Dear World,

My sister says I have a magic ability to “create” things (meaning I have a knack for describing something I want pretty specifically then manage to actually find it).  It’s a simple concept (one you can read more about in ‘The Secret’ :) ) but I really do kind of believe it’s true- if you’re willing to throw what you want out to the universe often times the universe will throw it right back at you.

My lease is up on June 1st and Adam and I have decide we will be leaving our uber-cute coach house so we can both find our own places and get own with our adult lives roommate free.  I’m sad to leave this cozy little place we’ve really made a home but am SO excited to find the first home I will create completely by myself.  My official apartment search is still a few months away (I’ll probably really start looking mid-April) but I figured I should start to tell the universe just what it is I’m looking for.  

Here goes…

Must Haves:

• Wood floors
• lots of light
• close to the lake (within a 10 minute walk)
• close to Red or Brown line (within a 10 minute walk)
• restaurants, bars, and shops nearby
• pet friendly (not just tolerated)
• large open living space with room to entertain
• decent kitchen (no galley kitchen please!)
• decent bathroom
• an actual bedroom (no junior one bedroom or convertible)

Nice to Haves:

• Laundry in Unit
• Balcony/deck
• Fireplace
• Den or dining room (bonus room)
• permission to paint
• Coach house (I really do love my current set up)
• Parking spot 
• Cable/internet included

Must Not Have:

• Carpet
• Difficult parking situation
• Thin walls/ floors
• Garden level

Apartment dwellers- what am I missing??  What should I add to the list?

… leaving book club at 10 PM (and only drinking two glasses of wine) so I’m prepped for team interviews all day tomorrow at work

… working all day Saturday and Sunday to help out some former colleagues I adore

… knowing that tweak in my back means I need to take a break from yoga for a day or two

… making the right and fair decisions instead of the easy or fun decisions

… setting the coffee pot the night before to help make the morning go a little smoother

… avoiding my tumblr dashboard so I can get a halfway decent night’s sleep :) 

1.  I’m obsessed with doing another juice cleanse and think that I really might do it monthly.

2. I’ve rediscovered how awesome going to concerts and listening to new music can be.

3.  I really do still believe 2012 (and 27) is going to be my year.

4.  I think I’m finally starting to get the hang of putting work in the proper place in my life.

5.  I love my friends. And my coworkers. And my family.

6.  I can’t wait to start training for another race- I genuinely am missing running!

7.  My (vain) goal for the next few months?  Get my legs and butt in good enough shape to rock these puppies at hot yoga.

Last week’s cleanse really got me thinking about what (and how much) I eat on your average day.  Don’t get me wrong- I LOVE food and going out to eat and will always have the occasional splurge- but the cleanse was a good chance to think about my regular habits.  I’ve found that I need to eat pretty often and need substantial portions- I really like the process of eating so a small but filling portion isn’t usually going to cut it for me.  I think I’ve found a pretty good routine.  Here is my breakfast and lunch for today:

Breakfast is organic whole wheat cereal with soy milk (plus I added an apple and coffee).

Lunch is a HUGE veggie salad with balsamic vinegar and a little olive oil, a small portion of homemade soup, and two small pieces of fresh bread (I’ll probably add a pear or apple at work).  I’ll likely eat the soup around 11 or 12 and the salad a little later around 2.

Because my lunch is substantial and spread out I should have no problem being healthy at dinner.  Tonight I’m eating at my sister’s house- we’re having veggie burgers and salad.

Food and eating is a big and enjoyable part of my life and it’s been fun to really rethink my habits and work on finding something that works for me both in terms of being healthy and satisfied. :)

This juice cleanse has honestly been pretty great- I have one last green juice and my last cashew nut milk, a great night of sleep, then I’m done!  I got a massage today and am going to head to a yoga class a little later this evening.  I did have a headache most of the day today and felt a little loopy but overall these three days have been a pretty positive experience- I would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a way to reset their eating habits and clear out their body.

In addition to the kale chips I made yesterday I have some healthy food ready to help ease me back into the real word of eating tomorrow and Friday:

Cauliflower soup simmering on the stove (for dinner tomorrow and likely a meal or two on Friday)

Roasted chickpeas with cayenne pepper, fresh ground black pepper, and sea salt (to snack on Friday and through the weekend)

loads of fruit and veggies (in the fridge)

Tomorrow and Friday I’ll likely have fruit for breakfast, a big salad for lunch and soup for dinner.  I’m going to try to stay away from full on caffeine (opting for decaf coffee instead) and dairy (although I’ll admit- there is a little parmesan in the soup) for the next few weeks.  

I hope all my juicers that are finishing up Day 2 are feeling great right now!

PS- By the way… cooking while on a cleanse?  Killer.  The soup smelled so good it almost killed me!!