When In Rome...

...wear tie-dye!


Okay...so I'm not about to adorn the trippy threads but I've most certainly made some changes in my daily routine and lifestyle.  It hard to ignore the health conscious culture I'm currently living in.  Exercise and mindful eating are honored religiously out here.  I've welcomed both with open arms since stepping foot in my new community.

I've traded my high priced salon shampoo and conditioner for locally produced hemp hair products (all organic of course).  How could I go wrong when the BEST hand lotion I've ever used is also hemp product?! If my hands were happy...how could this new shampoo and conditioner fail? Don't worry, I don't have any future plans of purchasing hemp based clothing...I think I'll just narrow it to my hands and hair :)

On a larger scale, my normal diet has significantly changed.  I'm currently reading "Animal, Vegetable, Miracle", by Barbara Kingsolver.  It's an excellent read exploring present day issues of where our food comes from, the environmental implications of food production and delivery, and how to be self sustainable (and that it is actually possible).  When I first moved here, I decided to watch "Food Inc.".  My first mistake was to watch this documentary while eating dinner (poor decision making skills example #1).  For the next month, I was unable to stomach the thought of ingesting any type of meat product.

My second mistake was to watch this documentary and adopt a temporary vegetarian lifestyle when I was supposed to host guests in my home.  Nobody REALLY wants to eat black beans, tofu, and peanut butter when on vacation...I wasn't born yesterday.  It was time to seriously reflect upon what disturbed me most about the information provided in the documentary.

I decided it was the fact that today's farming practices have become so far removed from that which our grandparent's/great grandparent's were familiar with.  It's not my intention to climb up on an imaginary soap box, so I won't.  If you are interested in knowing more, watch the documentary!  Just don't eat your dinner while doing so.

I'll have you know, I have been able to eat meat again!  It all started with a nice Tuna steak (fish is the gateway meat...no doubt).  I'm definitely more aware of what I'm buying now at the market and am (trying to be) more aware of where my food is coming from!  Fortunately, the place I shop has contracts with local farmers and I have access to grass fed beef and free range chicken.  Not only am I supporting local business, but I'm supporting a healthier standard for meat products!  Go me!

During my "save the animals" kick, I refrained from eating eggs as well which put a gigantic damper on my morning breakfast routine (thankfully, that phase kicked the bucket as well).  I dove into the world of oatmeal.    It's a blessing my roommate is well versed in all things oatmeal.  I now make a kick-ass concoction of: rye, whole wheat, and barley flakes mixed with almond slices, brown sugar, cranberries, cinnamon sticks, cloves, and all splice balls.  A seriously delicious way to start my mornings.

Sorry to bore you with all this food talk but it's been a huge part of my experience out here!  If I could bring all of you to my new market, I would.  It's beautifully overwhelming.  Endless selection of fresh produce, bulk grains and spices, and "buy local" support.  It's awesome.

In addition to local food, the weather is different!  5 day forecast = 61 and sunny. No variation.  I'm not complaining!   Another week of spending as much time outside as possible.  My flip flops burst out from their premature hibernation last weekend and my toes enjoyed their familiar freedom.  I've found (and fallen in love with) a new exercise class (it's about time) called The Dailey Method.  I wish it was offered all over the country but unfortunately, it's only a west coast treasure.  I stumbled upon this class after a yoga instructor told us all to find our "inner chi" about 10 times in a row.  Everyone in the room had no problem with it...I wanted to hit him in the head with my mat.  Yoga is not for me (I've finally admitted it!).  In addition to this new class, I've been building up longer runs and discovering hiking trails throughout the local hills- I'm definitely feeling healthier and stronger.  It's a great thing.

Work is still going well.  I'm finding my niche and holding on to my "east coast edge".  My new boyfriend calls me "sassy".  Oh, he's 92 and can bench press 115 pounds.  He's extremely concerned with my wellbeing out here given there's no family close by and my friend group is extremely small.  I've come to love our early morning conversations about his life in Poland (obviously) and the amazing life he's created for himself in the states.  Every day, he asks for my number so we can keep in touch and he can invite me over for dinner or perhaps "go for a jog around the marina".  I'll let you know who wins :)