Daily Indulgences
This morning, I started thinking about my ideal day, not a crazy destination day or some sky diving adventure, but just a day spent at home doing what I want. I think that sometimes I put too much pressure on myself to "get things done", and that just stresses me out. Anyway, truthfully, it would probably be different everyday, depending on the weather, season, and of course, my mood. There are some things that I really enjoy, that enrich my life and my day and I thought I would share with you.
As some of you know, I completed my yoga teacher training about three years ago and I had been teaching one class per week, but let that go because I felt that I was so busy with Crazy Blonde Life and traveling to see my girls. I still like to do yoga as much as possible and I like a guided class. My go to is a YouTube video from Leigha Butler. She isn't necessarily for beginners, although she does have a beginner video, but her classes are so easy to follow and her instructions are very good. I feel that I've become more flexible by following along.
I've also spoken so often about meditation, and I really do try to meditate every single day. Sometimes, if I'm rushed, 10 minutes is all I get, but it does help. I listened to a really great Tribe of Mentors podcast today. It was an interview by Tim Ferriss with Adam Robinson called The Power of the Unconscious Mind and he speaks about the importance of meditation in a beautiful way. I really recommend this podcast. I also think that Headspace is excellent, especially for beginners.
My day wouldn't be complete without checking in on a few of my favorite blogs. I have discovered so many that I love, but here is the short list of blogs that I check nearly every day!
I have been a fan of this blog for many years!
This is an amazing lifestyle blog!
You'll love Cheryl from Northwest Mountain Living & Style
I drool over the fashion on this blog!
Tory Burch...need I say more!
If I didn't eat a late dinner the night before, I like to eat breakfast around 10 am in the morning. That's the time when I've finished my blogging and start to think about errands and what the rest of my day will look like. I never liked eggs growing up, but have recently started liking them more. I buy local eggs that I feel really good about eating and I just boil them and eat with salt, pepper and hot sauce. This is a healthy protein packed breakfast. Also, check out these great egg recipes here and here. I've started to collect blue and white dishes and I found these at an antique store not long ago.
These are so delicious and healthy!
I am a nibbler, but try (except for a few M&M's here and there) to be healthy! I discovered these delicious crackers from GG Scandinavian Thins about a month ago, and they are great for a quick pick-me-up with a bite of spicy carrot hummus and some Ginger Turmeric Detox Tea!
When I have time, I like to make a healthy dinner and I just bought Deborah Madison's new vegetarian cookbook called In My Kitchen. It's a beautiful cookbook and I can't wait to share some of the recipes with you! I was a vegetarian for 18 years and I really want to get back to eating vegetarian for at least 5 days a week. It's important to me to buy sustainably raised local meats, and it's not that easy to find in our town...I have to drive about 30 minutes.
This crazy weather has made me anything but creative with my wardrobe (it's too cold and wet)! I really love to mix and match outfits and come up with fun combinations, but I so hate to be cold. My mind has been ready for spring and warm weather for way too long and I'm feeling a little uninspired by my wardrobe right now. The first day in spring that I can take my lunch outside with a magazine to look at is always one of my favorites. I love to eat outside and soak up the sunshine.
I love New York and it's always so much fun to visit and be a part of such an exciting city. It is one of my favorite places to people watch and I must admit...shop! I am going to an exciting meet-up dinner in NYC tonight with friends from the Forever Fierce Revolution Facebook Group and can't wait to share the highlights of my trip and my outfit!!
Reading has always been so important to me and I haven't been reading nearly as much as I would like lately. I'm part of a book club and I'm afraid that they may kick me out soon if I don't get the book read. I'm not worried about next month, because I'm hosting, but after that, I better get busy and read the book. One book that isn't a book club book that I've started and hopefully will finish on the plane tomorrow is How to Be An Overnight Success by Maria Hatzistefanis, Founder and CEO of Rodial skincare. I'm sure I'll have some tips to share on the blog after finishing the book.
My home is my nest and I like to keep it cozy and change things up every now and then, so I'm thinking of getting some brightly colored planters (also love these) to put on the front porch for spring. I also enjoy, as you know from this post, lots of beautiful coffee table books. I change them with the seasons and this one by Rachel Ashwell is on my list for spring. My orchids from Christmas are not looking too happy, so I'll replace them with new ones combined with some pussy willow branches. I think a daily indulgence would be to sit in my sunroom and read a book with a glass of Sauvignon Blanc!
This Charred Cauliflower with Hazelnuts and Browned Butter is one of my favorite side dishes, but I also love it for lunch the next day! Even people who don't like cauliflower love this dish! Who could resist hazelnuts, browned butter and golden raisins! I use my cast iron skillets for almost everything except cooking eggs on top of the stove. They are perfectly seasoned and cook evenly! I have several that belonged to my grandmother and they are really special to me (does that sound weird)!
Traveling to visit my daughters has become a huge part of my life and I just returned from Atlanta where I spent time with Lauren, Hudson and Chris! I stayed with them for part of the time, but I also spent a few nights at the brand new Hotel at Avalon! It was amazing...and Hudson loved running around the room. I finally got him calm enough to take a picture! I miss all of my girls so much and I treasure the time that I get to spend with them!
I'm off to have a great evening in NYC! Thank you for reading and have a great day!