Happy, Happy Rising Everyone!
Who wouldn’t love to rest like this? Buff’s perfecting the art of sleep. Tough job. Someone has to do it. I’m busy researching his technique.
Grab a chair and have a seat on our Veranda. Buff will be happy to sleep through your visit.
Sleep, eat, romp. He has an exhausting life.
Hurricane Season
The weather on the South coast of Jamaica is a result of the unpredictable Hurricane Season.
Hot and loaded air dumps an often quick but heavy rain, then cools to an enjoyable low in the 70s.
Welcome to the Tropics!
Daily, we check the location of the abundant systems that build off the coast of Africa. You can never be too prepared for a Hurricane.
June 1st to November 30th, if you want to visit any Caribbean island or coastal country, you need to track the weather for months before your visit.
Rainstorms take on new meaning in developing nations. A road that was fine yesterday after a downpour may look like it has puddles, but that puddle could mean the end of some of your car’s favorite parts.
We are all gifted with an amazing meteorologist, Brian Sheilds. You can find his thorough analysis of the weather on YouTube.
We celebrated a milestone!
This week, on Tuesday, we celebrated our 6th wedding anniversary. In the typical Marshall and Diana style, it was low-key. A quiet day with Red Snapper Veracruz for dinner, two Guinness Stouts to toast, and a yummy carrot cake was enjoyed.
Cream cheese icing, raisins, crushed pineapple, 6 cups of shredded carrots, and walnuts. All took an hour to bake (that was a definite downside in the heat!
House progress
On our anniversary day, while I filled the kitchen with oven-quality heat, Marshall completed the Master Suite.
Not a small task.
When we came in February, the room was filled with the shell of a defunct Jacuzzi, a broken closet door mirror, miscellaneous PVC pipe, and trash strewn everywhere.
The room looked like remnants of Hurricane Beryl.
I asked that we not use the typical Jamaican custom of painting a dark color trim on the base. This is done to prevent frequent mop cleaning from staining the wall.
I requested tile trim so we wouldn’t need to repaint constantly. That added several steps to completion. Cutting tile, thinset applied, grout, painting the walls, cleaning the tile, and washing tile floors.
A huge amount of work!
Off my wagon!
I maintain a daily meditation and exercise routine until…
I don’t.
When life gets too busy, I fall off my wagon. We all do.
My body lets me know loud and clear.
Things have been super busy. I’ve stolen time from my daily routine.
I wrote about my simple routine that I adapted after my second back surgery. I was told then that I would need to stretch each day for the rest of my life. I took the physical therapists at their word, changing the routine to fit life’s inconsistencies (aka Hurricane Beryl).
I’m committed to moving as much as I can, as best I can.
I don’t care if someone watching me whispers to the next person, “What’s wrong with that old woman, look how slow she’s walking!”
I’m happy to tell them, “Yes, I have MS, but I’m still vertical!”
I will stay that way, ensuring that I move each day.
Movement compounds
I am so happy that when I was younger, I maintained a healthy lifestyle.
I swam, ran miles each week, walked long distances regularly, attended Yoga classes weekly from the age of 21, took Pilates classes, and worked with a Geritonics trainer for years.
All of this physical fitness, I firmly believe, helped me recognize my Multiple Sclerosis early in its onset and has helped me manage the disease for years.
Old or young, we must keep moving as best we can! It doesn’t matter if we can’t move much.
If you’re young, reading this, find something you like to do and commit. You will thank yourself in your old age!
If you can’t open the link to my story, you will find the simple exercises here. Don’t be put off by the simplicity. Developing a daily routine will make you stronger over time. even using these simple moves.
Sitting is the new smoking, just as destructive.
Perhaps it’s painful to move. If you breathe through your move slowly and repeat the move, you may find you can manage the exercise after repeated attempts.
Of course, if the pain doesn’t lessen or vanish entirely, you know there’s something you need to see a doctor about.
You are your own best trainer. You know how far you can push yourself. Be kind to yourself, but give the stretch a good try before you give up. You may be surprised by how resilient you are.
Quinoa
I’m always looking for ways to increase my protein intake. I try to stay away from gluten.
I live with a Jamaican who cannot live without white rice.
I’m often making a quick pot of Quinoa.
According to healthline.com
One cup of Quinoa is 71% carbohydrates, 14.6% protein, and 14.2% fat
One cup = 222 calories
3.5 ounces or 100 grams of. cooked quinoa =
120 calories
72% water
4.4 grams protein
21.3 grams of carbs
0.9 grams of sugar
2.8 grams of fiber
19 grams of fat
In case you’ve not tried Quinoa or have and thought it bland, you might try this recipe. Of course, I made up my additions here. You can add, subtract, change up what you prefer.
1/2 C Quinoa (I like the multi-colored one best)
4 cloves of garlic ( I use them whole but I love, love, love, garlic)
1 C of water or broth
splash of oil, I like sesame oil, but any will do. Maybe you like butter
1 t Tumeric
1 t Gram Masala
1 t of All Purpose, Chicken seasoning, unless you used broth
1 t black pepper
Bring all to a boil, reduce the heat, place a lid on the pot and steam for 12 minutes
Enjoy!
Blessings from Jamaica, everyone. I hope you took a few relaxing minutes to read until the end.
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