Unconditional love and affection,

Sensitive and intuitive,

Forgiving and loyal,

Genuine and Sincere

I LOVE MY DOGS :)

I'm a little paranoid that I'm a little paranoid

The past 6 months I have been very conscience of what I put in my body and that includes on it as well. Using organic all natural soaps to wash my hair, face and body. Deodorants without aluminum and chemicals. Even my toothpaste is free of artificial sweeteners etc.... As I'm going through my morning routine of washing my face and applying moisturizer...I can't help but notice some dark circles and puffiness around my eyes from being tired. I also can't help but feel the need to brush on some color to my cheeks, concealer under my eyes, a little powder to even out my skin tone and a touch of mascara so my eyes look pretty. WHAT!? Do you ever stop to think why make-up was created? Of course women need it to feel attractive to men. Most men I know don't like when women wear a lot of make-up. sooooo what is going on?!
Living the way I do makes everyone else's toxic tendencies obvious. I have to keep an eye on myself to not lecture and criticize. Trying not to be a hypocrite, I read labels of everything...from my food to my dogs' food. The better I eat, the better I feel, the better I look. One day I hope to not use any beauty products but to make facial scrubs out of organic ingredients. Manage oily hair and skin with things from my pantry. After recently reading an article titled " Could you live 30 days without beauty products" I realized that the most difficult obstacle this particular woman faced was living confidently without all the things she thought she "needed" to look/feel beautiful. Her skin went through withdraw and eventually looked just as nice if not better than on day one wearing full make-up.
Here is where my paranoia comes in...I don't trust the FDA (in case you didn't know). Everyone is out to make money...beef/dairy farmers, corn producers etc...are paying the salaries of the people creating the food pyramid and our daily serving suggestions . Conflict of interest? Anyway, that leads me to wonder if we as a society took better care of our bodies and our emotional well being would we need things such as make-up to mask the "imperfections"?

I hope to find out.

Inside the box

There are times in all our lives when we are excited for change and this new "something to look forward to" could give us a one track mind.

Last January, when our beloved Aventino closed, I had a simple thought that maybe I won't look for work in another restaurant (was truly too heartbroken). That simple thought opened up so many doors for me and now I am working in a great office with great people and have a great schedule! Recently I have picked up some shifts in a new Mediterranean restaurant to make some additional money but the "revelation" I experienced prior had given me a positive perspective. I go to work grateful and beaming joy.

The time is drawing near to make a decision on where to live next. Don't worry, Fort Worth is now my home but my apartment is way too expensive. Growing up we all have this fantasy time line to gauge our accomplishments. Married by 25, Owning a home by 28 (somewhere kids factor in there for most) blah blah blah. Seeing how I'm soon to be 28 and never really considered trying to own a home, its pretty exciting that I may be living in an "owned" home! Rent has been the only word in my vocabulary for years and knowing now that there are a lot of different avenues that can be persued to get the things you want out of life, makes a lot of tasks less daunting.

Last month, as I've mentioned before, I was at serious risk of eviction so instead of focusing on all I might lose, I started thinking about alternative ways to live my life that didn't rely on the standard arrangements. So began my research into green living, cohabitation, life on the road traveling and experiencing beauty. Most importantly, my mind, my thought processes, my perspectives started evolving. What society deems normal is changing! And no time like the present to encourage and promote the evolution! We tend to look the other way. News of the oil spill in the Gulf is background noise. MacDonald's monopolizing not only our money but our health and the health of our youth. A lot of people look a dollar bill as 1 double cheese burger or 4 hot apple pies. Had a conversation today that we as Americans assume if it is sold as food then it must be safe and even good for you. Please don't be a fool...ask questions and take the control out of "their" hands...place it back in yours!

"Their" BOX is too cramped anyway...

As Always,
Absorbing Life

Some days your hands are just tied

Some days are more difficult than others. Its not a coincidence that my evenflo is directily related to my even flow. Sitting at work with Animal Planet airing animal resues made me teary. Changed it to CMT only to start watching Extreme Home Makeover which always makes me cry. Then I start to think about the notice to vacate I just recieved yesterday from my apartment...again...and I want to cry...again. Hearing about my friend's personal experience of a man falling from the upper deck at Ranger stadium and how her 9 y/o daughter is in such shock she took the day off yesterday...This world is unpredictable. There is no way you can wake up in the morning and know what is in store for you. Two weeks ago I went to work like I normally do and came home with a new dog! (that being a positive unexpected event)



Instead of having a fear of impending doom, I try to look at my every day life in such a way that welcomes the unexpected. What's going to happen next? Of course "everyone" says you gotta take the good with the bad but i truly believe that your energy really dictates the majority of what gravitates toward you. I don't expect good things to happen...I know they will.



Money doesn't just appear out of thin air but I KNOW that I am bartending this weekend and money will be in my possession soon. Patience is a skill...practice makes perfect! Worrying and stressing out about things out of my immediate control is a waste of time. So I put a smile on my face now...knowing my dogs will eat tonight, knowing I will eat tonight, knowing there are so many good people in my life that love me.....all is well :)



as always,



absorbing life

Just as easy as you want it to be

Becoming a vegetarian was not a difficult change for me...having better than average knowledge of food and ways to prepare them has definitely worked to my benefit...for example:

4th of July BBQ menu

Portobello burgers topped with balsamic glazed onions, bleu cheese, greens and tomato
Grilled corn on the cob basted with lime oil
Grilled chili lime sweet potato wedges
Mango and watermelon fruit skewer

Delicious and satisfying

as always, absorbing life

The 4th of July

Happy independence day America! Way to play dirty and spare no expense to pursue your own agenda!

I do appreciate the unity felt on days like these...as if we all just come together to eat and watch fireworks...spend some time in the sun and celebrate our great nation. Of course I enjoy the festivities despite now I have to bring my own grilling goods...veggie burgers and vegan dogs it is! Yum :)

I have taken my dogs out to the park to celebrate with their other 4-legged friends...ran their little hearts out...good pups...can't go wrong with settling down sipping on a root beer float...smelling the sweet scent of summer.


Hope you all enjoy your day and stay safe.
absorbing life as always

The simplest things!

Whatever it may have been to spark this revelation, I am very grateful! There is so much joy in day to day life...waking up with my four-legged family giving endless unconditional love. Bathing in my lavender hemp oil soap (conserving both water and time). The satisfaction of eating well and feeling well. Surrounded by some amazing people that constantly challenge and teach me. It feels pretty incredible discussing real topics...inspiring each other to keep progressing/learning/loving/changing the world! Even something as simple as researching a new and exciting meal to make...I have a huge resource in my friends and family...THANK YOU!

It has also been a very long time since I have looked forward to spending time in my home. Actually it has been a very long time since I have felt like I have a HOME. Maybe its just the feeling like I don't really belong "here" or that no one really gets me. Again, thanks to my friends and family, I've come to realize that feeling was manufactured by me. Great conversations that were never had outside of my own thoughts really distanced me from some loved ones. Opening up my mind, my heart and my soul has not only let others in but let my true self out. Such a liberating feeling to just be you! I feel like nothing can stop me but me.

Taking things in stride, having peaceful relationships and a place to call home...Making the most of every day and appreciating the simplest things...Endless Joy!

speaking of...one of my bestest has returned with our lunch :) until next time...keep absorbing life!