Happy Wednesday, end of the month, leap year, hump day to all! Can you believe March is already here? Its quite crazy. Im anticipating a fun Spring and Summer, planning vacations, looking at my triathlon schedule, craving fresh food! Its amazing what sun does for the soul- and I know everyones ready for it, despite a relatively mild winter.
Along with spring comes the blessed holiday of Easter. I dont claim to be a perfect Catholic, or even practicing of a specific religion, but I did grow up in Catholic schools and have always given up something for lent. I truly believe its a wonderful time to be grounded and realize how capable we are of sacrificing a bad habit in our life (or implementing a good one) in order to be an overall better person after 40 days.
Ladies and gentlemen, Ive given up SODA. I have come a long way from bad habits and health issues, but boy do I still have my vices. Soda being one of them, and diet soda is said to be even worse than regular soda for a long gauntlet of reasons. Im going on a week, and it hasnt been as bad as I thought. There have been times where it was weird, like when getting together with friends and normally I just have a soda while they have their wine, beers, mixed spirits etc. Now Im asking for water, ice tea, tea and coffee. I feel a lot more natural and am finding myself guzzling a lot more water. Crystal light has also been a savior.
Along with the 40 days of lent, Catholics also give up red meat on Fridays. Now this is not too difficult for me because I love sea food, veggie products, tofu, eggs, etc. It is normally a more healthy option so this was very easy to follow (no meat on fridays), whether I wanted to or not. My boyfriend and I checked out the H20 sushi across the street from our place in Broad Ripple. Its actually very fresh, almost quite gourmet. Its not your dive sushi place but if youre looking for super fresh sushi and local artwork on the walls, check it out!
My awesome seaweed salad
Dwight’s pork bun appetizer
Our combination of california roll, yellow tail nigiri and snow crab
Right before Spring, every year, my brother’s birthday is had and as an older sister, funny “cool” birthday cards are in order. We drove up to college to visit him and the whole clan shared many laughs, overly sensitive girl tears, and wonderful times. I love them, in case you didnt realize. Heres my card displaying my sisterly support for my bro’s 22nd bday!
Here comes where you laugh…
And then last but not least, its girl scout season. I used to be quite the sales woman, calling family going door to door etc. If only I had the relentless obnoxious sales techniques I had now Id have done it even more intensely. So when the little girls caught me at a grocery sale with a solid sales pitch, I was puddy in their hands. Savannah Smiles have only 140 calories for 5 cookies and theyre like lemon russian tea cakes. Im not a big boxed cookie eater, but these were the least caloric option. 
You may or may not have noticed an absence of pictures of me in this blog post. While I havent been as snap happy as Ive been in the past with pictures, it has a lot to do with the fact that this past weekend I had professional shots done of me and I’ll surely have plenty for ya’ll to look at/force you to compliment me on here soon. SO before I overstay my welcome, I thought it best to give you a heads up that there will be so many photos you’ll probably get sick of me, but I hope that it’ll help continue to make me more accessible to those that can benefit from my help. Im excited to share those with you when theyre ready, as a very talented photography spent the Saturday day with me- shooting this and that. She is wonderful to work with! Meredith Johnson is her name and her website is www.shutterbuggimages.com.
The new season is here. What are you doing to change it up or motivate yourself to reach goals, whether it be for 40 days or infinity and beyond? What are you doing to ensure a fun and active Spring and Summer? Again, never hesitate to facebook me or email me and Id love to connect.
Maria “Like the Lettuce” Romaine, xoxoxo
