So Fresh and So Clean-Clean!

Ain't nobody dope as me...

HA! That song is so old. But I still love it. Too bad the for real video isn't on YouTube. I love the TLC cameo at the end.

Does this sound random and careless? Yes. This is the most random and careless blog I've ever written. Why? Because I'm trying to blog more. Because I've got a lot of life to say.


1. I'm quitting my secondary ed cert and focusing more on my writing, and the business of whole foods, herbal tea making, and getting a full time professorship teaching English and Literature. The path towards the cert has been filled with roadblocks. It was not the path for me, and I knew it from the beginning. I pushed on, out of fear for my future. Now, I am making decent money again and I have faith that my dreams are not so far-fetched. Woot! Like the kids say.



2. I want you to know that I HEAR and ACT on your suggestions. One great one was in the post about my quest for vegan soap. Several of you suggested I find a brand with less plastic packaging - a bar, perhaps!

You were so right! It is good to be vegan, better to be vegan and green. There are SO many people out there who don't know how badly we are effing up the planet. Every little bit that we can do HELPS.

Today, I picked up two new soaps.


The lady at my favorite market helped me find something similar to my beloved JASON, but in a bar soap form.
3. I got ANOTHER cold! That's the teaching life for you. To combat it, I'm using all of the usual remedies, as well as this new one a friend told me about: New Chapter Sinus and Respiratory. It's been about four days. My cold is well on its way out. But when I talk I sound like Romancing the Stone!



4. Despite my cold, I spent yesterday up in NYC, cheering on my good friend Mr. Indie who was running in the marathon.


I run, but I'm a terrible runner and could never do a marathon. It was inspiring to see so many people accomplish such a difficult feat! Just before the finish line, runners lifted up their arms and cheered. Looks of surprise and joy were pasted on their faces. I got a little teary. A couple of times. HA!

Afterwards, Mr. and Mrs. Indie, the boyfriend, and I ate at Otto Enoteca. It was INCREDIBLE.



I ate gluten. It was the second time in the past two months that I've eaten gluten. Both times, I steered clear of the cheese, but ate the bread and sauce. Both times, I did not get sick. I definitely felt fuller faster. Most importantly - in the days after, I had no troubles digesting any food.

The classic Margherita! I steered clear of the cheese.

Does this mean I'm going back to gluten?

No way! The gluten free life has left me happier and much more awake.

But I do like that I am able to eat gluten socially. No longer do I have to be a pain in the ass when my friends are deciding where to eat! I was SO pleased to have pizza with such wonderful friends last night. We talked, laughed, and went "Oh my God" at how tasty everything was.

Here is a plate of appetizers - not ours! We got brussel sprouts, broccoli rabe, and olives.

5. It looks like SOY has been the culprit of my sickness all along. And it's no surprise considering...

... What I learned about soy from watching Food, Inc.!

I JUST saw this, if you can believe it. If you have not watched it, please do. It is not gory. It will only challenge your ideas about food. You will be GLAD that your ideas were challenged. Trust me!

Toots

What foods do you only eat socially?
Do they help you enjoy your social situations more?


Have you seen Food Inc. yet? If so, what did you think?
What are your reasons for or not watching it?


Have you ever run a marathon?
If not, what athletic feats have left you impressed with yourself?

Being a really good waitress
throughout college and grad school is one of mine! HA!

Seriously though - what have you done
that makes you feel really proud of yourself?