Oh hey, I'm back....

I have to say I was so surprised, grateful, elated, giddy, even, at all of the positive feedback I got from people who read last week's blog.  Even the people who stopped reading after the booze section (I know you're out there and I don't blame you) had some really nice things to say.  I am grateful.  So even if this one shits the bed I'll always have last week's. Thanks guys, seriously.
I hope you guys get a chance to try out some stuff that I write about.  Let me know if you do, I'd love to hear your thoughts....unless they are mean.  If they are mean thoughts maybe keep it to yourself, or if it's so bad you have to say something about it, then maybe tell a friend.  Yes, that works.  

What's to drink....

I really resent the fact that some people think there must be something "special" to be celebrating to drink champagne, or in this case, sparkling wine. We are ALIVE, people.  That alone is reason to celebrate and to get down on some bubbly.  I, myself, am a self-admitted-lover-of-all-things-carbonated. There's something fantastic about a little fizz and this stuff is no exception to that rule. It's dry and light with notes of pear, apple, and stone fruit (IDK what that is).  So, the great thing about champagne or sparkling wine is it's pretty much perfect for ANY occasion. Celebrating a holiday, perfect, POP.  Sitting out on the deck with friends, perfect, POP.  It's Tuesday night and you've managed to make it through the day without killing yourself or your children, PERFECT, POP.  This stuff is about $20 a bottle so it's not cheap but I promise you it's worth it.  Cheers!

Mumm Napa Sparkling Wine from Cali

What's to eat....

When I cook, I tend to cook fairly "healthy" meals.  I don't follow any particular diet style, I left the paleo community a long time ago, I still love you guys, I just really love cheese, too.  It took me a long time to find balance and I still struggle with it on the regular.  Does anyone have it down to a perfect science AND still enjoy their lives? The weekends, vacations, parties, a random Wednesday night play date.  The shit is a for-real struggle.  Especially because I can be an all-or-nothing kinda girl, so I have to practice being mindful. Sometimes I'm good at it, sometimes I fail miserably. You know what I'm talking about. It's the "diet starts Monday, fuck this shit, fuck-it-all-itis".  You feel me? So this recipe I'm sharing is one that is not only yummy but pretty macro/diet/health friendly. I like to use pork tenderloin because it's a lean protein source but a nice break from chicken. For my people who don't eat pork (shout out to my friend, Maureen for not eating "smart" animals) you can absolutely do this with chicken. Make sure to marinade it for at least 24 hours, if not longer. It will be worth the wait.  If you get antsy waiting, you could always open a bottle of bubbly.  See how I fit that in there?

  

Working on my fitness....

Let's take a trip on the road to EMPOWERMENT.....it's taken me a long time to get to know this place and sometimes I still get lost along the way.  Again, I'm only human, but I wasn't familiar with this word, or how it felt, growing up as an overweight kid.  I wasn't familiar with it when I lost a bunch of weight when I was 20. It's honestly something I've only become familiar with in the last few years. Maybe I'm late to the game but I'm glad I got here.  Some time in the last 5 years my mindset shifted from a place I call "you're not good enough" (a sad, crappy, albeit common place, especially for women) to a place of "you got this shit".  For me, the road that led me to feeling empowered began at being introduced to a barbell (and some amazing people) at Crossfit 908 in Berkeley Heights, NJ.  Oh man, how intimidated (scared shitless, actually) I (and my good friend, Dr. Z) were at first, but once I got to be a little more comfortable with this huge piece of iron, I found that I REALLY liked moving it around.  Learning how to deadlift and back squat made me feel strong and I got a sense of accomplishment from learning the movements and gradually increasing the weight I was moving. My self-worth was no longer totally defined by a number on a bathroom scale and by the things I COULDN'T do but more by the things I COULD do.   I felt like a fire was lit and I haven't looked back since. And while I don't train with the good peeps of 908 anymore, I take with me to the gym, every day, the GOOD STUFF I learned while I was there.  It used to be the coaches (and the members) at the gym saying "you got this, you can do this, Tkal" (as they so lovingly still call me), to now, present day, and me saying that same thing "you got this, you can do this" to myself, AND really believing it. The moral of the story, I hope you feel empowered, too.  Life is short, so I hope that whatever it is you choose to do (in the gym or out) is something you love, something that supports your goals, and most importantly something that makes you FEEL GOOD (AKA "you got this shit"). I move the weights, they move me.  So, I ask, my friends, what moves you? I'd love to know. Whatever it is, you got this, you can do this.  

Wishing you ALL of the GOOD STUFF. 

XO

Tara

P.S. Love you Grams.