{happy}

 

It was summer when I first fell in love with Atlanta. Five years ago (can you believe that!?). I was still in college, interning. Falling in love with this city for its hugeness, its chaos, its quaintness among both of those things.

 

And as it finally starts to feel like summer again, my heart ignites with the same love. Though I'm so ready to be settled in our new house (for a year, seriously), I feel lucky I've gotten to live in so many different parts of town in just a few short years. Each one feels different than the next - some like you're in a city - busy and loud - others in a neighborhood - among boutiques and young love. No two parts of Atlanta are the same.

 

Life is too busy this week. Too many projects and activities culminating at once. And yet, as I sit here semi-homeless during the craziness (one lease ended last week, another starts next week. I know!), I feel nothing but gratitude.

 

 

Grateful that Indiana still feels like home, and yet Atlanta does too.

 

Grateful to have friends here and there and in between that I can call when the craziness gets too crazy. Just so I can cry and laugh at the same time.

 

Grateful to know that no matter how far my family is, they're really right here with me, too.

 

Grateful for the humid air and warm breeze and the way summer is washing over us.

 

Grateful for good country music with the windows down.

 

And grateful for my breakfast this morning, because it's really good.

 

Happy Tuesday, friends!   

 

 

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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.

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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!