300 Days of Sunshine

2013 has been a year to remember.  It has been a year of change in many ways and a year of transition from the life I used to know to the life I have now.  I have a new last name, a new family structure, and new ideas of what friendship means.  Change has come abruptly and unexpectedly at times but has encouraged adaptability and forgiveness.  Amid the chaos I have also had some fun and noteworthy experiences! Looking back on this memorable year, here are some of the highlights... 1.  Getting married to the love of my life on October 19th. 2.  Lots of hiking in New Mexico, including Santa Fe Baldy, La Luz, Bandelier National Monument, and Wheeler Peak (the highest peak in the state). 3.  I competed in 2 triathlons and took the gold in my age group in Santa Fe. 4.  I set 2 personal bests in 5K runs at Buffalo Thunder and the Santa Fe Triathlon. 5.  My first niece, Rielle, was born in February. 6.  Santa...

Life is a dance between the Active and the Passive.  When living actively, we revolve around Doing, Achieving, Accomplishing, Improving.  We look at our To Do lists.  We make things happen.  We accomplish tasks and take steps forward.  We plan our schedules diligently.  We live with the mindset to not save things for tomorrow than can be accomplished today.  In our Active state of living, we are productive and timely.    This must be balanced by the Passive, in which we Allow things to happen around us and make time to Observe and Reflect.  Allow our minds to wander to new territories.  Listen to our bodies and rest when we are tired.  Notice details in the world around us.   Most of the time the Holidays become all about the Active, about Doing.  We have things to bake, presents to wrap, parties to attend, To Do lists to complete.  But winter should be a time for the Passive, for Allowing....

I got this breakfast strata recipe from a friend of mine who is an incredible cook and baker (as in, she cooked dinner for all of her guests at her own wedding, and can make the best chocolate chip cookies on the planet).  I made it for a Bubbly and Brunch bridal shower I hosted and it was a huge hit!  It's delicious, not too heavy on the carbs, and meat-free for all those vegetarians.  Plus, you can make it the night before and stick it in the oven in the morning, so it's perfect for holidays, parties, or cooking for visitors.  (I'm not crazy about shallots, so I only used about half of what the recipe called for.)  Enjoy! BREAKFAST STRATA WITH SPINACH AND GRUYERE Ingredients: 8-10 slices of supermarket French Bread (1/2 inch thick) or Italian bread 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened 4 medium shallots, minced (about 1/2 cup) 1 pkg frozen chopped spinach (10 oz) thawed and squeezed dry Table salt Ground black pepper 1/2 cup medi...

  My sister and I are 13 days into The Holiday Running Streak and still going strong!  What is The Streak, you ask?  The Streak is a nationwide challenge to run (at least one mile per day) every day from Thanksgiving through New Years Day.     The holidays can be the most difficult time of year to find time for exercise, but also the most important time of year to keep the over-eating in check and reduce stress in healthy ways.  The holidays are full of excuses for not working out -- my inlaws are in town, I have to bake cookies for a holiday party, it's 20 below windchill, I'm too hung over from that entire bottle of Baileys I drank last night.  But The Streak is a fun way to stay motivated, knowing that hundreds (maybe thousands?) of runners and non-runners all over the country are committed as well.         The Steak is about making running a priority and finding time to run every day, no mat...