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Year Three, Day 271: Like a Samurai!

I am still in Samurai mode.  It empowers me and gets me through my day!  As I walk down the street, I hold my head up high and walk purposefully, keeping my eyes open and being vigilant.  As a female Samurai, I may need to protect  my loved ones without any notice!

It has helped me with my eating. I think, "I must eat for fuel. To be lean and strong. To protect my family. Like a Samurai!"

Ok. I know. I sound a bit wacko.  But it is all good fun.  And I have lost another pound! I am hoping to win the weight loss contest with my daughter. We are having a race to see who can lose 10 lbs the fastest. So far I have lost 2.6 lbs! 

I talked to my daughter on the phone today. She has lost 2 lbs. But she just got back from an intense workout session with her sister.  And she is only 27 years old. I am going to have to step it up!

I have had a lovely day today. It was my day off from Baby Gracie duty.  I miss her the minute we part, but it is nice to get a full night's rest.

I started my morning at Starbucks. It was my free drink day. I spend a lot of time and money at Starbucks. It certainly helps to get a free drink every week! I was feeling pretty chill in my Bob Marley tee-shirt. 



Although...my cough is coming back again.  And my sleep apnea. I was never officially diagnosed with sleep apnea, but those who know me tell me I snore like a truck driver, and it sounds like I stop breathing and then snort to get my breath back.

My ex-husband worked in a sleep disorder lab. I know a lot about sleep disorders. I had gotten it under control. Years ago I had a CPAP machine that an old massage client gave to me. His insurance paid for a new model every year. I used his machine for several years with good results. But then it broke down and I never pursued it because I had lost a bit of weight and felt it was under control.

But lately, I get so tired in the afternoon. I feel like I would pass out if I closed my eyes. And the floor, ground, and even hard concrete look very tempting. I just want to lay down and sleep. For a very long time.

I know I am a mouth breather. And I have been having allergy symptoms lately.  Especially itchy eyes.  Might be the ol' hay fever. 

Anyway, I had a crazy scheme. I bought some surgical tape and taped my mouth shut!

It worked! I slept like a baby (a baby who sleeps through the night that is!) last night.

I am still tired and a bit wheezy today. But better than yesterday.

And my eating has been very healthy today!

I started with a Citrus Defender ("Defense" tea, steamed lemonade and one packet of honey) and oatmeal at Starbucks. I had her give me a packet of honey instead of brown sugar. I am also a little concerned about my blood sugar lately. I am going to ask my nurse practitioner to test my blood sugar level next appointment.


For lunch, I stopped at a food cart in my teaching neighborhood. I had a vegetarian platter at the "Brazilian House".  It was quite tasty. Rice, black beans, collard greens and fried plaintains.



I had light teaching evening. A few students had school functions, so I lingered at the home of one of my student's house when his grandmother offered me a bowl of cauliflower soup!

I have one more student tonight. I might stop and get a chicken breast from the Fred Meyer Deli. If you arrive at 8:00 p.m. All deli food is 1/2 price!

In studying the lifestyle of the Samurai, I have found several websites that discuss their eating habits.  It seems that ate quite simply. Staying healthy through training and healthy diet prepared them for war.  They ate mostly rice, vegetables and a bit of seafood apparently. Not much red meat.

I found a delightful website called "9 Days to Become a Modern Day Samurai Warrior"

Was this written for me, or what!?

I was pleased to discover that the Samurai were dedicated to service. In fact, according to this website, the word "Samurai" means "those who serve".

https://heromovement.net/blog/8-ways-to-become-a-modern-day-samurai-warrior/

I may have found my path in life!

On that note, I have to grab a hunk of chicken and walk like a Samurai to the bus stop.

Talk to you tomorrow!

Love,

Zita

P.S. Here is today's hooping video. Day 231!


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