Fabulous Vegan Recipes

Before last month, I hadn't traveled since September 2013 when I went to Italy. I was restless back then, ready to leave my job and move to NYC and I just wanted to see Italy again. I had a good job and awesome benefits and health insurance and a ton of vacation time so I went. It was fun and I took it for granted. It lacked the gratitude that my most recent trip had and I didn't come back as changed as I did last month.

We've all been there: you lose a couple pounds or get into an exercise routine, you're feeling great and then you go on vacation or something happens that interrupts your normal schedule. It can be jarring and frustrating and requires planning and a little worrying. Vacation and time away from your routine usually means over-indulging or feeling like you can't work out as much as you want to. Taking time from your routine and relaxing is definitely essential to being happy but you can still maintain your fitness or weight loss goals when on vacation.

I once heard that those who don't meditate, need it the most. I can be one of those people. I do well with it for a few days and then I go off course. I enjoy it, it centers me, I love teaching it but I don't allow myself enough time to really reap the benefits of it.

This is a non food post in case you are only here for recipes, which is fine! But I want to write more about other things important to me and this post just poured out of me last week. I hope you stay and read it. Food is super important to us and it can bring people together and be a huge comfort but it doesn't fill us up like relationships do or love or self care or laughter. Last week I really really realized how lucky I am to have supportive family and friends and to not waste my time on people who don't see how much I shine. So, if you read any of this, know that: you are shining and people love you.

In June of 2014, I moved to NYC after working as a social worker in PA for 14 years. It was a scary, stressful move but one I look back on with gratitude and excitement. I wasn't happy in PA because I felt bored, my life was lacking excitement and mostly I felt like I was flailing. Getting older and flailing, such a difficult and frustrating combination. I felt helpless and very unhappy. I had a job with steady pay and benefits, friends and family, health and my own home but it just wasn't inspiring me. I thought about my blog while I was at work...and NYC. Eventually, the comfort and familiarity of my job and my cushy life was not enough for me to stay. When your dreams call, you really can't ignore them. In reality, yes, you can ignore them but at what cost to your happiness? I constantly debated whether my safe and comfortable life was enough for me to be the best person I could be. And it wasn't enough.

Let me preface this post-and blog-by saying that I am not a doctor. I took classes at The Institute for Integrative Nutrition last year and received my Health Coach certificate. I am a 200 hour certified yoga teacher. I also have a masters degree in social work (my previous career). I'm here to share with you MY experiences but I am not YOU so you need to do what makes you your healthiest. My blog is here for you to enjoy and connect with but if you are under the care of a doctor, you should listen to their advice! These are my thoughts and opinions so, please, if you are experiencing more than the occasional blues, please seek help from a medical professional!