I haven’t done one of these lists in a few months, so maybe it’s time to backtrack and highlight what I’ve been thinking about, reading, listening to, and obsessing about.
CAPSULE WARDROBE
My capsule wardrobe for Spring and Summer is all done and I am so happy with how it turned out. I always have something to wear now, and I’m getting much better at matching clothes to context. I will do one for Fall/Winter, but that can wait for a long time! Today is the 4th of July already. Geez. The summer flies!
RITUALS
Our annual Solstice Bike Ride was kicked down the road a bit this year due to brutally hot weather and schedule conflicts, but we finally checked that box yesterday.
We’ve taken this same ride and this same picture for umpteen years. We forget the year we started this tradition by doing the whole 63 miles—was it 2009?- so now we just say it was 10 years ago and don’t worry about the numbers.
Here’s our annual “finish” picture in front of the Cedar Run General Store:
Here’s Fred and I sailing along. We did a little over 20 miles:
And, after all these years, I finally convinced G and Fred that a root beer float is THE best after-ride treat! Finally! And they agreed. (When I’m right, I’m right.)
G with her root beer float:
I WANT LEAN MUSCLE
I need lean muscle for hormones, bones, and overall health and although I’ve been doing the machines at the gym with Linda once a week for almost two years, I’m not seeing too much improvement. The machines aren’t as effective as free weights, but when it comes to free weights, I desperately need a program and somebody to hold me accountable or I just won’t do it.
I found Pat Heard on Instagram and bought her 30-day Tank Top Challenge ($25) a few weeks ago, and I like it.
It only takes 15 minutes a day; she’s not obnoxious, the workout is hard, but I can adjust, and I’m seeing results. The program is on my phone, so it’s easy to take with me, and some of the routines use bands, so on vacation, I can still do it. And once you buy it, it’s yours for life. She also has a Legs and Core program that I’m thinking of buying next. Each time you finish a session, you mark it as Completed. I like that. I get a little endorphin rush from checking that box every day. Consistency is the key.
WATER
I don’t drink water. I rarely feel thirsty. Water drinking is so important and is something I have to be more intentional about. I love my Owala free sip water bottle for its insulating qualities and ease of use, but yesterday I dug out my old Arc bottle with the time markers on it to keep me chugging regularly. I need to refill this bottle once daily and get two bottles down for my optimum hydration level. It’s a struggle.
An App associated with water drinking but from the other end is P. This app reminds you to drink water based on when you last peed. I have an Apple Watch, so I added it as a complication on my watch face, so every time I sit down to pee, it’s easy to log in right there. One more accountability tool!
FOOD
I’m all about protein lately, and trying to get enough. I’m not a breakfast eater but I now listen to the Afternoon Snack Podcast with Meredith and Alex, who are fitness coaches, and they have me convinced I should really eat breakfast.
But I hate eating in the morning.
I’m more of a Brunch kind of girl, preferring just coffee until about 10 or 11 AM when I’m ready to eat something solid.
I made a valiant effort for a few days to eat something first thing, but ugh, no. I was nauseous all day as a result.
I’ll stick to my Brunch.
For this Brunch meal I’ve found Kashi GOLEAN cereal sort of okay sometimes. It has 12 grams of protein for when I want a break from eggs or cottage cheese, my usual go-to.
I also found Kodiak pancake mix. I really like it.
If I make it with milk and add an egg, a serving has 21 grams of protein. The other day, I threw in a handful of blueberries we picked and drizzled on some maple syrup, and they were yum.
I’m now also adding a scoop of Creatine to my AG1 to promote lean muscle mass and support brain function. I’m using the Momentous brand.
BOOKS
I like to have an Audiobook to distract me on the hilly but boring Campus Scamper. I just finished listening to Dinners with Ruth by Nina Totenburg which I gave three stars. Too much Nina, not enough Ruth.
On my Kindle I’ve recently blown through Sandwich by Catherine Newman (5 stars) All Fours by Miranda July (5 stars), The Women by Kristin Hannah (3 stars), I’m Mostly Here to Enjoy Myself by Glynnis MacNicol (5 stars), and Table for Two by Amor Towles (5 stars).
I really don’t like the “stars” system. Five stars for Amor Towles is different from five stars for Glynnis MacNicol. They are both good, even great, but in different ways. If a book has great storytelling, a distinctive and engaging style, and intriguing characters, I give it 5. I remove stars for flat characters, no style, or plodding storylines.
So that’s what I’ve been thinking about and consuming lately. How about you? Any ideas for protein, or how to get in enough water? What about books? Read anything good lately? I’d like to hear!
Thanks for reading. See you next week.
Inspiration Location 