In the pre-kids day, I used to be a make up artist. That involved lots of funky clothes, shoes, gobs of make up and occasionally some fake eye lashes. After having kids, I reserve the funk for nights out and keep it real on the weekdays in stylin' yoga pants and baggy Xavier University sweatshirts that used to be my Dad's.
I have entered a new era. The professional era. I get to start seeing clients this summer for my first round of internships. After assessing my wardrobe and realizing that I cannot go to interviews or therapy sessions in yoga pants and I will absolutely have to wear a bra, the challenge was issued: I had to find some clothes that merged the gap between funky, comfy Jane and professional Jane. Oh yeah, and we are on a serious budget!
I got two people on board to assist. The two most fashion conservative people I know- Mom and Dad. So Mary Ann, Tim, and I embarked on a true adventure: Suit shopping. And some of my favorite quotes from today went like this: "Go LEFT Magellan, the suits are that way...Jane, you cannot have buckles or sequins, the funk has to stay on the inside of the shoe... no, a hot pink purse is probably not the best thing to take to a first interview... Earrings that big are only going to attract seagulls...No we are not going to the juniors department. You are a grown woman with children!!!" Let me tell you. I had a blast. First of all, the further I fall into the abyss of the adult world, the more HAAAAALARIOUS my parents get. Those two had me cracking up and my dad was the best purse carrier on the planet. I had such a throw back. I don't think I have shopped with both my parents since 1988 and that was for my first communion dress.
They were also awesome at picking out clothes that really hit the mark. I got a black suit- WITH PANTS- (so I could keep it as Diane Keaton as possible- Dad knew EXACTLY what I meant with that) and the coolest blue dress. It went so well, that I think I would totally go shopping with my parents again! Who knew conservative Catholic parents were the best personal shoppers EVER!!!!
p.s. Nate has offered to proof read my blogs after finding spelling and grammatical errors so enjoy my newly furbished blogs with minimal errors (my dork ass husband just spend 15 minutes looking up the word "furbished" and trying to figure out if I should use "refurbished" instead. Nerd ALERT) Passion and hilarity don't always respond to spell check (anal much, Nate???)
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Friday, January 28, 2011
The sucky vegetarian
Alright, so January is coming to a close and I have determined myself to be the worst vegetarian of all time. I cannot believe how hard it has become for me to give up meat! I have eaten meat five times this month, which is a vast improvement over 5 times a week, but I still feel like a punk. Dairy was a much easier feat. I ate dairy once this month.
The most frustrating part is that I started out with such GUSTO!!! I was ready to take on the raw vegan world! Then I slipped into some wings (noted weakness from other blogs) and blue cheese. That started a downward spiral. Its funny that four out of the five times I ate meat were this week. This has been a stressful week for me. I am a creature of habit and snow has screwed up my routine. Frustration, fatigue, and boredom really put me in a Debbie Downer mood! I noticed that the more cranky I became, the more cooking shows I watched and damn you Giada, you make meat look so yummy and beautiful!!!
Observation has allowed me to note a couple of things: Much like addiction, I am going to have to change places and things. I love to go out to restaurants and vegan options are few and far between, let alone raw options. I always feel like a douche giving chefs specific instructions- as if they don't have enough shit to worry about! So here is where I need my vegan/vegetarian buddies. I need to know restaurants in the area that have good wheat free, gluten free, vegan food. Please, shoot me ideas! I am incapable of going to Station Taproom and not ordering wings.
Another thing of note is that when I was cranky, bored, and tired, I was more likely to give into temptation. I think that generally happens to all of us. Since it is inevitable that I will get tired, bored, and cranky, I'm pretty sure I need to find a hobby or distraction. I really thought I had enough at this point??? Blogs, kids, grad school, cross fit...hmmm...
Another stupid thing I did was cook meat for my family and then served it to them. That's like a crack addict firing up a crack pipe and handing it to someone. There was bound to be a puff or two. I think from now on, Nate is on meat duty.
Here are my new strategies:
1. Celebrate my accomplishments- I greatly reduced my carbon footprint and got into some really good habits
2. Forgive- I am bound to have some slip ups. Observe the cause/feeling, find a replacement behavior, and move on
3. Come up with these strategies and get my family on board.
4. My goal for February is to cut my meat consumption in 1/2 and try not to partake at all.
Thanks for listening to me rant. I really needed to vent and I need to be held accountable, even if it is to the internet :0)
The most frustrating part is that I started out with such GUSTO!!! I was ready to take on the raw vegan world! Then I slipped into some wings (noted weakness from other blogs) and blue cheese. That started a downward spiral. Its funny that four out of the five times I ate meat were this week. This has been a stressful week for me. I am a creature of habit and snow has screwed up my routine. Frustration, fatigue, and boredom really put me in a Debbie Downer mood! I noticed that the more cranky I became, the more cooking shows I watched and damn you Giada, you make meat look so yummy and beautiful!!!
Observation has allowed me to note a couple of things: Much like addiction, I am going to have to change places and things. I love to go out to restaurants and vegan options are few and far between, let alone raw options. I always feel like a douche giving chefs specific instructions- as if they don't have enough shit to worry about! So here is where I need my vegan/vegetarian buddies. I need to know restaurants in the area that have good wheat free, gluten free, vegan food. Please, shoot me ideas! I am incapable of going to Station Taproom and not ordering wings.
Another thing of note is that when I was cranky, bored, and tired, I was more likely to give into temptation. I think that generally happens to all of us. Since it is inevitable that I will get tired, bored, and cranky, I'm pretty sure I need to find a hobby or distraction. I really thought I had enough at this point??? Blogs, kids, grad school, cross fit...hmmm...
Another stupid thing I did was cook meat for my family and then served it to them. That's like a crack addict firing up a crack pipe and handing it to someone. There was bound to be a puff or two. I think from now on, Nate is on meat duty.
Here are my new strategies:
1. Celebrate my accomplishments- I greatly reduced my carbon footprint and got into some really good habits
2. Forgive- I am bound to have some slip ups. Observe the cause/feeling, find a replacement behavior, and move on
3. Come up with these strategies and get my family on board.
4. My goal for February is to cut my meat consumption in 1/2 and try not to partake at all.
Thanks for listening to me rant. I really needed to vent and I need to be held accountable, even if it is to the internet :0)
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Generosity and the Broad Street Run
So as of a couple of weeks ago, I kept seeing status updates on facebook about people signing up for the Broad Street Run in Philadelphia. Its a 10 mile run that happens at the beginning of May. I have been an "unstructured" runner my entire life. Running has always been an important part of training for tennis and other sports I play. As a new mom, the jogging stroller became a huge helper in battling bouts of stay-at-home mom boredom and getting back in shape after my pregnancies.
Running isn't exactly my favorite. I'm not fast and frankly, I don't have that gazelle like runner's physique. I run more like a buffalo. But there is a love hate relationship going on there. I keep doing it, so the love must outweigh the hate.
The straw that broke the camels back in registering for the race happened at Crossfit last week (www.crossfitinspire.com). One of my fellow work out friends complimented my buffalo running form and asked if I was running the race. Then I found out that they were forming a team and I could run with them. Still nervous, (10 miles is A LOT), scared, and unsure about time commitment, I tried to talk myself out of it. There is this little voice in my head that keeps me from bitching out on things. I wouldn't exactly call it a conscience, but its there. I kept thinking about the run and decided to tap one of my favorite resources for advice- my friend Derek.
Derek is insane. Seriously insane. He runs marathons, 6 thousand k's, and is one of the most dedicated, enthusiastic people I have ever met. Talking to Derek was totally a subconscious move by my non-conscience to get the encouragement I needed to run the race. He wrote up a training plan for me and gave me a much needed, "you can do this" boost. I even confided in him about my fund raising fears. Raising 500 dollars seemed completely daunting. I left sales years ago, and I have no plan of returning.
But I did it. Between Derek and the "don't bitch out" voice, I signed up for the race. I sent an email to family and friends about the race and asking for donations for the American Cancer Society. I posted on facebook hoping to get some more financial support that way. I am so blown away by the response.
I sent the email on Monday night. It is now Wednesday and I am almost half way to my pledge goal of 500 dollars. I couldn't believe the response!!! But guess what, I should have known better. I have the most generous, amazing people in my life. I should not have been surprised in the least by the amazing response. So this is my thank you. I was almost in tears seeing one friend donate 125 bucks!!! Seriously!!! Amazing!!!
Every training mile I run and every mile of that race is dedicated to my friends and loved ones, especially my Grandpa Thompson. I will be thinking of you during my runs and praying for you and your family members whose lives have been affected by cancer. Thank you for giving me the courage, strength, and inspiration to run this race. Thank you for being such an important part of my life. I love you guys!!!!
Running isn't exactly my favorite. I'm not fast and frankly, I don't have that gazelle like runner's physique. I run more like a buffalo. But there is a love hate relationship going on there. I keep doing it, so the love must outweigh the hate.
The straw that broke the camels back in registering for the race happened at Crossfit last week (www.crossfitinspire.com). One of my fellow work out friends complimented my buffalo running form and asked if I was running the race. Then I found out that they were forming a team and I could run with them. Still nervous, (10 miles is A LOT), scared, and unsure about time commitment, I tried to talk myself out of it. There is this little voice in my head that keeps me from bitching out on things. I wouldn't exactly call it a conscience, but its there. I kept thinking about the run and decided to tap one of my favorite resources for advice- my friend Derek.
Derek is insane. Seriously insane. He runs marathons, 6 thousand k's, and is one of the most dedicated, enthusiastic people I have ever met. Talking to Derek was totally a subconscious move by my non-conscience to get the encouragement I needed to run the race. He wrote up a training plan for me and gave me a much needed, "you can do this" boost. I even confided in him about my fund raising fears. Raising 500 dollars seemed completely daunting. I left sales years ago, and I have no plan of returning.
But I did it. Between Derek and the "don't bitch out" voice, I signed up for the race. I sent an email to family and friends about the race and asking for donations for the American Cancer Society. I posted on facebook hoping to get some more financial support that way. I am so blown away by the response.
I sent the email on Monday night. It is now Wednesday and I am almost half way to my pledge goal of 500 dollars. I couldn't believe the response!!! But guess what, I should have known better. I have the most generous, amazing people in my life. I should not have been surprised in the least by the amazing response. So this is my thank you. I was almost in tears seeing one friend donate 125 bucks!!! Seriously!!! Amazing!!!
Every training mile I run and every mile of that race is dedicated to my friends and loved ones, especially my Grandpa Thompson. I will be thinking of you during my runs and praying for you and your family members whose lives have been affected by cancer. Thank you for giving me the courage, strength, and inspiration to run this race. Thank you for being such an important part of my life. I love you guys!!!!
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
It's the little things
As most of you have gathered, I am pretty health conscious. It wasn't always this way. Many of you have witnessed my man sized appetite (that hasn't changed) and my amazing ability to make a large plate of nachos my bitch. Those days started to change when I met my husband- who at the time was far more health conscious than I was. He taught me some of the foundations of health:
1. white flour is bad for you (who knew???)
2. nutrisweet is horrible and if it didn't come from nature, it shouldn't be consumed (but it says DIET coke!!!)
3. smoking is not the best idea for someone who is a college athlete (I could still run 3 miles and smoke a pack a day, take THAT!)
But despite my resistance, love makes you do stupid things and thankfully I made lots and lots of changes. In fact, the old hubster really created a monster.
So this morning, as I'm making my green smoothie, I walk over to the couch to sit with the girls. Then my morning miracle happened: "MOMMY!!! I WANT SOME!!!!" And before I knew it, 24 oz. of kale, pineapple, bananas, and cherries disappeared faster than the old school plate of nachos.
It's these little things that make me happy. My girls won't grow up thinking that diet yogurt, pretzels, and soda are nutritious. They know what healthy food is and that it is palatable. They can recognize that when they eat unhealthy food, they feel like crap. So at ages 3 and 5, those chicks know WAY more about nutrition than I did at 21 (you mean deep fried is BAD for you????? WHAT???? But a cheese steak has meat, cheese, and bread! Those are food groups!!! BBQ sauce is made from tomatoes!)
Green Smoothie Recipe:
2 bananas
1/2 cup pineapple
1/2 cup frozen cherries
4 kale leaves
8 oz water
and blend blend blend
1. white flour is bad for you (who knew???)
2. nutrisweet is horrible and if it didn't come from nature, it shouldn't be consumed (but it says DIET coke!!!)
3. smoking is not the best idea for someone who is a college athlete (I could still run 3 miles and smoke a pack a day, take THAT!)
But despite my resistance, love makes you do stupid things and thankfully I made lots and lots of changes. In fact, the old hubster really created a monster.
So this morning, as I'm making my green smoothie, I walk over to the couch to sit with the girls. Then my morning miracle happened: "MOMMY!!! I WANT SOME!!!!" And before I knew it, 24 oz. of kale, pineapple, bananas, and cherries disappeared faster than the old school plate of nachos.
It's these little things that make me happy. My girls won't grow up thinking that diet yogurt, pretzels, and soda are nutritious. They know what healthy food is and that it is palatable. They can recognize that when they eat unhealthy food, they feel like crap. So at ages 3 and 5, those chicks know WAY more about nutrition than I did at 21 (you mean deep fried is BAD for you????? WHAT???? But a cheese steak has meat, cheese, and bread! Those are food groups!!! BBQ sauce is made from tomatoes!)
Green Smoothie Recipe:
2 bananas
1/2 cup pineapple
1/2 cup frozen cherries
4 kale leaves
8 oz water
and blend blend blend
Monday, January 24, 2011
My way of dealing with drivers with road rage
I love to drive. I love to drive fast. I am a stay at home mom, so I can choose to do my driving before and after rush hour most of the time. I am lucky in that way.
Because I can drive at optimal times and when I am in the car, my kids are usually strapped down, some of my most peaceful moments come during driving. I can think, listen to Ke$ha, no one is asking me to make them food, wipe their ass, or get them a toy (most of the time).
So this afternoon I was driving home from Frasier after a wonderful visit at Oasis Living Cuisine (best raw vegan/vegetarian restaurant in the area bar none!) and had a belly full of delicious mint chocolate. So I'm driving with my nice chocolate buzz while listening to Lilah sing some Katy Perry tunes. I pull up to a four way stop at the same time as another woman. She frantically is waving me on like her arm is on fire and she is clearly pissed off. Why? I have no idea. Just in a hurry to get to Kohls I guess. So I proceeded to do my favorite road rage move.
Wait for it...you are going to love this.
I blow people kisses. I started doing this about 5 years ago when giving the finger became a poor option because of my precious cargo. It is freaking hysterical. The road rage drivers really don't know whether to shit or go blind. Especially now that I have gender bending hair, people are absolutely befuddled. They aren't sure if I'm a man or a woman and why the hell I am blowing them kisses??? Best move ever. And instead of spending the rest of the day cranky and pissed that the lady was so rude, I am laughing my ass off thinking about her face when an unidentified she-man blew her a kiss!
Because I can drive at optimal times and when I am in the car, my kids are usually strapped down, some of my most peaceful moments come during driving. I can think, listen to Ke$ha, no one is asking me to make them food, wipe their ass, or get them a toy (most of the time).
So this afternoon I was driving home from Frasier after a wonderful visit at Oasis Living Cuisine (best raw vegan/vegetarian restaurant in the area bar none!) and had a belly full of delicious mint chocolate. So I'm driving with my nice chocolate buzz while listening to Lilah sing some Katy Perry tunes. I pull up to a four way stop at the same time as another woman. She frantically is waving me on like her arm is on fire and she is clearly pissed off. Why? I have no idea. Just in a hurry to get to Kohls I guess. So I proceeded to do my favorite road rage move.
Wait for it...you are going to love this.
I blow people kisses. I started doing this about 5 years ago when giving the finger became a poor option because of my precious cargo. It is freaking hysterical. The road rage drivers really don't know whether to shit or go blind. Especially now that I have gender bending hair, people are absolutely befuddled. They aren't sure if I'm a man or a woman and why the hell I am blowing them kisses??? Best move ever. And instead of spending the rest of the day cranky and pissed that the lady was so rude, I am laughing my ass off thinking about her face when an unidentified she-man blew her a kiss!
Thursday, January 20, 2011
This winter sucks
This has been the worst winter for illness in my family in a long time. I'm not sure if its the changing of the zodiac or what, but it seems like our family has been sick with something since Thanksgiving. The health freak in my would like to attribute this to all of the shitty food everyone was eating over the holidays (and by shitty, I mean delicious, fattening, and horribly fun). I did not eat as poorly and my husband and my children and have been the least ill of all of us but as I replace my morning coffees with green vegetable juices, I am noticing some major detoxing.
For me, the sinuses are the first place I suffer when I am detoxing or eating in a non-optimal way. I know I am not the only one. I am seeing lots of stuffy noses and hearing lots of muffled, snot filled speech when I am out and about. Here are a few simple tips I have learned that help keep colds and sinus infections at bay:
1. Go for it. Buy a neti pot. And do me a favor, don't fill it with iodized salt or table salt. PLEASE. I beg you!!! Get Himalayan Salt. You can get it at Wegmans, Giant, or Kimberton Whole Foods. Its usually 5-6 bucks for 6oz.
2. Sleep. Get enough. Stop your late night Kardashian watching for one extra hour and go to bed. Even better, go to bed two hours early, have sex (remember from a previous blog- immune boosting), and get to sleep.
3. Stop eating dairy. Dairy is mucous forming. If you want to cut out some serious snot, boogies, and sinus pain- knock dairy completely out at the first sign of a cold/sinus pain
4. Cayenne Lemonade. It's simple. Squeeze the juice of 1 lemon into a cup. Add 1/8 or less tsp of cayenne pepper (the powder in your cabinet), add honey, stevia, or agave, warm water and drink. Cayenne will help decrease inflammation and get things moving again.
I hope we all get through the rest of this winter with less snot, sinus pressure, and fewer doctor visits!
For me, the sinuses are the first place I suffer when I am detoxing or eating in a non-optimal way. I know I am not the only one. I am seeing lots of stuffy noses and hearing lots of muffled, snot filled speech when I am out and about. Here are a few simple tips I have learned that help keep colds and sinus infections at bay:
1. Go for it. Buy a neti pot. And do me a favor, don't fill it with iodized salt or table salt. PLEASE. I beg you!!! Get Himalayan Salt. You can get it at Wegmans, Giant, or Kimberton Whole Foods. Its usually 5-6 bucks for 6oz.
2. Sleep. Get enough. Stop your late night Kardashian watching for one extra hour and go to bed. Even better, go to bed two hours early, have sex (remember from a previous blog- immune boosting), and get to sleep.
3. Stop eating dairy. Dairy is mucous forming. If you want to cut out some serious snot, boogies, and sinus pain- knock dairy completely out at the first sign of a cold/sinus pain
4. Cayenne Lemonade. It's simple. Squeeze the juice of 1 lemon into a cup. Add 1/8 or less tsp of cayenne pepper (the powder in your cabinet), add honey, stevia, or agave, warm water and drink. Cayenne will help decrease inflammation and get things moving again.
I hope we all get through the rest of this winter with less snot, sinus pressure, and fewer doctor visits!
Friday, January 14, 2011
Optimal Identity
This is a short one today. I am going to address the ongoing Zodiac crisis/Identity crisis/bad tattoo crisis.
I am all about astrology. I think its fun. I have multiple books about it and at one time in my life was passionate enough about it to have aquired the knowledge to read charts. Don't ask, I have a blog now and don't have time :0)
That being said: NEVER LET ANYTHING DEFINE YOU.
You are super special and sooooo beyond labels. We all have bad tattoos. Embrace them as apart of the time in your life when you had enough balls to go out and get a bad tattoo and thought you were an Aquarius but really turned out to be a Capricorn (Just sayin'). So as much as I love astrology, my bad tattoo, and being an Aquarius/Capricorn hybrid, I am still Jane. You are still you. And YOUR life is going to keep going on your terms because you are uniquely, beautifully, and wonderfully you.
I am all about astrology. I think its fun. I have multiple books about it and at one time in my life was passionate enough about it to have aquired the knowledge to read charts. Don't ask, I have a blog now and don't have time :0)
That being said: NEVER LET ANYTHING DEFINE YOU.
You are super special and sooooo beyond labels. We all have bad tattoos. Embrace them as apart of the time in your life when you had enough balls to go out and get a bad tattoo and thought you were an Aquarius but really turned out to be a Capricorn (Just sayin'). So as much as I love astrology, my bad tattoo, and being an Aquarius/Capricorn hybrid, I am still Jane. You are still you. And YOUR life is going to keep going on your terms because you are uniquely, beautifully, and wonderfully you.
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