tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11325637252342114202011-12-06T20:29:49.094-06:00Balancing healthy food, fitness and home with a rock n' roll lifestyle.Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10425349256582839817noreply@blogger.comBlogger1801100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132563725234211420.post-82697918670760709182011-11-30T22:26:00.001-06:002011-11-30T22:32:48.906-06:00

Since the marathon in October, I've enjoyed getting back to the grind with weight training. My gym offers LesMills BodyPump, which is a group class that focuses on high-repetition exercises. It's one hour long and targets pretty much every muscle group, so it works well with my crazy schedule.  A fun aspect of the class is that each track is set to an upbeat, modern, top-40 type song. The new

Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10425349256582839817noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132563725234211420.post-83958255351949732962011-11-13T17:26:00.000-06:002011-11-13T17:26:52.054-06:00

How's it going, America? Just kidding. That's the best sarcastic greeting that I could muster. Hello, and thank you for reading today. So, as you can imagine, things have been pretty busy (do I sound like a broken record yet?) and a lot has been going on "backstage." Like, this: Radio performances / live broadcasts at work, in the middle of the workday.  Ringside photo opps at Mondo Lucha. Soy

Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10425349256582839817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132563725234211420.post-17352383468089232212011-10-12T23:10:00.000-05:002011-10-12T23:10:37.337-05:00

Hello, friends of the universe. How is October treating you? Does everyone have their Halloween costumes picked out yet, and all that jazz? I have somehow survived the first 1/3 of October, which began with running a marathon. I'm covering two shows at work tonight - Goo Goo Dolls at one venue, and Robert Randolph & The Family Band at another. And then we've got Smashing Pumpkins tomorrow night

Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10425349256582839817noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132563725234211420.post-86605534551095965532011-10-04T23:11:00.000-05:002011-10-04T23:11:33.571-05:00

I made it! The Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon was Sunday, and aside from a few aches and pains and still being thirsty to this moment, I'm feeling great.  Yes, there was beer at the finish. Recap to follow soon!

Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10425349256582839817noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132563725234211420.post-84071054782254108742011-09-28T23:55:00.001-05:002011-09-28T23:59:51.531-05:00

Welcome to the first of several installments recapping my recent trip to Colorado Springs for the Pikes Peak Challenge, a 13.1 mile hike to the summit and fundraiser for the Brain Injury Alliance.  Packing for the trip was easy, but wow did I have a lot of gear!Hiking boots, long pants, a buttload of sporty clothing, wool socks.Headlamp (yes, really), sunglasses (not to be worn at the same time

Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10425349256582839817noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132563725234211420.post-87377777005582123572011-09-25T18:48:00.000-05:002011-09-25T18:48:51.074-05:00

Friends of the Blogosphere - hope that you are having a great weekend. I've had the opportunity to take things (relatively) easy this weekend, starting with a Friday night Brewers game with Zak and my parents. It turned out to be the biggest night to be at Miller Park this season, because they won the game, clinching their post-season playoffs spot - and then the entire stadium stayed to watch

Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10425349256582839817noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132563725234211420.post-27767025789817008572011-09-02T22:07:00.002-05:002011-09-05T14:47:03.503-05:00

Tonight, as I work from my laptop in the dark, sitting at a table under a big tent at the our outdoor movie series, and semi-watching "The Big Lebowski" on the big screen, I have begun the long and arduous process of psyching myself up.  You see, I have to run a ridiculous amount of miles tomorrow, and I am anxious to say the least. Some of the thoughts running through my mind: My IT Band

Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10425349256582839817noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132563725234211420.post-90784039436080801532011-09-01T23:54:00.001-05:002011-09-02T00:00:33.086-05:00

Can someone tell me how it's already September? I mean, really? Last time I checked, it was mid-July. I think I got sucked into a vortex of work, concerts and marathon training and somehow landed on September 1st. Yikes! In all seriousness, I love September. The weather is usually remains summer-like around here, with the bonus of the beautiful changing colors of the leaves. I've always enjoyed

Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10425349256582839817noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132563725234211420.post-7878250920990321912011-08-30T23:10:00.000-05:002011-08-30T23:10:42.024-05:00

Good evening, friends! What's new? How's your week going so far? Good? Good. Where to begin... thanks for your awesome comments on how you like your pancakes. Whether they're peanut butter-y, buttermilk 'cakes made by someone else,  or of the pumpkin or sweet potato variety - I love that with the right ingredients, pancakes can be a healthful meal (in cake-form), and fun to prepare. So, I've

Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10425349256582839817noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132563725234211420.post-37326415874086529332011-08-23T21:02:00.000-05:002011-08-23T21:02:44.500-05:00

Good evening. How was your Tuesday? Today, I opted to work from home, and had a couple of very positive conference calls. Music industry folks can get as stressed out as any others, so I always get a little anxious about phone conferences, but today's folks were awesome. Down to earth, funny and most importantly, gave me some great suggestions for the shows we have with their artists. It was

Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10425349256582839817noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132563725234211420.post-55968027708149634572011-08-22T23:10:00.001-05:002011-08-22T23:11:19.142-05:00

It is 10PM. I finished my run at 8PM. I still haven't showered. I'm kind of gross that way :-) I chose to do some work (I'm sick, I know), catch up on blogs, and write this post instead of showering. Aren't you glad? (sarcasm). How was your weekend, blog friends? Zak and I took a road trip to Grand Rapids (MI), to visit his sister and her family. We used to hang out with them frequently

Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10425349256582839817noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132563725234211420.post-41657807371824192772011-08-18T23:14:00.002-05:002011-08-22T21:13:07.594-05:00

Who's blogging two nights in a row? This girl! How are you doing tonight? I am relaxing with some Sour Patch Kids and the latest episode of Jersey Shore. Because it's a Thursday. By the way... Is it just me, or does "The Situation" kinda look like 90s MTV star Pauly Shore? source source No? Maybe? Hard to tell without that bandana. Today at work, I spent some quality time with my

Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10425349256582839817noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132563725234211420.post-18321960412428314272011-08-17T23:41:00.001-05:002011-08-17T23:44:53.861-05:00

Good evening, friends. How's this week treating you? Mine has included working on plans for several interesting shows... for privacy purposes I won't mention artist names just yet (not until the night of the concerts, yo), but I've spent the most time on a) an alternative rock band I swooned over as a teen, b) some righteous guitar dudes, touring in a pack and c) an awesome singer-songwriter

Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10425349256582839817noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132563725234211420.post-5701501426981777962011-08-11T00:47:00.000-05:002011-08-11T00:47:56.724-05:00

In exactly four short weeks, I will be crashing on my sister's futon in Colorado Springs, resting up for our 3AM wakeup call for the 2011 Pikes Peak Challenge!  This event is a 13.1 mile hike to the summit of Pikes Peak, one of America's most iconic mountains. Funds raised by hikers benefit victims of traumatic brain injury, through the Brain Injury Alliance of Colorado. An important cause,

Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10425349256582839817noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132563725234211420.post-14282517866799441992011-08-08T21:32:00.000-05:002011-08-08T21:32:01.087-05:00

Happy Monday, everyone. How was your day? Mine was okay... I finished about 80% of what I set out to do at work, survived a technology fail with my laptop (knock on wood!), while nursing a sore IT band / knee with a bag of frozen peas under my desk (classy, I know). More on the knee issue later.  Not to whine, but it was kind of a rough day. Tonight, I arrived at home absolutely famished. I

Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10425349256582839817noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132563725234211420.post-74124932560173732562011-08-02T22:15:00.000-05:002011-08-02T22:15:28.917-05:00

How's everyone doing? I loved reading all of your comments from my Challenge Nation race recap! Anne, Alison, Paige, Steph, & Sarah - holla :-) One thing that's stinky about using Blogger is that there isn't a way to reply to each comment. I am working on switching over to a different blogging format altogether - a format that allows replies to comments - so stay tuned! We are having some

Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10425349256582839817noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132563725234211420.post-48136996749448725382011-07-27T00:23:00.000-05:002011-07-27T00:23:14.546-05:00

Good evening, friends - hope that you all are well! Things have gotten busy again, but tonight I've made some time for blogging. Lately, I haven't totally slipped up on food photography... Even though most meals consumed on the go :-) Meal on wheels! Since I've begun marathon training, I've felt a real change coming on. It's hard to describe, but definitely a change for the better, like I'm

Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10425349256582839817noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132563725234211420.post-15679820193434546882011-07-15T00:11:00.002-05:002011-07-15T15:09:55.249-05:00

Doesn't this post title read all funky and robotic? A 5k PR! A 5k PR! It's like running has it's own coded, secret language.  It means what it says, though - tonight I hit a personal record for a 5k distance! The race: Storm the Bastille 5K Run / Walk, at Milwaukee's Bastille Days, which is the largest North American French-themed outdoor festival. Who knew? The course: Beautiful Downtown

Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10425349256582839817noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132563725234211420.post-2036131255636947092011-07-13T22:16:00.002-05:002011-07-13T22:30:57.666-05:00

Today has been a good day. Tonight has been a good night.  I opted to work from home today and got a zillion tasks accomplished, which is always a good thing. The dogs weren't *too* barky, and I even tried out the outdoors office.  Can't beat the view. Tonight, I treated myself at Elements Therapeutic Massage (Elm Grove, WI) and it was freakin' wonderful. While I haven't been too sore from

Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10425349256582839817noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132563725234211420.post-50055160272375851612011-07-12T23:57:00.000-05:002011-07-12T23:57:23.178-05:00

Thanks for all of your supportive comments and enthusiasm about the half marathon this weekend! You guys are the best :-) So - the big question - how was the Summerfest Rock N Sole Half Marathon? Let's start at the beginning. Sunday morning, I headed downtown and met Stefanie and Nicole. We joked around nervously, and took advantage of a photo opportunity. Like we'd ever miss one? Then, we

Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10425349256582839817noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132563725234211420.post-14787191168788783972011-07-09T20:46:00.002-05:002011-07-09T20:48:30.403-05:00

I think I'm ready to run this freakin' half marathon! It's 8PM, and in 12 hours the race will start. Cra-zay.  Today was all about preparation for the race. Though it goes against my rule of "nothing new" for race day, I picked up a new gear belt from REI. Which of course meant trying on three different ones in the mirror and making an ass of myself in front of fellow shoppers and REI's staff.

Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10425349256582839817noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132563725234211420.post-84050558464224422822011-07-07T17:50:00.000-05:002011-07-07T17:50:04.202-05:00

Mumford & Sons, the incredibly versatile folk rock band that took the pop music world by a storm last year with "Little Lion Man" (an epic song to run to) and "The Cave," are back with a new song "Home." Click here to check it out. source "Home" is kind of beautiful and romantic, isn't it? I'm really digging this new song. Kudos to Tarik at 88Nine Radio Milwaukee for sharing this earlier today.

Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10425349256582839817noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132563725234211420.post-27133049592400673722011-07-06T21:00:00.007-05:002011-07-06T21:14:18.171-05:00

Hello, blog friends! How was your Wednesday?  Tonight, I'd like to share one of my favorite go-to recipes for a quick weeknight meal: black bean dip! This is great with raw veggies, tortilla chips or by itself and eaten with a spoon. The recipe doesn't get any easier, and I'd like to think that eating a healthified version of bar food is rock n' roll. You know, the black beans are higher in

Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10425349256582839817noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132563725234211420.post-81279103841779292142011-07-05T20:54:00.000-05:002011-07-05T20:54:04.961-05:00

Something green... Topped with something golden and delicious. Annie's Shells with Aged Cheddar. It's like the sun. The broccoli was especially fantastic tonight, thanks to a dill seasoning I sprinkled on top before steaming in the microwave. This simple meal came together in under 15 minutes! Hope that everyone had a kickin' Fourth of July weekend! What did you do? My schedule was packed.

Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10425349256582839817noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132563725234211420.post-6071932247537321902011-06-30T22:58:00.000-05:002011-06-30T22:58:04.892-05:00

I'm trying out a new feature for ye olde blog, aptly titled "Sound Bites." Please let me know your thoughts!  Sound Bites 6/30: Here's the scoop on three new songs, be sure to click on the links to go and take a free listen to each.  source The Rapture: "How Deep Is Your Love?"  This track has an infectious, steady piano riff, is highly danceable and has a gratuitous saxophone solo. Therefore

Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10425349256582839817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132563725234211420.post-29665390473292565582011-06-30T22:08:00.000-05:002011-06-30T22:08:36.389-05:00

Hello, friends - how's your week going? Are ya ready for the THREE DAY WEEKEND? I couldn't be more excited! This week has been a busy one (what else in new?), but productive. Tonight, Zak and I are kicking back and watching Wayne's World. It's been ages since we've seen it and it's ridiculously funny! Plus, we love all of the Milwaukee references. There's the Laverne & Shirley scene...

Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10425349256582839817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132563725234211420.post-60794545904442476032011-06-26T22:15:00.001-05:002011-06-27T09:51:12.793-05:00

Yesterday's 10 miler was tough! I consider the run to be a PDR (personal distance record) because I haven't attempted to run that distance in at least one year. Though in the past I've completed a full marathon, and a 13.1 mile hike up Pikes Peak, the 10 miles yesterday just felt ridiculous. Ridiculous, but in a good way :-) That's the best way I know to describe it. It was humid, the sun was

Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10425349256582839817noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132563725234211420.post-52343716010261205792011-06-24T18:53:00.000-05:002011-06-24T18:53:54.829-05:00

Hola friends! Hope that your Friday is going well. A quick update as I'm spending the evening with my family - sister Annie, my Mom and Dad. The core four :-) It's all about these folks, I can be a stressball and worry about things that won't really matter in the long run, then I drive out to my parents house and get brought back down to earth, immediately. The time spent with my family is

Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10425349256582839817noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132563725234211420.post-57582781639035746902011-06-23T00:38:00.001-05:002011-06-23T00:42:04.913-05:00

How was everyone's Wednesday? Kick-ass, I hope! Tonight's post is random. I could only think of two things to write about: how glad I am that summer weather has finally hit Milwaukee, and a certain fur child. First things first. It's officially summertime in the Milwaukee area, and about damn time. The past two days have had on again / off again thunderstorms, and our garden is kicking into high

Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10425349256582839817noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132563725234211420.post-49575935820841251102011-06-22T01:47:00.002-05:002011-06-22T01:56:38.021-05:00

Good evening. And it has been a good evening. I'll get to that in a second. Thanks to all who stopped by and said hello on my last post. It feels good to be back in an active blogging role! This little piece of the Internet would be nowhere without your awesome support, so thanks again :-) I am up late and enjoying tonight because - wait for it - I'm on VACATION! If you hear a loud whooshing

Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10425349256582839817noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132563725234211420.post-86960192482449076872011-06-20T23:12:00.001-05:002011-06-20T23:18:13.598-05:00

FRIENDS. How are ya?  I've missed you. Well, for those of you with blogs, I've been enjoying reading and commenting and keeping up and in general, being a blogging enthusiast.  But... I've missed blogging for my own self. When things get busy, I unfortunately let blogging slip down on my priority list. I've been up to other things like raising a puppy and trying to remain a sane individual.

Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10425349256582839817noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132563725234211420.post-79242232765951228872011-05-27T03:38:00.001-05:002011-05-27T03:44:20.210-05:00

Today, my friends, will be a most excellent day. Not only because it's Friday, and Memorial Day weekend (thus beginning a 3-day weekend), but because the Milwaukee Brewers will host the San Francisco Giants this weekend. AWESOME. source Now, if you're familiar with the blog, you know that I dig San Francisco in general. Having visited last fall for Foodbuzz Festival, eating and drinking my way

Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10425349256582839817noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132563725234211420.post-3660037557513973132011-05-09T22:06:00.000-05:002011-05-09T22:06:31.027-05:00

1. While I claim to love healthy foods (and it's true, I do), I don't necessarily always crave them. Most of the time I want to eat nachos. With a great craft beer, of course. 2. While overall I'm very organized at work, I can never quite catch up with email. Umm... yeah. 16,261 messages in ye olde inbox. That's the nature of the music business, though. 3. Running and does not come

Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10425349256582839817noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132563725234211420.post-33598544565182988532011-04-29T15:27:00.000-05:002011-04-29T15:27:36.879-05:00

source One word: Stunning! Thanks to Tiffany for the article linkage :-)

Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10425349256582839817noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132563725234211420.post-3636089038317000522011-04-29T09:54:00.000-05:002011-04-29T09:54:36.015-05:00

Who was up early and swooning over every detail of the Royal Wedding? This girl! source As a history buff, a person addicted to The Tudors and having been fascinated with London since I visited at the age of 10, I was beyond excited for today's wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton. Last fall, when the couple became engaged, I did a post on their gorgeous and unique engagement ring

Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10425349256582839817noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132563725234211420.post-83210181416751344192011-04-25T20:55:00.001-05:002011-04-25T20:57:01.511-05:00

Heyo, friends - how's your Monday going? When I last checked in, I shared just how awesome being a homeowner can be. As in when the furnace needs repair and then the next weekend, the dryer goes out. Ah, the joys of owning a home. Well, we ended up going with this one - this sleek, yet relatively cheap Frigidaire from Sears. I now love Sears. (image source) The very same day, we ended up

Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10425349256582839817noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132563725234211420.post-66838029483247488352011-03-30T23:31:00.002-05:002011-03-30T23:34:53.857-05:00

Disclaimer: This post may be uber boring to you if you are not a) a homeowner, b) over the age of 25, or c) into appliances. Written by Debbie Downer Laura. Remember how last night, I said that March has kicked my a$$? I was not kidding around. Two weeks ago, Zak and I thought the house seemed chillier than usual.  After a couple days, we awoke to a 55º home and a furnace that was operating

Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10425349256582839817noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132563725234211420.post-38116537806185028982011-03-30T11:00:00.002-05:002011-03-29T21:59:00.140-05:00

Take Me Out to the Ballgame: New Brewers Gear from Victoria's Secret Pink by lauramke featuring printed tops Check out the hot new line of Milwaukee Brewers gear from Victoria's Secret PINK. I've got to get mine asap for the Brewers Home Opener - next Monday, April 4th!

Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10425349256582839817noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132563725234211420.post-36113414605337636762011-03-29T21:40:00.000-05:002011-03-29T21:40:00.044-05:00

My goodness, friends, March has kicked my a$$! Somehow, several weeks have gone by, and I've provided nary an update. Bad blogger.  Well, I'm back. Here to have fun, blog even if I feel what I have to say is boring, and share all of my triumphs and tribulations. How does that sound? So where have I been, and what have I been up to? Well, there was Florida.  There were beaches, 

Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10425349256582839817noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132563725234211420.post-90893739711577065442011-02-21T15:00:00.000-06:002011-02-21T15:00:07.462-06:00

No, not this Beaches: image source These beaches! image source That's right, in a week and a half I will be headed to beautiful Naples, Florida. Some close friends are getting married, and it's going to be an awesome weekend. Naturally, I've been thinking of what to pack. Instead of going through my real closet, I found it much more entertaining to create a mood board, featuring items I'd

Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10425349256582839817noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132563725234211420.post-8783498206386744172011-02-18T22:42:00.001-06:002011-02-18T22:43:34.145-06:00

Hola, friends on the Internets -  image source Hope that everyone out there had a great week and an even better start to the weekend. Today, I was TGIF'ing every five minutes. After fighting a headache all morning -I blame a certain radio station's local music awards party last night, though I only had one Flaming Damsel, they made it count- a packed day at work, and 'forgetting' to eat lunch

Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10425349256582839817noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132563725234211420.post-15145184190045439242011-02-02T22:52:00.001-06:002011-02-02T22:53:45.155-06:00

The past 24 hours have been pretty incredible, thanks to the massive Groundhog Day Blizzard of '11 that passed through Milwaukee. Last night, I experienced things I had only read about in history books... high winds, snow that blew up instead of down, whiteout conditions and thunder snow. It was Nature in all of its power and glory. Destructive, yet beautiful. I could barely peel myself away from

Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10425349256582839817noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132563725234211420.post-22607880773529175092011-01-31T21:09:00.000-06:002011-01-31T21:09:52.561-06:00

Hello, friends - Happy Monday to you and if you're in the Midwest, Happy Blizzard Watching.  I thought today it would be fun to go a bit off the beaten path from my typical posts, and share something fun: music. There are some great new albums around, here are a few that are on my radar. image source Bright Eyes, The People's Key, in stores Feb. 15 I've liked this artist for years and was

Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10425349256582839817noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132563725234211420.post-12924832322950331012011-01-29T14:29:00.000-06:002011-01-29T14:29:09.138-06:00

Hope that everyone is having a great weekend! This afternoon, after another couple unhappy hours spent in the salon chair (more on that later), I was craving a wholesome meal. A couple stops later, I got to cookin' in the kitchen.  The star ingredients:  What's in the bag, you ask? Dakota bread! Just what I needed. Nutritious and delicious. After the meal, I noticed some killer icicles,

Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10425349256582839817noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132563725234211420.post-25945702538947031762011-01-24T09:31:00.000-06:002011-01-24T09:31:09.720-06:00

Thanks to all for entering my Celestial Seasonings Fast Lane Tea giveaway! One of the great parts of having a smaller blog is the ability to individually recognize and thank people. So, thanks to Katertot, The Hungry Runner Girl, Kayla @ Let's Live Wholesome, Purplelarkspur, and AnnieM. You all rock! I drew for the winner using Random.org's true random number generator, and the winner is....

Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10425349256582839817noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132563725234211420.post-66899518676619913222011-01-21T11:50:00.000-06:002011-01-21T11:50:55.770-06:00

Good day, friends - TGIF! Right? Recently, Celestial Seasonings contacted me about Fast Lane - their "legendary high-energy, caffeinated black tea." I tried a cup today and love the fragrant, spicy taste. It's no secret that I am a coffee girl, however so far I have no caffeine headache - Fast Lane has 110mg of caffeine per serving, which is more than drip coffee which has 90mg per serving.

Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10425349256582839817noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132563725234211420.post-21945780272287148912011-01-19T22:28:00.000-06:002011-01-19T22:28:54.147-06:00

Hi, friends! How was your Hump Day? I gotta level with you, January is a tricky time to be a Milwaukeean. *Shudder* Yep, that's what the next 24 hours are gonna be like in good ol' Milwaukee. Brrrrrrrr. Anyhow, when it's freezing outside I like to trick myself by doing fun things, inside. Like BodyPump! image source Side note - this is what you might find if you Google 'BodyPump goofy':

Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10425349256582839817noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132563725234211420.post-29502174130480272082011-01-16T21:16:00.000-06:002011-01-16T21:16:50.193-06:00

Hello, friends! Happy New Year to all of you out there. I can't believe that we're already 16 days into 2011. It's already been interesting... how many of you had your Astrological signs change? I went from being a Capricorn to a Sagittarius, and I don't know what to do with myself. I wanted to check in and let you know I'm still around. The past few weeks have been a blur of friends and

Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10425349256582839817noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132563725234211420.post-47161835475019493152010-12-22T18:14:00.003-06:002010-12-22T18:17:40.868-06:00

I've been a little blue lately, for no good reason except this Sunday will be my 29th birthday. I am thankful for all of the things in my life - the people, the places, all that I've earned and all that challenges me. However, turning 29 means one thing... I've got one year left before I turn 30.  The number is intimidating! 30. I don't feel that I will need to dramatically change how I live

Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10425349256582839817noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132563725234211420.post-71459100716985185542010-12-09T18:27:00.001-06:002011-01-31T21:14:03.101-06:00

This post is sponsored by Glamour Magazine, for whom I participate as a 'Glambassador' beauty product reviewer. The product was provided to me for review, and the following is my 100% honest opinion. Today, I tried out a new product from Olay - their 'Luscious Embrace body bar with massaging design.' Upon removing the bar from its packaging, I immediately liked the sweet 'crushed orchid

Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10425349256582839817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132563725234211420.post-22943896777610723842010-12-08T20:22:00.000-06:002010-12-08T20:22:12.421-06:00

I don't know about the rest of you, but the past few weeks in my kitchen have been delicious. Okay, that's a silly proposition. I have been drooling over practically everyone's blog posts lately! This is a good season for testing out recipes. The entire blogosphere is enveloped in a cloud of deliciousness. My kitchen experiments started with bourbon caramel sauce, a la Eat Live Run... And

Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10425349256582839817noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132563725234211420.post-32915427341935512522010-12-07T17:03:00.000-06:002010-12-07T17:03:03.377-06:00

Tonight will involve one or two of these: (image source) And hanging out with these gals (Erika and Stefanie):Sans the Lady Gaga face paint. With the same smiles, hopefully! And this dude.  (image source) Sure, Mr. Cruz will probably only perform for 20 minutes. He probably won't even really sing. But... Tonight. Will. Be. Awesome. Which is just what I need! Sing it with me... "I came to dance,

Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10425349256582839817noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132563725234211420.post-66826719595613925552010-11-30T22:42:00.000-06:002010-11-30T22:50:58.201-06:00

With every passing Holiday season, comes the inevitable New-Year, New-You / get-back-into-a-fitness-routine-with-THIS-gimmicky/awful-product, season. (image source)Yes, this is real, it's true. I can't believe I missed this being released last week. *crickets* For those fitness buffs on your Holiday shopping list, look to these fun new release workout DVDs for gift ideas. Here are some that

Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10425349256582839817noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132563725234211420.post-801538338730054492010-11-24T15:17:00.000-06:002010-11-24T15:17:11.409-06:00

Happy Black Wednesday, everyone! Are you all stoked for Turkey Day tomorrow? I am really excited for two days off from work, and to spend time with family. Oh yeah, and for all of the delicious food :-) Today's post is Holiday-themed! I've gotten a head start on gift shopping, namely for Zak's sister Jem. She and husband Kevin are expecting their first child in April, and I've had a lot of

Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10425349256582839817noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132563725234211420.post-5325646208956246062010-11-19T23:29:00.000-06:002010-11-19T23:29:09.911-06:00

At the end of a rough week, I am not always a social butterfly. I love my friends and enjoy my coworkers, but sometimes it's best if I spend a little time home alone, instead of kicking off the weekend at a concert. Especially when on Friday afternoon, a celebrated blogger posts a recipe that sounds so delicious it makes one speed from the office, straight to the grocery store. To buy heavy

Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10425349256582839817noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132563725234211420.post-4474388118463317412010-11-16T18:37:00.001-06:002011-04-29T09:24:58.243-05:00

Disclaimer: I'm not much into celebrities, or material things, so this post is a rarity for me. BUT it's a fun one, so just play along :-) As you may have heard, Prince William of England is now engaged to marry long-time girlfriend Kate Middleton.  Side note: Good for them for waiting several (nine?) years, that's what modern couples should do (in my opinion). (image source) He proposed to

Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10425349256582839817noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132563725234211420.post-29852291607626822622010-11-15T20:55:00.000-06:002010-11-15T20:55:37.704-06:00

So today was one of those days. You know, a work projects stacked up as far as you can see, rushing all day long, forgetting to eat lunch until 4:28PM type of day. Thank goodness for white chocolate macadamia nut clif bars. I ate one for 'lunch' and it seriously cheered me up. Anyhow! Enough moping around. Once home for the evening, I cut and sorted some of these: Fact: The best coupons are

Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10425349256582839817noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132563725234211420.post-55964390131863230842010-11-13T17:22:00.000-06:002010-11-13T17:22:12.956-06:00

On the road again - Just can't wait to get on the road again. The life I love is making music with my friendsAnd I can't wait to get on the road again. On the road againGoin' places that I've never been. Seein' things that I may never see againAnd I can't wait to get on the road again. On the road again - Like a band of gypsies we go down the highway We're the best of friends. Insisting that the

Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10425349256582839817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132563725234211420.post-51404120517970287782010-11-09T20:36:00.000-06:002010-11-13T16:44:27.944-06:00

... is an active vacation! As you may have heard, I traveled to San Francisco this weekend to attend the 2nd Annual Foodbuzz Blogger Festival. It was 3 jam-packed days of food, booze, bloggers and information. Today, I am back at work, but feeling remarkably renewed and refreshed. I am thinking that though this weekend was indulgent (copious amounts of gourmet food, wine, beer and spirits), at

Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10425349256582839817noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132563725234211420.post-6511051005045754892010-11-07T02:39:00.000-06:002010-11-07T02:39:30.914-06:00

WOW - what a weekend it's been. I have been attending the Foodbuzz Blogger Festival in San Francisco, and it's been swell. A quick shout out to all of the awesome bloggers who are also here this weekend! I've enjoyed meeting every single one of you. Check it out: These are my lovely roommates for the weekend: Heather, Raya and Kaitlin.  A brief overview of activities thus far in this fair

Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10425349256582839817noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132563725234211420.post-12125351121195097032010-11-04T12:29:00.000-05:002010-11-06T17:48:12.047-05:00

Friends, I'm in a travelin' mood today.  Well it's all right, riding around in the breeze Well it's all right, if you live the life you please Well it's all right, doing the best you can Well it's all right, as long as you lend a hand You can sit around and wait for the phone to ring (End of the Line) Waiting for someone to tell you everything (End of the Line) Sit around and

Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10425349256582839817noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132563725234211420.post-55574237843293609562010-10-25T23:51:00.000-05:002010-10-25T23:54:29.604-05:00

Hello, blogosphere friends. It's been awhile. 'Rock'tober is coming to an end, and thank goodness because I've been working like a dog. When you last heard from me, I shared the funniest thing I've ever subjected myself to, which was appearing on local television as Marie Antoinette (in promotion of a high-end bridal show).  Oi vay. Yes, that surely ranks up there as one of the funniest and

Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10425349256582839817noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132563725234211420.post-14048666584881857072010-10-15T17:49:00.000-05:002010-10-15T17:49:24.126-05:00

Yep.

Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10425349256582839817noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132563725234211420.post-61570019136180620512010-10-12T22:07:00.000-05:002010-10-12T22:10:27.803-05:00

I finally made myself a dinner worth sharing! I put it together in three easy steps.  1. Black beans (canned, rinsed, about a half cup) 2. A little barbeque sauce... this stuff is great.  I added maybe a teaspoon to the beans, then heated up. 3. And the STAR ingredient... roasted butternut squash!All together...  With a spinach, chopped heirloom tomato, homegrown carrots and pine nut hummus.

Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10425349256582839817noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132563725234211420.post-85010795641843353402010-10-11T21:51:00.000-05:002010-10-11T21:54:55.020-05:00

Disclaimer: This has absolutely nothing to do with food or fitness. I happen to be a San Francisco Giants fan and have posted in the past about the team.  Thanks to some expert pitching from Brian Wilson, the Giants happen to have just won their series of games against the Braves. They have advanced to the National League Championship Series. Which effing rocks. Fear the Beard!!! (Photo

Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10425349256582839817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132563725234211420.post-57741902789560618442010-10-01T11:09:00.000-05:002010-10-01T11:09:38.887-05:00

Gooooooooooooood morning! Today's breakfast was epic, thanks to two new recipes.  1. Peanut Butter Fingers'-inspired pumpkin yogurt.  I started the recipe with the intention of making Julie's recipe for her pumpkin pie 'cheesecake' breakfast bowl, but alas - we were out of cottage cheese. Wah, wah. I wasn't about to give up as her recipe sounded too good to miss. I subbed in some plain

Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10425349256582839817noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132563725234211420.post-91302250377723278902010-09-29T19:38:00.000-05:002010-09-29T19:40:27.335-05:00

Hello, friends. How's your Hump Day going? (image credit) I am working tonight, we've got GAYNGS at one of the venues - they are an indie supergroup of sorts, featuring members of Bon Iver, Megafaun, The Rosebuds and a bunch of other bands. I am not exactly clear on just how many band members will be taking the stage tonight, but I do know to expect white leisure suits, balloons and beards.

Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10425349256582839817noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132563725234211420.post-34429171929853891802010-09-28T20:57:00.000-05:002010-09-28T20:58:40.928-05:00

Today was busy, but productive at work. Blah! When I finally made it home, I wanted to focus on getting nutrients into my body, asap. DinnerLentil soup and some I-Can't-Believe-It's-Not-Butter-y whole grain bread. Relatively healthy, but lacking in color. A little later, I decided to attempt being trendy by incorporating canned pumpkin into my go-to 'green monster' spinach smoothie

Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10425349256582839817noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132563725234211420.post-15072098348501247082010-09-27T22:37:00.000-05:002010-09-30T23:08:16.942-05:00

A recipe post! Hold onto your hats! As part of the Foodbuzz Tastemaker Program, and in promotion of the upcoming blogger festival, I received an email about a recipe contest with Nature's Pride Bread.  I wanted to think 'outside the box' and find a way to uniquely feature this wholesome bread. Brainstorming beyond sandwiches, French toast and bread pudding recipes, one idea began to develop... 

Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10425349256582839817noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132563725234211420.post-2840246830491767622010-09-20T20:31:00.000-05:002010-09-23T23:38:54.952-05:00

Where did we leave off? Ah yes, the trailhead of the Barr Trail.Shortly after taking this photo, we scanned in our race bibs at 5:18AM. I was at a slight advantage, being from Milwaukee and thus having my internal clock set at Central Standard Time, aka it felt like 6:18AM to me :-) It was ridiculously dark outside!We scurried up the trail and it was INTENSE. Though I had on my headlamp, the

Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10425349256582839817noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132563725234211420.post-43618936414035053542010-09-13T20:01:00.001-05:002011-08-09T22:31:51.283-05:00

On Saturday, I accomplished the most daunting physical feat I've ever attempted: the Pikes Peak Challenge! For those of you who are new to the blog, the Pikes Peak Challenge is an annual fundraising event for the Colorado Brain Injury Association. Hikers pledge to raise funds for brain injury awareness and prevention, and a 6-week training plan is recommended for conditioning in anticipation of

Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10425349256582839817noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132563725234211420.post-43488129363440270952010-09-11T20:08:00.000-05:002010-09-11T20:34:27.350-05:00

9 hours and 15 minutes, 13.5 miles, and 7,400 feet of elevation gain later, we made it! Once we reached the summit, I had a slight issue with altitude sickness... But it was nothing a little oxygen couldn't fix. I am pooped so will keep this short. A recap to come tomorrow. Thanks to everyone for your support and encouragement!

Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10425349256582839817noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132563725234211420.post-26436927881207098382010-09-10T16:13:00.000-05:002010-09-10T16:32:20.218-05:00

Friends, this Colorado trip has been mucho bueno so far. Breakfast today was a kick-ass bowl of oatmeal, made by sister Annie. She included chia seeds, pumpkin pie spice and chunky PB. Mmmm! Along with iced coffee, it was just what I needed to fuel up for the day's activity... A 3 hour horseback ride through Garden of the Gods Park! Even though I've done this ride two times before, the natural

Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10425349256582839817noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132563725234211420.post-87128122693313816832010-09-01T18:11:00.000-05:002010-09-01T18:11:00.564-05:00

I would like to introduce a new feature on Backstage Pass... 'Frugalista' posts! Each week I will feature a 'Frugalista' post with tips on coupons, discount codes, etc. One of my hobbies is coupon scouting so that I spend less on the 'boring' stuff (cleaning products, pet stuff, TP), so that I have more cash for the 'fun' stuff (clothes, shoes, etc.). For this week - in conjunction with a

Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10425349256582839817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132563725234211420.post-69949284183883604152010-08-31T11:57:00.001-05:002011-08-09T23:44:35.582-05:00

Training for the Pikes Peak Challenge has been a journey. Along the way, by reading up on the Barr Trail and hiking '14er' mountains like Pikes Peak, I've collected great advice. Some of it has been really humorous as well. From the Pikes Peak homepage (yep, the mountain has a website), regarding safety on the trail: For your own safety, it's best not to feed wild life. Mammals may have fleas

Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10425349256582839817noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132563725234211420.post-31425819349829988692010-08-29T20:14:00.001-05:002010-08-29T21:12:56.341-05:00

Another weekend is coming to a close. Say it with me - ahhhhhhh... the sound of a relaxed exhalation. This was a pretty good one, starting with The Big Lebowski outdoors on a giant screen and a few White Russian cocktails,Coworker Andrew and me Complete with goofy robes worn by most staff members. Classic. Saturday morning, a challenging hike through Lapham Peak State Park. (photo credit) Zak

Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10425349256582839817noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132563725234211420.post-47876086366039793642010-08-26T20:23:00.001-05:002011-08-09T22:44:00.243-05:00

Greetings! How is everyone doing tonight? Today was a lovely day, kicked off with a 2(ish) mile run. I have attempted several times in the past to fit in a run before work, and today was the first day this year I have actually done it! Felt great and I can't wait to do it again tomorrow. The day was a blur of rock show planning and other work-y stuff. Nothing new to report :-) Side note: I.

Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10425349256582839817noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132563725234211420.post-54714263506153143382010-08-24T20:54:00.000-05:002010-08-24T21:53:48.440-05:00

A newborn. A wedding. Horseback riding. A 5.2 mile run / walk that still has my muscles reeling. A home cooked, wholesome and nutritious meal. Life is beautiful.

Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10425349256582839817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132563725234211420.post-9009268642213522572010-08-20T16:10:00.000-05:002010-08-20T16:11:03.171-05:00

Yesterday morning while watering the garden, I noticed that skipping a few weeks of garden maintenance caught up with me. !!!!! Where do the weeds end and the carrots begin? Why is it that the cucumber vines, which are somehow still pumping out pickle-sized cucumbers, keep spreading and snuffing out the other plants? And my goodness - what to do with all of this purslane (an edible weed)? I

Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10425349256582839817noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132563725234211420.post-69801459031698169592010-08-18T14:04:00.001-05:002010-08-18T15:42:03.382-05:00

Good afternoon! It's another sunny, breezy day here in Milwaukee. For today's lunch break, I ran an errand about 10 blocks away (walked instead taking my car), enjoying the sights along the way. Afterward, I picked up my very favorite takeout lunch... Chana Masala from Shah Jee's! Enjoyed at the lovely Cathedral Square Park. Chana Masala, peas and cheese, basmati rice with cilantro chutney,

Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10425349256582839817noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132563725234211420.post-65693988164761605762010-08-17T14:44:00.000-05:002010-08-17T21:07:54.615-05:00

Today, my work organized a cookout, which is always a treat. Ours are unique because they take place on a rooftop balcony, overlooking a busy intersection of Downtown Milwaukee. A few years back, the BoDeans played a concert on this same space. Coworkers bring their dogs to work, and they were out in full cuteness today. A couple fire trucks went past with their sirens on, and this one

Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10425349256582839817noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132563725234211420.post-18811194416033015792010-08-16T20:11:00.000-05:002010-08-16T21:05:39.681-05:00

Good evening. The rest of the afternoon was a blur - catching up at work. Took a break and walked to the Riverside Theater, Then picked up some lunch with a coworker. Diet Coke and a mushroom sandwich. Tried out some Popchips on the side... these tasted great. Due to the fact they have a kinda long list of ingredients, I won't purchase these unless it's a special circumstance, like a picnic

Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10425349256582839817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132563725234211420.post-5312473434620891212010-08-16T11:55:00.000-05:002010-08-16T13:36:52.095-05:00

Happy Monday to everyone! A quick post as I am playing catch-up at work today. Before I left the house this morning I packed myself a bag full of swag from the Healthy Living Summit. My snack drawer at the office is getting a major boost!I am especially excited about the mini Larabar and the Smartfood cranberry almond popcorn clusters. All packed inside of this super cute tote from Sabrina at

Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10425349256582839817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132563725234211420.post-84207467009585566592010-08-15T19:26:00.000-05:002010-08-15T21:34:01.001-05:00

Alright, I am gonna say it flat out, the Healthy Living Summit was incredible. Great people, great activities, great discussions, great food. I have a ton to write about, here's a quick rundown of the weekend: FridayAs part of the Summit I attended a tour of the Frito Lay plant in Beloit, Wisconsin. Never having toured a massive food product facility before, I kept thinking of how it might be

Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10425349256582839817noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132563725234211420.post-27562561892540287232010-08-12T23:45:00.000-05:002010-08-13T00:31:15.743-05:00

I made it! The Healthy Living Summit is nearly here, and I traveled to Chicago today via train. Gotta love Amtrak's Hiawatha service, I have zero complaints. The train was clean, the 'Quiet Car' was actually quiet, the only problem I had was that I didn't figure out the snack cart doesn't come down the aisle (you have to find it in whichever car it's stationed at). By the end of the 1.5 hour trip

Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10425349256582839817noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132563725234211420.post-10338113418892543902010-08-09T22:40:00.001-05:002010-08-09T23:28:13.650-05:00

The weekend went by in a flurry of activity! Had fun Friday night at Point Fish Fry & A Flick, the crowd ended up being huuuuge - like several thousand people huge. Awesome. Zak and buddy Jason enjoyed the outdoor bowling lanes before the movie. Saturday, I got my hair 'did and then partook in the Wisconsin State Fair with some friends. I ate this,and it was delicious. Gotta love Wisconsin

Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10425349256582839817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132563725234211420.post-7292553514621827412010-08-06T18:39:00.000-05:002010-08-06T19:00:19.266-05:00

Tonight's post is coming to you live from Discovery World, at the uber-awesome Point Fish Fry & A Flick.Photo credit: The Pabst Theater Tonight we are kicking off our 2010 series with...The Hangover. An excellent choice, if I do say so myself. This series is one of my favorite things about working for my company, we co-produce the event with Discovery World and Bartolotta Restaurant Group and

Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10425349256582839817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132563725234211420.post-48095040467717975492010-08-05T20:51:00.000-05:002010-08-05T22:35:37.664-05:00

This week is chuggin' right along... I am really looking forward to the weekend, as I am sure you are as well. Tonight I ran for about 25 minutes, covering just under 2 miles. The running is slowwwwly getting easier! I just have to keep at it. Dinner was pretty typical - a salad with veggies and hummus, and cottage cheese. And olives. Gotta have olives. Flash back to this past Sunday, Zak and I

Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10425349256582839817noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132563725234211420.post-36896228725636100742010-08-03T22:25:00.001-05:002011-08-09T23:48:51.321-05:00

It's real! Egad! Finally! July came and went, and somehow it's August 3rd. Ten days away from the Healthy Living Summit - can't wait - and 38 days until I climb Pikes Peak. In other words, it's crunch time. After posting about the Pikes Peak Challenge, I reached out to Lindsay from Summit Sandwiches for some advice. She gave me some great training tips, which I will be posting soon. Thanks

Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10425349256582839817noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132563725234211420.post-4473984408764874112010-07-01T15:42:00.001-05:002011-08-09T22:41:19.956-05:00

Friends, I am about to take a very big upward step in training for my next physical challenge... climbing a mountain!Last year my sister completed the Pikes Peak Challenge, a 13 mile hike to the summit, to raise funds and awareness for the Brain Injury Association of Colorado. She recently registered and posted on Facebook about recruiting members for her team, and after much deliberation I have

Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10425349256582839817noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132563725234211420.post-91869994122316988822010-06-13T12:10:00.000-05:002010-06-13T19:38:45.317-05:00

Today upon opening the freezer, I found that our overripe banana stash was out of control! I counted seven and declared it a baking day. Jonesing for the perfect banana bread or muffin recipe, I scoured my favorite blogs and Internet. Rufus proved to be no help at all.I ended up with not, one but two recipes: KERF's Chocolate Banana Bread and from AllRecipes.com, Whole Wheat Banana-Strawberry

Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10425349256582839817noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132563725234211420.post-1466525627409447092010-05-31T20:05:00.000-05:002010-05-31T20:33:15.273-05:00

Whenever I read the word "nosh" or "noshing" I automatically think of "moshing." You know, the slam-dancing or mosh pit type stuff from 90s rock concerts. You know, where a bunch of dudes push each other around in a circle. Funny. My foodie interpretation of "noshing" is melding a bunch of flavors and textures to create something delicious. Since today is Memorial Day and I found myself without

Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10425349256582839817noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132563725234211420.post-43118583751940111892010-05-30T15:22:00.000-05:002010-05-30T16:51:39.993-05:00

We had a great time in Colorado last weekend, and made it to Manitou Springs to try out Adam's Mountain Cafe.We loved the feel of the restaurant - earthy, eclectic and chic.My sister Annie forewarned about the variety of dishes to choose from and the overall deliciousness of the menu, however my mind was blown! There were so many options for vegetarians, many vegan selections as well. For those

Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10425349256582839817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132563725234211420.post-62710835725234759372010-05-20T00:20:00.000-05:002010-05-20T00:52:35.619-05:00

At the wise age of 28 years old, I am comfortable enough with myself and that I can admit two things I pretty much suck at: 1. Packing for a trip... no matter how hard I "try," I procrastinate until the day I am supposed to depart. Procrastination further exemplified by this blog post, which I am doing when I really should be packing. 2. Unpacking. In this case, specifically unpacking my camera

Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10425349256582839817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132563725234211420.post-76291484362501363462010-05-15T22:26:00.000-05:002010-05-16T08:43:40.330-05:00

I finally did it... I tried out The Fitnessista's fabled breakfast cookie, known throughout the foodie blogosphere as a must-eat. And it was... DELICIOUS. In the mix: 1/3 cup rolled oats, 1/2 scoop chocolate 'frost' protein powder, 1 tbsp chia seeds, 1 tbsp peanut butter. Stirred together with 1/8 cup or so of soy milk. Prepared for overnight refrigeration:Then, the morning comes: Topped with

Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10425349256582839817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132563725234211420.post-71012524904127129012010-05-05T19:37:00.000-05:002010-05-05T20:17:55.090-05:00

In case you haven't seen or heard, there are devastating floods in Nashville, Tennessee. It's totally scary how much damage has resulted. At least 20 people have been killed. Homes, businesses, cars flooded out and roads swept away. The damage is estimated at over $1 billion, which seems like an unfathomable amount of money. I am a big fan of Nashville, the vibe of the city is so friendly and

Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10425349256582839817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132563725234211420.post-64093333089469211392010-04-22T11:47:00.000-05:002010-04-22T12:12:57.316-05:00

Last night, this was my office. Photo credit: Dale Reince I've loved the Flaming Lips since I was about, oh, 13 years old. They had a song called "Bad Days" on the Batman Forever soundtrack (yes, really) and I found it to be totally different than any music I've ever heard before. Totally inspired, I choreographed a dance for my middle school's recital... sadly it did not make it past the

Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10425349256582839817noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132563725234211420.post-73077896950989034242010-04-21T11:00:00.000-05:002010-04-21T11:00:05.306-05:00

This video is hilarious, linking nearly every feel-good pop song to the same four chord progression. Check it out!

Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10425349256582839817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132563725234211420.post-41004420545561082982010-04-20T16:41:00.000-05:002010-04-20T17:26:39.779-05:00

Well - no chicken dinners won (I don't even eat chicken, LOL), but someone did score an awesome Celestial Seasonings Wellness Kit which will include all of the following: · Four wellness teas to ease symptoms associated with the cold and flu including Sleepytime Extra, Echinacea Complete Care and Tummy Mint· Two green teas to support a healthy immune system year round - Authentic Green Tea and

Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10425349256582839817noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132563725234211420.post-22046683973908752642010-04-08T19:38:00.000-05:002010-04-08T20:39:12.075-05:00

Happy April everyone! Let's get right to it, the lovely Lauren at Celestial Seasonings reached out to me and thought you folks might enjoy an awesome giveaway!When she offered to send me some teas to review on Backstage Pass... I couldn't have been more delighted. Zak and I have enjoyed Celestial Seasonings teas for years. We count on the Green Tea for a healthy shot of antioxidants and to keep

Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10425349256582839817noreply@blogger.com5