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.

Things took a turn with

the bread making. I went to the doctor and she saw signs of inflammation and tested me for it. For that reason, I bought some einkorn flour to try. Let me back up a little. I freaked out and went into full panic mode and started researching. Things happen and I'm not young, I get it, but I don't want to be stuck on medication if I can help it. I'm not good at it. I get sidetracked and miss days. I'd like to try to get my body evened out naturally - if it's an option. In my research, I found that the Mediterranean Diet is best for inflammation. While I say that I'm trying it, that's exactly it. I'm trying. It's hard to stick with something when people around you are doing things differently. I'm trying to do better. I'm adding more things that are in agreement with the Mediterranean Diet to my meals. I'm eating more leafy greens. I'm eating more broccoli. I'm also cutting back on other things. What sucks is that there are so many things on the Mediterranean Diet that I hate. I'm trying. I'm really trying. That brings me back to einkorn flour. It's supposed to be the best, most natural, and really good for your gut. I haven't made any yet, but right about the time all this happened, a cupcake shop posted that she is now carrying einkorn sourdough. (Is that a sign or what?) I bought some and am liking it. So, soon I will try baking a regular loaf.

I've also started drinking a lot of water. I still have a Coke daily, but sometimes I skip and sometimes I don't finish. I haven't had any Diet Dr Pepper. I just figured I'd stick to water. I'll have tea here and there, but it's mainly a coffee in the morning, water, an afternoon Coke, and then water. Fun, fun.

In addition to dietary changes, I'm still researching. I already take so many vitamins and supplements and now I've just added a few. Turmeric, anyone? I went for acupuncture. He recommended the Blood Type Diet. Guess what is considered best for me. Basically, the Mediterranean Diet. In better news, it's also suggested that different blood types require different forms of exercise. Who knew? Not me. So instead of cardio and all that rough stuff, I'm better off with yoga and pilates. I guess that's a win.

Now that I've sat here and typed while I finish my oatmeal, einkorn toast, and water, I guess it's time to load up on my vitamins. 

In related news, I bought something. 

I'm going to blame it on The White Lotus, season three. Victoria Ratliff's resort wear is everywhere. I bought it because I thought it would be great for wearing around the pool. I did not buy it because I'm in my Mrs. Roper era. Besides, she was younger than I am now... 

I've been thinking about the

Pullman loaf pans for a few years, but I didn't think I'd stick to making sandwich bread enough to commit to them. Mrs Baird's has been fine and is good. Last year though, I started noticing that I would forget about a loaf for a while and there was never any mold. Bread used to always mold, always. I left some in the drawer and a month past its expiration date, it looked and smelled fine. That's not right. I kept on with my store bought bread and that was that. A few months later, I saw a video of a guy pointing out the same thing. That was it. I started buying store made bread and it would get moldy days later, but it didn't taste great. Back to those Pullman pans...

I ordered a couple of the pans with lids off Amazon. I've emailed USA Pan because that lid with the sticker? That one has a sticky residue that I can't get off.

Anyway, I went ahead and tried a sandwich bread recipe from She's In Her Apron. She made it with three pans, but that didn't work great for me. I did try it three different ways. I made one loaf in the pan with the lid, one in the other pan without a lid, and the third loaf was in a small loaf pan. 

The small loaf had issues.

See the little chunks? What causes this? Did I cut it before it cooled completely?

The next two did fine.

No lid on the left and with the lid on the right.

I also bought a slicer.

I waited longer for those two to cool and I think that helped.

I also bought bags.

I bagged it all up and that was that. It is good, but it's more crumbly than Mrs Baird's - not as soft, chewy, and flexible. Is that from the preservatives? I need to do some more research. I need to practice more. I mean this was my first attempt. I need to figure out where to make changes. I'm sure it's operator error, but still. I just need to work on it.

I want to keep on. I want to know what's in my bread. I want to know it won't last long and will mold like bread always used to - like it is supposed to.

Yesterday was not

about doing better. I didn't go for a swim. I didn't go for a walk, really. I kind of did. I went to the farmers market and Angleton Market Days. I bought a jalapeño cranberry jelly and then sat around last night and ate some.

Camp Snap vintage filter

All I've been wanting to do lately is sit out on the patio. I had snacks out last night and we had friends over and drinks. Did I get enough? No. I was back out this morning with coffee.

Camp Snap vintage filter

Can't stop, won't stop. Well, I will if the weather has any say. Which, it does. Instead of starting off the day with swimming, it threw a 49 degree curveball so now I'm in pants and a hoodie and planning on a walk. Whatever.

Doing better has

begun. Does everyone do this before a yearly checkup? Surely they do. So after going out to Giovanni's and having a bourbon and Coke, it was too pretty out to call it a night. Cosme went for a swim and while I was just lounging, I had a glass of water. A step in the right direction.

Taken yesterday evening with the Camp Snap vintage filter

This morning, instead of going for a walk, I decided to get in the pool. WOW. That was tiring. Sheesh. I guess I need to add that to my list. Also, instead of coming in and grabbing a Diet Dr Pepper, I have a glass of water. TCB 

If I can just stick to it and make habits out of all this, I'll be in business. 

Today was a day

of making appointments. UGH. Being an adult can suck. Getting old is no fun. Oh well, at least I have a few weeks to try and do better. Wish me luck.

I took this with my Camp Snap camera. It's a fun little toy. I do get a lot of meh images, but it's fun. I've had it set to b&w for a while. I think I'll switch to Vintage and see where that gets me.

hello, is it me

 you're looking for?

I've been away for a bit. I think I might want to come back. I don't know. I get busy. I get distracted. I question the blog. Why should I do it? I don't want to talk to anyone. I don't want comments from strangers. I'm antisocial. I'm an introvert. I'm weird. I also want an outlet. I get bored with social media. Bored? For the most part. Annoyed is better. Things are one-sided here. It's me. I don't get ads popping up. I don't get recommended videos. I don't get clips from old tv shows that I never watched. Really, I don't get views. Are blogs even a thing anymore? It's quiet here. I don't do anything that would get attention. I just have an outlet. I can share photos. I can vent. I can do whatever I want. 

While I think I have more time on my hands to get back into stuff like this, I really don't. I want to make more time for my camera. I want to share pictures. I just want a space of my own without any of the social media nonsense and obligations. So, here I am.

I let my photography website go. I probably lost my name, too. I don't know. I might find out. I might add it here. I don't really have time for all that anymore. Wait. I don't make time for all that anymore. 

Anyway, that's where I stand. I'll probably be back more often. I did find something I want to try. (Oh, great. Another project for me to flake out on...)

Okay. I'm out for now.