Archive for the 'personal' Tag

Community Garden, Part III

It’s an exciting time at our community garden (now dubbed The Garden of Rowham). Plants are sprotung, leaves are growing, and we’re learning more about the rest of the community gardens (like the super tasty lemons from the shared lemon tree). As always, read on for exciting new images, or review the Garden Photo Album.
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Community Garden, Part II

The gardening has continued. Once we cleared all of the weeds, our next task was to make the soil rich again. I’m not going to lie, this involved shoveling a loot of poop. Ten wheelbarrows full of manure, to be exact, plus a few more full of fresh compost. Since the community garden doesn’t allow roto-tilling (the oil on the blades can get in the soil), it also involved a lot of spading. After that, we just needed to do some planting, and then I spent some time setting up a drip irrigation system. New photos in the main Garden photo album, and highlighted photos below!
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Cutting Back

So, I’ve been changing my eating habits lately, mostly in the hopes of getting a little healthier. I think my strategy has been working– I’ve lost 10 lbs since Thanksgiving. Moreover, I have more energy and feel better. My secret? Five little changes (motivated by many sources, but especially the works of Michael Pollan):

• Meat only once or twice a week, and that only 1/4 lb portions. I split a macadamia crusted mahi mahi fillet a few days ago– when you haven’t had meat in a week, even a few bites tastes AMAZING.
• Eat mostly salads / veggie stews / veggie stirfrys. Cook most food from fresh vegetables.
• Try to not eat anything with: high fructose corn syrup, modified food starch, corn syrup, modified corn product, partially hydrogenated vegetable oil, hydrogenates vegetable shortening, etc. This cuts out most junk food, as well as almost any processed food from the grocery store… there’s a few things in the organic isle at Albertson’s or in Whole Foods, but even there you have to watch for them.
• Avoid “hidden” calories from beverages. I mostly drink water or herbal tea (no milk, no sugar). When you feel hungry, drink a glass of water/tea and wait 15 minutes. If you still feel hungry, then eat food. Otherwise, you were just thirsty.
• (something I’m still getting used to) Order smaller portions at restaurants, and split when possible. Don’t get appetizers. Order from the healthy / reduced calorie menu when possible.

Those 5 guidelines, and I feel healthier than I have in years!

The Great Japan Honeymoon Summary Mega-Post

Andrew and Teisha’s Honeymoon in Japan, from May 19th, 2009 to June 3rd, 2009 was amazing, outrageous, breathtaking, amusing, romantic, and above all great fun. Throughout the trip, we documented and photographed our journey to share with friends and family, as posts on Paradoxdruid’s Rants. Now, we’ve compiled all the posts together, along with some other observations and links into one mega-post for posterity. Read on!
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Day 16 of Japan: Returning to America

Here’s our last pictures of the trip– we’re safe and sound at home now. Travelogue complete!

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Day 15 of Japan: Edo-Tokyo Museum and Souvenir Shopping

Our last full day in Tokyo was quite a trip– we hit the biggest museum, and then wandered some familiar streets for souvenirs. Descriptions to come, once we’re back in the states! Commentary finished!

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Day 14 of Japan: Tsukiji and Harajuku

Our second to last day in Japan was a lazy return to some of our favorite spots in Tokyo. Write-up is now complete!

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Day 13 of Japan: Return to Tokyo and Akihabara

The return to Tokyo left us tired, but victorious — text is now complete below!

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Day 12 of Japan: Kinkaku-ji Golden Pavillion, Manga Museum, and more Kyoto

Pictures are up, but come back in a day or so for all the neat explanations! Descriptions done!

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Day 11 of Japan: Cemeteries, Temples, and back to Kyoto

Today we hit some temples in Koyasan, then spent a lot of time at the amazing Okunoin Cemetery again, said our goodbyes to Koyasan, and headed back to Kyoto. Lots of pictures, and now complete with descriptions!

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