Thinking about food

Green lentils
because I don’t  have a photo of black beans

Imagine this. If you cleared your food consumed cache to start over with a new menu of things to eat, then what food would you add first?

I’d add fruit and vegetables first. Second, I’d add bake, broiled or boiled meats in limited kind and quanty. Lastly, I’d add dairy and eggs.

That is what I think of as good food. The issue is that not all fruit and vegetables are good to me by taste, allergy and/or digestion. 

When I have an upset stomach, slow down portions and go bland, I think of dairy first. I want a grilled cheese, macaroni & cheese, chicken with rice soup, and lots of water. I don’t think fruit or meat. 

Foods provide different things, different nutrients for us. In a case of for survival, fruit and vegatables are nice, but I’d want meat before a carrot. 

So, I search the Internet with this question: Can black beans provide the same nutrition as steak?

The AI results state the two have similar amounts of protein; and, black beans has more fiber and other nutrients. I ask for survival which is better and the results are that black beans are better.

When I clear my food cache to create a new menu, I realize I might be a non practicing vegetarian in real life. Switch focus to the logistics of food, how to have good food daily, then my new menu becomes more complicated. 

Bottom line, I think it is time I go back to learning how you make a good black beans burger. The last time I tried, I only ate what I made because I knew it was food. 😂

What’s been going on catch up

Under the chin?

A recent health condition flare up slows things down for me. I stress out worrying if this the beginning of my elderly decline. Careful what I eat is a struggle to balance stress and eating right.

The point is that we know our bodies better than anyone else. We may not have the knowledge depth medically trained people do, conditions, treatments and such, but we know us. I think there are times when we forget that as well as how all of us works when facing issues, conditions, illnesses that life throws at us. 

Paying attention to our health can prevent  situations from getting worse. Write things down, ask questions, and be vigilant about symptoms no matter how small. 

If you see on a label, Zero Sugar, read the ingredients to know the sweetener used.

Have a wonderful week

Day 156 of Week 23 June 2026

Edited post because stats took a really steep nose dive.

June is sliding into Summer mode well with higher temperatures and rain, some thunder included. 

Have a good weekend

Sing

Make your own barbeque sauce

Browse stovetop percolators online

Draw a dandelion field

Take a walk with friends

Hand sew stitches for fun

Buy basal plants

How Do You Shop?

 Let us count the ways:

Need 

Garment specific

Thrift stores

Sales and bargains

Color

Fabric

I know when I see it

Fashion fad

Bored and needed to get out and about

Shopping all ways now and then, I believe, is the right answer. 

I am mainly a thrift store shopper leaning into need.

 Last fall I I over did it on tunics, bought more than I needed. That turned into more laundry than I care to have. So, now I am keen on asking myself do I need to buy whatever. I am skilled at making excuses in that regard. Get it down to will it break my heart to say I don’t need it is the coin toss. No wins more often.

Deciding on no is a major change of my shopping attitude. Proof that we can change. Yay me!

A local thrift store is running a 25% off clothes sale. That is worth a quick look. I bought 2 Summer tops and a pair of Gap Madras shorts. I love Madras. I look for Madras in the men’s section because it is difficult to find, and when I do, it is in the men’s section. 

Today though, I didn’t look on the men's racks. As I make my way to the check out counter, something out of the corner of my eye briefly catches my attention. My neck snaps in that direction. Madras! What a thrill. The mind knows what the mind knows. 😎

Alterations needed

Mulling over thoughts of summer heat

Summer Wildflowers

Summer Sky

Summer Fields

As weird as it may sound, since a kid, I’ve liked hot summers. Heat waves, however, I am not a fan. 

Hot ambient temperatures signal my brain that it is warm enough to be outdoors, be in nature, wear sandals, picnic time and know the scent of fresh air after a thunderstorm. There are wonderful elements of hot weather.

And, Air conditioning is number one. Relief from the heat is needed for safe healthy living. 

After that, when the sun doesn’t sting my thin elderly skin, it is therapeutic to me that sunshine rules the day. Feeling the heat from the sun, for a brief time with a thick layer of sunscreen on, is a connection to the universe, a science fiction moment, being one with the solar system. 

This summer I have pondered not having an air conditioner. So far, fans are cool enough. But, one day returning home, when I opened my front door, I felt a rush of hot air. Thoughts began fading from oh this summer will be cooler, no A/C needed. Yes, I do need air conditioning took over. 

Summer Flowers