Mindful Consumption

Your diet is not only what you eat; it’s what you watch, listen to, read, purchase, and the company you keep.  
All these things feed your mind, body and soul.  

Just as unhealthy food can weaken your body; gossip, toxic conversations, negative media, and draining relationships can poison your thoughts and spirit.  What you consume, in every form; shapes how you think, feel, and behave.














Diet is a fundamental, daily, and highly significant component of good health, acting as a primary driver of physical well-being, disease prevention, and energy levels.  A healthy diet consists of nutrient-dense whole foods—fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains.

Saturday 3/7 -  I was out at the ranch just after 7am to get the three Pasos in for their vet visit.  Bonnie was already there and Jan soon arrived.  Dr. Perry does do a lot of talking, but has a plethora of information.  We talked about weight management with the Pasos, all of whom are too fat, even now coming out of winter.  Hay is very helpful to them... like why we need whole grains; it allows for controlled caloric intake, reducing obesity and laminitis risks; compared to lush, high-sugar pasture.  Whole grains are highly beneficial to humans, offering a nutrient-dense source of fiber, that improves digestive health and aids in weight management.  




Once everyone had left, it was 9am.  I decided to take Amiga for a ride.  I took her up to a slow gait a few times, but mostly just walked the two miles we went.  Seen above, I also let her eat some of the time.  

Just after Amiga and I got back to the barn, Karen arrived, and then we went out.  This time I was on Rico, and we went 3½ miles.  







Going past the construction site, it appears all the siding is finished.  Neither Karen or I care for the color.  There is still a lot to be finished in the yard and around the house, but hopefully most of the work with heavy or noisy equipment is over.  



Miss Kitty didn't get her morning feeding until just after noon, and then I picked up more top soil on my way home from Shirley's.  

I opted to eat lunch and not change clothes to go to the gym, but rather work out in the yard.  I transplanted three small Crepe Myrtle and planted them in a cluster in this spot.  


Some of the topsoil I hauled home was used for planting and some was put in the three holes where the Crepe Myrtle had been, seen by the rock in this second photo.  Also notice the daffodils are in bloom.

I got cleaned up and picked up at 6:30 by Micki and Johnny, to go to Club 1660 for a good band and some dancing. 






The band ended up being a one-man show, but he played with recorded back-up music and he had a great voice.  Unfortunately, there were not a lot of great dancing songs, and I didn't care for the psychedelic rock or Texas blues he played.  But he did play several of  Pink Floyd and The Doors which I enjoyed.  I was mindful of my consumption and had a glass of water after each of my three beers.  It was 1am when I climbed into bed, and in an hour, the time would jump forward an hour.

Sunday 3/8 - I was up at 7:30, after 5½ hours of sleep, because the dog needed to go for a walk and to be fed.  I knew it was going to be a 'sleepy day,' but I actually didn't feel too tired.  It had rained much of the night and remained gloomy all day.  Shirley was still out of town, so I hadn't planned on church.  I did listen to some Christian music.  This beautiful worship song (Breathe), sung by Hillsong, includes the lyrics "This is my daily bread / Your very word, spoken to me."  It signifies total dependence on God for spiritual sustenance, equating His presence and Word to essential nourishment, similar to breathing.  God's Word (the Bible) is enriching feasting.  You are what you eat, watch, listen to, and read.  

 
I started this blog, took a 90 minute nap, did some housekeeping things, and played games here at my computer.  I looked around the yard while taking Maggie on our after dinner walk.  My Lenten rose is blooming.  

As I mentioned back in mid February, I have given up sweets for Lent.  I am surprised at how easy it has been so far.  I have been eating more fruit than usual, which satisfies my sweet tooth.  
 

Natural sugar is much healthier than added sugars.  According to this (Diabetes Guide), added sugar intake is strongly linked to chronic health issues, including obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and fatty liver disease.  High consumption causes blood sugar spikes, chronic inflammation, high blood pressure, and increased LDL cholesterol.  It also contributes to tooth decay, premature skin aging, and cognitive decline.  Check this out, those who drink soda/pop, you ought to consider cutting back.  
Besides exercise, another healthy thing we all should try, is to reduce our processed sugar intake.  Be mindful of your consumption. 

Monday 3/9 - After the gym and Food City, I had a late lunch and then went to the ranch.  I had just a little cleaning to do in the corral, after two overnight horses.  

Jan arrived and we went for a later than usual ride.  It was a bit busy at the construction site when we rode by, but Cash and Rico did great.  Temperatures had climbed into the 70s with sunshine peeking through some of the time, but with a nice breeze, which made for a very pleasant ride.  

 


I had chores, having switched with Karen.  Above, Maggie and Wanda escorted me as I cleaned up manure and hauled it behind the dam.  

Just as I was finishing up at the barn, Debra and Puglsey came down.  

The two dogs get along very well.   🐶  
They went up to the house with Debra and I did chores in the upper paddock and chicken coop.  









While hauling hay up from the round bale in the lower paddock (in an effort to get it all eaten), Rico decided to have a sampling.   Num, num, num.  

We all need to be mindful of what our horses and pets consume.  We try to encourage hay eating (good for their digestion) which is easy this time of year when there isn't much grass.  Thankfully the new hay Joe just got is much better than what we have been feeding over the winter, so the horses will be more likely to eat it.  

Is was after 6pm when I got home and Joe had dinner ready and waiting (steak, eggs, potatoes and corn).  

I did some last minute preparations for our Co-op meeting tomorrow, but had problems staying awake, even though the new 'bed time' is an hour earlier.

Tuesday 3/10 - I was woken at 5am by lightening from an approaching storm.  I quickly got Maggie out to do her morning business while thunder rumbled and she trembled.  After her quick breakfast, she retired back to our closet and I computerized while watching the rain and lightening beyond my window.
My three kitties often keep me company.  I had to lower my laptop screen window for this photo, so Mama Styx could be seen behind it.  

 

I was at the ranch by 9:30 to give Amiga her pill and set up for our little gathering of us six horse caregivers.  We had a little social time and then our co-op boarder's meeting.  Afterwards, we all ended up being 'fair-weather riders' today.  None of us saddled up our horses.  The problem was two-fold, 1- the horses were a wet, muddy mess, virtually impossible to clean up; and that’s because of number 2- it was a cloudy, and kind of a misty rainy day, all day.  

Looking out the shed window at Zorro.  

I worked the puzzle while kind of waiting on the weather.  I also delivered more hay from the round bale to the Pasos, before giving up on the plan of riding.  

I went to the gym out of disappointment with the weather and frustration with Joe for pressing onward with something not up to my specifications.  I burned off some steam with nearly 90 minutes of aerobics after a full circuit of leg weights.

Mindful consumption, or take what you need - a break, a hug, a walk, a do over, a day off, a bout with a punching bag, a nap, etc.

Wednesday 3/11 - Today I was back out at the ranch at 8:30 to corral the horses for the farrier.  Bonnie and Patty also helped with this process.  Patty took this photo of Zorro, in his stall, falling asleep.  He looks bright eyed here, because her movement caught his eyes, which he opened.  But look at his relaxed lower lip.  

After finishing up down at the barn, I went up to the house to work on cleaning out the front flower bed.  







Debra (and Pugsley our project supervisor) helped me rake up sticks and leaves and then trim the hydrangea.  I ended up hauling three wagon loads away.  




It was difficult to decide how far back to cut the hydrangea because they have already started sprouting.  We then planted iris bulbs a friend had given Debra.  






We stopped at this point, because it was nearly 1:00.  I had lunch while working on the puzzle, then fetched Rico to go for a ride.

Rico did very well for me and I am feeling more and more relaxed out on the trail alone with him.  He is also much more forward moving when there aren't other horses to distract him.  Also, he would prefer to be behind another horse, so pokes along, trying to get in back.

Joe and I watched Survivor on this rainy night.
 

Thursday 3/12 - We had a 40 degree drop in temperature from a high of 76° yesterday to a low of 36° this morning.  There were also some snow flurries (video) for a little while.  

I was later than usual (10:30) getting to the gym, but it was much less crowded from 11-1:00.  I got in a complete (rowing warm up, all weights, elliptical, and stretch and balance) workout by 1:30.  




The rest of my afternoon entailed a shopping trip to town.  I watched (video) baby ducks at Rural King for awhile, contemplating how I could possibly raise some at our ranch.  They would so love the ponds we have.  But it would be quite difficult to keep them safe from predators.
I got this next photo while driving home.

You can better see the big concrete wall I am hoping they will be able to dress up or block the view of with landscaping.  Actually, once it is all complete, I hope that the beautiful new clubhouse can be seen as you approach from the west on Lakeview.  
Joe and I started Season 7 of Virgin River.  It took a bit to recall the end of Season 6.

Friday 3/13 - Well, I didn't realize it was another Friday the 13th until the days was over.  I am not superstitious so the date is insignificant.  

While raking muck from the creek, I spotted this big snapper.  I realize the importance of swamp land to wildlife, so an not opposed to it, but I like 'water front,' or to see the running water from our house.

It was rather late by the time I got to the ranch to go for a ride.  I had been waiting for the wind to die down.  It finally did by the time I had Rico saddled and ready to go.  He did very well for me again, out by ourselves.  










Back at the ranch, Zorro and Amiga were 'napping' in the partial shade that this tree will soon provide plenty of.

Joanne had arrived and started chores.  I stowed away some purchases I made yesterday, chatted with Debra a bit, and then went home.

After dinner for all, Maggie and I went on a long walk.  I wore my weighted vest to build strength and bone density while enhancing my core stability.  Here is a view of Druid club house from the 9th green.  I hate to belabor the point, but this wall is ugly and blocks the view of the beautiful clubhouse.