Joyous June

[Lavande]

Re: Joyous June

Good evening friends,

It was hot, hot, hot today but the AC is on & I am grateful
I filled the kiddie pool for the boys, they had fun.

Star, my friend in Minnesota said they had a huge storm after the heat wave with 2" of hail!!!! Geez, I don't want all that but will be happy to see the heat go somewhere else.
Have you tried the FoK Costa Rican Rice & Beans (Gallo Pinto) recipe yet? Yum, I love it with brown rice. I make up a double batch & use it for lunches etc - good way to use black beans.

Pauly, it's snowing where your Mom is? That's crazy!!
Pinterest is nothing more than an online recipe box for me. I pretty much ignore all of their suggestions for foods - they can be annoying.

Hello to Cyn, hope you had a good day!

Have a nice night everyone!
Lav

[treegirl]

Re: Joyous June

Night sll - hot, tired, and a little crabby here -- I'm downstairs with the pups, it was too hot on my office for my girl, she was panting and we can't have they with arrhythmia and breathing problems. So downstairs we all (except HB who is sadly up in our bedroom, with a window fan and 2 floor fans.) for some reason this heat is really hard to take - oh well , this too shall pass!

Good to read all about you gals .,. I will write when more awake tomorrow.

Wishing all a good night-

[Snoopy56]

Re: Joyous June

Good morning...

Well, I had a good day yesterday as I was free. My daughter called and wanted to go out to dinner with her husband and since I am not working I offered to drive down and spend time with the boys. So I did, it was wonderful, busy, crazy at times, but fun. Anyway, I am so happy I was available. Slept well last night for sure.

Lav, I looked up that recipe and will make it today with the black bean burgers and sweet potato fries for dinner and then will have left overs. Great idea. I saw the pic on FB of your grandsons, they are so cute. Nothing better on a hot day than a pool and playing outside. It was so hot here yesterday, I was happy to be in the car and then in the house. However, I am going to the pool today after I exercise and run to the grocery store. Did you see where 45 is being sued for violating the emoluments clause in the constitution? About time, hope something comes of it. He and his buddies twist everything though, but eventually something has to make a difference. The corruption is unbelievable.

Cyn, sorry you were so hot, I am spoiled with AC and don't know how you do it. I am reading Gloria Steinem's autobiography, enjoying her gift of writing and viewing life with compassion and interest. I have so much to read right now including the book for the book club next week which I am hosting. I hope people show up, but if it is small, so be it. Any ideas for a snack to serve? I will have water, tea and soda, and if people want wine they can bring it. Hope we can have it outside, but we'll see.

Pauly, I am enjoying eating vegan and it is pretty simple actually. Instead of cooking with oil, I use water or broth. I do spray a pan with oil but that is it. Yesterday for lunch I had salad and made miso soup, very easy. Since I am not working I can find a recipe, run to the store, then make it, so it is kind of fun. My daughter wants to host Father's Day with a cookout. So I told her I would bring veggie skewers and she will make rice and have a salad. That will be good for us. I may make corn and bean salad with baked tortilla chips for an appetizer and ask her about fresh fruit for dessert. This is really the perfect time to start an eating plan with fruits and veggies. When I eat this way I never have stomach upset and feel satisfied not overstuffed, so it is working for me. I cannot believe it is snowing where your mother lives, wow, that would be hard to take in June. Hope this week is easier for you, healing takes so much time, many ups and downs with emotions all over the place, it is good to know it is normal but it does not make it any easier.

Well, another lovely summer day, with both the good and the difficult, so let's make it AF.

[paulywogg]

Re: Joyous June

Morning friends, just a quick hello cuz I'm running a bit behind cuz mwo was doing an upgrade earlier,wishing us all a nice AF Tuesday

[treegirl]

Re: Joyous June

Hi all -

I thought I should write before i get tired and cranky!! I wrote last night from my phone, and was trying to wrangle a spot on the downstairs couch for myself in between the dogs! I didn't fare too well. But we got through the night, and all is OK today.

Pauly - I echo what Star said about grief -- it takes its own time, for sure. Hope you are doing OK. I get it about Pinterest... I never look at the other suggestions, I just use it as a 'recipe' box so that if I see something, I don't lose the recipe. However, I don't look in that recipe box very often! I seem to just be able to get through the day - no extra thinking, looking, FBing, nothing. Oh well!

Star - how nice that you could babysit! That is a real perk for both you and your daughter (and her husband). So glad that your dietary changes are feeling good to you... isn't it funny about individual ability to eat different foods? I can do most beans, but not black beans for some reason... who knows?

Lav - I actually have thought about a kiddie pool - just to put your feet in and think about the water. If I get some energy back some day I will get my paddleboard out on the local lake. I hope soon. It looks like girl dog is slowly getting better, stronger, so maybe I'll have a little more freedom coming up...

Well, I got out early and did some weeding in the flower bed close to the house. I had it cleared a few weeks ago, but of course that was then... So lots to take out, but I managed before i got heatstroke or the gnats ate me alive. Hopefully tomorrow morning I will have the energy to put the mulch in place to keep it weed-free; I am wondering if I should put down paper before I mulch, hmmm.

I read Nora's post about pulling the covers over her head, and I get that completely. I am better today, but yesterday I was totally despondant - I could not see a way forward through all the dim muckness of multiple priorities, and had no energy to even figure it out. I really wanted to 'run away', just like Nora wrote. But today seems better (even though my alkalinity was down in the dumps...) maybe lack of sleep is messing with my head, i don't know.

Anyway, wishing you all the best of what's left of this hump day, and hoping all is good for you all tomorrow --

[Lavande]

Re: Joyous June

Good evening friends & foodies!

I happened to see this post by Amy Myers MD on FB this morning. I think it explains some of my issues.....

http://www.amymyersmd.com/2017/06/gluten-cross-reactivity/

Star, glad you had a day with the boys too!!!
They are fun, exhausting & so much more, ha ha! Unfortunately they pick up certain language when they go to school, boy did that take me back! I heard more combinations of four letter words yesterday than I have heard in a very long time. I tossed a lot of gentle reminders out there to watch the language, LOL
I'm glad to hear you are enjoying the new style of eating - anything that makes you feel good, right?
I took the time to watch Sessions testify today - he's one heck of a little liar. I was thinking the whole time that someone should get the fire extinguisher ready because his pants are about to set on fire
I don't think there's an honest person in the white house, not one!

Cyn, it actually hit 96 degrees today, ugh!
I spent most of my day trying to keep animals cool. I'm glad your girl dog is doing better. Max is slowly getting worse I think & there's just not much to be done about it either. Trying to just cover the basics by keeping her clean, fed & medicated as needed. Physically handling her is a huge problem for both of us at this point.
Filling up a kiddie pool with ice cold well water is a good idea. When I fill that pool for the kids I try to do it real early so the sun will warm it a bit for them.

Pauly, I hope you got yourself caught up today

Have a nice evening everyone & stay as cool as you can.

Lav

[Snoopy56]

Re: Joyous June

Good morning...

Cyn, I hear you about feeling a little despondent, I felt unsettled yesterday too. I had several hours where I was in the house, it was raining, and I started to think about being unemployed, getting mad about my ex-boss, etc. It was not useful and today I plan on focusing on more positive things. Sometimes it is not easy. You are so devoted to your pets, they are very lucky. I am sure the lack of sleeping in your own bed is catching up with you, and the heat. Hope you can take time for a rest period in the afternoon, that would help, even if it is only 20 minutes or so.

Pauly, hope your day went well.

Lav, I made the rice and bean recipe, my husband loved it, I thought it was just OK. But, I made a vegan carrot cake, including a tofu/cashew frosting and it was pretty good. Just a lot drier and less sugary than what I am used to. However, my husband loves carrot cake so I thought I would give it a try. I have to say these recipes fill you up pretty quick and there are lots of leftovers, so no cooking for me today. I watched Forks over Knives yesterday and it was clear that cutting out animal products results in immediate health benefits. Also that the government does not have our best interests and everything is politically motivated. Has it always been like this? Or is it worse now? Re: politics, I saw Sessions too and could not believe how dishonest and what a lousy testimony he gave, what a bunch of losers in the WH. He so clearly was not forthcoming and protecting 45, we are in big trouble as a country. We had unexpected rain/storms yesterday so it did not get as hot, and more rain coming today.

Off to have my second cup of coffee, have a great AF hump day.

[paulywogg]

Re: Joyous June

Morning friends,Star when I was baking with the alternative flours I'd either get dry treats or super moist ones,adding a little honey and plain Greek yogurt helped keep it moist,I adore carrot cake! Yesterday I was making Velveeta brand stroganoff and just used plain almond milk,nobody noticed but I told the girls and of course they said"eww gross!" Brats! Winslow got attacked by a neighbors pit bull last night while Brady was walking him! The pit bull came darting out from underneath the chain link fence,no broken skin or bones but Winslow is still limping poor thing,Lav,those boys are growing up so fast! I remember when they were toddlers,Cyn,you should get a small pool to dip your feet in I need to fill Lou's up probably this weekend cuz its supposed to be 110 and I'm sure we'll be stuck in the house,hubs is not allowed to buy coffee anymore! He always gets wake up blend or super dark roast which super makes me speedy! I'll stick to my McCafe just have to go to Walmart which I hate,hope we all have a positive, no down in the dumps AF day!

[Lavande]

Re: Joyous June

Good evening friends,

The heat wave has broken, yay! Of course I hear there's another one on the way for the weekend, geez. We did have a brief but hard downpour overnight, it woke me up. the dog also had me awake a few times. I am tired, haha! We have to be out of here by 7:30 in the morning (if not earlier). YB has to arrive at the hospital by 8:30 to check in for his carpal tunnel procedure. The hospital is right near where my daughter lives & where I used to work. If he is feeling well enough I am going to drive us back in the in the evening to see our granddaughter's Kindergarten graduation, ha ha. It will be a long day with lots of driving for me.

Star, I think the food industry has always been influenced by lobbyists for the beef & dairy councils but it probably is much worse these days. And to think of all the money involved with these special interest groups & how they directly influence our politics. Glad you are working out the plant based diet to your liking. Tonight I made a roasted butternut squash & barley salad. I had it over a bed of greens with a side of zucchini, ha ha! Very good

Pauly, I hope poor Winslow is OK. Why do people keep such mean dogs? That's sad because I've know a few pit bulls that were as mellow as golden retrievers.
I have found it best not to tell people what ingredients I use, most of them don't know the difference - seriously! I like the McCafe coffee too. I buy the medium roast & cut it with some decaf so it doesn't make anyone jittery.

Cyn, I hope you are feeling better today. The full moon has annoyed me this week, maybe it was getting to you as well.

Have a nice night friends & wish me luck tomorrow, please!

Lav

[paulywogg]

Re: Joyous June

Good luck Lav,thats an early morning Winslow is fine,,,until he sees me then he pretends he's still in pain,I walked through the door and he was running around with a stuffed animal in his mouth fine as can be then he saw me and went to his corner where his bed is and waited for me to dote on him,turd! Hope we all get some nice rest tonight

[Snoopy56]

Re: Joyous June

Good morning all...

Boy did we get the storms and rain last night. Still really hot, weather won't break till Monday, so we are in for some stormy weather. I am going to make a list of things to do in the house, otherwise I will just read all day.

Lav, hope YB's medical procedure is uneventful and you can go home tonight. Good your weather broke. I have to look up more recipes for Friday, your dinner sounded good. The carrot cake was better the second day, very moist, I will make it again. What the heck is spelt flour? Appears I am not allergic to nuts anymore, but still staying away from peanuts. The cashew frosting was good. We spent most of the day with my daughter and baby grandson, looking for a swing set for out oldest grandson for his birthday. Found one at Sam's Club and they will deliver and put together, so that is good. We cannot put something like that together and my son-in-law has enough going on. The baby doesn't sleep much. Going on a month, they are tired.

Pauly, I hate when stray dogs are threatening/attack, it is so scary, poor Winslow. Love how he knows his mommy will feel sorry for him. That carrot cake I made was moistened with maple syrup and crushed pineapple, it took a day to moisten. I have time to cook and bake and enjoy it. Something to do. I have been exercising every day, feel like taking today off, it is boot camp and kicks my butt. We'll see.

Cyn, hope you have a good day.

Happy AF Thursday.

[paulywogg]

Re: Joyous June

Morning friends,well Star at least you'll have a firm booty! that boot camp is killer but firms up everything, I'm so glad you're enjoying the new way of eating, nothing worse than trying to change eating habits and hating it,plus its pointless if you feel resentful of it like I did with gluten free,I guess not bad but when you start thinking corn chips are ok for dinner cuz they're gf haha,Lav,you're more than likely on the road or at the hospital with YB so I'll wish you a nice day Cyn,I wish you a nice day too,hope to hear from you,let's make it a happy AF Thursday all

[Lavande]

Re: Joyous June

Wow, I was awake at 4:45 this morning thanks to a major hotflash, ha ha! I was hoping to sleep until the alarm went off at 5:30 - no such luck.
Everything went fine today except that the surgery was delayed for 2 hours (don't know why). We had to just sit at the hospital & wait, oh well. He's got some pain, I don't think the non narcotic pain medicine they gave him is going to be much help but we'll see. We got to the graduation which made everyone happy

Star, sorry the baby isn't sleeping much yet. Some are just like that for no apparent reason. My daughter slept for 20 minute intervals for the first 7 1/2 weeks - thought I was going to die of exhaustion. My son did much better. They all catch up eventually, thank goodness.
The swing set sounds like an awesome gift. The kids will enjoy that for years. The weather was better today but I hear the weekend is supposed to be hot & humid, oh well.
Well, I ended up eating very little today because of all the commotion & my appetite naturally drops off when I feel a bit stressed. Tomorrow I will steer myself to something healthy.

Pauly, is Winslow moosing for an Academy Award? Ha ha! My dogs pull that same BS too. They are real characters, aren't they?

Cyn, I hope you are OK & check in with us soon :hug:

Have a nice night everyone!
Lav

[treegirl]

Re: Joyous June

Hi guys - late night hello here... long day, but productive , so that feels good. Glad to hear all are OK. I'm falling asleep as I write this, so I'll finish up now ---
More tomorrow!

[Snoopy56]

Re: Joyous June

Good morning...

Lav, great YB's surgery went well and you were able to attend little granddaughter's graduation, sweet. Very hot and muggy here, also cloudy so no pool day yesterday. Thanks for sharing about the baby and sleep, I agree with you that sometimes babies just don't sleep much and the sleep deprivation is hard to live with.

Pauly, any special plans for your Friday? I spoke to a family member who lives in the desert yesterday and she confirmed that the temp there is well over 100 degrees, whew, that is hot. Enjoy if you can.

Cyn, glad you had a productive day.

Have a great AF Friday.