Don't be so Hard on Yourself

So I know I vowed to post more this summer.  This summer has been very busy but also very relaxing.  Amidst the busy and crazy summer schedule, it has been just what I needed to spend time with my family, decompress, allow some self discovery and let go of the things that truly don't matter.  I'd like to share a song that I found a few months back that I feel is sort of a theme for me right now.  It's a great reminder to me that no matter how hard I try, I will never be perfect.  It's so much better to just be who I am, mistakes, flaws and all.

Don't be so Hard on Yourself by Jess Glynne

I came here with a broken heart that no one else could see
I drew a smile on my face to paper over me
The wounds heal and tears dry and cracks they don't show
So don't be so hard on yourself, no

Let's go back to simplicity
I feel like I've been missing me
Was not who I'm supposed to be
I felt this darkness over me
We all get there eventually
I never knew where I belonged
But I was right and you were wrong
Been telling myself all along

Don't be so hard on yourself, no
Learn to forgive, learn to let go
Everyone trips, everyone falls
So don't be so hard on yourself, no
'Cause I'm just tired of marching on my own
Kind of frail, I feel it in my bones
Oh let my heart, my heart turn into stone
So don't be so hard on yourself, no

I'm standin' on top of the world, right where I wanna be
So how can this dark cloud keep raining over me
But hearts break and hells a place that everyone knows
So don't be so hard on yourself, no

Let's go back to simplicity
I feel like I've been missing me
Was not who I'm supposed to be
I felt this darkness over me
We all get there eventually
I never knew where I belonged
But I was right and you were wrong
Been telling myself all along

Don't be so hard on yourself, no
Learn to forgive, learn to let go
Everyone trips, everyone falls
So don't be so hard on yourself, no
'Cause I'm just tired of marching on my own
Kind of frail, I feel it in my bones
Oh let my heart, my heart turn into stone
So don't be so hard on yourself, no

Oh, oh, oh, I
I learned to wave goodbye
How not to see my life
Through someone else's eyes
It's not an easy road
But now I'm not alone
So I, I won't be so hard on myself no more

Don't be so hard on yourself, no
Learn to forgive, learn to let go
Everyone trips, everyone falls
So don't be so hard on yourself, no
'Cause I'm just tired of marching on my own
Kind of frail, I feel it in my bones
Oh let my heart, my heart turn into stone
So don't be so hard on yourself, no

'Cause I'm just tired of marching on my own
Kind of frail, I feel it in my bones
Oh let my heart, my heart turn into stone
So don't be so hard on yourself, no

Ratatouille!

You may or may not like the movie of the same name... I'm betting if you have kids, you've seen it and love it!  But have you ever tried it?  Here is an easy and delicious recipe to use some of that wonderful produce from your very own garden or local farmer's market!

Ingredients

3 tablespoons olive oil

1 onion, thinly sliced

4 garlic cloves, peeled & sliced

1 small bay leaf

1 small eggplant, cut in ½ inch pieces

1 small zucchini, halved length wise and cut into thin slices

1 red bell pepper, cut into slivers

4 plum tomatoes, coarsely chopped

1 teaspoon kosher salt

½ cup shredded fresh basil leaves

freshly ground black pepper

Directions

Over medium-low heat, add the oil to a large skillet with the onion, garlic and bay leaf, stirring occasionally, until the onion has softened.

Add the eggplant and cook, stirring occasionally for eight minutes or until the eggplant has softened. Stir in zucchini, red bell pepper, tomatoes and salt, and cook over medium heat for 5-7 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Stir in basil and fresh ground pepper to taste.

No Excuses!

There are so many excuses not to work out.  Too tired.  Too busy. No gym membership. No workout buddy.  No workout equipment. The list can go on and on.

So, here I am in the middle of nowhere in Nebraska relaxing for a few days over the holiday weekend at my parent's house and I am in dire need of a good workout.  What do I do when down on the farm?  I head outside and round up (no pun intended) a sledge hammer, a large iron spike and a concrete block.  These are my "free weights" that I started using a couple years ago when visiting my parents and not wanting to miss a workout.

The sledge hammer works great for single arm rows, tricep kickbacks and wood chops.  The concrete block takes place of a kettle ball for plie' squats.  The large iron spike, which weighs about 30 pounds, is my barbell used for squats, lunges, dead lifts, bent rows, chest presses, bicep curls and shoulder presses,  I top off my workout each day with a two mile run down the old country road that I learned to ride my bike on many years ago.

Some may use the time away from their normal routine as an excuse to not workout. Sometimes your body needs a rest and that's okay but when you need a workout, don't make excuses! Look around and be creative.  You'll be glad you did!