iris

Sunkissed (Taken with Instagram)

Thu, 16 Aug 2012 22:20:56 -0700

Sunkissed (Taken with Instagram)

Breakfast: 2 boiled eggs, fresh blueberries, protein shake with...

Thu, 17 May 2012 09:50:55 -0700

Breakfast: 2 boiled eggs, fresh blueberries, protein shake with banan, pb, almond meal, almond milk, and vanilla whey. (Taken with instagram)

Day 137/366: Grain-Free, Sugar-Free Chewy Gooey Paleo Chocolate Chip Cookies!

Wed, 16 May 2012 15:02:13 -0700

May 16, 2012:

I droooooled over a picture that my friend Brigitte Instagram’d and immediately wanted one of my own. Since Brigitte is in another country on the other side of the continent I decided to try and make my own. My version needed to meet a few rules: it had to be Paleo-friendly and grain-free/sugar-free. Also, what I loved about B’s cookie was how chewy and gooey the cookie looked - so that was a must have for my cookies.

Ingredients:

2 cups Almond Flour
1/2 cup Coconut Flour
1/2 teaspoon Baking Soda
1/4 teaspoon Pink Himalayan Salt
3/4 cup Unsalted Organic Butter, melted (can sub in Earth Balance or another non-dairy choice)
1 & 1/2 cups Organic Sucanat
1 tablespoon Organic Vanilla Extract
1 egg
1 egg yolk (make these egg-free by using an egg replacement)
2 cups Semisweet Vegan Chocolate Chips
Optional: Add in 1/2 cup of Crushed Walnuts

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Use cooking spray to grease cookie sheets.
Sift together the flour, baking soda and salt; set aside.
In a medium bowl, cream together the melted butter and Sucanat until well blended. Beat in the vanilla, egg, and egg yolk (or egg replacement) until light and creamy. Mix in the sifted ingredients until just blended. Stir in the chocolate chips by hand using a wooden spoon. Drop cookie dough 1/4 cup at a time onto the prepared cookie sheets. Cookies should be about 3 inches apart.
Bake for 15 to 17 minutes in the preheated oven, or until the edges are lightly toasted. Cool on baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring to wire racks to cool completely.
Enjoy!!

Yay!!! Happy birthday pour moi! Soo excited about getting this...

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 08:34:47 -0700

Yay!!! Happy birthday pour moi! Soo excited about getting this awesome present from my love! One more step toward getting more fit :) Thank you, Rudy!!! Loving my new #Nike #FuelBand (Taken with instagram)

Birthday Jams (Playlist)

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 15:51:00 -0700

Phat Beats, Sweet Tracks - on repeat!

1. Rage Against The Machine - Guerrilla Radio: http://tinysong.com/n01c
2. Beastie Boys - Make Some Noise: http://tinysong.com/10odN
3. Doug E. Fresh & Slick Rick - La Di Da Di: http://tinysong.com/NxaW
4. Blackstar - reDefinition: http://tinysong.com/MzW3
5. Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth - They Reminisce Over You: http://tinysong.com/HMH9
6. The Pharcyde - Runnin (Philippeans Remix): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75L7L6zaNoQ
7. Dinosaur Jr. - Feel The Pain: http://tinysong.com/iwak
8. Stars - This Charming Man: http://tinysong.com/FSsI
9. Mos Def - Umi Says: http://tinysong.com/kdQX

Day 109/366: thirty-two

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 14:35:31 -0700

April 18, 2012:

Over the last few years, as Spring starts to bloom and my birthday approaches I find myself feeling apprehensive. Not because I am worried about getting older (though, I genuinely believe that aging past a certain point is completely unnecessary :), it’s because I’ve fallen so in love with the previous year and I don’t want to say goodbye. Still, every year I wake up on April 18th filled with excitement, hope, promise and appreciation. This year is no different.

Even though I fell particularly hard and fast for 31, I’m so curious about what 32 will be like and can’t wait to get it started! As I say goodbye to possibly the most wonderful year of my life, I welcome the next year with wide open arms.

Day 103/366: Lost Angeles

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 22:37:00 -0700

April 12, 2012:

Whoosh! I cannot believe how many days of the year have passed, and how many I have not blogged about. The last 40-60 days have been busy, but regardless of how much has been going on in real life (offline), I’ve really missed and neglected my “online” world.

From about March 1st (or, ~Day 61) until this past weekend (Day 98) we’ve had around 10 visitors to California, and guests to host. It’s been fun, filled with tons of laughs and love, adventurous, and … kinda exhausting. We’ve really loved having our fam & friends with us, but def feeling the host-fatigue ;)

Today was “one a dem days”… After 6 months of basking in a work-from-home set up in glorious, Sunny California, I’ve realized something. By all counts, I have a super duper sweet deal and am 1000 billion % grateful for.absolutely.everything. However, today I realized that I feel like I’m getting a little soft.

Working from home has a very long and exaggerated list of “pro’s”, and a very short and irritating list of “con’s”. For the most part, I am the master of my destiny. I’m able to create a work environment that is completely conducive to my needs and wants. Yet, at the same time, I lack a team that I can work with face-to-face. I also am guiding my own career development. Working as a consultant means that I need to come into projects equipped and ready to run. Mentorship and leadership needs to happen independently and all on my own. These are new concepts for me. Though I am a self-sufficient playa, I really thrive on working with others and within a team setting. So! I’ve had some interesting ideas run through my head, some feelings that I’m trying to navigate, and some tough questions to answer. The result: no idea! I’m still figuring everything out, but I’m happy to say that tonight (with some serious help from my own personal ‘master in leadership’ aka Rudy) I’ve found some clarity in my feelings and have recognized the need to keep working on working on stuff. Pretty vague, but that seems to be a theme :)

Confusion! Good night.

Another beautiful run on the #beach! #SantaMonica #Venice ...

Wed, 21 Mar 2012 09:19:42 -0700

Another beautiful run on the #beach! #SantaMonica #Venice (Taken with instagram)

Day 72/366 pt. 1: New Mane (Taken with instagram)

Mon, 12 Mar 2012 21:42:38 -0700

Day 72/366 pt. 1: New Mane (Taken with instagram)

Day 69/366: Today Is The Greatest.

Fri, 09 Mar 2012 10:20:00 -0800

March 9, 2012:

Here’s why today is awesome!

1. Had a really great beach workout this morning, in the sunshine!
2. My BFF Laura and her BF Adam arrive tonight for a week long visit, filled with fun in the sun!
3. It was almost 80 degrees before 10am this morning! I heart March in LA.
4. Rudy and I started dating 8 years ago today! … 8! Crazytown.
5. About to hit another kickass Pilates Platinum class at noon - working on my fitness!

I <3 Today.

Day 60/366: Reformer'd

Thu, 01 Mar 2012 19:44:46 -0800

Feb. 29, 2012:

On my Great White Canadian Adventure in January, I had my first experience on a Pilates Reformer machine and absolutely loved it. I loved feeling and using muscles deep within my core; the next day had that awesome stiff soreness from really working out. Though I’ve done Pilates on the mat before, I’ve been wanting to take classes on the Reformer for a while. After my experience in Toronto, once I returned to LA I was determined to get back on that machine!

I found a great little studio called Pilates Platinum in Santa Monica, and first noticed it because of it’s setup. The studio space is very small, and it’s filled with Reformer machines. Big glass windows allow sidewalk traffic to see in, and during classes passersby can watch while students sweat it out! The first time I walked by the studio I was enticed and wanted to be a part of that healthy and sweaty vibe. When I looked into the studio further I found that they have 4 locations in LA - Santa Monica, Venice, Brentwood, and Hollywood - I decided to hit up my neighborhood Venice shop. I took my first class (which was free - awesome!) and was instantly hooked! The class was much different from what I expected - it was a workout. In the hour-long session I had my ass kicked by both traditional Pilates strength training and by high-intensity cardio. Here’s a peek at the class description from the PP site:

“Our Platinum Pilates class works the entire body in just 55 minutes! Simply put, this is the most innovative and aggressive approach to full body conditioning. It is a high octane, shirt-drenching workout that strengthens your body, tightens your muscles, elongates the body, burns fat, improves endurance, jump-starts your metabolism and restores your body’s natural balance. Our Platinum Pilates class is a fusion of pilates, cardio and strength training, and achieves muscle definition faster than traditional pilates and/or weight training alone.”

This is the real deal. I can honestly say that I nearly broke down in tears at one point in that first class. It was AWESOME!

I’m so addicted to this workout that I’ve signed up for 2 classes per week, and am *this* close to signing up for a monthly unlimited pass. Gotta love leaving a class feeling energized and have your body feel awake and accomplished.

Day 59/366: 3 x 365.

Tue, 28 Feb 2012 22:06:38 -0800

I haven’t forgotten about this place - but I’m happy to say that the people in my life have really ramped up my busy! In the last 31-ish days I was lucky and hung out with so many of my amazing family and friends. With them I’ve:

had many enjoyable conversations and jammin’ dance parties
talked about babies, fawned over ultrasound pics, and listened to their pregnant belly’s heartbeats!
shared tears on shoulders
frolicked on warm sunny beaches
taught the alphabet and rules about the English language (I am not qualified for this!)
sang along to Yo Gabba Gabba
worked hard to get healthy
had cozy naps
etc. etc.

February was awesome, and today should be the end of this short but very sweet month, but we get to chillax another day before real life starts in March! Another reason why 2012 is awesome.

The last day of Feb is typically my wedding anniversary - the date partially chosen so we’d never forget it. It’s unreal to think that only 3 years have passed since Rudy and I became Man & Woman (why aren’t we called that as married couples?? Why “Man & Wife”? I’m taking a stand against sexism in marriage titles!) Like every crazy couple, we’ve had our moments over the years (usually it’s been his fault ;) Still, I will always look at him and the life we’ve built and feel very grateful and lucky that we’re experience all of this together <3

Day 15: Phone. (it’s a digital cordless) #febphotoaday ...

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 07:39:30 -0800

Day 15: Phone. (it’s a digital cordless) #febphotoaday (Taken with instagram)

Day 16: Something New. (Essie Sand Tropez, love it!)...

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 07:35:58 -0800

Day 16: Something New. (Essie Sand Tropez, love it!) #febphotoaday (Taken with instagram)

Day 41/366 pt. 2: My Love.

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 19:41:23 -0800

Love is in the air… So many of my best girls are either expecting new babies or have just had a little one, dear friends getting engaged, so many amazing people following their dreams and hearts - no matter how tough the path. And, I’ve been lucky enough to revel in 5 heart-warming and soul-feeding weeks of reconnecting with old (but never forgotten) friends, while soaking up sunshine with my wonderful and lovely family! I’m a very grateful and happy girl <3 http://tinysong.com/jTb7

Day 41/366: Ibor & Siri! Love this girl (who hasn’t...

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 15:38:49 -0800

Day 41/366: Ibor & Siri! Love this girl (who hasn’t aged one bit in the last 13 years!) (Taken with instagram)

Day 8: Sun. (de-ice in Seattle) #febphotoaday #latergram (Taken...

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 12:31:58 -0800

Day 8: Sun. (de-ice in Seattle) #febphotoaday #latergram (Taken with instagram)

Day 33/366: Shoppers J (now with mini carts!!). We each got one...

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 19:31:21 -0800

Day 33/366: Shoppers J (now with mini carts!!). We each got one ;) (Taken with instagram)

Day 31/366: Peace Out, January! My Month-End Recap.

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 21:00:00 -0800

“The world’s a roller-coaster, and I am not strapped in. Maybe I should hold with care, but my hands are busy in the air. I wish you were here!”

If the entire year is as wonderful as the last 31 days have been, I will be one happy chicken!! In the past month I’ve:

Laughed until my cheeks ached - countless times;
Reunited with my heart-warmers (family, friends and others);
Rekindled friendships;
Remembered to be grateful and compassionate;
Made new and awesome friendships;
Added a few more clients to my roster!
Heard the sound of a baby’s heartbeat in-utero, saw an ultrasound of a 10-ish week old baby in-utero, and felt an almost 40 week baby kick in-utero (all different babies, and squealed with all three mommies-to-be!)
Had an awesome impromptu high-school reunion;
Experienced SUPER COLD AND SNOWY winter weather and SUPER WARM AND SUNNY summer weather - within the same week :)
Traveled through 2 countries and 4 cities;
Hugged my Mom!
Cuddled my nieces, nephews, siblings and in-laws!
Found new love and appreciation for many;
Felt a great sense of pride and peace all at once;
Worked diligently to cultivate a healthy platform for my life to thrive on (both physically and emotionally);
Explored, adventured, and let go of the reigns, and generally had a really kickass time!

This month was an amazing start to a wonderful new year. Thank you for reading my rambles and my half-sleep nonsense. I can’t wait to see what the next 335 days become! Bring it February.

Xo. http://tinysong.com/VkVh

Day 29/366: Everyday I’m shoveling! (Taken with instagram)

Sun, 29 Jan 2012 10:20:47 -0800

Day 29/366: Everyday I’m shoveling! (Taken with instagram)