Sticking with the

 frittata inspiration, I've had this for breakfast for the last couple of days.

Eggs with sautéed spinach, tomatoes, and garlic. I've had an orange both days with grapes yesterday and a banana today. According to ChatGPT 😣, this breakfast is an 8.5/10 on the anti inflammatory charts. 

I haven't been walking since last week. I found something else... a mini trampoline. I read that 10 minutes on the trampoline is equivalent to 30 minutes of walking or jogging. I'm giving it a try. It's easier on joints and will be easier during the summer. So far, my legs have been feeling it more from the trampoline than when I walk.

I finished my antibiotics, but my stomach is still on the fritz. UGH. I've started back up on the probiotic recommended by the acupuncturist. 

I've also noticed myself slouching a lot. I'm adding bad posture to my list of ailments.

I'm a work in progress. I guess we all are. Oh well, I'm trying. 

I've also got landscaping on the brain. We have someone scheduled to come out and look at our front flowerbeds. I know what colors I like and I know some things that I don't like. That's about it with me and landscaping. I bought a few plants this morning for the backyard. I really don't know what I'm doing. Well, I know it's nothing today because I didn't buy any dirt. 

Now it's back to chores. I've had my shopping and breakfast break. It's time to head inside and TCB.

I tried a new recipe

yesterday. THIS frittata. I really liked it and will definitely make it again. I halved it.

We had it with bacon and finished it off with an orange.

I was really motivated yesterday, I guess. I tried another new recipe, THIS one. 

I wanted to make bread in the dutch oven. But also, I watched a video on enriched flour, granulated sugar, and plain iodized salt. That inspired me to make a few changes so I used organic unenriched bread flour, pure cane sugar, and not regular table salt.  Anyway, I saw a Le Creuset recipe that was similar, but they noted the amounts for a 7 1/4 dutch oven. I applied it to this recipe and it was a hit, and it is massive. We're almost to the middle and one slice could easily be cut in two for two regular slices of bread. For breakfast this morning, I cut a slice into thirds for toast to go with our bacon and eggs. I'm thinking about trying it in a sandwich loaf pan. Hmm...

Oh, and I didn't even get a picture of THESE pork chops I made the other day. They were also a hit.

I think that's all the new stuff from the kitchen.

As far as my other changes, my morning walk will be an afternoon walk today. It was 38 degrees when I woke up, now 46, and expected to be around 60 at noon.  I'll wait, thanks. I skipped the weekend but picked back up yesterday. I also bought mini Cokes so that I won't feel obligated to drink a whole 12oz can. Baby steps. Speaking of baby steps, I got sidetracked and piddled a little and now it's 56 degrees out. I think it might be time to lace up and get out.

This will be my

fourth consecutive morning walk... assuming I follow through. I will. I just know I will. I'm trying to get back into a routine. It's so easy for me to get sidetracked. I have tons to do around the house and I'll start thinking about that and then get overwhelmed. That won't happen today. I've been listening to an audiobook while I walk. I didn't plan on it. I'd gone to urgent care for an antibiotic the other day and the panic set in. I start to panic and cry. OMG. I'm just really putting my anxiety all out here. Anyway, I get the worries and then doom and gloom set in. So, I searched for a book on Spotify. Maybe it was something like "calm down", just something basic. This came up.

So I started listening. He started listing off things and it described me, straight down to the "not making time for that photography class you've been wanting to take". Also, this is me out on my walk...

Hey, it's no secret. Anyway, I'm listening and seeing if there's anything I can take away from the book. Actually, I think I already have. Back to that urgent care visit, my bp was a little high. Yes, I was totally worked up, but I've also always had low bp. Might some of that be because I'm a 53-year-old woman? Possibly. My point is, instead of doom and gloom, I paused for a second and realized that I can make changes. I know I'm always talking about doing better, but now is the time to stick to it. Follow through and do better. Make changes and see if it helps. Maybe I can prove to myself that I can make changes. Then, maybe that will be a little bit of evidence for my brain to stop doom and gloom. I don't know. All I can do is try. I'm starting small and only walking a little over a mile. I'll be honest again. I start thinking during my walk, going over my to-do list and everything that I also need to do right now. "I still haven't made the bed. I could've started another load of laundry before I left. Before anything, I need to unload the dishwasher. I feel like decluttering, what else can I get rid of?" See how it goes? I'm rambling now.

I've been keeping up with my walks, kind of. I start the app to track me, but then I usually forget to stop it. I didn't really walk 84 miles yesterday. We went to a movie in Houston and I was still being tracked. We saw the new Elvis movie.

It was good. I think the last movie I went to was also an Elvis concert. 

Okay, so before I get sidetracked, it's time for my morning walk.

I need to change the name

to Melanie's Accountability Blog. This is becoming a place for me to try to motivate and inspire myself with baby steps.

I went for a walk this morning and learned a few things:

1. I need to drink some water before I leave.

2. I need a bite to eat before I leave.

3. I need to have a snack waiting for me.

I was almost done and back home when I started feeling a little shaky. I got home and wanted a snack. I wanted fruit. I wanted cheese. I wanted nuts. I made myself a plate and came to sit outside.

I did share with Maggie.

I also took my Camp Snap on my walk.

I got back and snacked outside while I rested. I showered, made lunch, and now I'm sitting back here again on the computer with music playing and the sun poking through to the pool.  I'm ready for warmer weather. 

As for an update on my corner of the world,

I'd planned on getting plants going but still haven't started any seeds.

I keep looking online for day trips.

I did join an online photo group for motivation and inspiration in that department. So far, it hasn't worked. I've been preoccupied and haven't had a chance to log on. 

Have I mentioned how ready I am for warmer weather I am? It sure is nice out today. It's a little windy and I'm in a sweater, but that sun and this music... any stress is melting away and all those open tabs in my brain are closing. I'm ready for a pool day.

If I don't get up now, I won't get anything done today.

I feel the motivation

creeping back. Maybe January is my primer button... hopefully. 

So, I mentioned the cutting back on eating out and making more meals at home. We'd started talking about that last year, and we really started acting on it at the end of November. I think it all started when I bought an extra turkey so we could have sandwiches. Trying to keep it going, I decided to try a recipe for a meal that I've always hated.

Chicken pot pie. I've never liked them, but they kept coming up in conversations. Then a video for recipe popped up. It was this one HERE. Guess what. I'm totally a fan now. Well, I'm a fan of these chicken pot pies. I'll definitely make these again.

I was immediately inspired to start cooking more. Right after that was Dad's birthday, and he requested biscuits with sausage gravy for breakfast. I tried a recipe for 7Up biscuits. They were awesome.

I was on a roll so I decided I needed a new dutch oven for Christmas. I picked out this Le Creuset and it's so pretty.

I knew the first dish I would make would be coq au vin because it's been a while since I've made it.

Next up was a copycat recipe, ish. I wanted the mushroom sauce from La Madeleine. I went ahead and pan fried chicken breasts to go with it.

I forgot that I was trying to get into the habit of taking pictures of things I'm making (to help with the motivation) and it was almost gone by the time I remembered. oops.

I stepped aside and let Cosme make something that he'd been wanting, and it was something that I'd never had. He made butter chicken and we all liked it.

Next up was something I'd been seeing on Pinterest and it didn't go over so well. I made orzo with roasted vegetables. I thought it was decent.

I went into the next one from Pinterest and wasn't expecting much after the orzo, but it was surprisingly good. Let me clarify. I hoped it would be good. Once I started mixing and sampling, I had doubts. It called for roasting strawberries and rustic bread. I had a loaf of brioche and a loaf of sourdough. I decided to sample each. I tried whipping the ricotta with honey as instructed, but it wasn't enough and I pulled the powdered sugar out. That did it. The brioche tasted better, but the sourdough's texture worked better. I'd probably stick with the brioche. I also learned that I'm not a fan of roasted strawberries. I will keep them plain and sweetened next time.

First with sourdough,

and next with brioche.

Anyway, since I feel the motivation coming back, I figured I'd post all of this to help keep me on track.

Now I've got to get a grocery order placed because I'm planning on red beans and rice today or tomorrow.

That was

then, this is now. When was that last post? October? I am not motivated right now. Total 180. Physically, creatively... I've got nothing. I'll blame it on the weather for now. Maybe not right now, but it was 39 degrees when I woke up. It's 58 now, definitely warm enough for a walk. Completely unmotivated. I should be doing something. It's a pretty day. It's Sunday. I'm sitting here. I've made lunch and cleaned the mess.

Oh, well. Welcome to 2026. I think I need to declutter and close some of the tabs in my head. 

Some of the things keeping my mind going:

- We've cut out most of our eating out. I've been thinking a lot about meals and ingredients. I should probably think about making more of those meals a little healthier. When we first started, I felt like I had more energy. I didn't know if it was home cooked meals or the routine.

- I need a creative outlet. More specifically, I need to make myself stop and take the time for a creative stuff. Take right now for example. I could be reading a creatively inspiring book that I've been trying to finish. I could be sketching. I could be out taking pictures. I could start a craft project of some sort. I'm sitting here on the computer, writing about how I need to be doing something.

- I'm thinking about chores. I'm thinking about the chores I need to do and how I don't have time for a hobby because I've got cooking and cleaning to do.

- What seeds should I start? Where am I going to put them? How will I organize things now that my gardening area has moved?

- There's also the usual worries and anxiety that come with being me, a natural worrier.

So that's what's going on.

I asked Chat GPT for a photo challenge. I guess that's a start, right?

Last weekend we took the grandkids to Brazos Bend. The two of us had planned on going back last night to the observatory, but it wasn't a very clear night. I'll add a picture here from that outing. 

You know what? I think I might go for a walk.  

 

I am feeling

motivated. Physically, creatively, all the ways, I feel like I'm ready to TCB.

I started by sitting outside and catching up on dvr while having a snack for breakfast. It's just after 9:30 and I've made the bed, taken my vitamins, and gone for a walk. Now I'm sitting outside snacking on fruit and water while thinking about the day and rest of the week. I need to check my calendar and add/subtract a few things.

I stopped and checked the mail on my walk and received both of the books I ordered. One is a book on flash. The other is one I keep seeing a lot of, The Artist's Way. I don't know about it really. From what I understand so far is that it has assignments or things to do to spark creativity... I think. I've read a few reviews. Some people hate it, but even more seem to love it. We'll see. I figured a hard copy would be easier to use. I'll report back.

Anyway, that's an update.

I am in a

rut, a big creative rut. I'm turning to every outlet. I have books on the way. I have courses lined up. I've got ideas. I just can't start. My brain is in overdrive. While that's going on, I've got regular, everyday life to keep up with. I've got so many tabs open.

I'm trying to do more creatively. I'm trying to do more physically. I'm just trying. Trying to do better, as usual. I'm trying to stick with things. I'm trying to not be overwhelmed and drop it all.

I think I'll go for a walk and think about it all.

Meals were going

okay, until they weren't. After my last post, we went to Fadi's to pick up a bunch of different things for me to try. I wasn't really crazy about it. It might have scared me off. I think I tried all the stuff and then ran for the hills. It wasn't great. I didn't like it, really. Since then, I haven't been doing the best as far as Mediterranean eating goes.

I did have my appointment with the rheumatologist. He didn't seem to think I had anything but did another round of bloodwork. I'm waiting to hear back from them now. I actually lost track of time and was thinking it was next Thursday. Yesterday was the day. I did see my results online, but I need them to explain it all. Like with most situations, I am immediately jumping to the worst conclusions. You'd never know, but I really am working on all this anxiety and worrying. 

So, back to the mediterranean food. I picked some figs and started to make a small batch of preserves. I got distracted with cleaning the refrigerator and burned them. 

As far as the art journaling goes, I've been practicing with faces. Let's just say I need a lot more. Maybe faces just aren't my thing and never will be.

Here's a peek. I won't show too much because it just isn't any good. Like, at all.

Okay.  That's it for now. Maybe my next post will bring awesome news.

(prayers, fingers crossed, and all the good vibes being accepted)

the breakfast from yesterday

 was piperade with scrambled eggs, another one from the cookbook.

We enjoyed it.

I didn't end up making the shrimp until lunch today. I wasn't crazy about them. I wasn't crazy about any of it. Maybe it's because I just wanted some chicken from Cane's, or a burger and fries from anywhere. Things just weren't in my favor. I had a headache most of the day. I got busy and didn't eat breakfast. I didn't have breakfast so I didn't take any vitamins. I didn't drink my coffee because I don't even remember why. I had errands to run. When I got home from running errands I was tired. My head was still hurting, and probably more since I was hungry and under caffeinated. I pulled the shrimp out and saw that they still had heads and needed cleaning. I didn't know what to serve with the shrimp so I heated up a quinoa/bulgur mix that I picked up from HEB. I made black beans to mix with it. (If everything else flopped, I would settle for plain beans.) 

So, here are the broiled shrimp.

They weren't much different than how I normally make them, seasoning wise. I normally don't cook my shrimp with the shell on. Having to peel cooked shrimp is just ugh.

I need to find some MD friendly meals that don't require so much prep. I need some convenience meals. I need a fast breakfast for when I know I need to take my vitamins, but where I also don't have to spend 20 minutes getting it ready. I have other things I need to get done as well. I can't just focus on food. It's exhausting and annoying and discouraging.

Speaking of discouraging...

Another ripe fig that something else found before I did.

Better luck next time.

I can't believe

it, but I did it. I kind of started an art journal. What is an art journal? I really don't know. I'm assuming it's something I can just be crafty or artsy in, but whoa... It's been a long time since I've picked up a pencil and paper and started drawing. I'll share a bit because I've always been a little timid when it comes to sharing things.

Also, keep in mind that even when I was drawing on a regular basis, I was never great with faces.

That said, I present a peek at the first page of my art journal.

Please, no hate. It's been a really long time since I've drawn anything, and especially something that I was never good at. Also, Mrs. Mouton (my HS art teacher that happened to be my favorite) would not approve. I took a picture of myself and drew from that. She always enforced the rule of DON'T DRAW FROM A PICTURE. Oh, well. It was convenient and I did it.

Now, about this art journal. I still need to find an actual book. I just pulled out a sketchbook last night. I haven't decided if I'll stick to just that book or attach this to another. The idea of a separate book with pieces and scraps glued in sounds interesting (and fun). I don't know. What I do know is that I just finished another meal from the Mediterranean cookbook and I liked it. I'll share that later because I'm planning on another for dinner today.

Breakfast is done. The temp is 84. The pool is 89. I think it's time to change into my bathing suit/walking clothes combo and TCB. 

and just like

that, a month went by. The rheumatologist appointment is this week. So much for all the plans I had. Sure, I've done better, but I haven't been all in. I'm happy with the small steps that I've taken. I've stuck with my vitamins and supplements, I've researched more, I've laid off most of the processed foods, I've cut way back on red meat, and while I still allow myself one Diet Dr Pepper, the Cokes are few and far between. I'm talking like maybe one a week. So hey, that is a big deal for me. 

I bought this, thinking it was a Mediterranean Diet cookbook. 

While it isn't an actual diet book, it seems like a pretty good cookbook. I've gone over recipes and compared to the MD guidelines and I think it'll be okay. I made this today, lavash with spinach and tomatoes. 

I made a little adjustment because I'm not ready to take on olives, but we both enjoyed it. I already have something planned for tomorrow's breakfast. I can't say what it is because the book's inside and it's something I've never heard of.

 

I've also tried to get more walking done, but sometimes I just don't. My ideal walk is having my bathing suit on underneath, then coming home and stripping down to go straight into the pool.

It doesn't always work out. I was dressed and ready yesterday, but the weather had other plans.

It looked like those clouds would get to the house before I did.

There definitely wasn't any swimming afterwards. 

Anyway, the appointment is this week. I'm once again accepting any and all prayers, crossed fingers, and good vibes. Also, all this going on and coming up is doing a number on my nerves. I've been working on ways to calm down. I really don't know how. I've been doing all the research on that as well.

That said, I've been thinking about doing an art journal. They say that helps with stress and anxiety. I wouldn't know because I haven't started. I thought tonight would be a good night. I'll actually probably start after this. 

Who knows? Maybe tomorrow I'll have a whole new thing to show and tell. Art journaling.

I haven't been doing

very well at sticking with anything. I've been doing better than I was, but I'm still not doing as well as I had hoped. I cheat a lot, kind of. I guess I'm not really cheating if my goal is to just cut back and make changes. All that said, my knee has been bothering me today. Today felt like a way that I don't like feeling. I'm serious here. I want to make changes. I'm 52. I need to make changes. I want to be doing better before July 17th. I was looking around today and saw several recommendations for THIS book. 

I researched a little and bought it. It's short so I read most of it during rest time today. It basically says everything I've been hearing and trying. I hope it was the pep talk I needed. It reminded me that feeling better starts with me and that doctors are just going to give me meds to fix symptoms. It just made me feel more determined to do better. I wanted a Coke, but I didn't get one. Yes, I had a Diet Dr Pepper instead, but cutting out the sugar has to be a little better, right? Besides, I didn't even finish it. You know why? I got in the pool and got busy moving.

Anyway, it's time to straighten up and fly right. Things are changing in a way that I don't like. I can't give up everything. I do love sweets and I do need comfort food, but that's probably a whole other issue. I'm going to keep on doing better, making changes, and adding those fruits and vegetables. I stopped for a small coffee after dinner. I needed dessert so I feel like it could've been worse.

UGH. Getting old is hard. Trying to do the right thing is even harder.

Meanwhile, while I'm struggling to make better choices, the grandkids are living their best, carefree life.

And I love it.

It's summer and

things are busy. Things are busy and I'm tired. Are naps frowned upon during summer? Don't naps and summer go hand in hand? It seems like they should.

We made pizzas the other day for lunch. We used premade crusts and I let the kids DIY their toppings. The granddaughter made mine.

Trying to do better, mine was red bell pepper and spinach. Today's lunch was a spinach salad with leftover grilled chicken. Just when I start to give up on myself, I go and make a good decision. 

That's about it around here. I've been babysitting, trying to eat better, and catching up (and finishing) The Handmaid's Tale. I quit watching after season 4. I got bored with it. Now that it ended, I felt like I should see how it all played out. I thought I had one season to watch, but it was two. It was hard to start back up with season 5. I kept going, playing it while I was doing housework. I finally finished. It was meh. I think I was just over it all. I was tired of the story. I was tired of their characters. I was tired of their acting. I do appreciate the closure, though. The final episode was boring, but I did appreciate it. I read that there will be a spinoff. No thanks. I'll just let somebody fill me in.

I wish I could power through meatless Mediterranean meals as well as I did that show. 

Oh, well. That's about all I've got.

I tried a new

 recipe and I think it might be Mediterranean Diet friendly. If it isn't, it's still a healthier version. It's THIS spinach dip recipe.

I wasn't sure how I'd feel since I'm not a fan of Greek yogurt, but it's a winner for me.

No, I know the Fritos in the back aren't Mediterranean Diet friendly, but I needed something tried and true for an accurate taste test.

I made the dip because I'd planned on having it for Cosme's tennis tournament that was postponed due to a case of the crud. I needed to use everything before it went bad. Now I have plenty of vegetables for snacking. I also made all the kabobs from the tournament menu. While I was out at the grill, I noticed a plant coming through the landscaping rocks. I had a feeling a knew what it was, so I searched for an ID and I was right.

I don't know how a tomato plant would end up growing right there.  It looks like I'm also growing a straw wrapper from a juice box. 

That's it for now. I just had to share that healthier recipe.

In one of the

several articles I skimmed over to learn about the Mediterranean Diet, I read that it's also about your lifestyle. Not just like exercise, but like doing and enjoying all the things. I read that I should get out more. Here's the thing, when I think of the Mediterranean, I think of outdoor dining. It probably has nothing to do with anything, but I do enjoy it. That's my excuse and I'm doing it. Every chance I get, I'm outside eating, taking a break, or even on the computer. Really, I should be out there right now but I've got somewhere to be this morning. (A school event. How's that for getting out and doing?) If I didn't have to leave soon, I'd be out there right now typing this and eating some toast. 

Maggie enjoys the scraps company, too.

Speaking of, here's an update on the einkorn bread. It makes good toast, but it makes really good cinnamon toast.

Oops! My alarm to get ready and low battery notification went off at the same time. Better go charge so that I can use this thing outside when I get back. 

Living that lifestyle, y'all. 😁

(At least how I have it pictured in my head)

I'm not 100%

in the Mediterranean Diet groove yet. You know what's better than nothing? Baby steps. I wouldn't even say I'm taking baby steps. Let's go with preteen steps. For example, several times I've had a snack of nuts, grapes, and a little cheese. I've been making more choices like that. Today's lunch was along those lines. 

I made chicken salad yesterday and since all the bread was white, I used some new crackers I found. Beet and seed. 

Are they better for me than white bread or white crackers? I don't know, but it kind of felt like it. Now, let's talk about that chicken salad. (Yes, I know that chicken isn't on the top of the list for the Mediterranean Diet... Like I said, preteen steps.) I normally make it with chicken, mayo, celery, salt, and pepper. The other day I picked up a jar of Hellman's with olive oil. I'd never tried it, but I figured that using it without even sampling in almost a pound of chicken was a good idea. You know what? It is not the same. It tastes fine, I guess, but it really threw me off in chicken salad. It does not taste the same as plain mayo. I added more salt. I added apples. I didn't know what else to do so I gave up and put it in the refrigerator. Maybe being chilled helped. Maybe the crackers helped.

I also decided that this afternoon was the perfect time to try my hand at a loaf of einkorn bread. I used this recipe. I think my flour being all-purpose might've made a difference. While I do like the bread, the dough was pretty sticky. And looking back to link the recipe, I see that I actually made the wrong one. Oh, well. Live and learn. All that said, here's my loaf.

I'm happy with it. Maybe it'll be good with my latest batch of chicken salad. Maybe it'll be good in the morning as cinnamon toast. PRETEEN STEPS.