Book Review: Freak of Nature

By reading the first chapter I knew I wasn't really going to like this book. I figured I'd give it another few chapters and see if it got better. You never know, sometimes it does!

This time it did not.

Freak of Nature is a book about a teenage cyborg who has to hide that she still possesses her human mind and emotions. If she lets the scientists know she still has them, they'll erase them. This is made more complicated by her crush on one of her scientists -- he's smart, young, and super hot. She eventually tells him she can feel and the rest of the book is about her and him trying to make a mark in the world for her so she doesn't have to become anyone's secret weapon.

Good idea, bad execution. I didn't feel like the characters had an opportunity to develop or mature throughout the book. 

I'm also not sure if it was Amazon's fault or the publisher's fault, but there were missing words throughout the entire book. I'm luck and snagged a free download for my Kindle a few days ago. The price has since increased. 

I would not have paid money for this book.

The cover sure is pretty, though!

I was hoping for something a little more developed, something a little more mature. I guess I've been spoiled with my Lunar Chronicles series . . . Freak of Nature is the first in a series of books. I'll not be reading the rest of them. 

Cheers!

LC

Booklist

There are lost of books I have been told I need to read recently. And I also feel I should be reading them. I've gotten away from my "good" reading habits. I used to go to the library all the time when I was a kid. Now I live a few blocks away. What happened?

Here's a list of fiction books I'd like to read this summer. Maybe on an overnight hike or two?

1. Freak of Nature by Julia Crane
• "Donate Body to Science. Check. When seventeen-year-old Kaitlyn checked the box, she never suspected she'd have her life -- and her body -- stolen from her. She awakens one day in a secret laboratory to discover that her body is now half-robot and is forced to hide her own secret: that she still has human emotions and a human mind. If the scientists who made her find out, they'll erase what remains of who she was. Kaitlyn finds an unlikely ally in Lucas, a handsome, brilliant scientist who can't get over the guilt he feels knowing she was once a vibrant, beautiful young woman. He never expected a science project to affect him the way she does. As he tries to help her rediscover her past, he finds himself falling for the brave girl struggling to find her place and acceptance between the human and computer worlds."
2. Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin
• Obviously in reference to the show. I've been told to watch the show and then read the books. But that never really seems to work for me! I'd rather read them first, then watch the show, then reread them if they're still that interesting to me.
3. The Leaf Men by William Joyce
• The movie Epic starring Josh Hutcherson (2013) was based off of this book. 
4. The Five Love Languages by Gary D Chapman
• I've heard about this book for the last five years or so. I think it would be a good read and would also be something to think about when dealing with my friends and family, not just a significant other.
5. Label Lessons: Your Guide to a Healthy Shopping Cart by Andrea Donsky and Lisa Tsakos
• "Based on our popular book, Unjunk Your Junk Food, we now take it a step further and include not only food items, but other items you might use on a regular basis, including supplements and personal care products."
6. Better Than Normal: How What Makes You Different Can Make You Exceptional by Dr. Dale Archer
• "A New York Times bestseller that offers a groundbreaking new view of human psychology, showing how eight key traits of human behavior--long perceived as liabilities--can be important hidden strengths."
7. Defiance (Courier's Daughter) by C.J. Redwine
• "While the other girls in the walled city-state of Baalboden learn to sew and dance, Rachel Adams learns to track and hunt. While they bend like reeds to the will of their male Protectors, she uses hers for sparring practice."
• "Defiance by C. J. Redwine is rich postapocalyptic YA fantasy perfect for fans of Graceling and Tamora Pierce."
• I love pretty much anything by Tamora Pierce and am always happy to find something in that genre. 
8. The Witch's Daughter by Paula Brackston
• "An enthralling tale of modern witch Bess Hawksmith, a fiercely independent woman desperate to escape her cursed history who must confront the evil which has haunted her for centuries."
9. Zombie Queen of Newbury High by Amanda Ashby
• "Quiet, unpopular, non-cheerleading Mia is blissfully happy. She is dating super hot football god Rob, and he actually likes her and asked her to prom! Enter Samantha -- cheerleading goddess and miss popularity -- who starts making a move for Rob. With prom in a few days, Mia needs to act fast. So she turns to her best friend, Candice, and decides to do a love spell on Rob. Unfortunately, she ends up inflicting a zombie virus onto her whole class, making herself their leader! At first she is flattered that everyone is treating her like a queen. But then zombie hunter hottie Chase explains they are actually fattening her up, because in a few days, Mia will be the first course in their new diet. She's sure she and Chase can figure something out, but she suggests that no one wear white to prom, because things could get very messy.”
10. Blood and Snow by RaShelle Workman
• "Every thousand years the vampire queen selects a new body, always the fairest in the land, and this time she's chosen Snow White."
11. Article 5: Compliance is Mandatory by Kristen Simmons
• "New York, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C., have been abandoned. The Bill of Rights has been revoked, and replaced with the Moral Statutes. There are no more police—instead, there are soldiers. There are no more fines for bad behavior—instead, there are arrests, trials, and maybe worse. People who get arrested usually don't come back. Seventeen-year-old Ember Miller is old enough to remember that things weren’t always this way. Living with her rebellious single mother, it’s hard for her to forget that people weren’t always arrested for reading the wrong books or staying out after dark. It’s hard to forget that life in the United States used to be different. Ember has perfected the art of keeping a low profile. She knows how to get the things she needs, like food stamps and hand-me-down clothes, and how to pass the random home inspections by the military. Her life is as close to peaceful as circumstances allow. That is, until her mother is arrested for noncompliance with Article 5 of the Moral Statutes. And one of the arresting officers is none other than Chase Jennings…the only boy Ember has ever loved."
12. The Parasol Protectorate series by Gail Carriger
13. Book 1: Soulless. “Alexia Tarabotti is laboring under a great many social tribulations. First, she has no soul. Second, she's a spinster whose father is both Italian and dead. Third, she was rudely attacked by a vampire, breaking all standards of social etiquette. Where to go from there? From bad to worse apparently, for Alexia accidentally kills the vampire -- and then the appalling Lord Maccon (loud, messy, gorgeous, and werewolf) is sent by Queen Victoria to investigate. With unexpected vampires appearing and expected vampires disappearing, everyone seems to believe Alexia responsible. Can she figure out what is actually happening to London's high society? Will her soulless ability to negate supernatural powers prove useful or just plain embarrassing? Finally, who is the real enemy, and do they have treacle tart?
14. Etiquette & Espionage by Gail Carriger
• “It's one thing to learn to curtsy properly. It's quite another to learn to curtsy and throw a knife at the same time. Welcome to Finishing School.” First in the Finishing School series.
• Fourteen-year-old Sophronia is a great trial to her poor mother. Sophronia is more interested in dismantling clocks and climbing trees than proper manners--and the family can only hope that company never sees her atrocious curtsy. Mrs. Temminnick is desperate for her daughter to become a proper lady. So she enrolls Sophronia in Mademoiselle Geraldine's Finishing Academy for Young Ladies of Quality.  But Sophronia soon realizes the school is not quite what her mother might have hoped. At Mademoiselle Geraldine's, young ladies learn to finish...everything. Certainly, they learn the fine arts of dance, dress, and etiquette, but they also learn to deal out death, diversion, and espionage--in the politest possible ways, of course. Sophronia and her friends are in for a rousing first year's education. Set in the same world as the Parasol Protectorate, this YA series debut is filled with all the saucy adventure and droll humor Gail's legions of fans have come to adore. 
15. Heist Society series by Ally Carter
• Three books so far in the series: Heist Society, Uncommon Criminals, Perfect Scoundrels
16. Gallagher Girls series by Ally Carter
• Six books in the series: I’d Tell You I Love You, But Then I’d Have to Kill You; Cross My Heart and Hope to Spy; Don’t Judge a Girl by Her Cover; Only the Good Spy Young; Out of Sight, Out of Time; United We Spy.
17. Insatiable and Overbite by Meg Cabot
• Being single can suck . . . but not as much as being undead. Not only has Meena Harper been cursed from birth with the “gift” of knowing how everyone she meets is going to die, no one will believe her warnings about their impending doom. Until Meena finally meets a guy who doesn’t seem to have an expiration date. Have her dreams come true . . . or her worse nightmare just begun?
18. Size 12 and Ready to Rock by Meg Cabot
• #4 in the Heather Wells Mysteries
19. The Bride Wore Size 12 by Meg Cabot
• #5 in the Heather Wells Mysteries
20. Elixir Trilogy (Devoted and True) by Hilary Duff
• “Clea Raymond is a talented photojournalist and the daughter of high-profile parents. Usually she’s in total control of her camera, but after Clea’s father disappears while on a humanitarian mission, eerie, shadowy images of a strange and handsome young man begin to appear in Clea’s photos—a man she has never seen in her life. When Clea suddenly encounters this man in person she is stunned—and feels an immediate and powerful connection. As they grow closer, they are drawn deep into the mystery behind her father’s disappearance and discover the centuries-old truth behind their intense bond. Torn by a dangerous love triangle and haunted by a powerful secret that holds their fate, together they race against time to unravel their past in order to save their future—and their lives." 
21. Oh. My. Gods. series by Tera Lynn Childs
• Oh. My. Gods.; The Twelve Days of Stella; Phobe’s Fair Valentine; Nichole’s Labyrinth; Goddess Boot Camp; Goddess in Time. 
• “Phoebe Castro is ready for her senior year to go exactly as planned… until her mom remarries and moves them halfway around the world to a tiny Greek island. Goodbye California, goodbye lifelong best friends, hello life in the middle of nowhere and going to school with the real life descendants of the gods.”
22. Forgive My Fins series by Tera Lynn Childs
• Quartet, so far: Forgive My Fins; Fins are Forever; Just for Fins; Pretty in Pearls. 
• “When mermaid princess Lily Sanderson learned she was half human, she decided to try land life. She moved in with her aunt and started human high school. She wasn’t supposed to stay, but a crush on the school swim god, a first kiss gone wrong, and a bond to her biker boy neighbor has Lily rethinking where she belongs.”
23. Sweet Venom series by Tera Lynn Childs
• Three in this series. “Medusa wasn’t a monster, she and her gorgon sisters were guardians who protected the world of man from mythological beasts. Grace, Gretchen, and Greer are her descendants, triplets separated at birth who must reunite, fulfill ancient prophecy, and take up their legacy in a world where monsters lurk in plain sight.”
24. Maggie Quinn -- Girl vs. Evil series by Rosemary Clement-Moore
• Prom Dates from Hell: Maggie Quinn, Girl reporter. Honors student, newspaper staffer, yearbook photographer. Six weeks from graduation and all she wants to do is get out of Avalon High in one piece. Fate seems to have different plans for her. High school may be a natural breeding ground for evil, but the scent of fire and brimstone is still a little out of the ordinary. It’s the distinct smell of sulfur that makes Maggie suspect that something’s a bit off. And when real Twilight Zone stuff starts happening to the school’s ruling clique—the athletic elite and the head cheerleader and her minions, all of whom happen to be named Jessica—Maggie realizes it’s up to her to get in touch with her inner Nancy Drew and ferret out who unleashed the ancient evil before all hell breaks loose. Maggie has always suspected that prom is the work of the devil, but it looks like her attendance will be mandatory. Sometimes a girl's got to do some pretty undesirable things if she wants to save her town from soul-crushing demons from hell and the cheerleading squad.
• Hell Week: Maggie Quinn is determined to make her mark as a journalist. The only problem? The Ranger Report does not take freshmen on staff. Rules are rules. But when has that ever stopped Maggie? After facing hellfire, infiltrating sorority rush should be easy. It’s no Woodward and Bernstein, but going undercover as the Phantom Pledge will allow her to write her exposé. Then she can make a stealth exit before initiation. But when she finds a group of girls who are after way more than “sisterhood,” all her instincts say there’s something rotten on Greek Row. And when Hell Week rolls around, there may be no turning back. If there is such a thing as a sorority from hell, you can bet that Maggie Quinn will be the one to stumble into it.
• Highway to Hell: Maggie Quinn was expecting to find plenty of trouble with Lisa over Spring Break. Give a girl a bikini, a beachfront hotel, and an absent boyfriend, and it’s as good as a road map to the dark side. But Maggie doesn’t have to go looking for trouble. Trouble has started looking for her. One dead cow and a punctured gas tank later, she and Lisa are stuck in Dulcina, Texas—a town so small that it has an owner. And lately life in this small town hasn’t been all that peaceful. An eerie predator is stalking the ranchland. Everyone in town has a theory, but not even Maggie’s psychic mojo can provide any answers. And the longer the girls are stranded, the more obvious it becomes that something is seriously wrong. Only no one—not even Maggie’s closest ally—wants to admit that they could have been forced on a detour down the highway to hell.
25. Don't Even Think About It by Sarah Mlynowski
• "We weren't always like this. We used to be average New York City high school sophomores. Until our homeroom went for flu shots. We were prepared for some side effects. Maybe a headache. Maybe a sore arm. We definitely didn't expect to get telepathic powers. But suddenly we could hear what everyone was thinking. Our friends. Our parents. Our crushes. Now we all know that Tess is in love with her best friend, Teddy. That Mackenzie cheated on Cooper. That, um, Nurse Carmichael used to be a stripper. Since we've kept our freakish skill a secret, we can sit next to the class brainiac and ace our tests. We can dump our boyfriends right before they dump us. We know what our friends really think of our jeans, our breath, our new bangs. We always know what's coming. Some of us will thrive. Some of us will crack. None of us will ever be the same. So stop obsessing about your ex. We're always listening."
26. Ten Things We Did (And Probably Shouldn't Have) by Sarah Mlynowski
• "If given the opportunity, what sixteen-year-old wouldn't jump at the chance to move in with a friend and live parent-free? Although maybe "opportunity" isn't the right word, since April had to tell her dad a tiny little untruth to make it happen (see #1: "Lied to Our Parents"). But she and her housemate Vi are totally responsible and able to take care of themselves. How they ended up "Skipping School" (#3), "Throwing a Crazy Party" (#8), "Buying a Hot Tub" (#4), and, um, "Harboring a Fugitive" (#7) at all is kind of a mystery to them." 

Yes, I understand most of these are Young Adult (YA) novels. I like them and there's nothing you can do about it. I should probably put the Sookie Stackhouse books back on here, too, but I'm not entirely sure I'd like to reread them. The show has gone quite far off the path, I'm not sure I would be able to stay quiet while watching it with my roomie. 

Let me know if there are some books I should definitely read which aren't on my list!

Cheers!

LC

Breakfast Problems

A few days ago I decided to try using up our quick oats since I was hungry, in a hurry, and craving oatmeal.

Big mistake.

I could barely stomach a few bites of it! How on Earth had I grown up eating this slop? I guess I've just been super spoiled these last few years -- my favorite hot breakfast cereal is steel-cut oats. They take about 30 minutes to cook but they're so nummy!

This new-found problem is quite an issue. On the PCT, nearly everyone eats those packaged quick-oatmeal for breakfast. That's one of the staple diet foods. I can't even stomach it for one sitting so I absolutely cannot eat it for six months!

That being said, I'm going to do some experimentation on steel-cut oats, Bulgar, quinoa and flax, millet... I'll have to do some more research, I'm sure.

I'll be sure to let you know how things progress.

Cheers!
LC

Dehydrated

What does anyone really know about dehydrated foods?

I've been jumping around Pinterest and I've found many a website dedicated to dehydrated camping food. But is any of it really good?

I'm excited to find out for myself! I was thinking for my upcoming birthday I'd like to buy myself a food dehydrator. Any ideas on good ones? There's other options too, like sun-drying and oven-drying. I think my roomie would freak a little if I said I needed to dry something in the oven for 12 hours -- huge waste of electricity!

I'm glad I have so long between now and 2017. I like food. A lot. And I don't want to have the same thing over and over and over and over again if I don't like it, if I'm just eating it for the calories and not for pleasure.

Hm. Makes me sound snobby.

But really! With all the advances we have, there shouldn't be a reason your dehydrated camping food isn't super nummy.

Off for more investigations!

Cheers!
LC

Another Site . . .

Thanks, Liz, from Young Adventuress! I've just been introduced to the wonder that is Trover. It's like Pinterest for travelers. But better. With amazing pictures and maps and other colorful things, oh my!

OK... so I'm just figuring it out. You'll have to bear with me.

But really! Go take a look (at both Trover and YA)!

Cheers!
LC

PNT

I was bored at work and decided I'd like to go on a hike for my weekend. I was looking around at the different hikes I usually go on in the Mountain Loop Highway and they're all pretty much closed or inaccessible or they're covered in snow (ew). So I thought I'd switch my direction and see about hiking out on Chuckanut Drive. I've never hiked there and wanted to check out the Oyster Dome. While perusing the Washington Trail Association website, I stumbled across a name: Pacific Northwest Trail.

Huh.

I've heard of the Pacific Crest Trail (obviously, since this blog is dedicated to it) but this is a new one. Further research reveals the PNT is a 1,200 mile system which runs from the Pacific Ocean to the Continental Dived. Sweet! Maybe I'll hike a bit of it as preparations for the PCT get nearer? A bit more of an investigation is surely a must!

(courtesy of the PNT website)

Cheers!
LC

More info about the PCT

For those of you who don't know, the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) is a hiking trail which runs from the Mexican border to the Canadian border. It's approximately 2,663 miles long. In 2013, about 750 people attempted the entire thru-hike.

I've known about this hike for a few years now. I've been telling myself "I'm gonna do it!" for the last year or so. I hadn't really thought about it since January of this year. While I was bored at work one night recently, I stumbled upon a lovely blog of an Australian who's hiking name is Muk Muk. Check out her amazing adventures on the PCT! And after you're finished there, head over to her new blog, Serial Nomad. She's currently on the Camino de Santiago in Spain! She'll spend 30-ish days traveling that and then go back to the real world. She's a huge role-model for me right now. She's lived a dream few can comprehend and she's not letting it slow her down now that she's lived it.

What great motivation! I even got my uncle excited about it. He says he'll go with me. 

We'll see. 

;-)

(courtesy of Google Image Search)

MukMuk has gotten me excited again about planning the trail. Her notes are super amazing and her advice is super amazing and she's just super amazing. Seriously, go read her. 

If nothing else, check out her videos about her encounter with a mountain lion... 

Cheers!
LC

Pants on Fire

(courtesy of Google Image search)

My, my, my . . . aren't I the liar?!

I told myself I was going to update this website every week, at least once . . . and then I went 6-ish weeks without a single peep.

I do declare, my liar-pants are indeed on fire.

Please send in the firemen. ;-)

I've come to this conclusion: I'm allowed to have more than one blog. I think I was feeling too overwhelmed with this one -- I wanted to talk about my 30th birthday and juicing and fitness and Pinterest and traveling . . . way too much! CountDownfor30 will be dedicated to my endeavors towards my 30th birthday in 2017 (hiking the PCT and getting more tattoos, to name a few things). I've created a new blog called See Ya On The Fit Side! because I love a good pun. (Get it? See ya on the flip side? Teehee!) That blog will be dedicated to my health and progress towards running my first 10K (May) and half marathon (June). Both are quite exciting and both are approaching swiftly!

Between the two blogs, I'm hoping to update weekly. ;-)

Cheers!
LC

Things To Do, Websites To See . . .

I have an app on my phone that lets me make notes, kind of like post-its. I love it but it's taking up a butt-load of memory space so I needed to get rid of some of the notes. What follows are links, mainly for my own personal use, but feel free to check them out if they sound interesting to you!


http://www.savorseattletours.com/ -- walking food tours in Seattle

http://www.camphost.org/ -- becoming a camp ground host

http://www.virgin-vacations.com/ -- all inclusive vacations (perfect for single people) 

http://www.pce.uw.edu/online/free-courses/ -- universities offer free online courses (not just the UW)

http://www.feedthepig.org/ -- a great resource for figuring out budgeting, understanding debit and credit, and figuring out savings

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belgian_Shepherd_Dog_(Malinois) -- beautiful working dog! would love to have one when I have my own home someday. Great companion and great "fetcher"

http://www.3feathersmfg.com/the-pinecone -- a trailer for a smaller car; this would be great for a single person or a couple.

http://www.wayfair.com/ -- a cool website for everything "home"; bedroom, living room, dining room, kitchen, bath, kids, nursery, home office

http://www.sakuraburlington.com/ -- habatchi grill to try in Burlington, WA (they have a special for your birthday month)

http://www.zoo.org/page.aspx?pid=2266#.UvH_ivldXOQ -- since we live in the PNW, the zoo does a discount on rainy days for 50% off admission (you have to check their website or call to see if the offer is currently running); bring the coupon with you!

http://www.rosecityfoodpark.com/ -- food trucks unite! Twelve food trucks are situated in Portland at the Rose City Food Park. They're suppose to be amazing! I'd like to visit someday.

https://www.yubit.com/listings/meraindia -- Mera Indian Grocery in Lynnwood would be a great place to stock up on supplies for when I attempt to cook my own Indian food.

http://smithtower.com/ -- an iconic place in Seattle I have never been before and would like to visit (especially the Chinese Room).

http://www.tunnelziplines.com/ -- something fun to do in Lake Chelan

Mind Control

I have 20 weeks before my half marathon.

Freak out is happening, I assure you.

I've not done a lot of walking, running, aerobic workouts, weight training . . . but I have done a lot of sitting on my butt worrying. That's not as conducive to a good workout as you'd imagine.

Mind over matter. It's really not that hard to understand. But it's so hard to put into practice. 

I've come up with yet another workout plan. But I need to stick to it this time, seeing as my deadline is really catching up to me. 

George S. Patton, US Army General, 1912 Olympian

Here's to workout out. Here's to a healthier body, mind, and spirit. Here's to more energy and less sleepless nights. Here's to enjoying life and not letting it pass by. Here's to loving myself.

Go, fight, win. 

Cheers!
LC

It's Working

Juicing is going well, I should say. I did four days totally on top of things -- one solid meal, the rest juiced. And then my weekend came. And I couldn't find the time to juice (I clocked it tonight and it took about 30 minutes for two juices [about 15 minutes each], minus the time I spent the day before sorting the veggies and fruits [which worked out pretty well for me; I picked up too many dollar store clothes washing bags and decided they'd work well for sorting meals]); I wasn't in the house the entire day; I was meeting friends and going out to dinner . . .

Excuses, excuses, EXCUSES!

This week will be hard because my produce is almost gone . . . but I don't get paid until Friday. So we'll have some super interesting meals for the upcoming week.

But it's working.

And I should work harder in order for it to work better.

I went for a walk three days in a row. I helped my sister haul her massive couch and chair and ottoman to the dump. I went on an adventure to Deception Pass and walked around a bunch. I kept busy and I'm so glad of it.

There was a roll on my back which has showed up in the last few weeks. And now it is missing. Also, my shirts are fitting better and my pants aren't so tight in the thighs.

It's working.

I've got to work harder.

I'm looking into getting and Elliptical. There's a deal on Groupon for $350 instead of $999. I just can't seem to find out which elliptical is actually on sale -- there's no product number. And, of course, I need to get rid of my treadmill. There's no point in having a treadmill if no one is running on it and I would like to invest my money elsewhere, if you know what I mean. Now I just have to get pictures and put it on Craigslist.

I have to keep my motivation up -- I've got about 17 days before I'm Eastern Bound. Florida is right in my sights! I'm hoping to feel a bit better in my swimsuit then I have in a long while. When I went to Las Vegas in May I was about 200 lbs. Right now, I'm back up at 220 lbs. I know it's unrealistic to think I could lose 20 lbs in two weeks healthfully. But I'll feel so much better, spiritually, if I stick to my juice.

Keep your fingers crossed!

Cheers!
LC

Mirror, Mirror

Have you ever thought your silhouette looks just fine when you're in your underwear and bra, right after getting out of the shower? No lines, no muffin-top, no judging. And then you put those jeans on and you're like, "Whaaaa?! Mirror you are full of lies!" There's nothing you can do though because who has a Mall in their closet?

I've been thinking every woman deserves a good set of underwear. Something just skanky enough to make her feel sexy but smart enough to be worn daily. And you can get unders that actually fit. Go to a bra store and get sized. Buy a $40 (or even $100!!) bra, just this once. You'll not regret it. I'm not talking about Victoria's Secret (for a plus size girl, there is absolutely no support at VS) or something similar. Go to an outlet store like Maidenform or a higher-end store like Nordstroms. Get fitted. Get a bra. Usually there's panties to match (I've preferred hipsters in the past but these days I'm really liking how boyshorts are looking on my derriere . . . not that you need to know these things . . .).

The point being -- you look good naked. Not to be a perv but too bad someone invented clothing. Yes, clothing can be pretty. It can be lovely, just like art. You know what else is pretty?

You.

Me.

Everyone.

The human form is pretty epicly amazing, even without clothing. Clothing is a decoration and when it's taken away you have a beautiful person left over. 

Just something to think about . . . 

Cheers!
LC

Day 3

So today is my third day of juicing and eating. I've had juice for two meals and two snacks combined with a hearty third meal. 

So far, so good.

So good, in fact that when I woke up this evening the first thing to pop into my head was, "I surely would love to go for a walk."

I woke up wanting to go for a walk.

I woke up wanting to go for a walk.

I have had zero energy for the last few months. You know, that pesky time called winter? Yeah. Zilch when it comes to wanting to do anything. 

So to wake up and think it's a great day for a walk (even though it was 5:30PM and the sun was long-since gone) is an amazing feat.

Thanks juice!

I've been following-ish the free juicing recipes and guidelines from the Reboot with Joe website. I'm using the juices found in his 5-day plan. My favorites so far are Sporty Spice (minus the basil), Carrot Apple Lemon, and Carrot Apple Ginger.

I've learned that I'm not a fan of basil in my juice, I enjoy ginger immensely, and you can massage kale (it makes it taste sweeter!). 

This new juicer is doing well, too. The pulp is a lot drier than the first juicer I had and I'm much happier. Prepping is still taking forever, though.

And don't get me started on the price. 

Well, since you brought it up, my roommate and I spend about $200 on juice for one week. One week!!

Needless to say, that can't happen again. I'm completely broke and there's no money until I get paid again on the 24th. Yikes!

Thanks to Sonnet (she's lovely and a Seattlite! Go read her blog and be awed!) and her recommendations, I've found a CSA farm where I think I will patronage. The Klesick Family Farm is near enough to me that I can go pick up my produce and their prices are fair enough that I won't feel stupid again. They've also got a juicing program with their different assortment of boxes. I can pick one up a week and be set every week. I've also learned there's an organic farm where they raise lamb, beef, chicken, and pork! Ninety Farms is going to be my next stop when I can finally afford to eat meat again. 

I love it when things start to fall into place . . . 

Cheers!
LC

Seasonal, Local, and Organic

For those of you who are looking to buy local, seasonal, and organic -- I know it's a challenge but it can be done!

I haven't reached that point in time where I can say, "Why, yes, I do buy all my groceries seasonally, locally, and organically. Aren't I amazing?" I'm working on it, slowly yet surely. I'm sure it will be much easier here in the PNW once summer comes back. But in the meantime . . . here's one website to help you find what's seasonal in your state, if you live in the US.

It's a pretty cool interactive map which tells you what's seasonal. Plus it looks lovely, too! Makes it a bit easier to find local foods, if you ask me. Try and incorporate some local veg/fruit in your weekly meals. :)

If you're living in Washington, you can find a CSA near you using this website. Type in your zip code, tell it how far away you're willing to drive and BAM! Farm fresh foods at a reasonable price (some CSA farms even have boxes specifically for juicing!). And maybe, they might deliver right to your door!

It's very exciting and it's very interesting. I'm super excited to start shopping farmers markets and signing up for CSA boxes!

I'll keep you posted, I'm sure. 

Cheers!
LC

What's the Point

I was reading a blog today and stumbled upon something I'd like to share: 

"Food is a form of love, comfort, and of course, pleasure. After all, if we're not enjoying what we're eating, then what's the point?"

Oh! Well said, well said! Thanks, Sonnet, for your wonderful words. It's easy to stop at McDonalds or Burger King or any number of those over-priced, one-and-done fast food joints. Is it a pleasurable experience? Never. The restaurant is too loud, the drive-thru is too impersonal, and the food? It doesn't excite our taste buds. We think it does, because we're "starving" because we haven't had anything to eat for a couple of hours. Or we'll maw down a sandwich, fries, and a drink before our stomach says, "whoa there, Sparky! We were full a half a sandwich and 20 fries ago!" Then we feel bloated and cranky. Sometimes we dive right into the food-coma domain. Either way, not a pleasurable experience in my book.

My mother used to say, "can you survive another 15 minutes until you get home?" (home is always a 15 minute drive way, it seems!) Usually the answer is yes and that lets your stomach settle for a few minutes. I need to remind myself of this mantra more often. 

Moral of the story -- If it isn't pleasurable, don't put it in your mouth. . . and don't take that in a dirty way, you perv!

Cheers!
LC

2013 -- Year in Review

In January, I rung in the New Year in Las Vegas. I visited Red Rock Canyon, Valley of Fire, and the Hoover Dam.

In March, I traveled back to Las Vegas for my friend's "traditional Las Vegas" wedding. She was married by Elvis. We missed our flight home and ended up driving back to Washington because it was cheaper than purchasing new plane tickets. March was also when my mom moved out on my dad and took my little sister, M, with her.

In April, I turned 26 and renewed my ID in under 10 minutes at the DMV. That same day, I went to the Tulip Festival in Mount Vernon, WA -- absolutely gorgeous if you have the time and opportunity! For my little sister's birthday, I took her to see Swan Lake at McCaw Hall. I highly recommend seeing this ballet! It's breathtaking and so beautiful! The music is thrilling and chilling. I also drove to Idaho to visit my sister for our birthday. We went to Craters of the Moon. I drove back through Montana and by the time I reached the Passes in Washington, there was snow! I didn't have chains or anything so I had to book a hotel for the night. The only room left was a smoking room -- I didn't realize hotels still had this option in Washington anymore. Never again will I stay in a smoking hotel!

In May, I went back to Las Vegas. This time, I went with my roomie, LB, and one of her good friends, SP. We all had some sort of affliction while on vacation -- I had food poisioning from a place in Seattle the night before I left; LB had an ear infection; SP had strep throat. Good times. We also stayed in Luxor which has the craziest, scariest, dumbest elevators ever. This also cullminated in my third viewing of Thunder from Down Under. I'm not ashamed at all. That's one of the best shows on The Strip! I also recommend Tournament of Kings. Pyrotechnics and horses and sword fights, oh my!

I also went to another wedding in May. This one was in Los Angeles for one of my high school friends. She married a Canadian. Hm. I guess people really do change!

In June I graduated from community college. This was a huge deal since I'd been attending straight out of high school in 2005. Finally, finally I had earned my AA degree. I also started my adventures with Events and Adventures -- It's a singles club for anyone over 21.

In July, I was able to celebrate Independence day with my good friend NMS and her beautiful baby girl. There was a BBQ, fireworks, and good clean fun! I haven't had a great 4th in a long while and this recharged me and put me back into the holiday spirit.

At the end of July I went to Idaho and helped my sister pack up her belongings, family, and Durango. They moved back to WA the first week of August and stayed with family here in the PNW until New Years Day.

I was constantly busy in August and September. I was fishing by morning (thanks Uncle RS and my cousin AS!) and gardening by afternoon! I grew a garden and had a great harvest of tomatoes, cucumbers, sunflowers, strawberries, and zucchini. I also tried my hand at other squashes (which didn't turn out as well as the zucchini and strawberries).

In October, I visited my uncle RP in Napa (absolutely gorgeous and I could totally see myself living here!). We traveled around San Francisco but not too much because BART, the public transpiration, went on strike while we were there! I also went to Alcatraz Island and met an inmate who actually served time in the prison. We celebrated my niece's first birthday near the end of the month. For Halloween, we had some baby friends and mommy friends over -- my sister announced she was pregnant again (I'm hoping for a little nephew!).

November was the month I became somewhat free. I moved in with my current roommate, LB, and we're having a great time! To celebrate, we had a Hawaiian Dinner night at the apartment. Nommers were had by all! I also enjoyed three great Turkey Dinners at three great places. Friends and family are amazing! This was suppose to be the month my parent's finalized their divorce. To my current knowledge, they are still together. This may or may not be a good thing. I did not spend Thanksgiving with my father this year.

We had an almost white Christmas. I was able to get a picture of my tree with snow in the background. I was lucky and it snowed when I was off work. I really hate driving in the snow here because it generally turns to slush and then freezes and creates a huge mess. I did not spend anytime whatsoever with my father -- no text messages, phone calls, or visits. We also had a Christmas party with KA. A few days later, my roommate, sister K, and one of LB's friends went to Chippendales. In my opinion, not as great as Thunder. But it was more exciting because there were fights breaking out left and right! Never mix horny women, alcohol, half-naked men, and horrible seating arrangements.

My uncle also married his partner on the 29th. I did their pictures and I'm pleased with the results, even if it was a last minute wedding. They're wanting to do a reception in the summer next year and have all of their friends and family there to celebrate.

This year was awesome. I'm glad I kept myself so busy but 2014 is going to be about staying close to home and getting to know myself better. It's about recharging and refocusing. Don't get me wrong -- 2013 was epic, even by my standards! But 2014 is about rebooting myself and figuring out just who, exactly, I really am.

What a wonderful and blessed life I have!

Cheers!
LC

New Years

Dear me. It looks like I have forgotten to create a list of things I'm planning on not accomplishing in the new year . . . 

Isn't that just the way though? We make plans, we say "this is my year!" and then we don't do a damned thing about it. 

But this year really is different.

And I really can feel it.

For one thing, I'm not living with my parents. For another, I've had a taste of traveling and adventuring in the past two years which hasn't been satiated yet. 

For another, I've signed up and paid for my half-marathon in Yellowstone. 

I've talked myself up but the rough truth is I've yet to start training for that event. I've bought plane tickets and booked my hotel, but I haven't even started training. 

Yikes.

Resolutions, indeed!

This year really is my year. I've put a bug in my roommate's ear -- she thinks we really should try juice fasting for about 10 days. She walked in on me watching Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead this morning. She watched as Siong Norte started and finished her fast. Siong suffered from severe headaches and/or migraines. So does my roomie. 

LB even said we should get t-shirts, like the one Joe got for Phil, that are too small and we should take them with us everywhere we go to remind us what we're working for.

Except I can't find them anywhere.

I guess a trip to Australia is in order.

Hm . . . 

Right. Let's get back to the subject matter, shall we?

Resolutions. One's I'll actually work hard to accomplish this year: 

1. Be early to work.
2. Walk a mile everyday outside of my workouts.
3. Workout daily (keep Saturday as a rest day).
4. Complete my half marathon within the allowed time frame.
5. Blog at least once a week.
6. Go to Paris for New Years.
7. Participate in a 52 week savings challenge.
8. Go for a month without spending money on anything unnecessary.
9. Do something fun for the 4th of July.
10. Have my last day of work be before 12/23/2014.

Be early to work:

• I've fallen into a really bad habit of just showing up to work. I'm usually three or four minutes late. I'd like to make an extended effort to be on time and even early to work. It's not fair to my co-workers, nor myself, if I am constantly late.

Walk a mile everyday outside of my workouts:

• I had an "aha" moment a few days ago. I don't have to start out running. I know the end goal has been to run a half marathon but I'm too big and too out of shape to be running. I'll start by walking a mile a day. After a week, I'll start walk/jogging. Then I'll jog the whole way. But I will always end my day with a walk around the block.

Workout daily: 

• I'm going to do a 30-minute Jillian Michaels' workout. I've gotten good results in the past and I need to add some extra cardio if I'm just going to stick to walking. Our DVD player is finally working well so I may be able to find some YouTube workouts and watch them in the living room.
• 30 minutes with Jillian
• 1 mile walk
• My workout goal for January is to complete 2 miles without stopping my jog.

Complete my half marathon within the allowed time frame:

• The cutoff time for the race is 4 hours. "Plenty of time for even slowish walkers. That is an 18.5 minute mile" (FAQs). I would love to be able to finish in 3 hours. But, realistically, my goal is to just finish. 

Blog at least once a week:

• I have been naughty. I have gone for days without blogging and, even though my it feels like my audience is just myself, isn't that a good enough reason to write? Plus, it will make me report how much I've been workout out. ;)

Go to Paris for New Years:

• My sister, K, has said she'd like to visit the UK for her 30th birthday (which is in July). Good for her! I doubt I'll have enough money saved between now and then to go with her, but I'll definitely have enough money saved for my New Years adventure. I need to sign up with Contiki ASAP, though, if I want to save my place . . . anyone want to loan me $200 for a reservation?
• As a precursor, though, I need a passport. Yay for paperwork . . . 

Participate in a 52 week savings challenge:

• Since I'm paid every other week, I won't be doing this as a "weekly" thing, per say. I'll allocate a set dollar amount from each paycheck into a seperate savings account. I'll not use this savings account for anything -- even emergencies.
• This challenge is to prove to myself that I really do have self control. 
• Plus, it'll be nice to have some cash saved for 2015 -- which I'll be spending in Thailand.

Go for a month without spending money on anything unnecessary:

• I'm basically going to freeze my assets for a month. No eating out. No clothes shopping. No "girls nights" or "forgotten lunches" at work. I will eat whatever is in the house and only make absolutely necessary purchases. If I'm juicing, that means buying fruits and veggies only. The other thing I would need to purchase is fuel in order to commute to work.
• That month is going to be a long one. But it's going to be so worth it! There's a good amount of excess money I always end up spending on things like eating out and shopping.
• Again, another exercise in self control!

Do something fun for the 4th of July:

• I've already gotten a verbal agreement from my roomie, LB, that we're going to do something fun this year. It'll be on a Friday so I'll have the night off work. The tentative plan is to do a cruise in the water around the Space Needle for the fireworks show. I'll be able to do this through Events and Adventures, since I'm a member.

Have my last day of work be before 12/23/2014:

• Last. Day. Of. Work. For quite a while.
• This way, I'll be able to spend Christmas and Christmas Eve with my family. I won't have to worry about work and I'll be able to focus on packing for my Paris trip. And when I come back from Europe, I'll be able to focus my packing and planning towards my Thailand trip. I plan to start my TEFL/TESOL certification in February. 
• After a month, I'll have my certification and be able to find a contract. I hope to stay in Thailand for one year, if not longer. 

Good goals, yes?

I thought so, too.

Cheers!
LC