Go Big or Go Home

Over the past few months I have been all about making bad decisions. Not the type of horrible choices you are thinking. Get your mind out of the gutter. But the the type of judgments that are met with the extreme.

In October something kicked me in my ass. I decided to embark on an entire month of unprocessed food. Self loathing was no longer an option for me, and I was going to get my head screwed on straight. So in an effort to purge all the toxins and clear my head, I opted for only raw ingredients.

The month was a stepping stone. Like a fly on the wall, I watched my former self emerge and begin to enjoy life again. In the words of a friend, “It was the hardest month of my life.” But I awakened and began to love me again.

Then the weekend prior to Thanksgiving, I entered a race. Just a measly little sixty four miles on a bike. I mean, no big deal. And yes, I could have chosen the eight mile ride or even the thirty two mile ride, but what kind of challenge would that be. I have always claimed that wanted to bike a century, and this was the perfect way to jump start the process.

So out I went and scooped a bike. I am still working on rebuilding it, but it will shiny like new by the end of the week. Bring on the challenge.

A few days prior to Christmas, I heard Stephanie mention something about starting off the new year with a gluten and dairy free diet. Where do I sign up for this? So we made a verbal agreement, and I was all in. More about the diet void of cheese and more importantly beer later.

December is hell month in my occupation. I run at the speed of light for twenty four days straight. So when December 27, 2011 arrived, I found myself just wanting to blow town. I needed an adventure. But blowing town just did not seem terminal enough. So I JUMPED OUT OF PLANE.

Are you nervous for me yet?

Sticking to our usual Saturday routine. Yes, I have a routine! Stephanie and I headed off to the farmers market to prepare for our gluten and dairy free start to the new year.

And we discovered emu eggs!

Look at them. They are the perfect speckled shade of turquoise. How could we resist! We each scooped one faster than you can blink your eye. And we resolved to kick off the 2012 with an emu egg brunch.

Today, I woke up early due to all the adrenalin and prepared fresh berries with mint.

 Stephanie and Jorg arrived with tri-colored potatoes.

 So hash browns were next up on the list. Nothing beats potatoes with bell peppers and onions.

And there is nothing better than only having to crack one egg to feed three people.

 Did I mention it was turquoise? Pretty sure I did.

Sure it was intimidating. I was basically prepared to adopt a new pet dinosaur.

Instead, we received a the most gigantic yolk I have ever seen. And I’m not yolking! (Thanks, Ted!)

So this is how Stephanie and I kicked off 2012 with an amazing gluten and dairy free brunch. And yes, we dined out outside! Now you wished you lived in Arizona.

That’s right kids! It was bomb-diggity.

Did I forget to mention that we had two emu eggs? We hard boiled the second one.

It only took a minimal two hours. No big deal.

So may your new year rock and be filled with bad decisions because I know mine will be.