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Alaina Maeve
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Alaina Maeve
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AUTHOR

Alaina
Alaina

Focusing on healthy, active living has been my MO for more than ten years (and I do still eat dessert, everything in moderation!). I enjoy creating gluten-free recipes for baked goodies, going on athletic adventures while running or doing yoga, and to love to share life experiences to encourage you to do what feels right for you (you know that deep-in-the-belly-yes feeling that you sometimes ignore that makes you nervous and excited). Here, you get the truth: un-polished and full of humanness. Because I don't know another way to be in this world.

AUTHOR
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Hello! I don’t often show my face here, and thou Hello! I don’t often show my face here, and thought it was about time to show up.
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Truth is, while my life is finally settling into a rather happy rhythm, my body has changed into a shape I don’t quite recognize. And it’s been uncomfortable being a different shape and size for this past year, and longer.
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My brain tells me that all I have to do is start running again, but the truth about that is I haven’t had a consistent running practice in over six years. And it’s harder to move, now that I no longer have the habit and frankly weigh more.
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I’m not a big person, and I don’t say any of these things to offend, but for me, as a person who was consistently the same weight from the end of high school until about 4 years ago, the difference is apparent and something I’m not used to after being “the same” for nearly half my life.
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I’ve struggled to accept buying new clothes, not because the ones I had are worn out, but because they no longer fit.
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While I’m beginning to accept this new me, I still hear that little voice in the back of my head that thinks this gain is a problem I need to solve by exercising more or eating differently. And part of that is true. I am descended from a family with genetically high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and a predisposition for type 2 diabetes.
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Something has to change. Because I want to live a long, heathy life. So while my immediate focus goes to exercise, I know food is a much bigger factor in the playing field of health.
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I’m starting small. So here’s my pledge for the month of May - I am giving up all chips and crackers (unless they are homemade in a healthier baked way). And I commit to daily movement. Because my happiness benefits from the movement, whether that is a run, yoga, a walk, or a 7 minute HIIT workout. It’s an emotional boost!
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Small steps. Thankfully, I’m finally feelin happier in my body. What a tremendous gift it is to allow yourself to buy clothes that fit, rather than fitting into clothes!
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Be kind to yourselves today and always, friends. Wear clothes that fit & feel good & let go of the rest! 💕
Cherry blossoms. . Such beauty, and so fleeting it Cherry blossoms.
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Such beauty, and so fleeting it’s time each year!
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Are you enjoying the brilliant blooms of Spring as much as I am?
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😍🌸😍
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#spring #joy #beauty #cherryblossoms #pinkflowers #beautiful #flowers #sunshineandhappiness
Recently, I saw the cutest little retail space - a Recently, I saw the cutest little retail space - and it was unoccupied! I suddenly had visions of having my own little shop, and followed the dream so far as to paint this little dreamy doorway scene and caked to inquire about renting the space.
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I never did hear if it was available, and as the space sat empty, I spoke with friends and family who encouraged me to start smaller, because pandemic timing and I have the space and time to do so.
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So I am. I have a new site up, and am working on making products and spaces available for custom works.
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A silly little dream I had at age six to be an artist may finally be coming true. Because dreaming becomes doing.
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#followyourdreams #musings #whimsy #whimsybyalaina #makeart #artist #childhooddream #myownshop
Spring is nearly here, and I am OBSESSED with all Spring is nearly here, and I am OBSESSED with all the flowers!
(Especially this giant magnolia!)
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Taking daily walks brings me so much joy this time of year. Everything is budding and blooming and the redwing blackbird is singing her sweet song. 
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I hope you are finding something to make you smile this week!
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#flowers #spring #blooming #findingmagicineverything #alwayslovinlife #beauty #joy #dailywalks
Our bedroom is finally coming together - nearly tw Our bedroom is finally coming together - nearly two years after purchasing this home, I figured out what to do with this window in our bedroom that looks into our guest room. (Remodeled homes can have very odd set up’s).
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I am lucky enough to know a brilliant macramé artist, @macramebyleora , and was able to commission this perfectly fitting piece to fill our window!
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So beautiful. This makes me so happy! 🤍
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Thank you, Leora for this gorgeous piece of art!
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Now, I just need to paint the window trims, caulk around the moldings at the wall, fill nail holes, and hang the bedside lamps... 😂
Sometimes the view from home is everything you nee Sometimes the view from home is everything you need.
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This morning I woke after a pretty poor night’s sleep. I somehow developed a headache halfway through the night, a rib must be out of place and causes me to catch my breath when I roll over, and my adorable cat chose to sleep next to/on me all night, so I was constantly conscious of accidentally squishing her every time I moved.
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This sunrise made waking up more exciting on this day when I had already faced setbacks.
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I also got to see my dear friend @tova_lis_lingerie to talk making & sewing on a project she is working through. A great boost to my day to see you, m’dear!
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Trying to be grateful for all the small gifts today when everything seems just a little bit harder than the “normal” day.
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Wishing you awareness of all the small gifts in your life, so that you, too, can find a little extra joy today.
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#alwayslovinlife #findalittlejoy #sunrise #beauty #alittleextrajoy #findjoyinthesmallthings #mindsetshift #silhouettedtrees #stormscoming
Easy lunch! . I had one @balancedbites meal left f Easy lunch!
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I had one @balancedbites meal left from the bulk buy I made before my surgery, so today I took this “Sloppy Joe Chilli,” quick-warmed in the microwave, added a dollop of organic Greek (locally made) yogurt, and a couple heaping handfuls of chopped red cabbage.
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Easy, delicious, nutritious, and I am grateful to not have to think about what to make for my mid-day meal today. Thanks, @dianesanfilippo for creating these frozen meals!
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Remember to take care of feeding yourself - however that is these days. (I keep missing breakfast... working on paying attention. To the hunger when it closes in on me). Easy, homemade food or not, comfort or “healthy” (whatever that is), PB&J or a bowl full of veggies - take time to add nourishment into your body so you can keep going through the slog of unusual noise happening in our world these days.
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Sending you all love this Monday! 💕
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#cleaneatshappyfeets #goodfood #feedyourself #happymonday #balancedbites #lunch #eatingathome #balancedbitesmeals #deliciousfood
Last night’s sunset walk was full of light and h Last night’s sunset walk was full of light and hope. Evidence of spring all around in the early leaves of daffodils finding their way to the light, geese grouped to swim together through fast currents of high water on the river from heavy rains, and buds growing on the tips of flowering trees.
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Dark days still weigh heavy in the coming weeks as winter is still upon us, yet the excitement of early March brings a smile to my face.
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Days are trending longer, and the sun will soon bring heat and life to the land all around us.
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Finding joy in the little, everyday things gives me hope & joy in the present moment. My hope is that you, too, find some little, ordinary thing to inspire a smile to grace your lips today. 😘
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#alwayslovinlife #dailywalk #getoutside #riverview #sunset #600milesin2021 #cleaneatshappyfeets #beautiful #hope #springiscoming  #pnw
A new haircut! . I seriously needed a trim, and ha A new haircut!
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I seriously needed a trim, and have been dying to get layers in my long locks. Two years ago, I gave myself a “modern shag” haircut after watching many how-to videos, and spent two hours fiddling, and referencing how to hold the hair and back to the scissors.
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This time, I wanted it to be easy. I was not interested in spending 3 hours trying to figure out a hairstyle. So, I tried the ponytail method, and by golly it worked!
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I had to do a little extra trimming for the bangs, but in about 10 minutes I had a good haircut.
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What are you doing for yourself to find ease and joy during this time that is so extraordinary?
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#alwayslovinlife #gavemyselfahaircut #ponytaillayers #ponytaillayeredhaircut #doityourself #homehaircut #keepitsimple #cleaneatshappyfeets

Recent Posts

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Popular Posts

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