Five Things You Shouldn't Forget

I recently stumbled upon this article, 25 Things I Realized in College, and while the post on the whole is a little three years ago for my friends and me (good thing - or else I'd be wondering what we'd been doing since 2009), there were a few timeless highlights I couldn't help but share...

9. A spark is special. Don’t think it comes around often.

Whether that’s with a potential love interest or your new best friend — we are animals, my dear Darwin, and the pheromones are at work. You can’t resist your nature! In the case of romance, that sparkly individual will most likely be one of the best kissers you will ever lay your lips on.

10. “Ohana” means family and family means no one gets left behind.
That’s right, I just quoted Lilo & Stitch. You have your family and then your friends, which make up your second family. Put them at the top of your list because people are indispensable and they are the breath of life.

12. Obsessions are okay.

They are heightened moments of passion and interest that always come to a natural end. It’s like Picasso’s Blue Period, if his Blue Period is your laptop streaming Downtown Abbey, Mad Men, Parks and Rec, Game of Thrones,or anything regarding Honey Boo Boo Child. You’re an artist and will not be deterred!

20. When things don’t go your way, the universe has a way of working out.

Trust that the universe will take care of you as long as you put the work in, are a good citizen to humanity, and keep on keeping on.

24. Vulnerability is strength.

Don’t be afraid of your emotions or being vulnerable with people you care about. You often regret what you didn’t say to someone more than what you did say. Moments pass; so don’t pass up the moment to tell someone you care about them.

Happy Friday the 13th Peanuts!

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aaaand I joined a CSA.

This is my dad. AKA Skippy.

He has this lifelong dream of one day buying tons (&tons) of land, where all of my siblings and I can build our houses. And it's not weird, because there would be enough land that we wouldn't feel like we were up in each other's biz. It's also not weird because if you know me or my family at all, nothing about this should be surprising.

The second part of the plan is where Skippy gets a little hippie, and also starts to lose some people (AKA my mom. She's less on board, starting now:) because he wants us to grow our own food on the land, so we are self-sufficient (possibly even eating that fish he caught). He's debatably either one step ahead of the CSA movement or taking us back in time; it's too soon to tell.

Regardless, after months and months of debating, I've decided to take one small step in this direction, as I joined the Riverview Farms CSA. I've been wanting to do it for a while now, but had so many hesitations: Would I end up spending more money? Would these veggies go to waste? What happens if I get a box of just cilantro, sweet potatoes, kale and garlic?

But, I will never know the answers to these questions if I don't try. Also, since my diet is so largely plant-based now, it wouldn't hurt to branch out more. And, it makes me feel happy to support local farmers and have a clearer idea of where the things going into my body are coming from: my backyard(ish)!

My membership starts August 1 and lasts 10 weeks. I will be sure to let you know how it goes. If you're interested in joining me, you can find a local CSA here. Be sure to let me know if you're doing one! Or if you have any advice :)

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Boatmeal Bars!

I was cruising right along with this whole veganism thing until last week when I had a little, tiny, baby meltdown. For one, I’m not yet seeing results from the diet change. While this is expected (two to three months), I was still hoping the doctor was just saying that, like when I tell myself on the treadmill that I have only been running for a mile, but I actually know, in my head, it’s been three. And for two, I am having a hard time feeling satisfied. I had no idea how much I relied on dairy to satiate me.

Ash had the blessing of experiencing said meltdown while we were in Indy and, no stranger to veganism, emailed me a whole bunch of amazing recipes, including a few from my newest obsession, Chocolate Covered Katie (yes – I realize I am the last person to know about her. Juuust slightly behind here).

So, earlier this week, I got myself together and made these Boatmeal Bars. And let me tell you, if I were stuck on a boat and only had one thing with me, I’d pick the Boatmeal over the Bar any day. They’re amazing. And satisfying.

Oh – I topped mine with peanut butter. Obviously. And I highly recommend it.

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weekend happiness

I’ve always had a pretty mild wild affinity for being outside, but ever since joining corporate America, my desire has been insatiable. Being inside in the summer just feels so wrong, and on the Fourth of July, we righted it.

Katie Z. and I kick-started things by deciding at 11.30 p.m. Tuesday night that we’d bandit the Peachtree Road Race the next morning. As Atlanta’s biggest race – and the world’s largest 10k road race – it was the perfect way to start the day.

 After that, a big group of us Shot the Hooch, then Roomie Reynolds and I hosted a party at our house. From running, to floating, to grilling, it was the perfect way to celebrate America.

 

 

 On Thursday, Katie Z. and I flew home to Indianapolis for a wedding. The wedding was beautiful, and, what made it totally amazing, was seeing my family. We missed Duke, who couldn’t get back from Texas for the weekend, a whoooole lot though.

I hope you had a patriotic and happy holiday weekend!

PS: A big congrats to this girl for buying her first house.

And a special thanks to her for letting us have a tiny reunion there.