Five Things Friday

1. I'm all for meat. Don't get me wrong. I grew with an extended family that hunts, and while you would never see me touting a shotgun, I think hunting is important for animal control (um hello overpopulation of deer much) as well as helping to provide my family with enough meat to last almost the entire winter season. I have also moved into a lower carb/low dairy diet to help with my food intolerance issues and you better believe that meat has become a huge staple of my diet.

However, I watched this video that one of my friends posted on facebook today. Be warned, its totally heinous and actually left me feeling a little overwhelmed and upset. In just a few minutes, you are reminded of the horrific practices of the food industry, which feeds into the dietary habits of the people purchasing their products.

I have been doing a lot of research on the food industry as of late, and its completely overwhelming to think about how food can impact your health. I can't even begin to afford the costs of eating sustainable, organic, hormone-free, grass-fed, non-gmo foods. I do my very best with the budget that I have, but thinking about what happens to animals before I consume them is making me rethink how I purchase meat in the future.  I don't ever see myself moving away into a pescatarian/vegetarian lifestyle, but the amount of hormones and pesticides that are being pumped into and consumed by animals before they are slaughtered is MOST CERTAINLY making an impact on our emotional/behavioral/physical health. Its really gross and overwhelming to think about.

2. The six-minute clip is only a small portion of the movie, Samsara, which is described as "is a Sanskrit word that means “the ever turning wheel of life” and is the point of departure for the filmmakers as they search for the elusive current of interconnection that runs through our lives.  Filmed over a period of almost five years and in twenty-five countries, SAMSARA transports us to sacred grounds, disaster zones, industrial sites, and natural wonders.  By dispensing with dialogue and descriptive text, SAMSARA subverts our expectations of a traditional documentary, instead encouraging our own inner interpretations inspired by images and music that infuses the ancient with the modern.  "

If you are interested in watching the rest of the movie, you are able to do so via Amazon Instant Video. You can rent it for only $2.99, or $3.99 if you have a hankering for the HD version. I will most definitely be inserting this into my weekend schedule, by clicking the link here.

3. On a lighter note, I want Chris to make this for me this weekend. 

Oh, look at that. It's vegetarian. I would probably add some protein to this, because it would not be enough to sustain me for an entire evening. Looks delicious though and is a part of an article tweeted out today on 20 Amazing Paleo Avocado Recipes, although the original post was written by Gina from Running to the Kitchen.

4. I'm also curious if any of you readers or Boston-area lurkers are going to participate in the inaugural Runner's World Heartbreak Hill Half Marathon Weekend. 

I haven't signed up as of yet, but I'm definitely thinking of doing it (and more so before March 6th because the price increases at that point). I think any event put on by Runners' World is going to be top notch, and I can only imagine the local running celebrities and experiences that will be available to all those participating.  The whole weekend is split up into different components, with a 5k, 10k, and half marathon all in one weekend.  You can also participate in the Five and Dime or the Hat Trick if you are really feeling wild. I'm not so sure I am (mostly because I have to go to a graduation on that weekend).

PLEASE RUN WITH ME!

5. Last, but not least... I have officially rented my first two dresses from Rent the Runway.

Each dress is retailed between 300 and 1000 dollars!!! You can rent them for a weekend for about $35+ (some are as low as $35 while others can be as high as $400). Even better, necklaces worth $800 can be rented for only $10. Its RIDICULOUS! I have my first black tie event and wedding rehearsal dinner (super fancy) that I felt needed the appropriately fancy frock, and decided that instead of spending hundreds of dollars on a dress I would only wear once, I would instead rent it. AND YES, I realize that wearing a dress only once is ridiculous but that's what you get in the day of Facebook, Instagram, blogs, and Twitter. 

First time renters at Rent the Runway can also use a $25 promo code:  FIRSTRTR25X7947

 Enjoy your weekends, you little noodles!