A little bit about me (and hopefully a little about you!)

My oldest daughter, Amalia and I creating a ruckus in the kitchen. She loves to help. I have no idea what she looking at.

I’m also vegan. I became vegan in 2006,but the process was a transition.

I’m not “granola.” I like to garden and I do shop occasionally at my farmer’s market but I don’t consider myself a locavore. Or 100% organic. I use a microwave and I’ve been known to even eat food from a can.

I like yoga but I’m not a yogi (a word of warning, this YouTube video is hilarious, but contains a little swear in the title of the video as well as at the very end of video).

I use the label vegan with some trepidation because labels can often be misleading or misrepresent a person’s true intentions. As a vegan, to the extent that I am able, I do my best to avoid consuming animal foods/products, but I’m not a perfect vegan.

I never want to be in your face, obnoxious, or self-righteous.

I’d like to think even though I’m not the most talented, or the best, with time, effort and a lot of hard work, I can do great things.

I teach fitness classes. This has been our bread and butter (vegan butter should I say?) as I have helped support my husband through his undergraduate studies and law school (which he just completed in 2011).

I am AFAA certified, yoga-alliance certified, and have been teaching for as long as I have been vegan. I have taught fitness classes at Brigham Young University, Utah Valley University, the LDS Missionary Training Center, various community centers and for a corporate wellness program.

I teach most formats including aerobics, step aerobics, kickboxing, muscle toning, Pilates, yoga, and water aerobics.

I think formal exercise is an amazing way to reconnect with your body and feel good. I love teaching because I feel like I can help people become more confident as they learn to love movement and I have some strong opinions about why people need to exercise.

I studied English (emphasis on literature) in college with minors in theatre studies & art. I attended various community colleges, a small liberal arts college, and then finally completed my bachelor’s at Brigham Young University.

My attention was always too fractured for me to have ever been much of a spectacular student, but I enjoyed learning despite my (what I thought at the time) lack of intellect or talent.

I love reading. I like reading novels, but these days I read mostly newspapers, magazines, and blogs, things that can be done in short snippets of time throughout the day.

I’m a fan of Theodore Dreiser & Thomas Hardy (both naturalist authors) & John Grisham (just a great storyteller & writer).

I like people (I love people!). Relationships are what makes my world go round. I never tire of meeting people. I want to know what a person thinks, what they do, why they do it. Knowing people and staying connected helps keep me happy, even though I’m not always the best at it.

My favorite times of day are early mornings and evenings after 8 o’clock.

I love holding my children and making them laugh. I love how much energy they have. I want to always have children around me to remind me what it means to be alive.

I did not start out with the intention to become a “blogger,” but rather I just wanted to share my experience. Along the way I have realized it’s a lot of work and it’s a little scary (you’re totally putting yourself out there) but despite this, I like (I think it’s safe to say, I love) blogging.

The best thing about blogging is you, the reader. I love knowing there are others out there who value the same things that I do, and struggle some of the same issues.

I’ve told you a little about me, now it’s your turn. Tell me a little about YOURSELF. (Please, please, pretty please?) I’d love to know all about you. Do share (please?).