I now blog over at www.freckledlifter.wordpress.com

Come on over and catch up!!

Well today marks the beginning of my summer classes of O-chem until August 10th…BUM BUM BUUUUMMMM. I go to class Monday-Thursday from 10:00-4:30 every day with labs thrown in there too YUCK. BUT I’m so glad to be getting it over with, even though it’s been super tough getting back into the routine after vacation.

Soooooooo about that new blog I spilled about yesterday…

It’s mainly gonna focus on:

• fitness accomplishments (like hikes/PR’s/workouts etc)
• goals and my bucket list
• progress with my trainer and meal prep
• splash of randomness every so often

I guess my new blog will become sort of a journal if anything else– I want to be able to have tangible accomplishments and post worthwhile things rather than just fitting into the status quo of “healthy living blog”.

But here’s the clincher– I don’t think I’m going to be posting as often. Stepping back during my vacation showed me how beautiful life is outside of taking pictures of food or thinking about recipes or blog hits etc

Don’t get me wrong, I’ll still be reading and commenting on all of your pages, I just want to post when I feel like it rather than feeling compelled, ya know?

You may also notice less ED talk on my new page……..why is that? Am I ashamed of my past? Do I want to hide it? NOT at all! To be honest, I am tired of giving that stupid bitch any of my time anymore so I don’t feel like she even needs to be brought up. It’s kinda like Voldemort– you just don’t say that name haha Granted, I may have tough days every now and then, especially since I’m going to be pushing my limits with my trainer (STARTING THIS FRIDAY WOO!) but I don’t really want to harp on it a whole lot.

I’d rather focus on the positives of my life and keep progressing towards being fully recovered.

I put up my Half Dome hike recap on there to start off my new blog with a bang!

So from now on, you can find me over at The Freckled Lifter! Update yo google readers if you want! I’d love to have y’all along for the ride. You’re all such huge inspirations to me and you keep me truckin. I feel so honored to know each and every one of you!

So here’s to new beginnings! Hope y’all have a great week ahead! <3

Sorry for the delay on pic recap– tomorrow my summer classes begin, so I’ve been busy packing and getting ready for the doom of O chem haha

I took over 500 pictures on this trip, so choosing was HARD!!

Anywho, let’s get to it!

Friday, we arrived in San Francisco and spent some time sightseeing. We didn’t realize it, but it was actually the 75th anniversary of the bridge! We went to Lombard street, fisherman’s wharf, chilled in the parks by the bridge, went to a marine mammal center to see where sea lions are rescued, and went to TRADER JOES for the first time EVER!! (I’m hooked btw haha) 

We missed the celebrations for the bridge on Sunday since we left bright and early, but we did manage to see the USS Iowa depart for Los Angeles where it’s going to be a museum!

Then we headed out for YOSEMITE!! Sunday was SO crammed busy there due to Memorial Day weekend, so we didn’t really get a chance to see a whole lot.

Monday, we went to Glacier point, Inspiration point, took a mini hike with my mom to Taft point, the legendary Ahwahnee hotel, and saw some neat wildlife– even an eagle!! My dad and I rested up because we had the HALF DOME HIKE on Tuesday (since that’s when our lottery tickets to climb were for). We even got to have a fun picnic in the woods beneath the mountains

bridalveil falls

inspiration point at sunrise

hikin to taft point

taft point

mom and dad at glacier point

glacier point– the mountain my dad and I climbed, half dome, is on the right

ahwahnee hotel

HUGE fireplace at the ahwahnee

picnic– fail at trying to take a pic of all three of us haha

Tuesday was the hike that changed my life– more on that in a separate post.

Wednesday, we went to Mariposa Grove to see the Redwood trees! THEY WERE SO HUGEEEEEE! My dad and I could barely walk due to extreme jello legs, so we were loking forward to sitting in the car to drive back to San Fran

that’s my dad in the tunnel– he looks so itty bitty!

Thursday was just an airport day and then we arrived back home to reality and massive amounts of unpacking…..BOOOOOOOOOO

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All three of us agreed that having no phone/internet and just being able to connect as a family was INCREDIBLE. I have never felt so close to God, nature, and my parents ever before. This vacation is gonna be a hard one to top.

It made me realize a lot of things too…one of them being that I’m addicted to hiking giant mountains now haha but more on that in another post too since this is beastly long haha

I’ll try to be back tomorrow or Tuesday with deets on THE HIKE!!!!!!! And I have a big announcement to make too…so lots coming up in the future! (**EDIT– being the klutz I am, if you’re subscribed to me via google reader, you just saw what it was since I accidentally published my draft– it’s a new blog!! )

Hope you guys have a happy Sunday!

I’ve returned from what was quite possibly the best trip of my life. Disconnecting from phones, computers, and the worries of the world really allowed me to get close to my family, God, and let me discover myself again! I have never felt more excited about life in the history of my life!

I’m BEAT tired and I still can’t feel my legs from the Half Dome climb, but I just wanted to say I’ll be workin on a recap post for Sunday or Monday…I took over 500 pictures so I have some major uploading/decision making of what to post haha

I can’t wait to share everything with you guys, this trip changed me…like FOR REAAALLLLLLLL

Oh and my google reader is EXPLODING so I’m marking all as read haha Fill me in on your lives! Anything new and awesome I missed?!?!

Hope you have a great Thursday night and weekend ahead!!

this is my “just got outta the shower-excited for vacation” face

Taking a break before #1 summer classes and #2 starting with my trainer, recharging and conquering a mountain are just what the doctor ordered!

I have a ton of last minute packing, but I just wanted to say a quick toodle-loo for now! We’re returning on the 31st, so I hope to be back with an EPIC recap shortly after

I’ll probably be posting pics on instagram, so you can follow me on there if you want.  (@zandra0212) And while I may not be able to comment on all of your awesome blogs, I’ll be readin in my spare time fo sho!

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend and week ahead, sending tons of love to all!

Seeing this picture on my friend’s wall on facebook realllyyyyy inspired me last night. Granted, I’m a huge CS Lewis fan, but something about the words just SPOKE to me.

As I get ready to leave on vacation in two days, I’ve realized I want one thing out of this trip.

Relaxation? Time with family? Conquering Half Dome? Yeah, all of those things are on my wishlist, but there’s something bigger.

I’ve spent so much time regretting or wishing I would’ve done something and these days, I feel like I’m just living a hollow life. Where’d the purpose go?!?!

• I want to get closer to God, my family, and myself.
• I want to find what drives me to succeed and really get to know myself again.
• I want to find the real me.

Basically– my purpose, passion, lust for life, closeness to the Lord, inner strength!

Maybe I’ll find myself in a sunset, pow-wowing over dinner, chillin in the hotel tub, gazing out of the plane, or standing on top of Half Dome. Whatever the case, I want to get out there, find that adventurous old me, and experience a vacation with absolutely no regrets!!

CS Lewis, I’m takin you up on your suggestion and makin a choice to throw inhibitions to the wind. Regrets/guilt, you’d better look out because the real, raw me is coming to kick your butts! Oh and Half Dome, you’d better look out too, you’re gonna be climbed

So I have one question for you–

What drives you? What fuels your passion?? Find that spark and hold onto it, it’s precious and what makes you SO awesome!!!

Have a great Wednesday my friends!

he finished his first ever 10k in 59:25, 3rd for his age group and then rode his bike 14 miles home for a cool down!

ladybug liked my compression tights

new favorite vegetable– Jicama! tastes like a turnip but not as bitter, really crisp and juicy when peeled

practice hiking for yosemite with my dad

How was your weekend?  Have you ever had jicama before?

I’m shocked it’s considered a holiday too

Anywho

Sorry for the obnoxious title. I was originally gonna go with just plain ol Five Things Friday, but my inner preschooler wanted some alliteration

Whenever I hear “Fee fie fo fum” I always think of Ace Ventura when he’s looking for that white vampire bat? “Fee fie fo fum…I smell….the FINGERPRINTS OF SCUM!!” Anyone remember that scene?

Man I love that movie

Okay Alex, you’re starting to ramble.

Let’s get on with the five things, shall we?

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#1 This song is my new ultimate favorite

#2 Haircut was a SUCCESS.

is it just me, or does the shine in the corner of my mouth look like a gold tooth…

I decided to get it colored for the first time ever too, nothing extreme just a subtle red It sucked sitting in the salon chair for 2+ hours, but twas worth it haha

close up of ze color

Of course there were some goofy shots too…

#3 My Vibrams arrived yesterday!! All I can say is my feet are happy campers, these shoes are heaven.

#4 Tomorrow, my dad is running a 10k and my mom and I are taking part in the 1 mile fun run! If it’s anywhere as fun as our family bonding in the Color Run, then I know it’ll be a blast

#5 I have a new food obsession. BROCCOLI SLAW. I’d seen Julie and Alexis rave about it on their blogs, so I wondered what all the hype was about. By itself it’s crunchy and has a delicious carroty flavor, but when I sauteed it in coconut oil to go with my dinner?! DUDE. LIFE CHANGING.

Cheers to the weekend, friends! Have a bombtastic day!

What songs have you been diggin lately? Ever tried broccoli slaw? Weekend plans?

Oh man alive, thanks a bunches for all the encouraging comments on my last post! I can’t wait to share the Yosemite hike adventures with you guys

Today I have a ton of random tidbits so hang onto your pantaloons mateys!

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#1. I ended up getting A’s in all of my classes and labs! It really feels great when hard work all semester pays off. I still can’t fathom how I managed an A in chem…now if only I could get that during summer with o-chem 1 and 2 BUM BUM BUM haha 

#2 Remember how I went shopping for Vibrams last Friday? Well I fell in love with these at the store:

….the $110 price tag didn’t thrill me though, so I went online– verdict = SUCCESS! Found my size on sale for $50!!! SCORE!!!!

#3 Regarding my trainer/nutritionist: we’ve met up a few times and I already know we’re gonna get along SO well! She’s taken measurements and I’ve been filling out paperwork up the wazoo about typical eats, likes/dislikes, supplements, training, and pretty much my entire life history haha

All of my paperwork is due this Satuday and then she said she’s gonna start writing up the plans. I can’t wait to get this show on the road! I probably won’t be able to begin until after we return from Yosemite on the 31st, but either way at least I know 12 weeks of awesomeness is on the horizon!

#4 Recent eats to celebrate WIAW! (Thanks Jenn!!)

sunflower seed butter cup from tom thumb!! if it’s possible, this was better than a reese’s

the teeniest baby kabocha i’ve ever seen!

starfruit and mini pumpkin powercakes (www.powercakes.net) topped with a blob of peanut flour mixed with sunflower seed butter!

dates!!!! om nom nom perfect afternoon snackage with nut butta

a new to me bar! Nuts About Nuts NoGii paleo bar– it’s kinda like a larabar in texture and ingredients, but has tons of nut chunks in it like pistachios! SO GOOD!!!!!

#5 Today I have an appointment at the local cheapo hair salon—it’s been over a year since I’ve gotten my hair cut professionally! I’m thinking of doing something daring though…

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And with that, I say adios muchachas! Much love from Tejas!

Have a great day everyone!!

Shopping online or going to stores? Favorite afternoon snack? Favorite way to wear your hair?

And of course– Best thing you’ve eaten this week?

It’s a wonderful day here in north Texas– glorious sunrise, birds singing, and a happy girl high on post workout endorphins Hope your mornings have gotten off to a nice start!

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Today I thought I’d talk about my plans for conquering the Half Dome hike in Yosemite! I’ve been waiting to mark that bad boy off of my bucket list for years. Just thinking of the view from the top gives me goosebumps of excitement!

We’re flying outta DFW on the 25th, landing in San Francisco and seeing the town for a bit (maybe going to TJ’s for the FIRST TIME EVER), driving up to Yosemite and then staying there for about a week. I think it’ll be a super fun family vacation– nothing beats national parks and San Francisco is such a neat city!! :)

So…… more about the hike–

Cool/scary stats:

• 16-17 miles round trip
• Hike can take anywhere from 10-12 hours
• The last steep 400 feet of the climb up the face of the rock involves cables that are set up every May
• The elevation will increase by 4,800 feet from Yosemite’s Valley Floor, almost 1 mile

My mom decided to sit this one out, but my dad agreed to join me on my quest! Since the hike is so massive, we are planning to leave a little before sunrise so we can make the round trip in daylight.

Here’s my main hiking gear:

• hiking boots
• camera
• Camelbak backpack with water pack built in
• thick hiking socks
• water bottles
• SUNSCREEN!

And of course there’s the usual stuff like extra socks, ponchos, first aid kits, water purifier tablets, bug spray, jackets, and emergency toilet paper haha

And (since this blog is semi-related to food) here are some of the snacks I plan to pack:

• Homemade beef and turkey jerky
• Quest bars and Tanka bars
• Homemade dried fruit and veggies
• Nuts and seeds
• Whey protein to pour in water bottles
• Sandwiches (probably pb&j)
• Coconut water for electrolytes

I kinda feel like a squirrel storing stuff away for winter–My stash is beginning to grow mwahaha

Is it going to be a hardcore challenge? Yes. Especially for my sea-level lungs.

Am I nervous I won’t make it? Yes.

But you know something? Ya only live once, my dad and I are in great physical shape and have the necessary equipment, and we have mental toughness and God on our side. In other words…this dome SHALL be conquered!! (unless it rains of course haha)

If you’re interested in doing this one day, here’s a great link all about it!

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Well that’s about it from my corner of the world– I’m off to go enjoy this lovely day! Hope you all had a great Mom’s day yesterday and hope you have a great week ahead, too!

What is the longest hike you’ve been on? Favorite hiking snacks?