Photo Blogging Challenge – Leap

The theme for the February photo blogging challenge was “Leap”.

I decided to interpret that as “take the leap” and get pictures of some of my adventures this month.

One of the benefits of living so close to Boston, is I get to attend advance screenings of movies. (Movie studios host these free screenings so the press can see the movie for review. They fill the theater with people like me in hopes that the crowd reaction enhances the reviewers opinion of the movie.)

The first movie I saw this February was “Pride Prejudice and Zombies”.

I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I “took the leap” to attend and actually enjoyed the movie. 

The joke about weather in my state is “If you don’t like it, wait a few minutes. It will change!” That is certainly true in February. We’ve had 10 degree & 56 degree weather in the same week this month.

On a particularly cold say (when newscasters were warning that exposed skin could get frostbite with 30 minutes outside) I visited my friend Marina and her 1 year old boy. Marina needed to go to an appointment and was planning to go by train, but I had a car and no other appointments that day so I told her I’d drive her and her baby instead.

The baby fell asleep in my car, so I “took the leap” and said, “Don’t wake him! I can take care of him while you’re at your appointment.” He was adorable & asleep for about 25 minutes before he woke up scream crying. Oh well! 

I was walking around a flea market when I saw this item and thought “It takes a leap of creativity to think of combining those two universes.”

Yoda/Alf made ma smile and the shop keeper had fun telling me about why he made it.

One of my favorite places in MA is the Boston Public Library in Copley Square. Until this challenge, I’d never thought to look up and see what was written on the top of the building. When I was able to take a leap to try a new vantage point, I was overjoyed to find this.

Finally, I was out taking a walk on one of our warmer weather days, and I decided to head down a road I’d never walked on before. Taking a leap to try new things lead me to this beautiful mural!

This monthly photo blogging challenge is facilitated by PJ of the Northeast Bloggers Network.

Thanks for inspiring me to take more photos!

I’m Still Standing

I mentioned in my photo blogging challenge post for January that 2016 hasn’t been kind to me. I was laid off from a job and also dealt with some health issues.

The health issues continued into February, culminating with a surgery last Saturday.

After the surgery, I was told I could not exercise for a full week.

I’m in the approved zone now, but I’m scared.

What will it be like to be back working out after months off?

Will I be mad at myself if I am only able to climb a few sections of stairs very slowly?

I know my friends at November Project will literally welcome me back with open arms and lots of hugs, but I’m not sure if I’m ready to be back yet.

Right now, I’m taking it hour by hour – but I feel like I’ve turned a corner recovery wise to feel like I should put myself back out there workout wise.

The Perfect Portion Cookbook

“Getting fit” is not about working out alone.

The saying “You can’t out exercise a bad diet” is true.

I was given a review copy of The Perfect Portion Cookbook.

I like the concept of healthy makeovers of comfort foods – that have 100 calorie portions.

For a snack during the Super Bowl, my husband and I made the Spinach & Artichoke Dip recipe from the book.

It tasted wonderful! My husband said, “This doesn’t even taste like a ‘healthy’ food! We can totally make this next time we go to a party.”

Above is our dip. I like that it isn’t picture perfect! It shows we actually cooked it. 🙂

I’m looking forward to trying other recipes from The Perfect Portion Cookbook. 

I recommend it to anyone trying to eat healthier food without sacrificing taste.