forTaking

While I was in Colorado visiting my Grandma, one of the first things we talked about was the meaning of “forgiveness”. She said that one of her friends told her, “don’t look at it like you are ‘forgiving’ someone. In reality, you should be doing this for you, to help you move past the stress that has been lingering as long as it has. It should be called for-taking.” Those words were so powerful to me. You are taking what is rightfully yours; piece of mind, mental clarity and not letting that negativity influence your thoughts any longer.

You don’t forgive someone for their benefit, you forgive them for yours.

I share this because it made so much sense to me. For me, forgiving gives the other person the ‘easy-out’. You can tell that it does not the easiest thing for me to do, but after talking to my wise Grandmother, she really made me realize how important it is to for-take.

So here is to moving forward from the negative or cumbersome experiences that cause us grief, let yourself for-take what is yours and continue to live your life to YOUR fullest potential.

I challenge you to for-take.

"To forgive is the highest, most beautiful form of love. In return, you will receive untold peace and happiness." - Robert Muller

Refreshment Weekend

I haven't been blogging these past few days because I've been in Colorado enjoying God's beautiful creations. Well, that and my lovely Grandmother. Today is 47 degrees and extremely sunny; the perfect day for a little run, sun soaking time on the patio and some reading/journaling.

I hope everyone is enjoying their long Presidents Day weekend as much as I am. Make sure to save some time for yourself!

"If you want to conquer the anxiety of life, live in the moment, live in the breath."

Class Eval: Equinox Spin

Finally! Last night I made it to my long-awaited spin class. I raced to the gym after work to get on that damn bike by 6:30p. Has anyone ever tried to clip on the shoe holsters? Ouch! But proud to say I got it, only after I asked about 5 people for a quick how-to tutorial and some extreme amount of muscle. Darn those shoe holsters - but I was finally ready to go!

I want to quickly digress before I get into my eval of this class. My Mom has been spinning since I was about 10 years old. She would come home with her gel cushion, bike shoes and sweaty mess self - bottom line, I knew early on what this was all about. Because of this, I have always had a lot of exposure to spin, started young and really enjoy high-intensity workouts. I am not a spin pro and have yet to visit Soul Cycle to really test my endurance BUT I have been to classes that really kick ass.

Instructor: The instructor did a great job at making sure everyone was set before starting the class. Really sweet and had great music selection to ride to and keep you energized! I am used to having a little more heart pumping sprints and hill combinations to really take advance of the class and maximize your burn. I also like sprints that make you get out of the saddle, then back down, then up; in a really fast sequence. I think if she integrated some movement in the arms and some more interval training she would be dead on. Personally, I'm a big fan of instructors walking around the room to check technique, how hard you are working and really getting in there to help you make the most of your work out - but I do understand you have to be an extremely outgoing person to do this.

Intensity: I could really have used a LOT more intensity in the class. It seemed the crowd was there just to get their afternoon workout in. I think that if the music was louder and a few of the other items I noted were integrated into the routine, I would have definitely got what I came there for.

Spin Room: The spin room was excellent, ventilated perfectly so you didn't overheat and super clean.

Bike: The instructor kept encouraging us to check our RPM, yet when I was trying to get my bike to tell me that, it looked like it had yet to be programmed and we didn't receive any instruction on how to do so. Other than that and my holster problem (my fault), the bike was in great condition and I didn't have any issues during the class.

This class at Equinox was overall good. I did manage to burn 574 cals in my 50 minute class, so I definitely did work but I have been to better classes before. I am going to check out a few more instructors to better form my evaluation of the types of spin Equinox has to offer.

Although this wasn't my BEST experience, I encourage everyone to do spin. It is so invigorating and you feel awesome after and spinning has a great after-burn (you cont. to burn cals even when you're not working out).

Recommendation - for all of you New York city peeps, I highly suggest/demand you visit Crunch and check out any spin class taught by Carl. You'll know exactly what I am talking about and why I am craving a challenging spin routine.

A little R&R:

One of the main reasons I joined Equinox was that they have really nice amenities. I used to steam a lot when I lived in Vegas and loved it. Luckily, thanks to Equinox, I get to incorporate that back into my health regimen. After my spin class, I stepped into the steamy room for a nice post-workout relaxation time. By properly preparing, the steam room can be your best friend. You will want to make sure you are super hydrated before stepping in for a quick sesh, there are some great benefits:

• Improves your skin. - steam opens up the pores and allows the toxins to leave the skin, it also increases blood flow to give you your well deserve glow
• Helps heal muscle soreness - again, increases blood flow; blood has oxygen which your muscles need in order to recover. 
• Relaxtion - need I say more?

After my much needed steam, I went home and made some delicious BBQ Turkey Burgers with the roomies! Recipe coming soon :)

Go check out a spin class ASAP

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Valentines Day ♡

“They say a good love is one that sits you down, gives you a drink of water, and pats you on top of the head. But I say a good love is one that casts you into the wind, sets you ablaze, makes you burn through the skies and ignite the night like a phoenix; the kind that cuts you loose like a wildfire and you can't stop running simply because you keep on burning everything that you touch! I say that's a good love; one that burns and flies, and you run with it!” ― C. JoyBell C.

Love is undoubtedly the one thing that I have been reserved towards...my entire life. This year I am making a promise to myself to love others, unconditionally, and tell them all the time.. and allow them to love me back. I am starting today; this year the focus of my Valenties day isn't about the roses and glorious chocolate kisses. It is about who loves me and who I love most and reminding them of that. 

Hope everyone enjoys this sweet day with the ones they love most! 

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Morning Bliss ☼

Yesterday my friend at work had a really delicious looking juice she was opening. Me being the juice-addict that I am, asked if I could give it a try. The second I took a sip, I was secretly begging for more. She must have seen the desperation in my eyes because this morning she surprised me with a bottle. She picked it up from the kreation juice truck that parks outside her house in Downtown LA - the juice she picked up was called BLISS, and let me tell you the name dosen't lie. 

Less than an hour later and it's gone! What I love about this juice so much is well, the flavor obviously, but actually how simple of a mix it is. All it has in it is coconut, apple, and cinnamon. The flavors compliment each other so well and the health benefits are unbelievable. The bottle gives you a little glimpse of the benefits of each ingredient but below is a tad more of my favorite detail about just how genius this tasty mixture really is: 

• Coconut: unbelievably hydrating, boosts energy, increases metabolism, and is packed with antioxidents
• Green Apple: plenty of vitamins, such as Vitamin C, Vitamin A, Riboflavin, and Vitamin B6. Another great part is its fiber composition, always a bonus! 
• Cinnamon: lower bad cholesterol (LDL), lower blood sugar levels, anti-clotting, boosts cognitive function and memory (favorite), eliminates headache and migrane relief (Mom - get on this!)

Additionally, all their juices are organic, raw, unpasteurized, gluten free, and kosher! Everybody wins :) If you are in the LA area and want to try out this blissful juice, check them out on Twitter, @Kreationjuicetk, to find their location! 

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Crazy Sexy Diet

In honor of her life milestone she reached today, I thought I'd write a post about Kris Carr and her Crazy Sext Diet book.

For those of you who are not familiar with Kris Carr, her story, or her books, I really encourage you to pick one up and read it. They are super simple and full of fun facts, stories, and tips. Her story is UN-BE-LIEV-ABLE. Talk about dedication and making the most of your life; this woman is full of testimonies that really make you question ever complaining about a damn thing ever again, yet, she never once tells you that. 

When I woke up this morning I received one of her weekly emails she sends out with healthy lifestyle tips. Today was different, this is the first sentence of the letter: 

"Ten years ago, this week, I was given exactly ten years to live. Stage IV cancer, no cure, no treatment, no options." 

Now, I hope you realize by reading that and knowing that she sent the email today, her diagnosis was inaccurate and she is currently happy and healthy. This is the best, number one reason I read the book. I wanted to do things to be proactive with my health vs reactive.

I am obsessed with how the body works and reacts to different things we consume, daily. This book really puts life in layman's terms - which I appreciate, let's be honest.. I'm no doctor! 

My Mom actually is the person that introduced me to this book. Long story short, my Mom has chronic headaches. She has gone to every doctor possible, nutritionist, etc etc etc - they all gave her more meds after more meds. She decided you know what, this isn't right, I want to be off all of these horrible toxic "healers". So we went to the ER checked into the hospital and through a program with a neurologist, she detoxed for 5 days straight. I couldn't imagine going through something like this so I wanted to be right there with her. We recorded her headaches and symptoms as she came off all these different medications and, to no amazement, my Mom was a soldier through it all (she has always been a tough one).

During these 5 days she was reading Crazy Sexy Diet and sending me to Whole Foods for our daily juice run and telling me "You should really read this book". Two days in, I bought the book (she's the best book buddy) and since then Kris Carr has been inspiring my Mom and I to go the more holistic route and we have turned to fresh green juices, smoothies and cleaner eating to heal our bodies. I'd love to say my Mom was 100% free from the toxic "healers" but unfortunately you can't win them all, baby steps, but she will get there though helpful reads and tricks like the ones you will find in this book ...and by drinking more water, Mom ;) (her and my sisters have never been huge fans of H20). 

Speaking of hydration, I am going to leave you with my first and favorite green juice recipe that Kris shared with me in her book - if you don't have a juicer, you can go to whole foods (or any juice shop) and just tell them and they'll whip it up for you:

• 1 cucumber (organic; if not peel it)
• Kale (2-3 Stalks)
• Spinach (2-3 handfuls)
• Lemon 
• Ginger (half a thumb sized)
• Apple 

My Mom is my hero, she has been through so much yet still manages to smile and tell us all she is "Loving you" daily. Mad props, Mom, and thanks Kris Carr for the enlightening and educational read! 

To check out Kris' full post check out her blog. 

Happy Monday!

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Fashionably Late Friday

Let me start by saying that I really try to be a morning person. I used to be able to wake up, work out, make breakfast and head to work - no problem. I always seem to find some resa-excuse-on that I can't make it. Well last night's was that I didn't fall asleep until 1am. For those of you that know me, you know that I am a dead asleep by 10pm type of gal, 1am is like a crazy wild night for me.... well, on a work night. Anyways, so I missed my cycle class at Equinox this morning that I have been dying to go to.

In order to make up for enjoying my beauty rest, I went tonight and did my own work out and actually feel equally as fulfilled! One of my biggest struggles with the gym is getting bored. In order to avoid that, I did some research online and found some awesome exercises that kept me intrigued and kicked my butt (you'll see why). 

I started with an awesome Valentines day workout I got from the Tone It Up! girls blog called Love Your Booty. Here is a brief overview but really encourage you look at their video as it details exactly how to do each exercise. 

• Single Leg Deadlift (w/dumbbell) x10 each side
• Plie Squat w/ swinging dumbbell (both hands) x40
• Plie Squat w/ swinging alternating dumbbell x40
• Plie squat with lifting toes as you squat down x10
• Draw Your Heart: Balance on one leg and draw hearts with the other x10 each side
• Kickbacks: dumbbell behind knee and lift leg back x15 on each side
• Straight Leg Kick Back x10 on each side
• Draw Your Heart Side Plank x10 on each side
• Bridge with Leg Kicks x12 on each side
• Heat Wave (Bridge Position) swivel hips from side to side x30
• Body Surfing: bend knees and lift (toes & heels touching) pushing up x10
• Body Surfing + Hamstring curl (curl legs as you lift up) x10

Sidenote: I have been researching a lot about them and their nutrition plan, and it is safe to say that I may be making the purchase soon.. but am going to see what I can accomplish solo first.

Once I was done with working those buns, I moved onto an interval treadmill workout from one of my favorite fit bloggers, SarahFit. 

• 5 min warm up
• Sprint :10 sec
• Moderate :20 sec
• Slow :30 sec 
• Repeat x5 then walk 2:00 min

Repeat this 7min interval (no 5min warm-up) 5x and you're all done! 

I burned a total of 552 cals during this workout so really encourage all you people who are making up for life's little blisses (aka: sleep) to try this out. Better late than never, right?

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Daily Inspiration

"Self doubt is so insidious that it not only renders us stuck in our lives, but also actually weakens our ability to dream about what living unleashed would look like."

- The Fire Starter Sessions

The Fire Starter Sessions

About a week ago I was steaming at my gym and overheard a woman talking about her life and how she has waited so long to take charge of what was always hers to begin with. They were discussing how unhappy they were with their lives before and how all they needed was a little motivation to point them in the right direction. (Don't get me wrong, I am by no means unhappy BUT I am all about being proactive) The woman then told her friend about a book she found called The Fire Starter Sessions by Danielle Laporte. She said it was not your typtical self-help book to add to your stack that you've never read post exiting Boarders. She said it was really engaging - Danielle gave you actionable items to think about or do and when she did them she said she couldn't believe how easy it was but yet how helpful it was! Because of that, I was dying to get this book and just see how a few words to really change someones mentality that was so down. I bought the book on my iPad today through my kindle app and have read maybe 5 pages and I'm hooked. I was so excited for the journey that I immediately texted my mom a quote from the book and asked her to basically join my book club and read the book with me so we can talk about it.

Suggestion: Getting someone on board to do something with you will hold you accontable.. that's my plan at least!

I cannot wait to post more about this book and hopefully enlighten other people to pick it up to see what it can offer them. Happy reading.

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