36 is the new 21

Happy Monday everyone! It's a short week here and I cannot wait for 4th of July!!! Someone turned 36 er 21 this weekend, and we celebrated in style.

Friday night we headed out to The Local, literally a local bar in the West 7th area of town. We also celebrated Brad's 32nd birthday, so it was party all around!

Steve on the left, Steve on the right!

Party Boys

Saturday I was up early for a run and cake baking! I made a double layer, oreo cookie cake. Its super easy, super yummy, and well, just yummy!

I also made him a HUGE omelette and toast, its what he wanted! Oh and I bought a french press for coffee. We are obsessed with press pots at dinner, so I researched the heck out of them, and went with the Espro one by Williams Sonoma. It's stainless steel and just makes coffee better.

For dinner, to was a treat! I made reservations for The Capital Grille. A steakhouse in downtown. OMG, talk about delicious. First, his brother and sister-in-law had a bottle of wine sent to the table. It was complete with a card.

Then, we started with prosciutto wrapped mozzarella. Yup, bacon wrapped cheese people. No pics, sorry, we ate it too quickly. Then, a warm spinach salad. For the main course, steak oscar for the guy, and sea bass in a broth for me. Sides of au gratin potatoes and haricot verts.

Followed, by dessert.... cheesecake and a flour less chocolate cake. Yummo

And that my friends, was a wrap! Someone was passed out about 9pm, we will blame the bottle of wine he consumed single-handedly.

parson the awkward fat arm in this pic...

Sunday everyone recuperated from the weekend, even the pups.

rough like she leads

Hope your weekend was as wonderful, as mine, and promise the cake recipe will  be up tomorrow!

Confessional Friday

Hola friends! Its Friday and I am back linking up with Leslie for a little confesh sesh. So without further ado

I confess.....

I just polished off a bagel with apple cinnamon cream cheese and have no regrets. Not a one.

This week at work as has been excruciatingly slow. It just would not end.

I took a longer lunch yesterday to enjoy the USA/Germany game and found it slightly odd to celebrate a loss than was kind of a win in that we moved onto the knockout round.

This morning when the news anchor started singing the USA chant, I kinda cringed and wanted it to stop. I'm all pro USA, but I could do without an off-pitch chant at 6am.

If one more person announces they are pregnant this week, I may go off the deep end. Seriously.... blog people, law school people, people from high school, pageant people, its like I am the only person who is not pregnant that wants to be.

Tomorrow is le guy's birthday, and I already game him his gift so he could use it at work (I just cannot hold a gift in). But I have one small thing left to give him and one chocolate oreo cake to bake.

I am so excited for a short week next week. I need it.

Happy Friday ya'll!

Case of the Thursdays

Happy Thursday ya'll. I'm having a case of the Thursdays. Its that next week is a short week due to the 4th and I had a horrible day yesterday when I thought I was dying due to stomach issues case of the Thursdays. So, if you need me I'll be eating a bland diet and chugging water.

Workout Wednesday

Happy Hump Day! In case you missed the news, Fort Worth was overtaken by a monsoon yesterday afternoon. Seriously, streets flooded, stores closed, and people had to be  rescued from cars. This was the scene on my street.

I opted to stay in, eat popcorn and watch Wolverine. All dry today, but man it was a tad scary!

So, remember last week when I confessed I was in a workout rut? And I contemplated between Barre and Yoga? Yeah, well I decided against both and opted for some good ole Insanity. Yup, I remembered how much I love those DVDs and how they kick my booty in less than an hour. And it allows me to do it from the comfort of my own home and for free! What could be better?

So Monday after work, yup I skipped the 5am and opted for sleeping in til er 5:30 or puppy o'clock in my house. I set up my ipad right there in the living room and got my Insanity on. And man did I feel it yesterday. My whole body had that ache, ya know the hey I just used muscles I have forgotten about ache! I have decided I am going to do it for two weeks, not everyday, just in lieu of my normal workouts and then back to the gym!

Sometimes you just need to hit the reset button. What do you do when you need a workout reset?

Garlic and Parmesan Salmon

It's no secret I like to eat. I mean, if you follow my instagram you see my posts about eating out and eating in. I am a self-touted foodie! I also love to cook. Nothing says I love you like making a home cooked meal. I make dinner 3-4 times a week. It's usually nothing fancy and staples are turkey tacos, deep-dish cheeseburger pie and chopped salads, but sometimes I fancy myself a gourmet. And gourmet a la healthy. This week it was salmon and roasted cauliflower.

Salmon you say? I cannot cook salmon. Yes you can, its super easy, super yummy and super good for you. You just need a few simple spices, one pan and one oven. Its a one pan wonder!

You'll Need:

2 (4 oz)	Salmon fillets (if frozen, let thaw before using)
1/2 head	Cauliflower, cut into small florets
Dry Spice Mix:
1/3 cup	Parmesan cheese, grated
1/2 tsp	Garlic powder
1/4 tsp	Onion powder
1/2 tsp	Paprika
1/4 tsp	Salt
1/8 tsp	Pepper
1 tbs	Dried parsley or Oregano
Wet Mix:
1 tbs	Lemon juice (juice from 1/2 lemon)
1/4 cup	Plain low fat Greek yogurt
2 tsp	Garlic, minced

What to Do:

1. Pre-heat oven to 425

2. Cover large sheet pan with foil and  pour 1/2 tablespoon EVOO on

3. Chop the cauliflower into small florets

4. Place florets onto one half of the pan

5. Sprinkle 2Tbs of the dry mix over the cauliflower

6. add the wet mix to the dry mix

7. place salmon on other half of pan and spread mixture on top evenly

8. Bake salmon 20 minutes, or until opaque in thickets part & topping is lightly brown

9. remove salmon to rest, it will continue to cook for 5 min

10. turn broiler to high and broil cauliflower for 2-3 min to get extra nutty flavor, watch is closely so does not burn

11. Enjoy!

The Weekend of Food

You know its a good weekend when it begins and ends with good food. That was mine. I had been craving food from a local restaurant all week, so off we went to Bird Cafe. They have set up shop in one of the oldest buildings in Fort Worth and have a great patio to view the new Sundance Square. Oh, did I mention they have awesome food. Farm to table, local vendors and food artisans, and a great wine selection. It was just what the doctor ordered for my week end.

Saturday I was pretty down and out for the count all day. Stomach issues and exhaustion. However, we did make it out to Joe T. Garcia's for a friend Fort Worth wedding reception. They bride and groom arrived in a horse-drawn carriage and it was a fun evening to celebrate the newlyweds and eat Mexican food.

Sunday I had the urge to bake and bake I did. I made sweet biscuits for breakfast and then chocolate chip cookies. I mean USA was on, and what is more American than chocolate chip cookies? I ended with a garlic parmesan salmon with roasted cauliflower.

Now I am trying to get through the rainy day still plagued with stomach stuff.

Friday's Confessional

It's Friday and I am linking with Leslie to deal out some Friday confessions.

1. I confess I fell asleep before the loss by my Frogs last night in the elimination game of the CWS. I tried. I saw the top of the 9th and then BAM! Asleep. Opps...

2. I confess I have done major a little retail therapy in the past couple days. With the stress in my life I just needed something new and pretty and that didn't remind me of another life, weighing less, or two seasons ago. I did find some major sales at Banana Republic and cashed in some Christmas giftcards so it wasn't out the budget. I also hit the Ann Taylor 50% off clearance sale and got some great skirts and pants for work. Lastly, I took advantage of Sole Society's sale and got some cute new black shoes.

3. I confess I had a total cry sesh at the gym Monday morning. Yup, right there on the leg extension machine tears rolled down my face.

4. I confess I am in need of a vacation. My body, mind and sole are screaming for some time off to recoup and relax and recharge.

5. I confess I need to revamp my workouts. I have hit that plateau and need to mix it up. Thinking next week I either go all yoga or all barre method instead of weights, what do you think?

6. I confess I want to chop my hair off! I know I have been growing it for over a year and half, but mama just needs something new. (seems to be a reoccurring theme here, huh?)

7. I confess, I have been questioning whether or not to keep blogging. I have drifted so much from what I started this blog to be and I really don't have a focus or purpose anymore. Perhaps its a rut, or I need to start over, but maybe just a little break?

being fearless

Today I am happy to be linking up with my friend Liz @ The Fitness Blondie to share my story.  If you have never visited her blog, well you should. She is an amazing woman who has gone through a transformation through diet, exercise and the right mindset. But today, we are sharing out stories about how we live fearlessly.

I have shared my story about why I went to law school here & here before. Those two posts were perhaps the hardest and most raw posts to write. They put so much of my life that I tried so hard to hide for so many years.

I was taught as a kid to not tell people about my father, or share my story about what we endured. It could "ruin my reputation" or cause people to not like me. So I walked around ashamed for so many years. It made me bitter. Holding onto that kind of pain and anger for so long takes a huge toll on a young girl, teen, and young woman. It wasn't until I was 22 that I really started to speak out. I no longer saw my father's choices as a reflection on me. What he did had nothing to do with the woman I was becoming.

But, the damage was done. The years of having no closure, not talking about it, and living in secret made me insecure. As I really began dating and getting serious with M, I turned into someone who needed someone. I had conjured up this fairy tale in my head about what the perfect life would be. I wanted so much to be normal, but I didn't know what normal was. I wanted to get married, have kids and live this life I never had. I went on a downward spiral where I became needy and dependent on someone for my happiness. Don't get me wrong, I loved M with all my heart and he is a huge reason I am the woman I am today. He showed me that I was better than where I came from, he loved me despite my past, and always saw something in me that I could never imagine. He wanted what was best for me when it came right down to it. He pushed me past my limits and challenged my idea of life, family and friendships. He showed me that I did not have to be the family doormat. (now Im not saying he went about it the right way all the time, but it came from a loving place).

Eventually, I realized I should be proud of who I am. Where I came from is nothing to be ashamed of. What I endured--my life experiences and journey have made me this Fearless woman. Sure, I have failed and faltered along the way, but every misstep provided me an opportunity to redirect and begin again. It as the same with my divorce. I was ashamed. How could this happen to me? This was not what I ever imagined my life would be like at 31. But, its life. Things happen. It doesn't mean I am not worthy of love, or that I didn't love M or that I am branded for life with giant scarlet D, it just means I have the chance to begin again.

I know that life will never be perfect, and I will continue to struggle with insecurities and issues, but I am now equipped with the tools to deal with anything. I know I have nothing to fear, but fear itself and God.

I am a 31-year old, divorced lawyer, mother to two furbabies and I am Fearless.

Workout Wednesday

Its Hump Day which means, I share some of my workout secrets with you. Today, I am sharing how I keep up with my workouts while I am on the go. I don't travel a lot for work, but when I do, I rarely find a hotel with a good gym. I mean, Holiday Inn Express' idea of a gym, is a broke down treadmill and some random free weights. So, I have some tried and true go-tos.

I always have my laptop and iPad with me, so I have found some great apps I use.

1. Popsugar Active - I have this app and I love it. You can choose workouts tailored to your needs, like strength training, running, yoga, and cardio. You can download then right to your phone!

2. Tone It Up - I love the Tone It Up girls. I have the app and get the emails with their workouts. They have some great ab and toning workouts that I often fit into my Tuesday variation workouts and HIIT. They also have a show on Bravo! now.

3. Nike Training Club  - also a great app. Has tons of workouts right on your phone anytime you need them!

4. Insanity! I have the DVDs and I downloaded them to my iPad. I use them on really cold mornings when driving to the gym seems daunting, when I need a quick, but kick your butt workout and sometimes on Tuesdays. Let me tell you, they will kick your a$$. I bought them right before my 30th birthday and have kept them in my arsenal. I also hear the T-25 videos are awesome as well. If you invest in one DVD workout, get Insanity!

Fanatic?

Needless to say after last night's USA win, but USA USA USA!!! And if you missed that news, please crawl out from underneath whatever rock you have been residing in. The World Cup amazes me? I mean who woulda thought a simple game could bring so many people together. But, really its simple right, what brings people together easier than the bonding of sports? I know my family really comes together for sports.

As you know by now, I am a die-hard TCU Frog Fan, so this was an amazing weekend for me. The Frogs won their first game of the CWS and will face Virginia tonight. Although we may not have been together, my friends and family rallied around the Frogs via texts and facebook shout-outs! Its been 4 years since our last appearance in Omaha, and this time we will go all the way! My family and friends are definitely Family Fanatics! From watching my twirl on the football field for 4 seasons, to our continued support of the Frogs, my family can always agree on one thing: WE BLEED PURPLE! #Fearthefrog #toadtoomaham

Is your family fanatical about sports? If so, team up with Fanatics and share your story and shop for the best gear for your family! Fanatics is the #1 online retailer of sports merchandise, whether you’re looking for  #CWS gear, World Cup digs or caps and jerseys for your World Champion San Antonio Spurs! Heck, you can even find lacrosse fan gear! Who knew?!?

Super Regional Win 2010

TCU Opening Day 2013

TCU v. SMU 2003

TCU v. LSU 2013

TCU Pink Out 2008

My little nephew Frog TCU Baseball 2014!

* i was not compensated for this post. All opinions are my own!

Sun Kissed Shoulders

OK, so they may be a tad more lobsteresque than sun kissed, but nonetheless its the souvenir from a wonderful weekend!

Today I am traveling for work, and I wish it was someplace a tad more sexy than Odessa Texas, but alas, I am headed west to take some depose. But first, the weekend wrap-up!

I had a dozy of a week. Between stress, family "stuff" and the summer hum drums, I was ready for Friday. I was actually, hankering for some middle eastern faire, so off for some Egyptian food! Fort Worth has this great little place on Magnolia called King Tut. Nom nom nom... there was hummus, naan, dolmas and chicken/beef combo schwarma! Oh love me some schwarma. A heaping plate of grilled chicken and beef in a light sauce with some garlic and this too-die for rice. I was in schwarma heaven.

Then we headed down the street so le guy could have his "dessert." The Bearded Lady is a local brew house with local craft beer on tap and people watching for days. He grabbed a brew or 2 or 3 and I took in the locals and bike night. I also may have had a little bit of a firkin that was tapped from Revolver Brewery in Granbury, Texas. It was some sort of wine, chocolate stout thing that was so thick I coulda ate it with spoon. One shot glass full and I was good.

Then it was on to Melt. Melt is a local ice creamery that use local ingredients to churn out the most relic ice cream. I went with the Avoca Mocha and LG had Nuts for Rosie. I would show you a picture, but I scarfed it down before I remembered I was a blogger and take photos of everything I eat.

Saturday was a typical day. Workout, work, small nap. But I did venture out to see some friends, have some a drink, and had my butt in bed by 11:30pm.

Sunday, I was up for a run and then we headed to the pool to celebrate Father's Day with my fam. Have I mentioned the amazing man that D is? I don't mean to brag, but he is one pretty amazing person. I am honored to have some great men in my life that have been stand in fathers, grandfathers and one super brother who is one awesome dad himself.

So, we ate, drank, got some sun, watched the Frogs kick some Red Raider tail and ended it with Chipotle. I mean, what more could a girl want? Oh, and we may have caught some Word Cup in between. Chloe is honing her skills and is ready to play for the home team tomorrow night!

Hope your weekend was great and again, thanks to all the men who had stepped into other's lives and been the father figure. God has truly blessed me with these men along the way. Hug a dad today.

5 on Friday

TGIF ya'll! Its been quite the week and needless to say, I am in need of a weekend. So, here's to World Cup, Dad's and pageantry.

1. Miss USA - Did ya catch it? Yup, we crowned the lovely Miss Nevada in that stunning red dress. But the real kudos? Miss Indiana who looked like a real woman in her size 4 glory! Amen sister for not giving into the thin is fit.

2. World Cup! Need I say more?

3. Father's Day! Yup, I know my dad situation is not the best, but I have an amazing man I am honored to have in my life. Thanks D for being a great role model, supporter, and all-around stand-in dad.

4. Baking! This week has been a chocolate chip kinda week! I made banana chocolate chip muffins and then peanut butter chocolate chip protein muffins. MMMM, muffins... MMMM chocolate chips!

5. New Make Up! Yup, I decided to grow-up my makeup and invest in some good products. I splurged on my skin and went with Armani. And... I am in love. Their primer is like silk, the foundation stays and their serum has been a god send to my skin damaged skin. I also invested in the best concealer on the block: Clé de Peau! OMG this stuff is amazing. Yes, its a tad expensive at $70, but so worth it. Covers everything from my blemishes to the awful melanoma brown spots I have all over.

That's all I have this Friday! Happy Father's Day to all and happy weekend!

  

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I'm a Woman and I Can Roar

First, I wanted to say thank you for all the love, prayers and support I received from all of you after Tuesday's post.  I am constantly amazed how many of you truly are my friends, where IRL or just via the interwebs and how much better I felt after pouring it out to you all. So, thank you. Thank you for again making me feel built up, lifted up and loved. But today, I bring you my thoughts on being a female in a man-dominated field.

First, The people I work with are mostly the exception to the rule. They respect me for not only my brain, but also my ability to form sentences and think coherently. In other words, they are not pompous, idiotic, stuck in the 1950's boneheads. And then there are the other people. Yes, those other attorneys whom I have dealt with over the years who just do not get it.

See, I graduated from law school. Yup, did pretty well too, was on that law review thing, published some articles, won a few moot court competitions. Oh did I mention I passed the bar exam and they gave me a license to practice law? Yup, oh and wonderful firm which as been in existence in this great state for over 92 year hired me and believes in me? Yup, they allow me to do more than bring them coffee and be patted on the back, yeah they hired me as a lawyer and let litigate and draft pleadings and respond to discovery. Call them crazy, but they do not think I am some "little girl" "dear" "darling" or "ma'am." Oh they also do not patronize me, grab my elbow and put their arms around my back and speak down to me like I don't understand English.

Yup, I get this treatment from some other people who I see across the courtroom. They tend to be older gentlemen, but I have experienced this from some younger folk, they also tend to be southern. I mean, its 2014 people! Women have been practicing law for quite some time now, they are managing partners of large firms, sit on the state bar, they even allow us to sit on the Supreme Court!

I know that things are so much better for female attorneys than they were just 10 years ago, let alone 40, but come on! I should not have to either act like a "man" or be a "bitch" to be taken seriously or respected among my peers.

Ok, my rant is over for the day. What about you? Do you experience sex and gender discrimination in your field?

Workout Wednesday

Its Hump Day again, which means its time for Workout Wednesday! Today, I bring you a tour of my supplements. I was never into sups until I met le guy and Trainer Sam. M was anti-supps and well I never understood why. The key is using them correctly, i.e. right time and right amount.  I do not use tons of them, but I have three go-to's: 1. Protein Powder, 2. Pre-Workout, and 3. BCAA's (amino acids).

The supplement corner of the kitchen

My pre workout

 I love this stuff! Adrenherlyn! I take this on my way out the door to my workouts. I love tingly feeling I get and the way it helps me power through my weights. It has a wonderful pink lemonade flavor to boot! I do not take this when I am just going for a run or doing only cardio.

Aminos!

This has been the best ting I have done for my workouts and my body. I take a bottle with me and pour in one scoop as I begin my weight routine. This one has some caffeine in it, so its great for those 5 am workouts. But amines are wonderful! They help with recovery and soreness. I am able to jump back in faster after a big workout, like major leg days. I also take this after I run to ease the muscles.

Protein

 I am using this one because my fav is out. This one is just plain old protein, no filler. I take this 30-45 min after a workout. Its important to get protein in your body so it has something to eat! This is a fast acting one. On days I don't workout in the am, try to get my protein via egg whites and turkey bacon. Other times I take a protein blend called Syntha-6.

other odds and ends

For protein shakes as meals, I like to use Designer Whey. Its only 100 calories a scooper and the vanilla is perfect for some of my favorite recipes from Dashing Dish.

Other things I like are Quest Bars, Zone bars, and the occasional EAS pre-made protein shake, light chocolate flavor.

I have also dabbled in some other sups. Currently I am taking the Skinny Way supplements. You take two pills in the am, two after lunch and then two before bed. Not sure the day ones do much besides help my digestive tract move along (if you catch my drift), but the evening one is a blessing. It helps me sleep and I wake up refreshed and ready to go. I never feel that hangover from Tylenol PM or Ambien.

The key to anything though is to feed your body real food. Yes I take some supplements, but they are just that: SUPP-LE-MENTS. Nothing is better for your body than real food. So my diet consists of lots of lean meats like grilled chicken, ground turkey and chicken, and fish, veggies and jasmine rice. I do let myself have carbs, just not too many and not late at night.

Got questions? Ask!