Food, Yoga, Hiking, etc

I've been meaning to write this post all week, but life kept getting in the way. This past weekend, I attended a yoga retreat at a place in Kentucky called Red River Gorge. There was different types of yoga, amazing gegan food prepared all weekend by a vegan chef and a holistic life coach, a hike on Saturday, meditation and a device free weekend (no cell service, no tv, no computer).  It was hard and it was amazing.

I've practiced yoga on and off for many years, but I've never gotten super serious about it. I hoped this weekend would let me know if I wanted to get super serious about it. And I think I want to get medium serious about it. I enjoy the meditative aspects of it, but also want to be challenged by the poses and endurance aspect. I really think it would be a good compliment to the running I'm attempting. So now I'm looking for a class that will work for me on a weekly basis.

This was my view on the hike. Beautiful.

This is the area called Natural Bridge. Part of a state park.

The yoga studio was full of lady bugs. This one hung out with me on Sunday morning while I was drinking my coffee and almond milk, waiting for class to start.

The beautiful studio where we practiced. It was especially nice during Saturday night's session; we could watch the sun setting.

And this is just the beautiful green juice drink I made yesterday morning. It was pretty and tasty and I think the wine glass just adds a little something, don't you? Maybe I could get a lot more people to try this healthy drink if I just presented it this way.........

Still doing my run/walk training, this week is run 8/walk 2, 3x. Next Saturday is my first 5K in a year and a half. Don't know if I'll be ready. Nervous. Already wondering what to wear and what to eat that morning!

All for now.......

Hi! The first post of my new blog. Why am I blogging?? Beats me. And perhaps not a soul will be interested, but there is only one way to find out. I've been following a vegan diet for about 3 years now and recently went gluten free as well. It was like the missing piece of the puzzle. Within a week of GF, I felt lighter, clothes fit better and I had increased energy. I felt more of a difference than when I went vegan! Craziness! I don't believe that I have Celiac's disease, but I obviously have an intolerance to gluten. It makes me wonder: have I always had an intolerance? Did it just develop over time? Could I have always felt this good??  Anyway......

Besides trying to figure out how to make some gluten free bread (3 failures so far..), I am trying again to be a runner. I've always wanted to be a runner. I was never athletic in my younger years, but 2 years ago some intense stress related to my job propeled me to start running so that my head wouldn't pop off my shoulders. I had no training plan whatsoever, just started running. I managed to run a 3K and a 5K. And then I just quit. For a year. At the beginning of this year I started feeling the push again, the little voice in my head saying "run". So this time I am following a run/walk training plan, scouring beginning runner blogs for tips and advice, and taking it slow, not trying to do too much, too soon. And I like it. It feels good. I actually look forward to the days I run. Wow. Hope it continues.

This weekend I'm going to attend a yoga retreat at a place called Red River Gorge here in the beautiful state of Kentucky. I'm excited and nervous because I'm going alone, won't know a soul there. There will be a vegan chef on site to make all meals and she has already said she will make allowances for my gegan ways. Pretty cool, huh? So, lots of yoga, meditation, cooking classes, hot tub and optional hiking. I'll report back.

Happy Friday everyone! Make it a good weekend. Remember, spring is coming