Dec 31, 2010
I Guess I Do Have One Resolution After All
Long-time readers know that in 2008, I invented the word “frexciting” to describe all the new stuff I was doing. frexcite: to rouse to an emotional response stimulated by simultaneous fright and excitement Last year, I got away from enjoying frexcitement and experienced a lot of “growth opportunities,” which, while valuable, were way WAY less fun. In 2011, I resolve to throw myself... read more
Dec 31, 2010
Dear friends, 2010 was not a very good year. Yes, there were some triumphs both small and large – but there was also a great deal of sorrow and (ahem) growth opportunities. My favorite quote of the year? “Learning is fun,” said with both tears and laughter.
I’m going to remember the lessons, rather than the rocky road, of 2010… and I’m ready to break out the 2011 calendar...
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A New Year’s Toast To You
Dec 31, 2010
It’s already 2011 on the eastern part of the globe, so Happy New Year Australia and Asia!
Fireworks explode over the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House to celebrate the New Year. (REUTERS/Tim Wimborne)
The Big Picture has photos of New Year’s Eve celebrations from around the world and will be updating the page throughout the day with new pics, as the globe turns and we all move...
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2011 Around The World
Dec 30, 2010
I know it’s totally made up, but I la-la-love the feeling of ‘fresh start’ on New Year’s Day… a new calendar and 12 months laid out before us on the ground like the yellow brick road. What lies ahead? Adventure! Predicaments! Triumphs! Friendships!
If you’re thinking about making some lifestyle changes, now is a great time to do it – there are lots of resources...
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Whole30, Whole70, Whole New Year
Dec 30, 2010
Acceptance, Not Resignation
Stephanie at Radical Hateloss has a great post today about acceptance vs. resignation… People often worry that by accepting their bodies or themselves that they will lose the motivation to become more healthy. They confuse acceptance with resignation… Resignation is saying NO I don’t like my body; NO I can’t change my behaviors its too hard, NO! NO! NO…why bother? Acceptance is saying... read more
Dec 30, 2010
What’s the difference between everyday dino-chow and special occasion dino-chow? The size, shape, and presentation of your food. Make your favorite foods in a tiny, individual serving or roll ‘em into a ball or impale ‘em on a stick or cut ‘em into a fun shape, and suddenly, it’s a party!
I’ve had this little hors d’oeuvre cookbook for ages, and flipping through...
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Dino-Chow New Year’s Eve Nibbles
Dec 29, 2010
I simultaneously had a great workout and a lame workout this morning. I sort of underestimated myself and cheated myself, albeit unintentionally. But like a cast-iron skillet to the back of the head, it caught my attention and makes me wonder: how often am I doing that? And how can I make sure I don’t do it again?
So let me tell you all about it…
This was our workout today.
WOD7 rounds::20...
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On Not Underestimating Oneself
Dec 28, 2010
What could be more comforting on a cold winter evening than ground beef and gravy topped with mashed potatoes? I’ll tell you what: flavorful ground beef topped with creamy mashed cauliflower!
Cottage pie is a traditionally British or Irish dish made from beef, and it’s a kissin’ cousin to shepherd’s pie, which is made with lamb. The term ‘cottage pie’ has been around...
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Paleo Comfort Food: Shepherd’s Pie
Dec 26, 2010
I’ve had a weight loss goal since I was 13 years old.
That’s almost 30 years of living with a number hanging over my head. From Weight Watchers summer camp to the rice diet to Kathy Smith’s Fat Burning Plan to Weight Watchers to the Zone to Paleo… with aerobics videos and step aerobics and triathlons and boxing and Roller Derby and half marathons and CrossFit along the way.
My...
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The Best Versions of Us
Dec 24, 2010
Two Internet gifts for you, because I love you, and I’m ever so grateful you stop by to visit with me every day. Have the happiest of holidays! See you back here this weekend, probably with tales of cookie and Prosecco overload, plus the the scoop on my kickass plans for January and February.
But now: presents!
First, cute animals…
And second, Frank Lloyd Wright’s Falling Water house in...
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Happy Holidays
Dec 24, 2010
Welcome to The Clothes Make The Girl, where I screw up, so you don’t have to…
It’s 4:00 a.m., and I’m wide awake. I should be nestled, snug in my bed, while visions of sugarplums dance in my head. Instead, I’m twitching and fretting and clearly, not getting the sleep I need to tackle our CrossFit Austin workout in two hours.
Why?
Because I ate sugar. Like, a LOT of...
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The Sugar Alarm
Get your hands on Well Fed goodies: bracelets, knee socks, bulk cookbook orders, and more!
Melissa "Melicious" Joulwan • melissa@theclothesmakethegirl.com
Reading right now...
The Redbreast: A Harry Hole Novel
The Lost: A Search for Six of Six Million
The Redbreast: A Harry Hole Novel
I'm about two-thirds of the way through this detective thriller, and I'm hooked. It's set in modern Norway with flashbacks to WWII (catnip for me!) and features a somewhat grim hero that engenders empathy. I can't help pulling for the guy as I watch him struggle with his case and his life. The cast of characters is a realistic but motley crew, and it reminds me of other favorites set in cold, snowy climes: the Millenium Trilogy and Smila's Sense of Snow.
Recently finished...
The Lost: A Search for Six of Six Million
I picked up this book after reading an interview with Lee Child (author of the Jack Reacher thrillers). He referred to The Lost as "the book of the century" and since I devour as much as I can about the Holocaust to try to make sense of it all, I decided I needed to read it immediately. Part memoir, part detective tale, this book was thoroughly engrossing. It's intelligent, annoying, moving, frustrating, and ultimately, rewarding and beautifully written. It challenged me in ways I didn't expect, and I was sad when it was finished.
