You know how I said...

... Kelsey's speech at the FSA Conference this weekend rocked? Well because she just rocks in general she has written her speech in her most recent post here. Whoo hoo! I highly recommend everyone check it out. She said many things that I needed to hear about the importance of communication and the need for honesty and now you can read them, too. Also, at the end of the post you will see she has included pictures of herself and many of the conference attendees including myself. I tried not to be too much of an obnoxious fan and faint and stuff but I totally wanted to :) Enjoy! I'm hoping to start my six post-a-days next Monday with all of my thoughts on the classes, panels and Kelsey's keynote speech.

To teach or not to teach...

It is approaching 1 AM here in Colorful Colorado and though I've been up since 4:45 AM yesterday morning I can't fall asleep. My mind is brim full of thoughts developed during the FSA conference I attended today... well actually now yesterday. My plan is to (eventually) post every day for six days sharing my thoughts on each of the 3 classes I attended, the 2 panels I attended and of course Kelsey's keynote speech (which totally rocked!).

For now though, I thought I would pose a question to everyone to get your opinions. The question is about when to speak up and educate and when to leave well enough alone. That is a big theme in the book I am reading right now as part of the Adoption Reading Challenge and was mentioned several times today in the conference as well. Though my particular situation involves the issue of infertility it can apply to any form of grief. So please do not hesitate to respond just because infertility isn't what you've experienced. I'm looking for general advice on when it is good to teach or not to teach about grief.

Thursday afternoon one of my coworkers, who's wife is expecting, came in late because they had just been to the ultrasound for their baby on the way. Most people around the office assume that because I'm a girl I want to see ultrasound pictures, talk with happy expecting mothers, and coo over newborn babies. Let me just state for the record though I am a girl I am NOT interested in any of these. As a matter of fact they are a mild form of torture for me. I don't hide my emotions well and don't want to burst into tears when they expect me to be all smiles. As my coworker approached with ultrasounds in hand I had an overwhelming desire to be completely honest with him say, "I'm sorry but I thought it would be best to let you know that I have struggled with infertility for almost 5 years now and pregnancy and new baby stuff is very painful for me. So while I appreciate you being willing to share with me such exciting news I prefer to be excited for you at a distance." Now of course I chickened out, hitched on a fake smile and looked at the ultrasound pictures for the shortest period of time possible without seeming rude.

This coworker and I have a lot in common. We have similar interest in music and often talk about it. He is super friendly and a really nice guy just a few years younger than me. Previously I would have said that educational discussions should be limited to friends and family. However, when many are not allowed to grieve whatever they are experiencing because we live in a society where grief is preferrably swept under the rug would I have been doing a service by being honest with this coworker even though he isn't really a friend or family member? What would you have done if your coworker or aquaintance hit on a sensitive issue for you? Would you teach or not teach? That is my question.

"To be, or not to be - that is the question

Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer

The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune

Or to take arms against a sea of troubles

And by opposing end them."

~ Hamlet, William Shakespeare

I feel ya, Hammy.

Freaky Food Friday

If you ask my husband, family or co-workers they will tell you I eat freaky food. About a year and a half ago I transitioned into a mostly raw food diet. Now before you go assuming that means I consume foods raw that are best served cooked (i.e. meat, eggs, etc.) fear not! Raw foodism limits your food consumption to grains, nuts, legumes, fruits and veggies all of which are safe to consume raw.

Today I made an amazing raw food recipe for lunch and I just had to share because I know many out there are observing Lent and obstaining from eating meat. The recipe is a raw, vegan version of taco "meat" that tastes so similar to real taco meat that it can meet any cravings for Mexican food without breaking a vegan, vegetarian or Lent diet. However, it does contain nuts so if you've an allergy to walnuts or just flat out don't like nuts feel free to disregard.

First I want to give my compliments to the chef, Raw Mom Ildiko, because this is her recipe. She blogs along with many other wonderful women at Raw Mom if you would like to learn more. I love Raw Mom and her sister site Raw Divas. I'm on their email list, and that is how I got this wonderful recipe.

Raw Taco Meat

1 cup raw walnuts (soaked for a couple of hours, rinsed and drained)

1 1/2 Tbsp. dried coriander

2 Tbps. of Bragg's, Nama Shoyu or tamari sauce

2 tsps. dried paprika powder (not spicy one!)

1 - 2 tsps. onion powder 1 - 2 tsps. cumin powder

If you are interested in learning more about raw foodism (I'm not holding my breath:) let me know and I can point you to some great websites and blogs. Tomorrow I am attending my first adoption conference and I get to meet Kelsey! Woo-hoo :) For my thoughts on the conference prior to attending check out this post. Hopefully Sunday I will post again to let everyone know how it went, my thoughts and of course pictures of me getting to meet one of my bloggy heroes. Hope everyone has a great weekend :) It is time for me to eat my raw tacos for lunch.