Roughing It!

Sooooo, turns out I'm still here. April 30?! Eek! For the record, I did have a bagel with cream cheese on May 1...and it was so delicious that I've simply had to have several since. :)

I've been trekking along on the rest of my list. Here are a few updates...

We went camping! Sadly, we're missing Yacob, Matt and Justin (not to mention our four-legged friend/foe Dylan) in this photo but this was part of the bridgade. We went camping at Camp Merryelande in Maryland where we slept on the sand and listened to the waves roll in on a gorgeous Sunday morning. We plugged our cell phone chargers into the trees, packed up camp, and hit up Wendy's for our annual post-camping grease-fest. What? Plugged in our cell phones? Of course! Camp Merryelande is not just any camp. They bring around bags of ice, will deliver a freshly chopped pile of wood and kindling for a fire and yes, have even built electrical outlets into the trees. Some might argue that this is not real camping. I would argue that I - 1) slept in a tent, 2) used the great outdoors when nature called and 3) snacked on s'mores at 3:00am by the campfire. I call that camping. On a more sour note, I did however prove that I cannot actually start a fire and would rely on Maura heavily if we were ever actually in a real "roughing it" situation. Until next year, Camp M...

Final hours

Saturday, April 30. Just 14 hours from now I'll be waking up and immediately heading to Einstein's for a delightful bagel with...CREAM CHEESE! No, not "sheese" or "chrese" or "cheezze" or some other odd substitute. Real, creamy, milky cream cheese. This last week has hands down been the hardest. Once I had just seven days remaining I began to think of all the things I'd want to eat and would be able to - soon! Chips and queso. Eggs benedict. Bagels with cream cheese. Sushi with shrimp and tuna and salmon.

As excited as I am to "'tox" (as opposed to "detox"), one of my most recent vegan meals was divine. One rainy Friday, Maura, Jen and I headed over to Sticky Rice, a local hotspot on H Street. Sticky Rice marks the vegan options on their menu and there are many. Vegan noodle dishes, sushi, and of course, a bucket of tater tots. We enjoyed a vegan spread of tater tots, Mock Chicken Schezwan, a sushi roll with tempura fried sweet potato, agave jalapeno and sesame seeds and a delightful little roll of vegan tofutti cream cheese, cucumbers, avocado, vegan spicy sauce, drizzled with ponzu and scallions. You can see the agave nectar dripped all across the plate. This little touch of sweetness was a lively final note. If only I could have eaten every meal this month at Sticky Rice!

In non-vegan news, I watched my movie for the month (The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets Nest), gave a second blood donation, and watched Oscar-winning documentary Inside Job. I'm nearly through my latest book, Watermelon, and my May 21 camping trip is planned. Marathon training begins this week. Can't wait for track workout number one. Something about 800 x 4 x 30 or some such nonsense (Grant is in charge of this part). Somehow I think three months from now when I'm 8 miles into a 14 mile run I'm going to wish begin vegan was the most challenging thing currently on the list...

French people hate vegans?

Ok, so maybe that isn’t a totally fair characterization. My experience at dinner last night may have left me slightly jilted. Let me explain…

I’ve actually enjoyed veganism far more than I thought I would. My prediction was that it was going to be a mere test of will and that I would just need to drag myself through 30 days without some of my favorite delights – goat cheese, a piping hot breakfast burrito with delicately cooked eggs and stringy, melty cheese, mashed potatoes made creamy with fresh milk or cream and of course a generous helping of butter, to name a few. Turns out, I’ve actually had little trouble. The first week was pretty brutal – mostly because of detox. I just didn’t feel good. Since then, things have been looking up! I have far more energy than usual and I surprisingly haven’t been craving any non-vegan goodies. I know what to cook and I know what to eat. Typically that has been satisfying and quite enjoyable. Until last night.

Grant and I had dinner with some friends at Bistro du Coin, a Dupont Circle restaurant that once appeared on the Washingtonian’s 100 Very Best Restaurants list. I wasn’t involved with selecting our dinner spot but happily agreed as the reservation was made. Yesterday afternoon I hopped on the web to check out my dinner options and plan ahead. Let’s just say it’s a good thing I did. Nearly everything, and I literally mean everything, featured some delicious combination of mussels, cream, ham, prosciutto, goat cheese (dear Lord help me), or other pork product. There were, no kidding, two things on a menu of over 60 menu items that didn’t include dairy or meat.

Several thoughts crossed my mind initially – 1) Ugh. I wish they had more vegan options. 2) Hmm, that mussels dish with cream and bacon sounds delicious…oh gosh, so does that ravioli! By the end of the meal I had one very clear thought – I WANT SOMETHING WITH MILK AND CHEESE!!!!! Our table got appetizers that included warm goat cheese salad, endive with ham and gruyere, ravioli with seafood, mushrooms and a lobster sauce, and some yummy fresh bread with – gasp! – fresh butter. Pardon me for a moment while I wipe the drool…

To say it tested my will is an understatement. I never thought of giving in though, which I find sort of surprising. At no point did I think, maybe I’ll just have ONE bite of that. Partially because I texted Maura with despair and she responded with, “Halfway through?” True, my dear friend. Halfway through.

Salty x 12

Over a week into veganism, camping trip is scheduled for May, and I'm scheduled for blood donation number two next week. I'll be curious to see whether or not I have enough iron in my blood to donate. I've never had that issue before but with the vegan diet - known to be low in iron - I may be in trouble. I'm taking a number of supplements, eating as much vitamin-rich food as possible all while trying to ward off as much processed food as possible. But let's be honest - sometimes you just really want to eat a whole thing of Pringles. :) Just me? Fair enough. We'll see what happens when I show up at the Red Cross.

One addition to my diet has been the small, lovely looking but heinously salty umeboshi plum. These little bad boys are praised for their intensely healthful qualities - good for digestion, alkalizing for the body and said to help with fatigue and aging. The pickled ume fruits are incredibly salty and sour and enjoy popularity in Japan. Maura, my vegan "sponsor," told me about the small, wrinkly fruit and they frequently appear in Alicia Silverstone's The Kind Diet. Upon purchasing them from Whole Foods for nearly $16 (yowza!) I ripped open the package, eager to try the fruit I'd been hearing so much about! I optimistically popped one in my mouth and can only imagine the contortion that immediately over took my face. To say they are "salty," is like saying that Congress is having a minor scuffle over our federal budget - massive understatement. I had been biting my lip all morning (bad habit) and the minute the plum hit my lip, I was certain it had burned a hole. With teary eyes, I quickly munched on the fruit, threw out the pit, and chugged approximately two liters of water. Intense. My stomach did feel great afterwards (and has each time I've repeated this crazy ritual) but it was not without struggle. Rumor has it they are great for a hangover. Haven't needed to attempt that quite yet but I'll report back if I do.

I have eaten several of these little devils since - and felt great! - but I'm not sure what I will do when the package runs out. Buy more? Call it a day? We'll have to see. Have you had these delightful treats? Don't be frightened - give them a go! If nothing else, they're worth the experience (and the healthful benefits that come along!).

3 days down, 27 to go...

Three days into veganism and so far so good. I'm enjoying the food and finding some delicious new recipes to try. Tonight's menu featured Mushroom, Leek, and Green Pea Risotto, a Kind Diet recipe. It was delicious! Super creamy and features some of my favorite veggies.

I'm also keeping my sweet tooth satisfied. Last night after a yummy potluck with delicious chick pea curry, Grant and I vistited Sticky Fingers Bakery, the only all-vegan bakery in Washington, DC. Sticky Fingers recently won Cupcake Wars on the Food Network though in addition to cupcakes they feature a full menu of breakfast, lunch and dinner options. Their front case showcases scrumptious looking cinnamon buns, brownies, cupcake varieties and more.

I helped myself to the "George Carmelin" cupcake, one of the winning flavors on the recently aired show. Just imagine - chocolate cinnamon cake with a vanilla bean bourbon buttercream, bourbon caramel sauce, and candied pecans. It was moist, dense, and well worth the indulgence. The other winning varieties sound and look delightful as well - I'll leave those for another visit.

Enjoying my new diet for now. Post coming soon about my adventures with the umboshi plum...

Segways!

Yikes! Updating this blog might need to be added to my list. We are less than two hours from vegan month and good progress has been made toward other things on the list. I've watched movies, donated blood, and have been saving consistently. I've also had some ah-ha! moments and have ideas to add to my list. Almost complete and its about time I realize - it's almost April after all! Here is the latest addition...

27. Go on a segway tour.

• If you live in DC and haven't seen a jolly group of segwayers cruise by then I question how much time you spend outside. The group generally includes a too-cool-for-school group leader who shows off by driving his segway with no hands and speaks into a Britney Spears-esque hands-free microphone, a clump of people just trying to stay upright and then of course the group straggler who can't seem to keep up and looks like he/she wants to close the day with a shot of something strong. Clearly I want to be a part of this. Let's just hope I'm not the straggler at the back of the pack.

Excited to spend lots of time outside this weekend with friends and cherry blossoms! And eating lots of delicious local fresh produce. I'm sure by Sunday I'll be hankering for a melty grilled cheese, but its nothing that a trip to the Eastern Market vendors can't handle. More to come soon. Happy Friday, friends.

The beginning of this adventure...

It's officially 2011 - the year I turn 30. While I have no fear or anguish about this big event, I began to think about all the things I want to experience in the coming years - run another marathon, learn new skills, travel, and immerse myself in situations that make me think of the world differently.

With all that running through my overactive brain, during the holidays I developed a plan - create a list of 30 things I want to do the year I turn 30. This blog will follow that adventure and track my progress toward my 30 things. Of course I have an Excel spreadsheet tracker (I work for Teach For America after all) but this will track my qualitative journey towards 30...

So far, here is the list:

1. Run another marathon.

• I ran the Marine Corps in 2006. I'm excited to run it again this year. It obviously requires tremendous endurance and dedication over a number of months. I could use a little more discipline in my life and hopefully this will help.

2. Learn how to poach an egg.

• Brunch? Eggs benedict? Enough said.

3. Visit California.

• I've been sucked in by the visit California commercials. I'm hoping Rob Lowe can show me around. Just kidding (sort of). I have good friends there, the weather is lovely, and they have a beach - all things I need more of in my life.

4. Buy a piece of artwork from Eastern Market.

• I love Eastern Market. The street vendors? The cheese monger? Such a splendid variety of photography, painting, and other unique artistry. After living here for nearly six years, it's about time I buy something to put on the wall.

5. Purchase something from SkyMall catalog.

• I haven't decided between the potty train your cat kit (tricky since we don't have a cat), the yetti that you put in your yard to frighten neighbors and small children (also tricky since we don't have a yard) or the thing you rub on your head that is supposed to help balding men (tricky since Grant has all his hair). I'm sure I'll find something extra special.

6. Take trapeze lessons.

• This is just fun. Period.

7. Watch one movie I haven't seen per month.

• I don't really enjoy movie watching. They are far too long and I feel the need to multi-task. As a result, some people (ahem...Grant) are horrified by the list of classic movies I haven't seen. Everytime some one quotes something from, for example, Rocky (which thankfully doesn't actually happen that often) I give a blank stare. Rocky may make the list. It may not.

8. Go camping.

• Ever been to Camp Merryelenda in MD? Outlets in trees, people on four-wheelers that bring you ice, and a DJ'ed dance party at night. Maybe not the most authentic camping, but you sleep in a tent which is a rare occasion for yours truly. Maybe a Merryelenda reprise, maybe something more authentic. We'll see.

9. Go on a 10+ hour road trip.

• There is no better reason to drink Cherry Coke and eat endless amounts of Cheetos, peanut M&Ms, Cornuts and sunflower seeds from a long-cylindrical bag - ROADTRIP! Where to is undecided but it must be at least 10 hours one way.

10. Go to the Outer Banks.

• Never been. Really want to go.

11. Watch six documentaries.

• I love documentaries - weird since I don't love movies. The Cove? As We Forgive? I find that watching well-done documentaries is a humbling experience. They so easily shed light on a topic or issue that you knew nothing about. The Rwanden genocide (As We Forgive) and the release of thousands of murders back to a community with merely forgiveness counselors to facilitate healing? Absolutely fascinating. Imagine living in the same community as the man who killed your husband and child, who served no time, and being expected to forgive him. Bold. I've watched one so far this year - 12th and Delaware. It's about a abortion clinic in Florida that is across the street from a pro-life group and follows their conflict and passion. No matter what you believe, it's super interesting and worth the watch. Documentaries prove that there are thousands if not millions of people in the world fighting for causes that you and I know nothing about. If that isn't humbling, I don't know what is.

12. Set one new race personal record (PR).

• I need to get my butt moving. I'm slow (for real) so we're going to try and pick up some speed!

13. Read 20 books.

• Love reading. Hoping this will help me read more consistently.

14. Learn how to change my own windshield wipers.

• No, I do not want to pay you $40 to change my $6 wind shield wipers. I will do it myself. Except that I don't know how.

15. Finish watching the entire West Wing series.

• I have the series but I am perpetually stuck on seasons 1-4.

16. Donate blood at least 5 times.

• I gave blood fairly consistently in college but have fallen off the wagon in DC. Only 1x in five and half years! Jeepers. My grandfather's health problems over the past few years have led to at least one blood transfusion and I'm so thankful to those that gave the blood that he needed. Did you know that one blood donation can help three people? While the vast majority of people have the ability to give blood, "currently only 3 out of every 100 people in America donate blood" (Red Cross).

17. Take a painting class.

• This is probably going to be fairly comical given that I have absolutely no artistic ability. At least I don't think I do. We'll see. Maybe I'll become the next Picasso. Don't hold your breath.

18. See the Statue of Liberty.

• I'm so close to NYC and have been a number of times but have never seen dear Lady Liberty. Grant hasn't either so we'll trek up to NY for this and #20.

19. Go vegan for one month (April).

• This is my current study obsession. I've started "flirting" with this and so far am in love with Rice Dream ice cream bites and Alicia Silverstone's Moroccan Couscous with Saffron. YUM. I'm eating some right now...and drinking a latte with skim milk. Not quite April yet. Fortunately my dear friend Maura is going to do this with me and she's a pro - thank goodness!

20. Eat at a 3 star Michelin restaurant in NYC.

• YUM. That's all.

21. Go hear a case at the U.S. Supreme Court.

• I live 8 miles from the U.S. Supreme Court building. I've been there - but never seen a case argued. A must do before I leave DC - why not make it happen now?!

22. Buy my own bowling ball and shoes.

• Bowling alley shoes = gross. Bowling alley balls = really throw dirt on my game. I'm quite skilled at bowling (lie) and only a quality ball will really let my ability shine. Also, my fingers are too damn big for the light balls which is annoying. I want one that is the right size! I also want a super cool ball - gold glitter? Blue ball with streaks of lighting across it? Now we're talking. Not to worry - pictures coming.

23. No alcohol for one month.

• Good for the body, good for the soul.

24. Put $xxxx amount of money in savings by December.

• Clearly not revealing specifics here but I've got a goal. I'm going to meet it no matter how many iced triple grande soy sugar free vanilla lattes I have to trade in for short iced teas (which is clearly a better choice on so many levels...).

25. Ride my bike to and from work one day.

• Riding a bike in downtown Washington, DC is sort of like a death defying stunt so I actually consider myself quite the dare devil here - I'm terrified.

26. Grant's Choice

• I am allowing Grant to choose one thing. Dangerous? Perhaps.

27. TBD
28. TBD
29. TBD
30. TBD

As you see, still a few to figure out. Feel free to comment with suggestions. I'll wrap up the list by the end of Feburary.

Here's to new adventures, unique experiences, and turning 30!