My Green Juice Diary

I'm new to this. I'm not an expert. I just wanted to share my initial feelings in this journey to become a seasoned juicer.

I bought a juicer one night on a whim after raiding the produce section at the store. It was something I never thought I'd ever consider. Juicing always seemed too fussy for me, and I'll be honest, when a friend posted a picture of their juice, I rolled my eyes. It was literally overnight that I changed my mind.

I'm juicing a little for weight loss, but mostly for nutrition. I'm very, very interested in the Alkaline lifestyle. However, the thought of a "root wrap" or a salad of arugula and beets just isn't appealing. Now, if I can juice my greens and throw in a lemon, now that's appealing. So, I guess you can say I'm doing it 20% for weight loss, 80% for nutrition? By the way, I'm not doing a juice fast, just supplementing with a healthy lifestyle.

I have been researching the heck out of juicing. I feel like I know what not to do at this point and the best way to reap the benefits. So, here are THREE rules/ideas I've been following to make the experience the most effective and also make sure the juice tastes decent:

1. Use mostly veggies. I ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS use a leafy green- and tons of it!!! I have been switching between kale and spinach. I may start incorporating other greens, but for now, while I get the hang of things, I'm keeping it simple. During the juicing process, I juice the greens first. I've heard, since they're the softest, they'll then be pushed through the juicer by the firmer veggies. I pretty much always use celery, too. And I really don't like the taste of celery in the least bit- probably one of the only veggies I plain CANNOT stand- but it's easy to juice, has some great vitamins and full of water.

2. Limit fruit. This is kind of tricky, because some fruits you can use freely (cucumber for example) but the sweet-tasting stuff is full of sugar, and those I try to limit. When I do use apples and berries, it's at a minimum. I use a lot of lemon, but those are low in sugar and a high alkaline food (my juices also tend to run on the sour side- HA!.) You really have to play around with your concoction- but basically, your juice shouldn't taste like a smoothie. It should taste green and healthy. And, if that's gross, I promise you'll get used to it!

3. Drink your juice & clean your juicer immediately. The first is because your juice will start oxidizing and losing some of its benefits (and start to taste warm and not-so-good), the second is because that pulp will CAKE on your juicer and be a real pain the ass to clean.


So far, I'm really impressed at how full juices make me, I'm really not starving after them. They make a great supplement to a healthy lifestyle. I'm putting together a little list of my favorite juices thus far and I can't wait to share it. I would be really interested in some fun things you like to juice! I just bought cilantro and I'm excited to begin juicing that! I love cilantro!

Until next time.......

Russian Friendship Tea

I know this is a Christmas gift idea, and we find ourselves after Christmas... But, these were surprises, so I couldn't post this before Christmas! Tuck this idea away for next year....

This is one of my favorite little holiday drinks, the flavor is just so festive and comforting. It's called Russian Friendship Tea. I don't think it's Russian in origin, but it's certainly warming and delicious and it sure gets cold in Russia! HA!

I painted little matryoshka dolls on some jars with Martha Stewart multi-surface paint. The painting was tedious, a bit more difficult than I expected, but the outcome was so sweet and great, it was worth it.

I borrowed the tea recipe from a couple sites (HERE and HERE) but altered it a bit...

Russian Friendship Tea

1 Cup Tang

1 Cup Sugar

1 Cup Instant Tea Powder (I used Lipton, non-sweetened)

1/2 Cup Instant Lemonade Powder

1/2 TBSP cinnamon

1 tsp All Spice

Wilton Cinnamon Drops to your liking (they dissolve and add color to the mixture)

Sprinkle of nutmeg

To MAKE: 2-3 TBSPs mixture to 1 Cup hot water!

How stinking cute did they turn out?! The jars make for great Russian-vodka mixed drink holders post-Christmas!

yes.

<3

It's been 4 years.

I can't believe it's been 4 years since I moved to Illinois

I got this tattoo on my 1 year anniversary of

moving to Illinois & leaving California.

You can take the girl out of California,

but you can't take California out of the girl.

5 Easy Tips to Begin Your Job Search

I'm here in the middle of a massive job search.

Freshly done with school and beginning to start my career.

It's scary & intimidating & overwhelming.

I've learned some things though, and I want to share some simple tricks I've learned and would love for you share yours in the comment section.

Finding a new job is hard, let's help each other make it a little easier.

1. Print & Iron

I like to keep a stack of freshly updated resumes on resume paper in a go-to folder for those last minute job interviews. I also like to make sure I always have that perfect interview outfit cleaned, ironed and ready! Last-minute job interviews are more common than you think, be ready to GO on one as soon as you can!

2. Early Bird Gets the Interview

Get up early! Be ready for that 9 AM phone call. It's all about being prepared. It's not vacation time!

3. Apply Now!

See a job that you're qualified for? Apply NOW! Don't wait! I've had a handful of times where I did wait... and the job was taken off the job board. It's important to apply ASAP.

4. Beautify That Cover Letter

I always, always, always personalize each cover letter for each job I'm applying for and spend time creating the perfect one every time. It's worth it!

5. "Hey! I Need a Job!"

Tell EVERYONE you're looking for a new job. 

I do! I told someone I had just met I was looking for a job and SURPRISE! She ended up being a recruiter for a company and forwarded my resume! 

It pays off to tell everyone and anyone you're looking. It can work in your favor.

Finding a new job is a process, it's not easy. Hopefully, with small adjustments to your plan can get you that interview and new opportunity.

What are some tips you can suggest for job searching?

Leave them below, I'd love to know!

We're all in this together.

all that grace. all that body. all that face.

[i freaking love lana del rey]

Be My Pippa!

I got married in March of this year. Pinterest was a huge help to discovering new ideas and being inspired to create my own! During the wedding-planning process I felt like starting a blog but didn't for lack of time and just because I wanted to keep an element of surprise for guests... So, here I am exactly 6 months later and ready to share my wedding planning tips and ideas! 

FIRST wedding idea!

My best ideas come to me in dreams, like as I'm dozing off to sleep or immediately upon waking up- and that's exactly how I thought of this idea for asking my MOH and only bridesmaid to be my attendant- Be My Pippa?

I asked her less than a year after the Royal Wedding, so the Pippa phenomena was fresh. Kate Middleton had one attendant & so did I! Keep it simple, intimate & classy.

I asked with gluten free cupcakes (my Pippa is gluten free) delivered by Sprinkles cupcakes in Huntington Beach, CA. Their website makes it super easy to set-up delivery from across the country. So, I surprised her at work. I customized with letter toppers: BE MY PIPPA! Then I created a funny little card to accompany them with our faces Photoshopped on a Royal Wedding photo. Hilarious!

Of course she said yes!