Food Facts

{Robyn O’Brien shares her personal story and how it inspired her to become a Real Food evangelist.}

TED rarely disappoints. I want to know all of these people. Part of me think I will be smarter for just being in the vicinity of such immense intelligence. This particular TALK is from TEDxAustin.

I genuinely believe there is something to be said for exposing yourself to information. All types. Different points of view, a wide variety of topics, new & different tidbits all the time. It has been a goal of mine for as lone as I can remember to at least keep an open mind about information that I come across. I don't always follow the principles being expounded on or the guidelines being laid out, but at least I can honestly say that I have listened. I certainly am not the type of person that is easily swayed to just believe anything I hear.

I am currently in a quandary over something I LOVE. For me, the negative evidence is mounting against this love of mine. I am growing more and more disappointed by facts that are being uncovered. Food that is. The more I learn about the food we consume as Americans the more frightened I become. It is truly unbelievable what lengths the government, food industry and society as a whole will go to to keep the average person in the dark about the health (or lack there of) of the things we consume. Frightening I tell you. This particular TALK is from TEDxAustin and it is another piece of the puzzle that is coming into focus for me about food. Amazing. Stunning. Disappointing. Scary.

I have been cutting things out of my diet that clearly have no purpose being there other than to satisfy my cravings and things I eat out of shear habit. It is a challenge for me. One I am not proud of, but one that I have little to no will power for. I'm trying though.

I'm just continuing to expose myself to information like this.
I'm using the "Scared Straight" tactic on myself.
It's beginning to work, even if it a slow and arduous process.

Just some other bits of food information that have blown my mind:
Food Matters
Food Inc. 
Nourish
The Gerson Miracle
The Beautiful Truth
Homemade Grits
{Check out my girl Lesley ... putting things into perspective & giving simple tips for application}

Feeling Challenged & Inspired

I heard rumblings about how incredible the latest series of messages going on at North Point Christian Church were and it made me remember how much I deeply enjoyed the effortless way that Andy Stanley delivers his messages. So clear, thought provoking & entertaining. I visited NPCC several times in high school and college and LOVED it every time. It is so far away from where I live now, it would be ridiculous to try and make it there every week for services. Bring on the power of the inter-webs!! Many of his message series are posted online for free. I have been absorbed in them lately. I just stop watching them. The range of topics covered all seem to be so completely relevant to the things I am struggling/dealing with in my life lately. Each one seems to bring another revaluation to mind about how I could deal with situations differently or at least shift my thought process about what is happening around me. I've been calling it my free online therapy sessions.

I find it ironic and deeply encouraging that when you feel your soul searching for "something", even though you may not be able to find the words to describe it ... if you are truly open ... and you are willing to accept it in any form it appears in ... it will find its way to you. Answers you didn't even know you needed. Peace that you thought was unattainable. Gentle reminders that you possessed the answers all along, you just had to uncover how to tangibly apply them to your life.

Maybe you won't find anything that you are looking for here, but keep looking. The answers you want are out there. When you find them ... act on them, don't turn a blind eye.

29 ... code for almost 30.

Today is the 29th of March.
I am 29 years old today.
In a few {very short} days I will be ... 30.
I'm having a difficult time processing that little tidbit of information.
Thirty.
Whoa.

I'm honestly not too sure what to make of it. I don't feel like I am approaching some huge milestone in my life. I haven't been dwelling on this number like some others do as a THE definitive marker in my life's journey. Though, as this birthday has drawn closer, I have realized that it is kind of a big deal. Whether I want to admit it or not, 30 changes things. No longer in your 20s, there are certain societal expectations of how you should act or things you should have accomplished by this stage of your life. I wonder if I will live up to the criteria of others. Let's get real, do I ever? No.

Many of my friends, acquaintances and even bloggers I follow seem to have embarked on a "30 Before 30" bucket list sometime in their late 20s. I thought about it last year at this time. I'm not great with deadlines, so I determined the whole process would feel more like an obligation then enjoyment to me. I opted out of this particular fad. It did however left me a bit curious about what I might have done differently if I had actually sat down and created a list of things to check-off before 30 ebbed closer. GULP. Guess I'll never know. I'm ok with that actually.

Instead, I decided to give myself some props. If you know me you are well aware that isn't really my style. On the whole I would classify myself as a more self-depricating personality. I don't throw a lot of compliments my own way.

So, HAPPY 30TH BIRTHDAY to me.
Here are 30 things I'm proud that I accomplished before turning 30.
{in no particular order}

1. i married the love of my life. <3
2. i know how to use power tools like a pro.
3. i rescued a pound dog named reese and made him family.
4. i learned to tell people that i love them ... and only when i really mean it.
5. i have read over 300 books.
6. i know how to bake delicious desserts.
7. i learned to like and eat tomatoes, granola, squash, spinach, avocado and yogurt.
8. i own a beautiful, comfortable home that i love living in.
9. i know how to sew.
10. i can throw a football in a tight spiral for at least 40 yards.
11. i know how to change a tire & check the oil in my car.
12. i still send hand-written, thoughtful thank you notes.
13. i have excellent penmanship.
14. i have vacationed outside the US more than once.
15. i can bait a hook & catch a fish.
16. i took my granny on an all expenses paid vacation to somewhere she had always wanted to go.
17. i have driven cross-country from Atlanta to LA with a dear friend.
18. i have hiked the grand canyon.
19. i gave away 10% of my last year's salary to charity.
20. i have a savings account and a ROTH IRA that i contribute $$ to regularly.
21. i consider my little brother & his wife two of my very dearest friends.
22. i found the courage to quit a job that no longer made my happy.
23. i have my own photography & graphic design business.
24. i wrote a book documenting my granny's life because i am in awe of her.
25. i carry my own shopping bags everywhere to avoid taking a plastic bag from stores.
26. i have had my writing published.
27. i have been snorkeling and wasn't afraid of being eaten by a shark the entire time!
28. i have seen 6 broadway plays - 1 actually on BROADWAY!!!
29. i have helped build homes and churches for those in need with my bare hands.
30. i was the first person in my family to graduate from college.

Way to go Ash. Hey, you're not so bad after all :)

SYTYCD ... a very powerful performance

one of the top three performances on this show ever in my opinion. love it.

TART.

I have recently discovered that my disdain for cooked fruit is waining. I have enjoyed a few tasty treats that have swayed me to keep trying more and so far, so good. I saw this simple apple tart recipe posted by the Pioneer Woman (amazing blogger btw, she blogs about everything!). It looks so yummy that I think I might have to give it a try. CLICK HERE to see the whole process step-by-step with photos. This post has also led me to seriously considering apple tarts for breakfast. It's fruit so that counts right?!

A little Monday morning perspective ...