Category Archives: RECIPES

Workin on my Fitness

Back in October, I told y’all I was on a diet - the paleo diet. Looks like a lot of people are also on this no carb, no dairy, no-sugar diet too. I mean, I still ate a cupcake on Valentine’s Day and indulge in some french fries every now and then… but 90% of the time, I am following that diet. And I’ve lost weight. 10 pounds actually.

I have been exercising regularly (which I am historically awful at) and I am stronger, leaner, healthier. I have always hated working out – but I am trying to retrain myself to need it, just like I need my 8 hours of sleep. HIIT training has helped me get my workout over with and still get results.

I usually do 2 BodyPump classes a week, 1 intermediate Pilates class and 1 HIIT circuit a week. After I do the HIIT circuit I am gasping for breath and I feel like I was hit by a truck. Pinterest has been a great source for workouts. I do this circuit once a week for 40 seconds on, 10 seconds rest, 3 repetitions. But I will gradually increase those intervals and circuits over time.

Blonde Ponytail Lean Legs Workout + Blonde Ponytail Sculpt Your Arms + Blonde Ponytail Ab Attack

You can always download an interval timer on your phone but I have really liked this clip-on interval timer by Gymboss. Another great thing about these workouts is the minimal equipment the require. I am excited to keep up my routine when I am recording and on tour.

I feel like I should also say consult your doctor and I was horrible at science, so don’t hold me to any of this. If you are an expert, please jump in!

I am going to raise the bar before I go to Nashville in May – anyone have any routines they recommend? I am thinking about trying BodyCombat and doing this circuit as a tabata workout. But I am very new to this whole thing. Would love your recommendations!

 

blog highlights – 2012

this blog is my creative catch-all. just like an athlete goes to the gym everyday, this blog is my attempt at a consistent creative workout. in order to write my best songs, i have to be processing ideas and thinking out loud – that’s just how my brain works. i love art and its power to explore your emotions and take you to a place you never imagined. i love art that startles you with beauty and reveals it in the strangest places. that’s the art i’m trying to make and i really gotta work at it if i’m going to get there.

this has been a year of inspiration, discipline and courage for me. thank you to my readers – i hope you find something here that can inspire and challenge you. in 2013, this blog will become more about writing, workflow, ideas, advice and new music!  don’t get me wrong, i’m still going to post gift guides and the occasional style update, but the conversation will shift a little. hope you’ll chime in. if you ever have any suggestions, ideas, comments, please email me and let me know what you’d like to see here. i would love to hear from you.

here are my favorite moments from the blog this year–

MAKING VIDEOS and sharing them with you. since i’m not exactly touring right now, think of it as your own personal house show.

all iPHONE VIDEOS: a valentine’s day cover | a hymn for holy week | an original postcard song

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my kitchen window

i’ve been doing a lot of cooking lately. if i put good food in our fridge, we are less tempted to spend money on food, more specifically the dim sum at camden market. i have found some real winners lately. so, naturally, i want to share them with you.

breakfasts – carrot banana muffins (sweetened entirely with fruit & gluten free)

soups – coconut chicken soup (perfect winter soup & is better the next day)

pumpkin chili with avocado cream (can’t get enough)

dinners – farmer’s pie (but i top mine with carrot+sweet potato mash)

served with greek chopped salad

here’s to saving money for santa! i just mailed our gifts back to the states – YIKES. i see why he has a sleigh. also, you should make those muffins. they are amazing.

photo from my instagram – this is the view from my kitchen window.

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