Summer in Colorado

It"s here.  Not quite so hot you can't do anything but still hot enough that excertion at mid day will melt you.

Longmont, Colorado sits right at the base of the foothills so we often have a nice warm breeze.  This time of year brings the everyday 30% showers, which I love.

We have made a deal with each other and Kris B and family that we  WILL attempt to enoy our surroundings this summer.  

Hike once a week

Bike instead of drive

use all the patios in town and at our houses

and camp.

This was our first week of summer  

xo

the outcast in a meaty world

I come from a Mid Western Meat Eating Family.  

There, I said it.  

Because of this small fact I have often been the butt of bad jokes, the outcast and misunderstood.  Not just me, but my kids too.  The strange thing about this is that it isn't the world around me...it's the immediate world within my circle.  I decided to stop eating meat when I was around 13.  It was a conscious decision after seeing a propaganda film about veal.  Let me tell you, it was not an easy decision, we lived in the South, and veal was a common meal at our table.  At that time we didn't have Satellite TV and Google...we had Encyclopedia Britannia and the Dewey Decimal System.  I never preached my veggieness and still don't...Although I do teach my kids to be strong and proud of the choice to not eat meat. ( and at this point it is a choice for them...they can eat whatever they want in school).

The vast acquaintances I meet are very respectful and interested in the choice.  During Potlucks they always say, "oh this one is Vegetarian...no cheese too!"  (Proudly)  They ask questions, albeit in a sympathetic, "Oh I tried that and nearly died" kind of way  But they don't scoff and say, "Eat a piece of meat, you will feel better" when I have a cold.

My immediate family on all sides has never been so kind.  From feeding the kids meat when they were little, "because a little bacon never hurt anyone" .  To suggesting we are unhealthy because of our weights.  ( see noted picture of my son in above post).

Here is what I am getting at with this post...There are entire countries who only eat plant based diets.  I know my family is going to feel a bit angry when reading this, including my hubbys family....(or maybe they wont) but I would like to take a minute to say I have high cholesterol on top of all I do...I can only imagine what it would be if I ate meat everyday.  I came from the same parent ( at least one) as you all did, so I am not some weird phenomenon within our gene pool.  People may feel vegetarianism is radical or severe...me thinking about cutting out dairy will surely put them over the edge....But isn't open heart surgery radical? Bowel Removal?  Triple bypass?  Gastric Bypass?  Diabetes meds you have to take 3 times a day?  Those too, are very extreme measures, especially when compared to a diet change.  See?  See, what I mean?  Yet, we roll our eyes at a natural diet and coddle the people who have found their selves sick, overweight and standing in the line at Walmart with a cart full of processed food.  

I see many of my friends and family struggle with health and making healthy decisions but I want to encourage them to try to make a change.  A real change.  Not overnight, but to stop making excuses and saying things like, "I'm addicted to food" or "I DO eat pretty healthy, I had a veggie burger last night".  To pick one small thing and do it...do it so you will live longer, so we can enjoy each other...so the kids can enjoy each other...so I don't have to worry about my friends and family always being sick and depressed...

It has been 30 years for me, I have never once told anyone, " I can't believe YOU only eat meat"  but right now I am going to say, " Please people, if you haven't started to change your diets...do it. Stop the boxed foods.  Stop the sodas and chicken nuggets...Eat something that is fresh, take a minute to prepare it, and teach your family it's ok to be healthy and different.

Let's do it together...I can always use encouragement, and I can always give encouragement.  

xo, m

I love you guys...I just want you to be healthy, and when I have a heart attack from my high cholesterol you can point your fingers...but until then, can't you just give it a try?

stupid stupid workouts

What happens when i stop working out?
Yes, I realize I am obsessed.  I like to pride myself in a non addictive personality.  When given the challenge I quit drinking.  Back in my twenties, I quit all drugs, cold turkey...cleaned up, because it was time.
I often stand in the mirror and look at myself, then I look around.  Usually there is no one in my bedroom so I take it to the street, in my mind.
( I do understand this may be offensive to some, sorry...it's my blog, get your own and pass judgement on me)
I meet naturally healthy people.  It's awesome.  Yet there is something that doesn't quite do it for me.  They often look strappy and thin, slightly withered and "unhealthy".  Too much vegan cheese?  I'm not sure.  I just can't be happy with it.
I look at people who at some point they have just stopped caring about size.  They seem happy.  I like it.  They have switched from bikini underwear to full bottoms....pants to skorts or better yet the smock.  Do their spouses look at them and wonder what happened?  Or is it such a slow progression that they don't notice?
I announced yesterday I am going to switch to smocks.  Where do I purchase one?  Bobby said, "No you won't...you would never allow yourself to wear a smock".
He's right.
I have noticed many men in their early 40's start really working out again.  Trying to recapture youth?  what do their wives think, "Fine, you run 100 miles I'll eat all these 100 calorie treats and we will see who wins."
hmmm
who wins?
For me things happen quickly.
If I stop caring...I can tell.  ( right now I can't get a brush through my hair)
If I stop running...in 3 weeks I can't run 3 miles. ( I blame it on my shoes)
If I stop working out at least 3 times a week, I can't breathe in the first 10 minutes of a workout. ( when this happens I grab a beer and sit down and watch)
Yesterday I started my p90x again.
I did legs and back....ie: squats and pullups.
today I can't get up and down the stairs.
tonight I will run.

take it for what it is.
let me just add one more thing to this nothing post of what is on my mind
If my other half weighed more than 121 pounds, possibly my life would be different.
I can't stand when my underwear are bigger than his.
It makes me want to die.

next post: lack of sex...drive

360 days of my life #181 or something

The kid thinks he's Anime...I swear.