Take care of your body: it's the only place you have to live.

As most of you know I have an insane obsession with Buddha. Mainly with collecting small figurines or large Buddha heads, but I also enjoy the teachings of Buddha. One of the things that Buddhism teaches is to respect and control your body, mind, soul. Which, of course, is one of my goals in life: to master the love of my mind, body, and soul (mostly body, since I do already love my soul). "Tame and train your own mind", is what I want to focus on today. I want to incorporate that saying with my daily routine of working out and eating.

As far as eating goes: we are a nation of eating on the go, or "on the run". Everything we do is rushed, and it contributes to the fact that America is so obese. When you are eating a burrito the size of your head while driving you are not focusing on what is going into your body, not focusing on whether or not you're full. One of my teachers at Alfred University, who was a Buddhist, said the best way to eat your meal is at a table, alone, with a few friends, family members, what have you, and focus on what you are doing. Cut your food slowly, chew it slowly, and when holding your cup to drink, hold it with two hands. It lets your body focus and engulf itself at the task its given.

Working out, is a part of my daily life. All day every day is a work out for me. I make it that way. When I walk up the steps I do it with vigor and purpose, when I go out to my car, I jog to it. When I go to the market, I park far away even though I don't have to. Just to make my body function more. I suggest everyone try the same, that way, if at the end of the day you're too tired to go for a run, or too tired to go for a walk, you will have already probably burnt 800 calories just living your daily life more actively.

The best workout for body and soul, as we all know, is yoga. Yoga is one of the loves of my life. It's saved me from so much anger, so many arguments, etc... Yoga not only teaches you poses, or breath control, it also teaches your self control. When I feel myself getting worked up or stressed out (ask my family I know it annoys them) I say "NAMASTE" really loud and sort of fan myself with my hands, rapidly. Thats not a yoga practice, thats just a crazy Katie practice. But then I find a quiet place to just sit, take a deep calming breath, and relax.

There are a lot of great Yoga places in town, the YMCA offers classes, Exhale, Power Flow and there are other places in the area: Montclair, MIllburn, South Orange. But if money is an issue, and girlfriend don't I know how much of an issue it can be, you can download free yoga videos online, youtube has them as well as this site.

As much as my goal here is to lose weight, and love myself, it is also to be happy with where I am now. And yoga, as well as other calming practices help me feel that way. I know they can help you, too. You are strong, lovable, and capable.

Today I didn't work out, but I did some simple yoga poses and relaxed. I ate well, and I ate slowly. I'm going for a nice long walk with Tori tonight, and then going to Montclair with Andrew to do some more walking/coffee drinking.

This life is yours for the taking! Send your light out into the world, sun babies. Mama loves you. Loves you. Loves YOU.

Update Blog, featuring: my boobs!

I GAINED 1 pound this month friends, Sorry to have failed you, yet again. But don't worry... I ain't afraid of a challenge!!!

Gym in the morning, morning walks with Tori, kickboxing classes start next week, yoga on sundays. Don't worry babiez, mama's got this. Enjoy da boobs.

Also: did I mention...baby got back! I think I gained that pound in my bum...I (and the boyfriend) ain't hatin that.

Mama loves you.

A serious talk & a serious recipe.

The first topic I want to discuss is of a very serious nature. As you know this blog is here to help inspire you, help you find delicious/healthy recipes, safe work out routines, and, most importantly: to make you feel like you have a companion.

I was recently e-mailing back and forth with a reader and she (remaining anonymous of course) revealed to me her past/present struggles with an eating disorder. She is plagued with Bulimia (the act of gorging on food and then purging-vomit or with the use of laxatives), I've also had friends who suffered from Anorexia (the act of starving oneself) and also Excessive working out (burning over 3,000 calories a day, spending all day at the gym, etc..) Whether you've had an eating disorder in the past, or are struggling with one now, please know that there are plenty of places to go for help. Please do not hesitate to contact a professional, or contact me, and hand in hand we will seek the help you need.

We need to amp up the self love, and amp it up I will. I want all you beautiful ladies (and men this applies to you to) to write down 5 things you absolutely love about yourself, and please don't tell me there's "nothing to love" because, baby, I'm sure if you asked anyone you know they could knock out 100 things they love about you, probably even 1000! I'm going to do this with you because we all need a little reminder of our first love: ourselves. Because at night, you have yourself, in the morning, and all throughout your day-you have yourself. Please, please, learn to love. I am doing this with you, I will always stand by you. You just have to wake up every morning and say "I'm ______ and I better work, bitch!" And bitch, you better.

5 Things I Love About Myself:

My verbal swagger (thanks H)
My endurance
My mouth
My morals-though they may be loose, they're good
The fact that I may not be the skinniest bitch you know, but fuck, I'm the finest.

It's as simple as that, and if you are REALLY struggling with it, sit down with a best friend, a parent, a grandparent, a boyfriend, a girlfriend, a sibling, anyone who knows you... and have them help you. You can do this, I know you can, and for your heart and mental health, please do this. You can save yourself by just realizing 5 things that you love. Because I love you, just the way you are.


On a lighter note (both emotionally and calorically) I made Penne Alla Vodka a couple weeks ago for Andrew and besides almost burning his house down (I've never cooked with vodka before-shit's scary), it was a delicious meal!

First:
1 pound of whole wheat pasta
1.5 cups of half and half
1.5 cups tomato sauce
1/2 cup vodka (it can be cheap-who cares)
2 cloves of garlic (chopped)
1 tbs red pepper flakes
1/4 cup shredded parmesan
1 tbs olive oil

Bring the water to a boil. While you wait, in a large skillet (must have a cover) put heat on low. Add your olive oil/garlic to the pan, then add vodka and cover until vodka has halved in size. Slowly add the tomato sauce and the half and half, stirring slowly constantly. Then add your red pepper flakes. When pasta is done, drain and add right into the skillet where your delicious sauce awaits. When you plate it add your parmesan on top. Eat with red wine.

Serving size (this serves about 5 people)
is approx. 300 calories, as opposed to the regular penne vodka with proscuitto and heavy cream, which comes to a whopping 650 calories a serving.

Eat, Drink, Make love, Be merry.

Update Blog.

Hello Readers! As I stated in my last post, my update blog is a bit late this time around, but I promise not to let that happen again. Here I stand before you (only) 3 pounds lighter. Your girl is trying but being 21 has added some extra calories into my life. But don't you worry, I'm back on the horse. There's a new moon beginning tonight, and bitch, you better believe, I'm ready.

I know I have a long way to go, but this is a journey I promised myself I'd finish. And on this journey I've come to love the people around me, love the meals I've made, love my workouts, and most importantly: love myself.

Love yourself today, moon babies, the time is yours.

It's been a long time since I rock 'n' rolled.

Hello! I feel like I haven't blogged in a long time, and it's been 3 weeks, and I missed my update blog, I am sorry for all of these things. However, I can not take an update blog today, it would be a bad representation of myself. I am currently bloated from sangria, diet snapple, and coffee. This particular post is about: Gaga, how to eat healthfully when you're eating out, and my new workout routine. Allow me to explain:

I woke up yesterday and my first thoughts were, "Gaga tonight!" I was so excited that when I got to the gym, I told the person working out next to me that I was going to see Gaga. She just smiled and knodded. Whatever. The day was finally here to see my beloved at Madison Square Garden with my great friend and always fun food partner: Lindsay Girden. We attempted to catch the 2:46pm train from South Orange, it was 30 minutes (aka 35 minutes) late picking us up. And boy, were we a sweatin'! Yesterday was a scorcher, am I right? So we get on the train, it was so much cooler and we were finally relaxed. And then, as though the anti-Gaga gods were smiting us the train shut down. No lights, no air, no train sounds. Nothing but an angry old man next to us saying to his quiet wife: "this is ridiculous! We'll never make it to New York!" We did not make it to New York on that particular train, we had to transfer at Seacaucus (6 minutes from Penn Station) but we finally arrived.

Ah, New York. Your stench never ceases to completely disgust me. But I love ya, you know I do. We hopped a cab to Lindsay's (adorable/great) apartment on Avenue A. We arrived, sweaty, tired, and a bit stressed. It was already 5 o'clock, and we still had to eat, drink, get drunk, and go see our girl. So we quickly got dressed, glittered our eyes, purpled our hair, and found a place to eat. Poco is a really cute tapas bar/lounge. We made the decision to do 2 tapas and unlimited Sangria for 30 bucks. For NYC, and for what the meal turned out to be, that was a really ridiculous and awesome price. We sat at the bar and had our first glass of red Sangria, it was a bit watery but it was cool and refreshing. Brad (or Bret) our bartender and (new) friend, told us we could go sit downstairs in the air conditioning when it was all set up. We were totally game for that. We walked downstairs after 2 glasses of Sangria, I stumbled more than I walked, and we arrived in a dark room, with couches, funky chairs, little candles, and awesome cold air conditioning. We ordered: Mushroom truffled croquettes, Gambas al ajillo (spiced shrimp on a garlic toast with sun dried tomato's), tuna ceviche, and the most sinful thing: lobster mac & cheese.

Now, Tapa's, if you're like me and you're watching your weight/what you eat, is a great thing to go for. You get served appetizer/snack sized foods for relatively cheap (depending) and it's not something that will bloat your or make you kick yourself for. Lindsay and I split everything, that was 1 piece of tuna each (thin, lightly oiled, salted and fenneled-so good), 2 croquettes each (small size, like half a golf ball), 2 Gambas (on toast similar to the size of melba toast) and we split the small bowl of lobster mac & cheese. All of this was rich, and good, but we didn't overindulge. I felt great and ready to take on the town. I was also extremely drunk--that is not good for your waistline, but hey, you only see Gaga once, right?

We taxi'ed our way to MSG and the show was awesome. I won't go into too much detail but lets just say we definitely danced, screamed, and sweat off any dinner calories we had. The show was all you'd want it to be: loud, glittery, leathery, sweaty, whiskey smelling, giant fish like monster-y, and fabulous. Oh, so fabulous.

I am home now, recovering, in bed doing what I love: blogging and drinking a gallon of water. I toast this water to you, Lindsay and to you, Gaga. Thank you for a great time.

Tomorrow I start my new work out routine: it will involve more running and more arm strength training. Biceps, triceps, etc. I wanna get toned arms, Michele Obama.....'s arms.... inspired me. I will let you all know the outcome of that. And will post an update blog very soon, probably this week.

Until then, happy eating, living, and for God's sake, stay cool--it's so damn hot.

Taking time to heal-something I can not do.

Ahh, the wisdom teeth. The slightly over enthusiastic, pains in the neck, stubborn, distant cousins of your other teeth. They seem harmless for up to 15-24 years, and then one day you wake up, your cheek is swollen, your gums are throbbing, and even mustering up the word, "ow" is enough to send you through the roof. I, ladies and gentlemen, have an infected and impacted wisdom tooth.

My day so far:
Woke up, complained
Called the dentist, complained
Went to the dentist, took one look at me and said: "that tooth has to come out".
Took an x-ray, was told to take all of my jewelry off.
Forgot to take out my nose ring.
Can see my nose ring in x-ray (looks pretty awesome if anyone needs an Album cover--let your girl know).
Got a perscription for antibiotics.
Called oral surgeon, he can't see me until July 22nd
and can not operate on me until August 20th.

Well, let me tell you. If the antibiotics and pain meds. don't help, I might just have to yank this thing out mah'self. I was also told to relax, which brings me to the point of this blog: what can you do to remain active, relax, and heal? I'm a girl who can not sit still for a second when its before 11 at night. I have to go, go, go, and since I couldn't get my workout in this morning (and I already feel flabby, which is my problem not yours), I had to find a way to keep myself; A. occupied, B. productive, C. exercised, and D. relaxed.

So what did I do? I first came home and painted my nails while watching Hulu episodes of The View (judge if you will, but those ladies slay me. Mainly Whoopi). So I took care of the occupied part, and my nails are now a beautiful color of "Summer Peach", thanks American Apparel (even though I shouldn't support you).

Then I decided to clean out the trunk of my car, and in order to add a bit of exercise in there I parked my car across the street and down a few houses so when I had to bring my stuff (and it was A LOT OF stuff, I'm talking I should be on the show "Hoarders"), I could get some exercise walking to my house. I made about 5 trips from car to house, then up the stairs, it was super hot out today so I got some slight sweat. It felt real good.

And now to relax I just made myself some chocolate milk, laying in bed blogging and doing some Ebay shopping. Going to make some sort of beer-based meal tonight with Andrew, I will be sure to blog the recipe. Tomorrow I head back to work. Hopefully the facial swelling will go down, and hopefully I allow myself to get enough sleep tonight.

The life of a busy bee, is the life for me.

If you don't know, now ya know...

This week I received an unsettling e-mail. Though, I have my suspicions on who wrote it, (leave me the fuck alone, seriously). However, it was interesting enough and I am more than happy to address it and set the record straight. The e-mail:
I will not post the person's e-mail address. Don't need harassment of them or me.

"Katie

Your blog is shallow as fuck. Why the hell do you even bother? Giving people weight loss advice when clearly you have quite a long way to go? Seroiusly. Go away, your blog is fucking retarded, just like you. And have fun with your two a days, hope you pass out in the process."

That was the e-mail, clearly riddled with spelling mistakes, cuss words, and the like. A real genius wrote that. But lets address the REAL issues at hand:

The author of the e-mail stated that this blog is a shallow one. And, as I've said before in blog posts of the past. That is not my intention. But unfortunately anytime a woman talks about her want to lose weight, or better herself, it's automatically shallow. What? I'm not allowed to be a strong, smart, feminist woman and care about my looks? Care about what goes into my body? To that I say: haters to the far left.

I do not believe there is anything shallow about wanting to help myself and others on a more personal/age appropriate level when it comes to weight loss and having a positive self image. This blog is not for everyone, trust me, if you are perfectly happy with yourself and you "hate" food blogs, "hate" weight loss, and "hate" happiness--then please--ex out of this now. No one asked you to be here, ya feel me?

One of my favorite professors of all time, she taught my "Women in Literature" class, once said something that helps me defend my stance here. "A woman should strive to be just as strong, or stronger, than her male counterpart". I believe she meant both mentally, and physically.

Moving on to the next point of interest: "why are you giving weight loss advice when you yourself have a long way to go?" This is true. I do have a long way to go. I am nowhere near the weight I want to be, but let me tell you, I am also nowhere near the weight I once was. This is a weightloss journey for me, and along the way I hope I can give people some feedback, recipes, anecdotes, and serious tales.

I wrote this blog to empower myself. I wrote this blog my sisters, for my best friends, for my acquaintances, for my female friends, for my male friends, for my grandmother, and for my mother. This is a safe place for me to write about myself. Of course I subject myself to ridicule if people do not like my style of writing, my body type, my face, whatever it may be. But again, I didn't do this for those people.

And, "anonymous" e-mailer, as far as me "passing out" I am in the best fucking shape of my life. I could outrun a goddamn deer, out wrestle a fucking alligator and out love a dove. Believe me, when it comes to physical and mental strength- Arnold Schwarzenegger circa 1990 don't got shit on me. Best believe.

To my loyal readers/friends/family, I apologize for my language but I do not apologize for this blog. This is all for you. And, as always, haters--you know where to go.

xoxox