April showers
bring May flowers
unless you live in Tucson, where we go months without rain and then it pours like the world is ending. I love it 
Howdy to a new month, another chance to start fresh and start going after new goals or the ones leftover from last month. Hope everyone had a Marvelous March! Mine was pretty bueno and I’m super excited for all of the fun things to come this month.
Here are some ways to make April a little more amazing:
-Do you live somewhere that actually experiences April showers? Pick up a new pair of rain boots! I’ve always wanted a pair, but it’s not really worth the investment over here. If you live in a less rainy locale, it’s a great excuse to get a pedicure.
-Spring clean! Whatever you’d like: your closet, your diet and fitness routine. Take a second to assess what changes can be made to amp up your results, especially if you’ve been stuck in a rut. Take a new fitness class, sign up for a race, add in some interval or strength training, venture to the yoga studio, anything to change thing up. Remember, change creates change.
-Embrace the artichoke. This is one of our favorite veggies over here –we love all of the “Great A’s” (artichokes, asparagus and avocado)- and it can be a little intimidating to prepare. When the Pilot makes the ‘chokes, he’ll chop off the top part (a couple of inches), about an inch off the stem, and boil for about 45 minutes until tender. If you season the water with lemon rind, salt and a bay leaf, it adds a lot of great flavor. They’re also incredible steamed and grilled.
Here are some artichoke how-tos and recipes to get you started:
-Plant something, even if you have a black thumb like yours truly. Herbs are a little harder to kill (for me, at least) than fresh flowers, and I love being able to add fresh herbs from the garden to our spring and summer dinners. To make it a little easier, buy the plant as a baby plant instead of from seeds. Go for herbs like rosemary, basil, cilantro, veggies, flowers… or a love fern.
“You let it DIE!”
-Try out a fun new braid. I love the hair ideas on Pinterest and the braided styles are super romantic and surprisingly easy to put together. It’s a great twist on any usual hairstyle –I’m guilty of down or a messy bun over here- and if you have short hair, try twisty bangs. I rocked the waterfall braid last weekend, and am excited to try out some other styles.
-Give yourself a fresh start, whether it’s with an old friend, a goal you’ve set aside, or anything you’ve been wanting to do or start that’s intimidated you <3 Spring is an amazing time for change- use it to your advantage!
Here’s to a happy and healthy April!
xoxo
Gina
Something to talk about:
-What’s your favorite artichoke recipe?
-What food and/or fitness changes will you be making this month? I was so stoked that I was able to do a green meal a day in March, and this month I’m going to focus on protein at every meal. Who’s joining me?
Hi, I'm Gina. Welcome to The Fitnessista! I love blogging about my adventures as a new mom, military wife and fitness instructor, as well as sharing new workouts and recipes. Check out the About page for more info - thanks for stopping by!
Tienes que leer Oda a la Alcachofa
Es preciosa…
just read it! thank you for letting me know about it- i think pablo neruda’s work is amazing
I love this post – so inspiring! I need to set a new April goal – and I will definitely be trying one of those adorable braids! I’m so guilty of doing the boring ponytail or messy bun most days because I’m too lazy/ rushed to do anything cute with my hair in the morning. Thanks for the ideas
I love reading your blog! You’re so positive!! My April goal is to get my diet back on track, and I think I will try out some of the recipes you posted, on how to make artichoke. I’ve always been scared of trying it out, but April is gonna be the month where I’m overcoming my fear!
Spring greatings from Denmark
hi lotte!
thank you so much!
hope you love the artichoke
xoxo
I have been working out hard to get in great shape for my wedding which is in 17 days!! So most of my April will be spent freaking out about last minute wedding details, and then the second half will be spent relaxing on the beach with my new hubby
I’ll probably do some spring cleaning though (cleaning is very therapeutic for me) and then perhaps I will work up an appetite and eat an artichoke 
I cook artichokes in the rice cooker. I just eat them with a dip of mayo, sour cream and seasonings.
I bought my first plant two weeks ago and when my parents came to visit a couple of days ago….it was dying. Mom looks at me and says “Did you water it?”…my reaction…face palm “Doiiii!” Totally brain farted on that one. But now its thriving lol
i really need to learn how to french braid…those hairstyles are so cute!
I REALLY want to learn more about how to do the hair braids – I think I might incorporate that into my goals for May – I already have 10 goals for April (on my blog) AND a separate fitness goal. I’m also working to make April AMAZING!
My April goals are to continue to add more veggies to my diet and continue to try new workouts. I look forward to trying out your summer workouts. By the end of April I will be healthier than when I started. I am determined!
you can do it
my April goal is to go the whole month without meat- just to remind myself that meatless (or less-meat) meals can still taste great. I was getting in a chicken every night kind of rut.
I am doing Bodyrock’s 30 day fitness challenge from Febuary. Trying to eat clean too. I bring food to work and I work in a hospital kitchen. PS, they serve so much junk food!