It’s been another packed week. A fun week. I’m glad for my Passion Planner or I’d lose track of all that I did … or didn’t do.
I fell short – When I get busy, the FIRST thing to go is how I take care of myself. Does that ever happen to you? It does me and I'm not a fan. I’m not saying I started eating bonbons – au contraire. I still dream of bonbons. No chocolate – even on Valentines Day. I didn’t go that far. But, there were times lunch was a hand full of peanuts and some avocado. I had no time for breakfast some days. There were too many cups of coffee and not enough exercise. This is the first week in 2018 where I didn’t get my 5 days of exercise in. I only walked twice. And you know what? I felt worse as the week went on. Why do I do that to myself? This is my year of honour is it not? My focus should be on my health. That's the vow I made after all.
And what happens when my life gets busy? BOOM! Old habits come back. At least I realize it.
The trick is to stop it from happening again. So, right after writing this I am going to go out for a long walk with my beagle. Perhaps I’ll eat breakfast first – I look at the clock and it is almost 1 pm. Naughty Cayla.
Putting yourself first is not selfish. As a matter of fact, it is one of the most giving things you can do. I’m not talking a me, me, me, me attitude. But making your health and welfare a priority in your life not only gives you better odds at a longer life. It makes you a better human. Less stressed. Happier. I think about my own life and when I decided to put my dreams first and to follow them I became a happier person and a better role model for my children. They saw their mom in action. Following her dreams. Taking the hits. Moving forward. It is one of the best lessons I could teach them and I did it by putting myself first. So … note to self …. Read this paragraph next time you get busy! We are in charge of our own happiness, aren’t we? It isn’t tied up in someone else and what they can do for us. It is our responsibility to find a way to be whole. Taking care of all aspects of our life is one way. Honouring ourselves. It’s huge. I finally see that.
Eating Keto is tiresome.
Eating Keto is tiresome. I have yet to purchase a cookbook which may be the problem. I took the time to meal plan this week and found some interesting recipes .. so I thought. There are things I miss. Real pasta. Fruit. Chocolate. Mexican food. I found a recipe for Tacos. The taco shell was made from cheese. Just cheese. Cheddar cheese. On the surface, it looked interesting. I thought the act of holding a 'taco' would feel more normal. Why not? It seemed quick enough. Shred some cheese. Bake it. Drape it over a wooden spoon to give it shape. What could go wrong? I'll tell you. Loads. I make the little shells - surprisingly easy. But eat two little tacos and you've consumed 1/2 cup of cheese. Oh, my word. Cook the taco filling. Chop avocados. onions. Jalapenos. We've got sour cream. More shredded cheese. We're set. Whoever put this recipe together didn't think everything through.
What happens when you put hot ingredients into a shell made of cheese?
.... I'll just wait a minute while you think about it ... That's right! It melts. Quickly. Suddenly hands are full of grease, meat and sour cream. It was ridiculous. And it was too much cheese! I'm still full. What were they thinking? There must be a better way to do Keto. I miss eating vegetarian.
This week Valentines Day took a back seat to the horrendous school shooting in Florida. I will never understand the US love affair with guns. The country seems so divided that politics and party win over the lives of their children. Looking at it from the outside I am baffled. Disgusted. Angry.
I try not to get political on this blog as I prefer to be inclusive and politics is anything but inclusive.
But this, this … I have no words for. Only disgust. I hurt for the victims and their families. I wish them peace. Watching the teenagers gather together in response to the shooting gives me hope. We adults don’t seem to get the job done. Perhaps the youth will finally take the action that gets a response from the suits and ties in DC.
That said, there were lovely things that happened this week. As part of my year of honour, I want to step outside myself and honour other artists I know. In that vein, I held a couple of interviews this week. One of which was Cathie Borrie. Cathie is the first interview in my “A Divalicious Life” series. You can check it out here. My next is with magician Vitaly. Vitaly's interview will be appearing (or disappearing) ... see what I did there? .... in March.
My daughter came to town for a quick visit and together we went to World Renown Artist James Picard’s Vancouver studio. My daughter was a bit star struck. 
James is very kind and accommodating. We sipped tea. Chatted about art, music and life in general. All while surrounded by incredible works of art. Masterpieces everywhere. And in every style imaginable. It was breathtaking at times. James' short documentary “The Dark and the Wounded” is the multi-award winning darling of the 2017/2018 film festival circuit. James is the subject of my blog in April so I’ll not mention too much here. But I can say that one of the paintings in the Dark and the Wounded series was recently offered 1.3 mil. US. I still can't believe James did the artwork for my album Plush Red Chair. I think the original sketch hanging in my hallway went up in value.
There is more I could write. But to be honest – I look out my office window and see blue skies and snow-capped mountains beckoning me with a come-hither smile. 
So hither I go, with my beagle and a warm jacket. It looks cold!
Here is this week's Samsung Galaxy Video in case you missed it.