Quarantined 10 days off the grid

If i wasn't feeling so amazing before hand,  i may have not known I was ill.  two weeks ago I suddenly felt achy and chilled. and had a low grade fever (100.5).  I went to the local clinic to take a Covid test  (*rapid results) and it was negative.   The fever only lasted 24 hours, and the body aches diminished when the fever did.  I did have my annual sinus and ear issues so assumed the fever came from that.  the two things i noticed different was a "burning" sensation in my nasal passages and in my throat, and I felt so tired very quickly.  took another Covid test again negative,    I couldn't pinpoint it but finally last Sunday, i took the At home Covid test and it came back positive.  arranged immediately to go to the clinic had my 4th Covid test completed, but this one we sent out to a lab  understand at this point i had self quarantined already for a few days. 48 hours later i received another Covid Positive !!!    It never affected my lungs,   it has blunted my taste but not completely,   such an odd little Virus,   I was able to work from home for the most part, but after 2 days i experienced a headache so bad my eyes wouldn't focus, and my throat (from talking on the phone with patients) burnt so bad and I lost my voice.  I literally took two day off..... and did nothing but rest, drink my Chi Tea, my ketones and my mineral supplements. it was odd to nap, but I just went with it.  even yesterday I took two one hour naps..... and still went to bed at the normal time and slept well.!!!   I continued with my keto diet , but obviously no heavy bag boxing going on two weeks now....  I am being mindful of my body, and just allowing it to do its thing,  healing me slowly and steadily.... I am glad that I had both of my vaccines.  and I am glad i have been so healthy for so long, I think both helped.     Okay and i must admit,  being Quarantined is bitter sweet.    And  I can see how easily it would be to become a recluse,  but in the same sense this is like day 14 and I am ready to go to the office tomorrow...  I will start with 8 hour days and go from there.  please be kind to one another, and find peace in the moment,  wherever whatever that may be..... 
 

Plugging away/Routine/6 months

Tomorrow will be 6 months since my buddy Old Bill left this earth,  I miss him but in an odd way I have so much peace about where he is,  and I have peace where I am.  The soul connection isn't broken with death, it really isn't.. It just is a new way of learning how to connect, a new way of Loving.  a new way of communicating.  he truly was my greatest teacher, and the way we met, was no accident or coincidence ...  it was a Divine plan.   I am still finding such newness and joy in my apartment,  it's odd,  it feels like a very nice hotel, or a vacation home... there is still such an excitement when I come home, and the energy in this little tiny apartment is so so peaceful.  

I am so glad I am beyond the "keto diet"  and have gently moved into "keto living".   Honestly I can say Keto isn't for everyone, and if you can't give it 100%  i think it is safe to say, and it is my opinion,  that you can't do it half assed.   you can't eat increased fat one meal, and chocolate cake and fries and a burger the next meal.... you miss the concept of teaching your body to use fat as fuel.    but I digress......   I continue to feel so so good,   the energy is through the roof,  last week  I ended up

adding "nannying" to my work schedule. which means i didn't get home for three consecutive days until it was bedtime.  easily left my apartment for a good 14 hours a day.  Thursday was a normal work day,  and home by 5:15.  and this is what has changed in me...... after chilling for a while, a part of me did not want to do my heavy bag boxing routine,  but as soon as I started I felt my energy return... and it felt so good.  I am noticing since i started doing this (first time 1/14,) when I could only do 10 minutes.   and my heart rate stayed in the peak zone 

most of those ten minutes.  I now have to add squats, burpees, jumping jacks, and jogging  into my 25 minute routine, to even get into my "cardio heart rate"   I guess this is a good thing, and my heart is getting in shape.   my resting heart rate has dropped 10 points in five weeks.   my blood sugars are always normal, and i test my blood ketones and they too are always in the zone.  I have no muscle or body aches. I just know my brother Chris is happy, but i am sure he'd find something to razz me about!!!!  i am guess that the inflammation in my body has been resolved by not eating sugar, simple carbs, and processed foods... time will tell

Keto meals I will be making or have made this weekend,  are Chicken Cordon Blue casserole,  Jalapeno Popper soup,  may make chocolate chip cookies, and plan on making Mascarpone Mousse.   the photo shows my first ever Keto Crust made with ground chicken.  my Son Andrew was the "tester".  I must admit i was leery and it sorta even grossed me out...  but all i can say is WOW!!!   Andrew said so far this was the best Keto Pizza he ever had (photo)  If i didn't know I would not have guessed that it was Keto.    the other photo is my basic breakfast when i am home.   2 eggs, bacon, sausage and one tiny street taco size low carb tortilla ....   i am only eating two meals,  my appetite is suppressed, and I may throw in a low carb snack.

so this was a long and boring blog entry,  I know I have had emails asking me what I do, etc.  and I know i still don't post that often.   and this post i touched base on it all

Please have a blessed day, and be kind to one another,  may Grace and Peace surround you. 
 

Crazy busy relaxing Sunday!!!

 What a beautiful day,  I have been going nonstop its almost 7 in the evening, and I am still feeling pretty good. I started making a crockpot full of chicken breast and legs to make shredded chicken for a couple of my recipes today,   and the soup of the day I made was a potato and ham soup, made with cheddar/Monterey jack/ and Gruyere .   there is flour in this as well as potatoes and milk. I will not eat this, I made this for a friend/coworker at the office...  and then i made a Keto Chile Rellenos Casserole for a few of my meals for the week..   and i finally decided to stop after making this creamy chocolate peanut butter mascarpone mousse,  of course Keto friendly and made with monkfruit......   The older neighbor lady stopped in this evening, so i gave her some of the soup......  and I still managed to do my workout.   This would have never been me a few years ago.  A dear friend of mine gave me good advice as I wanted to get out on the trail today, but i lost my ice cleats in the fire years ago, and never replaced those,  and I have been feeling too good, to chance an injury falling on ice.  However.  I did do the "heavy boxing " workout both days,  adding more time and more exercises (squats and burpees)  as it is taking more to get my heartrate up,  hell I used to just stand up from the couch and I would have tachycardia from being so out of shape.... not the case right now :) .    Oh and I have dropped 20 lbs since starting this on Dec 22,  although it truly isn't about the weight, but about how I feel..  right???   Like I have said Keto isn't for everyone... but I certainly agree with it :)   I promise my friends, I will try really hard not to be so perky,  I will try not to mention the word  K.E.T.O  or B.O.X.I.N.G or C.A.M.P.I.N.G  all week, I promise to try.   Please have a blessed week filled with Grace... and be Kind to one another.

Sometimes the answer is NO!!!.... it's about Surrender

 Winter Routine,  it has been steady snow and frigid temperatures here in Western PA,   I remember growing up it was like this most of the time.  I do not mind the snow, I do not mind driving in it,  I do not mind anything about it.   I am thinking this weekend I may get out to my favorite (trail) and do a little hike.  

 a few weeks ago, I had a "personal" opportunity that I thought would be good for me,  I remember asking myself.... is this something that is supposed to be,  something that will be good for me.  or is it something I wanted and not necessarily what I needed??  for a few day at the beginning of January,  it caused a little bit of conflict in me.....  it wasn't until I Surrendered and Trusted that God knows exactly what I need at this very moment,  at my NOW!   and for now the answer is no. and I am more than okay with that, and now that  I can look at the past opportunity with a clear thought,  I totally agree that it wasn't good for me.

I am truly at the best time in my life, and I wouldn't change it for anything.  I don't ever remember feeling this good in my younger days,     I do not feel like I am 54,   I don't move like I am 54,   I don't punch the heavy bag like  I am 54.   even after shoveling my body recovered immediately,   I have a few more days in January to eat what  I call Keto Perfect.  as I was doing the 30 day challenge.  My daughter and friends are tired of hearing about Keto and Boxing and Snow..... LOL   they tease me good naturedly of course...   Please understand,  I go through the same struggles......  it's just by Gods Grace, and how i am made.....  (*i think i got it from Patty Hockenberry)  but the Joy in my heart  has and needs no explanation or understanding  

A few people asked what my Keto cooking would be this weekend....... I'll let you know,  not sure yet.

Please be Kind to one another, and Surrender to your NOW.......  

90 minute Nap!!!

 Today's keto friendly meal "Chicken Parmesan Stuffed Zucchini "  so easy and delicious the ingredients are : ground chicken, marina sauce, garlic salt and pepper, freshly grated mozzarella and freshly grated parmesan and hollowed out zucchini boats- the recipe is exceptionally easy and a great find given to me by one of my co-workers.

One day a week, I stay at my daughter Katie's house.  we usually watch one of our cooking contest shows, i do my laundry, we order out, and just relax, and i have a lot of puppy cuddle time !!!  and i have my own room so i sleep over,  I usually get up early (5 am)  get my coffee and chill with the dogs until Katie finally wakes up.  This morning i was just tired,  didn't even finish my coffee, and fell asleep until 8  (*which is unheard for me,)   still feeling tired, came back to my apartment  did a few things, etc.   and ended up taking a nap,  it was one of those naps that I was aware that I couldn't wake myself up,   I am all for naps, I think they are healthy,  and 20 to 30 minutes  is usually enough just to energize me... but today it was 90 minutes.......   still waking up tired I made my cup of coffee with heavy cream, pumpkin pie spice, monkfruit and 1 TBS of butter... it was after that I finally started to feel my energy come back........  and have my house cleaning done,   laundry hung up and put away  and  even enjoyed my Boxing workout........  have i mentioned how much i love my boxing workout yet ???? 

I miss old Bill,  but i just sense that he is happy that I am so happy.   I really do feel that we are still connected and that gives me peace!!!   You know we don't really die,  our souls just go into a different dimension  and humans just can't seem to understand or see this.   But i do know this, the same connection i felt when i first met him, where i had the overwhelming sense that i knew him forever.  and the same connection i had with him when he was alive...... I still feel that!!  and I think that is why i feel so much peace and happiness......   my soul still knows his soul.   death really can't separate souls,  it just separates the human body 

Tomorrow i may go out for a little hike around the lake,    after all it's going to be a hot and balmy 23 degrees   Have a blessed day.  and be Kind to each other....... 

Brutally Honest and Offensive

 This photo of a rose was sent to me from a " teacher" that lives in Arizona,  so snow and ice here,  sun and flowers blooming there... what an amazing world we live in!!!  I was so glad he took the time to send this perfect rose to me :) .

  Here i am sitting by my window, and the feel of the warm sun on me is deceiving compared to the actual temperature outside right now which is 9 degrees.   

  I know i promised a few people that i would blog more often, but it isn't easy...   not the blogging part but worrying if you are too down,  it "offends" people,  if you are too happy it "offends" people.  if you do Keto, it offends people   If you love God it offends people, .......... do you get the picture.... More and more people are offended by everything anymore.... But offending is not my intent,  nor my problem.  I have just came to the stage in my life, some call it age, some call it wisdom....   I try to be honest in this Blog, brutally at times,  So if there comes a time that you are sick of my post,  stop reading, no hard feelings......  after all we are all Perfectly imperfect and that is the beauty in all of Us.

   I have been feeling so good for the past month,  I mean so freaking good , it still surprises me,  I have this incredible joy in my heart,  like all the time.  and i am sure my constant joy is annoying the shit out of some people, some of my friends.   I can't help it,   I can't pretend to not be so happy!  it is a peace that passes all understanding!!!  and I keep thanking God for his Grace.........because it is by Grace only and i am humbly aware of that.    I guess normal life things are still happening,  I still experience loss, and loneliness, crazy busy days at work,  Patients that try my "patience",  people that carry such bad energy that i am constantly blocking and protecting my soul from following suite..... but even these things can't seem to touch my joy right now....  oh you, my blog will be the first to know  when it happens, as life is ups and downs, joy and sadness, peace and fear, love and hate, poverty and abundance.............

  So at this moment this is what is making me filled with Joy,   my relationship with God ,My job, Keto, Boxing, and My apartment.... in no particular order.......   

There is a lot of darkness in this world,  and one tiny light doesn't seem to help........ but if we all do our part, and let our light shine even in the darkest of darks...., and if more and more people let their spirits shine........ we'd have plenty of light to even help even those in darkness see....... so choose Kindness  and choose Joy!!!

Best Day EVER!!!!

I knew yesterday that I would be working from home today, I absolutely love the company I work for,  and they truly care about their staff and their clients......  People keep telling me the older I get the more that i will NOT like winter.   ummm don't think it is going to happen.  there is just something about being snowed in, and all huddled up and cozy. while winter is wide awake outside.  

 My energy level is through the roof, and it kind of hit me later on in the day.  Still up at 5:30 am,  with my music, and my cup of coffee,  I was sitting there remembering when i was a child and I couldn't wait to get outside in the snow,  waiting for mom to put the wonder bread bags on my feet, over my socks and just before the boots.  i vaguely remember  I really didn't have the elbow joint or the knee joint once my mom was done layering me with clothing,  (we couldn't afford the fancy snow suits for 7 children).  And my thoughts came back to present time, and I thought, why can't I go out in this?  so leggings, a shirt and a sweatshirt, a warm hat, gloves..... oh and boots  (*yes mom was frowning from heaven i am sure)  she would have said i wasn't dressed warm enough and I needed a coat, but i digress .......  At 6 am I was the only person outside in my apartment complex,  my car was covered with a good 7-8 inches of snow, and the snow was swiftly coming down.  I swept it off, even removing the snow from the roof.... it felt wonderful,  every cell in my body was alive and  I felt complete joy,  I didn't want to go inside, and it was such a work out. so i went to the elderly couples car across from mine,   I knew they wouldn't be out in this for a few days, but i didn't want the snow to pile up....so i cleaned their car,   I was still feeling pretty good. so there is one tenant that leaves the same time as me every morning so i cleaned his truck and had it ready for him.... and then I decided i needed to get ready for my day at work.  However my daughter called me, and she was heading over to my son's shop to do the sidewalks.....  so I met her,  helped her shovel out the Pizza shop.... came home and was able to start work by 9 :)    Work kept me busy but that was a good thing,  I was afraid it would drag on....but it did not.  

I went out a second time this evening spent approx 30 minutes removing snow from my car again and shoveling and sweeping the sidewalks which had more in the afternoon than they did in the morning.  I so loved everything about today.

Keto is so amazing.... and that is why i call it the Keto Life and not a "Diet".  My fitbit shows that i worked out in the zone for an hour and thirty minutes.    seriously.  my arms are a little sore,  but my back and knees are fine.  I promised katie i will not do my boxing routine tonight..... but i am so wanting too. but know that i have to go slow and build up stamina.    here is my Keto pizza soup i slow cooked last night,  and these VERY yummy keto cookies.. one hits the spot:   and there is only yokes, 3 Tbs of monkfruit, Lily sugar free chocolate chips, unsweetened coconut and pecans .... absolutely my favorite so far.

Please make tomorrow your best day ever.... and the day after that, and the day after that.... be kind to everyone