The Purple Carrot Day

What a day. This morning Mike and I decided to try out the Meridian Farmer's Market just down the street. When I moved here last year I found out this city had a food truck called The Purple Carrot. They focus on fresh, local, and good tasting eats. 
I've been dying to try them out, but could never go with their schedule. Once I saw on Facebook that they were attending, I had to go! I've seen the food truck shows on Food Network and have always been jealous. 

The Purple Carrot

After gazing at the menu for a good five minutes we decided on the MI Lake Trout Po Boy and the Country pork loin sammy. 

 <----- MI Lake Trout Po Boy
Beer Battered Trout, Herb Guy Micro Cabbage Slaw, Tartar

Country pork loin sammy ------>
DWG Green Tomato Relish, PCT Mustard, Dolce Vita Chevre




















Headed back for a break before working out. Today I did over an hour of legs, back, and abs. 
WOOT 

P90X

P90freakin'X 

I have wanted to get fit FOREVER, but sitting on my butt and pigging out sadly doesn't help. The biggest thing I ever did, was run two miles freshman year in gym. I even sucked at that. So first we tried P90:

They claimed that they would get you in shape. So I decided to go along with it. It was 90 days of the same workouts day after day. Now believe me, it wasn't easy. The first time I tried it, I thought I was going to die. I made it through the 90 days, but really wanted to try something a little more extreme. 


I'm sure you've seen the infomercial for P90X.
The EXTREME Home Fitness workout. Once I got the money I decided let's do this. I've got the whole summer to dedicate to this, why not. Now they promise you a body of awesomeness at the end. Just like hers. What they don't advertise is how much pain you'll be in while attempting these workouts. 


So I came armed with dumbbells, vitamins, protein powders, protein meal bars, post workout powder, spiru-tein shake powder, mat, chin up bar, and the most important a fighting attitude. 

BRING IT ON!!!

My P90X Daily Food Regimen

New start!

I'm Back!!

After a year of being on blog hiatus I've decided to start back up. I'm doing this for myself, it will be a public diary to rant and rave. I've found this is also a wonderful way to remember what I've done. My hope is that someone out there might get something from my blog, but if not that's fine too.
The main reason I've come back to blogging is for my goals in life. I want to be fit and healthy. Maybe this blog will keep me inspired to stay in that direction. I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

Going, going, GONE!

I haven't felt like blogging in a long time. I guess with everyone starting to blog and use twitter again, I've gotten in the mood. I've been so incredibly busy since the beginning of the year. I went to Chicago and finally met Kelley Farrell, one of the most inspirational people I've met. She has been through hell and back yet still is pushing to be who she wants to be. She helps the homeless in Chicago, and takes care of children! I know she'll think I'm crazy but if I could have two moms, I'd 100% choose Kelley as my second! She confided in me through getting into MSU and helped me understand more about myself. I love this woman to death!

I did mention Michigan State University, yes? No, okay. Well ever since I was a wee little girl I knew MSU (GO GREEN) was where I was going to go. I just couldn't believe the years went by so quickly. I received my admissions letter and just about gave the cats heart attacks from cheering so loudly. Mike and I went to look at apartments a few weeks ago, and I've found the one! I've got the urge to go to Ikea and shop till I drop.

Life also has been UBER stressful. Mike has been in and out of the hospital with bladder problems. We finally have decided on surgery, so hopefully that will happen in May. It's called Indiana Pouch, and is way too complex for me to explain. He'll be in the hospital for a week and then at home for another a few months. I just hope everything goes quickly and smoothly.

Only two more weeks until classes are officially done! I can not wait!

Baby it's cold outside!

It's been way to long since I've posted an update. I have finally finished Fall semester at WCC and am so glad to be on break. I signed up for Winter classes and was told I need to take a bunch of general ed classes to transfer. That put me up to 16 credits of classes I hoped I'd never have to take again. I finally ended up calling MSU admissions and they told me I didn't need any of the general ed classes to actually transfer! Well whoopdy-do! So I dropped one class to make it 14 credits. It's a pain in the butt!

It's official the house is going up for sale! I have a realtor Nick Lacy who came out and looked at the house. I was so nervous I spent the morning cleaning. I've also been searching non stop for apartments near MSU. I believe I've found the "one", but who knows. It's got great prices, two minutes away from campus, and accepts pets! I plan on going up and visiting Alex and Katie then checking out apartments in January or February.

Mike and I went up to Lewiston, MI the second weekend in December for the Annual Thoms' family Christmas party. It was a blast seeing everyone! I was so proud of myself for driving back down during the awful weather storm. Overall it was an amazing time but I don't think I want to drive up north in the winter again.

Today Mike and I got back from Indiana. We spent Christmas with his family and had a fun time. I was able to meet his sisters, parents, friends, relatives,and nephews. I went to the house he grew up in and the cafeteria he used to work at. All I remember on Christmas morning were the boys going a mile a minute opening gifts. Christmas here used to be an hour of opening gifts and eating cinnamon rolls, then spending the day watching movies. It was definitely a new experience. Once we were five minutes from home Mike asked if I had his keys *facepalm* hopefully Amie will mail them back.

Lastly I want to mention Kelley. I have her blog posted in the links portion and I've talked about her before. She has started a new blog called Magnanimous Beauty. It's a wonderful blog about people we should be paying more attention to. I was lucky enough to send her a package with coats, blankets, pants, and more. It's for an amazing cause!

http://magnanimousbeauty.blogspot.com/

Saturday I am headed out to Chicago to see Kelley, Caroline, and Kate! Happy New Year!

Bricks, hearts, and a whole new you.

What a busy week! It always seems like the week before a holiday I’m running around like crazy. On tuesday the Ann Arbor RFL committee had our first meeting for the 2011 relay for life. I can’t believe how quickly a year has gone by. I’m extremely excited for another year of RFL and I hope to get a lot of help and donations *winks*! Wednesday I was lucky enough to have a makeover with Elizabeth Colburn. I look so much older now! I know my family is saying “NO!” But hey, I’m turning 20 this month! People may laugh but I feel like 20 years old is ancient, at least for me. My new desk chair also came! It’s beautiful and comfy. Now I can finally sit and type and surf the web without my back killing me.

Friday I got my hair colored “Amy Adams” red and it looks stunning! I waited  until just before Halloween since I went as Giselle from enchanted. I spent the rest of the day making Mom’s Chili. As always it tasted fantastic. I made sure to make a triple batch this year so I could have leftovers.

For those who don’t know my neighborhood always has Halloween on the Saturday nearest it. My guess is so kids can stay out later and we can all spend the day at the Halloween party. The event is held at the neighborhood park with kid’s activities, and a chili cook off. I had fun curling my hair before hand but I must have used five days worth of hairspray.

Today in the mail I received a monthly letter from Arbor Hospice. Usually I take a glance and toss it but this one caught my eye. It’s called the Hearts Of Remembrance Program.

“Making a donation through the Hearts of Remembrance program is the perfect way to remember the people who have touched your life. Whether you hang your heart in a doorway, on a tree, in a window, or give it to a friend, your gift ensures that Arbor Hospice will be there for thousands of terminally ill patients and their families. More info.

Remember a loved one this holiday season by visiting the Hearts of Remembrance Tree. More info.”

The other great thing they have added is a Commemorative Brick program. I would love to get one or two for my parents. I have also added a Donate button on the top right if you feel inclined, it would be very appreciated!

“When you designate a brick in the gardens of the Residence of Arbor Hospice, you create a timeless tribute and make a lasting contribution. Our Memorial Walkway is a source of inspiration and quiet meditation for our patients and their families and is open to the community. Bricks placed in our Veterans Garden are reserved for Veterans. We encourage you to visit the walkway and lovely gardens. More info."

When will it be over? UGH

Have you ever felt like you're failing in college?

My failure is chemistry, it’s confusing and I just feel like an idiot in this class. I know I should've taken 090 chemistry and it was my mistake. I'm taking 111 and am completely lost, I feel so dumb to be getting horrible grades on my tests and labs. I’ve even asked the lecture instructor for help. My lab instructor is clueless and strict. It’s her first time teaching and she doesn't know what she’s doing. There is rarely an explanation so I'm feeling completely lost and left out because everyone else in a class seems to understand what's going on.

I received my test back today and was upset with the score because I thought I did really well. When she handed it to me I got the “can I please see you after class”. She didn’t understand why did so poorly and told me to go to tutoring, which I’ve been doing! I just don't understand word problems and that’s all that’s on a test. No fill in the blanks. Just giving me an equation I can solve it, give me a word problem and heck I’m lost. It doesn't make sense to me. Now I'm thinking I won’t pass this class. That would mean paying to take it all over again next semester. I wish it were easy, I study before every test. We are now covering models and I understand it because there is no equation/conversion involved! Why can’t I just get it? When will I ever use chemistry? I needed to rant big time!!

Thanks for listening!

Cassie