A Post Father's Day Post...

That's me and my Dad...when times were good. Mom and Dad were still married then. I would guess I was like around 5. We are holding our first harvest onion. What a 'beaut'!

I lost my dad when I was 25. He had an aneurysm. Just like that, one day (April fools day to be exact) he was out of my life.

My Mom and Dad divorced when I was 8, and I was never particularly close with my dad after that. He was always there for us whenever we asked, but we usually had to ask. I went through a period in my pre-to early teens when I felt like he didn't love me. My Mom made us talk about it, and as awkward as it was, I guess it helped.

When I got older I started to make a valid effort to get to know my Dad as an adult. I tried to just go and hang out with him and like...watch football...which I just love. (total lie) Just to spend time with him.

You never get over losing a parent. Whether you are close to them or not...it is the way you came into this world, and the person you had as a role model. The person you were most connected with. And you are always envious of people who still have both their parents.

I am very thankful that even though I didn't get to spend the day with my Dad, I still have my Momma. We spent the day together shopping, and having lunch.

From my Dad I got my work ethic, and my drive to do better. I always wanted to be the best sibling, so I tried really hard. He taught me to always make a better drive time than the last time I took any trip...and how to check my oil, my tire pressure, and how to fix a toilet that won't stop running.

I hope everyone got to enjoy a special day with their Dad's on Sunday, and if you didn't I hope you got to remember, and honor him in your own special way.

Vegan for Six Weeks...Should I Stay or Should I Go?....

After a 6 week trial of going vegan, I've learned...it's just not for me.

I didn't hate it. But I also didn't love it.

Was it hard? Yes!

Will I still continue to make choices that I feel good about? Yes!

I don't plan on dismissing all vegan foods. I have actually enjoyed all of the vegan meals I have had. I even tried more vegetables that I'd  never tried before, and I can certainly live with this stuff about 80%  of the time.

I will continue to strive to be vegan, but if I occasionally stray from the course, I am going to be OK with it. Going full speed ahead is a really hard way to go. I'll find what works for me, and until then, I'll keep doing what I'm doing.

The past week after my 6 weeks was up I have been eating mainly vegetarian. (back to having dairy, and not watching for "whey proteins" in all my foods) Which, I can live with.

I put on about 10 lbs on this trial, and not for lack of workouts....but for lack of finding the right proteins that fill me up, and are cost effective. Most people lose weight when they go vegan. Not me. I'm the exception! I ate way more of the beans/legumes/vegan proteins than I should have...I tried to compare it to eating a chicken breast and the fact is they just have way more calories than chicken.

I can say with full gusto, that being a "clean eater" made me feel physically and mentally way better than being a vegan. And I think I'm headed back down that road.

I like my chicken, and I like my veggies. I have at the very least, found a local Amish chicken farm, and it costs a bit more to buy from them but the tiny bit of piece of mind I'll get from it will be enough for me.

In closing....Yes!! Vegan foods taste pretty great...amazing even...Everyone should try something vegan before dismissing it! But most of the delicious convenient proteins are "processed" and I'm just not a fan of it.

It's my personal preference. 

I'm really happy that I took the challenge, because my new most favorite thing to eat is a lentil burger! And, I learned that spinach is a great filler for any meal! I am also in love with tofutti cream cheese, which I also got a few coworkers to admit was delicious, and I plan to use this in place of cream cheese from here on out!

I will consider every non-animal product I consume as a success as I move forward.

And that is good enough for me.

Winning...But Not Like Charlie Sheen...

I wound up being boot camper of the month at my gym! This means I got this sweet award, and my picture was posted on facebook with my trainer. I also won a free class, and best of all...bragging rights.

Not only was I the best participant all month, I was the FIRST best all month, and I got to set the bar as to what the others have to achieve in order to win.

That's kind of bad-ass!

It's kind of fun to go to the gym and have people recognize you, and congratulate you...especially all the trainers that I've worked with.

I feel a pretty great sense of accomplishment. I haven't won a physical fitness award since I was in grade school. And I actually worked my ass off for this one, I didn't just show up like back then.

The Volunteer Dog Whisperer...

It seems like I started out on this volunteer journey a long time ago! But I've only just begun!

My main objective was to walk and exercise dogs because I feel so bad for dogs who are stuck in cages until they are adopted. Some dogs...don't even get walked every day.

In order to simply walk dogs, the rescue where I volunteer required a lot of training. We all have to teach them the same style of walk, and basic commands. Waiting at doorways, heel, and sitting at crosswalks.

This is  my first official "walk" we did 1.5 miles and he went back into his kennel and crashed. what a rewarding feeling! 

But, since I always aspire to do more, I'm training to be on the dog behavioral team. After logging a set amount of hours with the dogs, I then get to spend time training them, and teaching them how to stop their "bad" behaviors. 

The day after I walked this little shih-tzu/terrier,  he was adopted! I didn't see him on my walk list, but his name was on the adopted board. What an amazing feeling! People really are out adopting animals every day! It has given me even greater hope!

I may not be making any money doing what I love, but I am certainly....doing what I love!

Caught Between a Rock and...Two Gay Landlords...

Hey, I'm all about equal rights. I love - love, and I don't care who ya love, long as the love is real! Who am I to judge? I have more dates with my dog than with real human beings!

That being said, my landlords are the super cutest couple. I may have been known to peep out the window to watch one or both of them cutting my grass shirtless from time to time too. They love animals, and didn't charge me for my menagerie, so they are #1 in my book.

Cut to me watering my garden via milk jugs in my sweaty workout clothes, sweating bullets.. (I really need to buy a hose) when the landlord I don't write my check to, or  see unless there is something broken, or the grass needs mowed... pulls in, and asks me if I got my mail.

I hadn't. 

He was there to install a second mailbox on our porch where we deposit our rent checks. He asked if I could split the rent between him and the other landlord, because they broke up last year, and it would be much easier this way.

Dagger to my heart. Whose gonna be cutting my grass now? Ok, I'm done being selfish. 

He gave me a new rental agreement, which was just my original agreement, with his name written next to the other guys name. He said he was gonna call "the other guy" (whom I've been writing checks to for the 3 years that I've lived here) and tell him he talked to the tenants, and we were splitting the rent now.

Ehhh...I sure hope this is legit. I kind of want to call the other landlord, but it feels like gossiping. I would think that the landlord I mainly dealt with would be the one asking me to make a change....right?

And, he said to call if I need anything, but who am I suppose to call? What if calling one is wrong? Shouldn't I get something new in writing stating these things?

I hate nasty break ups.

I hate being in the middle of things even more. I am a total peacemaker!

On Moving On...

It took a lot of time for me to get over my ex. Like, 3 years long. Riddled with seeing him off and on here and there, and half-heartedly trying to date a couple of people. I was holding on to the delusion that things were as I perceived them. But, they weren't that way at all.

Yes, I thought he was really sweet to me, and made me feel like a million bucks when we were together, and I'd never felt that kind of connection before. But it took all this time to realize....he just didn't feel the same way as I did.

But, actions speak louder than words. If you really love and adore someone, you don't cheat on them. And you don't say you are going to move in with them, and start to move your things in, only to take them all back home while your girlfriend is at work, and leave her a note.

Duh.

So, I diverted my attention to me. Best decision ever!  I lost a lot of weight, and accomplished so many fitness firsts!

But what I gained was priceless. For the first time in my 37 years I have decided I'm done with settling! And Being single was far more attractive than being unhappy.

And, maybe I've  finally met someone worth mentioning..I still don't know where things will lead. But for the first time in a lot of years, and a lot of online dating mishaps, I am excited about a new prospect.

And all it took was letting go.

Teaching an Old Dog New Tricks...

They say you can't teach an old dog new tricks. But I beg to differ.

 Mr. Magoo, the shih-poo puppy mill rescue lived for 4 years in a cage with no human love. He is 7 or 8 or so, we really don't know since most of his teeth have rotted and had to be pulled due to neglect.

 In his three years with me, I have taught him to eat and drink out of a bowl, go outside to potty, walk on a leash, go up stairs (but not so good at down), play chase, fetch toys, and sit, and lay down. He knows people aren't bad, and he enjoys being petted, playing with his kitty siblings, and belly rubs!

 Our newest venture is learning to "wait" for treats. This is him showing off.
 

 I love that silly "second hand dog" with all my heart.

My Compassionate Heart....

Tuesday, on my normal route to work thru the city, I came upon some slowed traffic. The closer I got, I saw what at first appeared to be smoke billowing around an SUV, I thought someone's radiator must've blown. When I crept closer, I saw it was not smoke.

It was fur.

Someone struck a deer. Not the norm on the city streets at all. I only saw the horrible image for about 2.2 seconds, as the doe struggled to get up, only to fall again, frantically trying to find safety, but obviously not going to live.

I immediately shielded my line of vision with my hand, so I could pass by, and just as instantly, out of nowhere...I started to sob. I have never seen a hurt animal in the flesh, intentional or otherwise. Especially now living in the city.

And I couldn't stop crying. My heart ached for that deer.When I got to my desk. I kept sobbing.

When the girls came to talk to me and saw I was upset, I felt a bit stupid saying I was fine, and telling them what had happened. But I can't apologize for being me. I was really shaken.

Yes, it was "just a deer". One of millions that are hit by cars, or shot by hunters on a daily basis. But to me, it was much more than that, it was a wounded soul. I thought about it all night. When I went to sleep, I prayed to the universe for peace from the image of the deer, so that I could put it to rest.

Then, this morning I woke up early to let out the dog. And I saw the most beautiful sight!

Look who chose my backyard to take a rest in! A beautiful deer!

I believe in the universe, and karma, and how everything happens for a reason. I knew deep down, that this wasn't random. It was an answer to my prayer. This deer was there to make my heart feel better.

I left home feeling a sense of peace, and rightness in the world!

And I had the best day! 

I'm Bad...

One of the reasons I love semi-private training (classes of 8 or less) is because you get so much personal attention, and motivation.

After winning my first "boot camp buddy of the day" award last week, the instructor used me as fuel for the other participants, saying I was "the one to watch, I'm the reigning champion". I felt the pressure, and it made me work harder. I took 3 more classes without winning a title....but then...

My second coveted toy soldier!

Oops...I did it again! 

I won this time, because I took the class the night before, and the one the next day, and made it the whole class being strong, and not giving up. He doesn't know yet, that if it were offered every day...I'd be there.

Who knew a stupid toy soldier toy would make someone feel so awesome?

I also found a delicious "clean" vegan protein, thanks to Pinterest! I made lentil "burgers", and I'm in love with them! So much so, that I have to stop myself from eating too many! One is enough, they are filling with some veggies, but they are soooo goooood!

The flavor is very comparable to a good veggie burger, but home made, and you know what you put into them!

They do not taste as good after freezing them, as they do fresh, but you will have that I suppose.

Lentil burgers:
1C uncooked lentils
1C brown rice (not instant)
1.5C carrots finely grated (I shred them in the food processor)
1/2tsp garlic
1.5C Oatmeal (I used quick oats the first time, seemed to work fine)
1tsp salt
1 onion finely grated (I shred in the food processor with the carrots)

Cook rice and lentils in 4C water on low heat for 45min covered.

Mix with all other ingredients.

Let cool.

Make into 8 patties, brown over medium heat 6 minutes per side. Mine took longer than 6 minutes, so keep an eye on them.

The recipe said they are 130 cal each, but I find it hard to believe...so I am guessing them at about 200 each, they make hefty "burgers".

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