This November I'm thankful for...

....so many things. So why not show it? I'll be doing a month of what I'm thankful for - in pictures. I'll post the pix daily on my FB page (apesadventures), and at the end of each week I'll post the pix in a blog post. Hope you enjoy the photos! I'll start it off with my first day here:

November 1 - I'm thankful for all the people I've been able to add to my world...from all different countries. Here are some of the ones that are part of my family here in Vietnam...at a new burger shop opening: American, Irish, English, Australian, Vietnamese.

Xin Chao,
Apes :)

Home-Made Coffee Creamer - COCONUT FLAVORED!

I'm trying to take out as much dairy from my diet as I can (since we don't digest it as quickly as other foods and I'm partially lactose-intolerant), and the hardest part is milk in my coffee. But today, I have fixed that problem. I made my own coconut coffee creamer. AND IT IS DELICIOUS!

Try it yourself:

Coconut Milk Coffee Creamer Recipe

Total Time: 2 minutes

 

Serves: 4-8

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 can coconut milk
• 1-2 tbsp vanilla extract
• 2 tbsp coconut oil, melted
• Honey or vanilla stevia to taste
• Sea salt to taste, optional

DIRECTIONS:

1. Combine all ingredients in a blender and mix until well combined. Use in coffee as desired.

I didn't add the sea salt - but I don't find that to be a problem. I've kept the rest in the fridge so I can have it ready for whenever I have coffee.

Enjoy!

Xin Chao,
Apes

Color Me Run - Hanoi

Yup, you read that right. Hanoi has a Color Me Run - AND I RAN IN IT!

Now, when I go to a race, I go to RUN. That however, was not the case for the rest of Hanoi. Let me tell you what happened.

My running crew and I get geared up and head to the course (it was a mid-day race). Once there, we see a FEW other foreigners in their gear, and TONS of Vietnamese in their Color Me Run shirts, with heels, hair/makeup done, jeans, etc. I then thought to myself "oh, they must be the spectators". Wrong again.

My Running Crew

So we line up at the starting line, but instead of starting the race: it's concert time! That's right. Instead of using our energy running, we first were supposed to jump around and learn a big group warm-up dance.

Concert Time?

After that, then we could start. We lined up, and they let us start in various groups. So once we were finally at the front and ready to go - it was running time!

Finally Lining Up

Ready to Run!

***If you've never done a color run, its a regular race but at certain intervals they throw powdered color on you, and by the end of the race you have gone from clean white to a rainbow. 

Upon the first "color spot" I saw it happening...a wall of Vietnamese people had stopped to take pictures, selfie, throw color. There was no way through. I was NOT putting up with it...I was here to RUN! So, I ran on the outside of the color spot, and kept going. I think I only ran through a total of 2 color spots - the yellow one and the red one. The rest were packed with the VN taking pix, so I ran around it.


Turns out, the race wasn't a 5k as advertised, but instead, a 3.6k. A little disappointing since I had been hoping for a 5k.

YAY WE FINISHED!

Group Shot of the Finishers!

I have never been in a race with so many walkers, photo-takers, SMOKERS, etc. It was DEF a bizarre experience. But, probably my fault for thinking it was actually be a RUN!

Xin Chao,
Apes 

A whole New world!

No, I'm not in a new country - still here in Hanoi, Vietnam. BUT - a lot of new things have happened:

1) New apartment. That's right - I've moved YET again. But this is the last move for me while in Hanoi. I've moved from an amazing shared house with amazing housemates to a single bedroom apartment. I now live beside a burrito restaurant, wine store, and mini corner shop. I'm on the top floor (5) and have a gorgeous view of Hanoi and Westlake. I've fixed it up with rugs, curtains, paintings on the wall, etc. It actually feels like a home instead of a temporary living space. 

And the best part - my new cleaner! That's right, I got to hire my own instead of having the one that "comes with the house". My friend recommended his, and she is AMAZING! She comes once a week to clean and do my laundry. She also picks up my groceries (fruit/veg) from her local market, and even cooks dinner for me on the day she comes (Thursdays). So on Thursdays I come home to a clean house, clean clothes, a stocked fridge, and dinner on the table. Yes, I am loving it. 

My Kitchen

2) New job. Well, not really. I'm still at the same learning center (ACET), but have a new title. I am not longer a "Senior Teacher" but am now a "Coordinator". Essentially, I am not a department head. I am in charge of the teenager english program. I handle the curriculum, hold presentations for parents, set up the schedule, and etc. Yup, I'm a boss. And the pay raise wasn't too bad ;)

3) New Hobby. Yup, I'm into coloring. I'm sure you have (hopefully) heard of the "Secret Garden" series of coloring books. They are very intricately designed books, and a group of girls here in Hanoi have all hopped on the bandwagon. We have started meeting up with our books and just coloring by the lake. Since I can't draw, paint, or do anything artistic, this is perfect. 

BUT - I'm also back to running! Well, kind of. I signed up for a 5k run at the end of September. MY first run was last week and it was 15 minutes...have to start somewhere, right! I haven't been on a run since due to the rain (UGH!)....I decided to start up again after about a month of doing some Personal Training at a local gym - and my trainer wants to do some races as well. So I figured, why not?!

4) New Man. Yes, this is probably what you all REALLY want to know about. I am dating an Irishman named Mark. We've been seeing each other for a few months now, and we have become an official couple. We've been on a couple holidays together already (Hoi An/Danang and a bike trip to Mai Chau). And yes, he's younger. 

Hoi An - Vietnam

Mai Chau - Vietnam

So - lots of new things happening on my end. All good things, so that is great....it should make for a great new year here in Hanoi. 

Xin Chau,

Apes

No longer Vegan or Vegetarian!

So - as you may be aware, I decided to be Vegan for a month. Then, after 2 weeks, I decided to add dairy back into my diet and just be vegetarian. Then, 2 weeks after that, I inserted meat back into my diet. So I had a whole month of no meat! How was it eating meat again, and how did I feel about that month? Let me tell ya:

Vegan - my body felt great. I wasn't working out but I still felt fit. I was eating TONS, as my body was burning off the vegetable VERY quickly. I was in good moods, and it was easy to not get stressed out. Overall - it was great. However, going out to eat limited my options. I easily found plenty of places to eat in Hanoi - but my tastebuds were getting a little tired of Tofu.

Vegetarian - once I added dairy back into my diet, I DEF felt a difference. I felt a little heavier, but still was eating a lot. I started working out again during this time, but I still didn't feel as good as I did when I was vegan.

MEAT - my first meal back into the carnivorous world was crispy pork. I was expecting a life changing event to happen in my mouth. Like, OHHH HOW I'VE MISSED PORK (or chicken/or beef). But nothing like that happened. I felt tired, and heavy. I felt mostly like "ok, I've had meat again, big deal". There was no rush for me to have another meat dish, so I felt a little disappointed. I've eaten meat again since, but it just doesn't fulfill me like it used it.

It's not been about a week since I've been back to a "normal" diet. I've come to learn that I pay much more attention to what I'm eating if there is a dietary restriction. I had figured that after I put meat back into my diet, I would be more careful about what I'm eating. But I'm not. I also find myself eating meat not because I want/need to, but mostly because it's available and easy.

What now? 

1) I've learned that keeping dairy out of my diet is the healthiest - most of us can't digest it anyways. So, I'm going to work to not have any (with the exception of yogurt, due to the healthiness of the bacteria cultures). That means no milk in my coffee, no cheese in my sandwich, no ranch on my veggies (easy enough on that one in Vietnam).

2) While I like pork, chicken, and steak (every once in a while) I don't feel as if it is super important to my diet. I am going to make a segway into being a pescatarian. I feel seafood is healthier (and MUCH more delicious). While it is easy to find in Hanoi - it is a little more expensive. But, I don't HAVE to eat it at every meal - there is plenty of veg and tofu to fulfil me otherwise. Of course - this won't happen until I finish eating all the meat in my freezer - luckily I have a boyfriend with a healthy appetite to help out with that.

So it looks as if soon I will be a Pescatarian (w/ no diary). How strange, but healthy. Of course, when I am traveling, I may need to adjust my diet accordingly.

Xin Chao,
Apes 

So I'm a Vegan...

....temporarily. That's right. This dairy and meat lover has cut both things out of her life. But NOT forever. So let's get down to when and WHY I did such a thing.

On July 7th I decided to be Vegan for a week. WHY?!?!?! Well, I have some vegan friends here in Hanoi and love eating with them. It's always an adventure of where we are gonna go and what we are gonna eat. I always let them pick the restaurants because of course I can eat anywhere, they cannot. So, I decided to see what life was like in their world.

Week 1 - week 1 was pretty exciting. I was eating at different restaurants, eating new dishes, and of course getting lots of recommendations from other vegans and vegetarians. I was told that the first week I'd be tired and cranky. Well, that got me worried because I was only going to do it for a week! So, I decided to do a month of being Vegan (or so I thought). My body felt lighter, I was sleeping well, and I was actually in a great mood instead of being tired and cranky.

1st Vegan Meal - Ba Chi Em (normal Tuesday lunch with Anna)

Was running late - so grabbed this on the way to work

Yup - DOUBLE CHOC VEGAN ICE CREAM! @ Italiano Gelato

Field of Dreams Burger @ Republic (mushroom burger minus the cheese)

Week 2 - well, the newness and excitement of trying a new thing is wearing off. I've now been to BBQ's, meat streets, etc. where I've not had any meat and dairy. My body is a little more tired this week, I think the "stored protein" has evaporated and my body isn't getting any new protein from daily meat sources. I've been eating my nuts and berries, but it's just not the same.

100k vnd ($5) Vegan Buffet @ Loving Hut

I figured the meat would be the hard part of this, as I LOVE my crispy pork, bbq chicken, and smoked duck breast. However, those things didn't really bother me too much. The hard part was dairy. I knew not having milk in my coffee, or eggs for breakfast would be hard. But I didn't realize how much dairy products add flavor to BURRITOS! Yes, that's right. I can no longer be vegan due to Mexican food. For the past 2 nights I have gone to SaltnLime (which will be my next door neighbor in about 2 weeks) and gotten a burrito, and then a burrito bowl. Of course I ordered the veggie one, with no cheese and no sour cream. My mouth kept wondering what was going on. Then it realized the travesty of what I was doing by leaving out the good parts. So it's been decided. I will end being vegan at the end of week 2. BUT I will continue on with the vegetarianism until the end of the month. I think that's a good compromise for my taste buds.

Stay tuned for how I will feel at the end of the month....and how I'll feel after my reunion with meat.

Xin Chao,
Apes

A few fun Weekends

So the last few weekends have rated pretty high up on my "fun in Vietnam" list.

2 weeks ago the housemates and I went out to an outdoor venue called Eden. It opened up last year, and everytime you go it's like a mini festival. Dj, outside dancing, food, etc. Well, when we went a few weeks ago it was just us and a whole load of backpackers. Usually I know a bunch of people from different friend groups, but not this time. And I actually think it made it more fun. It's been crazy hot here in Hanoi, but as we danced the night away and sweated our butts off, it didn't matter. We all danced until it closed...at which we went to the late night pub - Rastaman. Of course at Rastaman we ran into a lot of friends, and then before you know it, we had a group of about 20 of us wandering off to a pool, around 5am....to jump the fence and go for a swim. We were all in the pool as the sun came up, swimming around and just having a blast. Eventually the pool guys said we either had to pay to stay, or head out....but, it was a REFRESHING blast while it lasted :)

Morning Pool Time!

The next day was my first Vietnamese wedding. My friend Nathan was getting married, so we all headed to the venue around 6pm, and started in on food/drinks while we waited for him and his wife to start the procession. If you've never been to a VN wedding, you are in for a treat! There is a procession of the bride, groom, mother, and father...but THEN...there is a CAKE PARADE and CHAMPAGNE PARADE! Ahh, I DEF loved that! Then, while the happy couple is getting photos on stage, we are given more food and drink at our table. And then...its over! It's less than an hour, but of course us foreigners stayed for our own photos, more food, and plenty of drinks with the "in-laws".

Group Shot at the Wedding

If that weekend wasn't fun enough, the following weekend was ASEAN Gay Pride in Hanoi. After work a group of us headed to the festival where everyone was rainbowed out! There was live music, and the girls from the house even got backstage! Most of the house was away for the weekend, so it was a great chance for us girls to get out and have some fun.

The girls at ASEAN pride with one of the MC's (backstage!)

This weekend 2 of our friends are celebrating their last weekend before they move to Turkey, and plus it's the 4TH OF JULY! A few of us have already purchased our tickets to the 4th picnic at the American Club, so it should be full of fun.

Xin Chao,
Apes