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Showing posts from March, 2013

Good Mourning: Love & Loss

The past few weeks have been rough.  I lost my grandmother a little over a week ago. Our time in Chicago for her funeral service is such a blur. I'm in a funk that I cannot explain.  I Googled how to cope with losing your grandparent .  I didn't read the articles that I found.  After I realized what I was doing I decided to get off of the Internet.  I sat quietly. No more tears. Nearly numb. Mourning.  For me, I found it good to mourn. My Lola is the only grandparent that I ever knew.  The only grandparent that I got to love.  The last time that I saw her alive was at our wedding. August 2008. This next statement may not make much sense.  I am trying to let some of these confusing thoughts and feelings out.  I was MORE sad the last time that I saw her alive than when I saw her at rest.  My final image of my Grandma is a peaceful one.  She looked as beautiful as I remember her to be. She truly looked as if she were sleeping... When I last saw her alive, it broke my heart

Easy Fried Rice Featuring Whole Grain Brown Rice by Minute® Rice

I have recently made the switch from white rice to brown rice.  From what I understand it packs more of a nutritional punch. Whole Grain Brown Rice by Minute Rice can be prepared in 10 minutes.  I can even whip up a quick batch in the microwave at work when in a pinch.  I generally eat it as prepared right out of the box as a side dish.  I also like to make extra so that I can use the rest for fried rice the next day.  There are so many variations to fried rice.  It is such a versatile dish made super easy because you can add whatever ingredients that you have on hand as an add it. It's a simple & kid friendly!  Our son gobbles it up!  I was debating between Crab Fried Rice and Kimchi Fried Rice.  Since my son & my mom aren't fans of Kimchi, I opted for the crab.  It was a hit - I'm bummed that there aren't any leftovers! Crab Fried Rice • 3 cups rice, cooked the day before and refrigerated. • 1/4 cup olive oil • 1/4 cup carrots • 1/4 cup peas

The Blog Workshop '13 - ONLINE Conference For Bloggers #TBW

The Blog Workshop is an online conference that takes place May 17th - 19th. If you have fallen in love with blogging, as I have, I'm sure that you have at least considered attending a Blog Conference.  I have attended  two blog conferences in the past two years.  I was hoping to make it to at least one conference every year because it really is something that I enjoy doing.  This year will be a tough one.  I honestly didn't think that I would be able to reach my year 3 conference goal.  With conference related costs: registration, travel, lodging, and time away from family and work - it can all add up.  Unless you have secured sponsors, it just not might be feasible. We do have an option: The Blog Workshop .  The workshop takes place online .  You will not have to make travel arrangements, book a hotel, arrange for childcare, take time off from work, shop for conference attire, or order business cards!  If you are interested in learning more about blogging but feel limi

Recycling Is A Beautiful Thing In California

This post is sponsored by Arrowhead Waters . All opinions are my own. 2.8 BILLION  plastic bottles ended up in California landfills in 2011.  I want to share this post to do my part and spread the word: recycle MORE!  Recycling saves resources and reduces environmental impact. Our family recycles. We just do.  It something that we have done since we were kids.  It is something that our child is growing up doing. I would love to hear about your recycling efforts and to see some of your craftiness with recycled art! I'm hoping that you will share! I'd love some ideas on crafting projects that I can do with our preschool aged son! I would much rather see plastic bottles transformed into these pretty pieces vs. a landfill full of plastic bottles! I am not crafty (yet - I am a work in progress) but I am inspired by the creativity of these Etsy artists! Photo source: Arrowhead  ReBorn Bottle on Facebook   Recycling is one of the easiest and most beneficial ways we ca

The Dailey Method

Photo Credit:  The Dailey Method Rancho Bernardo/Poway Facebook Class 1 of The Dailey Method. As described on the company website:  The Dailey Method is a one-hour class combining ballet barre work, core conditioning, stretching, and orthopedic exercises. The classes effectively strengthens, tones, and lengthens the entire body providing quick physical results.   I had to post this before DOMS sets in and I am unable to lift a finger.  I took my first class at The Dailey Method- Rancho Bernardo/Poway  and wanted to share my experience as a newbie.  Please note in the photo above how graceful the ladies look. Me? Not so much. I was like a fish out of water. Nothing graceful about my movements. It was ugly.  I sucked so badly that I am determined to go back and do better! I met studio owner Stephanie Firenze 15 minutes prior to the start of class, filled out some paperwork, and chatted with staff members. Renee kindly took me on a personal tour of the beautiful studio.