There's a breaking point. Most definitely. The winters here are not as horrible as some might have you believe. I think we all perpetuate the myth that winters in Utah never ever end, that we have the greatest snow on Earth, that we're the reddest of the reddest states with the most insane of politics and oddest of religious fanatics and, oh, yes, have you heard about our horrible awful no good winters ?!?! just to keep everyone from actually pulling up their homestead and moving here. It's already crowded enough, thank you very much.
There is a breaking point, though. Just as I mentioned. It comes that first week of March. When the flowers are starting to push up from the ground, when the weather gets absolutely schizophrenic and kind of mirrors the weather inside of your own head and you're uncertain in the morning exactly what you should put on your naked body before leaving the house and what really makes you the most sad is that you have to consider what to put on your naked body at all.
At that point you find yourself looking at CraigsList for homes in Maui. You read, again, the rules and regulations for immigration of DOGS to the islands. You search for jobs. You contemplate, exactly, how to make that all work. All of this while huge white fluffy perfect snow flakes fall quickly outside your window. In March. Just before the break of spring.
And that, my friends, is the breaking point. The point where Utah just is really awful. It's not so good anymore.
Maui is a long way from the here, but Santa Cruz is not. Which is why I'm going to Santa Cruz tomorrow. Yes, tomorrow. There's more snow in the forecast for tomorrow and instead of wearing fleece and my puffy down jacket, I'm going to put on my flip flops and relish my palm trees and the redwoods and the ocean breezes and all of my very best friends who still, for reasons truly unknown, love me truly and madly and deeply.
I.CAN'T.WAIT.
Meanwhile, in other news, life in Utah is not as horrible as one might surmise despite the snow and cold and gray skies that won't allow the sun to shine. No, not at all.
A new store recently opened that is keeping this naked vegan girl really and truly happy. Cali's Natural Foods is focused on providing raw and oraganic goodness to all of us. I happened to be there picking up beets (among other things) recently and the owner noticed my beet purchase and asked me if I knew what to do with the beet greens? I smiled my biggest Nakedjen smile and shared that I was, in fact, a Beet Fairy. Yes, I knew. But that I also really appreciated that he asked. He said he wanted to be sure that everyone who was buying the beets actually had a recipe for the greens if they didn't know how to use them.
How awesome is that?
So we started chatting. For a very long time. About all kinds of things. Ian is exactly the kind of beautiful soul that this planet needs, but that Salt Lake City is truly blessed to have. He's making a huge difference here in all kinds of important ways. He's our Jamie Oliver and I feel lucky to have met him and hope to work with him a lot in the near future.
Speaking of Jamie Oliver, have you all seen this? Please take a few minutes and watch it. It's truly important.
I shared that video with the "Ladies who Lunch" and I'm really happy to share that it made a difference! One mother, in particular, was truly inspired and is teaching her children ten recipes that they can also cook for themselves. Ten whole food recipes! Ten things that are made in the kitchen. She realized how important whole foods and nutrition for her own children really was and that it was up to her to make a difference in their lives.
This same mom had a grandmother who was the "lunch lady" in our school system. And so, well, Jamie's talk really hit home for her.
I offered, recently, to help any of you who wanted to change up your lives, your diets, your kitchens and to start eating healthier diets. My offer still stands. I'm trying to figure out the best way to do that and I'm certainly open to suggestions and it certainly doesn't have to be one way. Perhaps it is different for each and every one of you, as we're all in very different places and we all will travel different paths on our journey to a healthier us and a healthier planet.
Through my own vegan outreach, I'm working really hard, right here in Utah, to make it one of the best places for everyone to eat. And, I'm happy to say, that in really baby steps, it's working. Let's make it work for you, where ever you are, too!
(Hey Santa Cruz?! I'm coming home. It's just for a little visit, but I can't wait to give you one big fat massive hug.)
