So I'm going to say it. Diet. Yup. That word. Eeeeek. Everyone hates it- it shouldn't even be a word, but, it is.
And the common mistake- is that 'diet' is a bad word. It's gotten a bad rep, in this town, and yours, I'm sure. obviously, due to the fact that people make it to be this thing you go on- to lose weight, then fail. No no sweets! That is not what a diet is. Let me tell you, diet is merely the way you eat. As simple as that. It's your diet. Could be anything for anyone. But it's just that- the way you eat in a day. Your usual. Etc. And all I'm saying is mine needs a RE DO. And thats just what is going to take place. Why you may ask? I look fine, I know this. But I am not as healthy as I may seem. I do eat very well, yes. But I eat too much. Way too much. and with very little balance. And that is not what I want. I want to have a balanced diet, don't you? Including working out regularly. I hate this yo yo thing I do. Workout this week, not the next- and the cycle continues on and on. No. I want to make this a habit. A Healthy routine. My routine. 

I want to acknowledge someone real quick. My new, role model- Kris Carr. What an amazing leader. What a beautiful soul, a helpful, patient, teacher. Sharing all of her information to the world, in order to give out her helping hand. She was sick- but she chose to think differently. And change her mind. The power of our thinking, oh my geeeeeezzzz. It's truly the most important thing you could do for your health. I'm in the entertainment business, believe me. Thinking can be hurtful. After lots of failed attempts at auditions, call backs.... etc. It's hard man! But you got to build your mind up so tall. Be so sure of yourself. Be a super woman/man. That other thoughts/judgments of others, do NOT matter. You are who you are. And you share that with some people who could put you in a commercial. If they don't like it, OH well. It was you. You did your best, you shared You. This was one of the hardest things for me, still is sometimes, but Kris Carr. Wow she just exudes this trait. How little she cares of what any body thinks of her. She is her bright shiny self. And she is my amazing role model. Thanks to her, I look at my self just a little differently. We all are capable of anything, but we have us to give to offer to the world, lets make sure were doing that. We all are glowing bright lights, inside and out. We just gotta turn that switch and share the light with everyone around. In whatever way you want to. Whatever makes you happy!

Now back to my diet- ahem. Yes. It needs a do over. I've got a plan. And it's gonna happen. This is a lifestyle change people. Not your typical bad word 'diet;. It's my new diet. The way I chose to eat, for health and vitality. Cause I wanna feel better about my body, and treat it better. Give it balance, give my life more balance. I want clearer skin, brighter GLOW. And to lose a bit of weight-yes I want to. So I will. The end!

What I suggest, from past experiences, and I know what is good for me- to slim down. First and foremost is to drink a lotttttt of aqua mi amigos. Water- yes wataaaaa! Gotta clear yourself out, cleanse it. Get it clean and clear! Comprende? 

Another big things- drinking alcohol, carbs, and sugar. Yes. These things can hurt us, although they do make us happy. :) BUT need everything in moderation! Truly! So lets attempt this. Now how can we live without sugar, bread and margaritas? OMG! Dude- chill out. You can live without it for  5 days. I think, having it once or twice a week is totally fine. But it's about balance. Have it a little bit. Ya don't need that much to get your fix ;) Have a little piece of dark chocolate, a beer, a glass of wine, etc. But 1-2x a week. No mos! The rest lets keep it super healthy. Lets get your body where you wanna be! I'm sick of always 'saying' I'm going to do something- then there is absolutely no change. Thats lame! I want to put my words- to truth. and actions. If it means you need to get up extra early to go work out, then do it! If you have to turn down a cookie, then DO IT. Will power, strength. You can do this. believe me, I got your back. So back to the plan Here it is. What I think is best for me. If you eat meat, then exchange the times I put protein with whatever protein you like! :) K!? 

Breakfast:
organic egg white scramble with veggies
small soy latte (If I want)

Snack: (2 x in a day)
almonds with apple or
hummus with carrot sticks or broccoli

lunch:
Green protein smoothie
or Salad with protein

Dinner:
Fish or Tofu with veggies and boiled sweet potato

+ green juice. (kale, cucumber, spinach, parsley, ginger)

So there ya have it! What I'll be doing for 5 days out of my weeks to come
as well as doing some sort of activity for an hour, daily! Try it with me!
I have a good feeling about this! :)

Never were words more true! Yeesh. That city- wow. Is amazing and crazy and fun, and exciting and fast and non stop and etc etc etc. Whewwww. It's like a speed race there. For everything. But gaaahhh lee, I loved it. Not gonna lie. I'm a pretty open minded person when it comes to living situations. Due to the fact, I was born in Wisconsin, then moved to Georgia at age 1, raised there- moved to L.a. when I was 18, lived in about 7 or 8 different living situations/apartments. Yadada yadada yada. ;) So NYC just looked like another amazing spot to gain some experience. I also have dreams of one day living in Europe, as well as San Fran. Otherwise, L.a. is my base camp. I have to be here for the career path I have chosen, which is totally ok. But I will travel any and everywhere I can on the chances I get to go visit somewhere else. I LOVE seeing the way others live life.  We are just so small in this world. L.a. is merely a spec on the map. But here it is- a few photos of what I saw in NYC.

So after eating all that really great food and yummy Beer, and wine... and mehhhh a lot, anyway. I came home ready to try some of my food again! So I've been on a serious health kick since then. Believe me! I have no interest in eating bad food really- ever. But when there isn't that much options around you, a girls gotta eat. So I did- even the truffle oil Mac N cheese. Haha. But now were back to vegan burgers and green drinks! Which of course, I love. I actually miss eating healthy, when I can't. I try so hard to in places when it's really hard, but ya know. I do my best, and thats all that matters. My mind is always right. I'll never fall back to the bad part of when I used to live unhealthy, that past- is way behind me. Believe me. And for that- I'm very proud! So I went to the store when I got home, got fresh fruit, ezekiel bread, veggies, kombucha. All the things I missed very much! Feeling much better now, thank you :)

Almond Pesto!
1/2 cup basil
1 cup spinach
3-4 garlic cloves
3 grinds of pink sea salt
black pepper
2 tbsp of lemon juice
1 cup sliced almonds or 1 cup hemp seeds

add about 1/4 cup water in, to get creamy, add little more if needed, make sure you don't add to much 
though, it will get watery, add 1/2 of 1/4 cup first, check consistency. Keep checking when you add it in.
Should be a thick creamy consistency. :)

So it's almost here. The final day this whole season leads up to! All the madness, the stress, and the feeling of not having enough money... is finally coming to an end. Hmm. I can only sit here and wonder. After speaking to my extremely wise mom yesterday. How I was sad, felt bad- that I couldn't buy my friends nor family, gifts, due to having gone on a trip, just a few weeks back, that lead me to be out of money. Now. 

But she told me - as all do say, Gifts aren't given , expecting to get something in return. Their merely a gift. A gift that someone thought of you and wanted to give it to you, because they could. It's ok, if you can't. But the one thing I CAN give, and we all can- always. Is love. I want to send and give love to all the people in this world, in this lovely place, we call life. I've learned a lot, living here in L.a. for almost 8 years. Much more than I would've if I had chose a different route, when I was 18, I'm sure. I've grown up very fast. Leaving my family when I was 18 to move to the other side of the country, alone. It has only been until this year- that I really opened myself up and found inside, what I want out of this life, and who I truly want to be. It's going to take time, to work on myself, and change bad habits. But I'm on that road to transformation. I'm making the changes happen- not trying. Their happening. I want to promise you my love and support, as my gift to you this christmas. I love you all so very much. My life wouldn't be the way it is- without you being apart of it, and for that, I can't imagine it- any other way. I love my life, I love all of you in it. Your the best people I know. I love love love love you. 

On another note- well still on the giving part. ;) Something I will say I am going to give, along with love. Is, my knowledge and of course- FOOD! Food brings us all together, right? Why not let it be good quality, healthy yummy food. I'm going to surround myself with the healthiest possible food- and aim to get out doors, daily, and take in the breath of this beautiful fresh christmas-y air. Mhmm. But here is an idea for a gift. Which I think would be great! Since New years is right around the corner, it's a really awesome gift! Create a basket, or even just a small bag, from Whole Foods, you know the really cute 'lunch bags' they sale for like 79 cents. Or like I said, create a small stocking stuffer too, and give that to a friend. Either way- it's got a good cause! Some ideas on what to put in that basket, would be healthy items, things that maybe your family member or friend doesn't have great access too. But you do. Then also, attached to different products, add a piece of paper to it with a recipe- for what that product could be used in. Gotta get everyone around you healthy, right! We gotta share the health knowledge! 
So what I am putting in my gift basket for my someone special is this..

Chia seeds.
Kamut Pasta Fusili.
Tulsi Tea bags
Gnu Bar
Emergen-C
FSTG Sweet Potato Chips
Organic Peanut Butter

Those are just a few ideas for ya. You could also make vegan cookies or raw truffles, and put them in saran wrap, twist the top, and tie it with red ribbon or add a bow!

Food is limitless, and is really a great gift. Send the gift of health and love!

My next post will be on my trip to NYC and food I've made this week since I've been back! I'll keep you posted, Enjoy ;)

This was so so good. Paired with a glass of red wine, might I add.

First things first- Roast your butternut squash
Cook your quinoa with a little white onion. Oh yeah! I said it.
Mash your butternut squash- after roasting.
Then I mixed quinoa with squash.
I then added about 1/2 cup of marinara sauce
- Cook your veggies. I chose zucchini.
I then put it all together and topped it with cashew cheeze. 
Soooooooooooooo delicious.