A food, fashion, and fitness lifestyle blog

Behind the Blog

Meet Liz

Growing up my siblings and I spent many summers at my Grandmother Zada O’Brien Foley's home, in a small southwestern town in Minnesota. Each time we arrived at her house she welcomed us in with so much excitement and love it instantly made you feel important and very loved.

I hope this website (named after my Grandmother) makes you feel important, inspired, informed, and loved. I’m going to share with you my over 36 years of know-how in the fitness industry, my approach to fashion and my never ending learning of all things related to food. Along with some of my great friends, we welcome you to The House of O’Brien. Please come and visit often and stay as long as you like.

Meet Elizabeth

A certified personal trainer since 1988

Certified group instructor since 1986

Certified GTX and Ultrafit Trainer

Natural Bodybuilder, Competitive Triathlete since 1988, Competitive Runner since 1984

Spokesperson for Reebok Step

Never be afraid to follow the passion or energy that drives you.

You've heard about being fashionably late to the party, but I believe it's never too late to pursue the things that excite you. Your passion should be the energy that you put forth towards the thing you love to do. I created this blog to share that energy and inspiration with all of you.

Easy Tried and True Recipes

Weekly Workouts

Fashion Inspiration

meet the contributors

fitness

Erin Keegan

food

Kendall Oberto

fitness (yoga)

Tracey Miller

contributor

Katie McCollow

food

Jim Keegan

food

Cindy Pascale

Tracey Miller

Namaste! My name is Tracey Miller and I was born and raised in Minnesota. After many years of finding ways to be physically fit I discovered yoga in 1995. Soon I noticed the meditative and spiritual benefits, renouncing my full-time sales position at a large corporation to begin my studies. I became a certified yoga teacher in 2007, and have continued my education with over 1000 hours of teacher training in a variety of yoga styles. I love to teach absolute beginners and being part of a strong yoga community at Life Time Fitness for the past 12 years. As a passionate animal lover, I’ve recently taken this joyful experience that improves mental and physical health through the healing powers of nature and animals teaching Goat Yoga in Prior Lake.

Yoga is boundaryless and I believe in using it to drive connections and amplify life. I am excited to get to know Liz’s followers by sharing experiences and hearing yours. In this role, I hope to add to an already strong platform and pay it forward.

Erin Schindler

Hello! My name is Erin Schindler and I live in the great state of Minnesota. I was born and raised in New York, but after 30 years here….I think this is now home. I have been in sales for the last 25 years. I currently work in the Animal Health industry which I absolutely love! I love dogs. I currently am down to 2….trying not to bring home every stray. I do love cats too.
I have a huge passion for fitness! I am a 2-time Ironman finisher. I have also completed countless marathons and triathlons. My passion for the last 10 plus years has been Crossfit, but I will always be a runner! One group that I am actively involved with is the Phoenix. It is a large national sober organization that believes we are better together. I am grateful that today I have 28 years of sobriety!

I am a super proud mom of 2 gorgeous daughters that are currently in college, ages 20 and 21. I have also been blessed to be recently married to the love of my life.

Kendall Oberto

I am an enthusiastic home cook who is passionate about cooking for family and friends. I was inspired by the culinary excellence of my father (the primary cook in the house “before it was cool”), aunt, dear friends, and many celebrity chefs. I specialize in approachable recipes appropriate for my weekly Sunday dinners which randomly range in size from 6 to 14 guests

Tracey Kubitz

My name is Tracey. I spent summers in Telluride, Colorado with my family when I was growing up. I am forever thankful to my Dad for this and for introducing me to the mountains and adventure. I have great memories of those times and it developed a spirit of adventure inside of me.

Some of my best life experiences are hiking / biking/ camping adventures through the mountains in South Dakota, Colorado, Wyoming, Montana and Utah and also running in the National Park 1/2 Marathon Series.

Regular exercise and keeping active is important to make the most of the active vacations and outdoors that I love. I’m an advocate for cross training and stretching / rolling to stay injury free.

I love to cook and am always looking for new plant based recipes to try. I’ve worked in the publishing industry for 30 years to support literacy in education. I try to spend as much time with my family as possible. I am married and have adult children and a Newfoundland.

Katie McCollow

I am an artist, writer and actor, in other words, unemployed.

I will be documenting The House of O’Brien’s monthly, in-person gatherings lovingly dubbed ‘Granny Camp’, where women practice their crafts (or not), eat, laugh, and connect through stories across generations- something we saw our mothers and grandmothers do with their friends, and that is especially essential in the busy lives we lead today. We hope by virtually inviting you in to our Granny Camp, you’ll be inspired to start one, too.

Jim Keegan

My name is Jim Keegan. My passions include traveling, running, and learning new things. However, my true passion has always been cooking. At age 14 I literally spoke truth into my future when I said I wanted to become a chef. In 1992 I graduated from the Culinary Institute of America. As a chef, foodservice professional, and business owner, I’ve spent the past 40 years in various areas of an industry I love. The last 20 of those years has been as a partner and COO of Healthy For Life Meals.

Most recently, I had the honor of marrying Erin. Spending time with her has become a new passion. My world is perfect when I’m cooking for, or with her.

Cindy Pascale

Most people that know me will comment that once I commit to something, I go big. For the last 30+ years, that meant I worked hard and smart and long. The good news is that it paid off for me – I started an e-learning business, Vado, Inc., and grew it into an award winning, internationally known brand. In 2020, I sold the business and exited the business a year later.

Now with more time on my hands, I get to put all my energy into things that matter to me: traveling, spending time with my family and two young grandkids, working out at LifeTime attending group fitness classes, gardening, cooking and baking. I am passionate about being the best person I can be every day and doing good deeds for others. My Love Language is “Acts of Service” and the good news for my husband, family and grandchildren is that means I cook and bake for them.