it's working!

OK. I know it has only been a few days, but I'm telling you, I already feel better with the changes I'm making. I know the placebo effect is a very real thing but I don't think that's what's happening here. I'm feeling more rested, more limber and I'll tellyawhat. I really think my skin is clearer. Could it be the spinach? I'm not sure. 

Since I'm breaking out of my normal yoga schedule, I've had to try some new classes. And yesterday after work I was completely exhausted, but still felt the need to go to a hot core power class. Walking into the class I was teetering between knowing I should take the day off from working out and wanting to give in to my inner masochist and really go for a killer workout. 


But, as with so many things these days, I was not in control. And it turns out the instructor was more along the lines of 50 percent strength and 50 percent deep stretching. During the stretch part, I found myself frustrated that it wasn't harder - that I was wasting time and money. But when I walked out, I felt de-stressed and restored in a way I haven't felt in weeks. 

Sometimes the instructors just know, don't they?

Also, a few of you have emailed me asking what to put in a spinach smoothie. Quick answer: spinach and any fruit your heart desires!

My style:
Spinach 
Vega protein power
Banana
Water
Nut butter (rocking Sunflower Butter this week!)
And sometimes I throw in chia, flax or hemp. Because, why not?

And, my friend Robyn supplied a coupon code (GGV682) for $10 off Vega here. Yaay!  Enjoy :)


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{lululemon giveaway}


On Monday, my friend Lauren was superly excited about the 30-day challenge and asked if she could join me. Of course I said yes! We decided to make it a joint effort to hold each other accountable. We'll log our yoga, sleep and smoothies in a Google doc to make sure we're sticking to it.

AND then we got to talking and decided this means you should do it to! Want to sleep eight hours every night? Do more yoga? Have green smoothies? One, two or all three? Join us! Tell us you're in on one, two or all three accounts in the comment box below for the chance to win a Lululemon gift card.

 And for an extra entry, log yours in the doc, too. For every category you complete, you'll be entered to win  again. So join in! Pick a color for your name so it's easy to read.
The worst case scenario is that you don't win, but you're stronger, stretchier, better rested and detoxed. The best-case scenario is that you win the gift card and get to be part of our challenge. If that's not win-win, what is?

Happy challenging!

PS If you start late, that's OK, too! You have until July 15 to complete all 30 days.

happy weekend

It's Tuesday, which means I'm a little late on a weekend update. With that in mind, what's a few more minutes for a quick bit of business?
 
Just a quick reminder that I would absolutely love it if anyone who is willing would donate to my trip to Africa, or share the link with people they know who might be interested. I'm four months out and hoping to buy a plane ticket soon - eek! I'd absolutely love your help getting to that point.
 
Now on to less awkward topics...
 
//
 
Last Thursday I headed to Savannah to meet my family for Duke's graduation. He earned his Masters in Psychology and I'm so proud of him! Duke's crazy-modest, and it was so fun seeing the way his peers and professors adored him. He'd never let on to just how much he dominated the program, and I am so glad we got to see him in action!
 
 
 
We spent Friday evening in Savannah, sitting outside for dinner, eating froyo - all the normal things we love to do.
 
 
Saturday, we headed back to Atlanta where we walked all over town looking at places for Duke to live, went to dinner at El Taco and had an early Mother's Day celebration.
 
Sunday, my parents left for Indy, but Duke and Sam stayed a bit longer. We went for a run, kick-started our 30 days of green smoothies, visited Georgia State (where Duke will start his PhD program next year), picked up lunch at Whole Foods, ate it in Piedmont Park, with a side of Frisbee, went for a walk around Midtown and then ended the day with some yoga. It took a touch of convincing for Duke and Sam to try it, but by the time we walked out of the 90-minute class, they were hooked.
 
 
I hope your weekend was wonderful, too!

30 Days. Three challenges. (let's go)


I went through a phase of life (~25 years), where I was obsessed with self-improving. 25 pushups for 25 days. 10,000 lunges in 100 days. Learn to like kale. You get it. The list is endless. 

But then around a year ago, I flipped. I decided to give myself a little more grace. That doing what I am doing was enough. That I didn't need to improve or should. To slow down. To take rest. And it was a very lovely lesson to learn - life changing, in fact. Irreplaceable - one everyone deserves to learn, love and live. 

But, as I mentioned last week, life often comes down to a math. A little of more of this, a little less of that. And the greatest lesson I've ever learned in life is that moderation is the key. To find balance in an often unbalanced world brings me every-day sanity. 

So after months of just being, I'm up for a little month-long challenge. I'm ready to tackle it with vigor. 


On tap: three challenges for 30 days. 
One: Thirty days of yoga. Not every day - but most days. Three to four times a week. I'm doing it because I love yoga, but I don't make time for it. I love what it does for my mind and I want to see what will happen if I make it a priority. It's going to require some early mornings, which leads me to...
Two: Eight hours of sleep every night. No excuses. That's an average of two extra hours each night. I expect to feel like the king. Will certainly keep you posted.
Three:  Swapping coffee for green smoothies. In with the spinach, out with the caffeine.

So that's the plan. Want to join me for one, two or three of the above? Thirty days isn't too long, but it's nine days longer than they say it takes to make a habit. I kick-started the week with yoga yesterday and a cool eight hours of sleep and so far, so good! 

I'll report back with details on June 12!


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