I am not good with change, with new things, with stepping outside of my comfort zone. The new laptop arrived today, and while I am glad, I am also frustrated and irritated. I don't want google or microsoft to handle everything for me, and I don't want to trust them with anything. I understand those are the new standards and protocols for operating in this new day and age. But I am not comfortable with this at all. Just the fact I had to submit my email and birthday to even set up the laptop had me two seconds away from just returning it.
Because I did the same thing several years ago. My desktop computer died, and I purchased a laptop. I even paid someone to move all of my files over because back then it was the easiest way. Two days trying to do things and I gave up, reset back to factory settings to erase all of my info, and took it back. I just hated the way the programs glommed on to everything.
So today I took a deep breath, and said no to as many things as possible during the set up phase, and I'm in it for the long haul. My IT department hooked up my remote setting easy peasy, and I'm using the free drop box to move files from the old laptop. I know eventually I can customize the settings so I'm not asked at every turn to sync everything and save my passwords - so annoying. Please just allow me some privacy! Being a dinosaur is not easy sometimes.
I am blaming all of this on my stress eating, and snacking earlier this evening. I mean, really, left over bacon, eggs and potatoes just there for the taking. So I took. No much, but at the same time too much. And it was all food I can eat, but not as a snack. So one broken line today.
The good news of the day is that I took my car in to the repair shop. The Insurance adjuster had called to let me know the value of my car was more than anticipated and it's not totaled after all. Yay! So I am without a car this week, but hey, with shelter in place and all that, it's perfect timing.
Time to turn off Bubble Guppies, kick the kids out, and find a new audio book to listen to. As I haven't been commuting, it took a while to get through the book. But given the choice, I'll choose not commuting anytime. I can listen to my books while gardening and doing food prep for meals. And cleaning. Always the cleaning.
Monday, March 30, 2020
Sunday, March 29, 2020
Chili Verde
I used the instant pot to make Chile Verde for dinner today. It was the kind of cool day that makes one think of comfort food and it was nice to fill the house up with wonderful smells.
Being mindful of my determination to regain my Bright Lines today, I was careful about how I proceeded. Once the instant pot finished a natural release, I opened it and using a slotted spoon pulled out each chunk of pork roast and shredded it into glass containers. Then I left the pot on Saute to reduce the juices and veggies. This way I can measure out the components and know I have a balanced meal.
I weighed out my salad, sprinkled on an ounce of cheese, and added 3oz of the meat. Using the slotted spoon again I added 6oz of veggies from the pot (onions, peppers, tomatoes, and chilies to the top of the meat in my salad bowl. Stirring a spoonful of sour cream into the veggies made a delicious dressing after adding a few splashes of hot sauce. Next time I will skip the cheese as it was overwhelmed by everything else.
M used the meat to make Nachos and it sounds like R is making a burrito. But there will be left overs for next week. I'll use the sauce to make a sort of chili verde pozole I think. But I will be careful to weigh and measure to make sure there are the right proportions of protein (pork) and vegetables (hominy) in each serving.
It's been challenging today to stick to my bright lines, having eaten too many calories yesterday and having had both sugar and flour. But I am keeping my thoughts positive, remembering how quickly I adapted before, and wanting to enjoy continued results. That sounded oddly formal, but you get the drift. Back on plan, back to feeling better, back to feeling lighter. Those are good feelings, and we all need those in our lives.
M and A went and picked up R and C from Hospital early this afternoon. Thank heavens they're home. Upon arrival, everything went in the wash, including them, and things have finally settled down. I nope all of the precautions taken both at the hospital and at home keep us safe; it's nerve wracking to say the least. His numbers are still low and they will wait to continue Chemo until they rebound some more. I think he was up to 250 today, so half way there.
Time to check the news to see if Trump is still waffling.
Being mindful of my determination to regain my Bright Lines today, I was careful about how I proceeded. Once the instant pot finished a natural release, I opened it and using a slotted spoon pulled out each chunk of pork roast and shredded it into glass containers. Then I left the pot on Saute to reduce the juices and veggies. This way I can measure out the components and know I have a balanced meal.
I weighed out my salad, sprinkled on an ounce of cheese, and added 3oz of the meat. Using the slotted spoon again I added 6oz of veggies from the pot (onions, peppers, tomatoes, and chilies to the top of the meat in my salad bowl. Stirring a spoonful of sour cream into the veggies made a delicious dressing after adding a few splashes of hot sauce. Next time I will skip the cheese as it was overwhelmed by everything else.
M used the meat to make Nachos and it sounds like R is making a burrito. But there will be left overs for next week. I'll use the sauce to make a sort of chili verde pozole I think. But I will be careful to weigh and measure to make sure there are the right proportions of protein (pork) and vegetables (hominy) in each serving.
It's been challenging today to stick to my bright lines, having eaten too many calories yesterday and having had both sugar and flour. But I am keeping my thoughts positive, remembering how quickly I adapted before, and wanting to enjoy continued results. That sounded oddly formal, but you get the drift. Back on plan, back to feeling better, back to feeling lighter. Those are good feelings, and we all need those in our lives.
M and A went and picked up R and C from Hospital early this afternoon. Thank heavens they're home. Upon arrival, everything went in the wash, including them, and things have finally settled down. I nope all of the precautions taken both at the hospital and at home keep us safe; it's nerve wracking to say the least. His numbers are still low and they will wait to continue Chemo until they rebound some more. I think he was up to 250 today, so half way there.
Time to check the news to see if Trump is still waffling.
Saturday, March 28, 2020
Bright Line Eating; week 24 in review - my final opinion
10-6-19 232.6 Started listening to Bright Line Eating and immediately cut flour and sugar
3-28-20 211.4 Completed 24 weeks of BLE,. But flour and sugar are creeping back into my life
Total weight loss 21.2 pounds.
Findings: I feel better when I abstain completely from flour and sugar. The pizza and candy from last night instigated inflammation in my hands this morning so badly that I could barely make a fist with my right hand and impairing normal function. As in not being able to brush my hair.
I also feel better when I don't snack in the middle of the night; mornings when I wake up remembering a midnight foray into the kitchen and eating cookies in bed leave me feeling...more than disappointed, dirty or infected may be better adjectives.
My ideas of eating clean have shifted. I still know that eating for nutrition has great value, but now it is more about what not to eat, and how miraculous our bodies really are when it comes to processing 'food' and the direct result seen in every aspect of our well being or lack thereof. So it all goes back to what I heard all the time in my high school days, we really are what we eat.
At the time there was no weight (no pun intended but enjoyed) behind the sound bite, but now I see clearly the truism that was being touted about. For someone who once thought of herself as smart, I really wasn't. Introverted in many ways as I grew from childhood to a young adult, I missed seeing important connections. Not just about food, but about life in general. And I think that one of the biggest perks of eliminating flour and sugar at this late stage of my life is a better brain. Being able to think more clearly, have more confidence, be a better person.
I am excited about the next six months, and being at least another 20 pounds lighter come the next Holiday season. I am happy about setting an example for the family, showing them that eating without flour and sugar has not meant deprivation but rather delicious meals and increased energy. I sleep better when eating on plan, and wake up easier. I have given up coffee with the exception of an occasional cup of decaf or half cup of regular if it's the weekend and the kids haven't finished their half carafe that is brewed each morning.
And I've only touched on the plan, I haven't been consistent with the other important components - specifically a daily meditation and regularly committing to what I will eat the next day. What I have been doing is making sure there are choices available; meals prepared, weighed, and packed ready to consume. Currently in the fridge are containers of oatmeal, roasted veggies, proteins ready to cook, and a plastic bin of chopped veggies ready to add to salads. The food scale lives on the kitchen counter and at a moments notice I can have a Bright Line meal ready - breakfast, lunch, or dinner. But I have fallen into the habit of deciding what to eat in the morning instead of the night before. Sometimes I choose what to eat at mealtime without planning ahead at all. I don't necessarily think it's a bad thing, but it isn't complying with the heart of the plan - committing the night before and stimulating the automaticity portion of re-wiring the brain.
Susan likes to say there are no rules, no BLE police, that we each find our own way within the science and guidelines she has presented. The important part is drawing bright lines against flour, sugar, snacks, and quantities. The rest is up to us, being aware of what works and where we need to draw other bright lines. What feels addictive to one person is no big deal to another. I am personally thankful for Triscuits. So thankful that I decided to forego them for a week to see if I could, and it was no big deal. I think they are just 'easy' compared to cooking a grain so while commuting to work they are an easy 'go to' breakfast grain.
My biggest challenge was no snacking. The first few months were great, because I did snack a bit here and there because it was the holidays and there was always my saboteur lurking on my shoulder and encouraging me to celebrate with family by eating our traditional holiday appetizers. And I continued to lose weight. I think a part of me recognized that maybe for me I could snack a little and 'get away with it'. Well that was a big lie!
For years I have known about the two mystical beings that sit on my shoulders, thinking of them as an angel on one shoulder and a devil on the other, or sometimes one as Anne (the athlete) and the other as Vail (somehow damaged). Now I know it's my brain, battling for and against addiction. And I have a new visual of those mystical beings - as wolves. You know the story, it's everywhere - 'the wolf you feed becomes strong and wins' or something like that.
While 'feeding' my good wolf sounds counter productive in this instance, it isn't. Nourishment comes in many forms, and treating myself well, being kind and respectful towards myself, these are nourishment, these are feeding the good wolf. And when I treat myself well I do feel my good wolf becoming stronger, so to say. The arguments that once plagued me are fewer now. Sometimes because I just don't care, but mostly because I just do the next right thing.
This all sounds very positive given how I have struggled the past month to simply maintain my 20 pound loss. But I think as part of a learning experience this past month as been very eye opening. I know for sure now that I am better if I don't eat flour or sugar. That it is easier to do this if I don't snack at all. And of course I have been reminded very strongly that one cookie is not enough, and that a thousand wouldn't satisfy me. Not Oreo's, not girl scout cookies. Not freshly baked chocolate chip cookies fresh out of the oven. Just the thought makes me a little ill right now, that I was sliding, sliding, sliding down a slippery slope. But I will not go quietly! I will fight, and I will win.
Because of the science. Because knowledge is power, and now that I know I can't not know.
So the first thing I did this morning after weighing myself was have a real cup of coffee, with oat cream and turbinado sugar, and a slice of cold leftover pizza. Favorite Breakfast Ever. Better than pancakes with lemon drizzle, better than buttered toast and sausage, just my all time favorite, probably forged over a quarter century of working in the pizza industry and having left over pizza in the house constantly. So still celebrating with food. It may take years to rid myself of that, but as long as what I am celebrating in the meanwhile is losing weight, I can live with that.
Bright Lines back in place starting now, so that I can start regaining my self respect, and continue on my journey to a right sized body. And to a life worth living, because I was barely surviving before. I very rarely look back in this blog as it's painful to see the years of struggle. I know there are many good things here, and I do value those memories, but in each one there is a shadow lurking that kept me from being truly happy. Now that shadow has a name, addiction, and I look forward to a future without it. One day at a time, one bright line at a time.
May my successes always be more than my failures. May I show good actions instead of good intentions. And above all my gratitude this morning for always getting back up, for believing at my core that I can be better, and do better. For believing I am worthy.
PS Word just in that all of C's lab work came back negative for viruses (COVID-19 included). Looks like his body was just worn out trying to battle an ear and mucus infection. Hopefully they come home today. Thank Heavens.
3-28-20 211.4 Completed 24 weeks of BLE,. But flour and sugar are creeping back into my life
Total weight loss 21.2 pounds.
Findings: I feel better when I abstain completely from flour and sugar. The pizza and candy from last night instigated inflammation in my hands this morning so badly that I could barely make a fist with my right hand and impairing normal function. As in not being able to brush my hair.
I also feel better when I don't snack in the middle of the night; mornings when I wake up remembering a midnight foray into the kitchen and eating cookies in bed leave me feeling...more than disappointed, dirty or infected may be better adjectives.
My ideas of eating clean have shifted. I still know that eating for nutrition has great value, but now it is more about what not to eat, and how miraculous our bodies really are when it comes to processing 'food' and the direct result seen in every aspect of our well being or lack thereof. So it all goes back to what I heard all the time in my high school days, we really are what we eat.
At the time there was no weight (no pun intended but enjoyed) behind the sound bite, but now I see clearly the truism that was being touted about. For someone who once thought of herself as smart, I really wasn't. Introverted in many ways as I grew from childhood to a young adult, I missed seeing important connections. Not just about food, but about life in general. And I think that one of the biggest perks of eliminating flour and sugar at this late stage of my life is a better brain. Being able to think more clearly, have more confidence, be a better person.
I am excited about the next six months, and being at least another 20 pounds lighter come the next Holiday season. I am happy about setting an example for the family, showing them that eating without flour and sugar has not meant deprivation but rather delicious meals and increased energy. I sleep better when eating on plan, and wake up easier. I have given up coffee with the exception of an occasional cup of decaf or half cup of regular if it's the weekend and the kids haven't finished their half carafe that is brewed each morning.
And I've only touched on the plan, I haven't been consistent with the other important components - specifically a daily meditation and regularly committing to what I will eat the next day. What I have been doing is making sure there are choices available; meals prepared, weighed, and packed ready to consume. Currently in the fridge are containers of oatmeal, roasted veggies, proteins ready to cook, and a plastic bin of chopped veggies ready to add to salads. The food scale lives on the kitchen counter and at a moments notice I can have a Bright Line meal ready - breakfast, lunch, or dinner. But I have fallen into the habit of deciding what to eat in the morning instead of the night before. Sometimes I choose what to eat at mealtime without planning ahead at all. I don't necessarily think it's a bad thing, but it isn't complying with the heart of the plan - committing the night before and stimulating the automaticity portion of re-wiring the brain.
Susan likes to say there are no rules, no BLE police, that we each find our own way within the science and guidelines she has presented. The important part is drawing bright lines against flour, sugar, snacks, and quantities. The rest is up to us, being aware of what works and where we need to draw other bright lines. What feels addictive to one person is no big deal to another. I am personally thankful for Triscuits. So thankful that I decided to forego them for a week to see if I could, and it was no big deal. I think they are just 'easy' compared to cooking a grain so while commuting to work they are an easy 'go to' breakfast grain.
My biggest challenge was no snacking. The first few months were great, because I did snack a bit here and there because it was the holidays and there was always my saboteur lurking on my shoulder and encouraging me to celebrate with family by eating our traditional holiday appetizers. And I continued to lose weight. I think a part of me recognized that maybe for me I could snack a little and 'get away with it'. Well that was a big lie!
For years I have known about the two mystical beings that sit on my shoulders, thinking of them as an angel on one shoulder and a devil on the other, or sometimes one as Anne (the athlete) and the other as Vail (somehow damaged). Now I know it's my brain, battling for and against addiction. And I have a new visual of those mystical beings - as wolves. You know the story, it's everywhere - 'the wolf you feed becomes strong and wins' or something like that.
While 'feeding' my good wolf sounds counter productive in this instance, it isn't. Nourishment comes in many forms, and treating myself well, being kind and respectful towards myself, these are nourishment, these are feeding the good wolf. And when I treat myself well I do feel my good wolf becoming stronger, so to say. The arguments that once plagued me are fewer now. Sometimes because I just don't care, but mostly because I just do the next right thing.
This all sounds very positive given how I have struggled the past month to simply maintain my 20 pound loss. But I think as part of a learning experience this past month as been very eye opening. I know for sure now that I am better if I don't eat flour or sugar. That it is easier to do this if I don't snack at all. And of course I have been reminded very strongly that one cookie is not enough, and that a thousand wouldn't satisfy me. Not Oreo's, not girl scout cookies. Not freshly baked chocolate chip cookies fresh out of the oven. Just the thought makes me a little ill right now, that I was sliding, sliding, sliding down a slippery slope. But I will not go quietly! I will fight, and I will win.
Because of the science. Because knowledge is power, and now that I know I can't not know.
So the first thing I did this morning after weighing myself was have a real cup of coffee, with oat cream and turbinado sugar, and a slice of cold leftover pizza. Favorite Breakfast Ever. Better than pancakes with lemon drizzle, better than buttered toast and sausage, just my all time favorite, probably forged over a quarter century of working in the pizza industry and having left over pizza in the house constantly. So still celebrating with food. It may take years to rid myself of that, but as long as what I am celebrating in the meanwhile is losing weight, I can live with that.
Bright Lines back in place starting now, so that I can start regaining my self respect, and continue on my journey to a right sized body. And to a life worth living, because I was barely surviving before. I very rarely look back in this blog as it's painful to see the years of struggle. I know there are many good things here, and I do value those memories, but in each one there is a shadow lurking that kept me from being truly happy. Now that shadow has a name, addiction, and I look forward to a future without it. One day at a time, one bright line at a time.
May my successes always be more than my failures. May I show good actions instead of good intentions. And above all my gratitude this morning for always getting back up, for believing at my core that I can be better, and do better. For believing I am worthy.
PS Word just in that all of C's lab work came back negative for viruses (COVID-19 included). Looks like his body was just worn out trying to battle an ear and mucus infection. Hopefully they come home today. Thank Heavens.
Friday, March 27, 2020
Can you say Neutropenic
We learned the word Neutropenia in the process of C being diagnosed with leukemia, and it has stayed with us over the course of his treatment this past year.
ANC: Absolute Neutrophil Count: The real number of white blood cells that are neutrophils. The normal range for the ANC = 1.5 to 8.0 (1,500 to 8,000/mm3).
To keep it simple, when they test his blood his ANC count has to be at least 500 for him to be strong enough to endure his chemo treatments - the big ones, not the daily dose he gets. A healthy child runs around 1500, and when they tested C at the hospital this evening it was 8. Basically no immune system at work. At all. Which is why he was having trouble breathing, and sounded like he had croup when he coughed. And why despite the misgivings...no, despite the terror of going to hospital with the danger of Covid-19 lurking god knows where... they took him in. And they were right, he needs to stay for observation and to control the expected fever. Hopefully the tests come back negative for virus and he will be released tomorrow to come home and be treated here. If not it will be days before we see them. This is assuming there is no corona virus involved, that could be weeks.
Poor M had to wait for hours in the car as the hospital was adamant about only one family member going in with C. He still isn't home as they wait to see if he can at least drop off the overnight bag for R. My daughter is strong when she must be there for her family, advocating for C and making sure he gets the care he needs. But she is also human and I send her prayers of love and light tonight to sustain her as she endures the rigors of a hospital stay.
A and I have done the evening chores, had dinner, and had a final check in from the hospital. It is quiet here now that she is off the phone with friends and getting ready for bed. And I am not ready for quiet this evening, my head still abuzz with worry. My anxiety has lessened over the past hour as we received updates, and I am working on a cup of tea that touts it calms the mind. That would be nice.
Dinner was not good. I arrived home to them leaving, with pizza boxes on the stove and the imperfect produce order to put away. Tired from a day at the office I had pizza for dinner. One piece each of cheese and pepperoni. And a bread stick. And a handful of MnM's. No excuses, just the facts. And no, I am not looking forward to weighing in tomorrow.
It will be the end of my six month trial of Mostly following Bright Line Eating, and while it won't be the amazing finish I hoped for in the beginning, at least I am not ending in failure no matter what number I see in the morning. On Tuesday I saw 210.6, unseen for years, and I will remember that as I rezoom tomorrow and eat on plan.
And come to think of it, when I stopped for orange juice for C on the way home it never occurred to me to get a snack for the ride. Often there is a 'conversation' that usually includes words like fruit and zero sugar jerky, but today - nothing. This is progress, no? Yes! A definite yes. And on that note I call it an evening.
Love & Light to C and everyone struggling tonight.
ANC: Absolute Neutrophil Count: The real number of white blood cells that are neutrophils. The normal range for the ANC = 1.5 to 8.0 (1,500 to 8,000/mm3).
To keep it simple, when they test his blood his ANC count has to be at least 500 for him to be strong enough to endure his chemo treatments - the big ones, not the daily dose he gets. A healthy child runs around 1500, and when they tested C at the hospital this evening it was 8. Basically no immune system at work. At all. Which is why he was having trouble breathing, and sounded like he had croup when he coughed. And why despite the misgivings...no, despite the terror of going to hospital with the danger of Covid-19 lurking god knows where... they took him in. And they were right, he needs to stay for observation and to control the expected fever. Hopefully the tests come back negative for virus and he will be released tomorrow to come home and be treated here. If not it will be days before we see them. This is assuming there is no corona virus involved, that could be weeks.
Poor M had to wait for hours in the car as the hospital was adamant about only one family member going in with C. He still isn't home as they wait to see if he can at least drop off the overnight bag for R. My daughter is strong when she must be there for her family, advocating for C and making sure he gets the care he needs. But she is also human and I send her prayers of love and light tonight to sustain her as she endures the rigors of a hospital stay.
A and I have done the evening chores, had dinner, and had a final check in from the hospital. It is quiet here now that she is off the phone with friends and getting ready for bed. And I am not ready for quiet this evening, my head still abuzz with worry. My anxiety has lessened over the past hour as we received updates, and I am working on a cup of tea that touts it calms the mind. That would be nice.
Dinner was not good. I arrived home to them leaving, with pizza boxes on the stove and the imperfect produce order to put away. Tired from a day at the office I had pizza for dinner. One piece each of cheese and pepperoni. And a bread stick. And a handful of MnM's. No excuses, just the facts. And no, I am not looking forward to weighing in tomorrow.
It will be the end of my six month trial of Mostly following Bright Line Eating, and while it won't be the amazing finish I hoped for in the beginning, at least I am not ending in failure no matter what number I see in the morning. On Tuesday I saw 210.6, unseen for years, and I will remember that as I rezoom tomorrow and eat on plan.
And come to think of it, when I stopped for orange juice for C on the way home it never occurred to me to get a snack for the ride. Often there is a 'conversation' that usually includes words like fruit and zero sugar jerky, but today - nothing. This is progress, no? Yes! A definite yes. And on that note I call it an evening.
Love & Light to C and everyone struggling tonight.
Wednesday, March 25, 2020
Love in the time of Covid 19
Today I took an early lunch and spent my hour divided between showering and eating; I can't do that at the office! And it was lovely not having to face the chill of the morning or the lethargy of the evening to get clean. Such a very small perk in the face of global disaster.
I listened to the news a bit today, and did a little googling to see how we (the world) is doing in the face of Covid 19. I think my take away is that this is an awful way to shine a light on the fact that Americans are stuck with a liar instead of a leader in a time of crisis. I have an enduring belief in the hard work and brains of most people, and I know that one way or another humans will survive this. If we weren't already focused on replacing trump in the coming election, this certainly would have rallied the troops for such action. At least one could hope.
Naturally my biggest concern is my little family, and how stressed the kids are about taking C into hospital for his monthly treatment - an infusion of chemo into his spinal fluid that is considered essential for his recovery. We are always entrusting his medical team with his life, but this adds an element of risk and trust that is stressing everyone to the max.
Love each other every day. Take the time to play and laugh. Be grateful for what we have instead of worrying about what we can't get. One day at a time. And pray for common sense to spread faster than the virus.
It's been a Bright Line day; taking care of myself has never been more important.
I listened to the news a bit today, and did a little googling to see how we (the world) is doing in the face of Covid 19. I think my take away is that this is an awful way to shine a light on the fact that Americans are stuck with a liar instead of a leader in a time of crisis. I have an enduring belief in the hard work and brains of most people, and I know that one way or another humans will survive this. If we weren't already focused on replacing trump in the coming election, this certainly would have rallied the troops for such action. At least one could hope.
Naturally my biggest concern is my little family, and how stressed the kids are about taking C into hospital for his monthly treatment - an infusion of chemo into his spinal fluid that is considered essential for his recovery. We are always entrusting his medical team with his life, but this adds an element of risk and trust that is stressing everyone to the max.
Love each other every day. Take the time to play and laugh. Be grateful for what we have instead of worrying about what we can't get. One day at a time. And pray for common sense to spread faster than the virus.
It's been a Bright Line day; taking care of myself has never been more important.
Tuesday, March 24, 2020
Food and Fun
Serendipity can be a good friend, and often plays a roll in developing a new favorite dish when cooking. Yesterday I was using chicken sausages for my protein, and was craving chowmein veggies. I sauteed onion, bok choy, and celery together in a little sesame oil for my veggies, and at the last tossed in the mushrooms I had sauteed the day before. weighing this mixture out into four servings I proceeded to add the chicken sausages. But they were each about half an ounce light, and since I know better than to skimp on measurements I added half an ounce of sliced lite pepperoni to each of my four glass containers to bring the protein up to weight.
Today at lunch I discovered I had something wonderful. I forgotten how much I love cooked celery (al dente please) and combined with the everything else it was simply delicious. So good in fact that I had it again for dinner tonight after my salad.
While it was nice to get out of the house and work in the office today, it was very quiet and I missed the hubbub of the house. I am tired this evening, and ready to call it a day two hours earlier than polite company would call for I think. I do need to wait for my pan of veggies to finish roasting anyway. In about half an hour I will have a tray of roasted carrots, onions, and potatoes to divvy up into containers. We are trying to make sure we use up all of the fresh produce first; knowing we have another delivery next Thursday almost compels one towards due diligence and not wasting anything. And saving the frozen veggies in case fresh becomes hard to find, there's that too.
After work today I was able to find a tub of toys and puzzles in the newly organized garage to bring in to the house. The kids have done two puzzles in the past week and a half, and now there is a new 1000 piece Snoopy puzzle we hadn't even opened because it looked too challenging at the time. Now it is a godsend for those going a little stir crazy.
Finally, something I am good at; staying home!
We watched Onward yesterday, and I was pleasantly surprised. Finding family friendly options while browsing for movies to watch has been a challenge; you know that sweet spot where children and adults are both entertained.
Time to sign off and make tea, rest my back, and cuddle some grandchildren. Which all sounds rather contradictory, but each in it's own time makes it work.
Today at lunch I discovered I had something wonderful. I forgotten how much I love cooked celery (al dente please) and combined with the everything else it was simply delicious. So good in fact that I had it again for dinner tonight after my salad.
While it was nice to get out of the house and work in the office today, it was very quiet and I missed the hubbub of the house. I am tired this evening, and ready to call it a day two hours earlier than polite company would call for I think. I do need to wait for my pan of veggies to finish roasting anyway. In about half an hour I will have a tray of roasted carrots, onions, and potatoes to divvy up into containers. We are trying to make sure we use up all of the fresh produce first; knowing we have another delivery next Thursday almost compels one towards due diligence and not wasting anything. And saving the frozen veggies in case fresh becomes hard to find, there's that too.
After work today I was able to find a tub of toys and puzzles in the newly organized garage to bring in to the house. The kids have done two puzzles in the past week and a half, and now there is a new 1000 piece Snoopy puzzle we hadn't even opened because it looked too challenging at the time. Now it is a godsend for those going a little stir crazy.
Finally, something I am good at; staying home!
We watched Onward yesterday, and I was pleasantly surprised. Finding family friendly options while browsing for movies to watch has been a challenge; you know that sweet spot where children and adults are both entertained.
Time to sign off and make tea, rest my back, and cuddle some grandchildren. Which all sounds rather contradictory, but each in it's own time makes it work.
Monday, March 23, 2020
Cheeseburger Salad
I know I have said this before, and probably will again, but throwing a cheeseburger into a salad instead of a bun is wonderful. The flavours pop instead of melding into the bread, and you don't feel stuffed afterwards. Or at least I don't. I had a mix of veggies ready to go for salads this week, and I prepped my dinner salad as usual. But then I chopped up a juicy cheeseburger fresh off the grill and tossed it on top with chopped tomatoe and pickle. My dressing was mustard & mayo which I tossed in well and then drizzled a little No Sugar Added Catsup over the top.
Delicious. I reheated some peas leftover from dinner last night and my Bright Line meal was done.
Working from home went well today, but this afternoon there were fresh baked cookies in the house, and I had one with a cuppa tea for my afternoon break. Just one, but I know I will pay for it with cravings later tonight when the house is quiet and I know there are more waiting in a baggie on the kitchen sink. It seems silly at my age to ask them to hide the cookies, and that has my ire up, but it is what it is. Or rather, I am what I am. There may come a day when I am the only one bringing food into the house and can control what's available to eat, but I can feel my future self wishing for these days when I was surrounded by family and cookies.
C is next to me on the bed watching Bubble Guppies, and I wouldn't trade this for the cleanest kitchen in the world. And by clean I mean empty of flour and sugar. But speaking of clean kitchens, I guess everyone is adapting to having family home. And cooking more, and eating in. So more dishes that have to be done and more picking up after ourselves etc etc. I wonder how this will change us.
Yesterday the kids took a walk and came home excited about drawing chalk messages and pictures on the driveway by the sidewalk; A and R colored in the sun from Tangled, a peace sign and some positive messages. Anyone walking by was in for a treat today, and I hope the idea continues to spread. I should have taken a picture! Maybe it will still be there tomorrow; it's been windy but hasn't rained again yet.
I'm not looking forward to actually getting up and going to the office tomorrow, but it's my turn and we need to do it.
Time to go edit the Imperfect Produce order for Thursday.
Delicious. I reheated some peas leftover from dinner last night and my Bright Line meal was done.
Working from home went well today, but this afternoon there were fresh baked cookies in the house, and I had one with a cuppa tea for my afternoon break. Just one, but I know I will pay for it with cravings later tonight when the house is quiet and I know there are more waiting in a baggie on the kitchen sink. It seems silly at my age to ask them to hide the cookies, and that has my ire up, but it is what it is. Or rather, I am what I am. There may come a day when I am the only one bringing food into the house and can control what's available to eat, but I can feel my future self wishing for these days when I was surrounded by family and cookies.
C is next to me on the bed watching Bubble Guppies, and I wouldn't trade this for the cleanest kitchen in the world. And by clean I mean empty of flour and sugar. But speaking of clean kitchens, I guess everyone is adapting to having family home. And cooking more, and eating in. So more dishes that have to be done and more picking up after ourselves etc etc. I wonder how this will change us.
Yesterday the kids took a walk and came home excited about drawing chalk messages and pictures on the driveway by the sidewalk; A and R colored in the sun from Tangled, a peace sign and some positive messages. Anyone walking by was in for a treat today, and I hope the idea continues to spread. I should have taken a picture! Maybe it will still be there tomorrow; it's been windy but hasn't rained again yet.
I'm not looking forward to actually getting up and going to the office tomorrow, but it's my turn and we need to do it.
Time to go edit the Imperfect Produce order for Thursday.
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