Ben Davis Does Life

Who is Ben Davis? If you don't know the answer to this question, you are missing out. I've posted his video before, wherein he loses 120 pounds by running and, more importantly, finds himself and happiness while doing so. Ever since he announced on his tumblr that he was writing a book, I've been dying to get my hands on a copy. Lucky me, his publishers sent me a copy to review.

The book is every bit as inspiring as the video that launched Ben Davis into the hearts of a million runners and onto the cover of Runner's World. We see how dark things were for Ben before he took that first step running, how deep his depression was and how isolated he allowed himself to become. This means that we are even more elated when he decides to do life. His journey is stunningly fast, from his first 5K to completing an Iron Man. Ben doesn't pull any punches about the tough side of running- blisters, chaffing, pain, bonking, but he also shares in the glory of allowing yourself to embrace all that life has to offer.

Ben readily admits that sometimes your mind isn't up to doing the right thing, so you force your body to do it instead- run instead of reddit, eat kale instead of cookies. The book is also punctuated with training plans, each one placed strategically after Ben accomplishes that particular feat, from the 5K to the Ironman.

In short, this book isn't so much about Ben's journey, it is about finding what is holding you back, and forcing it out of your life, in turn allowing yourself to live the life each of us deserves. Ben's journey is admirable, but the beauty of it is that it could be anyone's story, provided they embrace all that life has to offer.

Finally, for those not in the know, here's Ben's video:

2012, A Reflection Before the Apocalypse

And coffee. That stuff's good too.

Just kidding, I know the world isn't ending on Friday. However, 2012 is ending in a mere twelve days, so what an excellent time to reflect on the things that I am thankful for this year. The past year has brought a tidal wave of change: a new job, new apartment, friendships solidified. This is what I'm thankful for this year:

• My job: I started a new job in February and what a difference it has made in my quality of life. Each day now brings the feeling that I am getting up to work towards a common goal that I truly believe in with people that bring a smile to my face and warm my heart. Suffice to say, it no longer feels like work when I am at work, but rather each day is a small step towards making the world a better place. 

• Finding a home: Both in the literal sense (I moved out of a 200 square foot studio into a much larger place), but also in the emotional sense. I found a place that I belong and that feels I belong there too. Sometimes I forget that I lived places other than Denver because each day feels so right, but at the same time, I marvel at the beauty and kindness that surrounds me in this city. 

• Puddleglum: Ah, my trusty feline companion Pudds. I am always thankful that I was the crazy lady who crawled around, looking under each piece of furniture for the monstrously fluffy cat I saw on the website. Pudds is my constant cuddle buddy, my most consistent alarm clock and my go-to when I need to rub a belly. Puddleglum also brings me to the next thing I'm thankful for...

• My SpotBot: The most epic carpet cleaner of all. If you have a pet and carpet, you need this. It will clean any pet mess out of the carpet. It's amazing, and you can use Nature's Miracle in it. Win!

• Health: I've had minor health issues this year. I mean minor in the most literal sense- the biggest concern was a sneeze here and there and a wonky hip after running a downhill half marathon. I am so thankful that this is the most of my troubles- things easily recovered from with a bit of rest. I am also thankful that I have health insurance to cover all my medical expenses- many are not so lucky and that is so stupid that I won't even get into it here. 

• Friends and Family: Sometimes these lines blur, viewing some friends as family, some family easing into an additional role as friend. Whether these people are ones I see every day or only have the occasional contact with, I am grateful to be able to look around me and see people that I aspire to be like, and that inspire me to make the world a better place. 

Overall? Good year, self. Nice work. Let's do well with 2013 too.

Get down with Root Down

Root Down is something of a Denver institution, complete with stunning reviews and long wait lines (make a reservation) and this past weekend, I launched an investigation (aka made a reservation a month an advance) to see if the rumors are true. Results: they are! I got a simple tofu scrambled and it blew my mind. Made without tumeric, it looks a bit pale on arrival but will quickly win your taste buds over with tahini and sunflower seeds. The real star of the meal, however, are the potatoes. Our amazing waitress said that they tasted like mashed potatoes and I was obviously skeptical because the potatoes are clearly not mashed. One bite proved our waitress right- little, diced and fried mashed potatoes. I could eat these potatoes for every meal for the rest of my life and be more than okay with it. I'm excited to go back for lunch and dinner to explore Root Down's other options, but until then I'll be dreaming of those potatoes!

MOFO Round Up #1

So, five days into 2012 Vegan Mofo and I've blogged a stunning twice (um, including this one). I'll try to make next week better, eh? However, others have been doing vastly better than I have, and here are some of my favorites:

Cudding kittens will distract you from my lack of blogging, right?

Simple Cashew Cheese from The Picky Vegan

Creepy punch for a Halloween party- and it's raw!

Joanna's snickerdoodles rolled in sprinkles have BLOWN MY MIND

What?! Pear "Honey" Jam from The Vegan Crew

Raw onion rings. I want to eat them all. Right now.

Here's to an amazing weekend and a more fruitful Mofo on my end! What are your favorite posts so far?

Carrot Top Pesto

Carrot Top Pesto nestled between roasted delicata squash
and carrot-quinoa salad

I hate wasting food. I'm sure I'm not alone in this sentiment, so I'm sure I'm also not alone in always trying to figure out what to do with all the extra greens that accumulate from purchases from the Farmers' Market: carrots, beets, etc. Sometimes this ends horrifically- I tried to save the greens from beets once but before I could figure out what to do with them, they begin emitting the foulest odor I had ever experienced, necessitating their swift departure from my apartment. However, a quick search on the handy internet turned up some non-vegan recipes from carrot greens, which were this week's puzzle. Armed with my prior knowledge of pesto and a fair level of confidence that ingesting the carrot greens wouldn't kill me, I set to making carrot top pesto. The result? A creamy pesto that tastes quite traditional, but with a hint of earthiness underneath. Lucky you though- you get to brag about how to you used all of the carrot bunch you bought at the FarMar, and isn't it delicious?

Carrot Top Pesto

1 bunch worth of carrot greens
1/2 cup fresh basil
1/4 cup pine nuts (walnuts would work too!)
1/4 cup nutritional yeast
1 teaspoon salt
4-6 cloves garlic (I used five)
Olive Oil (enough for the pesto to emulsify in the food processor)

I'm sure there's a more proper way of doing this, but I threw everything but the olive oil in the food processor, pulsed it a few times, scraped down the sides and poured in the olive oil while it ran, occasionally stopping to scrape down the sides.

Vegan Mofo 2012: The Mo-pocalypse

It's coming, faster than you realize: Vegan Month of Food. I have, perhaps foolishly, based on my recent performance on this blog, signed up once again to participate. However, I will do my best and the good news is that I already have a post written, which I am obviously selfishly hoarding until October. Until then, you can fill the WhoaWren shaped hole in your heart by following me on Instagram, if you so desire. You can find me here or by searching for whoawren on Instagram, which I understand is shocking. Happy post hoarding for my fellow mofo'ers and I will see you (for sure) in October!

Qrunch Burger Salad

You guys remember Local Burger? Probably not, if you don't live in Kansas. That's okay, the important thing is that they have a burger salad, where they cook a burger of your choice and place it on a salad. This seemed weird to me at first, but the idea wormed itself back into my head about a week ago, "what if I take a Qrunch Burger and put it on a salad?" I decided to make my dreams come true and headed to Nooch Vegan Market to procure the necessary ingredients. This is the result:

A quinoa-based Qrunch Burger, farmers' market fresh tomatoes and peppers, lemon-avocado dressing, all on a bed of spinach. The only bummer is that I forgot a cucumber. Next time. It turns out that burger salads are pretty delicious and an easy way to make your salad a bit heartier. I especially love the Qrunchs because the little bits that crumble up are great for mixing with that extra dressing at the bottom of the bowl for a final treat. In sum, burger salads are a much better, and delicious, idea than I could have ever anticipated.