With the blink of an eye here we are on November 7th. I hope you all had a wonderful Halloween, I stayed home and handed out handfuls of candy to needy children. I did wear black and orange striped tights to work on Halloween — tights that belonged to my sister, my significantly shorter than me sister, they ripped. In an uncomfortable location.
I hated my commute that day.
Just because jack o lantern season is over doesn’t meant it’s time to put the pumpkins away. I found a place that honors October, November, and December all in one spot. We’re talking pumpkins in the front, Christmas tree’s in the back.
When your seasons start to blur together.
OK, I got my pumpkin patch fix for the year. Moving on.
Work
Work has been good, I’m finally at the point where I don’t feel new in my role. This is my first Christmas in the corporate building and they don’t mess around when it comes to celebrations.
Play
I managed three hikes last week. I’m trying to get them squeezed in before the white sheets of death plague us. I don’t like snow, I’m a Grinch.

Don’t get excited, he’s my coworker.

I’m severely out of shape, but can still manage to trudge along on some of the steeper hikes. The more out of breath I am the more of a reminder that I’m not moving enough lately. I’m the most out of shape (and heaviest) I’ve been in years, but the best part about starting at the bottom is there is no where to go but up.
Eat
Chipotle slapped me with the good karma stick yesterday and gave me so much guac, I surely had the equivalent of at least an entire avocado. Part of it was still in tact. Yes.
I tried a new to me vegan place on the island. I’ve walked past it many times, but never bought a meal until now. It made my face all kinds of hot, but it was worth it.
Life
I recently watched Leonardo DiCaprio’s documentary Before the Flood. I was enamored by the way he brought this piece to life with information from a myriad of sources. I believe climate change is real, and the devastation that we are causing to this planet is mind blowing. Even if you don’t believe in the science, I encourage you to watch.
Even if you don’t believe this is happening, if you have a soul you must realize the damage being done to the earth in order to gather fossil fuels, the devastation to our forests (which house the trees to filter the air we breathe!) to make way for new buildings, and the extinction of rainforests that house many species.
No change is too small to help reverse atmospheric CO2 emission from fossil fuel use and forest/land destruction. I originally adapted a plant based diet for ethical reasons, however I cannot help but believe this lifestyle to be immensely beneficial for the planet. Factory farms (specifically cattle) produce ungodly amounts of methane (CH4) gas. According to Leo’s film, every molecule of CH4 is the equivalent of 23 molecules of CO2. Insane.
I encourage you to think about what small change you can make today to help restore decades of damage.
Wednesday I fly off to California for this girls wedding. I’m not sure what shenanigans I’ll get myself into with my free time, but you already know it’ll be posted here sometime the following week. Happy Monday – do something nice for someone else today, and let’s reduce those carbon footprints one step at a time!

Seen on my commute.
47 thoughts on “Navigating November”
transforminglifenow
Love this. The hiking looked great. I’ve got to get back to hiking again myself. When you’re at the “bottom”, there really is no where to go but up! Hope you have a great time at the wedding! 🙂
Brittany
Thank you! 🤗
Angie
I watched Cowspiracy, which was produced by Leo as well. It talks about animal agriculture’s impact on our environment and climate change. I’m guessing Before the Flood touches on this a bit. I totally believe we have caused this, and the science proves it too.
Where in Cali are you heading to? Have fun in the sunshine!
Brittany
Yes! It does touch on the animal agriculture, just a bit, but enough! I’ll be in San Diego!
Heather
I’ve been wanting to watch that documentary! I agree (with the SCIENTISTS) that global warming is real and that WE are contributing to it. Good Karma is right… seems like most days they’d charge you an extra .25 cents for that chunk!
Brittany
You must watch! That avocado was amazing.
rootchopper
Park your car. Ride a bike. Good for your body. Good for your brain. Good for your wallet. Good for your planet.
Brittany
Amen! I take a bus, which sorrrrtttaa counts. Haha. Maybe one day I’ll bike, but it would still involve a bus.
Ellie
IF you liked that, you should also try Cowspiracy. I don’t want to watch Before The Flood, because I already take environmental considerations into my life, and I’ve heard reviews for the film that depressed me.
Brittany
Nooo I loved it! Screw the reviews!
Amy
It looks like you’re having a lot of fun!! I’ve been thinking about you lately… And your appointment. I hope it went well and you got some answers! ♡ My mom was an atmospheric scientist for 20+ years, so… Our family has been talking about global warming and climate change since I was in middle school. If not younger. I haven’t seen the movie yet, but it’s on my to do list! And have an AMAZING time in sunny SD!!!
Brittany
Yesss my appointment went well. I got two confirmations and am now adjusting to life with this knowledge. Small dietary tweaks and more movement. The last couple weeks have been better mentally. Haha. Thank you love. ❤️
Amy
That’s wonderful!! Well, you know what kind of wonderful I mean… 😉 It’s great to finally have an answer and be able to move forward. Sending lots of love and prayers your way that the transition is as easy as possible!
kathy @ more coffee, less talky
that’s in my queue to watch; i love how leo is so active and passionate about this.
one of my very good friends is a lawyer for the UN and his job is to negotiate with other countries to reduce their carbon footprint which is an incredible thing so whenever we meet up, i always ask about this, who is doing their part to reduce pollution/environmental impacts etc.
Brittany
He’s amazing, I’ve been so inspired by his passion. What a cool friend to have!
Rachael @ Catch Me If You Can
“he’s just my coworker” lol. its still summer weather over here so can you just send some of that beautiful mountain air down here please and thank you!? have so much fun in Cali!!
Brittany
It was 70 today in Washington and I about lost my marbles. NO NO NO.
GiGi Eats Celebrities
OKAY CAN I JUST CONFESS MY LOVE FOR CHIPOTLE’S GUACAMOLE?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!??!?!?! GAHH YUM SKITTLE BUM!! 😛
AND OMG! YOU’RE GOING TO CALI!!! AND YOU DIDN’T EVEN TELL ME?!?!? THANKS A LOT 😉 😉 😉
!!!!!!!!!!!!
Brittany
Bahahaha. Reminds me of the time I came to California for Disney race and we didn’t hang out. 😱
GiGi Eats Celebrities
DO NOT remind me of such horrible times.
LOL!
P
I have no doubt that climate change is so, so real. When I was in Oklahoma last winter, it literally snowed only once when we were there and my Dad said that was the only time it snowed the entire season! That doesn’t sound very good to me…not to mention, they’re starting to get earthquakes too, which I can safely hypothesize is partly due to the fracking that takes place there. Sometimes I even wonder if California is supposed to be so hot all year-round too…
Brittany
It’s going to be nearly 90 this week!?!! NOOOOO. I just can’t! Whhyyy.
An Unrefined Vegan
November?! I know – what the hell? I’m still in a summer frame of mind – only because the heat had lingered here. Finally, though, we are getting cool mornings and nights. Ahhhhh….
Brittany
It was oddly warm in Seattle yesterday. And I just landed in San Diego where they said it’s mid 90’s ugh noooo.
Rach @ This Italian Family
Hahaha! I DID get excited when I saw that pic of you and your coworker so I laughed when I saw your comment on that photo. Your hiking pics are awesome as always! Have so much fun at Gigi’s wedding!
Brittany
Bahaha disclaimerrrrr!!
dave379
It’s always good to get a little earth compassion reminder. I’m with the scientists on climate change, wish it wasn’t real. And you’re right we can all do something whether big or small to help. Less driving and more biking/bus to work for me! Also means it’s time to buy some lights for my bike.
Brittany
Yes! Get those lights, safety first.
Melanie
All of your pictures from your hike are so beautiful!!! I agree with you about all the negative effects on our planet that are going on. Here in Utah we have the worst air ever in January. It’s called inversion and it has something to do with the air pressure and our mountains. It makes all of the fumes and pollutants stay trapped down where we live and breathe. It’s always a reminder to me every year that we need to figure out how to lesson all of the crap we put into the air.
Brittany
Thank you friend! I am 100% a climate change believer, those reminders are important!
Josh dV
Looks like good times friend. Enjoy yourself at Gigi’s shindig but behave!
Brittany
I did! It was a blast. 🙂
Josh dV
And you are intact? Good.
stateeats
Well that guy IS cute so you can’t blame us! – Kat
Brittany
Bahaha
Megan Rose
OMG Gigi is getting married!! You are so good about staying in touch with people! You, Lily, and Alex are my only blogger buddies left! At this point its IRL buddies OBV. Love you toots!
Brittany
Yasss! Gigi and I talk everyday haha. I was one of her bridesmaids ahh! You, Lily, and Gigi are my main three. I love you guys! Just texted Lily that we need a girl trip us three!
Allie Zottola
Global warming: I don’t know enough info (sadly) to form a solid opinion. I do know that the damage America is doing to the earth is crazy and needs to stop. I try to do little things each day and hope that they add up!
I hope you have a bast in Cali!
Also, I hope you post more pictures of Starbucks Corporate location all decked out for Christmas! It sounds so festive 🙂
Brittany
More office photos to come!!
Kayse
I just recently watched Before the Flood, too! It’s amaaaazing! Your hike pictures, as usual, are absolutely beautiful!
Brittany
So good. All of it so good!
Melanie and Todd
Oh that looks like so much fun! You’re pictures of the joke make me jealous I must say!!
Brittany
So fun!!
Meghan@CleanEatsFastFeets
There was so much pure Britt in this post, I loved it. Also I got excited of the picture of you and your coworker until I read the caption. It’s like you read my mind.
And even though you are at your heaviest, you are still in fantastic shape (um, I can see your calf muscles bulging in the one picture; show it off baby) and nowhere near overweight. Basically, you look good. Own it, rock it.
I did not get my pumpkin patch fix this year. I needed you. Also, I know need Chipotle. All the guac please.
Have a blast in Cali.
Brittany
I love you. I miss you. I need you. Thank you. ❤️
Jess @PTcontender
Loving your blog :)) I just found it and wanted to say i laughed about the “don’t get excited he is my coworker” caption lol
Brittany
Ha! Thank you, and thanks for the comment.