NEW BLOG!!!!!

Well everyone, now I've done it.  I have filled up all the available space on Picasa...and can no longer post photos.  That is entirely unacceptable.  So, please, to keep in the loop visit the new site on which I will be posting blogs and photos.....

http://sandracolantonio2.blogspot.com/

SoCal Winter Hiking Along the Coast

Sunday is hiking day.  This time we attempted hiking closer to the beach in San Clemente.  But the weather was not very cooperative.  So we ended up going back to the Las Ramblas trails in southern San Juan Capistrano.  At first it was a little sunny, then the overcast dark clouds were making their way where we were.  Funny how mom and I have that happen to us.  So we started hiking and as we got higher and higher up and on the hills, the storm seemed to head straight for us.  I took some snapshots at the top.  Normally you get amazing views of the Pacific, but not on this day.  And as per the norm, we decided to go off the beaten path, take little side trails and tried to find a shortcut.  But of course, just our luck, we had to back track! Very funny joke on us.  But in the ends we had a good hike, had a good little workout and we headed back on over to the San Clemente pier and had ourselves some fresh seafood.  
   

Fall Hiking; Holy Jim Falls and Main Divide

On Saturday October 10th, Mom and I decided to go hiking.  Well she really wanted to go to the Holy Jim Falls.  So of course I was more than happy to oblige.  So the day started out with me driving her CR-V through pretty treacherous rocks and gravel for a non-4 wheeler.  I kept control of the car for the entire 5 mile trek to the trailhead.  Of course Mom may have sprouted a few extra white hairs :-)  We arrived to the trail head, saddled up and armed with our waist packs that hold a water bottle.  I had filled them with Vitamin Water to keep us hydrated and ready to conquer anything.  I took some snapshots along the way.   Here is the beginning, when we are all ready to go and hyped to get to the fun parts of the climbing and trudging through the creek.  Mom: This is the road that you need to walk through if you do not have a permit or are not staying in one of the cabins.  What a simple walk:
Me getting ready to get to the falls, and get a cardio workout: But before getting to the actual trail, you walk through a town that I now claim must have been the setting for “Deliverance”.  Though it’s never inhabited, well I’ve just never seen people in them, I always think I’m going to hear a banjo. Some of the “Deliverance” cabins: One thing that I was taken aback by, and so was mom, was this ingenious modern outhouse, equipped with a solar panel no less: Finally we arrive at the Holy Jim Trail and we start out fun trek to the falls.  It is about 3 miles roundtrip. The falls.  Well at this point it’s more of a trickle, but still fun to arrive to nonetheless. And of course a good spot to take mid-trek photos to prove that we are doing well:  On our way back along the creek we notice some little beaver dams: And a fun tunnel that you must go through to walk the trail: After we saw the falls, neither of us really was ready to go home.  On the way to the falls you come to a fork; Falls you go right, Main Divide Rd. Hike you go left.  Well the Main Divide is an arid 5-mile trek up the mountain.  We decided heck why not go for a little while longer to really get a good workout out in, and make this trip worthwhile.  Little did we realize that as we kept walking we passed the 1 mile marker, then the 2 mile marker, then finally the 3 mile marker.  Well by then we’d gone 3 miles, why not keep going?  Supposedly there are some fun springs at the top.  So we kept going, and going and going.  Passed the 4 mile marker and the satellites at the top of the mountain that always look so small, started to look rather large.  We got almost to the top when finally we decided to cut our losses, we didn’t see springs, but we sure did trek 4 1/2 miles up the side of a mountain!  And the views were definitely worth the hike.  If you notice, there is a small line in the foliage just above the nearest trees at the base of this photo.  That is actually the trail.  It really is in the middle of nowhere, and you just keep walking, making your way up. This is the trail.  It keeps you on the ridge of the mountain. But like I mentioned already, the views of the rolling hills were AMAZING. Though it took less time to go back down, the hike needed to be over.  We had gotten there and started walking around 10:30am, and we did not make it back to the car until 3:45pm on the dot.  I remember the time perfectly because we had a bet going.  The person who guessed closest what time it was when we got back to the car got a free Subway sandwich; and I paid for our meals.  It was definitely a fun time, and by the end we were becoming pretty delirious just wanting a sandwich and a glass of red wine for the muscle pain we knew was going to hit us that night.  So for a Sunday, we had a great busy time hiking 13 miles.  We will most likely conquer another trail this weekend!

Jess’ Pretty in Pink Birthday Bash

Jessica had her Pretty in Pink Brithday Bash this past weekend.  Lindzi and Merry were kind enough to get the party started at their house.  Everyone (including men) were to wear some sort of pink...hence the very pink photos.  Enjoy these fun snippets of the evening...

                        the birthday girl





 

     

This is Me <3

Pescetarianism
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Pescetarianism is the practice of a diet that includes seafood and excludes mammals and birds. In addition to fish or shellfish, a pescetarian diet typically includes some or all of vegetables, fruit, buts, grains, beans, eggs, and dairy. The Merriam-Webster dictionary dates the origin of the term "pescetarian" to 1993 and defines it to mean: "one whose diet includes fish but no meat." The Vegetarian Society, which initiated popular use of the term vegetarian as early as 1847, does not consider pescetarianism a valid vegetarian diet.

Terminology

Pescetarian is a neologism formed as a portmanteau of the Italian word pesce ("fish") and the English word "vegetarian".

Health benefits

One of the most commonly cited reasons is that of health, based on findings that red meat is detrimental to health in many cases due to non-lean red meats containing high amounts of saturated fats. Furthermore, eating certain kinds of fish raises HDL (so-called "good cholesterol") levels, and some fish are a convenient source of omega-3 fatty acids and have numerous health benefits in one food variety.

Environmental ethics

Livestock farms can be perceived as an inefficient food source with a negative impact on the environment. Most cattle, pigs and chickens that supply the United States meat market are not free range. Instead, they are fed grains (not grasses) that are grown for the sole purpose of animal feed. The amount of calories in the grain needed to feed a cow, pig, or chicken (to a lesser extent) greatly exceeds the nutritional value of the meat these animals provide. Were this grain to be used for human consumption instead, far more food could be provided.

Comparisons to other diets

Pescetarianism is similar to many traditional diets emphasizing fish as well as fruits, vegetables and grains. Many coastal regions tend to eat this way and these features characterize the traditional Mediterranean diet and the diets of many countries in Asia, Northern Europe and the Caribbean. These other traditional diets tend to also include meat, though it is not the major focus.

Some pescetarians describe themselves as vegetarian and often people unfamiliar with vegetarianism believe the pescetarian diet to be vegetarian. In common with vegetarians, pescetarians often eat eggs and dairy, in addition to fruits, vegetables and grains.

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I am proud to say that I have been a pescetarian for four months, and it has been an amazing experience. I love food, and the thought of limiting myself from any sort of food was unfathomable. But as time has gone on I have realized that my body reacts acutely to certain foods; such as meat or dairy or grains. I have learned to read the signs that my body gives me and cut back on some ingredients, and alter my lifestyle as needed to feel good. A few months back I noticed that whenever I ate any sort of meat, be it red or poultry, I would feel heavy and just uncomfortable. It was as if my body was slowly shutting down, and I would become lethargic. One day I decided to test out the waters of not eating meat. First off, it dwindles down menus at restaurants. For an indecisive person like me it helps when I'm really hungry and eating out. It also limits me to picking healthy food choices. I feel good after I eat, never bogged down as I used to after a deli-meat sandwich or chicken salad. Granted I loved a nice rare steak, but I can live without it. And burgers, well there's enough alternatives out there that even burgers are not missed. It's an adventure for me in the kitchen as well. I am learning new ways to cook, finding many new recipes, and experimenting with cooking tofu. My tastes have changed and I enjoy "alternative" foods. I have always been "all about "whole grains, and not eating anything enriched or packed with preservatives. This is the next logical step. So I am proud to say it has been four months, and my adventure goes on. I foresee this continuing indefinitely, unless my health and body tell me otherwise.

Betty and Veronica reunite in San Francisco

I spent the weekend visiting Christine in her newest city! It was so much fun! I left Orange County after work to arrive in SF around 8:30 pm on Friday night. Just in time for the parties! Christine had just had a week from hell with too many midterms to count. I think all of her classmates felt the same. Next door there was a big party going on, and so we went to say hello and then got coaxed into going out to the bars. We dolled ourselves up a bit and headed out to Marina. We went to a few bars, and it was such a fun time, albeit the heat. It was entirely packed and the crowds were flowing out into the streets. It's been a while since I've seen the true city scene at the bars! We got home from the night and were not tired at all. So instead we watched the remake of Pride and Prejudice and finally went to bed at 4:30 am.

By 8:30 am Saturday morning we were slowing awaking. It was so warm, there sky was a piercing blue, the sun was blazing away, and there was not a cloud in the sky. Talk about a perfect beach day in SF. Well we first had to satisfy our hunger so we walked to Crepe Vine, a really yummy Crepe cafe for a breakfast/lunch. Then Christine wanted to show me around her school. So neat. I got to the Simulation Lab, where she spends most of her life. Then the lecture halls, and ultimately the cadaver lab. And no, I did not peak under the sheets! The smell was enough to know where I was. A few of her classmates were there working and asking if I'd prepped a tooth yet. Wait what?!? I ended up much obliging and actually prepped and filled a molar!! I'm a natural....NOT. Dentistry is such an art. I have a new found respect for the work dentists do. To be so precise in the drilling and the filling is amazing!!! But actually getting in there and trying it out was so much fun; definitely a once in a lifetime experience!

If Simmons could talk, no doubt he'd be screaming bloody murder!!I'm a natural....not!

stylish apparel...the goggles complete the outfit (though I'm thinking the bathing suit is not the appropriate attire to be performing dentistry...)

Afterwards we had decided to take the car armed with a map, and just drive around and explore every nook and cranny of the city. We looked at the massive houses not too far from where she lives, then worked our way down to the Presidio and started the 49-mile scenic drive. It wasn't before long that we hit traffic and realized that we were passing little beaches. We headed down to a parking lot at one and lucky us, we got a spot. So we had an impromptu beach day at the foot of the Golden Gate. I do not think I have ever been in a bathing suit in San Francisco. Normally I'm trying to layer on as many clothing articles as I can. It felt like a true summer day. After spending time there we continued our exploration. We went into the Legion of Honor and it was free admission to see the art pieces, so that was a nice surprise. Then we took the car and continued all over the city. We went through the Haight, drove down Ashbury, went through Castro and just took random turns to discover new places. Always making sure we didn't go down a one way road in the wrong direction of course!! We were so incredibly drained by the time evening came so we ordered out some pizza, went to the store and bought dessert to make and some Stella, and rented Milk the film. It was a perfect night in, just how we always do! Pizza, beer, berry cobbler and a movie, what more could a girl want spending time with her best friend?!

the piercing blue sky, and Alcatraz out in the distance

beaching it!

Betty & Veronica

Legion of Honor

driving along PCH

at the top of Lombard Street

making our way down Lombard Street

a perfect San Francisco day!

So then Sunday was a typical day weather wise. We awoke to grey skies and cold wind. Christine needed to study so we stayed in and I read and napped all morning and early afternoon. It was a welcome change. It has been so long since I've experienced a true Sunday like that. Plus the cold weather was perfect and conducive to just relaxing. Aroudn 3 that afternoon we had an itch to go shopping. So we took a straight shot down Geary to Powell and hit up the stores. It was not such a good shopping day for me seeing as all the clothes were for fall/winter, and when I called home it was still 95 degrees at 4pm. That was a deterrent to buying sweaters. Too bad they didn't have sales on the summer clothing! But it was perfect for Christine to find clothes for school. After that we went to the cutest little seafood place near her apartment. I couldn't leave without having some clam chowder so of course I ordered that. It was a perfect night, the cold outside and us talking away inside the restaurant over warm comforting food. We then walked home in the cold. It smelled like Christmas in the air. Unfortunately the weekend was winding down. So when we got home we just relaxed and I packed my bag.

Sunday morning I had to be up before dawn at 4am. My flight home was at 6:30am, but Christine was nice enough to drive me to the airport! AT least I got her up to study for the test she had at 8am that day. Luckily my flight was early and I made it early into work. Talk about a fun filled weekend of amazing weather, great company, and lack of sleep :-)