staycation (stage 2)

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stacation 24 pt 2

After buying that cool veg chopper yesterday I realised that not only was it really going to up my food prep game, it was also going to help with stage 2 of my Staycation. This was the same moment that I realised there was actually going to be a stage 2. I think this is kind of the “transition week”. Who knew?

Since the Staycation officially began on July 8th I haven’t missed one daily chair workout, and I have to say I’m a bit proud of myself about that. Because it’s now to the point where the day wouldn’t feel right without one and that’s kind of what I wanted to happen. It’s how things used to be. Am also getting a walk in most days, though this is getting more difficult because my damn knee is getting worse by the day, so walking is no longer a pleasure (basically it hurts like fuck).

Anyhow, this means that after this week I still have four more weeks (Staycation officially ends on September 1st). This doesn’t mean I haven’t been working. I spend several hours a day on my websites and social media, updating stuff, editing photos, creating content etc. It just means I’m not doing work I’m being paid for, which was the work I needed time off from. I already know this was important, though still vague about what, if anything, will come of taking this break. And although I really can’t afford to be doing this financially I also can’t afford to not do it.

And so next up after getting myself hooked on the workouts… some diet changes. I have already made a few, and I’m still taking the fish oil and vitamin supplements. What I’m going for is another “habit”… a way of eating that feels just as natural in my daily life as the new workout routines do now. So this “transition week” I am working towards getting that started, and also having fun with it.

Don’t get me wrong, I eat well, always fresh food, nothing over-processed, etc. And no, I am not out eating tapas every day (that’s the magic of social media). But after multiple operations, chemo-menopause-ageing etc my weight increased without me changing any habits. I wasn’t eating more or doing less. And so now, instead of feeling a bit helpless about all this, as I have felt these past 15 years, I am motivated to find what works for me. So let’s see what August brings. How’s your summer going?

pico de gallo time

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chopper

Getting a bit hooked on Instagram recipe reels lately, so much so that I now have a whole list of links in a file for me to get back to (eventually). Most of the ones that catch my eye tend to be vegetarian (?) but the other day I came across one for simple pan-grilled squid with pico de gallo. If you don’t know pico de gallo it’s a chunky “sauce” traditionally made from finely chopped tomato, onion, red & green peppers, with salt, olive oil, lime juice, and fresh cilantro. And it’s delicious. Anyhow, I was both looking forward to and dreading making this squid dish because I have no patience for dicing veg. And then I remembered having an “onion chopper” back in Toronto and wondered if they still made them, or something similar. And look what I found at trusty El Corte Inglés. On sale too! Now just have to find some shelf space…