Outlook on life

Really liked this entry from my Onion Allergy Yahoo group. Now, this is the way you have to look at life!

So, not being able to eat onions/garlic/etc. really sucks, all of us can agree to that. I think we are all also in that unique position to really and truly realize the extent to which it affects your life, unlike many of our friends and acquaintances--like my friend (who knows very well I can't eat anything in the onion family) who told me she'd give me a great recipe for a leek tart. Because it so totally rules MY life I become dismayed when the whole world doesn't realize leeks are related to onions, that all soup will have onion or garlic powder in it etc. I also grow tired of discussions with people as they slowly come to realize that I really can't eat very much that I haven't prepared myself.
However, I had this little flash today that made me thin about this all in a different way. I was making portobello mushroom burgers (because I can't eat any commercially prepared veggie-burgers) and thinking about how they are really the best veggie burgers I've ever had and I should really give the recipe to one of my friends. Then I realized that if I wasn't allergic to all commercially prepared veggie burgers I would never go through the effort to make them myself (and neither would my friend). Anyway it led to this little flash of realization about how much I've really gotten into cooking since I discovered my onion/garlic intolerence. I've discovered that I really love to cook as a way to relax and I've made a lot of complicated recipes I never would have tried if I didn't have to do a lot of cooking from scratch anyway. I also have learned so much about how flavors work together and how to manipulate recipes out of sheer necessity. All of my friends compliment me on my cooking skills and are always amazed that i take the time to make the food I do (of course they don't realize I really have to).
I just had never looked at the positive side of my allergy that way--I've learned so much, developed a new hobby, and eat much healthier (no preservatives and a controlled amount of sugars salts and fat) than I did before. When I went to the doctor recently she asked me what the hell I ate because my bloodwork had come back as a perfect textbook example.
I also get to feel a little superior when my yoga teacher tells us we shouldn't eat meat, caffine, onions or garlic because they are all rajasic (overstimulating, arousing animal passions, bringing a restless state of mind, create overactivity, and destroy mind/body balance). So maybe my allergy also makes me a little more chilled out and calm--though I still have to work on that caffine addiction.
SO it is a pain to always have to think about how I'm going to eat, make sure I have enough leftovers to bring for lunch, worry about going out to eat with friends, explain myself constantly, and forego delicous looking food at friends dinner parties BUT at least there are some positive gains, right?
And hey, there's always dessert!

Sarah

Being too responsible!

No waves lately...after a "leakage" incident. Also, last time, it seemed like she was kicking back at me a bit too. Still waiting for the long board...

Been working on the house lately. Painted our bedroom. Now, gotta work on baby stuff...

And, finally rented out the unit - phew!

Interesting Article

You have to choose "Leaky Gut Syndrome Part One" under the "Diseases and Conditions - Prevention and Treating" section:

http://www.hpakids.org/HTML/index.html

Alot pertains to what I've been experiencing, such as reference to NSAIs and Food Allergies. However, haven't really taken any antibiotics.

Vespa for Sale

Time to get rid of the Vespa, since it doesn't accomodate baby seats. Plus, really want to concentrate on the Sprint 150 and get it running...

http://www.craigslist.org/sby/mcy/90003119.html

2 Bed 2 Bath 1 Car Garage Duplex for Rent in Sunnyvale

Unfortunately, Barla is moving out to their dad's old house since they need a bigger house with their bambino on the way... Looking for a new tenant. Surfer a plus. Great for BBQ enthusists. Can't guarantee that the neighbors won't have any parties, but you're always invited. Or, that there's not something in the water making women pregnant these days... but our teenager seems to be safe! :)

Here's the full details - http://www.craigslist.org/sby/apa/88290225.html

Saturday's Session

Went to the same spot as last week but the tide was higher and flatter. Then, checked down south. Still pretty small, and it was breaking close. Considering the hubby who was with me, STILL feels the forehead pain from hitting the sand there a couple weeks ago, if it's bad in both places, then let's go back. Somewhere along the way, I guess the conditions inspired us to get a longboard blank instead... :) I think I picked a good one. 8'9" (I believe), thinner than option #2, and with the center slightly forward, hopefully for easy paddling and some toes on the nose. Designed by Stewart.

Back in the water - started out pretty much the same size in the same spot as last week. Maybe, a little worse since it was later in the day - higher tide AND more people. But, instead of catching 20 waves/hour, there were 19 other guys catching my waves. I said that out loud and it all the sudden thinned out 5-10 minutes after. Wow - wonder if that'll work again?!?

Caught a few good little anklebiters, even maybe a couple bottom turns. (I think?) But, I think that's about all I'm going to handle these days. I really felt the bambino kicking back at me as I was paddling. I noticed I grew all the sudden at the end of the week, so even more than last week. Good thing the longboard's on the way! I can only hope that it'll be knee-paddle compatible. Here's my idea for the wetsuit issue - take it to the wetsuit repair place, have them cut a hole in the belly (I have 2 anyway...) and then put a gusseted patch in it's place. We've thought of shaping a special board with room for the belly too, but you'd have to watch where you stand if there's a hole in the board. So, I wonder if the wetsuit repair place could put a waterproof, built-in cushion on the belly too? The coach thinks that it wouldn't be worth it though, since I only have 3+ more months and the baby's out. YOU try going that long without going out, AND THEN tell me what you think! ;)

Surfing and Relationships

Someone recently asked whether there is tension between you and your signifigant other when you go surfing. Here's my response:

My husband has been surfing for years before we met. When we met he was living near the Sierra's and our first date was him teaching meto snowboard. After, he tried to coax me into learning to surf. But,the pain of learning to snowboard was enough for me at the time.(Coincidentally, I lived in SC at the time...) I guess, after awhile, the sore butt and chiropractic-visiting wipeouts went away andit was finally time to learn something else new. I figure, if you can't beat 'em, join 'em! I can't tell you how great it is to share this passion with your mate. And, it's amazing how much more passionI have for surfing than any other sport. Especially, after resistingfor such a long time. Since we aren't made of $, I somehow alsoconvinced him to start shaping boards. It's been a great way to earna few extra bucks (yes, by pimping out his talent) AND afford to havewhat you want. It's also great excuse for traveling to warm waterbeaches...

Things have definitely changed the past few months. Priority has beento finish projects on the fixer-upper house/yard and convert a homeoffice into a baby's room. I'm sure that will only shift after she'sborn. I just hope we can still find time to enjoy the water-timetogether...and hopefully also take the baby to warm water beaches...

I'm sure it's just a matter of priority though. For years, we wereable to make snowboarding a family activity, getting season passesand taking my older daughter with us and going on weekend trips tothe mts. This is what we're about. He proposed to me under thetrees in backcountry Northstar, and we got married on La Selva beach. Luckily, the waves were flat that weekend, or we might havenever gotten the wedding set-up! ;)

OK, so the REAL answer is - Yes, when I can't go without him!

Little ones can be fun too!

Went to the usual spot on Saturday, and it was TINY! Only had an hour, so jumped-in for a quickie... Went straight to the inside, just inbetween the short and long boarders, which I never do. (I'm always on the outside.) It was FUN!!!! :D Caught like a dozen waves. So many, I thought I must have been out there for an hour and a half instead. When I asked this guy what time it was, I'd only been out for 45 minutes. So, caught another half dozen or so... Still paddled like hell to catch those mini's, so still worked my arms plenty. I wonder what the pics Cait took from her cell phone look like...

After, met-up with Karen from NorCal who was "vacationing" with little Emily and family members. They had extra tickets, so Cait and I got talked into riding on Thomas the Train in Felton. I guess, you can call it "early parent re-training". Ah - an afternoon being around all those little boys all fanatic over Thomas!

Sean went fishing with the guys. He *apparently* caught one. But, when he was holding it up for a picture, it jumped out of his hands, out the boat and back in the water. Doesn't that man know he's supposed to stop by the store on the way home and still get one if he gets skunked?!?!

Sunday, decided the drive over the hill it wasn't going to be worth it, so did a yoga session insead. Made it TWICE this week - woohoo! Even did my first unassisted handstand! :) Also met a woman, Kai, who is Thai. Made me feel good for choosing the baby's name "Kailani", since Thailand holds a special place in my heart... (Even though I keep saying the name's not final until she comes out and I see her.) Wouldn't you know it, Lisa from Truckee, who I recently discovered also practices Anusara yoga, is in town and calls just as I'm leaving the class! She NEVER comes to town, and last time, she missed the class too. One of these days....

Geez - can't believe the weekend is over already.... I guess you can call me an official "weekend warrior"!