Thank You for the Compliment

Thank You for the Compliment 

As some of you may or may not know, I have been working in restaurants for a pretty long time now. My first serving job was at the Islands in Fullerton my senior year of college. I quit working at Disney the summer before in part because my Mom had told me that since I wanted to be an actress I would need to get some serving experience since that was what actresses did. I wonder if my Mom knew how right she would be when she told me that.

Fast Forward to almost five years and two coasts later. I am still asking people if they want sweet potato fries or a side salad with their burger, or what type of vodka they would like in their vodka soda. Stolli, Kettle One, or our new, exciting gluten free option, Titos?

I don't mind waiting tables. There are few jobs out there that allow a person the flexibility that waiting tables allows for the amount of money a person can make. Though I do have to say, I look forward to the day when the only reason I go to a restaurant is to eat tapas and drink delicious signature cocktails with all sorts of tasty fruits and spices muddled in the bottom.

What brings me to this post today is a comment that I received last night that I have gotten on multiple occasions. I worked a birthday party yesterday for a very sweet woman and her 30+ guests. She and her husband were everything a waiter could hope for. Kind, considerate, low maintenance, and insistent that we include a 20% gratuity on the total bill. At the end of the night, as the host was leaving, she pulled me into a tight hug and said, "Thank you so much, dear. You are SUCH a wonderful waitress." Now of course, I hugged her back and graciously thanked her for her sweet comment, and thanked her for spending her birthday with us at the restaurant.

As she walked away, I couldn't help but get the feeling that I've gotten in the past when people have given me the same "compliment." A wonderful waitress. Thank you so much. I love waiting tables. And I love even more that you think I'm wonderful at waiting tables. I love serving. I love clearing away your empty glasses and half full plates of food as my mouth waters and I fight the temptation to eat one of the fried cheese fritters you've left untouched.

These thoughts are one of the major reason why I've decided to get my butt back into yoga. I am not okay with being a person that takes a positive, warm compliment, and then turns it into something negative. This is exactly what I did last night, and have done so often in the past. Fortunately, when I had my "moment" last night,  I did something that I have never done before. I allowed myself to breath and reminded myself that this is a part of my life, and that I strive to be the best version of myself in whatever I do. Weather it be singing, acting, writing, or being the best girlfriend, daughter, sister, friend, or even waitress, I want to be my best self for everyone.

While in child's pose this morning, my yoga instructor told us to let something go with our exhale. I've heard this in past classes, but haven't been able to do so. Today I let something go. I let go the negativity I'd been feeling. I'm not saying it won't come back and that I will be all positive, all the time, but this morning I was able to let it go. What a freaking awesome feeling.

And to that lady last night who was so sweet and genuine, I'd like to send out my own genuine, honest thank you. No, I do not dream of waiting tables, but I appreciate that you appreciated me. All I can ask of myself is to be the best version of myself in all that I do, and I look forward to sending that energy forward more in the future, instead of wasting my energy on negativity.

That's all I've got for now :)

Namaste!

Ashley

And for you, Miss?

And for you, Miss?

Last night, I went out to dinner with a group of friends after a show. We went to a German restaurant called Wirtshaus that I’d never been to before. In fact, until last night, I’d never stepped foot into a German restaurant. I am not a big fan of beer, and I don’t quite know what schnitzel or sauerbraten are, so I have managed, up to this point, to steer clear.

But, because my friends were going, and I’ve been known to enjoy a glass of German riesling and a chili dog from Weinersnitchel from time to time, I decided to be adventurous and go.

Once we were seated and handed the menus, I began searching for something familiar. My eyes immediately landed on the soft pretzel, which looked to be the safety item, and also one of my “go tos,” but was quickly told by our waiter that they were fresh out. I attempted then, to decipher what all the German menu items meant, and what I thought I could eat without over thinking what were actually in said German menu items.

After quickly shutting down the blood sausage and duck pate options, I finally settled on one of two choices.

The brussel spouts, or the cheesecake.

As the server, (who for his sake was thankfully not in the traditional lederhosen) went around the table asking everyone for their order, I began creating a pros and cons list in my head of the two items.

Brussel Sprout : PROS: *healthy for you *you don’t eat enough greens *have garlic in them which you love *you really like brussel sprouts *only $4 CONS: not cheesecake

Cheesecake: PROS: *delicious *covered in raspberry sauce which is a fruit which is healthy *also only $4  CONS: *YOU HAD DONUTS FOR BREAKFAST

Needless to say, one con was enough on the cheesecake list to realize I needed to go with the brussel sprouts.

Could I look myself in the mirror after I ate donuts for breakfast this morning? Yes.

Could I have looked myself in the mirror when I got home last night after having donuts for breakfast and then cheesecake for dinner? No.

After our food was delivered to us, and I was served a child-sized portion of brussel sprouts, the topic of conversation landed on Taco Bell and their new Cool Ranch Doritos taco. A friend of mine said he had managed to stay away when they had their Nacho Cheese Doritos taco, but once they came out with the Cool Ranch, he was unable to resist.

As I unenthusiastically poked at my mediocre German brussel spouts , my mind wandered to my college days when I would carelessly pull up to the Taco Bell/ Pizza Hut Express in Fullerton and order a bean and cheese burrito, two soft tacos, three bread sticks and cheese dip to dip all of the above in, without a second thought. And I’m talking on the regular here, like at least once a week. Now, at twenty-seven, I feel guilt ridden when tempted to eat even half of what I ordered in college.

Who knew those five years who make such a difference in a person’s mindset? Do I always make the best decisions when it comes to food; absolutely not. But at least I think about the consequences now.

Though I really wanted to indulge in “Fourth Meal” at Taco Bell last night, I told myself no, and drove straight home. Instead, I got up early this morning, ate a bowl of Wheat Chex, and went to an advanced yoga class at the studio by my house.

Could I do all the moves? No, I could not. But I pushed myself, stretched further than I have been able to in awhile, and felt just incredible once the class was over. It was painful, tiring, and sweaty, but truly exciting at the same time. 

Though during the class I wasn’t having as much fun as eating raspberry cheesecake or Taco Bell, I can honestly say that the feeling post class was far and away better than the feeling after any cheesecake or Taco Bell indulgence I’ve had.

That’s all I’ve got for today.

Namaste!

Ashley 

Yoga and Donuts

Two things that do not seem to go together. Two things that make me, and I am sure other women and men out there, feel so good for all the right, and maybe all the wrong in the latter cases, reasons.

I find, that in my life, I am constantly battling myself between good and bad decisions when it comes to fitness and healthy eating. I have all the best intentions, sometimes. I make smart decisions, sometimes. I may indulge in dessert a little more than sometimes. I think about wanting to work out more than I actually work out. I excitedly thumb through various fitness apps for my ipad or phone that count calories, map out and calculate my distance ran, or suggest healthy alternative eating plans.

 When it come down to it, my real, most deep rooted "healthy living obstacle," is that I LOVE sweets. I don't want to give up sweets and I don't know if I ever could. I've gone through periods in my life where I've given up fried foods or other various salty enemies, but to be completely honest, other than a donut craving from time to time, it wasn't all that hard for me. It wasn't a real challenge like completely giving up sweets would be. The thought alone is completely daunting.

Give up sweets? You're joking. You mean, like no cookies, not even if they're from Trader Joes? Because if they're from Trader Joes, that means they're healthier than other cookies, right? If I buy organic pop tarts then I can eat both in the little silver package without feeling any guilt, right? No, no, no, see, this ice cream is from Whole Foods. It's made with organic reduced fat milk. Totally different. Now where'd my spoon go?

These are the thoughts that spin through my sugar addicted brain on a regular basis.

So, here's the deal. I've decided to start this blog as I continue my journey through all of the right and wrong decisions I make in my quest for healthier living. I will not lie to you, the reader, and will openly and honestly admit when I've had donuts for breakfast (i.e. this morning) and when I've gotten myself to a yoga class (also i.e. this morning). I am not perfect, and am not striving for perfection. I know everyone has different ideas on healthy living, and I am simply seeking out a better balance in my life. I look forward to sharing with all of you.

Namaste!

Ashley