WEEKLY HEALTHY LIVING CHECK-IN AUGUST 31st, 2019
WEEKLY HEALTHY LIVING CHECK-IN AUGUST 31st, 2019
HEY EVERYONE!
WELCOME To Our End of the week "WEEKLY" HEALTHY LIVING CHECK-IN~.... This is our "LAST" Check-in for the Month of August!
**If you aren't a member yet, Please "JOIN" the Healthy Living Community Here!! **
**Hey Everyone, How have you been doing this past week?
**This is our LAST Check-in (As well as the LAST Day) for the Month of August!....How do you feel this past month has been for you over-all? If you could sum up this past month in "one" word, what would it be?
**As we get ready to enter a new month, What things are you looking forward to in the New month ahead?
**What improvements have you made or goals have you worked on this month that you hope to continue in the New month ahead?
**This weekend will be LABOR DAY Holiday for many of us... How many of you will be celebrating? What plans do you have or will you make?
**What have been your "Highlights" Or "Struggles" over this past week? What are your weekend Plans?!
**What would "YOU" like to talk about or share with us?! WE want to hear from "YOU"!! 
@Vivelespatates @rebecca947 @YoursTrulyBen @AffyAvo @sail46 @MellieTronx @lovingbanana5204 @Essdee @Cloudysummer @888Butterfly888 l @philosophicalperson8202 @Consciousawakening @orangeOwl1462 @Rebekahwriter13 @politeTangerine7243 @MoreThanAConqueror18 @MattRainbow @DudeWheresMyZip @ruffneckred @ElizaJ @diplomaticconfucious @reliablebutoftenforgotten @ShareASmile2014 @bubbleChestnut3363 @estompe55 @HaileTruci @Keola @berryfields2409 @GhostlyLilian @HobbitsandElves @heartfulSong1012 @AveryLove @Regmo7 @dynamicHemlock1736 @enthusiasticSpruce8104 @straightforwardWatermelon9084 @PrincessofHyrule @Oliversoul @condrespaoils @philosophicalLemon5177 @LilyBlossom21 @optimisticDay6856 @Rawnm @betterchoices @insightfulsweets @niceDaisy36 @juigy @Zulegirl @LK1007 @Dondy154 @gibberishgiraffe77 @intellectual5402 @StanDaMan78
**ANY & ALL "NEWBIES" ARE WELCOME TO SHARE!!**
**Hello everyone.. This past week has been multiple things... (Relaxing, stressing, Busy, Adventurous, and Tranquil) ALL Rolled into one!...I've been away on Vacation for the past week, and just got back home this evening... We left out of town to celebrate our anniversary. So apologies for not being able to respond to everyone this past week, but please know that I did infact Read EVERYONE'S post! And thank you all so much for checking in this past week and letting everyone know how you've been doing!.... As I enjoy reading about your lives each week~
**The week was so many things, and I was so glad to be able to just get away from many other things... It was challenging to try to keep up with staying on track or any real plan while away... I just wanted to enjoy time being away with my spouse, and thats what I did. So my eating, was surely not on point even though I tried to plan for it to be that way... HOWEVER... I did in fact managed to stay on track and meet my activity & step goals Each and every day I was away~.. So I was proud of myself for that...I spent most of my time in the pool during the day and managed to walk and move around alot as we were out and about shopping and doing different things in the evenings.... My goal was to just "Keep busy moving" & to reach my 20,000 steps as planned which I did...
**We left Friday just in time to get back home before the "threat" of Hurricane "Dorian" made any progress where we were vacationing. But the drive home was horrible as far as traffic and took way longer than anticipated or expected which meant ALOT of sitting~ 
... So I didn't quite meet my goals for Friday, but I was close.~...This is the time of year where i usually start to "lose steam" .. (Anniversary, and Now heading into Labor Day Holiday weekend)... I'm just going to do my best and be concerned with getting in my activity even if my food isn't on complete track. But starting next week, It will be time to do another Detox (just like I did in June) that helped to "boost" things for me!.. So I'm excited to get back on track with that, and will be doing all my shopping again for it come Sunday~
**Today, is normally my "Free" day, but this whole week I feel has been a "free" day~.... But, I made my first plan to get keep pushing forward in the morning with a few miles walk with my mom, and then swimming right afterwards~...With this being a holiday weekend, and the fact that its going to be so beautiful out, my intention is to get the last of my swim time in... And hubby is already talking about setting up and opening our own pool again for "next summer" since he enjoyed the one on vacation so much... It was just all the "up-keep" that caused us to close it in the first place!.... So will see what happens there lol...
ENJOY YOUR WEEKEND AND HOLIDAY~ 
My week has been extremely difficult due to my depression and grief and pain. My job has become very frustrating as the workplace insurance company has not received the paperwork they feel necessary to review my short disability insurance claims and excuse the time I have missed from work due to my permanent degenerative spinal pain condition. Cigna is obviously not looking out for my best interests as they view my pain as being
@bgdave
Good luck with your medical bills 
@bgdave
Hey there...
We are sorry to hear that you going through a tough period at this time. Its sounds like alot is going on in your life at the moment.. I know that dealing with any insurance company can be a headache and a challenge........ I'm not sure what type of "paperwork" that they are looking for...however it could be that maybe they are looking for more "Medical" paperwork to back up and support that you infact need to be out of work due to a certain disability perhaps? For instance, if you are seeking Therapy or Psych help for your depression, or if you are on any medications for your depression.... as well if you are seeking continued treatment or therapy in an ongoing matter? Perhaps they need to see more of that to help support the fact that you need to be out of work and cannot do your job properly before being able to move forward.
I know that can be a tough sitation to be in. And to have to have to possibly have to help your stepmom who in turn has her own medical and health issues can certainly create an even bigger and more challenging situation (possibly for the Both of you).
I'm not sure if you have any agencies in your area that could help you out financially... local churches, food banks etc.... as well, even perhaps a "home health aide" that can help with the care of your stepmom to also help lift some of the burden off of you, if she has insurance that can help cover something like that?
Sadly most employers don't really care about the health and needs of their employees,..... its sad but true in most cases. And bottom line is that they just want an employee who is able to come in and do the work they need you to do...and when you can't then they will look for a way to get rid of that employee unless you are in a good position or have a union etc... that can help hold onto the job itself. Its a fine line with it all.....
Perhaps continuing to seek help as stated above with local agencies, therapist/counselor that can help get the ball rolling on some intervention ideas, needed paperwork, and possible help for both you and your step mom could help you in the long run. The work just has to be put in on it all.. and thats another challenge itself. But, even a good lawyer could help as well. Its really how much you want to put into it, and how far you want to go with it all...
Good luck to you and thanks for checking in... Keep us posted on how things are continuing to go... and feel free to also stop by the DEPRESSION SUPPORT SUBCOMMUNITY as well as the DISABILITY Community, for even more support in your time of need.
Weeks are moving quickly as summer is winding down. Trying to squeeze in as much outdoor activity as I can. Positive thing for me it has been a good summer and I have kept on track. After Labor Day the crowds are gone and I can start enjoying the beach. Keeping on track as we head into the cooler months and hoildays. I think I have a good start as I move forward, even lost a few pounds with the swimming and walking.
@sail46
Well done with the exercise!
@sail46
Hey Sail....
Great job at continuing to stay on track and plan with your goals... Its so great in the summer months because its certainly so much easier to stay moving and active!...Good job on your weight loss.. I really believe thats what helped me as well in losing this summer as well... Now comes the challenge in continuing to keep it up after the Labor Day holiday and we move into the cooler months~
But having a good plan, and the motivation to 'want' it, is the greatest starting point in being able to continue to move forward and continue to stay on track and plan. Great job!
Thanks for checking in this week and letting us know how things are going for you!
I finally feel like I'm recovering from the cold I had. Still more congested than usual, but it just feels like it's there, not that I'm sick with a cold now if that makes sense. Not so concerned about having throat attacks now, although still feeling worn out so need to be a bit more cautious about not overdoing things.
I'm not sure if I'll get in any exercise this week, might just get back to getting out of the house a little bit and not sign up for a class. If I start feeling way more energetic perhaps later in the week.
I'm cooking up some green tomatoes at the moment. Baking instead of frying like I've done in the past. I managed to get out and harvest the tomatoes. Been eating more from the garden lately, a few carrots, the 2 cucumbers that were typical size, beans, potatoes and one tomato plant is ripening nicely plus I get a few cherry tomatoes every few days. Used some of the garlic that was pulled too, although anything I'm not going to be using right away still needs to dry more.
Certainly disappointed in things, I don't know if most of my tomato plants will give me anything red. Not sure if it's worth attempting to let some ripen indoors, or if I should just increase the amount of green tomatoes I use in recipes. The beans I gave up on harvesting mature beans ie. the seeds. My husband and I much prefer those to the pods, but this year it's the pods we're getting. We at least found ways to prepare them that makes them good, as neither of us like boiled pole/wax beans.
@AffyAvo
Hey there Affy... its good that you are starting to feel like you are finally recovering a bit from the way you were feeling... I know it can be awhile for the average person to recoup and get back into the swing of things ... I'm sure it can be even more challenging for someone with a more chronic issue.
Hopefully you will be able to feel up to some activity later in the week if you are able... but its ok as well if you aren't.. Sometimes just getting out of the house and getting some fresh air taking a walk can be just as good and do wonders for you body, mind and spirit.
How nice that you are continuing to bring in such a good "crop" from your garden!.. Thats sounds like alot! Sounds like your garden is really producing well for this year. Do you mostly eat from your garden? Or do you find that you still go to the grocery store just as often?... Do you find that it helps to cut down on your overall grocery bill?
As far as the green vs. red tomatoes.. do you find that there's a difference for you there? Taste/texture?...... I don't believe I've even eaten a green tomatoe before!....
How much longer into the year do you continue to work on your garden? Ex: When do you normally start to plant and grow and what time of the year do you normally stop? Or is it something you are able to do year round?
Thanks so much for checking in this week and letting us know how things are going as well as continuing to keep us up to date on things!
@PoliteOcean The green tomatoes are just unripe ones because of how cool it has been! There are some varieties that are green when ripe, but I haven't grown any myself.
The garden doesn't cut down on the grocery bill all that much. We don't buy berries when we have haskaps, and this time of year I'm certainly not buying any tomatoes or potatoes.
My husband went out and bought buttermilk and cornmeal specifically for the tomatoes. When I harvested garlic scapes I bought basil to make pesto. If I make bruschetta I will also buy basil, as I only have a small amount - too wet and cool for it to thrive this year.
When I make borscht that will be a few meals where we buy little - although we will want meat with dinner so will buy sausage or something for a bit of meat on the side. I do used canned tomato soup and some frozen peas (I just eat my garden ones fresh), but that's a small amount for a large pot of soup.
Carrots and parsnips I can keep outside until the ground freezes. I have done harvests for Thanksgiving before (early-mid Oct here). Garlic I usually plant to plant before Hallowe'en but sometimes it doesn't make it out there until early Nov. Once that's planted, I'm done for the year. I did kept mint indoors last winter, and plan to do so again, along with my stevia. I super neglected last year, ie left it in plastic cups with some water for months and some of it did die because the water evaporated but managed to add enough to keep at least one cup/variety alive. I got a used aerogarden for cheap, so I hope to keep things a little more maintained this winter. Basically Nov-late March I don't really do much at all, and even Oct I'm not really doing much, just pulling some carrots and parsnips.
Winter squash usually keeps for months, but this year I don't think it will ripen enough to have storage potential. I think it's just going to be 3 spaghetti squash and maybe 1 Sweet Mama, that one is very iffy.
So overall, there are certain periods where we save money on vegetables, but it's maybe $10/grocery trip, more when it's borscht or we eat spaghetti squash, as those are main portions of the meal. I don't grow for production value though. I grow for things that are a bit different or taste better. We would very rarely buy broccolini as it's very expensive here, especially when compared to broccoli. Garden tomatoes are so much better than anything bought in stores, and make great sauce and bruschetta which doesn't compare to anything store bought - whether I buy a finished product or the tomatoes and everything else and make it myself. Winter squash we did used to buy before I grew any, but now we tend to eat it slightly more often and don't buy it (although this winter we might be buying some). Carrots we would typically only buy the full sized ones for when we have people over for dinner, otherwise we would just get bagged baby carrots. I haven't seen the various colours even at farmer's markets and even if they did would probably be too much to justify spending that money. Parsnips aren't something I every really thought of, rarely see in stores (although I don't really look for them) and I think they tend to be on the pricier side too. Potatoes I could grow stuff that yeilds better, but I like the different colours and Columba taste so good as new potatoes, to me no topping is needed as they almost give off the taste and texture like they have been buttered, I wouldn't feel the same way about a basic russet vareity.
this month has been great! Summer always keeps me highly motivated :)
@Hobbes123
I hope you keep the motivation!
@Hobbes123
Yes I totally agree!... Its been a great month as well as a great summer.
Summer time is surely motivating to get out and be active!
Thanks so much for checking in this week and letting us know how things have been going for you!
@politeocean
The past week was quite good until friday night. school started on wednesday and it all went pretty good! i felt so exhausted though. after a kind of tough night on friday i felt really really sick on saturday and was not able to eat anything or drink water until around 6pm. i got really hungry and ate some sushi and guess what... it had gone bad.... so you can imagine the rest of the evening. today is a bit better, but i am still feeling sick. I am trying my best to focus on homework.
August.... august was interesting and a lot about discovering my limits... i had lost lots of weight, which was my goal, though i lost too much and now i need to gain weight again and i always find that very challening once you are in this "diet mindset".
September! I am looking forward to my birthday, some cozy studying moments, visiting my old hometown, giving my all at school and and and! I love the season fall, i already have a collage of fall vibes pictures lol.
I hope i will continue to eat healthy, though not as healthy as i did last month.
My plans for today are just relaxing, doing my homework and hopefully being able to take a nap as i can feel how exhausted my body is right now.
@AveryLove
Hey there Avery
Sounds like there has been alot going on for you over this past summer. I'm sure its been rough that you got sick off of sushi.. 
I can't imagine how you ill you must've felt afterwards!.... Hopefully you are doing and feeling better after all of that, especially now that you are back into the swing of things with school and everything.
You stated you lost "alot" of weight?!!.. How much did you manage to lose? Was it "intended" to lose that much (diet/excercise).... or is it because you were keeping busy and just staying so active? I've seen that happen, just being so active can sometimes cause someone to lose more than they realize....
I Love Fall months as well.. (I love summer more though).. but I too have a Fall birthday coming up so I know how exciting that can be and feel!...Sounds like you will be looking forward to alot of things this month ahead.
Hopefully your weekend will go as planned for you and you will be able to get the rest you are wanting and needing..
Thanks so much for checking in this week and keeping us up to date on how things have been going for you over the past month!
@PoliteOcean thank you!
i lost around 4 kilos in less than two weeks. I wanted to loose some weight and i did dieting and exercising, but i guess i overdid it! I was also on vacation and walking around a lot.
Hey Everyone, How have you been doing this past week? I had a good week with an old friend until some drama yesterday.
**This is our LAST Check-in (As well as the LAST Day) for the Month of August!....How do you feel this past month has been for you over-all? If you could sum up this past month in "one" word, what would it be? August was like a freakin dream, but I realized that I woke up, sigh.
**As we get ready to enter a new month, What things are you looking forward to in the New month ahead? I'm focusing on me, maybe get a part time job and work on writing.
**What improvements have you made or goals have you worked on this month that you hope to continue in the New month ahead? I'm working on editing and writing. I need to improve my living situation. I need to focus on me and get a new phone.
**This weekend will be LABOR DAY Holiday for many of us... How many of you will be celebrating? What plans do you have or will you make? Just making pulled pork.
**What have been your "Highlights" Or "Struggles" over this past week? What are your weekend Plans?! I think I'm losing a good friend please pray he comes back.
**What would "YOU" like to talk about or share with us?! WE want to hear from "YOU"!! pray for my friends s?o much drama
@Rebekahwriter13
Hey there Rebekah....
Wow... I dislike Drama... its a shame when things are going well until "drama" rears its ugly little head~
Yeah I agree.. August was a pretty great month overall... sorry that things took a turn for you at the moment.
Thats great that you are going to continue to place some focus on "yourself" .. sometimes we just need to do that to be better and be ok in our lives to continue moving forward. Its good that you are going to consider looking for some part-time work. Perhaps that cannot only help you (and your family's living situation) financially (as well as help you with getting the new phone you want)...but ... it can also give you some added "focus and purpose" each day.
Sorry to hear that things took a turn with your "friend" . hopefully things aren't what they seem and that things will come together again for you both... As well as your other friends with whatever the situation is that is going on.
Thanks for checking in this week and letting us know how things have been going and how you've been doing~
@PoliteOcean Thank you for responding. I'm glad that my responds get read.
I have been walking more and sleeping better.
@Rebekahwriter13
Hey there! Yes I read everyone's each week.. I love hearing about everyone's life and how you all are doing each week!
I love to see my "regulars" continue to check in and let everyone know how they are doing....
How awesome for you that you are walking more and sleeping better!.. WOW!.. That is so great!.. Please continue to let us know how that is going for you and how you are feeling. Keep up the great work!
@PoliteOcean
I am sleeping better, exercise is amazing.
Please pray for a few friends of mine.
One had a leak in his house and he had to get it fixed.
The other had a mother with cancer and he needs to find a second job to keep things in the house.