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No Bake Almond Butter Cup Bars and What I’ve Been Up to Lately
Whew - I'm just about to the point where I need to dust the cobwebs off my laptop and this blog! After a brief hiatus the last two weeks (the longest since I started almost two years ago!), it feels good to be back. I've certainly been busy but also missing the opportunity to write. And it's one of those things which is hard to come back to after a break - like so many habits, it's often much easier to just keep going without "breaking the chain" as opposed to getting back into the swing of things. But I think I needed time away - I've been experiencing some…
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Paleo Banana Bread Muffins (Easy Enough for Even the Non-Bakers)
Yesterday marked three years of #mandjhappilyeverafter. It seems simultaneously that our wedding was just yesterday and yet so long ago since so much has happened since then. We've moved internationally (and are currently coordinating the move back home!), traveled all over Europe, adopted our two little fur babies, and have grown tremendously as individuals and in our relationship. Anytime that I stop even briefly to consider my life, my relationship with Jonathan is something which I never cease to be grateful for. Even when I'm really feeling sorry for myself, I cannot ever come up with any evidence contrary to the fact that he is the best husband in the world.  Thankfully…
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Keeping Perspective and Paleo Strawberry Cashew Truffles
As someone who absolutely loves to travel (for fun, NOT work), I have had the opportunity to go on several trips accompanied by others. My most frequent travel partner is naturally my husband, but I have also traveled with friends and family in recent history, some relationships more closely knit than others of course. And I've seen that it can be interesting to learn what certain people value or consider a vacation. For some people, doing as little as possible aside from sitting poolside in the sun is ideal. For others, it's not a holiday unless that means drink in hand at all times. There are beach goers, there are adventurers, and…
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The Benefits of Reading Fiction and Dark Chocolate Paleo Granola
I am definitely what one would call a creature of habit and love my routine oh-so-much. Recently my guided journal provided me with a writing prompt to describe the ideal/perfect morning. And to be honest, as I considered the idea, it didn't look all that much different than business as usual. I'd still get up early (usually between 5-530 AM) surrounded by my little fam and I'd prefer to eat one of my "normal" breakfast foods in my kitchen with a cup of coffee in hand and messy bun atop my head, before I head out to teach and take barre. Initially when I think about these types of questions,…
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Plan it in, Do it Anyway: Checking off the Summer Goals with a Whole30 Green Gazpacho
LOVE SUMMER! It's been a fun and fabulous couple of days - the weather couldn't have been too much better and Jon and I had time over the weekend to cross off a few of the Summer Bucket List items! We both have pretty full agendas with some impending travel over the next couple months and since planning is my favorite sport, we had spent some time a few weeks ago to map out tentative dates, book events, buy tickets, etc. for the fun things we wanted to do. I've learned that for me at least, it's important to schedule in time not only for the serious and work related…
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Emotional Contagion and Chocolate Coconut Energy Bites
Have you ever stopped to really consider the tremendous impact that those around you have upon your experience of any given situation? Most people have noticed that the jokes in their favorite sitcom are much funnier when accompanied by a fellow couch-mate than when on one’s own, and the breathtaking sunset is even more spectacular when we are with someone else to share in awe with us. Similarly, when your Debbie Downer colleague walks into the office grumbling about Monday again, the week ahead may not seem as unsurmountable to you as it does to her, but certainly doesn’t lift your spirits. When we are around those who are sad,…
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The Benefits of Being Optimistic :: Dairy-Free, Vegan and Paleo Queso Dip
Optimism is something I really never gave too much consideration to. I have always really prided myself on being a realist – not overly pessimistic or cynical, but definitely not an unfailing hopeful (although I suspect many people may choose to classify themselves in this way, just as everyone insists they are a “better than average driver.” Except me. I am a terrible driver and I don’t care. I blissfully have not attempted to drive in about 3.5 years now and I love it). However, I have the opportunity to work for one of the most eternally optimistic people that have ever walked the earth. My boss is unfailingly positive…
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Surprise! A Drool-Worthy Vegan and Paleo Cheesecake
Last week, I received a very unexpected yet pleasant surprise in my mail – a check from my former car insurance provider for $700. Now to provide some context, I have not driven any vehicle even one time in over three years now. I have no desire to learn to drive on the opposite side of the road here on the windy and narrow roads of Ireland and living downtown Boston it was unnecessary, impractical and extremely expensive for both Jon and I to have a car. In almost any situation within the city of Boston, it takes roughly the same amount of time to walk, take the subway or…
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The “Perfect” Treat for Busy Times :: Raw Brownie Bites
This past week (or maybe two or three, who knows I am struggling to keep track at this point!) has been an absolute whirlwind. I have become inundated with projects, meetings, deliverables, and other time consuming activities and feeling like I am constantly running from one thing to the next. Of course some of the busyness is self-induced and energy spent on activities that I love, but unfortunately a lot of it has involved obligations and responsibilities that I have less passion for to say the least. And I know that I am not alone as we transition from summer to fall, a lot of people can agree the change…
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A Summer Snack – Lemon Pie Bliss Balls
It is funny how a little perspective can change things oh-so-much. All my life I have lived in places which experience all four seasons. We always had abysmal winters with blizzards, snow (in one year – over 116 inches, an all time record in Boston), and ice. As someone who does not enjoy the cold or any cold weather activities, this was something that I could have definitely just gone without. But on either side of winter were spring and fall, both considerably better than what was sandwiched between. Spring had its fair share of rainy days, but at the end of you could count on some sunshine and beautiful…
