Happy Halloween?

Good thing I celebrated early this year (pre-Sandy)...

Yes, me the Vegan, photoed with bacon. Good times!

Veggie stir-fry. Quinoa with sautéed broccoli and mushrooms. Add red pepper, sesame oil, and teriyaki sauce to taste.

Black bean soup* doctored up with corn kernels, black beans, garlic salt, and a bit of cilantro. Heat everything in a pot on the stove top. Quick and easy comfort food.

*Soup from the carton. Find it at Trader Joes

Took a photo tour of Detroit, my hometown. This was my favorite shot.

Sandy, girl.

My interpretation of Sandy as she heads north.

Six down. 6 to go.

Half-Birthday. Where does this term even come from? Not sure, but I woke up today a little startled when I realized that today marks the half-way point of another year on Earth. My first thought, "How the hell can we make the second half-better??" Almost like a basketball coach of an underdog team or the play write of a sleeper hit, I just know there's a few more surprises in store as well as comeback finish to this year. All I can do is be ready and do my best to make it all come together over the course of the next 6 months. But for today, half-time is over. *House lights begin to flicker*

Back from Hiatus

Although it's been beyond too long, I'm back with a great find! My cowarker (who is non-Vegan)actually told me about this yummy dessert shop she visited over the weekend. Amazed at all the variety, she could hardly beleive that it was ALL Vegan. Vegan Treats was founded by fierce trailblazer Danielle Konya over ten years ago. She now has a popular store-front shop in Bethlehem, PA, and Vegan Treats can be found at many locations along the East coast.

If you're in DC, stop by Busboys and Poets to try her delicious, animal-cruelty free creations!

I. LOVE. THIS.

Kate Spade speaks to the depths of my colorful soul. I just want it all.

I choose to think of every day as Treat Yo' Self day. "It's the BEST day of the year!"

Perfect. Just what I need to hear before I drag my butt to the gym on this lovely Saturday morning!

Day 2-3: It's all about staying on mission. Doing a few moderate-intensity workouts without losing your stride. Also be sure to include extra stretching for an active recovery.

"Yo, yo, yo, yo baby-pop!" -Push It by Salt-N-Pepa (Workout Anthem of the Day)

Day 1 (back in the gym) was an absolute smash! Not only did I put in 60 minutes (30 minutes on the PRECOR and 30 minutes on the treadmill) of cardio in AM, but I did an AH-mazing Total Body Conditioning class this evening! That's right. Day 1 was a total two-a-day, and I'm going to own it! I feel great right now, but I know that I'm going to really feel it in the morning. You want to know the secret to conquering soreness and fatigue from a tough workout? Stretch, rest, and get moving again! When you have a tough workout, be sure to get in a moderate to lighter workout the very next day. This way, your body can recover during the activity, also known as active recovery. Active recovery enables muscle memory. You have to push through the aches and pains in order to build muscle memory and endurance. For a light to moderate workout after and intense day of training, my go-to cardio is biking at a higher solid pace and resistance for 45 to 60 minutes. But whatever you do, just stay consistent and remember to PUSH IT!

This weekend I hosted my very own episode of Gym Hunters. Something like House Hunters on HGTV. If you haven't seen it, look it up ASAP. It will change your life! I visited three very different gyms here in the Dupont/Adams Morgan neighborhoods on a mission to find a new home gym for myself.

*I'll give away the best part and tell you that I did find a new gym. But let me walk you through the three options before I reveal the one I chose:

1. MINT- "An Urban Retreat" It's a luxury health spa with ample amenities and private spa services. It's location is great,just one short block away. It's also very quaint in size and has a membership cap. This only adds to exclusivity of the gym membership. Members and non-members have access to the spa and pilates studio, so they're definitely warmly welcome new people in their facilities. I thought it was a great facility with adequate workout machines and amenities, but you certainly get what you PAY for. Because I couldn't afford to pay, I knew that I needed to keep looking.

2. VIDA Fitness- "The lifestyle megaplex." VIDA is a cool, fun, all in one place, but to be honest, I felt like I had entered the Globo Gym from the movie Dodge Ball. "We're better than you, and we know it! Ok, maybe I'm exaggerating (a little), but I did get that vibe from the place. Firstly, it's HUGE, 5 or 6 floors. I can't remember because I lost count! This gym has many great features, including 6 different workout studios, a roof top pool, and even a full unisex beauty salon! But that's just it! There were so many extras that my head was spinning after I left. The price was more in-line with my budget, they even offered me some really great "value-added features." However, as a left and walked down the street, I thought, "it all seems like just TOO much really."

3. Washington Sports Club- "Average Joe's gym" (yes another Dodge Ball reference!). When I first walked in, I thought "Ok. Pretty basic." Not really impressed at all. I even had to wait to meet with someone for a tour, which I didn't mind at all but it didn't add to the first impression. However, what did help was my first impression of everyone (an I mean everyone) that I encountered. Everyone is so nice and very laid back, all there for the same reason, to stay fit and have fun. I loved it right away. It genuinely reminded me of the gym I joined while staying in Arlington, VA Energy Fitness. The facilities have all be recently renovated with more square footage, new equipment, and a spa. I was also blown away by their unique fitness classes and small group programs. Even more than that, I was blown away by the sticker price. It's definitely within my budget and plenty of bang for my buck!

So which one do you think I picked? *In my House Hunters host's voice* 1. The Urban Retreat? 2. The Lifestyle Megaplex? or 3. "Average Joe's Gym? ...... I picked #3! Although it was nice to see the other, more luxurious gyms, I'm an Average Joe at heart. And with so many modern amenities at the right price, I had to go with my gut and choose what felt right! Although I haven't been in for a workout yet, I have made a step in the right direction. Remember, when getting back into a workout routine, it's better to go at a slower pace and ease into it than to set all sorts of unrealistic expectations of yourself. For me, tomorrow is the day, and you're going to keep me honest.

"If you've done it before, you can do it again!" -Just one of my many life mantras. I'm so there right now. Actually, I'm tried of being there, down that is. It's definitely time for a change, and there's no where else to go but up! GET BACK ON THE HORSE!