Thursday, May 28, 2015

What's Up With Almonds?

Hello,



I recently visited Yosemite while traveling for work. During the drive we passed many farms of almond groves and I couldn't help but think of the recent articles I've been seeing involving that little nut.

Many articles are popping up that place blame for California's drought on the production of almonds. There are claims that it takes 1 gallon of water to produce 1 almond. WOAH! Whether or not that is true, it is clear that producing almonds is a lot of time and money.

So why do we continue to produce this food? Well, the industry will continue to produce if the consumers will continue to purchase these goods. A recent NPR article states that farmers have stopped producing tomatoes and melons to begin producing almonds because the almond market has risen to almost 5 billion dollars.

We can see this growth in our grocery stores, TV commercials and local Starbucks. A few years ago Americans began feeling that dairy was harsh on their bodies and digestive systems. Many consumers began switching to non-dairy milks such as soy and almond for their dairy needs.

Almond milk seems to be the popular choice amongst Americans today. For good reason too. Milk derived from Almonds is much lower in calories and carbohydrates than milk derived from cows. For example, 1 cup of almond milk is 40 calories and 2g of carbohydrates, compared to 1% lowfat cow's milk with 110 calories and 12g of carbohydrates. And it tastes sweeter, too.

So I ask, is it better for these farmers to produce a highly demanded good even if it means risking water levels for the rest of the state? Are there others areas that can produce almond trees with less harshness to the community? Is consuming almond milk a fad, or will it be around for years to come?

Pictures of Yosemite:





Saturday, May 23, 2015

Fight For What You Are

Hello,
 
I recently attempted to apply for a job that I have a lot of passion for and was denied due to my skill level. Not achieving something is always hard, but I'm realizing that hope is not lost. After not getting the job I became obsessed with advancing my skill level so that I can fight for what I want in this world.So friends, I am currently studying for the GMAT and will look at going to grad school next year (while continuing to work full time) to achieve more education that will guide me towards my dream.

I got discouraged today as I sat at a coffee shop on my day off, studying quantitative methods. I was mad at myself for not being good enough right now. I stopped myself from dwelling in negativity and encouraged myself to get better.I'm writing this to send any encouragement and inspiration out to you. What do you want to do with your life? What are you going to do today to make that dream happen?

Speaking of dreams, here are a few moments that have left me feeling inspired:

Snow Lake In Winter

:)

San Francisco

The Lovely, Mt.Rainier

Job Interviews

"I'll see you in the flowers"

15 Mile Hike With The Lizard

Such A Great Moment With Friends

I Can Do This!

Karli

Monday, May 18, 2015

Staying Healthy While Traveling For Work

Hello!

Mini-Fridge

I am currently staying in Northern California for a couple weeks while I work at our San Fransisco location. Traveling is one of my favorite parts of the job. Although, it can sometimes be tricky to establish good health while I'm living in a hotel and working the night shift. 

What is good health? Since being diagnosed with PCOS, I do my best to follow a diet that features wholesome foods with low glycemic levels. I feel that this style of eating is the best choice for everyone, even those without diabetes or imbalances.

Here are some tricks I've learned:

1. Drink plenty of water.

As your body moves out of it's normal routine, make sure that you are staying hydrated and giving your body enough water to digest foods and feel healthy. I always make sure that I either bring a water bottle with me or purchase bottled water from the store.

2. Find a grocery store.

This is my main priority while traveling for work. On this trip I started researching where the closest grocery store was as soon as I stepped off the plane. I always purchase plenty of fruits and snacks that will be helpful if I find myself hungry without a healthy option. I will also purchase easy to make meals that I can bring to work with me.

Examples of my grocery list include: nuts, peanut butter, bread, apples, berries, canned soup, luncheon meat, string cheese, microwaveable oatmeal, crackers and hummus.

3. Have a plan for exercise. 

I always look for a nearby park or make sure to book a hotel that has a fitness center. Staying consistent with exercise always makes me feel better and ready to take on a new challenge. I also LOVE the app, SworkIt. It features easy-to-follow workout routines for whatever you are looking to exercise and for whatever duration you want your workout to last. 

Better yet, I've been lucky enough to travel to really cool places that have a lot of outdoor activities. For example, I took a day trip to Joshua Tree for some hiking while I worked in our LA site. I plan to head into San Fransisco this weekend to explore the big redwoods or take a trip to Yosemite.

4. Have a back up plan for meals.

Fast food is always so tempting after a long day at work, especially if you are not at home with a kitchen. I try to become knowledgeable of the restaurants around me and find an option that offers a healthy alternative if I need a meal and don't have time to shop. My favorite fast food spot is chipotle. I love that I can create a bowl of meat, brown rice and veggies.

While I went driving to find a grocery store today I came upon a bunch of farmland. It made me feel so happy and made me miss my Florida home. I drove by farms of cows and sunflowers while singing along to Mumford and Sons. It was such a happy moment and I smiled so big!

COWS!

The beautiful mountains in the distance

What are your tips for staying healthy while on the road?