Ms. Independent.

Remember last year when I was feeling weighed down by my resolution to read 100 books? I decided to make a Declaration of Reader Independence. I've been practicing a lot of these rules recently! The most recent being... 1. Not finishing a book. I'm not 100% sure if I wont go back to The Gluten Free Girl someday, just not soon. I disliked the author's tone. It felt condescending and snobbish. Mostly I hated how much smack she talked about her Mom. The first few chapters were humorous and relatable, but it soon became difficult to read. I like hearing people's stories about their love of food, but I couldn't tolerate her tone to the very end. I prefer books that are uplifting... or... un-put-down-able! All this sucks because it is actually a book I bought for my Mom that I saw on her shelf unread so I snatched it up one day, thinking I would read it real quick. All the negative comments aside, I think she should still give it a go. There are some good pointers for someone recently going gluten free.

Maybe I just like books that are carefree stories about love?! Not all the time... but a lot of the time yes, like the last two books I've read.

While neither of these books are classics (or anywhere near close) they serve a purpose... They transport you somewhere else, to a story that isn't terribly complicated but extremely readable. Both are qualities that I look for in a summer read. Both of these books I would recommend for your Summer 2011 list.

Scarlet Nights by Jude Deveraux
Obviously this was in the romance section. Obviously it was a quick read. Obviously it has a cheesy/predictable love story. Obviously I loved it.

There really isn't much you can review about any decent romance novel. They are what they are. This particular one actually had a little something extra... a hint of mystery. I didn't figure it out until the end, because there wasn't any hints throughout the book (great way to surprise a reader). But the mystery was a nice added touch to the standard plot. I wouldn't pick this book up before any other romance novels, but if you find it on a community shelf at your local coffeeshop, go for it!

Summer Sisters by Judy Blume
I never read any Judy Blume books growing up. I just googled them, and not one sounded familiar. This is kinda weird to me since I have always been a reader. I'm glad that I didn't wait any longer to discover her. While Blume is known for her YA and Kids books, she also writes Adult fiction (what I like to call Chick Lit). That is what Summer Sisters would be classified as, Adult Fiction. Although I haven't read her YA books I have a feeling they have some of the same themes that she uses in this book.... just with sex. This book is about two best friends. It follows them from their childhood to their adulthood. I couldn't put this book down. Partly because of the love story, but partly because of the compelling main character. She is someone very relatable. Parts of this book are very dark and sad, much like real life. This book has more depth to it than your average Chick Lit novel. The entire time I was reading it I was looking at how much further I had to read (I read it in paperback not Nook format) and kept thinking there weren't enough pages! How could she finish the book with only that few of pages? I didn't like part of the ending but understood it was necessary for the character to have closer.

If you are interested in Chick lit I would also recommend: The Last Summer (of You and Me) by Ann Brashares and Firefly Lane by Kristen Hannah


By the way... there is nothing in this world as wonderful as homegrown strawberries... check out my afternoon crop!

In other food news... I'm really bored with food, so I've just been eating crap lately (you know carbs and sugar) So my goal is to go back to how I was a month ago, being creative in the kitchen. I know I've said this repeatedly in the last few weeks, but I've lost the spark and I need to find it again. Last night I got sooo sugar sick it was ridiculous (thank you coconut ice cream) so no more messing around. It is affecting my energy... which means it is affecting my training! eeek only 18 days until the Warrior Dash!

Baby's First Kegger... and a Sugar High.

Well the first week of training is complete! I'm starting from the beginning again in the hopes that:

1. I wont injure myself further.

2. It will make me stronger

3. I wont feel frustrated during this training session.

The first week I relearned some things that I thought I had learned months ago, mostly that I can not run multiple days in a row. Even if they are short runs, I need more recovery time. So I've gone through and created the beginning of a 14 week program. While running is the goal, I'm actually incorporating a lot more cross training days than running days. It will be really interesting to see how I feel during the next half marathon as opposed to my first half with the focus on becoming stronger. If I start to feel really good, I'll also throw in some speed work to set a PR (Personal Record).

Since this post is all about my nephew's birthday sugar high (I saw him tonight... I think he is going through withdrawals...) I should mention that I saw my Naturopath today. We talked a lot about my legs/running issues and also my blood sugar levels... I told him how before the race I started carb loading and that I just never stopped! And I've felt like crap since! I have some symptoms of low blood sugar and my levels are really low. Last time I measured a 48... normal is between 80-100. He had told me before to cut out sugar.... and I might not have listened. So now I am?! He has me taking a vitamin mix called 'megastress' that is supposed to help with the sugar cravings (and maybe my Costco meltdowns?). That would be nice... since I just annihilated half a container of coconut ice cream! Whoops! My sugarless days start tomorrow! Maybe I'll start doing a photo food diary again? Wasn't that fun for everyone? ;)

This weekend I made no effort to curb my sugar consumption! And neither did anyone else!

Siblings!

Someone is funny.

Somebody is turning one and eating GF and Vegan chocolate cupcakes! YUM!

A pizza party! My mom and I shared a GF round one...
Everyone else enjoyed pizza made on La Fiamma pizza crust.
Theirs was better... but ours wasn't half bad!

Baby boogying on the table! A family tradition.
Seriously, doesn't he look like he is about to bust a move?

Tike with a trike!

The card Toon (my oldest brother) and I made!
Our gift to him is the beginnings of a travel fund!
I wish someone would have done that for me!
Who needs college?! ;)

Day two of the celebrating!
The Hungry Caterpillar themed party!

Grandma and Birthday Boy!

The Greats got Callen a six foot tall bear... no joke!

The Greats with the Brothers.

It wouldn't be a Michelson party without home brew!
Baby's First Kegger!

Awesome cake!

He was confused at first...

But got the hang of things!

And had a mini freakout when the big piece was taken from him!

Stinkin' cute family!

This weekend was a lot of fun, sugar, beer and a lot of family!

This week I'm going to try to focus on kicking my chocolate addiction and strength training! Next week I'll think up some less abstract goals for myself! We are half way through the year... maybe it is time to add to the resolutions?

Time Flies.

When you're having fun, when you aren't having fun, but mostly time just flies. On Friday my nephew Callen turned 1 year old. I can't even believe it! It feels like just yesterday we were all at the hospital awaiting his arrival.... and at the same time it feels like he has always been a part of our lives. He is one special little boy that has us all wrapped around his little finger... or most of the time a fistful of my hair wrapped around his fist!

Day 1

Day 365

Estrogen.

Thursday night was my beautiful Auntie Trese's birthday! Since it was such a special birthday we decided to get all the ladies from our family (that could make it) together for dinner. Usually when we have family functions it is at someone's house. Whoever is hosting has a bigillion things to do and all the other ladies are trying to help, while all the men are there chatting, and a gaggle of children are running around usually stealing Katy away. (Ok maybe it isn't that intense... we do get a lot of quality time but not without distractions).

So it was such a fantastic idea to just get the ladies together for dinner at a restaurant! We tried a new-to-me restaurant called Agate Pass Cafe, in of all places... Suquamish. The reviews have been so great for this place that we headed on down. It is right on the waterfront in downtown. Once you get inside it has such a great atmosphere, it is cozy and warm with a modern flare. 

The food was amazing. Everyone loved their entrees. The service was also excellent. The woman who waited on us was extremely welcoming (I think she was also one of the owners). She chatted with us about their Sunday brunch and how the places they have traveled have inspired some of their menu items.

Check out their website: Agate Pass Cafe

Sisters! Sally and Katy

The menu was small but covered all the bases.

Checking out the wine list!

The BIRTHDAY GIRL!

The Ladies!

The food was so good... it was ridiculous.
I haven't been impressed by many of the restaurants around here lately, but this place takes pride in it's food!
My dish was the special of the day: Grilled Neah Bay marbled salmon, chipotle orange bbq sauce over cumin and lime scented rice with Nappa cabbage slaw.
Amazing.
So many different flavors combined perfectly.

Birthday bread pudding!

Birthday girl and her birthday surprise! Rebecca (her daughter) drove up from Portland!

The night was lovely. There were so many different conversations going on all at once. These are some of my absolute favorite ladies. Each of them is so unique and wonderful. After dinner we all just sat around sipping on coffee and tea enjoying the moment, because it just doesn't happen nearly enough!

Happy Birthday Auntie Trese!

I'm Kinda Gangster?

So what motivates you on a run? Every once in a while I can get away with an ipod-less run and enjoy myself, but 99.99999% of the time I need the music bumping in order to keep myself moving forward.

Have you ever listened to someone else's workout playlist? You probably thought some of the songs were kind of weird.... Well if you listened to mine that is probably what you would think. A good beat isn't necessarily the thing that makes me want to run harder. Sometimes a really good angry-girl song does the job. You wouldn't think that Beyonce's "If I were a Boy," would make me kick up the gear, but it does. Sometimes I'll put a slow song in the middle just to remind myself that it is OK to walk for a minute.

I am also a searcher. I have around 140 songs on my playlist, and will scroll through on my IPOD Shuffle until I find one that gets me motivated for that moment.

I usually go through phases with songs. Right now Rihanna and Jay-Z's "Run This Town," is featured multiple times on my lists. Past songs that were often on repeat included: Beastie Boys-"Sabotage," Christina Aguilara-"Fighter," Kanye West-"Stronger."

My friend Kelsey is going to run the Kona, Hawaii Half Marathon this weekend! Good Luck Kelsey! She has been training like crazy and had originally thought she couldn't use an Ipod during the race. There are a lot of races that have this in their rules, but I think in most cases as long as you aren't trying to place you can get away with an MP3 device. Anyways, she just asked me for my playlist so she could quickly put one together. I'm not sure if it will help too much, but here are some screenshots from my little Gizzmo. Yes, I named my shuffle... if you must know my computer is named Norm and my backup hard drive is Ethel!  :)

Try not to judge me....

There are a lot of explicit songs on this list, apparently while I'm running I think I'm a gangster.....?

Summer Reading 2011.

Last year I followed Oprah's lead and created a summer reading list. If there is one thing I enjoy soooo much about this blog (besides my random rants and food talk) is recommending books! Making this list every year makes me look back at not only what I've read this year, but also at all the books I've read in my life. Since I like lists and categories so much, that is how they are organized.

Oprah's 2011 List and my list from 2010 and my book page that links to the book reviews I've done since Jan. 2010.


A book you probably cliff noted in high school:
The Catcher in the Rye by J. D Salinger
Because let's be honest, if you haven't read it you are going to miss a lot of questions on Jeopardy! But honestly it is a great book....


An edge of your seat mystery:
The Shadow of the Wind By Carlos Ruiz Zafon
I will use any excuse known to man to be able to recommend this book! One of my favorites of all time. It is dark, mysterious, and very captivating. The story is so unique and different from anything I've ever read before, I can't wait to read his other novel, Angels Game, that was released recently that I'm waiting not very patiently for my Dad to finish! The author pulls you into the story, which is my favorite type of book!


A book to steal from a teenager:
City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
Here is another young adult book series to ruin your life for a couple of weeks by getting you completely hooked! I'd say the first three books by Clare in the Mortal Instruments series are the closest I've found to rivaling Twilight.

If fantasy isn't your thing that read anything by Markus Zusak.... One of my author crushes!


Something old:
The Painted Veil by W. Somerset. Maugham
Written in the 1950's.... it is oldish enough to fit the category. I fell in love with this book. I don't even know how quite to describe it. It is about a selfish english woman who marries a man who is madly in love with her, just to get away from her mother.... I don't want to spoil the plot, but there are lessons learned and a harsh love story. Read the book then watch the movie (sigh... I love Edward Norton as the main character) Then in your head mesh the two into the perfect story.

Something true:
Born to Run by Christopher Mcdougall
Are you surprised by this choice? I don't tend to like too many non-fiction books, so I don't have a large stockpile to choose from when making my recommendation. What I do know is that when a non-fiction book captures me as much as this one did its a good one! I also want to mention that I think it would be interesting for non-runners as well as runners. There is a really engaging story here. I loved this book!


On the beach:
The Bride Quartet by Nora Roberts
Because no one does a beach read like Roberts. There are four books in this series and if you have more than two days to lay in the sun you could easily finish them all. The series is about four friends who open a wedding venue together. Each has her specialty (photographer, baker... etc.) Good, quick, fun!

On the plane:
Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
Everyone is reading it for a reason... it is really good. A few people have told me that they felt it was too dark, but I never felt that way. I couldn't put this book down. The premise of the book seems like something that I wouldn't be interested in, which is why it sat on my shelf for over a year, but everything about this book is wonderful.


Something to inspire you:
The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin
When I first read this book I wasn't sure if I liked it or not. It took me forever to read during a time when I was blowing through books. But looking back this is one of the books from that time that has really stuck with me. I find myself often thinking back to it. This book was also the inspiration for my Happiness Commandments. If nothing else it gets you actively thinking about how you can become a happier person... which might sound selfish, but when you are happy the people around you benefit the most.

And this year I've added a few categories....

A few weeks ago I was at my Mom's house and the news was on (shocking!) and they were doing a story about how well seniors in high school knew the fundamentals of American History. It turns out that only 13 percent of high school seniors have a clue about history. History was always one of my favorite classes in school. Granted I couldn't list all of the presidents in order.... but I could tell you who Abraham Lincoln was and what he was famous for, if you showed me a photo of him (which was apparently one of the questions). To get a sample of the type of questions click HERE. There are only three total, but it gives you an idea. I'm proud to say that I got them all right! Phew! I was a little bit nervous and willing to lie to you guys right there, but I didn't have to!

So here are, the newest categories for my Summer Reading List each of them has a little world history in there whether the characters are fictitious or not:

Something with a little history:
Theodore Rex by Edmund Morris
Theodore Roosevelt is my favorite president of all time, keeping in mind I haven't read a biography on each of them. But I did read this one. And I really liked it! This is the follow up to Morris' first book on Teddy. That book talks about his life leading up to the presidency. Theodore Rex is about his two terms in office. He was a man who had firm beliefs and fought with everything he had to get what he wanted done.
Some random things about him that I like:
He read a book a day almost his entire life (including his presidency). Making excuses about not having enough time seems silly now huh?
He created the National Parks system.... Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
After reading Upton Sinclair's The Jungle, a book about the terrible conditions of the meat packing industry, Roosevelt worked with congress to create the Food and Drug Administration.
He was a trust buster (he worked to break monopolies).

I didn't list all of those just so you would know that I actually did read it, I listed them because I really liked the book and it made me more interested in our nations history. So go out and pick this book up and brush up on your American history!

A book that you should read before seeing the movie:
The Help by Katherin Stockett
This is another book that everyone is reading for a reason and again it sat on my shelf unread for far too long. Not only is this book full of amazing characters, but it also is filled with American history. Even though the characters are fictitious, the situations actually happened.

A book I can't go another year without recommending again!
The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver
This book is a time hoarder, but it is totally worth it. I've never read a book that was so well put together. Kingsolver effortlessly weaves the story of five women over the course of decades. Never is it confusing or overwhelming. This book is one that will reach your soul.


So there you have it folks! My 2011 Summer Reading list! What are you waiting for?! Get to the library or local book store stat!

The Longest Day of the Year.

The longest day of the year was one of the quickest! Usually when I work in the afternoon it drags on, but since I was a training a new girl it zipped by! 

It is so hard to go to Central Market and NOT get Pizza!
This Salad was pretty monstrous and delicious though....
I went to lunch with my friend Megan who said it looked terrible.... but I take that comment with a grain of salt because she is also the girl who takes the tomato and lettuce off of her white bread roast beef sandwich smothered in mayo.
Coconut water for electrolytes!
When I made plans with Megan I made sure to pick a place that would have a food option that stuck to the plan!
I did pretty well today! The only time I veered off was for an after work apple and sunflower seed butter.
And if your going to go off plan... not a bad thing to do it with!

Even though my legs were hurting today...
I still walked to work!
I couldn't waste this day!
Has the first day of Summer ever been this nice in the PNW?

This yard has sooo many beautiful peonies that are blooming right now!

They are definitely one of my favorite flowers ever!

This week my goal is to keep my house tidy... meaning not piling things up (dishes, laundry, magazines, mail, shoes....). This is a part of my Secrets of Happiness Commandments: Outer order contributes to inner calm. I haven't been actively practicing my commandments and I think it is time to bring these back into my life! Instead of weekly goals that sometimes make me discouraged, I feel like the commandments are always uplifting. They motivate me to try harder....

Off to sleep! Back to work at 6 am.... urrgggghhh... The bright side is I'm off by 2:30! Hoping for a sunny afternoon!