Forbes magazine claims my choice in career, event production, lands in the top 6 more stressful jobs in the country. Thank Forbes, but the cricks in my neck and the knots in my back made that exact proclamation months ago. Get with it, kid!

I had enough of feeling physically, emotionally, and mentally run down. That’s when I decided to go vegan once and for all.  I don’t care for meat much, so the transition hasn’t been as tough as let’s say, going sober. But, the truth of the matter is that I work within 20 feet of a commercial kitchen full of eager, young cooks working to create the perfect menu for each client. That means exactly how it sounds – lots of taste testing. I don’t foresee myself cutting out all meat and fish forever, but with the way I feel, its becoming a definite possibility. I’ve been publicizing my new eating habits for some weeks now and the feedback and curiosity from those around me has driven me to write about a few ways to transition into a vegan diet, if even temporarily. Here are a few tips I’ve found helpful for a successful mind, body, and soul (What? I cant go this far and not get all “Days of Our Lives” for a hot minute)…

…Buddy Up: If you feel that you need that extra push, find a friend who is just as interested in the cause as you are.  Those who don’t want to take it seriously will likely take you down faster than an erotic poster on a bathroom wall in Catholic school. If you cant find anyone to change eating habits with you, do what the rest of the lonely world does and take your problem to social media. Post photos of your meals, check-in to restaurants mentioning what yummy veg dish you’re having, and talk about how energized, healthy, and happy you’re feeling.  If those drunken Oompa Loompa’s from New Jersey can collect followers, you’re self-motivated and positive being should have no prob, bob!

…Be Adventurous: Put all your previous stereotypes of greens, legumes, and nuts behind. Just like people, foods shine differently in certain environments. Maybe this next unfortunate real-life scenario may help you see it clearer. Have you ever met someone at a bar and thought, “Hot dang! He’s a hoot”? Naturally you agree to go out on a date and there you are at dinner thinking, “Boy that waiter with the soul patch and flaming skull tattoo is looking quite tasty right now.” You may hate cauliflower in your grandmother’s stir fry, but love it in a sweet potato and carrot smash. Take a chance!

…Get Beef(less)y: I cannot urge enough how much you need to substitute protein! Your body craves what it needs, especially when you deprive it of so many of its usual foods. If you are not doing a good job of eating foods high in protein content, you will crave that 32 ounce Top Sirloin Kobe Beef steak with a side of Squid Ink Pasta and Uni. This, I promise you. My next blog post will have lots of meat substitutes to fill that little carnivorous heart of yours.

…Plan Ahead: The hardest part of keeping a certain diet is having the foods readily accessible to you. I like to pre-package my own foods for the week, so I always have something to feed my hunger at work or on the go. My personal faves include hummus, buckwheat, quinoa, marinated tofu, and shredded cabbage for a quick salad. Recipes to come in the next blog post.  Sit tight…

…Be Positive: Stop talking about the foods you can’t/don’t eat and start talking about all of the foods you now have a new appreciation for. Who knew how delicious kale tasted or how sweet ponzu could go with more than just your sushi? I assure you no one having a cheeseburger feels the way you feel after having a quinoa salad with sauteed leeks, dried cranberries, Persian cucumbers, toasted sunflower seeds, and a curry vinaigrette.

A whole new world where fatigue is a joke, health is available continuously, and positive energy slips off of your tongue is within reach. I think we can all agree that this contagious mindset where human life is eternal is getting older than the collagen in Joan Rivers’s lips.

nJOY from nKAY

Aylin, Ani, Lex, and Luana surprised me with balloons, Red Velvet cupcakes, and birthday LOVE.

Del The Funky Homosapien and I sporting awkward facial expressions. It happens.

The Wasabi Candle..

Laughing hysterically with @ThisAfricanGuy and @MichaelKayinLA

Aren, Vartan, and Leanne were too busy shmoozing with other socialites while the four of us (Jimmy Dunn, where you at?) danced, sang, and laughed near the bar.

Even got to split a birthday with Katy My Lady!

On my mother's 23rd birthday, my dad hid a heart shaped diamond necklace in a chocolate covered apple. My dad remade the scene for me this yaer. He also added a whistle with my apple since I had an obsession when I was just a little lad.

I had NO idea what I was getting myself into, but my parents decided to gift me with the same necklace my daddy got my mom on her 23rd. SO very thoughtful and incredibly cute! I LOVE those two to pieces <3

Im officially putting my 23rd birthday to rest.  I hope this post brings some understanding to why Im so head over heels in LOVE with my family.  Again, I am blessed beyond words to be given the amount of love I receive on the daily. I wish to only reciprocate that love back to them and all those roaming this beautiful planet.

nJOY from nKAY

Antsy camper ready for surgery.

My family joked that I should keep the band on at all times. They're probably right...

Post-surgery I was all giddy. Apparently I was telling jokes, coming clean, and laughing hysterically. Sounds like me sans anesthesia, too.

nJOY from nKAY

I’m white.  By race (unless Im lucky enough to be considered as “other”. boo!) and skin type. So, a girl like me makes herself seen at the tanning salon a couple of times a year…or maybe a little more than a couple. Doesnt really matter, the bottom line is, Ive laid down, stood up, been machine sprayed, and hand touched-up plenty.  I know what works for me, what I like, and most of all, what I love.  Nothing feels better than walking into a shop and being greeted by your first name rather than a fingerprint, smiles from the second you walk in to the moment you leave, and energy up the yin yang.  That’s exactly what you get when you arrive at the artificial sun known as Kaotic Tan. This gem, designed by Black Garlic Creative, is the Cheers of tanning salons.  It’s quaint, always has high energy music bumping, a staff who knows how to have a great time, even at work, and a feeling even an ecstasy trip cant provide.  With three witty-named levels (White, Milk, Dark Chocolate), you can consume all the Vitamin D you need for weeks with a quick 10 minute session.  If you’re the “need it now” or “safety first” type, they’ve got a spray tanning booth that will have you glowing brighter than J.Lo.  And to address a common misconception, Mystic Tan will leave you as orange as an Oompa Loompa, Versa Spa (the spray tanning machine at Kaotic Tan) will give you the bronzing skin you’re looking for. Don’t worry if this is your first time tanning or at this tanning salon specifically, a trained Kaotic Tan team member will give you a thorough analysis of your skin and put you on the right track to tan.

Get colored, get Kaotic.

:KaoticTan.com

@1200 N. Pacific Avenue #104 Glendale, California 91202

#818.247.8269

nJOY from nKAY

Tomorrow, December 1st, is National World AIDS day.  To raise awareness, landmarks around the world and social media networks are publicly acting out. From the Sydney Opera House to the Pylons at LAX, institutions will be illuminated in RED to show their support for the (RED) foundation, working to breed an AIDS-free generation by the year 2015.  Social media resources like Facebook, Twitter, Foursquare, and MeetUp are all doing something special to play the part, as well.  If you’re not a world famous building, you can show you’re a fighter for the cause by turning your Facebook profile picture into the (2015)RED image, retweeting the @joinred tweet on Twitter, using the hashtag “#turnred” at your next check-in on Foursquare to unlock the (RED) 2015 badge, and even creating or joining a MeetUp with locals.  The Red website will log every time someone uses these resources and display the amount of supporters on a map according to each country.  Those countries that show the most love will turn a darker shade of red. (Side note:  the branding here is IMPECCABLE.)

By taking these simple steps, we can start to rebuild our faith in humanity and come together as the human race to beat the odds.  In Haile Selassie I’s speech to the United Natons in 1963, (what happens to be, in my opinion, the greatest words ever spoken!) he talks about coming together, and not just as the African race, but as humans.  ”That until that day, the dream of lasting peace and world citizenship and the rule of international morality will remain but a fleeting illusion, to be pursued but never attained [everywhere is war].”  What we tend to forget is that we’re all visitors on this planet.  No matter what rules, borders, or hierarchies we create, we are all equal. Despite what you were born to believe, no one man “owns” land.  I’m surrounded by real estate transactions all day long and I don’t care how much Whatshisface paid for that plot, we’re only borrowing the planet.  Have fun on this giant Green-Blue floating ball!  Better yet, help others have fun by sticking together for the common good.

Last year nearly half a million newborns were infected with HIV and only half of those children lived past the age of two.

Do your part.  Preach HUMAN.

Here is list of the planets landmarks that will light up in RED on December 1st:

Australia

• Sydney (Sydney Opera House & Sydney Harbour Bridge)

Bermuda

• Hamilton (City Hall)

Brazil

• Nova Prata (City Hall)

Canada

• Toronto (CN Tower & City Hall)

Colombia

• Bogota (Torre Colpatria)

France

• Paris (City Hall & Fountains)

Ireland

• Dublin (Convention Center)

Netherlands

• Amsterdam (Paradiso)

South Africa

• Cape Town (Table Mountain)

Spain

• Madrid (Puerta de Alcala)

Switzerland

• Geneva (Le Phare des Paquis)

United Kingdom:

England

• London (London Eye, BT Tower, Trafalgar Square Fountain, Alexandra Palace, St. Paul’s Cathedral)

• Manchester (Manchester Town Hall, The Wheel of Manchester, Spinningfields Ice Rink)

Scotland

• Glasgow (The Glasgow Science Center)

United States:

Alabama

• Mobile (RSA Tower)

California

• Long Beach (Convention Center, Hyatt (Wall), Shoreline Square, Terrace Theater Fountains, Promenade, Gazebo at Shoreline Drive, Light House, Renaissance (Wall Tree), Pine Street)
• Los Angeles (Pylons at LAX)
• Oakland (City Hall)
• San Francisco (City Hall)

Colorado

• Steamboat Springs (Old Routt County Courthouse)

Florida

• Miami (Miami Tower, Old City Hall, MOCA Plaza)

• Orlando (the Amway Center Tower)

Georgia

• Atlanta (City Hall, Georgia World Congress Center-International Plaza Towers, Georgia Dome, Centennial Olympic Park, World of Coca Cola)

Illinois

• Chicago (Wrigley Building-top of the building & tower, the Willis Tower )

• Schaumburg (Town Square Clock Tower)

• Urbana (Urbana City Building)

Maryland

• Baltimore (Washington Monument in Baltimore, Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Headquarters)

Massachusetts

• Boston (Zakim Bridge)

Michigan

• Grand Rapids (La Grande Vitesse by Alexander Calder)

Missouri

• St. Louis (Civil Courts Building)

Nevada

• Las Vegas (MEET Las Vegas venue & Lou Ruvo Center (Frank Gehry’s Keep Memory Alive Building))

New Mexico

• Santa Fe (Plaza Obelisk in Old Town)

New York

• Brooklyn (Brooklyn Borough Hall)

• New York (Empire State Building, The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, JFK Control Tower, New York Stock Exchange, NASDAQ MarketSite Tower in Times Square)

• Niagara Falls (Niagara Falls)

Ohio

• Cincinnati (Fountain Square)

• Cleveland (The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame)

• Columbus (City Hall & Columbus Public Health Building)

Oregon

• Portland (Morrison Bridge)

Pennsylvania

• Philadelphia (Boat House Row)

• Pittsburgh (the needle on the Highmark Building)

Rhode Island

• Providence (City Hall, 1 Financial Plaza, 111 Westminster Street (Bank of America Building), Blue Cross/Blue Shield Building, Bank of America City Center, the State House, GTech Building, the Biltmore Hotel)

South Carolina

• Greenville (Furman University Bell Tower)

Texas

• Fort Worth (Lancaster Ave lights)

• Houston (City Hall)

Tennessee

• Nashville (the Courthouse & Deaderick Street)

Utah

• Salt Lake City (City & County Building)

Virginia 

• Richmond (Richmond Center Stage)

Washington

• Seattle (The Space Needle)

• Tacoma (Murray Morgan Bridge)

Wisconsin

• Milwaukee (The Marcus Center for the Performing Arts)

(Taken from Join (RED)’s blog)

nJOY from nKAY

My super human family at our home, where the party rocked til the werewolves went to sleep.

Much love to all of our sponsors and true assets to the Real Estate Biz…

…Janian & Associates

…Glenoaks Escrow

…Great Western Bank

…Prudential California Realty

…National Home Warranty + Hazard Disclosure

…Advanced Group Property Inspections

…Bad Termite

…Prestine Home Staging .

..LA Private Eye Geotechnical

…John White Sewer Line Inspection

…Attorney Barry Ross

…Prime Electric

…Ramirez Roofing

…Step & Clean 

…Boston Brick & Stone

…The Box Pros

…Mold Check Professionals

…First Eagle Insurance

nJOY from nKAY

Photo Credit: twofaced.com

Grab a bottle from any participating Sephora retail shops or TwoFaced.com

nJOY from nKAY

“There are two types of people in this world: Greeks and those who wish they were Greek” (Kostas, My Big Fat Greek Wedding). Well, if that’s true, it’s you’re lucky day.  The annual St. Sophia’s Los Angeles Greek Festival is back.  So, whether you grew up with Christos Anesti, Hallebi, or an ekoienia the size of your neighborhood block, everyone is welcome.  Greeks are known to smother their family and guests with tons of food, music, dancing, rich culture, and love.  You can find all that and more at the LA Greek Fest held every year at St. Sophia’s Greek Orthodox Church.  The festival runs from Friday through Sunday, with special guest hosts Tom Hanks and wife, Rita Wilson.

As a posessor of Greek blood, here are a few things I would NOT miss at the fest:

Friday and Saturday night dancing — Be a Zorba at your own risk and watch out for the footwork.  You can start Greek and end up like Michael Flately, Lord of the River Dance.

Loukhomathes –The perfected doughnut hole!

Saganaki — Who doesn’t love grilled cheese?  Lose the bread, add lemon.

Gyros — Pronounced Euro, cause boy, it’s money.

…other than that, I would enjoy the live music, warm summer night, and the bevy of single Greek men. Oh, wait, that was my mother speaking for me on the last one.

Visit the official website for more details.

Saint Sophia Cathedral

1324 S. Normandie Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90006
(323) 737-2424

Friday 5-11P @ $3

Saturday 1-11P @ $5

Sunday 12-10P @$5

nJOY from nKAY

Photo Credit: www.sephora.com $32

It wasnt until early June of this year that I was introduced to my favorite accessory of the season.  Lorac’s TANtalizer body glow is a toning, bronzing, and shimmering mousse that gives you those legs even a beach bum would be jealous of.  I like to say most of the products I use are unisex but this is a bit much for those manly men who just need a bit of color. Because of its anti-cellulite and caffeine infused minerals, it not only gives you that glow, but tones your skin for a long-lasting, hardbody look. I like to think of it as Christiano Ronaldo (some world cup action in there for ya) meets Edward Cullen.  It sparkles like a Meyer vampire in the sun without that baby powder overdose scare.   With a light vanilla and grapefruit scent, the tanner does not feel like a fake and the color you get  could not be found anywhere near a tanning salon. The greatest thing about it is that its super easy to use, lasts even after a few showers, and is completely streak free.

To apply: Shake bottle really well, at least 30 seconds before the first use.  Spray about the size of 2 dollars worth of quarters in the palm of your hand and spread the indicated amount amongst your other palm.  Avoid using your fingers to eliminate the risk of streaking. Lather up your legs (not the bottoms of your feet), arms, shoulders, chest, back, belly, just about anywhere you wish.  Avoid lotion on your face and neck.  The shimmer may be too overpowering.  I would stick to a bronzer you feel comfortable with to even out the glow for the neck and face area.  Let dry for a few minutes (2-3) and voila, you are just about ready for anything.

Now, I am all about the tan, so the more base color you have already, the more natural your look will turn out.  To stress, this is not an instant tanner, rather a bronzer and toner with a color strengthening glow! :]

nJOY from nKAY

I want this piece more than any other one!!! ($32.50)

This is so “baseball grey” that I’m surprised it isn’t on the Dodgers’ website. ($26.25)

Totally digging the style and fabric on this V-Neck. (32.50)

An absolute necessity for those chili night games! ($54.50)

I don’t care much for rhinestones but it’s a pretty cool cap for a chick. ($22.50)

Who doesn’t need another pair of lounge/pilates pants? ($39.50)

To match with your sweatshirt or be absolutely comfy all day long. ($44.50)

For more MLB merch, intimates, the perfect bathing suit, and all other clothing necessities, visit www.VictoriasSecret.com.

Oh and GO DODGERS!!!

nJOY from nKAY