Lorna Jane Love!
I was overwhelmed by the responses to the Move. Nourish. Believe. post in early April. I made new friends – in person, like Rebecca & Lizzie – and online – like each of you below (okay, I know some of you in real life!). The book is not yet available stateside with the exception of the Malibu and Marina Del Rey stores. So… I have a second copy to give to one lucky reader!
I loved the responses – find the women who shared their responses via Twitter and say “hello”! For your chance to win the book, simply answer the same questions (at least one of them! – and hopefully all three!):
How do you move? Who do you nourish? What do you believe?
Have a beautiful weekend! One lucky reader will be selected on Tuesday to receive this inspiring and wellness-filled book.
I believe that every woman is beautiful in her own way, and that comparison to others is the quickest path to misery. I believe we, as women, should individually celebrate how unique we are and cherish the gifts we can bring to our own lives, our families, our community. I believe collectively, women can work together to better our world so that future generations don’t have to judge their worth by magazine covers or feed their families with dollar menus. I believe in the power of self love and how transformative it can be. I also believe, oh yes, in the power of self-forgiveness. It all begins with starting with a single thought: I am worth it. The “it” is what we define ourselves, be it love, happiness, a successful career, forgiveness, adventure, or wellness.
Alicia @LexiMaven
How do I move? – Like someone left the gate open from the doggy park! I live life by getting excited about what might be around the corner. Life is full of surprises so embrace then as it’s the universe talking to you.
Who do I nourish? – I had to focus on nourishing me during my radiation for a tumor beyond my eye. I spent way too much time worrying if I was pleasing others at work and home. No more. If I’m not happy then I can’t be affective elsewhere in my life. And I believe everyone should do the same for themselves.
What do I believe? – I believe we are all here for a reason. Don’t waste life complaining about what you don’t have and take on the world to create what you want. Being scaed or making excuses is a cop out. As Nike says, “Just do it!”
Tracy @RoyallySocial
I believe that there’s beauty in all of us. I read an article today about a woman who claims other women don’t like her because she’s beautiful and that women don’t like others if they’re more attractive. This got me thinking… who do I know who’s NOT beautiful? Honestly, I couldn’t think of anyone who I love/care about/like that is not beautiful. There is something amazing about all the women I know and the thought of hating them for that is so sad and wrong. So, today I’m spreading the beauty and the love!
Donna @DonnaQueza
I move in a way that make me feel loved.
I sweat in a way that makes me feel strong.
I dance in a way that makes me feel sexy.
I jump in a way that makes me feel my power.
I stretch in a way that makes me feel whole.
When I move, I do it with purpose, and I feel myself getting closer to the best part of me.
Although I know I nourish the women in my life, the clients in my classes, and the people I connect with… I’m not yet in a place to accept that. So for now, I can only be certain, that I nourish myself. I do that most often my saying one very powerful word every woman has a tough time with, “NO”. I’m learning that “no” is my yes. My “yes” to feeding myself love.
I believe in me.
And I finally believe that.
Angela @AngelaParkerFit
I love moving and shaping my body with weight training & running. Muscles are sexy!!
I nourish with lots of green smoothies. Favorite add-ins: coconut oil, cacao bits and almond butter.
I believe you are never too old to change direction or chase your dreams. The years are still going to go by so make sure you’re doing what makes you happy!
Karen @KarenADeFelice
I MOVE like “a mom who can still shake her booty!” These skills have become very handy during evenings playing freeze dance with my 2 boys! They are the ones I live and breathe for and NOURISH and encourage. Though it sometimes doesn’t feel that a balance in my life is within reach, I BELIEVE it’s key to a happier and healthier me, so I’m now taking more time for me.
Jill @jordan_events
I move through life like there is nothing holding me back. Things won’t happen unless I make them happen, so I need to MOVE IT! Whether it’s finding the time to exercise at the gym, going for a walk with my sweetie, or dancing my booty off to my favorite music. I try to find a way to move and be happy.
I nourish myself, my loved ones, and even the people I come across in daily life. I try to share my knowledge of healthy nourishment to people who are open to the ideas. I love how I feel after finding how to nourish myself in the right way. It makes me feel even more nourished to share it with others.
I believe everything happens for a reason. Whether good or bad, it makes us who we are. I wouldn’t be the woman I am, without both the struggles and successes. I wouldn’t be with my fiance if I hadn’t been bold and given him my number. I wouldn’t be following my heart, if I hadn’t found my new path in health coaching. Take what life offers you and make the most of it. Appreciate it all :)
Carisa @CarisaConnolly
I move to music, to the sound of the dishwasher and with no filter :)
I nourish myself, my pups, and hopefully, my clients!
I believe in being positive, honest, and not taking myself too seriously.
Rachel @RachelSeeSmith
post image sources - lorna jane tumblr & hummingbird song
Dream Big: Marissa Vicario
In 2011 Marissa and I had two things in common but the Universe took its very sweet time in bringing us together. We both wrote for a daily wellness website and had attended Integrative Nutrition. Connecting with her was even more incredible when I realized how many parallels we had in our lives: growing up in states that aren’t typically ‘healthy’ (her = Kentucky, me = Missouri), an unwavering love of wellness, junkfood vegetarian diet histories, love of big cities (she’s in NYC) and a desire to live in a world filled with love, light and positive, healthy people. Plus we both adore the way Marianne Williamson breaks down fear. The quote Marissa shared at the end of her feature is written inside my journal. Yup, this is pretty much fate at its best.
Marissa is one busy lady, but she’s very quick to respond via Twitter and Facebook. She has the scoop on where to eat in NYC and the ladies of wellness you should know. If you’re looking for a coach to help you hit the re-set on your diet before the summer fully sets in, this New York-based coach can help you no matter where you are. Enjoy meeting Marissa below and leave her a little love in the comments!
Why you should know Marissa:
I like to say that I’m a lover of all things health and wellness because that’s really what it boils down to. I’m a health coach and also a healthy lifestyles freelance writer and blogger. I’m working on two big projects on my blog at the moment. The Women In Wellness series pays tribute to the many women in the wellness field who have inspired me to pursue my own passions. These are the women I find accomplished and inspirational in the field of wellness. The Healthy Hot Spots series offers tips for how to order at some of NYC’s hippest restaurants to ensure you’re getting the most nutrition for your dollar. My clients, readers and friends are always asking me what I order when I go out to eat so this serves as a sneak peak into my personal dining secrets. Even if you’re not a New Yorker, you’ll still pick up some tips for how to dine more health consciously.
Finally, I just launched a new program that excites the pants off of me! The Total Reset Program is designed to get you back on track with healthy eating. Because, let’s face it, life just gets in the way sometimes.
Whether you had a rough week at work, overindulged on vacation or your eating just needs a mini-overhaul, this program will get you back into the groove with four weeks of menu suggestions, recipes. shopping lists, cooking tutorials and wellness tips completely virtual and delivered straight to your inbox. You’ll reduce your cravings, get some structure in your life and feel like your sexy self again. It’s not a cleanse, just good old-fashioned eating well. But I will say that the more you put in, the more you’ll get out.
What are your big dreams in life?
These are the big ones: travel the world, write a book(s), inspire women to be the healthiest versions of themselves by unapologetically becoming who they are, doing what they love and embracing their life purpose — of course all while drinking green juice and eating superfoods.
When will you feel like you’ve succeeded?
I hold myself and my work to very high standards for success but I try not to get stuck on the “when I haves.” I experience success on a daily basis and I celebrate it. That’s so important for keeping me in my flow. When I publish a blog post I’m really proud of, when a client makes a breakthrough or when someone sends me a Facebook message telling me I’ve inspired them to stop drinking soda or that they’ve lost 30 pounds since they started reading my blog. All of that is success. I know that where I am in my journey is exactly “where I need to be” (hence, the name of my blog).
Define wellness:
Wellness is knowing what it takes to keep you healthy and happy. For me, being well means that I eat right, exercise in a way that is fun and feels good (no more pushing myself to extremes), getting lots of sleep and staying in a positive mindset. If any of these are off kilter, I feel it.
Want to eat like Marissa?? A sampling of the goods!
How do you take care of you?
In all of the ways I’ve mentioned above but another big one is that I check in with myself and listen to my body and my intuition. If something doesn’t feel right to me, if I want to try something new or I feel inspired to do something differently, I take action. I never settle for routine or status quo and always challenge myself to grow and change.
How do you structure your day?
So I’m a little challenged with time management but my mornings are my sweet spot. I’m up early to exercise and meditate. A shower and an outfit I feel good in also help get things going in the right direction as does a healthy and energizing breakfast. After that, it becomes a bit of a free-for-all. I always start with a plan but distractions and interruptions can throw things off course. No matter what happens, if I’ve been productive by the end of the day, I feel good. My boyfriend and I always make time to unwind with a healthy dinner and catch each other up on our day with a cup of tea before my 10 p.m. bed time.
Give us a sense of your work/creative environment.
At the moment, my office is our kitchen table or a café. Although I’d like to say it’s neat, I usually end up with stacks of books and papers everywhere. It’s something I’m trying to change because I really love a neat workspace like this work corner: (see photo) or this client space that matches my brand:
Tell us about your perfect day – start to finish.
I would spend my perfect day with my boyfriend, David. He’s my best friend. We can pretty much do anything together and it’s perfect because being with him is inspiring, relaxing and comforting. As far as an actual “day” is concerned, it would start with a hike, include some time spent relaxing by a pool and end with a glass of wine and a delicious meal against a beautiful backdrop and of course some dancing!
Who would leave you star-struck?
I have a “thing” for Jamie Oliver. I would be completely star struck if I met him in person. His mission for healthy school food and ending childhood obesity is a cause I’m also very passionate about and plan to do more work with.
A quote that best describes your outlook on life:
“I am not afraid, I was born to do this.” – Joan of Arc
This is my mantra. Whenever I doubt myself as an entrepreneur, I say this in my mind. It’s so simple and yet so powerful.
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” – Marianne Williamson
This quote inspires me and reminds me of why I do the work I’m doing. It keeps me grounded.
Share a secret with us!
I’ve wished I could be a professional dancer like on Dancing with the Stars or in the NBA. While I probably missed the boat on both of those dreams, it hasn’t stopped me from dancing. I recently took up jazz and am loving every minute of it!
Images courtesy of Marissa; cover photo source
State of Unique
This gem’s arrival in my email inbox = excitement!
The Unique L.A. Spring Show has been on my L.A. “lust-list” for almost two years. It’s an urban artisan show with a wide array of finds, from fashion and home wares to gourmet foods and art for your walls. All at very reasonable prices and all local businesses and artists. Located in the penthouse suite of the California Market Center (with incredible views of downtown L.A. – see a vantage photo in the set below!) this market is the “where to be” for local shopping. The DJ, the music and the vibe make for an experience unlike any other. It’s hip, it’s cool and all the people are pretty. Unlike any “craft show” I’ve ever been to in my life! Plus its founder is one pretty cool lady.
And the deals… oh the deals!! I snagged a gorgeous cuff (see it on the WELL Facebook page) and will be working with select vendors to coordinate future giveaways for all of you! Check out the photos from the day below + where we stopped for a sweet treat in downtown Los Angeles (special thanks to Elle who snapped a few of the photos in this set while I instagramed – @WELLinLA – away!)
sampling of the clothing racks at Unique L.A.
Seedbombs from GreenAid
Penthouse views...
whimsical art abounds
Our final stop of the day while spending time in downtown was at the Babycakes NYC-LA bakery on Sixth Street. Babycakes is JUST the place to bring your gal-pal who is much deserving of a salted-caramel donut after for behaving herself and following a doctor-ordered gluten, dairy and soy elimination diet the last few months. 
WELLConversation