Heat Proof Hair!

Submitted by on July 28, 2009 - 8:48 pm

I know I have no right to complain about the heat since I live in gloriously humidity-free Los Angeles, but it still makes it really hard to get motivated to wear my hair down during the day. Especially a curly mane like mine!

For years (like, 20+) my Aunt has been doing the cutest things with her hair, specifically with variations on the french braid. In the last few years my cousins and I have been taking a cue from her.

Now, it turns out Jessica Simpson knows my Aunt’s secret, too!

jessica-simpson-435

I absolutely love this look for an ultra feminine variation on a ponytail that helps you beat the heat … in STYLE!

If you know how to do a simple French braid, you can quickly master this style. You’ll be seeing me around with it!

To YOUR styled life!

A Closet Makeover!

Submitted by on July 24, 2009 - 10:38 pm

Ana Caban asked me to cleanse and revamp her closet to be featured on her site www.labuenalife.com.

I thought you, too, would like to get a glimpse into the process and the final results. Ana has a colorful and fun personality, so you can see that we incorporated that into her new outfits. The result? Sophisticated and pulled-together and FUN!

Classic Ratatouille

Submitted by on July 21, 2009 - 10:41 pm

Here I am making Ratatouille for a dinner party. Such an easy recipe packed full of colorful vegetables!

If you didn’t catch it, I’m actually tripling this recipe!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NncJvOYz19I&hl=en&fs=1&]

Ingredients:
1 onion, sliced thin
2 garlic cloves, minced
5 tablespoons olive oil
a 3/4-pound eggplant, cut into 1/2-inch pieces (about 3 cups)
1 small zucchini, scrubbed, quartered lengthwise, and cut into thin slices
1 red bell pepper, chopped
3/4 pound small ripe tomatoes, chopped coarse (about 1 1/4 cups)
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano, crumbled
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme, crumbled
1/8 teaspoon ground coriander
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, sliced thinly

In a large skillet cook the onion and the garlic in 2 tablespoons of the oil over moderately low heat, stirring occasionally, until the onion is softened.

Add the remaining 3 tablespoons oil and heat it over moderately high heat until it is hot but not smoking. Add the eggplant and cook the mixture, stirring occasionally, for 8 minutes, or until the eggplant is softened,

Stir in the zucchini and the bell pepper and cook the mixture over the moderate heat, stirring occasionally for 12 minutes.

Stir in the tomatoes and cook the mixture, stirring occasionally, for 5 to 7 minutes or until the veggies are tender.

Stir in the oregano, the thyme, the coriander, the salt, and pepper to taste and cook the mixture, stirring, for 1 minute.

Stir in the basil and combine the mixture well.

The ratatouille may be made 1 day in advance, kept covered and chilled, and reheated before serving.

Bon appétit!

The Importance of Color!

Submitted by on July 14, 2009 - 10:40 pm

To follow up last week’s post on incorporating color into your wardrobe, I thought I’d share a bit more about WHY. Check out this quick summary of the meaning/perception of colors:

Red: Energy, war, danger, strength, power,  warmth, determination, attractiveness, beauty, passion, desire, and love.

Pink: Romance, love, compassion, femininity, passiveness and friendship.

Brown suggests stability and denotes masculine qualities.

Orange: Joy, enthusiasm, adventure, happiness, creativity, inspiration, determination, attraction, success, encouragement, and stimulation.


Gold: Illumination, wisdom, wealth and high quality.

Yellow: Cheerfulness, strong communication, joy, purity, happiness, expressiveness, intellect, logic and energy.

NOTE: Be careful with your yellows, though as a dull yellow can be translated as caution, decay, sickness and jealousy.

Green: Growth, harmony, freedom, freshness, fertility, safety, balance, stability, endurance and money.

Turquoise: Transformation, imagination, clarity, rareness, change, newness and victory.

Blue: Tranquility, depth, stability, acceptance, trust, loyalty, wisdom, creativity, confidence, intelligence, faith, truth, and heaven.

Purple: Power, respect, nobility, luxury, ambition, wealth and extravagance, wisdom, dignity, independence, creativity, and mystery.

White: Light, goodness, innocence, purity, and virginity.

Black: Power, elegance, formality, death, evil, and mystery (and fear).

A shout out for LA's BEST

Submitted by on - 12:46 am

Recently, I donated a package to a benefit for LA’s BEST – a non profit organization that raises money to support after school activities for children in LA. While I may not yet have children of my own, I’m the oldest of many many grandchildren who are still going through the US Public Schools. And we ALL participate(d) in after school activities – as a way to stay active AND social!

I wanted to share wit you a letter to the editor of the NY Times in response to THIS article.

“To the Editor:

True, the nation’s dropout problem is a catastrophe, but charter schools aren’t the only answer.

Research on effective afterschool programs shows that the focus on student engagement, which keeps children coming after school, increases attendance in the regular school day.

Afterschool programs respond to the interests of students with activities they are passionate about, like the arts, sports and science. Unfortunately, the programs are threatened by shrinking budgets, and by policies that seek to divert the focus from youth development to remedial academics that duplicate the regular school day.

Public funds should be invested in afterschool programs that offer experiential learning. For some students, this is the only enticement to stay in school.

Paul Heckman
Carla Sanger
Los Angeles, July 7, 2009

The writers are, respectively, associate dean of the School of Education at the University of California at Davis and president of L.A.’s BEST, an afterschool program.”

You can find this letter, and others, online here.

To help LA’s BEST continue funding after school activities (even more important with recent cuts in CA), click here.

Here’s to our FUTURE!

Hit a Plateau?

Submitted by on July 10, 2009 - 1:20 am

Well, your diet is like the reason you’ve reached a standstill with your weight loss goals.

Here are some of the top culprits killing diets around the world:

* Not eating before a workout.

Your body needs fuel for the exercise. Just like a car, you won’t get very far on fumes. A perfect pre-workout snack is something with a balance of protein, fiber and carbs. An apple with a little peanut butter is a perfect example.

* Waiting too long to eat after a workout.

When you work out, you’re breaking down muscle fiber in your body. To repair and prepare for the next workout (as well as build strength), muscle fibers need fuel as well. Studies have shown that a small meal of protein and carbs helps the cells repair much more quickly and effectively than carbs alone. Try a half a turkey sandwich (hold the mayo) or low-fat yogurt with strawberries.

* Skipping breakfast.

You literally starve your body when you skip breakfast which will make your body more likely to store energy as fat the next time you eat. Your body adapts to survive which means that since you starved it before, it’ll believe you’ll starve it again. Having breakfast revs up your metabolism to work in your favor all day long.

*Replacing meals with energy bars or replacement drinks.

Aside from the fact that they probably aren’t that satisfying, most energy bars or replacement drinks also don’t have enough nutritional value to count as a meal replacement. Also, they usually don’t have much fiber which is what will really keep you full longer. Instead, opt for a quick piece of fruit with a handful of almonds. Or, try a protein shake with added fiber and almond milk instead of fruit juice.

* Eating too much protein and not enough carbs.

Your body runs on carbs, so cutting them out of your diet effectively kills your  energy levels and stamina for a good workout. Protein is great for building muscle, but too much protein can still equate to too many calories. A balanced, healthy diet will always win over a high-protein diet.

* Consuming inappropriate calories for your activity level.

Calorie consumption should be in line with your activity level (or inactivity, as the case may be). It’s the simple equation of:

Weight gain: Calories in – Calories out > zero

Weight loss: Calories in – Calories out < zero

* Thinking a workout allows eating with reckless abandon.

Going back to the equation of calories in versus calories out, you really need to be aware of how effectively your working out versus how healthfully your eating. Though, it’s better to err on the side of healthy eating of a balanced diet with portion control. Don’t let your mind play tricks on you! Just because you got 30 minutes on the treadmill does not mean you can have a huge slice of cake for dessert !

* Not getting enough fluids.

Our bodies are 60% water (probably not news to you), so it makes sense that it’s important to stay hydrated. Dehydration will really negatively impact your stamina for a workout and can cause heat stroke. Also, if you don’t drink enough water, you may mistake dehydration for hunger (=overeating). Finally, our skin looks better when we’re hydrated!

* Jumping from diet craze to diet craze.

Goes back to the conversation about skipping breakfast or having a meal replacement drink, it wreaks havoc on your metabolism and just simply isn’t satisfying. Instead, eat a healthy, balanced diet and begin to pay attention to your body’s cravings and needs. If you feed it healthy, clean food, that’s what it begins to crave!

Color yourself Successful!

Submitted by on July 8, 2009 - 6:08 pm

Let’s first meditate on a quote from Marianne Williamson:

As we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people

permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear,

our  presence automatically liberates others.”

colorwheel

Are you wondering how this can relate to “color yourself successful?”

Well, it means everything!

For two reasons:

1) How you present yourself is how to ask the world to perceive you. This starts most basically with your wardrobe and your confidence (often, they go hand in hand!).

2) Color influences mood and perception.

Think about it. How do you feel when you wear all black? How do people respond to you? How about when you wear your favorite purple top? The reaction is a lot stronger and you get so many more compliments, don’t you? And I know your mood is immediately a bit brighter, even if you were in a fine mood already.

So, incorporating color into your wardrobe and your brand image …

First, think about how much color you have in your wardrobe. Is there any one color that really dominates? Possibly two? Well, then you’ve already chosen what I like to call your “Power Color.”

Power Color: The color that brings out the best in you – your

complexion, your personality and how others perceive you.

How people perceive you results from a combination of how the color makes you look and feel as well as how the color itself is perceived. So, you need to take all of these into consideration when identifying your ‘power color’ as well.

Don’t hide behind black!

We naturally gravitate to certain colors because we can instantly see and feel the difference as soon as we put it on. We see our complexion miraculously improve and our shoulders pull up a little straighter. Once you recognize this, make a mental note on how the color makes you feel (or, if you need to, write it down). Remember this for when you’re shopping, needing a mood boost, and when you’re preparing for a presentation.

Since your image is your brand, take the following into consideration when preparing for a presentation:

* Your ‘Power Color’ for how it makes you feel, look and be perceived. Incorporate it into your outfit to really make you ‘pop’ in front of your audience (whether onscreen or off).

* When in doubt, wear blue. It’s the most universally flattering shade (and denotes trust and loyalty!).

* Avoid prints as they can be too distracting (and on camera, can be distorted – especially small prints).

* Avoid black and white. They can be built into an outfit, but should not be the dominate colors – white especially. Black can be perceived as too harsh while white just washes you out, so it does nothing for your complexion.

* If you’re keeping your outfit simple with solid colors, keep your accessories simple as well. People should be paying attention to what you say, not distracted by something you’re wearing.

* If you’re selling something (even if it’s just that you’re an expert), consider the meanings associated with different colors. Though, don’t wear a color for it’s specific meaning if it doesn’t make you look or feel great.

Are you ready to shine?

Marathon training as a metaphor for life?

Submitted by on July 7, 2009 - 7:28 pm

How about starting a business?

Heck yea!

This comes up because once again I’m putting my body through the intensity of training for a marathon. As my knees and feet protest these efforts, I keep having to remind myself why I’m doing this. Oh yea, to raise money and awareness to support women’s cardiac care (still the number 1 killer of women – do you think stress has anything to do with it?).

Part of the reason I felt I could do it again (this is my second marathon – the first raising money for AIDS care and awareness) is because I was feeling like a rockstar during my 7 mile long runs.

Well, maybe I got ahead of myself. My 11 mile run was miserable. My feet hurt by mile 5, my right knee was a little bit uncomfortable and my legs were tired. What the heck was I thinking??

I made it through 12 miles on Sunday.

And it felt amazing! I even felt like I could have gone further!

Why this shift? Why does anything become more bearable? MINDSET!

I was determined and persistent. Not completing the run and the mileage was not an option.

Of course I couldn’t skip from a strong 7 mile run to a strong 26.2 mile run, but sometimes our high-achieving minds think that’s possible. This is great for an initial inspiration, but it can also lead to quick discouragement when reality shows us otherwise.

Yet, I know I will get to the 26.2 mileage point when the time comes to perform in September.

One foot in front of the other. Because I laid the foundation for my success in my weekly training. Because that is the only option; I will persist until I reach my goal.

When I realized these truths, I set myself up to have a great 12 mile run.

So, what is the moral of the story? First, you must set a goal and believe that you will achieve the goal. Then, you must put in place a training program or a plan to get you to that goal.

With this plan, you must remind yourself of two things:

  1. It’s simply one foot in front of the other. As busy, ambitious women doing it all, we can easily get ahead of ourselves.
  2. As amazing and thorough as your plans might be, know that they will likely change. We can’t foresee the future, we can only hedge bets. The best thing we can do is adapt.
Are you ready to run?

Everybody likes Tiramisu!

Submitted by on July 3, 2009 - 2:22 am

I taped a segment to walk you through making your own gourmet dessert … and to show you how simple it really can be. This took me a total of 15 minutes plus two hours of chilling time. How great is that??

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4NE7nuIxME&hl=en&fs=1&]


Enjoy!

4 oz mascarpone cheese

1/4 C sugar

1/4 C whipping cream

3/4 C whipping cream

12 ladyfingers, cut in half lengthwise

1/2 C coffee (or 1/2 C hot water + 2 tsp instant coffee granules)

1/2 C Kahlua (or other coffee liquor)

2 tsp cocoa powder

1 tsp powder sugar

Beat cheese, sugar and 1/4 cup whipping cream at medium speed with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy.

Beat remaining whipping cream until soft peaks form. Fold whipping cream into cheese mixture.

Combine coffee and Kahlua.

Layer 1/2 of the ladyfingers in baking dish. Brush ladyfingers with coffee mixture.

Layer Mascarpone over ladyfingers. Layer the rest of the ladyfingers over mascarpone and brush with remaining coffee mixture. Layer the rest of the mascarpone mixture over the ladyfingers.

Combine cocoa and powder sugar. Sift over layered dish. Chill for at least 2 hours before serving.


Aim Beyond Your Goal to Achieve It.

Submitted by on July 1, 2009 - 4:20 pm

BY GUEST EDITOR CAROLINE DONAHUE

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http://www.remabulouscoaching.com/

When setting goals and brainstorming dreams, I am always amazed how easy it is for people to sell themselves short. Even when coming up with a list of our wildest dreams that he hope to achieve, many of us (myself included, to be honest) sometimes catch ourselves saying, “Oh, my. I could never imagine having THAT!) What happens to us when we constrict ourselves when we dream? Our reality is even smaller. The secret to success is to make your dreams as big as you can possibly make them and then think about HOW you can achieve them.

Many of us get stuck on why: Why do I deserve that? Why would that work? Why would anyone pay me the amount I am asking for, or hire me for that job? For your purposes, why doesn’t matter. All that matters is how.

Your job is to figure out how you can be true to yourself and your values and acheieve the dreams and life that will make you happy. Break things down into short goals and benchmarks and then ask yourself about the next step, “How can I get there?” and follow along that path.

I guarantee that when you reach the end, you won’t care a bit about why it worked.

Here’s the soccer net tip I promised above: If you imagine kicking the ball just to the back of the next, you’re probably not going to get the ball in. How can you get a ball into a net? Kick it in there as if you want it to burst out the back and reach the sky in the image.

Another example I love is that of people who can break boards of bricks in karate. Check out Kevin Taylor, the world record holder, who broke 584 bricks in 57.5 seconds!You can bet he’s not asking why he’s able to do it as he sets this record- he’s only thinking how he can break the next set. How do people break bricks with their hands? Here is a little video on how to do it. The most significant point he shares in the video is this: don’t plan top your hand at the surface of the brick; it won’t break. You must aim your hand past the break.

This is the same for achieving your goals and dreams as well: if you aim only to achieve what you think is possible, your beliefs and limits will stop you. You must let yourself dream larger than the goal you are hoping to accomplish. For example, if you’d like to start a little video show on your site, seeing this as part of a larger dream to have a TV show is a way to aim your hand past that brick and achieve your goal. Just like the soccer goal- plan on kicking it through the net and you are more likely to score. Would Obama have achieved election in the Senate if he wasn’t dreaming of bigger goals? It’s a long way up that flag pole pictured here, but it’s not that far by comparison if you’re looking beyond it to the clouds. Success is often more about your perspective about what’s possible than it is about the force of your efforts. So, think about where you stop your hand when you plan to break your own bricks. At the surface of the brick where you’ll hurt your hand, or on the other side where you will have achieved your goal? How can changing this perspective help you leap ahead?