Happy New Year

And, a grand one it is turning out to be. A few changes made for the better and life has already shown improvement. No resolutions. Just plans and good change.

I've already changed my lifestyle eating and exercise to be far more healthier, and it's working. Kidlet and I are still planning to do the mud run in May and training for it. I also got my sweet paws on this baby:

Get it at Amazon

This is an Instant Pot.  It does so many things, including pressure cook.  I got the 8 qt one almost half price. Very good start to the year.  I also gave up on social media. I didn't realize just how much stress it was causing me. I don't miss it. 

Hub and I spent the weekend making shelves for the kitchen. I needed a space for my large Kitchenaid mixer.  The result was getting more space in the cupboard for my cookware and the food out where I can get it. It's part of my kitchen redo, which is greatly inspired by Ryoya Takashima of Peaceful Cuisine. 

My new storage area

The fun thing is, I get to relearn how to cook. I've acquired a number of cookbooks and have watched several videos on YouTube on how to cook healthy, whole foods, at least, what I've not used before. Such as: Tofu, Tempeh, and several of the grains and beans. I didn't realize how much easier it was to cook whole foods, and far less clean up.  We also spent some time going into town and checking out the stores purported to carry better foods.  Sprouts was okay. I have no use for Trader Joe's as it was nothing but a Yuppy grocery store, overpriced. Whole Foods is difficult to get to and also overpriced. I found I can get just about everything I need, that I can't get from my local grocery store, at Amazon and other places online.

My gut is still adjusting.  More about how what you eat affects your gut, which, in turn, affects your brain and body functions, here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3iOlRUQkrw. Yet, I have had more energy and clearer thinking, and noticed my skin is clearing up. Hub says I'm a lot calmer, less stressed, and speaking better.  Oh, and an excellent podcast on healthy eating:

I noticed I don't miss the dairy (allergic anyway) and meats or eggs. I've found substitutes that work well and taste fantastic. Even hub and kidlet are coming on board with this, though not as quickly as I am. 

It's all good.

Interesting to note: the USDA MyPlate (1992) was predicated on this Power Plate (1985).
https://p.widencdn.net/b5dsmh/16341-NTR-Power-Plate-Booklet-Update