Day 30/1001: Harry Potter & the Prisoner of Azkaban

It took me longer to finish this one, but I will be heading to the library for the forth (and according to many, the best) year, tomorrow!

Day 29/1001: Fat-Free Fries

I have found, that the earlier I wake - the more I get accomplished. I'm not sure if that's because I'm awake for a longer period of time, or if I just feel less lazy. This morning I woke up at 7am - I had to drive with my dad to drop off my mom's truck for some servicing. While we were out, we stopped at a new outdoor mall in Frederick (also tackling my "Learn Frederick" goal), and stopped at a place called MOM's Organic Market. I thought my dad would be hesitant to go in but he followed. This market was AWESOME, and right up my alley. My dad and I were drooling over their locally produced bananas (wow), and as I struggled to take in every bit of the place, my dad found a sampling table. FRESH ORGANIC SALSA. I must go back, and get more. My dad isn't one for spontaneous spending - but we stood in a long line with a handful of orgasmic organics. I never thought my dad would step into a organic grocery store, but then again - up until this past spring I never had seen my dad grocery shop. His response to our stop: "This place has some weird things." Ahh!

Anyway, lately I've been looking for healthier choices in my diet. My Fitness magazine came the other day, and I skimmed through and found this recipe for "Fat-Free Fries." Great idea. Although I did not take any pictures of the beautiful pieces of potato, I will include the recipe:

1. Cut 2 scrubbed medium sweet potatoes into quarters; cut each quarter lengthwise into 4 wedges. Arrange on a baking pan misted with nonstick cooking spray.

2. Combine 1/2 teaspoon each salt, ground cumin, chile powder, and parika and 1/4 teaspoon pepper; sprinkle over potatoes.

3. Bake for 20 minutes at 425 degrees F, or until potatoes are brown and tender, turning once. Makes 4 servings.

And according to Fitness magazine, this snack is "packed with antioxidants and containing only 76 calories - and no fat-per serving." A few tips - I didn't have sweet potatoes, so I just used regular potatoes; although I believe my friend's mom used sweet potatoes and wow, they were amazing. Also - the skinnier the slice - the better! Both Fitness and MOM's have healthy and delicious recipes on their websites that I'm so excited to try!

Day 28/1001: $20 Saved

I babysat last night and made $100 for the 8 hours I worked (not bad). However, I only ended up putting $20 towards my savings.

Day 20/1001: Tour Washington DC (sort of)

As many times as I've been to the city, I've never driven there. The metro is convenient like that. Well, Emma called me this morning "Hey! wanna go to DC? I'll drive." A few hours later, we embarked on our trip (without knowing Emma had no real idea the direct route).

Thanks to the GPS not working, some childhood detours, and too many "No Left Turn" signs, it took us too long to meet up with a few of her friends.

The reason why I mention we "sort of" toured the city - it was all done in the car. By the time we met up with our friends, we didn't see the sites, on foot. I'll definitely need to go back.

Although! I did find the Blackboard headquarters which was very cool.

To note for future travels: the back roads of the city might not be the most pleasant, but there most definitely is beauty in the breakdown.

Day 14/1001: Learn 10 New Recipes

The bananas were browning. The 4 overly-ripened bananas reminded me of this past spring break when I visited South Carolina. I went to the grocery store chain Piggly Wiggly, just to say I had bought something from there: two vitamin waters. In line, I watched as an older male customer flirted with a toothless female cashier. He offered to trade one of his newly purchased yet very green bananas for a cigarette. Her response? "Oh now tha's not 'er fair trade. See I love 'em when they freckle." I giggled to myself and made banana bread.

I've made banana bread before. I can't seem to find the right recipe. But this one I tried off of Allrecipes.com. It came out a little dry but definitely something I'll be working on. Banana bread is my favorite. And I'll definitely needing to be working on my baking cleanliness...

Day 12/1001: Harry Potter & the Chamber of Secrets

I grabbed my sneakers and a book bag stuffed with: water, my library card and Year 2 of the Harry Potter series and I jogged the 4 miles to the local library. Not the greatest idea on the most humid of days but I feel good. I checked out Year 3! I'm obsessed.

Oh, and the jog back home was all up hill.

Day 10/1001: Start a Garden

"Hey... wanna plant some marigolds?" My dad has such a way with words. Of course I did! I mean - he definitely did most of the dirty work (removing 2 centipedes from the dirt) but I most definitely planted them. The flare in my allergies are proof!

I got excited to see the one batch are the colors of the Washington Redskins!

They're not exactly the trickiest of flowers... supposedly they're "easy" but for now - it's a start. And that is just what my goal entails - a "start." With my blooming interest in cooking, I may even start an indoor herb garden. I bet Miss Kitty would love that!

Day 9/1001: Watch a Sunset

I stepped onto my back porch without saying a word. 8:15pm and I caught the word "Love" written in the clouds above the sun setting. It seems like a stretch but in my first said sunset of these 1001 days, I was shown a sign.

Otherwise, the sky was beautiful, the colors were not of reds or pinks, but those of a normal sky - blues and golden yellows. I loved it, in the moment, and for the first time since I moved here 2 and half years ago - I felt home.

Day 5/1001: Harry Potter & the Sorcerers Stone

I have jumped on the bandwagon. I am completely in love with J.K. Rowling's writing.

Book #1 of the Harry Potter series completed.