It's not December

Christmas decorations should not be in stores right now.

Fall is my favorite time of year. I love the changing leaves, the cool days and wearing scarves and sweaters. Everything turns pumpkin flavored, and it becomes socially acceptable to wear dark nail polish. 

Why do we try to rush through this season? I want to see seasonal decor during their appropriate season.

Halloween=October

Thanksgiving=November 

Christmas=December

Again, it's September. 

September does not equal Christmas. 

<end rant>

A Disappointed Vegetarian

Valentine’s Day is just a fews week away, and time is of the essence if you want to get a nice table reserved.  Most places offer special menus, and while Noah and I were browsing through our options I began to feel a bit discouraged. Steak. Shrimp. Clams. Rack of Lamb. Meat, meat and more animal.

At the bottom of each menu… the outrageous flat-fee to match the lavish cuisine, and in small print:

NO SUBSTITUTIONS

Great. So I have to pay $60 for the atmosphere and a fennel salad? Has Valentine’s Day always been a meat-eaters holiday? Even the known-to-be-accommodating restaurants in Seattle aren’t offering vegetarian friendly options. What’s going on?!

What’s most frustrating is the ease it takes to accommodate a vegetarian diet. Offer a tofu dish. Take out the meat and add lentils or polenta. Make vegetarian lasagna for goodness sakes! From a smart business perspective - restaurants are losing business by excluding a whole population of eaters.

We ended up making reservations at a cute little tapas place we enjoy. Regardless of my (continued) frustrations of being a vegetarian, I am looking forward to spending Valentine’s Day with my birthday boy.

If you're curious as to why I am vegetarian... You can view that rant here.

An Independent Woman

Last night I had a fabulous dinner with a friend. Over decadent goat cheese stuffed figs and glasses of wine, we discussed a topic I have been thinking about a lot lately: identifying as an independent woman.

You see, I have been raised this way. I have been encouraged to challenge societal norms, and raised with the mindset that I can do whatever I want with my life. This can be clearly defined as the Generation Y mentality. If you want to go to college, go to college. If you want more education, go get it. Despite my generational stereotype, many women my age face the pressures of finding Mr. Perfect, getting married, and having babies. While I want all those things (I have 1 out of three), I am on my own timeline and have other dreams to fulfill. What’s the rush? I want to travel. I want to become established in my career.  I want to be financially secure. I feel all these things will make me a better person, partner, and mother.

Here’s the issue at hand:

Why are independent women viewed as scary and/or intimidating?

Top 6: Driving Pet Peeves

I will not boast that I am the best driver. Although some (ahem… my boyfriend) do. Sometimes I California Stop… I don’t always yield to pedestrians… and I am a chronic speeder… BUT… here are my TOP 6 Driving Pet Peeves:

          1) If you make a turn, must you turn in the opposite direction first?

The occurrence of this seems to be declining, but why do people have to swing out to the left before they make a right hand turn????

2) Tailgating

No excuse. No reason. Period. Get off my ass. You're making me want to slow down. I feel safe in assuming that’s the opposite of what you’re wanting. You can cause an accident that will involve you, me and probably too many innocent bystanders.

3) Working lights and knowing how to use them

3a: Headlights. There’s a rule about this, I know. There’s something about dusk and dawn? Don’t know, but use common sense. While driving a few days ago I saw a SUV without their lights on – it’s 6:30 PM in November… it’s dark as hell.
3b: Hi-beams. They are really effective when used correctly. THEY ARE NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR ACTUAL WORKING HEADLIGHTS. I'm talking about those vehicles that you just know their headlights don't work, so the brights have to be used instead. Just fix the headlights!
4c: Brake lights. What, are you nuts? Do you really want to go out in traffic and get yourself killed???
5d: Turn signals. Oh, geez… where do I start...
5d1: Turn them on.
This is the easiest and safest thing you can do behind the wheel, right after putting your damn seatbelt on. Are you kidding me? When someone doesn’t use their lights, it makes me want to go up to their car, reach in the window, yank off the entire turn signal stalk from the steering column and yell, "It's obvious you don't need this since you don't use it!!" If I see someone who wants in my lane, at least I know what they’re doing and I'll let them in. Oh, and here's a courtesy thing: If you're in a crowded parking lot, cruising the aisles looking for a parking space, and you stop and block the aisle because you see someone getting in a car to leave, use your turn signal to let the people know behind you what you're up to. Otherwise, you're just in the middle of the aisle and no one can get around you. People may get less excited if they knew you actually found a potential spot and you're waiting for it.
5d2: Turn them off.
Yes, we all know about the Senior Citizens that seem to go for miles with their turn signals on. I've got news for you - they're not the only ones. There's nothing worse than being on a highway with a guy with a turn signal on. Can you pass him? How do you know that he's intending to make a lane change? YOU DON'T KNOW. Approach with caution because whether he knows it or not, he's causing problems. At least he used his signal at least once, so you can't fault him for that.
5e: Hazards. When you are going 35 mph on a highway the least you can do is turn on your hazard lights to let us know that you know you're doing 35 instead of being oblivious to those around you doing the speed limit or, heaven forbid, those people doing well over it.

        4) Coming to a complete STOP before turning

Seriously? Why do people do this? It’s very easy to make a smooth transition when making a turn. Unless it’s icy, there’s no need to come to a complete stop.

        5) The jerk mergers

You know who you are. The people that see the MERGE sign and wait until the last minute to try and squeeze their way in. I don’t think so, Mr.  Yes, I am that person who won’t let you in. I learned that rule in kindergarten: NO CUTS!

         6) Best for last…. Texting and cell phone use in general

This is not only a safety issue, but a legal issue**. There are ways to safely use your device, but some choose otherwise. BLARG! I get so irritated when the light turns green and I can tell that the person in front of me is too busy texting to notice!! Facebook, Twitter... your mom... can wait. Just don’t do it!

**A few months ago I was pulled over because the officer thought I was talking on my phone. I told him that his accusations were impossible. He didn’t believe me until I showed him my phone…securely stored in the trunk of my car. No joke.  

Please, let's all practice safe and considerate driving.

Sleepyhead

I had the hardest time waking up this morning. I have a feeling this is just the beginning of rough mornings, but today was brutal.

Sore from last night's workout, and from staying up late watching my new Fall shows (yay for New Girl & Mindy Kaling's new show)...I just needed one (okay, two) more hours of cozy darkness. Speaking of darkness... Waking up without the sun doesn't help.

I'm a night person, and in the morning I turn into a real bitch. I think my sleeping habits (err...bedtime habits) have to change....

Yawn.

Spider Homicide

In less than a week, I have found two very large, and vicious looking spiders in my home. Normally, I have compassion for tiny creatures. Sometimes I will even go out of my way to save them. For example, I will stop to pick up a slug and save him from being smooshed into concrete. Or , I will try to catch a moth and release him into freedom outside.

My kind-hearted efforts do not apply when it comes to spiders.

I will spot you, dear spiders. Once I have spotted you, I will first cry out into a fit of terror. Then, after finding composure I will plan my attack.

What weapon should I use? Are you small enough for a paper towel? No. Too big. If I hit you with something, will you scurry away to never be found, thus forcing me to move out? Would a shoe kill you? What about a bat?

I did not hesitate when I murdered these two eight legged monsters. One by baseball bat, the other squished by boot.

No remorse, I tell ya. Even if Charlotte herself appeared in my tub...I'd kill her.

"How do you get your protein?"

….."Why do you eat animals?"

Being vegetarian has its frustrations. Releasing these frustrations here seems to be a reoccurring theme. See HERE.   


I often have to scan the menu for non-meat dishes. I often have a cart full of vegetables, "fake meat" products, and lentils. Oh, and I am accustomed to saying, "Is there meat in this?" at social functions. This is life for me. A life I choose. What I can't stand however is the...


 "Do you get enough protein?" or "Where do you get your protein?" 

Well… here's how. 

Below are 8 methods I use to meet my daily allowance of protein without eating meat.Yes, it's possible. 

Nuts

The easiest (and possibly tastiest) answer is nuts.  All varieties of nuts: almonds, peanuts, cashews, pecans, hazelnuts – you name it.  I eat peanut butter off the spoon… it's an excellent source of protein with 4 grams per tablespoon.  I watch the salt though I try the unsalted nuts to keep the sodium intake low.

Seeds

Remember those amazing roasted pumpkin seeds from childhood Halloween parties?  Who knew they were good for you?  Well, turns out they are.  Along with their squash, sunflower, and sesame. Many of these seeds provide upwards of 33 grams of protein per 100 gram serving.

Dairy

I'm NOT vegan. So I load up on CHEESE.  Cottage cheese, cheddar, goat, feta.  Other dairy products like eggs, milk and ice cream (not my top healthy choice) also provide a substantial amount of protein, with the added benefit of high calcium content.

Beans

Beans are pretty amazing.  One of their remarkable qualities is a wealth of protein, especially strong in black and garbanzo beans.  A quick way for me is to chow down on a bean burger. 

Soy

Soy: nutrition’s favorite utility player.  Between tofu, soy milk, veggie burgers and tempeh, is there anything it can’t do?  Tofu packs a hefty 20 grams of protein per half cup, whereas soy beans boast 14 grams for the same amount.

Cereal

Cereals like Kashi Go Lean can also be good sources of protein. 

Spinach

And last but not least: spinach.  In addition to being delicious (well, now that I’m a grown-up), spinach provides protein as well as fiber and Vitamin A.  Toss in some cheese and double up on the nutrition!

So, get off my back about it. I am protein packed! 

As a Vegetarian

    

To all my friends and loved ones… please take note.

My Pet Peeves

1) When people attempt to give me crap or make fun of me for being vegetarian.

2) People who think it’s a phase.

3) People that can't imagine a diet that doesn't include cow, pig and chicken as staples. "So, what do you eat?" or "You must be sick of vegetables." 

4) The "how do you get your (protein, calcium, iron)" people.

5) People who think I judge them for eating meat, or say, "Oh, sorry...you must think I'm disgusting." I wasn't judging until you said that.  

6) People who think I must be lying and cheating because I "look too healthy" to be vegetarian.

7) People who think they're clever and provocative for saying things like "plants are alive too", "but there is leather trim in your car so you aren't really vegetarian."

8)The "Oh, this steak is TAASTTY!  Don't you want to try it?" and "I could never give up my hotdogs and hamburgers!" people.

9) The people who ask me if I eat fish as a vegetarian. It's an animal, isn't it?

10) The people who worry about me at a restaurant. "Is there anything you can eat here?” “Oh look, they have salad, or there’s a veggie sandwich..." Thanks for the concern, but I’ve ordered from a menu before.

    

So knock it off…. meat eaters. 

{Social Work: Made Up Words}

You know, it's really hard to write a paper when the majority of the words I write have that annoying squiggly line underneath it. I am not misspelling words, no no. I am using words that have been made up by the Social Work profession, and Microsoft Word has yet to catch up!

For example:

Cissexual

Allyship

Heteronormative or Heteronormativity

Antiassimilationist

Effemimania 

…..To name a few.

So, can any profession just MAKE UP words??!! WTF? 

Okay… back to the paper.