Oh yeah, it's marathon time!

My posting delinquency has hit an all time high- but no worries to my (maybe three?) followers still left-18 for 18 is back in full swing. Your vegetarian goal seeker is now 3 weeks into marathon training. As part of my training I will be attempting to raise $1,800 for the American Cancer Society.

Check out my fund raising page...

More to come- and soon this time I promise :)

The Big Easy

With the big move, 18 for 18 has certainly taken a back burner in daily life. Naturally being in this culturally rich city seeing music comes without even trying and being a vegetarian is almost tortuous. Cooking is no problem, and I've done it more than I've written on my list, but a nice pulled pork sandwich at a festival is oh so hard to resist. While my convictions are long from gone, they seem to not have as much control over my salivary glands as I had thought.

But it's time to move on, I feel like in terms of this experiment, I've certainly put in more time into learning and examining this issue (vegetarianism) than I had thought I ever would. Next, I feel that shear location has cause me to feel pulled to my '#14, volunteering 18 times.' Down here there are no shortage of opportunities. Tomorrow I will head to my first YLC (Young Leadership Council) meeting, and hopefully there will be projects that I feel compelled to become a part of. From my understanding, this group is in charge of a multitude of varying projects around the city; they range from tutoring/mentoring to organizing the Wednesday at the Square music events. More to come on that.

In the meantime, something fun-I've decided as of about ten minutes ago that as of today '#16, a back walk over' shall be in the works starting today.

Until next time...

Picture this: Kermit Ruffins+other fabulous musicians in a tribute to the Satchmo himself...

Number Seven

Mudrun complete. Probably the most fun I've had running a race ever. The course was much harder than any 5k Ive done, considering every place i've lived is completely flat. The course came fully equipped with rocks and mud and hills and a lake and obstacles and mud and more mud. I am 100% going to do this race again, or at least another mud race. My team was super awesome, and I think in the end we all had a blast. Since we were entered in the 4-person costumed race we were hugh hefner and the three girls next door.

Picture this: Runamuck 2010

Next, the 'accomplished post' that was supposed to follow last time, has not fully arrived. I did not beat my time I had hoped to accomplish in the half marathon, in fact i was more the 2 minutes behind. (Those with no running interest skip ahead)... In terms of pacing I was a mess, my mile splits were either 7:30 or 8, and I was hoping for a 7:45 pace. I think this inconsistency is really what killed me. I broke the race down into 3mi intervals, the first and third of which were my quickest, with my last 3mi the slowest. I ended up finishing in 1:44, a 7:55 average pace. That being a minute faster than my first half marathon, I was still extremely happy. The race was fun too, with music set up along the route and a beautiful course along Lake Michigan. Race mantra: your pace. your time. stronger than ever. (worked great mentally, try it!)

Picture this: 13.1 chicago 2010

Also been thinking more about the vegetarian lifestyle, which has become more of an in depth search than I would have thought. In in short stint of Ellen Degeneres obsession, I saw her being interviewed about her more recent vegan lifestyle. She mentioned the movie earthlings, which after watching only 20 minutes of, has certainly forced me to think more about eating options. Are we meant to be meat eaters? I think the answer is mostly yes. Evolutionarily speaking, we were always hunters and gathers. I think a lot of the problem lies in our method of killing and the damage it has on our environment and bodies. I have never given much thought to the suffering of the animals we slaughter. But one look at the conditions in which these animals are raised and it becomes almost impossible to bring back the disconnect I've had with my meals and the place they come from. Also some food for thought... about a month ago, upon listening to a peer's presentation in my networks class I learned a very interesting fact about the food chain: omnivores destabilize a food web.

So up next: TBD...

Pack it up

A while since my last post, nothing has really changed in the world of 18. Still doing the veggie thang, but it's more out of habit now. As my days in evanston dwindle, and I attempt to finish off the food in my pantry, and have come face to face with bumblebee. I decided to eat the fishy treat, emphasizing the flex, in my flexitarian life style. And as much as I love me some tuna, I did find it hard to eat. And no, this was NOT a mental thing. I didn't feel bad, or feel like I was sneaking some pretzels on passover, it just kind of felt hard to swallow.

I have banked a few more live performances which has be awesome. But right now I look forward to my first 'event' of the 18. The mud run! Got a pretty strong, and certainly fun team signed up for the race. We elected to do the costumed event, and are still deciding on our theme, but pictures are certainly to follow!

And although not part of the 18, countdown is 3 days until my half marathon, which is essentially my way of getting myself in shape for the bigger athletic events to come. My goal: 1:41.35, which will put me at a very ambitious 7:45 pace. I am writing this out on [electronic] paper so I can hold myself, and more importantly my mind, to it! Gonna have my mama there to cheer me on :)

Until next time. Hopefully an accomplished post to come!

The End (?) of An Era

Today ends my vegetarian experiment. Craving for a big juicy steak? negative. Some spicy sushi? eh maybe. A friend pointed out something very true, she reminded me how this really shouldn't be hard for me, it's not like I was a meat fiend before. And this is very true. I had always considered myself someone who ' is not a vegetarian but eats like one.' And after this little experiment? I think I've become 'a vegetarian who doesn't always eat like one.' A life changing 36 days? As it seems, not so.

Yet one thing that has drastically changed is my relationship with food as a whole. By certainly doing my research on the topic, I am more conscious of where food comes from, its journey from the ground to my mouth. A positive thing for certain, and certainly something I had put little thought into before.

I would be silly if not to think about the change in my relationship concerning food, and what I had thought 'healthy'. Healthy for what? my body? my appearance? the environment? While I certainly feel I have addressed this environmental issue, it is the connection concerning food and my bodies superficial health and internal health. I've thought recently about the food culture I have grown up in (not necessarily in my actual home, but more generally on long island), and this thinking has made me realize why I have never truly enjoyed cooking. I feel that the food culture I've been surrounded by has been one that shines such a negative light on food. That flavorful, rich foods are bad. Even healthy foods are portrayed in a negative light. Don't eat bread. Never eat pasta. Stay away from sugar. Sugar substitutes are worse. Eat protein. Don't eat too much. Consider this, keep away from fat and cholesterol, but use butter not margarine, but use olive oil not butter, but stay away from oil. Steamed vegetables are just plain old boring! I feel as if this culture of my past even shunned on too much fruit-> too much sugar. Removing myself from this extremely negative view of food has been the 'healthiest' change I could think of. This is something I didn't expect to come out of this. I love cooking now, by thinking of the nutrients instead of the harm, by feeling the value in properly using calories to fuel myself.

A wonderful (lingering) experiment. Now on to the next...

Half marathon coming up in four weeks and Mud run in five (costume ideas for group of 4 welcome!)

P.S. It has been brought to my attention that I have neglected to comment on the comments, but please know that I thoroughly enjoy and appreciate them! Suggestions I have taken to heart!

Not Slowing Down

My posting has lacked something to be desired, but thus I am still keeping up with my 18!

A few things...

Recently have been thinking about what I will do once my 18 vegetarian days are up. Big juicy burger to celebrate? hit the town with some sushi? I'd have to say nay to both. Fish and sea food are two things that for some reason I could've justified bringing back into my diet, until yesterday. After the incredible movie Oceans-cant see how mindlessly eating seafood can happen again. Flexatarian, (word compliments of runnersworld) seems like the right option for me. Sometimes during a long or hard run I find myself wishing I had chowed down on some ol' fashion red meat before. All in all, I'll stick to my soy protein and beans, and see where it takes me.

Next stress= bad news bares. While this past week I have stuck to the nothing-with-a-mother-rule, stress induces a lack of care for everything I've been preaching for myself in these past few weeks, I easily welcomed in mountain dew, corn-syrup laden foods, as well as other tasty treats. The result- felt like crapola. It's easy to cook and take time into preparing food when your schedule is free, the trick is finding the motivation and commitment when programming waves into your computer is making you want to hit the vending machine, stat.

Looking onto some more numbers... now that it's sunny and my bike is 'fixed' I'm thinking whole day outside to come shortly.

#18!

I've decided...

18. learn to drive a manual car

pro-protein

The veggie days continue...

Thanks to The Omnivores Dilemma, and others I've been learning a lot of about the American culture of eating, how we get food, buy it, cook it, and eat it. Became a little neurotic after reading a runner's world article about how active adults need more protein than they think. The USDA recommends .36 grams/pound of body weight per day (ie a 120lb adult needs 43 grams per day). Although, an athlete, such as a runner needs about .45-.72 per pound per day, (ie the same adult would need 54-86 grams per day). As a vegetarian it seems to get a little tricky to get this proper amount for muscle recovery after workouts, energy, etc. All in all I've had to be pretty conscious about exactly what I am eating, more specifically protein and iron content.

Also signing up this week for the mud run on June 19th in NY. Hoping to have a team of 4+, if anyone is still interested let me know! You don't have to be a runner, its 3 miles some fun obstacles, we'll run it at whatever pace, dress up in costume!

http://www.runamuckfestival.com/NY.html

Picture this: Quinoa+ roasted peppers, fresh mozzarella, olives, tomatoes, onions, fresh basil, greek-style dill dressing

Feelin' Fresh

A little veggie update...

Absolutely loving it so far. I am more interested in cooking, and enjoy the process of taking more time and trying to cook new things. I have definitely been eating healthier than I ever have before. Noticed by an ' innocent bystander ' :) is that I am more relaxed, I think this is more about my own psychosis of feeling better when I run/and eat better than anything- but all in all two thumbs up for the veggies!!

Pass [on] the Meat Please

Today I start #6: be a vegetarian for 36 days. The fridge is stocked of tofu and veggies and I am ready. The plan is no meat or seafood (really anything the has to come from a dead animal), for 36 days. My goal for this is to just really think more about where my food comes from. I am hoping that giving up meat will force me to examine and be more conscious of what I am eating, ie the chemicals and processed crap. I am (planning) on eating more fruits and veggies, more whole grains and simple foods.

It is probably just because I have been keeping my eyes open to this lately, but it seems recently this idea of eating 'slow food,' has been popping up more and more. First I saw a few episodes of 'Jamie Oliver's food revolution,' and while I stay away from fast, fried food in general, and am not morbidly obese, this show really got me thinking about the foods that I eat, the artificial sweeteners, preservatives in a lot of packaged food I eat, and in general the 'substitutes' I opt for in order to consume fewer calories. And thus, I am hoping to fill the next 36 days with more natural foods, buying the INGREDIENTS instead of the meal. Opting to make my food whenever possible, skip out on the once a day sweet-n-low in my coffee, etc.

Also, I was reading about a woman named Alice Waters after seeing her on the Bill Maher show. She is part of the 'slow food movement,' which is an effort to preserve local foods and encourage people to eat locally grown fresh foods. She talked a lot on the program about how it really can be beneficial health wise, eco-friendly, and economical to eat this way!

In looking at these fresher foods, I have noticed in addition the enormous difference in the amount of packaging to contain them. Fresh ingredients are many times package-less while buying a frozen/canned meals in heavily packaged. By passing on the meat, I hope to not only increase my health but reduce my environment impact.

Tonight is my first legitimate meal I'll be cooking (and vegetarian of course): #2, skipping out on the whole cooking for others with this one, gotta test this thing out first!

PS. #18- beat B at chess?

Picture this: Greek Spaghetti Squash + Arugula Salad

Let the Training Begin

Ready. Set. Go.

More Plans

Suggestion for 18: conquer your biggest fear. Do I have a biggest fear? There are many I can think of but I dont know if any are so called 'conquerable.' But this has me thinking about what that kind of task would entail, it may even be learning more and conquering a fear by educating myself about it, cause aren't all fears manifestations of the unknown in a way...

Number 6, vegetarianism is set to begin once my chicago visitors have come and gone, ie set to start April 12 (and continue until May 18). Most notably this means giving up lox and bagels on mothers day, oy! Time to thaw the hamburger meat in my fridge before then! Very interested in how training for the 13.1 and not eating meat will work out, in terms of energy. Much research to come on maintaining iron and protein without meat.

Also, was checking out the 'muddy buddy'- july 25, in New York... Who wants to be my muddy buddy? :)

here's the video- how fun does that look??

Finally a week throwback...

Picture this: Shamar Allen at Tulane, with free BBQ

Feedback

Went 'public' with my nearest and dearest, and am extremely happy with the response. This is why I love you guys, suggestions came in for number 18, and they ranged from head to the Kentucky Derby (I wondered who said that huh? :) ), to visit a foreign country, learn a different language, keep kosher for a while, go horse back riding (for the first time) ...

Also I was very excited to have some takers that want to join me... not surprisingly people want in on the cooking! Got suggestions for volunteering, speaking of which I gotta get outside to take some pics of NOLA. There's a taker for the creative project, gonna reach deep into the closet and pull out the good ol' rosen box o' art supplies for that one it seems! Dad's in for the polar bear swim, but he was signed up right when I put that on my list!

Many things on the horizon...

PS. my fortune cookie last night read "You constantly struggle for self improvement- and it shows"

Batter up

First up?

Well, what a better way to kick this thing off than in the wonderful city of New Orleans. After today, two live music shows will have been checked off the list (The radiators and Bonerama at Rock n' Bowl, and Trombone Shorty at the first of this season's Wednesdays at the Square).

Also, I feel pretty committed to the 13.1 in Chicago in June, for which I plan to raise $1800 for charity. Still deciding on a charity, but am excited about training again. The race's tagline is "where the party meets the pavement," umm sign me up :)

Picture this: Trombone Shorty and Orleans Ave.

The beginning

18 goals in 18 months.

Today, March 18, 2010 begins my 18 month adventure to complete a list of 18 goals.

All the things included on the list are things I enjoy, things I am looking forward to doing. These goals are realistic, yet challenging. I have specifically chosen these because I feel they will positively affect not only my well-being, but my friends, family, and my environment.

Why 18? Well simply because I like numbers, and well 18 is my favorite integer. Simply, this is the date of my birthday and the number of the house I have lived in my entire life. But furthermore, this number holds significance in Jewish culture. The word, 'chai', meaning living, is represented by the number 18. Its roots are seen in the cheer 'l'chaim,' to life. And thus, my adventure is a tribute to life, a physical and mental declaration that I am living... fully.

Since you all have inspired me in your own way to aspire to complete this list, if there is something you want to be a part of on this list- you're in! And, lastly, for now, goal number 18 is still yet to be determined. I look forward to suggestions, something you think I'd enjoy, or something you think would just be great to complete.

Check back here for updates on my completion, progress and set backs! Even some pictures to follow :)

The list…

1. Run a marathon
2. Cook 18 legitimate meals for me plus guest(s)
3. Hike/camp out west
4. Climb a mountain
5. Stay outside all day- sunrise to sunset
6. Be a vegeterian for 36 consecutive days
7. Do a mud bowl
8. Go 36 consecutive days without sweets (processed sugar/ sugar substitute)
9. Raise $1800 training
10. Do karaoke, in public!
11. See live music 18 times
12. Complete the tour de rouge, or a similar biking feat
13. Go 36 consecutive days with no tv- except sports/ news
14. Volunteer 18 times
15. Do a polar bear swim
16. Learn to do a back walkover again
17. Complete a creative project
18. All up to the reader!

16.Here it goes!