Hey there!  How are you?  What’s been going on?

The Tuesday Tune-Up is where we can have a weekly virtual coffee date and catch up a bit.

Yup, I’ve been posting inconsistently again.  I hate that it’s happening but sometimes it can’t be helped.  I’m making strides toward more content in the 2nd quarter of 2015 (can you believe that we’re nearly 1/4 through with the year already?!) and I hope you’ll bear with me as I work out the kinks.

This past week I was invited to the opening of the newest outlet of the SoCal chain, Greenleaf Chopshop in Hollywood.  Greenleaf is not a steakhouse (as “Chopshop” might imply) but instead, an organic, fast-casual gourmet style restaurant and bar.

Greenleaf does have 4 other SoCal locations but Hollywood is being presented as a place to see (Hollywood and Argyle is midway between two major performance venues, the Hollywood Pantages Theatre and the Fonda Theatre) and be seen (like after Barry’s Bootcamp and/or SoulCycle – rumored to be opening April 2015).

This little oasis on the edge of a developing area of Hollywood is a modern yet rustic place with take out service and a fast casual restaurant with sleek design, exposed wood beams and an outdoor seating space complete with a fireplace and heat lamps (it’s cold in California if it’s below 70 – I’ve always been a weather wimp and LA has made me worse).

The bar area at Greenleaf Hollywood.

The visible herbs adds a bit of “farm charm” to the trendy atmosphere.  Greenleaf not only makes you feel good walking in the door but their seasonal menu offers delicious and healthy options (many being vegetarian and vegan friendly).  There are also gluten free options available at Greenleaf but unlike vegetarian and vegan choices, they are not clearly marked on the menu (servers are usually quite knowledgable though).

The event offered samples of lunch/dinner items – the Wild Mushroom and Truffle and Turkey Sausage and Romanesco pizzas were both hearty without being too filling:

The Turkey Melt Sliders on pretzel buns were my favorite (although I was eyeing the Ahi Tuna Farro salad on the menu):

The Skinny Margarita was refreshing and helped me float home on my return train ride.

One thing that I love about Greenleaf Hollywood is that they offer brunch Friday – Sun until 3pm!  As a breakfast/brunch devotee, I’ll definitely be back.  FYI to LA locals, the Hollywood and Vine Metro stop is just a block away!  Great find for a pre/post theater/workout meal!

Fitness has been an area of progression.  In addition to some mat exercises, I have 3 stability ball exercises that I’m doing on a daily basis:

• Clocks – sit on the stability ball with feet firmly on the floor, pull abdominal muscles in tight and with hands at sides or in prayer position, use hips to make a small and controlled circular rotation in a clockwise x 10 and then reverse x 10.
  • Relatively easy with concentration on controlling the circumference of the circle

• Marching – sitting on the stability ball as above, alternate lifting knees keeping hips level x 10 for each leg.
  • If doing this with good form would be required as a sobriety test, I’d fail most days.  Continuing to be challenging.

• Superman – laying facedown on stability ball resting front of hips on ball with hands and feet on the floor, on an exhale (pulling abdominal muscles to spine), lift alternate hand and leg off the floor keeping the body in a straight line x 10.
  • Some days this exercise goes well, other days I wobble a ton.  Coordinating the breath, movements and alignment isn’t easy.

Can’t you see how sexy it is to use a ball for exercise?  (Sorry, but I thought this was hilarious).

Image: AliExpress.com

Seriously though, standing for longer periods of time and walking longer distances is getting easier.  I’ve spent much more time without being achy.  PT will start progressing into Mat Pilates this week.  I have my eyes on a few upcoming fitness events so I’m hoping to be stronger very soon!

We are a family divided a lot this month.  Between our many visitors and Jay being away for a week long cruise, there’s been a lot of child duty juggling going on at our house.

thedailyquotes.com

All of you solo parents (by choice or by necessity), my hat is off to all of you.  Parenting alone is ridiculously hard work – mentally, emotionally and physically.  Those of you with multiple children and single parenting duties, you people blow my mind!

My kid is nearly 8 and I can’t believe how busy things have become just to keep up with his extracurricular activities (read – sports)!  I can’t wait to see what life becomes when the homework demand goes up (as it is rumored to do significantly in 3rd grade).   No wonder it feels like the first 3 months of 2015 have sailed right by!  Sheesh!

Yesterday, DDHQ (Duran Duran Headquarters – yes, it’s a real thing) announced that the new album is finally finished!

#DReport – band has officially wrapped the album today, record deal info coming soon, guys rehearsing for LA date this week! @duranduran

— Duran Duran (@duranduran) March 23, 2015

Those of us who actually thought #DD14 meant an album in 2014 are eagerly awaiting #DD14 as the 14th album release and tour to accompany the work!  We wait.  We wait.  We wait. (semi-patiently)

If you follow me on Instagram or if we’re friends on Facebook, you’ve already seen this proof of my Duran dedication:

Yes, my hand is actually touching the pavement on Vine Street.  A very nice gentleman took pity on a crazy person trying to take a selfie at night and gave me a new decent looking avatar (except for the #crotchshot – which is all I can see now when I look at the photo).  I did visit the star over a year ago but I never thought to take a selfie at the time.

 So that’s a summary of what’s been going on in my world this week.  

What kind of good is happening in your life right now?!

Bonus:  If today’s post title makes you think of a 1989 song by a 3 word named band, we’re soulmates.  I can’t get the song out of my head.

(If you’re dying to know the band and song, here it is)

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Disclosure:  I was invited to the Greenleaf opening event but under no financial or business obligation to give my honest review.  Also, this post may contain affiliate links (noted with *) which may generate a few pennies for me to add to the Duran Duran Tour Fund, if you buy anything after clicking said affiliate links.  Many thanks!