This week has totally thrown me for a loop. I have felt so confused about what day it is and what I should be doing. My routine is all off. Wednesday felt like Monday. It’s been gray, raining and dreary all week. I haven’t done laundry. My house is in a bit of a state of chaos with Christmas gifts that need to be put up, Ikea boxes, etc. I just made it to the grocery store tonight…thank god! It’s been desperation eating this week.
Butternut squash and bean chili every single day for lunch. While delicious, I’m officially over it.
Salad bar every night for dinner. (Although I’m not sure you can call the concoction on the left a salad…I think it’s a candidate for “shit bloggers eat.” Even if it wasn’t pretty it sure tasted good.) For the record…big salad from Harris Teeter (on right) = $4, big salad from Whole Foods (on left) = $8. Noted for budget reasons.
I don’t have pictures of my breakfasts because they have been so sad. This morning I had to resort to semi-freezer burned toast from the depths of the freezer with peanut butter. I didn’t even have any bananas to top it with.
I couldn’t take it anymore so I stopped at Trader Joe’s after teaching BodyPump tonight (40 members in class! Holla!) and did a major restock. I came home and immediately put together my first real dinner of the week. I seasoned salmon with salt, pepper and Dizzy Pig’s Tsunami Spin and broiled it for about 8 minutes (until firm in the thickest part of the salmon filet). I topped it with a little Trader Joe’s Island Soyaki Sauce and then served it over steamed brown rice and sauteed baby bok choy and baby portobello mushrooms that were cooked with the Soyaki Sauce. This meal was easy, healthy and satisfying.
Now, let me share with you something interesting that happened to me today.
When I got back to the gym after my lunch break I found an envelope on the ground in the parking deck. It was addressed in a child’s handwriting to “the person who finds this.” Inside the envelope was three brand new dollar bills and a note reading,
“In honor of the 26 lives lost during the shooting at Sandy Hook School in Newtown, Connecticut on December 14th, my children and I are performing 26 random acts of kindness. You are random act #24. Imagine if we all did 26 random acts of kindness? Are you in?”
It caused me to really pause and think and I haven’t been able to let go of it all day. I thought that maybe we could perform the 26 random acts of kindness together. Here’s my idea…I will take random act #1 and then assign numbers to the first 25 people who leave comments that they want to participate (I’ll send out a group e-mail). We will all perform our random acts over the next week. You can take a picture or e-mail me to tell me what you did. And then I’ll write a round-up post recapping our 26 acts with stories and pictures.
Are you in?
*If we get more than 26…of course I will start a new group of 26. Bring it guys!
**Update: huge response! Keep signing up and I’ll create as many groups as needed. xoxoxoxo
I’m in! This really touches me.
What a wonderful idea to honor the children and spread positivity. I would love to participate in this!
I’m in! : )
That is adorable. I heard about this and I’m happy to see that people are doing it! I’m in too.
I would love to participate…what a great idea and appreciate you getting your blog readers involved!
I’m on act 16. I’ve been doing this for the past few weeks and have been taking it quite serious. It’s a fulfilling and lovely way to remember the lives taken in newtown. Good for you for spreading the word 🙂
Count me in!
I would LOVE to do this! Count me in!
I’m in!
Totally in!
I love this!! I am so in.
LOVE it! I’m in!
I’d love to participate!
Count me in!!!
LOVE THIS.
I’m in.
I’m in!
In!!
Count me in!!
Thank goodness! It’s been haunting me that I haven’t embraced this movement. I’m in!
Sherie
Not sure what # comment I am…but I would LOVE to be in!
I’m in 🙂
I’m in!!
My daughter and I would love to be involved.
I’m in for sure!!
Thank you Jen! I would love to be a part of this!! 🙂
We need more of this in the world. And, I need more getting outside of my own little world. I’m in.
I’m in!
In!!!! Hope you can squeeze in another one. 🙂
I would LOVE to participate in this! Looks like I’m too late for the first group but count me in for the second group!
I’ve been doing this and I am on Act 3!
looks like im a little late, but would (and will!) still participate on my own if you can’t fit another 🙂
I’m in too! I bet you could get 100 easy!
I’m IN!
Jen, what an amazing thing that happened to you in finding that envelope. You have reached your 26, but I’m totally in if I can still join in. 🙂
Bummer I’m too late. I’m up for it anyway and totally inspired!!
So very in!
I’m definitely in!
I’d be in a second group too.
PS I’m really loving your posts lately. I know it must be difficult to transition from a purely fitness-and-nutrition blog to one that includes more plain old life stuff, but I really like it.
I’m in if you start a second group!
Love this! I’m totally in!
Group two of 26 random acts!
Sign me up!
This s awesome!
What a cool idea! Count me in.
I am SO in!!
I’m in!
I love this. Up with kindness! I would love to participate. 🙂
Would love to join group 2, I’m definitely in!
In!
I’m in!
i’m in! i think this is a phenomenal idea…i used to go on random acts of kindness “nights” with my youth group many moons ago…
I’m in, but it looks like I’m too late….I would still LOVE to perform an act of kindness though. I think that you are on to something really great.
xo, jin
I’m in!
I’m in!
I’m totally in!
I would love to participate!
I’d love to participate if there is room. What a wonderful thing!
Would love to participate as well! A fantastic idea Jen!
Awesome you are doing this! I completed my 26 Random Acts over the holidays and really enjoyed participating!! Ann Curry has started an incredible movement!! I can’t wait to hear what everyone does. You can follow #26ACTS on Twitter to read some wonderful stories!
If you do two groups I’m in!!
i’m in, somehow, whether it’s through your blog or on my own if you get too many responses, lol. 🙂
What a great idea! I would love to be in if there is still room!
Awesome idea! Would love to be apart of it
Completely in! What a special thing to do!
Love this, Jen!! I’m IN – Let me know if you want help with anything!
I’m in–either through one of your groups or on my own if you have too many responses. Great idea!
Love this! I’m in!
I’m in!
I’m in!
I’m in!!
What a touching and wonderful way to start off the new year…I’m IN!
I would love to participate!
I would love to do this so if needed assign me random act of kindness # 100!
I know I’m a little late to the game on the comments, but I love this idea and would love to participate!
I’m in if it’s not too late!
This is great. Would love to participate!
Me too please!
I’m in! Love this idea
I’m in too!!!
I’d love to participate!!
This is so great! Count me in!
I would love to participate, count me in!
I’m In!!!!!
I love it! I’m in, too!!
This is wonderful… I’m in!
What a wonderful idea, Jen. I’m in.
100% IN. LOVE this.
I’m in!!
I would absolutely love to participate! This is wonderful!!
Count me in!
I am definitely in!
Im in!
Very interested! Recently saw something similiar called “paying it forward for Jayden Lamb”. Great opportunity to add a little light to someone’s day.
I would love to participate!
LOVE this idea. IN like flynn!
absolutely in!!
I would love to join in!! How wonderful.
Wonderful idea. I’m in!
I am IN!!!
This is a great idea!!!
I’m in Jen. Thank you for sharing!!
I’m in, Jen! What a neat way to start off the year and think about change for someone else.
What a wonderful idea! Count me in, please!
I’m in.
Awesome idea! I’m in!
Love this!! Great idea Jen.
sooooo “in”.
count me in! this is amazing!
I’m in! If its not ttoo late!
I’m in! [email protected]
I’m in!
So in!
In! Awesomeness.
Glad you’re going to do a few groups- I am in too, please!
Would love to join in the kindness, I’m in!
Would love to participate in this if you still have room! Great idea.
I’m in!
I’m in!
Just now catching up on blog posts, but if there is still room, I would love to do this! I’m in 🙂
Have a wonderful weekend!!!
MC
I would love to participate if there is still room in a group.
I am in if you are still taking people! This is awesome!!!
I’d LOVE to participate! What a great idea and just what I needed this week. 🙂
Count me in!
I’m on act #9! Ann Curry started this shortly after the shooting in Newtown, and there’s a twitter and Facebook page for them. You should link up, because there are some really awesome ideas!! Maybe you’ll be motivated to do the full 26:)
There are simple and (almost) free ones, such as sending a thank you card to the first responders of Newtown. A completely free one that anyone can do at any time- play freerice.com! In the corner you can change subjects. I’m actually a former World Food Programme employee (so I didn’t feel bad when I’d play this at work ha!) and the geography ones are my favorite!
My favorite one that I did was I was on the red eye home for the holidays, arriving Christmas morning. The night of the flight, while buying myself some tea from Starbucks, I picked up 4 $5 gift cards. As I got off that 9(!!!) hour flight, I handed the gift cards to 4 of the flight attendants that worked throughout the night:)
I just caught up on your blog! Is it too late to join? I would love too do this!!!!
Is it too late to join??
Would love to join if it’s not too late!
I would love to do this if there is still time to sign up!
I’m in! I’m a day late, but home I can still participate!!
I like this, and hadn’t heard of the specific movement, so thank-you for posting! …I am going to challenge myself to do all 26 though. 🙂
My children and I are in as well! Yay!
I’m in, Jen!
I’m in!
I’d love to do it too!
I’m in!!
I’d love to participate if it’s not too late? 🙂
I would also love to be apart of this if it’s not too late!
I want to be in too!!