Happy Memorial Day! Before we dive into today’s post, I want to take a moment to honor and thank all of the veterans who fought for our freedom and all of the soliders currently fighting for this country. You are true heroes and, while we can never repay you, we can send you love and prayers. To all of you who have loved ones fighting, I’m praying for you too!
A Night with Friends
Last night, I got together with some friends on the roof deck of a nearby bar. My friend Angela lives in New York City and she and her boyfriend, Jason, came into town for Memorial Day weekend and I was so excited to meet him. I’ve been swooning over their pictures – they’re kind of adorable.
Aside from meeting Jason (who is charming and wonderful!), it felt so good to have all the girls together again. Every time we get together, it feels like no time has passed at all.
- REUNITED!
We talked , laughed, and soaked up the insanely perfect weather. It was pretty epic. Simple times are often the most epic times, in my humble opinion.
The few hours that we spent together went by too fast. I was so wrapped up in just enjoying the moment that I only realized the sun had set by the goosebumps that made their way across my bare arms and legs.
Daily Musings
This morning, I woke up and tackled ZWOW #14. GOODNESS GRACIOUS! A small part of me always believes that Zuzana’s workouts will become slightly easier the more frequently I do them. Well, this is the third consecutive week that I’ve done this workout and I can guarantee you that I was still panting for my life and dripping sweat like a swamp beast. YUM.
Today’s weather is insanely gorgeous at an ideal 83 degrees with next-to-no humidity! Matty suggested we go to Rasoi for lunch and I jumped at the idea, especially because I knew that we could dine al fresco.
Rasoi does an excellent job of designating which menu items pertain to specific dietary preferences and intolerances. It’s one of the easiest omni-friendly restauarant menus I’ve ever navigated!
Before our meal, we were brought the ever-delicious pappadum and dippers.
Matty ordered one of his favorite dishes, the chicken tikka lababdar: yogurt, ginger, and garlic-marinated chicken tenders cooked in a tomato sauce. He enjoyed it with freshly baked naan and was in Indian food heaven.
For my entree, I chose the tofu salad: a mix of romaine and baby spinach leaves, tomato, cucumber, onion, and tofu sauteed in a special Indian sauce. For my dressing, I opted for the lime-cilantro vinaigrette.
This salad never stood a chance. Complete domination occurred. 
After our lovely lunch, Matty and I went to Wildflour for a cold drink: iced coffee for me and basil lemonade for him. Not too long after we ordered, Matty had to go to work (wah!) so I stayed behind, sipped on the good stuff, and took care of some work on my laptop.
Staying Positive
When I was really young, every morning, I had the same ritual. I would open my eyes, smile to myself, and think, “Today is going to be a great day!” (I know, corny.) I’d hop out of bed and skip downstairs. I was a really happy kid. Nothing fazed me, in large part because I was naive and oblivious to hardship, but also because happiness had been taught to me. My parents always encouraged me to smile and be grateful for everything we had in life.
This is pretty easy when you’re 8-years-old and void of responsibilities but, as you get older, it becomes increasingly difficult to remain positive. You see loved ones pass, people overreact about miniscule things, and blatant ignorance pretty much everywhere you look. But in between all of those negative moments are positive ones bursting at the seams! While I certainly have “my days,” I remain positive, for the most part, every day.
Every situation brings an opportunity. You can either seize the opportunity or let fear hold you back. Fear breeds negativity only when you allow it to. If you take that fear and fight against its current, you gain so much from it. You are in control of your own mind. Something I always remember is this: You were born because you were meant to be important to someone. We’re all important – you just have to believe it first. It starts with you! And, for what it’s worth, I think you’re pretty important. 
Stay lovely,
Heather
P.S. – The Fashion page was updated today!
I love the quote that says “you were born to be important to someone”.
I needed to hear that today!
BELIEVE IT, GIRL!!! <3 xoxo
Your fashion page link goes to the Wildflour home page! Though I didn’t mind it since I get to drool over their treats once again
but just wanted to let you know!
Ahh! Thank you, love. It’s fixed.
A. Love your blog! I have found many great recipes and healthy living ideas here
Thx for sharing (also I’m from Boston so I feel like it helps me stay in touch with my roots!) B. I tried ZWOW #14 this week, and it was the first ZWOW I had done and I thought I was going to throw up at the end! But I was very proud/satisfied that I was able to finish all 5 rounds. Is that a normal feeling after one of her workouts (the pukey- not the pride)?
Hi Vanessa!
A.) Thank you so much! I’m so happy that you’re enjoying the bloggie.
B.) At the end of a workout, we should feel fatigued but not like we are going to throw up! Did you eat anything beforehand? If so, how long before? Maybe your stomach needed to digest its food a little more. If not, maybe you should consider eating something 1 – 2 hours before your workout like a piece of fruit (orange, banana, etc.) for pre-workout fuel.
hmm I can’t remember but I think I had eaten something small before, so maybe I should wait a little longer. I’m going to try another one today so we shall see. Thanks girl!
No problem. Keep me posted!
I <3 Indian food.
You and I both, friend!
Dear Heather, Your hair is lovely and it looks amazing with your facial structure. It actually makes me a tiny bit jealous.
Love, me
Aww, Natasha! Thank you dear.
great post sweetie! I am so happy you had fun with the girls
I love those moments where you totally lose track of time! We both had tofu today! YAY!
GO US!!!
Somedays it is definitely harder to stay positive when SO many things are changing and growing up is hard to do. I always try to find time to relax and de stress my situations by doing whatever it is that I need to do to remain positive. I find that if I just think positively and try not to get frustrated with what’s happening I can usually keep that optimism all day, but other times its also important to let out that frustration. And I totally agree that coffee is magical
I knew that you’d appreciate that caption.
Heather, I don’t know if you have any friends in London (UK), but you do now
. I found your blog very inspiring, I’m also a vegan, 22 years old, and finishing a journalism course. Funny, huh? I’m just getting started with writing a blog, you can read about my vegan experience here. http://vegantique.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/notorious-foodie-on-rehab-my-vegan.html Take care!
Wow, Eva! We have so much in common. Your posts are so intelligent and interesting, love. I’m adding you to my reader!
youre so so so right.
it’s all how we react to what life throws at us—not what life throws at us.
xo
So true, Carla.
glad to hera that you had fun catching up with your girlies! Looks like you enjoyed some great meals too!
Love the idea of staying positive – everything happens for reason and some things are just out of our control
Amen, sister! We can’t control what we can’t control. Something so simple but so difficult to grasp sometimes. We will prevail, though!
That meal looks so good, and the Wildflour iced coffee looks AMAZING too. I miss Wildflour coffee!! Can’t wait to have it again. I need to go out for Indian food with you, can you believe I haven’t had it yet?! OK so next time I visit, the three of us are going for Wildflour and Indian. DEAL. I hope you agree to this deal.
I went to a rooftop bar this weekend too! They are so relaxing. I can’t get over this amazing weather!
Wildflour coffee misses you back, love. FOR SURE. That date sounds like a plan. I know Matty will be stoked!
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