sidebar | life and training 4.3 – 4.9
Hoppy belated Easter, ya’ll!
I didn’t grow up in a religious, or even spiritual, household. Our only real associations with the churches nearby were the Christmas nativity scenes – one of the churches had live animals we fed every year, which they rented out for their Christmas play – and Easter egg hunts. I found both traditions pretty charming as a kid, and even as an adult think they’re nice tokens of togetherness during certain times of year.
I don’t lack respect for folks who see religion as a guiding light or a reason for existence. While news outlets and the Internet like to glamorize the uglier side of faith, I think many people use it as a tool to become better and to give themselves purpose. No matter the religion, that’s the goal: to become closer to what’s important. And there is absolutely nothing wrong with that.
I just never related to one religion or another. I do try to adhere to the core teachings, of being kind and showing grace to others. As I grew up I found that “spirituality” seemed to describe my perspective more than anything. I believe I’m guided by something larger than me, I believe souls cycle from one body to another, I believe I have been on this Earth before, and I also kind of belief Earth is “hell.” I believe there’s much that’s out of my control, and I’m being steered, though sometimes that’s hard to accept.
I’m sure there’s more to say on that, but those are the key points for me. I do think there’s an end to souls, but it takes a long time to achieve. A long time before one can truly rest.
Whenever one of these holy holidays weaves around, I find myself considering my own beliefs. Especially when mobs of folks walk into my work dressed in their holiday best. I wonder how often they go to church otherwise. Not that its my business, or concern.
Before I left for work Sunday I laid baseball-patterned Easter eggs around the house for J to find. I saw the eggs at Publix one day and just had to get them. I didn’t hide them too elaborately, I wanted him to find them in places he frequents in the morning: by the coffee maker, on the nightstand, in the bowl he uses for his oatmeal, in the egg carton (fucking brilliant, if I can say so myself), in our change jar. I stuffed them with little notes and some treats. He really enjoyed the little hunt, and I had fun organizing it.
We grilled in the evening. It was a glorious time, the wind had picked up and the temp dropped as a quasi-front pushed through. We listened to Phish (our grilling norm), cracked open some beers, and occasionally broke into a little dance party when a kicky song played. As much as hotter weather repels me, I do love grilling season. What are you favorite grillin’ foods? Perhaps you’ll see a few homages on FMG soon!
Earlier in the week, a really exciting opportunity cropped up, and it feels like a huge step forward. I won’t say anything about it yet because nothing is set in stone, the beginning stages have just erupted – but this could be a big plot twist in the story of my career. I feel invigorated and inspired in a fresh sense. Nothing like an unexpected email to boost your morale!
Hope ya’ll had a safe holiday, or day, if you don’t observe. I also know Passover and Ramadan fall around now, so if you observe those, I hope they’ve treated you well and given your heart some fulfillment.
By the way, I’ve got a sweet-ass discount for you! If your bar cart is missing a bottle o’ vodka, introduce yoself to Nightbloøm – it’s the perfect mixer for this week’s Strawberry Hibiscus Ginger Fizz which rolled out on Instagram Saturday! Use the code FOULMOUTHGOURMET15 for 15% off your cart. Check out their bottles here and start shopping!
The Fuck We Cookin’ This Week?
The simplest pasta you’ll want to keep in your back pocket (the recipe, not the pasta)…
A saucy, cheesy meatball appetizer…
Stacks on stacks of indulgent pancakes…
A unique, fresh salmon skillet…
Something with cookie butter…though I haven’t figured out what yet.
A gigantic frosted Pop-Tart…
A Few Things I’m Digging
Cake…Baking has become fun again, which is a relief considering I for awhile shunned it after the holidays. My Triple Lemon Layer Cake is one of my favorite cakes thus far. Such spring. Much citrus. Wao.
Oreos…I made a fun treat a couple weeks ago with Oreos and now I’m kind of enjoying them as an afternoon snack. I usually dip a couple in peanut butter (thanks, Parent Trap) or nibble on them with a bowl of popcorn.
Leggings…I’m all about comfy when I’m at home in the kitchen, and lately I’ve been itching to get some new leggings. I own a pair of these ultra high rise leggings already but adore all of the spring hues.
Pillow…J surprised me with the sherpa bunny pillow I’ve been pining over for weeks! He was sitting on my armchair with a few of my other stuffies in the morning. He’s so soft and fluffy, I just love the dude. One clearance now if you feel like snagging one!
Shops and Wish List
Fashion
Target…Like the look of these shrunken tees, the cropped style appeals to me right now (within reason, my long fucking torso makes it kinda tricky sometimes). I own a similar fleece jogger to these but like the springy orange color. Love the idea of pairing this slim fit tank with a long skirt, like in the photo, or a pair of flared black pants.
Pact…Very tempted by their ribbed leggings, which are pretty well-touted. The color scheme is just wonderful, very earthy; I usually go for those types of hues. The rose pink and raisin are my favorite, and the wild orchid is a close third.
Skincare & Wellness
Tree Hut…Fell into the rabbit hole of browsing their website. I’m just so intrigued by a lot of their products, having owned two of their body scrubs and loving them both. Right now I’d like to pick up the Cotton Candy sugar scrub, the Tropic Glow shimmer mist (perfect for a nice little spring/summer sparkle), the Sweet Mint lip scrub, and the Nourishing sugar face scrub. Some of the stuff is available at Target, while others warrant a trip to Ulta. They don’t seem to sell their products on their website.
Week in Training
Monday, 4.3: 5.43 miles, 11:03 pace + 20 minute full body
Decided to bow down to a 2 minute run/1 minute walk split. While it wasn’t necessarily “easier” the walk breaks made the run feel more manageable. I looked forward to a little reprieve from the trotting, especially because it was so foggy and gross out.
Strength:
- 4 x 12 narrow press 50#
- 4 x 25 calf raise 50#
- 4 x 10 ea. upright row 25#
- 4 x 20 weighted knee-in crunch 12#
Tuesday, 4.4: 5.34 mile walk (1:25:00) + 15 minute back &bis
Decent morning. A lot comfier to walk in the heat versus run.
Strength:
- 4 x 10 ea. biceps curl 20#
- 4 x 12 bent arm front raise 30#
- 4 x 12 wide row 25#
Wednesday, 4.5: 5.4 miles, 11:07 pace + 25 minute lower body
2 minute run/1 minute walk again. Really didn’t feel great. My legs are tight and grumpy and mentally I wasn’t into it.
Strength:
- 4 x 12 plie squat 50#
- 4 x 12 ea. standing hydrant with band
- 4 x 10 ea. weighted donkey kick 25#
- 4 x 12 diamond squat 50#
Thursday, 4.6: 4.07 mile walk (1:04:00)
Friday, 4.7: 5.35 mile walk (1:25:00) + 10 minute circuit
Didn’t have much time after my stroll, nor did I have much desire, so did a quick non-stop 10 minute thing just to keep myself in the habit of strength training. Was actually pretty difficult!
Strength:
- 3 x 10 ea squat to upright row 25# SS 20 crunches
- 3 x 10 front raise SS 12 ea. overhead triceps extension 15#
Saturday. 4.8: 8.03 mile walk (1:59:00) + 20 minute strength
Decided to mimic a “long run” with a long walk! Did a little jogging throughout to try and catch the cruise ships before they vanished from sight in the port. I missed one but a second rolled in soon after! Made my morning. I also met a dog that VERY much looked like a Samoyed but was actually a husky. Beautiful creature.
Strength:
- 4 x 10 ea. chest fly 20#
- 4 x 8 ea. OH press 20#
- 4 x 12 underhand row 25#
- Core work
Sunday, 4.9: 4.03 mile walk (1:04:00)
Total running mileage: 16.2
Total walking mileage: 24 miles
