Monthly Archives: December 2016

• The Last Post

  Posted at 5:00 AM by Brittany, on December 30, 2016

  …..of 2016

  Another holiday down, with one more to wrap up 2016. I don’t know why, but it really grinds my gears when people complain every.single NYE about how terrible the past year was. Were you alive? Were you breathing? Were you employed? Unless you were literally struggling to survive (in which I will pray for you) then I don’t want to hear it.

  Be thankful, and quit whining about it. #saltyoldwoman

  Christmas in my house was magical, per usual. Calm, quiet, and casual. I went for a nice run, made some pancakes, and added a few more items to my collection of things.

  

  Seen on my run.

  In a previous post I discussed how I don’t really like receiving items for Christmas, but because I’m blessed with gracious family members the items come regardless. So I make things easy and list out what I could use. Let’s see if my list made a difference.

  • #1 REI Gift Card – Success, thanks mom.
  • #2 Mountain Ring – No success. Womp
  • #3 Wood iWatch Band – Success, patiently waiting for its arrival
  • #4 Glamping – SUCCESS
  • #5 Whole Foods Gift Card – No success. I will starve.
  • #6 Subaru Outback – No success. Toyota Camry prevails!
  • #7 New Birkenstocks – No success, I was hopeful for this one.
  • #8 A new iPhone – Success…almost. Working on this one.
  • #9 Mountain Earrings – Success.
  • #10 Trip to Ireland – SUCCESS!!!!

  I was totally blowing smoke into the air when I wrote Ireland as a wish list item, and then decided it was time to stop talking about it and just DO it. So I bought myself a trip to Ireland. Santa ain’t got shit on me. May 2017 my friend and I will embark on a 10 day Irish road trip (pray for us, opposite side of the road driving) starting in Dublin, and driving a makeshift circle throughout the country.

  I can’t contain myself.

  

  Me.

  2016 was the year I discovered life is much too short to settle for what you don’t enjoy. I haven’t been living my “truth” (you know, those times when your gut tells you it doesn’t want to do something and you ignore it and do it anyway)  and the universe has a way of slapping you in the face as many times as possible until you wake up and realize it.

  2017 will be the year where my gut, my head, and my heart all become very close. No more ignoring the inner voice, no more doing what others think is right, and no more waiting for the perfect moment. The perfect moment is now. So do that thing you’ve always wanted to do. Eat the damn cookie already. 

  

  I don’t know what 2017 holds, but that’s the beauty of life. Instead of trying to figure it all out I’ve become comfortable sitting back and letting the universe take me where it wants to. Apparently that means a trip to Ireland, and I’m OK with that. Maybe it means a new job, maybe it means more travel, maybe it means meeting new friends.

  I’m open, and trusting. 

  I need more exploring in 2017 than I had in 2016. More mountains, more cities, more life. The highest peak I’ve hit the last month was a mere 520′ atop the Space Needle. Starbucks gifted me a free trip to the top, but nothing compares to the top of a mountain.

  

  

  I’m ready to say goodbye to 2016, but I don’t dare talk ill of it. Every single moment we are given is an opportunity to learn and to grow. Without the hard times we would have no contrast for all the good times. Without the pain we would not know pleasure. Without the failures we would not have success, and without 2016 we would not have another year of life.

  Each NYE  for the last few years I’ve made it a point to volunteer somewhere. Typically my Arizona family and I help package meals for children in other countries, but I didn’t make it to Arizona this year. Instead I’ll be hanging out with some of my Starbucks family members making meals at a local food bank. It doesn’t matter what you do, big or small, but I find doing something for someone else is a great way to ring in the new year.

  I’m too old for that disco ball drunken dancing nonsense kids do at midnight. 

  See you all in 2017. Go do something nice for someone else.

  Q: What was the best part of your holiday?

  

  | 68 Comments Tagged Christmas, New Year, NYE, Running

• Glamping on Herron Island, WA

  Posted at 5:00 AM by Brittany, on December 22, 2016

  Those who know me know I will happily sleep outside in the middle of the woods with nothing but a hole I dig with my bare hands as a bathroom. I find this style of camping to be an adventure, and it allows me to fully submerge myself in nature. The problem with this is not everyone enjoys the rugged style of camping, and if I want to get away with those that don’t enjoy hiking 5 miles into the wilderness for isolation I need a plan B.

  When Glamping Hub, “the worlds leading online booking platform dedicated to unique accommodations in nature,” reached out to me to see if I’d be interested in staying at one of their featured Washington locations I was ALLLLL OVER IT. From tree houses, to yurts, to tents fancy enough for royalty I struggled to narrow down my first choice of locations.

  

  

  Then, just as I thought there was no way I could choose I read the words: “private island.” Sold. This was as close to being isolated as I was going to get with the perks of running water and heat. I chose a spot located on Herron Island in Washington, a tiny island with no more than 150 residents. So isolated you need a special pass to board a ferry to get there.

  #VIP

  

  The roads on the island are all gravel, the speed limit is 15 MPH, and there are no street lights or traffic stops. I saw more deer than I did people during our stay (which is perfect because I prefer animals to humans anyway.) I had no idea how they all made it to the island, but later discovered they SWIM. They SWIM TO THE ISLAND. I didn’t even know deer could swim. As if the deer weren’t enough, holiday ornaments were randomly placed on branches around the island adding to the charm.

  Note: Island has no shops/restaurants, and no wifi. Bring food and entertainment. Basically you have to exist how they did before we were brainwashed by corporations and technology. 🙂

  

  

  

  The host of the beach house we stayed at was kind beyond words, and very helpful with any of my questions. “So, is anyone going to get into the house with us being so secluded?” As visions of one too many horror films flashed before my eyes. “Oh no, there is a zero percent crime rate on the island.” Phew. 

  With two rentals on the island, our host Donn allowed us access to both.

  My heart sang louder than a canary in heat for his tiny cabin over looking the water. You know those scenes in movies when someone has a moment where time stops, their face freezes up as they go into deep thought, and the camera zooms into their mind to show a memory or a vision? Similar to what I think an out of body experience might feel like?

  Well I had one of those moments in this tiny cabin. I saw my future life, living in a similar abode with an amazing view and minimal items.

  

  

  

  The cabin is the perfect size for a couple that wants to get away, or a solo adventurer that needs some peace and quiet. Heat for the cabin is man made in a wood burning stove, so you’re guaranteed to go home smelling like a large dose of “I’m awesome.” The back deck overlooks the water and leads down to the private beach.

  

  Poor lighting, but you get the idea. Main bed, bathroom, and stairs leading up to two loft beds!

  

  

  Kitchen to the left, dining to the right, entertaining space straight ahead.

  

  

  

  I will have to go back to sleep in this tiny cabin, it’s so amazingly perfect and I swooned so hard. My family and I stayed in the other rental on the island because it was bigger fit for the three of us, but secretly I pretended I was alone in the cabin. Actually it wasn’t a secret. I verbally expressed, “how about I leave you guys tonight and sleep alone at the cabin?” Crickets sounded as a response.

  The beach house we slept at was equally charming, and well fit for larger groups and for those that enjoy entertaining. I was a fan of the minor details of the house and the old appliances. My photos don’t do justice to the professional photos on the site, so I suggest you click the green links for a better view. I don’t get anything if you click them, I legit just suggest you look at a professionals eye view.

  

  

  Coat rack with fishing reel hangers.

  

  

  I chose the bedroom overlooking the water because I have a life goal to beat the birds when rising from the dead each day, and I wanted to see the world come to life out the window. This house sleeps up to 8, with four small loft beds up high. Perfect for kids.

  

  

  

  

  The heat was produced by a pellet stove, which was fascinating to me. Summer months won’t need the heat, but we definitely needed it in the winter. Both rentals offer kayaks and other boating systems to explore the beach with, but I was a wimp and stayed bundled on land.

  

  

  

  

  Kayak cabin.

  

  I was able to go for a 30 minute run on Saturday morning to get a lay of the land, and it was indeed small. It was fun to see all the deer, and other houses. Also, the beach house has a Whomping Willow out front, so that was cool. Our on site host was also very kind, and she sent us home with homemade bread, perfect ferry snack.

  

  

  

  There are three takeaways from this post that I will sum up for you now.

  1. If you live in Washington and want to get away I strongly suggest the tiny cabin, it was so adorable, and I want it for Christmas.
  2. If you don’t live in Washington, but want something similar check out Glamping Hub for areas near you.
  3. Deer can swim. I clearly didn’t watch enough Discovery Channel growing up.

  As I bid you adeiu, please enjoy this short video of a morning time lapse from the beach house.

  Q: Do you prefer camping in a tent, an RV, or in a cabin? 

  

  | 55 Comments Tagged Camping, Explore, Glamping, Running, Washington

• Sayonara Sugar

  Posted at 5:00 AM by Brittany, on December 19, 2016

  I often joke about my sweet tooth and talk about how it runs my life. I could easily out eat a full grown gorilla when it comes to anything with sugar, and in the past I’ve not worried about it too much because I had a decent balance on my intake.

  Fast forward to over a year ago, when my mental strength turned to mush.

  Some things occurred the last year and a half that helped catalyze my diet to become something you’d likely see on an episode of Jerry Springer, the foodie edition. It’s come to a point where it’s no longer a joke, and I’ve been completely hijacked by sugar. Don’t get me wrong, my Costco cart is still filled with greens, and the bulk of my diet are whole foods, but that doesn’t excuse the excess amounts of treats I’ve consumed.

  

  I will never completely abandon processed sugar, I’ve tried and it just causes me to binge. A healthy balance of greens and treats is what I long for, and because I’m not currently in a mental state to have “just one,” sugar has got to go. For now.

  I’m not proud of the spiral I’ve fallen into, and my carefree intake of processed foods has affected me both mentally and physically. I’ve gained 25 pounds, my fitness activities are challenging, and my motivation is dismal, but the good news (because I’m a sucker for silver linings and must end on a positive note) is that this is reversible.

  

  Whole Foods – the king of vegan chocolate mousse

  Life happens, and sometimes that means we fall off the wagon. Or in my case, get body slammed off the wagon, run over, and then the wagon backs up just for good measure. We’re human and sometimes it takes time to realize our actions aren’t serving us very well, and in my case it’s taken over a year. I can only take what happens in life and learn from it.

  I’ve been dwelling long enough on my choices and it’s time to make some changes. I no longer want to just “look a certain way,” but rather I want to feel a certain way. I want to sleep better, I want my skin to feel hydrated, I want my energy levels to be elevated, I no longer want my eyes to look lifeless, I want my joint and muscle inflammation to dissipate, and most importantly I want my mind to be at peace.

  Sugar messes with so many parts of our bodies, and our brains are hit the hardest. 

  

  SO I went out with a bang last week and stocked up on treats from Whole Foods, because they are my JAM when it comes to vegan baked goods. Starting today I will be training for my seventh half marathon, which will help get me back on track. Within the next three months I plan to avoid any and all processed sugar with one exception – my birthday.

  Life’s too short not to have cake on your birthday.

  

  Whole Foods – mile high vegan cupcakes

  I guarantee I will have x-rated fantasy’s of sugar dancing in my lap, and post race I plan to indulge in the most decadent of treats, but overall I hope to regain my mental strength, reestablish some self control, and rediscover what balance means for me.

  Posting this on the blog is my attempt to stay accountable because it’s easy to put this into words after eating a locally made donut when my sugar levels have been filled, but come next week when my reserves are empty I’ll need this accountability to stay strong. I know when I’m out running my double digit miles next month I’ll thank myself, because without all the processed garbage blocking my innards running will feel so much better.

  

  Three months sans sugar, and three months of focused running to bring me back to a balanced state of living. I’ll do random updates every so often. One of my favorite half marathon training plans has every Monday as a rest day, including the first one.

  Starting off training with a rest day, I can work with that. 

  Instead of running today you can find me at work, and unwinding with one of my favorite gifts of the year. A friend of mine took one of my Instagram photos and had it made into a puzzle. It was a total surprise, and totally awesome. Also, I’m still rocking three pumpkins outside my house because I have separation anxiety for the fall season.

  

  Wish me luck, and if I snap at you while having a conversation just know it’s nothing personal. It’s just the sugar beast searching for glucose. 🙂

  Q: What’s the longest you’ve gone without sugar? For those of you that live sugar free, what was it like when you first made the lifestyle change?

  

  | 64 Comments Tagged Half Marathon, Running, Sugar Free, Vegan, Whole Foods

• The First Snow

  Posted at 5:00 AM by Brittany, on December 12, 2016

  The crunch under my feet could only be described as that of fresh fallen snow. I saw the white blanket of death outside my window in the early morning hours, but felt confident enough to get into my car and start my commute to work. The sky was still dark, providing just enough light to reflect off the smooth, unscathed snow.

  I slowly backed my two wheel drive vehicle out of my driveway with vigilance, quietly praying that I didn’t glissade into a ditch. The first slip of the wheels should have been enough for me to turn around and crawl back into bed, surely it was still warm with two lazy felines laying atop the blankets.

  

  The first hill out of my driveway caused my wheels to spin, but my car couldn’t be bothered to project forward. Shit. I don’t dare quit yet, I haven’t made it to the main roads and surely they have more traction. Wrong. Out of the hood I come and the moment of truth is staring me in the face like a creature without eyelids. This blink-less stare off between me and the while icy roads lasts much longer than it should have.

  I grip my steering wheel with a potent force strong enough to crush steel with my bare hands. The fear building inside my soul can only be expressed properly though interpretive dance, where my arms flail in the air like one of those blow up tube men shown at car sales.

  

  My breaks don’t work the way they were designed to as I make my way down the hill, but I slowly pump them anyway in an attempt to defy the odds. As a child I would often defy the rules of life and this is something I’ve carried into my adulthood. I make it to the bottom of the hill, but not without my life flashing before my eyes in a horrifyingly detailed way.

  “I haven’t hit the summit of Machu Picchu yet, I haven’t had any cookies today, OH THE HORROR I haven’t met Tom Hiddleston!” Snow capped trees surround me as I try to find the beauty in the adventure of driving my “not made for snow” vehicle further and further from the safe confines of my house.

  

  Photo from a hike last week, not from my drive. My drive was 5x this much snow.

  Suddenly a thought pops into my head. “WHAT IF, I actually listen to my gut today. WHAT IF I go back home?” Will the world stop turning? Will I sink to the fiery depths of hell? Will I loose all my hair? Oh wait, that already happened.

  I fought against my “you can’t NOT go to work” mindset and made the second best decision of the morning. I turned around and went back home. The first best decision was to make a giant bowl of oatmeal with a side of delicious coffee. Enjoyed while gazing at the white world around me.

  

  The final test was getting up the large hill I managed to get down. A woman stands to my left shoveling her driveway and I yell at her to “STAND BACK” as if she can hear me through the walls of my car. Heaven forbid I loose control of my car and run into her going 5MPH. I make it. Back in my neighborhood my journey is almost over.

  I can almost hear the angels singing as they welcome me back home, but not before I try and fail three times to get into my driveway. My driveway with a mere 5 degree angle. The fourth time was the charm. I walk through the door, drop my jacket to the floor, declare my presence to my fur children and breath a sigh of relief. I made it.

  

  

  No work means lunch at home!

  In all reality I can be quite dramatic, but driving in the snow terrifies me almost more than the thought of what might lurk under my bed. I’ve now officially begun my search for an AWD vehicle, if only I can overcome the separation anxiety for my current car.

  Q: Do you like driving in the snow?

  

  | 71 Comments Tagged Camry, Cats, Coffee, Snow, Vegan

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• Contact: blissfulbritt@yahoo.com

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