We have been doing a lot of celebrating at our house. From the holidays straight into some family festivities, including an anniversary and a birthday. Much cake has been consumed. Like a lot of cake. I cannot resist cake. Can. Not.

At times like this I start to get a little antsy in the back of my mind. I start making lists titled "Back on Track" and "Goals for Next Week" just to gain some semblance of control and to steer us back to our healthy routine. The lists themselves get me nowhere, really, but the brainstorming process of this does bring focus to what I need to do to get it together.

Back on Track List
To me, living a healthy and balanced life is rooted in being well fed. By fed, though, I don't just mean with food. I've broken this list down into three areas that I feel I need to focus on to get back to where I need to be: eat, move, and breathe. 

1. Eat

Stop eating cake. Instead, focus on getting lots of protein, omega 3s (flax, hemp, and chia seeds), and nutrient-rich foods. Have a green juice or smoothie and a big salad every day. Prep and bag fruits and veggies for homemade juices. Plan all dinners for the week and stock up on healthy snacks. Try new recipes with inspiration from Pinterest. Drink more water and less coffee.

Fruits and veggies to be juiced this week.

Recent and planned dinners at our house:

• Roasted delicata squash and kale salad (with Rancho Gordo beans and a grain of some kind on the side).
• Brown rice bowl with stir fried veggies and tofu (recipe coming soon- this is a great one!).
• Veggie burgers (try these) and sweet potato oven fries.
• Whole wheat spaghetti with garlic, lemon, parsley, shallots, and greens.
• Open-face veggie sandwiches (inspired by Pinterest) and Gardein "buffalo wings".
• Kale salad with apples, walnuts, and a light walnut oil dressing (recipe below).

2. Move

Plan my workouts for the week so I know where I need to shuffle things to fit them in. Make sure to include as much yoga as possible. Soak up my favorite things about each activity- like the sunrise during my morning runs.

3. Breathe

Keep my journal close for emptying my brain when I need to. Get some sun. Find warmth and comfort with yoga, a massage, a hot bath, etc. Consult my "Bag of Tricks" to stay in balance.


Kale Salad with Roasted Walnut Dressing
Serves 3-4

• 1 bunch of kale (curly or lacinato), washed and chopped with large stalks removed
• 1 apple, chopped
• 1/3 cup lightly toasted walnuts, chopped (Toast them in a dry skillet over medium heat. Please watch them closely, they burn quickly!)
• 1/4 cup golden raisins
• 2-3 tablespoons rice or apple cider vinegar
• 2-3 tablespoons roasted walnut oil
• 2 teaspoons honey or agave nectar
• Salt and pepper to taste

1. Combine vinegar, walnut oil, honey (or agave), and salt and pepper in a small bowl and mix well.
2. Combine kale, apples, walnuts, and raisins in a bowl. Pour dressing over the top, mix well, and serve.

Tip: If you prefer extra tender kale, massage the dressing into the kale with your hands for a couple of minutes before adding the walnuts, apples, and raisins.

My six year old loves to do art projects. He uses markers and scissors and glue to create custom "surprises" for family and friends. He would rather do this than just about anything else.

The other day he asked me, "Mommy, what do you like?" I told him that I like lots of things like hiking and flowers and the beach.

A little while later he brought me a tiny package, about the size of a kidney bean, and said, "this is a surprise for you! Open it!"

I carefully opened the wrapping paper that he made from white paper and glue. Inside I found this:


He said that it was the beach and he wanted to give it to me because he knew that I liked it. He gave me the beach! The beach!

Really, this is just a tiny piece of paper with a bit of marker doodle on it but, to me, it is so much more than that. I know the love that went into the idea and creation of it. I know that his giving me this gift was his way of giving me the feeling that he gets when he receives a "surprise" from us. Mommy tears. Love this kid!