"Jumpers"

Jump·er: 

n 

1. An individual recently out of a relationship or non-platonic commitment who rebounds to another relationship with little or no time in between.

Yep...I just did that. I need to add that definition to Urban Dictionary pronto before anyone else gets a hold of it.

Let me first say that I hope I don't offend anyone by this post...but if I do...it's my opinion and my opinion is that you're nuts. Second, if you know me & all of a sudden you feel like I'm talking about you, you should already have heard this from me in person. Whether you decided to listen to me or not is your choice and I will love you & support you no matter what. Unless you're not my friend and then you can refer to my first statement....nuts.  

Now that's out of the way, let me explain. You ever have that friend...girl or guy...who just can't stay single? They literally jump from one relationship to another? Everyone has at least one & I wish I could scream it from the top of the Empire State Building - I DON'T GET YOU!

Unless it's that, "can't eat, can't sleep, reach for the stars, over the fence world series kinda love" why do it? Don't you remember how bad it just hurt to get out of that other relationship? You were someone's partner, their other half...how you can rearrange your life all over again to fit a new person's?

Maybe you think it's easier with someone else. Maybe you're afraid to be alone. Maybe you don't even know you're a serial dater.

Please know I'm not judging you. I truly don't understand. After I broke up with my last very serious relationship I was devastated. I loved him but it wasn't right. I couldn't imagine jumping into another relationship.

What I did learn after the break up is how much I LOVE the freedom of being single! I could seriously go on and on about all my favorite things but that's annoying.

What I really want to know is how you feel about jumpers and if you've ever jumped? Was it the right choice? Did you regret not having enough single time or was it the best relationship of your life? Maybe I'm the one with the issue and I should take the stick out of my....sorry mom....

Moral of the story: We are stronger than we think. You can be independent without being lonely. I promise. Take a little bit of extra time in between those relationships. Try and find happiness within yourself before looking for someone else to make you happy. Know your self-worth and love yourself. If anything, I think you will be able to make your future partner happier if you do. If they really like you, they can slow the hell down. If they're impatient, well, do you really want an impatient boyfriend anyway??

Hancock

Ever watched the movie Hancock?

Will Smith, the drunken bad ass superhero gone terribly wrong and Charlize Theron, his long lost wife striving for a normal life that Smith has no recollection of. He finally feels or remembers their connection even though she has been running from him for "lifetimes". Story goes, superheros are created in two's and if they end up being together they ultimately die. Smith & Theron are the only two left and have survived because they have stayed away from each other for so long.

As you find out in the movie, their connection, fate or destiny ALWAYS pulls them back together but it is fatal to actually be with each other.

...talk about a fatal attraction...

Have you ever felt like that in real life? A person in your life that no matter what you do to run away from them, their spirit or memory, they haunt you?

I have. Whether it be a dream or a smell...even after months or years, it creeps back in my mind. I've tried everything to brainwash myself. Sometimes I wish I could take a shot of amnesia.

After all this time, I've finally figured out that I can't let this memory terrorize me anymore. I have to appreciate the lesson it taught me and move on with my life to be happy.

At times, movies feel like real life. I've wondered if that person is my Handcock. No matter the love, we are destined to be apart.

Fortunately, the movie ends with them knowing their fate but understanding they are able to chose how they live their life. Separate and happy.

Maybe there is truth to movies after all.

Resolutions, bitches.

Awhile back I was chatting with a fitness-savvy girlfriend and in the middle of our long conversation she spit out one idea that honestly changed my life forever.

"That moment you want to give up, throw up or throw in the towel, focus on your breathing and concentrate on how your body feels. Enjoy the pain. You are a human being that has breath and muscles. Feel it. 

You are alive."

I don't think she meant for it to be so influential in my life but it was. I've never thought about it like that. I am so lucky to have physical strength and the capability to work my ass off! There are so many people in the world that would DIE to be able to run a mile. I'm over taking my blessings for granted!

2013 is my year of fitness success! I have set some high standards and goals for myself this year and I refuse not to meet them! I won't go into crazy detail but a a few include running my first organized race (registered for it today!), fit in those skinny pants and to feel healthy deep down in my soul!  

As most of you know, I recently had surgery and it kicked my motivation to the side. I can proudly say I am going to the gym for the first time today in over 8 weeks. I know I am probably going to die of a treadmill-induced coma, and if I do, please speak kindly of me at my funeral, but it will be worth it :) 

I just keep saying to myself...a year from now, I would have wished I started TODAY... 

P.S. - If you are looking for a new work out playlist, check mine out on my Spotify account. Search "Work It Out" under my name & you'll find it. Enjoy! 

What are your New Year's healthy Resolutions? If you have any tricks, tips or life experiences, PLEASE SHARE :) 

A Perfectly Balanced Woman

.Officially OBSESSED. 

These paintings, by the amazing Kelly Reemtsen, speak to both my feminist but domestic side. 

Proves to me that you can be strong and still look fabulous. Delicate but brave. Independent and fierce. 

My mother (still to this day) reminds me that she raised a lady and I should act like a classy lady (because that's how you attract a husband-ayeyiyi). All the same time my dad would walk in the house reeking of his recently caught bass-fish, boat exhaust & cigarettes.   

I am blessed to have old fashion parents and even more blessed they taught me how to think for myself. Sometimes I think they regret telling me, I can do anything if I set my mind to it, so much :) 

In my eyes, this is what a perfectly balanced woman looks like. 

I will have these in my home one day. 

COOKING FOOL!

A few years back, my New Year's Resolution was to become a better cook & I can proudly say I've dominated the kitchen! I am a cooking fool! It is so relaxing & fun to try out new recipes and see how I can personalize or alter them to make them healthier.

I wanted to share a few of my favorite cookbooks & cooking blogs I follow that have AMAZING & DELICIOUS healthy recipes! I am a vegetarian but I use to live with a house full of carnivore boys. I have learned over time to take the meat out, sub it for a meatless protein like tempeh or tofu or add the meat in for those boys or a dinner party. Practice makes perfect!

BLOGS:

For an inspirational weight loss journey with amazing recipes, check out the below: 

http://www.canyoustayfordinner.com/

http://rabbitfoodformybunnyteeth.com/    --- she hasn't updated it in awhile but still good!

http://www.thefitcook.net/

For just the amazing recipes & a good read, check out these:

http://www.eat-yourself-skinny.com/    --- one of my favorite!

http://www.skinnytaste.com/

http://www.generationyfoodie.com/

http://www.mylifeasamrs.com/

http://www.healthybitchdaily.com/cat/kims-blog - see cookbook below

Now for overall fitness & recipes, check out these: 

http://www.jinfitness.com/

http://theskinnyconfidential.com/

COOKBOOKS:

I am completely obsessed with these two vegan/vegetarian cookbooks. I will admit I LOVE cheese so I haven't become full vegan & don't plan on it anytime soon so if there is a "vegan cheese" for example, I use regular.

FORKS OVER KNIVES - based on the amazing documentary. I urge you to check out this documentary when you get a chance or if you need some extra motivation! It will totally kick your ass in gear! You can find it on Netflix streaming. This cookbook is on amazon for about $10. It's worth it! Check out their website: http://www.forksoverknives.com/















SKINNY BITCH - You can find her personal blog above. This bitch is wonderful! She is amazingly blunt and will tell you exactly what to do and what not to do. You will fall in love with her recipes & her attitude! You can find other Skinny Bitch books as well but this is my all time favorite! This cookbook is on amazon for about $15.

And of course, don't forget to follow my blog to find some of my favorite recipes as I cook them with step by step instructions & pictures. 

Quote of the Week - Attitude!

WERK IT! 

There is a new song out by Brandy (yes Moesha is back!) featuring Chris Brown called "Put it Down". Definitely not one of my favorite songs but it is so damn catchy. Found this little treasure below & totally make me think of that song. Or better yet, totally got it stuck in my head again! 

"I'm a put it down, you gon' fall in love. I'm a put it down, you gon' fall in love."

I think a little attitude is necessary. Don't go crazy-bitch on people...unless they extremely deserve it...but werk it, twerk it & deliver it! And, well, if you don't like it...you can KISS MY ASS! 

TRUTH or DARE? The Makeup Edition.

TRUTH or DARE?

TRUTH: Have you ever left the house with no makeup on & a full day of events to attend to? I mean, on purpose?? Not just a "grab the mail" or a "quick trip to the store". But a, "going to meet the girls for drinks" or a "laundry list of errands" leave the house trip. 

How did you feel? Insecure? Confident? Or my favorite...what the hell ever!?

Well, I do. I do it all the time. And believe me, I am not at all that naturally beautiful girl with a perfect skin complexion who doesn't need a drop of makeup. People seriously ask me if I am feeling under the weather when I have no makeup on. But I don't care! This is me. The natural me. I absolutely love makeup & I love how it makes me feel but there are other times, I just don't want to leave the house with it on dammit.   

This past weekend, I flew to San Diego for New Year's Eve to visit my girlfriend. My flight was later in the day & I knew as soon as I got to her house I would start caking on the makeup, heels, sequins & sparkles, so I kept a fresh face after my shower & didn't do my hair or makeup. While choosing a seat on the airplane, a 60+ year old lady decided to sit next to me. Now this was not your normal grandma ladies & gentleman, this was your Jersey Shore/Ed Hardy/Dolly Parton grandma! She stared at me for a few seconds until I made eye contact with her poorly painted blue eye-shadowed eyes & then she opened her mouth. 

"How can you leave the house with no makeup on? I mean, uh, I mean, you pull it off but I could never!"

Dumbfounded, I simply replied, "pretty easily, I just leave" & turned around to put my headphones on. 

...Good thing my parents taught me to respect my elders...

Couldn't help but think of the audacity this lady had to ask me that question. How rude! Then, my own grandma's cute wrinkly face popped up in my head & I remembered how she still does her hair, every single day. Oh how society has changed. 

Now, for the DARE part: I dare you to leave the house with no makeup on. Somewhere you may not be comfortable with. Somewhere new! May just be my opinion but I think it is crazy that people expect us to put makeup on everyday. Take a shower daily, totally (& please do, gross)! But the social norm that a female does look sexy without makeup on is asinine! We don't live in the 20's-50's or even 80's anymore ladies. You are sexy in your own skin. Makeup or no makeup. Own it & flaunt it! Remember: confidence is the sexiest thing you can ever wear!

& just to prove it to you...here is a picture from this past weekend with no makeup on :)  Break out of the habits & tell me your experience!