Self Confidence

Habitat for Humanity in the South Bay

  I was invited to the kick off of two homes  in Lawndale being built by Habitat For Humanity yesterday.  These two story homes for two very worthy families (I spoke with members of one extended family that has fostered and then adopted three beautiful children). have broken ground and framing will start in the next few weeks.  I am attaching the web site to volunteer your help http://www.habitatla.org/wp-content/uploads/Construction-Site-Schedule1-e1289414904690.jpg.  There is nothing more rewarding than service and helping others create a better life for themselves.

 

Emily Thompson Flowers

  Emily Thompson Flowers in Brooklyn, New York is changing flower design.  Emily is basing her designs on the lush gardens of England.  Clumps of  moss, stumps of trees, branches moving every which way and delightful color make her designs magical.
  It is so great when change happens within a design community.  Emily is the leader in this return to natural
movement.
  With the world so chaotic, it is so wonderful to enjoy nature in a purer form.

A beautiful weekend in pictures....and a few words

It has been very rainy and cold.  Saturday was lovely and I was so happy to go out to my clients in Pasadena.  The scenery was spectacular, but they had a lovely Chinese magnolia (which I had never seen before) in pink.  What a great discovery...  Speaking of great discoveries, wild blues at Trader Joe's in scones with blueberry jam (I Love Saturday) and Lucky likes the weekend too!

Rainy weekend...

  I promised myself a restful and productive weekend.  I made apricot  pistachio scones (using Mark Bittmans' scone recipe in How to Cook Everything Cookbook), took  two long walks with the Heir and
the Spare during breaks  in weather and knit a pair of fingerless  gloves (free pattern on Ravelry).
  It was lovely....I hope your weekend was just as restful!

White Vinegar

  The water in Manhattan Beach is terrible.  The washing detergents have removed the additive that made my glassware sparkle.  It was a very murky December and January at my house   To the rescue, Heinz White Vinegar....we are sparkling again and best of all it is natural  and won't harm the environment.  A double win

Measure of a man ...or woman

  I measure  out everything...I found these pretty measuring cups, that make only being allowed a

"1/4 cup " a pleasure.  They are available at Anthropologie...

Weighing in...

  I kept to my workout schedule this week and a friend at the gym helped me with my squat positioning (thank you A), but it was a busy week  It  was a fun week though with birthdays and teas!!!

Olympic Lifting

    I am a huge backer of  femininity in a androgynous world.  I care what a wear to the gym, to work, out with friends, etc.  I care about being sexy, vibrant and healthy.
  So my obsession with Olympic lifting is a little odd.  I love to squat and dead lift.  I feel that my body is healthier and stronger when I do these exercises.  You can concentrate on nothing, but your body when you have a 45 lb. bar on your back (squat) or when you are lifting it off the floor(dead lift).  It is a very peaceful place and really helps with stress (and of course tightening your
core, bottom and legs).
  I did a lot of reading (Mark Ripatoe weight lifting books are a good source) and I am lucky to
have very good athletes at my gym to emulate.
 

Friends

  The way to really find yourself is to spend time with your friends.  They are truthful, they love you and you are so blessed to have them....

  Thank you Ginny and Marlene!!!

Jack LaLanne

  Jack was a fitness and cultural icon, who has promoted the benefit of regular exercise and healthy eating in a career that has spanned over 70 years and inspired millions.

  He presented an extremely successful television program, called “The Jack LaLanne Show”, that ran for 34 years! Which educated the viewers – or “students” as he called them – on nutrition, exercise and general well being.  My mother was one of his disciples and I rememberr fondly watching her using a chair for leg and
ab work
 He also produced some famous quotes:
1)“Ten seconds on the lips and a lifetime on the hips”

2)“Better to wear out than rust out”

  Jack was still going strong at the age of 96, working out every morning in the weights room for 1 1/2 hours and then swimming or walking for another 1/2 hour.  His enthusiasm and hard work created a industry that
keeps us healthy and vibrant.  Thank you, Jack.
  

The Scale arrives

  I have decided that it is time to simplify my workouts by managing my routines myself. I have been lucky enough to train with a few different, but highly qualified trainers.   My journey this year is to  improve my  routine.  Simplify,  so that I can have more time to enjoy my life.
    I thoroughly enjoyed the holidays and the scale shows it....9.8 lbs of fun!  I am committed to eat  healthfully, maintain my muscle mass and continue to wear a size 2/4.

  However, my scale wasn't accurate.   Here is my New Years gift... I christen her "Accountability".