Dinner is served, and it's: Pork!

Tonight's dinner is a staple in our household, and one of Keith's favorites. It's quick, nutritious, and, most importantly, easy to make. With two toddlers to bathe and get to bed, and a workout to fit in, dinner better be fast or we won't be eating until 9pm. Here's what you need and what to do. The ingredients are from Trader Joe's, but you can definitely find them elsewhere.


Package of thinly sliced pork loin chops (usually 5, 1/4 inch medallions per pack)

1/2 tsp allspice seasoning
1 tbsp chili powder
1/8 tsp salt
Non-stick cooking spray


1 1/2 tomatoes (Roma, vine-ripened, etc.)
Flat leaf parsley
1 medium lemon
1/4 cup Reduced-fat feta
1/2 medium cucumber (I like English cucumbers but hothouse are fine, too)


Long grain or brown rice.


Here's what to do:


First, start cooking rice according to package (usually takes around 25 minutes so don't start pork until rice has been on the stove for 20 minutes; once it's ready, it can sit, covered, while you finish pork)


Once rice is on well on its way, mix together the chili powder, allspice and salt in a little bowl. Coat large skillet/frying pan with non-stick cooking spray and turn on to medium heat. Generously sprinkle cumin mix on one side of pork chops and place, mix side down, on the pan. Sprinkle cumin mix on top side of pork chops. Cook each side for 2-2 1/2 minutes, depending on thickness (pork should not be overcooked - best when served medium, slightly pink in the middle ). If chops are 1/4 inch thick, 2 minutes on each side should be plenty. If they're a little thicker, opt for 2 1/2 minutes. Remember that they'll continue to cook once you remove them from the pan. Also, use forceps to turn them. Puncturing any meat with a knife or fork releases the juice and can dry it out before eating.


While pork is cooking, dice tomatoes, cucumber, and chop 2 tablespoons of parsley. Combine all into a bowl and squeeze entire lemon over mix. Add feta, and salt and pepper to taste.

Place pork chops on plates (2 medallions for medium portion; approx. 5 oz meat, 3 for large; approx. 8 oz meat) and serve heaping spoonfuls of cucumber mix over meat (the more, the better!). Eat with rice and, to really enjoy the meal, a glass of red wine (but that's optional, of course).

Bon Appetit!

Food for thought

Exercise is a key element on the path to a better, longer, healthier life, but it goes hand in hand with proper nutrition. I haven't met too many people in my life that don't struggle with food - whether one eats too much or too little, ingests too much sugar, too much fat, too little fat - the list of dysfunctional eating habits goes on an on. I don't have one magic solution that can solve all these issues, and I should clarify that I had my own battles with food when I was a teenager and in my early twenties, but through it all (and with plenty of classes on nutrition and health), I've learned quite a bit. I'm at a point now where I realize that certain combinations of food are essential in keeping the body functioning at its best. If I, personally, don't eat a balanced diet, I feel sluggish and unsatisfied. That doesn't mean I don't have indulgent days -I definitely do - I just know that I feel better, mentally and physically, and I perform better when I eat meals that have nutritional value.

With this in mind, I'd like to use this blog once per week as a forum for healthy meal ideas. I'll share one recipe that I'm cooking for the week, and others are welcome to comment or share their own recipes. I'm often asked what I eat and what I shop for at Trader Joe's (where I buy most of my food). I'm more than happy to share this information and hope that I can give some suggestions that will make life in the kitchen a little more interesting. As a bonus, my sister-in-law Shelley, who was a Registered Dietitian before having four (!) children, will occasionally chime in and share her own opinions and suggestions. Together, we can tackle some of the dysfunctional eating habits we all fall prey to.

For today, let's focus on getting the exercise our bodies desperately need and the healthy foods our bodies craves. I'll post a recipe later today and start posting them weekly on Wednesdays. Looking forward to cooking with you!

Budding athletes?

As the L.A. Marathon quickly approaches -- only 4 weeks to go -- I'm already wondering how I'll fill the time I've been using to train. While some of the runs have been difficult to schedule because of unexpected rain, sick kids, sick Keith, etc., overall I've been efficient in my training and it's become like anything else I have to fit into my days. Typically, when I commit myself to something, out of sheer stubborness I follow through. On the days that I haven't felt like running, I only entertained the thought of skipping for a minute before realizing that I wouldn't have any other time to make up the workout. With time to complete only three training runs per week and one of them being a long run, the interval training and tempo runs have been essential in keeping my body conditioned. One friend recently said that I should stop with all the training, that I should be more than ready for the 26.2 miles. I agree that I probably am but the purpose isn't to just go out and do the run - it's to do the best I can and feel good the next day. I want to be injury-free so I can bounce back quickly, carry-on with my everyday life, and focus on the next event.

Keith's family is very athletic. As children, he and his four siblings watched their parents compete in multiple triathlons and marathons. Those sporting events became family events, and as Keith and his older brother and sister grew up, they too found their nitches and the family came together again to watch each of them compete. Part of the thrill of being a parent is the idea of letting your children discover their talents and then watching them thrive. I love the thought of Madeleine and Owen joining me in years to come for a 10K, half-marathon, or if they're interested, a marathon. It would be so fun to share that with them. I recognize, though, that there is a fine line between encouraging and pressuring. While I think it's important to expose our children to our hobbies, I do realize that they may not choose the same ones. I would be disappointed if neither Madeleine nor Owen wanted to participate in sports, but I'd have to accept it and encourage them to pursue whatever it is that inspires them.

My parents did a good job at exposing me to different sports. From the time I was very young, I always had swimming and tennis lessons during the summer, and softball or volleyball, and track during the school year. I discovered my love for running on my own when I was a teenager. I figured out early on that it helped keep me mentally and physically sound, and here I am, years later, running for the same reasons. If my kids decide that running gives them the same pleasure, I'll be grateful to know that I passed along a healthful passion. One way or another, they'll be cheering me on in a few weeks and, with God's help, for years to come. If they never step foot behind a starting line, they'll at least have respect for running because of what it's given me, and that's all I can really ask for.

Happy Birthday, Madeleine

Today Madeleine turns three and in exactly one week from today, I turn thirty-four. I don't know what's more shocking to me - my daughter's age or my age! These last three years have gone by exceptionally fast and slowly at the same time, if that's possible to understand. When I think of Madeleine as a newborn and those first few sleepless months, I feel like the memories are distant and hazy... probably because I wasn't fully awake for most of them. But then other things stand out vividly -- our daily long walks, her joy as she bounced in the jolly jumper, her downward dog yoga maneuver (which replaced crawling), her first steps at ten months. These all seem like yesterday to me. Turning three is significant in many ways. First of all, it marks her entry into childhood and out of "toddlerhood", if that's a word. This age brings increasing independence on a daily basis. I hear multiple times a day, "Mommy, I don't need your help" as she picks out her outfits, dresses herself, goes to the bathroom. This is liberating but also sad to me because I have to already start letting her go in some senses. She's so proud of herself when she puts her pants on forwards and her shoes on the right feet, and I'm proud of her too. There are many occasions when I want to jump in and help her, but I hold back because I know this is a small example of many more to come in life where I'll need to let her figure things out for herself. And she's already proving that she will.

Besides marking advancement in maturity, turning three also represents three years of my life as a mother. What a transition from my previous role! As much as you think you're prepared, you're never fully capable of anticipating all the joys and anxieties that come along with parenting. I don't think I'm the same person I was before having children. And, I'm proud to say, I think that's for the better. Three years ago, I put myself (and sometimes Keith) before everything else in life. I was selfish and self-absorbed -- but not in a conscious way. At that point I never had to think of anyone besides myself so I didn't know what selfless really meant. Since Madeleine's birth "I", in many ways, have been taken out of the equation. My world started to revolve around her on February 8, 2007 and today she continues to be at the center, but shares the position with her younger brother. I'm more balanced today then I was after her birth -- I've learned to take some time for myself and to appreciate Keith more (my poor husband was pushed inadvertently to the back-burner for awhile). I've also learned that life is too short to do things that don't make you happy. If it weren't for my children, I wouldn't be working as a personal trainer. I feel my time is most valuable when I with them, so if I choose to be somewhere else it better be beneficial. My little blossoming business is beneficial because it challenges me, inspires me, and brings me happiness. This in turn makes me a better mom, and reason enough to make time for it.

I look at Madeleine on this day and I see her sweet, innocent face, and how she can't even begin to imagine what's ahead of her. I feel excited (and a little jealous) that she still has the whole world to explore. As I quickly approach thirty-four, I remind myself that my days of exploring are far from over. I may not get to live in a dorm again, experience a first kiss, or feel the excitement as I see the Eiffel Tower for the first time, but I do get to see a new world through the eyes of my children and I still have years left (God willing) of parenting, working, and creating many more memories with Keith. My wish for Madeleine in this fourth year of life is that she continue discovering her countless abilities and that she remain healthy in body and mind. Happy birthday, sweet girl.

Family Matters

I feel so lucky to live in the same city as my family. My parents were just over taking care of the kids while I worked this morning, and I feel so fortunate that my children get to spend time with them. My grandparents live out of the country so I never had the opportunity to develop a close relationship with them when I was young. I wouldn't say that it impacted me greatly as a child, but as a mother I now see the unique relationship that exists between grandparents and their grandchildren, and I would hate for my kids to have missed out on that. Besides having their support as occasional babysitters (and I say occasional because my parents have extremely busy social lives), it's also nice getting their advice and being able to share the joys as well as the stresses of parenting with them. I'm also especially fortunate to have good friends, who I consider extended family, in the same phase of life as me. The weekends wouldn't be the same if we couldn't get our kids together in one loud, chaotic house, and enjoy a glass of wine while chatting in what's always interrupted, sporadic conversation. For me, it takes this type of support to be the best mother I can be. I need my girlfriends as sounding-boards and my parents as examples, to keep me sane and grounded.

Last week both of my children were very sick. I had to take Madeleine to the ER on Monday night for a fever that shot up to 104 degrees. She's fine now, thank goodness, but we had to spend the week in isolation because of bronchitis. As a working mother with only a few hours of help each week, I was reminded again of how much I depend on seeing family and friends to break up the days. When the kids are sick, that isn't an option so an already tiring day becomes much more exhausting (especially by 6pm!). Don't get me wrong - I relish staying home with my little ones, and I'm so grateful that I have the luxury of being with them most hours of the day (I schedule clients early mornings and weekends for that reason) - but I would be lying if I said I don't need an occasional break. Seeing my father for an hour or having a late-afternoon playdate with a girlfriend and her children provides this much needed release. And for that, both my children and I are better off. As Madeleine and Owen get older, I hope they recognize the importance of these relationships and how much they enrich our lives.

There are so many mothers out there that do everything on their own without the support network I have, and they do a fantastic job. I tip my hat to these superwomen. If I didn't have family and friends around, I'm dedicated enough and resourceful enough that I think I would still be a good parent, but I'm really glad I'm not in a position where I have to find out. For now, I'll keep calling my mom for advice and leaning on my girlfriends for reassurance. I know better than to look a gift-horse in the mouth.

Measuring Success

In life we're always looking for ways to measure our success - education level, job title, salary, size of our house, size of our car, size of our body. Many don't get caught up in the materialism, but it's hard to avoid the influence of our ever-growing superficial society. The enlightened among us know that success has multiple definitions and should be determined on an individual basis. But often times we feel we've failed because we're trying to fulfill someone else's definition of success.

As a trainer, I want nothing more than for my clients to be their healthiest. Weight is a tricky and sensitive subject and most of us feel we're not good enough unless the size we wear is something we can say out loud with pride. But each body is different and just as there are variations in the definition of success, there are variations in ideal weight; while one woman may be healthy at 120 lbs., another may be her healthiest at 140 lbs.; one man at 160 lbs., and another at 200 lbs.. I'm aware that our society is becoming more obese with each passing day. One out of three children now is considered overweight in the United States. This is an epidemic that needs to be addressed immediately. I'm not saying for a second that we should ignore the numbers on the scale, but I don't think it should be the only way one measures success. For those that are exercising and taking the steps to become healthier, the scale should be a secondary tool. Body chemistry, such as blood pressure, cholesterol, triglycerides, and resting heart rate are the true indicators of a healthy functioning body. But these are harder to monitor so, as a result, we revert to the scale as our primary barometer. I truly believe that hard work always pays off - whether in the struggle to become healthier or anything else in life. The intangible benefits of exercise like increased endurance and muscle mass, and less body fat are the true signs of progress when it comes to working out.

I guess what I'm really trying to say is that the scale has its place. I, personally, don't own one but I do weigh myself every 2-3 weeks when I'm at my parent's house and I think of it. I know that I, too, can let those numbers affect my mood but I always remind myself that the image I see in the mirror and the way my clothes fit are much better indicators of my true health. We all need to learn to love our bodies and if that means being our healthiest is at a number higher than our "ideal", then our ideals need to be adjusted.

I have a responsibility to constantly challenge my clients and make sure that I'm doing everything I can to push them, physically and mentally. I know through experience and education that there is no shortcut to losing weight -- the simple equation is this: input has to be less than output, period. All the diet fads in the world won't work if the body isn't receiving proper nutrition and exercise. If you're giving yourself that much, then do yourself a favor and bury the scale for the short-term.

Training Days

With the L.A. Marathon a little over two months away, training has become another part of my routine these days. I'm already wondering how I'll fill the time when the race is over. As much as I occasionally dread some of the workouts, overall I'd say I'm an enthusiastic runner and I do (strangely) look forward to the long runs. I'd be lying if I said I use that time to solve problems in my life -- I don't get too introspective when I run -- I just let thoughts enter and leave my head while enjoying the fresh air and the scenery around. Seeing a celebrity now and then also helps pass the time. I wish I could convince everyone to run a marathon once in their lives. I know many people, including my parents, brothers, and some friends, think driving 26.2 miles is tedious, nevermind running it, but unless you do it you can't understand the pull. I get excited about the little things like the sports expo the day before. There's an energy that looms in the atmosphere at these events, and everyone seems to be cheerful and lighthearted, despite the day-before jitters.

I just bought new shoes and socks, and I'm a little embarrassed to say, I took some time (and enjoyed) picking out what I think are just the right socks. I won't wear them until the day of the marathon. Based on this childlike zeal you'd think this is the first one I've run, but it isn't -- I've done the L.A. before and most of the other big city marathons in California. I still get giddy. I'm not saying that everyone who does a marathon feels the way I do, but I do think we all share an unspoken understanding and a mutual sense of respect for each other. This in itself is extremely uniting. The feeling at the starting line and again at the finishing line is like no other -- there's a buzz and such a sense of personal satisfaction and pride. And that's something we don't all experience very often. I wish I could bottle up those emotions and pass them out to everyone I know. Whether it's a marathon or a 5K, when we challenge ourselves we're reminded that we have control over our bodies and more so, our minds. A huge part of succeeding in any athletic competition is just getting ourselves to the starting line, and that's a mental decision. As a personal trainer, I'm encouraging my clients to pick races to run because first of all, I know they can do it and, second of all, I think it's great for their self-esteem. You won't want to quit exercising when you see the athlete in yourself - and there's an athlete in everyone. Maybe my sock fixation and the fact that I love the smell of my new running shoes is a little odd, but I have a feeling there's at least one other runner out there who knows what I'm talking about. See you at the starting line!