Fresh Vegetables :)

What an insane week this has been.
I've had a lot of time off for some reason at work but lately I feel like the stresses of life are really interfering with everyday happiness. I need a vacation so I think John & I are heading over to the states for May Long Weekend! Phew!

On another very exciting note... tonight as I was reading blogs while watching some TV, I pulled up one of my faves Sometimes Sweet- and saw my link on her Weekend Link post!!!! I got so excited to see that my photography is being noticed! It really inspires me to continue to take photographs and practice each and everyday. Thanks Danielle for the shout out. You have no idea how much I appreciate it!!

More pics to come!

Spring Flowers

I picked up these bad boys from Safeway today! I couldn't resist. 2 bunches for $5.00? Yes please!
I love the vibrant colours and they look so beautiful against the white background. The contrasting between pink and green and yellow and green is outstanding. Hope you like!

Obsessiveness Ramble

Photo taken by me.

Last year, I went to yoga about 3-4 times a week and felt absolutely fantastic about myself. I never worried about what I ate (especially since yoga led me to make healthier choices) and if I wanted to eat pizza or chinese or something un-healthy, I wouldn't beat myself up over it. Well, my yoga membership started getting expensive so this past January I made the switch to a local gym in town. It worked out for me because I could work on my cardiovascular health and strength and if I wanted to go to a yoga class, the gym offered those. I've been going to the gym now about 3-4 times a week since January, practiced running and now I would call myself a {beginner} runner. I love the sport! And I feel like a bad ass when strength training. However, I don't feel as good about myself as I did when I was doing yoga. I started becoming very aware of what I put into my body and would feel guilty if John & I would choose pizza over chicken. I recently tried the Bikini Series challenge from the girls of "Tone It Up" and while it may work great for some people, it was not for me. I felt extremely guilty anytime I wouldn't eat what was a part of their nutrition ideas. I cut out toast & white or red potatoes from my idea and I miss my morning toast with peanut butter everyday. Why am I depriving myself of the things I love that aren't even bad for me? So not good. The other day, I thought to myself... I need to document my workouts in order to stay motivated and focused and I love exercise. I also enjoy documenting what I use to fuel my body as this also keeps me motivated. So instagram friends, if you're annoyed of my constant talk of health, I suggest you unfollow me. However, I will NOT deprive myself any longer of the foods I truly love and I will NOT feel guilty for eating pizza every once in a while. I can't believe that I wanted to cut out carbs from my diet like they were a bad thing. I need carbs if I want to be able to run the half marathon in September and it's not like they are making me "fat". I'm not obsessing anymore and I will enjoy my life instead. I will exercise regularly and fuel my body with nutritious (and delicious) foods and I will love myself! I like the mantra of eating great foods 90% of the time and eating not so great foods 10% of the time. I think it's a very realistic way to live healthily. So here's to living a healthy, happy life!

P.S. More fun photos coming soon. I'm starting a photography challenge soon.. more on that later.

More Photographic Adventures...

What can I say? I feel inspired. :)

Around the New Neighborhood

I told you I was going to snap photos soon!
Today I decided to take a walk throughout the new neighborhood and snap some photos. I know, I know.. way overdue.
It was SUCH a beautiful day today so I felt super inspired by all of my surroundings. Even that little dude in the last photo ;). I even saw a butterfly today! But.. it flew away before I could photograph it. Damn!

I joined the "Tone It Up" community recently and started their Bikini Challenge in order to add more structure to my workouts. I really enjoy it but I almost feel frustrated being told when I have to workout and what I have to do.. I usually just really enjoy going for a run or heading to the gym on my own terms.. But I still need that structure? I'm so torn! Does anyone have any recommendations for ways that I can work out when I want (3-4 times a week) but provide me with specific exercises I can do in order to slim down in target areas such as thighs and tummy?

I will say though with Tone it Up, I love their recipe ideas! I'm not a part of the nutrition guide but I tried the salsa chicken the other day and it was so good. I'm definitely interested in cooking only lean foods with lots of protein and vegetables. I've actually been doing super well with that. I used to have a piece of toast every morning when I woke up and usually white or red potatoes with dinner. I've cut out the toast and opt for cereal, a smoothie, or some greek yogurt instead and when I crave potatoes I make sweet potatoes or brown rice!

Hope you all have a great day. Hopefully I'll continue to go and snap photos. I actually have more to show you from this shoot later!

Weekly Theme: Food

So in order to keep myself on track with my photography, I figured I'd make a weekly theme!
I won't make it for a specific day of the week but I'll try to target for Sundays and Mondays just to keep myself on track.

From now until Sunday, I'll be documenting this weeks theme: food!!! One of my major true loves.
Right now, I'm participating in the "bikini series" for ToneitUp! I need some structure in my workouts and this program is something that will assist me with that. I'll pair it up with healthy eating (mainly recipe ideas from the ToneItUp girls) for example, this Salsa Chicken! I overcooked it a bit but it was delicious. John loved it too. I even have leftovers for tomorrow. Win!

The New House

Evidence of why I haven't been taking photos!
This is my new house. DEFINITELY not even close to being decorated or cute yet haha. We are buying a kitchen table this weekend (yay!) because ours is gross. :)
I also bought a little end table to put ornaments and flowers on but I sprained my wrist today moving way too heavy for me boxes down the stairs and now I can barely type this.

I  really wanted to take photos today but then it STARTED TO SNOW!!! Ridiculous. I need flowers. When the weather is like this there's no way I'm inspired to take photos. Sadly. I should be able to find inspiration through everything but I don't want to force myself to do something I don't want to. That would create bad photos and nobody wants that.