Where Has the Lazy Woman Been!!??

I was asked to write for The Morton Report in June, and because I moved in July I've been mostly spending my writing time over yonder, but I wanted to pass on the links to my most recent articles, just in case you want to know what the heck this Lazy Woman has been up to....


Looking for Mr. Morgan

http://www.themortonreport.com/home-away/life/looking-for-mr-morgan/
My Dogs Would Do That
http://www.themortonreport.com/home-away/life/my-dogs-would-do-that/

Laziest Dessert of All = Tiramisu
http://www.themortonreport.com/home-away/food/laziest-dessert-of-all-tiramisu/

Lazy Technology: ClamCase is Pearl in the Sea of iPad Cases
http://www.themortonreport.com/home-away/gadgets/lazy-technology-clamcase-is-pearl-in-the-sea-of-ipad-cases/


All My Children: Lifelong Fans Become Part of a TV Family
http://www.themortonreport.com/entertainment/television/all-my-children-lifelong-fans-become-part-of-tv-family/

You Have Exactly What You Need

I have received a great lesson in the last couple of days, as I have discovered repeatedly that I have exactly what I need. 

I am still getting settled in my house and put a bunch of pots around an area where I'm creating a "moment" -- a lovely little spot to view from afar that will just make me happy.  I thought I needed to get about 10 plants to fill up the arrangement of pots.  But, because I didn't have the energy to get to the Farmer's Market this weekend, and I decided at 8 p.m. last night that I wanted to get it done, I found that I had exactly what I needed in terms of plants for the pots.  I had plants that were too big for their pots.  I had plants sitting around here and there that were just waiting for my attention.  In 15 minutes of pillaging and re-purposing, I made a beautiful arrangement of potted plants. 

I finally decided to put art up on the walls yesterday also.  I was waiting to finish configuring my rooms, but decided I was putting way too much focus on what a few inappropriate nail holes would do to the house!  My God, Bridget, get your priorities straight!

Usually I like to have a second opinion when hanging art, but I just went for it, and while I imagine things will change over time, I am very happy with my results and because I was in the flow of things I was able to hit the mark on my first nail hammering.  All are hung in the perfect spot!  And, boy do I feel more settled with the art up. 

I thought what I had wouldn't be right for this space, but again, I have exactly what I need for this space.

I tend to think "I want this, I want that...more, more...I want more!"  I really am so much more content when I live with what I have.   Not that I haven't bought new things for the new space --  new lovely mid-century furniture to match the house from an estate sale that fits the space perfectly -- but overall I have exactly what I need.

Whole and complete as we are....just as we are.

Lazy Woman Cooks - Even Right after a Move!

I had the gall to have people over for dinner only one week after I moved, but I did the usual Lazy Woman trick -- an Italian spread.  Meats, cheeses, a big salad, and a super easy pasta.  The only cooking I did was cooking the mushroom and artichoke ravioli while I sauteed up some mushroom, artichoke hearts, asparagus and herbs.  And, for dessert, I threw together another Strawberry Tiramisu:  http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/strawberry-tiramisu-for-two/detail.aspx.   I always put way more sliced strawberries in it than listed, and I also put it in a glass vase instead of on a serving plate as pictured.

Tonight, though, I'm taking a Tiramisu to a dinner party and offered several options to the host.  He chose Chocolate-y, Crunchy and Nutty Tiramisu.  So, I made up this recipe...it's DE-FRICKING-AMAZINGLICIOUS and so incredibly easy to make. 

http://www.themortonreport.com/home-away/food/laziest-dessert-of-all-tiramisu/

Buon Appe-Lazy-Tito!

Grandma's Message

Moving is annoying and cool for one reason: it makes you purge.  Because I only had a couple weeks to prepare for my move, I didn't get to go through everything I needed to get through.  I did a whole helluva lot, but now as I set up my new house, as I unpack, I am purging even more now.  I now have several more give-away boxes.

Along with trash and donations I am also finding little gems like the one I just found that prompted this post.  A nearly illegible note that I had scrawled on an envelope several years ago.  It was a note I had taken during a conversation with my grandmother at the end of her life, when she was in and out of clarity, and seemed to be spending a good deal of her awake time in a very happy, though not earthly plain. 

I remember grabbing the envelope and pen as if it happened only hours ago.  She had just made me laugh really hard.   I remember thanking her for always making me laugh.  She replied:

"I had to make you laugh.  It's not from me, you know.  It's from somebody you love.  I'm talking about God."

I very nearly threw this envelope away.  I'm glad I was really taking my time and going through this lot of stuff with a fine tooth comb.  Sometimes quiet and calm pays off big.  And, sometimes the pain of moving has many hidden gifts.

Figs: God's Gift to Planet Earth + Me

I am always shocked to hear that people don't like figs.  My friend, Christina, was in town last weekend with her sweet 11 year old daughter, Gina.  I had expected Gina would be a kindred foodie given her vegetarianism.  Yes, she has been a vegetarian since she was 9 years old!  Pretty cool if you ask me.

Anyway, I was showing them the bounty of foods I had bought in their honor and was about to pull out a big bowl of figs when I exclaimed, fully expecting a resounding cry of agreement, "Gina, do you like figs?!!!!!"  She was trying to hide her disappointment in having to disappoint me.  It was a 1/2 second round robin of guilt, as I put the figs on the counter. 

Then she saw them and said "Those are figs?"  These were fresh green figs.  She had only had the deep purple mission figs.  I suggested she might want to try the teensiest bit of the green fig.  I had just made her a piece of toast with goat cheese on it.  I asked if I could put the tiniest smidgen of green fig on her goat cheese lathered toast and she said, courageously and with a twinkle in her eye "YES!" 

Well, folks, she LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVED it!  Who knew that the two figs would taste so differently to her young, acutely-tuned palate.  The next day we actually all three did a taste test.  Gina still hated the missions.  Christina and I took our time mulling over the delicate differences between the two.  Missions are definitely more woodsy to me.  I love them both, but I think if I had to be caught on a desert island with only one I would choose the green figs.  

After they left I was missing them a little so I made a little snack for myself with both kinds of figs.  I swear I can't not be happy when I'm eating figs. 

The memory of Gina really made me smile too.  I love kids who are open to tasting anything.   It's so brave, and their taste buds really are so very sensitive. I especially love kids who are open to having their minds.  What a delightful young lady we have on this planet.  And, now the sweet green figs of this planet are lucky to have her love.

I Love Me Some Free Stuff!

I love free stuff and in the case of Weight Watchers, all fruit and most veggies (potatoes, avocados and a few other things excepted) are ZERO POINTS which to me means FREE! FREE!  FREE!

This was my breakfast this morning, as it is most mornings -- a huge bowl of delicious fruits.  In California we are blessed with having watermelon and blueberries almost all year long.  The flavors of these fruits now are even more spectacular, of course, in the summer.   So, this bowl of deliciousness made with one stop shopping at Trader Joe's.  This isn't even all the different fruits I have in the fridge that I picked up yesterday, but these work so nicely together, and they make a purdy picture, eh?:

• Watermelon
• Blueberries
• Black Figs
• Green Figs
• Honeydew Melon
• White Nectarines

Yummalicious!  Yesterday I actually had a big fruit salad twice before I had a late lunch at 3:30 p.m.  I was so in love with the flavors and really craved it again!  Today, my hunger level is higher, so I needed some protein earlier, but especially in the Summer, I like to start my day with a big bowl of free stuff!

I'm Dating A House

My very smart friend, Kathy, has been a great guide for me through the rocky, slippery, muddy, dusty landscape of the hills and valleys of my recent break-up.  She yanked me out of cavernous dark and humid depths on the days that I found out about yet another betrayal and was saying "How could I not have seen that?"   She pulled me up to the tops of insurmountable mountaintops and would proclaim, as if planting a homesteader flag in my heart: "You deserve better!"  

Thanks God for good, honest, down to earth friends!

Currently, Kathy is leading me through the hills and valleys of yet another landscape: finding a house.  I found out a couple weeks ago that I need to move in the next couple of months because my landlords are going to renovate this rental house and move into it themselves.  So, I'm running around Planet Los Angeles trying to find a quick sale or a good rental house.   The best of houses on the market for sale are short sales, which are not appropriate becuase the time it takes to complete a purchase of a short sale is anything but short and cannot be done in time.  Rentals, unfortunately, are hideously overpriced (more than mortgages if they are decent). 

So, I'm running around like a chicken with my head cut off searching for a decent house to rent or buy.  When I found out today I lost a house that I adored -- as most first time buyers do -- I was devestated. 

Kathy reminded me:  It's like finding the right guy, you got a date a lot o' losers until the right one comes.  And, sometimes you think he's the right one, and you find out that indeed there is a far better one, which is a much better fit, just around the corner.

So, for the moment, while my soul readies itself for men again, I am dating houses.

I hope these houses don't lie like my last boyfriend.  I hope the one I find truly is "what you see is what you get, no sneaky hidden termites, nothing swept under the foundation, just plain and simple: Honesty, Integrity, Light, Happy House.

I'll dress up nice and purdy to see if I can catch me one o' dem good houses.

WWgasm = Wearing Goal Dress!

I finally had an excuse to wear my "goal dress."  I bought this Size 4 Trina Turk dress at Nordstrom Rack in January.  It now fits perfectly, and even though I'm still losing weight, it will fit even when I get to my goal, so I'm very happy.

This was the premiere of my friend's movie, which I will actually be posting a link about later today.

In the photo I'm with friend Elisa B., who has the most amazing dress store in Pasadena -- Elisa B.!  Must go if you are ever looking for a hot dress, outfit, jeans, or jewelry in Los Angeles.  We are with our "line friends" Bob and Frank.  We met them in line and it turns out they know the director, my writing partner, as well.   Now they are our friends too!

Magic, magic, magic.

Lazy Blueberry Thursday - With Figs!

Are you kidding me?  Figs are ZERO POINTS on Weight Watchers!  I would have assumed that their deliciousness level, not unlike the scrumptious heights of avocados, would cost me some points!  But, no, this bowl of crunchy, juicy blueberries plus several sweet, ripe, soft figs cost me a big zippo in points.

And, it really filled me up too! 

I am down 22 pounds in 23 weeks.  Very exciting!   Five pounds to go to my real goal but this is my Weight Watchers Lifetime goal.  Yep, I did it, I made it to my Lifetime goal today!  Fruits like these are making it very easy for me to stay within my points.

I bow to nature for giving us such colorful, sweet goodness.

Woooooooooohoooooooooooooooooooo!

Lazy Blueberry Monday: It's a Berry WWgasm Day!

Seriously, it's like eating candy!  What is more fun than a bowl of cherries?  A bowl of BLUEBERRIES!

For those of us on Weight Watchers, it's like they're paying us to eat them when it's ZERO points! 

This is a major WWgasm!  But, man even if weight loss is not your deal, run out and grab a couple cartons of blueberries.  Their flavor, texutre and pop just went up several notches this week!  Wooohooo!

Berry Beautiful Day to All!

Lazy Blueberry Sunday!

Oatmeal + fresh yummy blueberries -- stewed together with a tiny bit of brown sugar.  Delightful breakfast that will stay with me through Bar Method class and up to late brunch with a friend.

I took a photo because it was such a bright purple against the green bowl, it looked shockingly like a deep purple hydrangea -- one of my favorite flowers.  It really does make such a difference when your food is beautiful.  We taste with our eyes too. 

So, don't forget to scoop up some beauty for the pleasure of your eyes at every meal.  It will raise the yum factor by 1000!

Never Ever Ever Ever Ever Give Up Your Favorite Foods in the Name of Weight Loss

It happened again!  I was looking for a Weight Watchers friendly chocolate chip cookie recipe and made my own twist on it to create one of the best chocolate chip cookies I've ever had!

If you are attached to any food, there is an alternative out there for something just as tasty and delicious -- if not more delicious -- than the original recipe. 

I refuse to make anything with fake butter, sugar, or anything even slightly other than whole, clean, good ingredients.  I don't want to forfeit taste, and I also want ingredients that are as close to what comes out of the earth or nature as possible.

So, I found a recipe that used real butter, real sugar, and lots of other really groovy stuff that I knew would give it good texture, like rolled oats.  I added toasted almonds and instead of chocolate chips I used the Scharffenberger Semi-Sweet Chocolate bar I got at the BlogHer Food Conference and chopped it up in varied shapes and sizes.

These cookies have the best crunch and texture of any chocolate chip cookie I've ever had.  Just the right amount of crunch with the right amount of soft, and not too sweet, and not at all heavy even with the whole wheat flour.

INGREDIENTS

DRY:
3/4 cup rolled oats
1 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup brown sugar
WET:
1/4 cup softened butter
1/4 cup canola oil
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
FLAVOR:
1 cup of chopped fine chocolate - I used Scharffenberger
1/2 cup finely chopped toasted almonds
POSSIBLY NEEDED/OPTIONAL:
2 Tablespoons to 1/4 cup coffee


DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Take the first 6 dry ingredients and put them in Cuisinart for a few seconds to make sure the oats are pretty finely ground.  It will all look roughly like the texture of brown sugar after just a few seconds.

In another bowl, beat the butter until fluffy with a mixer.  Then mix in the next three wet ingredients until smoothly blended.

Mix the dry ingredients with the wet ingredients until blended.  Add the chocolate and almonds. 

If it's too dry to form little balls, add coffee as needed (a couple tablespoons will probably do it!) to give texture you can work with to roll into balls about the diameter of a quarter.  You will end up with roughly 2 1/2 dozen cookies.

Bake for about 15 minutes.

Enjoy!!! 

Lazy Loss: Happy Father's Day

It's only my second Father's Day without my dad, but somehow this one hit me much harder than the last.  Last year I was distracted by focusing on my boyfriend, celebrating him as a father, so I simply moved my attention to something else.  I tend to do that with pain -- look at a bright shiny object nearby so I don't have to deal with the dark feelings.

Today, I innocently went to Starbucks.  A lovely elderly man was ordering a latte, and just behind him, in front of me, was a rather dashing man of about my age.  At one point the younger man turned to me and I asked "Father's Day?" and he nodded yes.  Right in that moment, in  the midst of my heart being so full and happy for them and their little outing, I got nailed by a huge sense of loss that I wasn't in line with my dad.  His dad was paying and the younger man said "Senior Father's privilege" saying that even though he too was a father, the senior dad won.  My dad always paid for me too. I would have to do acrobatic sneaking around with waiters to get to pay.  My dad would laugh proudly at my ingenuity, but I could also see the glimmer of "Well, that won't be happening again." 

I started quietly crying right there in the middle of Starbucks.  It's been a while since I cried about my dad.  Mostly I've been appreciating a joyful relationship with him, in my dreams, meditations and even just in daily life hearing him whispering advice to me - particularly when dealing with the business he left me. 

He's helped me a lot with the recent ending of my relationship of two years. Even as I edge toward what I think is the tail end -- hopefully, please God -- of mourning this loss of love, he has been quite light and playful with me in my dreams.  Just the other day, my dog thankfully barked at some creature in the back yard around 3 a.m.  It woke me from a deep sleep where I was dreaming about my dad and my ex.  My dad was showing me with a bit of hilarity how grateful he was that I hadn't gotten engaged - as my ex had promised him -- to a man who told so many slightly frightening lies.  I woke up, albeit groggy, with a smile on my face. 

My dad was unmarried most of his life.  Two marriages - one about 6 years and another about 10 -- do not fill up a lot of years.  So, he learned to love to cook for himself and for guests.  He really did love to cook, and he was good at it too.  He had all the best cookbooks and experimented with them all regularly.  He had an ultimate passion for cooking soup, and toward the end of his life he passed this passion on to me. 

He also liked to bake from time to time.  And, he loooooooooooved him some bacon!  He would carefully stow away every bit of bacon grease he could get after cooking a rasher of bacon.  He always gave him a weekly treat: big Sunday breakfast.  He went to his favorite diner most weeks but loved to cook up a big American cholesterol rich breakfast.  This morning as I was thinking about baking some muffins to cure my recent craving for a good warm hot out of the oven muffin I thought "Wow, I wish I had made my dad big corn muffins with bacon grease and big chunks of crispy bacon in them while he was alive."

In his honor I made corn muffins.  Being a vegetarian, I added corn and toasted almonds instead of the bacon.  He would be laughing very, very heartily at that pathetic substitution!  I toasted my dad with yummy food, which is appropriate.  He'd approve of a toast with gin too, but muffins will have to do today.

I miss him so much today, but taking time out to honor him seems to make it a little better. 

Happy Father's Day Dad.  You were literally the best dad I could have ever had.  Had I ordered you up on a menu, you couldn't have been any more perfect. 

love, love, love,
your Lazy Daughter

Take 5: The Lazy Woman's Road to Meditation

One of my Lazy tricks I play on myself is "Take 5."  I make myself commit to just five minutes of some action that I don't want to do, just to get myself doing it.  Sometimes I'll commit to 15, but if it's something I really don't feel like doing I commit to just 5 minutes. 

Recently, when I decided I needed to start meditating on a daily basis again, I just started with 5.  I very quickly moved my minimum to 10.  And, usually I go way past the minimum I set up for myself.  Within just a few days I was actually craving my meditation, and wouldn't even think of doing less than 10.  Now, first thing in the morning when I get out of bed, I'm in the habit and wouldn't think of not giving myself those quiet moments to start my day in peace and power.  It's better than orange juice -- to start my day out right!  I am far more centered for my entire day because of my practice and I'm grateful that I started.

Whenever people tell me they want to write, or they have a book idea, I say "just take 5!"  I tell them to start with a bare minimum commitment: 5 minutes each day.  If they really are a writer or their idea for a book really has merit, they will WANT to write more than five minutes each day.  They will be pleased with their writing, with the process and will naturally move their minimum commitment up, up, and up, until soon they are inching toward their goal of having a book written.  And, they will be happy doing it.  It's like I wouldn't even think of only meditating for five minutes.  It's too delicious.  I want to do it longer. 

If my desk is a mess or my garage has an area that has gotten out of hand, I'll commit to a minimum of 15 minutes.  To protect myself, I set a timer for the 15 minutes.  If it rings and I want to keep going, I do.  But, if I don't want to do anymore, I maintain my integrity to myself: I gave myself my word that I only needed to do 15 minutes, so I keep my word to myself.  It's important that you keep your word to yourself.  It goes the other way too.  If you are about to fall asleep and you remember you didn't do your 5 minutes, get up and do it: keep your word.  Otherwise what you are saying to yourself is "That goal, that dream, that idea, etc. isn't that important."  Honor yourself, your brilliance, your ideas:  Keep your word.

And, be gentle with yourself.  If 5 is too much, start with 2 minutes.  As my pilates teacher says "you can do anything for just two minutes!"   She's usually saying this at the mid-way mark of a 4 minute plank!  LOL!    But, seriously, if 5 minutes is too much pressure, do 2! In being gentle with yourself to start, you can very gingerly move yourself into realms you know you want to go, but where you have some hesitation or psychological barrier. 

So, give yourself a break and have a breakthrough: TAKE 5!!!!!!

Giddy Lazy Woman

I've been buying clothes to "grow" into -- aka grow thinner into -- for the last couple of months.   I haven't needed to buy much because I have a thin wardrobe, but when I've been in the mood to reward my losses and celebrate my renewed shape, I've bought some new items.

I was at Anthropologie a couple months ago returning a Christmas present and tried on a dress. I could sort of shove myself into it.  The sales lady swore it fit, but she wasn't my breasts. I knew breathing would become increasingly hard and fainting or perishing due to the constraint would be quite possible.  I loved it, though, and knew it would be cute when I shrank myself some more.

I wore it today for the first time and oh my god it was so fun.  I was giddy all the live-long day wearing it.  It's fun to wear clothes that make you feel good.  Wearing clothes that make you feel good that you know didn't fit until this week: priceless, giddy priceless.

WWgasm = TWENTY POUNDS DOWN!

I haven't weighed this little since my last decade, i.e., my 30's!  I am thrilled beyond belief!  And, my god the journey has been so steady and effortless. I've lost just under a pound a week, and have even had trips where food was a major focus during this 5 1/2 months. I didn't deny myself a whole heckuva lot along the way.  I tasted everything I wanted to, and definitely overindulged at a few several course meal events.  But, other than those few occasions, I pretty much stayed the course.

Being perimenopausal, though, I had my fair share of weeks where I gained even though I knew I had synchronistically done more working out, etc.  But, my hormones didn't care about my weigh-ins.  Weight Watchers does a really delightful thing on their site, where you can see the chart of your weight loss in graph or list form.  I love the graph because I can watch the ups and downs, hills and valleys that lead me to this point.  It was very steady, ups roughly every four weeks, followed by a bigger down. 

On the up weeks, I won't lie, I still felt like I'd done something "wrong" or that I had accidentally not logged something, etc.    I had to keep remembering that if I just stick with it, the loss will continue.  My body will catch up.  It always did.

The biggest coup is that I did almost no emotional eating over these months, even though several weeks into my loss I broke up with my boyfriend.  Normally, this would have been a grand excuse to indulge.  In fact, I had gained half of the weight I just lost after my father died because my childish mantra was "I get to do anything I want!  My daddy died." 

I give full credit to Marianne Williamson's "Course in Weight Loss" for taking away all the childish mantras, and for teaching me how to truly take care of myself.  Also, I give her credit for this 20 pounds.  My original goal when I signed up for Weight Watchers on January 5th was 13 pounds.  Marianne's book really got me to see that that would have been my "as good as it gets over 40" weight, not my ideal weight.   I got that I have been denying myself my ideal weight since my 30's. 

The truth is I didn't want to do the work to unveil all the conversations in my head that were keeping me from my ideal weight.  "It's not safe -- bad things happen to me when I'm thin."  "I can't, it's too hard over 40."  "This is as good as it gets, Bridge!"  "This is good: keep some weight on so you have an excellent excuse for not having the man you want!"  If you are struggling in any way, shape or form with your weight, I recommend this book more than anything I've done on this journey.

My goal is 7 pounds more.  My Weight Watchers leader suggested just 2 more.  I'll be looking at this over the next few weeks to see where I land, but I will say I am very happy to say I am feeling great, liking what I see in the mirror for the first time in a very, very long time, and am very proud of myself.   I don't remember the last time I said I was proud of myself.  It's fun.

I will say, though, that this has been one Lazy Ass Weight Loss process because I did the full court press: body, mind and spirit.  I needed to deal with all of them to get these results, and I found the laziest solutions for me in all those area.  You need to find the tools that work for you.  But, I do recommend you hit all three areas to get to the bottom of all that is related to your not being your ideal weight -- or for not having whatever you want in your life that you don't have.

Lazy Weight Loss Tip = Eat Like a Baby!

I recently found these wonderful little olive bowls at Crate & Barrel.   At first I was drawn to them because when I do Italian dinners I always put out bowls of olives, and it's nice to have matching little bowls for the olive pits, right?  But, I bought several of them because I realized they were also a weight loss tool.  Small bowls and dishes are your weight loss friends.

I made another yummy Trader Joe's find this morning:  Country Choice Multigrain Hot Cereal.  The single serving is 1/2 cup and fits perfectly in my sweet little bowl.  (By the "weigh" for you Weight Watchers peeps -it's only 3 points for this 1/2 cup serving.  If you add agave or sugar, a couple toasted almonds, it's only another 1 or 2 points).  I savored it and it filled me up.  There's something about the psychology of having an overflowing bowl of warm yumminess that is so fulfulling!

When I was at the BlogHer Food Conference a few weeks ago, the Barilla company was showcasing their new line of PICCOLINI pasta.  Oh my god, they are adorable.  Not being a mom, I wasn't thinking about how much kids would love all the fun shapes.  I was thinking about how much more balanced a dish of pasta is with pasta and sauce, and how you can feel more satiated with far less when it's small bites like this.  They had samples out and it was fantastic. 



Later, when I read their materials I saw this is being marketed to moms who are cooking for little kids.  Well, today, I'm marketing it to anyone who wants to stay trim!  This is the perfect solution:  smaller, healthier, more balanced portions with all the bang for your taste buck!

I highly recommend the Piccolini line...try it, even if you're like me and don't have a kid nearby.  If you do have a kid in your house, they will love all the fun, tiny shapes, and your body will love it just as much.

Buon Piccolini Appetiti!

Lazy Transformative Workout = Bar Method

I'm hooked.  Yes, I am officially addicted to the Bar Method. 

I had been hearing about tales of its virtues hailing from New York for a few years, but it finally made its way to Pasadena (http://pasadena.barmethod.com/), and I FINALLY caught wind of it being here several weeks ago. 

I've been doing it for about 3 weeks now and I will tell you that it is the quickest body transformation I've ever seen.  I saw fast, great results with pilates and HIIT (high intensity interval training) but nothing that effected all parts of my body equally, causing so swift a Michelangelo-like sculpting. 

People often paraphrase Michelangelo when he was asked how he sculpted the David.  He said he took away everything that wasn't David.  I think the Bar Method is taking away everything that isn't Bridget. 

I had my teacher take a picture of me about 10 days ago, roughly 5 classes in, because I am going to do my darndest to fit 30 classes into my schedule over 30 days.  I have a lot of travel, so I may not hit 30 in 30, but we will take a photo at the end of the month and I'll post the comparative pix.  I am already very happy with how much more toned I am.  I don't think the mirror is lying, or that I am having bar-delusions of a non-alcoholic type.  But, you will be the judges in a few weeks.

In the meantime, if you have a class near you, I highly recommend giving it a try.  Many gyms are now offering bar/ballet barre classes.  It is a great comprehensive workout. 

And, honestly, as always, I love it for one very big reason:  it's LAZY!  If I can get cardio and sculpting in one hour instead of having to spend 1.5 to 2 hours to get the same results, that is one Lazy workout solution.

People! People! Plantscription is Pretty Pricking Pantastic for your Peau (translation from French = skin)

I'm not kidding.  This stuff is pretty miraculous.

I am literally surrounded by women my age, younger, and older who are paying big bucks to manage the aging of their skin.  Even the least likely suspects are getting botox or are having intense laser or chemical burns.  The most likely suspects have met the knife. 

This is the LAZIEST skin care solution for fine lines and sun damage.  I think I've been using it for three weeks now and there is a marked difference in the sun damage on the left side of my face, a reduction in fine lines all over my face, and overall my skin is just so much softer.  No kidding.  I don't get anything out of this, people.  I'm just telling you because it's LAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAZY!  So, check it out!


You can even order it on the website, get free shipping AND two sample size products right now.  Run, don't walk, your fingers to the Origins site: http://tinyurl.com/3q3ojap.

It's so damn Lazy...and it smells good too!  Pure Plantscription bliss!

Lazy Livin' Life -- Great Advice from Deathbeds

One of the purposes of many spiritual traditions is to prepare us for death.  The guru of my guru in India apparently on his deathbed simply exhaled on his last breath the mantra "So-ham" which means I am that.  The lesson was that his final moment of life was as pure and peaceful and in the moment as possible as he had spent so many of his life's moments present to the fact that he was indeed "so-ham."

A friend just posted this link to an article about people's regrets on their deathbeds.  I think it's stellar Lazy advice.

http://thenextweb.com/lifehacks/2011/05/31/the-top-5-regrets-people-make-on-their-deathbeds/

We never know when, where, how...so might as well get your proverbial ducks in a row and live in this moment to the fullest, eh?

WWgasm = George (Forman) + Joe (Trader)

When I was going to acting school in NYC in the 80's my friend Fran and I would often pop into the diner around the corner from The Neighborhood Playhouse before school and get one of our favorite breakfasts: grilled corn muffin with peanut butter on the side.  It would come to the table with those beautiful black grill marks blessing it with charcoal goodness and the peanut butter would melt creating a gooey-crunchy-cakey filling and fulfilling breakfast that stuck to our ribs.

Well, just now I went into the fridge looking for a post baked potato/pea shoot salad dinner (yes, I am absolutely, unequivocally addicted to this meal!) dessert and I found that I had some leftover Trader Joe's Triple Bran Muffins (made from mix).  I cut one in half and put it on the George Foreman grill, made it nice and toasty with the proper grill markings, and slathered on 1 teaspooon Almond Butter just for a little twist. 

WWgasm = only 4 Weight Watchers Points Plus! OMG

So, find yourself a healthy muffin and try it for yourself with the nut butter of your choice!

Buon Skinny Appetito!

Lazy Memorial Day -- Very Berry Ice Cream + Broccoli Slaw

On my way out the door, but wanted to quickly post pix of two of the three things I made today.

It was time to make ice cream and the berries looked lovely today so I used raspberries, strawberries and blackberries to make this:

Guess who licked the heck out of this:

And then I decided to make Broccoli Slaw...

INGREDIENTS
Servings: 6 to 8

Two bags of Trader Joe's Broccoli Slaw
1/3 bag of Trader Joe's Toasted Almonds (either cut you wish)
1 package of Trader Joe's Chives (chopped finely)
1 package of Trader Joe's Flat Parsley (chopped finely)
A few splashes of Red Wine Vinegar
One splash of Rice Wine VInegar
One splash of Balsamic Vinegar
A couple drizzles of Olive Oil
Salt
Pico De Gallo Spice (See previous post for a picture of this dry spice found in Mexican Food stores)

DIRECTIONS

Toss it all together to make delicious spicy crunchy yumminess!

 No time to write up the recipe for ice cream right now but SUPER EASY!  Email me if you want it.  So so so so easy and scrumptious...creamy and not too sweet!

Buon Memorial Appetito!

Lazy Spring Dinner = Pea Shoots + Baked Potato + Haricots Verts

It's Spring!  It's Spring!  It's Spring!  We are having literally the most delicious day in Los Angeles today.  Bright blue skies, white fluffy clouds, a sweet breeze to balance out the warm sunshine make it really hard to not keep a big smile on your face.  I stopped in the middle of my trip to Bar Method Class to pull over and put my top down (convertible top that is) because missing any part of this day would be a shame.

When I got home I popped a baked potato in the oven so it would be nice and crispy by the time I got home from walking the dogs.  When I got home, I took out the Pea Shoots I got at Trader Joe's!  Yes, Trader Joe's has Pea Shoots!  It's a miracle!  They are so profoundly delicious, and their season is so short, I decided to just toss them with fresh lemon juice, a tiny bit of oil, salt and pepper.

Then, I pulled out the baked potato and put my new secret weapon on it -- 1 serving of the Trader Joe's Creamy Goat Cheese -- only ONE Weight Watchers Points Plus!

Then I sauteed up a package of Trader Joe's Haricots Verts with just a tiny bit of oil, garlic salt and some red pepper flakes.  Throw them over the potato and ....Yummarifico!

Buon Springtime Appetito to all!!!!

BlogHer Food Conference Take-Away -- One White Curtain Makes All the Difference in the World!

A few months ago I picked up this cute little white voile curtain at World Market.  I didn't have a use for it but I just had to have it and knew one day I'd want to cover one small window with it!  I just knew it!  Well, in the middle of my BlogHer Food Conference Workshop on photography, Sarah Amelar showed a photo of her home studio in her kitchen where she put up a simple white curtain to diffuse the directional light.   Brilliant! 

So, I got it out today and it works! 

I hammered a couple of brads above the window and haphazardly hung it because it will just go up temporarily when I shoot in there.  I threw it up in seconds!

And voila, my new obsession with Kale and Mushrooms...this time with more garlic and Italian spices....and much more beautifully lit than my last Kale-Mushroom posting! LOL!

Buon Well-Lit Appetito!!!!

BlogHer Food Conference -- What I Learned in Blogging School Last Weekend

There was such heart at the BlogHer Food Conference, so much generosity, sharing, wisdom, genuine caring about each other.  It was loverly!  And, it was delicious and fun.  Great food every where we turned, good fun to be had in any moment.  I posted pix the other day, and my more heartfelt post, but wanted to post my notes for people who couldn't go to the conference,or who missed a session I might have attended. 

My notes look lovely in a 7 page Word Doc, but inserted here they just look so...well, like a whole bunch o' words!  So, if you would like my notes, email me: bridget@lazywoman.com and I'll shoot it out to you!

WWgasm = 4 Points Plus Lunch Deliciosa!

Trader Joe’s does it again – making my Weight Watchers dreams come true, giving me yet another WWgasm. I had only a couple minutes between calls to whip up a good-for-me-beyond-delicious lunch. This literally took about three minutes.



INGREDIENTS


½ cup Trader Joe’s Frozen Jasmine Rice
1 tsp Dark Sesame Oil
½ bag of Trader Joe’s Kale (it’s pre-chopped – roughly)
1 bag of Trader Joe’s Sliced Mushrooms
Rice Vinegar - to taste (I do about 2 tsp probably)
Red Wine Vinegar- to taste (I do about 2 tsp probably)Water -- about 1/8 cup


Red Pepper Flakes
Garlic Salt

DIRECTIONS

1. Pop the frozen rice in the microwave for about 2 1/2 minutes. 
2. Put Dark Sesame Oil in big sautee pan.  Warm it up on a fairly high heat.
3. Add everything else in the ingredients list.
4. Cook it up!  I kept mine on a medium high heat the entire time and it was deliciously inflused with all the flavorings by the time it was all done, which was just a few minutes.
5. Put 1/2 cup of rice on your lovely salad plate.   Yes, all this food fits nicely on a small dinner plate!  Add the veggie mixture.
6. Have your own WWgasm!

Buon Skinny Appetito!

A Three WWgasm (Weight Watchers Foodie Bliss) Day = A Very Excellent Day

Just had to quickly post about this because I've been in WWgasm heaven for 24 hours.  And, all of this comes from Mecca, aka Trader Joe's.  So, we're hitting all the Lazy markers:  easy, inexpensive, simple, healthy, and delicious!

1. Lazy Ass Delicious Potato -- I believe in butter -- used sparingly.  I would never dream of using substitutes, though I know I am in the minority on that one.  But, I think if you want butter, just have it -- in moderation.  I allow for the points for it.  But since getting on Weight Watchers, I actually have not used as much as I used to.  I'm not a butter freak.  I am not a fat person, I'm a sugar person.  So, I have always used oils and butter sparingly for my taste buds' sake.  The only item that I have always put more butter on is the Almighty Baked Potato.  Well, Ladies and Gentlemen, I found a most divine substitution for buttering said Almighty on.  I wasn't even seeking a substitution.  I have gotten very used to less butter on my potato, and frankly have enjoyed the flavor of the potato even more.  But, I accidentally ran out of butter yesterday.  So, I whipped out the Trader Joe's Creamy Goat Cheese and took just 1/4 of the container -- which is only 1 point -- yes, ONE point -- and slathered it in the potato.  Add salt and pepper and you are in potato heaven.  Sometimes I grill up a portobello mushroom (on George Forman Grill with no fat added) and slice it on top of the potato.  Wowza Potato WWgasm Bonanza! ONLY FIVE (5) POINTS PLUS (if medium sized potato)!
2. Triple Berry Bran Muffin Peanut Butter Bliss -- The Triple Berry Muffin mix is unbelievably easy -- add two eggs and a cup of water, pop in the oven for 30 minutes. Done.  And, they taste so homemade!  Then, it says let them sit for about 20 minutes.  Well, when they came out of the oven, I got way inspired.  I popped the top off of one of the muffins and put a teaspoon of peanut butter (1 point) on top and put the lid back on.  Do you understand what that means?  It means I had a WWgasm coming!  I had just created hot peanut lava in the middle of the warm cakey deliciousness.  Are you kidding me?  WWgasm Maximus.  FOUR (4) POINTS PLUS!
3. Crunchy Filling Snackalicious -- Trader Joe's scored even more points with me when they added Lundberg Rice Cakes to their menu of items they carry.  I just tried the Lite Cheddar Sliced Cheese for the first time this week -- just to check it out, not expecting much.  Well the texture of this super-crunchy rice cake with the perfectly chewy and surprisingly rich for a lite cheese, is divine.  It's very tastebud fulfilling and tummy filling.  THREE (3) POINTS PLUS!

Buon Lazy Lite Appetito to All!

BlogHer Food Conference 2011 in Atlanta: --- Sweet Deliciousness!

There was so much much that was DELICIOUS about the BlogHer Food Conference:

1.  Sweet Peeps!   The speakers, the attendees, the organizers, the hotel staff -- everyone was so generous!  People shared, supported, nurtured, attended to, cheered, and inspired each other.  Magic was happening around every corner.  Two of the highlights for me were Laurie David (author "The Family Dinner" and producer on "Inconvenient Truth") and Molly O'Neill (formerly of NY Times and now, check her out at onebigtable.com) who were genuinely, unequivocally generous with people who were asking for support and/or inspiration.  I witnessed each of them taking such care with people to give them what they needed -- in a most humble way. 

It was mostly women at this conference and it was truly women showing up as their most powerful, generous selves.  A true inspiration.  I give major credit to the organizers for creating such an amazing space for everyone to step into with love and generosity.

2.  Sweet Auburn Market -- I'm sorry but for a vegetarian, there is nothing more orgasmic than a Farmer's Market.  This is a fun and funky one and full of all kinds of veggies and legumes that we don't get to see here in Los Angeles.  And, they had a penchant for wrapping foods in plastic so it was fun to photograph the wrapped jewels.

But the biggest vegorgasm of my trip was the veggie burger at Grindhouse Burgers at The Sweet Auburn Curb Market.  It won "Best Veggie Burger 2010 in Atlanta" and it totally deserves it.  If you're not a vegetarian please go and get you some o' dat meat burger stuff because you will LOVE it.  They have a million creative toppings too.  I chose the homemade slaw which was so incredibly light and inspired, and sauteed mushrooms and onions! OMG! Again Vegorgasm Galore!

3.  Sweet Wisdom -- I got so much wisdom from this weekend that I actually typed up all my notes on the plane home late Saturday night.  I will post soon the best tidbits I got throughout the weekend. 

4.  Sweet Lovin' -- My wonderful friend, Salle (who came with me to the conference) and I met the Tuna of Our Dreams...isn't he handsome?

Lazy Summertime

The lazy days of Summertime are a-comin' and one of the laziest most impressive desserts you can make is homemade ice cream or sorbet.  You guys, I'm not kidding it's LAZY to make ice cream.  Even the fanciest of ice creams are relatively easy to make. 

For instance, if you are making something like a rich vanilla bean, peach or other fruit, or deep dark chocolate ice cream, the most complicated thing you do is make a quick custard on the stove and let it cool.  But, you can make sorbets and easy ice creams with very few ingredients and one or two steps.  It's so easy.  Seriously. Please try it.  You'll be happy.  You'll make other people happy.  And, isn't that what makes this Lazy world go round?!

So, first step: buy an ice cream maker.  The reason I'm even bringing this up today is that I got the latest Crate & Barrel catalogue and they have the Cuisinart Ice Cream maker on sale -- great deal -- $49 instead of $90!!!! 


http://www.crateandbarrel.com/kitchen-and-food/specialty-appliances/cuisinart-ice-cream-frozen-yogurt-maker/s676864

I have had a few different kinds of ice cream makers over the years but my very favorite is the one I have which is probably synchronistically one of the least expensive on the market.  But the genius reason I bought it is that it is the LAZIEST to clean, store and manage in every way.  It is just two pieces.  I keep the frozen canister always in the freezer in the garage so it's ready to go when I am.  The rest of the ice cream maker is the paddle/electronics.  So, I get the canister, throw the incredients in, pop the paddle in, turn it on and go away for about 25 minutes, and voila: YUMMINESS!

http://www.amazon.com/Rival-Gel-Canister-Cream-Maker/dp/B0012UZ3D6

Happy Summery Deliciousness to all!  I'm off to a hotter zone -- Atlanta -- for the BlogHer Food Conference.  Muy excited!  Will report!

Lazily yours,
Bridget

Best Lazy Tip of 2011 = Smile, Smile, Smile!

"I will never understand all the good tht a smiple smile can accomplish."

Mother Teresa

Good Morning Gorgeous Lazy Men and Women!

Please take 7 minutes to watch this video - http://www.ted.com/talks/ron_gutman_the_hidden_power_of_smiling.html

It will:

1.  Inspire you.

2.  Be fun to just watch.

3.  Make you go "Wow" or "Aaaaah" or something in betweeen.

4.  Have you realize something about yourself.

5.  Make you smile!

6.  Show you that smiling is the laziest way to a long life!

And, one of my favorite songs just popped in my head. I thought Charlie Chaplin wrote this but it turns out he wrote the music (which is lovely) but the lyrics are by Turner & Parsons.

SMILE

Smile, though your heart is aching

Smile, even though it’s breaking

When there are clouds in the sky
you’ll get by

If you smile through your fear and sorrow

Smile and maybe tomorrow

You’ll see the sun come shining through

for you

Light up your face with gladness

Hide every trace of sadness Although a tear may be ever so near

That’s the time you must keep on trying

Smile what’s the use of crying

You’ll find that life is still worthwhile

If you’ll just

Smile

Are you ANTI-Aging or PRO-Aging?

I'm sorry but I think it's fairly hilarious that we are so ANTI-aging!  It's like we are ANTI-nature! 

I find it almost as hilarious that I just last week posted about my grandma's skincare regime that I love and follow has kept my skin relatively wrinkle-free and healthy. 

Well, the very next day after I posted that I went to my friend's beautiful store -- ELISA B. in Old Town Pasadena.  If you ever need a special dress, a unique lovely piece of jewelry, or a clever gift for a special woman in your life -- go to Elisa B. 

At one point I popped out of the store to run across the courtyard to Origins for one of my favorite lip glosses.  As I was checking out someone behind me asked "Have you ever tried Plantscription?"  I turned around and heard the story about how people are raving about it, that it's being featured all over the media as a skin rejuvenator.  She said it reduces wrinkles and skin discoloration. 

There were a couple of women there who were also extolling its virtues, so I sort of, kind of, well, you know, I had to get it!

And, boy oh boy am I happy because after just over a week's use, the sun spots on the left side of my face are absolutely lighter.  The fine lines around my mouth are also reduced.  This stuff seriously works.    And, it smells divine, is so light and lovely in feel, so it's a joy to apply twice a day.  I put it on, leave it for a few minutes and then go back to grandma's moisturizing secret!  (if you missed it scroll down in the blog posts)

With Lazy tricks like Plantscription around we can be PRO-aging, eh?  It's good to be positive!

Lazily Finding My Best Self

Last night I went through my closets yet again, culling out more old stuff that I never wear or don't really like.  I was slightly ruthless.  I am clearing out the old, making more space almost every day.

I'm doing it on every level.  A couple days ago I had a divine Reiki/Shamanic session that lifted the weight of pain from my recently discovered betrayal that happened in my last relationship.  It had been tearing me apart for weeks.  But, this session lifted it and cleared my heart...just like one of my closets!  The very next morning I realized I woke up genuinely happy (a smile on my face, no less) for the first time in a few dark months.

Today, I was filling the house with fresh flowers, clearing out the old ones -- right now as I look up from my computer I have two huge tulip bouquets in my sights -- and I am literally so happy just looking at them.  I've made sure to have as much beauty around me as possible these last few months, but now I can fully take it in.  That's really something.

Today was also weigh in day at Weight Watchers and I am lighter than I've been in probably 12 years.  My goal weight that I thought was "as good as it gets" was 5 pounds higher than I am now.  My new goal is 10 pounds lighter than I am now.  And, I honestly don't know how I thought my previous goal was acceptable to me.  I really get that in many ways -- including in my relationships with men -- I was stuck in the "as good as it gets" mode.  

Part of the mechanics of keeping that mode alive was a conversation I had with myself about hard work.  With relationships I think I was way too willing to work way too hard.  Yes, relationships are work, but not as hard as this last one!  And, I had a conversation about weight loss that said getting to my ideal weight would be too hard.  I heard myself saying on several occasions: "I'm not willing to work as hard as it would take to have my ideal body."

The bottom line: neither has to be hard.  When you are whole and not looking for food or love to fill up the holes, it's not an obsessive treadmill.  It's easy, drama-free, an easy flow of energy.

I am declaring right now that my next relationship will look like my weight loss journey: stress-free, flowing, and truly honoring myself. 

Now that, my friends, is LAZY!

Ch-ch-ch-changes....dealing with change the Lazy Way

Our world is transforming and if we are lucky we are transforming too, moving forward to more peaceful, loving and happy lives. 

I had a rough couple of days being berated by feelings of betrayal.  "Was it all a lie?" was my mantra-like response to unveiling lies that had been told to me during my relationship of two years.  I wanted to sift through every memory and deem it "truth" or "lie" like I was on my own little game show. 

Last night, though, I had the pleasure of listening to the recording of Marianne Williamson's talk from Monday night: http://bit.ly/l8lfyi.  Marianne speaks every Monday in Los Angeles, and I always miss it.  But, we are all blessed because she records it.  This Monday the talk was about our external and internal reactions to the Osama Bin Laden news.  I highly recommend the talk, especially if you are struggling or wrestling in any way with the news. 

But, it's also applicable if you have anything like a "war" going on in your own life.  For instance, the war I'm having in my heart with my ex is not a pretty one.  I am my own terrorist in the dangerous neighborhood called "my head!" 

Two amazing quotes I gleaned from her talk were promptly typed up and posted on my wall as a reminder.  I put some pretty graphics on them to make them easy on the eyes -- actually pretty enough to draw me into them.  Here are the divine quotes I am clinging to now, which I share with you, thanks to the Divine Miss Marianne...if not solace today, perhaps you can use them in the future or send them to someone in pain, in the midst of their own battle:

God, lift me above the battle.

 

My job is to see beyond this illusion. 

I can seek to dwell in love.

Wo ho ho! I feel like a Woman! (thank you Shania Twain)

"Every death is a wake up call to live more fully, more presently right now."

Oprah Winfrey

Yet another synchronicity in my life.  Today, I felt like I took several steps back in my healing from the break-up with my boyfriend of two years.  The recurring theme of my day was "betrayal."  I remembered the gorgeous flower arrangement he sent to me whose card said very simply "Never doubt."  He always claimed he never wanted me to doubt his love, and that he had never had a single doubt that I was "the one" for him.  And, yet he was courting someone else when we were together.  The card maybe should have said "Always doubt me."  LOL!

I had a day littered with icky flashbacks to the time of the betrayal.  It was not a LAZY day.  Again, Lazy = less stress and more joy. 

But I just sad down to watch my taped Oprah from earlier today and lo' and behold it's an interview with Shania Twain who was betrayed by not only her husband, but her best friend.  That I don't actually understand surviving.  But, Oprah uttered the quote at the top of this post, and it's so true: every death -- and there is no doubt that the end of a relationship is a death -- is a WAKE-UP call to LIVE fully right now!

It's funny.  I always have live flowers all over the house, but since the break-up I have even more....three bouquets in my bedroom alone almost always, and literally every room has at least one bouquet.  Life! Life! Life my soul is shouting.

But, when I slip into the past and run the old tapes with new revelations about lies that were said, I go back into the Death Zone.  That doesn't feel good.  And, honestly, my LIFE cannot afford it.  Back to the flowers, back to the love I do have in my life, back to POSSIBILITIES, back to the new body I've created for myself, back to the PRESENT.

The new anthem ringing in my head after the Oprah episode is Shania's breathtaking...

"I feeeeeeeeeeeeel like a WOOOOOOMAN!  Wo ho ho!!!!"