August Round-Up
After a fun, action-packed July I was looking forward to a social, but slightly more relaxing August. I broke out the shorts and soaked up some Summer sun at my family’s cabin on Fallen Leaf Lake in Tahoe, spent a lovely weekend wine tasting in Sonoma, and watched some friends kick booty at a CrossFit competition in the city. Not too shabby.
Let’s Review My August Goals:
Food:
Now that Arianna and I are back on our healthy meal plan I find that I have TONS of motivation to get creative in the kitchen. And whether I’ve been in Sacramento or San Francisco, I’ve managed to find farmers markets most weekends in July, which I want to keep up during August so that the apartment is always stocked with healthy basics. I’ve been planning dishes around what I’ve been able to pick up which I love to do since it makes me feel extra healthy to eat seasonal, local, and organic produce.
{Tofu & Veggie Stirfry and shredded Brussels sprout salad & cauliflower mash – MCLV Mange posts to come!}
August was another healthy month, in fact, I can only remember a single restaurant trip! Lots of new recipes – like those above – and lots of baking. Now that the boy is trying to reduce his sugar intake I’ll probably take a short hiatus from all of the sweet treats though, so September will have less kitchen time.
{“Healthy” Super Charge Me Cookies – YUM}
Fitness:
Physical therapy, physical therapy, physical therapy.
Same old, same old. The good news is that my doctor is letting me extend my work hours so that I’ll be spending more time at the office. How sad is it that I’m thoroughly looking forward to this?
I can answer that for you. Pretty sad.
Fashion:
August will be more of the same fashion-wise, I want to expand my comfort zone and keep the color coming. I also want to head into the Fall season having exhausted every piece of bright, patterned Summer-wear in my closet!
Color Color Color! My personal style has been creative and bright lately, I’ve been having a lot of fun with it. I’ve also had the amazing opportunity to work with Sasha Maks Vintage this month so stay tuned for more Styling 101 posts featuring her killer vintage jewelry!
September Goals:
After a crazy busy Spring and a fun, but indulgent Summer I’m hoping that September will be the beginning of a healthy, active, responsible Fall for me.
Food:
I still plan to be social and I will keep up the weekly dinners with Arianna, but I want to reduce wine consumption to once or twice a month, rather than every weekend, and eat a primarily raw diet this month. Monday through Friday I usually eat raw for three of my four meals – Smoothies, fruit, salad, nuts, veggies & hummus - and then roasted or sautéed vegetables with tofu, tempeh, quinoa or seitan for dinner. For September I’d like to eat primarily raw during the week, then have more flexibility over the weekends.
Fitness:
Finally it’s time to report some good news on this front! My latest doctor’s appointment was quite positive so in addition to continuing physical therapy I’ll be increasing my hours at work. This means that I can start going downstairs to the gym for a mid-day workout during the week. I. Am. So. Excited.
So stay tuned for a new fitness series similar to the Gym Goddess posts that I published last year, this one will chronicle my re-introduction to working out and focusing on strengthening my core.
Fashion:
I love Fall. I love love love Fall. I’ve had fun with colors, prints, and lighter fabrics all Summer - not to mention wearing shorts for the first time since Junior High - but I have to admit that I’m thrilled for Fall to arrive so that I can break out my outerwear and cold weather accessories.
If you’re a fan of To Do Lists and setting goals for yourself than I think you’ll love this great post from the always inspirational Gala Darling – 50 Things To Do Before Summer Ends…
Does the end of Summer inspire you to shake things up? Are you ready for a detox or cleanse after a few months of over indulging and vacation mentality? Do you love the changing of seasons from a sartorial standpoint?
April Round-Up
It’s that time again!
Time for a new month to begin, and what better way to get it started than by looking back on the last month to see what was accomplished and what I’d like to get done during the next?
Reviewing April Goals:
Food:
Arianna and I are going to continue our weekly dinners and I want to focus on my portion sizes during April. I have a tendency to eat all of anything I make so I either need to stop making multiple servings when I’m home alone or learn to put my leftovers in the fridge and leave them there! (Easier said than done, obviously) I’m also going to be experimenting with my carb intake during April as I take the boyfriend through the joys of a plant-based diet. 
Fingers crossed he can last the whole month!
February Round-Up
Since our leap-year month has come & gone I’m here to go over my February goals and set down some rules & plans for the month of March.
But before I get to that, I want to say a quick but sincere Thank You!!! as Moi Contre La Vie passes its one year anniversary. This has been quite the learning experience and I’ve had an unbelievable time with this blog over the last twelve months, so thank you for your continued support, it means the world to me.
Alright now let’s get back to my monthly goals and see how I did:
Overarching 2012 Resolutions:
- Buy a house: No change during February, just waiting for the perfect house to magically appear in front of me. We’re planning a trip to Sonoma in March or early though so fingers crossed!
- Take no money out of my savings accounts: Done. Buuut I did decide that would take money out this year when I make a car purchase.
- Publish something: February was a major disaster on this front for one reason - My laptop died! As of today my new laptop has not yet arrived and I’m using a work laptop for my computer needs each day. I fully plan to start my writing schedule as soon as the new one arrive though, promise.
February Goals:
Health: In February I am going to give up all sweeteners (aside from baking uses). I usually use all-natural organic Stevia or Agave Nectar to sweeten my tea or in overnight oats on almost a daily basis. I’m curious if giving this up will affect my health in any substantial way, especially whether giving it up in my evening tea will change my sleeping patterns. We shall see!
- I did great giving up sweeteners and I also really focused on sleep, which meant I got at least 7 hours of sleep during the week. Ya me!
Fitness: Last month’s “fitness” goal will roll over to February – Start back rehabilitation & be diligent about my exercises. As I said, I’m DYING to get back into the gym, so it’s really important that I take my rehab seriously and work really hard to keep my core strong.
- I got sign off to start twice a week physical therapy at the end of February and my first appointment is on March 1 so this month I’ll have much more to say on this topic.
Fashion: My fashion goal for February is to keep up the level of effort that I put into the Freckles In April Challenge. No more playing it safe and falling back on go-to outfits. This experience really shook things up for me style-wise and I hope to be able to keep challenging myself on a daily basis.
- I did a GREAT job on this during February and even tried out some new-to-me looks & styles. I added belts and tucked in shirts to my wardrobe for the first time and gave my extra-curricular looks a bit more of a rock n’ roll edge with black jeans, heeled motorcycle boots, leopard print and chunky jewelry. Unfortunately February was also the month of shopping. EK. Gotta get that under control in March!
New March Goals:
Heath: I’ve been consuming an absurd amount of Diet Coke since November to deal with nausea from painkillers so in March, as my back is heals and I start physical therapy, I’m going to reduce my medications and give up Diet Coke. Can’t wait!
Food: My friend Arianna and I have a weekly date set up to cook a healthy, plant-based dinner together. Hopefully these meals will motivate me to watch my snacking and plan my meals in advance for the week and prepare snacks to take to work. In March I really want to focus on getting all my daily nutrients from my food rather than relying on supplements and multi-vitamins.
Fitness: Physical therapy started March 1st and I’m going to be the best patient they’ve ever had! I’m going to do all my exercises and work as hard as my body allows me to. I’m also going to keep walking as much as possible (2.6 to 4 miles daily) and try not to take any taxis again during March. Finally, I also need to work on stretching. Barely being able to bend at the waist during the last few months has done a number on my overall flexibility and I really need to work on regaining that so I can eventually go back to Pilates.
Fashion: Time to reorganize my closets and move Spring & Summer clothes to the front and rearrange my coats & jackets so that shorter, lighter ones are more accessible. I love “spring cleaning” and refreshing my closet. Can’t wait to go to the Container Store for supplies. It’s my happy place.
Tell me, how are you doing on your 2012 New Years Resolutions? Do you find yourself adjusting your goals & plans for 2012 as the year is unfolding in unexpected ways?
