Ways to Make April Amazing
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?
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I’ve never had a whole artichoke, but I do love artichoke hearts in my salads. You’ve inspired me to try preparing an artichoke for myself! Adding it to the grocery list. Hahaha, I love that “love fern” clip – so funny.
PS I really love your saying “change creates change” – I say it to myself a lot, and I’ve shared it with some friends who’ve really liked it, too.
We love artichokes here as well. Two of my favorites are simple frittata or risotto.
AH, artichokes scare me! Are they really that easy to prepare?!? And what about the outer leaves..you can eat those? That’s totally on my list of “get over yourself and just do it” haha
That 2nd hair-do is amazing! Grow hair, grow!
I made baby artichokes once and didn’t clean them properly and the dish was like swallowing brillo pads. I’ve been too scared to try them again. My fitness change for the month will be getting *back* to fitness. I’ve spent the last few weeks on the couch and I’d like to get back to toning my butt instead of sitting on it!
The only way I have used artichokes is canned to add to a not so healthy dip. So, I am very excited to try them the way you suggested. Thanks!
I am really trying to add some type of weight / resistance training to my workouts. I have been stuck with running only for way to long.
Can’t wait to see the ways you add protein to your diet!
*too…ugh…I hate it when I do that! 🙂
Same here… goat cheese artichoke dip. Not healthy but the artichokes let me pretend.
recipe??
First time leaving a comment, love your blog though! Maybe because my boyfriend is also an officer (Navy) and I love reading your references about your husband.. I even refer to mine as the Sailor. Anyway, have you ever had artichoke hummus? Mmmm.
I love that How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days clip! That whole movie in general is awesome.
I really want to do braids like that with my hair but I don’t know how to french braid, is that required to be able to do a braid like that?
it really isn’t as hard as it looks- you can do it! 🙂
and yes, one of the best movies of all time 😉
I am going to write these in my planner and try to do them all! I was eying the artichokes at the store yesterday, but then I remembered there were brussles sprouts in the fridge I hadn’t used. Next week!
Eeeeeekkkk not an artichoke fan over heeeerrrreee! I’ve had it on pizza and that’s the ONLY way I’ll eat it.
I recently joined a bootcamp that started in March, but will use that as my new fitness *spring* routine. We meet at 6am which is way early, but so far I’ve been rockin’ it out and love going to bed tired/early!
I totally stunk at eating more greens last month so I’m bringing that goal in for April. I’ve found some fun new farmers markets near my place and will be looking to them for greens! (they’ll be taking mine though darn! wink)
Happy happy APRIL! (My birthday month so my FAVORITE month heehee)!
xoxo
I LOVE those little braids. I want to try one but I’m not sure if I’m too old for braids (35). Maybe I’ll try it on the weekend. 🙂
you are NOT too old for braids 🙂
I love my Hunter rain boots, they are perfect for walking my dog at the beach 🙂 I have never had an artichoke. They totally scare me… I’m sure I would ruin them. Maybe this will be the month that I finally figure out how to cook them!
Ohh I love artichokes! They are so easy and delicious! And I love these lists– I look forward to them every month! This month I want to focus on reducing my portion size a bit and cutting out bars and non-clean eats! I find that I have been consuming too many of them lately and I’d like to clean it up! I also would like to plan a relaxing day/evening one day a week where I know that I can just veg out! Oh and I’d like to start doing a devotional! And saving money! Haha lots of goals for the month!
i adore artichokes. streamed = perfect every time. tried to grill them once, hated it. so i just won’t mess with perfection.
I’m definitely doing some spring-cleaning this month with my diet and fitness routine! I’m amping up my protein intake and trying out some new fitness classes. We normally have a wet April, but this winter has been so mild and it’s felt like summer for a month now, that I have no idea what’s in store!
I’ve only had a whole artichoke once before at friend’s house but we throw artichoke hearts into lots of pasta dishes! That recipe for gorgonzola artichokes looks amazing though!
http://busyboldblessed.blogspot.com/2011/10/creamy-artichoke-pasta.html
I need to practice my braiding skills, I can do my hair into one french braid, but that’s about it… I love the headband looks though… perfect for summer! Practice makes perfect!
Happy April!
Those braided styles are so cute. I need to get over & see the tutorials!
I just joined a gym last week to get back into my weight lifting routine. We have a full gym in our basement but I don’t ever use it….so back to the tried & true method! I’ve been walking a lot the last few weeks after struggling to get much fitness into my first trimester. It feels great to be back in a fitness routine!
I haven’t ever prepared an artichoke at home, but I’ll add it to my to do list this month!
I couldn’t keep standing behind as you raved about Turbo Fire any longer so I got spring fever and ordered the DVDs! I have never done Turbo Jam before but I’ve done a lot of Zumba and Tracy Anderson dance so I am hoping this is a great challenge. One of my goals before having children is to really get in great cardio shape so if this doesn’t do it, nothing will! Thanks for the inspiration on this venture!
Lilly
pancakesandbeetjuice.blogspot.com
please let me know how you like it!
I’m starting morning workouts after years of being an evening workout person! I’m excited about getting my workouts over with before work so I have the evenings free again. Also new this month – I’m beginning my training towards becoming a fitness instructor!
Love those braids!!
Starting today I am taking on the Couch to 5K training plan. I’ve started a bunch of times before but never finished. I’m hoping this time sticks!
The Couch to 5K is the best! I started in in mid January and just ran a 4 mile race, no problem, last weekend. If I can do it, anyone can – you go girl!
Happy April!!
I love april because it is my birthday month!!
Love the rain boots, they are much needed here so I did invest i a pink pair of hunters I have had!
Happy Monday! <3
Oh I love those braided hairstyles…FUN! Thanks for the inspiration. I am cleaning up my diet, in that, I am going back on some supplements – Vitamin D (I live in SF…), B, Evening Primrose Oil, and a probiotic. It’s been a while and I feel like I need a little adjustment. Happy April 🙂
Yes, protein at every meal! That was my April goal before reading this! 🙂
I think I’ll definitely have to try my hand at some artichoke recipes. They’re intimidating to prepare but so yummy.
For April, I”m going to try and be more consistent with my diet. I eat healthy, but I’m notorious for emotionally eating . I’m going to try and develop some strategies to better handle my stress so I can finally kick this bad habit!
Note to self: Start doing cool hair braids! I’m totally with you on the spring cleaning – possessions, diet, and fitness! This month I’m off to Australia to be a bridesmaid in one of my best girlfriends’ weddings, and I’m so so excited to relax and re-charge while I’m there. Obviously there will be lots of wedding to do’s but I can’t wait to finally look after some of the areas of my vision board that I’ve been neglecting (just like you mentioned in your post the other day!) Have a great afternoon Gina!
i love these! i wish they were printable so i could print and pin on my fridge.
i’m totally going to attempt the braid but i’m terrible at braiding my own hair.
My food change for this month is to cut back on eating meats. I still want to eat them, but just not everyday, or every week for that matter. 🙂 So far so good!
My fitness change is to incorporate an early morning Ashtanga yoga practice back into my routine. I miss it dearly and the benefits of doing it daily were unlimited. Now to just set (and actually wake up to) the alarm clock at 5am……
More yoga and pilates!! Started a day early on March 31 🙂
This is obviously not the most healthy preparation, but my family has a tradition of making stuffed artichokes on every holiday. They’re stuffed with breadcrumbs, parmesan, garlic and drizzled with oil so that when you do the traditional scraping your teeth along the leaf, not only do you get to eat the soft end, but also a mouthful of the breadcrumb mixture.
My fitness goal this month is to get into P90X again and get stronger and more toned. And I can’t wait to eat meat again (I gave it up for lent) so I can get some delicious protein. 🙂
What a fun post! I always look forward to your monthly “ways to make it a great month”!
My personal favorite artichoke recipe: spinach and artichoke hummus…so good
My fitness goal: spice up my weight lifting routine with some new moves for my legs (it’s shorts season!) and take advantage of the amazing weather and run outside more (I’m addicted to the treadmill for HIIT and other speed workouts…time to move it outdoors!) 🙂
Those loose and messy bun/braids are so cool…I wish I could braid my own hair and get it all wrapped up like that so it looked pretty…and not just like I rolled out of bed 🙂
I wish I had the talent to do those braids but no matter how easy people say they are, I get all sorts of confused in the mirror with the whole “flipped around” thing and end up with a giant failure on my head. Twisty bands are about all I’ve mastered! 🙂
I wish I had the skill to do any of those hairdos. 🙂
love, love, love my hunter rain boots and wear them often (sometimes even when there is no rain in site!). also, i am on the same page with you for bumping up the protein this month…i’m in my 7th month of pregnancy and know it’s more important now than ever. Glad i’ll be able to read your blog for inspiration!
I definitely want to work on cleaning up my diet this month. First trimester has left me craving carbs and protein, and I’ve been slacking in the fruits n veggies area.
I love finding new hair ideas on Pinterest! I want to add highlights to my hair and I’ve been trying to find good pictures on there to take to my hair stylist! So if you see any send them my way. 🙂
I had a great start to April – I got a BFP this morning!!!!!!!!!
My baby is almost a month old so while I’m definitely still trying to find my groove and figure things out, I do feel a little ready to start getting back to my old self. So my April goals are to get back into a fitness routine, try to look somewhat presentable each day (this one may not happen everyday- like today for instance is just a no make up, pajama day). I didn’t mean for it to be that kind of day but my little guy apparently wanted it that way.
My other goal is inspired by your March goal. More GREENS please! I’m having something green everyday. Days 1 and 2 have been successful. I need to make sure to keep it up.
My friends did a waterfall braid for me and curled the rest of my hair for my college ring ceremony on friday! I just posted a picture of it on my blog this morning! It’s definitely on of my favs!
i always love your new-month posts…. they are so inspirational, thank you! the love fern is the best though– that movie KILLS me!! have an ahhhmazing april 🙂
LOVE the waterfall braid!!
I finally signed up for a yoga class and will starting an 8 week beginners program next week. I’m so excited and nervous at the same time 🙂
Your post has perfect timing! I just came back from the doctor and was diagnosed with a stress fracture in my foot, so I’m stuck in a boot for several weeks and need to rethink the whole eating/work out balance! I’m pumped to hone in my eating now that I can’t do hours of cardio, add in tons of new core work, and try out bikram yoga when I get out of the foot boot! 🙂
Love the braids! I’ve ALWAYS wanted to have the sort of thick straight or wavy hair that you can just get up and brush and braid. I have super long, super thick, super curly hair like Keri Russell’s before the chop AHEMorHermioneGrangermorelike and I can’t ever brush it or it sort of explodes outwards like a dandelion. And it can bust out of a braid in about fifteen seconds. I’m stuck looking vicariously at pictures like that! 🙂
i absolutely love How to lose a guy in 10 days, it totally cracks me up.
April is goin to be big and busy for me, my niece will be born! (yay!!!!) and I will be coming up closer and closer to my first half marathon in May.
I plan to keep training hard throughout April, something I can say I have never done before, 2012 has been such a great year so far for me fitness and health wise. I don’t think I have too many changes I want to do, since I’ve started off strong this year. And well protein is no issue over here, eating paleo and all! haha
I love any kind of an artichoke dip! But I also just love putting artichokes on my salad (canned, of course, I am in dire need of those how-to links you posted in terms of fresh artichokes!).
I also just ripped out a magazine article on 30 different hairstyles – cannot wait to try them out, one a day for April!
Love artichokes, especially purple.
haha-love that scene from ‘how to lose a guy in 10 days,” too funny.
Now on to these braids! I am thrilled. I am such a braid person and now I can step it up. Thanks Gina. Have a great rest of ya day. 🙂
I’ve never actually cooked an artichoke for myself before! They’ve always intimidated me. 😛 I’m going to make that my goal for April!
i just bought a groupon for 10 hot yoga sessions! after a winter of running, i’m looking forward to getting some springy flexibility back!
Love the list and the beautiful braids!