I take pictures.. What do you LOVE to do?

Happy Valentines Day! This is my first Valentines Day in a very long time in which I am completely single. No expectations, no disappointments!! I've vowed to spend the first 6 months of this year dedicated to just ME. Being selfish sometimes is one of the most important parts of true self love. If you are anything like me, a people pleaser, it is essential to take some time for just YOU. Even if it means not being there for a friend ONE time, or having to cancel on plans, if they are your true friends they will understand.


Part of self love is also being happy with what you are doing with your life. My yoga instructor said "you are what you do every day.. so if you claim to be an actor.. you should act every day.. if you claim to be a singer.. you should sing everyday." If you LOVE what you do you should be doing it every day. So this made me think.. am I a photographer? Do I take pictures EVERY day? Yes.. Yes I do.


I have to admit.. Lately I've been questioning a lot of things.. Am I on the right path? Is photography what I want to do for the rest of my life? Should I still be in LA? I don't really know the answers to any of these questions.. but what I do know is that I am a photographer. No matter if I am taking headshots, taking party pictures of my friends and I, doing "self portait" kissy faces on my iphone, or taking pictures of random objects on the street.. adding an effect on instagram.. and posting it as "art", I know that I for sure take at least one picture every day. So yes, wherever life takes me, whatever I end up doing to make money, I at least know one thing. I LOVE CAPTURING LIFE, BEAUTY, AND PEOPLE.


So for Valentines Day.. take a look at your life, the people in it, and that "thing" you do.. every day.. that defines you.. and if you don't have one.. start searching for it.

1. Mind- get all my "to do" list done before 5 pm.
2. Body- eat my heart out at Fogo de Chao!!
3. Soul- YOGA!

**A New Year A New You... HOW FUCKING CLICHE**

Well what can I say.. It's been a while.. I was on a roll last year.. Cleansing up my life! I got to the point where I was pretty much the happiest I've been in years.. and like a fool I stopped doing a lot of the things that got me there! One of them being.. this blog. I started this blog as a motivational tool to get me motivated to cleanse up my life, to rid myself of impurities, negativity and to stop and appreciate the great people and things in my life. I had hundreds of views per post and then I stopped focusing on me again and ended up pretty much back at square one.


This was my first post last year, and unfortunately I have succumb to some of these old nasty habits again:


On March 6th, 2011 I will begin a new phase of my life. Everything is going to change. I have been feeling like my mind, body and soul have slowly been deteriorating. Thanks to technology I have forgotten how to write proper English, I am no longer able to hold a 5 minute conversation with a human being in front of me without rudely checking my phone, and I am constantly anxious about checking my email.. As if it's going to disappear! Thanks to processed foods filled with hormones and chemicals I feel extremely lazy, bloated and cannot seem to lose any weight. Both of those things also contribute to my soul. I honestly feel like I can't even remember who I am. I am constantly trying to please everyone around me so much so that I have completely forgotten what even makes ME happy. I feel lost and alone and no matter how much people tell me they love me it doesn't change how I feel. 10 years ago we didn't need a GPS to tell us where to go.. We didn't need a phone to read our emails.. We could enjoy a meal with our families without iPhones and blackberries sitting next to our plates as if they were utensils. Why is it that your friend who is in a different city is more important than the people who are right in front of you? Life is flying by and you know why? Because we no longer stop and appreciate where we are... What we are doing... We use every spare moment we have to text someone, check our email, watch tv, or play a video game. I love food so much but I rarely take my time to really enjoy my meal and take pleasure in who I am eating with. I feel it all.. In my bones.. In my brain.. The constant tension that multitasking is bringing to my body.. It's like everything is melting. We are a spoiled generation and it is only getting worse. I can't even imagine what life will be like in 20 years. Human interaction is going to be completely taken over by machines.



SO HERE IT IS! A NEW YEAR A NEW ME!! And yes I know how fucking cliche that is.. Yes I know that half the people that got gym memberships this month will probably be wasting $34.99 a month starting February.. Yes I know. But YOU know what? It's nice sometimes to set resolutions! Which is why I'm adding a new aspect to this blog.. Every month, along with my daily goals, I will set a monthly resolution! How about that? 


Speaking about resolutions.. I know the beginning of the year can be very motivating.. But it can also make you look back at all the failures of the previous year.. All the things you didn't accomplish.. All the people you didn't meet up with.. All the love you didn't fall in.. Let this all be fuel to your engine. Realize that just because it hasn't happened yet.. well you know.. it doesn't mean it won't EVER happen. Sometimes you have to put YOU ahead of everything in order for things to fall into place. So join me! Let's get crazy! Let's get weird! Let's be SELFISH!


Each day that I post a blog I will set up some 3 goals for myself. One for the mind, one for the body, and one for the soul.


Here are today's goals:


1. Mind- start my laundry

2. Body- do a yoga class

3. Soul- spend 15 minutes outside in the sun with no cell phone

Day #14- Every Day I'm Hustling

I know, I know! I've just had a lot of work going on!! I'm trying to bring in that paper.. ya know??


Haha ok so other than work I've also been working out.. A LOT.. and trying my bestest to eat super clean!
It has definetly been giving me results though! I've lost 19 lbs and counting.. A lot of people ask me how I'm doing it.. What is the secret pill? The method? WHAT DIET!?!? Well to be honest it's pretty simple.. Eat healthy, small portioned meals, 6 times a day and work out! That is all! There are some really helpful tips that I've learned along the way though that I will be more than happy to share with everyone as I continue on my weight loss journey!


Here is one yummy weight loss tip!! Always have greek yogurt and fruit around!! Just incase you are craving a yummy dessert.. It really works.. Just add some Truvia (stevia) and voila.. you almost have a strawberry short cake ;)


PS I know I sound like I'm sponsored by Greek Yogurt or something.. But it really is such a healthy and yummy product! I love to incorporate it to replace most dairy products which are my weakness!!!

1. Mind- Retouch at least 5 images.
2. Body- Lay out for 30 minutes and catch some Vitamin D!
3. Soul- Take a yoga class.

DAY #13- JUICING **the aftermath**

So I did it. I successfully juiced for 3 days with no cheating. Let me tell you it was not easy. I was literally craving big fat juicy burgers with melted cheese dripping down my arms and face for 48 hours. I could literally smell the mac and cheese my neighbor.. 3 miles away.. was cooking!!! Seriously though.. smells of food make you want throw it all to hell and go to an all you can eat chinese buffet. But then.. day 3 came along.. and for the last 24 hours I was somehow perfectly fine. My body got used to it.. to the point in which I wanted to do more days. But I decided to do a 5 day cleanse next month. 


So how do I feel?


Great! I mean I'm not like SUPER energized or having a spiritual life changing nirvana experience by any means. But I do feel good. My face has cleared up, my unhealthy cravings have gone down.. In fact my first meal after juicing was nowhere near the orgasmic experience I thought it would be. I actually felt kind of revolted to food. Don't worry that didn't last long.. but I thought it was interesting. Things didn't taste quite as good as I remembered them to. It's 3 days after my last day of juicing now and I haven't eaten anything bad. Although I did party a bit last night (but i danced all the alcohol away.. thats my story and im sticking to it!). 


Weight loss wise I lost 6 lbs juicing!!! I was SOOOO excited.. until the first day I ate and I gained 5 lbs back within 8 hours. Oh well!! Juicing isn't about the weight loss.. It's about your body detoxifying itself and about a healthier, CLEANSED, you!!!

Day #12- THE REAL CLEANSE BEGINS!! ((juice juice juice!!!))

So for today I am not going to have goals because all of my energy is going to go into JUICING!!! (and to doing 3 weeks worth of laundry)


Ok so juicing is an amazing way of cleansing your body of so many things!


Here are just SOME of the benefits:


1. It gives the digestive system a rest, including the stomach, intestines, pancreas, gallbladder and liver.


2. During this process, your cells have the time to catch up with their work as well. They can repair themselves and detoxify. 


3. It can increase metabolic rate.


4. Juicing also ensures that the body is getting sufficient amounts of phytochemicals, substances in plants that are considered among the most powerful ways to fight disease.


5. Juicing can help to accelerate recovery from illness. In fact, juicing with specific combinations of fruits or vegetables can target particular conditions and improve or alleviate symptoms.


6. It helps with anti-aging!!!


7. Balanced pH and blood sugar levels


8. Increased mental clarity


9. It kills TOXINS!


10. (MY FAVORITE) Weight loss!!!


And from my own personal experience:


11. The last time I juiced it reduced my acne DRAMATICALLY.. I'm talking like I went from 4-5 pimples a week to maybe one! But I haven't juiced in over a month and they are coming back! Which is why I think it is great to juice once a month.


So HOWWWWWWW do we do this? Ok here we go:


You have some options...


1. Get a juicer (For me though it's expensive and I don't like to clean so double whammy)


2. Do a juice cleanse that delivers to your home. (CoolerCleanse.com or BluePrintCleanse.com)


OR


3. Find your local Juicing place and get them to make you juices! (This is what I do)


So today I went to LIQUID on Melrose (8180 Melrose Ave, LA 90048 to be exact) and I had the most AMAZING experience! Amanda and Nick helped me soooo much! They literally used the website on my phone I showed them and custom made me every juice!!! Not only that but at $5.25 for a 16 oz juice x 6 This cleanse is only costing me around $35 a day (compare that to the delivery juices that will run you about $75 a day AT LEAST). 


These are the juices I got (remember I made some of these custom): 

1. Green- Spinach, kale, cucumber, parsley, celery
2. Blood- Carrot, Beet, Lime, and Ginger
3. Coconut Water
4. Almonds, Almond milk, coconut water, cinnamon and dates (This is the most amazing drink I think I have ever tasted.. I made Amanda try it and she said "We are putting this on the menu and naming it Ana's Special!!!!")

I got 2 Greens and 2 Bloods adding up to 6 juices. Normally I would do a Watermelon Juice instead of a second Blood but they didn't have it today! :(

Here is how it works:

You wake up (hopefully) and drink a GREEN, then 2 hours later you drink a BLOOD, then 2 hours later another GREEN, then 2 hours later the ALMOND, then 2 hours later the other BLOOD and then lastly 2 hours after that you drink the COCONUT.

You do this for 3 days. At the end of each night take 2 tablespoons of Extra Virgin Olive Oil. (Helps you poop lol)

The couple of days before and after you cleanse you should eat very clean. They recommend no dairy, red meat, eggs, or alcohol.

NO COFFEE EITHER!

Ok that is pretty much it!! To learn more about cleansing you can go to www.CoolerCleanse.com (I hear their juices are amazing)!

I know it's not rocket science but PLEASE let me know if you have ANY questions or if you plan on joining me!!!:)

Day #11- Mexican Breakfast Tortilla!!!! MY FAV!

1. Mind- A never ending goal.. Clean up my room!!


2. Body- Take a Boxing class! I've always wanted to punch the sh*t out of someone!!! hahah jkjk (not really)


3. Soul- Go Shopping!! Sometimes it's good for the soul to go out and try pretty clothes on.. even if you don't buy them!!




And for everyones favorite part of my blog.. A RECIPE!!! Woohoo!! And not just ANY recipe.. MY FAV!! I have this pretty much every freakin day and it never gets old. And it's SO healthy!!! And VEGETARIAN! (Perfect for my munchkin Antonia)

You need:

1. Egg whites

2. Black beans (organic from a can is fine)

3. Chopped onion

4. Small Cherry Tomatoes (sweeter and less chopping)

5. Chopped Green Onion or Chopped Cilantro 

6. FAGE greek yogurt (da bomb!)

7. Pam or OO spray

8. Cholula Hot Sauce!!

Ok so spray a pan with PAM.. Medium to High heat. Add half of the chopped onions.. When they are lightly browned add egg whites. You can scramble them or keep them like a tortilla if you have a small circular pan. Add a little salt & pepper. Make sure they are browned a little. I am all about runny eggs but not in this case!!

Put the eggs in a dish over a soft corn tortilla (i love the blue corn ones from TJs). Clean the pan then spray it with PAM again. Medium to Low Heat add like 1/3 of the can of black beans (or more if you want!). While they are heating up chop the cherry tomatoes in half and your green onion. 

Put the beans over the eggs. (Sometimes I put a little greek yogurt on the eggs before adding the beans.) The tomatoes over the black beans, the rest of the chopped onion, then greek yogurt, then green onion and for the final touch I pour a sh*t ton of Cholula hot sauce over it. (If you don't like hot sauce I feel bad for you!!!)

And that's it!! It usually takes me like 10 minutes to make (especially cus I save chopping time by buying prechopped onions! Only like $1.69 at TJ's!!)

Let me know what you guys think!!!!!!

XoXoXo

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE!! Check out my new fav singer.. Listen to Rollin in the Deep! Holy Schmolies is it a great song!!!!

DAY #10 - Getting back on the horse!!!

Yes I know.. It's been a while.. But you know what? I have been SO busy.. and I know it's absolutely no excuse.. and that I really need to learn how to integrate cleansing into my daily routine.. But that is what this blog is about! Learning how to balance real life with a happy and healthy mind, body and soul!


Not to worry though.. I have been practicing certain "cleansing" activities! I've been staying away from the TV. In fact I think I may have watched less than a minute of TV yesterday!! I have been eating SUPER CLEAN.


In fact.. I've lost around 12 lbs!!!! Which is VERY exciting for me!!


I will be posting some recipes I've created that have really allowed me to cleanse my body of crap while still really enjoying what I eat!




Here is one of my favorites:

 Mayo-Free Chicken Salad

So how did I create this protein packed, delicious, amazing meal? Well since Greek Yogurt has become my new best friend (thanks to Nina for the introduction) I decided it would make a great replacement for pretty much anything creamy that I like to eat.


Ok ok here is how it is done:


You Need:


1. 2 chicken breasts
2. 10-15 Sliced or Chopped Almonds
3. 2 stalks of chopped celery
4. 1 Chopped onion (small or a half of a large one)
5. 1 Tbsp Olive oil
6. FAGE 0% Greek Yogurt PLAIN (add to taste)
7. 2 Tbsp Balsamic Vinegar (Thanks to Tony for the suggestion!)
8. 1 green apple chopped
9. Salt & Pepper
10. Curry Powder




So basically all there is to it is to boil the chicken in water (duh!) until it is fully cooked. Let it cool. Chop it into chunks. Mix #2-8 in a bowl. Add the chicken. Add salt and pepper to taste and then garnish with a little curry powder and some chopped green onions. THAT'S IT! Eat it with some whole grain toast or just by itself. I promise you it is freaking amazing. You will never need mayo again!!!!!


Ok so now back to my goals (you probably thought I was trying to avoid them didn't you!?!?)


For today:


1. Mind- CLEAN MY ROOM (my mom would not be happy with its current condition)


2. Body- Spend 3 hours in the gym straight. This will force me to spend time stretching and breathing and really take the time to do each exercise efficiently.


3. Soul- Spend 30 minutes laying in bed staring at the ceiling and trying not to move at all.*


UPDATE:


1. Mind- FAIL- ugh i hate cleaning!!! lol


2. Body- I stretched for 45 minutes.. Stood around for 15 minutes.. Took a CRAZY spinning class for an hour.. did abs for 30 minutes and then walked on the treadmill doing hill intervals for 30 minutes! YAY ME!


3. Soul- THIS WAS AMAZING! I ended up laying for an hour straight without using phone or falling asleep. I seriously felt high afterwards. I was so relaxed!!! 


*Did you know that if you really focus and relax your body can rest more in 30 minutes than in the full 8 hours of sleep?




Ok guys!! Back on the horsey!!! :)

DAY #9

1. Mind- Only use two types of technology at a time.. (I haven't been able to accomplish this EVER.. so sad!)


2. Body- Work out twice for at least an hour each time!


3. Soul- Take my doggy Leo to the dog park.

Day #8!!

IM BACK!!!


1. Mind- Catch up on work! Retouch at least 8 images.


2. Body- In honor of my vegetarian sister's birthday I will be eating a vegetarian diet today!!!


3. Soul- Lay in bed for 30 minutes without phone, computer or tv. AND DON'T FALL ASLEEP!




UPDATE:


1. Mind- I got a lot of work done but still have lots more to do!


2. Body- I ate a grapefruit, tofu chili, asparagus and green peas, almonds and a veggie stir fry!


3. Soul- I changed this up and sat in the shower for 30 minutes instead!

Day #7

I'm sorry I haven't been posting goals but my friend Tory is in town and she's been taking up all my mind, body, and soul's attention!!!!


1. Mind- Educate yourself about food practices in the US. AKA watch Food Inc!
2. Body- Do at least 2 self indulging things! (Such as a pedicure, massage etc.)
3. Soul- Have a FUN  St.Pattty's day!!!!

Day #6

1. Mind- Do laundry and clean up room for Tory's arrival!!
2. Body- Eat SUPER clean
3. Soul- Ok so I started typing this like an hour ago.. somehow got distracted and completely forgot what I was doing. So today's goal is to finish EVERYTHING I start right then and there!

Day #5

1. Mind- Today I will not use Autocorrect! Not on my phone, emails, blog etc. I will continue spelling the word until I get it right!!


2. Body- I need to do some weight lifting today!! So at least 30 minutes of lifting!!


3. Soul- Start reading a book!!! (It's been a while!!) Maybe outside by the pool would be nice!


Update @ 11:46:


1. Mind- for some reason today out of all days I didn't really misspell any words.. but I didn't use it!!


2. Body- So thanks to goal #2 I got a great workout today! After doing 40 minutes on the bike I really didn't feel like doing weights but then I remember it was one of my goals and I did NOT want another FAIL in red letters.. so I lifted!!


3. Soul- I didn't have time to go to the bookstore so I had to stick with roomie's choices at home.. I decided to go with Skinny Bitch. I felt it was very appropriate for cleansing as well. It really makes you think about what you put into your body and how much control the food industry has over what we "think" is good for us. One good example is our need for dairy. For one did you guys know that milk is as addictive as heroin? In fact it releases the same hormones into your body and mind as heroin. This is nature's way of getting babies to want more. Another good point they make in this book is that we are the only animal on the planet that drinks milk as adults. It goes against nature. Anyways.. I love milk products (CHEEEEEESE) too much to go dairy free but I am definetely definetly definitely (3 tries.. phew) going to be more aware that it is not something I should be having every day (damn it.. this def hurts my new found addiction to greek yogurt!!!). 

Day #4- So Far So Good!!

Repeatttttt....


1. Mind- Only use a max of two forms of technology at a time. So no TV, phone AND computer all at once.
2. Body- make a really healthy dinner from scratch!
3. Soul- Take a 30 minute shower, play music and light candles! 


Update @ 6:09 pm


1.Mind- So far so good.. as long as being on the phone, while on the treadmill and having TVs around me kills it?? Do treadmills count as technology???


2. Body- I DID IT!! I (well WE) made healthy fish tacos!!! SOO YUMMY!!! I seared a swordfish, Ash chopped an avocado, 2 tomatos and one onion. We heated up two corn tortillas, added the swordfish after shredding it, the veggies, and topped with with greek yogurt (tastes JUST like sour cream but SOOO much better for you), fresh squeezed lime and Cholula hot sauce. 

'

We ALSO found a lemon tree (don't ask) and made some fresh lemonade with pomegranate.. Sat by the pool.. and enjoyed!! So relaxing!

3. Not yet but def plan to!!

Day #3 - HELL

1. Mind- Only use a max of two forms of technology at a time. So no TV, phone AND computer all at once.
2. Body- make a really healthy dinner from scratch!
3. Soul- Take a 30 minute shower, play music and light candles! 


1. FAIL
2. FAIL
3. FAIL
TODAY WAS ONE OF THOSE DAYS!!!! And the funny thing is I didn't realize it till 10:10 pm when I walked to Trader Joe's to get groceries for my "dinner from scratch" and realized it was CLOSED!! WHY?? Bc I had NO clue it was after 10 pm. Where did my day go?? I completed absolutely NO GOAL in my daily 3. Not only that.. I just counted and today alone I read, received and answered 22 emails and answered 38 CALLS!!!! Is that insane or what???? Let's not even begin on text messages! Oh and don't worry I also did a photoshoot for 5 kids, ran 6 miles, attended 2 meetings (which I walked to), ate lunch with a friend, took me and roomie's dogs to the park AND retouched and designed an album cover for my friend Ashley's client! I just feel really really overwhelmed and sad that the fact that I didn't oblige to my 3 goals today is making me stressed out. The whole purpose of this cleanse is to avoid that heavy feeling!!! **sigh**


So I guess I will be repeating these goals tomorrow and hopefully have more time to dedicate to them.


THE UPSIDE: 

One positive thing though is that since Trader Joe's was closed I just was forced to get the Bayou Chickn Wrap from Veggie Grill which is absolutelyfreakinfabulosity!!! (AND VEGAN!)

Day #2!!

1. Mind- Write a to do list of pictures to retouch and get them done!!


2. Body- To treat myself to a yummy meal to reward myself for eating healthy!


3. Soul- Spend at least an hour with a friend without any form of technology around us.




Update:


1. I wrote the to do list but still need to finish some pics!


2. So I went out to dinner with my friend Laureli and we had way too much to eat and I got SOOO sick.. I guess it's a sign that my cleanse is working!


The culprit of sickness:

Laureli + Greenblatts + Me = A hell of a meal

3. I spent 1 hour with roomie Tasha with no cell phones and then almost another with Laureli (except for when I had to take the picture of all the food we ordered) Yay me!!