A Gluten Free/Lactose Free Colorado

Well it is day three and I am about to head out to work and other than the fact that I have not worked out since I arrived here (I am allowing myself to acclimatize) breakfast is on my mind. Now the major concern of all since I arrived here is "How/What does she eat?" Plenty as a matter of fact! The YMCA provides us with 3 meals a day in a staff cafeteria called the Ponderosa Room aka the Pondo. They serve cafeteria/buffet style with a diverse menu that is always accompanied by what I would call an adequate salad bar. The meals the other staff members have enjoyed range from chicken parm/spagetti night to burgers, veggie burgers and the like. Five star food it is not but it seems to satiate the staff members hunger. For breakfast they have eggs, sausage, bacon, cereal, oatmeal, and tons and tons of fresh fruit. There is always fresh fruit and steamed veggies (without butter) at each meal. So far so good on my go around but I can see the need for me to supplement my protein intake soon.

In my room, I also hide a stash of goodies to snack on at night such as my fool-proof hot air popper for my popcorn which has been a God-send this past year and continues to rescue my sweet tooth on a nightly basis, a little coffee pot for me to warm water for tea, hot chocolate, and coffee of course, apples, and a diverse selection of energy bars and plain rice cakes that I know my body enjoys and will not reject. I also have my flavorings to add for all of these which range from white cheddar popcorn/salad additive, equal, and cinnamon which is a fabulous addition to my rice cakes as well as popcorn. When is doubt, I also have my trustie mini tootsie roll pops that my mom so graciously added to right before I left (they are GF). I am very excited to find that the main grocery store in town, Safeway, has begun to stock my Redi-Whip Fat Free that my stomach sometimes will permit me to consume, as they did not have it at Easter. I know that I may have dropped a few pounds in the past week but know I will gain it back as soon as I start hiking and establish that all important routine that my life so desparately needs.

The sun is rising as I type and it looks as though today is going to be a glorious day; a day that reminds me why I took on this adventure. I work until only 4:30 today (6:30EST) and I hope to find a new friend to take into the park and maybe hike to cub lake or at least around Sprague. Maybe I will be lucky at breakfast =)

As an employee here at the Y, I have many benefits, a lot of which I will detail as the summer progresses as do my adventures. One of the best is that I get 2 free nights here on site or on the other side of the park called Snow Mountain Ranch. If anyone wants to come out and see me or at least the park, I would love to have you and use up these gracious comp nights. Just give me notice! Weekends are better for me as I do not have to work but whenever you can get a flight you are more than welcome. I believe I can get up to 6 people in. This is not an empty invite! I would LOVE to share this experience with some familiar faces and take you into the park that I cherish so dearly!

Well all this talk of bfast has me starving and I got up at 5am (7am Florida time) and have denied my body long enough (today was shower day which is an experience and an event all in itself). Have a wonderful day and I promise pictures tonight!!