Shannon B. Chenoweth

Today was the day of my third and final lumbar steroid shot. I couldn’t have been happier to be finally done with it all. Of course, I was nervous just like the past two shot days, but the doctor did the procedure fairly quickly and it was over almost before I knew it.

The staff at the surgery center have been very awesome during these three weeks. They have been very sweet and doing their best to keep me at ease. They really made the experience a lot easier for me. That is appreciated when you have to go through something so stressful and painful as a herniated disk injury. I just hope the results of the shots is great and that it lasts for a good long time.

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PETA, The People for Ethical Treatment of Animals has named their top ten vegetarian/vegan cities. Those cities are Albuquerque, Washington D.C, Portland, New York, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Seattle, Toronto, Vancouver and Olympia. So, where is Asheville, North Carolina? It is found no where on PETA’s list, not even on the smaller city list.

I see this as an oversight on the organization’s part. Asheville is quite a veggie-friendly city. The Paris of the South understands it’s vegan and vegetarian residents and visitors. You can go into almost any eatery in the town and get a veggie friendly meal. The people of Asheville actually know the meaning of a vegan, unlike folks in Central Florida.

Also, most of the food served in Asheville’s restaurants is local, coming right from farms and growers practically down the street. The mountain town prides itself on organic local fare. Just look at the window to any downtown cafe or shop, “Love Asheville. Put your money where your heart is. Buy Local.” Asheville truly is a top veggie city in my book.

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An Orlando judge ruled today that the city’s use of automated red light cameras to catch red light runners is a violation of state law. The state of Florida alone can make the determination on the usage of red light cameras per Orlando Circuit Judge Lauten. This means that thousands of drivers may be able to claim a refund if they were issued a ticket because of a red light camera.

Personally, I’m not against the use of red light cameras to catch those drivers that speed through red lights. It is not only a violation of the law, but it is dangerous. Many people have been injured or have died from crashes due to red light runners. It seems to me that this issue will end up going before the state very soon. I’m sure the Orlando city officials will be bringing it to Tallahassee for a higher ruling. This could cause the cameras to go up not just in Orlando, but in any city that requests them in the state if passed.

What are your thoughts on red light cameras? What do you think about the Circuit Judge’s ruling on the matter?

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Check-in time! Week 2 went well! I wrote my morning pages seven out of seven days. I’m not writing them first thing in the morning as Cameron recommends, but I do get them done by mid-day or early evening. Just as I experienced the first go around, I believe doing the pages is helping my writing and life.

My Artist Date was a success as I posted yesterday. Any time alone with my camera makes a good time in my book. I do need to vary things up a bit in the future though, do some other creative outings. I’ll have to come up with a list for myself of possible Artist Dates that I’d enjoy.

I did a number of the weekly tasks Julia Cameron lists to do. They did aid me in my journey for the week I believe as well. I only wish I had more time to get all of them done. Sadly, there are only so many hours in the day. Never enough time to get all the things I’d like to get accomplished done.

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A big part of Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way journey is to do a weekly artist date. This can be something like going to an art store and shopping for pens and journals or going to the library. Anything that allows you to spend time with yourself.

For this week’s Artist Date, I headed over to Maitland. My first stop was the Audubon’s Bird of Prey Center. I got to visit the different Raptors the Center currently has on the grounds. It was a neat experience. I was able to take pictures of some of the birds. Next stop was the Maitland Art Center. I didn’t spend much time there, as the sky opened after a short time and the rain came pouring down. The Art Center has very neat grounds, which was what I explored with my camera in hand. I look forward to returning to the Art Center to check it out further another weekend.

I ended my Artist Date with a late lunch at Ethos Vegan Kitchen in Orlando. It was my first experience at Ethos and I definitely wasn’t disappointed. I ordered a calzone with pepperoni and sausage. It was delicious. I cannot wait to go back in the near future.

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The color green is everywhere. The thought of “being green” is in abundance these days all over. You cannot escape green! This month’s blog theme for NaBloPoMo is just that, green.

So, what does green make you think of? Simply environmental causes and concerns? Your favorite tee shirt hanging neatly in your closest at home?

Personally, my thoughts on the subject/term are endless. Being a vegan and a lover of the environment, those two things do come to my mind right off the bat. Green equals vegetables. Got to eat your leafy and not so leafy greens! Also, I think of being a good environmentalist. Recycling when I can and doing my part for the Earth.

I will more than likely be doing more blog posts on the monthly topic, but I’d love to hear your thoughts on “green.”

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I had my second steroid shot for my herniated disk this morning. Honestly, I was nervous. My first experience while not horrible had me still not looking forward to the next time. I was okay until last night when I started to mentally dread going.

Arriving at the surgery center, I checked in and asked if there was anything that they could give me for my nerves. Unfortunately, there weren’t really any options, so I decided to just buck up and simply do my best to relax and get it over with. After waiting a bit in the waiting area, I was called back. The shot itself was just as I remember it, not fun in the slightest. Thankfully, it seemed to be over before I knew it which brought me much joy.

Leaving, something happened that surprised me. One minute I was talking to my mom, telling her that I was glad the shot was over with and the next minute, a heatwave and a feeling of being lightheaded overcame me and I felt as though I was going to pass out. I had never experienced anything that intense before. I sat down in a nearby chair and my mom informed the front desk of what was going on. A nurse quickly came out and put some horrid smelling salt under my nose (I guess it was actually ammonia?). That definitely pulled me out of it some, but I still was not feeling well. Another nurse came out with a soda and warm washcloth and told me to drink a few sips of soda and put my head down with the cloth on my head. Five minutes later, I was almost back to feeling good again. After sitting for a couple more minutes, mom and I headed out of the surgery center.

Of course, I’m not looking forward to my third, and final shot next week, but I am looking forward to it being all done with and to feeling a lot better soon.

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There is truly no where else like downtown Asheville. I consider it to be right up there with the likes of New York City in the uniqueness category. Nothing can match the feeling one gets walking through the streets in downtown. Your creative juices start flowing and a smile comes across your face. You just can’t help yourself. The relaxing contentment has struck you like lightning. Don’t fight it, embrace it. Allow yourself that little extra skip in your step as your tennis shoes hit the sidewalk. Asheville is creative and loving life central. You love it and deep down, you know it.

During my week in the Paris of the South, I spent five days hitting the pavement in downtown Asheville. There is such a plethora of things to do, see and eat in-between and on those streets. Honestly, I cannot see myself ever feeling tired of it all. Not to mention all of the photo ops all over and the inspiration in the air for the scribe in me. And, there so many festivals and events that take place in downtown year-round. I only wish that I was able to stay longer so that I could have enjoyed Bele Chere. Thankfully, there’s always next year.

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Going back to my favorite mountain town of Asheville, North Carolina, this particular trip would mark two firsts. One was returning as a much smaller person having lost over 75lbs, and two, was visiting as a vegan. When I lived in Hendersonville in 2008, I was an omnivore who honestly wasn’t very healthy. I tended to reach for the chips and fattening fast food during that time. My favorite fast food stop was Jack in the Box. Those tacos got my mouth watering every time. Now, I can’t fathom eating even close to the ways of my past.

Entering the city limits of the Land in the Sky, I looked forward to getting a taste of some of the best eats Asheville has to offer. My friends in town are all vegan, so I knew I could count on them in my search. By the time I was leaving a week later, I am happy to report that I enjoyed many great meals in Asheville.

The Green Sage. Already, I was a huge fan of Green Sage. It’s my favorite coffeehouse in town and I was more than anxious to get a cup of Joe there my first full day in Asheville. On Saturday, my friend Jess and I had lunch at the Cafe after our morning of Thomas Wolfe fun. I ordered the Herb Tofu Scramble with sweet potato fries and toast. The scramble was excellent. I was more than impressed with it. Not to mention the sweet potato fries, they are amazing. And, of course, the coffee is still tops in my book. I ended up going back to the Green Sage two more times during my visit. Once to get the scramble again, and a third time to try something different, the Black Bean Veggie Burger. That is also very delicious.

Asheville Pizza & Brewery Co. I couldn’t wait to see a movie at the Merrimon location and get a taste of their soy cheese pizza. As it turned out, I was able to experience it twice. Once at the simply dining and bar location on Coxe Avenue with my friends Jess and Leah on Saturday night. That was my first taste of the AVL Pizza Co. soy pizza and I really enjoyed it. Then, on Monday evening, I took in a movie with other friends and again had the pizza. The second time around was definitely better. I’m not sure if that had to do with the location or that I was seeing a movie while enjoying a couple of slices…either way, I have to say that both experiences were great and yummy. (Note: The soy cheese that AVL Pizza uses does contain casein)

Lucky Otter. My friend Jess took me to the Lucky Otter on Sunday for lunch. At first glance, the place isn’t anything to get excited about. It just looks like a simple food joint that serves burgers, fries and what have you. Once I tasted the food, the atmosphere didn’t matter. I had the Tofu BBQ Burrito which was very good. The thing is huge. By the time I finished it, I felt as though I wouldn’t be able to eat for a long time. I look forward to again eating there and trying something different.

Firestorm Cafe. All of my friends couldn’t stop raving about Firestorm, so I knew I had to check it out. I ended up entering from the back where you take the stairs to the entrance. As soon as I got inside, I liked the place. It’s a cafe and small bookstore which also features performances by local musicians as well as karaoke. I could instantly see myself going there on a regular basis once I’m living in Asheville again just to write and soak up the atmosphere. Glancing at the menu, I honestly wasn’t sure what to try. The two guys working behind the counter were very helpful and helped me choose the Maple BBQ Panini. It was simply amazing. I enjoyed every bite of the sandwich. It’s definitely a selection I’d get again in the future. Though, my next visit will more than likely be to try the Ginger Sesame Wrap. I heard great things about that one as well.

Digable Pizza. My final evening in Asheville included a movie and a pizza night in with two of my friends. We ordered a large rice cheese pizza for delivery from Digable Pizza. This was definitely awesome pizza. I dare to say it might be better than the Pizza Co’s soy pie. It’s most surely a close call. I was very impressed with how much it resembled regular “cow’s milk” cheese. Will most surely be getting pizza from them again many times in the future. (Note: I have been informed that Digable’s rice cheese also contains casein)

Of course, there are many other food choices in Asheville that I missed. Once I am back in town permanently, I will be trying each and every one of them, I’m sure. And I’m sure most, if not all of them will impress me as much as the places I did check out during my July vacation did.

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On July 26th, I restarted Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way. Originally, I had planned to begin on Sunday, but I didn’t complete the morning pages, so the journey officially began on Monday. Previously, I did the course but only made it to week 6. This time around, I plan on completing what I start. It does help your creative process, so I definitely recommend it to everyone.

The first week went well. I did my morning pages each day (less for Sunday) and did my Artist Date on Saturday. I spent time exploring the outdoors a bit with my camera. I love going out with my camera, so I’m sure that will be a popular Artist Date for me. It really allows me to relax and just enjoy myself. I’m looking forward to week two and what it brings to my creative journey.

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