Photo by Kirsten Stoddard, Triple Max Tons

Ingredients

6 leaves of kale
2 green apples
5 stalks of parsley
1 cucumber
1/2 lemon
1 thumb-sized nob of ginger
2 tablespoons of chia seeds
Generous splash of pomegranate juice

Directions

In a juicer (we bought this one), juice the kale, parsley, ginger, apples, and cucumber. Squeeze the lemon juice into the juice container, careful to not add any seeds. Pour the pomegranate juice into the container. Add chia seeds. Stir. Serve and drink immediately.

I'm going to let you in on a little secret of mine. An anti-stress secret. Oooh, you're ears totally just perked up, didn't they? Here it is: Stop taking everything so seriously. It's as simple as that.

Do I mean not to worry about looming deadlines, job searches, endless to-do lists, and flooded inboxes? Nope. Those are all very important aspects of my life today. I just try to keep it all in perspective - not to get overwhelmed or underwhelmed by it. Just whelmed, haha. When I get that "OMG I am drowning in the sea of life" feeling, the best method I found is to shut my brain down and restart. Works for computers, works for my mind. Some people might suggest taking a walk, others might suggest having a little snack break. I recommend 5 minutes of dancing like a seizing crazy person. Seriously. Shut the door to your office, press play to dance along with Thom Yorke, and just LET GO. Move without thinking, dance without inhibition, and try and catch a glimpse of your reflection. Granted Thom's probably higher than a kite in this video, and you and I are sober, but that just makes it all the more effective. I dare you not to bust out laughing. It's so utterly ridiculous, but it really helps reset your brain and give you a fresh perspective. Sayonara, stress....hello, clarity.

I think we all need to take a moment to stop taking ourselves and life so seriously. I dare you to just try it. Y'all probably think I am certifiably insane. Maybe I am....but I just did my cuckoo dance and I'm not stressed out right now, either.

AthletaTie Dye Hair Bands  // Gaiam Yoga Mat // Fila Sport Performance Tee // Champion Seamless Cami Bra // Puma 'Speeder' Sneakers  //  Apple iPod Shuffle // ASOS Oversized Tote  // Lucy Running Tights

I just might have taken a few extra liberties over the holidays (family time and food comas can do that to me), and remained 'unplugged' a little longer than I had anticipated. Whoops! So without further ado, HAPPY 2012!!! 

With the new year comes a slew of resolutions. The first one up on my list is likely the most obvious - and reoccurring - resolution: to exercise. However, my goal isn't as superficial as it was in past years. I am not chasing after this unrealistic goal of looking like Miranda Kerr. That's just not my body type, and I'm cool with my curves. The reason why I want to start regularly exercising is to get fit. I want to be able to play a game of chase with my nieces and nephews without chilling on base for like a zillion hours. I want to be able to do pull-ups instead of hanging from the equipment, flailing around like a caught fish and trying with all my might....but not moving an inch. I want to be able to run a mile without feeling like I am a fire-breathing dragon whose lungs are on the bring of explosion. But of course, I wouldn't mind the ripped abs and buns of steel that come along with all that hard work!!!

My New Year's resolution was to get fit and toned in 2011. I adopted some lazy eating habits in college, and have yet to grow out of them. Sadly, my metabolism is slowing as I get older and it definitely showing in all the WRONG places (I can give Kim Kardashian a run for her money in the booty department....wahhhh). I decided not to cut out any foods from my diet as that usually does a reverse psychology number on me, making me crave it even more. Instead, I am planning to eat everything in moderation and step up the exercise routine. Here's some tricks I have up my sleeve to make my resolution a reality in 2011!

I have been tracking all my calorie intake & exercise on MyFitnessPal.com, and it is a HUGE help when it comes to my mindless muching habit.You can also download an app, which I have on my phone. It's great for on-the-go additions.
I know this may seem shallow, but I hate looking like a sloppy sweaty mess in the gym. Hideous baggy clothes don't motivate me to work out. I have to dress the part. Ugh, maybe that is some super insane excuse I have developed over the years to avoid working out....but regardless, the beautiful apparel from Clary Sage Organics is a good to invest in. I love the Victoria's Secret yoga pants for their long length (I am 6'!) and affordability. These Puma trainers are stylish and cool. I also have been wanting to try those sneakers that tone your derriere...any of you have a pair you love/hate?

 May good pal Jenny, who is a little skinny mini so I have to trust her on this, swears by the Jillian Michaels workout DVDs. To be honest, Jillian scares the hell out of me...but maybe I need her to shout her tough love at me through the TV?

I have to have music when I am working out. I tend to zone out when I am exercising, and the beat of the music is all that keeps me going. I like finding out about new artists and songs through Pandora and Stereomood. I posted my playlist on iTunes for you here!

Greek yogurt with fiber-rich cereal and a teeny bit of honey and sprinkled on top in the morning....nom nom nom.  So filling and protein-packed. I like the Fage 0% Fat Free and Chobani Fat Free Vanilla best. The Trader Joe's Greek yogurts are a bit too thin for my taste, and I am not a big fan. Lunch is usually a salad. Dinner is totally random each night, and lately the hubby has been all about the slow cooker. I have been making lots of stews and roasts, and it's actually pretty easy and healthy to cook that way because you don't have to cook with added fats. Dessert is frozen fruit....I pretend it's sorbet. This one ingredient "ice cream" I posted about earlier is a staple!

 I don't own a scale, and I gauge how much I have gained/lost through how my clothes are fitting. The Adjust-A-Button is a nifty little gadget that helps get the perfect fit instantly on too-loose (or tight, but I desperately hope I don't have that scenario) waistbands. I would actually recommend weighing yourself before you start a diet, then ditch the scale. You'll know you're making progress without the daunting number. When you need a little encouragement, step on the scale and see how far you have come.