Coming clean about my disorder. The beginning of a journey in life.

Since I started this blog, I was struggling a little to find out what exactly did I wanted to say. What inspiration could I be and where could I find inspiration. Well, the answer knocked at my door a few months ago, and I just realized it. 

Two months ago I ended up at the ER with chest pains. After my second visit to the ER, and two visits to other doctors, I still didn't know what was wrong. Tests showed that it wasn't my heart, but couldn't figure out what it was then. One of the doctors suggested that I possibly pulled a muscle, but I could have sworn it felt like a heart attack. Either way, I found the best sports medicine doctor that my insurance would pay for, and ended up at the office of Dr. Smith, one of the doctors for the Kansas City Chiefs. I felt confident that this NFL doctor would know what to do. 

I walked into his office hopeful that this would be a pulled muscle that would get cured with ice and medicine, and I would be back to normal in a month at the most. Two hours later, I walk out knowing that indeed it was a few pulled pectoral muscles that were hurting like a heart attack. Good! I had an answer. I wasn't dying. Some physical therapy, and I would be back to normal me. 

A week after I started my physical therapy, I went biking to get some exercise in, and started to get shortness of breath, started to feel my heart jumping out of my chest, and started feeling as if I was about to get a heart attack. I tried to calm myself down, but nothing was working. I couldn't take deep breaths because I could barely breath. I couldn't stand still because I felt the urge to call 911 or rush to a doctor. Part of me knew that I was okay, and didn't want to make a third trip to the ER in less than 2 months, but the other part wanted a doctor right that second! 

After debating in my head, and freaking out, feeling as if I was about to die, I rushed myself to the doctor. An hour later, they confirmed that I had panic attacks, and was sent to see a psychologist. This wasn't my first panic attack, but definitely the strongest. The pain in my chest, and my initial worries about a heart attack caused me to be scared to die all the time.

I have a panic disorder. I suffer from shortness of breath, chest pains, nausea, sweating and severe anxiety several times a week, sometimes more than once a day. I think that I will die when I don't have control of the situation. While I am suffering a panic attack, it is hard to believe that it will end well, that I will make it out alive, and that I can fight it. The doctors have told me that only I have the power to control it and put an end to it. It will be a long and difficult process, and when I am experiencing it, I feel that I cannot make it through and that I have lost hope on what life is supposed to be about. 

I will make it through, and I will do it for my supportive and loving husband, and for my family. I have always being considered a strong person, but this has come to show me that I am nothing but weak. I want to be myself again!! 

For those suffering panic disorders and panic attacks, I will be posting my journey. I have faith and know that God is hugging me through every panic attack, and I will make it through. 

Bitching is so tiring!

"Fall in love. Not specifically with someone, but with moments. Fall in love with small things in life. Take a moment when something good happens, and enjoy it, grasp it and be thankful."

Since moving to Kansas City from Charlotte, of course things changed. I have been missing my family, friends, and just my regular routine in general. It is definitely nice to move and start over, but Kansas City was not exactly our dream destination. During the first couple of months, it was like a honeymoon with the city. We enjoyed festivals, outdoor events, new restaurants… everything was new and great!  After the honeymoon was over with the city, my husband and I realized that this was not a vacation and that this was our home now. Then, we started to notice little things that would pile up. People are not as friendly as in the South, the weather is extreme, everything is far, soccer mom’s are dangerous, we pay more taxes, we don’t have good friends in the area, our family is far, flights are expensive and longer from Kansas City… and the list could go on and on. The longer we would be here, the longer, and even ridiculous, the list would get. “What do you mean that they don’t offer Athletic Conditioning classes at this gym?”.

Something had to change! Moving to another city is not an option. Dennis has a contract with his company and we will be set here for at least two years. We might as well find a way to enjoy it.

Small changes have been taking place. We currently live in a very wealthy neighborhood, which means that we don’t really fit in. Therefore, we will be moving to an area that feels more like home. In the meantime, I really appreciate being able to enjoy great medical service in the area, fabulous spas, big shopping areas, and clean and safe parks. The perks of living in an “expensive” area, I guess. No offense to anyone. If I had kids, I would stay here so that my kids could enjoy the great school system, but right now I’m paying the high taxes just so that my dog can walk in a nice park? Not really worth it for us, but I’ll enjoy it in the meantime.

Small changes will continue to happen. But this time, we are banned from whining or complaining about our current city. Bitching is so tiring. Kansas City is really a great place, but we are having a really hard time enjoying it as we were blindfolded by our negativity.

Get the point?

Get over it. Make it a point to enjoy what you are currently doing. No matter how bad you think it is. Be passionate about everything. Little and big things. Be thankful and look at the bright side. Fall in love with moments. It makes it a whole lot easier! 

Eat, Love, Adventure Out

Dani G. 

Year 2014, Just met you and already love you!

Happy New Year!!! 

Looking back at 2013, it was an incredible year! If I had to highlighted it: 

• I got fired for the first time in my life- my position was eliminated, and the feeling was worse than a bad break up, thankfully it had a happy ending.
• I got a job at Coca-Cola, a company that I had dreamed of working at forever. 
• Left everything behind and moved to the middle of the country with my husband in Kansas City.
• Got a job at one of the biggest companies in the world, Google. 
• After many years of prayers, I got 2 new little cousins. Miracles exist! 
• I reached my goal weight for the year. Still have a lot left though. 
• I happily turned 26! 

I don't believe much on the typical new year resolutions. It's almost like setting yourself up for failure when you promise yourself that you would lose a lot of weight and become the person you have never been. What I do believe in, is taking baby steps to make changes in your life towards what you really want, and having fun! After some thinking, this is what I want to accomplish in year 2014: 

Since I will be turning 27 this year, I wanted to go with the theme: 

• 27 volunteering hours - it's good for the soul and the community
• 27 new things to try: foods, activities, sports, experiences... - working on my goal to get old and say "Been there, done that!"
• 27 pictures of yoga poses I can accomplish - a fun challenge that promotes health too
• 27 videos on my YouTube site - will work to practice my accountability and time management
• 13.5 pounds less - of course I have to keep working on my mission to get "sexy hot"! (divided that 27 in half, to be realistic on my goal)
• 1 trip out of the country - this is a no-brainer for the past couple of years already
• Become a US Citizen! This is the year!!  

I'll be blogging on my experience... here we go 2014. Bring it on!! 

Eat, Love, Adventure Out, 

Dani G.

Paying full price is for silly people only!

Let's be honest, who has money for expensive Christmas gifts?  Even if you are loaded, giving a Christmas gift is not all about how much you spend, but the thought and meaning behind it, so what is wrong with getting a few bucks discounted on that Christmas present? 

I went on a hunt for the best deals, but I got a little overwhelmed with all the flyers and timed offers at different stores, so I opted for Apps that I can download to my iPhone and use as I shop. So much easier than doing all the research before shopping. Less time consuming! 

Here is my list of the best Apps that you need to download and start saving on the spot: 

• RedLaser - You are at the store and see the perfect gift for you boyfriend. Want to check another store before making the purchase, just in case you are getting a deal here? This is the perfect App. You could even find it cheaper online and buy it right on the spot! 
• Amazon Price Check - You love to shop online? I don't blame you, many times you can always get better prices. Well, when you are at the store, just scan the bar code of the item and you will find out right away if it's cheaper in Amazon.com. 
• RetailMeNot - I am absolutely guilty of using this app, and it has saved me a few bucks over the last few months. I am at the store and while waiting in line to pay, I pull up my RetailMeNot app and see if there are any coupons that I can use. 100% of time I have been able to use the coupons and saved a few bucks. Lovely! 
• Target Cartwheel -  I love Target, but always thought that they were not big on coupons. I was wrong. Download this app and get special discounts on all kids of items. You add it to your cart and scat the code when checking out. So useful! 
• TheFind - If you have time to buy that Christmas present or something for yourself, you can use this app. You make a list of your stores and items you want and it wil alert you when they go on sale. That way you can stop worrying on missing that deal! 

There you go! My good dead for the season is done now :) 

Eat, Love, Adventure Out

Dani G. 

Squat it down!

This is one of those things that you watch and want to immediately forward to all of your friends because it's just that cool.

In an attempt to create health awareness globally and get people burning a couple of calories at a subway station in Moscow, they have placed a machine that would give you a free subway ticket in exchange for 30 squats. No money, just 30 squats. How cool is that?

Can they please place one at the gas station where we get 1 gallon free for 30 burpees or something like that? I'm down!

Check out the video (warning, it's not in English or Spanish, so don't think something is wrong with your computer):

Eat, Love, Adventure Out

-Dani

"America's Got Talent Live Tour" Review

Months ago my husband could not stop talking about "America's Got Talent". I felt that his excitement to watch the show religiously every week was Howard Stern more than any of the actual talents participating, but I was wrong.

I am not a big fan of reality shows that put singers or dancers to compete for a title. I hate the whole voting thing and waiting a whole week to eliminate someone to later bring them back and so on. With that mentality, I did not want to give AGT a chance. It all changed when my husband convinced me to watch a couple of YouTube videos of people doing amazing things at the show. A few months later, I was hooked on Season 8. 

When we heard that AGT Live was coming to town, we jumped on it and got tickets. $125 for 2 tickets was very well worth it. I must complain about the prices for beer at the Uptown Theater. $10 for a tall beer, dang! That's more than what they charge at a NFL or MLB game. Make it cheaper and people will buy more and actually get a buzz to enjoy some comedy and cool tricks. 

The crowd was mostly families and lots of teenage girls who were screaming for Collins Key like if the Backstreet Boys had just entered the room. I don't blame them, the kid is super cute in person, but I don't want to go on record with that since he is only 17. The show started off with a nice B-O-O-T-Y performance, continued with other acts including the best awkward comedian, Taylor Williamson, and ended with amazing Kenichi Ebina doing what he does best: dance, move, and bent in ways humans are not supposed to. 

At the end of the show, we had the opportunity to meet the talent. I was very impressed with how all the fame and popularity has kept most of this talents down to earth and very humble. I would just say that a couple of them who didn't even make it to the final, have lost the ground a little bit, but hopefully I just caught them in a bad day or moment. In general, they were all super appreciative with their audience. Taylor had a small conversation with us, and even cared to remember my name later. Impressive considering that he was meeting a lot of people. Kenichi was spending more time thanking people for supporting him than anything, and Cami Bradley didn't even want to be behind a table for people to make a line to meet her, instead, she just went and hung out with people in the middle of the crowd. 

Thank you for a great show. All my respects to humble talented people like you! 

Eat, Love, Adventure Out! 

-Dani G.

"Guia de la Buena Esposa" (The Good Wife's Guide)

(For English Article, Click Here)

En 1953 realmente existio y fue publicada esta guia obsoleta para las mujeres, dandoles 11 consejos para ser las esposas perfectas. La autora, Pilar Primo de Rivera (1907-1991) era la hija de un dictador español de los años 20 y lider de la Seccion Femenina de la Falange. "La Guia de la Buena Esposa" era entregada a las mujeres que hacian 'servicio social' en la dictadura franquista. 


Pilar no se casó, pero siempre decía que las mujeres debían ser "femeninas y no feministas".

Tomen nota hombres y mujeres, y espero que esto les cause una buena carcajada: 

























Y para finalizar con broche de oro: 



Que buen chiste para las mujeres de hoy. Esta guia podria parecer ofensiva para muchas de nosotras, pero al mismo tiempo, podria hacernos sentir afortunadas de que los tiempos han cambiado. 


Eat, Love, Adventure Out!

-Dani

Helping Break Guinness World Record at Kansas City

The Kansas City Chiefs fans broke world record for the loudest outdoor sports stadium, and guess what? I was there screaming with them! 

I have been to more sporting events than I can count with my hands and feel, but I must say, this was the most memorable crowd of them all. On Sunday, October 13th, my husband and I drove to the Arrowhead Stadium in hopes to tailgate and party outside the stadium to hear it roar. Since we didn't have tickets, we knew that we were just going to experience it from outside. It took us over 2 hours to make it inside the stadium and actually get a parking spot. The place was flooded with red and yellow everywhere. Big and old school buses and RV's dressed for the occasion, and the unstoppable smell of meats grilling all around. It was impossible to not engage in the craziness since even the to radio station had been taken over by the Chiefs chant! 

As the game began, we were outside the stadium admiring the 14 planes that crossed over the sky and hearing the crowd already loud and excited. A few minutes later, as we prepared to walk around and make friends, a couple came to sell us a pair of tickets, but inexperienced and without big budgets, we didn't have enough cash on us. The couple ended up giving us the tickets for the $22 we had in our pockets. That was the best news!!! 

We made it into the game, and it was wild to say the least! If I thought that the outside was wild, well, the inside was insane! 

Red and Yellow everywhere, with a few sprinkles of intimidating Oakland fans. Ravens definitely like to dress to intimidate, but this time the Chiefs had the control and the majority by far. Sitting in the stadium during the Chiefs first touchdown was an incredible experience. I could feel so proud to be there, and most importantly, to be wearing the Chiefs' colors. I was screaming for a couple of quarters, and the next day I had a sexy graspy voice, so I cannot imagine what the rest of the fans who screamed the whole time were sounding like, and that's if they were able to say a word after the game. 

The vibrations of the screams and noises were electrifying and could be felt all over my body. Impressive. Speechless at that moment. The crowd was prepared to make it happen. Fans arrived with ear plugs to protect their ears, posters to encourage others to meet the goal, and even candies to keep the throat clear. 

Kansas City Chief Fans reached 137.5 decibels, breaking the record over Seahawks fans who had achieved 136.6 decibels. We must mention that the Seahawks stadium is build in a way that it keeps the noise inside, untile the Chiefs, so KC fans had to be even louder than expected. 

Once the game ended, the party continued. People chanting as they walked out the stadium and screaming proudly from the top of their lungs. They have every reason to celebrate breaking a world record and being undefeated. 

If you ever thought that tailgating happens only before the games, you probably haven't been to KC's tailgating. There is party, before, during and after the game. I had the best tacos tailgating after the game, and the party continued... until everyone was asked to leave a couple of hours later. 

Priceless experience :) Go Chiefs! 

Eat, Love, Adventure Out! 

Dani G.


P.S. You don't believe me? Check it out yourself on ESPN!

Whole Wheat Chipotle Lime Pasta Party!

Found some interesting looking Whole Wheat Chipotle Lime pasta at the farmer's market. Seriously? You include two of my favorite ingredients into a healthy-er type of pasta, I'm in! 

After searching for a way to make it in a healthy and different way, I adjusted this recipe:

You need: 

• 1 lb. ground turkey
• 8 oz. whole wheat chipotle lime pasta
• 1 onion, diced
• 1 tsp. sea salt
• 1/2 tsp garlic
• 1/2 tsp dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp ground cumin
• 1/2 of a 15oz can mashed tomatoes
• 2 tomato cut in chunks 
• 1/2 cup mascarpone cheese
• Chopped cilantro
• 1 diced avocado

Get to work: 

Bring water to boil, then add salt and then the pasta until it's soft and perfect for your taste. 

In the mean time, get a pan, spray olive oil or whatever you like on it and put the turkey to cook on medium. Once you think it's almost fully cooked, add the onions and spices. Simmer and cook for other 5 minutes. Add the smashed tomatoes and one of the tomatoes in chunks. Make sure the turkey is completely cooked, then add the mascarpone cheese. 

On the side, drain the pasta and add it to the pan with the meat and everything else. Stir and get ready to serve.

 Once you serve it, add on top the other diced tomato and some chopped cilantro. This will add tons of flavor to it. 

And there you go!!!! Dinner is served!!! 

This meal is perfect for dinner after a hard workout :) 

Eat, Love, Adventure Out! 

Dani G. 

Hump Day Videos!

Sunday FUNday on a Wednesday.... why not?? 

Also... did one in Spanish, making fun a little of Mexico's loss against USA's soccer team yesterday. What a shame!! We can only hope now to make it to the FIFA World Cup :) 

Eat, Love, Adventure Out! 

Dani G. 

Sunday FUN Day News!

I have decided to squeeze in a video in English once in a while, and what a better way to start off, than on the weekend when men become unavailable for any weekend function and when home TV's are possessed by thought looking guys wearing tights. Most of those players are really hot, and the games can get pretty competitive, so I'm not complaining, just laughing at the nature of NFL weekends. 

Enjoy! 

 

Check Out the Video Online

(Don't you just love the faces I can make? It's totally okay to laugh, in fact, please do!) 

Eat, Love, Adventure Out! 

Dani G.

La mama que es abuela??

Saluditos!!!
QUE CARA! JAJAJA

My "Chef" Monologue

I love my Mexican food very much. Anything that I cook, I always find myself wanting to give it a Mexican cuisine twist to it. I cannot help it. Growing up with the best Mexican food chefs and restaurant owners at home, I learned to eat the good stuff. 

My maternal and fraternal grandparents were in the food industry business before I was even born. My parents and aunts also continued that legacy for many years. That explains my love/hate relationship with the kitchen. 

When I was little, my parents were busy enough to get food ready for hundreds, and even thousands of people, so there was no room for me to play around the kitchen. When possible, I would try to cook something and someone would always "fix" it for me or tell me what I was missing. This made me lose any interest on cooking. I felt like my parents and family were so good at cooking, that I didn't need to learn, nor did I have any interest anymore. Time went by, and I grew up hating the kitchen. Now, I don't have my mom, aunt or grandmother around the corner to make some banging cooking, but I continue to run into products, vegetables and condiments that they used to prepare my favorite dishes. So, I buy them, take them home and attempt to find those flavors that bring back so many memories. To my surprise, I find comfort in the kitchen. When needed, I call mom to verify ingredients. She has thought me that there is no such thing as a "recipe", it's all about discovering flavors and getting the best out of each ingredient you use. It's so magical trying to find that exact point where incredible flavors combine and complete each other for an explosion of taste. 

After all, I think that cooking is in my blood. I have to adapt recipes to our healthy lifestyle, and the lucky one to taste my kitchen successes and failures is my husband, but thankfully he is a good sport for it. 

Cannot wait until the weekend to head over to the City Market in Kansas City and get fresh vegetables to keep experimenting! 

Eat, Love, Adventure Out! 

DaniG

Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera and Masterpieces of Mexico

After watching the movie Frida about a decade ago, I became a fan of Frida Kahlo's art. It is not just about what she portrays on her art, but her strong personality, the power she represents, and the legacy she has left behind. Also, the fact that we have the same birthday makes me feel like we are connected in a special way. 

On my second weekend in Kansas, we had the opportunity to celebrate and honor my roots through Mexican art. We started off by grabbing lunch at one of my new favorite Mexican restaurants in the area, Frida's Taqueria. http://www.fridas-taqueria.com/homepage.html 

Going in, my expectations for authentic Mexican food were very low. I expect to eat real Mexican tacos from some hole in the wall in the "hood", not next to Whole Foods across from Cheesecake Factory. Definitely, I was wrong! I knew I was at the right place when I ordered a Tamal, and expecting them to run to the back to grab a frozen one and heated up in the microwave, the lady walked to a stove and pulled it out of big tamales pot like my mom used to do it. 

After lunch, we headed to Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City. The museum is tremendously big and great! I am very excited to have such a great museum with a lot of networking and cultural events, along with a variety of expositions year round. We are even considering becoming members of the museum to enjoy it to the fullest. 

The Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera exposition was from the esteemed Gelman Collection. Over 100 pieces of arts included Mexican artists that celebrate the rich artistic traditions of Mexico yesterday and the vitality of Mexican art today.  

One of the highlights for me was the drawing by Frida Kahlo with her feet!! Incredible! 

The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art has free admission, but the Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera exposition was $8, and I must say that this were the best $8 I have spent. 

Eat, Love and Adventure Out, 

Dani G. 

Love in a bottle of Berry's Vinaigrette

Monday left me drained yesterday with too much to do, so today I have a full pantry, but no energy to spend too much time cooking. I open the fridge and a quick and delicious dish came to mind. 

Today's menu:  Grilled Chicken and Spinach salad with strawberries, avocado and berry's vinaigrette. 

Perfect, but I'm too lazy to go to the store to buy the vinaigrette, so I will have to make it myself. Here is the recipe that I did for a delicious, quick and healthy berry's vinaigrette. 

Ingredients: 

1/2 cup of blueberries, strawberries and raspberries (I actually thawed out a cup of frozen berry's mix from Trader Joes) 

1/4 cup of balsamic vinegar

1/4 cup of olive oil

1 tbsp Trader Joe's Organic Mustard (the recipe called for Dijon Mustard, but I used regular organic)

1 tsp local honey

1 tbsp minced garlic (or one big clove minced) 

Salt and pepper to taste (I don't use much salt on anything, and this was not a problem since the recipe already has so many strong flavors. 

Now, le'ts make magic happen: 

The making is super easy. Basically, throw everything on a blender and using the "pulse" button mix it all. 

DELICIOUSNESS! 

To make my salad, I just threw some spinach, chopped pecans, avocado, strawberries, raisins and the berry's vinaigrette, and it was perfect! 

"Fall in love all over again everyday!"