Saturday, April 23, 2011

Hitting the Road~ North to Alaska


It's that time of year again when we head back to our home in Alaska.
We're doing it a bit differently this year and driving to Washington and catching the ferry to Haines, AK
We have a truck with no AC in Arizona and one with in Alaska so we'll be swapping them out next fall.
It will be strange to reenter the colder climes and watch spring all over again.
It should take us about 10 days with some of our stops in Seattle area.

I'm not sure how much internet access will be available but I hope to keep the posts coming when I can.

It will be an interesting road trip in that I have been on a rather strict dietary regimen for the last couple of weeks. After my chiropractor/naturopath determined that my adrenals were overtaxed and that I'm not
digesting as I should  she put me on a no sugar, no alcohol, no caffeine, no salt, no meat, no dairy, no eggs, no grain diet which may help with inflammation problems I've been having for awhile.

What's left you ask? Protein shakes, super greens,  flax seed, almond milk, whey, ( I guess that's some dairy) and loads of veggies, steamed and juiced and fruits and lots of blueberries and cranberries that we'd brought down here with us.
I really wanted to spare you the blow by blow details which seem to veer toward discussions of bodily functions but suffice it to say the first days were the toughest. 
Surprisingly I didn't/haven't missed the sugar, caffeine, meat or alcohol and the most difficult for me was giving up salt. Thankfully, Braggs amino acids have been added back and that seems to satisfy that craving.
It was doubly difficult at a birthday celebration across the border at a Mexican restaurant and I treated myself to some roasted green onions and peppers on a bed of lettuce while everyone else was eating carne asada and cheese.


Oh! that reminds me, I was going to post a picture of our friend Julio's 70th birthday present, an altered puzzle 
I lifted and printed some of his childhood photos off of facebook and decoupaged them to the puzzle pieces.
They were a little stark with the greys, black and blues so I spritzed them with some sunflower glimmer mist after a layer of matte mod podge to give then a bit of sepia character.
Look closely at the top piece and you can see Julio standing in from of an angel statuary.
This one was a gesso transfer that I learned from Caterina.


On the the bed of the puzzle I decoupaged this image of him an Lupita, his girlfriend from Mexico.
I happened to find this cigar label that I thought was fitting.

I am pleased to say that this present made him weep upon opening it.
My job is done!

Anyhow I'm also pleased to report that I'm feeling rather good and some niggling symptoms have been disappearing and my husband has been remarking that I look younger and less puffy and seem more calm, not to mention 4 or 5 lbs. that I've shed already in two weeks.
We'll see how it goes from here on out  but I'm feeling pretty motivated to continue as I can add  things slowly back to my diet. The Alaskan salmon sure tasted good the other night!

15 comments:

  1. Hope the diet does good things for you, Kim! It's usually the hardest to be on a special diet when you are eating away from home! Your gift to your friend was really personal... he must have felt very special! Safe trip, my friend!

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  2. safe journey and give Leslie a big hug from me ...xx

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  3. Congrats on the diet. It really does help to get away from inflammatory foods, gluten especially. Take really good care of yourself. Julio's gift is wonderful and so thoughtful. kudos again, way to go...safe trip, with some grand adventures. Keep us posted, for vicarious "cheers". Have Fun. xo, Ro

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  4. Congrats on diet. Keep it up. It makes you feel and look better, especially cut out that gluten and your see big long-term differences.
    More salmon and fruit! Yummy. Have a safe, fun, adventurous trip up to your northern fairy tale land. keep up desert lizards posted on the cool, lush life. All the best, xo, Ro

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  5. Congrats on the diet. I've lost 7kg over the last couple of weeks. I know how hard it is to be on a diet!

    Wishing you a lovely Easter, Kim!

    Have a safe trip!
    Gaby xo

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  6. Wow, I'm impressed - alchohol & meat I can take or leave but I'm struggling cutting down the caffiene & sugar. Still, nobody can do it for me!

    Good luck with your travels & Happy Easter!

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  7. I can't believe it's time for you to return to Alaska! Have a safe journey, and say hello to my favorite city...Seattle!

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  8. bon voyage! and congrats.
    i've been off alcohol for
    just over four years, no prob,
    but no caffeine...that would do me in.

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  9. Hey Kim, you sure sound as tho' you are feeling better. Did you not have caffeine withdrawals? They can be hellish. It will be difficult for you to have journey snacks on such a diet! Your migration always captivates me each year. I love the idea of changing surroundings as you do. Hope the connections are good so you can regale us with your tales. Pen x

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  10. It was fun to catch up on your blog this morning! Excited to see posts from the road! Safe travels!! See you when you get back...great you get to see Spring unfold twice this year : )

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  11. hello Kim,
    Have a safe and wonderful trip North. Think of me on your way through Haines Jct. I can't believe I won't be here...I have never meet a blogging friend in person...maybe in your return trip in the fall.

    Kim

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  12. Safe journey you two and I will be checking in on the drive this week. Hugs. xox Corrine

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  13. Love the altered puzzle. Sounds like you're doing well with the new diet. Good for you. Have a great summer!

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  14. Sounds like the diet's a real success so far. I wish you well on that and on your journey northward!
    Rose

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  15. I hope you are having a safe happy trip up to Alaska- you drove through my state of WA. keep up all your art work too.

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