What Ana Does

I've been doing a lot of research on tweaking my diet to promote some weight loss. Now that I've got a weekly exercise routine in motion, it just makes sense to alter my eating so I'm slimming down a bit, too. My big question is this ... how do I introduce this concept of diet change and weight loss to my girls in a healthy way?  The last thing I want to do is put them on a path to yo-yo diets and body issues. But, at the same time, it's healthy to discuss diet and how food that works to feed your body, etc. And we do talk about food, including limiting sweets at night -- they would eat a pound of ice cream if they could -- and why we add a protein or a green with each meal. So, it's not a completely new concept. I just hear stories from other women about how their mothers "obsessed over food and counting calories" and how it really changed their relationship with food and their body image and, boy, does that give me pause. Not what I want at all. ...

I've been practicing yoga for over 20 years. You'd think I'd be awesome at it, but I'm not. Though I can follow verbal prompts without looking at the teacher and make micro-adjustments to get into the positions "correctly." (Subjective.) And every time I start at a new yoga studio, and meet a new yoga instructor, my experience grounds me and gives me confidence. But there's also a few comparisons and critiques in the back of my head. Each instructor brings such a different perspective to the same litany of positions. And after 20 years, there are a few truths that now always occur to me. Such as, Downward Dog is actually a resting position. I used to dread it, all beginners do, but now it's more relaxing than most resting postures. Or, I don't even glance at the other students in the classroom. My world narrows to my practice on my mat -- my body, my breath. And cues from the instructor. A skill honed from very full yoga classes when yo...

On Monday I dropped Leah off at the train station for her first week-long school field trip. This is the longest Leah's been away from me -- without an aunt following her around taking pictures and reporting back to me (which is what happened when she stayed at my sister's summer camp for a week). And while I was walking away from her, doing my best to keep my chin up, I had this nagging feeling that I'd forgotten something. Despite having packed her myself, using a long checklist of items provided by the school. I had forgotten her. In the middle of a huge Paris train station. Though, with her friends and teachers who will supervise the entire trip. It took me a minute to compose myself. It really did. This is her first real adventure away from us, as an independent person in the world. Independence is a trait I always wanted to encourage in my girls. But since I've been home with them, this trait has been tough to grow. When I'm always around, how inde...

This week I went to my first CrossFit class (a topic for another post) and on my way to the gym I listened to an Armchair Expert podcast that made me laugh so hard I had to cover my mouth so as not to get odd looks from passing strangers. But put me in a fantastic mood to start the class. I listen to a lot of podcasts in Paris, from self-help to entertainment, and it's a great alternative to listening to music and I discover something new in each episode. Here's what I'm listening to these days: The Goop Podcast is kind of amazing. I like how the guests can be a little "alternative" or "controversial" and the interviewer (their CCO Elise, usually) really digs into topics and makes them relevant. During or after I listen to episodes, I find myself doing extra research to come up with my own views or thoughts on the subject. My favorite episode (so far):   Is there proof of a spiritual universe?  (Which will probably lead to its own post from me s...

The first thing you have to know about my brother's trip to Paris was he proposed to his girlfriend at the Eiffel Tower. We were all in on it and it was totally perfect and romantic and all the things it should have been. She Was Not Expecting This The other thing was that we experienced some poor restaurant service, which for me, was a first. For context, we were in touristy areas seeing monuments and having a good time, but it seemed everywhere we went for food we got terrible service. Now I know that French waiters are salaried and aren't overly attentive. It's rude to offer the check until it's asked for (unless they're familiar with American clients, which is a whole other story), for example. But we just hit a streak of bad luck with restaurant experiences, and it really bummed me out. Come on Paris! One restaurant near the Louvre took so long to take our order, we left. The next had us waiting for our food for a long long time. There was one that dropp...

Now that we're settled here in Paris (a sentence I say more often than I should because it sounds so cool!) it's really time to thrive here. To that end, I have some aspirations for our first Fall season in Paris ... Enroll the girls in after-school activities. At least three a week. And not be limited by non-English classes. Throw them in with the French kids! Immersion!  I will consider finding a French tutor to help the girls. They are having trouble picking it up and a little help after school with a fun teacher might work.  I will also consider hiring a cleaning person to deep clean the apartment once a month. I'm not keeping up.  I will find weekly activities for myself. Such as: yoga, boot camp, volunteering, helping at kids' school.  I will book several weekend travel trips, that are three-hours or less on a train. Includes: Amsterdam, London, Strasbourg, Nice, Antwerp, Geneva, etc.  I will also book amazing family vacations for school days ...

Summer is just about over and I'm starting to think about back-to-school. I'm a sucker for getting all geared up for school in September. It's in my DNA. Leah is going into 7th grade, so her look is transitional girl-to-tween wear. Luckily, she's not into "trendy" or belly-bearing fashions. And just wants to "not look like a baby." Alice is going into 4th and is similarly modest, but loves fashionable looks. So, here are a few of my favorite picks from the stores I'm shopping ... Boden From my favorite shop for the girls (the clothes are cute and high-quality) I found this adorable rainbow patchwork tee ( see it here ) And these roller skate leggings ( see them here ), for the win!  I'm also really into these tunic-dress-sweaters in jersey and fun prints. They're great for the girls to throw-on with leggings (short or long) or tights. ( See it here. ) Old Navy My other staple is Old Navy. They do great basics and ...