iPhone diary- weekend edition

 

this weekend was sure a busy one. 

 

Andrew's band played a mini-show, where I met this darling little five year old (above.) She officially declared me as her best friend.

 

Favorite season is in full swing.

 

 

On Sunday, we trekked a few hours westward for his neice's birthday party. (Also: you see that giant stuffed rabbit staring menacingly at me from the back seat? Some bunny is watching you...)

 

 

Hanging with the family. I'm clutching a waterbottle because it was actually warmer than the air outside. It's using your resources.

 

 

And THIS, my friends, is the world's hottest pepper. Named Bhut Jolokia, aka "The Ghost Chile," it is a native of India and has been officially deemed the world's hottest pepper by the Guinness Book of World Records. Andrew's brother came across some and let us take one home. We've watched many YouTube videos to see the reactions, and let me tell you, they are scary. Terrifying, even. But we tasted small, microscopic slivers of the skin and you FEEL it! Apparently, the burn intensifies as time goes on, and lasts for over an hour. We're going to try big-boy bites soon. I'll provide you with plenty of documentation of the hilarity (and horror) when Whitney & Andrew take the ghost chile challenge!

 

Are we insane?

 

Probably.

you are what you eat

Hey, kiddos! I wanted to give a brief update on the last aspect of the happiness project: valiant veganism (woot!) I've stuck to my guns and it feels marvelous!

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The endeavor started mostly for the animal activism aspect; if you've ever watched the documentary Earthlings, then you know what I mean! Watch it for an eye opening experience. Anywho! As I progressed and noticed the change in me health-wise, I began to grow more health conscious about what exactly I was putting into my body. It's so easy to fall prey into "junkfood vegetarianism/veganism;" Oreos and Sour Patch Kids are vegan, after all. 

Andrew and I watched Forks Over Knives, a documentary that really gives perspective on the benefits of a raw food-plants based diet. 

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Don't be fooled: I am not embarking on a wholly raw food/plant diet. I'm incorporating more of these foods into my daily eating habits. But, come on. I'm way too much of a pasta fanatic to go raw just yet :)

As I was saying, Forks Over Knives exposes the benefits of a raw food/plant based diet and the amazing impact it has on several degenerative diseases and disorders. The idea of "food as medicine" is fascinating to me. How is it we are one of the, if not the, most technologically advanced nations in the world, yet we have one of sickest populations in terms of diabetes, cancer, and heart disease? It's quite the wake up call. 

Food Rules, a short and sweet book by Michael Pollan (who also authored The Omnivore's Dilemma), offers practical tips and guidelines for eating healthier. Here are some of my favorites: 

• Rule 19: If it came from a plant, eat it; if it was made in a plant, don't. 
• Rule 20: It's not food if it arrived through the window of your car. 
• Rule 21: It's not food if it's called by the same name in every language. (Think Big Mac, Cheetos, or Pringles.) 

Pollan also stresses the importance of knowing exactly what we're putting into our bodies. Example: sugar isn't good for you, but at least it's sugar. Splenda, aspartame, and other artificial sweeteners are filled to the brim with chemicals and lord knows what else. If you're going to sweeten, do it yourself, and use raw sugar over the falsies. 

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I encourage everyone to take baby steps into a healthier lifestyle. No, I'm not telling everyone to cut out the meat and dairy right this second. I am asking everyone to at least look at what they're eating and take small steps into a healthier life. 

Alrighty, I'm off my soap box for the morning. Ciao, darlings! 

what i'm reading

One of the perks of spring break is finding time to read something I actually want to read. What a novel idea-reading something for fun! It seems like it's nearly impossible to do during the school year, so I'm taking full advantage!

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Depending on how well you know me, or how intuitive you are, you may know I am obsessed with books and reading. When I was three, my nana found me holding one of her books (upside down) and, completely frustrated, I said, "I have just GOT to learn to read." I guess you can say that's where my passion took off. And now, I work with books! I'm in heaven. I landed the dream job.

While combing the aisles not too long ago, Derek and I settled in the philosophy section and camped out. I'm fascinated with philosophy lately, and luckily, Derek is studying it. God bless him for putting up with my oodles of questions. I decided to start my philosophy journey by learning all I can about post-modernism by reading Introducing Post-Modernism: A Graphic Guide to Cutting-Edge Thinking by Richard Appignanessi and Chris Garrat.

I'll do a separate post and further divulge into what I've gleaned from this maddeningly interesting subject, but for now, the back cover sums it up best: 

"Regularly controversial, rarely straighforward, and seldom easy..."

I couldn't have said it better myself. 

Je t'adore, mes cheries!

the happiness project

I've started reading The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin. Basically, Rubin lives a good life (a loving family, a job as a writer, comfortable setting in New York City) and feels pretty happy, but not as happy as she believes she can be. So she embarks on a year-long life changing experiment in which she tackles a new area of happiness each month. Example: In January, she tackles vitality by going to bed earlier, exercising better, organizing, and acting more energetic - all in an effort to be more energetic. Looking at the table of contents, she also tackles love, work, lightening up, leisure, friendship, money, eternity, hobbies, mindfulness, attitude, and happiness within. Wow.

I'm not even a full chapter in, and already I'm inspired to start my own happiness project. Like Rubin, I'm not unhappy by any means. But I feel like I could definitely improve on it. I've been contemplating what I would want to focus on each month. I like the way Rubin starts her project, with vitality. After a pretty rough semester, my energy plummeted to a new low. And with a new semester quickly approaching, I'll need all the energy I can muster.

I'm embarking on my own happiness project, starting with vitality. I'll get at least 7 hours of sleep, reorganize and clean my space, exercise and eat better.

I have a good feeling about this!