More Cake!

WORKOUT:

Day off

Didn't get much sleep last night as I was up most the night with stomach cramps again. Oh the joy of the journey. If it's not one thing then it's the other. The new medicine I got from my doctor may be the culprit this time as I have been on it for a week and a half. Yesterday morning I felt pretty rotten with cramps and my stomach was touch and go the rest of the day. Then last night it was pretty rough. I am laying off the medication for a few days to see if I can determine if it's the culprit. :(

I was REALLY looking forward to getting in a solid workout today as we just got back from D.C. last night.  Hopefully tonight will go better. 

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Recently we celebrated my mother-in-law's birthday! 

It is birthday season over here for realz. ;)

There was a yummy homemade cake...

And lots of family time and conversation!

Isn't it nice to just have a good conversation with someone else? Totally random, but that is something that I have really been appreciating lately and I don't think most people value enough. Chatting on a walk, sitting on the porch, on a long drive...is so refreshing mentally! I am loving all the family time I am getting and great chats that have ensued.

Who doesn't love a good birthday?!

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Recent eats here-

Pasta salad veggie stir-fry and avocado for Ben...

And tons of stir-fry veggies and chicken for me!

Good thing my garden is growing like crazy and I can start getting some of my greens from there! I scored a huge bag of spinach today and I didn't even dent it!

Hallelujah for summer and great produce! This is a bag of candy in my book. ;)

Oranges, watermelon, bananas and peaches!

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What would you rather have? 

Fruit or candy???

Probably a pretty hard questions for some of you candy lovers out there. It DEFINITELY would be fruit for me. I LOVE it so much. I promise I won't judge though if you say candy. ;)

When was the last time you had a great chat with someone???

I had LOTS over the past week with my sister-in-law Ash. She is really great to talk to and we had lots of good chats in the car seeing the sights! Hurry up and move back to Utah guys! Wait... or just stay in D.C. so we keep having an excuse to come out. ;)

Barnes and Noble Event Recap

Me, Todd Mitchell, and Amy Ryan

Hey guys,

Just got back from Aspen... but before I write about that, I want to post these pics of the Barnes and Noble event from last week with my friends and co-finalists in the Colorado Book Award, Todd Mitchell (who is the winner in the YA category for The Secret to Lying-- yay, Todd-- well-deserved! (I LOVE that book!) and Amy Kathleen Ryan (another super-talented writer-- I just devoured the review copy of her upcoming sci-fi book Glow (Sept 2011 release).  I'll do a longer post about Aspen and the awards ceremony and everything, but since I just have a few minutes now, I thought I'd let you take a peek at these pics. 

Amy, Todd, and I did a panel on writing YA novels-- there was a really nice turn-out-- writers of all ages.  Great questions, interesting conversation.  The fun thing about being on panels is hearing about other writers' processes and philosophies and journeys... and since Amy and Todd are some of the smartest and funniest writers I know, it was a blast being on a panel with them. 

All three of us finalists in the YA category are from Fort Collins-- there's an incredibly supportive writing community here.  Here I am with Marianne Mitchell, fabulous children's and YA author (who used to live in Ft Collins and is here visiting).  Her book Joe Cinders-- a Wild West  version of Cinderella-- is one of Lil Dude's all-time favorite books!

 

And here I am with Sheralyn, who is always a friendly face at local writers' events.


Here I am with Jordan, who was one of the writers in the young writers camp Todd taught at last week. He had great questions, and we spoke a bit after the event. His questions (about how I keep track of my story ideas) made me remember the time in my life where I felt compelled to write down all my thoughts and musings on life and existence, but I couldn't write them down fast enough and I felt like I was going crazy.  (This was in my late teens/early twenties).  At some point, I began to feel less crazy, but I think that was a useful stage for me to go through on my writing journey...


Here we are with Teresa Funke, who  organizes the local SCBWI "schmooze group" in town. She and I were also involved in the Imaginantes workshops the week before last... she had interesting things to say about her Mexican ancestry and the relatives who inspired her book, V for Victory.


Thanks for reading! And if you're in the Grand Junction area, I hope to see you at one of my Mesa County Library events coming up in July!

xo,
Laura

D.C. Vacation!

We are skipping town and hanging out in D.C for a week!

We will be hanging out with these guys...

and this little dude!

We are super excited to have a fun break and go see all the sights!

Please enjoy this photo of my chipmunk smile.

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Do you think YOU have a goofy smile?

Sometime my inner chipmunk can't help but come out. I think it happens when I am a little TOO happy. I am not quite sure where my upper lip goes...

Do you like to fly?

I do! I think it is fun and enjoy the experience as long as there aren't any crazy long layovers. My favorite part is taking off and landing in planes. 

Should you workout?

 Fitness and Spice posted this halarious flow chart. I LOVE this.

 Who doesn't need this by their bed for those mornings where your pillow is your best friend and you can't seem to pull yourself out of your blankets?

Or when had a few too many treats in your house?

Pushing the snooze button until you don't HAVE time to work out before your day NEVER has made me happy. Unless I was sick. I would always regret it later in the day.

That isn't really and issue for me now because I can sleep in if I want to and just get my workout in later in the morning. Joys of not working. But man... when I did work and was getting up at 4:45am to get in my workout, I could have used that for some motivation on rough days. Just saying. ;)

Thanks Fitness and Spice!

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When is the hardest time of day for your to workout?

When I worked full time, after work or late afternoon for sure. I don't know how people make it to the gym after their jobs. I gotta go right when I get up. I hate working out with food in my stomach or getting sweaty after I already showered and got dressed for the day. Plus if it is later in the day I can't stop thinking about it till it is done and then I end up dreading it. When I just wake up a go right away there is no time for lazy thoughts to set in and I enjoy it so much more!

Summer Glow

WORKOUT:

3 mile run

45 min weights - lower body & shoulders

I am a little obsessed with the idea of being tan right now. Granted I have NEVER in my life had enough color that anyone would ever consider me tan. I get sun, but when I proudly go to display my tan lines to Ben, I realize that with my said tan I am now just the color of a normal person. Just no longer my stark whiteness. 

Usually I really don't care about being tan though. I embrace my whiteness and picture how great my skin will look when I am in my 40's...

or 60's.

I don't know what has come over me though. I can't help but look at tanning specials and secretly want a spray tan. Tan without the sun damage equals score!

A lot of it is probably to cure my curiosity. I don't even know what I look like with a real tan?

So basically I am curious what your experience is with any of this!

 Do you get spray tans? 

Do you use at home self tanning products? 

If so what have you found is the best? I just might have to try some. I know I am talking tons about spray tans, but in REAL life (the one where I am not made of money) I am curious about some good at home products too.

The only thing I have ever used was Jergen's Natural Glow lotion. Any other good product reviews?

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More fish!
I know right!?! I think I eat it about once a day. Not a lot of options over here... don't judge.

There is also a lovely side of stir-fried veggies with eggplant, green pepper, cabbage, onion and kale.

That has GOT to be doing some good things for my skin. Perf! ;)
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Have you ever had a spray tan?

I hear they look pretty good but that they wear off weird if you are an active person. Like if you sweat a lot it will come off in some places faster than others and can be weird and uneven. Is that true?

If you have gotten a spray tan, how long did it last?

I am worried I might get addicted if I start. If I was made of money, I would be all about this. 

And she eats

WORKOUT:

8 mile run

45 min weights - chest/back/biceps

Great run this morning! Can you tell how much I have missed just being able to walk out the door in the morning and have the energy to run as far as my heart desires? It is FABULOUS.

Dare I say that I am starting to get the slightest tint of a tan???

I realize no one would ever notice besides me since I am normally so ghostly white, but I am going to celebrate anyway. ;)

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Great news! I got in to see my new doctor today and had a great visit! I am now on a plan put together by a PROFESSIONAL and not just my internet/Google searching. I feel SO much better having an official plan and it is actually easier to follow than what I have already been doing! Yeah for that! It is so frustrating when you are just guessing and trying to figure things out on your own.

I will fill you in on it more later but actually having someone listen and understand my problems and acknowledge them with a plan of action, made my week. :) I hope things continue to get better, cross your fingers!

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A few carby things I have been enjoying since the stomach attack of death.

Oatmeal with apple butter. 

Oh, how I have missed my oatmeal.

 Puffed millet with crushed Quaker Oatmeal Squares and Golden Puffs mixed with applesauce/apple butter.

I am still staying away from nutty things for now... like Almond milk. This was actually a great combo.

 Simple bfast for two of more oatmeal with raisins and crasins and eggs.

I can't remember the last time Ben and I had the same thing for a meal.

 Rice cakes with apple butter.

Did I mention someone gave me a jar of homemade apple butter and it tastes like crack? It is good in EVERYTHING. Mmmmm....

Super exciting food right??? Ha, you bet it is!

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Would you rather have apple butter or jam?

If we are talking homemade raspberry freezer jam, then I don't know if I will be able to choose!

Jade Revision Time!

Hello everyone!

Yesterday I got the long-awaited call from my new editor (Francoise Bui) about revisions for The Jade Notebook! I'd been kinda nervous anticipating this... it was her first time reading the whole series, and I worried whether she'd like it.  I especially worried whether she'd like The Jade Notebook-- a part of me feared she might say something along the lines of "throw the whole thing out and start over!"

But none of my fears came to pass.  She says she's enjoyed the whole series and that Jade might just be her favorite... Whew!  She had some small, totally do-able revision comments (with the help of Krista Vitola, who was an assistant to Stephanie, my former editor, and has been promoted to assistant editor (a well-deserved promotion-- she's fantastic!)

Soon I'll post the final cover for Jade-- it will make you want to drop whatever you're doing and go on a tropical vacation and swim with sea turtles-- at least, that's how it makes me feel!

Must go pick up Lil Dude from preschool now.  I'll write more next week!

Oh, and if you're in the Ft Collins area, please come to my event at Barnes and Noble tonight:

Tues, June 21, 6 pm, Barnes and Noble on 4045 S College Ave. Join me and my two friends and fellow finalists in the Colorado Book Awards young adult category-- Amy Kathleen Ryan and Todd Mitchell.  We're doing a panel on writing novels for teens-- come one, come all-- teens and adults-- and bring questions!

xo,
Laura

Babies are coming!

WORKOUT:

8.5 mile run

60 min pump class

Another FABULOUS run this morning. I found a fun new neighborhood with great rolling hills to explore. It's my new favorite place to run.

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Babies are coming!

No, not from me... but my great sister-in-law Heather is due pretty soon!

I crocheted a baby blanket for her and the new babe. Crocheting runs in the family. I think if I didn't do it my grandma would disown me. ;) She is a crocheting machine!

 It looks like neopolitan ice cream doesn't it?!

We had a fun shower for the Heather and enjoyed some more beautiful springy feeling weather.

Heather's mother-in-law Gloria is the sweetest lady. I don't know how I got so lucky with all my extended family and how great they are. I love getting to be around such good and happy people.

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Recent eats- I branched out and had a yam after the par-tay. Colors other than green on my plate are something to celebrate. 

 And I made Ben a big pasta salad! Summer begs for LOTS of pasta salads in my book.

Orzo pasta, tomatoes, italian parsley, olives, green/red peppers, sun-dried tomatoes, fresh lemon and EVOO.

Ben has eaten half the bowl already, that is a sign of success

Cooking for other people is tricky when you can't taste the dishes. 

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Do you have skills that run in your family?

Crocheting, cooking and also sewing/quilting from my mom. I am working on getting the whole quilting part down. I have to master my skills before we have to move away!

GREAT to Terrible

WORKOUT: 

7.5 mile run

60 min pump class

Yesterday started off great!

I LOVED my workout. It feels SOOO great to have more energy and just be able to go out and run like normal again! I have really missed that a ton. I also have a major crush on pump classes right now. I had been doing my own weight routines for such a while that I am loving mixing it up. Every teacher approaches it a little differently and I am really enjoying that. 

 Then we had a family bbq! 

The weather was perfect and divine. A lovely mid 70 degrees with perfect shade!

The food was all so pretty and colorful. Summer finally felt like it was here.

Then as I was enjoying my grilled asparagus and yummy chicken, it struck...

Over the past 2 weeks-ish, about 4 times I have had some TERRIBLE abdominal pain. It feels like the most TERRIBLE and AWFUL period cramps you could ever dream of. Agonizing, debilitating, rolling around on your bed in a cold sweat not knowing what to do with yourself... kind of pain.

SO weird. I started taking some new medicine for the Candida that I had heard great things about and figured that was what was causing it so after talking with the company and baking my dose WAY off, I thought I was in the clear. But it hit me again yesterday. Worse then ever before. 

The other times it lasted about 45 mins and then would subside and then I was completely fine. Those 45 mins were hell, but at least it was over after that. Yesterday though it went on and on and ON! 3 hours of horrible pain.

I had a little Gatorade and sucked on some lifesavers when they started going away, thinking maybe some sugar in my system would help me feel better and that maybe it was worse this time because I was low on electrolytes? I don't know. 5 Lifesavers later I was feeling better and ventured downstairs for more candy. My only regret was not having better candy on hand. Hey, if candy is going to heal that horrible pain that makes me want to die... I will do what I have to.

I was starving... so 1 banana, 2 oranges and several handfuls of Quaker Oat Squares later... I was feeling a lot better. Yeah, none of that is anything I supposedly should eat on my Candida Diet, but I think my body might have been trying to tell me something. "Knock off the craziness Holley, give me a break!"

The jury is still out of how my body is feeling from the food I ate, but for now I am taking it easy and eating sugars/fruits and a few whole grains like oatmeal.

I have another doctor appointment with a new doctor on Tuesday (as my family practitioner basically told me I was a quack for thinking I had Candida and she didn't even believe it was a real thing), so I am hoping to get some more insight on this whole thing then. Until then I think I am going to see how my body reacts to eating more normally. Crossing my fingers I continue to feel okay.

So sorry about the lack of a post yesterday but I was a little out of commission. :(

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Did you enjoy the beautiful day yesterday?

For about 6 hours, yes I did. Best day for a BBQ! When it starts getting hotter bbq's end up being so hot and sweaty... that is no good!

Do you ever feel like you are in a fight with your body???

Um... YES! Can't he just hug and be friends!?!

Simple Pleasures

WORKOUT:

6 mile run

60 min spin class

Days like today are the BEST workouts. I got in a great workout and felt like I could just go forever! I love when you end your workout feeling totally energized and pumped for the day. Though, days like today I have to stop myself from heading back out to rack up a few more miles. ;)

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Now for a list of some of the simple pleasures I am enjoying right now!

-Organizing my closet by throwing some things out

Unfortunately the organization bug hit me about 11:30pm and I starting going through all my old clothes and organizing in categories everything that was left. 

Result? Awesomeness, and I am proud to say that it is STILL just as organized. That is just as much of an accomplishment.

-Eating a big pile of jicama chips. Mmmmm... I might have to make another big pile, I can't get enough.

-The amazing view on my run this morning. Perfect temperature and beautiful sunny view of the city. Perfect way to start the day.

-A mini shoulder rub from Ben just now. I think I melted just a little.

-A long HOT shower. I considered just lounging on my bed in my robe for a few hours, I was so relaxed. I know I would never have gotten the will power to get dressed then. Ha.

-The increase in energy I have today! Hopefully this is a turn for the better and I won't feel so drained all the time. You never think of that as something you take for granted.
-Super fast internet! We got ours upgraded! Yeah!

-Eating fresh produce from my little garden!

-And GREAT hugs from Ben!

Sometimes the littlest things make the biggest difference and mean the most to us! After not seeing Ben for 2 1/2 days when I was spending time with my mom at my parents house, maybe that made everything just a little bit sweeter after being away. :)

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What are you enjoying today!?!

Portion Confusion

WORKOUT:

1 hour pump class

30 min extra free weights

10 min stretching

Helllll-o!

Lots of leg and bum work today! I am all about that!

How do you feel about "tricky" instructors? Like If they tell you that there is 1 more set of something, but really they make you do like 4 more? Do you like being tricked or does it drive you nuts? The new teacher I tried today was a MAJOR trickster. I don't think she was even counting, just waiting to see how many people dropped like flies once their legs gave out. 

She was a little crazy sauce. 

Initially I was thinking she was driving me nuts, but it actually made me work pretty dang hard. 

So alas, I will be going back. ;)

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1 bag of brussel sprouts is 1 serving right?

And simply 1 fillet of salmon would just be a little snack. Better grab 2.

Grill that up and you have a meal!

It is so funny to me the portion sizes one things I have been eating lately. Like a 1/2 head of cauliflower is 1 serving for me or 2 HUGE heads of broccoli. When you are eating so many veggies and supposed to live off them... you better believe there is no way there is 5 servings sizes for THIS girl in that bag of brussels. 

As I read nutrition facts and portion sizes on bags, I just laugh to myself as I pour the whole thing into my bowl.

Just another wacky meal over here. ;)

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What portion sizes make you laugh as you proceed to eat the entire package?

If we were asking Ben this, he would say a 1/2 gallon of ice cream.

He is the "ying" to my "yang." Made for each other right?

5K Fun!

WORKOUT:

4 mile run

45 min spin class

5 min abs

10 min stretching

Now my brother MAY have said, "You aren't going to post this on your blog are you?" I think you can see him thinking that on his face in this picture. I can't NOT post a race though! A family member that is getting into running, are you joking me!?! 

Pretty sure he doesn't really read this blog though, so let's just keep it our little secret.

Ben and I had a great time watching all the runners come by. I LOVE watching little kids run in races! They are so stinkin cute! I wish I had gotten a picture of this one little boy running in to the finish. The look on his face was priceless! 3.2 miles is a long way for a little kid!

This little girl was killing it on her way in though, she was rocking it!

My brother did a great job though! He had a little shin splint pain but nothing too bad. I tried drilling into his head ICE ICE ICE... but I am not sure how much he was listening. ;)

We had a fun time enjoying the race and it was fun to be out there and supportining a good cause!

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Recent eats: A roasted veggie smorgasbord!

Cauliflower, green pepper, eggplant and spinach.

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Do you ever choose races because of the cause they are raising money for or is it more of an added bonus to your running schedule???

I admit, I don't know how much attention I pay when I am actually running the race myself. But I thought about it a lot more acutally WATCHING this race.

Let's talk skin care

WORKOUT:
4 mile run
12 min elliptical
60 min pump class

I have been hanging out with my Mamasita sewing and such. I spent the night up here last night and LOVE that they have a gym literally 1 1/2 blocks from their house. F-A-B-U-L-O-U-S. I got to try it out this morning and it is BEAUTIFUL. Nicer then the gym by my house. There might be a lot more Mommy and Me slumber parties in the future.

I loved the pump class that I went to this morning. Every teacher has their own style for how they work through a class and variety is always nice. It was fun to mix it up. My favorite part was that we got to do lots of Clean and Presses. Way fun.

Quick pre-workout snack. Meet the "Egg Dog."

How can you TOO have such a delish snack? 

Wrap an egg in some lettuce. Done.

(YOU could throw some mustard on that, but you know I can't have such fancy things right now.)

Sometimes I am a little more creative than others. ;)

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I am RELIGIOUS about skin care. That is not an area where I mess around. Nor should you!

I NEVER go to bed without washing my face and moisturizing and ALWAYS wear moisturizer with sunscreen. If I don't wash and moisturizer every night I SWEAR to you there is a huge difference.

I am sure there are plenty of people that think I am high maintenance for shelling out $$$ for good skin care products and the like. Let's face it though. It's ALL about prevention. Tomorrow is too late to prevent the damage your skin will get today. In 20 years a whole bunch of neglected days like that will sure make a difference. If I am going to invest the time in eating all my fruits and veggies and exercising to have a healthy heart... I don't want to end up looking like a prune while I live forever.

Maybe I am paranoid but I am not taking any chances. Not just because I am super fair but because I want to prevent any teensy lines from coming up as long as possible.

I think spending some moo-la now is a lot cheaper than getting a face lift later. And a lot more flattering too. ;)

Currently I use Lancome's Primordiale Day and Night cream.

It has been about 6 years that I have been using them and I have been really happy with them. I am in the market of re-evaluating what I am using though. I am looking into new products and seeing if there is something I can find that I may like better. I am a creature of habit... I mean 6 years right? I think it is time to branch out.

So I have been picking some brains to see what is out there that people love! Since we are BFF's, I have to ask you too!

From the handful of people I have asked so far I have about these two...

Kiehl's Abyssine Lotion with SPF 15.
Abyssine is made from red algae and it protects against damage and diminishes the effects of aging.
I got some samples of this and have been trying it. So far so good. Don't know if I love it more than my Lancome though.

Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer and Primer.
Those are two different things that used together are apparently amazing. I am told I will have a healthy glow and the SPF 20 will take care of the protection. It also sounds like an easy breezy summer fix for make-up when you are being more active and running out the door. I need to hunt down some samples for this.
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What is your experience with good quality face products? Have any recommendations?
Please share! 

Do you feel guilty spending $$$ on skincare etc around your husband/bf?
I have learned that it is better to buy it when he isn't around. Ben is okay with it, it is just a little painful for him to see the dollar signs in person. I just remind him though... hey, I did this BEFORE we got married and that is part of why you fell in love with me. ;) Ha. 
Plus, I just remind him that I won't need that face lift later. If it never gets broke, he won't have to fix it.