A Visit Down Memory Lane...

Love this photo from Pure Nourishment. 

Another photo from Pure Nourishment.

My oldest daughter's out of preschool for spring break so we ventured on a girls trip to visit my mom's family in Charleston, South Carolina.  At first I was beyond nervous traveling with my little girls, especially the close to two year old, but the trip has been amazing.  My mom reconnected with her 19 year older half brother and his wife, my girls got to play with their great grandkids and we've been having fun exploring a city rich with history, charm and character.  From Magnolia Plantation where we spotted tons of gators and peacocks to a horse drawn carriage tour of Charleston, it feels like we've been transported back in time.

Tomorrow we head over to Savannah, Georgia for more adventures.  It took my mom and I years to finally plan this trip to her past, and now that we're here it feels like we never left.  The moment I opened the door to my Uncle Jim's work shed, I was flooded with childhood memories of my grandfather's second hand store in Arizona.  Like Uncle Jim, my grandfather could fix anything and everything.  At over 80 years old, Uncle Jim still knows how to fix any car, he built a wooden fence around his house with his wife just a few years ago (imagine that).  Ah, and Aunt Wanda's banana pudding with Nilla Wafers just like my grandma made it.  It's fun to travel down memory lane once in a while.  Thanks for the Southern hospitality Aunt Jim and Uncle Wanda.

Karen's Voice

I met Karen in high school.  She was always fun, outgoing and sweet.  A few months ago when I was gathering toys and clothes for children in Peru undergoing open heart surgeries, she was one of the first people to contact me with a trunk full of goodies.  I'm honored to share Karen's voice.

Here's a photo of Karen and her family in October 2011.

Karen's dad and daughter in New Zealand February 2012.

Transformation

By Karen Moran Faullhaber

Two thousand and three was set to be the best year of my life. I had met the guy of my dreams (Scott, who is now my husband) and -- despite having known him for only 3 months – had decided to join him on a six month work assignment he had in Burlington, Vermont.  Since our time in Burlington was going to be brief, my plan was to train for a marathon, discover New England, and enjoy my life rather than work. 

I was so excited when my parents came to visit us.  Scott and I planned to take my parents to Montreal for a long weekend, followed by some time in Vermont, where my parents could get to know Scott.   As we explored Vermont that weekend, we visited the Trapp Family Lodge in Stowe.  It was there that the “best year of my life” transformed into something much different. 

My mom and Scott were walking ahead of my dad and I.  I distinctly remember him telling me “hold one for one second before we go in because I want to tell you something.” My dad is very sentimental and expressive so I knew what was coming next: a sappy speech about how he couldn’t believe how grown up I was and how much he liked Scott.  Ugghh, I don’t know why we always had to have these awkward sentimental moments together in public. I was thinking about how I wished he could just tell me these things over the phone or, better yet, leave them to my mom. 

Anyway, we stopped and I steeled myself for the awkward sentimentality.  My dad then said “Karen, I was diagnosed with Stage 4 Mantle Cell Lymphoma a few months ago and have been told I have 18 months to live.”  I was stunned.  Was my dad really telling me he had 18 months to live while a tourist group walks by me in front of the Trapp Family Lodge? It took a minute to register and then I just cried uncontrollably. My dad hugged me and took me for a walk. It was so surreal, I couldn’t think and when I saw my mom I just cried like a baby.  Poor Scott just looked on not knowing what to say. The rest of the day is a blur. I called my brother and cried some more.  The rest of their visit is a blur, all I remember is standing in front of the Trapp Family Lodge listening to those words coming out of my dad’s mouth. 

Months passed in Vermont.  I wished I had a job to keep me occupied.  I wished I were home to help out (my parents forbid it).  Most of all, I wished I knew more about what my dad was up against.  The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) was an invaluable resource, providing me with a wealth of information and support. Doctors told my dad that his only hope was to harvest enough stem cells to enable him to get a stem cell transplant. He tried and tried but was never well enough to harvest the cells.  Again, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society came to the rescue.  My dad was able to participate in a clinical trial for a drug LLS funded called Rituxan.   That drug ultimately saved my dad’s life.  

My dad is now in remission, which has given him the extra time to walk me down the aisle at my wedding, witness the birth of my two children, and share in their childhood.
LLS is truly remarkable, it literally changed my life and it changes other peoples’ lives everyday.  I am honored to give back to LLS now as part of a team led by my brother competing in the LLS Man and Woman of the Year campaign, which is a 10-week competition among teams across the U.S. competing to raise the most money for LLS.    All support is welcomed and deeply appreciated.  I am passionate about LLS because I have seen first hand the comfort and benefits it provides.  To donate or learn more about LLS or the competition please click HERE and visit my WEBSITE.

Coconut Water Taste Test

These are all the coconut waters I could find at Whole Foods.

This is where a sip of coconut water should take you, right? Image from HERE.

The other day I was shopping at Whole Foods and was shocked when I went to buy some coconut water.  There were seven brands, all the ones shown above.  I spoke to the man restocking the area and he told me that ONE and Vita Coco tend to sell best, probably because they're the most well known and sold pretty much everywhere.  He introduced me to some new brands that were also doing well, or so he said, including Taste Nirvana coconut water which has a pulp variety with coconut chunks floating in it, Harmless Harvest raw organic coconut water, and Tonix coconut kefir - which can't really be included in the taste test because it's completely different from the others.  It's a shock to your taste buds at first, but then I grew to love it.  Lastly, we tried Amy & Brian's coconut juice and Pure Naked coconut water.  I'm exhausted just writing all the names...

I'm not going to lie, it wasn't easy tasting so many different products.  Since my husband loves coconut water, and takes his palate very seriously, I enlisted him, our kids, and a friend in the quest for the best tasting coconut water.  Now there's a slight caveat because a few people told me they love Zico coconut water, but they didn't have any so I couldn't include them in the taste test.  The consensus for taste was clear. The two winners of the blind taste test...  Drum roll please...  Harmless Harvest and Taste Nirvana tasted the freshest with no aftertaste.  I loved both products and even liked the Taste Nirvana with pulp.  But when it comes down to it, all the products tasted good. Coconut water is low in calories and sodium while being high in potassium and electrolytes.  You can also buy young coconuts and cut the tops off yourself, but as I mentioned in a previous post Young Coconuts Injected with Chemicals, the coconuts are dipped in chemicals to make the long trip over to the states.

Inspired by Orange

How cute are these edgy Micahel Kors looks straight off the runway for spring Spring 2012!  Photo taken from About.com Petit Fashion

Photo taken from Glamour.com.  Spring 2012's most wearable fashion trends Tangerine Tango.  I'm obsessed with the  last one.

How amazing are these Jimmy Choo shoes, sold at Intermix.  Definitely on my wish list!!

Here are some Tangerine nail polish colors as seen on Refinery29.com.

Love this photo from one of my new favorite blogs, Delight by Design.

The weekend's here so thought I would share some color therapy!  From neons and metallics to pastels, this spring season is full of color.  My favorite is the 2012 Pantone color of the year...  Tangerine Tango!  Last week I went shopping with my nieces for their birthdays, and we went to their favorite store, Forever 21.  I wasn't planning on buying anything for myself, but I couldn't help it.  So when I stumbled upon a fitted orange blazer, that was it. I had to have it, plus the $29 price tag made the purchase that much sweeter.  Now I'm excited to try out tangerine nail polish. I love the Le Metler De Beaute Nail Lacquer shown above in Not So Safe Orange.  How amazing is the Hermes orange colored shower curtain and those shoes.  I'm loving this Tangerine Tango!

Have a great weekend!

Own Yourself

Love this photo from my favorite source of inspiration and photos Pure Nourishment on FB.

I also found this one on Pure Nourishment on FB.

Ever feel like you're swimming with sharks?  Feeling like people are putting you down, talking behind your back or saying things that gets you down?  It's not their fault, you've let them take on that role. So make it stop... Own yourself. Step into your power and swim above those sharks.  Have a great day today!

BPA No More

Photo taken from Forbes.com.

Last year I wrote about the Most Toxic Foods that should never touch your lips.  I got a flurry of emails from readers who were concerned because they cooked with canned tomatoes all the time, and had no idea that those cans are lined with BPA or Bisphenol A.  For some reason the acid in those tomatoes makes the product even more toxic.  Well it turns out that most canned veggies and soups are lined with BPA, which is unnerving especially if you have children!  BPA is the same chemical that was banned completely in Canada, and is no longer used in the production of baby bottles thanks to advocacy groups.  Now those same groups have gotten through to family friendly company Campbell's.  Apparently, they're already in production of the new cans so stay tuned...  There's a great article about this in Healthy Child Healthy World and Forbes Magazine.

Lauren Lynne on Today Show

Designers and founders of Lauren Lynne jewelry, Stacey Fish and Gina Katz!

There's something about getting a good deal that just makes you feel better....  Well, I'm excited to announce that tomorrow morning (March 13th) one of my favorite jewelry lines, Lauren Lynn will be featured on Jills Steals & Deals segment on the NBC's TODAY Show.  Lauren Lynne has a huge celebrity following.  Okay, I'll drop a few names celebs that love their jewels...  Gwen Stefani, Vanessa Minnillo Lachey, Guiliana Rancic and Brooklyn Decker, just to name a few!  Don't forget to tune in early.  A little birdie tells me it should air around 9:15am, but stay tuned in case it comes on a little earlier or later.  Talk about a perfect way to start the day!

Happy Shopping!!

Give Your Insecurities the Boot!

Love this photo from Pure Nourishment on FB.  Photo source unknown.

Photo credit artstudio54 on Etsy

I'm not going to lie, this afternoon I was having one of those days when I was letting everyone get to me.  I was feeling insecure, sensitive and irritable... And it's not even that time of the month!  Someone said something that bothered me and I had such a hard time letting it go.  I hate it when all this stuff takes over, and I waste time worrying over nonsense!  The reality is that we all have our own insecurities, we're all different and sometimes misunderstood.  Confront your insecurities and give them the boot!  

No More Bad Hair Days

If you have long hair, put it in a scrunchy when you're at home and sleeping to make those flowy curls last longer.  Thanks for the the tip Camila!

No more bad hair days...  This is two days after Camila blew out my hair at a fun girls night!

After the day I had yesterday, with my cousin's brain surgery, I need to lighten things up today.  Oh, and thanks to all of my readers and subscribers for sending your thoughts and prayers.  We definitely felt the love!  He's in the hospital recovering today so keep sending that love.

Now let's get to the fun stuff!  Life has to be about balance.  We all know how gross you feel when you're having a bad hair day. Since I'm as low maintenance as it gets when it comes to hair and makeup, I wanted to share some tips from one of my favorite people, Camila Padilla.  Camila is every woman's dream.  She comes to your house and will blow dry your hair at an affordable price!  Whenever she comes over I do everything in my power to make that blow out last thanks to a few of her tips.  If I'm in mommy mode or just hanging out, I always put my hair up in a loose bun with a scrunchy (yes, I said it, one of those scrunchies from back in the day).  Check out the photo above.  I even sleep with my hair up.  Don't use a clip or a rubber band because it will leave marks.  Right when you let your hair out of the scrunchy you may see some marks, but it literally goes away within minutes.  Run a brush through your hair and you'll be amazed.  Sexy, flowy, loose curls!

Another tip, especially if you have shorter hair that won't go in a bun or if you need a quick fix...   Bring out those old fashioned velcro rollers.  You can find them at Target, other drugstores or I always love to shop at Soap.com from home.  Start at the middle of your forehead and literally go down the center of your hair, almost like a mohawk of rollers.  It'll give you lots of extra volume.  You can literally see me driving around town with one roller in the middle of my forehead, very attractive I know...  Don't forget to contact Camila if you're in the Los Angeles area and need a great blow out in the convenience of your home,

Keeping the Faith

Love this photo, it captures my mood today.  Photo taken from Pure Nourishment on FB.

Here's a photo of my cousin, Mike, with his wife Lisa and their daughter.  

Today is going to be a tough one for my family and me.  My cousin is going in this morning for brain surgery.  Just look at him, does this look like someone in need of brain surgery?  It's crazy and doesn't seem fair, especially since his wife battled breast cancer several years ago.  This kind of thing makes me angry, sad, and frustrated.

When I feel all those emotions taking over me, I force myself to put both feet on the ground and take a deep breath.  It's okay to feel all those emotions.  If we didn't we wouldn't be human.  Let it out, scream, cry, hide...  I know that place and it's a nasty one.  So try your hardest to pull yourself out of it, seek help if you need it and embrace the journey.  Have faith that there's a larger plan for us all.    Please hold my cousin in your heart and send love to this family.  They need all the positive energy they can get right now.

Wash Up!

I added Fruit and Veggie Wash into the water

Do you wash your bananas before you eat them?  My answer was...  Never!  That is, until I toured Gelson's supermarket with their in house nutritionist, Jessica Siegel.  Jessica spent the entire morning with a dozen of us moms at Gelsons last week.  I have so many notes from our tour, but not enough time to gather them all into this post so there's more to come.  In the meantime, check out Jessica's Healthy Living Resource online.

All of us were shocked when she told us to wash our bananas.  Farmers spray the skin with chemicals so the'll last longer.  You peel the skin and all those chemicals end up on your hands, in your mouth, everywhere...  So don't forget to give all your fruits and veggies a bath.  Here's a recipe for a good wash.  Oh, and more tips from Jessica's Gelson's supermarket tour to come!

Seeing Behind the Veil

My husband and I on our wedding day, one month after my cardiac ablation.

This weekend I was working on my blog, writing stories for the week when I clicked on my comments section.  I never look at my comments because I still can't believe people are interested in what I have to say!  Anyway, my entire night shifted as I read a comment posted by a man named Jeff.  He commented on was an article I wrote called Procedure One Month Before the Wedding.  I'd create a link to it, but I was quick to judge myself and the situation so I deleted the post late Saturday night.  That entry was one of my most vulnerable ones, talking about how I went in for a cardiac ablation one month before my wedding.  My electrophysiologist had no idea if it would help my arrhythmia's, or PVCs, but I opted for the procedure anyway in hopes I could get off anti-arrhythmia medication and that it would help my other heart condition, cardiomyopathy.

The procedure was surreal because I was awake during the entire process.  After cauterizing (burning) five sections of my heart I was able to get off anti-arrhythmia medication, and the other medications I was on for my cardiomyopathy worked better.  That's when the function of my heart started improving.  I'm beyond grateful because I have spoken to several patients since then prepping them for the experience.  I believe I'm helping by sharing my own journey, exposing my vulnerability and fears.

Jeff mentioned that he has a website and online forum for people with arrhythmia.  I wish he would have shared the url because it sounds like a site I would be interested in, especially when I was initially diagnosed with my arrhythmia nearly 16 years ago.  Jeff's concerns were valid because he was reading my article through one set of lenses.  The lenses of a patient who is frightened and scared because they have their own "hiccuping" heart (arrhythmia).  Whereas, I was journaling about my own fears from my two cardiac conditions.  For me, Jeff highlighted the importance of taking a step back before judging a situation.  Look behind that veil, see other people's perspectives and be open to dialogue.  I'm excited that my article in SHAPE Magazine and my blog is getting people thinking and talking about heart disease.

Looking at that photo above, you'd have no idea that just a month earlier I had a cardiac ablation.  Next time someone challenges you, I hope this little entry has inspired you to see behind the veil.  The person challenging is trying to open your eyes to the bigger picture.  Remain true to yourself and learn from those who challenge you.  As for Jeff, thanks for your comments and I hope to connect with your online community.

Happy Monday!

Creative Inspiration for Baby Showers

Love this picture of my sister in law Ashley, the baby and me!

This afternoon we celebrated the upcoming birth of my niece.  I'm so excited to welcome a new baby girl into our family!  One of my favorite activities for baby showers is buying a bunch of onesies from Target in all different sizes.  Gerber makes great ones that come in either four or five packs.  Make sure you wash them in Dreft or another hypoallergenic detergent that's good for newborns so the new mom to be doesn't have to worry about it.  Then stock up on fabric markers, puffy paint and the circular wooden rounds, like the ones shown above, to make drawing on the onesies easier.  I love getting all these crafts at Michaels, plus if you like to save money they have coupons in the newspaper every week.  Of course, I forgot mine but asked the cashier and he gave me the discount which was nice.  It never hurts to ask!  If you want to take it one step further, have the mom to be or dad to be pick out their favorite and worst designs.  Just a little creative inspiration for next time you throw a baby shower.

You Rock!

Photo taken from Pure Nourishment on FB.

Do you always psyche yourself out before a big meeting, audition or a date only to feel like an idiot afterwards?  We put so much pressure on ourselves to be perfect, when in reality it's those imperfections that make us who we are.  I'm one of the most cerebral and sensitive people in the world, so letting go of my insecurities and embracing my quirky uniqueness is challenging and liberating all at once.

Here are a few tips that help me.  Every morning when I wake up,  before jumping out of my bed like I typically do, I put both feet on the ground stretch my hands over my head, close my eyes and take a minute to set my intention for the day.  I'm grateful for the new day and vision my feet stretching all the way down to the core of the earth.  Make sure to take some deep breaths into your belly and know the day ahead is what you make of it.   This is a good practice that will help you throughout the day, especially if you're nervous for an interview or audition.  You can also add an affirmation...  Something like, "I Rock".  Because reality is, you do!