I know everyone keeps saying what a terrible year 2016 was, and while from general world perspective, I might agree. However, for me personally, it’s been a pretty great year.
I was worried that I wouldn’t do anything meaningful for my gap year, but instead, I couldn’t have wanted anything more thus far.
I’ve done a lot this past year. Graduated college. Moved to Tennessee for the summer. Moved to St. Louis for the fall. These have all been absolutely amazing things and experiences. But you know what it means? Lots of leaving. Lots of goodbyes. Lots of friendships and attachments made. That’s all I could ask for in life, but it makes leaving so hard.
#zoocrew
So here we are, just a few days from leaving again, and the goodbyes have begun.
Today I said goodbye to the handsomest gorilla ever, Jontu.
I’m trying to squeeze in some last bits of time with these people. Last night, the interns and I went line dancing. Let’s not pretend I can dance, to be clear. But I do know a lot of country music after living in TN!
I know I can’t dance, but I did give it a try! I’m thankfully at the point in my life where I don’t care too much what others think of me. Plus there’s the fact that I’m moving across the country in 3 days and theres 0 chance of seeing anyone again!
In other exciting life news, I saw the bat eared foxes at the zoo yesterday! I walk past their habitat at least 3 times a day. Every day. For the past 3 months. They are NEVER out! Finally, on my last week, I saw them! SO exciting!
I also went into the antelope house for they first time, and saw baby gazelles, as well as a kangaroo in a pouch!
And since we’re on the topic of zoo pictures, here’s baby Ginger:
Anyways. I’m definitely sad to leave. But also excited for what’s to come. Seeing my pets. Celebrating the holidays. I’m getting pumped for Blogmas, which will be a post a day Dec 1-25, full of interesting content: recipes, workouts, chats about health during the holidays. I have some recipe ideas that I cannot wait to try out. I love blogging this time of year and doing special things, like my 12 days of Christmas in years past. This is the first time in a while I’ll have time to really put some work in. To be completely honest, I don’t know next year will be like for this blog, so I’m trying to do what I can and enjoy it now!
To be honest, I’m also a little nervous about being home and the holidays and health. Every year during the holidays I end up going crazy on sweets, feeling gross, and therefore getting worked up. Except for last year. Last year, with my chronic stomach condition, I was too sick to rally overindulge. We had Christmas dinner in soup form, for crying out loud! Honestly, gaining weight over the holidays doesn’t worry me. What I really want to do is feel good during the holidays. Stay sane, stay happy. So that’s something we’ll be chatting about a little bit during Blogmas!
In terms of recent eats, I’ve actually shaken up breakfasts lately.
Greek yogurt with maple syrup and sunbutter.
Oatmeal with blueberries, cherries, and white chocolate chips. I added some sunbutter and a drizzle of maple syrup, and had cherries on the side. I actually really don’t like having oatmeal for breakfast. I hate how it makes me feel. I need fewer carbs and more protein, which is why I love yogurt! I found myself craving lots of carbs all day as a result. But I’m trying to eat all the food that I bought and has been sitting in the pantry.
Dinners have also been an exercise in cleaning out the fridge and freezer. That being said, I really hope my dinners are an example of how healthy can be quick and simple. My meals come together in about 15 minutes tops.
Spinach patty with ketchup, polenta with parmesan, and spinach and mushrooms sautéed with garlic and soy sauce.
I’ve gotten really into eggs and avocado toast lately. I could have an egg, avocado toast, and a veggie for every meal and I’d be happy. The veggies of the day was a salad with Bolthouse Farms honey mustard and Mexican blend cheese. I don’t quite know how I feel about honey mustard dressing. I never know what to put in salads with it. I feel like you need something salty to counteract the sweet, so I went with cheese.
Is there anything you want to see on Fitness is Sweet?