Happy-making Neighborhood Messages

What a different world it has become since the carefree world of January 2020 and my last post. Since the Covid-19 stay-at home order, it's been 88 days of social-distancing, hand-washing, mask-wearing, zoom-meeting, school-struggling, art-journalling, compulsive-sewing and mom-calling. 

I Didn't March This Year, and I Am Totally Fine With It

For the last 3 years, the Women’s March in Downtown L.A. and the Overeater’s Anonymous Birthday Party have been held on the same day, January 18th. For the last 3 years, I’ve made it a priority to march-- which has been a great experience. For some reason this year it was a tougher decision to make. Something inside of me had shifted and was leaning toward the OA Birthday party so that's where I went and I’m happy I did.

Thanksgiving Day Parade Restored My Faith in America

I watched the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and it restored my faith in America-- well, at least for a day. With headlines about walls and impeachment hearings, it's been hard to stay positive about the current state of the union. But watching the inclusivity and diversity in this year's parade performances and even in the commercials, gave me a lift I was not expecting.

GEORGE CLOONEY IS BETTER THAN PIE - How I Got Through Thanksgiving Without Dessert

One more difficult food holiday down, with the beast yet to come. (Yes, I meant to say "beast" and yes, the "beast" is Christmas). I am thankful to get through Thanksgiving this year without overeating. It's my 2nd official holiday being abstinent from recreational sugar. Halloween was the 1st.

Pilates Completes Me-- So Why Haven't I Signed Up Yet?

One trial class and it was clear. Reformer pilates completes me. I love the way my body feels gliding up and down the track-- feeling the tension in the pulleys as I pull my arms forward and the stretch as they retract backwards. There's something about the uniform restricted movement that really appeals to me. A day or so after the class, I made the decision to sign up. That was 6 weeks ago. So, what gives?

Father-Daughter Trip to Baby Gap

I call him Dirty Ernie. Or at least that’s what my parents call him. Once upon a time he was a pristine, fluffy, white teddy bear but that’s not how I remember him. The Ernie I know is kind of yellowish. Shaggy. His bear snout squished and flat. Fur all matted and worn from being thoroughly loved and then thrown in the washing machine one too many times.

30 Day Overhaul for our Brain and Negative Self-Talk

I turned on the TV at the gym one morning and the local news had a famous female blogger doing food demonstrations and touting the latest beauty and nutrition book.  It was another ridiculously slender, glammed up, pseudo-celebrity telling American women how to eat healthy and lose weight. The subtext-- that if you are not currently thin and pretty or at least working towards being thinner and prettier then you are less of a person.
[Insert Donald Trump sexist comment about fat, ugly women here.]