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.
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Best Beauty Product Ever
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
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.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Seaweed Glory
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!
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!
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Me So... Miso
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.
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.
Friday, April 8, 2011
Saturday Cookout
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.
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~ |
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
The Farmer's Market Sundays
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!
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!
Thursday, March 31, 2011
The Big Green Catch 22
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.
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.
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