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July 2016 Inspiration

July 4, 2016 Leave a Comment

Happy 4th of July, Americans!

When you think of Independence, what does that mean to you? Does it mean freedom from the rule of a country far away? Does it mean your driver’s license? Does it mean you can do things without the help of others?

I wonder sometimes if independence is really an imagined existence. Are we not all dependent on one another? Can anyone be truly independent (and do we want to be)?

Current Jam:

This song is perfect for a hot summer day when you’re laying out in the hot grass with a cool drink in your hand with your friends.

Current Food:

Just buy the book and make the recipe already.

Well, it’s true. I’ve shown you this plated Red Pepper Pasta before in my post about 6 Books You Should Read This Summer. It’s SO good.

Current Must-Read:

A friend of mine shared this book with me recently. It’s a complex portrayal of humanity, and the depth and undertow of the story drags at you. If you’re looking for something gritty, Sula by Toni Morrison is for you.

Current Obsession:

I just love the two stripes around the thigh. It brings a fierceness to the floral.

I’m loving Sweden’s Stronger fitness apparel brand. It’s fierce and gorgeous all at once. There are a lot of neat apparel brands, but I think this brand does feminine apparel the best.

Current Quote:

My rule of life: #1 "If you want something you never had, you have to do something you've never done.": — Oh, Pinterest, I love thee.

I hope that these summer days sink deep into your bones, delighting and warming you for the coming days of fall and winter. Live well, my friends!

My Home Fitness Journey

June 30, 2016 Leave a Comment

Over the last year, I’ve been working out from home (with the occasional workout at a CrossFit gym or my Challenge workout group in Austria). It’s been a journey that’s influenced not only my body but my mind, too.

I know my bicep is tiny, but I love it anyway. And those marks on my arm are from a 100 ft slide, which I loved!

The problem: my viewpoint of myself

My long-held belief was that I was not the athletic one. You want athletic? Grab my sister. She’s tall, willowy, and strong.

I’m the couch potato in this sister-ship.

But then, one day at Challenge (my once-a-week workout group that I only attended originally for the people), I looked around me, and I knew that, although I was never to be The Best in the room, that I could become the most improved. MVP. Why not? I could do that.

F*ck Your Beauty Standards: 16 Body Positive Illustrations to Boost Your Self-Love: — Pinterest fave!

Begin the research. I read every article I could about fitness from bodybuilding.com and girlsgonestrong.com. As I researched, I discovered something that I’d never heard before. Why Weights Are Better Than Cardio For Fat Loss.

The problem: limited time for working out.

I considered myself a runner, but what I had been discovering was that my running route was too short anymore and I needed more of a challenge.

Fitness Motivation Male- Andalucía15: — Another Pinterest win

From what I was reading, it seemed like weight lifting was the answer, but I had another problem. With a tiny budget and limited time, I didn’t want to purchase gym equipment, a gym membership, or spend the time to get to a gym. Problem Central over here.

The problem: my budget didn’t include fitness

I did what any millennial would do. I took to the internet for more research. I needed a plan. The internet is swamped with online coaching options.

I bumped in to Kayla Itsines on Instagram, and I was shocked by her empire of #BBG. I wanted in. But the price was far from right. But this girl had perfected an encouraging online community and a great program.

Gym humor...fit girls be like: — Pinterest yessssssssss!

Eventually, I opted for the more cost-efficient workout program created by Jen Ferruggia. 8 weeks of at-home, minimal equipment exercises for $30 (now it’s $39.95). I figured I could use it for 8 weeks and then use it again later. The best thing about this program was that I had a plan and it taught me how to build my own fitness circuits.

Fast forward a year, and I find myself more distracted by my baby bicep in the mirror than my makeup. My clothes fit differently, and my body perceptions has completely altered. What happened to me?!

SOME DAYS YOU EAT SALADS AND GO TO THE GYM, SOME DAYS YOU EAT CUPCAKES AND REFUSE TO PUT ON PANTS. its called balance ♡: — Oh, how I love Pinterest.

The solution: I see my body as strong and capable rather than pudgy and weird.

The solution: Working out at home fits my schedule always.

The solution: Working out at home fits my budget.

I still workout from home. I’ve borrowed some weights from my brother, and I did purchase myself a 30lb kettlebell for Christmas (thanks, Amazon!). My equipment is still very minimal, but it’s enough for now. I plan on being strong for a long time, and I’ll slowly add to my equipment as I go.

But you know everyone was a beginner once. | 19 Things Only Women Who Lift Weights Will Understand: — Pinterest has it all.

And these days, I make up my own fitness plans. Well, with the help of Pinterest and other fitness bloggers (Lauren Gleisberg has some good weight exercises). I receive Kayla Itsines’ emails, and use her freebie workouts, too.

My main goal is have a solid sweat session 3-4 times a week. It’s doable, and the endorphins are worth it.

What keeps you going when you’re working out solo? Do you workout at home ever?

Asheville, N.C.: White Duck Taco and Vortex Doughnuts

June 27, 2016 Leave a Comment

When I last lived in the United States, I thought all the adventure was to be found in other countries. I dreamed of Europe and distant places. But I’ve returned with new eyes. Adventure is here and now.

Naturally, I ate my way through Asheville, N.C.

White Duck Taco Shop

It seemed that everyone I ran into mentioned this taco shop to me. They either wanted to go again or they were suggesting that I go. After hearing all about this place multiple times over, I knew going was imperative.

Between my friends and I, we ordered 9 different types of tacos. We passed them around, savoring the flavors and marveling at the ingenuity. I didn’t regret a single bite, but maybe two tacos would have been enough!

I just loved White Duck Taco's menu. So FUN. — I just loved White Duck Taco’s menu. So FUN.

The below flavors were the ones we tried from their menu.

Black Bean <- delicious

Jerk Chicken <- amazingggg

Spicy Buffalo Chicken

Fish

Lamb Gyro

Thai Peanut Chicken <- this one was easily my favorite (tropical salsa!!!)

Steak & Cheese

Bangkok Shrimp

BBQ Carnitas

L to R: Black Bean, Fish, and Thai Peanut Chicken

We couldn't finish all of them, but we did a pretty good job. — We couldn’t finish all of them, but we did a pretty good job.

The space was really cute, too. We sat at a table that had once been a door, and a part of our seating was an old pew. It’s so fun to see old things re-used in this comfy and interesting way.

Vortex Doughnuts

While visiting Asheville, N.C., I realized that National Doughnut Day was coming up. A doughnut shop was not on the agenda for our visit, but we couldn’t not celebrate this fabulous day. A quick internet search showed us our options, and after lots of back and forth, we settled on Vortex.

My friend and I entered this shop, and our eyes grew as big as doughnuts. The staff greeted us, but we asked to just look for a while. So much to take in!

oh, you, beautiful doughntus — oh, you, beautiful doughnuts

Bike seats and handle bars! What fun creativity!

The doughnut round-up...a bit more than I expected — The doughnut round-up…a bit more than I expected

Fresh strawberry creme-filled doughnuts. Divine.

I only meant to purchase three doughnuts, but I walked out with nine! Go big and go home?

What I absolutely adore about Asheville, N.C. is their almost fanatical commitment to quality and local ingredients. It’s hard to feel bad eating delicious food when you know that what your eating promises to have no artificial nastiness.

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I look forward to the day where this standard of excellence is a given in every city and town.

Do quality and local ingredients matter to you? Does it effect your decision to eat somewhere?