Tag: vegan

Grow Through It

~ urbanoutdoorgirl ~ Leave a comment

This year has been a doozy so far. How are you? I have been experiencing a lot of growing, and while growing is by theory wonderful it requires a lot of energy and faith. And if you know me, I am a worrier for sure. I am excited to update on all the things that have occured so far this year, and do a massive photo dump. I’m sure I won’t cover everything but I’m excited to share. Lets start with the winter, though summer is knocking on the door.

I played tennis all winter, except in the snow, which was honestly brutal but the irony is, now I have to get reacclimatized to the heat outside. Has that ever happened to you? I also was forced into doing indoor kickball which was a ton of fun but man some sleep would’ve been great. The not so fun part? The drive!! Do not ask me how far I had to drive.. that is honestly a thing I am going to try to reduce this summer because driving for me is tiring, and at night all bets are off. I have no idea how I make it anywhere and back. seriously.

Next, I have now started a new hobby that I honestly love, and that is bird watching. Yes, you read that correctly, Bird Watching!! It is so fun and peaceful and I have met some lovely friendly people including a wonderful guide who I am excited to partner up with this year. The local park we visited felt like we were somewhere else with the early morning dew. I look forward to going back there and doing a nice walk.

The next sport I have added into my weekly reps is swimming. Which has been great. I have really enjoyed getting laps in at the pool and now I am wondering if I should have auditioned for the Olympics. Joking! Or am I? Can I also say RIP to my hair. I know for a lot of people swimming is hindered due to hair but don’t let it be. Get a good cap and get to swimming. I do feel sad for the baddie in me that wants to have straight hair more often but alas, that is not possible.

Lastly I just finished spring kickball and spring tennis knocked on the door. I have been enjoying daily walks, and just soaking up the weather. With all of this activity I have run into a hiccup along the way. I have had some knee issues that have escalated and am currently in PT. I won’t elaborate here but I am excited to begin the healing journey.

I also did my first solo hike for my birthday, accidentally. Will totally prefer not to do that again, especially when its getting dark, and its raining. For me I don’t feel totally safe, for personal reasons, but it was an adventure that will get it’s own blog post. And overall Im glad I did it (I did not intend to hike alone, and did not dress or prepare for hiking), but I was safe in the end and made a wonderful memory.

Lastly, I cannot wait to share my veggie garden and plants. My plants have currently freaked me out because they decided they wanted act weird all of a sudden. I panicked due to leaves yellowing on my fiddle. So I am doing some testing now, and an array of other things. I hope to start giving my plants rain water again. They were so spoiled and then they switched to tap (boooo). If you have any suggestions on collecting rain water please let me know!!! I feel like my plants really loved it. I am sure they are screaming at me. I cannot collect from my type of gutter, so how do you get rain water? Please let me know. My plants are so big now and require A LOT. I added 2 new plants to the line up by the way, don’t ask me why, or how, or if I have space.

Pretty though right?

I will stop here. Let me know what your plans are this summer! I look forward to sharing more tips, my experiences, outdoor adventures, and health and wellness with an emphasis on children, and senior friendly posts.

I also have a batch of lip balms in the making and some nice body scrubs that I have made in the past. Next post is on being more aggressive!!!

If you have anything you want to see or tips on anything specifically let me know. I am excited to share and grow with you as we grow through it!

cute heart on the softball field. ttyl

Stepping Into 2025

~ urbanoutdoorgirl ~ Leave a comment

I hope everyone has had a decent year, and that 2025 will bring you more than you can imagine. I received some not so great news today but it was a reminder to have faith and be thankful for crossing the threshold into a new year. But to also carry faith in your pocket that all of your needs will be met no matter what and things will work out! Definitely! With that being said, how was your year? Any goals? Outdoor plans?

In natural blog style, tonight will be my mini diary.

Here are my 3 of my goals for the New Year

  1. While it is natural for me to spend time outside, I’d like to spend more. Is that possible? Haha. I am gonna try my hardest to make that happen.
  2. This may be a weird one, and i’m sure you’re wondering how this relates to theme of the blog, but more love.
  3. Juice more! I used to juice a lot, and I cut back, but I’m thinking next year I am going to get back into it. As well as smoothies. I love how it makes me feel and it benefits the body in so many ways. Check some of my older posts! It’s great for making sure your health and wellness are in tact, and tons of energy for any outdoor adventure or sports.
  4. Oh and one more bonus.. play more tennis, and all the other sports too haha.

Happy New Year! What are some of your goals?

Jamaica Jamaica, A Forever Love

~ urbanoutdoorgirl ~ Leave a comment

I am finally getting around to posting about my trip this summer to Jamaica.. Maybe nostalgia, as the fall air creeps in here on the east coast. Boot season has made its appearance.. Ahhhhh the time of sweaters, scarves, fireplaces, and hot organic tea. I love fall, but even more so, I love the feel on the sun against my skin, and JAMAICA. My trip to Jamaica was so fulfilling and more than I could ever ask for. Though time felt limited, and very busy considering the retreat group, there were without a doubt, many moments of bliss.

From the time I stepped off the plane, the air consumed me, intoxicated, it filled my lungs and said, welcome to this sweet sweet land. In almost an instant, dewy skin engrossed me, and warmness filled me. Although surrounded by many, a feeling of sweet soul euphoria took over. I was here. Jamaica. It had been years since I travelled off US soil, and it was long overdue.

Our group gathered their things.. we were finally on our way to Ms. B’s retreat spot in the mountains. As I begin to take you on this journey with me im realizing there were so many highlights to this trip and that simply typing the whole experience would 1. almost instantly be a book and 2. be just way to much to express. So hopefully throughout the rest of the year I can post on snippets of my travel experience to the Caribbean. I cut you off didnt I? Sorry.. the story was just getting on a roll haha.  I will say, it was far from touristy, and thats the way it was intended. A wholistic health retreat! The best moments for me were the little ones.. 3 in particular that I will discuss in coming posts and many other stories and experiences that personally changed my life.

I will say, I really appreciate and love my sis Mayasa. A loving, caring, amazingly intelligent doer, and dynamic visionary goddess to say the least. So many talents and multifaceted depths and levels… oh and comedian, she’s a walking professional sure to keep your mouth belting with smiles and giggles. Im so thankful for such a wonderful being and divine alignment. This trip to Jamaica all started with a simple statement, “We should go somewhere this year!” and voila.. Not only did we go, but so did 16 other individuals who had the time of their lives and she’s to thank.

First lesson? Speak, act.. watch unfold. Thoughts are important, they precede action. Good or bad. BUT… action is a physical effort that cannot emerge from thought alone. Put 2 together and the magic happens.. Yay for magic?

Well, heres a few pics to hold you over…  As you look, i’d love to know, have you travelled anywhere recently? Domestic or abroad. Where? How was it? Where would you like to go next? I’d love to know..

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Traveling Light: A Post Jamaica Realization + Tips

~ urbanoutdoorgirl ~ 2 Comments

Hey all? How goes it? Yes, how goes it? Hope you’re having a great summer. My summer has been off to wonderful start, many realizations, great people, readily available fruits, scuba lessons, and a holistic retreat to Jamaica. Actually, its been amazing and it’s getting better everyday. About a week ago I returned from an amazing retreat in the mountains to Jamaica. Now I have a sad confession to make.. I am not a light packer. No matter where I am going, I like to pack for multiple unlikely occasions just to be “safe”. What if there’s a tornado and I need sweatpants? What if there’s a formal occasion in the middle of the tropics? and yea… 20 pairs of panties are always necessary on 5 day trips. These are all slight exaggerations but you can see where my rationale is here. Actually there is none but I did learn something… $25 each way to check luggage that could’ve fit into a carryon was completely unccessary. So here are my 3 tips to optimize your luggage experience.

1: when packing, make a list, then go thru the list and separate the necessaries from from the “ah, but I mights..” (ie. Ah but I might need this wetsuit just in case I swim with whales in alaska.. yeaaaa, NO)

2: Have a trusted person go thru your list a clarify whats not really needed and what is. Often times friends and family offer level headed advice in the midst of packing mayhem.

3: Pick a luggage that is just the right smedium size and stick to it.. If your belongings dont fit in, then reevaluate what is packed, not the size luggage picked.

 

..and there you have it. Hope everyone is enjoying their summer. Im looking forward to sharing my amazing experience on the next post. 

If you have any tips on packing light, please post them. As a recovering over-packer, i’d love to hear your ideas and solutions.

A Fun Affirmation!

~ urbanoutdoorgirl ~ 2 Comments

Do you use affirmations, if so, what is your affirmation for this week??

My weekly affirmation that I will repeat every morning (and throughout the day) is…

‘Today I will have FUN. Life is not so serious. I will smile and laugh today, even at my mistakes, for I am ALIVE. I am bold, courageous, and enthusiastic. My light shines bright and the universe surprises me in beautiful ways…

Do you have an Affirmation?? I’d love to hear it. Have a great Monday!!

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