Monday, May 28, 2012

Turning 30 and a GIVEAWAY

Lots of stuff happened over the last couple months while I was pregnant with Dylan that I didn't blog about. The two biggest things were that I turned 30 and this Blog Turned 3!!! At the bottom of this post, check out my giveaway! 

But first, inspired by Joy the Baker, I wrote about 30 things I've learned in my 30 years. So here is some of my knowledge for you!

1. Intern. A lot. Learn as much as you can about what you want to do for the rest of your life. It's ok to be broke in college. It's not ok to graduate with no intern experience. I think I  worked a year of my life for free and it was worth it.

2. Travel abroad before you turn thirty. Preferably in college.


3. Drive cross country. It's life changing.

4. Learn how to look good in a photo. It's not about being photogenic. I think that's bs. It's about learning how to rock your good side. Practice in the mirror.

5. On the same note, learn how to take an amazing photograph. It's not just about the kind of camera you have. It's about composition and subject. Also learn to color correct a photo.  You don't need photoshop.  There are plenty of free apps!

6. Eye contact is so important. None of this half looking in someone's eyes or looking over someone while talking.

7. Same note, learn how to kick ass at an interview. Making a good first impression is really important.

8. Learn how to give a good hug. A hug with meaning behind it.

9. Remember that it's better to be talked about than not talked about. Everyone talks about people. Learn to do it tastefully and without hurting people.

10. A positive attitude will get you through most things in life. And humor will make life more fun.  Always remember to laugh.  Especially at yourself.
11. Have at least one go to meal you can make that doesn't involve frozen food or the microwave.

12. Learn to love leftovers. They can be lifesavers.

13. Eat protein at {just about} every meal, along with veggies.

14. Boiled and steamed vegetables are the devil. Roasted and grilled is where its at.

15. Embrace tears. Crying shouldn't be seen as a bad thing. Everyone needs a good cry sometimes.

16. Planning your future is impossible, learn to live in the moment.

17. Planning childbirth is ridiculous. It's important to be educated. But realize there is only one person whose in charge of your birth...and he can't talk.

18. Learn how to give and receive a compliment. This is major. When someone says I love whatever..say thank you. Don't put yourself down.

19. Women in the workplace should support each other more. Never miss an opportunity to help another women's growth. Being a mentor slash having a mentor is so important. 

20. Eventually you need to learn when to put your pen down. When to be satisfied with where you're at and what you have.

21. The best reality tv advice I ever got was "eventually you need to stop looking." Randy on Say Yes to the Dress said this. This applies in relationships especially.

22. Wishing at 11:11 will only get you so far. Sometimes you just gotta take what life hands you.

23. Be in a partnership. Have certain tasks that you do versus your husband/significant other. You need to work for your marriage/relationships. Too many people give up too soon. When you're in a really solid relationship, you should view it as if there is no way out. Which means when there are issues, you work together to fix things.

24. If you're going to show up early, please call first. Ditto with being late.

25. Learn to be a friend. Support each other when you need it. But also learn when to walk away from a friendship when theres nothing left to give. Thirty is too old to have meaningless friendships.

26. Remember that your siblings were your first friends. Stay close. They are the best link to your past and greatest link to your future.

27. Your bond with your mom grows stronger with age.

28. Learn to be immature and mature at the same time. When to act like a little kid and when to be a grown up.

29. Don't be afraid of drama or controversy. Sometimes you need to stand up to people and put people in their place. Same note, you are never too old to learn from people.

30. Life is full of choices. Be happy with the ones you've made. Don't look back and ponder "what if."

Hope you've enjoyed my list. I've grown quite philosophical  in my old age! HA

Now on to my giveaway! I'm giving away my favorite running OR food related items, since after all, this is a Food and Running blog!
So here we go:
Case of Chocolate Zico Coconut water- I love this stuff and technically this could fall under both a food and running related product
OR
Box of Honey Stinger Organic Energy Chews- this is my GO-TO fuel for long runs and marathons.  I love it!

To enter, leave a comment and tell me the most important thing you've learned so far in your life. Or if that's too deep, Tell me a valuable lesson. Tell me something.

Bonus points if you tweet this giveaway, just copy this:
@foodtorunfor is giving away a few of her favorite running and cooking related items, go check it out at foodtorunfor.com

I'll pick a winner at the end of next week. 

Okay, and because I can't resist, one more baby Dylan picture that I snapped on my phone during a newborn photo shoot!


23 comments:

  1. Love this post Lizzy! So many great lessons. I was tempted to say that roasting vegetables can bring you from hater to lover, but you already covered that :) I agree with so many on your list too!! How about do what you love? Life's too short to be miserable. Hope you're enjoying your little man <3

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  2. Happy birthday Lizzy!! And congratulations on beautiful baby Dylan!

    The most important thing I've learned in life is to live by the golden rule: treat others the way I want others to treat me :)

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  3. What a great year for you!!! I turned 30 five years ago...(eekss) and I have been loving every moment of it since. In my 35 years I have learned that people don't change..you just have to work with what you are given with a person. Dylan is ADORABLE!

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  4. Friends can be temporary but family is forever, even if you don't see or talk to them for years, they're still there for you. Similar to one you have, but it's sooo important.

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  5. Love every one of your thirty!

    Mine would be that as cliche as it sounds, life is short. We never know how long we will have with the people we love, and that should affect everything we do and say. And for the same reason, don't take yourself or anything too seriously. :)

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  6. The most important lesson I've learned is to stop comparing my life to those around me. Life isn't always greener and ll those things I want for my life that some may already have doesn't mean I won't get to experience them too.

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  7. I've learned to stop comparing my life to those around me. Life isn't always greener and just because those around me are experiencing different things doesn't mean those things won't happen for me too. Life happens in its own time.

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  8. The most important thing I've learned in my 30 years is that it takes all kinds of people to make up the world. Just because I act and think a certain way doesn't mean everyone does. And instead of just being tolerant of others, I need to celebrate and embrace the differences.

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  9. what a wonderful post (and great giveaways!). Dylan is so precious.

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  10. Great post! Happy 30th, Happy Baby, and Happy blog birthday!

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  11. I have learned that there is nothing more important than God and my family. I have learned that my nothing comes between a true friendship and to always be thankful for what I have and the opportunities that have been given to me as well as all of the wonderful people that are a part of my life!

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  12. I really loved your list! I'd say #30 on your list is the most important thing I've learned so far. I spent way too much time focusing on the mistakes I've made and wondering if the choices I made were the right ones. I finally realized that you can't change the past and you've got to accept the choices you've made. You can always make new choices for the future!

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  13. I <3 this post. And you. And Dylan.

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  14. Great post!
    My children teach me something new everyday and I need to "be present" to learn it.

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  15. LOVE this 30 things!! thanks for sharing.

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  16. Dylan is seriously adorable. I'm not even trying to be polite :) he's just really cute

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  17. Great advice for women of all ages :) I have learned treat people as you would like to be treated.

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  18. Happy Birthday and the most important lesson I have learned in life is....I am stronger than I thought and it does me no good to compare myself to others. That and give myself a break and love my thighs! They help me run not matter their size. ;)

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  19. What an awesome post! You are a great friend and inspiration :) I've learned to be friendly and not to wait for people to be friendly to me. I used to do that, till I finally started telling myself that everyone must be shy to an extent and it's better if I can be that person to make them feel comfortable!

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  20. I loooooove your 30 things! All very creative and so true! <3

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  21. My advice is to advocate for yourself, at work, in relationships and with family.

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  22. Happy bday! This is a great list! Couldn't agree more about what you say about relationships and confidence!

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