It's winter. Time to Let Town Pale. Time to Plot New Tale.

This morning.


I had to scrape snow off my car.



It was only a centimeter of snow and ice, but enough that it would have impaired my vision if I started driving. It's symbolic, ok?*

The cold weather also signifies I'm getting meaner. One of my co-workers (who I've only interacted with maybe two times) told me, "You're awesome!". Really? Do you even know me? I'm mediocre most of the time. And that's not me being modest, that's me being honest. I brush my teeth in most normal way. I type at my computer at an average speed. My clothes and manner are unremarkable. I'm not awe-inspiring, intimidating, or accomplished. Doing you a favor doesn't make me "awesome", it just makes me polite.

See?

Mean, mean, mean.

Anyway.

I just wanted to let you know that since it's getting cold, you are all required to listen to Owen Pallet/Final Fantasy all day long.

Do you have five minutes and twenty seconds? Listen to a favorite song:



Do you have five minutes and forty one seconds? Listen to another favorite song of his:



Do you have an hour and six minutes? How about you watch this concert:



Do you have many hours?

Listen to everything here:


or here:


Or read some other posts I did about him here or here.


*You may be wondering why I was driving since my work is practically across the street from my house. I left twenty minutes early so I could drive a mile away to Carls Jr. for a lackluster breakfast sandwich. Breakfast fast food is my ultimate weakness. It is so bad. I also, woke up at 5:45 this morning, and then lounged in bed for the next 2 hours reading instead of going to the gym. For reals. What is wrong with me? To make up for it, I'll walk to the gym for my yoga class tonight. Deal?

My favorite 3 things for health

My family and I have been talking about a lot of health stuff. Here are some things on our radar:

1. The best thing you can do for your health:

It's true! the past couple weeks, I've tried to get a minimum of half an hour physical activity a everyday (ok ok. I count walking to and from the Real Salt Lake game... and walking to and from church. you need to fit it in where you can!) It makes such a difference. More for my mental health than anything else.

2. We all know that processed foods are scary. But seriously guys, they are REALLY scary. This recently trending article from the New York times will prove it to you and you'll never eat processed food again:

Click here to read it!

Actually you will eat processed foods again. Mostly in the form of Takis, In-n-Out, and Slutty Diet Cokes (2 parts diet coke mixed with 1 part slurpee).
But I think that's ok.
Every once and a while.
Right?

THEY'RE JUST SO GOOD.

3. We all gotta watch out for sugar. For reals.

This video is super long, but worth it. I learned a lot and it's all backed by SCIENCE (note: I know next to nothing about science, so take that for what it's worth). 

Bottom line: 

Eat food, not too much, mostly plants. 

And let's move. 

Pretty simple, right?

Healthy Shmealthy

Every Sunday night I vow to be healthy. Every Monday afternoon, it all falls apart. Here's a video that Mark Bittman posted about sugar in "healthy" foods:

Crazy, am I right? 

I gotta get this under control. Mr. Bittman just released a new book that I want to check out, Eat Vegan Before 6:00. 

Something that would really help me make more healthy choices would be to cook more at home. I think the recipes would help. If any of you guys have this book, let me know what you think!

Because NOBODY looks cool when they're drunk...

Hey guys! Here is a friendly PSA from your favorite blogger. I'm part of the S.M.A.R.T. Coalition in Utah County; a anti-substance abuse group. We work on initiatives and publicity campaigns to specifically combat drug and alcohol abuse. They had me write a little bloggity blog about resources in the community, and... HERE IT IS!

1. The highlighted texts were supposed to be links to the websites following them. ooops.
2. I never thought it would come to this, but I think I need a professional head shot done. gross.
3. Alcohol abuse is not good.

I also had to post on the group Facebook page last week. I wanted to post these ads because they are so disturbing and great, but I thought it would be a bit much...

WARNING.
This first one is freaked me out pretty bad.

Please have a healthy and happy New Year!

Body Electric

You want to see this:

Don't worry, there is almost zero storyline, just how I like it. 

Also, have you guys been watching So You Think You Can Dance? 

I love Cyrus. He's a trooper.

And did you watch Oscar Pistorius run yesterday? He is such an inspiration.

Between him and Chad le Clos, I'm starting to get a crush on Team South Africa.

Watching all these artists and athletes are helping me appreciate my body more. I want to treat it right.

"...glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's."

1 Corinthians 6:19

Some good to do.

Have you seen this video yet? They showed it after General Conference in conjunction with missionary work. Makes me tear up every time.

I've been wanting to get back into running and needed something to motivate me. I wanted to train for a race, but wasn't sure which, or when. Also, the entrance fees for these races (though they are often for a good cause) can be kind of steep. I was excited to hear about Push to the Finish where you can "provide an opportunity for children with physical disabilities to be able to experience the enjoyment, competition, and sense of accomplishment of participating in a road race." Perfect! That way, for the next few months, I won't just be training for myself, but for someone else. You need to have extra endurance to run WHILE pushing someone. Luckily, it looks like there are a lot of 5k's coming up, I think that's pretty much all I can handle for now.

Click here to watch a video with photos from past races.

I won't be able to do a race in a while since I'm helping with the soccer league every Saturday til June, so I thought I would take the time to recruit more people! This group is just starting out, and they need all the help they can get. Click here to find out more and sign up!