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.