Monday, January 6, 2014

Job Title: Entrepeneur

"So, what do you do for work?"

This is the most confusing question & I never know how to answer.
How do you sum up these jobs in less than a minute?

  1. Health Coach
  2. Nutrition Coach
  3. Yoga Instructor
  4. Assistant to the Owner of a Yoga & Meditation Center
  5. Yoga Talent & Tour Liasion & Promotions Specialist
  6. Promotional Model
  7. Brand Ambassador
  8. Marketing Rep
  9. Marketing Manager
  10. Volunteer
  11. Aspiring Fitness Model
  12. Business Owner
I normally just choose one and run with it, but then as the conversation dives deeper, people don't understand.  I don't either!  What the heck!?  I guess these job titles correlate with my college diagnosis of ADHD & ADD.

I feel lucky to have a ton of the friends in the independent contracting industry, people who work for themselves, create their own schedules and people who have a ton of different part-time jobs.

But there are days, when I wish I didn't have to do my taxes, figure out state, city and nation fees, etc.  Weeks where I could plan something in the future.  But it's so hard because I don't know what opportunities are coming!

What I won't do for freedom!

Sunday, January 5, 2014

5 Natural Ways to Relax in 2014!


5 Ways To Relax in 2014...
  1. Connect with an old or new friend by taking a walk, having a conversation on the phone or meeting up for tea!
  2. Spray lavender on your pillow before you fall asleep and let the scent work its magic as you fall into a peaceful sleep.
  3. Hire a health/life coach and get unstuck to make this one of your most growth-inspired years!
  4. Write a list of bad habits you've picked up over time and choose 1 per week to work on.
  5. Take a full inhale and exhale to calm down.  Repeat 3-9 times.

Friday, January 3, 2014

7 Simple Goals for 2014!


Making goals for 2014 was hard because I was trying to create something that wasn't fully formed.  I kept changing them, kept reaching for something that I was trying to make up.  Then I went for a walk/jog and it came to me.

Creativity peaks for me when I'm active.  I have talked about this with other people and they said that the best ideas they've ever had are when they are alone, with their headphones on.  I have to agree.

The goals I have for 2014 are more simple, more clear and more attainable.
I think I'm growing up...shoot.

1. Be outside more.
I LOVE BEING OUTSIDE!!  It is one of my favorite things in the world.  I love breathing fresh air, I love walking with friends, I love how each step is different and each part of the road has a different bump.  I love looking at trees, the sky and all the people outside.  This year, rain or shine, I will be outside.

2. Follow through.
I have this thing called, "Everything excites me" syndrome.  :)  In 2013, I followed through with more things that I have ever been able to and I am now understanding what the word commitment means.  It feels good to not give up and keep pushing forward.  Don't give up!

3. Stop feeling bad.
When I stay in my robe all day and work from home, I feel bad because I don't feel like I'm contributing to society.  When in fact, I am.  I am trying to spread health & wellness to all and if that means I don't leave my house because of non-stop emails, phone calls and texts, than so be it.

4. Write more.
I had extreme learning disabilities up until college, when I was prescribed addherall and got straight A's.  The psychologist I saw said that up until 6th grade, my mind didn't work as a sponge like other children, so I missed the remedial stuff.  I don't write as much because my grammar isn't up to par.  Well, screw it.  Life is short.  I write how I feel, I miss punctuations and my sentences aren't always complete.  I'm working on it.

5. Give less excuses.
When I'm scared to do something, I start giving excuses and talk myself out of even trying.  I got a little better at it this year and am continuing to improve, but I can do a little better.  I also know that when I'm the most scared, something really amazing is about to happen.  Let that be the force that propels you to finish what you started!

6. Hold little to no hostility.
Whenever a friend doesn't call me back or doesn't commit to hanging out I start feeling like I don't want to waste my time.  I get to the point where I am done trying and I'm ready to move on.  And sometimes, I do.  What's the point of having a one-way friendship?  A friendship where you're always trying to make plans and the feeling isn't reciprocated.  A friend who always says, "I'm so busy!"  It is those people who at the end of their life that say they wish they had more time, more quality time with friends and family.  My goal in 2013 was to spend more quality time and spend less time involved with vanity.  I did.  And I'm glad.  In 2014, I want to be more forgiving, try a little less and don't let things bug me.

7. Give more credit to self.
I went for a 3.5 mile joy today and was happy for about 5 seconds until I started thinking about my boyfriends Mom who runs 10 miles some days of the week.  I started feeling like what I did wasn't good enough and that I should be able to do more.  After a few minutes of beating myself up, I stopped.  I hate doing that comparing crap and so this year, I choose to do it less and be happier because of it.


Friday, December 6, 2013

Silver Bells!


If you still make a Christmas List...READ ON!  & if you don't...READ ON!

So, every year my Mom asks for what we want for Christmas and to make a little list.  I never know what to write because I feel like I have everything.  Especially this year.  But, I put some thought into it and decided I don't want "things."  I want experiences.  I want quality time.  Here's the list I came up with:

  • Pedicures with Mom & Sister
  • Yoga classes at Shakti in Ballard (so I can take yoga with my sister)
That's it.
Other than that, I'm good.

What does your list look like?

Thursday, December 5, 2013

Life with Chronic Vertigo

I truly love people who want to make the world a more truthful, open and accepting place.  People that see outside the dotted lines.  I know a TON of people who are sick and tired of waking up at the same time every day, being a mute on the bus and dreading Sunday's.

The difference between people who are living and people who wish they lived, is having the courage to take that first step out into the unknown.  The place where you are scared, fearful of what is coming and you don't have a clue about what is going to happen.  That is the first step.  I urge you to strap on your sneakers and start walking into a life that you know you're meant for.

Fear.  It's where it all begins.

I am fearful of a TON of things.  I was scared to go to the Drake concert last night at the Tacoma Dome.  I was dreading the huge crowd, the unbelievably LOUD sound system and the thought that I'd be spinning.


I have chronic vertigo and it makes everything a bit more difficult.  I accept it to the best of my ability and try to go on having a "normal" life.  But it makes me fearful, because I don't know when it will send me to my bed, when it will send me running towards the nearest exit or when it will crawl into my mind and cloud my thoughts with negativity.

Last night, I got it bad.  The bass from the speakers vibrated my body and made me feel like I was boogie boarding in Hawaii.  Except I wasn't in Hawaii.  And I wasn't boogie boarding.  It felt like waves were crashing against me and trying to knock me down.

I tried to ignore it.  I kept telling myself that I was okay and that it would go away.  Except it didn't and I quietly suffered through 3 hours of the floor flipping upside down only to feel like the ceiling was about to squash me.  "PHEW.  The concert is over."  I exhaled loudly and we walked to the car.

I woke up proud.  Proud that I don't let vertigo rule my life.  Proud that I don't let it keep me laying flat 24/7, which I've heard many vertigo sufferers succumb to after a life of spinning.  I'm writing this because I want you to know that people suffer in silence and they start to feel like they are not like everybody else.  But when you share your story, your personal struggles, people share with you and you create a connection.

I'm looking to connect with people who are willing to share their struggles, their triumphs and let ourselves know that we are stronger than we think.  If we are willing to connect.  Truthfully.  Openly and without judgment.

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

Gluten Free Pumpkin Muffins!

Just in time to celebrate the holidays...
The Luxurious GLUTEN FREE, 
DAIRY FREE, SUGAR FREE,
Pumpkin Muffins Debut Party!

"But, how do we build such a delicious treat?!"

List:

  • 1.5 Cups oat Flour**
  • 1/2 Cup coconut Flour
  • 2/3 cup sugar free maple syrup
  • 1 Cup canned pumpkin (unsweetened)
  • 1/2 cup non-dairy milk (unsweetened)
  • 1/2 cup apple sauce (unsweetened)
  • 2/3 egg whites
  • 2 TBSP coconut oil
  • 4 TSP baking Powder
  • 2 TSP cinnamon
  • 1 TSP nutmeg
  • 1/2 TSP ginger
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 4 TSP vanilla extract
  • 1 TSP lemon juice
**How do you make oat flour?  Grind up gluten free oats (oatmeal) in a magic bullet and POOF!

The Steps:
  • Preheat oven to 350.
  • Mix dry ingredients: flour, baking powder, spices and salt.
  • Stir.
  • Add syrup, pumpkin, milk, apple sauce, egg whites, oil, vanilla and lemon juice.
  • Stir.
  • Spray 2 6-cup muffin pans with cooking spray.
  • Evenly portion the mixture.
  • Bake for 35-40 minutes. (test every so often with a toothpick in center.  If it comes out clean, they are done.)
BON APETIT!

Friday, November 22, 2013

Truth. I DO & I DON'T...

I look on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, my blog and listen to friends feedback about my life on all these social media outlets.  Friends tell me, "YOU ARE DOING SO MUCH!"  And I think, ya, I do have a lot of different jobs, hobbies and goals but I still have so much time...

I choose my hours to put forth my goals every week, which requires accountability, drive and determination every day.  I choose the hours I will spend away from the computer, the phone and the TV.  I choose my girlfriend time.  I choose when to connect with my love.  I choose when to talk on the phone.  I choose when to make appointments.  Being a self-employed entrepeneur & business owner, I enjoy scheduling my weeks, but it is pretty rough to stay motivated, dedicated and committed.  I do NOT reinvent the wheel, I do NOT workout every day and I do NOT cook all my meals from scratch.  

I swear to you, I am just a business woman, trying to make a positive difference in the wellness field.  I wrote a list of things I do and things I don't do.  Take a look and don't let social media fool you into thinking everyone's life is INSTA-GRAM quality.  (I still love Insta-gram).

DO:
Procrastinate
Contradict
Workout 4-6 times per week
Enjoy hanging out on the couch
Read magazines
Start a million projects at one time
Enjoy silence
Eat all day
Take walks all the time
Have a lot of jobs
Talk to my Mom every day
Love to sleep
Like doing things on the fly
Make yoga playlists (even when I'm taking a hiatus from teaching)
Love writing
Love sharing
Love singing
Love girl time
Love getting/giving cards
Love advice


DON'T:
Eat salad everyday
Make everything from scratch
Workout every day
Stay on one topic for too long
Finish everything
Do yoga every day
Stay at a job for a long time
Like loud noises
Make vision boards
Plan
Make big moves before talking to everybody
Love paying bills (who does)