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.

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...