Going Greener

No, I’m not talking about recycling or using corn oil to fuel up your car (although I do recycle).  I’m talking about eating more greens.

I happened to pick up “Quantum Wellness” from the library last week.  In it, author, Kathy Freston talks about diet being one of the components to reach well… quantum wellness.  She is a vegan and eats everything plant oriented.  The foreword of the book was written by Dr. Mehmet Oz, who just so happened to be talking about diabetes on Oprah last week.  Also on Oprah a week prior to the diabetes show, actress Alicia Silverstone plugged her book “The Kind Diet,” with yummy-looking recipes using plant-oriented ingredients.  Is the universe trying to tell me something?

What I’m getting is… not so much the message to quit eating meat (I’m nowhere near doing that.)… but to add vegan-like behavior.  For me, that means adding whole grains and eating something green everyday.  So far, it’s been pretty good and effortless.  Except for Super Bowl Sunday (when I ate pizza and chips), I’ve gotta say that I feel cleaner, leaner and clearer.  It also makes me more conscious with the other foods that I’m buying and consuming.  For example, today’s breakfast:  egg whites, a cup of granola and whole grain rice milk.  Lunch was my leftover steak from last night (I usually would have eaten the whole thing for dinner.), cous cous, and a mound of sauteed spinach, green peppers, and asparagus.  For a snack, half an apple and some cottage cheese. I’m also drinking a gallon of water.  (Lost count on trips to the bathroom)

Haven’t been able to quit sugar and white flour foods completely, but I think the addition of green foods is a good start.  Know about my experiment for “scheduling the day?”  This is my experiment for health.

Oh… and I’m already  feeling skinnier (even with all of that water).

Road Trip Time!

Went to a cabaret show last night. Girls Only is part sketch comedy, part improv, all comedy.  One of the bits (and true story) was about one of the actors reminiscing about her dad’s love for road trips.  With three young kids and wife in tow, he would apparently prefer to drive through the night to make the most of an empty road and sleeping kids.  He was a serious road tripper.  Some of this gal’s memorable trips were loooong.  Try, from Winnipeg (Canada) to the Florida Keys, as well as a trip from Winnipeg to northern California.

It made me think about my own road trips taken as a kid.  Most summers, that meant a 4 hour ride in the Peugeot wagon up to Kissimmee to visit the cousins, then onward to the “Happiest place on earth,” Disney World.  There were longer ventures – up to D.C., Tennessee, oh, and my favorite (for my 16th birthday)… New York City.  Like the “Girls Only” actor, there were also three of us kiddos in the back seat.  No portable DVD players, no I-Pods.  What did we do coasting up the turnpike (which BTW, is probably the most boring drive on the planet)?  I don’t even remember.

So it’s time to go on another road trip.  This is not the measly (less than) 4 hour drive from Los Angeles to Las Vegas.  The beau and I are planning to trek from Denver to Taos.  If you get my newsletter, I asked what, “What are YOUR must-haves and top tips for the ultimate road trip?”  You’re also welcome to the discussion on the SJR Facebook page.  You could always share here in blog land.  Also, anyone been to Taos, NM?  I hear the wine is good.  Who knew?  What else is there to know?  I don’t have much time, so please help me plan.

Experiment Day 1

I didn’t quite stay to time the way I outlined in yesterday’s blog post with sleep being the x factor.  After waking up a few times during the evening… when my alarm hit 7:15 am for a 7:30 workout, I was all over the snooze button.  I started an hour late.  No big deal… except, that I couldn’t get the dvd player to play my windsor pilates dvd.  Threw my game off.  I managed to rearrange some things while I figured out how to best get my sweat on.  Basically, I talked to my biz partner earlier in the day rather than after lunch time.  I worked out after breakfast rather than first thing in the morning.  The key was time allotment.  I can see why writing in a food diary would be useful to dieters, because it makes you mindful.  I became more aware of the clock hitting the top of the hour.  It forced me to budget my time.  It forced me to focus and move on.  No surprise, I was major productive.  I had more energy and extra time at the end of the day to enjoy cheese tasting and a glass of wine when the beau got home.   Not bad for making a change!  I think I’ll continue with my new regimen next week.

Oh wait.  It’ll be the Monday after Super Bowl Sunday… (Dolphins not in it, so I’m not cheering for anyone particular.  If I was a betting gal (and I’m not), I’d put my money on the Colts.  But really, I’m just looking for yummy snacks, a cold beer,  and funny commercials.)

Have a great weekend everyone.  Try to stay dry in LA.

Home Work Experiment

After spending last week at a conference in Las Vegas and a meeting-the-beau’s-family-trip to TX, I’ve been playing catch-up since my return.  But time has escaped me everyday, and I’ve barely made a dent in my to-do list.

I’m glad that I saved an email about effective scheduling.  Actually meant for the “serious job seeker,” I’ve adapted it for the “serious self-employed.”

First, as a general rule for both seeker and self-employed, the TV stays off.  Check. (I like to watch from DVR anyway.)

Next, workout should be done first thing in the morning.  Got to get the blood going, ideally done by 8:30 am.  That leaves 30 minutes to clean up and eat breakfast.

9:00-10:00 Check emails, answer the ones needing immediate attention, read on-line trades.  For me, the biggest factor that throws me into “Tangent-Land,” is the email with a link to check out, as well as the email that calls for a (not immediate) response.  I can spend hours in Tangent-Land.

10:00-11:00 Saving all of those links, attachments, and research for this time slot

11:00-12:00 Correspondences filling up inbox by this time.  Read, purge, respond.

12:00-1:00 Lunch and maybe some domestic duty, like laundry

1:00-2:00 Social media (I have to admit- this is another big distraction for me.  Needing to keep it to an hour during office hours.)

2:00-3:00 Connect with business partner.  Are we dividing and conquering effectively? Where are we with our individual to-do lists?

3:00-4:00 Almost there!  More emails to be exchanged-  Shoots to set up and confirm.  Same for meetings.

4:00-5:00 Blog.  Another hit of social media.  Reach out or follow up with a stranger, producer, or mentor.

Mind you, this all the while welcoming calls from my agent, my beau, my sister, and my college roommate.  Not much success yesterday.  With schedule online, let’s see how I do tomorrow!

Valentine’s Day for Everyone

Hey all!  I went underground for a few days.  Actually, I just went to Texas for a few days with the beau.  While chowing down on tacos and enchiladas, this group of blue-hairs was apparently gathering for its monthly luncheon at the next table.  After the 10 or so, voices quieted down, one of the ladies passed out these one-sheets about the legend of St. Valentine.  She read aloud.  Our table quieted down to the point of being noticed.  “Reader-leader” turned to us and apologized for reading.  The beau flirted, “No apology necessary, but where’s our copy?’  She happily gave out her extras and continued to read about Valentinus’ life, a Christian martyr sentenced to death on February 14 in the third century.  The gal pals then broke out their BYOC (bring your own chocolate).

I appreciated that “Reader-leader” was decked out in her heart sweater.  She was into it.  The ladies  so obviously enjoyed each other’s company.  I recently went out on a shoot for a special Vday webisode for See Jane Run.  It was interesting to talk to people on the street and hear about different ideas of what Valentine’s Day means to them.  No real surprise… Most of it involves spending quality time with the ones you care about.  Just keep the love and light in front, especially when you wander into darkness.

I believe that there is no pressure to give nor receive with the beau because everyday is Valentine’s Day with us!  (Insert wine with cheese, here.  Just make it red.)

At See Jane Run, we’d like to hear how you care to celebrate Hearts Day.  Post your comment here or on our Facebook page.

In the words of Valentinus’ last note on the eve of his death, “From your Valentine.”

Just Saying

It’s one of my favorite mottos.  It’s actually on my Facebook page.  “Vision without execution is daydreaming, while execution without vision is meaningless work.”  And on Twitter, comedian Dane Cook actually said something similar in one of his tweets, crediting some Japanese proverb.  Whether it’s from the East or, from whom I thought, Bill Gates, there is nothing that resonates more to me now than that quote.  It constantly echoes from the little voice inside my over active mind.

I think it goes back to my post about multitasking.  Nice to be able to multitask (or, say that you can), but in the big scheme of things… If all I’ve done is juggle stuff around, then all I usually get is a pair of tired arms, calluses on my hands, and a creaky neck from looking up.  I also liken it to hitting the pinata after spinning around a hudred times, while blindfolded.  Watch out!  The kid’s got a bat and is swinging aimlessly! No, it’s not American Idol. It’s blind ambition…

Last night, the beau and I saw The Book of Eli.  Now, that was a man with purpose and focus to fulfill his purpose!  Focus on one step at a time and walk in the right direction.  It’s so easy to get distracted.  I think I’m at a point in my life where I know better than to throw things out there and see what hits.  Sure there is an element of that, but at the end of the day, vision is just a daydream without focus and efficiency, dividing and conquering, and thorough follow through.   At the end of the day, everything and everyone gets full attention when attention is given.

On one hand, the cream will always rise to the top.  On the other, talking the talk without walking the walk is white noise.  Who wants to hear that chatter?  So go ahead, and work out already!  Start that cleaning-the-closet project already!  Write that book already!  Just don’t get your junk out of the closet THEN try to find a publisher for a book you haven’t written yet.

My Favorite New TV Show

I haven’t even seen a full episode, but I’m going to find Modern Family on my guide and set the DVR.  After sitting in on the panel at the NATPE conference, I’m hooked.  The promo alone had me in stitches.  The gay couple with their Asian baby.  Ed O’Neill’s Jay, married to Sofia Vergara’s young, curvy, feisty Latina, Gloria and her tweenish son.  The traditional family led by actors, Julie Bowen and Ty Burrell.  The story lines are probably endless.  I don’t know if it was the executive producer/creator, Steve Levitan’s story of how he came up with the idea for the eclectic family, or how he pitched the family to the suits, but he obviously has a great sense of humor about life, particularly his own.

A couple of inside tid bits.  Julie Bowen’s Claire who, in the beginning of the season was usually folding laundry, was actually a ploy to hide the fact that Julie was almost full term preggers with twins.  Hello!  Ed O’Neill, best known for his remote- toting Al Bundy, made a conscious decision to take on dramatic roles (ie. Dragnet) after “Married With Children.”  Asked why she thinks the couplehood works between Jay and Gloria, actress Sofia Vergara said that Gloria very much appreciates that this older man has taken care of her and her son.  Then asked why Jay would fall for Gloria?  “What is there not to love about Gloria?” Audience broke out into laughter and applause.  Finally, when Steve was writing about these quirky characters, he wrote the role of Phil with Ty Burrell in mind.  Must be nice!

Steve also insists that the reason for the show’s early success is that the members of the family genuinely care for each other.

Welcome to the modern comedy. 

When Invited

If I had a dime for every “average Joe’s” movie review on the net… well, I would probably only have a dollar.  I don’t really read reviews.  But what I’m trying to get at is, there are plenty of movie reviews out there- from the pros (and what makes them a professional movie critic anyway?), to the (wo)man in the street.  I don’t usually offer my two cents on a movie (probably because I usually like cheesy movies that my peers don’t), but when invited to a free movie screening, it’s the least I can do.

The Movie?  When In Rome.  The Story?  A cute but jaded workaholic (Kristen Bell) and cutie puhtootie (Josh Duhamel) fall head over heels for each other, but she’s convinced that his love for her is not real, and that he’s cast under some kind of love spell from a Roman goddess statue in the middle of a fountain full of coins that symbolize people’s wishes.  I know what you’re thinking (besides “Now, that’s a run on sentence”).  You’re thinking, “I’m IN,”  n’est pas?  (tongue firmly planted in cheek)  I know it sounds kind of schamltzy.  And it is.  But When in Rome is also a way of thinking.  If it is what it is, go with it!  You’ll probably have a good time.  That was my experience.

First of all, it was just a nice break.  A time-to-turn-off-brain kind of movie.  After a productive day at the office, biz partner Rosemary, and I went to the screening at the AMC at the 3rd Street Promenade in Santa Monica.  After arming ourselves with falafel sandwiches, popcorn, and colas, we settled in and talked about non-work stuff until the start of the movie.

Pros:  Let’s go with the basics.  They dressed Kristen’s character so cute- complete with FABulous shoes!  She does play an art curator, so fashion choices were on the sophisticated city chic side, my idea of flair.  Everyone was easy on the eyes (even Danny Devito in his own way).  Don Johnson plays Kristen’s dad for goodness sake.  Rome is always good for scenery.  Without giving it away, an unexpected character popping up in one scene, was an audience pleaser.  We all laughed.  Actually, we had several LOLs.  The movie’s duration was short- maybe an hour and a half?  Oh yeah, and the performances were fine.  Good, even.

Cons:  Unrealistic.  Duh!  That’s the genre of films that is called Romantic Comedy.  So if you want a film in the caliber of “The English Patient” (But like Elaine on an episode of Seinfeld, I couldn’t stand “The English Patient.”),  don’t bother.  If you’re on the fence about deciding to see it, go with the matinee.  If you see it next week (opens January 29) and don’t like anything about it, you probably need to go to Rome more than anyone else.

These Are a Few of my Favorite Things

Although I’m not a mommy, I’ve been asked to be a guest blogger on a mommy site while mommy has baby #3.  My Favorite Everything is about sharing favorite things- what a great idea!  Word of mouth is the best advertiser, so let me get started.  Starting next week, I will talk about some of my favorite products and tips around travel, exercise, and restaurants, just to name a few.  Thank you in advance for indulging me.

Today I realized that one of my favorite go-to’s on the web is Yelp,   a user review resource guide.  I constantly go to yelp for restaurant reviews.  (Sometimes you can’t trust the paid for by advertisers city guides.)  Knowing that I’m heading to Denver during its Restaurant Week, I decided to do some research.  I actually put in “restaurant week” in the search and the key word(s) came up with a whole bunch of reviews.   Yelpers are really honest, if you know what I mean.  People are not afraid to drop F-bombs, the works.  Anyway… restaurants, clubs, spas are well covered on Yelp.  But THEN, I needed to look for a place to get a smog certificate.  Lo and behold, yelpers came through again.  Just like the peeps said, the guy on PCH takes cash only, but he was cheap and quick.  People review everything.  I thought about signing up as a yelper since I’m a patron of life.  For now, I’m happy to yelp about Yelp!

Classy Crafts

Don’t you love when you discover one fabulous find, and that leads to another fabulous find?  Better than that is sharing such information, and that’s what I’ll do.

I went to the homey day spa CloudMover, for top notch services at  better-than-decent prices.  While I was there, I also realized the spa was an awesome destination for accessories- earrings, necklaces, bracelets.  And the prices?  I paid $5 for a pair of earrings, hello!  If I had more time, I would probably shop more.  5 pieces for $20.  15 for $50.  Can you say, “BAR-GAIN!” 

I was also turned onto another accessory… this time for the home, your kid’s room, the bookshelf in the den.  Cre8ive Photo Mats are as the name implies, customized photo mats.  Apparently word got around that I did some dancing way back when (and now only manage to dabble in it every now and then), and I was given a mat that said “Dance.”  It measures 8 x 10 for a 4 x 6 photo.  Aww, how thoughtful and so cute! (I told the beau that we now need some photos of us dancing together.)  You can design them with cool cut outs and special messages.  Not sure how much they cost.  Just to let you know… The website has a few examples posted but for the most part, is under re-construction.  You can obviously send them an email or call with inquiries.

Speaking of gifts, wouldn’t this be a good one with Valentine’s Day around the corner?