It seems like I’ve been doing a lot for this 30 by 30 challenge, but the things on my list are getting crossed off at such a slow rate. It’s time to step it up! Last week I went to Solana Beach, California with a good friend for a relaxing, lay on the beach vacation. It definitely wasn’t long enough, but it was relaxing and exactly what I needed, and I got to cross something off my list!

A lot of you took my Survey about what I should cross off my list next. It’s almost an exact tie between Complete a 5k and Take a Yoga or Pilates class. Well, I’ve added Zumba to the list of classes I could take, so I think I’ll do that next.

I’m joining a gym this week in order to complete both. I want to take a class within a month, and I’ll start my 5k training using the Couch to 5k (C25K) program. I’ve used this before and saw some great results within a couple of weeks. I’ve never been able to stick with it – A nasty cold derailed me once and tendonitis was the culprit the next time – but I’m confident that by starting on a treadmill this time, I’ll be able to stay with it and complete the 6k I want to do in December!

Also, as you can see there’s also a vacant spot on the list – the #1 spot! What should I add to my list? If you were to have a 30 by 30 or bucket list, what would be on it?

I’d like to use some of the stuff I learned during the month and apply it to my everyday life. I realized how important buying and eating locally is for the environment and for business. I don’t think I could revert back to not thinking of where my food is coming from. I definitely think twice now before eating at a chain restaurant or buying from someone not locally based. In future ELC blog updates, what topics would you like to see covered?

Back to the 30 by 30 list – what should I cross off next? In 2 weeks I’m taking a “lay on the beach with my friends vacation” for my 27th birthday. So that will make me halfway to my goal of crossing 10 things off my list this year!

I’m going to let my readers decide: What’s next off my list? Take the poll.

When I started my Eat Local Challenge, I knew it would be challenging. Boy, did I underestimate how much.

This past week has been interesting and difficult, but very fulfilling. With only one exception (chips and queso at a neighborhood restaurant), I’ve eaten only local, organic or all natural foods for the entire week!

My breakfasts have consisted of eggs, toast with locally made preserves or organic granola. Lunches have been mainly salads and dinners have been a lot of chicken, steak and baked potatoes. For this week, I haven’t strayed very far from my comfort zone. Read more…

The journey to try an Eat Local Challenge for a month came about five months ago when I was developing my “30 by 30” list – a list of 30 things to do by the time I turn 30-years-old. I knew I had goals – some silly and some meaningful – and I wanted to write them down and accomplish them.

One of my goals was to become a locavore. I didn’t know for how long or when, but I’d do it. … Read more!

I carefully chose who I wanted to take me to shoot. I needed someone who would teach me about guns, but who would also teach me to not be so afraid of them. I knew my friend, Chuck, would give me the perfect combination of support and teasing about being so scared.

I have never touched a gun, heard a gunshot or seen any kind of gun being shot – even a BB gun. I was TERRIFIED!

When the soundproof doors opened and we stepped into the range the first gunshot almost made me cry. I couldn’t believe how close these guns were, how loud they were and how easy it would be for someone to turn and kill me with one shot.

Chuck quickly stepped up to the line, showed me what I needed to do, took a quick shot and turned over the Glock to me. I wasn’t ready. I wanted to see him shoot at least a few more rounds before I took the gun in my hand. But, I realized I needed to step up and do it. Seize the day and shoot that damn gun. And, I did it – and actually did it pretty well!

It was empowering, terrifying and fun all at the same time. Between many of the shots I had to stop, wipe my sweaty palms and shake out the nerves before picking the gun up to shoot again. But, I did it. And I’m proud. I’m no longer terrified of guns – I respect them and I’m still a little nervous, but I’m already planning my next trip to the range.

Two down, 28 to go. Next up: Locavore for a month!

Locavore: Those who are interested in eating food that is locally produced and not moved long distances to market. The locavore movement spawned as interest in sustainability and eco-consciousness become more prevalent. -Wikipedia

As this gets closer, I find myself getting really excited but also very nervous. I’ve done a lot of research these last few weeks about local farmer’s markets, dairy farms, the difference in free range chicken, community support agriculture, etc. It’s exhausting!

My mom helping me pick local produce at the Gilbert Farmer's Market.

I started out thinking, “Sure, I can do this. I’ll eat salad and chicken and beef from local farms. No problem. It’ll get boring – but I can do it.”

Then I started thinking of the specifics:
-What am I going to eat for breakfast? Eggs everyday?
-What am I going to eat on my salad? Do they have locally produced salad dressing?
-What about drinks? Water 24/7?
-Side dishes? All produce all the time?

I found some guidelines from Locavores.com that were very helpful.
- If not Locally produced, then Organic.
- If not organic, then Family farm.
- If not family farm, then Local business.

I have also been toying with the idea of participating in the community supported agriculture group through Desert Roots Farm – For the spring season, I would pay a set amount (about $18/week) to get a half share of produce harvested that week. The advantages of this is that I’m guaranteed to get a hefty amount of locally grown produce each week but the disadvantage is that I can’t pick and choose which produce I get – so I might get something I don’t know how to prepare. Which may end up being a learning opportunity and another advantage! It also makes me feel more connected to the community and involved with this whole process. So I think it’s a go.

All-in-all I’m really excited to start this part of my journey. When I was telling a good friend that I was nervous about this, she said, “I think it’s good that your nervous. Isn’t that the whole point of this list – to step outside of your comfort zone?” Very true! So, while I think it’ll be a learning process and will be challenging at times, I’m extremely excited and confident I’ll complete this!

Oh! And I found out some great news – In my research, I found that I’ll have no problem finding dessert and beverages. Arizona produces some excellent wines and beer and a nearby dairy farm has a store about a mile from my house that sells the most delicious ice cream! SCORE!

What do you guys think? Could you ever be a locavore? For a day? Week? Month? Forever?

Stay tuned for more updates!!

Here are some articles written about locavores:
Time magazine
Time (again)
NY Times

30 by 30 list as of Jan. 19, 2011

I’ve shared this list with a few people and each time I talk about it, everyone seems genuinely interested in the list and the process. Because of this, I thought I’d share my journey on my blog.

The list changes and updates often so I’ll post the most up-to-date version under the 30 by 30 tab at the top of the page.

I wanted this to be a personal experience, which is why there is writing and notes all over the list, which is kept in my wallet at all times. Everyone who helps me do something on my list signs the back and jots down some words of encouragement or inspiration. The items with bullet points next to them are those I hope to accomplish in 2011. The timelines noted to the right of each item were added by a friend to help me keep on track.

As you can see the #1 spot on the list is currently vacant. It had read “Travel overseas,” but since I have so many other travel goals on the list, I don’t think I’ll have the time or financial resources necessary for a trip overseas by the time I’m 30. So, I’m taking suggestions as to what else I can include on my list.

Tonight marks the first step toward accomplishing one of the items – it’s my first meeting with a voice coach. One of the items on the list is “Record a song.” This won’t be something distributed or shared with the world, but it’s something I’m doing for me. I’ve always had this love affair with music and singing, so I’m looking forward to creating my own song. I hope working with a voice coach will help me prepare for the recording and also help me network with people who have access to a studio!

And, although I haven’t done it in a couple of weeks, I’m also in the process of training to run a 5k. I’m using the Couch to 5k program, which uses a 9 week program to help the runner complete a 5k. Mine is a little slower than the 9 weeks, but I hope to run a 5k in December of this year!

I’m really excited about this journey and happy to be sharing it here with you. I’m looking forward to learning more about myself and others through this process and I can’t wait to cross so more things off my list!

Stay tuned!