What’s Up This Week

I kind of wanted to call this post “Life After the Retreat.” But that sounds a little dramatic. So I went with “What’s Up This Week.” I figure that should cover all the things I want to talk about but don’t necessarily want to write a whole post about.

I do have to say that I feel like a veil has been lifted since the retreat. That sounds dramatic too but it’s true. I feel decidedly different this week!

So I am trying to stay on top of some stuff I got from the retreat (you can read about the retreat here) while going through all my day to day life stuff. Here’s where I’m at…

Body Stuff

• I’m bummed that my hip is still swollen and sore. I need to find a doctor and figure out what to do. I hate going to doctors 🙁
• I am still doing my workout program (Liift4) but not doing the HIIT portion of the workout. Really don’t mind skipping burpees and squat jumps but really miss the way I feel after my crazy HIIT workouts.
• I miss sweating. Isn’t that weird? But I do.
• I am anxious to find a yoga place because I for sure know I need to commit to yoga more seriously. But need to wait for my hip to get better. Boo.

Mind Stuff

• I am writing in my gratitude journal (you can check it out here) every day and I have definitely been happier and less stressed. Handling stressful things better and feeling more positive. Who knew? All this talk about gratitude (and it’s freaking November!) and here I am just writing it down and it works.
• I’ve been neglecting to read a personal development book since I’ve been wrapped up in my gratitude journal. But I just ordered one and will let you know how it is!
• Still rolling things through my head to get some clarity and focus for my life. It’s not easy.

Nutrition Stuff

• I have given up on intermittent fasting, at least for a while. My emotional eating has gotten a little out of hand and I think intermittent fasting can sometimes make you feel like you can overeat without consequence. Still a believer in its benefits, hope to go back to it, just not the right thing for me now.
• So…I made granola for the first time in forever. I tried making it without seeds so my one daughter who loves granola but is allergic to sunflower seeds can eat it. Guess what…She doesn’t like it. Probably not up to par with the sugar bomb granola I get her from ShopRite. Now I’m stuck with two weeks worth of seedless granola. (It’s actually really good- just miss my seeds.)
• I have also been eating kefir instead of greek yogurt. Kefir is great for gut health and after my consultation with Jessica the health coach I think I need a little gut health love.
• Threw some chia in my kefir too! When was the last time I had chia?! Chia feels a little bit like an icon- it was one of the first healthy things I embraced when my crazy ass husband read a book about some runners in Mexico. Sigh…

Mom Stuff

• My emotional eating has been so out of hand that my oldest asked me what was going on with me the other day. As I polished off her homemade mac n cheese.
• For movie night this past weekend, we watched Rudy. The kids wanted no part of it but ended up loving it.
• I haven’t been making any new recipes. In my head, I say I would like to try a new recipe each week. Then dinnertime comes and what do I do? I make tacos. Again. I do love tacos- and I get rave reviews from children and adults alike!! Tacos might be the only thing I can say that about. This is my favorite homemade seasoning.
• I will also make this recipe because my daughter loves it and has been harassing me for some time now- Melt-In-Your-Mouth Chicken. It’s not pretty, but it’s healthy, easy to make and tastes good. If your kids might be scared off by the Greek yogurt just use a little less so it looks better.

Miscellaneous Stuff

• Found an amazing eye makeup remover that doesn’t sting and removes makeup nicely. Might be life-changing. I’ll let you know after I use it a few more days.
• Reading Game of Thrones, A Dance with Dragons, the last book in the series. Feel like I’m slogging through and can’t wait to finish and read a nice quick book in two days!! I really hope a week from now I will be writing about a different book. Please, please, please, please may I be writing about a different book.
• Listened to an amazing podcast the other day. It’s called Do It Scared with Ruth Soukup. It might be a little blog-focused, or entrepreneur-focused, but I think everyone could get something out of it. The particular episode was #28, “Daring to Share Your Gifts with Cathy Heller.”
• In need of a good family show that will make everyone here happy, boys and girls ages 6-13, plus me and my husband. On Netflix or Amazon. Any ideas? Is this possible? Or does that retreat have me buzzing with unrealistic optimism?

What are you up to this week? Any new foods you love, new recipes you’ve tried, new products? What books are you reading? I’d love to hear from you!!