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		<title>Lilikoi Chiffon Pie</title>
		<link>http://tryingtoheal.com/2012/02/21/lilikoi-chiffon-pie/</link>
		<comments>http://tryingtoheal.com/2012/02/21/lilikoi-chiffon-pie/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 21 Feb 2012 16:53:17 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Melissa</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Baking]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hawaii]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Kauai]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Kokee State Park]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Lilikoi Pie]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Pie]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Recipes]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://tryingtoheal.com/?p=3374</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Hi everyone.  I&#8217;m getting back to well&#8230;getting used to life in CA again.  I miss Kauai so much already.  There is just something about the atmosphere and attitude that relaxes me so much while I&#8217;m there.  Our next planned trip &#8230; <a href="http://tryingtoheal.com/2012/02/21/lilikoi-chiffon-pie/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Hi everyone.  I&#8217;m getting back to well&#8230;getting used to life in CA again.  I miss Kauai so much already.  There is just something about the atmosphere and attitude that relaxes me so much while I&#8217;m there.  Our next planned trip is at the end of September for a family reunion, so until then&#8230;I&#8217;ll have to live vicariously through my photos and imagination.</p>
<p><a href="http://tryingtoheal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/kauai-005.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-3376" title="kauai 005" src="http://tryingtoheal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/kauai-005-1024x768.jpg" alt="" width="640" height="480" /></a></p>
<p>One of the highlights of the week though, was when we went over to Whit&#8217;s Grandparent&#8217;s house for dinner Friday night.  His Grandma made an assortment of food which I sadly didn&#8217;t partake in except for the from-her-garden fresh salad, but the night turned for the best when she brought out a pie.</p>
<p>I don&#8217;t know if I&#8217;ve talked about it much, but I am not much of a cake/cupcake/cookie person as I am a pie person.  I L.O.V.E. pie&#8230;except cherry.  I just can&#8217;t seem to get myself to like that one.  Anyhow, I&#8217;m always willing to try a new pie recipe and last year May when I first went to Kauai I got my first taste of<span style="color: #ffff00;"><strong> Lilikoi Pie</strong></span> at <a href="http://www.thelodgeatkokee.net/index.html">The Lodge at Kokee</a> near Waimea Canyon.</p>
<p><a href="http://tryingtoheal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/hawaii-036.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-3377" title="hawaii 036" src="http://tryingtoheal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/hawaii-036-1024x768.jpg" alt="" width="640" height="480" /></a></p>
<p>At the time I wasn&#8217;t a fan; it was too sweet for my taste and in Hawaiian <em>Lilikoi means Passion fruit</em>, which I have never been a fan of in the juice or fruit form.  But at least I tried it and knew that it wasn&#8217;t one of my favorites.  Until now.</p>
<p><a href="http://tryingtoheal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/kauai-067.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-3375" title="kauai 067" src="http://tryingtoheal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/kauai-067-1024x768.jpg" alt="" width="640" height="480" /></a></p>
<p>So Whit&#8217;s Grandma brought out a <strong><span style="color: #ffff00;">Lilikoi Chiffon Pie</span></strong> from a nearby bakery in Hanalei (<em>which I don&#8217;t know the name of&#8230;ah! Must find out!</em>) and agreed to share a piece with Whit after my last experience with the pie.  Boy was that a mistake, because this one was PHENOMENAL.  We demolished it in less than a minute, and wished I could have had another piece <del>to share</del>.  But we were lucky because they also bought a second pie for us to take home to his parents and to have for our last family gathering before we left to go back to CA.  I was a very happy lady at that point, and you know I had my fair share the next day after dinner!  We may have also taken two pieces on the plane home to have with our dinner&#8230;hehe.  Sneaky sneaky!</p>
<p>I wish I had the right type of passion fruit juice here in the states, but I&#8217;ll certainly keep my eye out so I can try this recipe I found through the Honolulu Advertiser!  I want that pie now!</p>
<p><strong>Lilikoi Chiffon Pie</strong></p>
<p>from <a href="http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2006/May/17/il/FP605170303.html">the Honolulu Advertiser</a></p>
<div>
<ul>
<li><span style="color: #ffffff; font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif;"> 4 eggs, separated </span></li>
<li><span style="color: #ffffff; font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif;"> 1 cup sugar </span></li>
<li><span style="color: #ffffff; font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif;"> 1/2 teaspoon salt </span></li>
<li><span style="color: #ffffff; font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif;"> 1/2 cup passion-fruit concentrate or fresh lilikoi juice </span></li>
<li><span style="color: #ffffff; font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif;"> 1 tablespoon unflavored gelatin </span></li>
<li><span style="color: #ffffff; font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif;"> 1/4 cup cold water </span></li>
<li><span style="color: #ffffff; font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif;"> 1 teaspoon grated lemon rind </span></li>
<li><span style="color: #ffffff; font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif;"> 9-inch one-crust pie shell </span></li>
<li><span style="color: #ffffff; font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif;"> 1/2 cup whipping cream </span>Beat egg yolks until thick. Add 1/2 cup sugar, salt and juice. In a medium saucepan, cook over low heat until thickened. Do not allow to boil; if you have an instant-read thermometer, keep temperature at about about 150 degrees. When thickened, remove from heat.Soften gelatin in cold water; stir into egg-yolk mixture until dissolved. Add lemon rind and allow mixture to cool. Beat egg whites until stiff, gradually beating in the remaining 1/2 cup sugar. Fold egg-yolk mixture into stiffly beaten egg whites. Pour into pastry shell; chill until firm. Whip heavy cream to garnish pie. Makes 8 servings.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p>~~</p>
<p>Oh man, I&#8217;m drooling thinking about the pie right now!  September needs to come faster so I can get back for some more pie!</p>
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		<title>Busy Hike’n Alakai Swamp</title>
		<link>http://tryingtoheal.com/2012/02/16/busy-hiken-alakai-swamp/</link>
		<comments>http://tryingtoheal.com/2012/02/16/busy-hiken-alakai-swamp/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 16 Feb 2012 18:38:28 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Melissa</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Hiking]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Kauai]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://tryingtoheal.com/?p=3367</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Hi Everybody!  This morning is my first go at surfing for the week so we&#8217;ll see how it goes!  I know I&#8217;ve been here since last Friday and haven&#8217;t surfed yet, but that&#8217;s because I&#8217;ve been busy hiking up in &#8230; <a href="http://tryingtoheal.com/2012/02/16/busy-hiken-alakai-swamp/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Hi Everybody!  This morning is my first go at surfing for the week so we&#8217;ll see how it goes!  I know I&#8217;ve been here since last Friday and haven&#8217;t surfed yet, but that&#8217;s because I&#8217;ve been busy hiking up in the mountains and rainforests!</p>
<p><a href="http://tryingtoheal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG_3804.jpg"><img title="IMG_3804" src="http://tryingtoheal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG_3804-1024x682.jpg" alt="" width="640" height="426" /></a></p>
<p>I&#8217;ll have a better overview for you in a day or two or after I get back, but right now, the sun is out so I&#8217;m headed to the beach with Whit&#8217;s longboard!</p>
<p><a href="http://tryingtoheal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG_3852.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-3369" title="IMG_3852" src="http://tryingtoheal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG_3852-1024x682.jpg" alt="" width="640" height="426" /></a></p>
<p>Aloha!</p>
]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Me and the Beach</title>
		<link>http://tryingtoheal.com/2012/02/13/me-and-the-beach/</link>
		<comments>http://tryingtoheal.com/2012/02/13/me-and-the-beach/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 13 Feb 2012 14:06:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Melissa</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Fears]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Home]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Kauai]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Surfing]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://tryingtoheal.com/?p=3348</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Ever since I was a little girl, living in Southern California, I was told that I was a beach girl.  I knew I spent some time at the beach with my friends, but not a lot.  It always seemed to &#8230; <a href="http://tryingtoheal.com/2012/02/13/me-and-the-beach/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong>Ever since I was a little girl, living in Southern California, I was told that I was a beach girl.</strong>  I knew I spent some time at the beach with my friends, but not a lot.  It always seemed to be that <strong><span style="color: #003366;">BECAUSE I was from SoCal that I was a beach girl</span></strong>&#8230;when really, I hated the feeling of sand and salt on my body, and being in cold water was enough to make me cringe.  Want to say I&#8217;m a beach girl now?  Haha, yeah right.  I was definitely an outdoorsy girl though; I loved running around barefoot in the grass!</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://tryingtoheal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Schlothan-children-001.jpg"><img class="aligncenter  wp-image-3349" title="uskids" src="http://tryingtoheal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Schlothan-children-001-e1328743344357-1024x731.jpg" alt="" width="512" height="365" /></a>(<em>I don&#8217;t even know how old I am in this picture&#8230;haha</em>)</p>
<p>Throughout many summers growing up, I went to the beach with my friends.  I was younger and carefree, not worrying about the temperature of the water (<em>unbeknownst to most, it is freak&#8217;n COLD in CA!</em>) or how messy anything and everything was while I was there.  But as I grew up, the beach became a place of bon fires and just laying out with my friends.  But even then, I never thought myself a beach girl.</p>
<p>There was even a phase I went through, just as I started high school, where I really played into the roll, and wanted to surf and be good at it.  I subscribed to every surfing magazine I could get my hands on, had too many puka shell necklaces to count, and swooned over every cute surfer boy in my magazines (<em>ohhh&#8230;Kalani Robb&#8230;how I still adore you</em>).</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://tryingtoheal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/kalani.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-3352" title="kalani" src="http://tryingtoheal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/kalani.jpg" alt="" width="419" height="273" /></a>(<a href="gravisfootwear.com/">Source</a>)</p>
<p>I have known a lot of people in my life who say they love the beach.  But really, I think they only like the beach.  In the summer.  When it&#8217;s warm and they are comfortable there.  It wasn&#8217;t until I met Whit that I really learned what it meant to be a beach lover, and seriously dedicated surfer.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://tryingtoheal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P5052485.jpg"><img class="aligncenter  wp-image-3354" title="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA" src="http://tryingtoheal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P5052485-1024x768.jpg" alt="" width="512" height="384" /></a>(<em>Hanalei Bay, May 2011</em>)</p>
<p>This guy braves cold weather temperatures that cause him to get so cold he can&#8217;t speak (!!!), just to surf.  He doesn&#8217;t care what the weather, temperature, time or day; if he can surf the waves, he&#8217;s out there at least twice a day.</p>
<p>Being around him, listening to him talk about surfing, surf boards, surf conditions, surf spots&#8230;has made me really appreciate the sport, and the beach so much more over the past year plus that I&#8217;ve known him.  This has really got me revved up to try and get back on a board again myself.</p>
<p><span style="color: #00ccff;"><strong>I don&#8217;t have a long history with surfing, but there is one</strong>.</span>  When I was in high school I remember taking a trip to San Diego with my cousin and family, where we rented these big foamy long boards to try and surf on our own.  It was no easy feat, but I remember giving up soon after because I was too cold, and never felt like I would ever be able to do it correctly.  A few years later I met my college roomie, Dana, who is from Maui, where I went to visit her one summer.  We took the beaches by storm and I stood up on a surf board for the first time&#8230;in which I promptly fell off, and onto a big coral reef and scratched myself up pretty badly.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://tryingtoheal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/maui-001.jpg"><img class="aligncenter  wp-image-3355" title="maui 001" src="http://tryingtoheal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/maui-001-1024x768.jpg" alt="" width="512" height="384" /></a>(<em>Koki Beach, Maui</em>)</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://tryingtoheal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/maui-002.jpg"><img class="aligncenter  wp-image-3356" title="maui 002" src="http://tryingtoheal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/maui-002-1024x768.jpg" alt="" width="512" height="384" /></a><a href="http://tryingtoheal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/maui-004.jpg"><img class="aligncenter  wp-image-3357" title="maui 004" src="http://tryingtoheal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/maui-004-1024x768.jpg" alt="" width="448" height="336" /></a>(<em>Sorry these are crappy, I took a picture of a picture&#8230;no digital cameras back then!</em>)</p>
<p>After that trip I hadn&#8217;t gotten on a board until last year, almost 7 years later!  When I went to visit Kauai with Whit for the first time last May I had the opportunity to surf and learn to do so properly, but didn&#8217;t really take the opportunity to do it.  At the time, I was a month away from the San Diego marathon so I was too afraid I was going to hurt myself, so I resorted to running on the beach and just chilling out.  Last September when we went I didn&#8217;t surf, but paddle boarded, which was fun, but obviously not surfing, which is what I really wanted to do.  Still fun though!</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://tryingtoheal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P9170043.jpg"><img class="aligncenter  wp-image-3358" title="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA" src="http://tryingtoheal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P9170043-1024x768.jpg" alt="" width="512" height="384" /></a></p>
<p>Mostly though, I am afraid to surf because being the perfectionist that I am, I&#8217;m afraid I&#8217;ll never be able to do it correctly.  But how do I know I won&#8217;t be able to do it if I don&#8217;t try, right?</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://tryingtoheal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/surf.jpg"><img class="aligncenter  wp-image-3353" title="surf" src="http://tryingtoheal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/surf.jpg" alt="" width="240" height="320" /></a></p>
<p>So when I head off to Kauai again on Friday for a bit, I have every plan to try and surf as much as possible.  <strong><span style="color: #33cccc;">My goal is to try and get out there for at least three different sessions, with the ultimate goal of standing up for more than 3 seconds! </span></strong> I&#8217;m certainly looking forward to it, and have no excuses this time!  There is no race to run and I am not allowed to use my low body self esteem to keep me from doing it.</p>
<p><em><strong><span style="color: #003366;">What sport or activity have you wanted to do but were afraid to try?  I encourage you to go try if you haven&#8217;t!</span></strong></em></p>
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		<title>Funny How These Things Happen</title>
		<link>http://tryingtoheal.com/2012/02/10/funny-how-these-things-happen/</link>
		<comments>http://tryingtoheal.com/2012/02/10/funny-how-these-things-happen/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 10 Feb 2012 13:14:19 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Melissa</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Field Work]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://tryingtoheal.com/?p=3362</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[So, remember how earlier this week I was given bad news that I probably wasn&#8217;t going to move to Redding?  Well, it became definite and as sad as I was that I wasn&#8217;t going to be moving up there, part &#8230; <a href="http://tryingtoheal.com/2012/02/10/funny-how-these-things-happen/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>So, remember how earlier this week I was given bad news that <a href="http://tryingtoheal.com/2012/02/06/working-to/">I probably wasn&#8217;t going to move to Redding?</a>  Well, it became definite and as sad as I was that I wasn&#8217;t going to be moving up there, part of me was a tad relieved.  I was definitely sad that I was going to have to move away from Whit and everyone else I know, but I really like what I do for work.</p>
<p><a href="http://tryingtoheal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/pics-006.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-3363" title="pics 006" src="http://tryingtoheal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/pics-006-1024x768.jpg" alt="" width="640" height="480" /></a></p>
<p>With this information it meant that my line of work would probably end soon after the Spring season finished out.  I obviously want to keep working, so I started to look over at the job boards I visit and applied for a few.  Low and behold, Monday afternoon I get a call, an impromptu interview and an offer for a position in Southern California.  Say what?!  Can we say excited?!</p>
<p>With some careful consideration and making sure I don&#8217;t leave anything hanging with my current position, Wednesday afternoon I accepted the position and am moving down to Southern California!  Now this job is a bit different than the one I have, as I&#8217;m going to have to live out of a hotel for&#8230;a very long period of time.  Moving between several of them for about, 6 months.  It&#8217;s going to be hard, but I&#8217;m sure I will learn a lot and have an interesting adventure.</p>
<p><a href="http://tryingtoheal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/whit-148.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-3364" title="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA" src="http://tryingtoheal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/whit-148-1024x768.jpg" alt="" width="640" height="480" /></a></p>
<p>What about Whit and Honey?  Whit and I already had things planned out for when I moved to Redding and we&#8217;re just switching them over for this new position, except as time goes on, I&#8217;ll move closer to him with the job.  And Honey?  Oh&#8230;living out of hotels means no pets allowed.  I checked with the first one I&#8217;m staying in and can&#8217;t bring her, but I&#8217;m hoping some of the future ones will.  In the mean time, she will be staying with my awesome brother Craig, whom she already likes and is comfortable with.  It&#8217;s only temporary so I&#8217;ll have her back with me every second soon enough! You can bet I&#8217;m going to make my brother skype with me and the cat.  No joke.  And don&#8217;t laugh.  Haha&#8230;ok, laugh.</p>
<p>Anyhow, just as one adventure was coming to a close, another one came and swept me off my feet!  SoCal is my stomping grounds, though I&#8217;ll be starting a little further East then I&#8217;ve ever been, but still, it&#8217;s home!  And after this position&#8230;who knows what will come my way!!!</p>
<p>But first, it&#8217;s time for vacation!!!  Kauai here I come!!!</p>
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		<title>Birding Thursday: Calliope Hummingbird</title>
		<link>http://tryingtoheal.com/2012/02/09/birding-thursday-calliope-hummingbird/</link>
		<comments>http://tryingtoheal.com/2012/02/09/birding-thursday-calliope-hummingbird/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 09 Feb 2012 19:00:59 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Melissa</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Birding Thursday]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Home]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://tryingtoheal.com/?p=3325</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Birding Thursday: Calliope Hummingbird The Calliope Hummingbird in latin means &#8220;the little star&#8221; and well so, with the gorgeous red streaks of color along their throats. (Source) As the smallest bird in the hummingbird family at just 3.25&#8243; long, it &#8230; <a href="http://tryingtoheal.com/2012/02/09/birding-thursday-calliope-hummingbird/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong>Birding Thursday: Calliope Hummingbird</strong></p>
<p>The <strong><span style="color: #ff0066;">Calliope Hummingbird</span></strong> in latin means &#8220;<em>the little star</em>&#8221; and well so, with the gorgeous red streaks of color along their throats.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://tryingtoheal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/calliope.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-3327" title="calliope" src="http://tryingtoheal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/calliope.jpg" alt="" width="275" height="200" /></a>(<a href="http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Calliope_Hummingbird/id/ac">Source</a>)</p>
<p>As the smallest bird in the hummingbird family at just 3.25&#8243; long, it is also the one most traveled, migrating from South-Central Mexico to Southwest Canada, and does it all alone!  In addition, because they are the smallest they also make a slightly different sound than all the other hummingbirds, like the <a title="BT: Rufous Hummingbird" href="http://tryingtoheal.com/2011/10/20/bt-rufous-hummingbird/">Rufous Hummingbird</a>, and sound more like a bumble bee!</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://tryingtoheal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/CalliopeHummingbirdPH9.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-3330" title="CalliopeHummingbirdPH9" src="http://tryingtoheal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/CalliopeHummingbirdPH9.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="472" /></a>(<a href="http://www.utahbirds.org/birdsofutah/BirdsA-C/CalliopeHummingbird5.htm">Source</a>)</p>
<p>These little guys are in a bit of trouble though, with their wintering grounds shrinking  from habitat loss and loss of native plants with invasive ones.  Much is unknown about this little bird because very little studies have been done on it, so working to conserve it could be a problem in the near future.  Lets hope it never gets to that point!</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://tryingtoheal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/CalliopeHummingbirdPH3.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-3329" title="CalliopeHummingbirdPH3" src="http://tryingtoheal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/CalliopeHummingbirdPH3.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="472" /></a>(<a href="http://www.utahbirds.org/birdsofutah/BirdsA-C/CalliopeHummingbird5.htm">Source</a>)</p>
<p>Each year they have one set of two babies, in a very small nest!</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://tryingtoheal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/2915911325_6e857963a0_z.jpg"><img class="aligncenter  wp-image-3331" title="2915911325_6e857963a0_z" src="http://tryingtoheal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/2915911325_6e857963a0_z.jpg" alt="" width="512" height="342" /></a>(<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wwcsig/2915911325/">Source</a>)</p>
<p>I personally have only seen one of these little birds in my lifetime, and I can&#8217;t wait until I find my next one!  There are about a million of them left, but with their size, I&#8217;m sure you can imagine how hard they could be to find!  One day!</p>
<p>Happy Birding Thursday!</p>
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		<title>Lucky Eleven</title>
		<link>http://tryingtoheal.com/2012/02/06/lucky-eleven/</link>
		<comments>http://tryingtoheal.com/2012/02/06/lucky-eleven/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 07 Feb 2012 04:14:55 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Melissa</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[About Me]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://tryingtoheal.com/?p=3336</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Yep, I&#8217;m going to do that survey!  Miss Amy Lauren tagged me, so I had to oblige! Here’s the rules: #1 You must post these rules. #2 Each person must post 11 things about themselves on their blog. #3 Answer &#8230; <a href="http://tryingtoheal.com/2012/02/06/lucky-eleven/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img class="aligncenter" src="data:image/png;base64,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" alt="" /></p>
<p>Yep, I&#8217;m going to do that survey!  Miss <a href="http://proudpatriot07.wordpress.com/2012/01/31/lucky-number-11-survey/">Amy Lauren</a> tagged me, so I had to oblige!</p>
<p>Here’s the rules:</p>
<p>#1 You must post these rules.<br />
#2 Each person must post 11 things about themselves on their blog.<br />
#3 Answer the questions the tagger set for you in their post and create 11 new questions for the people you tag to answer in your blog <img src="http://s0.wp.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif?m=1308950417g" alt=":)" /> .</p>
<p><strong>My 11 Things:</strong></p>
<p>1. Growing up from the time I was born, I made a trip to the ER every 2.5 years for something&#8230;like an underdeveloped esophagus, broken fingers, broken toes, fractured hands&#8230;you name it, I did it.  And probably with a not so exciting story&#8230;which leads me to number two&#8230;</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://tryingtoheal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Grandma-Satow-Melissa-casted-arms-001.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-3346" title="Grandma Satow  Melissa casted arms 001" src="http://tryingtoheal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Grandma-Satow-Melissa-casted-arms-001-e1328590587557-1024x723.jpg" alt="" width="640" height="451" /></a>(<em>Me and Grandma&#8230;the Emiko I refer to later on</em>)</p>
<p>2. I&#8217;ve be underground at Disneyland.  Yes, UNDERGROUND.  I broke two fingers while visiting the park when I was in elementary school at Mickey&#8217;s House in Toontown.  I was taken to their on site medical clinic and then to any hospital that I chose&#8230;where they would pay for everything.  And while I was there I saw a convict coming in for medical help&#8230;in a full on orange jump suit and chains.  Yes, chains and shackles.  Hah!</p>
<p>3. The only time I cut my hair, is to donate it to Locks of Love or Pantene Beautiful Lengths to make wigs for people who have lost their hair.  I never care how short my hair has to be after I cut it, because I know mine will grown back.  So as soon as I get the 8-10 inches I need to donate, off it goes!</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://tryingtoheal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/pics-005.jpg"><img class="aligncenter  wp-image-3337" title="pics 005" src="http://tryingtoheal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/pics-005-1024x768.jpg" alt="" width="512" height="384" /></a>(<em>disregard what the heck I&#8217;m doing&#8230;</em>)</p>
<p>4. My middle name is Nicole, but it was supposed to be Emiko, my grandmother&#8217;s Japanese name.  But my Dad thought it didn&#8217;t flow, so I got Nicole.  Instead, I&#8217;ve vowed my daughter, whenever that time comes, will be named Emiko.  No questions asked.  Haha.</p>
<p>5.  My goal in life is to live in the tropics.  I don&#8217;t care which ones, just any one of them!  I miss the moisture and the feel of the green&#8230;ya know?</p>
<p>6.  Snow is the bane of my existence.  Everything about it scares the crack out of me, especially when it turns to ice and I slide.  I am not a fan.  And I&#8217;ve slid my truck and been stuck in it, so don&#8217;t tell me it&#8217;s that bad!  Eek!</p>
<p>7.  I have one of the best relationships with my brothers.  I know a lot of people who don&#8217;t get along with their siblings at all, but luckily that&#8217;s not the case with them.  A call or drive away and we&#8217;re hanging out, laughing at each other at family dinners and making sure we&#8217;re always alright.  And to think&#8230;there were supposed to be three of them! I could have had three brothers, or a sister!</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://tryingtoheal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/1704.jpg"><img class="aligncenter  wp-image-3339" title="1704" src="http://tryingtoheal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/1704-1024x680.jpg" alt="" width="512" height="340" /></a></p>
<p>8.  I&#8217;ve been running since I was in 4th or 5th grade, when I competed in a jog-a-thon.  From that day on, I was always the one who was volunteering to run on teams, run errands, and make teams.  I wouldn&#8217;t give it up for anything.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://tryingtoheal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/pics-033.jpg"><img class="aligncenter  wp-image-3340" title="pics 033" src="http://tryingtoheal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/pics-033-1024x768.jpg" alt="" width="512" height="384" /></a>(<em>4th of July race last year&#8230;I was not feelin&#8217; that race</em>)</p>
<p>9. I love to read. I read on average a book a month, and sometimes they&#8217;re cheesy like Nora Robert&#8217;s romance novels.  But sometimes they&#8217;re crazy hard to read like scientific articles from journals like Biotropical, Ecology, Biological Conservation and Forest Ecology.  I makes me feel like my brain isn&#8217;t rotting quite as fast&#8230;haha!</p>
<p>10.  When I was a kid, I wanted to be just like my parents with my life timeline: married by 23, house soon after, first kid by 28&#8230;and I&#8217;m 26 now and far behind that plan.  Haha.  I was seriously adamant about this when I was a kid!  So were my brothers!</p>
<p>11.  My life is constantly unknown.  My jobs can end in an instant, but it can always open another door to a great opportunity in another fun place with new people!  This is the current situation right now, and we&#8217;ll see where it takes me!</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://tryingtoheal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/pics-0051.jpg"><img class="aligncenter  wp-image-3341" title="pics 005" src="http://tryingtoheal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/pics-0051-1024x768.jpg" alt="" width="448" height="336" /></a></p>
<p><strong>Amy&#8217;s Questions:</strong></p>
<p><strong>1.) What’s your favorite pizza topping?</strong>  Onions.  And basil.  Lots of both!<br />
<strong>2.) How old were you when you moved out of your parents’ house (if you’ve moved out)?</strong>  I was 22!  I have lived there for a month here or there between jobs, but I don&#8217;t count those times.<br />
<strong>3.) Are you watching the <a title="Super Bowl" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_Bowl" rel="wikipedia">Super Bowl</a>?</strong>  Nope.  I did watch the half time show though, just because it was on TV.</p>
<p><strong>4.) If you could take a vacation anywhere in the world, where would you take it?</strong>  Oh geez&#8230;ultimately there are several places I would love to go, but the one that probably runs number one just by a hair, is the Amazon Rainforest.  There are so many things undiscovered there and the wildlife&#8230;oh the wildlife&#8230;</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://tryingtoheal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/cr_3924.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-3342" title="cr_3924" src="http://tryingtoheal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/cr_3924.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="400" /></a>(<a href="http://kids.mongabay.com/elementary/203.html">Source</a>) (How awesome is that bird?!??! Scale-crested pygmy tyrant)</p>
<p><strong>5.) How old were you when you got your first cell phone?</strong>  I was 17&#8230;wow, almost 10 years ago!  I remember not wanting one though!  I was fine with calling 1 800 Call ATT and instead of saying my name say, &#8220;Pick me up now!&#8221;  Hahahaha!!  Remember the TV commercials???  <em>&#8220;HadABabyItsABoy!&#8221;</em></p>
<p><strong>6.) What’s the goofiest museum/theme park/roadside attraction you’ve ever visited?</strong>  I don&#8217;t know about goofy, but the most unique one was the rock museum at Balboa Park in San Diego.  Yes, I&#8217;m that girl&#8230;who likes rocks.</p>
<p><strong>7.) What’s your favorite ice cream topping?</strong>  Graham Crackers!!! I will put it on every type of ice cream&#8230;except for mint.  Then I put oreos on it.</p>
<p><strong>8.) Which color M&amp;M tastes the best?</strong>  Any one that has a peanut or pretzel in the middle&#8230;and has dark chocolate.  I don&#8217;t discriminate, all colors taste great! LOL</p>
<p><strong>9.) Do you get a tax refund or do you have to pay?</strong>  I don&#8217;t know about this year yet, but last I I got a tax refund. I think this year I&#8217;m going to have to pay&#8230;bummer.</p>
<p><strong>10.) If you had a $10,000 gift card, how and where would you spend it?</strong>  $9,000 to save the planet with various donations to organizations, and $1,000 for me&#8230;to take a vacation to the Big Island and see birds.  And the volcano. <img src='http://tryingtoheal.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif' alt=':)' class='wp-smiley' /> </p>
<p><strong>11.) If you could re-live one day of your life, which day would it be?</strong>  The day I adopted Honey.  Best decision of my life.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://tryingtoheal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/022.jpg"><img class="aligncenter  wp-image-3343" title="022" src="http://tryingtoheal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/022-768x1024.jpg" alt="" width="384" height="512" /></a></p>
<p>Now my 11 questions for my friends:</p>
<p>1. If you could be one bird, what would it be?<br />
2. Pb or chocolate on a desert island?  You can&#8217;t have both<br />
3. Mountain or ocean?  You still can&#8217;t have both.  haha!<br />
4. If you could live in a different era, which one would it be?<br />
5. What president, dead or not, would you like to have lunch with?<br />
6. What is your favorite book of all time?<br />
7. You win the lotto, who do you call first?<br />
8. What is your favorite sport to watch on TV?  To watch live?<br />
9. What was your favorite cartoon to watch growing up?<br />
10. How long have you been best friends with your best friend?<br />
11. What is your favorite comic from the Sunday paper?  Come on&#8230;I know you still read it!</p>
<p>You&#8217;re next!</p>
<p>Biz from <a href="http://mybizzykitchen.com/">My Bizzy Kitchen</a><br />
Mara from <a href="http://imadedinner.net/">What&#8217;s for Dinner?</a><br />
Mel from <a href="http://melruns.com/">Mel Runs</a><br />
Haley from <a href="http://greenplatedinners.com/">Green Plate Dinners</a><br />
Krista from <a href="http://kristaskravings.blogspot.com/">Krista&#8217;s Kravings</a><br />
Amanda from<a title="Healing" href="http://tableforglasses.com/"> Table for Glasses</a><br />
Kaitlin from <a href="http://www.kaitlinwithhoney.com/">Kaitlin with Honey</a><br />
Maria from <a href="www.chasingthenow.com">Chasing the Now</a><br />
Kara from <a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ItsADogLickBabyWorld/~3/rRoL5adlUSA/glutton-for-punishment.html">A Dog Lick Baby World</a><br />
Danielle from <a href="http://www.danielle-abroad.com/">Danielle Abroad</a><br />
Jenn from <a href="http://eatingbender.com/">Eating Bender</a></p>
<p>Enjoy ladies! I can&#8217;t wait to see your answers!</p>
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		<title>Working To…</title>
		<link>http://tryingtoheal.com/2012/02/06/working-to/</link>
		<comments>http://tryingtoheal.com/2012/02/06/working-to/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 06 Feb 2012 17:37:10 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Melissa</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Anxiety]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Bootcamp]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[family]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Farmer's Market]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Field Work]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Green Smoothie]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hawaii]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Home]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Kauai]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Running]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[shopping]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Strength Training]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Taro]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Vegan]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Whit]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[work]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cupcakes]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://tryingtoheal.com/?p=3320</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[This weekend I took a random trip home to my parents after receiving some frustrating news on Friday: I probably won&#8217;t be moving to Redding in March.  I was told that the project I was planning on working on is &#8230; <a href="http://tryingtoheal.com/2012/02/06/working-to/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>This weekend I took a random trip home to my parents after receiving some frustrating news on Friday: I probably won&#8217;t be moving to Redding in March.  I was told that the project I was planning on working on is considering ending the surveys when I was supposed to start.  Sad times.</p>
<p>Normally I would have been devastated.  I really wanted to try out a new place and make some new friends but I guess this time, it&#8217;s just not going to happen.  As much as I&#8217;m sad I won&#8217;t be going, it means I get to stay near Whit and my family, so that&#8217;s a plus, right?  Yep!</p>
<p>Anyways, my random trip home was nice and relaxing. Before I left I posted a picture of my breakfast smoothie with all the cutouts for my inspiration board&#8230;which has been sitting there for over a month.  Opps.  At least the smoothie was good!</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://tryingtoheal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/smoothie_inspiration.jpg"><img class="aligncenter  wp-image-3321" title="smoothie_inspiration" src="http://tryingtoheal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/smoothie_inspiration-574x1024.jpg" alt="" width="344" height="614" /></a></p>
<p>I hung out with my Mom and brother at a craft fair to find a gift for Whit&#8217;s Mom for her birthday, since it was last week and we&#8217;ll be there this week!  We ended up convincing my brother to buy Valentine&#8217;s gifts for his girlfriend&#8230;so Yuri, I know you&#8217;re going to love it!  My parents went out with some friends for the evening and since none of my friends were free to hang out, my brother and I watched The Patriot, ate egg sandwiches and grapes and waited for Whit to arrive before going to bed.  Such an exciting Saturday night, right?</p>
<p>Sunday was much more exciting though!  I headed out with my Mom and Whit to the Long Beach Farmers Market where I discovered the best tasting vegan cupcakes I&#8217;ve ever had!</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://tryingtoheal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/vegan_cupcake.jpg"><img class="aligncenter  wp-image-3322" title="vegan_cupcake" src="http://tryingtoheal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/vegan_cupcake.jpg" alt="" width="344" height="576" /></a><em>(How smart is the container btw?!)</em></p>
<p><a href="http://www.cheyennesbakery.com/">Cheyenne&#8217;s Cupcakes</a> I guess just stared setting up shop at the farmers market and I had to try one of their cupcakes!  They had the one I picked, the <span style="color: #808000;"><strong>Spiced Chai Cupcake</strong></span>, along with a fresh strawberry one, and boy was it delicious.  The frosting was just right, not too sweet and fluffy enough with being too dense for my tastes, and the cupcake base was spot on with the amount of spices and texture!  I now wish I had gotten the strawberry one too to try&#8230;but that just means I have to go back, right?  Until them, I&#8217;m hoping to make some <strong><span style="color: #cc99ff;">Taro Cupcakes</span></strong> when I get to Kauai on Friday with Whit&#8217;s brother in law!  More to come on that!</p>
<p>We also treated ourselves to some fresh kettle corn and watermelon shaved ice while Whit had a tamale of some sort. I love getting food at the farmer&#8217;s market because the freshness is something you simply can&#8217;t find anywhere else!</p>
<p>The rest of Sunday was pretty chill, but I did get to finally go for my two mile run!  It was so nice to be in weather over 66* and wind that doesn&#8217;t chill you to the bone!  I ran the square city block near my parents and after returning did a bootcamp based mostly off a <a href="http://bobbimccormick.com/">Twenty Minute Tuesday from Bobbi&#8217;s website.</a>  Here&#8217;s what I did, 4x:</p>
<ul>
<li>50 punches to the side</li>
<li>25 plyo jacks</li>
<li>25 squats</li>
<li>25 pushups</li>
<li>25 jump squats</li>
<li>26 alternating lunges</li>
<li>40 mountain climbers</li>
<li>50 bicycle crunches</li>
</ul>
<p>I also did an ab circuit afterwards that included:</p>
<ul>
<li>20 left elbow to right knee crunch</li>
<li>20 right elbow to left knee crunch</li>
<li>30 toe toes</li>
<li>30 squirmies</li>
<li>25 leg lifts with a lower ab crunch</li>
<li>1 min plank</li>
</ul>
<p>I&#8217;m certainly feeling it today, especially those crunches!  Whew!  All in all, the workout took me about 30 minutes and I was sweating buckets afterwards!</p>
<p>Whit and I finally returned to my place after getting just the right timing down of when to drive through downtown LA to avoid the traffic: Superbowl time!  It was so glorious driving down I-5 and never having to hit the brakes!  A miracle actually!</p>
<p>Today I&#8217;m working on searching for a new job, getting a workout/hike for work and then going to physical therapy.  This week looks pretty brutal weather wise for my area which means it&#8217;s going to make work more difficult to do&#8230;so I&#8217;m prepared to use that down time productively for job stuff!  And cleaning&#8230;my apt needs a serious revamp!</p>
<p>Happy Monday! I hope you had a good weekend, and the team you were rooting for won the Super Bowl!  To tell you the truth, I don&#8217;t eve know how played&#8230;heh.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Healing</title>
		<link>http://tryingtoheal.com/2012/02/02/healing/</link>
		<comments>http://tryingtoheal.com/2012/02/02/healing/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 03 Feb 2012 03:24:55 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Melissa</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Japanese Curry]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Physical Therapy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Running]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://tryingtoheal.com/?p=3313</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Hey Everyone. Sorry for going MIA for a few days.  As you could tell from my last post, I wasn&#8217;t doing very well.  I&#8217;m in a serious rut with working out, being sick, food, and life in general.  I have &#8230; <a href="http://tryingtoheal.com/2012/02/02/healing/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Hey Everyone.</p>
<p>Sorry for going MIA for a few days.  As you could tell from <a title="Side Notes: Seems Never Ending" href="http://tryingtoheal.com/2012/01/30/side-notes-seems-never-ending/">my last post</a>, I wasn&#8217;t doing very well.  I&#8217;m in a serious rut with working out, being sick, food, and life in general.  I have needed a change of scenery/pace I think for some time, so Kauai couldn&#8217;t come at a better time!  I plan on surfing to my heart&#8217;s crazy content, hiking in the rainforest and getting eaten alive by mosquitoes, and eating as much poi as I can to help my body recoup from these danged flare ups (<em>I had another one yesterday; yikes</em>).</p>
<p>So&#8230;after my flare up<strong> I was on the mend last weekend,</strong> finally being able to eat things that aren&#8217;t in the B.R.A.T. diet.  The weather was gloomy and cold yesterday afternoon so when Whit came up I wanted to give him a hearty meal; in comes <strong>Japanese Curry! </strong> My Mom has been making this for cold, gloomy days since I was a kid and I couldn&#8217;t think of anything better.  That, and I know that my Dad can handle it with his Crohn&#8217;s so I figured I was safe.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://tryingtoheal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/curry-004.jpg"><img class="aligncenter  wp-image-3314" title="curry 004" src="http://tryingtoheal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/curry-004-768x1024.jpg" alt="" width="384" height="512" /></a></p>
<p>What makes it Japanese Curry? <strong>It&#8217;s <em>slightly</em> <em>sweet</em>.</strong>  They incorporate things like honey and apples to the mix, unlike Indian curry which usually lights my mouth on fire!  To make mine I boiled some potatoes and carrots to cook them through then added in three fresh heads and stalks of broccoli, along with a half a head of fresh cauliflower.  I was supposed to add in an onion but I didn&#8217;t have one, which was probably a good choice since onions can be the devil in my belly sometimes.  Anyhow, add in the curry blocks (yes, I take the easy way out and use a mix) and simmer until it thickens!</p>
<p>I served mine up with some tempeh and nutritional yeast added in afterwards, while Whit had it with rice and some chicken breasts he made on the side.  Great dish to feed both the vegetarian and the meat eater!</p>
<p>Well, that didn&#8217;t sit very well so today it was back to the B.R.A.T. diet in hopes of feeling better.  I hope my stomach cuts me a break because Valentine&#8217;s Day is coming up and I want some CHOCOLATE!  Haha!</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://tryingtoheal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/vegan-060.jpg"><img class="aligncenter  wp-image-3315" title="vegan 060" src="http://tryingtoheal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/vegan-060-1024x768.jpg" alt="" width="448" height="336" /></a>(<em>Vegan PB Chocolate Mousse Cake from last Valentine&#8217;s Day!</em>)</p>
<p>~~</p>
<p>On another note with some <span style="color: #ff0000;"><strong>GOOD NEWS</strong>,</span> I&#8217;ve been in to see my physical therapist twice this week!  I went in for my evaluation on Tuesday to see what they could do for me, and how much $$$ it&#8217;s going to cost (<em>which is a lot, since they&#8217;re out of my network and well, my network sucks</em>).   Julie, my PT, went over my history (<em>SD Marathon, which we&#8217;ve determined is the culprit!!! ARG!!! I knew I&#8217;ve been hating that race for a reason</em>!) and we walked through all my symptoms and pain in my hip/pelvis.  <strong>At the time, the pain was a 6 on a scale of 1-10</strong> <strong>and more like a dull ache that wouldn&#8217;t go away.</strong></p>
<p>We started off with some stretches, which was much like some yoga poses I&#8217;ve done, along with hip opening stretches I&#8217;ve done for running.  There were a few new ones that definitely got down deep into the muscle (<em>it&#8217;s hidden underneath your main butt muscle</em>) and I could barely do most of them.  At the end of the session before icing, she gave me a serious massage that literally left a bruise on my butt the next day.  But she really got in there and could feel the knots.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://tryingtoheal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/massage.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-3316" title="massage" src="http://tryingtoheal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/massage.jpg" alt="" width="275" height="183" /></a>(<a href="http://healthfirstraleigh.com/">Source</a>)</p>
<p>Yesterday I felt awesome.  I didn&#8217;t do much on the exercise front other than 15 minutes of bootcamp and standing around for work.  Then today, I felt just as good.  I was doing my stretches and getting deeper into each one so when I did them with ease today at my appointment, <strong>she had me get on the treadmill to see how far I could run with no pain!</strong></p>
<p>Lets just say that in the past two months, I think I&#8217;ve run a total of about 6-7 times.  I have been dying to get out there and pound the pavement, but I knew that this ailment had to go away first.  Typically if I do run, I can feel the pain start to show up a half to a full mile into the run.  She decided to have me start out with a half mile then see how I felt.  Perfecto.  I went another half a mile and still no pain.  She had me keep going to a mile and a half then stop so we could stretch, massage and ice again.  At a mile and a half I felt great!  No pain, no tightness or achy feeling! <strong> It was WONDERFUL! </strong> I had a legit runners high, it was so amazing!</p>
<p>I have another appointment next week, actually two, so I was told that this weekend, I&#8217;m allowed to run once, for two miles only, on flat ground.  I cannot tell you how excited I am to be outside running!  I&#8217;m also making sure to take it easy with my pace, ice and stretch afterwards and take my aspirin to help with inflammation.</p>
<p>Hopefully things will go well this weekend with the run so I can relax a little bit about the feeling I&#8217;ve had lately: I&#8217;ll never be able to run again.  I just keep telling myself that slow and steady wins the race, and that&#8217;s how I&#8217;m going to get there&#8230;eventually!</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://tryingtoheal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/36943659413097473_u3sE5XH7_f.jpg"><img class="aligncenter  wp-image-3317" title="36943659413097473_u3sE5XH7_f" src="http://tryingtoheal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/36943659413097473_u3sE5XH7_f.jpg" alt="" width="350" height="461" /></a>(<a href="http://24ribs.tumblr.com/post/13197993453">Source</a>)</p>
<p>And with my change in scenery coming as soon as next Friday, I am more than ready.  Kauai, here I come! Surf board and hiking shoes in hand! Oh, and binoculars too. <img src='http://tryingtoheal.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif' alt=':)' class='wp-smiley' /> </p>
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		<title>Side Notes: Seems Never Ending</title>
		<link>http://tryingtoheal.com/2012/01/30/side-notes-seems-never-ending/</link>
		<comments>http://tryingtoheal.com/2012/01/30/side-notes-seems-never-ending/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 31 Jan 2012 01:40:23 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Melissa</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[ED entry]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ED Side Note]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Home]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Side Notes]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://tryingtoheal.com/?p=3308</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[[[Side Notes: Seems Never Ending Just when I'm starting to think I'm doing so much better, it's like I take a fall and just can't get back up.  Maybe it's a side affect of feeling sick so much the past &#8230; <a href="http://tryingtoheal.com/2012/01/30/side-notes-seems-never-ending/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong>[[Side Notes: Seems Never Ending</strong></p>
<p>Just when I'm starting to think I'm doing so much better, it's like I take a fall and just can't get back up.  Maybe it's a side affect of feeling sick so much the past week with my digestive system, but it's frustrating and exhausting.</p>
<p><strong>I'm going to Kauai again in 11 days</strong>; kind of my last hurrah with Whit before I have to move away from him to a very new town.  <strong>I mentioned that I did <a title="Cleaning House" href="http://tryingtoheal.com/2012/01/23/cleaning-house/">some spring cleaning</a></strong> the other weekend by going through all my clothes and giving away a bunch of things I didn't need/wear anymore.  In that pile, on a whim,<strong> I added in a big bag of bikinis</strong> that I've accumulated over the past few years.  I decided to donate them because they're getting stretched out and just not my style or colors of bikini anymore.</p>
<p>So while in town this weekend I figured it a good opportunity to hit up the stores to try and find a new bathing suit.  I figured I would go for something that could take a beating, as in I'm going to be falling off of a surf board frequently so I don't want anything peaking out, but not cost me too much.  <strong>I picked out a few different varieties</strong> and headed to the fitting room.</p>
<p>I think for me,<strong> trying on bathing suits is like when you have a cold: <em>You don't remember them being so miserable until you get them again</em>.</strong>  I went in optimistic because I have been watching, or what I thought, my body change in a good way, ie building muscle and getting stronger, over the past few months since I had to put running on the back burner.  I don't have a scale and haven't used a measuring tape on anything because it can be triggering during all this strength training/bootcamps, so I have had no definite verification for change other than my eyes (<em>bah, they always lie anyhow, in bad ways</em>).</p>
<p>Well, as soon as I put on the suit that I thought would fit well, it was HORRIBLE.  <strong>I immediately felt overwhelmed with guilt.</strong>  I was beyond myself that I looked like this in this bathing suit.  I immediately took it off trying to convince myself that it was just an unflattering style.  I went with my go to style for the bottom<em></em> and couldn't help but feel the tears in my eyes.  It was like everything in my body had changed like I thought, but in <strong>EVERY WRONG WAY POSSIBLE</strong>.</p>
<p>Even though I was on the verge of tears, <strong>I was so frustrated because I couldn't understand why I couldn't see myself how everyone else saw me. </strong> I went to Kauai 5 months ago, assumingly the same shape and size, and had no gripe whatsoever with what I looked like.  but now?  I was so anxious, so frustrated, so appalled at how everything had changed.  I am so scared to be seen in a bathing suit again.</p>
<p>AGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHH.</p>
<p><a title="Side Notes: 15 Minutes or Less" href="http://tryingtoheal.com/2012/01/27/side-notes-15-minutes-or-less/">15 minutes and done</a>.  Or at least I'm trying.  <strong>]]</strong></p>
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		<title>Flare Up</title>
		<link>http://tryingtoheal.com/2012/01/28/flare-up/</link>
		<comments>http://tryingtoheal.com/2012/01/28/flare-up/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 29 Jan 2012 03:13:16 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Melissa</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Abundant Harvest]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Digestive problems]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Green Smoothie]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://tryingtoheal.com/?p=3302</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Oh man, the past few days have been pretty brutal on the eating front.  It all started Wednesday night when I made a tofu scramble for Whit and I for dinner. I followed much of the recipe that Evan posted &#8230; <a href="http://tryingtoheal.com/2012/01/28/flare-up/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Oh man, the past few days have been pretty brutal on the eating front.  It all started Wednesday night when I made a tofu scramble for Whit and I for dinner.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://tryingtoheal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/pics-023.jpg"><img class="aligncenter  wp-image-3306" title="pics 023" src="http://tryingtoheal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/pics-023-768x1024.jpg" alt="" width="384" height="512" /></a></p>
<p>I followed much of the recipe that <a href="http://www.thewannabechef.net/2012/01/25/scrambled-tofu-2/">Evan </a>posted the other night, except added in a few extra spices and vegetables like leeks and butternut squash.  I added in a few scrambled eggs per Whit&#8217;s request and served it up with some TJ&#8217;s brown rice.  I thought it was a great meal!</p>
<p>But by mid day the next day, my insides were fighting back and wow, it&#8217;s been a while since I&#8217;ve felt that miserable!  I do not have a specific diagnosis yet for my stomach/digestive ailments but with my Dad having Crohn&#8217;s Disease and my Mom having Colitis, I figure I&#8217;m somewhere in the middle&#8230;So after an informative call with my Dad about all the foods I should avoid while this is happening, I was left with very few options.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://tryingtoheal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/pics-012.jpg"><img class="aligncenter  wp-image-3303" title="pics 012" src="http://tryingtoheal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/pics-012-1024x768.jpg" alt="" width="448" height="336" /></a>(<em>PB Flour, banana, blueberry, spinach and almond milk smoothie with cheerios</em>)</p>
<p>Lets just say it&#8217;s been a very smoothie, peanut butter and bread/cereal heavy few days&#8230;but I&#8217;m slowly getting better so heck, who cares.  I just want to feel normal again!  On top of taking it easy on the food front and by walking only for work <em>(no boot camps or workouts</em>), I&#8217;ve been chilling out on the couch and trying to keep from going crazy (<em>I was supposed to visit my family and look for a rare bird, but that go nixed</em>;<em> sad times</em>).  It&#8217;s not a very easy task when you get your Google reader all the way down to ZERO.  That never happens, lol.</p>
<p>I did venture out of the house today and purchase a new book, <strong>The Lady of the Rivers</strong> by Phillipa Gregory, which I&#8217;m excited to dig into.  Oh, and dreaming about how I&#8217;m going to use up all the greens in my box without getting sick&#8230;roughage is one thing to avoid when your having a flare up like I am.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://tryingtoheal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/pics-014.jpg"><img class="aligncenter  wp-image-3304" title="pics 014" src="http://tryingtoheal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/pics-014-1024x768.jpg" alt="" width="448" height="336" /></a>(<em>Broccoli, stir-fry greens, red leaf lettuce, collard greens, cauliflower, mache, thyme, spinach, garlic greens, kiwis, lemons, oranges and potatoes</em>)</p>
<p>Oh, and since I&#8217;ve got some time on my hand, I&#8217;m taking the time to do some active release exercises on my sciatic nerve/piriformis muscle and ice ice ice!  Thank goodness for ace bandages to hold the ice pack in place!  It always falls off if I don&#8217;t use it!</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://tryingtoheal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/pics-019.jpg"><img class="aligncenter  wp-image-3305" title="pics 019" src="http://tryingtoheal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/pics-019-1024x768.jpg" alt="" width="448" height="336" /></a>(<em>Hahaha&#8230;I felt like a mummy</em>)</p>
<p>Have a great Sunday!  I&#8217;ll be&#8230;still chill&#8217;n out on the couch but then getting to see Whit after he comes back from surfing!  Yay!  <strong>What are you plans for tomorrow?!</strong></p>
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