CRAVE CRUSH the urban girl's blog to all that you CRAVE

Q&A with Laura Lee Kozusko of reForm Pilates

April 30, 2010 by Karina | Comments (0)

Every spring, like clockwork, the same patterns seem to unfold. Flowers start to blossom, trees regain their leaves, temperatures rise, and people flock to their gyms in anticipation of warmer weather and fewer clothes. But sometimes, those overcrowded gyms pumping obnoxious pop songs feel less like motivation and more like punishment. That’s why we CRAVE the calming environment at reForm Pilates, where you can be sure the training you receive is both personalized and rejuvenating. And since this Saturday is Free Pilates Day in Austin, there has never been a better time to get started at the studio! reForm Pilates will be offering six different classes, free of charge. We talked with owner Laura Lee Kozusko to hear her Austin city favorites, and her tips on being an entrepreness:

How would you describe your business in 3 adjectives or less?

Peaceful, Welcoming and Uplifting.

What might people be surprised to know?

Whether you are an avid athlete or a total couch potato, everyone starts at the same place when beginning Pilates.

What was the inspiration or motivation behind starting your business?

Pilates completely changed my life in a good way and I wanted to bring that to other people as well.

What mistake have you made in your business that you will not repeat?

Everyday is a learning experience & mistakes are part of the growth process. I’m not sure I’ve made any HUGE ones, but lots of little mistakes along the way.

How do you spend your free time?

Playing with my daughters.

What is your indulgence?

Caffeine, chocolate, wine and cheese.

Save the Date!
Free Pilates Day
Saturday, May 1; first class starting at 10 AM
Contact for reservations or for more info:
(phone) 512-236-9595
(email) contact@reformpilates.net

reForm Pilates
3110 Windsor Rd. Ste. A

Spring Eating for your Healthy Body

April 26, 2010 by Nicole S. | Comments (1)

We are all familiar with the old adage of Spring cleaning, but did you know that it doesn’t just apply to your closet? Spring cleaning is also important for our bodies and very helpful in flushing toxins, losing weight and creating increased energy. The best place to start your spring cleaning is with spring eating! Jamie G. Dougherty, owner and founder of JAMIE|LIVING, Health and Lifestyle Counseling, offers us a fresh approach. Spring foods are light, water-logged, and perfect for cleaning out our systems of excess junk. Some of the most popular spring foods include:

Asparagus: High in potassium and folate which aids the cardiovascular system- Roast with olive, sea salt, and pepper with a splash of balsamic vinegar.

Artichokes: A good source of iron and calcium- Steam and enjoy with your favorite vinaigrette.

Dandelion Greens: Aid in liver cleansing- Blanch, then sauté with garlic, olive oil, and top with currants and pine nuts.

Green garlic: Delicious young garlic plant that has anti-bacterial properties- A perfect addition to eggs or a frittata.

Radishes: Very high a vitamin C. Eat them raw or dip in hummus or your favorite dressing.

The best place to find spring foods it at your local farmer’s market where vendors will have the freshest produce available. Here is a perfect dish to get your started. Who ever thought spring cleaning could taste so good? Enjoy!

1/2 pound asparagus, ends trimmed, cut in 1-inch pieces and blanched for 3 minutes
Sea salt to taste
2 cups brown rice, freshly made or leftover
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
2 tablespoons chopped fresh herbs like mint, cilantro, tarragon, marjoram
1/3 cup toasted pumpkin seeds

1. Whisk together the lemon juice, vinegar, salt, mustard and garlic. Whisk in the oil, taste and adjust seasonings.

2. Cut asparagus into 1 inch pieces and place in boiling water for 3 minutes. Drain and set aside.

3. Add asparagus to the rice and toss together with the Dijon dressing.

4. Add the fresh herb and pumpkin seeds and toss all together. Taste, adjust seasonings and serve.　

To reheat leftover rice: Place cold rice in a small pot with ÂĽ-1/2 cup of water (depending on amount of rice). Bring to medium heat and let steam for 4-5 minutes, or until water has evaporated. Remove rice from the heat and mix with your dressing.

To receive your fill of healthy living tips become a JAMIE|LIVING Facebook Fan or follow her on Twitter! You can also find delicious recipes at:　www.jamieliving.blogspot.com

Jamie is an AADP certified Holistic Nutrition Counselor with a private and corporate practice that offers assistance nationwide. She is passionate about deliciously healthy food and specializes in helping her clients transform their lives through the power of nutrition and self-care.

Go on Girl, Light Your Fire: The Fire Starter Sessions

April 23, 2010 by Nicole S. | Comments (0)

Danielle LaPorte is all about keepin’ it real. She believes in telling it like it is, and is an avid believer in feminine power. Her latest project, “The Fire Starter Sessions” is an e-book for entreprenesses that comes with video and worksheets to help you get the most out of each sizzling session. The root of Danielle’s theory- which every woman can appreciate– is that our actions are driven by desired feelings. What other remarkable wisdom does she have to offer? We asked her a few questions to gain some insight on what really drives her and why her new book is so rockin’.

Once you let Danielle get you jazzed about your own inspiration, you lucky CRAVE ladies can pre-order a copy of the “Fire Starter Sessions” right now! Just click here.

You give people inspiring advice about following their passions in life, what sparked your own “ah-ha” moment?

It was more of a series of soul-sucking moments and gigs than an “a-ha” moment. But it all added up to creative sovereignty. My voice, my time, my way of being of service.

What makes the “Fire Starter Sessions” distinct from other programs for entrepreneurs?

It’s about rocking your revenue streams and doing meaningful things in the world. It’s as much about self-realization as it is about hard core strategy.
Each chapter is it’s own “Fire Starter Session” that includes: e-book components, video inspiration or interviews, and worksheets. Some of the sessions are: True Strengths & The Metrics of Ease; Branding: Clarifying the Diamond of You; Products & Services: Making Stuff That Feels Good to Make; Money: More is More, Enough is Plenty; Web Design & SEO: Your Virtual Real-Estate…Whether you’re in the early idea phase or a rut, it’s about lighting a fire under your…aspirations.

Summarize your teachings into a motto for how you/to live your life.

Your truth is worth it.

Would you give the same advice to a female business owner as you would give to a male?

Yes. But a woman is more likely to take it.

How would you describe your number one strength?

Deep listening. I also build a mean campfire and write bad poetry – which I consider an endearing strength.

Why do you believe it is that so many people do not choose their career path based on their true passions?

Profoundly wanting to belong. That will never change. On top of that deep driving psychology, we pile on social “norms” like dress codes and executive titles, salary structures, everything the goddamn Jonses are doing, and the popularity contest that is social media itself, and well, it’s the makings of an identity crisis.
If can you tune out the noise of “how-to” and “10 steps” and “proven tactics” you will be able to hear your own spidey senses: genuine, sincere, with great reflexes, and it will tell you that you are the expert on you — and you know what lights your fire.

What has been your most rewarding experience with a client?

One of my favorite results of working with any client is helping them decide what they’re going to STOP doing. It makes me giddy. It often goes like this: I’m going to STOP…being the administrator. Worrying so much. Under-selling myself. Checking Twitter obsessively. Feeling the pressure to be so successful. I’m going to stop using my cousin as my web-designer.

It’s freeing for everyone. And freedom is the best part of being an entrepreneur.

Still want more? Order your very own copy of the complete “Fire Starter Sessions” by clicking here. You can also learn more about all of Danielle’s endeavors on her website, whitehottruth.com.

To Create or Not to Create?

April 19, 2010 by Lynn Edwards | Comments (0)

Have you ever been asked, “Are you a creative person?” I have and I always answer “no” because I can’t even print my name straight. To me, “creative” people are my friends in girl scouts that turned the colored pipe-cleaners into a ride at Disneyland, or my friend who paints scenery so amazing you want to jump into the picture.

The idea of “arts & crafts” give me hives; I have always viewed myself as creatively challenged (at least that’s what my second grade teacher called it when she saw the drawing of my house and asked if it was my dog). My Mom and sisters are amazingly gifted, my Mom can look at a lamp shade and think, “That would make an amazing centerpiece for the Cinco de Mayo party,” and it does. My little sister is an architect and shapes the Denver skyline with her genius. My oldest sister busted out four blank canvases recently and whipped up living room art that could be displayed at The Met. I can speak in public no problem, play through on a golf course full of men easy, but put a blank canvas in front of me and I am paralyzed with fear, let alone four.

However, I have learned that “creativity” takes many forms and all of us have some creative gift to offer the world. It’s not really a question to create, but rather a question of whether you will allow yourself to let your creativity flow through you into the world. I have always had a burning desire to make pottery; I would be so Demi Moore in Ghost, but I’m too afraid I wouldn’t even be able to make a cereal bowl. Fear is what stumps our creativity, there’s nothing scarier than putting your creativity out in the world and having a teacher say, “Is that your puppy?”

Creativity is a funny thing! I find myself most creative in the shower or the bathroom…what’s with that? Superman had a phone booth, I have the ladies lounge. At board meetings, I run to the bathroom and always come back with the break through solution to our challenge. My friends now know that when I come back from the restroom and say, “Guess what I was thinking”, they strap in for something amazing. When I have a problem to figure out, I take a shower. There’s something about that water flowing over my brain that interrupts the normal chatter and makes way for a creative breakthrough. I’ve gone through many laptops trying to write this column in the shower!

I have three books in the works, one for business, a funny one with my life stories, and of course a great fiction with a “hoochie” heroine who has a fling with the UPS man. I read a quote recently that I loved, it said, “Good girls want to have fun, bad girls make sure they do!” The leading lady in my novel is one of those bad chicks.

Spring is an amazing time of creation, look around, that dirt pile you’ve been passing along your drive now has a rainbow of colors bursting out of it. The birds are chiming in and adding their song to the season. My neighbor kids drew a cute picture on my car hood in the pollen dust. It’s time to wake up your creative juices and let them fly. Don’t miss a chance to show the world what’s growing under your dirt pile, take a nice long shower and come out and CREATE!

Fun Ways to Stay Active Outdoors

April 19, 2010 by Jennifer L. | Comments (0)

We know that it can be more difficult to stay active and motivated during the dreary winter months, but the long winter days are now behind us and we can finally emerge off the couch from hibernation, watching Sex in the City reruns. Spring has arrived to grant us a long awaited reprieve from winter! The days are growing longer and the sun is more radiant in the sky. As dynamic and motivated women, we, here at CRAVE, enjoy exercising our minds as much as our bodies. Here are some activities for fun in the sun!

Kick a Ball
For those seeking a sport with a competitive edge, kickball is making its way out of the school playgrounds and into competitive leagues. It’s a great alternative to soccer and softball, while still encompassing softball’s similar rules of play. It’s a fun sport to casually play with your gal pals, or if you’re looking to get more involved with your community while having fun, join a league!

Other fun outdoor competitive group activities:
• Badminton
• Capture the Flag
• Ultimate Frisbee
• Beach Volleyball

Strike a Pose
If you’ve had a long day at work stuck sitting behind a desk, yoga is a great form of both mental and physical exercise and is shown to reduce stress! Whether you’re a novice or a budding yogi, yoga offers a wide range of poses for all levels of practice, from a beginner’s Adho Mukha Svanasana (“Downward-Facing Dog”) to an advanced Kapotasana (“King Pigeon Pose”). Now that the warm spring weather is upon us, try practicing yoga outdoors on your porch, at the park, or the beach. The combination of the warmth from the sun and fresh air is both serene and absolutely invigorating!

Paddle Around
Kayaking is a great water sport that really works out the upper body and gets you fabulously toned arms and shoulders! There are six different classifications of kayaking, ranging from the extreme whitewater gut-wrenching rapids (a thrill-seekers dream) to leisurely touring/general recreation. If you don’t feel like tackling on a kayak by yourself, many are built to hold up to three people. So gather some girlfriends and paddle around the lake while enjoying the beautiful nautical scenery.

Other fun outdoor water activities:
• Canoeing
• Paddle-boating
• Swimming

Hide & Seek
Do you CRAVE adventure? We do too! That’s where the sport of Geocaching comes in. Geocaching is a high-tech outdoor sport of treasuring hunting using a GPS device, clues and references to landmarks embedded in riddles or stories. The basic idea is to hide and seek hidden objects in containers (geocaches) and then share your experiences in the logbook and online. There are many variations of geocaches for all levels of adventure seekers. For those who really want a challenge, we hear there is a geocache hidden in Antartica. Happy hunting!

Sprint into Spring
Do you ever get bored with workouts at the gym and feel like a hamster in a wheel on the treadmill? We do! Spring is the start of running season, so lace up those sneakers and head outdoors for a jog. The great thing about running outdoors is you can change your route to keep things interesting. There are also tons of races during running season, ranging from a quick 5K to a full marathon, and many of these races support fundraising for charities. Did we mention that you also get cute t-shirts to show off to your friends?

Celebrate Earth Day April 22

April 12, 2010 by Melisa M. | Comments (0)

Earth Day is a day designed to inspire awareness and appreciation for the Earth’s environment, held on April 22. It is celebrated in many countries and has been receiving added attention in current years with the newfound popularity of going green and our increased consciousness of how we are harming the planet. As active motivated women, we, here at CRAVE, think Earth day is a wonderful chance to help women discover new ways to help our earth and conserve it for generations to come. The Nature Conservancy has some wonderful tips to do just that, pertaining to activities a lot of women deal with in their everyday lives.

Use reusable totes

You can help save oceans when you use reusable shopping bags instead of plastic bags. Sure, it’s a small step — but it can make a big difference in the health of our oceans. Unfortunately, 90 percent of the debris that washes up from our oceans are man-made and shouldn’t be there. Most of it has – unfortunately – come to be expected: derelict fishing equipment, disposable plastic bottles, plastic bags, cigarette butts, bits of unidentifiable plastic, Styrofoam. To help encourage others, share where you take reusable bags or where you’ve found your favorite tote.

Eat food

Just like you, conservationists, fishermen, chefs and consumers are working together to find new ways of living off our oceans and waters while keeping nature healthy. In a day and age when many of us “harvest” most of our meals by filling a grocery cart or skimming a menu, it can be easy to overlook nature’s role in putting food on our tables. This is especially true when it comes to seafood. For centuries, the oceans’ bounty seemed inexhaustible. Now, as scientists unravel the intricate relationships between fish and the vast lands below the water’s surface, we’re gaining a clearer picture of how humans have altered our oceans’ ability to provide for us. The Conservancy is tackling the problems by working with communities to restore degraded habitats and rebuild depleted fisheries. But sustainability also depends on how fish are brought to market. A service called FishPhone is Blue Ocean’s sustainable seafood text messaging service that instantly puts sustainable seafood information at your fingertips. To find out about your seafood choice, text 30644 with the message FISH and the name of the fish in question. They’ll text you back with their assessment and better alternatives to fish with significant environmental concerns.

Green your gardening

Even while you’re gardening in your very own backyard, you can make a big difference in the health of the ocean. Fertilizers and other chemicals used in conventional gardening are washed into watersheds and eventually to sea, where they can harm coral reefs and other marine life. To help cut back on pollution, go native! Native plants require much less water and fertilizer than non-native plants do. Make your own compost! Composting kitchen scraps is a great way to create (free!) all-natural fertilizer. Set your mower to a cutting height of 2”-3” — which will eliminate undesirable weedy plants. Don’t rake your clippings; leave them behind as fertilizer. You can even try square-foot gardening. This method uses 90% less water and 95% fewer seeds than a traditional backyard garden and requires no chemicals!

You can find all the details on these tips and plenty more at earthday.nature.org

Styling Your Space with Alexander Merchant

April 9, 2010 by Lilla | Comments (0)

If you want to make your house a home, or an office space more comfortable check out Alexander Merchant. This Austin-based architectural products and service company focuses on residential hardware and decorative lighting. With their expertise and knowledge owners Laurie Merchant and Susan Alexander can help you transform your space.  If you are remodeling or building a home their business and staff can help with selections, technical information, and execution.

How would you describe your business in 3 adjectives or less?
Knowledgeable, Creative, Currant

What are your most popular products or services?
Sun Valley Bronze, FSB Hardware, Vibia Lighting, Hardware Renaissance, Visual Comfort Lighting

People may be surprised to know…
Business owners, Laure Merchant and Susan Alexander, met at McCallum High School here in Austin when they were both 14 years old.

What was the inspiration or motivation behind starting your business?
Susan and Laurie owned a furniture refinishing business in 1997 and during that time they sold reproduction furniture hardware.  As a supplement to the furniture hardware, they started selling more antique door hardware, which segued into new hardware.  Since there are so many wonderful hardware and lighting manufacturers they decided to focus on representing manufacturers of new hardware.  Their business now focused exclusively on new hardware manufacturers and designers.

Who is your role model or mentor?
Susan:  My mom. She taught me to not back down from obstacles and to not be afraid to try.

What mistake have you made in your business that you will not repeat?
Laurie: Working to hard at the expense of a personal life, letting my business consume my life.
Susan: Ignoring my intuition regarding decisions.

How do you spend your free time?
Laurie: I spend time with my two children and my husband
Susan: I practice Tai Chi and always seem to find home improvement projects that keep me busy.

What is your indulgence?
No question there-chocolate

Where is your favorite place to go with your girlfriends?
Laurie: Vino Vino
Susan: Any good restaurant

Where is the best place to get a pedicure?
Laurie: G31 Nails on Guadalupe-no fuss
Susan: Polish on South 1st- nice atmosphere

Where is the best place to get a manicure?
Susan: Again- Polish

Where is the best place to find gifts?
Laurie: Toy Joy-since I mostly buy kids toys!
Susan: Love- unique and local.

What is your favorite salon?
Laurie: INNU, great trained staff with a focus on community
Susan: The whole works: a glass of wine and a hand massage, not to mention a great hair cut.

Where is the best place to buy shoes?
Laurie: Nordstroms

Where is the best place to buy clothes?
Laurie: Last Call

Who is the best local designer or artist?
Laurie: Steve Brudniak is a local artist I have always admired

What is the best gym or fitness club?
Laurie: YMCA
Susan: Austin Fitness Martial Arts- Allows for great cross training from Tai Chi to Kickboxing

Shop & Cycle: Austin on Two Wheels

April 9, 2010 by Karina | Comments (0)

Who doesn’t CRAVE a day touring the best your city has to offer in shops, spa treatments, topped off with delicious bites and a glass of champagne? The only problem with this kind of uptown-downtown hopping is the carbon footprint you’ll leave from driving you and your friends around. So for the modern, eco-conscious gal, there is the Pampered Pedal tour offered by Austin on 2 Wheels, a half-day event that will raise your endorphin levels just as much as splurging on a pair of must-have shoes will.

The ride will take you around town to shop at local, women-owned businesses, even providing a separate cargo bin for all your purchases! After you’re spent from spending, you’ll be able to recharge your batteries with a coffee break, followed by a light yoga session and mini-spa treatment at Black Swan Yoga. Register early or with a friend, and save yourself a few bills – which you’ll want to put toward a new spring accessory. And since you’ll be covering a total of eight miles, the day will be good for your body, mind, and your closet!

Register now!