I am…

Posted on February 23, 2012

I am learning to accept change.

Sometimes life throws you a curve ball and you are forced to deal with it head on. There’s no way around it…it just has to be dealt with. You all know I am one for routines and “sameness” in a way…but right now I am learning that I have to adapt. It’s really eye opening.

I am remembering that writing is my outlet.

Hence, the not so long break…

I am thinking about my future.

I am rediscovering the importance of truth.

(more on this subject tomorrow)

I am embracing active living.

Walks and yoga>running and gym time…at least for right now. Its what feels right.

I am listening more intently to myself.

When you really tune in, you discover just how hard it really is to do so and how much you were slacking on it beforehand.

I am redefining what being productive means to me.

I am accepting that life has its phases.

If the one you are in now seems hard, you can get through it knowing that something better and different is right around the corner.

I am learning from my past.

I am realizing that you can’t make the same mistake twice.

The second time it’s a choice.

I am shifting my priorities.

I am acknowledging that nothing is forever.

Even if you can’t do something right now…it doesn’t always have to be that way. If you persevere through tough times, in no time you will be back to living exactly the life you want to live.

I am taking up new hobbies and discovering new passions.

I am clearing the clutter and getting organized in a whole new way.

Both physically and mentally.

I am finding me.

And right now…I am thanking all of you.

I know this post and the last few have been a bit cryptic…but I want you all to know I am okay.

Thank you for all the comments, tweets, emails, and all around genuine outreaches of support this past week. You reminded me that during tough times, the worst thing you can do is fold into yourself and stop connecting with others. The community we’ve built here is so strong and SO helpful. That’s why I’ve decided I am going to keep blogging at my normal frequency. It truly is my outlet for expression and stress relief…and being connected with all of you on a regular basis helps immensely!

So I have a little giveaway for you all just to show how much you really do mean to me!

Some of my favorite products are up for grabs and there will be two winners! Believe me…if I had enough money to send you all a prize…I WOULD! (sadly, shipping costs are B*TCH!! Winking smile )

One prize pack has:

Humus Maximus and Seedlander Dr. Kracker’s, Black Mate Tea, and Peanut Flour!

And the other has:

Purple Rice Crackers, Seedlander and Klassic Three Seed Dr. Kracker’s, and Raw Cashews!

To enter:

-Leave me a comment telling me something you are doing to live your best life!

You can get an additional entry for doing any of the following…

Tweeting about the giveaway (with a link)
Following me on Twitter.
Linking back to the giveaway
Adding me to your blog roll
Liking me on Facebook.

The giveaway will end Sunday night!

Have a happy day friends.

Kaila

Subscribe on the side. Follow me on Twitter. Ask me on Formspring. Friend me on Daily Mile. Follow me on Pinterest. Like me on Facebook.

Sorry In Advance…

Posted on January 30, 2012

WOW…once again you all have impressed me so much! I got all my thoughts out with yesterday’s post and you all came forth with about a million new idea’s and perspectives that got me thinking even more! Seriously, you all inspire me so much. Not only to be more open minded, but to consider things in whole new ways. Thank you for keeping me well rounded friends!

If you haven’t read yesterday’s post, INCLUDING the comments sections, I highly suggest you do!

[And just to clarify..cause I know it came up in a few comments…the exercise break I am taking is not because of anything else, other than wanting to give my body a bit of a break…the thoughts in yesterday’s post just came to my mind while considering the rest period]

—-

You might be wondering what I’m apologizing for. Well…I’ve been tagged.

That’s right. The Eleven Things Award has finally made it’s way to my little corner of the blog world (Thanks Erika!!). While I’m excited to fill this thing out (you know my love of survey’s!!) I know you’re all probably a little tired of this little chain by now. But I’m not one to turn down an award…so bear with me!

And to ease your suffering a bit Winking smile ….I thought I’d start off by announcing the winner of my Shabby Apple giveaway! Thanks to all who entered! The lucky winner is…

TARA!!!

Congrats girl!! So happy for ya! Email me your info!

AND FYI!! The NEW winner of my EatSmart Scale giveaway still hasn’t claimed their prize…so I will wait a few more days and pick YET ANOTHER winner if she doesn’t come forth! #frustrating

ONWARDS!

The Rules (which I’m sure you all know by now Smile ):

1. Post these rules.
2. You must post 11 random things about yourself.
3. Answer the questions the tagger set for you in their post.
4. Create 11 new questions for the people you tag to answer.
5. Go to their blog and tell them that you’ve tagged them.
6. No stuff in the tagging section about ‘you are tagged if you are reading this.’

I will try and keep all my info short and sweet so this post doesn’t become to incredibly wordy!

Instead of sharing 11 random things about myself, I’m gonna try and kill two birds with one stone (Hate that saying! So harsh!!) and answer the questions that have filled up my Formspring inbox!

1. Whens the last time you had something that isn’t considered "healthy"? Do you ever miss or crave these food?

Chocolate Intensity cake on my Dad’s Birthday! And I honestly never crave desserts or junk food! I also don’t ‘miss’ any foods because I always eat what I want/crave!

2. Have you always eaten really healthy even as a kid? And were you always this active?

Yup! My mom has always cooked healthy meals and we are a very active family in general! I have played sports my whole life and since I was little my parents instilled in my the importance of health and wellness!

3. How and when did you first learn about the blogging world?

Through a recipe search on Google! Oh She Glows was the first blog I found!

[introduced me to the green monster!!!]

4. What do you want to do career wise when your older?

I honestly don’t know! I used to think I had it all figured out…but now, NO WAY. There are so many things that interest me! The medical field is definitely an option, but international relations is a passion of mine as well!

5. Do you still act or ever go on any auditions?

Yes, I still act! There aren’t many auditions in my area at the moment, but when something comes up I definitely take advantage.

6. What college do you want to attend?

Somewhere where I can come out with little to NO debt!

7. What’s your fave go-to, easy meal?

Eggs, toast, veggies, and fruit!

8. Would you rather run on a treadmill or run outside on the sidewalk?

Outside in beautiful weather!

9. What clubs do you run at school?

Model UN, Student Council, Key Club, and the Passion in Progress Festival (a festival that is held annually at my school!).

10. Chocolate, Strawberry, or Vanilla?

Vanilla!

11. You have to leave your home right now and you can’t go back. You get to bring one kitchen appliance, one electronic, and one book. What do you choose?

My refrigerator (fully stocked of course!), my iPhone, and the last Pretty Little Liars book because that’s the one I am reading right now and I have to know how it ends!! LOL.

—-

Now for Erika’s questions!

Share one of your most embarrassing moments. What happened?

I fell on stage during a really big scene in a play I did last year! I went down HARD. Needless to say, I got some unexpected laughs. Smile

2. What is your favorite indulgent food that you would eat everyday if nutritional facts didn’t matter?

My grandma’s Peanut Butter Pie. Mmmm.

3. Current favorite song?

N*ggas in Paris….sorryimnotsorry.

4. If you could choose to stay a certain age forever, what would it be?

Hmm, I’d say 30. By then I will be out of school with a career and will not be that old yet!
5. If you could be invisible for a day, what would you do?

Rob a bank…just kidding. Maybe.

6. What is your favorite smell?

Anything peppermint.

7. What is one thing you did as a kid that has gotten you in trouble?

I used to love imitating people when I was little. But we all know how annoying that can get!

8. What is the worst gift you’ve ever received?

A sucker and a half empty pack of gum from my so called “secret santa” at school one year.

9. Chocolate or vanilla?

Vanilla like I said above! Though I do love me some cocoa powder!

10. If you were to participate in a food eating contest, which food would it be?

Kabocha squash! I would dominate.

11. If you could witness any event, past, present, or future, what would it be?

I would love to have seen my mom or dad graduate from college! Its such a big accomplishment! Seeing my own birth would be pretty cool too…or maybe just weird.

—-

Honestly, I have no motivation to come up with 11 more questions for this thing! Yeah…I am kind of cheating on the rules…but at this point I think EVERYONE has been tagged! So forgive my rule breaking-bad ass self. Ha!

[I am living on the edge! LOL!]

Thanks for making it through this marathon of a post! You probably know more about me now than you ever needed! Smile

Kaila

Subscribe on the side. Follow me on Twitter. Ask me on Formspring. Friend me on Daily Mile. Follow me on Pinterest.

WIAW: 20 Questions

Posted on January 24, 2012

I know you’ve all seen this little questionnaire floating around the blogosphere….but I really wanted to fill it out for myself! I love these survey things. So bear with me….pleeeease.

Plus it’s WIAW…so you still get all that usual fun with just some random Q’s thrown in! AND, there is a giveaway winner at the end of this post! So if you’re just here for that…keep on scrolling. But I hope you’ll stick around for the other shenanigans Winking smile .

[thanks Jenn]

What I Ate:

[just a few pics this week…sorrrrry]

[I have been filling my french meadow bakery tortillas with EVERYTHING lately! They are seriously the best tortillas I’ve ever had!]

[pb and raisins…amazing]

[another new obsession…equally delicious with peanut butter!]

[tuna-humus salad with a garnet yam!]

[ricotta and jam on wasa’s=delicious]

[Found this gem at the back of my pantry! Can’t believe I forgot about it! Love TJ’s!!!]

What I Worked:

The steady state was done at an incline of 10 and a resistance of 35. The intervals were the following:

Incline @ 5 for 30 minutes

Alternate:

1 minute-30 resistance

30 seconds-25 resistance

30 seconds-35 resistance

Repeat for 30 minutes!

Where I Was Featured:

These past few days the bloggy has been featured on a few sites/newsletters around the web!

Healthy Living Blogs

Elite Wellness

The Healthy Living Blogs Newsletter….thanks to Healthiful Balance

20 Questions for Wednesday:

1) What is one of your favorite ways to spend a Saturday?

A yummy breakfast. A nice long walk with Ella. A trip to the Farmers Market. A sweaty workout/run. A few of my favorite meals. And a movie and blogging to cap off the night!

2) List your top three favorite TV shows.
This is tough! I follow a ton of shows! But my top three of ALL time would have to be:

-The Office

-LOST (oh how I miss you!)

-A 3 way tie between: Parks and Rec/30 Rock/Modern Family
3) Would you rather be in pictures or take them?

I like being in pictures with my family to document memories and moments…but I’ve really developed a passion for taking pictures ever since I started blogging! I’ve really come to appreciate a good quality photograph!

4) Why do you blog?

It’s my outlet for expression! There are so many parts of me I never felt comfortable sharing with others until I entered the blogging community! Now I have found so many people who share my passions and values and have developed such great relationships because of it! I also love the interaction and feedback…the comments sections is one of my favorite aspects!

5) Share five websites that you visit regularly…

6) If you could have lunch with one person from your Twitter list who would it be?

Can I have a lunch convention? Cause there are SO many people I would love to meet! Not only would I love to meet all my blogging buddies in real life…but some of the celebrities I follow would be pretty cool too! I would LOOOVE to meet ELLEN! Plus she’s vegan so I’m sure we could agree on a really yummy lunch place!

7) List a few of your favorite snacks.

-cereal fruit bowls with almond milk

-sweet potatoes

-carrots with pb and rice cakes

-homemade scuffins

-veggies with dip

-yogurt messes

8 ) Do you have a pet? If so, what kind?

I think you all know Ella by now!

She’s my sweet, little yorkie!!!

9) Which three material possessions would you struggle to live without?

I hate to admit this stuff (it makes me seem so materialistic!!!):

-my computer

-my phone

-my TV

#firstworldproblems to the extreme….

10) What’s your favorite drink?

I actually don’t drink nearly as many liquids as I should! But when I do drink I reach for water, veggie juice, or almond milk!

11) Do you enjoy cooking?

I LOVE IT! I only wish I had more time to dedicate to it! If I didn’t have school I could be rolling out recipes 24/7!

12) Do you have children?

If you count pup’s as children…then yes (see question 8)! But honestly, I DO NOT want kids when I’m older! #sorryimnotsorry

13) What are your favorite hobbies?

-blogging

-being active

-baking

-acting

-writing

14) Would you consider yourself to be shy or outgoing?

I’m pretty outgoing I’d say! I love being in front of people, interacting, and having conversation! But don’t get be wrong… I love my alone time too and definitely embrace my inner “shy” person!

15) If you could change one thing about yourself, what would you change?

I would make myself be less hard on myself. I sometimes set to high of standards for myself and then cause my stress a lot of stress in trying to achieve them/live up to them.

16) Who is your favorite actor?

Don’t have one actually…there are SO many good ones out there. I really like Liam Neeson though! (Schindler’s List is one of my favorite meetings!!)