30 Day Paleo Challenge

Tomorrow begins Day 1 of the 30-day Paleo Challenge that I mentioned on my 23 Bucketlist.

If you know me, you know my diet consists of foods that begin with fried and often contain chocolate. Don't forget coffee three times a day. Heaven help the fool who comes between me and my pasta addiction. This is truly going to be an interesting experience.

In lieu of the impending Paleo Challenge, I'm collaborating a list of Paleo references to note in everyday life situations.

Paleo Basics:

The best infographic I've seen yet: http://greatist.com/health/ultimate-guide-eating-paleo-infographic

Rules from a Crossfit Pro: http://crossfitanaerobicinc.com/paleo-nutrition/list-of-foods/

Paleo Snacks:

I'm a snacker & this will be my savior: http://cavegirlinthecity.com/paleo-pointers-the-50-best-paleo-snacks/

Paleo Drinks:

Water, Green Tea: http://healthyeating.sfgate.com/drinks-allowed-paleo-diet-9769.html

Paleo Fast Food:

Because, let's be honest, a lot of traveling is not conducive to the Paleo diet: http://ultimatepaleoguide.com/fast-food-paleo-guide/

Paleo Restaurants:

Just because I'm on the diet doesn't mean I'm passing up quality friend-time: http://paleomagazine.com/eating-out-like-a-paleo-pro/

The Biggest Lanterns

In honor of the Washington Bucket List I found on Pinterest, a few friends and I went to the Prosser Balloon Rally. What a phenomenal and fun family event. A local children's percussion group played and we supported the Prosser FFA & 4-H groups at their barbeque.

A beautiful night for these over-sized lanterns.

A Girl Who Changes Her Hair is About to Change Her Life

I once read that a girl who changes her hair is about to change her life. Before 23, I had never dyed my hair.

23 has never felt so good.

The Most Random Blog in the World

So every post from this point forward may seem random. They may seem like a collaboration of weird life events that have no real thread holding them together. Quite frankly, that's because they are.

But I promise they're all rooted in my first post that pulls apart all the opportunity being a twenty-something holds. I want nothing more than to make this year note-worthy and valuable -- true evidence that life gets even better after the "glory days."

What about 23, T-Swift?

Taylor Swift did not adequately prepare me for what happens after 22.

Okay, so she did prepare me for the whole "we're happy, free, confused, and lonely at the same time." And when she called it magical? Nailed it. But she definitely didn't tell us that we would continue to own the title to the struggle-bus even after college, or that chocolate can no longer be its own food group... and apparently neither can top ramen... or that we'd be responsible for knowing what's inside the toolbox AND how to use it.

Regardless, Taylor did what no one had done before: she took an obscure age and made it completely fabulous... 20 was good. 21 was fun. 22 was exciting. 23 is better.

Being twenty-something means we are FINALLY at the age where we are fully and solely responsible for the people we become -- no excuses to preach or blaming to do. What we say and the things we know and the life we pursue is ours alone. It's halfway terrifying and COMPLETELY liberating. You want to be more intelligent? Go pick up a book. You want to be more selfless? Go volunteer. You want to be spontaneous? I daresay you should go hop in the car and drive to an unknown destination. (Heck, even put the music on shuffle if you're really feeling adventurous.) Whatever it is that you want to be, go be it. 

I know that someday my future holds the mortgage, the minivan, and the family, but right now I have this crazy, beautiful opportunity to be twenty-something.

--

23 Adventures for a Fabulous 23
The Bucketlist

1. Participate in a Color Run
2. Try the 30-day paleo diet
3. Go to Canada
4. Read 12 classics in 12 months
5. Go to a concert (or two, or three)
6. Do 100 hours of community service
7. Become familiar with a second language (Spanish? ASL?)
8. Do the "Washington Bucketlist"
9. Stop playing it safe with my hair ("A girl who changes her hair is about to change her life.")
10. See Wicked
11. Become an active alumni
12. Run a half-marathon
13. Find sustainable workouts
14. Find the right shade of lipstick
15. California beaches, anyone?
16. Visit the Oregon zoo
17. Start a blog -- oh hey....
18. Compile an Oregon Bucketlist based solely on recommendations
19. Do said Oregon Bucketlist
20. Hand-make all Christmas gifts
21. Re-learn to play the piano
22. Go wine-tasting in new places
23. Do at least five PNW hikes from here

Let this blog be a declaration and exploration that life is just as fabulous even after you stop dancing like you're 22... Hobey-ho. 23, here we go. :)