Wow. Let’s get some gratitude back on this blog! This week it has all been about lessons in balance. I don’t think anyone ever masters balance because balance itself is about micro adjustments to changes in the environment to help you stay your course. I’m making good ground in learning how to keep my balance in a world of excesses, and now I keep my eyes open for the tiny adjustments I can make before I get tripped up. And now, the Nourished Life Gratitude List 2016 – Week Twenty-One.
Penny and I are up extra early for our walks nowadays so that I can fit in some strength exercises each day before I go to work. Although it’s dark and a little chilly we are rewarded with beautiful sunrises, and a quiet neighbourhood before the world wakes up. I am grateful for Miss P and the beautiful sunrises she brings into my life every week.
Every couple of days Chris works back later than I do so instead of waiting at the train station for him in my car, I drive home and grab Penny for an extra walk down to the station near our house. She gets so excited seeing him come down the stairs and wriggles uncontrollably, and we all walk home together in the fading light to our warm little house. I am grateful for these afternoons when Chris and I hold hands and walk Penny home.
This week is my sister’s birthday! We celebrated by getting pedicures and seeing Whiskey Tango Foxtrot at the movies on Saturday (recommended movie) and with a small gathering at my house on Sunday. Jess made the most beautiful cake for herself (we both have creative control issues, it’s a family thing). Just look at this fantasy of a cake! She’s so talented! I am grateful for my little Jess. The best sister, friend, mentor, and confidante I could have ever wished for. I was also grateful for an afternoon with my family to just relax and celebrate this amazing woman. 
I started my Saturday morning with a 15km training run this weekend. I am training for the Brisbane Half Marathon in August, and I promised myself that this time I would try to do all of my long runs outside, rather than on the treadmill. I was doubtful on Saturday morning whether I could push myself through the 15km because I hadn’t had the best sleep the night before, but I decided to just go for it. An hour and three quarters later and I was sweaty and smiling and proud of myself. I am grateful for the runs that blast my self doubt and show me just how strong I am. I was also grateful for Jess messaging me every few kilometers telling me that she knew I could do it <– best little sister award right there!
On Saturday night Chris and I joined Jess and Trent and Mum and Dad to have dinner and play putt putt with Mum’s work mates. We had so much fun! I have never played miniature golf before (and I am spectacularly terrible at any sport) so I knew hilarity would ensue. I haven’t laughed that hard in a long time folks. In fact, after Jess accidentally hit her ball into the garden and had to climb down into the bushes I laughed so hard that I fell over on the putting green. I think all of us laughed for a solid three hours. I was grateful for a night of hilarious fun with my favourite people. 
Also this week:
- Not only has Fresh April Flours got a makeover, but there’s this deliciously sinful Chocolate Peanut Butter Smoothie Bowl recipe that you MUST MAKE. It was the best thing after my long run, and probably got me through the last 5km just thinking about it!
- I made this Cream Cheese Red Velvet Cake Ice Cream from Joy the Baker for Jess’s birthday party and it is DIVINE. There are leftovers in my fridge that are only safe because I promised to bring them to a family dinner on Tuesday night. It’s that good folks. It’s spoon in the middle of the night while everyone else is asleep good.
- I loved this reminder post from Anne at Fannestastic Food about why healthy fats are important to include in your diet, and why the low-fat thing is so 80s that we should all forget about it.