So it’s been a while….

But I think it’s time!

While I absolutely love reading blogs of all kinds (mainly those concerning food and friends), I think I have gotten caught up in everyone else’s very entertaining lives that I forgot the importance of my own blog(….or this site that resembles a blog.)

I listed blogging at the bottom of my New Years Resolution List, however it is still on the list. Resolutions are not exactly my style though-I think I prefer to look at my list as short-term goals that I should accomplish or work toward accomplishing in the near future. I can therefore make decisions about things in my life by considering if they are in line with my list of goals. I have resolve, but I refuse to look at a year’s successes by the points that bothered me at the beginning of January (my goal creation is also a gradual..perhaps week-long process). I also made an Inspiration Board to remind myself of my priorities in a motivational, visual manner. Here are a few of my goals:

• Compete- I ran the Seattle Half-Marathon (first Half ever!) around Thanksgiving and I plan to run the Seattle Rock-N-Roll Half Marathon in June. My training for my first half went very sour when I strained my IT Band two weeks till the race and ran a measly 4 miles in those two weeks. Needless to say, my time was less than desirable (but hey, I ran the whole thing AND finished!!!) and it was very hard to walk in the week after the race. This time around, I am aiming to train more gradually (have a better baseline), have more running buddies (for added motivation), participate in other races, and cross-train A LOT more! While I was training, I used a beginning training plan, which worked out well, but I basically only did yoga in addition. Once the short winter days and very rainy weather hit, my motivation also dropped. I think I have a few advantages this time considering I now know what it takes (and can train that way), have more people to run with, and my beloved longer, sunnier days are on their way back! Yay!

• Get Outside! While this wasn’t exactly the issue before, I still thought that it was important to remember even when the weather sucks. I’ve made sure to go hiking on many weekends, but I would love to get on my bike again. Long bike rides are so invigorating and give me such a different high than running. Sunny days in Seattle are not to be missed!

• Cook more wholesome foods. I have really gotten into a cooking groove the past few months. I’ve embraced my love for vegetables and non-meat proteins, creating awesome vegetarian and cost-friendly meals that I unfortunately did not blog about. I do want to eat a more balanced diet (esp. during training) because I definitely lacked protein during the months leading up to my half-marathon. I think I am finding more innovative ways to get in some extra protein lately without excessive amounts of tofu and shrimp (I’ve made so many crazy lentil dishes lately!). This also includes cutting more processed foods out of my diet, namely things like crackers and sweets, not all, but I rely on processed foods for snacks (hummus and crackers) too often. This problem may also stem from the fact that I lose self-control when eating things out of a box! While staying within my financial restrictions, I need to embrace the farmers’ markets that abound around Seattle. I have found tons of great discount grocery stores, but having a balance between the two would both lighten up my weekend mornings and be better for the environment.

Oh summer produce, how I miss thee!

• Become stronger- through yoga, strength training, and other means. Because there is only a Bikram yoga studio near my apartment, I accepted the idea that bikram is the only yoga I will be able to practice. I recently discovered however, that this does not have to be the case. My roommate and I got a 2 week-long subscription (for $14!!!!)  to a yoga studio in Upper Queen Anne, which is about a 20 minute drive from here. During those two weeks, I went about every other day and felt amazing! The studio had both (hot) power vinyasa and (very hot) bikram yoga. I definitely prefer the power vinyasa classes, especially when it incorporates energizing music! That studio is a bit of a drive and too expensive to go to regularly, but it definitely invigorated my love of yoga! : ) I’m currently looking into getting some kind of discount at a studio closer to where I live.

• I’m aiming to build stronger relationships with others, disregarding prejudgment that  I naturally tend to develop, and building more friendships out of encounters. Keeping this in mind will also enable me to build friendships with people who I wouldn’t normally become close with. I have no problem making “friends” with strangers, but the key here is maintaining those relationships. Moving so far away from the majority of my friends live has made it difficult to keep up with everyone from both lives, and I do not want to lose the amazing friendships that I have made throughout the years. I do know that it is possible as long as I make it a priority!

Halloween with my roomies and Best Friend!

• 

  Refugee and Immigrant Legislation Day at the Washington State Capital!

• Finally, I need to blog more. I love writing and I want to document my adventures here. I still take pictures of most of my interesting meals, but would love to contribute more to the food blog world that has helped me so much in my transition to healthy living. I’ve lately been trying to come out of “lurking” status to comment on the blogs that I read daily to show my appreciation for all of the great recipes and motivation that has helped me thus far. Since January, I’ve been documenting what I eat and how I exercise throughout the day. I was also counting my calorie intake, which was fun at first, but I’ve realized that I don’t have a problem with what I eat- it’s how much I eat. I do eat mostly low-calorie foods, but definitely indulge on certain things without even thinking about it. Giving sweets up for Lent has been the greatest challenge that I’ve set for myself thus far, and while I’ve fallen off the boat a few times (for some office birthdays), I’ve felt much better resisting the urge to have a sweet after every single meal. During this time, I’ve eaten more filling and satisfying meals and had either fresh/dried fruit to cleanse my palate. We’ll see how the next three weeks go!

Mega Stuffed Sweet Potato

Lentil burger sandwich on raw Zucchini

I’ve realized that if I do work to maintain my blog, it will help me to simply keep my goals in perspective. I’m at such a crossroads in my life and what better way to manage this daunting adventure than the blogosphere? :  )

I’ll leave you with a few other photos from Refugee and Immigrant Legislation Day. Taking our refugee clients (along with thousands of other refugees and immigrants) to speak to Senators and listen to inspirational speakers definitely made for a very motivating day!

Thanks so much for reading!