Perks of Losing Weight

After my move from the Midwest (Omaha, NE) to the Pacific Northwest (Seattle), my lifestyle changed significantly. I started walking more instead of driving; started doing outdoor activities with friends instead of sedentary activities; began eating healthier. The results of these changes are that I have lost weight (approximately 60 pounds in 11 months), which who wouldn't be happy with that....

Here are some of the "Perks" that I have enjoyed with my lifestyle changes:

• You need links removed in your watch because it moves around now
• Your "skinny" jeans now fit
• Your sweatpants are now too big
• Airplane seats now seem roomy
• You are actually the weight that your driver license indicates
• Friends start to notice a difference
• Going up flights of stairs and not getting out of breath
• Your calf circumference can now fit into boots...which means you can wear more shoes :)

Book Review- Proof of Heaven: A Neurosurgeon's Journey into the Afterlife

In society today, one is asked their religious preference on a regular basis; sometimes verbally, other times by checking a box on a form. Throughout life, an individual usually goes through many changes and one of those changes may be in religion/belief in God.

In my immediate family there are four of us. My mother is Baptist; my father is a Muslim, and my sister is a Mormon.  So in that equation, what does that make me? Well, I was raised Baptist…but who am I now? And for that, I don’t have an answer; and I am not sure I want to answer it….. yet. Therefore, I seek out those who claim to have found the answers.

My latest resource that I have turned to is the book, Proof of Heaven: A Neurosurgeon’s Journey into the Afterlife.  It’s about this acclaimed neurosurgeon who has a near death experience that puts him in a seven-day coma. The story goes back and forth between what he remembers experiencing in his coma and the commotion that was going on in the hospital room during that same time.  This book explains thoroughly the medical jargon of the rare illness that the author experiences and his stay in the hospital. The coma experience is very descriptively explained as well; but was definitely harder for me to follow.

Upon my completion of the book, I contemplated what this book’s message meant to me. I concluded that I am glad he made it through his illness; he had the courage to come forth with his experience; he was able to get closure. Additionally, the mystery behind the butterfly on the cover is revealed towards the end of the book (which I guessed). I would not read this book again (and glad I got it from the library), but I am glad that I motivated myself to read it. The brain remains a mystery to so many; therefore, it was informative to read about a neurosurgeon’s attempt to sort through the miracle that he was able to recover all of his memories and knowledge when science indicates that he shouldn’t have been able.

Albert Einstein, one of the greatest minds in the scientific world stated, “There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as if everything is.” I personally hope that the latter is true!

Abstract Canadian Road Signs

Canada does not have a DMV but rather they have a "Ministry of Transportation;" doesn't it sound like something out of a Harry Potter  book...I think so! Every time that I drive to Canada, I am reminded that I "should" have looked up traffic signs and laws BEFORE I started driving in the country. I have already been detained once because of my last name at customs; I really shouldn't give Canada another reason to be concern with me.  These were a couple of the signs that I encountered this trip that differ from any signs that I have seen here in the states. 

The Ministry of Transportation definition of the sign is in black. My commentary is in red.

“Dangerous goods prohibited” sign

•  must have a red circle circumscribing a black diamond symbol on a white background with a red diagonal line superimposed over the diamond symbol

•  indicates that the carriage of dangerous goods is prohibited on the highway

I thought it meant that we weren't allowed to have square items in the car. Therefore, my friend and I were throwing all square items out the window: saltine crackers, CD cases, postage stamps, tea bags, etc, and then of course we got a ticket for littering. 

THINKMETRIC to remind American travelers that speed and distance information is displayed in metric units. 

This sign prompted a heated discussion about other metric conversions. For instance, how many pints are in a quart? Since gas isn't going to be in gallons, what unit of measurement is it? All these questions remained unanswered since our cellular data was roaming in Canada. One begins to feel very disconnected from the world and knowledge when one cannot simply "google" a question.

SUNBURST ADVISORY SPEED sign warns of a potentially hazardous roadway section ahead. They are only warranted at locations where there is a documented accident history or motorist disregard of usual warning signs.

We thought it was one of those optical illusions on a road sign. Lets just say the traffic behind us was getting impatient as we stared at the sign so we could see the illusion. Sadly, we left disappointed.

LOW CLEARANCE signs indicate the maximum amount of overhead 

clearance available under low bridges, underpasses, and other 

structures. 
I love how Canadians EXPECT us Americans to be able to make the conversion from the "US system" to metric system in order to know if we can go under the bridge/road. Silly Canadains.

CHECKERBOARD sign warns motorists of the termination of a road. 

I cannot believe I came to Canada and I forgot to pack my checker and chess pieces.

Canadian Signs

I have made a habit out of taking pictures of signs that I find amusing and/or unique. I once again found Canada to have signage that got my attention. These signs are from Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada.

Sushi Eh?
It is nice that Canada is capitalizing on "eh"

A Wee Cupcakery: "A balanced diet is a cupcake in each hand."
With logic like this, I cannot understand how a diet is so hard to follow. Sign me up for this diet right away!!

This was at the Nanaimo ferry.
I love how the bag is "as big" as the dog.

This was at the Nanaimo Ferry.
This is one boxy looking dog.

Volunteer Park

One of the things that I enjoy most about Seattle is the many different parks that are within the city limits. One of the parks that was on my Seattle Bucket List to visit was Volunteer Park. After almost a year of living in Seattle I finally made it to the park. And I got to say, I was unimpressed with the park itself. A friend described Volunteer Park as a "picnic park" however, it has a few small trails. In addition, the park has the Asian Art Museum and a Botanical Gardens. But I had other friends that told me that I needed to go to Volunteer Park for the view. Consensus: if you are wanting a view go to Kerry Park; if you want a park with trails go to Discovery Park; skip Volunteer Park unless you want to see Old Capitol Hill neighborhood, the Asian Art Museum or the Botanical Gardens (costs $4 for adults).

View from Volunteer Park

Actual View from Volunteer Park

What the internet "shows" the view will be at Volunteer Park

Asian Art Museum

Botanical Gardens at Volunteer Park

Flowers outside the Botanical Gardens in Volunteer Park

Blowing At Uptown Glassworks

I just had the ultimate glassblowing experience in Renton, Washington. My friend had a Groupon that allowed us to participate in making our own glassblowing projects. We each made a bowl. The colors I chose were cherry and black. There was a lot of huffing and puffing which allowed me to empathize with the big bad wolf in The Three Little Pigs. This particular Groupon experience allowed the user to participate in about 30% of the making of the project. I cannot wait to do another project there!

Placing the Cherry and Black Glass

Supervised as I play with fire and exhaust fan in the hair

After all the twirling and mixing of the colors

And the blowing begins

Blowing continues; I am turning red and the vein is protruding on my forehead

Making the opening for the bowl; I was a spectator at this part of the process

Twirling Expert Level

The final twirl

Nothing Is Sweeter Than A Date

If the only dates you have devoured in your life are the pre-package pitted dates that you buy from the store than you have definitely been deprived. I grew up eating the sweetest and softest (they literally melt in your mouth and you had to be careful to not choke on the pit) dates. My family is notorious for when they go to Iran to bring back 20+ boxes of just dates (60+ dates in each box). Although I have been unable to find a date in the United States as good as the ones from Iran (which makes sense since Iran is ranked first for global date production), the medjool date is comparable.

I was attending a potluck and was assigned the dessert course, and as many people know, I do not bake (unless I am baking with my niece, because then I have a guarantee scapegoat if the dessert doesn't come out right). Since I was attempting the dessert course without my niece, I channeled the Middle Eastern within and followed the recipe book Modern Flavors of Arabia and made Spiced Ricotta-Stuffed Dates, and kept my fingers crossed that it would be edible. This is definitely more of a savory dessert (but it is still sweet) and the only things I dirtied were a bowl, whisk, and measuring cups/spoons. This recipe was a hit at the potluck and guests took the leftovers; many hadn't had cardamom before and enjoyed what it added to the recipe.

Pistachio garnished and non-garnished finished recipe

Ingredients:
-22 Medjool dates
-22 blanched almonds (did not use)
-1 cup ricotta cheese
-1/2 cup mascarpone cheese
-1/4 cup half-and-half or heavy cream (I used heavy cream)
-1 1/2 teaspoon freshy grated nutmeg (I just used ground nutmeg)
-1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
-1/4 cup ground pistachios, to garnish

Directions:
-Cut each date lengthwise and remove the pit.
-In a bowl mix together using a whisk all the ingredients except the pistachios.
-You can be fancy and put the mixture in a bag and cut the tip to fill the dates or you can just use a spoon and dip the mixture into the dates.
-Garnish with pistachios. I grounded mine by using a meat tenderizer.

*Recommendations after making it once: I would fill the dates with the mixture a day before and leave in the refrigerator for approximately 12 hours uncovered and then cover the dish with saran wrap/aluminum foil until ready to serve. I would do this because the mixture was a little runnier than anticipated. Dates like Medjool are not meant to be kept in the refrigerator because they start to get stiff, but they will still remain soft. Additionally I would cut the recipe for everything (except the number of dates and pistachios) in half. There was so much mixture left over. I didn't put almonds in because I am not a fan of almonds; however, even though Medjool dates are quite large, with the addition of an almond I think there wouldn't be much room left in the date for the cream mixture.