Howdy folks, I can’t believe we are already well into February! I’m trying some new things here on the blog this year like peeks into how I spend my weekend days, as well as some more nutrition, health and fitness posts because this year is all about spreading my wings. I had a sweet reader contact me on Facebook asking whether I was bringing back the Nourished Life Gratitude posts in 2017 (hi Nancy!). I certainly took a little break from publishing my gratitude lists here on the blog, but I have still been journalling my gratitude as a way of increasing my happiness, keeping me mindful of the amazing things in my life, and helping with my mental health.
I think in 2017 it might be easier to do a monthly round up of the awesome things that are happening in my life, and what I have been grateful for so that I have room for my lifestyle-ish (don’t worry there won’t be any home decor posts here – not in my wheelhouse) and health/fitness/nutrition posts and recipes (always). Without any further ado, here is my Nourished Life Gratitude List 2017 – January!
We started 2017 with a pool party/brunch/lunch at my best friend Casey and her husband Matt’s house! There were fruit and cheese platters galore, unexpectedly competitive games of pool volleyball, and an ice cream sundae bar. I was grateful to start 2017 on a slow, sweet note with a big splash of fun. Although I didn’t set “goals” as such for this year, bringing more fun into my life is definitely one of my intentions for 2017. 
I read so many books on my three week break over Christmas/New Years. I am on a real reading binge, and grateful for the access I have to a public library (Chris and my credit card also like this). I usually sway towards non-fiction and literary fiction, but over Christmas I read some really great fantasy books. I’m on Goodreads so if any of you want to be friends look me up! I am a lifelong bookworm and I am grateful that I got to dedicate so many hours to reading over my break. 
My amazingly talented friend Julie (who is also my amazingly talented PT) held her first pop-up yoga event last weekend! It was the best way to start a Sunday. We practiced yoga under the trees and then enjoyed breakfast from a local cafe. I was grateful to Julie for providing this free class, and for the chance to do yoga in such a different location. I floated home on a cloud. I have been practicing yoga for nearly a year now, and it has made such a difference to the way I view my body, and the way I deal with stress. I have anxiety, and having yoga breathing techniques in my toolbox of ways to cope with anxious feelings has been so valuable. I also feel like every yoga class is a way of saying thank you to my body for carrying me through my days, and with each twist and bend I am grateful for the hard work it puts in as my way of adventuring in this world. 
This little peanut has been part of our family for a year now! I can’t even remember what life was like without Miss Penny she is just part of who we are. I am grateful for every snuggle, every snuffle, every lick, every tussle with her million and one toys, every morning walk, every evening cuddle. She has brought nothing but happiness to our lives and gives Chris and I unconditional love every minute of the day. I am grateful for Penny making Chris and I into a little family. Happy Adopt-iversary Penny! 
Speaking of those morning walks, Penny and I have missed only one or two mornings of walking in January. I don’t even need an alarm clock to wake up anymore. Miss Penny knows exactly when 5.00am hits and we are up and out the door lickety-split. We cover just over 3km, which is pretty good considering how small Penny’s legs are! I love this morning ritual and I am grateful that I get a chance to witness the world waking up and take a few minutes at the dawn of each day to feel like the world was made for just Penny and me. 
Chris and I did some boring financial stuff in January, and while I did complain a little (okay, a lot) about the paperwork involved I am grateful we got stuff sorted out. I also realised that while Chris and I aren’t gushy, overly romantic types (although, the man gives incredible presents when the occasion is required) he shows his love for me by making sure we are set up for our future together. He shows his love by ensuring that our insurances, finances etc are all taken care of so we can just enjoy our time together knowing that we are secure and set for whatever comes next. I am grateful that Chris shows his love in such practical ways, and that I am able to see this as his way of expressing love. 
We enjoyed two beautiful picnics by the river in January. We caught up with our friends Nick and James one Saturday and sat by the river all afternoon and evening eat chips and dip for dinner (sometimes, that’s just what you need) and another day we joined our friends Nathan and Kat to celebrate Nathan’s 30th birthday with a big party. Both of these made me grateful for the friends Chris has brought into my life (these people are all amazing and lovely and giving and hilarious) and for living in this city. One of my intentions for 2017 is to explore Brisbane more, and to share my adventures here with you! 
One of the things I am most grateful for this January is the peace I have found with my body, or at least, the peace I am finding with my body. One of the times this struck me the most was at the end of last year when Chris and I took a beach holiday with my family to celebrate my Dad’s 60th birthday. I am not usually secure in my swimsuit on the beach, but this year I realised that I could either waste time being self conscious or just let it go and have a good time. I chose the latter, and when my Dad was showing me photos he had taken of my sister and I playing in the surf, I was happy to have pictures of myself on the beach for the first time. Not because I have the perfect “bikini body” (there’s no such thing) but because I am smiling and laughing and just having fun being alive, on the beach with the people I love. My parents framed one of the photos and gave it to me for Christmas as the perfect reminder of how much happiness, joy and adventure is out there waiting for us when we let go of our insecurities, our worries about being perfect, and our search for the ideal body, and just live.
I have been doing a lot of internal work over the past few months in creating a positive, nourishing relationship with my body, food, and movement, and that’s one of the things I want to share more of with you in 2017 and on into the future. 
And that’s all for January, folks. I’ll leave you with this picture of Penny looking very grumpy when I told her she couldn’t steal any of my Mango, Avocado, and Black Bean Salad.
Let me know what you have been grateful for this January friends!