quillandcouture

2011 was like many others. There was a lot of good things, and a lot of sad.  But that really is life, and luckily I am surrounded with love and wonderfulness that the sad seems only a glimpse of the entire view.  In 2012, I hope to live in the now and inspire those around me to do the same with roots and wings.  Here’s looking back, enjoying, accepting, and moving forward moment by moment.

2011 Moments:

I committed to bringing the boom and the shakalaka.

I took a leap of faith with my career, leaving a job I loved to grow and work on even more amazing projects.

I lost arguably the most influential woman in my life, my Grandma Betty.  But she left with me the desire to live with love, everyday, and trust that that will always be enough.

I fell in love with photography, and shot a wedding, a baby mama, and few other lovely amazing things.

I let go of talking to myself badly, and committed to toning it up. This literally was life changing, and I’ve never been healthier, mind, body and soul. Here are a few of tips I found to be most helpful in this process, and how I stay balanced.

I started a job I truly love.

I perfected protein pancakes, and discovered the Almond Joy Smoothie.

Found the most amazing running buddy in the world!

And overall, had a fantastic year. One in which I am truly grateful for. I miss you Grandma, but I feel you when I dance and simply enjoy life.  Thank you to my hubs, my family, and my best beezies for making me laugh, and making it ridiculously easy to love my life, everyday.  Lots of love to you and yours in 2012.

A few 2012 Goals:

• Complete the Insanity (workout review to come!)
• Shoot 3 weddings
• Complete my personal training certification
• Complete the San Diego Half Marathon in 2 hours or less
• Cook at home at least 3 meals a week

What are your goals for the New Year? Make it great chumps!

x to the ohhh

The thing is I really like to sleep. I hate when the alarm goes off at 5:15 yelling at me to haul my donk to the gym. Nonetheless, I stumble my way to the treadmill and feel better everyday and just thankful for my schweaty balls mornings.



The only reason I make it to the gym, and then to work, normally on time and fairly put together with lunch and breakfast packed is because I prep my meals ahead of time. Lady likes to eat. It’s truth. So normally on Sundays, sometimes on Monday if the weekend was jam packed, I make some veggie burgs, salads, protein pancackes, shakes, whatevs in bulk for a few days ahead.



Last night a made a batch of the best damn veggie burgers ever and added fresh corn, 2 redonkulously delicious protein pancakes, and dehydrated veggie snacks. So that should get me through Thursday, leaving Friday open for a haute lunch date, or a trip to Whole Foods salad bar, which I also love, but last time I went my wallet got into a nasty fight with the cashier. Happens.



Moral of the story. Pour yourself a glass/half a bottle of wine and cook to your heart’s desire for the week ahead. Your hunger will thank you.

x to the ohh

AM Schweaty Balls Run day!
30 minute run/speed drill
Push-ups, situps, and I’m out, too much ish waiting for my day ahead

Pretend like it’s the weekend now And we could pretend it all the time Can’t you see that it’s just raining? Ain’t no need to go outside



OK probably not as a delectable of a morning that Jack Johnson may have had making banana pancakes, but still, settled into my protein pancake recipe, and I have to admit it is bomb to the dotcom.



As evidenced by the empty plate. Gone in like 30 seconds flat-ish.

La Recita

• 2 Flax Eggs - 2T flax meal dissolved in 6 T almond milk
• Scoop of protein (Sun Warrior Raw Vegan Vanilla nomnomnom)
• Mix it all up, and spread into a round baking pan
• Add 1/4 blueberries on top
• Bake 350 degrees for 20 minutes
• Put it in tupperware and breakfast is ready for the AM sleepy beezy!
• **Bonus, delish with a teaspoon of almond butter on top

Scweaty Balls AM

Latest obsession = vitaminwater zero
Is it healthy = results are inconclusive at this moment. As a girl who feeded off diet coke and rice crispies, and hung my hat on a healthy/fat free/zero calorie delusion of days, I still crave diet coke like whoa now and again. I still crave chocolate (everyday), could eat it anytime of day, whichever way. Just in my bones I guess. On a recent stint to sevs (7-11 for cool kids in our office), I really wanted a diet coke and also some chips, but opted for a vitaminwater zero, and am now enjoying a delectable peach. So going to miss peach season. Long story long, I think I made a good decision, at least it was a halfway decent one and I’m not gonna beat myself up about it. Toot and boot it bad thoughts.

Today’s Shweaty Balls: