Eating Right is Paying Off!

Okay, so after a weekend of eating only protein, the way the "Lean for Life" book says to, I have lost 3.5 pounds! Woo hoo! Today I get to add fruits and veggies and a grapefruit has never tasted so good! Plus, I get to keep my iced lattes so I'm totally surviving this. It is amazing how much better you feel when you don't eat junk. For reals.

Oh, and hello to all the Mingle Monday-ers! Hope you are enjoying the day off work as much as I am.

Eating Prep Day 2

First off let me say it is SO time to go home from work and watch "Top Chef". And yeah, I am blogging from my desk. Whatev, my works done.
So anyways, did I mention that this eating plan I'm trying starts off with 3 prep days? It's 3 prep days and then 3 days of nothing but protein. Literally all protein, not even vegetables. I'm trying to not binge too much on these days and still eat whole meals, but there is a part of me that totally wants to go off the deep end and just eat a friggin' cheesecake! I will not succumb, I promise. If I do that means I would have that much more to lose.
I will say that even just 2 days into eating more vegetables and actual meals instead of just whatever I feel like here and there does make me feel better. And I discovered Trader Joe's chopped veggie mix that I just throw into everything. Last night I mixed a cup of chopped veggies with 3/4 pounds italian sausage (out of the casings) and then stuffed bell pepper halves with it. I baked them at 350 for 45 min. and they are delicious! Oh, I also sprinkled a little garlic powder in there as well.
My one treat for the day is going to be William-Sonoma Hot Chocolate for dessert because it is absolutely amazing! I'll let you know Friday if I'm having major withdrawals, but hopefully I can press on!

Just Say No to Criticizing

Hola Mingle Monday-ers!

Thanks for stopping by. I'm in New Orleans for work all week, but God bless a hotel with free wi-fi!

I’ve been reading this book that tells me not to criticize. Very “judge, lest not ye be judged.” I know the Bible said it first, so yes, I should have been doing this for quite sometime, but this book was the first time I felt really convicted of it. That and it seems absolutely IMPOSSIBLE to do. How do you not criticize? Correction, how do I not criticize? I criticize everyone and everything including myself. I’m really going to try though. It is true that I’m not perfect either so what right have I, but man, that is a tough call. Trying to replace critical thoughts with kind, understanding thoughts is going to take a lot. And not saying anything critical? An act of God. That’s what that will take and that’s what I’m praying for.

I’ll let you know how it goes, but what about you? Are you a critical person or are you good at bestowing grace? And if so, any tips for me on how to do it?

11 Things to Do in L.A. in 2011

Alright, I want to try things I haven't done in L.A. before so here is my list:

1. Improv show at UCB-that would be Upright Citizens Brigade. I took classes at Second City last year, and while I LOVED it, I'm thinking of switching over to UCB. Plus, they have some shows I just really want to see.
2. Slimmons exercise class-Have you heard about this? Richard Simmons actually leads the workouts and people I've talked to say they're fabulous and fun! I saw him once in the airport and he was a total drama queen, but only in L.A. can you take class from Richard Simmons.
3. Eat at Formosa Café-I just feel that this is a classic L.A. spot and yet I've never been so I want to try it.
4. Explore Eagle Rock-There are a lot of places in Los Angeles that I've only been to once or twice and could probably learn more about but I've NEVER been to Eagle Rock and I hear it's fun. I already know a restaurant I want to try and I hear the stores are cute.
5. Coffee at 101 Coffee Shop-I can't even count the number of times I've driven by and "Swingers" was filmed here and to me that is an iconic L.A. movie that I treasure so I need to go.
6. Concert at the Greek Theater-I want to go to more concerts and I've never been to the Greek and hear it's a great place to see a show.
7. Rose Bowl Flea Market-It's supposed to be the greatest flea market and I want to haggle for deals on cute apartment stuff!
8. See a midnight showing of “The Room”-if you've never heard of it, google it. It is supposedly the worst movie ever made and the midnight showing of it has become an "only in L.A." thing to do.
9. Finally have dinner at Bazaar at SLS-I feel about 2 years behind but I really, really want to eat there. Jose Andres is a genius and I loved his first restaurant Zatinya in D.C. and really want to experience his molecular gastronomy.
10. Explore downtown-it is the hippest place in L.A. now and I haven't really done much down there. I want to take an afternoon/evening and just explore. This will probably happen on an Art Walk night because I have friends that I know want to go this year.
11. I'm leaving #11 open for now. I'm not quite sure yet what this one should be, but I will definitely decide and do it before the end of the year!

So there's my list. What do you want to try to do in your city this year?

Celeb Sightings: Joe Jonas and Ashley Green

Saw Joe Jonas and Ashley Green this morning at The Waffle. I've always wanted to see her in person because she always looks so pretty in the Twilight movies. And I've always been curious about him because, let's face facts, he's pretty cute looking in pictures.

So the truth, I walked right past her and didn't even notice. She just looked like another Hollywood girl. Plus, she was all bundled up and had glasses on. (It was a rare, cold morning in L.A.). Joe and I bumped into each other at the door and it was weird. I was looking at him thinking, "That guys kind of cute. He kind of looks like a more nondescript version of Joe Jonas. Oh wait, it is Joe Jonas." He's shorter than I thought he was. Like, a lot shorter. And way younger looking in person, but still cute.

They ate outside in the sun because they had a dog with them (yes, even in the coldest So Cal mornings you can eat outside), so that's about all I got to observe. The manager of the place went out and talked to them and they chatted for awhile, so I'm guessing they're nice. Too bad I'm not a 13 year old girl. This sighting would have been a lot more exciting.

Favorite Time of Year!

As much as I love Christmas, the days between Christmas and New Year's are my favorite time of the year. I get stuff organized in my apartment and can hang out with friends and set goals for the new year!

Last year I posted the Goal Chart that I really love, but I'm thinking of just making a list this year. Actually, 2 lists-goals I want to achieve and 12 Things to Do in L.A. and hopefully cross off one a month!

I'll be posting those lists in the next few days, but for now, what are your goals for the next year?

I Love Holiday Magazines!

My favorite time of year is here for magazines! I love, love, LOVE Thanksgiving and Christmas issues and tend to buy more magazines than normal. Plus, there are all those special "seasonal" publications that I just can't get enough of!