A Healthy Balance

Just in time for the new year, here are 5 Ways that Running Can be Spiritual: 1. Running fosters gratitude.  Running has a way of simplifying life and reminding us of our basic needs. When I relax into the steady cadence of a run, I am reminded of what a gift it is to have functioning limbs, a beating heart and clean air to breathe. I appreciate my running shoes, cushioned and treaded to provide me with the ultimate running experience. Luxury swaddling my feet. After a hot sticky run, I am grateful for the ease of which I can grab a glass of ice water, take a shower, and then relax in a temperature-regulated environment. Running reminds me that all my basic needs are met, and more. 2. Running allows us to experience God’s creation. When I run on trails, surrounded by trees, my feet on a dirt path, I feel closest to God. I have time to admire the unusual twist of a tree trunk, a blanket of tiny bluebells, or a fleet of darting deer. I’ve also encountered the shock of sever

Taylor Swift's sixth album,  Reputation, was released a little over a month ago, on November 10, 2017. I've been listening to it on my morning commute and can't help but analyze the themes. (This is much more fun to ponder than the day's impending workload.)  Similar to previous albums, Swift alludes to her victimization. ( "I don't love drama, it loves me")  Her upbeat, sassy lyrics suggest that Swift has risen above it all, but the very fact that she has focused an entire album on mourning her reputation suggests otherwise. She explicitly addresses her reputation in several songs, almost as if the album is an elegy for it. There are also hints of disillusionment but, really, isn't that a stage of development in young adulthood? Growing up and losing innocence happens to us all, though maybe not with the public scrutiny Swift endures.  There are more adult undertones in the album, as well, most notably the dramatic spike in references to d

In my steady crawl towards hippiedom, I decided to try using natural deodorant. I don't have any hard evidence that regular deodorant is harmful and the smell of Old Spice lights up the nostalgia part of my brain-- But I also believe that a shorter, more wholesome list of ingredients is usually preferable to the opposite. I settled on the Charcoal-Magnesium formula from  Schmidt's . It's kind of festive in a dark way, right? First impression: Yikes! This stuff has no glide! It feels really abrasive against the skin and is difficult to apply. The back label instructs to hold the deodorant against the skin for a moment to warm it before applying. I didn't notice a big difference after doing this but the label also said you don't need very much so I figured I would be fine. Day 1 (evening): I was shocked that my armpits were essentially odorless after a full day. Usually I can smell the deodorant's fragrance and also some body odor, as if the two forces ar

I was introduced to essential oils several years ago but have really integrated them into my routine this past year. Essential oils are simply highly concentrated oils from plants.  I still use regular medicine but I try the oils first when it comes to stomachaches and headaches. Several of the citrus oils help me feel awake, focused, and motivated so in that sense I think they help adjust my mood (I still use prescription medication to treat my anxiety). Also, we diffuse oils in the house instead of using candles--the scent is so light and pure that I just can't go back! I use oils from a brand called Doterra, which maintains a high standard of quality, "Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade," which means no fillers, contaminants, etc. and that they test it rigorously for quality control "to ensure exact purity and composition potency". The oils can be inhaled, diffused, used topically, or even ingested (maybe with a few exceptions). Here's an example of mul

Oh, Asheville. I love your quirky houses, leaf strewn streets and eclectic shops. Your food is so delicious and you have more beer options than I could ever drink, but that's kind of exciting, too. My favorite part about visiting you, though, has to be your chill. Everyone seems so relaxed! I met inspired artists, passionate shop owners, and sociable bartenders. Happy. Accepting. So much chill. My vacation eyes and 12-hour night of sleep Friday night certainly didn't hurt anything. Asheville, you were a breath of fresh mountain air. (And mountain water, I suppose, since your tap water was superior to mine.) Thank you. Love, Maria Here are some highlights from our trip! Biscuit Head Restaurant : In general I'm opposed to waiting in long lines. (You won't see me waiting for cupcakes in Georgetown.) But. I guess I was committed to checking this place out, and once we were in the vicinity, no competition drew us away. You can choose from a plethora of savory biscuit

Self-care is my weakness. All of my responsibilities and obligations tend to come first, and then the day is over and it's time for bed. The problem is that the to-do list will never be fully completed, so we must give ourselves permission to take a time-out when we know we need it. Or really, before you reach the point of really needing it. Here are three ways I'm walking my talk these days, when it comes to self-care: 1. I'm exercising more regularly, with help from the nifty fitness app 8fit . The app provides you with short, doable workouts customized to your goals. The workouts are similar enough to feel familiar, but there's enough variety in structure to keep things interesting. For example, some workouts have you do as many rounds of exercises as you can in a given amount of time, and other workouts are simply a certain amount of rounds (untimed). For each exercise, the app shows you a video of someone performing that move while you're doing it so yo

Hey guys! I know it's been a while...school is in full swing and I find myself exhausted most of the time. I got a massage over the weekend and then started worrying about report cards and parent teacher conferences. But they're done! So let's catch up. First of all, while kids are on the brain, let's talk about my new discoveries: Creepy Carrots! is a fun children's book by Aaron Reynolds about a rabbit that thinks he's being haunted by creepy carrots. There's a great twist at the end that can open up a discussion about perspectives. Check it out  here . There's also a new sequel called Creepy Pair of Underwear . Mermaid Bracelets enticed me via facebook advertisements for a while. There was one particularly mesmerizing video of a girl running her hand back and forth over the bracelet, turning the sequins from teal to purple and back again. "What a great sensory item for my kiddos," I thought. The official website is  here  but I g

It's eerie, driving along Route 28 in Nokesville. Road work has never felt so personal.  I remember years ago my parents telling me that they were going to widen the road in front of our little house. Route 28 would go from a two lane road (one each way) to four lanes, and the clincher was that the extra lanes would be on our side of the road, taking our short driveway into a very short driveway, the cars that zoom past now too close for comfort. We already had a special tree that was designated as the "no pass zone" unless you were getting on the bus, and only Mom or Dad could get the mail from the box across the street.  My parents decided it was best that we move and we started construction in the Kingsbrooke neighborhood off Linton Hall Road. We moved in February 2001. I continued to attend Brentsville District High School, passing by our old house that always looked the same. At times I thought, "What happened to the road widening?" and now, over 15

I love a good documentary. It's one of the first things Danny and I bonded over when he and Kelsey started dating. I remember her looking at us like we were crazy as we compared notes on ones we had seen. A lot of documentaries are flops, though, either low budget or simply not interesting enough to really draw me in. But when it's done right, wow . A thorough documentary can grant you a new lens to view the world, rediscovering something as basic as food, or uncovering hidden truths in something you  know little about, like Scientology  ( Going Clear... man, it's creepy ) . When I heard a documentary about Lady Gaga was on Netflix ( Five Foot Two ), I wanted to at least watch a snippet. I've never been a fan or foe of the musician herself; I like several of her songs and am familiar with her publicity antics but who is she really as a person? I was hoping to find out. The documentary was slow to get started, but became more compelling as it went on. It followed

Patrick and I have been watching some of my family's old home videos. "You're exactly the same!" he said. "Except a little spunkier back then." Dagger to my heart.  It's true, though, whether through simple maturity or in quest for approval, my spunkiness wavered as I got older. As an adult, I know I can be quirky and opinionated ("strong willed" they say) but there's really no equivalency to a youthful spirit. What a wonderful mixture of carefree opinions and imagination, untethered by socialization (or hormones)!  As a teacher, I strive to expose my students to a variety of books and genres. We recently moved on from Dragon Masters to a realistic fiction series called  Ivy + Bean  and I simply adore the two female main characters. They are precocious, creative and imaginative, full of big ideas. We are currently reading  Ivy + Bean Take Care of the Babysitter , where Bean is being babysat by her older sister, Nancy, for the f

I like getting mail. I also enjoy an element of mystery. I want to try new beauty products without spending oodles of money and wasting unused product. All of these considerations led me to Ipsy, a subscription based service where you receive a "Glam Bag" for $10 each month. The package includes an actual zippered make-up bag along with five product samples tucked inside.  The samples are supposedly tailored to your personalized needs. When signing up, you complete a short quiz where you describe your appearance (skin tone, hair and eye color) and favorite types of makeup products/brands. You can also identify any skin or hair concerns (dryness, redness, etc.) and which colors you prefer for lipstick, eyeshadow, etc. The quiz was quick but comprehensive.  So were my preferences reflected in the products I've received? Eh. I'm really not sure. But has the overall experience been worth the price? Yes (so far). In my first bag, my favorite product by far w

Portobello and Cuban Tacos <3 Maybe it's because my name's Maria, but a thirst for queso runs through my veins. I try not to feed the addiction to much but sometimes you just gotta.  Enter  Zandra's Taqueria  - a newish restaurant on Center Street in downtown Manassas, near Okra's. The lighting is a little dark, the red paint on the walls and strings of lights a bit intense, but man, the food is tasty.  I'm a huge fan of the house mojito, skillet queso, and a la carte taco options. They have a range of tacos, from classic to adventurous, each offered on a flour or corn tortilla (or lettuce wrap). The tacos are stuffed generously, so after destroying mounds of chips and queso, I am usually content with just one (each is about $3-5).  Zandra's also offers skillet fajitas but I try to avoid those in general because they're smelly (Patrick thinks I'm crazy and says they're delicious). Overall I find the menu really refreshing compared to the

As summer comes to an end, I find it appropriate to transition my blog into a new name (don't worry, no pumpkin spice is involved). I've settled on A Healthy Balance , a mantra I've adopted as a goal for myself over the past several years. Finding a healthy balance is challenging. Work, fitness, friends and family...there are so many opportunities for action, and choices to make. Sometimes, I've learned, the best decision is saying no, and finding time to recharge. If nothing else, I hope that simply reading this blog title over and over again will remind me to strive for that balance, and that sometimes "having it all" involves rest. This fall I've begun a new job teaching third grade. I don't know how often I'll update the blog, but I'm excited to have it available as a quiet, reflective tool, a way to create a space of calm during all the action. Thank you to everyone who's kept up over the summer--I truly appreciate your comments an

I've always had a thirst for action. Adventure. Doing things. My parents used to tell me, "Maria, not every day can be exciting. Some days are just boring. Normal." I think my biggest life lesson has been to sink into the moment, switching my lens from seeking the novel to appreciating the usual. My cousin's little children splashing around in the pool. Patrick's arm heavy across my chest. Spending an hour in the shade of the dog park with new friends. None of this is extraordinary, but I'm gaining a new appreciation of it.  I actually want to relax at home rather than seeking out the latest restaurant. I'm learning how saying no to some opportunities can make room for more balance and calm. As I drive familiar roads through my childhood town, I savor my roots rather than twisting away from them. What I have right now is good. It's more than enough.  Dog Park Cuties "You can't have my cotton candy!"

My mom wasn't a hippie but she sure does love recycling.  A first grade teacher at The Nokesville School, she's merged environmental stewardship with charitable giving, teaching her students several healthy habits in unison.  Working through the company TerraCycle , Mrs. Cheshire collects empty toothpaste, deodorant, floss, and mouthwash containers, as well as old toothbrushes for her recycling project. The program is officially sponsored by Toms of Maine, but any brand of the products are accepted.  In exchange for the donated items, participants receive 2 cents per item. Mrs. Cheshire donates the money to Heifer International, an organization that gives animals to people in impoverished areas, providing them with the training and tools needed to take care of their animals. The idea is to give a gift that keeps on giving. You can learn more  here.  So far, Mrs. Cheshire and her recycling crew have donated over $200 to Heifer International. In addition to donating the

I don't want to write about Charlottesville. I want to ignore the whole situation, bury my head in the sand, and browse through lipstick on Sephora. And to some extent, I could. I have the luxury as a white person of ignoring race issues because I'm largely unaffected by them. I can mourn the injustice of our prison system, the innocent death of a teenager, or a subtle act of discrimination, and then move on with my life. But I can't any longer . The itch is too strong to speak up. We need to have the tough conversations with each other, because that's the only way real change is going to happen. Upset about Civil War monuments being taken down? Ask yourself what part of it is really upsetting you: your passion for Southern history or the feeling of a rug slowly being slipped from under you? We have to be able to adapt to change, even if it means feeling more humble or taking someone else's feelings into greater consideration than our own. I had a conversation wit