Back in skinny jeans

Nosh bites: My review of Quantum Wellness, Mango, Arugula, Chicken dinner dish, and ways to jazz up yogurt

Over at Noshtopia for your eating wellness delight:

• Heard Oprah is going gluten-free vegan for 21 days inspired by the book Quantum Wellness by Kathy Freston. Here's my thoughts on quantum healing and a review of the book.

• Here's a recipe for one of my favorite light dinner dishes: Mango, Arugula, and Onions with Chicken or Tempeh for vegans/vegs.

• Looking for some ideas to jazz up your yogurt besides fruit? Here's 10 ideas. One of my faves is raw cocoa nibs.

• Did you know that food bars have expiration dates?

• Light sweet fruit dessert: Angel Hair Pear Salad with Kiwi sauce. Requires no pots or pans to make!

• This is my idea of the perfect endurance workout snack.

• Ever wanted to know what a Nutritionist at SELF eats? Me too.

What is your "theme" song?

Do you all remember watching Ally McBeal when her therapist Dr.Tracey (Ullman) told her she needed an uplifting theme song with some lift, bounce, pep, to help her feel more confident? If not, above is the scene. Skip to moment #9 at the 2:38 min mark.

I so miss Ally McBeal! I always remember that theme song scene because when I saw it during that time in my life I was feeling so down that I was willing to try anything to get me out of the dulldrums. So, I got me a theme song, and later on I got  one with some Pips. Remember that episode too? So funny!

Nowadays, my theme song is "I Can See Clearly Now" by Jimmy Cliff. This song sooooo reflects the space I am in now, and makes me feel happy and uplifted every time I hear it. The line that resonates most, "Here is the rainbow I've been praying for...It's gonna be a bright, bright sunshinin' day."

In the video for the song, I found one which has clips from the movie Cool Runnings which is about the first Jamaican Bobsledding team trying to make it to the Olympics. Remamba dose dudes?

I so love this movie because I have gone through experiences where I felt like the world was looking at me just like that, "WTF! There's no snow in Jamaica. What are you thinking?" Hey mon, just because something appears impossible doesn't mean it is. Let's hear it for the dreamers! What is your theme song?

Buy the single "I Can See Clearly Now" on

What are some of your aspirations you're working on?

Many of us who are body conscious are working hard to achieve our aspirations of health and slimness, but beyond your body, are you working on other aspirations that set your soul on fire?

For me, I have two aspirations that I am focused on at the moment. The first is to get my online blog business thriving to the point where I have a revenue stream that allows me to be financially independent and prosperous. I have always dreamed of being a business owner, and I'm doing it.

It's been exciting and fulfilling as well as kind of sloppy and slow, but it's mine. It's my fabulous and flawed process. I'm taking steps to move forward on it, and not letting my imperfection fears hinder me. How many of us are waiting for perfect times, situations, or circumstance before we take even a baby step in the direction of our dreams?

The second aspiration I have is to get my photography to the point where it looks like the work of these two people. First is Beatrice Peltre who is a food writer, food stylist, photographer, and recipe developer. She is a regular contributor to the Boston Globe Food Section, and check out her portfolio as well as her blog La Tartine Gourmande particularly the recipe section. Stunning!

The second amazing eye is Matt Armendariz of the blog Matt Bites who is an art director, photographer, graphic designer, and writer. I found him through Martha Stewart's blogroll. Check out Matt's outstanding portfolio. zOMG unbelievable!

I aspire to be able to take food pictures on the level of Beatrice and Matt. Considering I picked up my first digital SLR camera 1-1/2 years ago, I think I have come far, and I know that I have a natural talent at photography because I've been able to do what I have with no training whatsoever. I didn't even read the manual for my camera. I was so thrilled here with my recent picture of a Fava bean in its pod.

I have much to learn in photography, and all that possibility excites me like you would not believe. I REALLY want to learn more about food styling. I get to feed my creative spirit and that makes my entire being happy. Coincidentally, I have had almost no food issues since I started focusing on Noshtopia and letting go of the body image focus. Aspiring to be a business owner and a fantastic photographer is proving to be far more rewarding to me than the aspirations I focused on for so long with my jeans size and a number on a scale.

So, how about you? What aspirations are you working on that light your fire and have nothing to do with body image or weight?

Is Tyra Banks the next big female brand like Oprah and Martha?

Tyra Banks graces the cover of the NY Times Magazine this Sunday, and the article talks about whether Tyra is the next big branded self like Oprah and Martha. So, what do you all think?

I give Tyra complete props for turning her modeling career into something far more substantial like becoming the creative source, an Executive Producer and star of not one but two TV shows, "America's Next Top Model" and The Trya Banks Show." It does take a whole lot of hard work and talent to pull this off, and the woman has earned her status. I do believe she is a rising media power, but today, not necessarily in the direction she would like us to think. I do believe she can make a shift though.

Tyra says that, "she thinks that she was put on this earth to instill self-esteem in young girls." However, let's take a look at the content of both shows. Both shows focus primarily on beauty and fashion, the outer package. At the same time she's telling girls to be independent and fierce, and then here's what to look for in a plastic surgeon and tips on becoming a super model.

Modeling is one of the biggest self-esteem killers out there, and all these issues with body image & eating disorders arise because these young girls are bombarded with images in the media of what is valued and desired which is an idolized, unattainable-for-most kind of beauty. Watching her show sometimes feels like the pretty model girl who made it on the cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue is telling all the not-so-pretty girls that with enough hard work and tips they too can be pretty in their own special way.

It's contradictory to tell young girls that you're beautiful no matter what and then have a show about girls competing to be the prettiest for a modeling contract. You can't say love your body no matter what size and then declare the winner of your modeling show a plus size model at a size 10. There are way too many contradictions in the content and messages of both shows.

For me to consider Tyra in the brand footsteps of Martha and Oprah, she needs to start doing more stuff that shows young women how to build meaning versus beauty like this:

• I'd love to see Tyra ditch ANTM, and do a reality show for girls competing for a chance to become a businessperson, a future mogul, like Tyra. This type of show would definitely be a huge self esteem builder to young women because it goes way beyond beauty competing. Wouldn't you love to see a group of 19-25 year old girls sitting at a table with Martha Stewart sharing her tips on how to become a Martha Stewart. How fricking awesome would that be!

• On the Tyra Banks Show I'd like to see more segments about young women making a difference in their communities, going to foreign countries to see life outside of the US, and giving back (service).
  

• I'd like to see Tyra teach young women about financial Independence and their financial futures. Show young women how to stand on their own financial feet without mom & dad or a trust fund.

• How about more segments on how to buy your first house, your first car, or managing your credit history. So many people (men & women) are in credit card debt because no one ever really taught them about credit management.

• Have a Career planner as a regular guest like Dr. Oz is for health on Oprah. Have as guests more teen girls and young women who have already started building their empires at a young age like Ashley Qualls who became a self made millionaire by the age of 17 with her online business whateverlife.com. Ashley started her business when she was 14 with $8 to buy a domain name. Hell, this young woman inspires me!

So you see my point. Tyra has the building power and opportunity to make some very meaningful and significant impact in the media. I think she just needs to make some adjustments, and if she does, I can easily see her and respect her in the same league as O and Martha.

Quote on change II

Some 10 basic "wise sister" pearls of wisdom

So, as one of my first tasks as internet "wise sister", I will share with you all 10 quick pieces of advice that I have learned over the years, and that have helped me in my own life. Of course, I have loads more but this is a good starting point.

• Avoid dipping your pen in company ink aka Avoid having sex with anyone at work especially in your direct food chain like your boss or your direct reports because keeping your private life and work life separate is so much more stress free. Exception to the rule: if you or the guy are leaving the company.

• If it feels like someone is not being truthful with you, they aren't. Listen to your gut, but don't assume anything until you have all the evidence in hand. What that person may be hiding may not be what you think.

• There is more than one path to a destination. If you haven't arrived where you want to be, re-examine your map and find a new path. Going down the same road will only bring you to the same place.
  

Say hello to my little blog friend

Hi all! Hope everyone had a fun and restful Memorial Day Weekend.

As you can see I've been doing some redecorating around the blog here. The new color scheme is "Flax & Sage" inspired by one of my favorite stores, Restoration Hardware. I soooo want a set of these divine RH bath towels.

I finally figured out how to do some sidebar navigation buttons with rollover affects [fancy-smancy] so it is much easier now to find some of the major areas in the blog. In the header, I've done something bold for me, and that is I used my own picture, and as you can see it's really huge. Not that I've become some kind of ego maniac now, but the only design that looked good and matched my new Noshtopia theme was to do a full header image of my head. It does feel kind a weird to see my face so huge on the screen, but ah, what the hell, we're pushing all kinds of comfort zones around here, so let's try the "big head" for awhile ;-)

The biggest cosmetic changes are the addition of the "Ask Dear Steph" and "Most Popular Posts" buttons. I also re-wrote the "About BISJ" page. Every Thursday will be "Dear Steph" days (starting next week), so start getting your questions in. There are more details in the Ask Dear Steph section on how to ask a question.

I'll be fixing up the Category Section as well, as it looks like it is becoming quite the blog jungle down there. For now, welcome to the new evolution of Back in Skinny Jeans, and our new tagline, "Beyond the Tag". I thought that was kind of fitting because once you let go of something you've been focused on for so long, you wonder, "So know what?"

Yeah, now what? I want to know too, so that's what we're going to blog about and find out as we go along.
If you have any insights, comments, or suggestions, please share and let me know. Thank you!!!

Have some "Mercy" while we're on a mini break

While we are out on a mini break to do some blog reconstruction and have fun over the Memorial Day weekend, please enjoy "Mercy" by Duffy.

This has got to be one of the sexiest beats I've heard in a while. This song definitely gets the hip swaying. See you back on Wed. May 28!

Buy "Mercy" the single on

BISJ Evolves Part 2 of 2: “You’re like a big sister I always wanted”

Continuing from Part 1: At some point you have to evolve

One of the fastest ways to find out what you’re good at is to ask other people. Seems like a no-brainer but many women are afraid to ask others straight up, “What do you think I’m best at?” I think it’s a good exercise because you can see how others see you which in many cases is much brighter than we see ourselves.

Early in the year, I did an informal query with some close friends and blogger pals about what they thought Back in Skinny Jeans did well. I wanted to know one, for marketing purposes and two, I was having a bit of a blog midlife crisis. Looking back, I believe this is when the evolving process took flight. Asking this question brought me to the new theme of BISJ which I’ll share in a moment.

The results I got back were two words: inspiring and wise

Wise does not equal perfect

I feel honored that people think I'm inspiring and wise. I was a bit shocked by the wise part because sometimes I feel like the blind leading the blind. But, as one long time friend put it, “When I need solid advice, I always think of you because you know how to be fair and objective, and find a win/win solution to everything."

As I’ve gotten older, I’ve learned that wise does not equal perfect. Wisdom actually has more to do with someone who allows themselves to make mistakes and be human and grow and learn from them. What differentiates them is that they learn from the pain and tragedy and continue to evolve. My dad taught me that.

“Can I tell you my life story Steph?”

Quote on attitude