The Conclusion of a Very Good Week

It's been awhile since I could say that I really had a great week all around.
Here are a few highlights:

Monday: It was GORGEOUS outside, and I took the dog for a LONG walk and went to the gym. YAY me.
Tuesday: I volunteered for the first time at our church food ministry. We feed meals and distribute bagged lunches for the homeless and working poor in downtown Cincinnati.
Wednesday: I took a really fun Latin Aerobics Class at the gym. I'm still sore Saturday morning.
Thursday: I had a great meeting with my boss and team about upcoming project's and I feel really optimistic about the work we'll be doing this spring/summer. I also had my annual review, and it went really well. I came out of it really feeling confident about my work and my ability.
Friday: I stepped on the scale to find I've lost FOUR POUNDS this week. I treated myself to a new haircut (see photo from webcam...hehe), and I had a fun night out with Chris and good friends - Angie, Todd, Julia, Sean, & Datina. I hadn't realized how much I needed it.

Feeling Discouraged

This is the second week in a row now where I have worked REALLY hard to concentrate on my dieting goals. I have been really good with my food intake. I have either worked out at the gym or walked the dog every day (sometimes both). I've gotten plenty of sleep, too, which is something I needed to catch up on, because I know being tired makes me feel hungry.
And both weeks? I get on the scale to find i've lost a pound. Now I know the trend is going in the right direction, but I feel like I've worked really hard to jump start it a bit. I've lost a total of 13 now, but I was REALLY hoping to be at the 20 mark before our trip to New York on the 18th. But Jesus, really only ONE POUND?
*sigh*
It's been a lifelong struggle for me - this weight thing. And I absolutely hate it. People aren't really even noticing yet, and that's discouraging too. I've been working on this for a solid two months now. And some days it makes me wish I was just eating what I *want* to eat!

Worms and My Garbage

It's quite amusing to me to tell people that I now willingly have a bin full of worms and garbage on my front porch. I am so excited about this. My vermicompost bin is underway! Chris has quite enjoyed feeding them, which is really cute.
Today the big outdoor bin gets "officially" underway, because I have the supplies. I am so excited about this. We will be reducing our landfill waste significantly, and that's something I can do to make a difference.
Consequently, to get my "Master Composter" Certification, I have to do 10-15 hours of service. I am going to try to devote this to teaching friends and family how to have their own bins and piles. I'm thinking a "fermentation and fermentation" party in the fall (maybe earlier if I feel confident in my composting knowledge and practice by then!) - that's a composting and wine party. I'll be handing out flyers door to door on the street, and offering to have the supplies at my house to start new bins with my neighbors for a fee less than $10.
I'm such a geek about this, but I really am excited!

Shhhhh!!! Don't tell...

But Justin Timberlake, was freaking awesome! I had such a fun time. The man can DANCE, and he sure can entertain an unlikely fan!!

I'm actually looking forward to the gym tomorrow - to rock out some more!!

Going Green

We are making a concerted effort to go green in our home. It's a slow process, mostly because of the adjustment to our budget, but we definitely feel good about it. Here's a list of some of the things we're doing:

• We now use energy efficient light bulbs in every place we can in our home - these last 10 times longer than the other type, and use 2/3's of the energy.

• We support local business.

• We buy organic food products. This has not been a complete transition yet, mostly because the stores near us don't have enough options yet. We are buying only organic milk, yogurt and eggs. We buy our meat from a local butcher shop, and the meat comes from local resources. We buy organic produce as often as available. Always on our greens, apples, oranges, mangoes.

• We've expanded our garden. It's a completely organic garden. This year we'll be growing Tomatoes, Zucchini, Red Peppers, Green Beans, Parsley, Basil, Cilantro (possibly a few other herbs, tbd once I get through my herb book!).

• Plans are in the works to make our home more energy efficient. Big plans for the tax return this year. We are getting glass block windows in our basement (finally), and blowing insulation into our eavespace. If money allows, we'll be insulating our basement ceiling as well. Eventually, i'd like to purchase energy efficient storm doors. Our front door is particularly old, but it's beautiful and adds to the character of the house. A new storm door will help us keep it.

• We purchased an energy efficient refrigerator in December. We have vowed to research our energy efficient options on all of our purchases. It was particularly important with a purchase this big. I am researching sustainable flooring options for our kitchen (particularly interested in bamboo and cork) as well.

• I am starting compost bins in our yard (and i am VERY excited about this).

• I have purchased compostable and biodegradable (ethanol free!) waste bags.

It's really all been quite simple to do. I just wish everyone would consider making some effort for a greener lifestyle. It would make a world of difference.

Getting Serious

With a newfound motivation from two of my coworkers, i'm getting more serious about getting in shape. I've lost 10 pounds or so since Christmas, just enough to feel comfortable in my favorite jeans again, but i've been doing much better this week with the moral support of two of my coworkers who are trying to get back in shape as well.
I hit up the gym again tonight, and felt the urge to work harder on the eliptical machine - hoping to drown out the cologne smell of the guy next to me. I even managed to duck by the guy at the desk and go unnoticed. The guy that always flirts with me and asks when i'll go out to dinner with him - which is just a little bit flattering and a a little bit creepy at the same time. I usually just smile and ignore the question. hah. The workout was TOUGH tonight. It was just one of those days where it was harder to get into the groove.
I stopped at the grocery store to stock up. My biggest problem is snacking so I needed snacks in the 0-2 point range, and some good lunch options for work. I spent an hour at the store looking at labels and comparing.
I'll pick up some chicken, eggplant and ground turkey from the farmer's market this weekend - and i'm banking on the prospect of some of the local farmers being back with the warmer weather. They start bringing out the spring plants. Oh I love this time of year.
My first composting class was really great last night. We've already started! I borrowed an old coffee can that Chris had saved and we've already started to fill it with our food scraps. I'm going to use my neighbor's shredder this weekend for some of our yard waste, and we'll be on our way. I can't wait to get the worms in two weeks for my vermicompost bin. They'll have plenty to eat just waiting for them!!
I am also proud to say (and a little embarrassed that i didn't do this earlier at the same time) that I purchased biodegradable and compostable waste bags for my dog. I really hate to think that i'm preserving my dog's dookie in a landfill for a couple of hundred years using grocery store bags...which reminds me, I need a couple more bags to take to the grocery store with me. The two I have to reuse is just never enough!

Survey Time!

Food:
Q. What is your salad dressing of choice?
A. Raspberry Walnut Vinagrette

Q. What is your favorite fast food restaurant?
A. Jimmy Johns or Chipotle

Q. What is your favorite sit-down restaurant?
A. Honey. Oh, god. Honey!

Q. On average, what size tip do you leave at a restaurant?
A. 20%

Q. What food could you eat every day for two weeks and not get sick off of?
A. Thai

Q. What are your pizza toppings of choice?
A. Mushrooms, Bacon and Tomato

Q. What do you like to put on your toast?
A. butter and/or strawberry preserves

Q. What is your favorite type of gum?
A. Vanilla Mint


*TECHNOLOGY*

Q. Number of contacts in your cell phone?
A. no idea

Q. Number of contacts in your email address book?
A. too many to count

Q. What is your wallpaper on your computer?
A. Currently it's my friend Angie's kid, Caleb, with chocolate smeared all over his face and a goofy grin

Q. How many televisions are in your house?
A. 2


*BIOLOGY*

Q. Are you right-handed or left-handed?
A. i'm a lefty

Q. Do you like your smile?
A. yeah. it was an expensive and painful journey, so i better like it!

Q. What's your best feature?
A. Um, my curls?

Q. Have you ever had anything removed from your body?
A. Teeth and Gallbladder

Q. Which of your five senses do you think is keenest?
A. sight

Q. When was the last time you had a cavity?
A. Probably 5-6 years ago

Q. What is the heaviest item you lifted last?
A. a box in our supply closet at work

Q. Have you ever been knocked unconscious?
A. only under anesthesia


Misc.

Q. If it were possible, would you want to know the day you were going to die?
A. No. I'd like to think I live my life as best I can every day. So it doesn't really matter. Who wants to live in fear of that day anyhow?

Q. Is love for real?
A. absolutely

Q. If you could change your first name, what would you change it to?
A. I don't think i'd change it. I might decide to actually be called "Nicole" instead of Nikki though.

Q. What color do you think you look best in?
A. black - but others tell me reds and pinks suit me well

Q. Have you ever swallowed a non-food item by mistake?
A. oh i'm sure i've ingested more dog hair than I care to think about

Q. If we weren't bound by society's conventions, do you have a relative you would make a pass at?
A. huh?

Q. Have you ever saved someone's life?
A. i've performed the heimlich maneuver in a couple of situations, does that count?

Q. Has someone ever saved yours?
A. Not physically, but spiritually and emotionally, yes.

Dares:

Q. Would you walk naked for a half mile down a public street for $100,000?
A. Probably not.

Q. Would you kiss a member of the same sex for $100?
A. sure. i've done it for free. ha!

Q. Would you allow one of your little fingers to be cut off for $200,000?
A. no

Q. Would you never blog again for $50,000?
A. yes

Q. Would you pose naked in a magazine for $250,000?
A. nope

Q. Would you drink an entire bottle of hot sauce for $1000?
A. depends on the hot sauce

Q. Would you, without fear of punishment, take a human life for 1,000,000?
A. absolutely not

Q. Would you give up watching television for a year for $25,000?
A. YES

Q: What is in your left pocket?
A: i don't have pockets today

Q: How much alcohol did you have this week?
A: a couple of beers at a party Saturday night. And a nice glass of red.

Q: Is Napoleon Dynamite actually a good movie?
A: The characters were quite quirky and wonderful. And the movie was quite enjoyable, yes.

Q: What color underwear do you have on?
A: Gray and Pink, i believe

Q: Do you have hardwood or carpet in your house?
A: Hardwood downstairs, carpet and pine upstairs

Q: Do you sit or stand in the shower?
A: stand

Q: Could you live with roommates?
A: I have and it never bothered me. I don't consider my husband a roommate, but we get along quite well, i'd say!

Q: How many pairs of flip-flops do you own?
A: abotu 10

Q: Where were you born?
A. Cincinnati, OH

Q: Last time you had a run-in with the cops?
A. I got a ticket in the Summer of '03. For not wearing my seatbelt correctly (it was tucked under my arm on a long drive after it was rubbing my neck too long). Ugh.

Q: What do you want to be when you grow up?
A: happy

Q: Who is number 1 on your top 8?
A: Chris

Q: What cell phone service do you have?
A: T-mobile


LAST:

Q: Friend you talked to?
A: Kate at work

Q: Last person you called?
A: a vendor

Q: Person you hugged?
A: Chris, this morning


FAVORITE:

Q: Number?
A: 9

Q: Color?
A: Green

Q: Season?
A: Spring and Fall


CURRENTLY:

Q: Missing someone?
A: many of my friends

Q: Mood?
A: mellow

Q: Listening to?
A: 97X Vintage online. I miss this station on the radio!

Q: Worrying about?
A: money

Q: First place you went this morning?
A: to check email -isn't that sad?

Q: What can you not wait to do?
A: travel!

Q: What's the last movie you saw?
A: V for Vendetta

Q: Do you smile often?
A: Yeah

Q: Are you a friendly person?
A: yes

Q: What color shirt are you wearing?
A: brown with a denim jacket

Q: Now that the surveys done what are you going to do?
A: go home soon!