monday, monday

November 8, 2010

new start-of-the-week routine
most days, i head to the gym or outside to run before heading to work. i really prefer morning workouts because i have so much more energy then, and love the buzz that often lasts through a good part of the day. however, sometimes it means that i arrive at work a bit later than i would like to — not late, mind you; just not with a nice cushion available to gather my thoughts and acclimate to the day.


last week, i was starting back on service and decided to make monday my new rest day. i arrived extra early, and the jump start on the week ended up being really valuable in helping me stay on top of things. plus, i typically do my long run on sunday, so it actually works out well in terms of rest when i need it most!

weekend retreat
several of you suggested that i use this weekend by myself as a sort of retreat – time to collect my thoughts, have some quiet time, and do some things just for me — things like catching up on my google reader or desperate housewives (though i am finding this season a bit over the top).

your advice must have worked, because i ended up having a lovely time (once i finally heard from josh, of course). i am excited for him to return, but had fun on my own as well. yesterday was filled with nice things:

✰ an 8 mile run on the tobacco trail in perfect weather
✰ leisurely menu planning
✰ equally leisurely trip to whole foods
✰ work on a guest post for another blogger (i’ll let you know when it posts!)
✰ a relaxing evening yoga session
✰ a trip to barnes and noble to use up a gift card:

more murakami, plus the clean eating mag cookbook!
this book contains many recipes i haven’t seen before, and the layout/photography is as beautiful as the magazine
it was not a very social weekend, and i did miss hanging out with friends (other than my lovely brunch with miss jessica). but since that is more typical for me, i think the mini-retreat was actually a positive thing.

planner update
i had said i would provide an update once i had really gotten to see how my 2011 selection actually works for me. so far, i am really loving it!

shown above, the monthly planning page has been very helpful in dividing up the numerous tasks all required for my grant.

on the weekly pages, i was worried initially about the lack of lines, but i am loving all of the free space as well as the modular layout for each day. i cannot say enough good things about this planner! my only concern is how the cover will wear — i guess i’ll have to update again at the end of the year.

question of the day: do you do anything different on mondays? any special rituals or routines that get your week off to a great start?

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11.7.10

workout: 8 miles @ average ~9:15/mi pace on the tobacco trail in durham. the weather was perfect, the leaves were pretty, and this was one of those runs that just felt spectacular. i wish i could do it again today!

soup for a crowd: for the first time since josh went abroad, i actually cooked! my mother had sent me a recipe quite a while back for red lentil and butternut squash soup, and i discovered it while emptying my email inbox. she warned that it took a little while and made a lot, so i decided to halve the recipe. i wasn’t in any hurry, so i wasn’t too worried about the time.

i gathered the essentials . . .


exactly 30 minutes later, i had this:


and by a little after 8, i had this:


it was a lovely meal, although i now have enough soup in my refrigerator to feed a small army. i used a sweet potato for the “starchy vegetable of your choice” and decided in the end not to blend the soup, which i think was the right choice — my favorite part was biting into soft, flavorful bits of squash, potato, celery, and carrot! both my mother and i felt like the tomato didn’t add much and i would probably leave it out next time. however, i definitely recommend this recipe if you want to make a pot full of healthy and tasty soup that will last through the week!

7 Comments

  • Reply Anonymous March 10, 2019 at 7:25 pm

    Yay!! So glad you had a great weekend, Sarah!! Your workout to-do list is inspiring. I really wish I could do something like that, but I&#39m struggling with finding exercise that I love….and I don&#39t want it to become a chore or something I dread……..so yeah! It is has been a slow process….but I am finally using the university&#39s gym at least a little bit!

    that soup looks amazing too! my mom just made some pumpkin apple potato soup the other weekend…(but this looks better…….shhhhhhh)

    HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEK BUSY LADY!

    hugs,
    GC

  • Reply Chelsea March 10, 2019 at 7:25 pm

    I find that making Sunday a rest day works for me for similar reasons. My body is genuinely happy with a day off after my long run, and I feel so much more energetic and motivated to do all my weekly cooking and cleaning activities.

    Even though I already have a 2011 planner, I&#39m tempted to order the one you&#39re using. I really love the extra space on the sides of the monthly and weekly calendars.

  • Reply Susan March 10, 2019 at 7:25 pm

    I&#39m sitting here wishing I was at least half as organized as you are. I may be inspired…time to hunt down a notebook!

    I officially have no weekly routine, especially since I started these twelve hour shifts…I&#39m off from work until Thursday! Just another day off for me. 🙂 Not that I&#39m complaining!

  • Reply Anonymous March 10, 2019 at 7:25 pm

    what a great meal! no special routines on monday for me. i wish i did just because it&#39s such a boring day at the clinic. i need something to spice up the start to my work week! the snow this morning did that i guess hahah

  • Reply atilla March 10, 2019 at 7:25 pm

    soup looks great

  • Reply Kristen Marie March 10, 2019 at 7:25 pm

    the soup looks really good, but I am confused. I see coconut milk in your picture but not in the recipe! Help!

  • Reply caryn March 10, 2019 at 7:25 pm

    This is for Kristen Marie- click on the link marked "view all," and you will see the full recipe which includes coconut milk and tomatoes at the end.

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