Major Life Change

As I approach my 33rd birthday, I've been contemplating many of my every day decisions in life...the amount of time I spend working, the amount of time I waste rather than completing projects or taking the dogs for walks, the lack of attention I've been paying to my friends and relationships over the past few months...but mostly I have been deeply pondering my part in this world and the differences I can make.

For years I've had many vegetarian and vegan friends, all of whom I've respected for their dedication. But personally, I've always let selfishness, laziness and convenience keep me from adhering to such a strict lifestyle.

Knowing that I was feeding my body with the wrong foods and energy, I began studying the health effects of a meat and dairy diet vs. a plant-based diet earlier this year. The findings just can't be argued...people who eat a plant-based, animal-free diet are much less likely to suffer from heart disease, cancers of all types, hypertension, high cholesterol, depression, diabetes, and yes...ovarian and uterine cysts and tumors.

Over the last couple of months I've cut meat from my diet and beginning July 7th I will officially cut all dairy and animal bi-products in order to adhere to a vegan diet. I know many people won't understand this decision and some loved ones won't support this. However, I think if everyone took the time to investigate the cruelty and torture animals suffer in order to feed humans, many would reconsider. I've never really understood the craving to let animal flesh rot in my intestines, yet it's what our culture accepts as normal. Or why it's cows and goats we drink the milk of...why not cats, rats or other milk-producing animals? Considering that there are so many natural food alternatives available in this day and age, the change seems like an easy decision.

Aside from my compassion for animals, the damage being done to our environment through the operation of livestock, poultry and dairy farms is truly shocking. I had no idea that 70% of the grain grown and 50% of water consumed in the US are used by the meat industry. Or that the amount of farmed animal manure produced in the US equals 5 TONS of waste for EVERY woman, man and child in our nation. Manure lagoons and sprayfields, the most common techniques used in farming for handling waste, pollute the air by emitting ammonia, methane and hydrogen sulfide and contaminate rivers, streams and groundwater through floods, bursts and leaks.

I could keep going but I don't want to make this an issue of preaching or condemning anyone's personal decisions. Just as I respect everyones choice of religion, sexual orientation and politics, this too is a very personal decision that each human must make for himself/herself. For me, knowing that I can save at least 50 animals a year by eating a vegan diet is enough to fuel this lifestyle change. Hopefully my example will help others.

Yes, I will miss goat cheese, and ice cream, and Hershey's chocolate, and pizza, and...the list goes on and on. But I know I will find new foods to love and crave.

So, here's to a long, healthy life for me, for many animals and for all others effected by my decision.

***DISCLAIMER: I will never, ever find compassion for mice or rats. Sorry rodents...you're on my "no guilt" list. I suggest you keep your distance at all times. Otherwise, good luck to you!

Let the destruction begin...

This weekend I FINALLY tackled the huge task of digging out my extremely overgrown yard. Thanks to the help of my wonderful family, we got A LOT accomplished. Dad, thank you for the many hours you put into this project. I loved spending time with you...and it reminded me where I get my stubbourn streak from. :) Thanks also to Natalie, Dave, Tamera, Ed, Maddie, Livi, Harry, Derek, Trent, Natalie and Keira. I appreciate you all SO much. Denice, Meg and Cody - I hope your little ones are feeling better. You have all been in my thoughts. Little Senya, I can't wait for you to get released from the hospital!

Unfortunatly I wasn't able to take any "before" photos, but just imagine these shots with a barely-standing fence, a rusted gate, plants that were hiding all the beautfiul rock, weeds galore, etc, etc. You get the picture.

The 6 foot high by 15 foot wide pile of yard waste is proof of the hard work everyone put in the last couple of days:





















The new stairs Derek put in for me:

















Max loving his new yard:












Now I just need to kill off the last of the weeds and then I can starting replanting. Once the front yard is completed, it's time for the backyard. Who's with me?!?!

Media Spot

I will be on the news this Wednesday, April 28th. Be sure to watch KSL (channel 5) at 10pm to learn more about Ko's Journey! For those out of state, check the KSL website later in the week - www.ksl.com.

Thanks for all the support!

Introducing Ko's Journey!

As many of you know, I was asked back in October to help some friends with a business they were starting - Imagine Education. We decided the first product we wanted to produce was Ko's Journey, an online, interactive game aimed at teaching middle-school math through story. Ko's Journey is the story of an 11 year old Native American girl who is thrown into her Rite of Passage when her village is attacked, leaving her separated from her tribe. She must use math skills to navigate her way to a secret valley where her kin await her.

As someone who has never excelled at math (how did I end up in Accounting??), I was hesitant to join the project. However, my writing and marketing skills were needed so I jumped on board and we quickly worked up a script for the game. The funny thing is, I am FINALLY learning math! Better late than never, right? As a very visual, creative thinker, the information makes much more sense to me when it's taught through this medium. I connect to the character and understand that she must use these equations to make it through her journey.

With the help of great developers, coders, artists, musicians and the support of friends and colleagues, we've finally reached our goal...Ko's Journey will release to the public TONIGHT!!! This has been a true labor of love. Working a full time job on top of devoting my weeknights and weekends to Ko, the past few months have been exhausting. But, the experience has also been rewarding, so I look forward to all the work we still have. The 3 of us just need to take a vacation at some point.

Please visit the site and pass it along to any parents (especially homeschoolers), educators or others who may find it useful. We are marketing this to school districts (any math educators), as well as private schools, homeschool parents, tutors, or kids who just want a new video game that involves some thinking.

www.kosjourney.com (or click on the title of this post to be directed to the site)

Thanks to everyone for your support...especially to Jen and Scott. I love you guys and I'm excited for the next project! Journey on. :)

Dancing Queen

I came across this photo today which instantly reminded me of the old stereo my dad built...the stereo that played the many records I would dance to as a child...the hub of our home until all of us kids started asking for personal record players, tape decks and stereo's for our bedrooms. With 10 kids in the house who all loved a variety of music - and two supportive parents who always fed that love - we needed multiple electronics in order to outblast the other music coming from the next room.
















I was too young at the time to really appreciate the beauty of the stereo my dad had built...I would have wrestled him to the ground before letting him get rid of it. And I would have it proudly displayed in my own home today...and I'd still dance to the Disney version of "Macho, Macho Man" while wearing a striped leotard and plastic high heels.

Celebrating 90 Years

Last night we all gathered to celebrate my Grandma Clara's 90th birthday. Despite our many differences, I do love my grandma and I am incredibly grateful for the amazing son she brought into this world. I don't know who I would be without my dad...and my incredible mother, of course. My greatest blessing in life is my family.

Happy 1st Birthday, Sophia!!

My little niece, Sophia Grae, entered this world one year ago and quickly had to start fighting for her life. Thankfully, her determination pulled her through and she is now a thriving little toddler! I can't wait to visit her up in Vancouver soon...it will be nice to see her outside of the hospital!

I love you, Sophia!!!