But it's FREE

 

Recently at an event where I volunteered for the Sheriff's department, they fed us all day for our work. I ate a burrito, a small sandwich, and two cookies. I should have looked at the calories for the cookies before I ate them, I probably would have changed my mind. At the end of the day, we were offered a nice dinner at the golf club. It would have been very nice. I wasn't hungry after the cookies I had just eaten, so I said so. The coordinator of the event said, "But it's FREE!" 

I didn't respond except to say I wasn't hungry. But I thought to myself, nothing is ever free. Food isn't free, even if you don't pay for it, your body pays for any food that isn't needed and that is over and beyond what it can us. It stores excess in your fat cells, and we all pay the price for that if we become overweight.

It's not that we shouldn't enjoy those special meals. I'd already had too much food a few times the previous days and weeks prior to that event, my body really didn't need the excess.

Pick and choose those special meals. Make them count. Enjoy them!

Kitten update

The four kittens in the picture above are who we have left. The biggest little boy kitten went to his new home. It was mixed emotions for me, just a week ago all the four above were reserved, but not the little boy. He was the biggest, and we were afraid he would get too big and no one would want him. He was so precious and such a cuddle bug. We got him out of his shell, as he huddled in the corner hissing on the day we brought him here. I would have been really sad if no one wanted him. Then, when I suddenly heard he had a buyer and they were taking him the next day I nearly cried. But really, I'm super happy because this is WHY we are gentling these kittens, so they'll be ready for a new home. We will miss them! But we are doing what we set out to do, getting them into good homes and helping them become cute and cuddly and used to being handled by humans. 

The little boy kitten is named Lil' Bear by the new owner, she is a recent widow and she and Lil' Bear are quite smitten. She sent this video, and even though it's a little fuzzy quality, it will always be precious to me. I'm so happy for Lil' Bear and the lady who gave him a home. They needed each other.

Saving a life?

Last Friday night I did a Sheriff patrol shift with Randy. We each worked with different partners and my Partner named Cody and I ended up saving a life. We just happened to be driving by when someone called to us and ask for help. We have a few things in a small medical bag for when we happen to be first on scene while waiting for paramedics. We were just doing our job, and happened to be there, but that in and of itself, following our training protocols, is often a big deal.

So just show up and do what you are supposed to do!

Workout, eat healthy in the right amount, and get your water and sleep!

At our age, Randy and I know we certainly could not help out unless we did that all nearly as perfect as we can. Of course, we are not perfect, but we get up every day and do our best. Again! Yes, again and again!

Food

I can't let myself get bored with food. Some weeks I have mostly the ground turkey, veggies, a little fruit, tortillas or rice, whole eggs or egg whites, and of course my protein ice cream. Lately my protein ice cream is level-1 and fresh milk from the farm, after I skim off all the cream to make cultured butter and buttermilk. I use the buttermilk to make things mostly for Randy, but I have a little measured out as well. YUM!

This week I made homemade refried beans and shredded beef. They both cooked overnight in crock pots. The beans were soaked overnight the previous night in water with a little salt. Once they were rinsed, I cooked them overnight. After cooking, I rinse them again (that will keep them from being "gassy.")  Then I mash them with a pastry blender, and a bit of butter, salt, fresh ground pepper, and garlic powder. I heat up a little chicken broth to melt the butter and mix it all up really well. Oh, it's so good!

The shredded beef turned out really good in the crockpot with water and some taco seasoning. Both the beans and beef go great with the corn or flour tortillas, or in the custom soups I make with broth and veggies I have in serving containers in the freezer. Some days I'll grab ground or shredded turkey which I almost always have in serving containers in the freezer. Beef is a little higher in calories, so it depends on my plan for the day.

Just monitor and make each day count as best you can. I'm still tracking my calories and writing them on the monthly grease board. There are only a few weeks left this month, and I'll make a new board when July comes and keep going!

I started with a kitten picture, and I'll close with the kitten video used to capture that picture:

They are adorable and Randy and I love them so much!

Nothing is FREE!

Remember, nothing is free, not even free food is free! Who gets this?

I hope you all have an amazing week! Let's MAKE IT HAPPEN!

Roberta