The Quiet Life of Violet

Puffy Curls

This is what I look like in the morning when I fall asleep after a night-time shower.

BED HEAD!

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"Most folks are as happy as they make up their minds to be."

- Abraham Lincoln

How happy do YOU choose to be?

We Take a Drive

Sometimes I like to roll down the windows, blast the heat on my foot and sing at the top of my lung. 

Life is GOOD!

Eat My Life

[Photo by Lindsay]

Things in my life have a way of just... happening, you know? The stars all line up and this and that fall into place and all the suddenly, I'm smack dab in the middle of making the life that I've been dreaming of.  I've  recently found a few people, friends rather, who are able to help me facilitate the things I've been longing for.  Life is crazy. *shakes head, smiles wide*

So, in the past few years, I have been pretty concerned about what goes into and onto my body, mostly because I've become aware that I might be able to help prevent the cancer from showing  it's ugly face again. It's not just about what foods and drinks I CHOOSE to put in my body, but the  perfume, lotion and other body products I wear.

I've been an on and off again Vegetarian for the past five years.   After my stomach surgery, I started eating meat again, as it was easy on my tummy (for some reason) and I had to do what I could do to, you know, eat.

Last Spring, I switched back to Vegetarianism and ate some seafood, which technically made me a Pescatarian. Labels for everything, I tell you!.  I started eating a lot more cheese and milk products, like a lot of vegetarians do. I noticed that my voice was constantly going and my lung was constantly buttery (there's a visual, hey?), leaving me out of  breath and unable to sing my favorite songs while I drove out to The Nova Studio. I started falling into eating the super easy (and tasty) processed, "fake meat" foods (veggies burgers, hot dogs, riblettes, chick'n nuggets, etc..) and was getting heavily into processed soy products (read: easy, quick).

Around September, I started getting tired. And, not just "oh, I didn't get enough sleep tired," I'm talking, I-slept-10-hours-and-can-barely-drag-myself-out-of-bed tired. I was having constant tummy problems, constant clenching in my gut, constant icky bathroom stuff after almost every meal (and I eat four to five meals a day). I chalked it up to one of the side effects of my tummy surgery and suffered silently.

In October, after being fed up with feeling so shitty all the time, I went to see my doctor and explained the situation. He had me get some lab work done and it was discovered that I had Hypothroidism. Hypo, for short, is when your thyroid isn't producing enough thyroid hormone and it can cause all sorts of problems like slow heart rate, tiredness, inability to tolerate cold, weight gain (didn't have this one, thank you Lord.), heavy or irregular periods & muscle cramps among other things, most of which I had. (Source)

I was given a prescription for Levothroid and was told that "it just happens to people." After a few weeks of taking my prescription, I was feeling AMAZING! Thyroid problems SUCK. Then, I got pregnant and felt all around crappy, but that's another story.  :)

Even though my energy was back, my stomach was still super touchy. I would plan my day around my stomach and its predicted reactions. No beuno.

I had always wanted to really get my nutrition and food choices headed in the best direction (for me), but there is SO much information (and misinformation!) out there. Enough to make you want to curl up in the corner with a Ho-Ho and cry.  At least that's how I felt. 

Along came Lindsay.

Our mothers were best friends growing up and they recently re-connected through Facebook, of all places. Yeah, my Mom Facebooks. :)  Anyway, they chatted and come to find out, Lindsey is a Holistic Human Ecology Consultant and Heath Educator. (Whoa. Big title.) What does it mean? It means that Lindsay, through all of her education and research, is able to point people in the right direction, diet, health and lifestyle wise. Want to really know how your diet measures?  What kinds of foods are the "powerhouse" food?  Do you suffer from tummy problems or feel crappy most days? Want to set up a phone conversation and get some advice? I actually found out from her today (we had a check-up)  that the first consultation is free, which is awesome because everyone loves free! Check out her blog, Trikona Health Works or email her at  littlebird_young (at) gmail(dot) com for all the deets.  

[Isn't she hot-tastic?! I just want to smear her on toast and have her for breakfast. ]

I want you guys to know that I'm not shamelessly plugging her -- what she's all about is what I've been looking for for the longest time. She's given me direction and helped clear my head and I just feel so thankful. I now have something that I believe in and  it's working for me and I'd feel like a total ass if I didn't at least share all of this with you.  :)

Linds helped me craft a living plan for the best me... a plan where I am strengthening my body and help creating the best home for our future children to grow in. (!!!!) I can honestly say, I've never felt better. My body feels awesome. My stomach problems are almost gone. 

I'm SO in love with my life!

[My new favorite tea cup! I love you, Liberty for Target]

Happy Trails, Spring Snails!

xo,

Violet

Quick Notes:

• I had a tangerine that went all moldy in a bowl of many and now there are little gnats here and there. Gross.
• I bought some anise scented soap from a farmer's market and now I smell like black licorice and I just sniff myself all day. 
• Day light savings SUCKS. It's thrown off my sleep schedule. *grumble, grumble*
• Bubby is having a hard time at work (his company is on my shit list at the moment) and it kills me to see him so unhappy.
• My friend Jewels is having a baby shower this Sunday! I'm so excited
• Saturday Dustin is taking me to Santa Cruz for a beach day! Please don't rain, please don't rain.

Tonight Dustin and I are had dinner with another couple that we love dearly and we all had so much fun. Our friend's brother is a super chef at the restaurant and we got super pampered! *happy sigh*

Oh, and...

Time to welcome Spring (and that brow furrow)!

*swoon*

Loga = Lacy & Yoga

Eeeeep!

Tuesday I drove out to San Jose and hung out with the super amazing, beautiful, deep, wonderful Miss Lacy.

She had done some research and planned out a whole yoga session just for me and my one-leg situation!  I had always wanted to venture into the realm of stretching and fitness and I've found it very hard having just one leg and one lung. I lose my breath and get all wheezy and wobble like a weeble. Well.. I CAN DO YOGA!  And boy, it got my muscles moving because I could barely lift my pillow this morning!  Muscle I didn't even know I had hurt. Oh! I'm gunna get a butt!! I'm so excited for my soon to be little yoga butt. ;D

I arrived just in time to see Cliff off -- he was driving down to southern California to attend a business  convention and promote his invention, CliffTech.  Lacy, with her curly hair and barefeet,  gave me the tour of the super amazing, comfy, well decorated home that she and Cliff share. HELLO, awesome closet award!

After the tour, I changed into my "yoga" clothes (aka jammy pants and tank top) and we moved into the living room.

I have to admit, I felt silly at first and was worried that my thong (hello, who wears a thong during yoga?! Me..) was making me look lumpy and wedgied and that my breathing wasn't yoga-y enough. But, the more we did it, the more comfortable I felt. Lacy was amazing. There was nothing but love and encouragement coming from her big heart.  She actually teaches yoga, gives massages and has started a health/diet counseling business. This chick does it all.. and she does it well! 

Anyway, after about an hour and a half of yoga, we got dressed and made our way to Aqui Cal-Mexi, a fresh mex place that uses organic produce and makes all of their sauces/ salsas in house and they just rock. They rock, I tell you! We got tacos and had Mexican slaw and chips with salsa and guacamole (to die for). 

After leisurely eating our food, we shared a slice of flour-less chocolate cake and proceeded to  use the cake (which was more of a thick mousse, all sugary and good) as a dip. Salty corn chip, smear of cake and the occasional dip into the guac bowl. Don't judge, it was amazing. 

We talked for about an hour more on the patio at the restaurant and then decided to go home and continue our conversation! I love this girl. We got along so well and I feel like I've know her pretty face for a very long time.  Thanks you so much Leigh-Ann for introducing us!

There will be positively be more yoga and tacos and girl talk in our future. I've found another soul sister and it feels amazing!  (Plus, I now have a reason to Old Navy it up and get a yoga outfit!) Oh oh! I <3 Ned and the Hinge. :D

I love my life!

 <3,
Violet

 

Happiest Birthday

My dearest Nic, I hope you've had the happiest 21st birthday!

[photo from weheartit.com]

Yesterday, Nic, Dallas, Bubby and I hung out in Berkeley all day and into the night! My sweet, sweet girl has just been diagnosed with Celiac (she's allergic to wheat and gluten - a protein found in wheat, barley and rye mainly), so I researched and planned a whole day us around avoiding the little bugger.

We met up around noon and had a super AWESOME gluten-free, dairy free pizza from a place called Bobby G's! They use locally made, gluten-free pizza crusts from a gluten free bakery called Mariposa Baking Co.  OMG. The pizza was divine. It had a house-made tofu cheese (I'm guessing it was soft tofu, olive oil, spices and salt and pepper, all blended and drizzled on top), mushrooms, tomatoes, sweet bell peppers, onions, assorted olives, garlic and fresh herbs.

After lunch, we walked to the shops on Telegraph Avenue and browsed the racks at Rasputin's, a local, used music store. We spent a good hour there looking for hidden jems in the $2.95  bin and talking and wandering around. We got a few albums and then Nic wanted to head over to Buffalo Exchange (used clothes!) and Sway (a local girly store similar to Forever21).

On the way, we stopped at Pete's Coffee to use the loo and get a sip. We shared a kid's sized hot chocolate with espresso, soy milk and raspberry syrup. YUM! Gluten free, too!

We all headed over to the clothes stores and the boys hung out outside (and had a lengthy conversation with a cigarette smoking, slightly mental, ex-Navy street bum, while we shopped). I got a SUPER CUTE dress (Peter Pan collar for the win!) from Sway and a jacket and a crocheted cardigan thing from Buffalo. I love shopping!

By this time, it was about 6:30 and we were all super hungry, so we moseyed on over to Herbivore, a vegan, organic restaurant with a KILLER menu.  Now, I had been wanting to try this place for a LONG time and Nic's birthday was the perfect occasion. I was super pumped and called ahead the day before to get us reservations and make sure that they had gluten free selections. I was told that I didn't need the reservations, that they wouldn't be busy and that they didn't even do them for a parties of four. LIES! When we got there, they were packed. Packed, I tell you! We had to wait about 30 minutes and Nic's blood sugar was drastically crashing, so I wheeled on up to the hostess and made a stink and we were seated soon afterward. When the waitress came over, we asked to see the gluten free menu and she was visably annoyed and said that they didn't have one. UMM. We had the head waitress come over and we were able to get the ingredient list and then made our choices.  We ordered chili-lime almonds, Vietnamese spring rolls and fire roasted corn on the cob to start. Yum!  We all got yummy salads with house made Dijon dressing. Droooool. Nic and I ordered the same thing, rice noodles with lemon "creme" sauce with portabella mushrooms, spinach & capers. Dustin got the Pad Thai and Dallas got a red curry dish. I liked the noodles a lot, Nic wasn't a huge fan and Dallas and Dustin were iffy on their meals. Hmmm... terrible service and decent food. They got our money this time, but next time? I don't know.  Have any of you ever been to this place?

Ha!  During dinner, we got on the subject of a little game called Chubby Bunny and how Miss Nic annihilated Dustin and his friends the last time they played. The object of the game is to be the last person to say "Chubby Bunny".. the catch? Each round, you put another  marshmallow in your mouth. Last night, Dallas, Dustin and Nic decided to play a little game and I decided to record it... you know, for demonstration purposes. ;) Disregard Dallas' comment at the end... gross!

After rinsing their sticky, marshmallow-spit covered hands, we headed to a used book store, looked for a few minutes and then Nic and Dallas decided that it was time to head home.

Pretty much a perfect day!

Oh! "Who is this Dallas," you might asking? Well.. Dallas and Dustin have been friends since middle school. Dustin and I used to work at Dallas' Dads store (Amish Furniture, baby!) and we've been close to his family for many-a-years. Nic and I have been friends for the past three years (IT'S BEEN THREE YEARS, MAMA!) and Dallas and Nic met each other through my Facebook page. After some deep talks and a visit and more talks and phone calls... they are in love!  I had never seen them together before yesterday and OMG, it blew me away! Their love is AMAZING. I mean, it's the crazy kind of deep love that you see in movies. The cheezy Lifetime love movies where you walk away saying, "Nobody has a relationship like that!" Well, yes. Yes they do! And those people are Nic and Dallas.

We were sitting there at dinner last night and it hit me. It hit me hard... my best friend was kissing and cuddling with a guy that I call my Big Brother. WHOA. I mean, I LOVE these two people and somehow, the stars aligned and they met and it clicked and they now love each other so much. Nic now has what I have -- an amazing man who loves her! These two loves of mine are happy and being cared for and have found the most amazing thing... each other! 

My heart has been on cloud nine since. I feel like a floaty little bluebird perched on Snow White's cottage window with sunshine and butterflies and puffy, gluten-free baked goods.

*swoon*

I love you so much, Nic (Mama Llama, Pita pocket, Nickle, Schmickey Mouse, Pretty Face) and I hope that your 21st year is the better than any you've ever had!