Beautiful Day!

Terrible quality photo, but you get the idea :)

So this morning I took the dogs for a hike, one more romp before they say goodbye to their jewels :) I decided to go on a whim after dropping skinny and hawk off at school. I was wearing pj's and flip flops, so it was only a 45 or so minute hike, but it was beautiful. The leaves are changing and the air is crisp and clean. I always come back feeling so energized and refreshed it's amazing to me that I can talk myself out of going as much as I do! So I'm setting a goal for myself to schedule either a morning hike or walk around the lake at least 3 times a week, but hopefully more. Might have to do some evenings, but mornings are my favorite because it leaves me with the energy and motivation to get more done throughout the day. Beyond that, it's time to change my eating habits once and for all. After considering doing Isagenix again, South Beach again, etc I finally decided that Eat to Live is just how I should be eating anyway. I had recently made the decision that I wanted to eat fish occasionally but still overall wanted to eat vegan. The most difficult things about eating this way will be giving up soda, cheese and sugar. Difficult, but I know it's the only way to permanently lose weight and live a healthy, active life. The author of the book recommends eating this way about 90% of the time once the goal weight has been achieved. I think that's reasonable, eating healthy but not so strict with this way of eating that you give up anything you've ever loved. I plan on making a lot of smoothies (to cover up a lot of veggies with fruit :)) and salads, roasted veggies, occasionally fish or tofu, steel cut oats and other whole grains. If I start this now it's at the absolutely worst time with all the holidays coming up. For now I think I'm going to focus on giving up soda, juice, etc and drinking water, and eating more fruits and veggies. Baby steps :)

Today I'm grateful for living in beautiful Colorado with easy access to a lot of amazing hikes, clementine oranges, cool fall days, great hiking buddies and chai.