Are You Nourished?

Confession time. I haven't been nourishing myself. And, I mean in a creative way. Lately, I've been racing from here to there for work; creating wedding to-do lists consisting of my shorthand re: dj, photog, gifts, first dance; then, all of a sudden it's tax time again, and I'm talking aloud for two hours to Quickbooks Online as if it's a friend (but most of the time a foe!).

So, for anyone who might read this blog, who might enjoy learning about moderate, flexible and balanced exercise and all the tidbits I like to string along with that topic, I apologize for being absent. I'm always open to questions and writing topic ideas, so send 'em my way. Otherwise, you might be waiting until after December!

In the meantime, I found a lovely speech talking about nourishing your creativity. You've probably read Eat Pray Love, so you're probably familiar with Elizabeth Gilbert. I used to do a daily writing exercise she suggested a couple years ago, and I've even let that go. So, if you're like me - if you tend to get a little "out of sorts" (okay, let's call it what it is) - If you tend to get a bit bitchy when you don't nourish yourself in a proper creative way, take her advice and use your God-given gifts. Why not??!!

Visit http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/elizabeth_gilbert_on_genius.html

I've got a little creative idea up my sleeve for the weekend (on top of two parties, maybe three, and lots of housework) - I hope to share it with you next week. Until then, think about all the ways you truly nourish yourself (while vitamins and antioxidants are great, I'm talking about nourishment other than food). Think about it, then treat yourself.

Be Kind to Your Body

When it comes to my personal training philosophies, I'm rarely a whistleblower. If you can do without the infamous drill sargeant bossiness of a fitness leader, I am your woman! I like to call myself a gentle personal trainer. But, inevitably, when I tell people what I do for a living, they sometimes open their eyes wide, then point to a body part, then furrow their eyebrows, and finally say, "Can you help me get rid of this?"


Okay, I'll be a whistleblower now. And, I won't be responding with a "Drop and give me 50!" Instead, I might say, "First, it's impossible to spot reduce, and Second, let's be work on being nicer to your body before we try changing it."


Anyone who's well-read in fitness plans and diets might know what I'm talking about. And, even if you've curiously browsed all the new year resolution books currently piled high in the front of bookstores knows an inkling of what I'm talking about too. Whether it's low-carb, low-calorie, Pilates, medicine balls, running programs, the list goes on and on.... So many different ways and options to get lean, tone, trim, firm, skinny, fit, gorgeous, young, and the list goes on again....


I even saw a magazine (currently on the stands as of last night) advertise a claim to "get fit and lose fat" without exercise, diets or gym memberships! Well, they caught my eye! I opened to to discover their philosophy to (in-a-nutshell) only do housework or yardwork or shop. While I wholeheartedly believe that playing with the dog, painting a room, spreading mulch, raking leaves, unloading a dishwasher and dancing with a broom are ALL fabulous ways of physical activity, what about cardiovascular health training, balancing your muscles through resistance training, balance training, flexibility training, and mindful core training?


So, while I'm not a whistleblowing "Drop and give me 50 MORE after you run 10 laps" trainer, and while I'm not an advocate of "dancing with your broom for five minutes will be plenty, darling, but don't forget to skip all carbs" - squeeze my training philosophy somewhere in the middle secured with lots of "love your body first" reminders.


Yes, you do need your cardiovascular health training, resistance training, core/balance training and flexibility training. And, guess what, that can be fit into one workout in less than an hour, or it can be broken up into bits throughout your week. But, before we tackle the exercise, let's talk about the "Can you get rid of this?" interrogation.


First, give me the benefit of the doubt, take a deep inhale, and when you're ready to try something new, read on.... If I can hand you one piece of magic, of bliss, I'd be delighted. It requires an open mind and patience. It is simply, "Be kind to your body. Be kind because your body will respond with love once you open up to listening, respecting and loving your body."


Wanna know how? Email me for specific questions, and/or look out for suggestions in my next post!

thank you for coming!

Great turnout today at the art+movement workshop! For those of you who came, I hope you enjoyed the experience, were able to take that connection home with you, and are blessed throughout 2009! Thank you to lululemon (JJ and Abby) for allowing us to use their beautiful space! www.lululemon.com

And, a similar workshop's around the corner. Need more body love and self care? Connect with your self and your body through art and movement.

Resolve to Love Your Body: Self care through art + movement
Honoring EDIN's Love Your Body Month (www.myedin.org)
When: Sunday, February 15, 2009, 3-5pm
Where: lululemon showroom, Atlanta


...more details to follow

Fruitcake, Fruitcake, Fruitcake

(Hmm, not so much)

Good morning. It's the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, and any last minute grocery shopping happens today. I've been having so much fun asking clients, friends and family about their Thanksgiving plans - cooking? What dishes? When are you preparing it all?

While I'll only be partaking in a Thanksgiving meal - no chef-role-playing for me this year - I'm slightly jealous of those who are cooking. I imagine warm smells of rosemary, thyme, brown sugar and melted butter among warm kitchen lights while family gathers around for the evening. Kind of like the famous coffee aroma bringing the warm-and-fuzzies in the old Folgers Christmas morning tv commercial, "Peter Comes Home for Christmas"! (check it out here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4kNl7cQdcU)

I know, I know, it's not even December yet. But, once the Thanksgiving holiday kicks in, I'm ready for all the holiday gathering and celebrations. Despite some of the busy-ness of it all, if you can navigate your way through some of the typical family/obligatory loopholes and take good care of yourself, it can be such a magical time!

So, a few posts back, I mentioned fruitcake. I can't even remember why I brought it up on this blog, but if we're talking holidays, we've gotta talk fruitcake! Tooth-cracking nuts; chewy, dried fruit; salty yet sweet cakey-bread-loaf. It's really so strange. Who in the world invented fruitcake?

Well, last night I was reading the December issue of The Oprah Magazine, and I came upon a fruitcake article. You can even read the exact same wonder plus history questions answered here: http://www.oprah.com/article/omagazine/200812_omag_fruitcake This article even has a Happy Fruitcake Ending leading to THE BEST FRUITCAKE RECIPE: http://www.oprah.com/recipe/omagazine/recipes/200812_omag_recipe_fruitcake

If you actually know how to use your Kitchenaid mixer (unlike me), give the recipe a chance, and let me know if you've found a place in your heart for fruitcake. Or, if you actually read the recipe like I just did while blogging, you might only need a whisk, a saucepan, and a handheld electric mixer. The Kitchenaid mixer can rest a little longer.

Whatever you're doing tonight or through the holidays, I hope you can find the magical moments - with or without the fruitcake and Folgers!