Archives for November 2011 | theclothesmakethegirl

Nov 30, 2011 Posted by Mel

Well Fed, Our Way

For the first half of my life, I was a pleaser. I really, really needed everyone to like me – even if (especially if?) I didn’t like them. Then I hit my late 20s/30s, started training hard and eating right, joined the Roller Derby, got a few tattoos, and finally went through a teenage rebellious phase that I suspect will last the rest of my life. Which is why, despite the fact that it might have... read more

Nov 24, 2011 Posted by Mel

I Am. You Are. We Are.

I’m stepping away from the computer for the rest of today (and tomorrow) to celebrate Thanksgiving and to devote all of my attention to Dave, Smudge, and the rest of my family. But before I go: a little Thanksgiving present from me to you. At yoga last week (I know! Another yoga story! It’s what I’ve got right now.), we finished our class with a meditation, and the instructor encouraged... read more

Nov 20, 2011 Posted by Mel

Turkey Day Tabata Or Feast Gone Bad

Here’s something you might not know about me: Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. I’m sure you’re thinking it’s because of the food. And yes, it’s partially because of the food. But it’s mostly because I associate T-Giving with a laid-back attitude that’s all about togetherness and love. (And food. Which is love. If you do it right.) It always feels like a snuggly... read more

Nov 18, 2011 Posted by Mel

The Gong Show

This week I went to two Kundalini of Sound classes, and they were completely different than any other yoga or meditation I’ve done. This is the description of the class from the nifty YogaYogabrochure: Kundalini of Sound uses mantra, movement, mediation, music and the sound of the gong to promote transformation and relaxation. Basic familiarity with Kundalini yoga is helpful, but this class is... read more

Nov 17, 2011 Posted by Mel

Velvety Butternut Squash

This is the third of a handful of Thanksgiving recipes I’m posting this week. If you missed the others, check out Paleo Pumpkin Gingerbread Cake with Maple-Vanilla Frosting and Cranberry Waldorf Salad. I’m delighted to share this recipe because it’s one of the new ones I created for my cookbook Well Fed: Paleo Recipes for People Who Love To Eat. This is the page from the cookbook; pretty... read more

Nov 16, 2011 Posted by Mel

Smupdate! November 16, 2011

Sometimes, when I’m hanging with the corporate overlords, Dave emails me photos of what Smudge is doing. This just in: Smudge, the recently-appointed CEO of Smudge Publishing, LLC (Yes! This is our real publishing company!) would like to remind all of us that quality rest is absolutely essential to well being and, ultimately,... read more

Nov 16, 2011 Posted by Mel

It’s Gold And Pink And I Got A Feather

Things are getting pretty freakin’ groovy around my house, and you know what?! I kinda love it. I have no problem holding two diametrically-opposed views at exactly the same time, so while I’m mentally mocking the notion of “connecting to the divine” and “sitting like the Buddha,” I am also simultaneously falling in love with and totally digging on those ideas. And ocean... read more

Nov 15, 2011 Posted by Mel

Cranberry Waldorf Salad

This is the second of a handful of Thanksgiving recipes I’m posting this week. If you missed the others, check out Paleo Pumpkin Gingerbread Cake with Maple-Vanilla Frosting and Velvety Butternut Squash. My mom has been making Cranberry Waldorf Salad on Thanksgiving day for as long as I can remember. We think the recipe was a hand-me-down from her much-adored sister (and my favorite aunt) – my... read more

Nov 15, 2011 Posted by Mel

Paleo Pumpkin Gingerbread Cake With Maple-Vanilla Frosting

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, so I’m delighted that dinner on November 24 is just 27 meals away! We’re keeping it low key this year: It’s just Dave, Smudge, and I digging into a smallish feast of roast duck (with a stuffing made of pork and apples), my paleo cranberry waldorf salad, green beans with bacon, velvety butternut squash (a new Well Fed recipe!), and this pumpkin... read more

Nov 14, 2011 Posted by Mel

A Walk In The Park

Today marks the ends of my first week of replacing my morning WOD with a walk around my neighborhood. (If you’re wondering why I’m walking instead of WODing, read this post on “The Healing Experiment.”) It’s too soon to notice a significant difference in how I feel, but I have stopped pouting, so that’s a big step in the right direction. Here are a few observations and... read more

Nov 11, 2011 Posted by Mel

A Healing Experiment

Last January, I bared my soul and my body in what I hoped would be “before” photos. My plan was to live as the best version of myself to evolve to my ideal body composition without making myself nuts. I banished the idea of “goals” and “rules” and decided to just live my life. That didn’t mean I tossed my good habits out the window. In fact, the no-pressure... read more

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Reading right now...

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.