diy dietitian

{Throw some glitter, make it rain…} 

Love this line from Ke$ha’s “Blow” so much that I had to fontify it using a pic of my NYE’s skirt ;) enjoy! 

lj 

{B-ham Bound!} 

Friends, I am so excited because I am headed to Birmingham, AL this weekend to attend Food Blog South 2013! This will be the 2nd year I get to go (the 1st time around inspired this very blog!) & I’m on a mission. I want to explore more opportunities to be a contributor on other blogs (there are sooo many good & inspiring ones out there!). I’m a creativity junkie & feel like I owe it to myself to see what else is out there. 

Tanner at Creative Something says, 
“The easiest way to be creative: Try something different, even if you don’t think it will work.” 

Are you feelin’ it? 

lj  

P.s. I crafted up some more Pugly Pixel calling cards for the special occasion. You like?  

{My Fav FREE Fitness Resources} 

I’ve learned a couple of tricks or 2 that I wanted to share to help you achieve optimal fitness without breaking the bank. I hope some of these work for you too! 

1. The Library :: 
Your local public library is full of FREE fitness gems! (As long as you turn them back in by their due date of course.) While they do carry an array of instructional books on fitness, my fav fav fav is their exercise DVD collection! Seriously check out these finds I discovered at my local Nashville Library:
- The Tracy Anderson Method presents Dance Cardio Workout —  Score! THE Tracy Anderson has worked with super celebs get fit & fab and now I can too :D 
- Step Up Revolution Dance Workout — I don’t even need to say more about this one. 
- Bethenny’s Skinnygirl Workout — Now I can yoga my way to my inner Skinnygirl.

2. Smartphones :: 
Before I had the funds to afford a gym membership I used my Nike Training Club iPhone app religiously! It’s challenging, motivating (rewards are involved!), & I love all the ways you can personalize your work outs (including setting your own jams, setting a difficulty level, & choosing a goal). These apps are also on my “to try out” list: Women’s Health Workouts LITE & Women’s Health Hot Yoga Body. 

Ever explored the iTunes store freebies that come out regularly? I’ve collected several Women’s Health Magazine videos (see pictured) that I keep on my MP3 player.  

3. Social Networks :: 
Oh Pinterest, how you influence every facet of my life (fitness included!). Here are some pin-worthy boards you gotta follow: 
- Greatist’s “No Gym? No Problem!“ 
- Health Magazine’s “No Gym Workouts“ 

And I can’t forget about Facebook. Are you fan of any of these pages? Because you totally should be!: 
- VSX by Victoria’s Secret — You can Train Like an Angel, because let’s face it who doesn’t want to rock a bod like the angels do?!  
- Your local Lululemon — I LOVE how our Nashville Lululemon is always offering FREE opportunities to get fit! They’ve informed me via their Facebook Page about all sorts of activities including fireside yoga, running groups, & fitness classes. 

4. Area Gyms :: Most fitness facilities are friendly enough to offer FREE passes to newcomers, you just have to ask nicely. For example, the YMCA of Middle TN is big here in Nashville & they will honor a complimentary one-day pass. (Be sure to take a peak at their group fitness schedule before you try ‘em out. You can find me at Hip Hip Dance Blast on Tuesday nights at the downtown location!) Don’t just look into your big name fitness facilities, but also reach out to smaller gyms, studios, & community centers. 

5. Game Systems :: Know a gamer you can bug, I mean hug? Video games have seriously come a long way since the days of Duck Hunt (who else loved this game?). The Nintendo Wii comes in close 2nd to being awesome at combining tech & fitness (borrow WiiFit, Just Dance or Zumba Fitness which may be offered at your…LOCAL LIBRARY), but my FAVORITE is Xbox 360 + Kinect’s Dance Central. These routines were seriously made for JT’s (yes, Justin Timberlake) next world tour. You can learn the dances at your own pace, practice difficult moves whenever you want, play as a crew, or challenge other individuals & the coolest part is it keeps track of the time you spend gettin’ your groove on as well as the calories you burn (aaand Usher prompts you throughout the game!). 

What kind of FREE FITNESS will you check out to help you get healthier & happier in 2013?

lj  

{A no smudge eye-liner, finally!} 

I use eyeliner daily & have yet to find a product that holds up all day without smudges…until now! I visited Sephora (that place is seriously dangerous ladies) & put total trust in their sales reps to find me my perfect eyeliner. Well lemme tell ya, they know their biznas. I came home with Urban Decay’s 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Zero & it. is. legit. (I even worked out & it’s been totally stay-proof!) I’m so excited to find my match :D 

lj  

{“Christmas is here, bringing good cheer”…} 

Sugar cookies complete with sprinkles on top is a definitely a family tradition at my house during the holidays. My ma has a crinkled up, flour-laden recipe card she uses & the same set of cookie cutters since…before my birth I’m sure! This year I was left too alone with these sweet little treats & burnt ~1/2 of the dern things! (good thing my fasha likes ‘em crispy!) Paired with some milk & you’ve got my fav way to enjoy our christmas sugar cookies. Hope everyone else had a nice holiday…2013 here I come! 

lj  

{An Ode to Hester&Cook} 

OK Nashvillians, I just HAD to post about this fabulous new POP-UP SHOP in Hillsboro Village! I’m talking about Hester&Cook, an adorable store offering “hand crafted, domestic, & aesthetically pleasing items” (this is an understatement if I might add) featuring cute kitchen-wares, CAKE Vintage Table & Home papers (which are made here in Nashville!) & much more. My senses were literally on overload & I have to step out because I was beginning to have a very rapid heart rate (I know, I have a problem). 

Please don’t wait to visit this amazing place friends because you only have until the end of January 2013 to get your goods! If you find that you can’t make it in before then, stalk them at their flagship location at 1707 Broadway in Nashville. 

P.s. A portion of all proceeds at H&C go to charity! 

lj  

{A Night with Chad Sarno}

I had the opportunity to meet Whole Food’s very own Chad Sarno, Chef & Culinary Educator for their Health Starts Here program. Here’s a quick recap of my night with the man himself! 

Our evening began with canapes, libations, & a little mixin’ & a minglin’. On the canape menu:
- pumpkin risotto cups with chestnuts & spices  
- cucumber with cashew herb cheese & balsamic figs
- crostini with artichoke pesto & wild mushrooms horseradish
- almond nog (with a homemade almond milk base) 
- ganache parfait with drunken berries  

And as if these tasty treats weren’t enough…we had a chance to see the Chef demo some of his holiday favorites, with a twist! Take a peak at this spread:
- shaved fennel & apples with toasted pecans & mandarin vinaigrette
- chanterelle madeira gravy
- celeria & parsnip mash
- crusted tempeh cutlets

All of tonight’s tastings really did reflect the Health Starts Here Eating Principles (1. Whole Food / 2. Plant Strong / 3. Healthy Fats / 4. Nutrient Dense) & further confirmed my belief that is possible to have a healthy, happy holiday season :) 

Be sure to check out @WFM_Nashville on Twitter & their hashtag #healthyholidays to find more details about our night with Chef Chad Sarno.

lj  

Wall o’ Hatch Show Prints! My love of letterpress is infinite…and I couldn’t resist the cute kitchen measurements print :) 

lj  

lots of 1sts 4 me! — @ChadSarno’s tempeh w/celeriac & parsnip mash topped w/chanterelle gravy 😳 #healthyholidays

Did @ChadSarno just say “NO OIL”?!? #healthyholidays (p.s. the smell is intoxicating!)

Y’all, it’s gots drunken berries! #healthyholiday thx @ChadSarno & @WFM_Nashville :D

Hanging with @ChadSarno & friends at @WFM_Nashville. the Butternut Squash Risotto is off da chain!!! #healthyholiday

{“Health Starts Here” with Chef Chad Sarno} 

Exciting news! I will be participating in a blogger event at Whole Foods Green Hills TOMORROW (Wednesday, December 5th). I’ll get to meet & greet, enjoy cocktail hour with passed canapes prepared by Chef Chad Sarno himself, AND enjoy a cooking demonstration (could this event get any better!?). Bloggers will get to see the principles behind “Health Starts Here” 1st hand & enjoy some really delicious, gourmet food :D :D :D Pics & updates to come! 

lj 

Photo Credit

{Sweet, Sweet (& Savory) Gifts}

Butter + Love goodies from the o’ so classy lady, @hollywood_25! B+L has such an inspirational story…maybe someday I can do the same :) 

lj  

{Maui Montage!}

For your viewing pleasure ;] …..

lj