Planning Ahead

I decided to start planning some of my goals and linking to resources that I can reference later.

3) Run a 10K.
I've started looking up 10K races in Portland this year, and here are a few I've found that might work:

• Bridge to Brews, April 7th, $44
• Race for the Roses, April 14th, $52
• Cindo de Mayo, May 5th, $44
• Pints to Pasta, September 9th, $49

And, for funsies, I might want to do the 5K Foam Fest (August 10th, $50).

4) Get a third tattoo.

I've been trying to collect ideas on my Tattoos Pinterest board, and I can't seem to decide on a theme. I'm considering something related to Texas, perhaps a phrase or quote on my wrist, or maybe this insanely awesome Labyrinth quote tattoo I just found:

Actually, now I'm really diggin' this Labyrinth tattoo, not only because it's one of my all-time favorite movies, but it's also how Rick and I met (he complimented my Labyrinth poster in my dorm room on the first day of college), and our first dance at our wedding was "As The World Falls Down".

8) Get our car registered in Oregon.

Step 1: Find the title to the car...

12) Write a short story.

I don't think I've ever written a short story, or if I have, it's been so long that I don't remember it. So I'm looking up tips on how to write a short story and tips from my favorite short story author, Kurt Vonnegut, because Harrison Bergeron is the best short story ever (The Lottery by Shirley Jackson is a close second).

14) Go to a Rocky Horror Picture Show.

It looks like you can see the Rocky Horror Picture Show at the Clinton Street Cabaret. Maybe I'll save this one for around Halloween.

18/19/20) Go vegetarian/vegan/gluten-free for a month.

The key to this one is making sure that I'm getting the appropriate nutrients that I might otherwise get from meat, dairy, wheat, etc. I don't think going vegetarian will be that difficult, especially since I'm going to do an ovo-lacto vegetarian diet, so I'll be able to get quite a bit of protein from eggs. Going vegan, however, will be incredibly challenging, because Rick and I drink a crap ton of milk, and I love dairy products. Below is a list of foods that are rich in various nutrients that I'll need:

• protein: lupin beans, soy, buckwheat, quinoa, hempseed, chia seed, amaranth
• iron: black beans, cashews, kidney beans, broccoli, lentils, oatmeal, raisins, spinach, black eyed peas, soybeans, chickpeas, whole-wheat bread
• fatty acids: soy, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, canola oil, kiwi, flaxseed, spinach, olive oil
• calcium: broccoli, beans, peas, lentils, lettuce, collard greens, kale, okra, tofu
• vitamin B and D are a bit harder to find, but I already take both in pill form

Going gluten-free will also be incredibly difficult, because gluten is in freaking EVERYthing. This website is pretty handy, listing foods that do and do not have gluten, as well as providing some gluten-free recipes.

25) Learn how to coupon.

One of my supervisors at the Student Employment Office was a self-identified couponer, and she recommended The Krazy Coupon Lady as a resource for learning how to coupon. I particularly like the Beginners section, it provides some great tips on where to find coupons, how to organize coupons, and important things to keep in mind regarding store policies.