A Big Beautiful Mouth

Week 25

2012-02-11T22:37:00.000-08:00

This week I keep finding myself in an interesting state of mind, thinking of something I never thought I'd think... I never want my baby to have to do without anything. I always I thought I'd be a hard-core, drill-sergeant, rule-following parents who makes their child work their fingers to the bone for everything they had, just like my husband and I had to. But this is not the case (at least this week). I'm finding that I want him to have the best of everything, go to the very best schools, have the best opportunities, toys, friends, play on the best sports teams, eat the best food and be the brightest in school. I mean, the elite, the most prestigious, the most glorious of things the world has to offer.

And so I've now realized, no one really thinks of these types of things until they're faced with the reality of becoming a parent, but once one does, and he/she has the means to give your children more than you ever had... you simply give it to them.

Now, I'm starting to understand those 16-year-old kids who get a brand new Range Rover for their birthday from daddy. Daddy probably just didn't have a brand new Range Rover growing up and wanted to give more than he ever had to his kids. And so I find myself in the same state of mind. Now, I'd never give my kid a brand new car for his birthday, but my point is, I'm starting to understand how selfless and act being a parent is... not because it has to be, but because you want it to be. It is a truly selfless act that simply transforms you... I mean, I assume.

So, as I sit here and type this, while my husband bangs out Katy Perry's "California Girls" on the piano (read: very interesting version of the song), I picture us becoming better versions of ourselves, as we strive to give the very best to our unborn son, and lots of "yes"es to follow us in our future. Yes! We have prepared for many years for our child's arrival, so that he will always have more opportunity than we did growing up. Yes! He will have to work hard for what he gets. Yes! He will stand out from the crowd. Yes! He will be an inspiration to the world. Yes! He will be powerful and outrageous, just like his mommy and daddy. Yes! I will have a very hard time saying "no" to this little prince.

I sure hope I can find a fine balance between the yes's and no's.

Wish us luck!

Arts and Krafts

2011-09-12T13:47:00.000-07:00

On the first day of school, you go around the room and rhyme your name with another word, so that everyone remembers you. In 9th grade, I was Krafty Katie. I was Krafty Katie again in 11th, and once again in college. Until now, I had no claim to that fame... but now I do.

Here is what I did this weekend.

I took these gold, square, modern-ish mercury vases that I had from my wedding in 2008. I've been looking for a purpose for them for... uh, 3 years now, and warped an idea I saw when strolling through Crate and Barrel. The original were white branches in a tall glass vase. I took the same idea and played with it using my vases.

~Discarded branches from the backyard~

~Non-toxic, silver paint $3 at Michael's, painted branches with a paint brush and trimmed them down to fit~

~$3 Foam from Michael's and cut it to fit~

~$2 Moss from Michael's, filled to the top to cover any foam~

~Placed them 4 inches apart on top of our country-style 1960's piano to modernize it a bit~

There you have it. I spent about $10 total, used some backyard items, and used what I had lying around. These are going to be so pretty with Christmas lights or ornaments for the holidays.

Budget Creative

2011-09-11T08:46:00.000-07:00

I've had a little bird chirping in my ear in the past 3 months. He's been noting that my house is not a reflection of myself, what I love to surround myself with or how I feel inside. I have to agree with him. He' right.

I have inherited many wonderful things from my mom when she moved, but the items I received are bulky, heavy, HUGE and dark. That is not a reflection of how I feel inside. So, I made a choice to make a change. I don't know about you, but I work darn hard for my money and I can't just go on a shopping spree for all new furniture whenever I want. What fun is that anyways. I personally appreciate someone who uses their head to create their own environment. Enter Craigslist, Target and one savvy, budget shopper. You'll never believe what I found.

~Crate and Barrel Super Expensive Mohair Pillow $85 (Fell IN Love but couldn't do the price, so I kept my eyes open and look what I found)~

~Target found almost exact pillow $14.99 (bought 3)~

~This is what I did with them~

~Craigslist White Laquered Table and Chairs (purchased from two separate posts-spent $160 total-talked down $40 on table and $50 on chairs)... gold apples $3 per at Pier 1. I put them in a vase I had lying around and made them my centerpiece~

~Craigslist 2 Mirrored Side Tables $100 for both (talked down from $150)~

~Glass Head $20. I went around and around about this thing. I took an iphone pic of it and sent over to my sister for brainstorming and she loved. It affirmed my $20 purchase. Now she's my favorite new living room accessory. Working on a name for her~

I looked and looked for this stuff, kept my eyes and ears open and negotiated. There are some things worth splurging on, and some things that need a little tweaking until you find exactly what you want within a budget. Hope this inspires you to go be creative and think outside the box.

I Sing... Therefore I Am

2011-07-21T00:11:00.000-07:00

Let me just preface this by saying, that I did not start this because I thought I had a great voice and wanted to perfect it.

While at the beautiful Braemar Country Club, sunning with my great friend Laura Tanger, she casually mentions that she is taking voice lessons by the Grammy-winning Darlene Koldenhoven... casually, mind you. Because those are the types of names that are "normal" in LA (hence the reason I love LA). I am instantly intrigued!!

I've secretly been wanting to take voice lessons since I was 3 years old, and had I been been given the type of mother that would have played the role of a stage-mom, instead of the insanely brilliant mom/dad, working type of mom, who worked her butt off to make other things happen for her girls in other arenas, I would have been your regular Disney teeny bop idol. But... I wasn't (thankfully). So, now, at the ripe old age of 29, I'm doing the things I've always wanted to do... though maybe too late, hence voice lessons amongst many other lessons.

So, upon the invitation from my great friend Laura, although reluctantly, I accepted! And thus, I am the now a student of Darlene Koldenhoven... for the next 5 weeks.

I went in expecting nothing. Just open and ready for anything, but I knew this would be raw, baby skin-ish, untouched territory. I was "green" in all senses of the word. I've never explored my voice (besides singing in my car by myself, by the way I am brilliant all alone), let alone with a Grammy-award-winner, I can see her award from our practice room, nor with a bunch of theatre veterans, whom I admire more than they know. Subtext- I've always wanted to be one.

It is a converted back-house with 8 chairs, some serious recording equipment, one black Baldwin piano and many many crystals and geometrical triangles, for which Darlene uses for spiritual uplift (loooooove her!!!!). We 8 students gather on our Wednesday evenings to support each other to be better versions of ourselves than the week before... I think in any way really.

Laura and I have both agreed (over our gingerbread and mocha coffees) that it's more about our mission to conquer our fear of performing in front of a group and bettering ourselves in general, rather than perfecting our fabulous, sumptuous voices.

Every Wednesday, I go into that class with anticipation, doubt, and some left-over resistance, and come out on the other side with support of 6 other strangers, whom I did not know before, who root for me, hug me when it's over and tell me I have nothing to be ashamed of. They give me confidence, support and perspective! Total strangers...

I didn't start this mission to show off, be controversial or to push social boundaries. I started it to learn more about myself and better myself in any way, and my mission is paying off.

So Miss Laura, here's to you, Darlene Koldenhoven, and the strangers that have now become our friends! And to all of my followers (though you be few) GO DO SOMETHING NEW AND A TAD BIT SCARY! I PROMISE, YOU'LL COME OUT A BETTER VERSION OF YOURSELF, AND WITH SUPPORTERS!

Life is good. Comment if you dare.

Best Beauty Product Ever

2011-07-16T09:06:00.000-07:00

It's so overwhelming. You walk into a CVS or Sacks, Dillard's or Macy's in search of a great new moisturizer that you'll spend a good $40+ for and walk out with a tiny jar of who knows what.

What you've likely walked out with a jar of chemicals. Synthetic toxins meant to make you think your skin feels good, but in reality, they really don't do much!

Want to know my best kept beautiful skin secret? I thought so.

Organic coconut oil. You can put it in and on your body. I keep two around- one in the kitchen to saute mushrooms and plantains, etc and one in the bathroom. It's great for your hair as a moisture treatment, it's a miracle worker for blemishes and scarless healing, stretch marks, after sun (not before, or you'll fry). I put it on face (no, it won't break you out), body, hair, hands and use it as my regular moisturizer. Believe me, the smell fades (because it's natural) and men can use it too without being completely emasculating squeezing some pink tube of floral mess in their hand wondering if it's spiked with estrogen. This is my favorite. It'll run you about $14 at any grocery store or health food store. Or order at the web address below.

http://www.shoporganic.com/product/artisana_raw_extra_virgin_coconut_oil/organic_raw

Seaweed Glory

2011-06-09T21:47:00.000-07:00

May I take just a quick second of your time to introduce the most glorious snack ever. It's everything you could ever want in a snack: nutritious, lightly salty, nutty, crunchy, chewy, light as air, and super low in calories...

I'm talking about seaweed snacks. They taste like airy potato chips but subtract the guilt and add the health.

I first learned about these little morsels of chlorophyl when I was teaching 2nd/3rd grade and the cool thing to have as a snack was your little carton of seaweed. Upon first glance, I thought "seaweed, seriously?? I get the whole seaweed with sushi, but come on". Well, I was not just wrong but dead wrong.

If you want to know what's cool, just go visit an elementary school. From their clothes to their food, to the hottest songs and games, those kids know what's up! I'm not kidding. When was the last time you played tag or pulled yourself up on monkey bars?? The last time I did, I got in 30 good minutes of cardio (sweating, huffing, puffing, target-heart-rate cardio) and was sore the next day. After that, I figured these kiddos seriously know what's up. Plus, I actually had a ridiculous amount of fun!!

So, I ran to Whole Foods and paid $2.50 for some toasted, lightly salted seaweed mini sheets. Yikes! Steep price for such an airy snack. Then I found them at Trader Joe's for 99 cents and then Ralph's for about the same price. So I bought 6 cases of them. Not only do my husband and I fight over who gets the last piece but the dogs are salivating at our feet... and if they have good manners, they get a couple pieces.

You've got to try these. You can find them at any health food stores or Ralph's/your regular grocer in the "ethnic" section. Gosh that's condescending term. Nonetheless, you can find them there. Regular nori is pretty awesome too.

And with nutritional facts like these, why would you even hesitate?
30 calories... for half the carton
2 grams of fat
1 gram carb
1 gram fiber
1 gram protein
1 point for those Weight Watchers lovers out there.

I love these: http://www.anniechun.com/our-food/seaweed

Or if you live in a larger city and have a Trader Joe's the "Trader Joe's Roasted Seaweed Snacks" are amazing too.

Happy and healthy eating to you all!! Take them home to your kids and let me know what you all think!! Remember, I learned about these from kids. But don't worry, if you're a grown man who secretly sneaks them when no one's looking... that's okay too. Who could blame you? These puppies are goo-oood!

Me So... Miso

2011-04-19T17:58:00.000-07:00

Where I come from, chicken soup is the end-all, be-all of wellness. If you're sick? Chicken soup. If you're tired? Chicken soup. If your pregnant? Yep, chicken soup. It even seems those country customs have caught on. There's even the book "Chicken Soup for the __ Soul". But I've never been crazy about chicken soup. It's great and all, but it's laborious to make, and I don't do the can thing any longer. So, my answer for replacing chicken soup on days like today is Miso.

You get it as a starter for your sushi, but did you know that this form of fermented soy is one of the only soy products that really is great for you? Soy comes in so many forms now. We've got Tofurkey products, a million types of tofu, and edamame (which even your pre-schoolers will love). But soy has been so controversial lately. Issues of it increasing estrogen, being related to certain types of cancel, being terrible to digest, and it being yet another product that ended up being a GMO.

I found a solution. Non-GMO, Miso is literally like an anti-aging serum that you ingest. I put 1 tbs. in a cup of hot water and sip when my tummy is upset or just as a very light snack. Add to any soup, rice, quinoa, or as seasoning to any vegetables.

Here are some amazing benefits of Miso:

~Reduces risks of cancer including breast cancer, prostate cancer, lung cancer and colon cancer.
~Protection from radiation
~Immune strengthening
~Antiviral -- miso is very alkalizing and strengthening to the immune system helping to combat a viral infection.
~Prevents aging - high in antioxidants, miso protects from free radicals that cause signs of aging.
~Helps maintain nutritional balance - full of nutrients, beneficial bacteria and enzymes, miso provides: protein, vitamin B12, vitamin B2, vitamin E, vitamin K, tryptophan, choline, dietary fiber, linoleic acid and lecithin.
~Helps preserve beautiful skin - miso contains linoleic acid, an essential fatty acid that helps your skin stay soft and free of pigments.
~Helps reduce menopausal complaints - the isoflavones in miso have been shown to reduce hot flashes.

Saturday Cookout

2011-04-08T16:33:00.000-07:00

Oh ya! It's on. It's Spring, it's Saturday and... oh ya, WE'RE IN CALIFORNIA!!! I live in the most amazing city on Earth. Yes, it's dirty in some parts and it's extremely expensive to live here. But honestly, I don't think I could be any happier anywhere else. And that's why a good 'ol Okie cookout is in order.

I've invited my cousin Pete, his gorgeous girlfriend Mary Elizabeth, who just so happens to look like Kate Middleton, and my ever-so-stylish sister, Amy to come hot tub it, grill out and then hit Nic's Martini Bar for a drink or two.

I am making my famous Corn Salad and Beet/Carrot Steam . Here are the recipes:
**All ingredients organic**

Katie's Famous Corn Salad
2 cups fresh corn kernels, cut off the cob
1/2 yellow onion, diced
1/2 cup raw asparagus
1 large heirloom tomato diced (any color)
3 cloves garlic, diced, or pressed

Saute corn, onion and asparagus together in 3 tsp olive oil for about 8-10 minutes on medium heat, add garlic for the last 2 minutes. Toss in diced tomatoes with all ingredients in large bowl. Give it a pinch of sea salt or truffle salt and pepper to taste. Let chill for up to up to 2 days. This one gets better with time like salsa, so let all those flavors marry.

Beet/Carrot Steam
6 large beets, diced (be careful, they DO stain. Put a little on your cheeks and lips while you're at it, and rub in with fingertips... hot mama!)
6 large carrots, diced
1 tsp. red pepper flakes (we make our own from our pepper plant, but any will do
2 tsp. olive oil
Sea salt to taste
Crumbled goat cheese (optional)

Dice beets and carrots, and boil for 15 minutes. The liquid should be very dark red. Add in red pepper flakes to boiling water. Drain after 15 minutes, plate, drizzle with olive oil, sea salt and crumble goat cheese on top. This one will make your toes curl, it's so good.

Make your own and tell me how they turn out.

~Cousin Pete~

~Mary Elizabeth-also a die-hard Bama fan~

~Amy searching for a Fedora in Venice~

The Farmer's Market Sundays

2011-04-06T22:09:00.000-07:00

Sundays are my favorite day for a few reasons. When I was little, Sundays were reserved for morning church, lunch (and dinner) at my grandparents house, and a long car-ride home in the back of my parents station wagon. This was 1988, and my parents had a station wagon with the wood grain paneling- Oh ya!! On our hour-long car ride home from my grandparents house, they would lay down the back seats and fill it with blankets and for my sisters and I to lay down and turn in early, while my dad used a creative, kid-friendly version of your four-letter favorites to the other drivers. Three sleepy Oklahoma sisters passed out in the back of a station wagon in the 80's. Those were the days.

Now Sundays mean sleeping in, long walks with my dogs in the Cali sun, skateboarding with my husband, afternoons in our garden and, of course, the Farmer's Market.

What I love most are the seasons. In the Fall, I fall for squash blossoms, oyster mushrooms and artichokes. Winter brings 40 varieties of chlorophyl-laced lettuce. This time of year- Stargazer Lilies, which happen to be my favorite, simply for their ungodly ability to engulf my whole home in their sensual Springtime smell without being overpowering. In addition, the heirloom tomatoes, sprouts and herbs galore. Much better than the sorry excuse for vegetables that our regular grocery store provides.

Our cash here goes straight to LOCAL farmers, while we save the world of our carbon footprints and keeping our good thing going... pesticide-free.

So rethink your canned vegetables (yikes!), and ditch the overpriced produce at Whole Foods. Hit your local Farmer's Market for the best variety of seasonal yumminess.

Here are some of my favorites:
Atwater Village Farmer's Market
Lake Balboa Farmer's Market on Victory
Calabasas Farmer's Market (recommended by my friend Laura)
And I hear that Newport Beach has a good one on Newport Blvd. very near to Lido Island

You'll come home with a few bags of organic, local produce for 1/4 of the price of Ralph's or Von's.

Cheers and Happy Marketing!

The Big Green Catch 22

2011-03-31T22:01:00.000-07:00

There are a few things I detest...
1. A stupid (sounding) girl- the world needs no more of these.
2. Pompous, arrogant people who brag their butts off, but especially older men. You know, the kind of guy who would say "what do I do? Let's just say I'm a big fish in a little pond"... ya, that dude!
AND
3. People who waste things unnecessarily- this one may replace #1. You know, the kind of people who think they were put on this Earth to consume, consume, consume and don't dare get in their way of running the water for no reason or using 53 take out containers a week and just tossing them in the trash because I'm the one being annoying. Ugh, I just urped up in my mouth a bit.

Let's elaborate on #3, so that you'll know what got me to this point.

I enrolled in online access with my account with a company that we'll call Shedward Shmones. I love my Shedward Shmones account and my brother-in-law who manages it, but the mail involved in having an account with a company like this is ungodly. I think our involvement has resulted in the destruction in 20 huge trees in the past 3 months.

Finally, about 2 weeks ago, I'd had enough. After coming home and seeing 6 envelopes from Shedward Shmones, in my quest to be, live and lead the way in green living, I got online and switched to paperless. 5 days later, I received 2 more envelopes. As I glared down these two envelopes that I had UNrequested, I could only ponder what was sooooooo important that the geniuses over at Shedward Shmones had to say that just couldn't be put in an email.

Well, turns out one letter said "this letter confirms your recent enrollment in online account access". The other? "this letter confirms your selection of electronic document delivery". Absolute genius mentality. As if the common knowledge of what deforestation and mass destruction of rainforest were not, well... common knowledge.

Why on Earth would I need two pieces of paper and 2 envelopes to tell me this? In order to go even more green, I needed more paper to tell me I was going green. And with my vegan take-out the other day, 6 styrofoam to-go containers. It's a big green catch 22.

There is this same mentality in Orange County (no recycling program) and middle of America, when I ask where a recycling bin is, I get a deer in headlights response. It's crickets and I generally get a sort of prying into why I would be so fond of a resource that I'd like to use it twice, three times, or over and over again (like the take out containers that I'm proud to say I've had for 6 months and just pop them in the dishwasher when dirty).

I've always wanted to create a company that creates recycling programs in these places to make people more aware of what they consume and what they can reuse with it being a part of and maintaining a balanced life and not something we resort to doing similar to what poor people do to trade in aluminum cans for $3 when desperate.

The good news? I will be receiving no more unnecessarily wasteful letters from SS. My next step is to call Penny Saver, which I've never had anything to do with, and get them to stop sending me total crap 6 days a week!!!! But maybe also, I get you to do the same thing. And hopefully (fingers crossed) if we fight the system long enough, we'll change it.

The Goddess

2011-03-27T10:33:00.000-07:00

I was watching this show on TV last night about these women artists who were expressing their inner goddesses like women were before Judea-Christian times. Before man's ridiculous creation of religion muddied the water and the Jewish, Christian and Muslim faiths saw how women's power could basically bring down the staunch systems they wanted to enforce like government and democracy, women were seen as powerful goddesses who played drums (only women played drums). These goddesses would travel around and bless communities with their "frame drum" and when people heard them coming, they would bow down and worship these women for the goddesses they were. And it was like this for thousands of years.

This was the MATRIARCHAL society that our husbands and boyfriends know nothing of. But I do and I know you do too. I do, because I feel it in my bones. I feel in in my blood. I feel the power when I walk, with every step of my powerful foot on this ground. I feel it when I speak, write, have a purpose... this connection of what my DNA tells me I once was. Like a feline, hidden in the bushes, eyes bright, waiting for the moment to pounce and take what's mine, my DNA tells me to swing my hips bigger, take up more space with my spirit, be unabashedly proud and happy for each and every personal victory, be charitable with my esteem, and go show it off.

It seems now, women are only seen as kicking ass or "successful" when they're doing a men's job (stockbroker, doctor, lawyer) but when a man comes into a traditionally woman's field such as childcare (which if you've never been an elementary school teacher, will ROCK YOUR WORLD. IT IS BACK- BREAKING, TEAR-EVOKING WORK THAT WILL MAKE YOU WANT TO GO JUMP OFF A CLIFF AND ONCE YOU DO IT AND SEE SOMEONE HAVE FULL ON CONTROL OF THEIR KINDERGARTEN ROOM, YOU WILL THEN COMMENCE TO KISS THAT TEACHER'S FEET), he's seen as weaker, less masculine, falling behind. Why? Because religion has been telling us for thousands of years that women are inferior. Psst... it's a lie. They were just scared we would take over.

I give men credit for doing one thing- seeing how powerful women are and essentially creating a successful system that folded in on them, quashed their power. Guys, that was pret-ty brainy back in the day. However, that big, fat, heavy pendulum of society has been swinging back in our direction since... ooohh, 1920... ring a bell? If not, ladies, you need to do your homework. That means that pendulum has 91 years of momentum behind it.

It's very plain to see, women are what make the world go 'round. Just look at men-poor things. Why do they strive to be the smartest, wealthiest, loudest, successful, drive the best car, know the most stuff? To get the man? Well that's another post, but the answer is NO. To get the girl! Because by themselves, what is all that stuff. See women do the same thing but not to get a man. We do it for ourselves.

Maslow's Hierachy of Needs... look it up. The last step is Self Actualization and if you look at the characteristics of Self Actualization:

-They embrace reality and facts rather than denying truth.

-They are spontaneous.

-They are 'focused on problems outside themselves'.

-They 'can accept their own human nature in the stoic style, with all its shortcomings', are similarly acceptant of others, and generally lack prejudice.

I'm probably going to get in trouble here, but women do these things exponentially better than men. Just look at the economic crisis in the U.S. Women are keeping their jobs and men... not so much. Men have lost a whopping 4.75 million jobs in the U.S., while women have only lost 1.66 million. And that's really where the crisis lies. MEN are losing their jobs, and therefore are in jeopardy of losing what else??? You guessed it... women. See, it's all a fight for us. You!

So raise your head up high, walk with a little more umph today, and when you speak, say what you're going to say with confidence and class. Knowing that the world really does revolve around you. (Ya, it does.)

I feel my inner goddess emerging- and she's gorgeous. I want her to take over. Leave the old me behind, with any doubt and disbelief. I want her to be me ALL of the time.

I love this quote from Einstein (not a woman, but I'll get to that)-

"I must be willing to give up what I am, to be what I will be."

Kristin, this one was for you.

Je Suis Le Vent

2011-03-23T22:41:00.000-07:00

Today has been an awful day (PERIOD)

I want to scream and (continue to) cry.

The day started out gloomy, I knew it would- then it got worse... and it went beyond weather. I went to the DMV and stood in line for 1.5 hours. Still pretty speedy for a Los Angeles DMV and I was in surprisingly good company. Usually I'm surrounded by God's choice pick of invalids, complete with scarlet fever or the flu (coughing and sneezing without covering their mouths), 5 illegal kids in tow, a potty mouth, and manners that would make even Anna Nicole Smith revolt.

However, this time, it wasn't all that bad. After sitting in line long enough to realize I could have taken a long lunch break, taken the dogs on a walk and gotten some much needed work done, I was summoned to the window to be told I could not receive the stickers for my tag because my name was not on the title. Yes, my amazingly thoughtful mother bought me the gift of a CNG car for Christmas two years ago. In the process, she forgot to transfer my name on the title. I stormed out, along with a few choice words. WASTE OF FREGGIN' TIME. And as my friend Edie says, I just don't have much luck at the DMV. No, honey, you are correct!! Not my favorite place. It's a very confusing place. Like being drunk, in a maze, at 4am, and no one there to help you through, with gross people all around.

I proceeded to go home and cram in a ton of work before packing myself and Emma back up in the car to go to the vet. My soul sister has been having a little trouble with her back legs and I just knew something more was going on and she needed to be seen. After my sweet girl did incredibly well on the x-ray table and was so cooperative (the x-ray tech kissed her paws while she was calming her down... I love my vet), she was gracefully returned to me.

The term "hip dyplasia" has always been this ominous term evoking visions of crippled Shepherds dragging their back legs and on the verge of death (which I guess sometimes happens) and it has always scared the crap out of me. Having a German Shepherd, I guess I've always been on the lookout for the thing, knowing that it's genetic and very common. I never wanted to believe that my baby girl could ever have anything wrong with her... ever. Because she IS in fact my child (since I have no actual human children yet). Well, bad news folks... Emma has hip dysplasia, and has had it since birth and it's just "showing up". But my vet is incredible. She's warm, loving, knows my dogs' names and knows her stuff. Dr. Chang at the Animal Clinic of Encino is fantastic. Their staff is great and Dr. Chang just has that special something about her that I dig. She makes me feel comfortable to be there.

I won't go on much more, but the day ended with me reconnecting with some bad memories growing up.

Sometimes you just have to say "boo on this day", "a huge thumbs down", "FML", "this day can suck it" and then... move on.

My favorite Emerson quote, which I say everyday, goes like this (from memory):

"Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what your could. Some blunders and absurdities have crept in. Forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day. You shall begin it serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense."-RWE God bless you Sir!

In other words- screw this day, tomorrow MUST be better. I think we've all felt this way on one day or another.

Here's to that! Cheers with a big glass of wine and call it a day... one big, fat, crappy day!

The Victory Garden

2011-03-05T19:17:00.000-08:00

I hate that American diets and the way most of us think of food is skewed on the basis of ignorance. We take everything at face value, never asking where our food comes from but only "how much is it?" We'll buy regular apples, but then find that "organic" apples are too expensive. Since when did it become "regular" to douse produce with toxic pestacidal chemicals to keep the tiny, harmless bugs away, but then feed those apples to humans? But when your produce really is the way it was intended to ingest, it's organic and expensive. Of course I understand the "why?" of it, I'm just trying to wrapping my brain around the "how?"

~Mustard greens for dinner... grown in a barrel~

~A proud gardener~

In our last house near Los Feliz, my husband created a 400-square-foot garden. We grew everything "organically"or so they say, and everything from cucumbers to kale, 4 types of lettuce and greens and enough tomatoes to make salsa for Cinco de Mayo for the whole city of Los Angeles. We also grew a slew of herbs, pumpkins (that we set out on our front porch for Halloween), eggplant, bell peppers and so much more. We grew so much produce that, to get rid of it before it went bad, I sold it to a darling little market and cafe famous for it's seasonal produce and massive red velvet cupcakes. If you live in LA, please visit Auntie Em's Kitchen... and tell them Katie said "hi".

I believe in self-sustainable produce. I think that everyone should have a garden for one season just to see all the hard work that it takes to create, grow, produce, and harvest what most people just make a quick trip to the grocery store for. It's kind of like going to restaurants when you've never worked in one. You tend you be totally unforgiving of servers, food, and chef's practices while you're there, but being totally unaware of what it takes to get that meal from the fridge to your mouth, just the way you like it. Once you've worked in a restaurant, you then become forgiving of those tiny little flaws that servers and give them a well-deserved tip when they do a good job. The same respect goes for growing your own food. It can be back-breaking and worthy of being called a cardio workout. But it doesn't have to be, if you go smaller.

If we go through life never growing something special, tending to it and harvesting it for your own nutrition, how in the world could we appreciate it? It is food... medicine for our bodies, not just another something to shove down our throats to make the grumble of our tummies go away. Most parents do this with their children, but I really do urge you to start your very own victory garden, if you haven't already. Your dinners will taste better, you'll eat more slowly, savoring every morsel, knowing that your heart and soul, and very own hands help grow what you're now putting in your mouth.

In our new home in Los Angeles, my husband has worked hard to create a proper gardening space in our backyard, complete with a picket fence.

I'll be posting how to create your own garden for the seasons and how to take what you grow and make it dinner for your family. Whether in one barrel or 400 square feet, herbs or hearty veggies, in any season, large or small, practically anyone can do it. I can't wait to teach you how in my coming posts.

~Harvesting the Kale~

~Joel, our good friend Jordan, Emma, Truman and a million carrots~

The S Factor

2011-03-05T17:02:00.000-08:00

My favorite poem goes like this: (some of you may know it)

Phenomenal Woman

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.
I'm not cute or built to suit a fashion model's size
But when I start to tell them,
They think I'm telling lies.
I say,
It's in the reach of my arms
The span of my hips,
The stride of my step,
The curl of my lips.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please,
And to a man,
The fellows stand or
Fall down on their knees.
Then they swarm around me,
A hive of honey bees.
I say,
It's the fire in my eyes,
And the flash of my teeth,
The swing in my waist,
And the joy in my feet.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Men themselves have wondered
What they see in me.
They try so much
But they can't touch
My inner mystery.
When I try to show them
They say they still can't see.
I say,
It's in the arch of my back,
The sun of my smile,
The ride of my breasts,
The grace of my style.
I'm a woman

Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Now you understand
Just why my head's not bowed.
I don't shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud.
When you see me passing
It ought to make you proud.
I say,
It's in the click of my heels,
The bend of my hair,
the palm of my hand,
The need of my care,
'Cause I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me."
~Maya Angelou

Today, I took this idea and ran with it, doing something I've wanted to do for year. Yes, I went to S Factor.

Usually when my sisters or friends and I go dancing at a club, someone will make a remark about how they can't dance. I've never had a problem with that. I just like to feel my body be powerful and move in only the way it can. So I embrace it. I have pretty solid self-esteem and I guess I just work it on the dance floor. I am not ashamed to move they way I want to.

Long story short, I have never felt more at home when I arrived. I parked my car, and when walking to the front door to go in, I passed by one of their studios. I heard this amazingly erotic music, loud and bassy. Uuuughh. I couldn't wait to get in there and see what I was getting ready to learn. When I walked into the studio, red light bulbs (appropriate, I know) were dimmed, and 3 poles formed a line down the middle of the floor. We spent about an hour on the floor playing with our curves, moving the way we were meant to, without reservation, without judgement, eyes closed, reconnecting. I learned moves that were tough, requiring stamina, strength, flexibility and... yep sensuality. We learned walking, and a basic move on the poll called "the firefly". Since there are no mirrors, students are encouraged to applaud when something looks good. I got some applause from the outside, while I secretly was applauding myself on the inside. Needless to say, I was definitely in my element.

2 short hours later, I was done, but wanted more. I walked out with a smile that I couldn't possibly hide, and looking in my rearview mirror on my drive out, I was glowing... like visibly glowing. It was this simple class, this simple mentality- draw inwards, accept yourself, love every flaw and dent of cullulite, do it!! and be not ashamed. This is the secret. Loving yourself from the inside out- phenomenally!

P.S. If you haven't gone to The S Factor, don't walk... RUN!

~I learned this today~

~ But will be learning this in the next 8 weeks~

Dinner With Friends

2010-08-01T23:12:00.000-07:00

I can't think of any better way to bring this festive weekend to a close than to spend it with our close friends, Jordan and Kyler. Jordan and I have known each other since we were 7 years old when she threw a pecan at my head on the playground at Westminster Elementary School. I went home and told my mom what happened and my mom being the mother bear she is/was called ready for battle. To her surprise, Jordan's mom and her hit it off instantly and we soon got together for a play date. We've been best friends ever since!

Jordan and Kyler are that couple that you don't have to pretend around. They are that couple that you can camp with, cook with, and have amazing conversation over greatly cared-for food that comes from their heart and soul.

Tonight, Joel was the odd man out, being the only carnivore. He enjoyed beer boiled brats on a poppy-seed hoagie topped with a homemade corn relish we got at the Encino Farmer's Market.

I made an eggplant, onion and tomato casserole garnished with goat cheese. I sauteed my eggplant and onions first, sliced my tomatoes and then layered them like a vertical lasagna and baked it at 450 degrees until bubbling. Then took off the foil and crumbled goat cheese on top (just a little) and put her back in until cheese was a tiny bit browned. Yum!

~Before I put it in the oven~

~After I took it out~

It was a true crowd pleaser. And with all of my ingredients purchased at the farmer's market, I not only feel good supporting my local growers, but I know what I am eating is fresh, real and of course... organic. Creamy enough to satisfy the carnivore, and healthy enough to for extremely conscious vegetarians. Yay! The best part, there was too much for us all to eat, so I get to eat left-overs tomorrow.

Listening to NPR the other day, I heard about a carrot cake cupcake with goat cheese icing. I haven't been able to get it out of my head, so I had to make them. I thought it would be a creative way to tie in the goat cheese component from dinner, but with this more modern twist on an earthy favorite, my dessert was great too.

~The carnivore loves goat cheese icing~

~I snagged with photo from outside by the grill~

I bought a no sugar, health nut variety carrot cake mix at Whole Foods, but you can get any carrot cake mix or recipe you like and make it into cupcakes. For the frosting, I took a brick of softened goat cheese (about 6-8 oz.) and put about 2 tablespoons of confectioners sugar, a dash of ginger, and a dash of cinnamon and mixed it all together. Perfecto!

~Carrot cupcake with goat cheese icing~

We ended the night with full tummies, happy hearts and open minds... as always! Tons of luck you and your dinner with friends. Make something new and creative... together.

The LA Odd Couple

2010-07-29T22:47:00.000-07:00

~The odd couple enjoying the backyard oasis~

My dogs are so amazing, they've made headlines. Okay, not really, but in my dreams they have! But just going on walks, we get plenty of turned heads and comments as we go by. People always comment on the size difference in my dogs. And while they're not quite like that hilarious pair (a Great Dane and a Chihuahua) of dogs on Oprah, they are head turners.

I got my German Shepherd when my now husband moved to Los Angeles when we were still dating. I needed something to love on and protect me, and she certainly did the job. Emma has about 10 nicknames including: Head (don't ask), Lou, Loop, Super Loop and Snugga. She's loyal, tender, and super protective of her family. She is demanding, loud and opinionated just like her mom. She's my soul sister.

~Protecting her Data (Daddy)~

~Those eyes~

~Emma thinking she's tiny enough to fit on her brother's bed~

Truman blessed our home in September of 2008. He was my wedding present and my husband rescued him from Homeward Bound Pug Rescue in Oklahoma. Our amazing friend, Missy fostered him for a couple of months and he assimilated and thrived with Missy and her two precious pugs, Pudge and Huey, whom I love deeply. I somehow got it in my head that I wanted a black pug and I knew my next dog would be a rescue. Missy randomly sent me a little picture of Truman (his name was Dinoso at that time) and I instantly started crying. I just knew he was mine from the very beginning. I told no one about it. But my husband must have taken note of the only time I mentioned wanting a black pug and on our flight to our honeymoon, Joel surprised me with a picture of Truman on his phone telling me he was ours when we got back. My amazing husband paid for Missy and Truman to fly all the way here and surprise me. Hooray Missy, Joel and Homeward Bound Pug Rescue. Truman is mild tempered, a total snuggler and a tiny bit clingy, but doesn't bug. In a word... he's perfection! And it's unanimous... every single person who sees him says the exact same thing. Truman's nicknames include: Trudog, Trupert, The Boy, McBoy and so on.

~We like to include him on table conversations~

~My pug in a blanket... he even snorts~

~The odd couple~

On our walks, these two walk in harmony-one checking out what the other does, except Emma is 8 times bigger than Truman, so when she's ready to move on, she drags Truman with her. And so they got dubbed "The Odd Couple"by my sister Amy.

I've actually thought about writing a book about them entitled "The Adventures of Super Loop and Trudog". But I think I'll stick to one thing at a time for now!

~Enjoying his 4th of July poolside~

Larabars... Good For Everyone

2010-07-29T20:32:00.000-07:00

I've been making food for friends and family for years. I always knew it was pretty good, but when I got married and realized that I'd be the only one cooking, I knew right away, "I better really get my act together!" So I did. I stocked up on recipe books, watched Food Network non-stop, and started experimenting in the kitchen... our very very tiny unequipped kitchen. The response... "okay" at first, but after about a month or so of tweaking some recipes... "wow" was the general consensus. Then, when I became a vegetarian about 2 years ago, my horizons expanded and I began adding vegan and local food into my repertoire.

Even though I am a vegetarian, I cook meat dishes for my passionately carnivorous husband and Okie family frequently. What I've found is that my willingness to cook both types of food has scored some major points in my book from everyone I cook for. And since I live in LA, where almost everyone is a size 2 and vegetarians are everywhere you look, I've managed to please everyone.

~The carnivore and I eating our favorite pecan pie~

One thing you should know is that I am very... okay, very very eco-conscious. I do almost everything I can to eliminate my impact on our precious Earth. And "yes", Amy... just one person can make a difference and you can too! One of the additional things I do to reduce my carbon footprint is cook with meat less frequently. Did you know that livestock feed yards account for almost 17% of greenhouse gasses in the United States? I didn't think so. That's why they say "a vegetarian in a Hummer is more green than a carnivore on a bicycle". And it's true. Just something to think about. It's not something you have to do for the rest of your life, but maybe try eating meat just 3-4 times in a week, instead of everyday.

Here are some great things I make that even my caveman of a husband begs for:

I make protein muffins with whole wheat flower, oatmeal, banana, and organic flax seed, creative cupcakes and cakes (recipes to come), and some pretty amazing savory dinners (including red quinoa with sauteed oyster mushrooms with goat cheese and chive)... but the thing I get most of my compliments on and orders for are my larabars. Normally, you can find these guys in the grocery store in the protein bar section, or in any Whole Foods, or Trader Joe's. But why pay a bundle for them when you can easily make them yourself... and I do. It only takes about 10 minutes and you have easy peasy after-workout snacks, midday snacks to stash in your desk at work, or something on the go. They're more than healthy, give a hint of chocolate to satisfy a sweet tooth more ravenous than my sister Amy's and hearty enough to cure a growling tummy.

~My homemade chocolate nut larabar... and I know what it looks like, but it's AMAZING~

Here are some great Larabar recipes that I've come up with:

Break out your food processor and get rockin'

~My favorite wedding present~

Apricot-Almond: Use 6 tablespoons coarsely chopped dried apricots and 2 tablespoons date (to measure 1/2 cup total); use almonds for the nuts.

Tropical: Use tropical fruit bits (these come pre-packaged at the supermarket); use raw cashews for the nuts. Add 1/8 teaspoon ground ginger, 1/2 teaspoon finely grated lime zest, and 1 teaspoon fresh lime juice to the mix.

PB & J (cheap and delicious!): Use 1/4 cup dried cherries or cranberries and 1/4 cup raisins or dates; use raw or roasted peanuts (lightly salted or unsalted) for the nuts.

Blueberry Bust: Use 1/4 cup dried blueberries and 1/4 cup dates; use almonds for the nuts. Add 1/2 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest, and a drop of almond extract to the mix.

Cashew Cookie: Reverse the proportions of fruit to nuts--Use 1/3 cup dates for the fruit and 1/2 cup raw cashews for the nuts.

Chocolate Nut: Same as cashew cookie, but add 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1/3 cup of coconut if you wish, pinch of cinnamon and 1/2 ounce very finely chopped semisweet or bittersweet chocolate to the mix.

Pistachio Heaven: Same as cashew cookie, but use raw pistachios and add a tiny drop of almond extract.

Peanut Butter Cookie: Same as cashew cookie dough but use raw or roasted (lightly salted) peanuts for the nuts.

If you want to create your own creation, just start with 1/3 cup of pitted dates or figs, and 1/2 of any nut you choose, then add all the extras, i.e. chocolate, blueberries, cherries, raisins, etc. and add what you like.

The Ghetto By The Sea

2010-07-26T20:41:00.000-07:00

Because I think so highly of my family, I will be introducing them to you, dear readers, as I move along in my quest.

This weekend, I finally convinced my family to come and see me for once. My cousin Pete and his precious girlfriend, Mary Elizabeth, or "ME" as we have affectionately nicknamed her, came to Venice to spend the day with me.

In summary, we had an amazing time. But here is the long of the short of it.

Venice is known as "the ghetto by the sea". And for those of you who've been fortunate to have spent time there you know it truly is a tiny bit ghetto. I like to call the crowd that hangs out there "the fair crowd" as in the people you encounter there.

~One stunner of a ride~

We met at Hotel Erwin- a tiny, unassuming modernish hotel on Pacific.

~Pete, ME and Amy (fave pic)~

We valet parked for $7 for an entire day, and made our way up to the rooftop bar called High. What a pleasant surprise. I think one of the most charming things about LA is it's secrets, as if I think LA is charming. I am so often overwhelmed by how in-your-face and unauthentic this city can be. But every once in a while, I'll spring on a tiny secret which bursts class and divulges a classic novelty view.

~Pete and ME loungin'~

~Pete suddenly grew tons of hair~

It was like pulling open the curtains to another world. Pete, ME, Amy and I all gasped! Stopped, took about 30 pictures and then walked about 100 feet down a boarded catwalk to the jackpot- a large loungy spot right at the end. A DJ spun some easy beach beats while we grazed over the menu. We ordered a pina-conada, which was mixed, clear and not too sweet. Perfect for calorie consciousness. We dosed up on some rays and headed down to that infamous boardwalk full of desperate, yet talented street performers, the crazy wanna-be rapper/artist pushing their CDs in your face, and, of course, the medicinal marijuana "preliminary cards". In a word... sketchy! But fun! Because if you're into people watching... this is the place to be.

~Some good finds~

We tried on hats on ME and Amy's never ending quest to find a "cute fedora". We found them. And found some rad sunglasses. But if you can't get to Venice and like ordering online. Try this blog that I love.

~Great sailor hat that I can wear with my nautical bikini~

~Pete taking up one whole side~

~James Beach Restaurant-60 North Venice Blvd.
Venice, CA 90291~

We ended the night going back to my favorite new spot in Corona Del Mar, Side Door... again. This time we met up with friends, including Miss Sarah Lyons, whom I love to death!

~ME, Pete, Amy, Sarah Lyons~

~The actual quiet woman. This image is plastered everywhere~

Then off to a bar called The Quiet Woman. I've drove by The Quiet Woman probably 30 times and always expect to walk in and see 10 hippy women in a spirit circle drinking tea and singing Kumbaya. To my surprise, it was quite the opposite. This bar and restaurant was given its name because of the woman without a head that they've honored as their mascot. We walked into a raging bar, crammed-packed to the brim, partially due to an awesome cover band called 51/50 that was rockin' it.

Whew! What a weekend! I may have fallen in love with a ghetto, but just like the Lords of Dogtown, I like the Ghetto By The Sea!

Smoldering Hot Summer Recipes

2010-07-21T22:53:00.000-07:00

Summer is in full effect and that means its hot, hot, hot!!! Which gets me thinking about how acceptably hot it should legally be. Unfortunately, the government has nothing to do with our weather... well, don't get me started on that. But when your AC isn't even cutting it in the Valley, you start coming up with some pretty creative ways to stay cool. In "The Seven Year Itch", Marilyn Monroe put her panties in the freezer to cool off. And while I can't think of anything worse than putting on cold panties (eeek!), I have tried basically everything else. Ice water facials, cool showers, walking around in a bikini, standing in front of a fan after that cool shower (that actually does work). But what a pain. Here are some more acceptable ways to cool down... tastefully!

These recipes are perfect for a weekend get-together or a hot evening meal with your sweetie. The easiest part- there is not a lot of measuring.

First and foremost, make yourself a yummy drink while preparing. Try this amazing thing!

I love this one

Spiked Arnold Palmer (you golfers should get that)

-1 oz. Firefly Sweet Tea Vodka

-half lemonade

-half any tea of your choice

Pineapple Shrimp Skewers with Avocado Sauce

Soak skewers (if wooden) in water while shrimp are marinading.

1 lb. fresh Medium/Large = 36 to 40 per pound. Put in large bowel and marinade for about 1 hour.

1 medium-sized organic onion. Peel and cut ends off slightly. Cut into large chunks.

1 large organic pineapple (yes, canned will also due, but it's not as healthy). Cut off skin and pines, core and cut into chunks.

Alternately stack shrimp, onion, and pineapple and grill until shrimp is pink or has grill marks on both sides.

Place on large platter and drizzle with avocado sauce

Serves about 8

Shrimp Marinade

10 dashes low sodium soy sauce

2 minced fresh garlic cloves

3 table spoons of any type of mustard you wish

Fresh cracked pepper to taste

Avocado Sauce

1 avocado, peeled & sliced
1/4 c. sour cream
1/4 c. organic milk
1 clove garlic, pressed
1 tsp. salt
1 tbsp. fresh cilantro
1/2 tsp. hot sauce
2 or 3 tbsp. lemon juice

Cubed Caprese Salad

1 whole package buffalo mozzarella, cut into small cubes

20-30 organic basil leaves, about 1 package, finely chop or julienne

1 large package organic cherry tomatoes or 2-3 ripe organic heirloom tomatoes, cut into small cubes

Mince 1 clove fresh garlic

About 2 tablespoons good balsamic vinegar

About 2 tablespoons good extra virgin olive oil

Toss lightly

Serves about 8

I hope you all love these as much as I do. And men, get on the grill and make some of these for the ladies! We'll love you forever!

Good cheese, good wine, OC... I'm Happy

2010-07-18T20:07:00.000-07:00

With temperatures reaching the triple digits in "the Valley" this weekend, I couldn't think of any better escape from the undigestible, smothering heat, than straight to my sister's and mom's place in Orange County. Okies, I know you feel me when I say "it was freakin' HOT, dude!!!!!!"

And so it was. I packed my weekender bag, rallied up the pups in their pet tube in my CNG Civic and down the 405 we went. With only 1 hour away from 20 degrees cooler, I couldn't get there fast enough.

I am currently addicted to my Buddha Bar V cd. I cranked that puppy up, made my way into the HOV lane (because that's what you can do too when you drive a CNG car) and as we drove, I literally could feel the digits dropping. Ahhhh!

I always tell people that coming to OC from LA is like escaping the real world full of struggle, raw truth and heavy issues and entering a bubble. A very very rich bubble full of nothing but beautiful people and pampered living. Beach bums with tiny bikinis on beach cruisers, Range Rover after Range Rover on the PCH, and some of THE very food in Cali.

My sister, Amy, cousin Pete and I went to the Side Door on Saturday night, and had the most scrumptious cheese plate I've ever seen or put in my mouth. From the outside, only one over sized red key hangs from the roof symbolizing its existence. The term German Hofbräuhau comes to mind.

As you enter, that German Hofbräuhau morphs into a dark tavern of sorts. And if you didn't know you were 300 feet from the ocean, you'd think you were in an enchanted forest. You're greeted by the subtle hint of stinky cheeses and pinion wood. Our table stood beside a grand fireplace. And with fire's glow and only wall lamps to light our quaint low-beamed spot, it was the culinary equivalent of snuggling up with your mate on a cool night.

As our server brought out our delights, I snagged this picture of him... he was clearly a tiny bit perturbed, totally caught off guard and I think I caught him rolling is eyes afterwards.

We ordered flights of white wine, and artisan cheese platter. We tasted some hard cheeses, one veiny bleu cheese and some very stinky cheeses. Paired with some creative compotes, jams, and honeys, it wasn't long before we were ooohing and aaaaahing so loud we drew a crowd. But what's new? For all of you who know my family, you know that we're opinionated, dramatic, and very loud. We draw a crowd pretty quickly really no matter what we do.

So as we ooooed and aaahhhhhed our way through dinner, I began to revisit how ridiculous it was that I took a flash picture of our server in a fairly dim room. This was the conversation that followed... classic.

Katie:"Do you think that waiter thought I was insane?"
Amy: "I mean, you are insane! Duh."
Katie: "Is there any other way to be?"
Pete: "Not in our family."

So, for those of you who know my family, you know this is a fairly typical scenario.

But who cares if people were staring. With some stinky cheese, the ocean, great wine in OC, I was happy enough.

We ended the night with three snoring twenty-somethings and some amazing weather.

Single Serving Positivity

2010-07-17T11:25:00.000-07:00

In October of 2009, I find myself on another plane. Actually the 3rd flight back to the Mid-West since August, except something was distinctly different about this flight than all the rest. Typically, before a scheduled flight out, I have nightmares of unspeakably horrible things happening while in the air (similar to that scene in Fight Club), then I wake up the morning of with my heart racing at the speed of a lab rat’s, neurotically over-pack (for fear of coming off as I did in middle school when I threw caution to the wind and did all my shopping at thrift stores… I have pictures to prove it), and when we are about to take off, pop an Ativan, order white wine and pray… and I mean cross-myself-The-Lord’s-prayer-forgive-me-of-my-trespasses-repent-for-my-sins-PRAY. Yes, stewardesses have been known to ask if I would "benefit from an oxygen mask" or two. I’m surprised they don’t have my name on their personal bulletin boards with a disclaimer: “PASSENGER KATIE HENRICKS IS INSANE. Just keep the bottled $6 wine coming and you’ll have no problem”. But this time, I felt at ease the whole way through.

I spent about an hour trying to put my finger on it, and once I did, I was quite surprised by what I found. It’s not that I’m on a huge indestructible plane, have an Air Force veteran as a pilot (which I would love), or even that I love whom I am going to see, which I do. I wholeheartedly felt at ease. Once aboard, I took in the people around me, and this is what I experienced: old people, people who had lived their lives (probably great lives fully of dramatic war stories, creating families, enduring deaths and lives abound, wealth, and now… relaxation in their old age), a man in front of me, in pain, who had just lost his partner due to suicide, a gay couple in the back who I had spoken to who are part of Shriner's and believe in community, philanthropy, ethics and taking care of one another.

I couldn't help but wonder… is your flight experience, or any experience for that matter, due to the people who are around you? I had never had a flight full of so many wonderful passengers with such open hearts and generous stories. Or, are they directly related to how open and relaxed YOU are? When I think about it, concerts and festivals are this way. Movies are this way. Trips are definitely this way. It is all about whom you are around.

Any experience can be good or really really bad depending on your attitude and numerous uncontrollable factors, but when you are around people who are at peace and are calm… it has a similar effect on you, or at least it did on me on this day.

My mom is known for many, some nerdy, sayings, but ALL ARE TRUE. She says “surround yourself with positive people”. Well, tell that to someone who’s boarding a plane full of strangers. One really has little control over that. Her point is- when you are around positive people, you become positive, and all those other little, joyous things in life. Also the opposite is true. And she never lets me forget this.

So, as I find myself sitting next to an old woman drenched in an emerald green, rose patterned sweat suit, I see she is reading a book called “The Obsessive Traveler”. I like to experience anyone I can, so I turn to her and say “how’s your book?” She looks up at me as if she barely understood what I just said and answered “oh, good”… and that was it… the end of our flight relationship. We all have them.

Tyler Durden says that all flights have "single-serving sugar, single-serving cream, single pat of butter. The people I meet on each flight? They're single-serving friends." We sit next to a before stranger for 1 hour to 10 hours and make buddies, exchange business cards, talk life, relationships, books, professions. You can promise to call, meet up for lunch, visit their website, etc, but does it really ever happen? Every once in a while, yes. But I’ve had these encounters numerous times, probably because I’m literally “chatty Kathy”, or rather “chatty Katie”, but nonetheless, it never fails. I intended to stay in contact with the girl who’s husband was in IT, like mine, the woman who understood my frustrations when I boarded a plane frustrated and struck up a conversation with me and ended up being a celebrity chef for Prince and Spielberg, but I never did. I’ve lost their cards. Because flight relationships are just that… meant to stay on the plane they began on, most likely destined to go no further. Tear!

And like all relationships, whenever you finally find your seat next to that special someone that you will share hours with, the only thing we can really hope for is a positive person.

Today I vow to be a wholly positive person! Follow my mom's advice and join me! If just for today.