Happy May 24th! And Happy Birthday to me!

Not much has changed, my hair grew in…and I no longer own ruffle socks…

This year I am celebrating my 30th year. Yikes, goodbye 20s! I honestly never thought this day would come so quickly, but alas, here we are. Many have asked me how I feel about turning 30. The truth is I have NO idea how to feel. Part of me is apathetic, like ok cool, another day, another year, what’s the big deal? Another part of me is excited and ready to see what the next decade has in store for me. The last part of me is like holy BLEEPING crap I’m 30 and I want to panic and hide under the covers. Good news is I’m far too busy, caffeinated, and hyper to ever do that, so let’s go with that I’m apathetically excited…how’s that oxymoron for you?!

Bring it on 30…

13 Going on 30

I love birthdays. I actually love other peoples’ birthdays more than I love my own. I get such joy in celebrating others and frankly hate the direct attention on myself. This is probably why I do my best to give you content, recipes and education and give you little into my personal life. It’s easier to hide behind a beautiful photo than tell you the ins & outs of what makes Sassy who she is.

This year to celebrate 30 years on this planet, I decided I was going to share 30 things about me to give you more insight into my life (if you’re interested). It is a way to celebrate who Sassy is and has been over the past 30 years.  I hope you find it somewhat amusing and maybe helps you feel like you know me a bit better. I’m sure I’ve forgotten at least 500 things. When I asked friends for input I learned things I didn’t even know about myself. I mean, I never knew I laugh with my mouth WIDE open, who knew?!

circa 2010 when cameras were a thing because we all had flip phones…

They say you’re only as old as you feel. Most days I don’t notice any difference. And other days I wonder why my body is sore all over from a workout that wasn’t even that bad. I am so glad that I started this blog in my 20s to share a slice of my life, education, and philosophy  with you all. Here’s to a decade more of all things #sassyapproved.

Reflecting on my 20s

Thinking back on it, a lot happened in my 20s. I finished my swimming career, got my wisdom teeth removed, graduated from Cornell, moved to Chicago, Completed my MBA, Became an RD, Moved to Albany, Started a new job, Started CrossFit, Got Engaged, Became a CrossFit trainer, Quit that first job, Got Married, Bought a House, Got a new job, Got a dog, quit that job, got another….and so much more.

My 20s taught me it’s okay to be yourself. It taught me that not all friendships work out but it’s okay. It taught me that sometimes hard work doesn’t pay off, and then sometimes it really does. My 20s taught me to laugh more and cry less. But also, don’t be afraid to cry. They taught me to be a little more cynical and lot louder and outgoing. My 20s brought me to a bunch of new places, new jobs and new friends. They haven’t been all sunshine and roses but they sure taught me a lot. I lost my favorite dog in my 20s, but gained a new dog to expand my love of dogs. So long 20s you’ve been quite the teacher, but here’s to more fun, adventure, friends and love in my 30s. See ya later Alligator!

Smell ya later! 

30 Things for 30 Years

Okay, here goes nothing, in no particular order. Here are 30 things you may or may not know about me. I hope you enjoy a little slice of who I am today and hope you celebrate by raising a glass of whatever it is you like to drink (preferably coffee, seltzer, wine, or cider) to Sassy turning 30! Cheers and here’s to my 30s being even more of a crazy adventure than my 20s were.

Did you know!? 

1. I don’t follow recipes and almost never measure (unless it’s a recipe I post for you all here). It frustrates me more to have to follow step by step then just make it up as I go! I also forget to set timers, so I sometimes burn the bacon…
2. I was a D1 Swimmer for 4 years & Captain my senior year. I was also voted captain sophomore year but my coach told me I was too young…never told anyone that. My best (and favorite) event was the 200 Butterfly. I once did 10×200 butterflys at the end of practice, for fun. I was actually always good at butterfly it just came naturally. I ended my career on the worst swim I could imagine, the only regret I have is not having more fun at my last meet.
   
3. I can’t eat bananas or cashews. I have immediate nausea & stomach issues, it’s sad because I love both of those foods.
4. I love making funny cards for people’s birthdays instead of buying them. I once made my friend a card on a Bisquick box, it was a work of art.
5. I’m really bad at taking selfies, but when I do take them, I can never keep my mouth closed.  I prefer to be behind the camera.
   
6. I listen to country music but used to hate it, until my neighbor Sarah gave me no choice in carpool. My first concert was Rascal Flatts. I once one tickets to a Brad Paisley concert in a small bar in Chicago, it is hands down my favorite concert to date.
7. I started drinking coffee in grad school and have been hooked ever since. I’ve never liked much in it except cream/milk. I hate sweet coffee. My Starbucks order is a Grande Flat White, in case you ever need to know.
8. I fall asleep during {almost} every movie I watch. I’ve fallen asleep in theaters and I once even fell asleep during fireworks. I guess you could say I’m an opportunistic napper.
9. I have almost no idea how to style my hair or make up. So I let others do it for events. I have curly hair but many people don’t know that because I live my life in messy buns.
   
10. I’ve never been outside of the country (unless you count Canada or Puerto Rico). This makes me sad. Please send help.
11. I can {still} do the worm, but only backwards. I tried this week, and I’ve still got it!
12. I joined Crossfit because I missed swimming. I started with zero pull ups, and now I’m known for my lats. It’s been one of my favorite activities in my 20s and I wish I had started it sooner.
13. I call red sauce/marinara “gravy” it’s a family thing.
14. I hate the smell & taste of Whiskey. And no, i’ve never overdone it on whiskey (other alcohol, most definitely) I just never could get over the smell.
15. I sneeze {almost} every time I go outside and see the sun. It’s a gene that I remember learning about in high school and find it hilarious.
16. I talk in my sleep and thrash as if I’m being attacked. I would fall out of bed as a child, and wouldn’t wake up.
    
17. I love to grocery shop but despise clothes shopping. If I could get paid to grocery shop for a living, I think I would do it.
18. I’m a neat freak. Even though I was a messy kid growing up. I still spill on myself daily but my house is almost always tidy.
19. When playing softball as a kid, I straight up asked my coach if I could be a designated runner because I was bored. My parents quickly changed me to lacrosse. I LOVED lacrosse. The politics sucked but I loved the sport. I played Center or Defensive Wing (aka ran the entire field) and would beg to play the entire game. I played all the way through my Senior Year of High School at which point I chose swimming over lacrosse.
    
20. I say words ending in -old weird, or so I’m told. It sounds like ode instead of old…my bad.
21. I pronounce my name like “Lara” but it’s spelled “Laura”. If you are confused, just call me Sassy.
22. I got my ears pierced when I was 3 months old, and then didn’t get another piercing until I was 29. (2nd ear hole + cartilage)
23. I once met Patrick Sharpe (then Captain of the Chicago Blackhawks NHL Team) and thought he was the athletic trainer, until the RD I was working with texted me to ask why I wasn’t more starstruck.
24. My favorite ice cream is Phish Food by Ben & Jerry’s & yes, I can eat the whole pint in one sitting and yes, I’m a dietitian.
25. I tend to “blackout” when I workout, I see no one, hear nothing and feel minimal pain until I’m done. I used to have to do 200 yard swims to everyones 100s to feel the same stimulus. I think my lactic acid might be non-existent.
    
26. I’m an expert eye roller, even when i’m happy or excited, it’s a natural response to everything and I tried to stop once, it didn’t work out so here we are.
27. My favorite Rock Band song (I only sing in Rock Band and refuse to play any other instrument) is Lit’s My Own Worst Enemy, but you have to wait until 2am to hear it. I also love Jimmy Eat World’s Middle.
28. I hope to some day visit every National Park, Italy, New Zealand, Greece, Japan and a bucket list a mile long.
    
29. I’ve had many nicknames in my life, here are the few I remember Little Action Acchione (after my brother being named Action Acchione), Pinecone, LA, LL, Sassy, Lacch, Hurricane Laura, and I’m sure there will be more to come.
30. And finally, if I were a vegetable I’d be a red pepper. I’d be fresh, roasted and red pepper flakes. Why? Because I have thick skin for the most part but I can also be vulnerable, sassy, spicy and sweet.

Okay, that’s it, that’s all I’ve got for you today. If you have any memories or funny observations about/with me let me hear them I’m always up for a good opened-mouth laugh. I would love to learn something about you today, share away and let me know something about you that makes you so uniquely who you are!

Thanks for supporting my work, here’s to another decade of sassy recipes, content and more.

xoxo,

Sassy