don’t notice, but I do.
Today also reaffirmed the importance of taking a step back and getting that downtime that we need each week. I think last week was a great balance of work and play and I am going to be more conscious of this i the future. I do want to be a good boss to myself after all.
After I spoke with you last, I headed out on a run. I was so excited because I had a bunch of fun new songs on my shuffle to run to. Having new songs for a run is like getting new business clothes to wear to work; it just makes the process more enjoyable.
The run:
- 6.1 miles
- 52:35 mins
- Avg pace: 8:37 min/mile
- Avg heart rate: 156 bpm
Mile splits:
- Mile 1: 9:14
- Mile 2: 8:56
- Mile 3: 8:29
- Mile 4: 8:31
- Mile 5: 8:29
- Mile 6: 8:13
- Mile 6-6.10: 0.:41 (6:58 min/mile pace)
I had a strong run today and a great negative split! Must have been that awesome green monster I had this morning. I am really liking the approach of using the first couple miles to warm up the body, pick it up in the middle, and then give it my all at the end.
After the run, Polly’s yoga for runners, and a cold as ice shower I had lunch.
CSA Cucumbers & Carrots…and lots of red pepper hummus for dipping of course. Veggies are just a vehicle to get more hummus into my belly.
You are probably asking yourself if I had the nerve to cut up the carrot showgirls and the answer is no. I am waiting for the right time…
In A Jiffy Curry Chickpea burger (the LAST ONE! nooooooo) with spinach and tomato paste on two pieces of toasted Ezekiel bread.
This lunch was a mouthful alright! It had so much crunch to it and it took me such a long time to eat. I love when meals are high in volume and last a long time. It is very satisfying mentally and physically.
Then I did something I haven’t done in a dog’s age…I curled up on the couch on a Sunday afternoon and read my little heart out!
With Japanese sencha green tea…
Eric walked into the room and was like…’Do you have tears in your eyes?’
I said, ‘Yea…and I’m not even PMSing!’
Eric, ‘Must be a good book.’
I say, no one was ever inspired without feeling some kind of emotion first, right?
Oh it’s an emotional book. I found myself tearing up when she talks about her depression. Depression is something I struggled with for years along with my eating disorder so it really hit home for me.
The written word is such a powerful thing. I have always been moved by words and I know it is the reason I enjoy writing the blog each day (and reading your amazing thoughts in the process).
I read until about 4:30pm and I got through all of ‘Book 1: Italy’ I can’t wait to start India. Italy was really fun and playful and I feel like the layers will be peeled away in India. I have already marked about 20 pages to go back to and underline!
See Sketchie in the background? He is my book buddy for life….(Disclaimer: As long as I don’t steal his blanket, shift him, annoy, bother, or make eye contact with him, that is. A-hem.).
After I took a break from reading and Eric a break from renos, we headed out for a walk.
Walking is one of our favourite activities in the summer. Walking is just so EASY. We have some of our best talks while walking when our minds are free of distraction around us.
We made some really interesting progress with Eric’s current situation. We have been talking a lot about what we want out of life, our work, and making sure that above all we lead lives that make us happy. We made some great progress today and I can already tell that a huge weight has been lifted off Eric’s shoulders. I’m really looking forward to telling you more about it in the future.
After our walk, I did what any baker and cook would do and I baked and cooked!
First, I made something I am super excited to show you…
Oh. My. Gosh.
I am going to share the recipe (tomorrow morning!) so check back!
You will love these raw cookies that are just oozing with health. I am a bit head over heels for them.
Then it was time to make dinner! We had two week’s worth of CSA red potatoes to use up…
I decided to make the super easy potato soup that I made a while back.
I tripled the recipe because I had sooo many potatoes…
I chopped some basil and sprinkled it on top. My basil plant isn’t growing as fast as I thought it would, so I could only use a few small leaves. The good news is that it is not dead and growth is happening, just slowly. I wonder if I should have put it in more direct sunlight, as I learned after the fact that basil loves the sun and heat!
I also left a bunch of potatoes chunky in the soup.
Eric had his with ketchup squeezed all over the top! He said the ketchup made the soup. :biggrin:
I’m off to end this amazing day with more Eat Pray Love. See you tomorrow!
Angela! Wow this food looks amazing. I’ve seriously been inspired to try a bigger variety of vegetables this summer – because of the appetizing pictures you post.
For another Vegan nosh… try some of the Vega brand of Shake & Go Smoothie powders (got mine at whole foods). In one serving = 100 calories, 1 billion probiotic cultures, 2500 mg Omega 3-6-9, and 11g of complete protein ALL VEGAN! I tried the Mango-Tango flavor with 3/4 cup unsweetened Almond Milk. It was a DELICIOUS indulgent dessert.
So inspired to keep running and eating well. Thanks for your lovely blog.
xoxo MMW
I have heard those powders are great, will have to check them out sometime!
glad you enjoy the blog, thank you :)
Relaxing with a book is one of my absolute favourite ways to relax – no matter how busy I am, I have been trying to make time for it as it truly helps me unwind. Eat, Pray, Love is on my list of books to read!
Those burgers look really good, I like the texture.
Desert looks really filled with healthy stuff.
Just read through every single one of those comments on your last post. I often find myself saying …”i’ll do this when… or “it’ll make more sense to move after..” Always finding excuses and reasons to not do what your heart really longs for. I understand the need to be practical and put good thought into big decisions, but someday I hope to have the guts to say (pardon my french) “eff it…let’s do it.” Thanks for all the wonderful insight.
I believe these words are some of the most fun and liberating words someone can say…“eff it…let’s do it.” =)
The soup sounds good!!! I’m alllll about some potato soup, anytime.
Sounds like one of those days where the stars align and everything is just perfect. I love those moments. That is such a great book, it really makes you think about you’re life and make sure you’re doing exactly what you want. If you like Gilbert you’ll love all of Eckart Tolle’s books. They instill that same blissful sense of peace in me. Have a great week!
Ugh, sorry I have to correct myself. I meant** your***. .. OCD to the extreme, I hate using the wrong form of a word. =)
Thanks for the recommendation! :)
Those cookies look like something I MUST make soon! I’ve been looking for better desserts to make, since I definitely have a weakness for them. Eat, Pray, Love is definitely an awesome book. I read it a few years back and absolutely adored it. I’m thinking about picking it up again and seeing what life advice it will give me this time. Your blog is so awesome and inspiring! I’ve been reading for a month or so and it’s one of my favorites. Thanks for the great and thought provoking posts!
Thanks Lissi!
Wow it sounds like a great day, both in activities and in food! Those cookies look so perfect it’s ridiculous.
One of the things I miss most about living with my mom (I graduated and moved away in December) is the long walks we went on just about every day. Now I don’t have a live-in walking buddy. =(
And as far as “I’ll do this when…,” I just wrote about that on my blog the other day, how we can’t say that we’ll do something once we’re happy with our bodies. So many people put off dating and career aspirations until they hit some ideal weight. I’ve heard the same thing with people waiting to get married until they are financially secure. While sometimes it makes sense to wait, a lot of the time you have to realize that change is never convenient, and you just need to do it now!
This is slightly off topic, but my grandma died from lung cancer when she was 54. She always thought that she would quit sometime, but it was never the right time – there was some stress going on, and she thought she would have more time. But she didn’t, and then it was too late. The time to make a good change in your life is NOW.
Thank you for sharing…I agree. Sorry about your grandma :(
Good for you for taking the afternoon to yourself to read. I love doing that too!!
This post made me smile :) What a wonderfully reflective day you have had.
And that soup….YUMMO!
Italy was such a phenomenal adventure in that book. India was a very “cleansing” section to read and Bali touched me profusely…(wow that sounds extremely wrong) anywho, phenomenal book. And that lunch would make me a very happy girl too.
This may sound a little weird but reading your blog makes me want to be a better person and lead a better life. I can go through stages where I feel so negative (and sad) about everything and you come across as the complete opposite….you radiate positive energy! Reading about your daily activities means that I go home and try and greet my partner with a smile, instead of “grunting” at him like I usually do. You make me want to eat more naturally and “take the time to smell the flowers”. It is really amazing the power a blog can have….you have a positive impact on my life from the other side of the world and we have never even met. Thanks for inspiring me (and many others I am sure!).
PS: I totally agree that new running music makes the run so much easier!
Thank you carla…what a beautiful and uplifting comment. I always say that the comments I receive from readers do the same for me…very uplifting and inspiring. So thank YOU!
PS- I want to go to Australia!
Carla:
Angela has a way of making us all want to be better people.
Anglela
I loved loved loved Eat, Pray & Love. Enjoy!
I loved this book. Where did you buy your teacup?
d d
It is from Urban Outfitters :)
such a good book.
ever had potato leek soup? oh my heavens..bliss.
Potato Leek Soup is just freaking awesome! But, it seems whenever I try to make it, it never comes out as good!
My British aunt makes THE best potato and leek soup sans cream. It’s so thick and yummy! But like Gail I can never replicate it. Guess I should just practice some more aka excuse to eat more of it! :)
No I have not had it before!
A book that makes you cry is definitely a good book!!
What a great run you had! Gotta love those!
hmmm…i am now curious about the book :)
oh my goodness, that soup looks to die for! the great thing about basil is that it’s a fairly strong flavor that carries well…it took my basil plants forever to grow, but when they finally got moving it was delicious!
Hey, that’s awesome, we pretty much had the same afternoon! My cat and I sat down to read for a few hours with a large glass of iced tea. It was so rejuvenating! Also, eat pray love is probably the best book in the entire world. I have re-read it so many times I will probably be able to recite it all without help!
I can’t wait to try out this new recipe. All of your recipes are usually winners!
Just wanted to say hi. The raw cookies look great. I have been lurking on your blog for over a month now. I am not sure who introduced it to me though. Anyways something on your blog inspired me. I am a health food nut but never had the drive to do a raw challenge. Right now I am just about 2 days away from completing my first raw food challenge. I don’t know if it was timing and your recipes…whatever it was I have been about 90% raw for almost a month. Just wanted to say thank you for the inspiration. I do have a blog for my son, and also am in the middle of starting a food blog. :)
Thanks Sasha! Goodluck with your journey :)
I think one of the great mini moments in life is laughing out loud while you are all alone. I do that often when reading your blog. You are so funny!
Today it was the “Sketchie dislcaimer”… haha you are a hoot!
LOL…I am glad that others could understand the disclaimer. Its kind of one of those things where you need to understand cats or at least have a good imagination ;p