(365 Chances) #8: I like to move it, move it.

So I read over at Story of My Life that today is something called "Blue Monday," because of the passing of Christmas, holiday debt, and holiday weight gain catching up with us. Without knowing it, I started combatting it early this morning when I woke up at 5:46 am with Mike and went to the gym. Can I make a small confession? I've been a member of Planet Fitness for a while now, but in all the year and half a month I've known him, Mike has never known that. I'm not some super-secret-keeper; I just haven't gone. That's right: $120 straight down the drain. I never canceled my membership because I thought that eventually I'd get motivated enough to go. With my last job a good hour and twenty minute commute from home, I fell into the I-don't-have-time-for-this mentality, but now that the gym is on my way to work, I ran out of excuses.

Anyway, I make no promises, but I'm feeling pretty good about it. We'll see what my legs are saying tomorrow morning at 5:46 am, but for now they're feeling pretty good as well.

Also helping me beat the blues is a little spotlight over at Adventures of Newlyweds. Ashley and I went to middle school and high school together, starred in The Man Who Came to Dinner, played upside-down-stool-drums together in AP Chem (which I think reflected in our grades and Mr. Harrington's--yes, I remember his name and think of him every time I watch Breaking Bad--opinion of us), and were completely freaked out by one of teacher's Hump Day Dance. In those days, I was lucky to have quality over quantity in friendships, and Ashley was one of them. It was pretty heartbreaking when she moved off to Michigan way back when, but it seems she's pretty used to the jet-setting lifestyle, so I guess that was early practice. Funny the way life shifts and the places that you run into people again.

This weekend was awesome. After making dinner and settling into a Friday night in, Mike said, "It's kind of nice not having somewhere to be." And I realized, Yeah! I've been spending my weekends running around, seeing people, and as much as I've loved it, a weekend of wandering and no agenda was necessary.

Saturday we made a trip--through the awesome snow--to Sew Low Discount Fabric in Cambridge for some fabric for a curtain and one of the projects from DIY Dress Up, then to the Garment District in Kendall Square for some $1.50/lb clothes action, and finally to Buffalo Exchange to exchange some old clothes for a new-to-me pair of Free People corduroys and a pretty sweet Cape Cod t-shirt. Mike's parents were in the city dropping his sister off, so we all went out to City Girl for a delicious dinner.

Yesterday I spent the whole day in jammies, watching How I Met Your Mother and redoing my Kindle cover! I figured it out, and my Kindle now fits snugly inside. Then I took my experience and made another one as a gift, which I'll have to send out this week.

I have writing group tomorrow, and I'm proud to say I wrote something and submitted it Saturday morning before all of the errands. It's such a great feeling to be on top of my game again.

Don't sit down! (and a quick recipe)

Seriously, though. My coworker sent me this link this morning, and we both proceeded to freak out. Even if you exercise, your risk increases. It's just another reminder that I need to keep working toward my ideal career, whatever that may be. Also a great reminder that I need to become more active, if only to stagnate this terrible process undergoing my body via this office job. I'm so blessed to have a boyfriend who's sports crazy to push me to try new things and stay on my feet.

Mike and I got back to Cambridge last night and made dinner and some molten lava cakes for Jenna's birthday. She and Ron get back today from San Fran, and we're celebrating at her apartment after work. I'm excited to give her her gift; I think I did pretty well this year! I just need to grab a white frame after work and head over.

I braved the impending rain today, and rode my bike. The cool wind was pretty refreshing, and I always feel so awake (even sans coffee!) when I ride my bike. Granted, I only rode it to the train, but one of my goals this summer is to ride it all the way into Newton one day. There's a company gym in our building, so I can just shower when I get to work. I'm excited to have a goal, and hopefully one day I can build up to training for a triathlon or something. Cheers to resolutions in the middle of the year!

For dinner last night, Mike and I had some pasta, chicken apple sausage, mushrooms, onions, and red sauce. It was guh-lish. I knew I wanted a salad with the pasta, but I was hesitant to buy a whole bunch of greens, since I'll be heading back to Ludlow tomorrow for birthday celebrations. Then, standing in the cheese area of Market Basket, my lightbulb flicked on. Of course! A caprese salad!

I bought a little ball of mozzarella, some on-the-vine tomatoes, and a little bunch of basil. Simply slice the mozzarella and arrange on a plate. Slice the tomatoes and layer on top of the cheese, then place chopped bits of basil on top. Sprinkle with cracked black pepper and balsamic vinegar to taste. We used some basil for our pasta too! It was refreshing and a great reminder that summer's on its way. Plus we used all of the ingredients (totaling about $6 in all - cheaper than a caprese salad for one at a restaurant!), so there's no waste.

What simple spring/summer recipes are you rediscovering this time of year? Please share!