day 1

Day 1 and I already failed! Dang! By habit, I went to put creamer in my coffee...a few drops in I knew something was wrong...oops.

Other than that slip up, the rest of the day is gonna be great. Toast and jam for breakfast. Squash soup and a walk for lunch. Granola and a tangerine for a snack.

Funny how us women are into food. Must've come from Eve :)

going vegan

If I knew I'd be writing this 10 years ago, I'd think I'd be crazy. 10 years ago is when I first heard about vegan-ism and thought it absurd. It's one thing to not eat meat because it was a living being...but to not eat animal products? It doesn't hurt anything!

Or does it? I've read plenty of facts to know that decreasing ones meat intake will increase ones health...across the charts. Vegetarians are shown to have lower risk of heart disease, lower blood cholesterol levels, lower blood pressure, and lower rates of hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and prostate and colon cancers. All it took me was a few pages of China Study to realize the gross factor of eating meat in excess.

Personally I used to be size 12...creeping up on 14. A lot of that thanks to the college 'freshman 15' and late night cheese nuggets. Moving to Chicago with healthier and more expensive options, as well as a healthier city lifestyle of walking everywhere, probably brought me down to a healthy 6/8. And it wasn't til I met my 1st generation Polish-American beau that I learned the essence of eating whole foods, and mostly fish for meat. I may still have my round cheeks :) but I can't recall gaining weight since.

Living on the farm, I graciously experienced the full circle of life, eating the very creature I was tending to. Since then I think I can count on one hand how much beef/pork/chicken/fish I've bought...mainly because I want to know my farmer, that the beef/pork/chicken/fish was raised sustainably...and honestly, it's a lot of work to research, and much easier and cheaper to eat veggies (especially with a garden)!! Last year at this time I gave up meat for lent (until that was the only option while in Ecuador)...and that vegetarian trend just continued on.

So why vegan? In my mind, the jury's still out, so I'm open to finding out more. I think there are lots of great nutrients in things like fish and eggs. But I'm a complete sucker for ice cream and butter and cheese. Did I mention, butter? I guess this means no honey either. or grande hazelnut lattes. or even creamer...dang! I thought I came so far withholding the sugar...what baby steps to where I am now :)

I've had some great discussions with vegan friends about it though...not the 'animal cruelty' kind of vegans, but the vegans more in tune with their bodies and the cruelty that these foods do to their energy and quality of life. I appreciate the pure and simpleness of it.

Considering we're still 3 months from a good supply of spring greens, I'm oh so thankful to still have potatoes, a couple winter squashes, some growing mushrooms and herbs, and a freezer full of summer produce. (well, Rach does technically since mine is still busted :) oh! and canned dill pickles from Dad :)

Of course this also means no Dr. Pepper.
I could care less about cereal these days.
And no egg pastas.
But there will be my homemade bread...maybe next year I'll go gluten free...who knows.
I think there will be dark chocolate mangoes (thanks Em :)
And wine.

Join me for the next 40 days and see how it's going! I don't expect any readers to go vegan, but I hope this might encourage others to think about what they're eating...or how they feel after eating.

I feel like I should be eating ice cream right now...

PURE

New year, new resolutions. I have a huge list of things I want to do/see...knowing I won't get to all of them, but will be happy to cross off a few. And overall: grow a little more than last year.

But my main goal? To be real. Wait, no...more than that...to be a real woman sounds kinda bitchy and dramatic. A little too blatant. Let's have a little more compassion...little more vibrance...


To be PURE.


Inside out. Transparent. Simple. Raw. Light. Wholesome. Peaceful. Nourishing. Beautiful.
How do I do that? DETOX.

So I'm starting from scratch. Starting with the stuff I can easily change. Well, easy might be an understatement when it comes to ridding myself of these: toxins and plastics. I've never said this before, but this stuff is the devil! Maybe we'll never be able to fully rid it of our lives, but using it seems to bring hell to earth.

And considering that toxins are pretty much in every body product, I think I'm finally and slowly giving up on makeup and deodorant. Will this cause me to detox some unhealthy relationships then too? hha... I don't want to hide behind a painted face. And seeing how even 'pure' deodorants like Toms still had a toxic ingredient for the first ingredient, I've switched to mixing coconut oil and baking soda. So far I still have friends...they must be really sweet or it must be working...hopefully both :) Farm interns, you were onto something, but next time I want you to press the issue :)

In my office, a fridge full of free HFCS (aka Pop/Soda/Soda Pop) magically appeared one day, and keeps replenishing itself. Apparently it's cheap. Cancer is not. Dr. Pepper is my weakness, especially with company lunches of pizza or mexican food. I keep telling myself 'everything in moderation' and I'll stick to that. Same story with vino with pasta, and cold beer with summer concerts...I am only human :) Baby steps and eventually I hope to wean myself off crappy foods. I know even not to stick my nose up to food someone else provides. Thank goodness there's now a bottomless basket of fresh fruit in the office. And I believe Lent will be a good time to test the water as a vegan....more to come on that...

I've also rid my life of useless crap. Baggage. Books I don't read. Stuff I'll never use. Fridges that don't work. And now especially, toxins and plastics :)

I enjoy roller coasters, the work hard/play hard...but I'm gonna sit back and enjoy the ride. Take things slow. Have pure and healthy influences. Continue to surround myself with people who are true to themselves, not always surface level, not always accommodating. Go to bed on time...not cram everything into every last minute which is why I'm always late :) Answer my emails and texts punctually so they don't stare at me from my inbox :) And continue to travel the world and appreciate the little things :)

I want to be pure for myself, to utilize the full potential of my energy and life.
I've been blessed with this shell and want to honor my Creator.
I want to be a good influence for my friends, I want to be strong to uplift them.
I desire a soulmate who values the same purity, the same truth, the same spirit.
I want to be a good role model for the little kiddos with wide eyes, the next generation that will build upon ours.
I challenge my peers to have the same vision, or challenge me back so that we all learn.
I'm grateful for what I've learned from my elders, and for expanding on that knowledge.

Pure output is much easier with pure inputs. Here's a little inspiration.

Goodness, I do sound like quite the hippie :)

Fall reflections...

Today another milestone: one year ago I journeyed to Denver with 5 ft of my entire life's possessions, no job, no prospects, a few friends, and ready for new scenery. I'm exactly where I want to be, doing the things I thought I'd be doing, I just took the scenic route to get here :)

It's been a year of adventures! Trail raced in Hawaii. Snowboarded greens to blacks to semi-backcountry. Officially started my own freelance graphic design business. Ran the forests of Ecuador. Went white water rafting and tubing. Turned backyards into urban farms. Biked Lookout Mountain. Herded cattle on foot. Climbed my first 14er. Ran a mud race. Became an aunt. Started tutoring.

It's been a year of great love and heartache. My reasons for moving here were for me, not for a guy, though credit where credit is due… I moved here much quicker and easier with love, than had I been without. Love opened my eyes and my soul, showed me adventures, conquered fears, and when it disappeared, I found love in new forms and found myself again. Everything worthwhile is worth the while.

It's been a year of healing. Per above, healing the heart. There's no drug for a broken heart…can't just run away like most of us have done moving to Denver in the first place :) I appreciate the past, accept reality, and am looking forward to what lies ahead…in the end, everyone should be healthy and happy…not stuck in blame and hurt. Scars still healing from getting doored. My bank account is still healing from my ski bum months. My body is rid of the crappy protein shakes and the stress of competition. I enjoy running and working out and napping and eating meat once in awhile…but all in moderation. Healing means taking a break and resolving from within…not just overlooking the wound and jumping onboard the next thing.

It's been a year of growth. Decided food stamps were too complicated to apply for. Learned how to snowboard. Relearned working for an ad agency with small innovative designs on a tight schedule and budget. Conquered my fear of flying!!! Eating more like a vegetarian and exploring new produce and recipes. Uncovered a new taste for swiss chard. Still learning how to clip-in to my bike pedals…hopefully learned to avoid car doors (see also 'healing'). Transitioned back into the corporate environment, back to one solid brand. Remembering what's really the most important in life.

It's been a year of great company. Leaving Chicago wasn't too hard, but certain moments I felt a million miles away from my comfort zone. Thank God for technology today…I'm immediately surrounded by old friends and family. Gardening was my vent, and as seeds in the garden miraculously just seem to grow, so did my bond with the other gardeners. And GIRLS! what would I do without them?! They swoop in just at the right time, with such perfect empathy. Guy friends, don't sweat, you rock too. 'Iron sharpens iron' and this couldn't be more true…I've got some iron sharp friends that I will be forever grateful for. Thank you for steering me in the right direction instead of drifting us out to sea.

I'm excited in anticipation of what this year will bring. My bucket list includes mountain biking, visiting the western slope and southern mountains, gardening through winter, sharing knowledge with others, and learning and growing where I can. We'll see how the journey unfolds... :)

Let the summer never end!

My first Colorado September! This is my first year missing the pumpkin festival back in the midwest…but I survived…will get my fall fix in a trip to see the aspen colors. Seems like the sun is stronger…maybe because the leaves are falling, or because it's been one bluebird day after another, but it helps transition to these shorter days. For the first time I had to quit gardening early b/c I eventually couldn't decipher the colors of the tomatoes in the setting sun. Living up to my rabbit title, I nibbled on a couple cherry tomatoes…trying to savor the last of these abundant fresh picked bites.

This is where celebrations begin. Enjoying farm dinners from the bounty of our hard labor. This season I didn't eat much besides these greens...and was able to avoid the 'unsafeway' grocery stores :) Now it's a matter of bottling it all up and preserving the goodness for winter months.

Reflecting back, I found myself in the best environment possible in these urban gardens. Better than any bad tv show, ice cream, or drug, the gardens were a true healing detox. Here I was completely surrounded by genuine people, good conversation, besides just the healthy food. Though this wasn't a full immersion farm experience, I might have grown even more this year than I did last.

wait, what do you do?

Seems fairly ironic that about exactly a year ago I was sadly packing my bags to move back to Chicago, and now I'm packing my office for a new design gig! Going back to corporate...back to layout design. Still freelancing on the side. Still farming. And of course, still lovin' the Colorado life :)

So how do I still farm...and where is this Denver farm? It is a fantastic concept of the CSA (community supported agriculture), that's even more local...the NSA (neighborhood supported agriculture). Located in the Highlands, 12 homeowners have donated their large backyards for us to garden. Homeowners as well as garden apprentices (like myself) receive a weekly NSA share of vegetables, and the rest of the produce is sold in NSA shares and at the Highlands farmers market.

Check it out!

It's an efficient use of space, water and human energy. Veggies are much more useful than a lawn! And it saves me trips to the grocery store where I'm overwhelmed with well-travelled, out of season produce and packaged foods with ingredients I can't pronounce. BTW: I hear the rule of thumb for packaged foods is to only buy if it has 5 ingredients or less. So long cereal...hello real oats!

Anyway, a seasonal update: most everything is now in season, except for asparagus, rhubarb, spinach, and peas. Spinach will come back around in the fall. There's not really any reason to buy anything grown outside the states, except bananas. That's next on my 'to grow' list :)

**Public Service Announcement**

After 5 years of bike commuting, it was bound to happen. Bicyclist's worst nightmare come true: I got doored.

Events like this remind me that we are not invincible. I'm so thankful for insurance coverage. Thankful I still have my eyes and my life. Thankful for my friends who came to the rescue.

DRIVERS PLEASE BE AWARE OF BICYCLISTS! BICYCLISTS PLEASE BE CAUTIOUS OF DRIVERS!