About

Hi there! I’m Hilary. Welcome to my site.  I just entered the dirty 30′s and live in a quaint central California town with my husband and son; where we have access to the most beautiful produce and farmer’s markets that inspire me to blog often about daily eats, healthy living, and my life.

Once upon a time, (before my womb was compromised) I was a professional dancer.  You may have seen me in 2009 on the Oxygen network’s “Dance Your Ass Off” where I helped my partner, Ruben Permel, become the inaugural season winner…but if you didn’t, I won’t hold it against you.  I actually found out I was pregnant with our heir to the family thrown, PML,  half way through filming that show (hormones, stress, and death spirals are not a good combo for maintaining sanity, FYI).  Ruben and the producers were good sports about my pregnancy (and nausea) and very supportive throughout filming and the experience was one I will never forget.

Toward the end of shooting DYAO, I was asked to be one of the lead instructor’s for the DYAO workout DVD which was later sold nation-wide at Target. I’ve also been a “Made Coach,” for MTV’s “MADE,” danced for live shows, commercials, TV, coached and choreographed for students in various studios across the country.  Along with dance, I enjoy yoga, running, and food in general.

If you are looking for ways to contact me for a dance or performance related job check out my contact page.

Diet & Nutrition

I like to think of the way I eat as the “farm to plate” diet–or a mostly plant-based diet.  I eat meat a few times a month and have eggs a few times a week.  I eat cheese and yogurt sparingly and avoid soda and other processed foods as often as possible.  I don’t drink alcohol or smoke.  The bulk of my diet is filled with greens, vegetables, fruit, whole grains, legumes and good fats.  I pay extra for meat and eggs that I get from local farmers that I trust.  However, if we are on a road trip, at a friends house, or have no other option but to stop and have fast food or enjoy a dessert bar; I partake and don’t have an aneurysm about it because most of my diet is very clean.

I love seeing fitness and nutrition give confidence where there was none and transform lives. I believe that in order to have optimum health, one must try to be inspired to live healthy EVERYDAY.  It’s the incremental decisions we make everyday that create a lifestyle change.  Sometimes I fall off the wagon and blogging is what helps me keep my focus in wellness. My hope is that you’ll nestle in and find some nutritious/wellness inspiration to add into your daily regimen

Blog & Career History

I started my first blog back 2005, just after I packed up my belongings, girded up my loins, and headed to the City of Angels with hopes of making a go of Hollywood.  This decision came about after I graduated from college at BYU (English major, dance minor).  I worked in “corporate America” for all of 4 months before I realized that I wouldn’t be happy unless I pursued my passion for the performing arts (I danced competitively in ballroom dance through college and toured Europe with the university’s ballroom dance touring company). In Los Angeles, I trained in acting, voice-over, improv, dance, and hosting for 4 years–with a yearlong stint as a producer of instructional dance media.   I loved (and sometimes hated) my time in Los Angeles; it was my boot camp to define who I was, go for everything I had ever dreamed, and learn how to grow a thick skin. I will be forever grateful for my time spent there.

Family

Lucky for me, in the midst of finding myself I also happened upon this sexy animal.  Rod and I were married in 2007 after a 6 month courtship (when you know, you KNOW…you know?) and four years later I’m still grateful to have taken the plunge.

Two years after our wedding (to the day) our son was born and I experienced the biggest joy (and transition) of my life.

Some days are like this:

(photo by Mimi Karsh)

But many days are like this:

After basking in the afterglow of my new found “momness,” and feeling like I had a small grip on this whole “mothering” thing, I found myself clamoring for a creative outlet.  Blogging has become the “me” time that I looked forward to after all the snuggling, diaper changes, and runny-nose wiping was finished for the day.  It also keeps my mind engaged when the “D-D-D-D-Dora” theme song seems to be the only thing going on between my ears.

Thanks for stopping by!

DISCLAIMER

The health and fitness content on this site  is based on my life experience, research and opinions.  I’m not a medical doctor or registered dietician.  Please consult your physician if you are seeking medical advice.