my rock star friend Sarah.

Next time you're waiting in line at the grocery store, pick up the latest copy of Woman's World with the gorgeous blonde on the cover. She's my friend Sarah Taylor from Spirit 105.3 in Seattle. Because she discovered the incredible benefits of juicing (hello weight loss!) and passed the juicing excitement on to everyone around her, she's truly a Cover Girl representing beautiful health!Sarah is an amazing mom, wife and radio show host(ess) and she blogs about it all. Check her out here! (I'm one of her many shameless stalkers :)

Love you Sarah! If I send you my copy, will you autograph it!?!?

10 things.

Lori is brilliant. She's my wiser and cooler friend that still takes time to talk to and help enlighten me. I wrote her an email several weeks ago about something I was struggling with and in response sent me several serious truths, each piece of encouragement proving she totally gets me. And this was my favorite:

"Make a list of 10 things that fill you up inside, recharge you, encourage you. They can be as simple as breakfast at your favorite spot, taking pictures, going on a bike ride, blogging, praying, whatever. When you start to feel "utterly and desperately discouraged" look at that list!! I've noticed when we have those feelings, we're not working our list. If you aren't taking care of YOU, you will feel the way you are feeling."

I'm still working on my list. Here's what I have so far:

1. Favorite music blaring LOUD in my bedroom, dancing.
2. Decorating / Cleaning my room.
3. Writing on my front porch about all the reasons, things, and experiences of why I love my life. While Kenai lays in the grass out front.
4. Photographs - taking, editing, posting, sending, printing!!
5. Running long and hard. Mash-ups.
6. Girl's night, girl's night. Movies, fancy dinners out, Idol Night, dance dance dancing, or cooking at home, it's whatev.
7. Central Market. Fresh flowers, herbs, something new and creative to cook. 8. Driving with sunroof open, Kenai "flying" from the backseat out her window.
9. Family together...
10. My church home, consistently... worship with Robbie and powerful moving messages from Chris.

(Honorable mentions: Swirll, Saks, Forever 21, Target, Mario's Mexican Food, Baby Barnaby's, Amazon.com, Clementine and Cheeseburgers. Not sure these qualify as things that can "encourage" and may fit more into the "addictions" category :)

What's on your list?

kenai's elevator adventure.

She's not afraid of much and leads a great example of how we could all live with less stress and more excitement. Riding the elevator with Kenai is always the most rousing adventure of the moment - she bounces around and does "The Kenny Bop" until the bell dings, the door opens and she dashes inside. "Alright, where we going, who we gonna see, who can I chase?"

We learned a new level of Kenai's bravery last night as she had an elevator adventure on her own. I met DK after work at his place and usually we take Kenai outside for a break almost as soon as I walk in the door. Kenai bounced out into the hallway towards the elevator and I caught up to her, pressed the button to summon our ride but then heard DK calling for me down the hall - he had some things to carry out to the trash and needed my help. I ran back to his door, loaded up with boxes, heard a DING! back at the elevator, the doors opened but then closed before we returned.

Little Miss Kenai was not in the hallway. I dopped everything in my arms, pressed the button furiously to retrieve the elevator, but heard it moving away from our floor... with Kenai on it. I was totally stunned. I didn't know where to go, what to do... I was frozen. So then I burst into hysterical laughter and looked at DK like "Can you believe her???" We ran towards the stairs, DK went up, I headed to the garage. There was no telling where she went, what floor she'd decide to get off on and who would find her. Oh jeeeeze.

I waited in the garage and kept pressing the button, just hoping she wouldn't run into the maintenance man she usually growls at. But it wasn't long before I heard DK outside the front of his building yelling "Come on you, get over here!" as he'd found her. Apparently she made a new friend on whatever floor a certain tenant hopped on and she decided to stick with him. Cool thing is, DK and the guy Everett really hit it off and now he's a great work contact. So I guess we have our ridiculously brave and social dog to thank for that one? Can you imagine the guy's surprise though when the doors opened on his floor and there staring back at him, tail wagging furiously was the cutest Chocolate Lab you ever saw??

Ohhhh, sweet Kenai.

jeff and stacey ride to austin.

They're without a doubt one of the fittest hottest couples I know and this weekend are taking their fitness relationship to a whole new level by riding to Austin on their bikes. (It might be fair to point out the fact that Stacey my roommate has run 3 marathons and Jeff her boyfriend is an avid cyclist.) I expect they'll win the entire race. "The BP MS 150 is a two-day fundraising bike ride from Houston to Austin organized by the Lone Star Chapter. This ride is the largest non-profit event of its kind in North America with 13,000 cyclists, 3,000 volunteers and countless supporters and spectators. In 2008, the event raised more than $15 million for multiple sclerosis."

This year is the 25th Anniversary of the MS150 and I hear there'll be fireworks :) DK and I are headed to Austin to cheer Jeff, Stacey and my boss Tim McDermott on as they accomplish this huge ride for such a great cause. Click here to learn more!

the way to your man's heart.

While I was on the Master Cleanse, I think I developed new taste buds and a greater desire to cook and create foods and dishes beyond my assumed ability. (I'm telling you, this cleanse cleared out not just my blood and organs, but also my attitude, energy level and focus. I've been off for almost a week now and I want to go back on it. )

Everyday in the studio last week, I was searching for and studying recipes. Bill thought I was absolutely crazy, doing this to myself. But being friends with Domenica for the last couple years has been a great launching ground and I feel more now than ever, this natural desire to really dig deep into what it means to eat natural, whole and organic foods.

So on Sunday all I wanted to do was cook. I'd found some recipes on MarthaStewart.com that totally intrigued me and one after the other, received responses like "Are you kidding me?!" and "Oh my oh my oh my!!" from DK as he tasted his way through my newfound love. It truly is the way to your man's heart... and these recipes will help keep it healthy too!

White Bean, Kale, and Prosciutto Bruschetta Spinach and Gruyere Quiche

Asparagus and Gruyere TartScalloped Potatoes with Leeks

We also made a small turkey with a spicy rub and it turned out insanely delicious. What I love about all these recipes is that they are FRESH, EASY, and when I'd usually be intimidated by the ingredients and because I just didn't know how, I overcame it and tried something new. Now you try!

phlegmatic phriday.

I always have plans. My weekends are always non-stop and full of things to do with things to do inbetween my things to do. DK tends to like more chill time on the weekends and though I argue most of my things to do are intended as designated chill time, last Easter weekend I completely surrendered my schedule to him and let him plan the "non-plans".

And that meant I got to sleep in on Good Friday. I threw on a sundress and sandalls before DK picked me up and headed to 19th Street in The Heights where we walked around till we found a little cafe for a late breakfast. I don't remember the name of it, but it was absurdly delicious and light. I had quiche with side salad and he had a breakfast croissant. We strolled from lunch to do some clothes shopping and were quite excited about our purchases... We didn't have any plans and somehow ended up downtown spending an hour in High Fashion Home discussing our styles and desires for our house one day. We left there and caught a train in midtown to the Museum of Natural Science - I've been dying to see the Sharks 3-D IMAX but it was sold out. Oh well! We walked to the reflecting pond near the statue of Sam Houston and watched kids run around till it was almost dark. Then we took the train back to midtown and went to eat Mexican food at 1301 Cantina on Montrose - a great patio with view of downtown. Then we found a place playing music outdoors and as the sun set we walked hand in hand back to my house and sat on the porch for a bit.

It was the nicest day ever... and we didn't even have to plan anything. A good lesson for me, no doubt. I think we saw more, did more, experienced more, communicated more, and accomplished stress free time spent together all without the go go go feeling of having to get things done and get places on time.

And this is reason #34398928398230942030129829384345 a guy like DK is good for me.

love at first sight!

We got the first photo of baby Orson today... Which one could he be?

a little oooh, awww, and omg for your day...

So we know that Orson has officially been born as of April 2nd. DK and I've decided to grow our little adventure clan by getting another lab puppy and come May 23rd, the 3 of us (Kenai, DK and me) are driving out to Tennessee to finally bring our little guy home!

We had coffee this morning (Kenai gnawed on rawhide) and looked over Orvis, REI, etc. at all the cute and useful things you can get for puppies. Looks like we'll be going to minimalist approach on rearing this pup :) I can't count though how many times I've gotten teary eyed and emotional, clutching Kenai and dreaming about this new little guy who is about to take over our worlds. Kenai is going to be an amazing help, I'm proud of her already!!

So I thought you would enjoy some sweet photos of puppies that have come before Orson (named for Orson Welles, naturally) from the breeder DK carefully chose. Enjoy!!

one more thing...

Thanks to Master Cleanse, today I noticed in the mirror and by fit of my shorts that anything close to my muffin top are GONE!!!

master cleanse day 5!

I can't believe it's already been 5 days... it's gone by pretty fast and because of that I feel glad that I haven't cheated, skimped, and have stayed straight on course. It really helped to get mentally focused and pray over this experience. 

Day 3 was pretty miserable and not just because I decided to start planning my Easter menu. Darn Martha Stewart and her latest amazing recipes. I thought I was going to faint, had a terrible headache and started justifying doing only 7 days or even just 5. I was prepared though, knowing that the Day 3 hump was the hardest to get over. The toxins were being loosened and let go of within me. I walked with DK to Subway that night and as his sandwich was being made, I envisioned myself diving into the tomatoes and doing backstrokes across the salami. Hallucinating much?

But on Day 4 I woke up, a little apprehensive about jumping out of bed but instead took it easy, got ready for the day and before long felt this outstanding burst of energy... and it lasted all day long. I've had no caffeine, food, or sweets. Just the lemonade :) 

I feel lighter, clearer, YOUNGER, more able to move and bounce and dance. My attitude at work has changed drastically... I'm feeling this cleanse is truly clearing out toxins starting in my brain and flushing out everything alllll the waaaaay down:) 

Plus, I haven't checked in 2 days but when I last weighed myself I'd lost 5 lbs. 

I miss cooking with DK, I miss coming home and eating with him, going out with the girls for coffee and breakfast in the morning and I miss eating and tasting food. I realize how much a habit food it in my life, even f I'm not hungry. Habitual eating is not a bad thing, but it's interesting looking from the outside in, realizing how many calories I'm missing out on  and how much food I really do consume in day. I have to keep reminding myself too that in the whole scheme of things, 10 days isn't really that much to give up!

I've been studying recipes a lot and am craving fresh vegetables, but most of all am excited to work from a clean slate. I've been asking Domenica millions of questions on how to cook spelt, how to make perfect pesto straight from the garden, and all about juicing. I've also noticed my sense of smell is far more keen than it was 6 days ago!!

Overall I feel absolutely refreshed. I feel proud of myself too for being disciplined. It's my year of committing and following through. Amen!!

Star of Hope Celebrity Fashion Show

It's once a year and is an absolute blast. This was my 4th year to be part of the annual fashion show benefitting the Star of Hope and it's the coolest opportunity to meet with other radio personalities and anchors /reporters from every news station in Houston!
Click here for photos!

“Haute For Hope” is chaired by Judy Craig and Kimberly Thode and honors Jeannette Clift George. The luncheon features fashions from Elizabeth Anthony, the Esther Wolf Collection, BB1 Classic and Lucho, all modeled by Houston’s top news and media personalities including KSBJ’s Liz Jordan.

WHAT: “HAUTE FOR HOPE” FASHION SHOW

WHY: To benefit the homeless children at Star of Hope

WHERE: River Oaks Country Club 1600 River Oaks Blvd

WHEN: Friday, April 3, 2009 12 Noon

**** Officials at the River Oaks Country Club have requested that all media vehicles with station logos park OUTSIDE the club gates. **************

Contact: Scott Arthur / Star of Hope Public Relations

master clease day 2

I feel great. Got the saltwater down just fine this morning but am excited to try Domenica's method for getting it down easier. I'll report back on how it works.

I don't feel hungry and thought that sitting next to DK as he ate Schlotzky's last night would be torturous, but it wasn't hard at all!

I feel lighter and thinner even...

I'm already seeing the calories I would have consumed if not for being on a strict regimen - last night's Schlotzky's I surely would have partaken and even today with the pasta from Zio's? Every Wednesday they deliver food for the staff but today I said no thank you.

Calorieking to the rescue:

1. Schlotzky's original sandwich is 562 calories and 26 grams of fat = jeeze louise!
2. I can't find nutritional info on Zio's but let's just say... they always serve some creamy alfredo-y pasta...

Alright!