Penny and I are currently lying on the couch, watching The West Wing, and listening to the rain coming down while the night comes in. Today was a lazy Sunday and I’m taking a few quiet moments to reflect on all there has been to be grateful for this week, so here in my Nourished Life Gratitude List 2016 – Week Eleven. 
This week Chris and I took some out one night to have a family movie night. Penny, Chris and I curled up on the couch and watch Vacation (hilarious by the way) and laughed and laughed together. I was grateful for some time together in the middle of the week, and for this movie, which is not my usual style, but that I ended up enjoying very much.
I woke up on Friday morning to really surprising news – my Lemon Pistachio Zucchini Bread was featured on The Feed Feed’s Gluten Free Breads feed! I was so surprised and delighted by this honour! I’m grateful that The Feedfeed shared one of my favourite recipes with people – it really is delicious!
This week has been a super awesome week for running. I have been flat out at work, so making time for my runs in the afternoon has been very important for my physical and mental health. I’m grateful for having a beautiful place to run, and for having time to spend out on the path when I need a break from the real world. 
To be honest, sometimes I don’t do the best job at self care, and I am one of the most easily stressed out people in the world. After a meeting on Friday afternoon I had twisted myself so tightly that I ended up in tears on the phone to my mother and sister for nearly an hour on Saturday morning. They know me better than I know myself and they had the following advice: cut yourself a break, spend some time doing exactly whatever it is you need to do to untwist yourself, and take a load off. So, I dried off my tears, went to the library and breathed in my favourite scent, bought the ingredients to make baked cheesecake, curled up on the couch for a nap with my dog, and then went for a run before Chris and I had a relaxed dinner, ate ice cream and watched a movie. Amy: untwisted. Firstly, I’m grateful for the sage advice of my mother and sister. Secondly, I’m grateful that I finally took the time to spend some time on me. Because we are all worth that time. It’s not selfish, it’s not self-centred, it’s not self-obsessed to take time out to nourish your self. It’s what we all need to make a priority if we are to be healthy, whole people. Spend energy on yourself so that you have the energy to spend on others.
Sunday morning I slept through my alarm, and woke up 3.5 hours later. I shed the guilt. I relished the feeling of the fresh sheets I had just put on the bed the night before, and I snuggled more deeply into Chris’s arms. After that we clambered out of bed, hooked Penny into her harness and treated ourselves to brunch at the neighbourhood cafe. It was a peaceful, perfect start to Sunday. I’m grateful that Chris and I got to give ourselves that time together and have a special start to our morning.
Also this week:
- I made a big batch of soup so we could feed ourselves all week long
- Mornings got better with a handful of sweet and crunch granola
So, tell me dear reader, what are you grateful for this week? Share it here, or on my Facebook page!