spring break!

Vacations. 

Got to love ‘em, but they take a LOT of work.

Just the planning - making sure the flights are booked, the ski lift tickets are purchased, any ski rental equipment (yes, for those once-a-year-skiers: we rent) is reserved - is a lot of work.

Then there’s the office. 

Once you know you’re going to be out/away for more than a day - then you basically need to ensure that your stuff is together, questions are answered, most “to do’s” taken care of, and (very important) the voicemail and “out of office” email messages are accurate (and not too braggy about the awesome vacation you’re about to go on). AND YES - no matter the great many times I check my iPhone for work emails, I’m sure I will return to the office with a very full email inbox to manage. So, in order to get away from the office - you really end up working a lot of the time beforehand, and after you return.

And then there’s the task of packing.

UGH. I don’t really know anyone who loves THIS particular aspect of a vacation. Editing the closet down to the bare minimum of what you need (and what’s appropriate for the trip) which usually brings upon a last minute dash to the mall for something uber important - but that you’ve somehow manage to live without before this incredible trip . . . . 

I’m generally awake VERY late before a trip out of town (for vacations), because, I’m too excited to sleep and (I’ll admit), I’m still finishing needed laundry for packing. 

This year, we were fortunate to go away with some very good friends. Had an absolute BLAST with them, which made all of the “work” of taking a vacation So Very Worth It. Just getting away from a very busy (dare I say hectic) lifestyle and reconnecting with our family and friends was a great reminder that although I really like my job (I mean, I REALLY like it!),  I work for my family and for the good times spent with friends. 

Travel is good for the soul - and so is taking a break every once in a while.

Going with the motto: work hard, play hard.

(I wonder what my kid’s work motto will be?)

to avoid the afternoon snoozer

In order of how you put this super yummy salad together:
- shredded lettuce
- shredded carrots (I like LOTS)
- broccoli (also - the more the better!)
- 2 thin pieces of deli sliced chicken
- 1/2 cup finely shredded mexican mix cheese
- 6 cherry tomatoes, sliced
- instead of croutons, just a little bit of fried onion (cheese flavor!) sprinkled on the top


It's like my version of a chef salad (sometimes I substitute turkey and ham instead of chicken). I'm a fan of Brianna's dressing (not heavy, but full of flavor). I don't use very much because just a little in this salad will go a long way.

What are you having for lunch today?

breakfast of champions

It's a very standard morning routine.

When I get to work in the mornings, I go to the break room.

I put my lunch in the frig, fill my cup full of ice and water - grab two straws and head back to my office.

I use one straw for my water (lids are important for clumsy spillers like myself) and one straw for my protein shake.

I always enjoy this specific protein shake and Luna bar (Caramel Nut Brownie - it's like dessert in the morning, but a healthy one!) while sorting through a ka-billion emails.

The combo of the two always makes me super thirsty - so I chase it with a lot of water.

This breakfast keeps me full and happy until lunch (which sometimes happens much MUCH later in the afternoon).

It's my morning routine. It's mindless, but I guess that's the definition of "routine." It gives me comfort that I don't even think about it anymore. Some people think about their morning Starbucks order or what the company deli is offering for the breakfast "special," but for me - I would rather just already know that this morning routine will take absolutely no thought, (as long as I purchase enough to last for the week) so I can focus my mind on more important topics of the day.