Yes, that is two Kombuchas you see hanging out in my fridge. It’s funny- for a drink I think tastes gross, I’ve got quite the big craving for it! Part of it might just be placebo, but I feel clean and light after drinking these. I’ll work through these two throughout the week. So far I’ve tried Mango and Strawberry… next up I have Multi-green and Raspberry Rush. Ummm… yum?
Yesterday Ryan and I started the week off right with a 90 minute power yoga class. Holy sweat! We are loyal to College Park Yoga. The teachers/owners are welcoming and really encourage us to own our practice and listen to our bodies. I try to let that message continue to the rest of my life, too 
After yoga Ryan and I walked over to Infusion Tea, a little vegetarian teahouse/cafe near the studio. We were overwhelmed with yummy choices but I eventually settled on their 1/2 and 1/2 lunch combo with Tempeh Chili and the Milton Special salad.
From the menu: “Milton Special-vegan-Organic field greens, roasted beets, dried cranberries, sunflower seeds, tomato, cucumber, hummus and tabouleh with balsamic dressing.”
The hummus was super-creamy, the tabouleh the best I’ve ever had and the balsamic dressing was more like a sweet glaze. The tempeh chili had big chunks of tempeh, beans and peppers. It was perfect.
Ryan got a great vegan chili cheese burrito! And thanks to Miss Ryan for the photos… I left my camera at home and was forced to use her gorgeous Nikon!
I promise to actually blog all of my meals soon! I’ve been quite busy studying, eating Zbars (yum.) and finishing the cupcakes from my birthday 
To Gym or Not to Gym
As you might know I’ve been studying with NASM to get my personal trainer certification for a few months now. The exam has been scheduled for October 13th. Right now I’m taking advantages of guest passes at my local gyms to figure out which feels like the best fit for me to work at (or for me to want to work at… I’ll need to get hired!).
For the past few months, other than a weekly yoga class, I’ve been exercising only outside the gym- bike rides, runs outside, strength training at the park or my living room, and yoga next to my bed. I find my workouts have been more intense, more exciting and much more efficient than when I belonged to a gym. My workouts are less on auto-pilot when I’m outside or in my own home. I’ve also saved money from membership fees and saved the time it takes to drive to and from a gym.
But for many people the gym works best for them. Having a place dedicated to fitness makes it easier for some to get a good workout. There’s also a high level of motivation that comes from group classes and other gym benefits.
I’ve been to good gyms and bad gyms. There have been gyms that I want to spend the whole day in and some where I feel closed in and am itching to get out after five minutes. I want to work in a gym that is set up in a way that is easy for my clients to follow a program with the tools they need. Also, a gym should feel positive and welcoming.
I’ll report back on what I find visiting these new gyms!
Do you prefer working out inside or outside the gym? If you belong to a gym, what made you choose yours?
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you are too cute!
i love having the gym as an option – especially in the winter. i usually go mostly for classes, but it is so nice to have on those days when it is too dang cold to do anything else!
http://www.thehealthyeverythingtarian.com
i've never been a fan of gyms, ever. i went to my school gym maybe a handful of times in college, and that was only when it was raining so bad i couldn't run outside. otherwise, i hit the pavement/dirt/forests/canyons/beaches outside…i'm not meant to be closed up like that!
First off, thanks for stopping by my blog! I use a mixture of both outside and inside because I am always worried about injuries and I know that using the treadmill and the elliptical are easier on my old bones!
I recently became a 24 hour fitness member, and I am so glad I did. I love being able to work out ANY time of day (especially since I go to work very early). I am a runner, and I am too paranoid / scared to run outside in the dark, so the gym is a necessity for early morning runs. Although my outside runs feel easier and are more enjoyable, an ipod and TV can help the machine time pass.
You two look super-cute at your post-yoga meal!
I don't go to the gym very much at all, which is sad because I belong to the university one basically for free. I should take advantage of it!
Hey Ashley, I linked over to your blog from Ryan's. And I should say, Happy Belated Birthday!
I definitely prefer OUTSIDE the gym. I love the freedom of running far!! And the gym gets too stuffy and I feel trapped. Not to mention it's like a "check-out" station at my school…
i like my gym no more than 3x a week. any more than that and i get sick of it!
a combination of both is what works for me!
http://saladdiva.wordpress.com
That cafe looks delightful!!! As for the gym question, I actually don't belong to one and have always been pretty in shape. I do yoga in the morning and some core exercises then simply walk .. ALOT. I probably do 30 minutes before work and an hour or so after work. I try to incorporate my daily errand running into a work out as well.. Im lucky, though, alot of things are within walking distance to my home. If this was not the case, Id probably be a gym go-er! Whatever works for you!!
Yum that lunch looked awesome!!
I def prefer working out outside. I went to a gym for years and years and finally realized I was doing the same things there as I could do outside with my husband and dog.
Since I live pretty much in the arctic (well, not literally, but compared to Florida I do), the only outdoor activity I do year round is run…and even that gets a little dicey in the middle of winter.
I am lucky in that I can do group fitness classes at lunch..AT WORK! It is a pretty fantastic set up. That being said, I want to start doing some swimming, so I have no choice but to join a gym. It should be interesting!
I am definitely a gym girl, all the way. The weather here in Iowa is fairly unpredictable, for example, this last weekend, on Sunday the high was 80 something, and on Monday, the high was 65. Plus, when I'm at the gym, I FOCUS and push myself, whereas I have trouble doing that at home. I like being able to go and get er done.
What made me chose my gym is the variety of classes, the variety and amount of equipment and the several locations that I can use too.
Good luck on your NASM test! I would totally train with you if you were in my area.
We just run outside or I do yoga in my house since we don't belong to a gym, either. I love some of the classes i used to take, but we just can't afford it right now and I'm okay with that. I actually hate running on the treadmill so running outside is always my choice.
I belong to Gold's Gym and I love it. All the classes are amazing and it's a really nice gym with nice people working there.
I used to like going for bike rides until the brakes on my bike stopped working lol. I also love doing Jillian's dvds at home
So funny, it took me awhile to decide if I like Synegry..what I realized is I really like the energy I get and yes I really do feel clean the next day!
I'm definitely a fan of the gym when it's hot outside because I hate being super hot. Otherwise I love running around scenery. I need something to look at.
You look so radiant and pretty in that picture!
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