Thursday, January 21, 2010

Change the World Wednesday....

Do you ever wonder where your excess waste goes? Probably not? You put it in a trash receptable, or your personal trash can, and it's gone.
I know there are always ways to improve our lives, our society, our world.
This week, the Change the World Post Challenge deals with being responsible in yet, another way.
Instead of collecting to-cups when you get your daily coffee, bring your own. I know it is incovenient...having your own re-useable beverage holder. But, I bet you own one. I have 5 or 6 that I could use. Actually, in the last two months, I have made more of an effort to provide my own coffee container.
Have you considered how much waste you create when you meet 3 of your friends for coffee? Most places give you a to-go container. If two of your friends get water, as well, then that is 6 cups that go to waste. Most people do not crumple the container, either, instead, it goes in the trash in it's full volume fitting form.
For one week, provide your own container for coffee, soda, tea. You will get a discount for the lack of to-go container, plus the knowledge that you are lessening the waste. I know it seems small, but it does make a difference.
I am a coffee-holic. I wish that it wasn't true. I have tried to cut coffee out. I have. I do not drink soda or tea. Instead, I fill up, adequately, on my daily coffee. Each morning, I wake, I make coffee for me and Sara, and than think about how productive I will be. Yes, coffee is definitely my wake up. And, yes, I am able to make a small change that benefits me and the environment.
For one week, I, faithfully, will provide my own beverage container. No Peet's to-go cups or Starbuck's. I refuse.
I hope you do as well. Give it a go and see how it works. Maybe your recycables will be lighter or perhaps your trash. Good luck!!!

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Why I like sides......

Last night, in an attempt to consciously choose what I put in my body, I made dinner.
Let me back up and explain my day. I went to the gym with Sara, rode the stationary bike, since I had a run planned with the Goddess. The gym has a sauna and I love it.
Anyways, the Goddess and I did our customary route--up to Logan, south to 6th Ave, east to Downing and then a partial loop around Cheesman Park. Next time, we are running to Wash Park--my nemesis from the Denver Marathon. I haven't run there since. Cheesman Park has been snow-packed or muddy for the last 5 runs. I am over it! I am sure that Wash Park will have similar issues, but it is a change of scenery. It's farther and I want to restart training for marathons.
Afterwards, I walk to Whole Foods intending to buy halibut. I specifically wanted halibut and of course, they didn't have it. I wasn't too impressed with their selection and so I drove over to Marczyk's. They had halibut, and kalamata olive bread, which Whole Foods did not, but it looked old. I decided to drive to Safeway to buy the bread, cauliflower, garlic and cheese.
Of course, they didn't have the bread, either, and so I settled for french bread. I found the cauliflower which looked lovely, chose a pear for a starter to accompany a rough chop of yellow tomatoes, basil, garlic and goat cheese on french bread. I returned home to grab my I.D. and walk to Argonaut. I texted Sara, that I was picking up vodka for pre dinner drinks. She immediately responded since she knows how rare vodka is in my diet.
I knew she liked Skyy. Thankfully, they had a sale of Skyy vodka. I chose a bottle of sauvignon blanc to accompany the fish and went to the check out. The vodka didn't register that it was on sale. I mentioned it to the clerk and she paged the manager for an override. Then, the manager says--well this is a Liter, not the 750 ml, and so it isn't on sale. I said--well, there was a sign on the shelf, under the bottle I picked up.
SHE GOES--I KNOW, BUT IT ISN'T A 750.
Frustrated, I said, well, can I get the correct bottle and she said, yes, but then I was so angry that I said, you know what--I don't want it.
I don't know why I got so amped up, but I was pissy. I think it was because it isn't my fault that the shelves, multiple shelves, had the exact same sign on it which said--Skyy Vodka on sale for $13.99.
I stopped at the corner liquor store, which is more, and was approached by a homeless guy selling a publication. They are everywhere in the metro area, these days and I was still riding the angry wave. I think I said something like--I am not interested and kept walking.
So, why I like sides....when I dine out, I rarely choose a protein or entree. Instead, I dine on sides. I think I know why now. I severely overcooked the crap out of the halibut. I had marinated it for an hour with balsamic vinegar, brown sugar and dijon mustard. It sounded awesome, but I overcooked it. The roasted cauliflower was lovely and I liked the cous cous, too. I am more comfortable cooking/dining/eating sides. I think I am distracted when I cook protein. I don't know. I just know that last night's entree was a definite FAIL.
Next time, I am sticking to the sides. No entree necessary!

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Just finished reading.....

I put, Before I Die, on hold at the Denver Public Library. I had other books on hold, too, but for some reason, I started with this book.
Obviously, I knew how it ended and it wasn't the most uplifting material, either, but I found it sweet. This 16 yr-old girl is the protagonist and she describes her last few months of living. She devises a list of 10 things that she must do before she dies--have sex, say yes to everything for one day, be famous, etc. I found it well written and again, sweet.
I see parallels of what I am reading and even seeing on t.v. The latest episode of Brothers & Sisters had a similar theme to it. Kitty, protrayed by Calista Flockhart, found out she had a form of lymphoma. She was aggressive with the treatment but there was a chance that she would die and miss out on her son's life. After going into remission, she questions--what am I doing with my life? I am happy now, but couldn't I be doing more?
Why wait to dream or fully live your life? If you want to pursue politics, world travel, culinary school--why not risk and do it? Why do we wait to experience life? True, there is tomorrow, but how do you know what opportunities you will have? Shouldn't we focus on the present? The Now? The day?
If you have time, Before I Die, by Jenny Downham, is worth reading.

Sunday, January 17, 2010

Golden Globes

I watched 24 with Sara.
That is what I do.
I own the game 24. My dad gave it to me for xmas, one year, since he also enjoys watching Keifer Sutherland being a badass!
Faithfully, I have watched that show. Season 6 almost convinced me that I was finished with it. Season 7 inspired me to become a fanatic. Season 8 began...slow start, but intriguing. Keifer still is sexy. Chloe is older and facial expressions are a bit much, but, I will give it a go!
Instead of watching the Golden Globes, I made Sara watch the 24.
Avatar won Best Picture.
Mad Men for best drama.
Michael C Hall won for his role in Dexter.
Juliana Marguiles won Best Actress for drama series.
Alec Baldwin...well, he is Alec Baldwin. Have you ever seen 30 Rock? Freaking hilarious and awesome. Yes, he completely deserved the Golden Globe.
Then, we get to....best supporting actress in comedy------Chloi Sevigny. I am a HUGE supporter of Big Love. I wish I had cable for that alone. I don't. I haven't seen one episode of Season 3. I love the drama of the polygamists, the compound, the political righteousness of being a believer in Mormonism. I enjoy watching the dynamics of their unit. Truly, it is a great show.
Absolutely, adore the drama of it. But did she deserve the Golden Globe? I would say no.
I would have suggested Jane Lynch. GLEE.
Of Best in Show love. The blonde lady from those projects, in addition to Two and a Half Men. She deserved the Golden Globe for her role. I like Chloi Sevigny, but didn't think she was that diverse.
Have you ever seen Glee? Check it out. She is brilliant in it. I never knew her name until tonight. She isn't a celebrity. She is an actress. I mean that in a good sense. She can act and does, without the name status. She stands out, completely, but it isn't for the status symbol. She is fun to watch. Seriously, check out Glee. It isn't just a musical. It's funny, engaging, well written. The guys that do Nip/Tuck direct it.
I keep trying to get Michaela to support it. She was a performer, through school, too. I wish that I had went to more movies in 2009. I have a movie date, matinee, solo with m&m's to Up in the Air or Broken Embraces. Either way, I plan on seeing something on one of my off days. Cannot wait to be selfish!

Challenge of the week---Change the World Wednesdays...

Imagine. A world free of pesticides, toxins that cause cancer, leukemia, etc., foods that are substandard, but mass-produced to meet demand.
Imagine--taking care of yourself...making you a priority.
I believe that is a goal of mine in 2010.
You do car maintenance. I know that I do. Faithfully, I get my oil changed. I might fudge a month of the cycle, but realistically, my 21 year old car is in excellent shape. I spend extra money to ensure that my car will work.
Why don't we maintain our temples better? Why aren't we concerned with what we eat. People still drink soda, eat McDonald's, high corn fructose syrup, etc. We wonder why we are obese as a nation.
I think most people eat based on convenience. We are so busy in our lives that we settle for fast food, food loaded with hydrogenated oils and bad fats because it is easier.
It takes time to prepare a nutritious meal. First, there is going to the grocery store, after work--when everyone else is shopping, no parking can be an issue. You get home, prep the meal, cook it and at this point, you have wasted 2 hours, on a minimum, and than you go to bed or attempt to make time for you. Isn't it easier to order take-out or pop in a meal that is preservative ridden?
I work in a restaurant. I eat there, everyday, that I work. It's easier for me. Although, I am able to pick and choose what I would like to eat. I have options. I choose to not drink soda. I opt to avoid fast food unless i am severely hungover and in Texas. Yes, I ate Jack in the Box while in Dallas, years ago. I thought I would die and was unable to meet with Brian's family, in my current state of mind. So, yes I have eaten fast food, once or twice in my life. But, afterwards, I feel like crap.
I know that it is a toxic invasion to my system.
I have felt how different foods feel to my system. You have experienced a hangover? I believe there are food hangovers, too. I cleansed, for a month, last year--no alcohol or cheese. I wanted to limit my caffeine in-take, but seriously, I cut out booze, I needed some vice to cling, too. Anyways, when I began eating cheese again, I felt like I had drank 2 bottles of wine, on an empty stomach, the following morning. It might be different for everyone, but it made me question the decisions I made regarding my diet.
This week's challenge (last Wednesday's) is to look at food labels prior to eating the contents. If you are unable to pronounce or identify what you are about to ingest, don't. Cut out the high corn fructose syrups, hydrogenated fats and white flours for a week. I live on tortillas, so this will be challenging, but think about it and reflect on how you feel after the week free of crap that you don't need. I know it is easier to drink that soda over water, or pick up the ready made meal, but give it a go.
Enjoy and Good Luck! Small changes lead to beautifying ourselves and our environment. We all share the space. Think of what you can do to make it better!

Friday, January 15, 2010

Affirmation of the Day....

Love yourself. Make yourself a priority and live in the Now...
I follow several blogs that have a Grateful Posting of some sort on a weekly basis. I have been considering this, too, but, realize that I prefer the term affirmation over grateful.
I remember, being in high school, and taking P.A.L.S.--Peer Assisted Learning--and my teacher, kooky as all get-out, was motivational and endearing. She always pronounced, Target, like Tar-geh. It drove me batty. Again, I think that was a term, she used.
Mrs. Trickle encouraged us to be kind to our peers. We had to do affirmations for ourselves and share affirmations with others. At the time, it was challenging. I mean, you don't want to appear too lovely with your classmates. Now, with all of the "Mean Girls" in high school, I am sure that there are fewer and fewer affirmations occuring.
I guess I am trying to incorporate that into my life.
Being happy with myself and thankful for my life on a daily basis.
Today, I am happy to be living in the now. I definitely make myself a priority with food, travel and wine. I still need to plan out 2010, but I have two trips, in the making---Santa Fe and Seattle. It is a solid foundation to begin with.
I have a lot to be thankful for. I love my rental. I live in the metro area, which I wanted. I have a job. I have opportunity to travel and give back. Right now, is a time to give back. I look Haiti and the aftermath. Doesn't it inspire you to consider your own happiness/gratitude as well of ways that you could give back to the community? There are many charities associated with the Haitian Aid. I saw the Brangelina gave 1 million dollars to the efforts. Instead of seeing the good that they are able to provide, people criticize them. They suggest that this is a publicity stunt. Really? How so? Yes, I am familiar with the whole hook-up between this notorious pair, but thay have always given back to the community--Stateside and abroad. They have adopted kids, done humanitarian aid and continue to use their wealth to give back in whatever fashion they deem useful. Why is that bad? At least they are giving something, unlike many people that will not. People that are able to give, something--anything helps, but still will not help.
But, back to the Affirmation--Live in the Now. Make yourself a priority. Do something, even small, in some way, that puts on the emphasis on you and your needs.
Enjoy. I will.

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Random mid-week thoughts....

I am finally settled in to my space on Corona.
Artwork is up.
That settled it. Instead of being wrapped in a corner, I have displayed my Diego Rivera's, Rafuse and other wine related artwork. I have one more piece to display, but I need Sara's help with it. It is blown-up photo of Brian, framed, that was signed by everyone that attended the Celebration of Life in 2006. I didn't sign it. But, at the time, I didn't want a reminder of my thoughts that day. I don't know what I thinking. I was in complete shock, but somehow managed to recognize that it was unnecessary to write on it. I don't think I wrote on the one in Wisconsin, either. I think his parents knew that everything that I wanted to say, had already been said to him or written down. I didn't need to express my love for him on that piece.
I have many memories, beautiful, of my life with Brian. I have notes, letters, photos that will always be in my life.
So, yes, I need help displaying it. It's heavy and I do not want to break it. Sara will be home, later, and I will make her help me then.
In other news....I met with the lawyer's to discuss my best course of action with the landlord. I am still waiting to hear back from them. I know they are not lazy or putting me off. Genuinely, they seemed interested in helping me get my deposit back. Patience is a virtue, right. I have to remind myself of this, frequently.
Shari and I are hoping to do back to back trips. We are meeting in Seattle, already planned, at the end of February. We are celebrating the anniversary of Brian's passing there, this year. Seattle is food friendly and I love Pike's Place Market.
I am restless, dreaming of a mini-vacation. She has a voucher from our trip to San Francisco last year. I mentioned flying to Phoenix and driving to Sedona, meeting in Austin since I keep being told how much I would enjoy it or heading to San Francisco--because it's, well, my favorite city in the States. But, I would need more than 3 days to enjoy the city. I would have to go to Napa.
Realistically, I am drawn to Santa Fe. The weather is questionable, but I believe that is the most likely option. She can fly to Denver and we will drive to Santa Fe or Taos. Either way, we will be enchanted.
Enjoy your day!