Lauren Card Live

After 90 days…I’ve decided to take a day of rest !

Tomorrow I would invite you to look at life differently. Step outside your comfort zone and…challenge yourself, love yourself, take care of yourself, discover yourself and most of all…. be your authentic self. What did you notice?

See you tomorrow!
L.

Today is technically the last day of the Quattro 90 day challenge and for me I’m continuing on…why?

I have learned so much by being a part of this challenge. I started out feeling nervous, excited, curious, vulnerable and a bit wary how this was going to unfold.

As it turned out my nerves turned into self-confidence, my excitement turned into delight (okay, occasionally I was really tired but I blogged anyway!), my curiosity turned into authenticity, and my vulnerability blossomed into becoming a writer I never knew I could be. What I put out there was who I am. My intention? …to give to others inspiration, laughter, awareness, creativity, reflection, accountability and a sense of belonging. “Keeping it real”.

I’m not the same person I was a year ago, nor am I the same person I was 90 days ago when I started this challenge. I have grown, and continue to do so because I was challenged, held accountable and driven. This was not just by my mentors, but more importantly by me. I believe how you do one thing, is how you do everything.

I want to thank Cheri, Kecia, Cole and the executive staff at Quattro for putting this challenge on. Cory Jim for his creative juices in thinking this whole thing up..(You rock!) and everyone who committed themselves to the challenge. I read some amazing posts and I invite all of you to check out the others who went on this journey as well…click here.

Thank you all for your support, words of encouragement and smiles. I promise to keep the posts coming!
In gratitude,
L.

It’s amazing to me how much talent is out there these days, especially around the technical aspects of computer software and bringing fun and play into everyday life.

My 22 year old daughter met a new friend two weekends ago up in Berkley. Fredrick is a creative genius from Sweden. At 26 years old he runs his own company and has a blast doing it. Because I’ve been in the graphic design world for 14 years, I have come to appreciate amazing work, and wanted to share Fredrick’s talents with you so you too can have some fun and play.

I love supporting fellow entrepreneurs, especially relatively new and aspiring ones! This is just one of the games and websites this young man has created with his team. I hope you enjoy Fredrick’s entrepreneur spirit and passion which is evident in his work…I know I do! The game is really fun!!

CLICK HERE

Tis the season for great food! Sometimes we are required to take something special to contribute to the menu at a holiday event. I have it, look no farther! This is a VERY special recipe you will gain many accolades over…and maybe a few pounds . …and it’s vegetarian!

It’s my gift to you…sit back and enjoy the praise.

Layered Pesto Loaf

1 lb provolone sliced not too thin
1 16 oz. cream cheese
1/4 cup pistachios or pine nuts
1 Tbl. butter
1 bunch basil
1 cup parmesan cheese grated
1/2 cup sundried tomatoes
garlic cloves
olive oil

Process the cream cheese, butter, nuts and 1 garlic clove and olive oil to bind…not too wet!

Process and blot sun-dried tomatoes

Line meatloaf pan with cheese cloth- layer first with provolone followed by
cream cheese, pesto then sun-dried tomatoes

* Make sure to seperate pesto layer with provolone so it doesn’t bleed through. Serve with a variety of crackers or some really great warm bread.

Enjoy!
L.

The saying…”It must have been meant to be” resonates for many. When some of our goals and dreams happen so easily, this phrase seems to roll off the tongue quickly, yes? On the other hand when dreams and goals require effort and tremendous work, we many times interpret it to mean our dreams were not meant to be. I would suggest this is not necessarily true. Instead try to see the gift in the outcome, it’s just as important and we are truly blessed by both cases.

When things are difficult, we learn and grow in specific ways. There is a satisfaction that comes when we succeed at something that has been a challenge. Our self confidence expands, our ability to endure and keep the faith grows strong with the testing. We learn that we are capable of confronting and overcoming the obstacles in our path, and this empowers us to dream still bigger dreams, knowing that we will not be daunted by the challenges inherent in birthing them.

The universe has a funny way of letting us know if an idea is meant to be. The idea keeps coming back to us again and again and the solution is always within ourselves. In your gut and heart you know the answer.

Whatever your story is you can move forward, no matter what, knowing that… This is meant to be.

Hope your Turkey Day was full of fun, great food and tons of appreciation!

I’m grateful for you!
L.

KNOCK, KNOCK.

Me: Who’s there?

Turkey: Tom.

Me: Tom Who?

Turkey: Tom, the Turkey you were gonna eat.

Me: It wasn’t that I didn’t like you…

Turkey: Yeah, yeah… I’ve heard it all before.

Me: So Tom, the word on the street is that Turkeys are stupid.

Turkey: Nice, real nice. Treat all your dinner guests this way?

Me: I’m not trying to be rude, I’m just interested. OK?

Turkey: So if you really want to know, I’ll give you straight scoop. Ask away.

Me: So is it true that Turkeys can drown by looking up into the sky and having their beaks fill up with rain?

Turkey: Totally false. However one of us jumped into a bucket and a bunch more thought it was fun. Kind of like pig pile except with Turkeys. Everyone but the top turkey drowned. Tragic.

Me: Interesting. So how about Turkeys no longer having the ability to reproduce without artificial insemination?

Turkey: Define “artificial.” We like to think of it as making you humans mess around with our privates. Funny!

Me: Eeww!

Turkey: C’mon… any other things you want to know?

Me: I heard that if one Turkey dies, a whole flock will die in sympathy.

Turkey: Negative, no, nada. Turkeys mostly die at Thanksgiving. Capice?

Me: Sorry, O.K. one more. Does the Tryptophan in Turkeys make people sleepy after they eat it?

Turkey: You’re talking about “The Turkey’s Revenge?” I wish. Sadly, this is yet one more goofy way that you humans make us out to be monsters.

Me: So, I’m starting to feel a little hungry. Any ideas?

Turkey: Yep. Let’s fry up some Chicken.

Me: Chicken? You turkeys eat chicken?!!

Turkey: Now who’s stupid?

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TURKEY!

I am authentic, what you experience is me… I’m at home in my own skin. I am creative and constantly generating things and ideas that bring value, peace, ease and beauty.

I am a mentor. By my ability to listen and hear, I connect people to what they are needing and help them awaken to their truth, their passion.

My intuition guides me and my optimism is unwavering, I know there is a gift in everything we experience.

I am courageous because I am the power and presence of God… I am grateful.

Lunch had a new twist for me today. I actually enjoyed creating it blindfolded…yes, you read it correctly… blindfolded.

You may be asking your computer screen, “why would Lauren do that?” I am taking a class with one of my instructors from Quattro University, Sensei Ron Tomas, and this was our homework assignment for one of our meals today. Still curious?

I’d like to share with you my experience…

My kitchen is small and I know it well, so the space was very easy for me to maneuver. I decided on a salad, I wasn’t very hungry. The makings for the most part are in the bottom drawer, lettuce, tomatoes, carrots, cucumbers, feta cheese (a few drawers up), hardboiled egg, toasted pine nuts and croutons. Okay I’ve done this a million times before, it can’t be too hard, right?

The first thing I noticed after getting it all out of the frig was that I was completely present. I was aware of everything, noises, smell, temperature and the way things felt in my hands. I reached out for the lettuce, cold and crisp and tore it into the bowl. Next came the tomatoes…these I had to cut…”Danger Will Robinson!”… okay I’ve just dated myself. Actually it was really cool to pick the knife out of the knife caddy and feel it’s weight in my hand. I never really noticed that before!

I had just sharpened my knives 2 days ago so I knew they’d be very sharp, I just had to be accurate. I moved much slower than I normally would and proceeded to hear, feel and guide my way to success. After everything else was processed…again much slower that I would normally be on auto pilot I noticed something else. I was actually seeing myself do these things, I was visualizing the whole experience…way cool!

Time to eat. The part that didn’t turn out well was the amount of dressing that was poured vs. the amount I visualized pouring…I realized I had lost focus, my mind went elsewhere. My first bite was none the less amazing. The flavors were so WOW in my mouth, much more intense than I remember. I chewed slowly and was aware that I don’t take the time when I eat to really savor the meal, especially lunch when it’s in front of my computer…which is most of the time.

I was experiencing heightened sensory awareness, I was in the moment and focused. I realized it doesn’t require me to actually go through life blindfolded, but that I can choose to change up just one aspect of my routine. Do it slowly when I usually do it fast, do it left handed when I usually do it with my right, do the steps in reverse…you get the idea. Be aware.

Are you willing to try?