Family. Crazy. Balance.

"Commitment is like being pregnant, you either are or you're not.  You can't be kind of pregnant." - Susie Q. 

I have been trying real hard to implement balance in my life over the past few months, and for some reason it reminds me of this saying my coach liked to say now and again.  Pretty sure she used it with two purposes, to scare us into how committed to the game and our team we needed to be, and to also remind us to not get pregnant.  Either way, that ish worked.

 Susie herself! 

 She had some brilliant one liners and analogies, but of all the important things she taught me about character, responsibility and life, this one was my favorite.  You have to commit yourself to being balanced.  If you limp in one day out the next, then you're technically out of balance right there.  It's a tall order when you think of the balls we all have lobbed in the air at any given time:

work workout.healthy eating.hubs.dogs.running.running with Jackalope.cleaning the house.yoga?writing a blog.watching TV .not stepping in the ish that is drama and dragging it around the house (it smells).flossing.being a better golfer.perfecting protein shakes.slo-pitch (2 teams).getting ready for OTL.grilling out this Sunday.fixing up the new house.rocking your new job.making sure Jackalope doesn't drop a dooce on the neighbor's lawn...

In the end it's family that can hold your hand to keep you balanced so you don't fall, or laughs with at you and then helps you up.

Balancing this family can be a challenge wicked awesome good time.

You don't get to pick your family at birth, but you can as life goes on.  My real extended family is crazy.  We're talking out of control ruin your Christmas, birthday and funerals type crazy.  Luckily, at my core, my mom, dad, brother and hubs are awesome and have attracted the awesomeness of others to create our own brood. 

Someone's gotta hold Jackalope... Granddaddy loves his Granddogger, and refuses to hold his tongue about wanting a real Grandchild.

What I really appreciate about my melting pot of a family is that they just let me be.  They let me be cranky.  They let me eat bird food.  They let me go on rants about eating healthier as a family.  Most of them are just as competitive as I am (which is a whole 'notha level of crazy)...  My family takes enjoying-life pretty seriously, and in the summertime the sentiment is heightened.  We are known for volleyball BBQs in our back yard and have only been shut down by the cops twice in the 15 years or so I can remember playing for noise violations... 

My serves are as well mannered as my popped collar...

We are also known for food.  You cannot come to our house and leave feeling like you don't have to vomit from over eating.  It's not okay, you will want to vomit.  But in the past I have found that I gain weight every summer during the time when I am supposed to don a bikini and parade with these crazies at the river.  It doesn't make me happy, and I have yet to stay in balance through a summer.

My happy place is bringing thai lime cashews to the party...

But this year is different.  I am not going to kind-of be in balance, eat well during the week, and feed the screaming bloody murder chubby kid in my stomach on the weekends.  I am bringing healthy indulgences to the party like thai lime cashews, and eating what makes me happy, but not on behalf of the entire population because it's a "free day" and I will likely never see food again.

See only crazy sometimes.  Lies, crazy doesn't just go dormant...

And again, the fam dam taught me something about myself.  Balance in my eating, in my health, in my life and in my relationships comes down to commitment to each of those things separately.  It's not my family's job to yell at me for eating a plate of cheese sauce, they'd probably knuckle bump me, but they do make it their job to tell me when I am being a buzzkill to their good time.  I.E. Me overeating and then complaining about how terrible of a person I am for hours to come.  And mind you most of this self bashing happened to the old me, before I committed to a healthier me inside and out.  But when Jezebel gets out of her cage from time to time, I am thankful my family has no problem smacking her back into place.

Xo

peanut butter and good times

"wow, that was a productive week. *faceplant*" - my good friend, PR and fashionista extraordinaire, Danielle

It's like she crept right into my mind at 5:30ish this evening, as this quote sums up my week. Let's recap:

• I started a new job
• Rebuilt our closets at the new house (lies that was hubs and my dad, but strategizing on how it went down and making sure they were fed is tough business)
• Ran everyday, twice a day (not because I am crazy but because Jackalope the man needed some attention per his summer solstice)
• Ran one time with my bestie (WEEK HIGHLIGHT)
• Currently someone is rolling down our street blasting Whitney Houston and ooohhh I wanna dance with somebody (If you've ever seen me karaoke this, you know that Ms. Houston should actually pay me royalties...)
• Ate a lot of peanut butter...

Girrllll's a buttah face!

Literally it has been my snack everyday in between lunch and dinner. (I have a jar at my desk, and take a spoonful when no one is watching) Word.  Oh and I have almond butter with my morning protein shake everyday... So if someone would like to calculate the amount of nut butter my body is currently fueled with, I might draw a picture of myself eating nut butter or something real fancy like that....

No but I am not kidding.  It's out of control.

The thing is, it's delicious, I feel as though it's nutritious AND it helps me survive the time between lunch and chowing down dinner time.  (It also helps my brain remember what it's supposed to be doing, no ritalin for this lady).

Not gonna lie, life is grape right now!

Long story long, this week I remained pretty healthy in my eating and worked out a good amount.  I love my job, I am still somehow in balance (this week) amongst the ish going on in my life.  I am also currently obsessed with frozen grapes.  Life is good.  Grape actually!

Bird snacks!  Nom Nom Nom (Warning not for the faint... I.E. those who enjoy fat and taste)

What was missing this week?

• Blog.

My lovely little blog got tooted and booted.  Because I simply did not have the time.  However, I will not make this mistake again my darling, so I hope you consider giving me another shot.  Oh and about the bird food pictured above, it's actually a delicious raw food bar that I picked up at Whole Foods that makes my heart warm.  Hubs thinks it is bird food.

 This is the universal sign for BLONDE BEEEEZIES UNITE!  (More on that another blog) Photo by the talented Paige Lowe

Speaking hubs, one of my besties (hot blonde in the middle with the black dress) Jen Jen, or as my speech impediment ways refer to her as Gin Gin, is getting MARRIED and just had her engagement party last week.  Made me think of a few things:

• I really miss the 3 girls in this photo whom I got to spend too much time with and make a handful of really well thought out decisions with in college
• My own 2 year anniversary with the hubs is on Monday
• I am very blessed with the people in my life and need to make more time for them (just like my blog needs more time)
• I need to go have some wine right now because I am pretty sure this post officially is not following a theme of any kind

OTL practice tomorrow, and trying to stay in balance again in the next week! HAPPY FRIDAY! Bottoms up (bottoms up, up) ... We both know you're dancing right now.... xo

sometimes you need pasta

Just as your car runs more smoothly and requires less energy to go faster and farther when the wheels are in perfect alignment, you perform better when your thoughts, feelings, emotions, goals, and values are in balance. - Brian Tracy

Back on track with a delicious PB mocha covered strawberry smoothie! (Recipe below)

Balance looks different to everyone. You have to try it on sometimes to see if it fits, and sometimes you simply have to accept the fact that you're not perfect. You're not perfect in your words, thoughts, and for me food choices. But that's the beast of burden of our lives. If you can learn to live with it, let it slide off your back and move on, you'll feel a bit lighter walking the path of your life with the guilt monkey off your back.

 

Like a little glass of healthy heaven!

I have to kick myself constantly simply to remember that you cannot plan your whole life. Sometimes there's not going to be a healthy vegetarian option for you, and if you're real hungry you'll be just fine eating some bread and butter. Your body won't hold it against you. On Saturday my mom made her version of my Grandma Betty's spaghetti, and having lost her a few months ago, this was quite possibly one of the most emotional meals of my life. I know it sounds odd, but her spaghetti is like a little nugget of my childhood, when all the world falls away and enjoying some spaghetti is the key to all that is great. Needless to say I indulged in two full plates of spaghetti, and topped it off with some vanilla ice cream with the hubs. Granny Betty preferred cookies and cream ice cream, but she never believed in skipping a dessert, so I really had no choice.

Mmmm frozen strawberries, almond butta, coffee and protein does a body good! 

This morning I thought I would wake up 10 pounds heavier, upset and irritated for over eating and ruining a strong week of workouts and clean eating. Luckily I slept it off. Not the extra calories but the extra negative 'tude I gave myself for enjoying some pasta, ice cream and a night with the fam. Instead I woke up, laced up the sneaks and Jackalope and I set out for a 3.5 mile loop around the sunny block. I came back to a delicious peanut buttah mocha covered strawberry smoothie, a recipe which I adapted from PB Fingers, and bounced right back into health and happiness.

Bottoms up bottoms up whaa?

Take a breath sometimes.  It's totally OKAY to eat pasta now and then.  Grandma Betty would be proud.  Don't beat yourself up, and don't use working out and healthy eating as a trophy to over indulge.  Live it breathe it balance it.

xo

PB mocha covered strawberry smoothie! 

* 1 scoop chocolate protein powder
* 1/2 c. almond milk
*1/2 c. coffee! 
* 1 tbsp. almond butter
* 1 tbsp. cocoa powder
* 3 ice cubes
* 5 small frozen strawberries

rain rain feel free to stay...

when it rains it pours... so stay inside and stay warm

We've had a wickedly rainy week in San Diego.  I am talking roads closed all around my house because our city is not supposed to experience weather, ever.  Last night I missed yoga with my favorite instructor who I haven't seen for weeks because "I've been too busy".  I.E. I have had no balance.  Needless to say optimism had washed away in the rain.

These guys had no problem with the rain.  I literally couldn't leave the house because of the floods, so the babies got to hang all day long, kennel free, and with multiple walks.

Shockingly, I don't take to the cold very well.  Not a big fan of rain or snow, but whenever I need a piece of sunshine, my cherished Beverly Hills Hotel coffee cup and apple cider spiced tea brings me back to the glory days in LA.

Best.  Christmas.  Present.  Ever.  Grandma Betty whipped up a "vegan" version of her famous spaghetti sauce.  But, this is the same woman who has asked me close to a hundred times if I can eat chicken because that's not really meat.  So I'm not asking if she used chicken stock, I'm making some vegan chili with the sauce, enjoying every bite and remembering my days faking being sick at school to go hang with Grandma Betty.

Naturally, this chili should be served in my rudolph mug.  I have a full Christmas collection, which I have taken one after another year after year at my best friends annual Christmas Eve party.  Here's the thing, I'm not a thief, but these mugs never saw the light of day outside the cupboard, and I wanted to celebrate them.  My friend's family doesn't care, they actually gave me a mug as part of my wedding dish.  Pretty sure those only one left I need to capture.

Vegan Chili Di Whitters

• 1 cup of mixed beans, garbanzo, pinto and black
• 1 tablespoon of hummus (instead of cream)
• 2 cups of Grandma Betty's Spaghetti Sauce
• 1 Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer Mug

Oh and just one glass of red wine on the side to really make this day half full of happy.

Cute as a button.

Hope you all stay warm this season.  When it rains, find your sunshine somehow.  

your corners of the world

Lately I've realized a rather large shift happening in my life.  Everything from my dreams, friends, and what really holds stock in my priorities are changing.  Some have been changing for a long time, some are new, and some I am just beginning to realize will change.  Normally change frightens me, but today, I'm welcoming it with open arms, and holding dear my little corners of the world.

Coral Tree Cafe in Brentwood, this exact spot under the heater was our corner of the world in college.  Going back recently reminded me how much I miss LA, and how much I have grown out of this person who originally sat there.

Sunday morning indulgences, homemade cappuccino, January Vogue.  Finding my balance again with my reading.  I have been working so much and have been so busy, I haven't made time for the things I love, like Vogue, Italian Vogue, and catching up on my BlogLovin'.  I'm bringing Sundays back.

Drops of cappuccino, sprinkles of chocolate, topped off with love.

Need I Say more?

Bialetti milk frother.  Haven't used this bad boy in over a year, I forgot how wonderfully delicious it whips up the foam for my capp.

Moka stove top espresso maker.  The way the Italians do.

Homemade cappuccino in the awesome tea china I got for our wedding.  It only make special appearances, but since it makes me so happy, I think I need to use at least one cup a week for a smile.

Homemade butternut squash soup a friend made for me, just because.  Makes the ol' heart warm, and it was delicious.

Balanced indulgences.  Because I've been rather busy lately, the at least hour workout a day I am accustomed to is not always realistic.  So I've committed myself to a 20 minute interval workout every morning.  It doesn't take long, I break a sweat, run as fast as I possibly can, and at 9:30 at night I don't beat myself up for exhaustion and no workout.  Sometimes you have to give yourself a break and just acknowledge the place your in, embrace it, and hold on to your corners of the world.  

Life changes, but simple pleasures always seem to you right back to a simple happy life.

alt + control + delete

the last legal vice

I use a Mac, so this command is not relevant anymore.  But sometimes I think we need a command that automatically forces us to quit a certain activity, refresh it, and start anew.  Meet my human form of "alt + control + delete".

waking up to this smell is heaven

It's not a massage, or a weekend getaway, it's an espresso stove-top moka that I brought back with me when I moved home from Italy.  I know coffee is bad for you, this won't help you de-stress, blah blah blah.  I don't care.  It's a piece of a place I gave my heart, and with every cup I'm reminded of la vita bella.

My best friend from Italia, Andrea, she introduced me to Carreras, I introduced her to the side braid.

Have no fear, I put a healthy twist into my espresso vice.  As some of you may know, coffee used to be my breakfast, but we broke up (for mornings that is), and I've moved on with protein.  So I've created a perfect way to wake up. Introducing the Iced Chocolate Coconut Milk hold the whip skinny non-latte extra Italian memories almond butter espresso protein shake.

venti doppio!  Mmm protein frappuccino de whitters

The name is a work in progress and I am open to ideas.  Basically, we need a name that encompasses the ingredients and the memories it provides me.  At the end of the day, I can't move back to Italia, I made no money, barely enough for food and my Carrera obsession.  But I can dream about the friends I made, the wine I tasted, and the morning cappuccinos Giovanni served me with chocolate drawn foam hearts.  That my friends is worth waking up for.

la ricetta:

1 Scoop Chocolate Designer Whey Protein Powder
1 Shot of Espresso (brewed on the stove makes it mo-bettah)
1 tbsp of almond butter
4 ounces or so of water (I prefer filtered because I am obviously a snob)
1/2 tsp. of cacao powder
6 or so ice cubes depending on if you want a frappuccino or an iced latte version
1 tbsp of coconut milk creamer

Throw it in a blender. Sip sip remember the good days.  P.S. Starbucks if you made a morning protein frappuccino that was actually healthy, you'd sell a lot.  Just sayin.