Happy Monday. For us Canadians, today’s a weird day–since the holiday was yesterday, lots of places are closed today. But people had to work yesterday. So everyone’s off and I think I know the answer: GO TO THE BEACH TODAY!

As per my goal I set yesterday, I did a pretty good job.

I had an amazing bike ride with so many friends. Someone snapped some photos but they’re yet to surface on Facebook, so you’ll have to use your imagination to picture a dozen uber happy cyclists wearing whatever red they could find and taking up the whole road (sorry cars!).  We rode past my old house, along the water, and through the regular old farmlands and I haven’t had this much fun on a ride in ages!

After the ride, I had a quick snack (it looks weird cuz it was kind of random — an apple and nut butter and kale, but whatever, veggies are never a bad thing, right?) and then grabbed a coffee and met up with my friend Stefania at the parade in the park. I rarely drink Tim Horton’s FYI, but since it’s a Canadian thing (and it was on my way and I was late and jonesing for some caffeine), I figured what the heck!

After the parade, people go crazy — jk, but they do eat the food from all the vendors that take over the field!

Reunions! I l know Mackenzie from elementary school enrichment and I LOVE her.

My next engagement on the schedule was boarding my friend’s sailboat for the afternoon. Have I mentioned I have a really hard life? After snarfing a leftover burger (no photo–too hangry) and meeting up, we spent the perfect afternoon out on the water. There are also tons of photos from this but you’ll have to wait — not everyone is as up and on it when it comes to posting their lives on the internet !

Lisa is my friend from when we were just young’ns! I love her with my whole heart and spending the day with her was awesome. Her family’s nothing but kind to me and I feel so loved when I’m with em! Her friends (there was a big gang, I think 14 of us on the boat) are all such great people and have done some VERY cool things!

After the boating, we hung out at the marina. After a quick trip to get a volleyball (and I grabbed an apple!), we played some volleyball and a little football and some frisbee and had a delicious barbecue and cake before heading to the park for the fireworks.

Most people wouldn’t post such a sweaty mess photo. I’m not most people!

Lisa! <3

And because I wasn’t sure if I was spamming people’s walls enough, I got instagram going on my phone.

The fireworks were amazing this year. I’m not just saying that because I think everyone should make the trip to Sarnia for Canada Day (literally it’s Christmas in July because people do it up here), but they were like on a whole different level of awesome this year. There were so many oohs and ahhhs! As a bonus, I got to see Alysha again for the show after cursing Telus and poor cell phone reception and wondering if I was going to have to make my way through the 74000 people of Sarnia who all seem to pile into one park for the fireworks to find her!

This definitely doesn’t do the show justice!

When I got home, I was a bit hungry so I went ahead and had some puppy chow. I picked at it during the day and I tried to tell myself that IT’S OKAY. I wasn’t about to let a binge or let myself get carried away and feel guilty over something stupid like food when I’d just had such a perfect day. I realized looking back that I wasn’t too mindful with my eating, but that’s okay. Every day = a few more shots at mindful eating.

When I woke up this morning, I took my time getting out of bed and then fixed myself breakfast. I sat with just the breakfast–no cell phone, no computer, no iPad, no magazine, no nadda–and ate in peace. And it was bliss! I can do this, one meal at a time.

I’m going to shift my habits slowly and not overwhelm myself, and I’m starting with the mindfulness and paying attention to my food. I searched out Geneen Roth’s seven guidelines for eating more consciously:

• Eat when you are hungry.
• Eat sitting down in a calm environment. This does not include the car.
• Eat without distractions. Distractions include radio, television, newspapers, books, intense or anxiety-producing conversations or music.
• Eat what your body wants.
• Eat until you are satisfied.
• Eat (with the intention of being) in full view of others.
• Eat with enjoyment, gusto and pleasure.

I’m working on the “Eat sitting down in a calm environment…” and the “Eat with distractions…” Wish me luck! Every meal is another shot at it–and I’m taking the positive view on yesterday. So I didn’t really focus on what I was eating — but it’s cuz I was too busy having fun! Yes I ate cake and puppy chow, but FYI I didn’t finish that cake and me not finishing cake is like a first time. Ever. So win! Not that it would be bad if I did, but when I listened to my hunger and left it at when I was full and not stuffed, I’m calling that a total win! So props to me and I’m choosing to be happy today.

After I digest my breakfast a bit more (i.e. catch up on blogs), I’m going to head for a quick run and then spend the day at the beach. I’m trying to rope as many friends into this as possible so we’ll see how far it goes. It’s a holiday, after all, so I don’t get why anyone could say no!

How did you spend your Sunday?
Do you watch fireworks for Canada Day/the 4th?
Have you ever read Geneen Roth’s books?