Living in the Great Outdoors

Last weekend, I had a Sunday day off and took full advantage of it! Not sure if I filled you in (not sure who "you" are but, anyways), I accepted a leave replacement job and now am working Monday-Friday in a school and then Saturday's at the vineyard. I'm a pretty busy chic- I prefer busy or else I just feel lazy. That's just me though.

Moving on...

I persuaded to boy (he may or may not have been kicking and screaming) to take bikes over to Shelter Island, jump on the ferry, and go for a 6 mile hike. He bought me a super cool lime green beach cruiser for my birthday in August and I just jump at every opportunity to use it and/or show it off.

Moving on... wow I'm getting pretty off tangent in this post huh? Probably has something to do with not updating it so much lately...

So I bribed the boy with a tasty lunch at the end but, I'm pretty sure he enjoyed the day even without the amazing meal. Surrounded by lakes, gorgeous fall leaves, rivers, wildlife (well, birds and insects), bays, and hiking trails- it's hard not to fall in love with nature in this setting. I'm not going to lie- I did feel a little bit of soreness in my hammy's and calves for the next few days. But, now this trip made me jump back on the saddle and I have been enjoying 'spin' classes again at the gym. Let's see how long this lasts!

And it's detachable! Compliments of Dad...I'm sort of a Daddy's Girl. 

A ferry ride, a 3 mile bike ride, and a stop at a local gas station to pick up some water... but we finally made it!

                                     

Hats? Keep heads warm but, not cute on girls. I look like a man. 

 

And we finished!

Lunch time at a devine little spot! Check out the "North Fork Checklist" for details. 

Barbaric Medicine

So as you can tell from past posts my tooth has been a huge topic of conversation and the slow death of me at the same time. 

This is me screaming!

I first broke one of my left back molars in July (a whole week after my insurance cut out- typical). I'm pretty sure I was enjoying a nectarine when it cracked- but, either way it was cracked and I was screwed. I ended up ignoring it and I just figured I would put the teeth on the right side to good use. 

Two weeks ago, I pretty much almost fainted from the pain radiating from my mouth and figured I either was going to rip this tooth out myself or pay a cute young grad student to do it (who probably had a little bit more training than I did). I made an appointment at Stony Brook University Dental Clinic and was an hour and half early to the appointment- desperate much?  Turns out the tooth was 'extracted' and thrown out because it sucked and it deserved to die. Okay- that was a little harsh but, it was a mean little devil.

It's a barbaric profession.

After the tooth left my mouth I finally felt calm... healed...and on the mend. Even though my cheeks looked like a cabbage patch kid, I didn't care. I skipped on my way out of the dentist chair.  And I was me again! No more teeth pain! No more stomach pain from too much advil, aleve, and wine! This was going to be great!

Oh wait.. that's not how it happened....it gets way better than that...


Fast forward 3 days later after the extraction.... I get "dry socket". It might be the WORST most DREADFUL pain that you will ever experience in life....ever. It means that your bone in your mouth is exposed where the extraction took place and it literally feels like your nerves are being electrocuted inside of your mouth. I mean pain multiplied by 1,000! Oh and guess what- apparently it happens to 2-5% of people that get their teeth pulled. Funny that I would fall in between that special little grouping. Lucky me- the one with no dental insurance. Sweet.

Inviting right?

Now I'm in the thick of it. I have to visit the clinic every 48 hours to get impacted with some miracle medicine that eases the pain. But, let me tell you... there is a price to pay. My cheek is still swollen and the smell of this 'miracle medicine' resembles the following: smoked molasses, burnt rubber, skidded wheels, garbage on fire, and any other horrific smell. Apparently this stench can be smelt all of the time and has created a little bubble around my body- at least that is what I've been told by 'the boy'. Hopefully you don't have to join in a face to face conversation with me for the next week...


I'm going to brush my teeth and head to bed... good night!

Couch night

Twilight is on cable...new stew recipe is on the oven top... and the wind is howling.

Edward is dreamy.

That's it. 

Good night!

A spooky weekend

Today I entered the school once again...I of course had to dress the part: H & M black dress, JCrew Striped Scarf, JCrew Necklace, Steve Madden Boots, and Spider Web Knee Highs (Target). It's Halloween Friday! I personally don't like the whole costume thing but, I'm not discriminating against those peeps/fools that do. I mean sexy nurse, radiating doctor, firefighter hottie, deviled demon, COME ON NOW! And plus, I'm scared of my own shadow so those vampire and werewolf stuff give me some creepy bad dreams (although I was fully obsessed with the Twilight Series).

So today I did my 'community service' for the month- I helped mold the minds of the future (this statement means that I substitute taught for 8 hours). I ended up with some paint on my hands (and a little in my hair) and an overwhelming smell of potatoes following me. The kids were doing some sort of literary character experience using.....potatoes?

For October I would be more inclined to think pumpkin but, no......Apparently they wanted to go with a different approach to the season. Pumpkin, potato, tomato- all the same right? Anyway, the smell of a bigillion uncooked potatoes could really put a pregnant woman into labor. The smell is gross! It's like wet dirty socks. Seriously. Buy some and then poke holes in them so the juices ooze and lock yourself in a small room. The stench is outrageous.


MOVING ON...

The weather lineup looks nasty, wicked, and cold for sure! Hope you have some inside plans that bring on the fun and spooky business. After a little stop by at the vineyard, I think I'm going to try a new stew recipe which involves some butternut squash & cinnamon (YUM!), a large glass of red, and a new James Patterson Book..... did I ever mention I'm in my 20's? Well, I am. Bet you couldn't guess. 


Anyone have any original costume ideas?

Catch Up

OMG! How good is the new Coldplay CD? I'm just loving it. Knowing me I'll play it out within a week and I'll have to put it away for a month or two. I'm obviously rocking out to them right at this very second..."para, para, paradise....para, para, paradise..."- Can you hear me? That was me singing...

Anyway, well this past week has had some high highs and some low lows. To recap: we almost moved across the country, I was approved for a leave replacement (hooorah!), my stupid left molar was super mean to me and decided to become infected, the boy needed crutches to deal with his 'injury', we celebrated a birthday, I cleaned my car, I read some 'not so nice' YELP reviews (who has the time and who wants to put the effort in to write on that site?), I developed a crush on my grad student dentist, we took a 12 hour trip to Montauk for the night, and I have started to wear scarves again. I mean how exciting is my life....like totally wild and crazy right?

Here is a photo montage to take you through the week...

Tasty Dinner: shrimp, white beans, onions, garlic, parsley, and brown rice. Think I might have gotten this off of the EatLiveRun recipe cite. Pictures are so helpful!

Quick Fall trip to Montauk (pictures are complements of the boy)

Montauk Sunset

Cheers! A sunset cocktail on our little beach.

Birthday celebration on a Blueberry Muffin. Note: cute checkered pajama pants!

My bestest friends these past 6 days. From left to right: Ibuprofen, Red Wine, Painkillers, and Advil. P.S. This wine is super good and doesn't contain any sulfides which equals no hangover headache! So you can be heavy on the pour- go for it!

We were put in an interesting spot. The boy was offered a job in Colorado at his favorite Ski Resort and we contemplated moving our life there. It would be a short term thing, only a few months but, there were so many things to think about and consequences we would face when we returned. Needless to say it was quite an emotional and extremely difficult decision for both of us. This year we are going to focus on the North Fork maybe next year we will expand the blog to exploring the midwest? Maybe...

A severely swollen and bruised big toe. Self imposed. Not my toe, it's my roommate's. Enough said. Might have had something to do with the picture before this.

Homemade granola! Honey, oats, peanut butter- oh my!

A four hour visit to Stony Brook's Dental Clinic for a tooth extraction! A little lighter in the mouth and the wallet- especially since I am my own insurance company. But, I have to say... the young grad student did a fantastic job! I might have been a science experiment for him but, he was my prince charming.  

Internet Friends

Obviously this whole thing on blogging is new to me... and I'm slightly addicted. I love reading about other people's lives, recipes, shopping finds, and fitness routines. I've started to do some posting and responding on other people's webpages and have even gotten some feedback- I'm like a kid sitting on Santa's lap! I get so excited! People actually want to respond and take in some of my advice or want to help answer some of my questions! This might sound crazy but, I feel like I'm making friends across the internet.... sort of.


For instance, yesterday I was on CarrotsnCake and Tina is always sharing her meals throughout the day- which many people find helpful in balancing a healthy life. Pictures now help with food portions and help to provide cooking advice. Anyway, well I noticed she loves oatmeal and I do too but, not as much as granola. I just love the CRUNCH! So, I just wrote a super short post about loving oats and knowing how important they are in fueling the body but, wanted to see if she had a recipe for granola.... and someone else actually responded and gave me a great recommendation to explore Peanut Butter Fingers (another healthy lifestyle blog). Aren't people so nice!? Well, as you can tell from this post... it's pretty much made my day that someone responded to me!


Not only did I find a new blog to become obsessed with but, I also found some amazing granola recipes that I will definitely be making today! Check back later for some of my own personal creations! Hopefully no fire this time. I will keep the fire extinguisher close though.


FIRST: JABS for a TRX class (my first one!), THEN:  A trip to The Market in Greenport to pick up some organic oats and other toppings for my granola, LASTLY: Enjoying it with some Dannon Oikos Yogurt.

A Changing Pallete

My workday consisted of tasting wine...

Yep, you read it right!

I tasted wine at work. And I could even notice the differences. We were tasting some of our grape juice for next year's vintage and then we were doing some research on a pretty popular French Rose in comparison to our Roses.

I was a little loopy after the tastings but, I will stay true to the local wine everytime! The popular Rose (that can run for $110 a bottle) I found to have high levels of alcohol in the finish- I prefer a more 'rosy' and 'honeysuckle' finish. (I know all the right terms right?)


Back to this newly acclaimed pallete- I would say that over the last couple of years, I have a changed pallete. I have opened up to different types of food and spices and lately I have been introduced to different varieties of wines. Years ago, I was so focused on what foods looked like, the unknown calories inside the food,  and was very simplistic in my ordering options and now, I say bring on the spices and the new dishes! I like to be surprised now. I have been introduced to my own pallete and realize no one has one like it. You can still have healthy options with the great new amazing flavors. 


Even pairing the perfect drink to a dish is important and can really make the meal that much better! This is something that I used to think people kind of made up or really had no clue about. I thought they just wanted to sound like they were "foodies" or "winos." But, really. This does make a difference in pulling out more flavor of a meal or a perfectly paired glass of wine. I'm not there yet though- I'll just take other people's word on it and copy their choices. Hence, my subscription to Wine & Food.