"In my craft or sullen art. . ."

I'm teaching a one-week writing workshop in early August, but otherwise, I am officially free of teaching duties as of yesterday afternoon. What shall I do with all this "free" time? Ha.

Well, besides reading, writing, fitness activities, hiking, writing letters of recommendation, developing new lessons and curricula, and back-breaking yardwork and gardening, I am pledging to try one new recipe out of an actual, physical vegan cookbook each week and to do some cemetery exploring.

In the spirit of beginning as I mean to go on, I celebrated my summer break by making three new-to-me recipes last night, two of them from cookbooks. I modified the Prospect Park Potato Salad from the Veganomicon, by Isa Chandra Moskowitz and Terry Hope Romero; modified the Asian Slaw recipe from Moosewood Restaurant Cooks at Home; and modified this recipe from the internet for German potato salad. (Can you tell I was craving cold salads and potatoes?) I'm pleased to report that they all came out quite tasty, though it took a little getting used to eating warm potato salad. I picked up some garlic sauerkraut to go with it, which I shall try with tonight's dinner.

Next on my list is an edamame and corn recipe, also from the Veganomicon, which I picked up used at an antiques and collectibles store. 

Our weather here is finally seasonal in terms of the temperature, though we've had a great deal more rain than is normal for this time of year. I've been able to get out into the yard and gardens for two days in a row, and it never ceases to amaze me how many muscles are sore after two days of work. No matter how much walking, lifting, and yoga I do, I guess I still don't concentrate enough on the bending, hauling, lugging, and kneeling muscles. :-)

I hope you've had a successful week and have some happy news to report, but even if it was a difficult week full of frustrating challenges, please do share how you're doing with us. As always, there's no judgement here, only support and encouragement.

( My Week in Review )

May the week ahead bring you all the energy you need to achieve whatever you'd most like to accomplish!

I don't know about you, but I take comfort in the regularity of knowing that I'm going to post a report each week and hear from all of you about how you're doing. It's nice to have a relative constant and a touchstone. I hope the conversations we have in the comments give you that sense too.

As always, if you feel like sharing how your week has been, fitness-wise and/or otherwise, please do leave a comment. And, as always, know that there is never any judgement here.

( My Week in Review )

I'm sending you all the energy I can for a good week to come, my friends.

Well, we've made it another week, friends, and what a week it has been!

As usual, please share your ups and downs with us. Where has your fitness journey taken you this week? How have you been feeling? I hope the week has been kind to you and you've found opportunities to make yourself happy.

( My Week in Review )

May the week ahead be a good one for us all.

Welcome back to another week. I hope it's been a good one for you.

As usual, please share your progress (or lack thereof--no judgement here) with us in the comments. If you need advice, cheerleading, buttkicking, or anything I can provide, please don't hesitate to let me know.

( My Week in Review )

I'm sending you all the good vibes for a healthy week ahead, my friends!

We've made it to the end of March, which is an accomplishment worthy of celebration, and I hope you'll find some little gift to give yourself in honor of that achievement.

If you're so inclined, please share how the past week's fitness efforts have gone for you. If you have triumphs or struggles, let us know. We're here to listen and share, not to judge.

( My Week in Review )

I'm sending you the best April energy I can muster for a season full of opportunities to feel good about ourselves!

Wow…this one is hitting harder than most. I keep thinking of Xander’s line in “The Zeppo”: “I like the quiet.”

Rest in peace, man.

We've just had the time change, putting the clocks ahead an hour, and I'm doing better than I usually am with time changes, largely because I took a melatonin and made myself go to sleep on time. I woke up with some anxiety this morning, just a vague and general sense of unease, and I'm pretty sure it was caused by how dark it was thanks to the time change. I'm fine now.

All of this is to say that it's difficult enough for us to adhere to our routines without arbitrary policies adding further stressors.

Anyway, how has your week gone? Please do share your ups (yay!) and downs (boo!), if you're so inclined.

( My Week in Review )

We'll all get through this together, friends. That's the thought I'm leaving you with this week.

Greetings from the once-again-snowy north. *sighs*

How did your week go, friends? Whatever your answer, please pick a victory and share it here. I think we can all use the reminder that joy comes in packages of all sizes. Of course, you're also welcome to share your non-victories. Share whatever you'd like, in fact! :-)

( My Week in Review )

Wishing the week ahead is a good one for us all.

We're still experiencing Arctic cold here, though tomorrow it's supposed to get up to 38F, a regular heat wave. The consequence of the cold has been deepening Seasonal Affective Disorder for me. Yes, I have a special lamp; no, I haven't been using it. *rolls eyes at self* I am pleased to report that unlike in previous years, this year I've avoided overeating and overspending to counteract my grim mood.

So far, anyway, I've stuck to my exercise and eating plans, and I'm proud of myself for that. Have you had a health- and/or fitness-related experience lately of which you're proud? I've learned over the years that it's important to take joy in even the smallest positive changes, and I hope you'll share one of those little happy moments with us all.

( My Week in Review )

May the week ahead bring sunshine and blue skies, if those are conditions you'd enjoy.