It's Okay (I Promise)

It's okay to realize your passport is expired. I'm talking massively expired, over a year expired, oops expired. So you print those forms and rush to the UPS Store to get your picture taken but they don't take passport photos anymore, so you run to CVS and get photos taken right by Aisle 5 (the seasonal aisle, the one with all the beach chairs and sunblock), and then you run back to the UPS Store to mail everything but, oh, they don't mail packages to post boxes, so you skip right on over to the post office at 5:25pm right before they close at 5:30, and you get that package sent priority with an "Adios!" and a "Sayonara!" and also a "Good riddance!" But it's totally okay, because, in three short weeks, that sweet new passport will be in your mailbox.

It's okay to get back from camping on the Harbor Islands Monday morning, after sunsets and tent sleeps.

And because you just went camping, there are sleeping bags and gear spread out all over your studio apartment floor, and because you live in a studio, the sleeping bags are unavoidably and directly in front of the window unit. And because it's so, so hot, you sit right in front of the window unit, on top of the bonfire-smoky sleeping bags, and take conference calls and write emails. It's okay, and it's kind of comfy too.

It's okay to wake up at 5:30am with the intention of leaving the house at 5:40 and being on the Summit Ave Hill at 6:30. It's also okay to realize immediately that your stadium-sore calves and your back - sore from camping and backpacking and about fifty too many burpees - aren't showing up to run hills today. No, they are not. So you re-set that alarm for 8am and you get an iced coffee and you go to restorative yoga and, yes, you go right ahead and take that iced coffee into slow yoga, and what a delicious, over-caffeinated oxymoron that is.

It's okay to act like a four year old and put yourself down for a nap, while your significant other/other half/better half teaches himself card tricks. And when you wake up from nap time, it's okay to declare that it's ice cream time and you get M&Ms on your ice cream because, remember, you're acting like a four year old today. But then you go to the corner store and buy broccoli for dinner, despite the protests of the aforementioned significant other/other half/better half, because, after all, you're almost thirty.

It's okay. I promise.

Welcome to the Neighborhood

I have an adorable habit of pretending it's not really that cold in Boston. I've lived here for 10 years and, up until this winter, I never got around to buying warm winter boots (I gave in only because Sorel boots are warm and cute). I routinely under dress for the weather and then I'm all surprised when I'm cold. I drink iced coffee when there is a better than average possibility of getting frostbite. I mean, iced coffee is just really, really delicious. And I make smoothies year round.

I have a love-love relationship with smoothies. I love smoothies. For breakfast, for a snack, for dessert, pre-workout, post-workout, whatever. I love smoothies. Banana, frozen blueberries, vanilla protein powder, almond butter, almond milk. Or, strawberries, frozen blueberries, peanut butter, almond milk. Or, frozen mango, Greek yogurt, almond butter, almond milk. I could go on. But you get it.

Pressed Boston opened today in Beacon Hill... Hooray! When I walk in, I am the most excited. And the staff is excited and all of the other customers are excited, so we are all excited together. So excited!

I order the Charge smoothie (raw cacao, almond butter, cold brewed coffee, almond milk). I really like it. It's a little crunchy - I think maybe from the homemade almond butter? - but really delicious. All of the Superfood smoothies are priced at $10 which, let's be real, is a little pricey. But let's be more real: a $8-10 price tag is now totally the norm for this kind of smoothie.

And like I said, it's really delicious and the shop is spectacularly trendy. It's an upper level Beacon Hill storefront with antiqued, paned windows but, inside, we're talking 2015, re-purposed materials, compostable straws, and bar stools with a Charles Street view. Hours are Monday-Friday 7am-8pm, meaning there's time to swing by between an AM run and work. Works for me!

Welcome, Pressed. Beacon Hill is excited you're here.

Movement

There are big moments, small moments, experiences, peoples, places that make us stop. They get us out of real life and into something beautiful.

Like #MoreMovement last night.

We met up at Dewey Square at 5pm and there was that nervous, fun, jumpy adrenaline energy that happens when you don't really know what's about to happen. We ran a few miles, with some jumping jacks and burpees thrown in, following Brogan to our super secret spot for part two: yoga with Goldie.

We ran up and down side streets downtown and alleys in Chinatown and then deep into the South End. When we got to SoWa Vintage Market, the energy was up and the music was already jamming and we filled that old brick building with more energy and more noise and yoga mats and a whole bunch of sneakers.

I flowed with gravel on my mat (because, hey, it's an open market and there's gravel) and with my sunglasses on (because, hey, that strong summer light was streaming in). And something about the gravel and the light and the super cool DJ and the vinyasa was unreal. After a week of what I will call too much realness, #MoreMovement was unreal in the best possible way.

There are a lot of things that have done that for me. Running SeaWheeze. Colorado. Wyoming. Wanderlust. There are big, impactful, beautiful experiences that make me hit the re-set button in a powerful way.

But there have to be smaller experiences and moments in daily life too, and I am lucky to have them. There was last night. There was Saturday at Narragansett Town Beach. There is Boston. I don't have a backyard, but I do have every Boston sunrise and sunset. There will be tomorrow morning with the November Project.

And there will always be movement.

Highlights, High Fives, and Volume on High

The week is over. Let's recap.

Started Monday with the November Project. Casual 8 mile run, 5 minutes of wall jumps and planks, 7 minutes of burpees. BG said to be impressive. I think we nailed it.

I also nailed my shin. See that wall below? I left some skin there. It's cool. No tears allowed. Just high fives and good vibes.

Bought these Lululemon tights. Black mesh panels? Come at me. I will wear them to yoga and I will wear them to the office (yup).

Walked Memorial Drive to Meadhall. 7:30pm looked phenomenal. Boston, you are phenomenal.

Ate hyper-local kale (ugh I feel pretentious just typing that, ugh I'm the worst) at The Sinclair with new friends.

And found this remix. Very much a summer Sunday long run jam. 10 miles down, volume up.

 

Practice Makes Radness

Ever heard the words yoga and practice in the same sentence? What's that all about? What's a "yoga practice"? Let's be real: It sounds just a wee bit pretentious (yikes) and the word practice also holds connotations of work. Working at something, working through something, getting better at something. Hard work.

But, when we use the phrase "yoga practice," I think we are hinting at something more, something very rad. Something very significant, and very, very hard to define.

All pretensions aside, yoga is important to me. It makes my running better, and there's something to be had on a yoga mat that I can't get elsewhere. That undefinable something.

But I would turn around and say the same thing about running, or the November Project, or learning to surf and swallowing an ocean-ful of salt water, or paddle boarding, or barre, or hiking, or kayaking. Or, all the rest.

It's not about any one thing for me. So, what is it?

It is the practice of being active. 

Today, it was back-to-back yoga and a 7 mile run. Tomorrow, I'm trying to figure out if I can make it to November Project and back in time for work (I think I can do it. And you should come.). And tomorrow evening, we will be paddle boarding with the sunset.

My active practice is fundamental and it is core. And, to me, it is rad.

There is a Zen proverb: Move and the way will open. 

A simple but very impactful phrase, with so many meanings. Shift, change, work hard, dig deep, transcend. But maybe it's just move. Move. Move more often, move big, move strong, move fast. Move. And the way will open.

I didn't always feel this way. But I do now, and I can't imagine my daily life, my weekly life, my forever life, without this practice.

So I will move and I will practice. And then? I'll stop and take it all in.

This Is the Rhythm of My Life

Where was I two years ago? Six hours away (roughly) and a million miles away (roughly). Someplace hot and humid and tropical. That was a different life.

Where was I a year ago? Well I can't really say for sure, but I'm pretty confident I was working. I was in a work coma. For a year. That was a different life.

This year? Unlike any other year or life.

I can say that I have never been faster or stronger. Sometimes it catches me off guard, like during yoga class when our teacher tells us to move from a three legged plank through three-legged chaturanga. Like when I realize I'm getting a little bit closer to Eight-Angle Pose. And definitely when the November Project workout is to sprint (no biggie) with a human being on my back (very much a biggie). The practices of running, yoga, and strength work are integral to my identity and to my daily life and having the chance to do these things is awesome and humbling all at once. These things fulfill me, challenge me, and always, irrefutably, undeniably, without fail, propel me on.

What I look forward to are the adventures and the opportunities to expand on these changes and to do more... to go to the Wanderlust Festival, to run Bay to Breakers and to run the SeaWheeze Half Marathon again, and to travel to all of those heart-stopping, heart-breaking places. I realized a few years ago what it is like to travel to run. Last August, SeaWheeze brought together running, travel, and yoga in a very radical way. So, these days are in part a preparation for travel and for experiences to come.

What else is happening these days? I am looking here for the right words to describe my professional ambitions. Ambitions, yes. Ambitions they are, because I have never and will never lack motivation and self-discipline.  I will say this: I am doing the hard work now and I am putting myself through the paces now, today, tomorrow so that, in six months or a year or two, I can say that I myself lay the foundation. I am laying the foundation for what I know I will achieve.

And I can turn around and use almost the same words to describe relationships. Let's lay the foundation. Let's get together and let's get excited, get positive, passionate, constructive. Let's help each other and let's grow, and if it's not a two-way street... well, then get out of my street.

I am interested in deeply transformational experiences, relationships, friendships, challenges, and  opportunities. Let's have some fun, let's get a lot done, let's do epic shit, let's do it all. Eyes on the prize y'all, and the prize is this year.

P.S. Where's the title from? The Corona classic. Rhythm of the night, rhythm of my life.

It's Peanut Butter and Jelly Time

I love everything about smoothies. I love the fruit, I love the protein, I love the highly saturated colors that look Photoshopped but are real. I make a smoothie most days. (There are also those days when protein powder and coconut milk go into a blender bottle and that's it. Those are the lazy days.)

Last Friday, L and I tried Barry's Bootcamp for the first time. It was totally my kind of workout. When I lift, I like to keep my heart rate up and Barry's does that by alternating intervals on the treadmill and weights on the floor. The music was loud (perfect), it was sweaty (perfect), and we. worked. out. (Perfect!)

After class, we went to the Fuel Bar at Barry's for smoothies. The smoothie menu is solid and most of the smoothies are priced at $7 and clock in around 300 calories or less. I picked the PB&J and, really ever since then, I've been thinking about peanut butter. It was that good. (And filling too!)

Here's my version:

PB&J Smoothie
3/4 cup milk (I used SoDelicious coconut milk)
1/2 cup frozen blueberries
1/2 cup frozen strawberries
2 tablespoons peanut butter

Blend all ingredients until smooth and drink up!

Thursday

Today started at 7am. Well actually it started at 6:20 when the alarm went off, but really I think it started at 7 when L and I went to spin class at Recycle Studio. If you didn't start your day with dance remixes of Ellie Goulding... well you should have.

The rest of the day? It was cool. Ya know. Work. Getting things done. I spent a big part of the afternoon switching between working and trying to register for the SeaWheeze Half Marathon. Last year, I fell in love with Vancouver and I PR'ed at SeaWheeze. This year, I want to have a little rendez-vous with Vancouver and I want to PR again. That's the plan. That is, if I can get a spot. (The registration site crashed today. Twitter and Facebook exploded with Lululemon smack-talking. Hopefully the site is back up tomorrow. Fingers crossed.)

TBT to sunset yoga at Kits Beach. Just another reason to go back to VanCity.

And at the end of the day, when drink plans fell through, L and I went to get pho at Pho Pasteur. Any day I get to see L twice is a very good day indeed. I detoured through the park and, oh Boston, if you're trying to make me love you more, you're doing a great job. Boston, I love you in the sun and in the snow. I love you forever and ever. (And I love pho too.)

Today was a great Thursday.

More Tea, Please

Tuesday night, another snowstorm rolled through Boston. Everyone was all, "BLIZZARD. BLIZZARD. BLIZZARD." Full on blizzard panic mode.

At the end of the day, I made a major detour to go to David's Tea on Washington Street. I bought some chai tea, my very first infuser, and a cup of tea to go and I walked home the loooooooong way. The snow was falling, I sipped my tea, and my heart almost burst right out of my chest because downtown Boston was just so perfect in the snow and I was just so cozy in my big jacket and wooly hat.

So what does one do on a snowy night at home? Well, one drinks more tea. Obviously. This time, I made a tea latte. This tea latte is creamy, a little spicy, and a little sweet.

Chai Tea Latte with Cocoa and Cinnamon

1 1/2 teaspoon loose chai tea (I used Chocolate Chili Chai from David's Tea) or 1 teabag *
1 cup boiling water
1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon Chinese Cassia cinnamon
1 cup milk (I used whole milk)

* I used chai tea because I like a little kick, but you can use any kind of tea! 

Bring water to a boil. Put loose tea in an infuser or use a tea bag. Steep tea in boiling water for 6 minutes.

Meanwhile, heat milk over medium-low in a saucepan and stir in cocoa and cinnamon. Stir to make sure the cocoa and the cinnamon are fully dissolved and to prevent the milk from burning. When the tea is ready, froth the milk using a milk frother (mine is an Aerolatte) in a separate mug and pour the milk on top of the tea. Sprinkle additional cinnamon and cocoa powder on top, if desired.

P.S. I didn't sweeten this recipe, but the friendly sales girl at David's Tea suggested using a little honey. 

Smoothies in Southie? Sure Why Not.

I wake up Sunday and there are two things I want to do: buy new pillows at West Elm and get a smoothie at Nourish Your Soul. West Elm is in Fenway; Nourish Your Soul is in Southie. Not a great plan. But I do it anyway.

I go to West Elm and buy all of the pillows and then my pillows and I get back on the T. I get off at Broadway and walk to Nourish Your Soul. It's pretty funny walking through Southie on a Pats game day. Everyone is carrying thirty racks or going into the bars and I'm all, "Hey guys! I got pillows! And I'm here for the smoothies!" (I'm hilarious.)

Nourish Your Soul is not exactly central, but it's right across the street from Rue La La headquarters and adjacent to The Club, so the location does make sense I guess. It's a super new, super modern space and one whole wall is glass, overlooking the boxing rings in The Club. This makes for some pretty good people-watching.

To my (admittedly) untrained eye, I don't see sugar all over the menu. I love Life Alive and Blue Shirt Cafe, but so many of their smoothies have sorbet or coconut ice cream in them. I'm all game for non-dairy ice cream and I'm definitely game for dessert, but I don't want a ton of sugar in my smoothies. Smoothies are smoothies and desserts are desserts and I would really like to keep it that way.

I know I should order the Green Glow smoothie (because... spinach), but I get the Chocolate Almond Butter Smoothie instead (dates, almonds, banana, almond butter, cacao, sea salt, and filtered water). Heads up: juices and smoothies are $10 a piece (well, $9.99), so a drink is a commitment. Good thing I like my smoothie. What I really like is that I can taste the almonds.

I also picked up a bottle of cashew milk (for smoothies at home?) and a bottle of Chilmark Coffee Company cold brewed coffee (for my caffeine addiction).

Pillows. And bottles. And I need to stop shopping.

I get on the T with Pats fan headed to the bars and, all the way downtown, their cases of beer are rattling and clinking. And then there's me. Chilling with my pillows and cashew milk. Yup.

P.S. Go Pats!

Have Your Fun, Have It All

We're standing around the bar at Brick & Mortar and I'm sipping bourbon and this sweeeeeeeeet song comes on the speakers. I'm trying to Shazam it, but it's too loud. And I'm all "Guys! What is this song?" But no one knows. A new friend says, "It sounds like Lorde?" and I think yeah it sounds like Lorde.

It's Lorde. It's super melodic. It's super Lorde. It's super nod your head along and maybe sway your shoulders too.

How often do I hear a song or a fragment of a song and think oh yeah I dig it? Oh yeah that's resonant? Oh yeah I'm inspired?

All the time.

So what am I inspired about? These truths, my truths: I feel powerful when I run. I feel elated when I write. I feel creative when I take photos. I feel centered when I do yoga. I feel free when I travel. I feel supercharged when I talk about goals and visions.

This isn't a blog only for running and workouts, or only for beautiful, super-sized photos of places that aren't home. What I do here (and always want to do here) is dig in deep. I mean for this blog to be a kaleidoscope of loves and dreams. Because life is anything but one dimensional.

This life is so much fun, and this life has it all. All kinds of inspirations.

Just Like Butter

I haven't written anything in a few days. I came down with a bad cold and I have an adorable habit of blacking out when I have colds. Oh yeah. Straight up blacking out. Somewhere between riding high on Sudafed and total exhaustion, I pass out. So I'm sorry if I haven't responded to your texts or emails or calls. Really I am.

I'm not really better, but I decided that I was well enough to go to Hip Hop Yoga tonight. (Don't tell my mom. Be cool. Don't tell on me.) I had a yoga friend date with Z at Back Bay Yoga, which is the best kind of friend date, and I thought maybe sweating the cold out would help. Goldie kept the room dark and heated and kept us flowing and moving and twisting and reaching. And it worked for me in so many ways.

In the bigger sense of things, as I do more yoga, it feels better and better for me. Twenty minutes into class, my muscles let go. They just let go. I stopped feeling my joints. Everything felt like butter. Smooth and easy. And in a loud and sweaty class, what mattered was the movement and the motion and the music. That's all there was. The sun set, the windows fogged up, the music kept bumping, and we flowed.

We moved through Sun A series and, as we reached up and stood up, Goldie said something resonant. I don't remember it exactly. It was something like: "Reach up with your hands for something good. Visualize it."

We had a split second to visualize. But I think maybe that's all the time I needed. Because what came to me instinctively is the thought that I want my own version of happiness. I don't want anyone else's. I want mine. And I know what mine looks like and I know that I'm living it everyday. It's here. It's happening. Smooth and easy.

So maybe I'll take my time and rest up and get over this cold. I'll keep on running and keep on doing yoga, and I'll enjoy the hell out of Christmas (because it truly is the most magical time of the year) and enjoy the hell out of New Year's in Boston (because this city is awesomely beautiful in the frosty cold). And when 2014 rolls around.. well hell. I have no doubt that it will be exceptional. How can it not be?

I got that off-black Cadillac, midnight drive
Got that gas pedal, leaning back, taking my time
I’m rolling that roof off, letting in sky
I shine, the city never looked so bright

This Is Why

This morning, as I do most Monday mornings, I ran to the November Project. Today's workout was at Charlesgate Park, just outside of Kenmore Square. I left my apartment early, a few minutes before 6am, and tugged on my wool hat and gloves. I stepped outside to find snow on the ground and snow still falling from the sky.

I ran through quiet side streets, down the middle of the road, and my sneakers crunched the pristine snow with each step. It was foggy and still dark, but there were city lights and Christmas lights.

And as I ran down Comm Ave, listening to Afrojack, snow slipping down the back of my jacket, I thought to myself: this is why I run.

I'm Down For Rainbows

I'm back in Boston after Denver, between travel for Thanksgiving and travel for Christmas, and before all of the travel that's going down in 2014 (stay tuned, y'all). And I am so glad that I am here, because the air is cold, the city is lit up and dressed up for the holidays, and there are people to meet, things to eat, and so much to be grateful for:

- My very first Hanukkah. If you follow me on Instagram, you saw the blazing menorah last night. Well, there was actually more than one.

Is four menorahs too many? I thought it was just right. And then we ate latkes and applesauce and everyone shared funny dating stories. Please note that these were not my first latkes - in fact, I went through a latkes-making phase a few years ago - but it was very much my first Hanukkah. It was lovely.

- Ladies' Brunch from The Toast. This satire of brunch planning is a few months old and I only just read it, but oh I am so glad that I did. It's a little terrifying but um also kinda sorta true. Instagram makes us do crazy things.

"Is Williamsburg cute? I feel like it’s all flannel wearing guys lol no offense just not my type. BUT Brooklyn might be fun and like cute for instagrams."

- And speaking of Brooklyn, you've seen the trailer for season three of Girls, right? It's kickass (as all trailers for Girls are), but more importantly THAT SONG. It's Ways to Go by Grouplove.

The music video is a little weird. I'm not so sure what I just watched. It's cool. Just go with it.

- And, while latkes and music videos and brunch are all super important, there's other stuff happening too. I've been thinking about the holidays and why they typically don't mean health. We have the chance to spend time at home and spend time with the people we love most... why can't those experiences be connected to wellness? Why do we have to wait until New Year's Day to start living our healthiest, happiest lives? Let's not wait until 2014. And while we're at it, let's not wait until next month or next week or tomorrow either.

So this is what I'm down for: I'm down to kick my own ass (the last three days: Core Fusion Barre at Exhale, spin at Recycle Studio, and Hip Hop Yoga at Back Bay Yoga). I'm down to get up at 5:30am to run. I'm down to come up with answers to the hard questions. I'm down to get outside and to get moving. I'm down to buy plane tickets. I'm down to make my goals more real and more specific and to create and invest in the circumstances and relationships that will support my goals.

Today, I was walking across the Public Garden and I saw the palest rainbow above Beacon Hill. No else seemed to see it. In that moment, I thought maybe I was the only one I could see it. Now I know that's silly. But the park was empty and so was Beacon Street and there was the rainbow. So I started walking towards it.

Here's the truth: I'm down to (literally and figuratively) chase some rainbows. Because, for all of my realism and all of my practicality, I believe that there are pots of gold and I believe that wonderful things can happen. They're already happening.

Like I said, there's so much to be grateful for.

Lazy Sunday Nanaimo Bars

Sundays are for cooking. 

I had Shutterbean's Sriracha Mac and Cheese recipe open on my iPhone until last weekend. This is kind of what I do. I see a recipe I like and I leave it open on my iPad or iPhone for months and months and months. Until I finally make the recipe. Last Sunday, I mentioned mac and cheese to S and then S decided we were making it for dinner. Just like that.

Sriracha Mac and Cheese is really serious business. The whole pan must have weighed 10 pounds. It was a massive amount of food. Mac and cheese all around! Mac and cheese for everyone!

What was in it? Cheese, milk, flour, butter, more butter, even more butter, pasta. And Sriracha! The Mac and Cheese had a little kick to it and then I drizzled more Sriracha on top. I mean... why not?

S sauteed some spinach with garlic and dinner was ready.

 

Today I crossed another recipe off the list: Nanaimo bars.

Neh-nigh-mo. Nuh-nai-mo. Did I say it right? Anyone?

Nanaimo bars are impossible to pronounce and totally delicious. I don't really remember when I first heard of Nanaimo bars - maybe sometime last summer - but I've had a recipe open on my iPad ever since.

The bars have different textures and three layers: a crunchy chocolate base layer full of cookie crumbs and nuts, a thick vanilla buttercream, and a chocolate glaze on top. Full disclosure, I didn't have all of ingredients and I couldn't find vanilla custard powder at the store. I'm sorry. It's like 20 degrees out there. If the corner store doesn't have everything I need... well, too bad. So I had to make a few changes and I also copped out on chopping the nuts finely, but my super lazy version of the bars turned out well anyway. They remind me of Rocky Road ice cream.. there's a whole lot going on.

 Make them, won't you? And then holler at me and let me know how to pronounce Nanaimo.

Nanaimo Bars (adapted from City of Nanaimo's recipe)

Bottom layer:
1/2 cup unsalted butter at room temperature
1/4 cup granulated sugar
5 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1 egg beaten
1 1/4 cup cookie crumbs (I used Pepperidge Farm Bordeaux cookies)
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1 cup unsweetened coconut flakes

Melt butter, sugar, and cocoa powder together in a saucepan over medium heat and combine well. Add the egg, stir well, and cook for five minutes or until the mixture has thickened. Take the saucepan off the heat and stir in the cookie crumbs, walnuts, and coconut. Pour into a 8x8 glass baking pan and smooth the top.

Second layer:
1/2 cup unsalted butter at room temperature
2 tablespoons and 2 teaspoons heavy cream
3 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups confectioner's sugar

Using a hand mixer, blend butter, cream, and sugar on low speed until light and fluffy. Add the vanilla extract and blend well. Smooth the cream mixture over the bottom layer carefully.

Third layer:
4 ounces milk chocolate (I used Hershey's)
2 tablespoons unsalted butter at room temperature

Melt the chocolate and butter together in a saucepan over low heat. Remove from heat and cool. Pour the chocolate over the second layer and smooth carefully. Chill in the refrigerator for at least one hour, preferably two. Cut into squares and keep refrigerated.

Stand Up, Get Up, Gear Up, Fuel Up

I keep ripping the back of my heel open. Not on purpose. But I split the back of my heel open a few weeks ago and it's super hard to heal, especially since I run so much. This morning, I didn't have band-aids so I taped it before my workout. Yeah. Taped it. I remembered how I used to tape blisters and hot spots with duct tape during multi-day backpacking trips. I didn't have duct tape, so I used athletic tape today. It worked. Sort of. Not really.

The saddest.

You better believe I stopped to buy band-aids on the way home.

And, since the weather is getting colder, I layered up. Bojan of the November Project wrote a great post about layering and "weatherproofing" your run. Staying warm is serious business. This morning, I pulled out my wonderful, wonderful Patagonia capilene long-sleeved shirt that M gave me. (I love you, M. I love you, Patagonia.) I put a hoodie on over it and I was warm en route to my workout. But I failed to honor one basic rule: My base layer was a cotton tank. And you know, the minute I stopped moving, my body temperature plummeted (as it always does) and that cotton was damp and chilly. What was I thinking. Come on. I know better than that. Ugh.

So I'm not great at keeping band-aids around and I'm not great at dressing myself warmly. You know what I am good at?

Food. Specifically, fuel.

I've been eating a lot of eggs for breakfast (eggs are the most perfect protein source!), but I totally wanted carbs this morning. I argued myself out of buying a bagel and I'm so glad that I did. Because this oatmeal filled me up the right way.

America runs on Dunkin'. I run on Dunkin' and home cooked oatmeal.

Good For You Coconut-Almond Oatmeal

1/3 cup old fashioned oatmeal
1 cup coconut-almond milk (I use Califia Farms)
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
2 tablespoons almond butter
1/4 cup unsweetened coconut flakes

Combine oatmeal and milk in a heavy saucepan over medium-low heat and cook, stirring regularly, until the oatmeal absorbs the milk. Do not let the milk come to a boil or burn. I cook my oatmeal for about 15 minutes or until the oatmeal has thickened.

Stir in the cinnamon, almond butter, and coconut flakes. Eat hot!

These Will Be The Days

"This life is worth living, we can say, since it is what we make it." - William James 

Life is moving incredibly fast.

I said tonight to C that every single day of the past three months has been unique. Like a night sky full of stars, every day has been its own constellation of experiences and opportunities and tiny inspirations and huge inspirations.

Life is ever evolving, constantly changing.

Sometimes I think about other times, other places. When I studied abroad in Paris, I ate baguettes, drank red wine, and listened to Europop and, when I went for runs, I listened to Maneater on repeat and ran to the Arc de Triomphe or up the steep incline of Montmartre.

God I loved Paris.

March 2010? I was somewhere in Europe, living out of my Osprey backpack, jamming my camera memory card full of photos.

July 2011? I was writing a lot and running even more and listening to Kid Cudi and drinking vodka sodas with L after work. This August? I was on Kits Beach in Vancouver, on my yoga mat, under the late afternoon sun.

These years have been full, almost exceedingly full, of memories, snapshots, experiences, moments supercharged with sensory overload.

So I guess my question is this: How will we remember these days?

I hope these will be the days of sunsets and spontaneity. Of dancing fast and laughing hard. Of gratitude for the wondrous, sometimes silly, but always remarkable lives that we have created for ourselves.

I hope these will be the days that we look back to and think to ourselves: "That is when it all began."

You May Say I'm a Planner But I'm Not the Only One

I really like organization and planning. I have my Google calendar on my phone and a paper monthly calendar at home. I have Evernote plus multiple apps on my phone just for to-do lists. I really REALLY like Wunderlist because, when you check something off your list, the app makes a fun "whoosh" noise. It's kind of like the Nike of to-do lists. Plus you can email yourself your list and it will have cute little checkboxes! (Guys, I'm completely nuts.)

I could talk about planning all day long. But I won't.

I'll just talk about plans for next week.

I'll be banging out a 10 mile run tomorrow morning. I haven't run a long distance since the Lululemon Seawheeze Half Marathon, so um this is a little ambitious. But nothing says Monday morning like 10 miles... right?

We'll be cooking up a (Paleo-friendly) Mexican feast on Wednesday. My CrossFitter friends eat Paleo, so sometimes I do too. B can eat like two avocadoes in one sitting, so I probably should buy a bushel.

I'll be swapping out treadmill intervals for more lifting. I've been running and doing a lot of yoga, which means I've unintentionally been slacking on lifting. Time to get back to it.

I'll be making another batch of Martha Stewart's Roasted Tomato and Eggplant Soup. The soup freezes exceptionally well, so I'll stock the freezer.  

We'll be celebrating Dia de Los Muertos. You know I'll be taking photos.

And I'll be practicing half crow pose. Everyday. (Right now, my half crow is more like falling down half crow.)

What's on your to-do list?

Will Run For Sunsets, Will Run For Boston

I ran tonight. It was heartbreakingly beautiful. I'll go ahead and tell you right now: I didn't take any photos. Because I was running.

I ran up and down Storrow and Memorial, back and forth across the Mass Ave Bridge and the Craigie Drawbridge. It was cold, it was clear, and the sky was lit up dusty blue at sunset. And as I crossed the Mass Ave Bridge, I looked over my shoulder at Boston.

It was as if the heavens had reached down and swathed Boston in light.

From the Prudential Tower to Government Center, there was a halo of golden pink light. The Charles reflected the pink and the water turned mauve.  There were little clusters of sailboats too, but from far away all I could see were bright white triangular sails skimming the water's surface.

Sometimes, I love this city fiercely, like Big Papi last spring at Fenway:

But more often, I love this city quietly. I love this city not with my words, but with my soul. I love this city everyday. I love this city most of all when I'm running by myself, the wind pushing me forward, the sunset lighting the way.

What Kind of Wednesday Is It?

It's the kind of Wednesday...

When I put it all on the line in an early morning workout at Harvard Stadium. I'm pretty sure the stadium is covered in my sweat. (Too graphic? Sorry.)

When I'm one of the first customers at Trident Booksellers (so peaceful on a weekday morning!) and I buy this:

Source: www.roughguides.com

And then I buy these. What can I say? 'Tis (preemptively) the season, y'all. (Also let's talk about my pink nail polish and gold bracelets and the pink/gold holiday cards. I did not do that on purpose.)

When a hot pink sports bra is the basis on which my outfit is built. (No photo. Come on. What kind of girl do you think I am?).

When my afternoon coffee break and escape from percentages/clauses/dollar signs turns into an afternoon Life Alive break. That there is the Coconut Alive.

What kind of Wednesday is yours?