Hallelujah!!

Okay, more and more studies are rolling in, indicating some positive health outcomes for those who drink black coffee regularly, enjoy a bit of red wine, and (my personal favorite), ingest dark chocolate. But this...well, this just makes me break into a huge grin. In addition to the antioxidants, chocolate lovers may actually be fending off fat? Oh, how I love when a vice does me right!

Ammonium-Hydroxide + Beef = Pink Slime

I never imagined seeing the words "pink slime" mentioned this many times in a news article. Isn't that a phrase for sci-fi books only?

Turn. It. Up.

I'm not usually a Braggy McBragster type but I've been known to brag my face off when it comes to a good playlist. I can't help it. Some of you have unknowingly encouraged me. Anyway, considering that we are in the midst of some beautiful spring weather here in 'sconsin, this can only mean one thing for me: The Rolling Stones, Steve Earle, Lucinda Williams among many, many others to be played really, really loudly in the car, at home, wherever. Yes, indeed, it's time to get the Sunny Day/Road Tripping/Cleaning the House with the Windows Open/Baking a Vegan Pie (yeah, maybe not so much that last one but that's what I happen to be doing at the moment) playlist going. I thought I would share the abbreviated version:

Street Fighting Man - The Rolling Stones

Feel Alright - Steve Earle

Blue Sky - The Allman Brothers Band (I know, I can't believe I've got them listed either but I do like this one.)

Fortunate Son - Creedence Clearwater Revival

My Sharona - The Knack

Metal Firecracker - Lucinda Williams

Little Plastic Castle - Ani DiFranco

The Littlest Birds - The Be Good Tanyas

I know What I Know - Paul Simon

Wouldn't It Be Nice - The Beach Boys

Paperback Writer - The Beatles

Hesitating Beauty - Billy Bragg & Wilco

Mr. Music - Dave Moore

History of Lovers - Iron & Wine

Twice as Hard - The Black Crowes

Stickshifts and Safety Belts - Cake

Little White Dove - Jess Klein

Jackson - Johnny Cash/June Carter Cash

A Little Bit Lonesome - Kasey Chambers

The Ballad of John and Yoko - The Beatles

Gimme Shelter - The Rolling Stones

Sick of Myself - Matthew Sweet

Nobody's Baby - Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings

Gotta Be Better - Shelby Lynn

Here Comes My Baby - Cat Stevens

Beautiful Day - Chris Isaak

Now go dance your heinies off. Or eat pie with me. I promise you it will be good.

Oops

I typically don't like to spew my anger about something without looking at possible solutions to the problem. However, that's exactly what I did in last week's elephant post. Sorry. I couldn't help it. My blood boils anytime I read about violence towards a defenseless creature, especially when people try to rationalize these behaviors based on "needs," the greatest "need" which seems to be one's compulsion to consume. For example, our urban sprawl constantly upsets ecosystems; yet we want to punish those animals that naturally react to our invasion. We buy products without thinking where they come from and who or what may be getting hurt in the process. No longer a necessity for most, some of us now deem hunting only a sport, a "sport" that (at least in Wisconsin) can involve a lot of drinking and a ghastly level of bloodthirsty aggression toward animals.

In an age when anyone can do a two minute internet search and instantaneously learn about the torture some animals must endure to fill our bellies or adorn our homes and bodies, it blows my mind that the demand for things like shark fin soup and ivory only increases. But again, what's the point of getting all rant-y and rave-y if I'm not going to provide some solutions?

Well, you may be shocked to learn that I don't actually have the answers to it all. (I know, I know.) However, I don't think we can underestimate the power of spreading awareness. I mean, who has actually watched Food Inc. and continued buying meat in the same way at the local supermarket? Who has continued feeding their children chicken nuggets after watching this link about Jamie Oliver's food education "failure"? And check out some of WildAid's public service announcements. Although I don't know much about this organization, I respect their simple, yet strong message: "When the buying stops, the killing can, too." And did they really get Peter Benchley to speak in defense of sharks? Sweet!

I am also impressed that according to their website, WildAid is able to funnel 100% (!) of their donations to the field. And when it's 100%, a few of us giving five dollars here and there suddenly seems like it could actually make an impact. That five dollars I might spend on a coffee and a scone (that I don't need anyway; see previous "Lessons Learned" post) could go toward protecting all sorts of amazing creatures.

Whole different kind of "lesson learned".

Ivory Looks Best Worn on its Owners

That these majestic creatures are being killed for their "artifacts" makes me absolutely sick and question the hearts of some human beings. To know that the demand is only growing is absolutely heart wrenching. According to WildAid, the number of elephants killed is now at 35,000 a year. These are animals that are known to go into great mourning when a member of their family dies. This happens for no good reason at least 35,000 times a year. And let's not also forget about the rhinos (which are endangered!) that are being poached for the same exact reason. All of this so somebody can decorate his house with collectibles or so she can adorn her body with jewelry. Disgusting.

150 Pounds of Sugar a Year??

Although it is obviously extreme, I cannot say that I totally disagree with this proposal, especially when it combines healthy eating with fighting big business. I'm pretty okay with calling any company on the carpet that produces a beverage that makes me feel like my teeth are dissolving.

Lesson Learned

So even though my cleanse ended weeks ago, I'm still getting questions about it from a lot of curious folks.

"How did you feel?"

"Have you started drinking coffee again?"

"What was it like to re-introduce gluten?"

"Did the lack of caffeine make you homicidal?"

"No chocolate? YOU?!?"

"And how do you feel today?"

As happy as I was to re-enter a more "normal" eating regimen, it has not been as glorious as I thought it would be. Can I be honest here? I kinda sorta want to go back to my cleansing days. (Gasp!)

I haven't had much coffee (although as I punch these keys, I'm practically gulping the stuff; blame it on Sunday) and have switched to caffeinated tea, mostly because there are very few herbal teas I honestly like. And although I do believe that the caffeine in tea does me better than that of coffee, the dirty chai I had yesterday afternoon was the most delicious answer to my afternoon slump. So again, no huge conclusions here.

Sugar. Now that's been a little tough. (See above dirty chai latte reference.) I've got the cravings all over again. I was given a nice stockpile of chocolate for Valentine's Day and in order for me not to shove all three packages directly into my mouth, they are now in the trunk of my car. Yes, you heard me. Not only are those lovely little packages now somewhat physically inaccessible, I'll damn near break my teeth if I try gnawing on them in the dead of winter. It shall now be brought out only for guests. Or perhaps during some PMS rage. Although I've managed not to go totally crazy on the goodie front, I'm back to stockpiling my pantry with dried fruit to satiate myself. The blender, too, continues to get a work-out with my nighttime berry smoothie obsession.

Bread. I could really do without it. Bottom line, it's hard for me to digest (hello, tummy bump!) and as I've always known, it makes me tired. I'm back to having it very minimally.

And speaking of consuming things minimally, I'm back to having very little alcohol. I mean, really, who needs it? Sure, it's fun to go out for cocktails or to have a glass of wine here and there but it's expensive, dehydrating, and a complete waste of calories. If I'm going to indulge in some non-nutritional calories, hand me the flourless chocolate cake.

Interestingly, two weeks post-cleanse, I found myself sick. Now, this could have been due to several factors, including those little peanuts I'm around daily with the perpetually boogery noses. However, I can't ignore the fact that once I was off the cleanse, I most certainly made up for those three weeks of a pretty tame social life (and then some). I went out of town, I met friends out after class instead of heading straight home to bed, I pushed it at the gym, I didn't properly hydrate myself, I decided to drink caffeinated tea rather than take an afternoon nap, and then suddenly, my body rebelled. Shocking.

It was just a common cold but it was a pretty fantastic reminder that running myself ragged and not eating properly does not work so well. And then everything snowballed.

My sinuses decided to teach me a lesson. I couldn't breathe at night and then I wasn't sleeping enough so I'd be in a fog at work and then I'd come home and try to nap but some days, Chickie Babe upstairs would decide to wear what could only have been three-inch stilettos and make laps around her apartment on the hardwood floors and then just when I'd finally fall asleep, the next thing I'd know, it would be 5 o'clock and then I'd feel badly that I'd "wasted" the afternoon and then I'd feel stressed out that I hadn't accomplished A, B, and C and because I'd already wasted so much time and because I didn't have any energy anyway, I wouldn't cook a proper dinner and instead gnaw on crackers or bread and cheese (even though I know I don't need any bread in my diet!) and then the weekend would come and I'd finally get to go to see the orchestra but that one glass of wine at dinner coupled with my lack of an afternoon nap would make me practically fall asleep during the performance which would make me really mad because I love Beethoven and want to be fully present to absorb the music and (DEEP BREATH) so on and so on and so on...

Blech.

So back to taking better care of myself. I don't know if I can commit to a lifestyle without sugar, bread or coffee but I'm definitely going to re-incorporate some of these recipes into my daily life. And enough with me acting as though I have to see everyone and do everything ever in a two-week period. Sheesh. Besides, it's practically spring. Perhaps one can really slow down and smell some roses. Healthy sinuses do allow for that.