jules and juniper

January 2, 2010. Two days into the new year and we’re in the paper!

The post did a little interview with me on the paleo diet, which I follow. You can read it here. My mom called at 9 am the day it came out (I was at my grandmother’s in NC) to say that it was a pretty picture and she liked the heart on my face. She called again at 10 pm that night and left a voicemail letting me know that she thought it was a very nice article and that she’s proud of me. I guess it took her all day to realize that she hadn’t actually read the darn thing, she was that excited. :)

Elizabeth and I were heading back to DC that day. Here we are at Galaxy Diner in Richmond having a bit of dinner and getting to see the article (and pictures of the two of us) in print. If was a special moment between friends and a really good start to 2010. Special thanks to Anna for mentioning me to her boss and to Christina Ianzito and Sarah Voisin for writing such a  lovely article and taking equally lovely photos (respectively). And extra special thanks to Elizabeth for driving all over Wilmington looking for a Washington Post because my grandmother had a hard time reading it off the computer! None were to be found but I’ll be sure to mail her a copy this week…

Let’s take this week to focus on the things in my life that I am thankful for…

My CrossFit community provides so much more than health and fitness. We truly are a community and our coaches care about us as people, not just as athletes. My teammates and coaches are also my friends and because we share values with regards to fitness and wellbeing, they understand me in ways that no one else can. CrossFit is one of those magical things in my life that I couldn’t imagine living without.

Happy Thanksgiving to all of my friends at 1469 Church St.

Big chest! 3-2-1 GO! etc etc….

When I started this blog late last year I had every intention of only doing posts related to jewelry and crafting (yes, I know I’ve said this before) and yet I continually find myself wanting to share more. Perhaps I will regret this at some unknown future date, but until then I’d like to start a series of (for lack of a better title) “Show and Tell” posts.

So, here goes number one!

For those of you who know me personally (and as far as I know my readership consists of two friends) you have certainly heard me talk about my fitness and nutrition program. You know that I workout with personal trainers twice a week and I try to stick to a “zone diet” nutrition program. Ah well of course the holidays have been tough with regards to my eating habits…. On the fitness level however, I have been making great strides. I’ve recently moved to a group training format once per week and I try to get in a minimum of four workouts per week. Eventually I will move to five or six – insane by many of your standards I’m sure. Well, I do all of this because I believe (BELIEVE) in the philosophy and science behind what my trainers (John and Mel!) do and more importantly they have taught me to believe in myself. I have learned that “I can’t” is another way of saying “I won’t” which is not to say that I have gotten past complaining when a difficult workout crosses my path. I have also learned to value my health just as much as my intellect and spirituality. Because of them I feel POWERFUL, STRONG and capable of anything I set my mind to, inside or outside of the gym.

So, thanks guys! Thanks to John and Mel. Thanks to everyone they train (my teammates). Thanks to all those who care and listen and support what I am trying to accomplish physically.

And all of this is an introduction toooooo……. drum roll please!!!! ……….. CrossFit! I won’t go into too much detail here. If you’d like to know more you are welcome to ask me or just google CrossFit for more information. This video was posted on my trainers’ blog yesterday. It exemplifies everything that CrossFit means to me: dedication, teamwork and camaraderie (listen for fellow CrossFitters cheering) and an inspirational effort on the part of one individual to challenge himself and the clock with the result being a phenomenal effort for the CrossFit benchmark workout “Helen.” I may never get a time like his, but I do hope to challenge myself to an equal degree and to always feel this excited about what I do in the gym!!!