Always carry real food snacks.  Eat as few foods that require opening packages as possible.  This is a carryover from when my kids were little and my bag almost always contained an avocado, a banana, or a container of edamame.

I carry a giant water bottle to hydrate all day

Stack healthy habits into normal day-to-day activities.  Do squats while folding laundry, deep breathing exercises in the shower,  walking outside while talking on the phone or returning texts.

Beans and rice in any spice combo.  Regardless of the spice combination or additional veggies, beans and rice is my ultimate comfort food.  

An apple with some type of nut butter!

Since early 2020 I have been transitioning our front and back yards into natural and pollinator friendly edible and medicinal landscaping, particularly with native plants whenever possible.  Luckily we do not have an HOA, because this has involved very slowly transitioning away from a grass lawn.

I am inspired by the stories of other people, regardless of their situation.  I adore listening to Story Corps from NPR.  They are typically rather short, recorded by the people involved, and all are preserved at the Library of Congress.  

The song I start when I want to push myself a little harder while running is usually either Ballroom Blitz or just about anything by P!nk

This was a slow transition over time, starting in my early 20’s.  One grandmother had dementia, my grandfather had cardiovascular health issues, and I wanted to work on prevention rather than waiting for a diagnosis.  It started with regular cardio exercise, and I just build on it year by year.  

I love crows.  I associate a crow with ingenuity, a sense of playful community, and an ability to adapt.