Grocery Haul & Healthy Foods to Cook With

I don't usually talk about what I buy, but I wanted to share some of things I've found at the grocery, and the health food store near us here in Burlington, Iowa. My mom has a lot of allergies, so it's really important that I find, and work with ingredients that are ok with both of us, and I've been very lucky to find these ingredients, sauces and flavors, that don't have anything that can make us sick.

My mom loves her sauces, so I've been trying to come up with some of my own. One of my first, that she seemed to like a lot was coconut aminos, with sesame seed oil, especially on chicken. I also was able to find a health food store near us called Nature's Corner, and they have a vegan mayonaisse, made without eggs, or soybean oil, which is very important in our diets. They also have a ketchup made by the same brand, Primal Kitchen, as well, and later I was able to find it our local HyVee store, as well. 

Recently I also discovered another brand that is a little healthier for us, called Noble Brand (by the New Primal), and they have a good, and spice bbq sauce. Plus, at Nature's Corner, they have soup packets, that don't have anything bad, like soy, wheat, or any added perservatives.

I've always enjoyed cooking healthy, and even doing things from scratch. Sometimes, when I'm working on the basics, it's nice to have quality sauces, and it makes it easier on me. It can get pricey if your not careful, but I always say it's worth it.

People Need to Be Looking Back

Plans for the spring include working on my videos, starting my podcast I keep talking about, and try to ride my back again. I would like to be more active since I received my Fitbit Tracker, and live healthier after all we’ve been through.

I’ve been enjoying a lot more anime, and going back to some of my favorites lately, which has also sparked by interest in the Japanese culture again. I’ve also been looking at other cultures as well, French, and Italian, and I’ve been really interested in a lot of the different foods. The cultures of the other countries like Japan have fascinated be over many years, and I would like to apply some of that into my life.

Lately, a lot more shows have been back in the swing, and even some awesome new movies like Disney’s Raya. It’s made for some awesome watch time. I’ve even found some new anime, like the continuation of Inuyasha, which is all about his and his brother’s, Sesshōmaru, daughters, Yashahime. On some of the social media, there’s been a bit of negative feedback, though, about Charmed and GH too. Everyone is continually criticizing about something, when they need to stop, and wait for the good stuff. Particularly on soaps, and drama series, they like to wait until the middle, or right around the seasons middle, or end for things to get really good.

In about a year since the COVID-19 pandemic hit, things have changed, and nothing feels quite normal, or how it used to be, but maybe that’s a good thing. It gives a chance for all of us to do better. We’ll see what happens during and after the summer.

Spring Turns to Summer 2020

Getting into this time of year, most of us were hoping that the virus would die out, and we could find out way back to normal, or what could pass for it. The weather is warmer, some places are opening again, but we have other things going on we need to take care of. Our health, not just our looks and fashion styles for one.

We need to remember to take care and watch out for ourselves and others. That does not mean we cannot have fun though. Many of us have designed or bought cloth masks for when we need to go out. Speaking of places that are reopening, the YMCA in Burlington, Iowa has opened its swimming pool, as well as other areas for small groups. We go to the pool, and we need to be mindful of large groups, no one crowding. Time to work out and enjoying fitness again. To be able to go exploring when it is this warm out is great, and we get to see nature, and watch the scenery change.

So now, we can keep up with these regulations we have been doing, maybe this pandemic will not hold our lives in death grip, and that will be our new normal.

Dealing with Anxiety While Waiting

We all have been self-isolating for a couple months now, and right about now, the stress maybe starting to get to some of us. Now is the time to get creative and get started on something for yourself. Work on a project, clean out your house of the clutter, or get out of the house, and explore something new. 

It has been a slow time coming, for life to return to a new normal, if that is the right word. Right now, there has been a gentle reopening of stores, and salons in the area, while other large businesses around the world have keep their doors closed. Our church has started to resume worship, with some groups gathering inside, as well as its live streaming.

For as long as it takes, we still need be vigilante, work together to stay as healthy as possible. Working together is the only way we are going to the other side, and hopefully beat this pandemic, once and for all.

This World We Now Live In

It has been a while now since the coronavirus has spread around the globe, and it has changed just about everything, including the many ways we manage our health in our daily lives, at least for me it has. While being isolated from people, it is also given us a different perspective as well.

For me, it has made me take a harder look at both my general health, but also how it affects other as well as myself, in public. I've been working on a better routine for myself, starting with having a regular exercise workout, and healthy eating habits. I work on keeping clean, including taking care of personal hygiene, as well washing my hands on a regular basis.
Now that physical distance is strictly required, there are different ways to communicate with others, enter social media. We’ve been able to use live streaming, and other mediums in ways we hadn’t before. Churches have been able steam through using Facebook, and YouTube. And friends, and family have been able to video chat, seeing each other.

If one does have to out in public, many have been finding ways to limit the spreading of germs. Quite a few stores have public sterile wipes, and different sanitizers. And many people have been using face masks, some custom and/or homemade ones.

All of this is to help fight the virus that has a firm grip all over the world. However, we as people, have managed to keep going, and have been able to adapt. Hopefully soon, a cure will be found, or the virus will fade into the background. All we can do is keep living our lives.