Category Archives: life
Fit and Fabulous: Takeaways from Girl Power Hour
Girl Power Hour at MAKERS. Photo: Hilary Paris
Confession: Never in my life have I been on a diet. Tonight at Girl Power Hour’s Fit and Fabulous event, my fabulous friend Kim Kim posed the diet question to the women in attendance. I was one of a handful of women who hadn’t dieted before. Us, and the firemen, that is.
Did I mention there were firemen? Yeah. I got giddy with the rest of them. Wouldn’t you?
Truly, I feel blessed to be healthy and lithe, but like many women, I have an interesting relationship with food. Last year I found our that I was hypoglycemic (low blood sugar) so I literally have to be eating once every hour or two to get the nutrients my body needs. The upside is these small meals keep my metabolism up which helps to keep me slender. That and I don’t eat a lot of sugar because I’m so sensitive to sudden shifts in my sugar levels.
Makeup Artist DorothyInez, Transformational Queen Kat Kim, and I
There were phenomenal women on the panel, personal trainers, personal chefs, nutrition consultants, and dietitians talking about Fitness, Mindset, and Nutrition. While I may not have been able to source all the quotes on the fly, the panelists were Kirsten Helle – Mesa de Vida, Hilary Paris – the CEO Active Wellness, Inc., Samara Donald – the Gym Coach, Lara Dalch – Dalch Wellness, and Minh-Hai Tran – Mindful Nutrition. Here are a few takeaways I wanted to share with you.
L to R: Kirsten Helle, Samara Donald, Minh-Hai Tran, Darnell Sue, Hilary Paris, Lara Dalch and Kat Kim. Photo: Clane Gessel
- Hunger is a gift to discover what your body needs. When you have a food craving, deconstruct that craving craving. A lot of us women eat emotionally, but before you do, ask yourself what that craving is really about. Do you need that food or do you really need a hug? Then act on the root cause of it.
- Check in yourself: how do I feel? What do I need? These are good self care practices. via
@mindfulRD - We orient our social lives around food. “Hey let’s get together for breakfast / lunch / dinner / coffee / drinks…” Instead of rewarding yourself for a job well done with food, get a pedicure or massage instead. (I’ve heard it said before, you’re not a dog — don’t reward yourself with food.)
- Strong is the new skinny.
- Never discount the power that 10 minutes exercise can make on your health.
@mesadevida lost 100 lbs and kept it off! It’s not all or nothing, everything counts! Everyday take another step towards health. - Lessen the shame around eating and bring compassion to the experience. via
@mindfulRD - Core exercises aren’t just about crunches. Pull your belly button into your spine. That’s working your core!
What is your best tip on Fitness, Mindset, and Nutrition?
Click here for the semi-cocktail, semi-business outfit I wore to the Fit & Fab event.
The Week Through Instagram
When they announced Instagram would be available for Android users, I jumped right on the bandwagon. Follow me @saraheward! Here’s a recap of the week (and then some) through Instagram.
Clearly I can’t get enough of stripes this season.
This week I got a Macy’s catalog devoted to menswear and this studly model looks like he could be related to Mat Kearney.
Blunt bangs from today’s fab haircut by Sophia Simone. (Click through for a coupon!)
While the weather might not have been warm enough, I wore the maxi skirt and sandals anyway.
Sunrise.
On Wednesday night, we had a girl’s night in and made friendship bracelets.
Dark chocolate for me, please.
One of my clients and her husband owns Fresco Chocolate. After her wardrobe evaluation, my husband and I were treated to a private chocolate tasting. It was unreal! The Fresco Chocolate 216 bar is my favorite. It tastes like jazz.
Every Easter my uncle brings local handmade chocolate for the kids. Those are handmade jelly beans, too!
Cupcake sugar high.
The Jamberry Nails chevron nails dictate wearing red. Giveaway coming soon!
Building walkable heels, via WSJ.
Bloom.
My first cupping session made it look like I was tangoing with an octopus.
Far more likely to cook than wearing an apron.
The Best Scone Recipe Ever – Grand Central Bakery
I’ve never been much of a scone person, but this week I went to Grand Central Bakery in town, went out on a limb and tried their cranberry nut scone. I was stopped in my tracks. Who knew scones could be so decadent?
Once I had one, I had to have more. So I googled “Grand Central Bakery scone recipe” and lo and behold, I found their recipe on Serious Eats. So I made a batch. And was tempted to make another. They were unbelievable. (So good we didn’t share) But karma being what it is, I’m sharing the recipe with you so you can have mouth-watering scones for breakfast, too. It’s up to you whether you share.
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups (12.5 ounces) all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup (1.75 ounces) granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup (4 ounces, or 1 stick) cold unsalted butter
- 1 cup dried fruit
- 1/2 cup nuts, lightly toasted and coarsely chopped
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup (4 fluid ounces) buttermilk
- Egg wash
- 1/4 cup (1.75 ounces) turbinado sugar
- Egg Wash
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon water
- Pinch of salt
Procedures
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Prepare to bake: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
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Combine the dry ingredients: Measure the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon into a bowl with high sides or the bowl of a stand mixer and whisk to combine.
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Cut in the butter, then add the fruit and nuts: Dice the butter into 1/2-inch cubes. Use your hands or the paddle attachment of the stand mixer on low speed to blend the butter into the dry ingredients until the pieces of butter are the size of almonds. Add the dried fruit and nuts.
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Add the eggs and buttermilk: Whisk the eggs and buttermilk together, then add two-thirds of the mixture to the dry ingredients. Gently mix the dough just until it comes together, then add the remaining buttermilk mixture; the dough will look rough. Scrape the dough from the sides and bottom of the bowl and mix again to incorporate any floury scraps. The majority of the dough will have come together, on the paddle if using a stand mixer. Stop mixing while there are still visible chunks of butter and floury patches. The dough should come out of the bowl in one piece, leaving only some small scraps and flour on the sides.
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Form and cut the dough: Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Gather it and pat just a few times to get it to come together. The top won’t be smooth, but the rough surface creates a crunch that is part of a scone’s charm. Gently form dough into a 7- to 8-inch disk (or, for smaller scones, into two 4- to 5-inch disks), brush with the egg wash, and sprinkle with turbinado sugar. Cut the disk into 6 wedges, like a pie.
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Bake: Place the scones on the prepared pan, in a grid with 3 by 2 for large scones and 4 by 3 for small scones. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes (20 to 25 minutes for small scones), rotating the pan halfway through the baking time. The scones should be golden brown.
This Masquerade – SODO Antique Mall Seattle
A few weekends ago, my brother came to visit and we decided to hit the SODO Antique Mall in Seattle — what an adventure! Among the highlights were these fabulous masquerade masks.
It looks like the cardinal is about to snatch some feathers up and fly away!
Psst! If you want more on masquerade masks, be sure to check out our post on How to Make Your Own Masquerade Masks.
Hand woven basket
Isn't this mirror furniture exquisite?
Did you do anything fun last weekend?
Do We Develop Our Style From Childhood?
Earlier this week, I was at Staples and saw this little girl, cute as a button, running through the parking lot after her father. Adorned in a darling pink and white outfit with a ruffled skirt and blonde pigtails, she was the epitome of femininity.
(Sidebar: I’d like to note that I don’t make it a practice of taking photos of other people’s children in public. Since my readers have asked for photos of examples like this, here we go.)
It was then I noticed her older sister, wearing a red and black buffalo check button front shirt with blue slim jeans, brown riding boots and a Canadian mountie’s hat. In the image below, you can even see the girl salute the woman at the counter before leaving the store.
The two sisters’ personal style was like night and day, yin and yang. These girls couldn’t have been older than six and yet they already had such clearly defined personal styles.
My mentor Judith Rasband, the Image Expert, tells a story about her father bringing her gifts when she was a girl — frilly frocks that were far too feminine for her personal style. Already at a young age, she knew the boundaries of her personal style.
Do you think that personal style is something we cultivate from childhood? Have you seen evidence of this in your life?
Posted in life, personal style
Tagged personal style from childhood, yin and yang in personal style
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DIY: How to Organize Belts in Your Closet
As we’ve been settling into our Seattle home, one thing that was in a state of disarray for weeks were my belts, thrown in a haphazard pile in my closet. If your belts are in a similar state of chaos, Martha Stewart has this clever and affordable way of organizing belts in your closet.
Using a wooden clamp hanger, drill some holes in either side and screw in cup holders to hang your belts on. Voila! No wall holes required.
Do you have a clever way to organize your belts?
Motivation Monday: Cristina Hall Dances Blackbird
Cristina Hall is a flamenco dancer and pioneer in her field. Here is a video of her dancing an original contemporary flamenco choreography to Nina Simone’s Blackbird. Prepare to be astounded. I have watched this flamenco performance several times and it leaves me enraptured with goosebumps every single time.
As an amateur flamenco dancer, I am deeply inspired by the exquisite control that Cirstina has over her body, allowing her to produce such a mesmerizing live performance. Honestly, I can’t stop watching.
This isn’t the product of procrastination. You can tell she has devoted countless hours to honing her art. May we be inspired to do the same.
Posted in life, lifestyle, video
Tagged cristina hall flamenco video, flamenco contemporareo, motivation monday
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Books I Read in 2011
I know how hard it can be to find a good book that you love. Here are a handful of the books I read in 2011 that may give you some ideas of books to read in 2012.
Fiction
Animal Dreams — A masterpiece by Barbara Kingsolver set in New Mexico dealing with family, falling in love, and protecting the environment.
Let the Great World Spin — Set in the 1970s, this book follows strangers whose lives intersect, a la Crash, strung together by a man tightrope walking between the then new World Trade Center buildings.
State of Wonder — a wonderful read about a woman who goes into the jungle on assignment from the pharmaceutical company she works for and learns what she’s made of.
The Actor and the Housewife — an unbelievable (literally!) story about a Jude Law-like British actor who falls for a dowdy Mormon housewife. Typically I love what Shannon Hale puts out, but this was just too much.
The Help — hilarious and heartbreaking. But you’ve seen the movie and probably already know all about it.
Nonfiction
Ask for It: How Women Can Use the Power of Negotiation and Get What They Really Want — solid tips on learning to negotiate for women. Before I read this book, the thought of asking for what I want and negotiating terrified me. Since reading it, I have successfully negotiated three raises.
Bossypants — Tina Fey is absolutely hysterical. The bits on 30 Rock and Sara Palin are my fave.
It’s All Too Much — a great guide from an expert on how to declutter your home and your life. A pack rat at heart, this book helped me detach meaning from gifts and give things away.
Spirit Junkie: A Radical Love to Self-Love and Miracles — Gabrielle Bernstein’s personal story about gaining clarity and peace from the ashes of her life following A Course in Miracles.
Crucial Conversations — A guide by communication experts on how to have difficult conversations in life and business.
What were some of your favorite books you read in 2011? Hopeful reads for 2012?
A Fresh Take on New Years Resolutions for 2012
Photo: Creativity103
As we get ready to ring in the new year with new opportunities, many of us are probably considering goals and resolutions for 2012.
My friend Jen Armitstead has a fresh approach to new years resolutions that I love:
Instead of a lengthy list of new years resolutions, choose one word for the year to guide you.
For example, Jen’s word last year her word was “no” which helped her to take on less, have greater balance and more fun in her life. In 2012 her word is “active”.
What a simple way to set style resolutions! Here are a few style words to consider for 2012:
- Authentic
- Fresh
- Simplify
- Embellish
- Bloom
What will your word be for 2012?
Dined One Table Down from Sandra Oh at Cafe Medina
This week I dined one table down from Sandra Oh at Cafe Medina in Downtown Vancouver. Highly recommended by my culinary artist sister as the place to be, we stood in line for 40 minutes to have brunch at Cafe Medina earlier this week. Imagine my surprise when I walk in and see one of my favorite actresses! As a huge Christina Yang fan, I have to admit I was geeking out in her vicinity and sneaking glimpses from three chairs down.
Photo: shinhwa.biz
To respect her privacy and space, I didn’t snap a photo or say hello. But I have to give you the breakdown on what she was wearing!
She had on a white beanie over her curly hair with half-rimmed glasses and an orange knit scarf. She wore a white, black, and grey buffalo check jacket over a v-neck sweater, black skinny pants and heeled boots. Her face was bare and she looked terrific.
Since we are both Asian-Canadian women, I have a great respect for Oh and have been incredibly moved by her performances on Grey’s Anatomy. Strong and talented, she also has a great sense of personal style as well.
If you ever find yourself in Vancouver, Canada, check out Cafe Medina on 556 Beatty Street. They don’t take reservations, but let me tell you — it’s worth the wait.
