Just a New Year

Rodney Yee, Lauren, really? My Sister, Christmas Eve 2012

Yes, Rodney Yee still. Yes, my last post. I started my blog with all of the gusto that a newcomer does to any role. I was excited with so much to say and so much to do and learn. I knew I would never be one of THOSE people. You know the kind who are all vim and vigor and die out within a few months. I was in it for the long haul. Well, I can shamefully admit that we are all vulnerable and can let life get the best of us. Admittedly I got really busy and the technical ins and outs of navigating the online world were even more challening than I had anticipated. Sometimes I look at successful people and beyond the luck they seem to experience I wonder how they manage to fit it all in. Do these people never have banking snafus, late nights at work, relationship issues or family drama? How do they manage to keep it all together?

Well, I cannot answer this question fully since I am still working on it. I am guilty of being too tired and letting life overwhelm me. But the purpose of my blog, hence, the name was to just be your best self. It's sort of appropriate after a little blog hiatus plus the decadence of the holidays. Even though I do take pride in the fact that I'm a healthy balanced eater who usually makes smart choices I was taken in by the siren call of the holidays. Wine, Christmas Cookies, lavish dinners and all sorts of things that I don't usually indulge in are a little hard to resist when they are around all of the time. It's easy to adopt a "why not" policy.

We're all human and have our slip ups from time to time in every aspect of our lives. Since it's a new year, we all deserve a bit of a re-start to get back to where we really want to be. I feel like New Year's Resolutions have become a little bit of a joke in the sense that we all know that we will blow it off at some point. I say to examine what you really want and need and make it a priority. The start of 2013 is just as good an excuse as any to give us that nudge to move forward and seize the day.

Just Friends

You're such a good friend, Nellie!...Laura Ingalls Wilder

Favorite TV show growing up. EVER. Loved the books, the show and the whole part and parcel. I was the only kid on a elementary school field trip who knew how pioneers carried water. Oh, the things I learned from Laura Ingalls Wilder! This iconic scene has stayed with me over many others. Her "friend" Nellie has duped Laura into thinking that she hurt her leg and caused her to be in a wheelchair. Nellie is actually fine, but using the situation to boss Laura around and get attention. Laura finally gets wise to the whole scheme and pushes Nellie down a hill to show she can actually walk yelling "You're such a good friend, Nellie!" Yeah, right.

I was giving some thought this week to friendships. For some reason, I feel the end of the year and the holidays causes me to reflect upon the past year and the changes it has brought. For better or worse I think change actually has the most influence on friendships and relationships because once you evolve people have a new place or sometimes lack there of in your life. Or occasionally, there is that disappointment or the circumstances beyond your control that lead people to walk out of your life. Sad, but true, but honestly how many of us can really say we have the same set of friends we had 10 years ago? Perhaps in a way this is a positive because I know I wouldn't really want to still be the same person that I was all that time ago. I would have hoped I would have evolved somewhat!

During a recent dinner with a friend from high school, we were both sort of discussing that we were a
little the odd ones out. After all, we're both in our 30s and not married, let alone on the precipice of having children. Almost everyone we know from our age group has a toddler bouncing on their knee in a family portrait on Facebook. Since our lives are so different, how can we really continue to hold the same importance in that friend's life when their priorities have been shifted so dramatically. I think it's less on the radar of the person who is navigating their way through change and causes the person left behind to feel, well, a little left behind.  We can never really stop trying to make new connections since our needs change on a reoccurring basis. Who doesn't have the friend who has fallen off the face of the earth with a new beau only to resurface when the relationship is on the rocks or they are single again. No one wants to be alone but how understanding should you be - there is a certain point when there is a shift from empathetic friend to pushover. I certainly don't have the answers but I think it might be stopping the search for the perfect friend or forever friend and know that people will wander in and out of your life based upon the role you need them to fill. There is not one person to fit every need or circumstance. Sometimes the most random people can become our closest unexpected confidants. Whether we realize it or not, we are always in a constant change. Keep the faith, but know we don't all always meet on the same wavelength. Give until it doesn't feel good anymore then allow the tides of change to take care of the rest.

Just Turkey Day

"Don't you worry about cholesterol, lung cancer, love handles?"...Rita, Groundhog Day

Groundhog Dog always made me laugh. I actually wonder why I haven't watched this movie in a while. Bill Murray is trapped in repeating the same day over and over again and he just finally doesn't care any more about anything. So he gives in to the temptations of smoking, drinking and bad food because it will be like it never even really happened when he wakes up the next day. Yikes, a total recipe for disaster!

Today is the big turkey day and maybe because I always react a little bit to winter weather I have been feeling a little like my life is like Ground Hog day these days. You start to get stuck in a bit of the same routine and get a case of the blahs. Since I got back from Austin and the chaos of the storm settled I have been feeling a little like I work, go to the gym and then go home. A routine is important but it's also good to branch out once in a while. Maybe that is why there is always so much excitement around the holidays. It's the idea of eating different foods and  partaking in a different routine where you get to enjoy giving gifts and socializing more.

I feel like the lesson in all of this is that's important to take time to carve out some adventure once in a while no matter what the season. Plan a vacation, or if that's too much try for a day where you embark on a new activity or try something you've never done before. It's time for an experiment. What do you do when you feel the need for a break from the ordinary? Happy Thanksgiving everyone and enjoy the day.

Just Thanksgiving

"Oh my exit!"...Cameron Diaz, My Best Friend's Wedding

And so the madness begins. It's the weekend before Thanksgiving and we're already at the precipice.  The holiday decorations are already covering the malls and I didn't check it out personally but I think Santa may have already arrived to hear from all of the children with their wish lists.

Trader Joe's was an absolute crazy scene today as I dodged shopping carts trying to get to the gravy and search out the produce section. How is it possible that Brussel sprouts could sell out? But alas, they did and if they were there I have a feeling that someone may have fought me for them. The atmosphere had that kind of feeling of intensity. It struck me as so ironic that this time of year we search out the presents and make the favorite holiday dishes but somehow it all comes at a price. These traditions never fade but it's almost bizarre to me that we do this every year. We go crazy and spend money that we don't have trying to fulfill the wishes of others and give in to all the temptations of cookies and the like around us only to of course make it our New Year's Resolution to lose the 5 pounds or so we gained. In fact, this may be the holiday where we short change ourselves the most. Within the  next few weeks, you will be able to hear a pin drop in the gym as people forgo that time in order to cook, bake and shop. I certainly don't want to be a scrooge, but isn't there a way to enjoy the holidays without overdoing it? The remorse cannot be worth it.

I was reminded of the scene in My Best Friend's Wedding where Cameron Diaz is totally swept up in her wedding planning that she almost misses her exit and practically takes out a few cars to get off the highway. We get so caught up that we aren't present in the  moment and we're too worried about the to-do list that must be tackled. I say streamline, set budgets and do not allow the small things to become a source of stress. Be polite and kind to strangers who are in the same boat. What we should all remember is the spirit of the holidays. Be thankful, give thanks and remember kindness most of all to ourselves and each other.

Just Rebuilding

"How long is a day in the dark? Or a week?"...Katharine, The English Patient

I seriously love The English Patient and this quote gives me chills right now. I try to mix up my quotes and not repeat myself as I used both this movie and this character before but nothing seemed to fit Hurricane Sandy better. I took an unintended week off from blogging and it feels good to be back today. Last week, we were all still dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy and I think everyone in my area is struggling with getting back into a routine. I was lucky and unscathed through the worst of the chaos. I was in Austin visiting my boyfriend right before the storm barreled down on the tri-state area and ended up extended my stay so we got to spend a lot of extra time together. Plus, I never even lost power in my apartment at home. It was like a guardian angel was watching out over me. But my family was not so fortunate and had been dealing with the loss of power and waiting for it to get restored. It finally was turned on the other night but now there's a plumbing issue with he pipes. Why is it always something?

It all made me think of how everyone responds differently to this type of adversity. What's the worst part? The emotional devastation of feeling displaced or the physical difficulty of just getting by day to day? For me, I have always been a person who values a daily routine. It might make me a little rigid but it's how I function best. I remember last year when we had a much smaller hurricane and lost power. I felt confused, upset and overall anxious. I cannot imagine how I would have felt after a week in the dark. My boyfriend said then that one day without power could be fun or romantic even, but more than 24 hours and you want to go crazy.

In my opinion, as we all move on from this I think the most important thing you can do for yourself is to
be kind to yourself both mentally and physically. No matter what the circumstances, try to eat the best you can, always minimize or manage stress the best you can and try to get adequate sleep. These are basic things but easily forgotten when push comes to shove. It all feels so hard that you are apt to do the easy and quick thing which is not usually the best answer. As we approach the holidays I think it's best to keep these things in mind as well. Know your limits both physically and mentally and monitor your actions accordingly. Don't overspend and then decide to worry about it later and dread your credit card bill coming in the mail. Don't overeat with the idea that you can start over. Don't give up the gym because it's cold and dark and a bikini seems like the last thing you'll be needing. All of these choices accumulate on us over time. Everything you do or choose matters.

Find a way to unwind that helps you manage it all. Everyone has so much on their plates these days that it's key to identify an outlet that allows you to distress. Write, meditate, dance knit, it's time well spent because it's relaxation for the soul.

Just Barleans

"In our family there was no clear line between religion and fly fishing"...Old Norman, A River Runs Through It

Fish Oil. I seriously dreaded this supplement for the longest time. The pills are on the large side and truth be told you would have to take a lot to get anywhere near the recommended dosage. You are supposed to have a gram per percentage of body fat. Unless you eat fish every day you really need a supplement.

I tried the liquid a while ago and it was dreadful. It was like swallowing oil and the taste lingered long after I took it. I had switched from the pills to Carlson which promised to be the finest in fish oil with a lemon or orange flavor. I couldn't hack it. It sat untouched in my refrigerator for months. So I had switched from pills to liquid, but since I could not bring myself to take it, my Omega-3 quota went to zero.

I have mentioned Dr. John Berardi on my blog before, and I think he's pretty amazing. He has helped people tremendously with his Lean Eating Coaching program which is totally focused on habit change rather than any type of diet program. His first habit that he wants his clients to follow is having their recommended fish oil dosage every day. They do not have to make any other changes yet, but he wants them to institute this new daily ritual. Ironically even though I naturally have a lot of habits that Berardi suggests, this was very tough for me to do. Until, one day I was perusing one of my favorite sites - Amazon.com when I came across Barlean's Organic Oils. They have their own site at http://www.barleans.com/ I was intrigued and surprised that it got mostly positive reviews from users. It promised to not have an oily texture or taste, but rather claimed to posses the taste and texture of a fruit smoothie. I honestly did not believe it to be true, but at only about $20 a bottle I took a gamble. Surprisingly, this stuff is delicious. It has the taste of a thick fruit drink with no lingering aftertaste. You do not even know it's oil. I checked the ingredients list several times figuring there had to be some terrible substance in it. Shockingly, there isn't. Omega-3's have numerous benefits including: hormonal health, cholesterol, bone density and mental health. It also promotes fast loss which is the reason Berardi supports it so emphatically.

I would definitely recommend this product over everything I've tried. My boyfriend loves it so much that he often likes to put it on food like Greek yogurt or coconut ice cream. I would not go that far, but I can definitely appreciate his enthusiasm for my discovery.

Just the Weekend

"I'll have what she's having"...Deli Customer (aka Rob Reiner's Mom), When Harry Met Sally...

What are your weekends like? Most of the time I feel my routine unfolds like this (more or less):

On a Friday night, I am exhausted from the week because for some reason the constant going and doing of the daily grind has caught up with me. I usually say I am going to try to watch a movie, but even though I do not work out on Fridays I have been going to the chiropractor after work and maybe doing an errand or two. This last Friday night I discovered that Trader Joe's is quite the happening place to be! Perhaps people were lured in my the quick wit and tasty treats in their weekly Fearless Flyer I had no idea! But I picked up my essentials and went out my way. I took a bath in Epsom salts which is my new favorite thing. Have you tried it? Very soothing and relaxing and it's a nice way to unwind with a book. The movie was started but then interrupted with a call from the boyfriend. Since we are long distance we will talk a few times during the day, but have a lengthy chat at night.

Saturday is my day of running around and getting errands done. I was at the gym by 9:00 where I did a circuit/sprint work out and was home by 10:15. I think picking a gym close by where you live is very important. If you have to drive far, it can be very hard to motivate yourself to go. Trust me - I've done it. After breakfast, I headed out to get all those pesky errands done. Tailor, TJ Max, and the bank...there were quite a few to list. I made some basics for the week including quinoa, chicken and vegetables, and finished the movie from the other night...Margin Call which I highly recommend. It had a stellar cast and was examining one typical NYC firm that allowed a window into the type of downward spiral that lead to such an economic collapse. Very disturbing and Demi Moore looked phenomenal. How old is she again? Man..I'll have whatever she's having. Yes, that is totally from When Harry Met Sally...

Sunday was a more low-key day thankfully. I woke up absolutely frozen though. Isn't it only Fall? I threw on some clothes to go for a quick walk and was greeted by 45 degree weather!I cannot believe I did not turn around and go home. Or at least go back for some gloves and a hat. I had a quick protein shake since I was meeting my friend, Christina for brunch to catch up. We met around 11:30 and enjoyed eggs (mine egg whites with veggies and goat cheese) and hers (eggs benedict). There is always something nice and relaxing about brunch and you can even have a cocktail if you choose. We just had coffee, but still, the option promotes a sense of frivolity mid-day. I stopped by my mom's house for a quick visit and headed home. I went to the gym for an upper body workout, and now I'm enjoying a date with my DVR. I also took a leap and decided to submit myself for the New Face of Fitness Contest from Fitness Magazine http://www.facebook.com/fitnessmag

I have never submitted myself for a contest before, but I could not resist. Right now I'm enjoying a date with "Revenge". Love that show! It's unbelievable how the two days simply fly by.

Just Family Dinner

"These mashed potatoes are so creamy"....Aunt, While You Were Sleeping

I love this family dinner scene in While You Were Sleeping where Sandra Bullock is the interloper pretending to be engaged to the son/brother/perfect guy who is in a coma. It's always entertaining to watch other family dinners and rituals. I was pleasantly surprised when my sister texted me late this afternoon to invite me over for an impromptu dinner. She was trying out a few recipes she had found through Pinterest. Pinterset seems to seriously be the new thing - I have to get one that. Possibly an item for my weekend to-do list. So I headed over to my mom's house after work where clearly the fun had already started. I have no idea what I missed...

The first recipe was Pumpkin Pastina from a blog called Proud Italian Cook http://prouditaliancook.blogspot.com/. Cute name, right? We did not serve ours in a pumpkin, but that part was optional. I have not had pastina in who knows how long. As the author explains on the site it's a very common way to introduce young children to pasta. Here is the recipe originally from Michael Chiarello's cookbook "The Tra Vigne".

Squash/Pumpkin
For the butternut squash, cut in half, scoop out the seeds, oil it inside and out, salt and pepper, and place it cut side down on a baking sheet. Both the squash and pumpkin cook at 375F for about 40 minutes. My sister bought acorn squash by mistake, but I happen to like all varieties of squash and thought it was one of those "happy accidents" where an experiment or change turns out well.

Pastina
In a pot, saute 1 cup of onions in olive oil with salt, pepper and fresh thyme. Pour in
4 cups of stock (vegetable or chicken) and bring to a gentle boil. When stock is boiling,
pour in 3/4lb of your squash that has been scooped out, and 1/2 cup of good Parmesan cheese. Season with salt and pepper to taste. The consistency should remain loose, so add extra broth if you need.

While we waited for dinner, we snacked on these delicious appetizers which we served with marinara sauce on the side. These are Pesto Poppers from Three Square Chef http://www.threesquarechef.com/

These were very yummy and were gone very fast!

Pesto Poppers
Yield: approx 20
1 sheet puff pastry
fresh mozzarella
pesto
toothpicks

Preheat oven to 400F.

Roll out the puff pastry and using a 2 inch round biscuit cutter, cut out circles. In the center of each place a small piece of mozzarella cheese and a teaspoon of pesto.

Pull all sides together and attach with two toothpicks per popper. Place on a cookie sheet and bake 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown. Remove from the oven and discard toothpicks. Serve warm! (can be served room temperature but so much better warm)

Our squash dish was accompanied by a large greens salad.

Nice night! Nothing like a last minute together with good food and good company.

Just Relax

"The reason that I can be 38 and have two kids and wear a bikini is because I work my ass off. It's not an accident. It's not luck, it's not fairy dust, it's not good genes. It's killing
myself for an hour and half five days a week, but what I get out of it is relative to what I put into it. That's what I try to do in all areas of my life." Gwyneth Paltrow

Kudos to Gwyneth for stating the obvious. I remember this from an interview she had done within the past year or so. I thought it was so refreshing for a celebrity to completely come clean about what it takes for a woman to look good. Let alone one who is in her late thirties and has had children. It's dedication and not magic. Honestly, it's not even being rich and famous because I know we can all name a good amount of television and movie stars who have less than perfect bodies. I thought she was dispelling a lot of mystery.

Of course her bold statement elicited a lot of backfire as people criticized her less than perfect body and mocked her think frame. She was challenging other people that they could in fact do it too which only made them angrier.

I work out 5-6 days a week if you count yoga classes. Is that too much? I guess I probably maintain a schedule a little like Paltrow. Working out is one of those weird things where there is no guideline for how much you should do. Most people mock working out as one of those things they can't imagine fitting in at all. So is any type of regular exercise schedule viewed as overkill or an over indulgence of time? Sometimes it's hard to gauge by the way people react. I am almost a little insulted when people comment that I'm so skinny when I really want to be seen as fit.

I have struggled with pain in my right shoulder for about a year now. It comes and goes so some days I feel ok. This week has particularly bad. I did a low impact workout on Monday night and I had to skip my yoga class tonight. I went for a walk instead, but It felt a little like a set back to me as I settled in for the night with a bath and a glass of wine. I had to remind myself that like everything else it's a journey and not a destination. You cannot let challenges deter you from your goals in any area of your life. It's important to get back on that bicycle and just keep pedaling. However, for tonight it was nice to take it easy and relax. After all, to look good and feel good it's vital to listen to your body.

Just a Pick Me Up

"Whoever said orange is the new pink was seriously disturbed"…Elle Woods, Legally Blonde

What’s your favorite pick me up? Women all have vices and it’s sort of interesting to see what everyone chooses as their indulgences. For me, the siren call of a bad day is usually in the form of a color like my quote of the day here. I gravitate towards new lipstick and nail polish colors as well as other assorted make up purchases. Someone like my sister on the other hand would balk at this decision and would be headed straight towards the clothing rack. I debate clothing so I don’t really find this to be a soothing purchase. It can often be a little stressful actually. Shoes? You have to try on so many to get it right, and I am often in regret by the time I try them on again at home.

On a recent day where I felt the urge two purchases came up. Hourglass Femme Rouge Velvet Cream Lipstick from Sephora www.sephora.com. At $30 it was big indulgence, but I decided it would last a while, and it was refillable which of course made it a bargain! It was listed as one of Jessica Alba’s favorites in a magazine and I’m really excited by her Honest line as she is trying to make organic products even more accessible. My other purchase was Zoya Nail Polish in Carmen that I purchased through Amazon www.amazon.com which was the perfect shade of red. For me, a little makeup upgrade, and a nice hot bubble bath could make the worries of the world melt away.

Just Your Vision

"If you build it, he will come." Shoeless Joe Jackson, Field of Dreams

It is sort of timely that I have been planning to write a post about designing your own vision board at some point this week. I sort of had one of those blah days where you wonder if your life is headed in the right direction. There was some unfortunate drama at home, I missed my boyfriend and somehow an email campaign that I was not even aware of was my fault at work. So it was a relief to finally head home for the day. I took out my vision board as a reminder of all of the things in life that I need to remember and all of the areas of my life where I need to be grateful. I am healthy and have a lot of love in my life. I may not be making the money I want to be making, but I am not wanting for anything either. Today is 9/11 and I can still remember where I was when the infamous events took place, and I am very fortunate that I was not affected nor was anyone close in my life. So the board reminds me of what I have, but also the goals I want to obtain in the future. 

It’s easy to make your own vision board and I highly recommend it as it’s a fun process, but also helps you to zero in on what you want. When you are going through magazines allow yourself to cut out images and words that grab you and connect with you in some way. You do not have to have a plan or any specific designs in mind. In fact, you really should just allow yourself to see what you gravitate towards. Collect all of these images and buy a large board where you can paste them. It will be interesting to reflect what you have chosen. Are you living the ideal life that is reflecting back to you in that board? What are they ways you are going to get there? It’s time to seize the day because nothing should hold you back from fulfilling your potential.

Just Yours

“I wear it, I’ve always worn it”…Katherine, The English Patient

In one of my all time favorite movies, The English Patient, Katherine utters this phrase to Count DeAlmasy as he carries her through the desert. He remarks on the thimble around her neck since he has never noticed it before. He bought it for her at a street vendor at the height of their clandestine affair. He hadn’t even intended it to be a necklace. Oh...the chills this scene brings to me.

Is there something you always wear? Jewelry has the power to capture a memory or remind us of our beliefs. Perhaps it is a cross to signify your faith or a heart your husband gave you for a special occasion. Maybe you wear the names of your children around your neck to bring them closer to you throughout the day. Since starting this blog, I am currently on the hunt for an infinity like my logo. There is a ring (not an engagement ring!) that my boyfriend gave to me last Christmas that’s very special to me and I wear it often. It reminds me of him and connects me in a way that I really cannot explain. Hmm…perhaps this is how Katherine felt about the thimble.

From the beginning of time we have had a fascination with adornment. Even the most primitive of civilizations had jewelry fashioned from different materials, some of it so intricate in design that it is always fascinating to view the museum collections. Many of these pieces were worn for protection or luck, a talisman. Do you find you always have a good day when you wear a certain piece of jewelry? You are not alone. We are always searching for our lucky charm.  Many believe it is certain stones or a symbol that embodies the wearer with luck or safety or perhaps a certain necklace or bracelet or ring that was given for luck. Energy Muse http://www.energymuse.com/ is totally devoted to jewelry to bring you health, luck, energy, prosperity……and so on. Saint by Sarah Jane http://www.saintbysarahjane.com/  has an exquisite line of designer jewelry inspired by nature.

I recently purchased a mala from a fabulous website called Tiny Devotions http://www.lovetinydevotions.com/ What does a mala mean? Well you choose it or let it choose you by simply feeling the energy that connects to you. It’s a visual display and reminder of your intentions. It’s very powerful to hold your intensions close to you and remind yourself to stay the course and work towards your goals.