Finding My “Ski” Legs

My 28-day Detox is proving to be just as difficult as anticipated. I mean, who gives up cheese and alcohol right before the Super Bowl?

I hadn’t gone grocery shopping since the weekend, but luckily had plenty of gluten and cheese free foods on hand to make lunch for Detox Day #1, and I picked up some ground beef on the way home from Ballet Body class to make “naked” burgers with homemade sweet potato fries for dinner. I always buy 80/20 beef because the extra fat usually cooks off and the end product can be really dry if you buy any leaner. Ballet Body was intense for a Friday workout, and I had a feeling I was going to be sore for skiing the next day.

I set my alarm for 6:20am on Saturday but of course didn’t wake up until 7am to the sound of a text from a friend who was on her way to pick me up! I quickly gathered everything I needed, including my favorite new Patagonia ski jacket, and headed for the mountains. The mountains had just been hit with a good snow and it seemed like everyone had the same idea as us. After more than 2 hours, we finally made it to brunch at Butterhorn Bakery & Cafe where I enjoyed home fries with peppers and onions and a side of bacon. I also treated myself to a glass of chocolate milk since I couldn’t partake in the Bloody Mary’s or mimosas my friends were having!

Despite our early am trip, we didn’t hit the slopes until nearly 1:00. This is only the second weekend I have gone skiing since moving to Colorado though I have unlimited passes to a few of the mountains. And, pretty much my second weekend skiing ever. I’m not sure I count the time I “enjoyed” my Christmas gift to Snow Creek (yes, fake snow in Missouri) and left in tears.  I have found the key to being successful at skiing is eliminating fear. I tend to be a cautious, paranoid person in general so this has been really hard for me, though I’m improving a lot. Except for my anxiety about ski lifts. Each time I get off, I am positive that I am doomed to fall and possibly be decapitated, a fear which came half true this weekend when (thanks to Ballet Body) my legs gave out and I crumpled on the ground in front of the lift. But, I was smiling and still had a head when the day was over, so I consider it a success.

On Sunday, I woke up bright and early to take a long walk around Washington Park before cleaning up for our Super Bowl party. It took 5 hours with two people working to get this place presentable because we have waited so long to take certain things to storage, etc. With this “no weekday tv” resolution, I’m actually looking forward to getting our home more organized in the next few weeks. We had a great time hosting different groups of friends at our house for the game and I managed to stay true to my 28-day Detox, too.

Yesterday, I ate the lunch I brought to work even though we ordered in. But I did pick up some organic, fair trade, non-GMO chocolates from Theo that our Seattle colleague brought with her. The packaging is gorgeous. I think first impressions are so important for a brand, and Theo is doing it right. I took home the 70% dark chocolate Toasted Coconut and Salted Almond bars.

After work, I went to dinner at another LoHi hot spot, Root Down. Their menu includes icons for orders that can be made gluten free upon request, which is actually the majority of their menu. We ordered lots of little tastes, but the highlight for me was the sweet potato falafel with lemon-tahini yogurt.

Finally, I leave you with a new blog I’m enjoying lately, The Wellness Wonderland. If you believe in the power of positive energy, you will love it too.