balance

lake tahoe | thanksgiving 2010

Balance is something that I’ve struggled with for a while, for as long as I can remember, actually. When I was little, I struggled [literally] balancing on the beam in gymnastics. As I got older, my gymnastics skills improved but I had trouble balancing my studies [I wanted to read and write only - go figure - and forget my multiplication tables]. In high school, it was finding a balance between relationships: a boyfriend, girlfriends, family and maintaining my relationship with myself. College, though a darn good time, was all about time management. balancing a job and an internship with sorority obligations, writing and editing the newspaper and oh yeah, that little thing called my business major and god forbid having a social life, clearly a priority. I conveniently learned to balance those "college things" just in time for graduation where afterwards, my entire life would change, yet again, and the balancing act would be...well... off balance. but this time, it'd be something I like to refer to as real life.

Now, in real time, it's balancing a full time 8:40 a.m. to 5:20 p.m. job with blogging [my passion] and cooking [my other passion] but also trying to incorporate working out [blah]… then of course trying to stay financially afloat.* It's keeping your head up when times get rough and you don't have your usual support system to pick you up. It's falling in love and miserably failing but realizing that you'll be okay, on your own. It's further strengthening your relationship with yourself all the while hoping to be able to check off some of your everyday "to-dos." 

*budgeting has never been one of my strengths. I find a way to rationalize every [mostly food] related purchase. But thanks to the everygirl, i'm learning! 

I think the moral of this story is that finding balance is a constant struggle. I'm not sure if anyone can ever say that their life is perfectly balanced. there's always more time you'd like to spend volunteering, more vegetables you should be eating or more credit you should be giving yourself. But I think striving for some semblance of balance - even if it's off balance - is something we should all attempt.

what's your take on balance? 
where do you strive? where do you struggle?

sauteed spinach and goat cheese lentils

I'd like to take credit for this recipe but I can't, because it's definitely not my own. It was invented by my best friend and other half, AJ [I'd link to her blog but it's currently under construction]. But anyways, this dish... though it may sound a little strange... has been a crowd pleaser at pot lucks, work events, date nights and family dinners. It's healthy, satisfying, easy, cheap and so dang delicious. It's great as a side to any chicken or fish dish... or it can be eaten as the main course. [versatile too!] Seriously, I can't say enough good things about it. So without further adieu, behold blogger world... THE recipe.

Ingredients:

Steamed lentils [Trader Joe's], garlic, spinach,

olive oil, salt, pepper & goat cheese

In a medium skillet, heat a couple of teaspoons of olive oil and crushed garlic over medium heat. Add a half of a bag of spinach [or more] and sautee with crushed garlic until spinach is wilted. Season lentils with salt and pepper and in a separate bowl, heat for three minutes.Add wilted spinach and however much goat cheese you like. Mix and serve!

{FEAST}

feast from the weekend: joshua tree

After an incredibly memorable night camping in Joshua Tree National Park, we started our journey home to San Diego, but decided to make a quick pit stop at The Natural Sisters Cafe for some breakfast. Let's just say it was the perfect ending to a perfect weekend.

the interior was adorably decorated with art from local artists

cute centerpieces on the tables

spinach, egg and cheese wrap with a side of the best yogurt ever

biscuits and gravy... enough said.

If you ever have the opportunity to camp at Joshua Tree, don't miss out on this fantastic cafe located just outside of the park in the city of Joshua Tree.

joshua tree national park

Lately, my weekends have consisted of too much beer and food and lazy days on the couch [feeling terrible]. This weekend, I was determined to mix it up. Thanks to a little inspiration from an article I wrote at work and the companionship of a good friend, I jetted off to Joshua Tree National Park. Just about two hours from my house in San Diego, I was surprised to find this vast desert land covered in absurdly large rock formations and interesting foliage.

we started how any good road trip beings... with in n out at 10 a.m.

Besides the beautiful weather we encountered, there was something else that made this trip extra special. sure the rocks and the terrain were cool, and the other friendly campers contributed as well, but there was a certain freshness in the air and an aura that seemed to follow us around. Feelings of certainty, almost a right place at the right time kind of feeling, contentment to be out and away from the city and the hustle and bustle of everyday life and peace filled every moment that I spent at joshua tree.

Don't get me wrong, I enjoy vacations planned around fancy hotels and expensive meals, but strangely [or maybe not so strangely] this mini vacation was better. Maybe it was being able to see an area, so close to where I live, that was so baffling and strange that it was almost mysterious. Maybe it was the fresh air, the clear skies where more stars than we'd ever see in san diego were visible. Maybe it was cooking the best chicken [ever] over an open fire and finishing the night with s'mores. Maybe it was sleeping on the ground, feeling just a tad too cold, but being so happy and content that the cold didn't even matter. Maybe it was that we turned off our cell phones and vowed not to check the time so as to be able to fully relax and truly not have an agenda. Or maybe it was all of those things combined. Whatever it was, Joshua Tree National Park captured my heart and spirit and I cannot wait to go back.

creatively climbing through the rocks

peak-a-boo

]

a joshua tree

chicken and zucchini

ending on a sweet note

Though there's always a sense of sadness leaving an incredible place and trip behind, I still feel happy and so very grateful for the relaxing weekend that i truly enjoyed to the fullest. I think the natural high from this trip will keep me going for a while.

{hope everyone's weekend was just as good!}

casa de luz

After a lot of anticipation, Casa de Luz finally opened in North Park. Located just blocks from my apartment, my friend Tim and I decided to go on a date one evening. The restaurant, which started in Austin, Texas [love] is all vegan and macrobiotic. Their menu changes three times per day to ensure the highest and freshest quality of ingredients and you can find it posted on their Facebook page. for an all natural, organic and vegan restaurant, the prices were very reasonable [about $15 a person for a salad and main course] and the atmosphere was laid back and enjoyable. The food was tasty and clearly fresh and healthy [though it was very apparent to my taste buds that I was eating vegan... which is neither a negative or a positive].

gorgeous interior

organic beer

salad bar

"sushi"

beets and other veggies

my most adorable date, tim

My advice? Whether you're into the organic, healthy eating movement or not, you should give this place a shot. The food is creative and delicious and at the very least, you'll have a filling and healthy meal at a reasonable price!

{plus, they compost all of the uneaten food!}