...In The End

Going The Distance

"The world is not always the most pleasant place. You need to learn to stand up for yourself and what you believe in and sometimes, pardon my language, kick some ass."

- Queen Elizabeth II


Best wishes to Kate and William, eh?!
They seem off to a good start.

Confessions Of A Sugar Addict

...Oh, and processed grains addict too!

I'm on a diet for the first time in my life. Week Three kicked off yesterday. This is a pretty big deal for me.

Goals:

Cut the ties that bind when it comes to sugars and grains.

Cultivate healthier dietary habits.

Loose some winter weight so I am lithe and agile.

Have fun learning new things.

Explore the culinary world and learn to cook delicious food.


Diet:

Behold the pyramid...


I get one day off a week to eat whatever I want.

I weigh myself every week and measure the circumference of body parts I'd like to get leaner and meaner.


Brain Trust:

Steve (human-nature savant and fitness guru) and Steve (medical-man extraordinaire who monitors my blood stats to make sure I'm on track).


Outcomes:

Proteins and veggies with every meal is revelatory-- energy boosting and appetite suppressing.

I now eat breakfast every day (never done that before).

I lost five pounds in the last two weeks.

I literally dream about eating deserts and crusty breads.

Withdrawal after a day-off binge leaves me anxious and depressed.

I no longer spend my quarters at the HQ vending machine.

I'm still in.

Credits:

Forbidden-food porn from What Katie Ate and Design Sponge.

Mortality

Today...

The NOLS community is celebrating the birthday of a friend and mentor who passed away in the mountains. Pete Absolon left a rich legacy in these parts.

Today...

Anabel Bechtel was born. I think of all the mothers and babies who don't survive that epic process and am grateful that Ellen and her child are doing well.

Today...

I found out that a person who has been an inspiration in my life was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. I have this unusually clear memory of Bean Bowers leaning over a map with me on a mountain pass in the Winds, teaching me how to interpret what I was saw. From shared roots at Prescott College and NOLS, Bean went on to distinguish himself on extraordinary mountains throughout the world. He's fighting to weather this latest storm.

Today...

I am reminded to appreciate both the hearty and the fragile nature of a life well-lived.