7/7 Day 3

Evening from Day 2: Menu change… I tried to make fried rice, with garlic, and tomato. Cooking without oil is difficult as Andrew pointed out in his update. Steak was cooked, but for some reason I really didn’t like it, so I gave it away. The best part of the meal was the salad posted on Remi’s update. It reminded me of Afghan salad. I also had strawberries with honeycomb sauce.

Morning: Apple

Note: Becky’s post is just funny. Especially, since I have know the girl since we were about 8 years old. Mark G., where are you? Maybe in some library meetings? I think Ryan might be aiming to knock Remi out with his messages of eating De Leon chicken in bacon grease. Fortunately for me my friend with the candy dish down the hall from my office is out a few days this week. Out of sight out of mind. Mark S. I feel is strong in the contest living on almonds for a few days, but we need some updates. Jordy is here to stay and I am sure her creative cook BF is helping. As for DTE Paul, well, I predict he is out.

Potluck? Andrew came up with the idea of a potluck. Anyone interesting in banning together and sharing non-processed food dishes let us know.

7/7 Day 2

Morning: Apple and banana

Afternoon: Black Bean Soup! yummy! Actually, it is a recipe that was modified from a Yum Sugar post. I topped it with cilantro and fresh cut Roma tomatoes. I also had a banana with peanut butter and some lemon juice sweetened with orange juice.

Evening: I am planning to eat a meat and roasted red potato dish and cooked apples with cinnamon and honeycomb for dessert. Or, I might try to revise this recipe with leftovers from my lunch. I think I can replace the bread with potatoes and the oils with coconut milk. I just have to purchase a coconut.

Marathon update: I am still on track with all the workouts and getting advice from a few people including Hank.

7/7 Day 2 Predictions

Predictions from a pessimistic view

Winners:

• Andrew – He won 7/7 #1, he has a game plan, and I don’t think this is too far from his regular eating habits. Coffee will be his challenge.

• Mark G – A basketball player/ librarian = recipe for competition success.   Not to mention the family organic farm will help with his fruit consumption.

• Remi – Totally focused and determined to claim a victory.

• Ryan – He has the willpower to stick to De Leon, Mizuna, Sante, etc. He will also manage to knock someone out of the competition.

Losers:

• Paul – His DTE partner dropped before the start and he might be influenced to do the same.

• Becky – She is paranoid about using a wrong ingredient.  Plus she is easily influenced by cheesecake.

• Geneva – Yes, that’s me.  Becky and I were knocked out during the last 7/7 and it is possible we just might do it again.

• Mark S. – He, will make it far but will crave olive oil for his cooking and might drop.

• Stefan – He will not be able to eat 7 layer dip for 7 days.

• Jordy – I haven’t seen her game plan yet, so from a pessimistic prediction she is in the loser list.

• Bart – He went out before he started.

• Mariah – She went out before she started.

Predictions from an Optimistic View:

Everyone will win.  Everyone, that is except Bart and Mariah because they went out before I was able to write my predictions.

*****Visit www.spokanefoodblog.com for full links and competition updates.*****

My personal update:

Day 1:

• Morning – Zucchini and a hard boiled egg white.  I was totally grossed out by the egg.  I don’t like birds.

• Afternoon – Apple and peanut butter (the kind you grind yourself from whole peanuts)

• Night – Jasmine rice – unbleached, juice from the Jack LaLanne, banana, some juice pulp, cashews – unsalted, etc.

Prep for Day 2 – Black bean soup (Actually, I started to prep then Remi finished while Becky and I filmed Andrew making juice. For an awesome video check out Andrew’s blog.  I am sure he will post our great film job sometime today.)  * If anyone else needs some Jack LaLanne in your diet,  you are welcome to use the juicer.

7/7 Challenge #2

Challenge #2 – eating non-processed foods for 7 days

If you don’t know about Challenge #1, I deleted all of my blog entries for it, so check out Becky’s blog and it will sum it up nicely for you.

The contestants this time around are mixed with newbies and Challenge #1 players.

• Burger, Revised, represented by Andrew.
• Down to Earth, represented by Bart and Paul.
• I put the me in awesome, represented by Becky.
• Librarian Lateralus, represented by Mark G.
• Rhymes with Almonds, represented by Mark S.
• Spokane Food Blog, represented by Jordy, Remi, and Unknown Neva.
• The Spovangelist, represented by Mariah.

Today, I will focus on eating all processed foods and prepping my non-processed foods to start the challenge tomorrow. Time to get out the Jack LaLanne!

I predict Challenge #2 will produce more winners than Challenge #1.

*Also, part of this challenge Stefan will eat all processed foods 7 layer dip and Ryan will eat De Leon and Mizuna.

Finally a Marathon

I am starting to wonder why I decided to include running (run, walk, crawl) a marathon on my high school goals list.  Well, I ran cross country in high school and thought by the time I got to my 20’s I would be a superb runner.  Turns out I did not keep up with running the way I envisioned in my teenage years.  Oh well, I am going to run again.  This weekend I signed up to run the Seattle Rock n Roll Marathon on June, 27, 2009.

I am going to need all of the encouragement I can get.  I found a 16 week beginners training schedule.  First you have to be able to run for 30 solid minutes then you can start the training.  I have about 21 weeks until my marathon.

So far a few others have registered to run this with me, my friend who will be married on top of Mt. Spokane this summer and one of the other bridesmaids.  For the bride-to-be, this is the bachelorette party.  I was in charge of planning the party and what better party for a girl who is hiking to her wedding than running a marathon?  One of the bridesmaids husbands lost a bet on a Cougar game and is now registered for the 1/2 marathon.  There is talk of others that I know signing up for the marathon or 1/2 marathon.  I hope they sign up and I hope others will too.

Any advice and encouragement is welcomed and appreciated.

Quote Time

This one is always on my friends gmail signature line.  I like it.
“It is merely this world that is chaotic, bringing changes to us all that nobody could have anticipated…one must always be prepared for riotous and endless waves of transformation.”
–Elizabeth Gilbert

Note to Self on Books

Books I am supposed to read, just read, need to read again, etc. Suggestions from the people on gchat:

• Syrup, Maxx Barry
• Jennifer Government, Max Barry
• Animal Farm
• American Gods by Neil Gaiman
• Good Omens
• Coraline
• The Phantom Tollbooth
• Omnivores Dilemma
• Skinny Bitch
  
• The World is Flat
• Hot, Flat, and Crowded
• Eats Shoots Leaves

Let me know more if you have any…

Homebrew Part 2

Wonderful beer. This lone bottle of “2nd Try” is all that is left. It will be entered in the Leaning Tree Brewery Homebrew contest this month.  I think we are in good standing for 1st place! Now we need a name to call our beer.

Pimping Scott

Scott (a guy I know from undergrad) will stay single for one year to take part in his social experiment, 52 first dates.  Calling all ladies in the Seattle area.  I am encouraging you to sign up for a date with Scott.  If you know any single ladies in Seattle send them his way.  Visit Craigslist to find his post. Personally I can’t wait to read all about the dates.

52 First Dates

---

Reply to: comm-863989373@craigslist.org ^[?]
Date: 2008-10-02, 1:23PM PDT

Dear Ladies of Seattle Craigslist,

Let’s go out on a date!

But, not all at once. I mean- one at a time. Ok, let me start over.

I’m a rather active and boisterous 26 year old guy with a great job and lots of hobbies.

This post is part social experiment, and part personal development: One-on-one outings have never been my strong suit. To fix that, I want to practice showing charming women an enjoyable time.

I have some ideas:

• • Rock climbing.
  • Going to the zoo.
  • Prop-plane ride.

And, I bet you do too. We’re sociable, smart and creative. We can have a blast figuring it out!

Afterward, we’ll have a candid conversation on how we can both improve. Seriously.

Flirting is OK; but, the date is strictly platonic. I will not be making romantic advances. Unfortunately, that includes seeking a second date.

I’m hoping you will be outside my social circles so we can meet and learn about new people. I guess my tentative limits are females ages 21 to 40.

And, in the interest of science and my reputation as a gentleman, I’ll treat.

P.S. No creepsters.

P.P.S. I’m estalkable so you know I’m not one either.

• it’s NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests

PostingID: 863989373

Kingdom of Vegetarians Restaurant

The only reason you need to go to Philly: Kingdom of Vegetarians Restaurant.  Of course there are some other draws including, Tara, Heather, Fresh Prince, Adrian Greiner from HGTV (I saw him at brunch), great architecture, WAWA, “This is America when ordering speak English”, brotherly love, Irish Obama supporters, do not block the box, murals, tomato peach pie, librarians, comedians, vegan everything, West Elm bamboo blankets, Rocky, and a whole lot of history.

Kingdom of Vegetarians Restaurant (Kingdom) owner is my hero.  Although I gave my 17 years of vegetarianism away to a premeditated bite of salmon at Luna in October 2007 (followed by a 2oz fillet minion at Churchill’s in November 2007), Kingdom could make a vegetarian out of any meat eater.  For $12.00 all you can eat vegan dim sum will cover your table and you will be shocked by a. the quality b. the taste and c. the fact that absolutely everything is vegan EVERYTHING.  The draw backs of Kingdom, well lets just say I can’t stand keffiyeh wearing hipsters, if you are going to wear one put it on your head and know what you are representing – anyway – they still support Kingdom and that of course is the ultimate goal.

Take a look at the fabulous food of Kingdom of Vegetarians.  It is so great I even purchased a very ugly t-shirt  just to support my hero.  Jump on a plane, take a train, or run to Kingdom, but however you get there hurry it will be the best thing that has ever happened to you – ever.