ann elliott: exercise

Showing posts with label exercise. Show all posts

8/22/13

musings: the exploring jacksonville list

As dear friends pointed out to me last week, my post on "50 new things to do in Jacksonville" should have us covered for the next 4 years (at the rate of one new adventure each month.) Fear not friends, Josh and I have already checked a few things off the list, and made a few additions (see below.) We are having so much fun I think we will be through this list in no time.

Thanks to those who have submitted suggestions- keep em' coming!

Here are a few of our recent adventures:

I won't lie...I am SUPER excited about signing up for deliveries from Black Hog Farm. We just got our first bundle of fresh veggies, peaches, and chicken breasts, and I am salivating thinking about what to make. I'm not sure what it is about farm to door delivery, but in my mind everything just tastes so much better. I'll definitely be making crispy kale this week, and I'm thinking of trying out this skillet roasted shrimp and okra recipe, or I might just stick with classic okra and tomatoes. Check back for recipes/reviews next week!

Jeff after a workout...Josh said, "no way" when I tried to take his picture post-workout

My brother-in-law Jeff is the owner of CrossFit West Jax, just a few miles down the street from our new house. Josh has been through the beginner one-on-one sessions and is in his second week of regular classes now. While I have yet to muster the strength (or courage) to try a class myself, I am very proud of Josh for giving it a try. If you are in the area and want a tough workout with lots of people cheering you on, check out Jeff's website here. It looks tough, but Jeff and his coaches will make you feel right at home.

13 Gypsies is hands down the best tapas (and sangria) in Jacksonville. The only problem we had was deciding which dishes to try, knowing we only had two people to eat everything. Josh preferred the chorizo with pears and the citrus beef, but I LOVED the garlic shrimp, and the kale. By an odd stroke of luck, we wound up with all three desserts on the menu, and despite our best efforts, we are still split over whether the tres leches or the bread pudding was best. Make sure to call ahead for a reservation, and read the policy on their website about how long you have to enjoy your meal...they are serious but it's worth it!

xo,

7/8/13

thought for the week: living

We all do it. Sometimes life just gets too hectic and too crazy and we go into cruise control. We exist without really living and without really appreciating the wonderful (yet hectic and crazy) pieces of the day.

I have been EXTREMELY guilty of existing this summer. Anyone who has spoken to me will tell you that my mantra is "August 1." I have been putting off exercise, cooking, decorating, and seeing friends. If that's not just existing, I don't know what is!

While a certain amount of focus is a necessary evil of this bar exam process, I have decided that I can't let it continue to rule my everyday existence. I will certainly still spend the majority of my days (and nights) studying, but I am also determined to enjoy the little parts life that come daily. Somedays living might mean taking the pup for an extra walk to enjoy the new neighborhood. Other days might mean whipping up a batch of my favorite chocolate chip cookie dough and indulging in some HGTV. Sometimes I might get really wild and have dinner out with Josh or friends. Whatever living means on a particular day, my goal is to enjoy each day, not just exist until August.

I started this weekend with a run on Saturday and Sunday and the soreness of my legs is a good reminder to keep living. What do you do to enjoy your days and really live rather than just exist?

xo,

4/29/13

a weekend away

Hello! First of all, thank you for bearing with me during my week of radio silence. Exams are over, and now only one more paper stands between me and graduation. CRAZY!

Remember a few weeks ago when I posted that I was dreaming of vacation? Well, that very same day, Josh and I got a phone call offering us a weekend get-away in Charlottesville, Virginia. While the timing didn't seem ideal (it was the weekend before my two exams), it turned out to be the perfect pre-exams treat. The weekend was a mix of relaxation and activity, and I couldn't have asked for a more wonderful trip. As fair warning, there are LOTS of pictures in this post...the weekend had so many highlights and our hotel grounds were absolutely beautiful... I just couldn't help myself!

keswick hall

view from our room

rainy day by the pool

molton brown toiletries...my favorite!

Friday evening, Josh and I attended a dinner and program at Monticello. This was the primary reason for our last minute trip, and it was an incredible experience. After cocktails and dinner, with Monticello as our backdrop, we heard from John Meacham, the author of "The Art of Power," a new book about Thomas Jefferson. It was a beautiful evening and an experience that neither of us will soon forget.

monticello in the rain

in front of monticello in the rain...we were the ONLY people taking pictures, so I think the fact that we stood in the rain in black tie for a picture earned us a few raised eyebrows and chuckles.

tent on the lawn

centerpieces at dinner

placecard

beautiful water colored program cover

a quick shot inside monticello after dinner...little did we know there was an entire bus of people 40 years our senior waiting for us while we explored the house...oops!

Saturday, the rain storm passed, and Josh and I spent the day relaxing and exploring our hotel. Keswick Hall is an old manor home that has been converted into a hotel and club. The hotel keeps bikes for guests to use while exploring the hotel, and we made good use of this amenity. After a quick breakfast, Josh and I grabbed some bikes and went on what the hotel dubbed the "Ultimate Scenic Tour." While it was a little more strenuous than we anticipated (hello hills of Central Virginia), it was the perfect way to enjoy an absolutely beautiful morning.

bikes

view of keswick hall with momma duck and ducklings in the foreground

sampling of the beautiful flowers that were blooming EVERYWHERE

stopping for a quick rest

After our bike tour, we headed into Charlottesville to grab sandwiches at Josh's favorite...Bellaire Market. We ran into multiple friends (very randomly) while we were there so we felt like we had found the local "hot spot." We ate a very light lunch because as soon as we got back to the hotel, Josh humored me with afternoon tea. One of my very FAVORITE things about traveling in Europe is the tradition of having tea. When I found out Keswick Hall served an afternoon tea on Saturdays, we signed up immediately.

tea snacks

devonshire cream, jam, lemon curd for our tea snacks

tea time

josh REALLY humoring me here...tea time and photographic evidence!

After recovering from our food coma, we headed into downtown Charlottesville for dinner. Charlottesville has an area downtown called the Pedestrian Mall, and it was packed with people enjoying the relatively warm night, a concert, and a market of local artisans. We found a small restaurant called Bizou and completed our day of eating, eating and eating.

shrimp and grits

Sunday morning we met up with Josh's fraternity brother D.G. and his wife Chelsea. We grabbed bagels at Bodo's and enjoyed the chance to catch up. We hit the road early since I had finals looming, AND, I really wanted time to stop by the J Crew Clearance store in Lynchburg. I had only heard rumors of the store until last Sunday, and I am so glad we stopped to confirm them! The J Crew Clearance store is not a factory or an outlet store. It is one of a few places in the country that J Crew sends actual items and sells them at a deep discount. I'm talking skinny jeans for $35 plus an additional 35% off for the spring sale, and an extra 15% off with my student discount. If you are ever near Lynchburg, it is well worth the few minute drive off the highway to check this place out.

amazing

we found kelsey and edward there as well...AND, this picture should actually be titled 3L year- kelsey had an exam the next morning and mine was 36 hours later...our 1L selves would be so proud.

my loot...3 shirts, 2 colored denim pants, jewelry and 1 pair of blue suede shoes

While I must admit I was a little nervous to take this impromptu trip, being on the "other side" of those finals I can say I am so glad we did. We have lots of change and transitions coming up, along with lots more studying for the bar this summer, and this weekend away was the perfect re-charge.

Thanks for bearing with me through a long post and lots of catch ups. I hope you all had a wonderful week and a relaxing weekend!

xo,

1/1/13

2013 goals

Happy New Year! I hope you had a fabulous night ringing in 2013! We had a great time over dinner with some friends and a very low-key champagne toast at midnight.

For many people waking up today, resolutions are running through their head. For some it is a vow to be healthier, to workout more, or to eat less of something. For others, it is a vow to be kinder, to volunteer more, or to spend more time with family and friends. While I can appreciate all of these (and actually hope to incorporate many of them into my life in 2013) there is something about the word resolution that seems overwhelming to me. I think it is because the word resolution conjures up images of deprivation and immediate, all or nothing, change.

So, in 2013 I am not making resolutions. I am, however, setting goals for myself. I think the idea of setting a goal lends itself to the mindset that you can work towards it in baby steps - much less overwhelming to me. While these goals are not immediate, overnight changes, I do think they will be helpful to keep in mind as I move into my final semester of school, take the bar exam, move from North Carolina and (hopefully) start a new job in 2013. With all these changes on the horizon, here are a few more I hope to make...

1. Spend some quiet time each day.