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!)

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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!

:-)

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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!

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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...

:-)