Yesterday morning, I was getting ready for one of the most monumental walks of my life: the walk across the commencement ceremony stage. I dabbed on some bronzer and smiled to myself as Vitamin C’s “Graduation” came on the 90′s Pandora station. That has been my station of choice for some time now, but not once have I heard that song – until yesterday. Of all days! I faintly chuckled and became lost in a zone of memories: catching fly balls at the local softball field with my dad at night, long after practice had already been let out, creating “inspired” (I use that term very loosely) dances to Spice Girls songs with my girlfriends, and special shopping trips to the mall with my mom in the summer time.
Now, over ten years after those memories were made, I will be making new ones: continuing to blog and making it better for you (!!!), getting my first big girl job, continuing my studies of nutrition and fitness, and eventually settling down with Matty. There’s so much on the horizon. I’m scared, excited, passionate, and complacent.
Yesterday, I was just mostly excited.
Wild Child
Coming into the nutrition field, I truly had no clue that it would be so mentally taxing. But I prevailed and worked my hiney off! I couldn’t have done it without my girls. We studied, complained, laughed, and cried together through everything.
Me and Kristen
Nutrition Divas! (I'm standing in the middle)
Me and Sherri
I could not have possibly made it through without my parents. Studying nutrition and journalism, I really only had the time to work on the weekends; college basically required me to be its slave all day, everyday. My parents paid for my groceries, cell phone bill, and even my gas on occassion. They not only supported me financially but showered me with constant love and support for these five years. They are amazing people with the warmest hearts, and my entire being fills with joy when I think about what they have done for me. Mom and Dad: You are the definition of what a parent should be for their child. You have taught me what it means to love, nurture, teach, and respect. You are not just my parents but my best friends. I can only dream to have what we have with my future children!
And then there’s Matty. Oh, where to begin? You are my soul mate, my rock, and my everything. You shower me with love and spoil me with your patience every single day. You are the first person (and the only person!) I have been able to give myself to fully and completely, and I can’t wait to start the next chapter of our lives together.
Post-graduation, I ate my face off! I genuinely love eating clean; it fills my mind and fuels my body through day-to-day life and super challenging workouts. Yesterday, clean eating went out the window when Matty, my parents, and I went to Veggie Galaxy in Cambridge for some diner-style vegan food!
For my meal, I rolled with the salad special: spinach with strawberries, Brussels sprouts, and caramelized onions, with a lemon-based vinaigrette on the side. I also ordered a side of tempeh bacon and their heavenly sweet potato mash.
My dad decided to order a round of fries for the table, which came dusted with fresh rosemary. I went to town! They were so, so, so delicious and addicting! Then came dessert, the moment I had been waiting for! Veggie Galaxy makes their own coconut-based ice cream in house and it is out-of-this-world amazing. I ordered a 4-scoop (two chocolate and two vanilla) and was graced with these:
Yes, I ate both of those. Major food baby. SO worth it! Can you tell by my smile up above? With said welcomed food babies, we hopped in the car and headed home. It was the perfect ending to a milestone sort of day.
Stay lovely,
Heather
P.S. – I noticed that a lot of you are making my recipes the day I post them (love that!) so I thought I would start something new called a “RECI-PREVIEW.” The day before I post a recipe, I’ll post the ingredients so you know what you need to have on-hand. So, with that said, here are tomorrow’s ingredients.
RECI-PREVIEW
- 1 can organic chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- kale (duh!)
- cherry tomatoes
- nutritional yeast
- rosemary
- Mrs. Dash Garlic Seasoning (garlic powder works too)
- Annie’s Goddess Dressing (or another savory dressing of your choice)
Do you like this idea? Let me know!
CONGRATULATIONS! Celebration dinner looks scrummy!
Thank you, Michelle! It was pretttyyy amazing indeed.
Congrats and reci-preview is a great idea! Much success to you in your continued nutrition endeavors. I look forward to joining you on your journey.
I’m excited to have you along for the ride, Amanda!
Woohoo!! Congratulations!! =)
Aww, thanks Heidi!!!
How exciting – Congratulations Heather!!! I love the idea of putting the ingredients a day ahead of time. Looking forward to the tasty recipe to come
Thanks, Mary! You’re going to love it!
Congratulations! Veggie Galaxy is such an awesome place – we get desserts from there for holidays w/my niece who’s allergic to dairy. Their vegan cheesecake & lemon meringue pies are TO DIE FOR, and this is coming from a woman who loves “real” baked goods (when I eat them, that is). All the best to you – look forward to seeing what you do next!
I’m glad that you also revel in Veggie Galaxy’s sweet delicacies, Sarah! The ice cream is insane!
YAY CONGRATS!
Thanks, Matt!
Congratulations, Heather! You have such amazing things ahead of you – for real. I love the “reci-preview” idea. Too cute!
congrats girl!!! you’re amazing!
Congratulations beautiful girl!
CONGRATS Heather! So proud of you.
Congratulations on the graduation! SO excited for you!
Thank you, Faith! You’re always so wonderful and supportive my dear!
CONGRATS!!! That is so exciting. I am very happy for you
Aww, thanks Mattie!
Congrats, Heather!!! You are gorgeous!
Gah, stawwwp. Thank you!
Congratulations! So happy for you xx
Thanks so much, Diane!!!
I really like the reci-preview idea not just because of the convenience of getting the ingredients ready, but to me it is more like a guessing game of “What will she create with that?” – reminds me of a Food Network show or something! Very creative!
Sweet + savory = happy me.
A vegan diner? So. Awesome. Your meal looks really good. I probably would have dipped the rosemary fries in my ice cream. No, I def would have. That’s one of my favorite things to do on a special occasion. On my last two birthdays I did it!
Your eyes are just so BLUE I can’t get over it. I can’t wait to gaze at them in person ON JUNE 2ND!
I LOVE YOU. The end.
CONGRATULATIONS GIRL! though I’m a new reader, I know you are an extremely hard worker, and I know that your work ethic will be rewarding. keep on shining
Well, shoot. You’re too sweet for words, Jillian. Thanks you!
Congratulations sweet girl! What an amazing accomplishment! I like this recipreview. Maybe you’re making some sort of a sauce/hummus?
Thank you, baby doll!!!
CONGRATS CONGRATS CONGRATS MY LOVE! I think that’s wild how that particular song came onto Pandora! CRAZY!
I KNEW that you would understand and appreciate that little detail! Love ya, Megz!
Congrats! Your hair looks really pretty too!
Aww, thank you Carrie! You’re so sweet.
CONGRATS!!!!!
so sorry we are late to say it too!
hope you are doing well
xoxo
[...] My life has taken a serious overhaul over the past few months with some monumental changes. I graduated from college and began a new job as a nutrition counselor. I addressed my issue with amenorrhea and how [...]