Long time no blog

Posted on April 8, 2013 by Jordan

I am SO sorry for not being here.

I am gearing up for some big changes in my life and have neglected one of my favorite friends, my blog. I have been selfish, busy and lazy and have failed to share my ideas and adventures, which has left me feeling a bit empty. I love curling up on the couch, wrapping up in a blanket and spilling my day over the keyboard, so I promise this is my return.

Some of these big changes I cannot share at this time, but I promise if you continue reading over the next few weeks (and yes, I will be writing more) you will find out all about the new paths in my life.

I last posted right before I headed off for a lovely week-long spring break with my family and my boyfriend Dave!

Our time was filled with lots of family

food

and friendsand I can’t believe that time has come and gone already!

Leading up to this spring break I was praying for each hour to move faster so that I could finally be on vacation, but once that time was upon me I was grasping at every minute to try and slow time down.

Unfortunately, no matter how many times I attempt to manipulate time, that clock still ticks by at the same rate every minute. I am trying to appreciate every moment that I have, whether it is where I want to be or not, but of course that is easier said than done.

Because big changes are hovering in the not so distant future I have decided to practice patience and revel in the time I have now. And of course, what better way to appreciate the now than by posting on this very blog. So there you have it. I will be back soon with reflections on the present – happy Monday!

I’m Back

Posted on March 10, 2013 by Jordan

Dear Blogging World,

I apologize for my absence. It was not on purpose, nor were there any feelings of malice behind my leave, life just got in the way. That is not a good excuse as you are part of my daily living, but please forgive me for straying for so long.

Ok, ok. Yes, I failed to blog one post this week, but sometimes life happens and my fingers are just too tired to lift themselves from key to key after all that I am dealing with – work, emotional health, physical strength, responsibilities at home…

So I’m back after a mini-hiatus and ready to post away.

Unfortunately I have no new exciting recipes to share with all of you, but after some experimenting tonight I will have a new meal creation for all of you to try.

My workouts are going well at the gym. In between spinning and pilates classes I have been walking on the treadmill and doing the following core exercise I found on Pinterest.

For me it’s hard to go to the gym and get in a good workout if I’m not taking a class where an instructor yells at me to push it harder. But I have found that finding routines online and printing them out to bring with me to the gym gives me a basis for completing a decent workout. Of course there are times where I stare at the paper and laugh refusing to do the last few sets because I’m ready to leave the gym, but most of the time I am able to find my inner gym instructor and do that last set of crunches and find the strength to do those last 5 push ups.

Do you find workouts online and actually follow through and do them?

Please pass any good ones along!

Now I’m off to enjoy a Sunday pilates class and bask in the beautiful spring like weather with a hike. But don’t worry I’ll leave enough energy to get cooking in the kitchen later

Falling off the wagon and getting back on the horse

Posted on February 19, 2013 by Jordan

Between traveling for work for 10 days and having a fabulous visitor for the weekend my gym routine has been far from normal. Before the big NYC Toy Fair I was going to spin class twice a week, swimming twice a week and doing some strength training. Since I boarded the plane to the east coast two weeks ago I saw the gym 3 times and did a ton of walking, but no real cardio in sight.

Just as my workouts slipped away, so did my positive eating habits. It’s hard to eat balanced meals when you are on your feet all day at a trade show and have to eat out for every meal.

And even when entertaining friends for a long weekend, most meals are enjoyed at the pricey hands of others, of course the good company is always a welcomed addition

So, even though I miss having my clean hotel room prepared every day, the complimentary hot drinks in the lobby each morning and my best bud by my side, it felt good to get back into a routine yesterday.

However, the getting back into the routine part is not easy and I was struggling with each pedal stroke in my spin class last night. But I survived, I felt good afterwards and I was proud of myself for climbing back onto that horse, I mean spin bike.

How have you convinced yourself to get back into healthy habits after straying?

Taking Advantage

Posted on February 4, 2013 by Jordan

Living in the Bay Area is something special. I have said it a lot: Here and Here and Here. But where can you enjoy the whirring liveliness of the city and then drive less than an hour and be surrounded by the serene beauty of nature.

With some out-of-towners in toe, we spent the day in Napa Valley enjoying the view, the tastes of aged grape juice and some laughs.

Who wouldn’t want to end the day with some glasses of bubbly!?

Another thing that I have learned to appreciate and take more advantage of are the exercise classes offered at my YMCA. I have been trying to do as many spin classes as I can get to during the week, and this weekend I went to a spin class on Saturday and Sunday. Without long runs in my mix of workouts I find that I need to really be guided to get a good workout in and what better way to build up that cardio then with shouting instructors and spinning pedals?

After an hour in the saddle I leave knowing that I have worked hard, burned some calories and strengthened my muscles. It’s also a great way to practice my posture and use my core to control my body and leg movements.

Unfortunately I will be traveling for work soon and I will not have access to a spin bike, let alone a spin class, but to maintain my exercise routines I will be taking advantage of the wonders of the internet and printing out some at-home workouts.

It always pays off to take a moment and look around at the resources that you have right at your finger tips.

What will you take advantage of today?

Compliments can go a long way

Posted on February 1, 2013 by Jordan

When I used to run with the San Francisco Road Runners I was complimented by a fellow runner on my running form. Following his flattering observation I ran with more confidence and pride. I even ran a little faster with an extra hop in my step. It felt great to be recognized for something I was doing well, especially when it was something I had assumed no one else noticed.

The other day I was complimented on my posture in my spinning class by my instructor. She didn’t have to approach me before class and talk about how well I held myself, but she took a moment and gave me the compliment. And to be honest, it felt really good! Because I can’t run at the moment I am working hard to excel in the things that I can do, and knowing that I look like a biker affirms that I am reaching my fitness goals.

Compliments can come in many forms: A stranger stopping you on the street to tell you they like your shoes, a friend telling you they really enjoyed the cookies you baked or a coworker acknowledging that you did a great job on that presentation. In whatever form they take, compliments feel good. So my challenge to you today is to go out there and give two people compliments. It’s Friday and everyone deserves to end their week on a good note.

Happy Friday and Happy Complimenting!

Hello Friends

Posted on January 20, 2013 by Jordan

First, let me apologize for my absence. Last year when I started this blog I was dedicated to posting something every day, and I did. This year I am still very adamant about keeping up with my writing, however with all of the things going on in my life I have decided to only post when I have time to write informative and substantial posts. This might be posts a few days in a row or posts every few days, but either way I will continue to share on Almondjay as long as you enjoy reading.

And with that, let’s start here – howdy there.

This weekend has been full of friends, near and far.

My best friend in Chicago (you can check out what she is up to over here) sent me these very delicious, but rare, biscotti.

I used to eat them all of the time when I lived on the east coast, but over here my Wholefoods, while full of Cali grade produce, lacks these gems. NOTE: fabulous card not included with purchase. Thanks Erika for satisfying my craving!

And on the home front, there was a birthday celebration for my dear friend, the lovely Elisette – Happy Birthday!

I also invested in my health this weekend, laying down some cash on these beauties.

Since spinning has found its way into 2-3 days of my week I decided to get some kicks that will motivate me to pedal stronger and faster. I can’t wait to use them on Wednesday’s spin class!

And to end my full weekend on a high note (unfortunately I do not have MLK Day off) I enjoyed a tasty brew and made these easy, baked turkey burgers.

Extra lean meat, green onions, balsamic vinegar, garlic powder and a tablespoon of tomato paste. Mix together and bake for 20 minutes in a 400 degree oven.

I ate mine with plenty of ketchup – Yum!

I hope you all enjoy your long weekend!

What have you been up to lately?

Good for the Soul

Posted on January 14, 2013 by Jordan

Friends, good food and crocheting.

Grab your friends, a ball of yarn (yes mine is sparkly) and this recipe and you will be sure to have a heartwarming evening.

These burgers are delicious and easy, but of course everything tastes good out of Eli and Jacob’s kitchen, so next time I’ll make sure to invite all of you!

Things that make me smile

Posted on January 13, 2013 by Jordan

Trying to pull out of a parking spot with a “not-so-cute” red car pinned behind me does NOT make me smile.

But being physically able to walk all over the city for 3 hours certainly makes me smile

Trying to reconnect my DVD player with possibly the wrong wires, leaves me with a frown. (and no, I have not figured out how to make it work yet.)

But making a delicious meal of veggies, shrimp, taco seasoning, avocado and brown rice turns my frown upside down

And living very far away from some of my most favorite people in this world makes me sad, but planning trips and scheduling dates to see these people puts the biggest smile on my face
What makes you smile?

The Grass is Always Greener…well maybe not, but it sure looks like it

Posted on January 9, 2013 by Jordan

It’s hard not to walk down the street and look at a person running by and think, gee, they are so lucky they can run, and compete in races and jog with friends.

Or see someone with a flat stomach and assume that they get to eat whatever they want and still look good in an ab hugging shirt.

Even looking at a couple on the street it’s easy to jump to the conclusion that they are happy and in love and everything in their lives must be hunky dory.

Of course life does not work like this. The person running might have just come off of an injury and is easing back into running by only going as far as down the street before he or she has to turn around. And the person with the tight tummy might have to wake up early every day and workout for an hour in order to keep in shape. And the happy couple may fight 99% of the time and only smile when they are walking down the street in public.

Sometimes when you’re life doesn’t feel all put together you assume that everyone else has everything you don’t. The reality is that no one has everything and you probably have a lot more than most.

At the start of this New Year there are many things in my life that I am still lining up to fall into place and I am trying my hardest to appreciate what I do have until then.

So far in 2013 I have spent time with loved ones, taken a step (or spin class) in the right direction of recovery, and I am starting to make better eating habits part of my routine.

What have you accomplished so far this year?

Do you sometimes think about “greener pastures” and then appreciate your own?

Blogging in the new year

Posted on January 3, 2013 by Jordan

I feel like blogging has always been a part of me, but I only began publishing last year. It’s incredible to look through posts from 2012 and remember all of the things that I experienced and I am excited to continue writing about my journey this year.

Only a few days in and the new year is already treating me well. I am with my boyfriend, the weather has been beautiful here in San Francisco and we have been eating incredible food.

I of course I did not cook these fantastical dishes, but I am determined to become a better cook this year and treat myself to new flavors and adventurous ingredients.

I also want to write about how I am keeping better eating habits in order to be a better me this year as I reach my goal of running again.

Travel plans are also in the works this year and I will be documenting these adventures as I visit friends and family I have not seen in some time.

And there will of course be some hardships that find their way onto the blog, but I will share them with you as a way to put things into perspective and work my way through each challenge.

Thank you to all of you, my readers, for sharing in my journey and listening as I traverse life and find my way.

Happy New Year!

Almond Jay

I don't cry over spilled milk – almond milk is a whole other story

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