New Beginnings

Hello!  Most likely, if you're looking at this, you already know me.  So I don't really need to explain why the past few months have been difficult.  To put it delicately, they have really gotten the best of me.  I feel like I've lost sight of the girl I once was- happy, carefree, and excited about life.  The new stresses, pressures, and adjustments I've been facing seem to really be taking their toll.  I know that these things are part of growing up, but I know that I can handle them better.  I've come upon several different ways in which I intend to do this.  I'm hoping to use this blog as a bit of an accountability to stay on course.  I don't intend to use this blog to publicly display my emotions during my journey of healing.  But I do hope that this healing will become evident. 

Here is a partial list of some of the changes I'm looking to make:

• A wheat-free, dairy-free, no sugar added nutrition plan.  A friend recently told me about the success she had when doing this, and it really inspired me.  My current plan is to do this for a month (I started today) and go from there.  I imagine that after this first month I will add in some things that I want (like my lattes!!).  But, I want to try and do this for a month before I make any further decisions.  I have found that when I eat clean, my body feels better and I feel better.  I'm very conscious of what I eat and lately have been eating terribly and it really affects my moods.  This will not be an easy month!  But I'm planning on sharing this journey with you - and some yummy meals - and just maybe you might get inspired as well!  A book that I recently read that made a significant impression on how I think about food is This Is Why You're Fat by Jackie Warner.  I normally wouldn't do this, but I highly recommend this book.
• Consistently run at least four times a week, outdoor when possible.  I am a running freak.  It keeps me sane, healthy, balanced...it is my therapy.  Without it, my moods are also very different.  Lately my runs have not been as consistent; when you combine this with an unhealthy eating style, you can only imagine how poorly I've been feeling!  I did just run Hood to Coast for my second time at the end of August.  Let me tell you, it was incredible!  Something about that event is just so inspiring and intoxicating!  The picture below was taken right before my second leg.  It was a late, hard, hilly run!  (Yes...I know I look like a nerd!)

• Fill my time with productive things.  I just joined a book club that my dear friend, Alisa, is organizing.  I have been reading like crazy lately, and I look forward to what this group might teach me!  This one seems like a stretch, but I really mean it...I want to volunteer.  I don't know exactly what I want it to be, or where, but I really think it would be a good way for me to meet new people and serve.  I also just want to be open to being more adventurous, stepping outside my box, and doing new things.  I want to go hiking, on bike rides, line-dancing, explore new parts of town, and try out new coffee shops.  I want to get off my sad bum and get moving!  So if any of these things (or others) appeal to you, please let me know...let's make a date!

• Deepen my relationship with Christ.  I want to make reading my Bible and going to church more of a constant in my life.  When I am doing these things, they lift my moods and really encourage me when times are hard.  Currently, I am reading a book called The Power of Letting Go by Pam Vredevelt.  She is a Christian author and it has also been helpful in my healing process.

Thank you to those of you who are going to follow me on this new journey!  I appreciate the support and look forward to hearing from you.  If you have ideas, advice, encouragement, recipes...I'd love to hear them!  So here we go: Cheers!  To health and happiness!