Tuesday, March 25, 2014

old fashioned conversation...


My husband and I put down our phones and had an old fashioned conversation.

It was amazing.

We talked about things that mattered. Things that were important to us.

Deep conversation where we listened to one another. Actual listening can be tough these days.

No Facebook, no Instagram, no e-mail.

We can tell each other every day that we love each other but its not until we sit face-to-face and remember why we fell in love in the first place that we really feel the love.

In an age where we are constantly pounded (in. the. face) with social media and electronic devices, remember to take the time to have real face-to-face conversations.

Look your lover in the eyes, grab coffee with an old friend, turn off the TV during dinner, leave your phone in a different room over night. Oh no, she didn't...


risk...


If you don’t risk anything, you risk more
-Erica Jong

Are you a risk taker?

Risk is a small word with a big feel. We take risks everyday. Driving a car poses a risk, does it not? We put ourselves in danger of getting into an accident every time we get behind the wheel but we still drive.

This got me thinking. What risks have I taken? And what was at stake? I moved to Houston without a job and at risk was my financial stability. When I ran a marathon without proper training I was risking possible injury. I went snorkeling in the ocean and risked getting eaten by a shark.

While none of those are necessarily “crazy” scenarios I have reaped mega benefits from each. I only found an incredible career because I moved cities without a job. I scored a massive personal best on my fifth marathon because my body was rested and ready to rock it out. I gained bragging rights for swimming with a shark (and experiencing some of the worlds’ most beautiful scenery) because I jumped off a boat with a snorkel.

No risk, no reward. If we live our lives standing still we won’t experience all that it has to offer. You’ve heard the saying, “risk nothing, and lose nothing.” But what’s also true is that if you risk nothing, you gain nothing.

What risks are you willing to take in order to live your best lives?




Thursday, March 20, 2014

Sunshine Award...

When Jacki Carr tagged me in her Facebook post nominating me for a Sunshine Award I turned to my husband and said, "OMG JACKI CARR TAGGED ME IN A FACEBOOK POST! I GOT THE SUNSHINE AWARD!" To which he replied, "what is a sunshine award?" I had no clue but I sure as hell was stoked about it.

Come to learn a Sunshine is an award by bloggers for bloggers. It's a way for us to share and celebrate each other's work. They inspire us and we want the world to know it! 

Jacki Carr is the bee's knees. I've looked up to her for YEARS. She has presented me with growth and development opportunities in and out of the workplace that have just rocked my world. I often ask myself, "What would Jacki Carr do?" So when she chose me to shine I did a little happy dance. Thank you, Jacki. 

When someone receives the award they must answer the questions that their nominator asked them and then tag the next person with a different set of questions. I feel like I am in middle school again and I LOVE it!

Here are Jacki's questions:

1) How do you celebrate yourself and rock that self love?


A cup of exotic green tea, a hour of peace and quiet with my journal, or a delightful sweet treat, always on a plate and always eaten slowly...with a fork. Think lemon bar, fancy cupcake, or fruit tart...

2) Share a 1 year goal that makes your heart beat faster.


Goal: I reach 100k hits on my blog. Gah! I recently just purchased a domain and am reworking my site which was also goal for this year! www.feelingwholeheartedly.com

3) If you were to describe your personality in an animal, what would you be and why?

An owl. Free to fly but enjoys to be still and chill from time to time. Peaceful and seemingly harmonious yet aggressive when going after my goals.

4) What makes you come ALIVE?


When Marley smiles I melt into a puddle of mush. If I'm doing something I forget what it was, or if I'm having a conversation with someone I completely stop and forget where we left off.

5) What is your power outfit?  (i.e. You wear this top to bottom and you are unstoppable) 


If I'm wearing my Frye boots and my hair is straight watch out!

6) What is your favorite book you have read in your life thus far?


Linchpin by Seth Godin. My copy is so highlighted, underlined, dogeared, and coffee stained that no one else except me would be able to read it.  See?



7) What is your mantra/declaration/intention today?

I am patience.

8) Alright, tell it to us, what is your guilty-est pleasure?


The soap opera, The Bold and the Beautiful. I've been watching it since I was a kid with my mom and now I'm watching it with my daughter. This is my ultimate guilty pleasure!

------------------
Time to pass the torch! 

Beatriz Craven- she shares her personal life so eloquently. My favorite time to read is with a cup of tea and it is always extra special if I catch it on a rainy afternoon! Never stop writing, my friend.

Kelly Brader- New on the blog scene, this chick has set out to attack her old habit of not finishing what she starts and she's killing it! If you have ever felt "stuck" or unsure of what you "should be doing," you'll relate to Kelly. Follow her this year as she transforms her life! 

Your questions my loves...

1) What would be the first thing you would do if today was your last day?
2) What is your favorite gift you've ever been given?
3) Who is your favorite character on Friends? Why?
4) What do you consider your biggest accomplishment to date?
5) What is the song that best describes your life?
6) Dogs or cats?
7) What is a quote you live by?
8) Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Monday, March 17, 2014

my victory over a shamrock shake...


I joke that I allow myself one McDonald's Shamrock Shake per year, with last year being an exception since I was pregnant (I maybe had a couple...dozen)

Today, St. Patrick's Day, one of the other mommies at Urban Mom Bootcamp reminded me about these slurpably delicious, green treats. I had completely forgotten! I knew where I was going after class.

I began driving in the direction of the Golden Arches and then realized... I don't want one! For the past four weeks, I've been eating mindfully and LOVING it. I'm eating veggies every day and cooking dinner at home five nights a week. While one milkshake wouldn't totally derail my progress, I was high on the feeling of being in control of my diet and wanted to ride that feeling as long as possible.

But let's get real! I'm not about to start totally depriving myself of anything so I got creative this afternoon and blended up my own version of a shamrock shake.

Here it is:
1 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
2 frozen bananas
3/4 tsp of peppermint extract
6-10 spinach leaves (mainly for color)

If you're feeling the itch for a shake try my recipe before heading to McDonalds and then pat yourself on the back!

I win this year, McDonalds.

Happy St. Patrick's Day y'all! 

Monday, March 10, 2014

my 100th post...


I recently asked my husband if he thought of me as a writer. He looked at me, cocked his head to the side, and very simply said “of course.” I’ll admit I was a little taken a back that was so easy. He didn’t question it. Why have I?

This is my 100th blog post and I am just now starting to consider myself a writer. If anyone has taken the time to sit and write 100 times you’d refer to him or her as a writer, yes?

I have spent a tremendous amount of time reflecting on my first 100 blog posts and why I even started to begin with. At the time, I remember it was what all my friends were doing. Starting a blog was cool. I lived 1000 miles away from my family and wanted to use it as a way to keep everyone informed of what I was up to and working on, in both my personal and work life. I was officially running marathons, a feat I never thought I would accomplish. I wanted to share that excitement beyond Facebook status updates and tweets. I had also discovered I was pretty great at making people feel comfortable. I wanted to use writing as a way to connect and make readers feel good, “feel whole.” I selfishly wanted to be held accountable for my weight loss goals. If I put out into the world that I wanted to lose 30lbs, I better get cracking on it because people were reading. What would they think of me if I made no progress? There was so much “me, me, me, my, my, my, I, I, I” in my writing. Looking back, it was like I had something to prove when I started Feeling Whole

There is nothing wrong with my previous 99 posts. They are an honest and authentic reflection of who I am. They are filled with typos, excessive comma usage, and a lifetime supply of ellipsis, and I wouldn’t change a thing about any of them. My writing is evolving into something greater than it was when I first started, though, which makes me ask… where do I want to take this?

I hope to look back on my 100th post as a turning point for Feeling Whole.

I’m working on a newer vision of Feeling Whole and formulating a powerful mission to bring to life what I’m feeling deep in my soul. I don’t really know what this means yet, and that’s OK. As I begin my next 100 entries I do know that I want YOU alongside me. I want to sit with you while you drink chug your morning coffee and sip your afternoon tea. I want to be the homepage of your Internet browser (ok, at least work my way into your favorites maybe). I want to be your morning cup of “hell yeah!” Ya, dig?

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for reading. You are the reason I come back to the keyboard time and time again. As I reflect on the path that brought me here and the direction I’m heading, I want to end this post with this thought…

We are the authors of our lives and have the honor of writing our next 100, or even 1000 pages. Are you ready to confidently step out into a world of uncertainty to discover and write your own future?

Sunday, March 9, 2014

the silent artist...


You are a creative being. Yes, you! If you’ve ever felt like something is missing it may be the silent artist living inside of you. Wake him up and breathe purpose into him.

Sing, dance, paint, or write away! Use your gift without fear of judgment. Your art is for you, and you only.


Go create.

Monday, March 3, 2014

three ingredient pie...

I MADE THAT.

If you know me, you know I'm no good in the kitchen. Until now! I was inspired by ingredients I already had to make a raw strawberry pie. I was craving it but didn't want the fake, sugary pie filling and processed pie crust.

Unfortunately for you, I didn't really measure anything. SO... I challenge to you fly by the seat of your pants and just go for it anyway! It's so easy.

Pie Crust:
Pecans + Dates = Pie Crust
You will want to use a food processor for this part. I used approximately 1.5 cups of pecans and a half a bag of dried, pitted dates. The more dates the stickier your crust will be and the better you'll be able to serve it. I could have use a little more date but it still turned out GREAT. Process the two ingredients until you can mush it between your fingers and it sticks together. Then press into a pie pan!

Filling:
Strawberries + Dates = Pie Filling
For the filling you'll want to use a badass bender or a Vitamix. I'm in love with my Vitamix. What a machine! You'll need a container of strawberries (16oz) plus more to slice and place on top. Blend the strawberries until they become liquid then add the remainder of the dried, pitted dates (a few at a time.) The more dates, the sweeter and thicker your filling will be. Pour over your pie crust, decorate with sliced strawberries and refrigerate for at least 1hr.

IT IS SO GOOD and guilt free. You don't need exact measurements. Play around and have fun with it. Use a different fruit or sub the pecans for walnuts!

Be wild like this raw strawberry pie!

Saturday, March 1, 2014

59 of 365...

TWO MONTHS DOWN!

This month I feel in love with broccoli! It's so easy to steam! Literally, toss it in a pan with a little water and cover it for maybe 5 minutes to steam and toss on your plate as a side. OR check out that photo to the left... OMG. "Broccoli cakes," as we now call them at my house, were a huge hit. Check out the recipe hereHere's a look into my month. I stopped relying on juice to get in the good stuff and had more fun cooking my greens!

2.1: celery, cucumber, spinach, romaine, kale, parsley, wheat grass, clover sprouts
2.2: strawberry greens, green pepper, jalapeño
2.3:  kale, collard greens, cucumber, chlorella, spirulina, green peas
2.4:kale, collard greens, cucumber, chlorella, spirulina, green peppers, green onion
2.5: kale, spinach, celery
2.6: green pepper, zucchini, kale, spinach, celery, avacado
2.7: green pepper, romaine
2.8: kale, spinach, celery , mixed greens
2.9: spinach
2.9: spinach
2.10: spinach
2.11: green beans
2.12: strawberry greens
2.13: hatch chillies
2.14: broccoli
2.15: avocado, green chillies, broccoli
2.16: celery
2.17: romaine
2.18: kale, spinach, cucumber , lemon grass, romaine
2.19: romaine, green peppers
2.20: broccoli
2.21: zucchini
2.22: arugula, mixed greens, romaine
2.23: broccoli, zucchini
2.24: peas, zucchini, green peppers
2.25: broccoli
2.26: jalapeño
2.27: Bibb lettuce, zucchini
2.28: green peppers,broccoli