¡Hola!

My graduation gift from my mom and stepdad was a mother-daughter vacation to Florida!  I counted down the days until we left, left for the airport at 3am, and anticipated paradise!  Upon arrival to Chicago O'Hare, my mom told me to look up the gate for our transfer flight.  Scrolling down the screen for Flight 445, my eyes landed on our destination:  Cancún!  That's right... I was punk'd.

Our resort was about an hour down the coast from Cancún itself, between Playa del Carmen and Tulúm right on the Riviera Maya.  The resort itself was seriously the most beautiful place I've ever seen in my life!  Off the street and down a long driveway was the main lobby: a giant open-air Palapa.  The rooms were organized into separate buildings and scattered throughout the jungle, with a stone pathway leading to each one.  Our building was the closest to the beach, and a 5 minute walk to the lobby.  On the way to our room, we passed by a beautiful cenote, and came across many different species of native Mexican wildlife.  How cool?

The pool, beach, and spa were all fantastic, and the food selections were all incredible!  The resort is adults-only and all-inclusive, with incredible service and the most beautiful views of the Caribbean I've seen in any picture.

There were all kinds of activities, such as free scuba lessons (!!), pool aerobics, beach soccer/volleyball, and zumba!  The activity leaders were sourced from an Italian company, so the people-watching was pretty dreamy :)

On Wednesday, my mom and I took the ferry from Playa del Carmen to the island of Cozumel, where we took a taxi to the Chakanaab national park and went snorkeling.  If you know me, you understand that this was a serious feat for me to accomplish.  I have a crippling fear of fish, but aside from a few instances (such as being followed by a school of creepy-looking silver fish, to encountering a barracuda, face-to-face) I was totally fine.  The water was absolutely beautiful and the coral reefs were stunning!

Today was our last day in this beautiful place and I'm very sad we're leaving.  Hopefully I can make it back to this beautiful country (and the land of my ancestors!) someday soon!

The beach!

In the jungle, walking to our room.

The beautiful cenote we passed each day, walking to/from our room.

Don't worry--I wore lots of SPF!

Sipped on daquiris, piña coladas, and tequila sunrises all week!

Cozumel, from the ferry.

The ferry dock at Playa del Carmen

summer salad recipes!

Now that school is out and I have more time to get creative in the kitchen, I've been whipping up some yummy (most of the time) new vegan recipes!  The temperatures here in Michigan have been hot hot hot lately, so I've taken advantage of the beautiful weather and come up with some different salad recipes I've been eating nonstop!  Enjoy :)

Lunch

organic dark leafy greens (I love arugula and spinach!)

chopped watermelon

balsalmic vinaigrette dressing

toss and serve with hummus and pita chips

Dinner

1 cup cooked quinoa

1/2 cup sautéed asparagus

1/2 cup orange bell peppers

1/4 cup canned black beans, drained and rinsed

let cool and refrigerate (optional, I just like it better cold, especially on hot days!)

1/2 cup halved grape tomatoes

1/2 avocado, chopped

1 tbsp lemon juice

2 tbsp balsalmic vinegar

toss and enjoy immediately :)

Run Woodstock 2012

I started my official training regimen last week for my very first FULL marathon!  In case you're interested, the race is the Running Fit Run Woodstock which takes place the first weekend of September in Pinckney, MI.  If you're in the area you should stop by!  There are a variety of distances for the more and less practiced runner.  It looks like a blast and I absolutely cannot wait!

So far training has been light, as I technically bumped down my mileage to prevent injuries.  I'm still vegan and going strong (except for the occasional cookie, but who's counting?)  My body feels stronger and I keep reducing my mile time.  I'll keep you all updated!

Ps.  I GRADUATED :D

done.

I'm DONE!!  I cannot even begin to describe to you how absolutely fantastic it feels to be finished with my undergraduate education forever!  Finals were rough, but I made it through and managed my highest semester GPA yet ... well, still waiting on one grade, but things are looking good :)

Updates on going vegan:  I feel fantastic!  Sometimes I do feel a little annoying when telling people I'm vegan now, because they feel the need to make special accommodations (please don't!  I can work my way around meat/cheese dishes!), but other than that I've found my dietary transition to be going smoothly.  My running times have improved already, and I feel more energetic and strong during my runs as well.  I've also re-discovered my love of cooking, which I hope can continue now that I'm no longer in school and have significantly more free time.  Next on my recipe-tackle list is vegan mac n' cheese, which if you know me, you know is one of my all-time favorite foods.  Wish me luck!

Please, if you have any good vegan recipes or tips, pass them along!  I appreciate you in advance!

vegan.

So my dear friend Alina and I have decided to go vegan.  I experimented with the notion for the week following spring break as more of a detox, and found that I felt a lot more energetic and healthy.  I also discovered that by eliminating animal products from my diet, my running improved, and in JUST ONE WEEK!  I was only set on eating vegan for the week following spring break, so I transitioned back to eating omnivorously again afterwards.

I've been feeling weak and sluggish again lately and didn't really make a connection with my diet, I just thought I might be stressed with finals coming up and term papers due.  Today is officially day 2 of my vegan-again lifestyle (strictly dietary -- can't say I could ever give up leather) and I'm already feeling great!  I've always known I am slightly lactose-intolerant, but was never terribly bothered as long as I avoided drinking milk straight or eating it with cereal.  Perhaps the dairy I was eating hidden in foods, such as cheeses put in sauces, skim milk in my coffee, or the cream hidden in my all-time favorite tomato basil bisque, is the secret culprit?  I suppose I shall see.  I'll continue posting my progress, as long as what I'm eating and how I'm running.  Any other vegans out there?

Day 2:

Breakfast -- coffee (black)
Lunch -- Naked brand Green Machine juice, roasted red pepper hummus with pita bread
Dinner -- (Seva's restaurant) Tempeh burger with daiya and basil-cashew pesto and sweet potato fries.
Dessert -- unsweetened applesauce

Run -- 9.2 miles in 84 minutes

my FINAL finals

I cannot believe that in 6 short days I will have taken my last EVER final exam and completed the requirements of my degree for graduation.  My oh my, time sure flies, doesn't it?

Happy Spring!

Happy spring everyone!

The weather here in Michigan has been fantastic, with today and tomorrow topping out at 80 degrees!  I have a huge and scary term paper due tomorrow and fully plan on spending the rest of the day outside after I turn it in.  If this is truly global warming, I feel sorry for a soon-to-be sinking Florida, but the weather here in Michigan keeps getting better (this is sarcasm, not to offend anyone.  I love Florida and would hate to see it go!)

I celebrated the beginning of warmth this weekend with St. Pattys Day!  Lots of time with friends and good ol' green beer made the day remarkable!  

What did you guys do for the Irish holiday?  What are your plans for this warm weather?