Yogi
For the first time ever, I tried yoga. The verdict?
- It was a beginner’s class, but it was power yoga, so I had hoped to at least break a sweat. Nope – just when I was on the verge, we rested.
- I’m still not sure how I would feel about yoga as a regular workout. I really liked the strength stuff, but am horrible at exercises that involve flexibility. It seemed to be great for my arms, but a lot of the positions just made my joints hurt. My back was dying and something locked during one position – it hurt so bad I thought I might have to leave. Today my back and neck are killing me, but not in a good muscle soreness kind of way, in a whiplash kind of way. I got a bad headache this evening and it’s moved into my jaw, so I hope it’s not related.
- The spiritual part reminded me of church. I had my eyes closed and my head bowed and the instructor read a passage = just like prayer.
- Both the instructor and an extra person walked around the room and helped people stretch and corrected positions – I loved this! At the end, we did the corpse pose and they gave a little massage!!! I love being touched. I was a little surprised by this part of the class though, because I just laid there for 5 whole minutes. This was obviously a piece of cake for me, given that I practice just sitting on the couch every night, so I found it humorous that some people had trouble with this. I mean who has trouble just laying around?
- Despite how my body felt, my mind did feel at peace after the class. Many of the relaxation techniques were the same ones I used as a school psychologist when practicing anxiety-reduction with students, so I definitely believe in the calming power of yoga. However, I was super sleepy after class and could barely put myself to bed. Not sure I could do the class at 6:30 and feel energized for work.
- I really liked what the instructor had to say at the end of the class: be grateful for the life you’ve constructed that has allowed you to be here. My body has really been getting on my nerves lately (headaches, tiredness, moodiness, ect), but I sure am grateful that it’s capable of physical activity,
And lastly, speaking of bodies, check out my Mom’s new menopause blog.
Any advice for a beginning yogi?
Read MoreWorking Lunch
Today was the first day at work that I really felt like I was in the swing of things. I didn’t get up early to work-out this morning and I noticed a major difference in my energy levels and there was no headache (I had one the first three days). I also had a meeting and a couple of projects to work on, so the hours few by.
The best part about today though, was my discovery of the lunch break workout. It’s the perfect compromise. I don’t have to get up early, I don’t have to dread working out all day, and it’s a great way to warm up from cold office AC and break up the day. I’m lucky to be surrounded by gyms and showers at Duke, so I went over to the small gym in the building next door, ran a quick three miles, and then rinsed off. I’m sure I was bright red and kind of gross afterwards, but I don’t think anyone noticed. Then I ate lunch at my desk, which I actually enjoyed because taking bites between mouse clicks helped me pace my meal. When I ‘take’ a lunch break to eat, I usually just scarf down my sandwich and sit there for another 50 minutes. T’was a really enjoyable work day.
Tonight’s activity involved beers at Fullsteam brewery (BASIL beer!!!) and dinner from Durham’s famous food trucks. I’ve heard so much about food trucks, especially because they were starting to get big in Boston, but I’ve never eaten at one. I NOW LOVE THEM. Cheap, gourmet, local, delicious.
I’m heading out the door to the much-anticipated 80′s party in Chapel Hill, so I’ll have to tell you the rest of the details tomorrow. k bye
Read MoreCelebration Dinner
—
Yesterday, I slept late and then Matt and I walked over to the Durham farmer’s market. It seemed like the selection was good – there were a lot of local meat vendors and tons of produce, but we got there late and many of the vendors were out of the best foods. We still bought some peaches and corn and have a few ideas for things we want to get next week.
I finally have my Duke card and my gym membership set up, so I biked over to the gym yesterday for some mid-day stair climbing. Oh my gosh, I missed this machine!!!! I only did 20 minutes, but I was absolutely soaked because I haven’t climbed in over a month. It felt glorious. I have to say though, that the Northeastern gym spoiled me because this one is a lot smaller and doesn’t have the really nice lockers, magazines, ect. I’m glad to have more options though and I can go to spinning soon!!!!
We spent the afternoon running errands and choosing a coffee table, and then we drove to Hillsborough for dinner with these ole country bumpkins:)
My parents’ alma mater, Matt’s new school, and now, my place of employment:
I went back to Boston with one of these…tasted so refreshing after a 100 degree day.
.
My dad made a caprese salad
And my mom slow roasted pork with corn, rice, and Great Harvest cheddar rolls on the side.
Mmmmm. We also celebrated my recent accomplishment with champagne!
Boy, this stuff goes down nicely.
Dessert was multiple mini pieces of a sugar cookies cake that my nephews baked earlier in the day. They are staying with my Mom this summer and were doing some kind of exposure therapy because one of them is afraid of the moon? Thus, the round, yellow cake.
We had planned on going out again on Saturday night, but after a huge thunderstorm and lots of conversation around the table, we didn’t get home until 11 and were too tempted to go to bed.
Today is going to be another busy one because I’m attending an orientation brunch for Fuqua partners and then need to go the grocery shopping and set up the new coffee and accent tables we acquired yesterday. Oh, and prepare for a packed work week because I have orientation events Mon., Tues., and Wed.!!
Enjoy your Sunday.
Read MoreBeans on a Bun
Today was cozy. Ya know how every once and a while a nice rainy day just feels kinda fun? The main reason I felt this way is because babysitting was cancelled, so I didn’t have to walk my usual mile to pick up the little guy! Unexpected free time is the best. I read blogs, watched house hunters, and did a gentle bike ride at the gym.
And then I made fANNEtastic black bean burgers on the wonderful brioche buns that Matt and I are now obsessed with (from the Whole Foods bakery).
Mmmmmmm. I love this dinner!
Do you guys have any really good recipes for bean/veggie burgers? I love trying new ones, although I only have a mini food processor, so I’m limited to small batches.
A new season of Weeds is on the agenda for tonight and pancakes are on the menu for tomorrow! Sweet dreams.
Read MoreShells or Spirals?
Hello friends, I’ve missed you.
Between class on Monday and the event last night, I feel like I haven’t written a regular post in a while. I enjoy being busy, but I also love a night on the couch.
All three of my supervisors were out of work today, so it was a pretty relaxed day of writing at my internship. I haven’t blogged about work in a while because I’m really in the swing of things and there haven’t been a whole lot of new things going on. I feel like I’m really starting to make connections with some of my counseling cases, and although I’m not thrilled with the whole testing and report-writing thing, I’m getting much better at it! But I’m definitely ready for the new environment that next year will hopefully bring. There’s only about eight weeks until graduation!!!!!! The bad news is that I have to keep going to my internship through the end of the school year in June, so graduation isn’t quite as exciting as it’s been in the past.
Wednesday’s I do the babysitting thing, so no exercise today. While I’ve been keeping up with my rotation of stair-climbing, spinning, and the occasional run or elliptical, I’ve been in a little bit of a strength training rut. I just haven’t felt like doing my pushups as regularly and I’m rarely interested in lifting these days. I’m hoping the warm weather will motivate me to get back into free weights.
I’m always interested in food though, no matter what season it may be. Tonight’s dinner was simplistic, since I tend to be tired on hump day: veggie mac and cheese plus asparagus.
I can never remember which kind I like the best, but this one was not it. I think I like the spirals.
Matt and I are on day three of watching Angels and Demons before bed, so maybe we’ll actually finish it tonight. I’m also hoping we’ll break into our exotic Scharffen Berger bar for dessert.
What’s your favorite type of [boxed] mac and cheese or week-night dessert?
Three Day Week
Unexpected vacation days are sooo nice! I found out about the snow day around 7 and went right back to sleep for another hour. I didn’t have much planned at work today (because the students were supposed to take midterms), so I did not feel bad taking it easy alll day. I made Matt pancakes this morning, hit up spinning class at 10, and then cleaned, organized, and worked on my to-do list all afternoon. It was such a productive and enjoyable day, and I couldn’t help but think about how nice it used to be to have Fridays off every week:( It’s overwhelming to think that might not happen again until babies? Retirement?
Lunch at home was fabulous. I put together a salad made with blue cheese, corn, carrots, peppers, sweet potato fries, and blob of mango salsa.
She was dressed in olive oil, balsamic, lemon, and honey.
Welcome to TBT!
I've created this blog because I'm in a bit of a quarter life crisis. Since graduating from college in 2008 and earning an advanced degree in school psychology in May, I still don't know what career path to follow. All I know is that time is moving way too fast and I find myself living only for the weekends. Bear with me as I attempt to reclaim my twenties by finding pleasure and balance in the work week and incorporating my passions of food, fashion, fitness, and fun into everyday life. 
She said what?