Potpourri

Seriously, I really need to be more aware of my responsibilities as a blogger and occasionally post something...... something catchy and witty and substantial and mysterious and meaningful and ...... oh, forget it.   This is as good as it gets in my brain.  

In my never ending quest to eat healthy, I've perfected the best 'Big Pot" of substantial fixings.     This is what I call chili but it's more than that.     I start with diced tomatoes, add canned corn, beans (lots of beans ), kale, spinach, lots of onion, and taco seasoning.     Then, depending on what I have, I throw in my zucchini or squash or sweet potato noodles, and then quinoa penne pasta....made with just quinoa and corn meal.     It doesn't stay together as it sits for a couple days but it adds a nice hearty substance to the liquid.    You can also use just the quinoa grains or small pasta or brown rice.    I used to make it with ground turkey breast but now that I'm meat-free again, I don't need it and it isn't missed.

Under the Christmas tree this year were these unique bowl/plate combos from Jeff and Jennifer.   They are perfect for just about anything that goes in a bowl.    The plate twists off and the handle on the bowl is very handy.    We use them a lot and especially for the 'chili'....

Speaking of eating and the resulting need to work it off, no matter how healthy the food..... I won this prestigious award after competing in the Workweek Hustle with my blog friend Robbie and a friend of hers.    All courtesy of FiTBIT.     I love that little device and it continues to motivate me to get out  and move.

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I also joined The Villages FITBIT group and out of 20 members (pretty pathetic participation considering there are over 100,000 people here) I am in 9th place after only a couple of days.    The leader averages over 20,000 steps a day !   Sounds a bit like an overachiever or else she's a rambunctious 2 year old.

While I'm out there doing my steps, I am listening to this book.    It has gotten rave reviews on Amazon and Jon and MB liked it.    They said it was pretty scientific, which is an understatement, but I can easily ignore the equation to make water from various elements that the stranded astronaut on Mars has to contend with..... It's also funny.     I enjoy audible books but they are expensive.    I'm on a trial subscription with audible.com and get 2 freebies this month and then they will charge me $14.95 / month for ONE book.    That's not going to happen as long as I remember to cancel after I get my 2nd book.

Cobble Creek came to The Villages this month.    Friends, Sue and Matt ( last seen on the  hiking trails in Capitol Reef NP ) are renting a lovely house down here for 3 months.     We caught up with them at the Square one evening enjoying the high-energy band.    Coach P is also working with all of us to improve our pickle ball game so we can go back to Colorado with enough skills to play without embarrassing ourselves.      Speaking of the Coach, he is in a league and his team is in FIRST place.
AND, absolutely, that is coffee in that Starbucks cup !!!!!

PS:    Thank you for not mentioning the words............ 18, orange, Super Bowl.