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
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.
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.
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
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
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.
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!
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?!
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.August Supper Club was hosted by Ashton! She had setup a Mexican theme by her community pool. We had plenty of margaritas and Coronas and quesadillas and pie. (How does one type the southern drawl into that word??) It was a fun relaxing evening recuperating from the busy schedules we all seem to have in the summertime. After the meal Ashton had mustaches for all to wear...here are the snapshots of the evening.....
