There’s not enough coffee in the world

…but it’s not even 5 o clock yet in Texas!

I am putting my insomnia to good use…catching you guys up to speed!

Yesterday, I had a spin (which felt good at the time, but later…well, I’ll get to that) and then we headed to the spa!

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post-spin love grown granola/cranberries with plain greek yogurt

My day was filled with unphotographed eats: leftovers, fruit, etc. in the afternoon because the day was so relaxing–the spa was a treat!

I finished “Eating Animals” yesterday. I think it’s one of those books that’s gonna stick with me. If you haven’t checked it out yet (this might be the 120102910th time I’ve referenced it), you should. Seriously. It’s not going to force you into vegetarianism, but it is going to raise some questions for you. Regardless of whether you change your eating habits as a result, I think reading it would be wise. Not only does the author write in a way that’s engaging, but it also really makes you question why you might be so ignorant to some of your dietary choices–and it ends with a pretty powerful example of how individual action, which can seem so minuscule, can actually change things. A favourite example from the book–when discussing how you might say you’ll eat “sustainable” meat or non-factory farmed stuff when it’s available but then continue to eat factory farmed meat at other times–was likening that to workers going on strike til striking gets hard. To be honest, I don’t think going vegetarian is that hard in and of itself. We eat more protein than ever — so if anyone warns me to make sure I get enough I might smack em — and by giving up meat I think I am creating more room for healthy foods. Focusing on the things I want to eat more of — plants: whole grains, fruits and veggies, and beans/nuts/seeds — is a way better approach than lamenting over the fact that I’ll be skipping out on things I used to miss. I’m not going to stop eating dairy just yet, and I’m going to take it slow with moving away from seafood (though after this trip, I’m feeling like it might be easy ;) !), but I know I am going to end up eating a more varied, healthier diet as a result of making all these shifts–not to mention that they’re coming from a place of wanting to change for the better on a broader scale–ethical, environmental, etc.–with health benefits as a bonus (versus giving me an excuse for restriction, wanting to lose weight, or trying to eat healthier). Bring on the veggies!

Sorry for that slight rant…back to the recap.

A walk in the afternoon that ended up turning into a big ol’ breakthrough for me: my hip is NOT getting better. It’s not getting worse, but walking made it hurt just like the first weekend. I had a good cry, realized I need to get another opinion on this, and resolved to do that. Then I tried to shut up the itty bitty sh*tty committee in my head and move the heck on.

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To dinner, vacation style.

There were appetizers, bloody marys, good entrees, and dessert.

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tuna sampler...not my thing

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salmon, mashed potatoes, asparagus

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"chocolate rivera" -- I've never met a molten chocolate cake i didn't like

Yessss I overdid it a bit (even though the goodies were shared), which might explain why I felt sick and maybe why I couldn’t sleep last night.

What ended up happening was a whole lot of googling: hip pain and now I’m thinking I’m going to head to the clinic on Sunday (we get back Saturday night) to see if I can get an X-ray over with (they don’t show much but usually ya need one before you can get a referral for any other tests) so I can get moving on this. I’d rather know what’s up. If I have a stress fracture, it’s 7 weeks minimum it seems (I read a lot of articles and discussion boards) and that would blow but it’s been about that long without knowing what is really wrong. Aggravated hip flexor just doesn’t cut it for my diagnosis anymore…and the worst that can happen is that I get the same answer from the doc! Of course, adding in trips home to go to the doctor is one more thing on my plate, but if your health doesn’t take priority, what does? Maybe my sanity? I think I can rearrange my schedule.

Anyways, after tossing and turning all night my stomach decided to growl so I’m up and at em and fuelled up! I’m heading for a swim in 2 hours (can hardly wait ;) !) and then we are going SHOPPING! The drive’s about an hour each way so I should have ample nap time (and we have the roomiest SUV ever). It’s really hard to believe we’re going home tomorrow! :( I’m not ready for the reality of assignments, work, and cold weather…

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Now it’s time for some more coffee. Think I can finish a whole pot before my swim? ;)

Would you ever go veg?
What do you do when you can’t sleep? Toss and turn? Get up? Blog?
Have you ever had a stress fracture?

Halfway already?

Sometimes vacations take a bit to get going…

that’s not the case with this visit!

Texas has been fun:

  • relaxing

look at my cool shoes and the ocean, but then check out that white van cuz the po po came a few minutes later and broke up whatever was going down...eeek!

UNO brings out the competitive side of me -- in a relaxing way of course ;)

  • eating good food — and indulging a bit

stocked the pantry with ezekiel cereal -- change the fruit, toss in yogurt or almond milk, always add an almond butter spoon!

this is just a fraction of the french bread and butter (with honey and vanilla mixed in) i indulged in last night!

if this isn't balance, i don't know what would be!

  •  family bonding

my sister and I at the aquarium, goofing around


I’m a really good golfer, I swear!
  •  recovering: My injury blows (that’s all there is to it)–and it’s been almost 7 weeks since my hip started hurting. I’m ready to get back to real training, with my half ironman about 22 weeks off (which makes it seem like less of something to worry about when I think about it that way)…but at least I’m spending a week NOT running with a group of people I love and with things to do. Sure, it’s warm here and that’s frustrating because I would love to be riding a bike or running and it’s a bit intimidating to be eating intuitively without being able to exercise intuitively/train, but  I’m up to the challenge! I had my moment yesterday when I was feeling totally defeated, but I tried to foam roll til I felt better.

Today I’m going for a swim before we go golfing! I hope I got my groove back after that practice round the other day — at any rate, it’s nice to get outside and to give the mosquitos lunch in the fresh air! Tomorrow’s a spa day, Friday’s shopping, and Saturday it’s back to the motherland! I am missing my friends but really enjoying this break from real life.

That’s what vacation’s all about!

What’s your fav way to relax on vacation?
Do you golf? Any tips?
If you’re on reading week, how’s it going?