Weekend Via Instagram

Happy New Year's Eve!

I, sadly, am at work :-(

Oh well, I get tomorrow off!

We went to the Holiday Bowl at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego.

We had awesome seats!! 14 rows back from the field on the 15 yard line!

Sooo cool!

Sadly, UCLA lost ;-(

But we had a blast anyway with our cousin and friend!

* And we met up with one of my coworkers at the game! Hilarious!*

We woke up Friday and drove to AZ to see Rich's parents for the weekend!

It was a long and easy car ride!

I read almost the entire way!

This is the closest I have ever been to Mexico!

(Can you see Mexico???)

I got this awesome squirrel mug!

Am I that obvious???

We were groupies to the Oregon Ducks :-)
They play in the Fiesta Bowl this week and we saw their trucks!

Too cool!

We turned around and drove back to LA so I could make it in to work this morning!

These were the "no drinking & driving" signs all through AZ!

Too clever!

Oh and I got the worst cold, ever!

So I am exhausted!

Definitely feeling better after sleeping in my own bed last night!

And I am soo bumped for tonight!

We are having fondue with our great friends and hitting up the Rose Bowl Floats tomorrow!

Cannot.Wait.

!!!!

Christmas at the Beach - LA to SC

totally ready for Christmas!

On the Saturday before Christmas, Rich and I cleaned the house, I did a TRX workout (ouch!) and we relaxed while we waited for my family to arrive.

At around 8pm, after having been on the road for almost 8 hours, my family finally made it!

We met them at a local restaurant for dinner and we all headed back to our apartment - my mom, dad, 2 brothers, 1 uncle, Rich & I - yeah, in our tiny apartment!

Lets just say we were very cozy!

We blew up the air mattress and got ready for bed.

Sunday, we woke up, had bagels and eggs for breakfast.

Mom and I made her famous antipasta - my first time making it - while the boys got outta the house and played at a nearby park.

A little before noon, we packed up the cars and headed down to San Clemente, where my grandparents are.

We got to the house, said our hellos and immediately went for a little beach walk!

It was a spectacular day!

We skipped rocks, enjoyed the tide pools and each others company!

We lit a fire, ate great food and drank delicious wine and chatted the night away!

Story of a Small World

Good Morning All!

Happy Thursday!

(Can you believe it is the last Thursday of 2012!? Wow, time flies!)

Last night, Rich and I went for a quick walk and on our way back we ran in to our neighbor and his brother.

We were chatting with the neighbor and then he introduced us to his brother.

I reached my hand out to introduce myself...

Me: Hi, I am La Tache

Neighbor's Brother: Yeah, I recognize you from San Francisco State.

Me: <Totally freaking shocked!> Oh! Yeah... What?!

We were all surprised so then he explained that our time at SF State overlapped and he recognized me because I was an RA.

Oh my gosh! 

It was hilarious!

Such a small and random world we live in!

I hope you all have a wonderful Thursday!

Season's Greetings - Holiday Card Style!

We have ordered, received, personalized and mailed out of Christmas Cards!

This year, I decided that it wasn't a good idea for me to write out all of the addresses - I know, not personal, whatever - so I got labels and printed them out. 

Oh my does that save time and the hand ache!

So glad I thought of this! 

Otherwise, it would have been Rich writing them all out....I will leave it at that ;-)

Front:

Back:

This is my favorite thing!

We ordered these on Cyber Monday and I got a super deal!

I love the idea of sending out greeting cards throughout the year.

We have a cousin who sends out Valentine's Cards instead of holiday cards... I love it!

Anywhoo!
Happy Christmas Eve everyone!
And if you don't celebrate Christmas....Well Happy December 24th and I hope you have a fabulous Monday! 

Holiday Spirit

I absolutely love receiving holiday cards! 

I love "snail" mail in general!

Over the last 2 days when we have checked the mail, all we have been getting are cards, it has been glorious!

I know that my inspiration was pinterest, but I cannot, for the life of me, find the original pin to give credit where credit is due. 

So, please forgive me!

I got the idea via pinterest and wanted to display the cards in a cuter way than last year, when we just tacked them to the bulletin board.

I went to the dollar store and got cute, heavy ribbon and pinned it to the wall in the kitchen and got clothes pins to attach the cards to the ribbon.

I think it turned out quite well! 

I only wish the wall was longer :-)

I have also wrapped all of the gifts that we haven't had to mail around, and they are under the tree!

We are ready for Christmas!

Happy weekend! 

And may Santa bring you nothing but good times and cheer this holiday season! 

Healthy Holidays…..It’s not too late!!!!

Guest Post By: Melissa Schollaert

I almost hate to say this, but Christmas is almost here (deep breath- you will get everything done!) If you’re anything like me, it can feel like all is lost in the waist line department. It’s hard to find time to be physically active, you’re stressed out, and grabbing whatever little cookie or holiday treat will suffice, so long as you don’t pass out and have time to get all of today’s chores done.  Now I’m here to tell you that you can have healthier holidays. Yeah right, with what time??  I know….stick with me, I’ll show you how.

First, let’s talk a couple quick and easy substitutions in cooking. These are game changers when it comes to weight loss and maintenance during the holidays.

Instead of typical mashed potatoes, try my healthy cauliflower mashers (recipe here) This tasty dish will save you 180 calories per serving and add desperately needed holiday fiber. 

And how about shaving off a few more calories, adding some more fiber, incorporating some seasonal fruit and sacrificing zero taste?? This one’s simple….use unsweetened applesauce as a healthy substitute for eggs, sugar, or oil in your baking. It measures cup for cup, but if subbing for oil add an extra 1/4 to 1/3 cup of what the recipe calls for to keep it moist.

Ok, how can you keep yourself in check the day of an event?  Well, my favorite rule of thumb is go to your event with a specific plan. I know this sounds really easy, but have you ever really thought about it? Let me give you a specific example. My grandmother is a fabulous baker, but she’s also got boxed candies, store bought goodies, and the neighbors creepy fruitcake on the dessert table. If I do not go with a plan of what exactly I want, I completely overindulge in things I never even wanted to eat. Plan on eating exactly what you want the most, make a plate of your favorite things, and savor each and every bite. When you are finished, position yourself away from the buffet, get a glass of water to keep hydrated and keep your mouth busy with a stick of gum. These last steps help you to avoid recreational eating.

My favorite practical, overall seasonal, tip goes against everything as American as paying taxes, but has to be said. Plan on NOT dieting after the New Year. Anticipation of food restriction sets us up for binge type eating over the holidays. It’s the idea of I’m never going to have cookies (or insert your favorite food) again after the first, so I may as well eat as much as possible now. I myself have eaten half a pie because of this type of thinking, and felt horrible mentally and physically afterword. And we all know restrictive diets do not work in the long run.  They slow metabolism, while increasing anxiety, depression, food preoccupation, and binge eating, as well as making it more likely to re-gain weight. Do yourself a favor, eliminate this type of thinking and you’ll likely start your New Year better than ever before. Who wants the guilt of quitting that new diet by the third or fourth anyway??  

Remember, the food we eat is very important for health and balance, but what really feeds us does not come on a plate. Things that feed us are open and honest relationships, creative outlets, exercise and spirituality. These are the things I would encourage you to feed yourself an abundance of this holiday season in order to stay balanced, nourished and get the most out of this holiday season.

I know I cannot possibly cover everything in one article so, I’d love to invite you to a free recording of my entire Healthy Holiday Workshop (Dial 1(862) 902-0123 and enter Recording ID: 12644955 when prompted). The audio is 31 minutes and is guaranteed to help you maintain weight, feel more balanced and more thoroughly enjoy the rest of the holiday season. As a holiday gift to you, simply email realnutritiousliving@yahoo.com for your free healthy substitution guide (this is great to hang on your fridge and use year round!)

Lastly, I am giving away a free private health counseling session. Simply email realnutritiousliving@yahoo.com or comment below after you've listened to the recording with your favorite tip and you’re entered in the drawing to win! For additional chances to win, simple share this post on Facebook or Twitter (and let us know you did so!)

---

Thanks, Melissa!

I had the honor of listening in on the Holiday Workshop, live, and it was phenomenal!

She mentions great tips and has great ideas for staying healthy, while indulging, during the holidays!

Who knew you could have both!

:-)

---

About Melissa Schollaert 

An Indiana girl at heart with her toes in the California sand, Melissa Schollaert is a Holistic Health and Nutrition Counselor, the founder of Real Nutritious Living, teacher of monthly workshops at Whole Foods, and has been published on various health websites. She’s an avid yogi, always improving surfer, and a firm believer in faith, love, and the healing power of green juice. She’s got a heart for helping others achieve their health goals to attain their healthiest happiest life.

For more information visit www.RealNutritiousLiving.com

Twitter.com/realnutritious 

Facebook.com/Realnutritiousliving

Pinterest.com/RealNL

Happy Tuesday!

Can you believe that we are 8 days away from Christmas?!

image

I am, and have always been, a self-fulfiller - yes that is a thing! ;-)

I believe that if you believe that something will happen, it will. 

If you want something to happen it will.

Maybe not in the way you originally imagined, or when you want it to happen, but it will happen.

Rich and I had a super weekend!

Friday was the last day of the quarter, which means that we got to spend the whole weekend together!

Hanging out!

It was fabulous and much needed!

Friday, we made dinner, drank wine and ate cheese while watching Mad Men.

Saturday, we woke up late, ate breakfast did some online Christmas shopping and then headed to the department stores to get the rest of our shopping done.

We headed in to Westwood and walked around the beautiful campus.

When we were in the bookstore, a woman walked in with at least 10 live birds around her neck!

The birds were pooping all over her!

We think that is why she was wearing a USC jacket... 

zing! 

of course I took a picture...

It was a gorgeous day in LA!

The leaves were changing the sky was blue without a cloud.

We decided, on a whim, to go to the UCLA basketball game!

So we grabbed a beer at a local bar and then headed over to the game.

Bruins for the win! 

Woohoo!

We headed home, had some more wine and cheese and watched a few shows on Netflix.

Sunday we woke up, late again and we did some chores around the house.

Mid afternoon we headed to my Aunt's house for her annual Hannukah party.

We ate lots of yummy food and played the white elephant game! 

Rich and I scored a pot for a plant and a candle!

Score!

:-)

After the party, we drove to Christmas Tree Lane and to see the Balian House.

Same route that we made last year!

The house is totally decorated, there were even people outside selling things!

And Christmas Tree Lane is totally magical!

The trees on the lane are decorated in lights and you drive down the lane with your fogs lights on and enjoy the scene!

Absolutely beautiful!

We had such a great and relaxing weekend!

Happy Tuesday! 

Sunday Social

What is the wallpaper on your cell phone?

Lock Screen

Home Screen

What do you keep beside your bed? On my night stand I have chapstick, lotion, tissue, a bible, all of the braces I have to sleep with ;-(
What is your least favorite chore?  Dishes and folding laundry! Hands down, period!
If you could eliminate one thing from your daily routine, what would it be? Dishes. I love to cook - so when I do cook, I use a few dishes as possible! I mean, seriously, who likes to clean up after you just ate a tasty meal!?
What do you do to vent anger? Honestly, I need to talk about it/talk it out. Fortunately, I have a great listener for a husband!
What is your favorite Holiday of the year and why? Thanksgiving and Christmas. It reminds me to be grateful for what I have and who I have in my life. I love the season!
Happy Sunday! 

Holiday Decorations

Yes, we have a FRee- Fake Tree :-( One of these years we will have a real one, but for now, the F.Ree will have to do.

Since decorating the FRee initially, I have rearranged some of the ornaments and added a few extras that have been added to the collection this year.

Even thought its a FRee, I love it. The lights are so warm and cozy and very festive!

I also put up the FArland - Fake Garland.

And yes, I know the lights don't match.

We thought that they would when we bought them last year, but came to find out that they don't. 

It really wouldn't be such an issue if the tree wasn't so close to it for comparison! ha!

Oh well, welcome to apartment living!

Even if it isn't perfect, it is festive and holiday like, so we are happy! :-)

For the last 3 Christmas' we have bought a Realth - Real Wreath.

I bought it this week and love coming home and smelling the pine and seeing the holiday cheer on our door! 

I love the holidays!

It is full of rejoicing, reflecting and reminiscing!

Happy Holidays (whatever you celebrate) and May you have a Happy and Healthy 2013!

---

And check out one of my favorite meals! 

Seriously, go home and make it!

It is so tasty and fresh & it's quick and easy!

A Day in the Life: Customer Service Volume 58

Alright, I know that I have had my new job now for a while, but this is the last one of this series - enjoy, its a good one :-)

So at the end of calls we have to ask the customer if they know someone that would want to have a free trial of our newspaper.

Customer: "Yeah, how about mitt romney"

Me: I laughed, and thinking, oh yeah, I'm going to get this guy... "Oh yeah if you have his address?" 

Customer: "Actually I do.. I already sent one to Ryan"

So I am stunned...

Shocked...

Laughing...

Then he puts me on hold and comes back on the line.

Customer: "Oh yeah here is the file..." and is now rummaging through papers

Customer: "Yeah, you know, the problem now is that he is always traveling..."

Me: "Yes, very good point."

Customer: After a few more seconds of rummaging through paperwork he says: "Oh yeah this isn't it, I'll have to call you back..."

  

Anywhosit

I hope you enjoyed my series of weird customer service calls.

With this one, I would like to bring this chapter of my life to a close...

Finally...

:-)

LA AGD JC Holiday Party

Over the weekend the LA AGD Junior Circle had a holiday party where we had an Ornament White Elephant Gift Exchange and a Cookie Swap!

On Saturday, of my favorite friends and I got together to bake for the cookie swap!

Check it out on the Food Blog!

We had a great time eating, chatting and playing games!

Ornament Exchange

Of course we all got each other Squirrel ornaments - I mean it would be a grave mistake if a Squirrel was not given as an ornament gift!

And I got another Red, Buff & Green ornament to go along with it!

All of the Squirrel Ornaments under the tree!

(Yes, there are 4 of the same ornament in different colors!

Thank you World Market for all of your Squirrel decorations!)

The group that participated in the ornament swap!

We had a great turn out!

It was such a wonderful day full of laughter and girl time!

It was absolutely much needed!! 

Guest Post

Good Morning All!!

Happy Friday!!

Has it felt like the longest week to anyone else??

My great friend, who guest posted for me here, asked me to guest post for her yesterday! 

Check it out!

Weir Homemade was featured on his website.

In this post, I discussed our eating habits as well as some helpful tips in the kitchen!

I also posted a new recipe!

I hope you all have a nice, relaxing, fun and fabulous weekend to look forward to!

A Day in the Life: Customer Service Volume 57

Part of my job requires my coworkers to transfer calls to my department - if the customer is having technical difficulty or if the customer has an education question that the agent is unable to answer.

My buddy, the woman I sit next to, she had transferred the call to my queue and so I picked it up.
She warned me about the customer, that he was being a bit hostile and then told me his issue.

I pick up the call.
Me: Good Morning, Sir? My name is La Tache, <insert my coworkers name> told me you were having trouble opening a link on our website.
Customer: I didn't catch your name, because it foreign.

He had so much disdain and hatred in his voice.
I was about to retort back with a response, but he kept talking and I didn't want to interrupt him since he was clearly upset and I didn't want to set him off any more than he already was.

I decided to 'Kill him with Kindness' and I helped him through the steps to fix his problem, and when it was resolved, I asked him if there was anything else I could assist him with.

Customer: Yeah, every time I call, I talk to someone foreign
I couldn't let him keep saying that, so I interrupted him
Me: Sir, I am not foreign, no one in our office is foreign. We live in Los Angeles, CA

He would not drop it!
Finally, I asked him if there was anything else I could do for him, since I wasn't getting through to this crazy that we are located in LA and that we are not foreign, so he should shut up already ;-)

He then kept me on the phone for over an hour, trying to come up with other things to talk to me about.
Needless to say it was a frustrating call.

<fortunately, as you now read this...I am in my new position! yahoooo!!>

Instagram Video

CollegeHumor's Favorite Funny Videos

Oh my Gosh!
This is seriously hilarious!!

And here is yet another gem!

CollegeHumor's Favorite Funny Videos

Bay Area Weekend: Golden Gate Bridge

On Sunday, we leisurely woke up!

Rich and I got ourselves packed up.

Rich took my brothers and played some catch football with them!

I helped my mom out with getting her iPhone all set up (!!!)

And then we all (7 of us) piled into the car and headed to the Golden Gate Bridge.

It was super foggy but we decided to go for the walk across anyway!

I couldn't believe that my dad hadn't done it before!!

The fog was incredible!
One minute you couldn't see 2 feet in front of you and the next the fog cleared a gap ahead and you could see the entire downtown!

Or the entire tower of the bridge.

It was absolutely magical!

We walked a little over 1/2 way across and since we were sopping wet from all of the foggy mist we decided to turn back.

We hopped into a Thai restaurant on Union St - thank you yelp - and had the most delicious family style Thai food!

We jumped back on BART for SFO, sped through security - again (!)

And made it home all in one piece!

What a fun trip!

I miss the Bay and I know that both Rich and I would love to move back there again some day

Maybe soon?

Tomorrow?

alright alright...

Bay Area Weekend: Mom's Surprise Party

On Saturday we woke up and had, our second day in a row, leftover Thanksgiving sandwich.

My mom, aunt and I went for a walk and gossiped chatted.

It was a beautiful day to be outside and enjoying the scenery! 

We got back, Sam and I made persimmon bread and watched college football.

Sadly, UCLA lost :-(

We got ready for dinner and headed downtown - for the surprise.

We got to the restaurant and many of my mom's close friends were waiting there to surprise her!

She was surprised, to say the least!

She was so glad to have everyone in one spot and celebrating her!

sorry mom - it is good of everyone else ;-)

my hottie mom! - but seriously! 

After dinner, my mom and I stayed at the restaurant bar with another couple of her friends and we had a few more drinks.

The restaurant closed so we headed to the local dive bar - yeah my mom is awesome like that ;-)

By the time we got home it was 1:30 and we were both basically dragging ourselves up the driveway to get into the house and tucked in to bed!

My mom is a special kind of woman who deserves to have everyone who knows her celebrate her!

Love you mom!!

(and I am so glad we finally got some good pictures together!!)

Bay Area Weekend: Ghirardelli Square

Friday night, after decorating the house for Christmas, my mom Uncle and I rode BART to San Francisco to see the Ghirardelli Square Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony.

how great does my mom look!!

Why Ghirardelly Square, and not Union Square, you ask?

Well because the Buena Vista is right next door to Ghirardelli Square!

And with the brisk weather, we wanted to warm ourselves up with a nice Irish Coffee from this San Francisco Landmark!

We made it to the cafe just in time because we got 3 stools next to each other at the bar!

Score!

(If you have been here, you know what I mean!)

We enjoyed our coffees and saw that they were making "to-go" coffees, so we decided: why not?!

We got another Irish Coffee to-go and headed to Ghirardelli Square as not to be late for the ceremony!

After the tree was lit we grabbed a town car and on our way back to BART we stopped at Hillstone for a roasted artichoke and cosmo - why not, right?!

If you ever go to a Hillstone restaurant, you must get the roasted artichoke, It is amazing!

We got back on BART and headed back and met the rest of the gang plus my aunt for a sushi dinner!

We got home after dinner and talked food talk and then headed off to bed!