Memorial day getaway

Erica and I planned a ladies trip to the beach this year for Memorial Day. Our agenda included starting out the weekend with a long visit with two of our professors from OSU in Corvallis.  First, I had to include a picture of the rainbow veggie juice I drank before hitting the road:

YUM!

Once we arrived in Corvallis, we went for a long hike with our professors and I was stunned at the beauty of the land in that area. I used to run this trail frequently, but took it for granted.

This is a view looking East towards Philomath. The air was so sweet.

Here's a pic of the four of us enjoying the scenery.

I have a sweet spot in my heart for this man. He purchased the most beautiful Tibetan singing bowl for my recovery. He is a good friend.

Aaahhhh...... the trees!

Rick and Carolyn took us out for a Cuban inspired dinner on the river and it was perfect! Erica and I had a nice visit in Corvallis and headed onto our next destination- Lincoln City!

This trip to the beach was much anticipated. It had been a very long time since I'd smelled the sea air or heard the crashing waves.  Baby was pretty happy too! I swear she looses 5 years when we go to the beach. My little pumpkin is getting older =-( .

Such good bestie time!

I have a waterproof camera that allows me to take some pretty rad pics.. These are a few...

My pumpkin and I!

So- we were a little nervous about finding good veggie options, but it turns out that Lincoln City had us covered! We found the coolest vegetarian/Nepali restaurant right on the main street. It was SO GOOD!!!

We had this view while we painted our toenails, relaxed after a dip in the pool/hottub/sauna, munched on fresh fruit and soy ice cream.... Holy cripes it was great.

We treated out outside body parts well, and this was our attempt to treat our inside body parts well: Wheat grass shots!

One last walk on the beach before heading back to the city.

We did manage to stop at the outlets and the casino on the drive home. I won $40 bucks! It was such a great trip and I have to admit that getting back into my work routine has been more difficult because the weekend was so wonderful. Oh well..... That's the way she goes.

I'm getting old!

I had a wonderful birthday this year. A few of my closest friends and I went out for dinner at a wonderful vegetarian joint. My recent gradual transition to a veggie only diet has been made easier by the inspiring vegetarian cuisine in PDX. I had spicy beet balls and spaghetti. They were amazing! It was a great night!

Here's a pic of the newly engaged Andy and Betty! Words can not express how happy I am for these two!!

Erica and Dave looking super cute!

Tammi and her new beau.

I have many photos of this man... this one is hands down my favorite.

Vegan Rubarb goodness for me!

After dinner we hit up the bowling alley. They played 80's music videos on big screens at the end of the lanes. It was so distracting, but fun!

I love this pic.

My entire birthday weekend was a blast. It included gardening, buying the coolest tent ever, and continuing on with my healthy eating. This dish included Brown Rice, Kale, Pea sprouts, veggies and tempeh. Yums!

It was a great bday this year. I had so much to celebrate!

the healing continues....

I've realized that I need to say 'the healing continues', because I've had some trying moments this week. It turns out.... I'm not healed yet! I think I feel great, make plans, then forge on only to wake up the next morning feeling like I had been run over by a bus. It has still been less than a month since my surgery. I need to remind myself of that when I'm anxious about getting back to my old schedule with my old energy levels. 

Yesterday, I combatted my painful awakening with not only juice, but also a smoothie for work. Unfortunately, my pain and the stress of my old life/responsibilities put me in a tailspin that led me straight to my bed at 8:30pm with a Migraine. I never get headaches and I never go to bed this early! I was asleep by 9:30 and work up this morning at 8am. That is a lot of sleep, and obviously I needed it. My sleep has not been high quality for the last couple of weeks, and now I see that I need to make this a priority for a while until I'm feeling healthier. 

I picked up some green superfood and used it in my smoothie yesterday. Supposedly, you can drink this powder with just juice or nut milk..... I'm not that courageous yet. What I did taste was pleasant though and packed with nutrients!

In other news- I'm growing wheatgrass! My house is starting to feel like a mini farm! Gardening, grass-growing, bean-sprouting, composting Bethy! Yes Ma'am, my wake-up call has sparked real change and I like it! The only negative side effect is that I might not laugh as much when I watch Portlandia. I'm becoming one of them....... (insert eerie music here)

Have a great day!

persistence....

Some days the juice is harder to drink than others days...... this is one of those days.

Need to go shopping for new veggies and fruits.

around the house

This weekend was pretty awesome! 

I worked in the yard, walked dogs with a friend, checked out a raw foods recipe book from the library, juiced and smoothied, soaked up some sun, planted some onions-strawberries-kale-celery in my garden box, and slept in late. I had hoped to escape to the coast for the day, but it didn't happen and it's okay. I thought I was antsy and sick of being chained to the house, but it turns out I was just sick of feeling sick. Now that I'm on the mend, I'm pretty darn happy just hanging around my house and yard. I have so much to be thankful for.......

Now a few pictures of my weekend creations-

Green Juice- I've made a few different variations of this and some have been much tastier than others, but they always have that same earthy greenish color. 

Sunday night dinner- seasoned sauteed tempeh with a sweet potato, kale, cauliflower, basil mash. Delish.

...... and my favorite creation yet! An avocado smoothie made with avocado (duh), kale, carrot, apple, flaxseed oil, hemp milk, and a touch of stevia and cinnamon. So decadent! 

I'm having fun with this stuff and I feel like a rockstar after I eat it! Cheers to health and cheers to taking care of my body! You only get one!

Change is a comin'

I'm not messing around.

I want my cells to be superstars and while my change is gradual (it's SO hard to cut out sugar and dairy!), I'm doing it.

I've been studying the Crazy Sexy Diet book by Kris Carr. She has been such an inspiration to me! I've slowly been transitioning into my new food outlook and am drinking a lot of smoothies, (need to juice more) and also eating very wholesome healthy and filling dishes.

Here's my first smoothie ever-

It was actually quite tasty! A Basil, Lemon, Cucumber and Celery frozen treat. It was surprisingly refreshing! Getting used to the gritty factor has been a little challenging, but I just visualize healthy organic fruits and veggies reprogramming my insides.....

It ain't pretty!

Bigger grocery bills, a messy kitchen and increased food prep time have been a little hard to get used to, but I'm worth it!

This was a DELICIOUS carrot, apple, cucumber, celery, banana and flax seed oil smoothie. I need to go with more green, but I'm not going to be too hard on myself just yet.

Smoothies and juice are good, but what can I eat when I want to get full and stay full? Brown rice, quinoa, onions, avocado, tomatoes, mung bean sprouts, olive oil/balsamic vinegar and a touch of fresh lime juice washed down with a big glass of alkaline water. Holy Crap this was tasty and it didn't take long to prepare. I love my rice cooker! I just threw the quinoa in with the rice and it worked!

How about a smoothie for the road?  This started out with Kale, Crenshaw Melon, cucumber and hemp milk. It tasted like poo though. I learned this morning that you can make any smoothie deliciously edible by adding more hemp milk, a banana and a little bit of stevia! Yummo!

My apologies for the excessive posts about my new healthy food creations that may pop up in the future. I think I might really get into this whole lifestyle change thingy. I feel compelled to live for a very long time, and I think this will help!

My Mom

My Mom has not slept in her own bed in over 3 weeks. She loves me so much and I know this because she has taken such amazing care of me during...... well, for the last 33 years really. This last month and a half has been the hardest of my life and I couldn't have done it without my Mom! She's going back to Seattle tomorrow and I will miss her company. Thanks Mommy for everything and I love you so much!!!

Tulip trip day.

 Mom celebrating for a friend!

 Here's a picture of us right after hearing the best news I have ever heard in my entire life! I'm so glad Mom shared that moment with me!

My first trip out of the house to New Seasons Market. It was a lovely day!

 Post healing celebration at East Burn.

 The food and service at this joint is really fantastic!

Our waiter was extremely friendly and even brought me a celebratory desert on the house!

I have so much to be thankful for, and that includes My Mommy! I love you Mom!