madly planning a wedding

after reading all of my family's blogs, i realized that i needed to blog. Mark is gone and life is boring without him. This week I sent out all the postcards to invite our guests to our wedding, which is no small task. Thank God for facebook. Seriously, how else do you contact your cousin's daughter that you haven't seen since the last family reunion?

I have been madly planning. Lately, I have loved saying the word, "madly". I'm not sure why, maybe because it seems like it communicates the short bursts of intensity. For those of you that don't know, we are having the ceremony at Dayspring Baptist Church. Mark and I have been attending here for the past few months together, me for longer. I have absolutely adored the simplistic beauty of this church. I cannot wait to see all my friends and family in this church, Mark and the altar, the sun streaming into the huge windows. It promises to be beautiful - and this is without any decorations (which I plan to do little to none at the church). From here, we will have the reception at the Carleen Bright Arboretum. This is a fantastic venue that will give us shelter from the Texas July heat and provide shaded natural trails, gazebos, and bridges over small streams to enjoy. Perfect!

Everyone is asking me what my colors are. I hate that question because I feel so confined to a certain set of colors and confinement is not my style. :) So, I just say I don't have any colors. My bridesmaids found a really cute black dress at Ann Taylor Loft for super cheap and Mark's groomsmen are wearing a black cuban-havana style shirt and linen pants. I am having my dress made by the coolest seamstress in Waco. I found her by googling. Who knew? After looking for a month or so for a wedding dress that I loved, I decided to find someone local (support the local business!) She is crafting my dress, changing it as I try it on and suggest new things. I love it. I can't wait to wear it. It had to pass my criterium: under $300, natural fabric, and re-wearable (why spend so much money on one dress and not wear it again? I am most likely going to dye my dress so that I can wear it to another function after my wedding).

The reception will be simple and light. I decided to decorate the tables with mason jars with lemons and limes, have quotes about love (i LOVE quotes), and have a few tea light candles. We are still working out the kinks of the reception, but I know that it will be perfect.

As far as the honeymoon...all that Mark will tell me at this point is that we are going to Bellmead. For those of you not familiar with Waco, Bellmead is about 15 miles out and is basically the projects. Think Redneck, jean cutoffs and wife "huggers" and you have bellmead. I can't wait. Really, I can't wait to hear where we are really going. :)

Right now, I don't have a job. and honestly, I am ok with not having one. Life is stressful planning a wedding and then going on vacation next week and then headed to Colorado the first two weeks of July + a wedding....I will get a little bit more anxious about work come August. But for now, I am enjoying the rest and time to breathe.

Canaan is extra cuddly tonight. I guess he knows my heart is a little lonely with Mark gone. I am grateful for him - er, Canaan that is. :) He's been a trooper getting to know Mark, now that he has someone to play rough with. Well, that's a lot of information about the wedding. I've only had two meltdowns since we got engaged and they happened within the first two weeks, so this week (although it's only Monday) I haven't had one. hilarious.

much love. me.

cardinals always make me smile

Today I was driving through Cameron Park and knew I had to blog. Funny how moments of serenity, nature, and love remind me to take time and reflect. And I saw a cardinal, which always makes me appreciate the simple things.

Life has been nothing short of overwhelming, yet there are pockets of peace and rest. Mark proposed to me almost two weeks ago and yet, it seems like it has been months. I'm not sure if that is because we have been talking about getting engaged since February. (yes, most don't know that) or it could be that we have decided on a wedding date: July 24. Yes, this July 24. Funny, most people ask this July or July of 2011.

Three months to plan a wedding. Doable. Realizing that we will be out of town for a month of that, not so encouraging. Yet, two months are more than enough time - I think. Mark and I cherish simplicity, love, and friends. We really hope that our wedding can be what we truly want: relationships. Life should always place priority on relationships and we want our wedding to be a reflection of that. Mark and I have friends and family throughout the United States. I really hope that all of his friends can come and celebrate our wedding as well as journey with us as we hit this major milestone. We are super excited and I might just have to share with you about my wedding planning here on my blog.

This month I am finishing my personal training certification and will soon start my nutrition and wellness consultant certification. I love this stuff! Today I tried a new recipe. It's packed with yummy tastes and packed with protein (which I always try to get more of). I can't wait to get a website up and running to share all my nutritional/workout love with you.

Until then. Love who you are, love your life!

me.

My most delicous smoothie

Yesterday after my brick workout I had the most delicious recovery smoothie I have ever had. I had just completed a moderately hard workout: swim 1200 yards and then 20 mile bike ride...of course, I had to ride into the wind. After we got back (I was with my badass friend), she made us smoothies. For the record, it's really important to refuel your body after a workout. Research says to have a 4:1 ratio of carbohydrates to protein. Here is what she put into the smoothie:

• frozen fruit - no sugar added
• heavy whipping cream (yes. I am not a huge fan of this, but it is important to to have a little fat into your diet when working out. in my future, I will eliminate this ingredient with something a little less...killer)
• CytoMax
• Fage Greek Yogurt
• ice...to make it thick
  

So the reason for this post. Greek Yogurt. Recently, I have tried to eat my yogurt to help my digestion problems. I have noticed over the months that the healthier I eat, the more I learn how my body reacts to certain foods...both good and bad. About two years ago, I came to the conclusion that I can not digest dairy very well. Big surprise, as we are the only mammals that drink milk after we are weaned. We just are not cut out for it. How am I supposed to get my dairy intake when I cannot drink milk? TONS of ways. One way is to eat yogurt - and as a plus, it offers probiotics. Probiotics help aid digestion, promote overall wellness, helps fight bad bacteria already in your stomach, and more.

Yesterday, when I had this most delicious smoothie I had to research more about Greek Yogurt. Turns out this is some of most healthiest form of dairy out there. Here are 5 reasons why you should eat Greek yogurt.

1. Lots of protein. up to 28grams of protein in a single serving. Protein makes you feel fuller longer, gives you more energy, and takes more energy to burn (burn more calories)
2. Improves digestion. Anyone that has difficulty digesting certain foods, specifically dairy - this will help! It is gluten free friendly! woo hoo!
3. Thick and creamy! I often crave a sweet after every meal or at least like to tastes something rich and creamy every now and then. This is a perfect substitute instead of that heavy (and full of fat calories) chocolate mousse.
4. 100% natural. At least the kind I ate was (FAGE). "It contains no added sweeteners, thickeners or preservatives. FAGE does not use powder milk, powder cream or powder protein in FAGE, just raw milk, raw cream and live active cultures which come together for a naturally blissful taste experience.
   
5. It is environmentally friendly: "In line with our All Natural approach to yogurt making, our milk and cream supply comes from farmers who have pledged not to treat their cows with rBGH. (rBGH is the protein hormone that increases milk production in cows...in an extremely unhealthy degree)

So now, you have the inside scoop on my latest nutrition tip: Greek Yogurt. Hope you enjoy your smoothie that you are craving now. :)

so little time to blog

Easter Monday is always good for recovery. Recovery from Lent, recovery from a harsh Winter, recovery from a stressful season at school/work, and recovery from a hard work out this morning.

Today I went for a run. I broke it up between trail running and on the road running. In between these laps, I did a few pushups, tricep dips, and some yoga. It felt wonderful yet a little painful. I love getting back into shape and I love being in shape more. I like to think that I am not yet in my prime. I mean, you go to any race - especially multi-sport races (triathlons) and the most competitive age group is the 35-39 year olds. Granted, the 25-29 age group isnt' too easy; the older you get...the better you get, supposedly. I look forward to training when I am older. Today, I went running with a badass. She is training for the Xterra race that is being held here in Waco at the end of May. She did a 7 mile mountain bike ride, ran the trail loop with me, did her mountain bike loop again, and then met me for the final trail run loop. She is hard core. Even more impressive, she has 4 kids and one of them being just a year old on April 1. I hope that I am as badass as she is when i have a family.

Today I am hopefully finishing up my personal training certification test. I also have to prep for three classes, gut my clothes closet, and go for a mountain bike ride. So much to do! and so little time to blog. :)

Love,

me.

inward living.

house cleaning, running the trails, mountain biking, crashing, wet wipe baths in a gas station bathroom, massage oils, kombucha on tap, Chatoe Rogue, two hour naps, outside fireplace, and maybe a brick workout in the morning? ....all in a four day weekend. Love it.

the more simple my days are, the more simple my heart is.

a call to the inward life.

Daring to live life

It is now April. Hard to believe that the winter has already come and go and it is now a warm 82 degree afternoon here in Waco. Last night was a fun evening and reminded me of summer nights. On Wednesdays, a few of us friends gather at a house and drink beers, have dinner, and chit chat about training, races, gear, and other random things. It was fun last night because although it was a bit cooler, we were able to have a small fire in an outdoor ring.

Double star bonus points for me this month, if you measure in bruises. I've started mountain biking in preparation for my trip to Crested Butte, CO. (in July, we're meeting some friends up there to ride the famous tails and enjoy mountain culture). I've had several attempts to ride well and end up on the trail mangled in my bike. This ended with numerous bruises along my right side of my body, actually 18 to be accurate. On Monday, I took my first fall while lead climbing. Although I had been wanting to fall on purpose to learn what to expect and not be afraid of falling, this was not fun. I was to the left of the route, ontop of a large bulge in the formation of the rock. As I grabbed my quickdraw, I slipped and fell down to my first bolt - 12 feet....on my right side..on top of my mountain bike bruises. sigh. Shaking and crying, I calmed down and began climbing again. I did so out of fear that I may not want to ever lead climb again. After falling again, I decided to come off the rope and calm down. I'm glad that I fell, I'm glad that I had a good belayer, and I am glad that I don't have to experience my first fall again. On Tuesday, I wanted to enjoy the beautiful weather, so a friend and I went for a road ride. Within 5 minutes of riding, my body was skidding on the cement...This has not been my week.

Despite these setbacks, I don't want to think about how this could prevent me from still living life fully and passionately. I am passionate about being outside. I am passionate about challenging myself. I am passionate about believing that life can be like this. It can be full of love, full of life, and full of daring adventures.

Have you thought about your life? Is it daring? Dare to live life.

mud. good for the soul.

Life has been inching by. I guess that should be good news, right? I am always complaining that it is moving too fast for me. Will I ever be content?

Mark is gone. He has been away since February 9. He comes back on March 1, not nearly soon enough. I was talking with a friend yesterday and I made a comment about how I am not a nice person when he is gone. I am sure I am being a little dramatic, at least I hope so. It's a given that I am not nearly as happy when his hand isn't in mine, which means I am not near as friendly. But, I am learning. I have a lot to learn too. We are both committed to outdoor adventure and what that means for our future. This time apart is one of millions I am sure that we will have.

Mark got me the absolute world's best coffee. Check it out: Grounds for Change. It's the first coffee roasting company that is completely carbon free, organic, shade-grown. The coffee is so delicious. I had a cup tonight, too late, just because I wanted to taste the yummyness again.

Today I got to share my love for eating healthy. A friend is writing a story about eating healthy in Waco and how to do so. He called me up and asked me a few questions about what I do. I love it. I am so passionately in love with being healthy. And I love dark chocolate. Is that ok? Hell yes. We must find a balance to live well. It means to love eating dark chocolate, love eating avocados (high in the GOOD fat), drinking a glass of red wine, eating some delicious goat cheese/corn quesadillas, and much more. I so desire to help people find ways to live well.

I went mountain biking today. It was my first day to ride clipless. For those of you who don't know what that means, it means the opposite of what you would think. I didn't have a typical flat pedal, I had a small square piece of medal that I clipped my shoe into. It was as scarey as hell, especially going down some of the hills or really even going up the hills. It is worth it though. I did fall...several times and one time I got a thorn in my butt. It hurt, a lot. and I got banged up, but there it was worth it. I was caked in mud, bled, and had a lot of sweat mixed with dirt...and it was awesome. I hope you get a chance to get a little muddy, it does a lot for the soul. Riding and getting banged up and then getting back up on that saddle is like my days. Sometimes I bleed, sometimes I fly downhill and experience the fresh air in my lungs. But every day I have to choose to get into my pedals. Sometimes I do so without thinking about it. Sometimes I am intentional about it, and on those days, I find myself to be living wholly.