I’ve attributed my lack of cooking to probably 80% of my weight gain over the past few years. Fast food options, eating out, parties and events have all been staples in my eating habits. It’s something I always knew I’d have to face, and I’m happy to have finally found a transition that has helped me get into healthier habits.

For the past 3 weeks, I’ve been (mostly only) eating TruMeals pre-prepared foods (2 locations in Houston). I have tried MANY of the pre-prepared meal companies in Houston (My Fit Foods, Real Meals, Smart Meals, etc.) and I have to say that by FAR TruMeals is the best TASTING meals I have had. Steven will explain in the video the nutritional value, but all that matters to me really is the taste. No matter how healthy it is, if it doesn’t taste good, I won’t get into the habit of eating it.

If you haven’t heard, I’ve lost SEVEN pounds in 3 weeks, simply by eating TruMeals, working with my awesome nutritionist Elana and amazing trainer Bella from Bella Body Fit. (I’ll be posting a detailed schedule soon!). I can’t tell you how easy it’s been, after getting used to the routine. Seriously, y’all, if my fat, busy ass can do this, ANYONE can.

I should note that I know that it’s unrealistic for someone to purchase 5 meals a day, and eat those meals solely forever. I’m committed to weight loss for 6 weeks therefore I’ll be mostly eating only TruMeals through the end of the year. However, as part of my continued healthy living, I will eventually be working in to the mix meals that I can cook at home, and keep TruMeals a supplement to my busy life on the go.

Why TruMeals?

A few things that I really love about TruMeals, and what I feel makes them different from the other options:

• It just TASTES fresher – A lot of the time when I go into the store I see the chef preparing fresh sushi and setting it out to eat. He always lets me try some, and I usually end up eating that for my next meal!
• Portion Sizes – instead of a teeny, tiny portion size, TruMeals offers a small, and a medium size meal, both of which have plenty to fill me up. (I buy the small size).
• Variety – The first time I went into TruMeals and loaded up for the next few days, I returned looking for my favorite items. Some were there, some were not. I was bummed at first, then realized that there were new favorites to be made! Now when I go, I look forward to trying new things, and they are always good.

Try Tru

The folks at TruMeals have been generous enough to extend an offer to anyone who wants to try out TruMeals. Come in on a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday through the end of the year and receive 15% off your entire order. You can use this deal as many times as you want through the end of the year on a weekend. Just make sure and mention JUMPSTART.

I truly hope you give them a try. Hell, I’ll even meet you there and walk you through my favorite meals! Seriously, let me know and I’ll be there!

I should also note that TruMeals has NOT paid me for my endorsement. I selected them based on recommendations and they have agreed to provide me with meals throughout my 6 week program. 

The older I get the more it feels like I have issues with my body, including knee problems, a herniated disc in my neck (and possibly a new one in my back), elbow tendonitis, and soreness from a recent car accident. Even with all of these issues, I’ve been able to find variations and modifications to exercises that help keep me injury-free and healthy.

Below is one of the series of exercises that we do for my lower body. I have bad knee due to wear and tear from dancing for so many years, so we can’t do the traditional lunges and squats that are normally used to get lower body muscles in place. Bella has shown me some creative, low impact exercises that tone my lower body, without putting pressure on my knees.

Let’s get down!

This Wednesday, Dec 1, you are invited to join Houston filmmaker Alex Luster as he shows, for one last time, a SNEAK PEEK (10 min) of his film “STICK ‘EM UP!” for those who missed the preview at Cinema Arts Society Festivals’ City Hall showing or at Art Crawl. I was going to go on and on about what this film’s release will mean for Houston, but I’ll let the film speak for itself. And know that next year in its final release, you will be supporting Houston art in an important (new) way.

The preview will be followed by a full showing of the illegal installation art documentary “Public Discourse” (47 min).

When: December 1, 2010, 7:30pm (Stick ‘Em Up!) // 8:15pm (Public Discourse)

Where: 1305 Sterrett, Houston, TX 77002 (pgco)

The full release of “Stick ‘Em up” is due out next Spring. For more info on “Stick ‘Em Up!”:

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/StickEmUpMovie

Facebook invite for Wednesday: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=165637293467065

Web: http://www.stickemupmovie.com/

Public Discourse Movie: http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1808719284/info

After five days in the car, Andrew and I were low on energy and exhausted from late nights and early mornings. But as soon as we caught glimpse of the NYC skyline, our morale instantly improved with the thought of meeting up with the rest of the band shortly.

I’ve been to New York many times, but driving into the city that never sleeps is an experience I’ll never forget. Our day five commute had us departing Silver Spring, just outside of D.C. at 7am and through New Jersey, Delaware, and a quick detour through Philly, PA on the Ben Franklin bridge. Philly sure does have a purdy skyline, and that’s pretty much all we saw of it.

We rolled into Williamsburg about noon, met up with the rest of the band and Andrew’s buddy, Matt Pace, and artist and DJ in Brooklyn.  It was quite the experience driving through Brooklyn in a huge Texas-sized SUV. Of course, I rolled down all the windows and blasted Jay-Z. What else was I to do? ;-)

Matt took us to get some lunch in Williamsburg at Anna Maria’s Pizza, we then headed into the city to setup for the band’s first show of the day at Best Buy in Union Square. I drove the guys and their equipment across the Williamsburg Bridge and said a big hello to Manhattan!

The guys unloaded and I headed to attempt the daunting task of finding a place to park the tank. I found a parking garage near Union Square, only a measly $20/hour + $10 for it being an oversized vehicle. Yep.

I met up with the guys inside the huge Best Buy, the only 24-hour store in the world. They played an awesome set for a nice-sized group of passers-by. We didn’t really know what to expect playing inside a Best Buy, but I was pleasantly surprised at the group of captive shoppers who stopped to watch.

Brian’s Dad, Andrew’s sister, Stephanie, and Daniel’s brother, Dominic, all met us at the show. It was so great to see so many familiar faces. After the show we headed to Arlene’s Grocery to load in for the midnight show. Arlene’s is somewhat of a legendary venue in NYC. The guys were super stoked to be playing there, and the energy was high despite all of us being on little sleep and experience overload.

After load in I took the guys a few blocks over  to Marfa NYC, a Texas BBQ joint in the Lower East Side that I visited when I was here back in December. Mac’n'cheese to die for and great homemade BBQ sauce. After dinner we headed to The Library in Alphabet City, a bar that reminds me of Houston’s Poison Girl, and met up with Andrew’s dad, Mr. Big, who was serendipitously in New York for work this weekend.

We all walked over to Arlene’s to catch a a few of the opening bands before the guys went on at midnight. A few of Daniel’s cousins met up with us, as well as Andrew’s dad and sister and Brian’s dad. It was a family affair!

Their set was fantastic. Probably the tightest I’ve ever heard them play. They filmed the entire show and I can’t wait to share it once it’s all downloaded.

We got in pretty late, and were able to sleep in this morning, thankfully! The guys just headed into the city to do some sightseeing and I’m about to do some shopping and a pedicure in Williamsburg. Come on, I know we’re on tour but I need some girl time. (I can hear Everson now, “there’s no pedicure in touring!”)

While walking around this morning, Andrew and Daniel ran into Houston band, News on the March in Williamsburg, also on an east coast tour. Small freaking world.

One more show tonight in Brooklyn at Legion Bar, then headed back to Houston. It’s been an awesome trip, and I still have to digest it all. We’re hoping to be home by Tuesday, still haven’t figured out our route back yet, but that’s what iPhones are for, right? ;-)

Andrew dropped me off to meet David All for lunch, and I spent the rest of the afternoon at the DAG office getting some work done and visiting with the DAGgers.

At 5pm I headed to meet my cousin John for drinks at RFD, a great pub with a huge beer selection. We had a few pints and headed to meet David, Ogi, and Annelies for happy hour at Gordon Biersch.

All the while Andrew was loading in at the Red and the Black. I know, it’s touch being a publicist sometimes. ;-)

I rounded up as many peeps as I could at the bar and we headed to the show. When we arrived, Andrew was about to start, and we met a few other friends, including Bri! Was so happy to see her!

The show was great. Andrew did amazing as usual. After the set, we stuck around for the other 2 bands, Sgt. Dunbar & the Hobo Band and Yarn. Both were great. Yarn was fantastic. We loaded out, said goodbye to friends, and headed to Silver Spring to spend the night with my cousin and Aunt, a great treat to see my Aunt Kay who i hadn’t seen in 20 years! She made us breakfast this morning, and we were on out way!

Two shows today in NYC, and one tomorrow in Brooklyn. Headed to pick the rest of the band up at the airport and head to the first show at 3pm in Union Square. Then tonight at midnight at Arlene’s Grocery.

Sorry if wit is lacking today. I’m exhausted! Stay calm, and carry on. ;-)

More soon from the Big Apple.

NO SLEEP ‘TIL BROOKLYN!!!!