Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Just Keep Swimming



"When you think you have exhausted all possibilities,
remember this-you haven't
"
Thomas Edison


Exactly what I needed to read. Things can still happen.
Life doesn't end here. Phew.

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Fitness

Yesterday I dragged one of my friends to a fitness class (and by friend I mean she is my visiting teacher but we developed a friendship because of visiting teaching, I always wanted to be friends with her but this way it forced her to be my friend. This is not my testimony of visiting teaching this is a mere coincidence that worked out to two women's benefit). Ok, I didn't really drag...she invited me to yoga as our monthly gathering and I said well...there's this class I want to go to at my work so we went to it instead. I just didn't tell her exactly what it was.

Hope she wasn't planning on anything....yoga-esque.

On our way there she asked what it was like I said "it's just some cardio and some weights". When we got there her first statement was...we use those during this class? I then told her the truth, this class will entirely beat the living daylights out of you and if your dinner starts burning in your throat you are allowed to stop for a second.

The class is hard and it's one where you are constantly going and you do not get a break. If you feel the need to throw up/faint/or just get a drink; you're allowed to but the class doesn't stop, it's a full hour of pain and agony, but it's the kind of pain and agony that you will voluntarily go and even pay for because you know how beneficial it is. And as you go along the instructor will help you keep your form and explain to you why exactly you are doing what you're doing the way you are doing it. So you know why you're doing it and even though it kills at an unreal amount; you keep trudging because at some point you will be able to do even more and that is what you want.

At the end of class a lady stated that somehow the class never gets easier and that you know you are getting stronger, but that just means that you can handle more. And more is definitely required.

On our way home VT brought up a good point...that class is exactly what life is like. We all volunteered to come to a place where you go and go and go and you look at all that you have conquered and you think how on earth did I do that? And how on earth can I do anything more challenging? And somehow you do it. You go in to so many things not knowing if it's going to be like yoga or if it's a boot camp. But you have an instructor telling you why you're doing it and so you just do it. Because you see so much potential in the future despite the pain of right that second.

Very true. Visiting teaching was a success.

Friday, March 11, 2011

Food.

When I walk into a store I usually leave empty handed, because I am a cheapskate. And in a conversation I am probably not engaged because chances are high that I know very little about what you are talking about.

However, put me inside a restaurant and all my senses are drawn to what is about to happen to my body and the word budget is tossed aside into my mental black hole. I love restaurants and I can give you many facts about many places, I don't want to go as far as to say I'm a connoisseur but I am looking forward to the day I can say that will full confidence.

One of my biggest downfalls is my ever growing love for food and experiments. I am constantly on the prowl for new types or any odd combination of food and places to partake of food. I feel the need to share of some of the places I have been to recently. Please indulge in the words I am about to share.

Hard Times Cafe
Also known as "prison food". While driving past the Utah Prison you will see a sign that says "Hard Times Cafe Now Open" it is appropriately named, for it is food indeed served to you by prisoners. You walk in to one of the trailers outside the prison and you are greeted by some of the nicest people, tats and all. The food is good. Maybe don't go there on a date, but for lunch with your buddies; definitely a good choice. And cheap for a pretty solid amount of food.
Recommendations: Don't go when you have pms, the desserts are way too big and way too cheap to pass up.
Drawbacks: The lettuce they use is not romaine. Weirds me out.


J-Dawgs
I have only been here once and the thought of eating a hot dog for lunch made me a little hesitant. BUT if you are looking for something cheap and delicious this is your place. I find myself often craving a giant polish dog with jalapenos, a side of chips, and a drink. I would eat there every week if I could and really I think it cost a total of $4.
Recommendations: Definitely get their "special" sauce. Definitely add jalapenos.
Drawbacks: Go eat it and wait twenty minutes....then you'll find out :)

Cabela's
Not only does Cabela's make you long for a manly man but watching all the fish swim in the aquarium makes you a little hungry. Conveniently, by walking up the stairs you can solve the hunger issue....maybe the boyfriend issue, if you're lucky. I have always wanted to try that place so I decided to take the kid and see how it would go. It went well. After a ten minute process of trying to decide what to eat I did something I only do every four months or so-I got a cheeseburger. You might think that's crazy because they have options like "wild boar sandwiches" or the manager's special that was fish, shrimp, coleslaw and a drink. I'm still not sure why I passed that up but too many options makes me crazy so I had to have Luke choose for me. Cheeseburger with pepper-jack cheese and a side of sweet potato fries inside one of the greatest stores ever made. Yeah, heaven.
Recommendations: Eat at least 5 days before your next weigh in.
Drawbacks: Pepsi. There's a huge difference.

Gual Berto's
Located at the first ever Kneader's Bakery, in Draper. Yes, when you walk in you will see that they covered the Kneader's sign with paper and tape. That is how you know it is authentic Mexican. If you like Mexican food you will love this place. It seems to average about $7.00 and you could easily share a meal, the two tortillas that came with my fajita took up most of the table.
Recommendations: Go starving
Drawbacks: there is not one single drawback to Mexican food.

I hope that you have feasted upon these words and that you will take them and put them to use.