It’s been a pretty good Monday.

Last Week’s Highlights

• Got all caught up with Game of Thrones! I’m officially addicted, you guys.
• Played the usual Mixplate Monday.
• Cheered for Jeremy during The Biggest Loser season finale!
• Said goodbye to April and hello to May.
• Visited two of my favorite food spots that I hadn’t been to lately — Great Harvest Bread Co. and Lanikai Juice. Plus, dinner at Fresh Catch with Khrys!
• Watched Think Like A Man at the cinema.
• Started making a few ribbon lei for UH graduation that’s coming up this weekend.
• Saw The Lucky One at the cinema, too.
• Cooked quinoa for the first time and straight-up fell in love with the smoked ahi spread from Kokohead Foods (available at Times Kahala!).

Weekend Happenings

• Made vegan pasta with quinoa spaghetti noodles, lots of veggies, and organic tomato sauce.
• Watched UFC on Fox 3 with the BFF and her niece <3
• A friend’s housewarming.
• Finished my book.
• The usual weekend shopping with my mom.
• Movies with the familia.
• Shared some links I’ve been loving.

On the Agenda

• Getting my sweat on with daily workouts — I was a serious slacker last week and seriously need to start paying for it!
• Shopping for my mom’s Mother’s Day gift. Any ideas?
• Finishing my new book and more ribbon lei.
• UH graduation! My cousin is getting her BA, my best friend is getting her MAcc, and another really good friend is graduating from law school.

As of Today

• Eating // Leftover vegan quinoa spaghetti and poke.
• Reading // 2nd Chance by James Patterson.
• Starting Over // With my C25K training. I haven’t been consistent, so I started over with the first workout tonight at the gym. I should finish the nine-week program with a week to spare before my 5K run in August :)

So I’m running a little late.

• Here’s how Disney World was introduced, circa 1970.
• This site helps you make or break a habit in 21 days. I only have about a million things I need to use it for.
• I’m really working on this, this month and the next few months with my 12-week workout plan.
• I go in and out of doing well or totally slacking off with meditation. I’m in an off phase at the moment, so I need all the help I can get.
• A Tale of Two Diaz Brothers is yet another reason Ben Fowlkes is my favorite MMA journalist — and, if you didn’t know, I’m a huge Nick & Nathan Diaz fan. (And congrats, Nathan! He secured his no. 1 contender spot with his win over Jim Miller on Saturday; Guillotine choke in the second round, if you didn’t watch the fight or see the results).
• This is exactly the kind of health and fitness advice I needed to hear to shake me out of my rut.

Warning: May contain spoilers.

Logan is a Marine who, after three tours of Iraq, returns to the states. Following a night raid (which turns out to be an ambush), he sees a picture of a woman. While he walks over to pick it up, a bomb explodes and kills the men where he was last standing. It’s not the last of death he sees before he leaves, and he credits the photo for saving his life.

Once home, he seeks out the woman in the photo. Once he finds her, they fall in love. But once the truth is out, it’s not quite happily ever after.

• Mismatched Pairing // Beth and Logan. Not only do they have very little on-screen chemistry, but their looks are deceiving. Efron looks younger than he is and Taylor Schilling looks older than she is, so it comes off as a cougar situation.
• Most Confused Acting // Zac Efron. I don’t know if he was trying to come off as mysterious or reserved or what, but he was stiff an fricken emotion-less.
• Cutest Character // Benny, Beth’s son. He has the most adorable blonde curly locks, and is probably the only 8-year-old who plays chess and the violin. He’s a cutie for sure.
• Coolest Close-Up // Efron during the humvee explosion.
• Favorite Casting Choice // Blythe Danner. I love her :)
• Best Animal Actor // Zeus. He was so obedient and off-leash for most of the movie. He reminded me that I need to step up my dog training game when it comes to H&H&H.

Warning: May contain spoilers.

Based on Steve Harvey’s bestseller, this movie follows a group of guys, their basketball exploits at the YMCA, and their relationships. The women in their lives find the men’s counterparts in Harvey’s book, and use the book’s advice to vie for control in their relationships. When the men find out and try to use the book’s advice against the women, well, you can imagine it doesn’t work out so well.

I have to admit, it wasn’t a movie I held high hopes for — I thought it would be stereotypically un-funny. But I laughed almost the whole way through.

• Biggest surprise // Cedric’s wife; I was wondering the whole time if they’d show her, and who was cast in the role if they did. It was worth the wait, lol.
• LOL Moment // The proposal scene. I won’t spoil it for you by telling you which couple it is, but there are witnesses to the special event, and they make the scene.
• Fiercest Hair // Mya (played by Meagan Good). I kept wondering if I could pull off a hairstyle like that. (I didn’t like the makeup choices they made for his character, though).
• Favorite Cameo // Ron Artest aka Metta World Peace. Those purple short shorts!
• Best Song // This movie has a pretty damn good soundtrack. But, for me, no one holds a candle to John Legend. “Tonight (Best You Ever Had)” was my fave.
• Cutest Couple // The Mama’s Boy vs. The Single Mom was adorbs.
• Disgusting Disappointment // The casting of Chris Brown. At least he played a complete douchebag, like he’s proven to be in real life.

Happy May Day!

A Look Back

• Family Time // I spent a lot of time with my family, for my Uncle Kirk’s 50th birthday lūʻau, the Easter holiday, the UFC fights, family dinners, and lots of movie time.
• My Favorite Post // I’m focused on health and fitness for the first time, and I’m loving reading about it and working on it, and How and Why to Workout in the Morning is my first attempt at writing about it.
• Said goodbye // Our time is limited, and very precious. Make the most of yours.

A Look Forward

• UH Graduation // I’ll in Mānoa a lot that weekend, attending the undergraduate, advanced degrees, and law school ceremonies to support and congratulate friends and family. Plus a special dinner for my BFF, who’s getting her MAcc!
• Mother’s Day // I haven’t decided what I’m going to do for/with my mom, and I’m running out of time!
• UFC // Big fights were few and far between for a while there, but the UFC is back in full force this month. Get ready for UCF on Fox 3: Diaz vs. Miller (May 5), UFC on Fuel TV 3: Korean Zombie vs. Poirier (May 15) and UFC 146: Dos Santos vs. Mir aka “the heavyweight card” (May 26). I’ll be writing up my picks for each of the cards :)
• Memorial Day // It’s one of the few holidays my company observes, and a big beach bbq day in HI. Although I don’t know anyone who passed in a war, it’s also a day when I make time to remember our nation’s fallen soldiers.
• Movies // The Avengers and What to Expect When You’re Expecting are two films I know I’m gonna see for sure.
• Health & Fitness // I’ve been mostly good with my workout routine and eating habits, but a few on and off moments. I have a renewed commitment for the month!

Imagery via My Meadow

Good morning!

Last Week’s Highlights

• The usual Mixplate Monday.
• Another weekly standard — dinner and The Biggest Loser at my mom’s house.
• Gave my tips on how and why to workout in the morning.
• Had a marathon 2.5-hour workout session // Treadmill, a cardio mix & tone class, bike ride, and back on the treadmill.
• Shared some links I’ve been loving.
• Worked late; As in 3+ hours late. Sucks, but at least I got a lot done.

Weekend Happenings

• A fun little girls day with my cousin Khrystyne — lunch at Buca di Beppo, Think Like A Man and The Lucky One.
• A quick shopping run for a new planner (I got two, lol!) and few pairs of new earrings from Nordstrom Rack.
• Watched the new documentary, Marley.
• Started an editorial calendar from the blog, hoping it will help me be a little more consistent with writing.
• Purged my makeup collection, by about HALF. It was heartbreaking (ladies will understand me), but it was time I let some of it go.
• Made it about halfway through the first season of Game of Thrones, and got addicted immediately.
• Went out to dinner with my dad :)
• Picked up some bath and body and lei-making supplies.

On the Agenda

• Getting back on track with my workout routine and diet. I skipped the gym and had soda this weekend, yikes!
• Trying out a few new natural skincare products.
• Watching UFC on FOX 3: Diaz vs. Miller and The Avengers.

As of Today

• Day one of Fitbook’s 20Twelve Weeks to a New You. I signed up for the emails a few weeks late last time around and hadn’t purchased a Fitbook yet, but I’m ready now.
• Starting over with Couch to 5K training. I skipped all of last week’s workouts in exchange for other things at the gym, so I’m gonna give it another go. It’s perfect timing for the run I have coming up in August.
• Reading 1st To Die, the first book in the Women’s Murder Club series by James Patterson. I picked up the first eight or so books at a yard sale last year, and I’m finally getting to them.

I grew up on reggae music; It’s in my soul.

Marley is an inside look at the life of Robert Nesta Marley, a revolutionary who sparked political change, inspired a nation, and introduced reggae music to the world.

Through music, performance, interviews with those who were closest to him, and old interviews with the man himself, the film explores Marley’s lonely childhood, rise to superstardom, tragic passing, and lasting influence. Even as a massive fan, I heard new stories, met new people and learned new details about his life.

This is a must-see for music lovers, reggae lovers and of course, Bob Marley lovers.

It’s finally the weekend.

• 26 Must-Have Tools for Home Chefs; Everything I don’t already have, is now on my wishlist. Especially that WS multi-chopper, which I was not expecting to be that affordable.
• Nick Diaz + Ross Goodman is such a boss combination.
• A Wall of Shattered Glass Floods a Benedictine Monastery is remarkable indeed.
• Anatomy of a WordPress Theme is a must read for anyone wanting to blog or design with WordPress.
• Former Laker and NBA Champ John Salley is a vegan and wellness advocate, and created a free Vegetarian Starter Kit. Iʻm not trying to go vegetarian, but I have given up most meats and am always looking to increase and improve the plant-based portion of my diet.
• Iʻm pretty much drooling over these OMFG Vegan “Crab” Cakes from Olivia Wildeʻs blog (PS: Isnʻt she stunning?)
• Iʻve been thinking about getting a Filofax, and while shopping around for one online, stumbled upon this shrine to the famous planner. I heart organization!

Is this for real?

Most mornings, I work at 730am. The thought of waking up at the (ass) crack of dawn to hit the gym before that used to seem ridiculous. But I’ve been trying to make it a part of my routine.

So how do I do it?

Sleep Early // So basic, but it’s harder than it sounds. For me to have time to go to the gym, workout, get back home, shower, have breakfast, pack lunch and make it to work on time means I’m waking up at 5am. Counting back from there, I need to hit the sack at 9pm to get the recommended eight hours of sleep. I don’t always make it quite on time, but any later than 10:30pm (six and a half hours of sleep, if you’re keeping track) and I’m either not waking up on time or am not in any mood for a workout if I do.

Set Your Alarm The Right Way // I have this bad habit of setting two alarms — One for my “goal time” to wake up, and one more realistic “last chance to wake up and not be late” alarm. By doing this, I know I always have a backup if I don’t feel like waking up with the first alarm when it goes off, and I know I can go back to sleep. No bueno. Decide what time you need to wake up, and set your alarm for that time — no earlier, no later. And don’t you dare hit the snooze button.

Make Your Alarm As Awesome As You Can // My favorite workout hype jam is Feiticeira x Deftones so I set it as my alarm tone. And I use my iPhone as my alarm clock, so I set the message to something that wakes me up right — “Rise & Grind” and muscles and running shoe emojis might not do it for you, but it does it for me ;) PS: The song is also kinda short (barely over three minutes) and a pretty good pace, so it’s a good one for running intervals. I run for the whole song and alternate that with a minute or two of walking. And that whole White Pony album is legit workout jams, you should check it out.

Sleep in Your Workout Clothes // Okay, this one sounds really stupid — but it works! It’s usually too hot at my house to sleep in my workout pants or capris (I rarely workout in shorts, I love to sweat), but I have no problems sleeping in my sports bra and tank or t-shirt I’m gonna work out in, and basketball or running shorts. Plus not wearing actual pajamas is one less item of laundry I have to wash.

Get Ready The Night Before // Since I’m already in my workout top, I just have a few things to do before I can leave the house, and I get as much of it ready as I can. I put shoes and socks at the door (along with a hoodie, since I workout with one), and have my pants hanging in the bathroom. Then when I wake up to my awesome alarm, I can head to the bathroom to brush my teeth, change my pants, and grab the rest on the way out. Plus I make sure I charge my phone overnight and keep my earphones and car keys on my nightstand so I don’t waste time searching for them (in my purse, in my gym bag, on the floor, in the bathroom, twisted in my blankets, etc.). I also like ice cold water, so I throw some ice cubes in my water bottle and leave it in the freezer overnight. In the morning I take it out, add some filtered water and go.

Fuel Up // I’m pretty dead to the world if I don’t get at least a little something in my body before a morning workout. I usually do a piece of fruit (bananas are the easiest, but I also go with an apple or orange if I have some already cut up in the fridge) and drink at least 8oz of water on the drive to the gym.

And why do I do it?

I’m More Motivated In The Morning // After a long day at work, I’m usually tired — at the very least, I’m pretty lazy by then. (When I think about the days I was taking classes and working two jobs, I can’t figure out where I used to find the energy). So after work it’s hard to find the drive, and I’m usually wrestling with the decision in my head all day — am I going to work out after this, or am I just gonna go home? Mornings end up being better for me.

Avoid The Crowds // It’s not total desert island status in the morning, but it’s usually just me and a few older ladies. The parking lot is more full than I thought it’d be, but a lot better at 5am than 5pm. Plus there are no group classes that start quite that early, so I’m in before the big wave of morning gym-goers. And I totally live 5 minutes from the gym, but it’s at a busy intersection where a freeway off-ramp meets a major street meets a highway, so the afternoon traffic blows compared to a few cars on the road in the morning.

WOW // One of the rooms in my gym (a full workout room with cardio machines, weight machines, free weights, other workout accessories, and some free mat space) has some days and times designated as WOW, or Women on Weights. During these periods, only women are permitted to workout in that room. No offense to the dudes, but I feel the most comfortable when it’s just us gals :) And, lucky for me, there are a few WOW hours every morning Monday-Friday starting at 5am.

Start The Day Off Right // It just feels good to workout in the morning. By the time I get back home (around 630am), I feel so accomplished! And I’m more motivated to make healthy eating choices throughout the day when I’m thinking about not wanting to waste a good start at the gym. Bonus: This might be all in my head, but I think I’m in a better mood when I workout at the beginning of my day.

Squeeze in Two-A-Days // On the days when I’m feeling extra crazy motivated, I have time for two workouts by going back to the gym after work or at night. I don’t do it often, but wouldn’t be able to do it at all if I didn’t hit they gym before I hit the office.

Front page imagery via Ken Pascoe

It’s still Monday!

Last Week’s Highlights

• Signed up for BobHarper.com // A site by The Biggest Loser trainer himself, full of healthy recipes, workout videos, and a really encouraging and supportive user message board.
• Also bought all of Bob’s DVDs. They’re all on sale for $5, I couldn’t help myself!
• Said goodbye to Kenny Powers forever in the series finale of Eastbound & Down.
• Did the usual Tuesday night at my mom’s; Dinner and watching The Biggest Loser.
• Had an assistant at work for a day — my boss’ 2-year-old granddaughter :)
• Shopping and dinner with the BFF at Ala Moana.
• Watched the UFC 145 Fight Club Q&A with Chael Sonnen. I could watch that man speak all day.
• Shared some links to love.

Weekend Happenings

• Another installment of Miss MMA, in which I made my picks for UFC 145: Jones vs. Evans.
• Picked up six different kinds of pizza at Boston’s, to grind (with my dad’s special blend of poke) with family and friends while watching the fights
• Played a little bit of Mexican Train.
• Watched Marley, the new Bob Marley documentary. It’s a must-see if you’re a Robert Nesta Marley fan, or a fan of reggae music.
• Caught up on a lot of reading, Hulu and YouTube.
• Dinner (my dad actually cooked!) and watching The Sitter at home with the fam.

On the Agenda

• Trying a few of Bob Harper’s circuit workouts.
• Some errands I’ve been procrastinating on.
• Making a new marinade to use on some salmon.

As of Today

• Lunch at Aloha Salads; I used to go there all the time, but I’ve been doing so good with cooking everyday that it’d been a while!
• Hit the gym after work. I had a really late lunch (I pretty much finished the work day with it), so I was surprised I had the energy (or the stomach) for a good hour and a half.
• Got some organic fruits and veggies, and a giant family pack of frozen salmon, for the week.
• Hopefully finishing my book before bed!

Imagery via It’s What Keeps Me Alive