Taking Matters Into My Capable Hands

My very first blog post ever here was about "Plan Kick Ass." It was what I called a plan to rid all toxins from my diet and radically change my habits for the better. It has come and gone through the years. Typically with food addiction taking the drivers seat and veering me back into old habits. 

My dinner the other night. Cheese tortellini with gorgonzola alfredo sauce and roasted broccoli. It was even more delicious than it looks.

Cheese, butter, sweets, carbs... are all very hard for me to resist. Eight years later I'm ready to try again. But this time I have AI to help me.

With the help of Hal (what I call Copilot on my phone) I made a complete list of all the foods that are the very best for mitochondrial health. I then formed a meal plan around those foods. It is a complete, Vegan, protein and antioxidant heavy diet. No animal products at all. 

Matcha tea instead of coffee every morning.

What it also lacks are replacement foods. No Earth Balance instead of butter. No Impossible Beef instead of burger. And sadly, not even some fake buffalo "chicken" instead of real chicken on my salad. Nope. Whole grains, beans, fruits and vegetables. The closest thing I get to eating anything "fun" is dark chocolate. This... is... going... to... be... hard.

My research added to my 2026 journal.

BUT. If it will help me lose some weight to help my strength and mobility. Heal my mitochondria and allow me to have more stamina and less fatigue? Well... There's very little I wouldn't do for that.

First comes food. Then hopefully if I'm feeling stronger and more energetic I can increase my activity. Keep your fingers crossed for me. Welcome to 2026. My body won't know what hit it. 

Happy New Year!

Who Am I?

How would you describe yourself to someone who has never met you before? What defines you? Makes you... you?

I would say I am a woman who enjoys art and other creative people. I adore my two miniature pinschers and my Autistic son. I've been married for almost 30 years to my best friend. I am a licensed psychotherapist, but I haven't been working for the last five years because of my health. I struggle with serious chronic illnesses, mitochondrial disease and migraines. I am tall with very short salt and pepper hair. I am average size for American women. I wear red glasses (sometimes) and have blue eyes. I am very white. 

I love conversation over high tea, any music but acid jazz and generous people. I have a love and respect for Polynesian culture and that's reflected in my eclectic home. My husband and myself are potters, so yes. I would call myself an artist. I also enjoy photography in a very beginner way.

I love food and travel. I could live in the ocean, especially tropical waters. I'm a water person first then a forest/nature lover. I adore sharks, mermaids, rays, whales, otters and most things that live in the ocean.

I'm a Capricorn and have lived in the same home for 22 years. I have a wanderlust spirit that conflicts with my home-body. I'm also a maximalist with an un-voiced minimalist living inside. I'm a social justice warrior, a liberal, pro-choice and a feminist. Scratch that. A feminist first. 

Oh yes! And I'm 51 years old.

And you?