Garden Visitors~Snakes in the Grass!

Look close!

#MLAChallenge day 8

How's your summer??!! 

Full Strawberry Moon tonight and the Summer Solstice on Friday!

We have 1st cutting done!! Yahoo!! Movin' on to irrigating 2nd.

In Health & Love~ 

 #DoLifeBetter 

 gtyyup

Summer Brain Challenge ~ Day 8 ~ Get Every Little Bit

First things first...My Man has been busy today as usual...first it was the Escape, then the Dodge pickup...and now the tractor!!! He says that the big horse trailer is next!!! What a guy!!

OK...on to the challenge!

Last week, Dr. Perlmutter focused on nutrition for the brain. This week is exercise and movement. 

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The assignment for today was to pick a friend to join me on a short workout. Short is better than none at all...and for some, it's better!

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I chose my dear husband John...and all four dogs!! We broke out the cruisers for a back road country spin! We can't go too fast when Mindy Mae is with us...her little legs can't keep up!!

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But, great fun was had by all. And I always feel energized by getting outside in the fresh air!

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What is your "go-to" lack-of-time exercise?

In Health & Love~ 

 #DoLifeBetter 

 gtyyup

Summer Brain Challenge ~ Day 5, 6 & 7!

Hey...been busy...I'm catchin' up!!! So, who all is putting Dr. Perlmutter's suggestions into action? Maybe just one suggestion? Maybe they all are calling to you?!?

#SummerBrainChallenge ~ Day 5

Eat With The Season

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Now that's easier said than done in the high desert, Great Basin, of SE Oregon! Planting anything before June is a death sentence!!

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Living in a remote area has it's challenges and rewards. The bounty in the photo is from a prior year, but with persistence and patience, it's well worth it! The down side is that we have a very short growing season.

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We are blessed with a produce truck that comes to town beginning mid-summer. They bring us regionally grown fruits and veggies that we so much appreciate!

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Frozen veggies may hold the nutrients, but the flavor and texture are just lost. To me, there's nothing like fresh veggies for breakfast, lunch and dinner!

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I'd show you a pic of my tomato plants that I put in 4 days ago...but, I prefer to think of what they're going to produce this summer!

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#SummerBrainChallenge #getyoursummerbrainon #ketoforlife #cleaneating #healthybrain #healthybody #eatrealfood #selfcare #goingseizurefree #cancersurvivor

#SummerBrainChallenge ~ Day 6

Master Your Blood Sugar

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Dr. Perlmutter writes: "Added sugars and high glycemic index foods are everywhere. Try to cut added sugar from your diet completely for the rest of the challenge period - keeping your blood sugar stable will make you feel amazing."

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Sugar really is everywhere! Today was grocery day...label reading day...just to buy bacon without sugar is impossible in our small town. It's so frustrating!!

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I make all my condiments and baked goods to get the right ingredients. It's worth the effort! .,.,.,

Sweeteners are sweeteners, and are a treat, not a staple. So these applesauce muffins use honey, and are wonderful, but are made on a limited basis 😉

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#SummerBrainChallenge #getyoursummerbrainon #ketoforlife #cleaneating #healthybrain #healthybody #selfcare #goingseizurefree #cancersurvivor #sugarfree #grainfree

#SummerBrainChallenge ~ Day 7

How's it Going?

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Yes, week one is in the books!! Actually, I'm feeling better; more energy and purpose.

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I've been carb cheating for the past few months. My husband decided that it would be easier on me if he ate what I ate...isn't that sweet of him?!? Well, he lost 20 pounds...and he was already skinny!!! With my nutritionist's help, we determined that a low carb diet wasn't the best for him...he's extremely active with a high metabolism. So, we added organic white potatoes and organic white rice (cooked then frozen before eaten) back into his diet. Well, I would have a small portion myself too 😉☺!! But, not this week!

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I'm working toward strictly Keto, so this was as good of a time as any!

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Breakfast salads are one of my favorites!!! This is my super-sized BLT with the works! Yes, I broke my egg yolk LOL!!

It's a wonderful Friday, I hope everyone has great plans for the weekend!!!

In Health & Love~ 

 #DoLifeBetter 

 gtyyup

Summer Brain Challenge ~ Day 4 ~ Eat For Your Mental Health

Dr. Perlmutter writes: “Pay attention to how you mentally feel after you’ve had an indulgent meal. That regret isn’t just sociological - processed and fried foods full of sugars and refined carbs can cause your mental health to suffer. If you’ve got an indulgent meal coming up this week, take note of how you feel after it.”

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For me, it’s been so long since I had an “indulgent meal” that I can’t really remember what I felt like mentally…but, I do know that my “brain fog” has lifted over the past year of not eating any processed foods!! Duh, probably why I can’t remember!! BTW, I literally threw everything in my pantry that was not “real food” into the garbage!

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Being petite, I’ve never had a weight issue, but more depression and mood. After getting off the “after cancer” medication, eating “real” food, hydrating myself and getting enough sleep, I’m slowly finding purpose again.

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Everything is connected…eating real food brings better health to every area of your life!

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Love your family and friends…4 legs or 2 legs!

In Health & Love~ 

 #DoLifeBetter 

 gtyyup

Summer Brain Challenge ~ Day 3 ~ Get those greens!

#SummerBrainChallenge ~ Day 3

Get those greens!
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And I LOVE my leafy greens! It can be just a side salad like this Strawberry & Spinach Salad with Honey Balsamic Vinaigrette, or it can be a full lunch or dinner...stack on your favorite toppings...the more the better, right??!!

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Here's the easy recipe for today's photo:

Strawberry & Spinach Salad with Honey Balsamic Vinaigrette

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1 bunch fresh organic baby spinach

1 cup sliced fresh organic strawberries

1/2 cup crumbled Gorgonzola (I also like Feta) cheese

1/2 cup raw pecans (or almonds, pine nuts or whatever you like)

1/4 cup balsamic vinegar

2 tablespoons honey

1/2 cup olive oil

salt and ground black pepper to taste

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Stir the balsamic vinegar and honey together in a bowl; slowly stream the olive oil into the mixture while whisking continuously. Season with salt and pepper. Drizzle the dressing over the salad just before serving.

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I make a full batch of dressing and there is enough for another meal or two! Enjoy!

In Health & Love~ 

 #DoLifeBetter 

 gtyyup

Summer Brain Challenge ~ Day 2 ~ Cut the Gluten

When I started my journey to a healthier lifestyle over a year ago, I never dreamed I would be reading EVERY label!!
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Just because the package says it's gluten-free or healthy doesn't make it so!!! Doritos are gluten free...and they're not fit for human consumption IMHO.
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There are MANY options...this is a cauliflower rice crust, but my home made almond/coconut/tapioca flour pizza crust is truly gluten free too...and they both taste delicious!!! I LOVE knowing what's going into my body, and my body appreciates it!
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Join me, a survivor, in celebrating #nationalcancersurvivorsday today!!! Thank you!!!

In Health & Love~ 

 #DoLifeBetter 

 gtyyup

Summer Brain Challenge ~Day 1~ Anti-Inflammatory Foods

Instead of focusing on getting your best body for the summer, 

spend the summer getting your 

Best Brain for Life!!

#SummerBrainChallenge Day 1

Add an anti-inflammatory food to your diet!

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I chose fresh organic strawberries in my cold-pressed whey protein shake this morning! Yummy!

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Try turmeric, ginger, fatty fish or any in-season berries.

In Health & Love~ 

 #DoLifeBetter 

 gtyyup