Spring Issue of Darling Magazine

HI Girls!

I'm excited to announce that the Spring issue of Darling Magazine is well on it's way! I was honored to write an article about hope from eating disorders and I hope you will get a copy.

This Spring Issue of Darling contains a collection of articles and photos celebrating new life, flowers, sunshine, and things that bring our hearts joy.

• 148 pages exploring our 8 personas
• Printed in the USA
• All original content not seen on the Darling blog
• Pre-Order special comes with free digital version of Issue No. 3
• WILL SHIP THE FIRST WEEK OF APRIL

Dream a New Dream

I love this quote by C.S. Lewis because it supports my chronic dreaming habit. Ever since I was a little girl, I would gaze beyond our cityscape from our home's wide open foothills and imagine grand adventures my future self would one day tackle. 

In light of what I'm calling my recent "third-life crisis," I've been dreaming brand new dreams that feel foreign and uncomfortable. Dreaming new dreams is scary but exhilarating at the same time. I've been gazing into my life's rear view mirror to look at the things that made me come alive as a freckle-faced little girl and I've been rekindling them: wide open spaces, dolphins, the sea, horses, dancing, running, sports, books, drawing, writing, creating.

At the same time I've been reflecting on the things that have been killing my soul, subtly but violently:

comparison, fear of what others think, social media, worry over money and financial security, negative body-image, socially acceptable addictions, noise.

So I'm moving ahead with dreaming new dreams and making steps to transform them into reality. I've never felt so alive and free. I'm telling my "dream-hushers" to be quiet - breaking up with them has not been easy, but it has been liberating. 

If pray that you too are encouraged to know that it's never to late to dream new dreams. Never tell the little girl in you be quiet.

What are some of the dreams of your little girl heart? What are the things that have been killing them, subtly but dangerously? 

Confessions on Blogging

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I'm still not sure how I feel about having a personal blog. I have a love-hate (but mostly hate) relationship with personal blogs. I fear that blogging will make me focus more on myself which is the last thing myself or the world needs.

I fear no one will read, comment or click, which will fuel any of my hidden insecurities I've been trying to kill.
I fear being self-promotional.
I fear I'll spend too much time online, and not live well offline.

It seems that if you start a blog, you suddenly have self-imposted pressure to hunt down, capture and keep readers.
To post twice a day, five times a day.
To get sponsors.
To do hair tutorials and DIY projects.
To post pretty pictures of your perfect little life all the time.

I guess I feel silly about blogging because the truth is my personal posts are unlikely to change any one's life. My life and thoughts are too often messy and unworthy of blog posts.
And the last thing I think you need to know is how I do my hair, or what I'm wearing on any given day - you won't find any pin-worthy pictures of me on Pinterest!

So this is my post declaring that I will be breaking all professional blogging tips. And this is my blog-manifesto declaring that I will be blogging for an audience of one: myself. This is for you to know that my blogging intentions are primarily selfish. But know that you are welcome to read along and I'd really like it if you did.

I likely will not be blogging my outfits,
hair tutorials,
or DIY projects.

Instead, I will be writing and blogging to clear my mind, share information, express my thoughts, fears and most frequently to capture the adventures I am spoiled to enjoy with my cute husband and dearest friends.

Love this picture of part of our "dream team" from our WM Conference in Oahu, Hawaii. It was such an incredible day made possibly by a lot of prayer and an army of people. So neat to reflect on all God did that day! Hoping we get to do it again next year!

31 Bits Video

I just love the 31 Bits mission and movement.If you're new to 31 Bits, this video gives you a greater understanding of what they're all about.

Indentity from 31 Bits on Vimeo.

High-Intensity Training

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The former competitive soccer player in me craves high intensity workouts. I love the endorphine-high I get after a great work out. I prefer a brief, high-intensity workout to a mellow 45 minutes of cardio.

High Intensity interval training is an exercise strategy that alternates short intervals of intense anaerobic exercise with less intense recovery periods. According to research, these" short, intense workouts provide improved athletic capacity and condition, improved glucose metabolism, and improved fat burning."

I specifically enjoy utilizing the Tabata method in my workouts. Based off of a 1996 study by a guy named Izumi Tabata, this method of exercise uses 20 seconds of ultra-intense exercise (at an intensity of about 170% of VO₂max) followed by 10 seconds of rest, repeated continuously for 4 minutes (8 cycles). 

To give you an idea of how I use the Tabata Interval on the treadmill. Below is just one set of the recommended 8. I usually mix it up between squats, push ups, running, stair master, etc for a total of 8 intervals of Tabata.

Treadmill Set
0:00-0:20 run at 8.5mph
0:21-0:29 rest (rest on sides of treadmill)
0:30-0:50 run at 8.5mph
0:51-1:00 rest (rest on sides of treadmill)
1:00-1:20 run at 8.5mph
1:51-2:00 rest (rest on sides of treadmill)
2:00-2:20 run at 8.5mp
2:21-2:29 rest (hop on the sides of the treadmill)
2:30-2:50 run at 8.5mph
2:51-3:00 rest (rest on sides of treadmill)
3:00-3:20 run at 8.5mph
3:21-3:29 rest (hop on the sides of the treadmill)
3:30-3:50 run at 8.5mph
REST 1 minute; Set 1 complete. Repeat 7 more times or mix up with other forms of exercise for variety.

My Happy Place on a Rainy, Stormy Day

We got to go to the ranch today - our happy place. It was pouring rain most of the day and the surf was stormy, but at least we least paddled out.  I didn't even get one decent wave. We played in the mud in our wetsuits - taking turns sliding down one of the cliffs - pretty sweet! Here's a little video I threw together of some scenic clips from our day. I made it using the Super 8 app on my iPhone. I love the retro feel it gives it. And of course I had to use a Josh Garrels song in the background - nothing else would suffice! Shot out to Almond Surfboards for the Pogie fish I won last Christmas. The pretty board bag is by my dear friend Schuyler.