Tag: Nutrition

In the Mood to Read and Mid Week Update

On By BackporchwriterIn Books, Life2 Comments

Good day friends! It’s a nice morning here with the likes of summer still hanging on. Fall changes coming soon. The hot coffee is excellent – Kroger Brand’s Private Selection Guatemalan Antiguan. I think it’s even more special than Starbucks.

I’m in a huge mood to sit under a blanket and read and/or play computer games. Having had a few weeks of rushing through many to do lists, many small details of things here and there, and knowing we have many to come – I just want to sit for a spell and read. Last night I had about thirty minutes in which my fizzled brain just needed to sit and be, to enjoy, to be entertained – nothing serious or involved – just mindless and simple activity. It had been a less than perfect payroll day (putting it nicely – it basically sucked, with plants showing their inefficiencies by turning in things late, giving presence of putting payroll to be an afterthought), so was tired of fighting my way through the tangles of the day. It was nice to just sit and be. After piling under the blanket, I realized I needed a glass of water. Normally don’t ask anyone to wait on me but I asked George since he was up “would you do a favor for me?” He said “Depends what it is”. (I might ask him to go buy an RV if he says “yes”). He brought me a huge glass of ice water and I played a game of finding hidden items and then Candy Crush. I played until my eyes were about shut and then headed for bed.

Sleep has been hard to come by this week, for whatever reason. I will sleep for a bit and wake up, sleep for a bit and wake up. I even got up and slept in my journaling chair for a session. I had a dream and George came in the room to check on me and gave me a hug and said “it’s time for you to go back to bed”. I woke up in the chair, thinking maybe God had sent George in a vision to get me back in the bed. So I went and prayed for sleep to come and it did – but again in sessions. I am not sure why but I guess we go through seasons of not sleeping well. I don’t have any thing bothering me – it seems to be more about comfort than anything. But I can’t pin point it. I hate the alarm comes so early because most mornings I could sleep on. I’m about an hour or two off on sleep a night. But I only get about 2.5 hours of evening time as it is so I hate to go to bed any earlier than 8:30. Might as well have a cot at work if that is the case. Why come home. It almost doesn’t make sense as it is.

I’m just tired and retirement cannot come soon enough. These past 3 years have flown, and I suppose the next 3 will fly even faster. But yeah, as I type this blog entry, I’d love to have the whole day off to just sit and read and play or do whatever Sonya wants. I look at the shelves longingly, wanting to dive into other worlds just for a time.

Thanks for everyone who found their way to the latest video and then commented on it. I appreciate it so much. You know I have a link to YouTube also on this blog. Depending on whether you are on a phone, iPad, or computer -it is in different places. On the computer it should be at the top where you have an About Me section and next to it there is a link that says “Videos”. On the phone or iPad I think you can look for the little “three lines” that sends you to some menu items and click on “Videos” there. It’ll take you to my YouTube.

Here is the embed of it if you didn’t catch the link earlier.

Helping Aging Parents – “Just Start Talking”

There are a lot of videos to do b/w this one and current time. I had been worried that there would be not a lot of footage. I also wish I could stay home all day and work on all that. I have too many hobbies. lol

While this video has other stuff in it too, showing some spring storms, our trip to get flowers, spring blooms, it also has some segments of me talking about how we helped Mom with her decisions and I really sincerely hope it helps others when trying to figure out what to do along with your aging parent(s).

We just started talking about what we wanted the end result to look like. We talked about the needs and desires of Mom. I gave her OPTIONS of all the various places we could at or places she could go and I took them back to her. She weighed pros and cons. She knew what she wanted and what she didn’t want. She still wanted her independence as much as possible. The decisions were difficult but as time passes the choices narrow and she decided she still wanted her own house. The only option was to build in today’s market because no one would do the contingency on her house except for a builder, b/c she had time to sell. I’m surprised at how fast things began to happen, once we seriously began to talk about these things and then check on all the options. The door was opened at that point, it wasn’t weird to have the conversation. And it was our responsibility to help in various ways to make the move happen. Mom doesn’t have a spouse as my father passed several years ago. A move like this was not something she could stage alone and we would never let her. So we took on as many of the details as we could – helping her with the real estate, helping pack, getting the storage units set up, renting the truck and moving details, and then getting her to the building of the house meetings.

Mom and Aunt Martha seem to think that we thought it was going to be a piece of cake. I’m not sure why they think that, lol. They both have repeatedly said “it was more than you thought, huh?” as they laugh. Well no, no surprises here as we have moved before and we are well aware of how much work it is. And we knew how much stuff Mom had. It’s why we started early packing. What we were not aware of was how many clothes Mom had, lol, lol, lol. It kept coming out of the wood works. But if you remember me saying all along, “this is an elephant and we’ll eat it a bite at a time”. I guess we are about to eat the elephant butt, lol. We are 2/3 through with the elephant as far as the moving process, living with us, building house, and moving the 2nd time.

I’m still in shock that Mom agreed to come up here but her choices were narrowing and she certainly was not getting any help from the other daughter so…..here we are. And I hope the video helps someone, but it’s not all about moving – it’s just kindof a snap shot of our spring!

I have to delete everything from my iMovie timeline and start on the next one. I do have to go ahead and start ordering some Christmas presents. Katy said they have not decided about Christmas as to whether they are coming here or not. So I’m trying to hold off before ordering their things so I know whether to send it here or ship it there. If they are not coming I can ship there free via Amazon and would rather do that than having to ship it ourselves after we wrap it. Anyway, I have a feeling I’ll be trying to do Christmas shopping, moving Mom and getting her settled all at once. Was hoping to get ahead. But who am I kidding? We will be doing everything all at once. lol If we come out into February 2022 alive with any hair left, with any sanity left, we’ll be doing good and will be cause to celebrate.

And then maybe I can read more! ;-). Someday soon I’ll show you my “line up”. But I can’t finish a book it seems unless it’s on audible.

George fixed us a T-bone steak Sunday night that was heavenly. Along with baked potato and a wedge salad. I was ready for steak. It had been a while.

And for breakfast one morning this week, I had some whole grain Cherios with a banana and with vanilla almond milk. It was so good. I’ve forgotten how good Cherios are. I have to look for a cereal with the minimal amount of sugar and the wholistic ingredients I can find. A bit difficult but I like to have cereal about once a week or every 10 days or so.

Today I’m going for the wellness system shake, the pumpkin version. I really like it. And I think I’m doing soup today unless I need to get away for lunch. But will try to stay and do soup – it depends on how the day goes. Sometimes I need to get away from the desk for a few.

I have been listening to Dr. Berg on YouTube (screen shot below) for his information on nutrition. He is Keto for the most part in his theories, and I’ve chosen to embrace eating Whole Foods but I do like to listen to his videos. This one on sugar really got my attention. Of course sugar is very difficult to completely eliminate. He says only a little can get you back into a situation where you are unable to lose weight. But here’s what happens if you quit for two weeks. Again, it certainly got my attention. Perhaps next challenge I will consider just “giving up sugar”, but I’m sticking with my challenge for now of embracing Whole Foods and I’ve allowed myself to have dessert once a week. I am seeing some small changes in my body which is good only 12 days in. Pants are a little looser, body shape changing a little, less bloating, mood better. I can also say I have experienced 1, 2, 5, and improvement in 7, of his chart below, just by the challenge plans I’ve chosen. So that is good. We are moving toward my goals.

Again, please understand that while I embrace a whole food approach in making my decisions – I still allow certain foods – just not as often. I’ll never give up hamburgers and pizza and some desserts on occasion. So tonight we are having pizza. I’ll partake. But I will probably have less of it than normal. When I’m eating and making my own choices though, I’m doing better and that is the plan. I’m not making everyone around me do what I do. Any help they can give is appreciative but I’ve learned for the most part when people know you are trying to do better they tend to sabotage your plans, usually unintentionally but it happens. I’m just trying to do better – not be perfect. I’ll never be perfect.

And I need to go. I’m running behind. I think everyone in my life can expect me to run behind until at least March. I’m just not set up for success here in any section of my life. So be it. Go with the flow. I’m doing the best I can for all.

Here’s a funny for ya. Screen capture. lol.

Working on next video and to do list tomorrow morning. Will check back in on Friday! Not a lot going on this week in the evenings. I was about to say no doc appts this week but I have a Dentist appt on Friday morning at 8 at my new dentist, for a cleaning. Then Saturday George and I have a meeting with our financial advisor. So thankful they are doing/allowing weekend appointments. We meet with him every six months. We’ll plan to do something fun while over in Hendersonville that day. Likely Sams as well. Maybe lunch.

Ok so I’m off of here to get ready and head to work. I should be leaving right now but you know what? I had to work over yesterday due to a plant turning in a lot of payroll changes while I was in the middle of payroll, halting all of my processes, and delaying things and it was an extra long day- so I don’t mind if I do go in late this morning. If it’s good to go into my evening time then I don’t mind getting that time back in the next morning. 😉 So be it and the tribe has spoken. Tit for Tat and Tat for Tit. lol.

Gone. Over and Out til Friday!

Two Trips Planned and My Nutritious Eating Strategy, and

On By BackporchwriterIn Food, Travel7 Comments

The mornings have been foggy on the way to work. Tis that time of year. And are you ready for the mid-week update? lol.

Can you believe we have booked our Texas trip to go see Little Roo (and his Momma and Daddy of course). Flights are booked. We are still waiting to see if we can stay on the ranch. I hope we can since we are paying for flights and cars. If we have to pay hotel too it starts to get expensive and then we won’t get to out there as often. I think it was around $700 ish for us to both fly out both ways total. The car is going to be way more than that. But we can zip around where we want and need and be able to get to and from airport and ranch. Two hours from Dallas/Ft Worth. So not a cheap trip for not even a full week. But I just despise that 14 hour drive. We split it up but still. It’s the drive back that is the worst. I’m glad we are flying.

And much to my surprise we have scheduled ourselves for a trip to the mountains in East TN and West NC in December. We want to see Family in Maryville if they are home when we come through, and we want to go to Waynesville, NC and Asheville, NC. We have already turned in our PTO’s for the rest of the year and first of 2022 and they are approved. We have not booked hotels yet for East TN but we kinda know where we want to book. We will also be able to see family in East TN, we hope. As our dates our pinned in and penned in as well, lol – if they are busy that week we will have to visit an additional time as that is the week we have selected and are going. It’s also a Christmas shopping trip. We’ve not checked with anyone yet in East TN as this is a new trip that we brewed up – but these are busy crew so we’ll see. George and I will have fun whatever we do as we have a lot of places we want to go and few undiscovered yet as we like to explore. The fact that we have two trips in the works, excites my soul. Thank you, Lord!

Here’s a few things I took to work to help meet my goals. I have made a promise to myself for the next 55 days to have something green and have fruit. So this will help. I needed something a little more natural for my crunch/salt addiction thus the chic peas. While I had pretty much given up potato chips, I still allowed tortilla chips and veggie chips. During the 55 day challenge I’m attempting to cut back on that – unless we have a taco dinner. I’m pretty much eating whatever is fixed including cornbread for dinner but that is ok. Because for the most part I’m embracing the whole food approach – especially when eating on my own where there is more control. Since others are involved with dinner I just have to do the best I can. I’m not turning down corn bread. It’s in!

Mom said at the table she was taught to eat whatever was set in front of her that someone has cooked. However, I doubt she would follow her own advice if George set venison or lamb in front of her. lol. I just smiled and told her I had mixed feelings about her rule on that. If I don’t like something I’m not going to want to eat it. I shouldn’t have to. It’s my body and we GET TO DECIDE what to put in it. Who wants people to throw up if they are detested by something they don’t like? There is no point in feeling forced to eat anything. But there is no need to be ugly if you decide NOT to eat something-You don’t broadcast “yuk” through the household – you have to be discreet. Of course at our table George watches my plate like a hawk. He’s very sensitive to see if I eat it or not. I wish he wouldn’t do that. If I don’t eat something he will question me “was it not good?” or “Did you not like it?” or the one that makes me feel bad “I cook for you and you don’t eat it” and sometimes I have to explain myself when he says “WHY didn’t you like it?” and if he doesn’t like my answer he will give me a hard time about it. I get it that he doesn’t want to cook things people don’t eat so it’s ok from that standpoint if he’s trying to adjust. But aside from that, the last thing I need or want is a hard time over what I eat. I’m not five years old and I’m responsible for my own nutrition now. So I don’t want to be treated or made to feel like five.

All that said, I am trying to do better with the nutrition and I told him I was on this challenge and Mom too, at the risk of being sabotaged (not intentionally) so that they might be mindful of it but they are not on the challenge so I don’t want my eating better to “have to” rub off on them. And there are some things I’ve decided not to give up ever – pizza, burgers, hot dog, tacos, corn bread, and cheese. However, we are having them less and less often. Rare occasions.

Most of the week I’m eating better and making better choices and enjoying it. I’ve truly enjoyed the challenge. It’s only been a little bit of effort to try and hit the check marks.

So I had to give the Skinny Girl dressing away. It had something in it that was a sugar alternative that was not natural – aka artificial sweetener. I hadn’t realized it when I bought it. So I gave it to some one who gave me a yogurt flip to try – which was almost like a dessert – that key lime pie flip. It had 17g of sugar. Technically it was a dessert by definition of the sugar alone, but I tossed it off to being breakfast. But I can’t buy those at the store, that is for sure. Too much sugar. But I had Key Lime Pie for real that same night so that was the Dessert day I guess. I have a shower to go to this week and now I can only have two bites of a cup cake. Oh well. I’ve had my dessert already this week. I forgot about the shower.

When I was talking about being sabotaged. The plan actually suggested that you NOT tell people because if you mess up they give you a hard time of it, especially if they are not on a nutrition plan themselves. They want to rib you over it. “I thought you were on a challenge” ha ha ha and make you feel bad and point out your failures. One of my family members already did that – I think the night of the key lime pie. My answer was I’m not going for perfection, just improvement and I’ve allowed myself a dessert a week. Not that I really owe anyone an explanation. But the plan was right, it does make you feel bad. I thought it would be nice to tell people so they give you support, but honestly, I think they just like to test your will power and tempt you and give evil grins when you fall in the traps. lol. So yeah, maybe it’s best to just keep it to your self (and your blog buds, lol).

This works pretty good for a wrap. The taste is not perfect but it was fresh. That is my thing – trying to find a healthy wrap that is not like cardboard. This did the trick.

I count the BEA Mango as a fruit because of the fruit juices and vitamins it has in it. It’s enough to count! Love using my Southerland water container. I think it’s 25 oz or so. I pour from it to a clear plastic drink cup – the kind they use at wine parties. The cup or glass is important. It helps you drink more.

So the bagged salad is good to munch on all week along as you can make side salads or throw it on top of sandwich meat and make a wrap. I did put olive oil mayo on the wrap. I was ok with that for a little fat and flavor.

I also made a rice and bean salad with a bit of vinegar, honey, olive oil and spices. I have eaten from this the last two days as well. It’s been about two servings that would fit in the dish. Perfect for work!

And I’ve got to find more of this mineral water. I think it must have been at Aldi’s. Kroger and Publix doesn’t have it. It’s so good. Only slightly bubbly and not really many minerals to it but it has a taste I love and also am craving, believe it or not. It helps me get more water down. I only will allow about two of these a week b/c I mean the expense of having one every day is just a bit much. But I’d spring for a couple a week for my efforts.

I had more to blog about but it’s time for me to head to work. I’ll have to share more on Friday. But I am excited to get a few things done. I had an Rx problem to solve as there was a communication issue b/w doc office and pharmacy, so had to go pick up my BP meds Monday. George and I got the flights and car rentals done. I gave him some retirement figures for 401k George needed, ordered some Probiotics and B vitamins, and ordered a Christmas present already. I sought out Christmas wish lists from Cody and Katy. Also have to give some to my Aunt Martha for us that she asked about.

Need to find a bow for the bridal gift, call the police dept for that police report, try to figure out why my iPhone is slow slow and fix that, get mammograms scheduled for me and Mom, get a birthday card in the mail, and finish planning trips and book the hotels, then I can work on videos some. I’ll be working on them anyway for an hour in the morning.

But now it’s works turn to have a piece of me so I better get ready and down the road. What’s on your to do list today? Are you busier now that fall is here?

Big Meatball Pasta Dinner, To Do List, and Nutrition

On By BackporchwriterIn Uncategorized6 Comments

George fixed “The Big Meatball” Italian dinner last night. He went all out. He even put “snow on the mountain” with his Ricotta cheese. The buttered garlic bread was good with it too even though we don’t need it.

Was able to get most of the Withholding Returns done yesterday. Just a couple of things to wrap up there and follow back on. And of course there is Oregon which is an All in One where you do both the Withholding Return and the Unemployment Return as well as several other taxes and it’s very different in style and takes up a lot of time so I always do it last. That way if we WERE to run out of time on something its just the one state and not several, but I don’t think we’ll be late. So today I’m going to start working on my end of quarter reconciliation spreadsheet. Quarter End is right on target. It’s usually around mid month when I get to this point. I will work on it for a few days and then start the Unemployment Returns. But I have to get my Friday stuff done first. So the month is moving on – that’s for sure.

I’m glad it’s Friday. I have a lot of things built up I need to do. You can’t see all of my list on the screen shot. Each section scrolls up where you can see the complete list. Of course there is no way to get all of this done in a weekend. I just park my “to do” lists on here so I don’t forget to do them, or look things up. I love this app. It’s the Focus Matrix. It syncs across all devices.

I do not use the categories like they mention. It is confusing to me to have a block that you call “Not Important, But Urgent” – that seems conflicting, at least in my mind. If it’s urgent you still have to do it, but I guess it’s supposed to be a priority thing. Anyway, I use the blocks in priority mode as I call it from 1, 2, 3, and 4. The grey section being things I’m not even considering doing right now. The top two columns are the most priority.

I wish I was off today so I could get started on everything. But it’ll be here soon enough. I’m really excited to do the camera research. But I need to do a few other things first. I’m just glad to have “my spirit” back where I’m excited about something. It’s been a bit difficult to fight the blues away. But the nutrition thing is key. If I don’t get the greens and fruits in and the nutrients and Vit B’s and D’s in it is difficult for my body to function and think properly. It really impacts my moods. Even 1 day without my vitamin pack is noticeable. I know that sounds unreal. But it’s something I’ve noticed. So I try to make sure I’m doing what I need to every day on that. It’s helping have had more veggies this week. Squash, carrots – anything yellow and orange. Not just beans. Anything green. I eat a lot of potatoes and beans and meats here at the house. So we have to focus on adding those other veggies in or we’ll by pass them. Fish is also good brain food. And we are low on that front right now but going to Aldi this weekend. They have some pretty good frozen fish. I do have my “That System I use” that I can do my “greens” and “fruits” and also even the Hydrate water has vitamins. But I have to focus on that too or I’ll drink coffee, water, and tea and the day is gone. So I’ve been trying to notice and plan these things in my diet to help my mood, clarity of mind, and also keep the immune system boosted.

Got to have a long chat with my Katebug yesterday. She is feeling less nauseated in her pregnancy and was able to cook a meal finally. Food has made her feel so sick. But she’s coming out of it into the 2nd trimester. I can’t wait to see her and Cody in a few weeks. And of course I continue to pray we can go. She says right now everything is at full capacity in their small town. Even schools are starting back as normal. Stores are open as normal. So let’s hope it stays that way and we can get through. I guess as we travel it’s best to do small towns for our meals and restroom stops – less COVID huh? My worries is that states will shut down their borders. But I’m hoping that does not happen.

I also need to order more books from audible. I have 3 credits. I have had some very very very long books I’m doing, also some very boring. lol And I’m trying to get through those but I’ve waited to use my credits. I need a Christian book to replace the 5 Love Languages I’m almost through with. Not sure what other books I’m wanting. I think I have several already downloaded to read. Might even do a fiction one b/c right now, we kinda need some fiction! lol. Real life is almost too much.

Anyway, hats off to George and his “big as your fist meatball” pasta dinner.

He wanted to show you all how big it was! It was great!

Have a wonderful Friday! I have a lot of blog subjects I want to do but short on time! More later.