Hiking LA Style

I Have a great friend Tayna who does pilates. We swap and train each other and both enjoying getting great workouts we don't usually do. Lately we've been hiking in the Hollywood Hills, bringing our mats and doing some pilates where the view is. Then I incorporate interval sprints/runs up the last remaining bit of the hill. We do that 5 or so times so we're nice and smoked before we head down the hill.
It's a fabulous workout and so much fun to get outdoors and enjoy the views.

Look, you can see the city and the ocean right behind it. Love It.

What do you think? Great workout huh? And great views and great people watching.
Reason #158 why I love Los Angeles!



View of the Oh So Famous Hollwood Sign behind me.

A picture of Tayna, the amazing pilates instructor, is under another pilates link in my blog

Leg Lifts gone Crazy

Ok, So I kind of think Tracy Anderson is a wee bit crazy. And I think Gweneth Paltrow's feverish support of her is a wee bit crazy as well.

Tracy Anderson is a dancer turned trainer to the stars. Gweneth was turned onto her by Madonna. Now Gweneth is business partners with Tracy and they have opened up workout studios in New York and LA. Tracy's studio is the next town over from me in Sherman Oaks.

I have used some of Tracy's moves in my own personal workout regimen and incorporated some of her easier moves for my clients. They are a nice supplement to any workout and can definitely add some jazz if you're getting bored with your usual moves.

But in my experience, nothing lifts your booty, gives your a perky rear end, and smooth your thighs like good ol squats and lunges. Oh, and plies. Sorry ladies! And throw in some cardio for good measure. No one can ever do too many plies, lunges, or squats.! And adding weights in your hands only speeds up your progress so don't be afraid of grabbing those dumbbells.

Warning..these moves in this teaser video are hard! I don't think there is a need to buy her videos. Just snag some more of her moves from her other you tube videos if you want.

Warning. I'm going to have a little soapbox moment now.

I think sometimes that workout videos can give people the wrong expectation and can be discouraging. When we don't seen our bodies looking like the people in the video or when the video is too hard and we can't do the workouts, that is a formula for discouragement. ( i will never have a body like Gweneth or Tracy no matter how hard I work because I'm just not built that way)

And let me tell you a little secret. All these videos have fantastic lighting. And, most of the time they have body makeup on the enhance muscle tone and look more defined. It's no wonder why a countless number of my friends have given up after a month (or usually less) because they weren't looking like Tracy or Madonna or Jillian Michael's. Bodies like that can sometimes take years to create along with an extremely strict eating plan.

And who wants to do that?

I am now off my soapbox!

So, all that being said, ENJOY!

Passed the Door of Darkness

A feature film I did a while ago is now available via online at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Borders, Wall mart, Best Buy, and Blockbuster.

The film was a lot of fun to make..I always have fun on sets whether they're big or small. The director, Peter Mervis was very professional and easy to talk to. They were a few challenges but overall a delightful experience.

I have to be honest. I would save my money if I were you. If you want to see "me act" I can send you the link to my demo reel, etc. The film is more or less from the horror/mystery genre. Some parts are pretty gruesome. The storyline is, in my opinion, confusing. Even while we were filming I had no idea what in the world was going on. My best descriptioin of the film is "Fight Club" meets "Seven", meets "Muholland Drive".

But I have to say, there is something so enjoyable and fulfilling when I do what I love. I don't get the opportunity to act and persue my craft as much as I would like. When I come home from a set, rehearsal, or even acting class I feel amazing. I feel energized, creative, productive, and sometimes a bit buzzy! :) I find I have so much more to give my family and Hubby when I've given a bit to myself. (something about how you can't get water from a well when the well is dry)

https://www.echobridgeentertainment.com/dvd/Passed_the_Door_of_Darkness_69679

Palm Springs

Ok, I'm having a hard time concentrating. (although doing laundry doesn't really require concentration)

Hubby and I are going to Palm Springs this weekend to celebrate our 13th wedding anniversary This is the hotel he picked and I have to say, I approve. I love Marriott reward points!!


http://www.desertspringsresort.com/ Isn't it fab?

We were originally planning on staying at the beach but we go to the beach all the time. And the weather forecast isn't warm enough. 65 degrees in Santa Monica just cannot compete with 85-95 degrees in the desert.

Of course the kids will not be accompanying us. That's what Aunts are for!!

Wonderful Weekend Continued

Sunday is a wonderful day. One of my absolute favorite things to do is read the LA Times Sunday paper in the backyard.



I only get the paper on Sundays. And I will admit, my favorite sections are the store advertisments and the Image, Arts. and Calander section.


Church last Sunday was Stake Conference.

Stake Conference is when all the local LDS wards all get together for one big meeting and we don't go to individual sunday school classes like we normally do. My Stake is the North Hollywood Stake. It consists of all the Morman wards in Studio City, Burbank, Sylmar, and North Hollwood.

I don't usually let the kids bring toys to church but Stake Conference is an exception. Asher is quite the chess player and he brought this travel size, magnetic chess set. (We played during one particular boring talk)
I almost beat him. I had him cornered and he pulled a sneaky move on me. I lost a few minutes later.
yes, i let him wear his converse shoes to church. and not just stake conference. every sunday. he's hip like that.

A Wonderful Weekend

I was able to spend all Saturday with my son Asher. What a sweetheart he is. My daughter Avery was at Magic Mountain with a friend and Hubby was out of town working. It was a great opportunity for a Mommy/Son day.

But honestly, I did drag him around on a few errands. He hung in there quite nicely. He actually enjoyed all of our stops and looking around. Just one of the many reasons I absolutely LOVE Los Angeles is the ability to go to so many different types of places and restaurants and go to so many events and activities only a few miles from your house. After all the errands we went to the movies and saw, "Diary of a Wimpy Kid". Asher has all the books and just loves them.




First stop was composting workshop. Burbank offers free composting bins if we attended a 90 min lecture on how to use them, etc.

A lamp store to drop off the famous Avery family rooster lamp to get rewired. You can find any type of lamp at this store. A quick stop to the nearby store where I can always find something amazing and unique. Last time I was there I bought a vintage alligator skin purse. Both of those stores are mostly kept in business due to the film industry's waredrobe and set designers.

Then lunch at a favorite little place next door to where I get cheap pedicures. This place has great food, great prices, and huge servings. (Leftovers are a good thing) Then movie time along with the requisite popcorn and soda.

After the film I couldn't resist trying on a pair of jeans at a store nearby. I have a friend who wears a pair just like these and I am quite envious of her style and rockability. I have tried in vain to find a pair that looked just as cute on me as they do her.

I thought these might be just the ticket. But alas.. it wasn't meant to be. Asher informed me I looked like a country girl that went really wild. He was right and I went home empty handed.

It was a lovely day all in all. It was refreshing to be around Asher without having to tell him what to do, what to finish, what to pick up, to hurry up, to stop that, be nice to his sister,..and on and on. We hung out, talked, held hands, and laughed.

A wonderful day with my wonderful son.

Stephanie Nielson

One of the reasons I started blogging was Stephanie Nielson's blog.

http://nieniedialogues.blogspot.com/

She has been on many different news outlets including Oprah. She has inspired countless people in her quest to persevere and be truthful. It's hard to put into words what I feel when I read her blog.

Inspiration, example, peace, devotion, love, thankfulness, acceptance, peace, God, harmony.
Ok. I tried. Those are some of the immediate thoughts and words that come to my mind but aren't quite enough to convey her message.

If you want to catch up with her and read what happened here is a good link to get you started. A bit lengthy, 10 chapters, but a beautiful and remarkable story. (Warning....gut wrenching. And, you're going to want to grab your hubby and kids and give them extra squeezes and kisses tonight.)

http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/stephanie-nielson-intro-120609.html
Yes, she is also a Mormon like me. (here is my obligatory, "The real name is Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints) I will admit, I am the first one to scoff at church videos and such, but this video is quite touching. Even if you're not interested in the church message, you can't help but to be inspired by Stephanie.