a post of updates.

I've had a serious lack of posts lately. I just recently received a promotion and I now work at a different location. The new position cut my commute in half – woohoo! And I have my own office and everything. It’s like I’m a grown-up or something! So I thought I’d take this opportunity to give a few updates on recent posts.

First of all, the garden. It started out a little rocky in late May with my tiny little seedlings holding on for dear life. They actually grew to be ridiculously large and healthy plants (thank you homemade compost!), but I didn’t get to harvest anything until early September. Being a veggie garden newbie, I’m not sure if this is normal, but my bell peppers didn’t get a chance to grow to full size before I had to pull them for frost and freezing temperatures. Oh the joys of living in Michigan. Next year I’ll definitely start the garden sooner. Anywho, take a glance at the photo below and you’ll see everything I’ve had to harvest. I’ve already devoured several tomatoes, and have probably given away around 20 of ‘em. Quick! I need tomato recipes! (I did consider chucking a few at a house in my neighborhood sporting an Iowa flag after the Michigan football game last Saturday night… dang Hawkeyes.)

Now for the beloved topic of running. Brad and I still have the goal of completing the Thanksgiving Day 5k in Toledo, however, we’ve been slacking a bit. So starting yesterday we will be hitting the gym hardcore for the next 6 weeks. And if we visit the gym 15 times in the next 6 weeks, we’re going to totally reward ourselves. Maybe some Ben & Jerry’s Strawberry Cheesecake ice cream? Mmmmm.

It has also been 6 weeks since my Mom and I decided to halt our shopping for one full year. It actually hasn’t been hard, probably because I’ve been avoiding my favorite stores. Next week I’m traveling to Brooklyn to visit my good friend for a few days. One of my favorite parts of visiting NYC is going to Canal Street and seeing all of the vendors selling great knock-off bags and accessories at bargain prices. No Canal Street shopping on this trip to the big apple. Maybe I’ll just have a looksie… must. be. strong.

Happy Hump Day, y'all!

currrrific.

Trader Joe’s Red Curry Sauce is one of my new favorite products and kitchen staples. I have only tried it with stir-fry so far, but might try using it in other dishes. Last night I made a yummy stir-fry with brown rice and the vegetables I happened to have on hand – red skin potatoes, carrots, and green peppers and tomatoes from the garden. Stir-fry the veggies in a wok, let simmer with sauce and serve over cooked rice. De-lish!!

slaughter class for a non-veg

This article from Ethicurean is just so freakin' good, I had to link to it. It's an especially good read for those non-vegetarians out there who are looking to make ethical food choices without giving up meat. The author (a non-vegetarian) decided to enroll in a class focusing on the slaughtering and processing of animals in order to better understand where meat comes from. My favorite part is when he describes the simple but often forgotten fact that animals "do not want to die. They can feel pain and fear, and, just like us, will struggle to breathe for even one single more second." There is such a dissociation between farm animals and pets. What makes a cow different from a dog? Or a pig different from a cat? How can we hold a pet so dear and beloved, but eat a hamburger for dinner? That's a huge subject maybe we'll have the energy to broach someday. But in the mean time enjoy the article which is the first post of an ongoing series from Ethicurean. Here's a hint: Don't click on the video link that actually shows a cow get slaughtered... I made it about 15 seconds before having to close the window.

michigan driving rant.

Growing up close to the Michigan border in Ohio, it was understood that when you see a Michigan license plate, you get out of the way. Michigan drivers are known in Ohio for being fast, rude, fast, careless, and did I mention fast? Now that I have lived in Michigan for almost 4 years (whoa time flies!), I am accustomed to being surrounded by Michigan drivers on my 30-minute commute to and from work every day on a 4-lane freeway. Funny how I don’t really consider myself a “Michigan driver”. It's probably because I like to consider myself a safe and courteous driver… not something Michigan drivers are known for.

Anyway, a little over a year ago when gas prices pushed past $4 a gallon, I made a vow to change my driving habits not only to save money at the pump, but also to help the environment. Using less gas = using less precious recourses. I researched all kinds of ways we can change our driving patterns to use less gas. Why are we all in such a hurry anyway? Shouldn’t we all stop and smell the roses… er, exhaust? Turns out that besides driving a fuel efficient vehicle (yes, I love my 36 mpg Civic), making the following changes in our driving can make a big difference:

• Avoid speeding, rapid acceleration and quick breaking, which can all lower gas mileage by 33%. I see a red light or break lights up ahead, and I take my foot off the gas. When the light turns green, I slowly accelerate… why rush just to sit at another red light?
• Observe the speed limit. Each 5 mph you drive over 60 mph is like paying an extra $0.24 per gallon for gas. Yowza!
• Use cruise control to help maintain your speed and save gas. I am a huge fan of cruise control on the freeway, but I swear it feels like no one else in the state has ever HEARD of cruise control.

Of course there are other tips as well, such as removing excess cargo from your car that weighs it down, avoid excessive idling, avoid rush hour traffic, get regular car maintenance checks, etc.

Well, the reason this is coming to fruition, is because I have been noticing a significant increase in traffic during my commute. I’m not sure if it’s because school is back in session, or because less people are on vacation now that summer is officially over, but traffic has noticeably increased. Normally traffic doesn’t irk me. I face it almost every day, and usually I’m so engrossed in my morning coffee and radio talk show, that I let any stress from traffic slide off my shoulders. But for the past week either I have become more sensitive to being cut off, or more drivers are acting like they own the road. Either way, I’ve decided I have a choice. I can either change my driving habits to match those of my fellow drivers so I have a lesser chance of ticking them off, or I can let it go and not worry about those around me. I’ve decided to go with the latter. As long as I am not causing an unsafe situation, they can yell, give me the finger, honk, flash their brights, cuss, and give me dirty looks all they want. At lease I know that not only am I saving my own hard-earned money, but I’m helping the environment at the same time. I just wish everyone around me would do the same… but I know that’s like asking everyone to never go through a McDonald’s drive thru window ever again. Sigh… one can dream, right?

friday foodie: zucchini herb casserole

One of my favorite things is to try new, healthy recipes and have my always willing, but sometimes skeptical husband taste-test them. He’s open to trying something at least once, which I’m very thankful for. So I am going to start featuring a weekly recipe that has been tried and approved by Brad and myself. First up, Zucchini Herb Casserole. With zucchinis and tomatoes in abundance at the farmer’s market and in our backyards, this is a great recipe to use up those extra veggies before winter falls. It’s quick and easy, and makes great left-overs for lunch. Enjoy!

Zucchini Herb Casserole

1 cup cooked rice

2 T oil

3 medium zucchini, cubed

1 cup sliced green onion

1 clove garlic, minced

1 1/4 tsp garlic salt

1/2 tsp basil

1/2 tsp oregano

1 1/2 cups chopped tomato

2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease a casserole dish. Heat oil in skillet over medium heat, and cook zucchini, onions, and garlic for minutes or until tender. Season with garlic salt, basil and oregano. Mix in cooked rice, tomatoes, and 1 cup cheese. Continue to cook and stir until heated through. Transfer to casserole dish and top with remaining cheese. Bake for 20 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly.

fast food nation: the movie

I finally got around to watching Fast Food Nation. What a disappointment. I had high expectations because the book was intriguing, informative, and moving. I had received Fast Food Nation from my brother before I became a vegetarian, and it only reinforced my desire to live a healthier lifestyle. The book provides a rich history of the industry, and is filled with vivid descriptions of the working conditions and environment of a meatpacking plant. It is truly disturbing, but in a good way… if that’s possible.

I was hoping the movie would mirror the imagery portrayed in the book. The main characters include a fictional fast food chain executive, a teenage girl who works at one of the fast food restaurants, and a group of illegal immigrants from Mexico who get jobs at the corporation’s meatpacking plant. Throughout the film, you barely get a glimpse at the inside workings of the plant, which should have been much more prominent. The film is filled with irrelevant story lines, including the girl’s uncle coming for a visit and taking her out to a bar (what the heck?), the executive having dinner with a random employee played by Bruce Willis, and a plant manager harassing the Mexican women that work at the plant. They even show the cows grazing happily outside, when I’m pretty certain most cows destined for a big mac never see the light of day, get pumped full of antibiotics and hormones, and live on a concrete floor covered in their own excrement.

My main hope was that the film would move people to change, take action, and give up their drive-thru habits. But the only truly disturbing part they saved for the very end of the movie - an actual cow getting slaughtered, gutted, and going through the machinery to turn into a frozen patty.

In my opinion, the book’s purpose was to raise awareness of the backwards workings of the fast food industry, and to motivate and move people to choose a healthier and more socially responsible meal. I certainly don’t think the movie accomplished the same goal.

After this disappointment, I am really looking forward to seeing Food, Inc. Unfortunately I missed the opportunity to see it in the theater, but it is currently sitting in my NetFlix queue, waiting to make it to my mailbox.

tackle dummy.

If there's one thing I cannot even fathom, let alone bring myself to think about, it's animal cruelty. I just don't get it and never will. Michael Vick, the famed NFL player who was jailed for 18 months for his ties to a dogfighting ring was recently welcomed back to the NFL and will now play for the Philadelphia Eagles. Unfortunately that's a fact we're all going to have to live with. I did, however, come across this story. A Philadelphia animal rescue group is going to donate 5 pounds of dog food to local animal shelters for each time Vick is tackled during Sunday's game against Washington. Let's hope for TONS of tackles against the sorry excuse for a human. Take him out Washington!

On another Michael Vick note (as if we needed another one), the Ohio State quarterback, Terrelle Pryor, wore his support of Vick at last Saturday's football game against Navy. Pryor was seen sporting the word "Vick" on one of the black stickers underneath his eyes. According to an article on ESPN, Pryor "loves" Michael Vick and feels he "needs more support". Wow. Now as you may or may not know, my husband and I are enormously huge Michigan football fans, so it is only natural we would have a severe dislike for all things OSU. Just another reason to despise Pryor and his football team. Check out the picture at my husband's blog, Maize & Blue Nation.

I have to end on a much happier note, and in support of all things doggie, I've included a picture of my best bud, Bo, and his cousin Mandy. Bo will be spending the weekend at my parents' with Mandy while my husband and I are out of town for a wedding. How cute are they! :)

to be, or not to be.

I have recently found myself at a serious turning point. To be a runner, or not to be a runner. I started running my senior year of college, with the goal of completing a 5k race. In April of 2005, I completed that goal with my best friend, and it felt amazing. But when it was over, running slowly slipped away from my to-do list.

Fast forward 3 years. With the encouragement of my friends and a new gym membership, I decided to give running another shot with a different 5k to look forward to: the Smoke the Turkey Thanksgiving 5k in Toledo, Ohio that several of my friends were participating in. Again, I was able to accomplish my goal of finishing the 5k. And again, I took a serious break from running when it was over.

Then, last spring I agreed to a third 5k with a large group of co-workers. The Race for the Cure was held last May, and I had my best time ever. I was super proud of myself, and it felt amazing to finish the race beating my goal time. But it is currently 5 months later, and I haven’t been running. I’ve replaced pounding the pavement with yoga and elliptical work-outs, and every time I enter the gym I stay away from the treadmill like it’s the plague.

I look at other runners with envy. How did they find the motivation to go for a run? How do people run almost every single day? Is something wrong with me that I have no motivation? Is it normal to not be a consistent runner? I started thinking maybe it’s just not for me. Maybe I’m just not a runner. Maybe I just need to give up, so I can move on and do other activities.

My husband and I were at breakfast Saturday morning, and I started to share my dilemma with him. To my surprise, he announced that he’d like to start running and complete this year’s Smoke the Turkey 5k with me. What a renewed sense of spirit that gave me! Just knowing that he has the desire to run with me makes me want to lace up my sneakers and hit the pavement pronto!

So after all of this, I think I’ve realized it’s okay to have hills and valleys with your desire and motivation to do a certain activity. If you really and truly enjoy it, you’ll find new ways to be motivated and get through those times when you’d rather do the laundry, dishes, and vacuum before stepping on a treadmill. Maybe I’ll go through life not being a consistent I-have-to-run-at-least-3-times-a-week-or-I’ll-die runner. Maybe I’ll go through life running when I want to, and when I don’t, replacing it with other activities I find enjoyable—yoga, bike riding, tennis, or just playing with my dog. So I have my husband to thank for this revelation. Thanksgiving Day 5k—here we come!

challenge.

My mother and I have decided to embark on an interesting challenge – going one full year without purchasing any clothing item for ourselves. That means no clothes, purses, shoes, jewelry, etc. Using inspiration from my Aunt Ellen who just finished her year of frugality, and the idea that less is more, we’ve decided to give it a go.

Because of the current economic condition, we hear a lot about learning to love the stuff we already have, living with less, and realizing that owning expensive stuff doesn’t make us any happier. All around us people are cutting back, from swapping their morning latte for a cup of joe, to having a “staycation” rather than a vacation, to canceling their gym memberships. Frugality runs in my nature, so it hasn’t been difficult for me to always go straight to the sale rack, and to TRY and buy only what I need – a lot easier said than done (for example, I just spend $50 on a pair of Gap jeans I definitely don’t need).

This will be a challenge (and I love a good challenge) because I am one that loves to shop. Whether it’s for a new dress or a new blender, I love going out and looking at all the shiny, new, pretty things. So now I’ll have more time to do other enjoyable things.

One of my favorite blogs, Zen Habits, has an article called “Love Life, Not Stuff.” The author has a great point in saying that at the end of our lives, we’ll remember the people we loved and spent time with and the great experiences we had. We won’t remember what color our couch was, how big our TV was, or how many pair of jeans we had.

So, starting September 1st, we will no longer be purchasing anything for ourselves. I think my willpower will be pretty strong, but we’ll see what happens on Black Friday when I’m usually standing outside the department store with my Mom at 4:00 a.m. in 20 degree weather waiting to raid the sales. Wish us luck!

I'd also like to give a quick shout-out to my grandmother, known to all as Mee Mee. Today is her 90th birthday, and she is an amazing woman who I admire in every way. Happy Birthday and I Love You Mee Mee!

book review: you are what you eat

It's a phrase we've heard often, and often thought absurd. Dr. Gillian McKeith, however, gives a good argument as to why this common saying may ring true. You Are What You Eat is geared towards those who want to lose weight and feel better, but the tips and tricks can be useful for anyone. And while the beginning dieter who is used to 3 fastfood meals a day will most likely feel the advise quite daunting, Dr. McKeith provides good reasons to follow her plan. The main idea is not to eat less, but to eat an abundance of good foods, and these healthy food choices can make you look and feel great. She encourages readers to take a look into their own bodies and how they feel each and every day, providing checklists of symptoms and feelings. She then shares lists of foods and supplements that may help with various ailments.

The list of foods to eat in abundance is plentiful (thank goodness!), and is mostly made up of fresh fruit, vegetables, nuts, seeds, grains, beans and herbs. Of course there are many favorites featured on Dr. McKeith's no-no list: coffee, cocktails, refined foods such as potato chips, baked goods... the list goes on. But my favorite part is that she suggests following the 80/20 rule. Follow her advise 80% of the time, allowing 20% for "food naughtiness". I also love her idea that if you eat dead, lifeless food, it's only fitting that your body will feel the same way. But if you eat vibrant, fresh foods, you will feel vibrant and full of life as well.

You Are What You Eat is a colorful and quick read, providing great information on the healthiest foods one can eat. So if you think your diet is pretty healthy, think again, and read this book! There is always room for improvement in each and every one of us. Just remember to take one step at a time.