Let me tell you the secret that has led me to my goal:
my strength lies solely in my tenacity.
(Louis Pasteur)

The smallest goal achieved stands taller than the grandest intention.
Do whatever your heart leads you to do — but do it.
(Dan Zadra)

Working out regularly takes energy and stick-to-it-ness. It also takes some patience and understanding. Pursing any goal requires dedication, belief and grace. It’s impossible for every step we take to be toward our dreams. We sometimes take the long way. Detours offer scenery, new opportunities and the occasional dead end. I find that when I create systems and failsafes, there is less room for error. I might take a side road, but I have the tools to get back on track.

I’ve put a lot of focus on healthy choices and working out these past few weeks. Transitioning from the Whole Living Action Plan to regular everyday life has been a challenge. After cutting alcohol, caffeine, processed foods and added sugar out of my diet for a month, anything more than nothing feels like too much. Valentine’s Days, birthday celebrations and eating out have been forks in my road to wellness.

Three things help me get back on track: finding new sources of inspiration, getting to the root of what motivates me, and having compassion for myself. It’s a process, with a series of decisions that move me closer to and further from my goals each day. Intellectually, I know I won’t (and can’t expect myself to) make the best choices 100% of the time. Emotionally, it is hard not to beat myself for indulging in spoonfuls of icing, a huge serving of chips and salsa, or an extra glass of wine.

Overall, I am enjoying this experience. Like a challenging yoga class, I am working towards my edge. If I push myself too hard, there’s a chance I will falter. But it’s worth it. So incredibly worth it.

I’m working it out on all fronts these days — from meal planning and budgeting, to hitting the gym and deepening friendships. This is a motivating, action-inspiring playlist. It starts out with chill, yet upbeat tunes and moves into fast paced songs to get me going on my long runs. I’m trying something new for this playlist by sharing it on Grooveshark in addition to listing the songs.

Listen to my Working It Out playlist now, or follow the links to iTunes below.

Tell Me (Clock Opera Remix) / Au Revoir Simone
Moth’s Wings / Passion Pit
Walking On a Dream / Empire of the Sun
Otis / Kanye West & JAY Z feat. Otis Redding
Good Feeling / Flo Rida
We Found Love / Rihanna feat. Calvin Harris
Marchin On / Timbaland feat. OneRepublic
Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You) / Kelly Clarkson
Whip My Hair / Willow
Scream / Michael Jackson
Part of Me / Katy Perry
Down On Me / Jeremih & 50 Cent
Turn Me On / David Guetta & Nicki Minaj
Where Have You Been / Rihanna
Hit the Floor / Twista & Pitbull
6 Foot 7 Foot / Lil Wayne feat. Cory Gunz
Power / Kanye West
Coming Home / Diddy – Dirty Money & Skylar Grey

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Image Credit:
Speeding past us. + Dappled Shade Savasana via lululemon athletica

Your world is a living expression of how you are using and have used your mind.
(Earl Nightingale)

Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful,
we must carry it with us or we find it not.
(Ralph Waldo Emerson)

As for the future, your task is not to foresee it, but to enable it.
(Antoine de Saint-Exupery)

Happy Valentine’s Day, my dear friends! I hope you find time today to express your love — through your words, thoughts and actions.

Treat yourself to something special. Delight a friend, kiss your sweetie, surprise a stranger. Take time to reflect on all the love in your life. Nosh on chocolates, eat nothing but veggies. Go for a run, practice yoga, sleep in or take a long bubble bath.

Play on Pinterest, read your favorite blogs, listen to podcasts, pick up a new magazine. Wear lip gloss, paint a sparkly top coat on your nails, wear your coziest sweater. Write in your journal, watch a favorite movie, or do nothing at all.

Take this day to show yourself and the ones you love just how much you care.

Image Credits:
love letter / calligraphy poster / in my shop via bubbo.etsy.com
love notes ♥ via jessgrrrr
Day 92 | July 2 2008 | The things I love via Shereen M

Cooking is like love, it should be entered into with abandon or not at all.
(Harriet Van Horne)

In spite of food fads, fitness programs, and health concerns,
we must never lose sight of a beautifully conceived meal.
(Julia Child)

One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well.
(Virginia Woolf)

Hello lovelies! How is your week wrapping up? I’m recovering from a wonderfully eventful Saturday. I went for a 6-mile run in the morning and then enjoyed a night out in Chapel Hill with my Mister and some friends. Today I’m planning to do my Barre3 DVD, go to the grocery store, and treat myself with a trip to the mall.

I have spent a ton of time in the kitchen since completing Whole Living’s cleanse last month. I am trying to find the space between maintaining my focus and making smart choices while living this busy, social and (sometimes) stressful life. It’s a process.

My latest obsession is finding new recipes. Here are a few gems on my Recipe Lust list:

Baked Asparagus Fries
Pomegranate + Kale Orzo
Triple Chocolate Black Bean Brownies
Maple Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Barbecue Chickpea Pizza
Orange Blossom Cupcake with Cashew Cream
Eggplant and Meyer Lemon Risotto
Farro Risotto with Acorn Squash and Kale
Apricot Coconut Energy Bars
Black Bean, Sweet Potato & Quinoa Chili
Vegan Peanut Butter Cup Shake 

Taking the time to prepare healthy and delicious meals is a gift I can give myself. It’s self-care wrapped in gratitude for this body and all it allows me to do. These last several weeks have been eyeopening — I am discovering a new hobby and realizing a new passion.

I am so grateful to have found such incredible inspiration through the blogs, magazines and books that resonate with where I am today. What recipes are on your to-make list? Do you have any favorite resources that motivate your healthy-living goals? Share your suggestions in the comments below!

Image Credits:
Eggplant Risotto via Turntable Kitchen
Asparagus Fries via Spoon Fork Bacon
Pomegranate + Kale Orzo via Happyoks

My whole life, I’ve wanted to feel comfortable in my skin.
It’s the most liberating thing in the world.
(Drew Barrymore)

Fortune befriends the bold.
(Emily Dickinson)

Comfortable: relaxed, secure, and in content…
It’s funny how even the word brings some comfort.
We’ve all experienced it.
It’s a safe feeling, pure happiness, or emptiness.
It’s hard to find the right medium & how long you can sustain
being uncomfortable. I am a firm believer though that
until you let yourself be truly uncomfortable,
you can’t reap the joys of being truly comfortable.
(Shayna Sandlan)

Laugh at yourself,
but don’t ever aim your doubt at yourself.
Be bold.
When you embark for strange places,
don’t leave any of yourself safely on shore.
Have the nerve to go into unexplored territory.
(Alan Alda )

A comfortable house is a great source of happiness.
It ranks immediately after health and a good conscience.
(Sydney Smith)

There are many bloggers who name a word for their year. When I created my 12 Intentions for 2012, I was seeking something similar — a focus, a thread, a theme, to weave in and out and through my year.

In 2010, my word was nurture. It was serendipity in 2011. I found the words uplifting, but the overall idea didn’t stick. Maybe that’s why I struggled to find my word for 2012? As the new year approached, my mind went blank and I almost gave up on the idea altogether.

Then I started reading Style Statement by  Carrie McCarthy and Danielle LaPorte. As I worked through the stories and prompts, I came upon two words: my foundation and my creative edge. As the book explains, “Your foundation word represents your being. Your creative edge is how you express and distinguish your being.”

Determining my style statement was like recognizing an old friend. I began to see myself in a new light. Asking myself questions like, “does this represent comfortable? Am I embodying boldness?” helped reveal inner motivations and  began to shed light on why I do what I do.

My words are Comfortable Boldness, for this year and beyond. Using these words as my touchstone, I hope to make decisions and attract opportunities that align with my style statement —with my foundation and creative edge.

Style Statement defines Comfortable Boldness:

Comfortable is the consummate pleasure seeker… In their best form, Comfortable is easygoing, sincerely cheerful, and free from doubt. They can be highly sensitive, and when they feel something in their bones, they will operate with steady determination… Comfortable is body centered, so the priority with fashion and furnishing is comfort.

Boldness has a strong warrior spirit that can translate into risk-taking, maverick ideas, and lively adventures… Do it right, or don’t do it at all… They are quite comfortable with uncertainty because they know they can draw on their own daring and multiple resources to fully embrace any situation… They focus forward.

What Comfortable Boldness means to me:

Comfortable is the space between smooth sailing and working to my edge. Comfortable is leaning into my dreams while maintaining a sense of groundedness. Comfortable is carefree and cozy. Boldness is passionate, spicy. Boldness has the guts to follow through. Firm, steady and strong, Boldness leaps fearlessly and loves deeply.

My recommendation on Style Statement:

Read the book from cover to cover, or skip ahead to the exercises in the back. The stories and photos read like a magazine with journal prompts and excises mixed in throughout. This book is most enjoyable when read with a big mug of tea, cozy blankets and the Amelie soundtrack playing in the background.

Image Credits:
Open your heart. via lululemon athletica
Day 78 / Ready for take-off via Noukka Signe
200.365 – City Love via Jos Liba
laughing via lululemon athletica
westelm.capiz via coco+kelly

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You can only become truly accomplished at something you love.
Don’t make money your goal.
Instead, pursue the things you love doing,
and then do them so well that people can’t take their eyes off you.
(Maya Angelou)

Happy February to you, my lovelies! I am so thrilled to begin a fresh month, especially since we get a bonus day on the 29th. How did your January shape up?

I completed the Whole Living Action Plan as I intended. Giving up processed foods, added sugar, dairy, gluten, caffeine, and alcohol for four weeks seemed daunting at first, but I’m so glad I went for it. I also finished reading Style Statement. I’ll share my reactions and reveal my statement soon!

REVIEW :: January Intentions.

• Drink 10 glasses of water daily. I got to 10 glasses daily by the 3rd week. One helpful trick—I keep a full glass on my nightstand & drink it up first thing in the morning.

• Get to bed by 10pm & wake up by 5am. Progress! I’ve started to wake up around 4:55 without an alarm. I love rising just before my phone starts buzzing.

• Eat clean, work out, smile. I took the first week easy to give my body time to acclimate to the cleanse, but I worked out 5 days each week for the rest of January!

• Blog to schedule – 12 posts. Nearly got it. I ended up reading Style Statement slower than planned, so I only posted 11 times. Keeping to my content map has helped immensely and I’m determined to hit my posting goal this month.

• Sign up for 1/2 marathon. I’m registered for the RunRaleigh Half Marathon on April 15. Total miles on my training schedule? 205. Time to make a new playlist!

SET :: February Intentions.

Thanks to those of you who shared your enthusiasm for the iPhone wallpaper I created with my January goals. I loved it so much that I plan to make a new one for each month. Check out my goals for February below.

CELEBRATE :: I’m Looking Forward to…

• #febphotoaday. I joined Fat Mum Slim’s #janphotoaday late in the game and never got into a good photo-taking rhythm. I’m looking forward to giving February a serious try. Come say “hi” on Instagram, I’m @kaileenelise.

• A date a week. Taking a social sabbatical in January was great, but I’m ready to see my friends again! I have something fun on the calendar for each week: a night at the theater, Valentine’s Day with my Mister, 1/2-off sushi dinner with my girlfriends … and I’m hosting Bunco Night for a group of my 12 closest Chapel Hill friends.

• Visiting Yoga G33k. When Courtney and I met last year, I knew we would see each other again soon. I’m thrilled to go see her for a weekend of fun, yoga, and girl talk.

• Getting crazy. Kris Carr’s Crazy Sexy Diet is next on my list of 12 Books for 2012.

What are your goals or intentions this month? My word for February is Heart (my originality is scary) so through the month, I’ll be striving to infuse love and heart in everything I do.

Image Credits:
15/365 – Hold My Heart via Helga Weber
Weekend Love via Always Bë Cool

Success seems to be largely a matter of hanging on after others have let go.
(William Feather)

It can be awkward or downright scary to break free from comfort zones, but it can also be energizing to try something new. Making sweeping changes or small alterations to our lives lifts us out of ruts. New experiences have the potential to reveal pieces of ourselves that would otherwise go unnoticed. This how I feel about my experience with Whole Living’s 2012 Action Plan.

It was disorienting and difficult at times, but what I gained in return was worth every ounce of sacrifice. Eliminating processed food and drinks, added sugar, dairy, gluten, caffeine, and alcohol from my diet for 4 weeks was eye-opening. I discovered juicing, learned a bunch of new recipes, and started working out regularly.

Week #4 Highlights:

• Making it! I proved that I can achieve an ambitious goal I set for myself.
• Five workouts strong. That’s two weeks in a row and I’m excited to keep it up.
• Spa day celebration. On Sunday I indulged in a massage + mani pedi. Bliss!

Favorite Meals:

• Spinach with Garlic and Scrambled Eggs - the recipe calls for watercress, but the store was all out. Spinach is a healthy & delicious substitute.
• Quinoa Salad with Toasted Almonds - great to make ahead for several easy workday luches. Spicy, fresh and a little crunch from the almonds.
• Stir-Fry with Flavored Tofu and Vegetables – I made this after a long run on Saturday, using quinoa instead of rice. This one is full of tasty flavors.

They say it takes 21 days to establish a new habit. Over the next three weeks I hope to incorporate what I’ve learned into sustainable, healthy habits for my everyday life. Specifically, I’m planning to maintain a diet that is 90% vegetarian, gluten-free, dairy-free, and low in processed foods and added sugar.

Thanks to all of you who have shared your wisdom and support through these past few weeks. It definitely helped keep me motivated!

Whole Living Action Plan Recap Posts:
Week #1 / Week #2 / Week #3

Image Credit: 316/365 – Third World Baby via Helga Weber

I don’t wait for moods. You accomplish nothing if you do that.
Your mind must know it has got to get down to work.
(Pearl S. Buck)

Happy weekend to you, my lovely friends! How was your week? I hope you were able to enjoy some sunshine, sparkle and productivity amidst your busy days. My week went by quicker than I expected and I can’t believe the last days of January are upon us!

Since I started on January 1st, today is my last official day of the Whole Living Action Plan. I’m looking forward to sharing a recap of my experience in tomorrow’s Good Eats & Gratitude Post. More than that, I’m excited to celebrate tomorrow morning with my first coffee in 4 weeks! I have all sorts of fun things planned for tomorrow — including some serious spa time.

Do you have anything exciting planned? The following ideas and creative weekend to-dos are intended to inspire. Consider this a friendly reminder to seek out little delights and exceptional joys in the days ahead. Share your plans in the comments below!

listen to a new favorite podcast
run 3.5 miles & practice yoga
make snacks for next week
get a mani, pedi & massage!
window shop for new yoga gear
flip through February magazines
explore, play and pin on Pinterest
put together next week’s meal plan
read a book & sip on a soy latte
indulge in a decadent dessert

No matter what you end up doing this weekend, remember to take a moment or two for yourself. Light your favorite candle, wear fuzzy socks, go out dancing, or buy some treats at Trader Joe’s. Sending love & sparkle your way!

Image Credit: I like jumpers. via Bethan

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Let yourself be silently drawn by the stronger pull of what you really love.
(Rumi)

I recently attended a goal setting session at my local lululemon. I went with my friend and an open mind, hoping to learn something new. The event began with introductions, then a brief visualization of where we hope to find ourselves 10 years from now…

What would you dare to do if you knew you could not fail?
Describe what you see, hear, and feel in your ideal life.
Who is there? How do you spend your time?
Where do you spend your time?

My vision?

A chic and cozy apartment in a big city with my Mister and our two little ones. He’s off to work while I stay home to watch after the babies and manage my successful healthy & creative living empire. I write (articles, books, and my blog), teach yoga, eat all organic, and live my life with abundant love. I’m a leader within my community, make self-care a priority, and have plenty of time to enjoy my family.

I’m trying not to judge myself too harshly, but it kinda seems like I want it all.

After the visualization, the leaders provided instructions on creating S.M.A.R.T goals and gave us some time to brainstorm our visions, 10-year, 5-year and 1-year goals.

What are S.M.A.R.T. goals, you ask? There are variations, but this combo works for me:

Specific
Measurable
Affirmative
Realistic
Timely

Next, they opened the floor for participants to share. I immediately froze, looking intently at a spot on the wall, the back of my hand, and straight through the yoga mat under me. Anything to avoid getting called on! While I’m usually outgoing, I get shy about my goals.

My intentions and dreams have shifted a lot in the past few years. Time and experience will do that to a person. The good news is, our goals are in constant evolution — and it’s ok to change your mind.

I’ve been playing with this visioning concept since the event. Along with reading Style Statement, I find that I’m asking myself these questions:

Do I really want that? Why?
What would achieving that mean to me?
What would I do once I got there?

Dreaming big is scary — especially when we can’t see a path from where we are and where we hope to go. But that’s where the magic lies. In the shimmering possibility of dreams. There’s something delightful about not knowing.

For now, I’m focused on exploring my dreams and examining my hopes. I plan to use this worksheet to get specific about vision, 10-year, 5-year, and 1-year goals and will share more about the process when I do. Please share your thoughts on goal setting and dreaming big in the comments below. I’d love to hear from you!

Image Credit: Ambassador Summit 2011 via lululemon athletica

Each moment of our life, we either invoke or destroy our dreams.
(Stuart Wilde)

Hello, sweet friends. I hope this finds you happy, healthy and enjoying the last full week in January. 2012 is off to a delightful start — a perfect blend of focus and downtime, with lots of new discoveries. With just a week left, I’m working diligently on my goals for January. This iPhone wallpaper is a constant reminder of my focus for the month.

My biggest challenge has been the reallocation of time. With the Whole Living Action Plan, I’m spending more time planning meals, grocery shopping, cooking, and cleaning dishes than ever before. It was a little tedious and foreign at first, but I’m getting the hang of things. And more importantly, I’m having a blast!

I’ve noticed an important shift this past week — a connection between healthy eating and wanting to workout. This is a new development I’m trying to cultivate. Eating clean reinforces my desire to get fit, and finishing a hard workout cements my hunger for nutritious food. I’m doing my best to recognize the tiny victory.

Week #3 Highlights:

• Keeping my cool. I craved coffee, chocolate and red wine this week, but reisted. My resolve was not this strong a few months ago.
• Working out 5 times. I also signed up for the Run Raleigh Half Marathon in April!
• Poaching an egg. I can’t believe I have lived 26 years without poaching an egg! Using Smitten Kitchen’s instructions, I hatched a delicious poached egg on my first try.
• Date night. On Saturday night, my Mister and I went to PF Chang’s for dinner. I order the steamed salmon off their gluten-free menu and it was delicious! Afterwards, we watched Ides of March and snuggled in bed. It was definitely a highlight of my week.

Favorite Meals:

• Avocado-Vanilla Smoothie – Try it with mango nectar for a tropical treat.
• Dried Fruit and Nut Bites – Salty, crunchy, and sweet.
• Chickpea-Brown Rice Veggie Burger - Wrapped in lettuce = delicious.
• Shiitakes and Brown Rice en Papillote - Perfect as simple dinner after work.
• Quinoa with Poached Egg, Spinach, and Cucumber - One of my new favorites.
• Halibut with Sweet Potato Fries and Lime – Quick, easy & yummy.

There’s just one more week left in the #WLActionPlan and I have a massage scheduled on Sunday to celebrate. Next month will present a new set of challenges when I return to my social ways, but overall I’m looking forward to incorporating these changes into my everyday routine.

Have you successfully transitioned from a strict program to a more realistic daily routine? I’d love to know about your experience and any tips or recommendations you have!

Image Credit: Blueberries via Chris Nixon / S u l a v a k a s via Pörrö

Everyday, think as you wake up, today I am fortunate to be alive,
I have a precious human life, I am not going to waste it.
I am going to use all my energies to develop myself,
to expand my heart out to others;
to achieve enlightenment for the benefit of all beings.
I am going to have kind thoughts towards others,
I am not going to get angry or think badly about others.
I am going to benefit others as much as I can.
(Dalai Lama)

Happy Friday to you, my lovelies. Are you looking forward to the weekend? I try to mix fun to-dos with necessary chores to keep my weekends happy & productive.

This week I’m looking forward to spending time with my Mister, blogging & reading blogs, flipping through the big stack of February magazines on our coffee table, and grocery shopping for the Bonus! Week 4 of the Whole Living 2012 Action Plan.

Do you have anything exciting planned for the weekend ahead? The following list of ideas and creative weekend to-dos are intended to inspire. Consider this a friendly reminder to seek out little delights and exceptional joys in the days ahead. I invite you to share your plans in the comments below!

embrace these 10 real-talk blog tips
make new playlists for yoga & running
set up external hard drive for MacBook
sort through Google Reader & add a few new blogs
run 2 miles on Saturday, 3 on Sunday
finish reading Style Statement
watch an inspiring manifesto
download new podcasts

I hope that you find yourself happy and enjoying some time for yourself this weekend, however you end up spending it. See you here again on Sunday for another Good Eats & Gratitude post!

Image Credit: 16-05-10 Last Of The Summer (Wine) via Bethan

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