Thursday-Saturday

 

golden hour lily

Stirling Park for evening walks with Toby

First bird of paradise bloom of the season

A reminder of things to eat.

We are trying really hard to eat well, exercise, and manage stress. We're averaging 9 miles per day walking, and today we started jogging across the draw bridge and tidal bridge (both ways). We've read that HIIT is what lowers cholesterol and cancer risks. High Intensity Interval Training: several minutes of 80% maximum heart output followed by lower intensity movements. And I'm going to the outdoor gym for yoga and weights three times per week. And we use our bikes to get to the causeway and gym.

Cabbage with Tomatoes, Bulgar, and Chickpeas

We've never had bulgur before. It's a type of wheat. It has the texture of ground beef. This recipe was really good. I think I would add another can of tomatoes the next time I cook it. The red wine vinegar and fresh dill makes for a good combination. Here's what the internet says about bulgur: 

Bulgur is a whole grain made from cracked wheat. It's packed with vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Fiber-rich foods like bulgur may reduce chronic disease risk, promote weight loss, and improve digestion and gut health.

Green tea

Here's what the internet says about drinking green tea:

Green tea comes from unoxidized leaves of the Camellia sinensis bush. It is one of the least processed types of tea, containing the most antioxidants and beneficial polyphenols. Some research suggests green tea may positively affect weight loss, liver disorders, type 2 diabetes, Alzheimer's disease. It's also good for the skin. It's also anti-inflammatory. 

Wednesday

 

Chickpeas and Kale in Spicy Pomodoro Sauce: a winner!!

This Italian flavored meal was superb! And super healthy. We made a few changes to the recipe: about 3 tablespoons of olive oil instead of 1/2 cup. We topped the dish with avocados instead of cheese. We added a small can of stewed tomatoes we needed to use up. The key is to buy high quality peeled, whole tomatoes. We had to buy some fennel seeds. We used the bagged kale that comes already chopped. When you're craving Italian, this will do the trick. Quick and easy meal. Guaranteed delicious!

Topped with fresh basil.

And avocado

My doctor told me to start taking Red Yeast Rice supplements to reduce my cholesterol. She said that it can lower your total numbers by 20. My numbers came down this year, but they are still high: 224. We ordered the red yeast rice capsules from Amazon and they arrived the next day. We take it twice a day with food. I'm trying to stay off of statins. 

Saturday

 

We rode our bike to the causeway to walk this morning. It was a warm 70 degrees. We got to the restroom and it started to rain. Black clouds were off in the gulf moving our way.

At one point, we were surrounded. We walked just ahead of the line of rain.

We made it all the way back home without getting more than a few sprinkles.

The afternoon was beautiful. It was 73 degrees. I rode my bike to the gym and did some stretching and weights.

Then I rode down to Stevenson Creek.

There was quite a bit of bike traffic on the trail. Lots of walkers downtown.

I spotted a lone manatee coming out of the sound and into the creek.

He swam right under where I was standing on the bridge.

I pivoted as he went under.

And came to the east side of the bridge to see him emerge.

Such a beautiful creature. I've read that they have no predators and can live to be 60 years old.

He finally came up for air.

Leftovers: Chickpea, spinach, curry over quinoa

Topped with avocado

John added a tap, tap, tap amount of ginger to the quinoa.

Thursday

 

Chickpea Spinach Curry over quinoa, topped with avocados

A delicious winner! Healthy, tasty, nutritious. 

Wednesday

 

The water and sky were exceptionally clear when we walked the causeway after lunch today. 

It was 49 degrees this morning, so we waited until after lunch to walk. It got into the 70s. We wore short sleeves, but it was a bit chilly with the wind.

Tuesday

 

It was chilly today, but sunny. The high temperature was 68 degrees. It was warm enough to ride my bike down to Stevenson Creek.

The water looked clear, no manatees today.

The Pinellas Trail was back to its usual state after the St. Patrick's Day craziness.

The path was jammed on Sunday.

I stopped at the gym to do yoga and weights.

Beautiful day

We pulled out one of our recent favorites for dinner tonight: Spinach, sweet potato & lentil Dahl. 

We added some Garam Masala to this delicious recipe. (Garam Masala is a combination of coriander, cumin, peppercorns, cinnamon, green and black cardamon, cloves, anise, mace, bay leaves and salt). Super healthy anti-inflammatories. I'm getting ready for my annual blood work on Thursday. I'm afraid my cholesterol will be sky high after eating out during our kitchen renovation. I read that it takes 3-6 months for a change in diet and exercise to lower cholesterol. We've been eating better since the beginning of February.

Monday

 

I took a long walk this morning by myself. I walked from our house to Stirling Park and then to Hammock and back through Highlander Park. It was overcast all day, but the temperature was pleasant.

Sweet Toby enjoying a nap in his bed. 

Sunday

This afternoon, we rode our bikes on the Pinellas Trail downtown. St. Patrick festivities were well under way. I have never seen so many people. The trails were so packed that we had to pick and choose our routes around the clumps of walkers. We took Victoria Drive home. We turned off at the marina.

All of the restaurants were hopping, and it was loud and celebratory.  Golf carts and bicycles were everywhere. Cars were stuck in traffic. Walkers ruled the roads.

The marina was relatively quiet. I spotted a manatee coming into the marina.

There he goes.

I was about 10 feet away.

He got a gulp of air and disappeared beneath the water.