About

I teach my third grade students how writing every day is what helps you to become a better writer, and I expect them to do this every day without any whining!

Now it is my turn to practice what I preach.

I’ve decided to turn this blog into a daily diary about working toward finding a balance of happiness and health in all aspects of my life: relationships, physical health, mental health, career goals, etc.

Please join me on my journey of becoming a healthy, happy blogger!

Here’s a little about me!

I live Central Virginia with my loving husband, Larry, and two dogs, Dallas and Lucy.  I strive to live as healthy a lifestyle as possible.  On January 31, 2008, I ate my last bite of meat at a candlelit New Years Eve dinner.  After much thought, contemplation, and research I decided to become a lactoovo vegetarian.  I do not eat meat or meat products, but I do eat dairy and eggs products, because I simply could not give up cheese and chocolate!!! 

 The first month of eating a lacto-ovo diet was very easy difficult for me.  I wasn’t quite sure how to replace the proteins in my diet, and found myself hungry–often.  However, over the past year I have found a healthy approach to eating, and I don’t think I’ll ever be able to return to my old carnivorous ways again!

 I try to workout as much as possible.  I love taking classes at the gym, doing workout videos at home, going for long runs (although “long” is a relative term), and lifting weights with my hunky hubby.  The endorphins released during exercise are definitely my drug of choice . 

 You would think that healthy eating and exercise would be enough, right?  Wrong!  I want to not only have a healthy body, but a healthy mind also.  I need to find a creative way to express myself, slow down, and find that “inner peace” you hear so many people on Oprah talking about!

I have been teaching elementary school for seven years now.  This past summer I graduated from VCU with a Masters of Education in Reading.  This drew to a close a major goal I had set for myself three years prior.  Not having research to do, and papers to write, I became rather restless, and my fingers were itching to write.  Thus the goal for a blog emerged.

  

So, as I tell my third graders: Write every day. Think about writing every chance you get.  And live a “writer-ly” life.  The possibilities are endless.

3 responses to “About

  1. you go girl!

    this is really great! I don’t know how you do it! you really are a great role model, not only for your students but to those you work with too!

  2. hi Jen,

    I just found your blog through twitter. I live in Richmond and I’m assuming you do as well since you graduated from VCU recently. Very cool!!

    Can’t wait to read more.

  3. Sandy Hayashi

    Dear Jennifer,

    We are huge fans of Happy Heart, Happy Mind over at Glam Media! We’re one of the top 10 online media companies in the US and would love for you to help pilot our new Health & Wellness Community at Bliss.com, slated to launch in the coming weeks.

    If you’re interested, please contact me about joining our community for the launch!

    Cheers,

    Sandy Hayashi
    Community Partners Editor
    Glam Media
    sandyh@glam.com

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