From the I'll Try Anything Once Archives: Valentines Day Edition

My favorite Valentines Day memory comes from my senior year of college...

Sometime in January, I saw a call go out that some students were putting together a production of The Vagina Monologues in honor of Valentines Day / V-Day. As an eager Women's Studies minor, I thought "hey ... why not?" I'll try anything once, right?

Despite my immense hatred/fear/discomfort at the thought of public speaking (I once fainted in class after giving a speech), I volunteered to perform. To talk about vaginas. Publicly. At a Catholic university. (I like to think Loyola U Chicago was relatively progressive for a Catholic school.)

Adventures in Alternative Workouts: Trapeze

This past Saturday, my sister-in-law and I took a free trapeze taster class at the Aloft Loft in Chicago. And it was a lot of fun! There were about 10 people there and two instructors. After a warm-up and stretch, they explained the proper body form for hanging on the trapeze bar. And then ... it was time to get up on the bar!

I should explain that I hate being upside down. It makes me feel nauseous and uncomfortable and honestly is a little terrifying. So trapeze is perfect for me, right?

Meeting Peter of Peter, Paul and Mary

Peter and me (and another volunteer)

Tonight I volunteered at WTTW Channel 11, answering phones during their pledge drive. (Anyone can volunteer.) One of the shows that aired during my shift was a Sing Along with Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul and Mary. And wouldn't you know, Peter Yarrow was live in the studio while we were taking pledges! (click for video!)

I'll try anything once. Or twice. Raw vegan food edition.

My motto of "I'll try anything once" has led me to try some unique food: Pig's Blood, Fried Alligator, Bison burgers. So far the only thing I don't want to try at least once is any type of bug, however, I do like shrimp and they are closely related to cockroaches or something.

Anyway, my fearlessness of food has introduced my husband to new foods. Sushi, Mediterranean and Indian, which have all been big hits with him. To the point that he likes sushi more than I do. (He did try Thai food, and other than green curry, doesn't really like it.)

Probably who my husband
expected to see at the restaurant

Tonight he agreed to try Borrowed Earth Cafe, the local raw-vegan restaurant. He suggested it (after I frequently mentioned I'd like to try it together). I've ordered carry out from there once (by myself) and liked it. Earlier today, he emailed me and asked "have you seen the menu for this place? are you sure you want to go there?" After I replied "yes," he replied "well I'll avoid the stuff with nuts ... I don't like nuts in my food." Baby steps.

So anyway, I'm pleased to say the raw vegan restaurant has received rave reviews from my husband. He tried a pina colada smoothie, we had stuffed mushroom caps for an appetizer, and he had the eggplant parmigiana and I had the falafel. We shared a slice of pumpkin "cheese"cake for dessert. Everything was delicious and now we're super full, but it's a good full because everything was so healthy. And I appreciated being able to eat without suspecting something has dairy/milk and will upset my stomach.

Enjoying the pumpkin "cheese"cake

I also enjoyed the food