Motivation | theclothesmakethegirl

Apr 28, 2013 Posted by Mel

Remember Who You Are

We’re safe and sound in Prague after several airport adventures, involuntary fasting, and jetlag exhaustion; details coming soon. For now, I want to share this super-cute, awesome mural we saw while strolling through the Mala Strana neighborhood of Prague... read more

Mar 18, 2013 Posted by Mel

Words Are Power

If you’re anything like me, you’ve got a monologue running inside your noggin almost all the time. Here’s a potentially scary, representative excerpt for you: I wonder what if people are going to like the new Well Fed 2 recipes. Jeez, I’m hungry. Oh! Look at that cute puppy! Man, I can’t wait to go our trip to Europe. I wonder how I’m going to eat and exercise right.... read more

Jan 1, 2013 Posted by Mel

Resolution: You Are Here

[photo] My friend/colleague/inspiration Kathleen Shannon (the designer behind the gorgeous look of Well Fed) recently shared her resolutions for the new year. In her post, she resolved to “…let the way I want to feel, and the person I want to be, dictate my actions.” She’s basing her year around four powerful words, and I encourage you to pop over and visit her; it’s good... read more

Dec 18, 2012 Posted by Mel

Nothing Matters. Everything Matters.

I’m part of a casual writing group that meets once a month to share our writings on a particular topic. A few months ago, our writing prompt was “travel.” The first thing that came to mind was the incredibly moving, almost transformational, experiences I’ve had in churches, synagogues, and cemeteries on my travel adventures — despite the fact that I’m not at all religious.... read more

Nov 10, 2012 Posted by Mel

Today’s Gratitude List

October was a rough month, personally and professionally. I saw my recipes reprinted without my permission or attribution on other web sites… I wasn’t eating cumin or eggs or nightshades or many other delicious things… I had a head cold for about 10 days… a total stranger described me as “rather chubby” in the comments of my video on the Hilah Cooking YouTube... read more

Oct 3, 2012 Posted by Mel

[n=1] = Neener, Neener

Suck it, n=1 Sometimes I feel like the blasted n=1 equation that I’m supposed to embrace as a paleo devotee is really an abbreviation for a snarky Neener, neener! from the universe. What is n=1? In scientific research, the variable n represents the size of the sample, that is, the number of people involved in a study. So the equation n=1 means it’s an experiment of one. Like me. Or you. Robb... read more

Sep 17, 2012 Posted by Mel

Monday Motivation

Last week, I talked about the significant difference between “starting over” and “starting fresh.” At Hatha Star yoga on Saturday, our instructor Kim read us a poem by Rumi, a 13th century Persian Muslim poet and Sufi mystic. (I know! So groovy!) It’s an eloquent reminder that continuing to strive, to try, to recommit is the surest path to our most valued and valuable... read more

Sep 12, 2012 Posted by Mel

Don’t Put Off Your Happiness

Leave it to the brilliant Things We Forget blog to elegantly summarize in five words what I explored in hundreds yesterday. All that hand-wringing about how we look, how we eat, how much we can lift, how fast we can run… the whole point of everything is to find the joy, no? See more of this kind of beautiful thinking right... read more

Sep 11, 2012 Posted by Mel

Tuesday 10: Excellent Body Image Posts

Why is thinner better? I’ve been asking myself that question for months, as I struggle with the realization that since I had my thyroid removed in 2008, I’ve gained 17 pounds of fat — despite the fact that I eat very clean paleo 90% of the time, sleep 8-9 hours per night, was devoted to CrossFit and strength training, and recently found the bliss of yoga, meditation, and good, old-fashioned... read more

Aug 1, 2012 Posted by Mel

Whole30 Day 1 & Goals

From August 1 through August 23, I’m documenting my Whole30, including the when, what, where, and how much of my sleep, activity, food, and mood. Read about why I’m doing the Whole30 right here. Not familiar with the Whole30? Learn all about it here and get extra help with the Whole30 Daily. My Whole30 Goal A blog reader asked me to share my goals for my Whole30, so I spent a chunk of time... read more

Jul 25, 2012 Posted by Mel

“Dreams Can Come True”

Tahmina Kohistani is the only female athlete representing Afghanistan at the Olympics this year — and just the third Afghan women to ever compete in the Games. She’s really quite awesome: leopard head scarf, optimistic attitude, brilliant smile, and an unshakeable belief in going after our dreams. Watch her interview with Meredith... read more

« Previous Entries

reading is sexy
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.