Everything I’ve been through makes me who I am today, that’s not to say I don’t look for ways to improve my life. As far a physical self, I would not change anything. As Popeye said, “I am what I am”. Sure I could nit pick about my imperfections inside and out but I would rather look forward instead.
Melinda
Good question for which I have mixed answers for. I naturally tend towards being a night person because I love to sleep in a bit however during my working years, being a morning person was not an option and in fact towards the end of my career, I enjoyed waking up early to have a cup of coffee at home instead of on the way to work, to me coffee doesn’t taste the same while driving.
Now, I’m a bit of both because many nights I can’t sleep or sleep only a couple of hours which means I tend to take a nap mid-morning.
I’ve not been one to jump out of bed at 5:00 am to greet the day, what am I going to do at that hour?
Melinda
I did the search on Copilot using my age however the same is true for everyone, mega dosing does not give you extra benefits and can be harmful.
No — a 62‑year‑old woman who is not very active does not need vitamin or mineral intakes above the recommended daily amounts. In fact, exceeding them can be harmful. What matters most is meeting the recommended levels, especially for nutrients like calcium, vitamin D, and vitamin B12, which become more important with age.
Melinda
References:
https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/vitamins-and-supplements/vitamins-and-minerals-older-adults
https://www.fda.gov/food/nutrition-facts-label/using-nutrition-facts-label-older-adults
1 1/2 pounds skinless, boneless chicken breasts (about 4)
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
4 carrots, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1 bunch asparagus (about 1 pound), ends trimmed, cut into 2-inch pieces
12 ounces snow peas, trimmed (about 2 1/2 cups)
3 tablespoons apricot preserves
4 teaspoons dijon mustard
4 scallions, chopped
1 tablespoon chopped fresh tarragon
1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
Yummy!
Melinda
Reference:
All animals big and small are important to our existence and since the beginning of mankind we have eaten meat for nourishment. The treatment of the animals and what they are feed came to my mind many years ago and I do still eat meat a couple of days a week.
When meat is on the menu including eggs, we buy organic, free-range, grass feed, non-GMO and anything else to make sure our food is clean and the animals were treated with care before death. Chickens are treated horribly, they live in crowded dirty cages and let’s not get started on what they are feed.
I choose to eat meat and care about the animals welfare at the same time. That will make sense to some and not others. To each his own.
Melinda
Leeks are a great side dish and are healthy. This dish is simple and doesn’t take long to cook, the perfect dish this holiday season. Best yet, it’s Gluten-Free.
2 large Leeks, tough green ends trimmed
1 tsp. extra-virgin olive oil
Fresh ground black pepper
Pink Himalayan salt
Preheat the oven to 425F
Cut the leeks in half lengthwise. Rinse them liberally under cold water, removing all the dirt and sand from them while keeping the halves intact. Pat them dry.
Place leeks cut side up in a medium baking dish. Coat them with the olive oil and season with 2 big pinches of salt and 1 big pinch of pepper.
Roast until they are tender and golden brown, 35 minutes, and serve immediately.
Serves 4
I have more recipes and DIY projects on the way. Right now I’m working on a Pumpkin Spice Latte recipe.
Enjoy!
Melinda
The recipe is from Kristin Cavallari’s cookbook True Comfort
Repost
Melinda
Nutritious vegetables and chunks of lean meat simmering in their own juices come together to create a simple yet hearty slow-cooker dish that’s perfect for chilly weather.
2 pounds beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons olive oil, plus more as needed
1 cup low-sodium beef stock1/2 cup red wine
One 15-ounce can no-salt-added diced tomatoes, in juice
2 russet or Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
2 celery stalks, diced
2 carrots, diced1 large onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 bay leaves1 tablespoon minced fresh thyme leaves
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
Measuring cups
Liquid measuring cup
Measuring spoons
Chef’s knife Cutting board
Can opener Vegetable peeler
Resealable plastic bag
Large skillet
Tongs
6-quart slow cooker
Wooden spoon
Working in 2 batches, combine the beef and flour in a resealable plastic bag; seal and shake until the beef is completely coated with flour. Set aside.
Heat the 2 tablespoons oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat (see Cook’s Note). Working in batches and adding more oil as necessary, add the beef in a single layer and cook, turning occasionally, until the beef is nicely brown on all sides, about 4 minutes. Transfer the beef to a 6-quart slow cooker.
Add the stock and red wine to the skillet and bring to a boil, scraping up the browned bits with a wooden spoon, and continue to boil until slightly reduced, about 1 minute. Transfer the liquid to the slow cooker. Add the remaining ingredients and stir to combine. Cook on low for 6 to 8 hours or high for 4 to 6 hours. The beef and vegetables should be tender.
Alternatively, use a slow cooker that can be placed on a stovetop to sear the beef.
Yummy! Perfect cold weather meal.
Melinda
Reference:
The link takes you the recipe.
Melinda
Reference:
I’m so glad you are enjoying Fun Facts. I learn something new each week, even if it’s weird. I love hearing your comments!
Enjoy!
Melinda
Thank you for joining me for this week’s Friday Quote.
Melinda
It’s the weekend!!!!!!
I’m glad you joined me for another edition of Weekend Music Share this week.
Have a great weekend!
Melinda
Welcome back to Weekend Music Share, the place where everyone can share their favorite music.
Feel free to use the Weekend Music Share banner in your post, and use the hashtag #WeekendMusicShare on social media so other participants can find your post.
Melinda
I’m glad you joined me on Wordless Wednesday and I hope to see you soon.
Melinda
Happy Thanksgiving to you. I think it’s important to look back to the first Thanksgiving to understand the Pilgrams were not the only ones celebrating the fruitful harvest. It’s interesting how our traditional Thanksgiving meal has changed over time.
The first Thanksgiving with the Pilgrims and Wampanoag North American Indians at Plymouth Colony in 1621.
“Wildfowl was there. Corn, in grain form for bread or for porridge, was there. Venison was there,” says Kathleen Wall, a foodways culinarian at Plimoth Patuxet, a living history museum in Plymouth, Massachusetts. “These are absolutes.”
Turkey may have been part of the holiday meal, along with venison, shellfish and corn, but pies and potatoes were decidedly not on the menu.
I pray you and your family are safe, making great memories, neighbors and not forgetting the elderly or those in need.
My ancestors were Cherokee Indians, I have 1/16 in my blood and I’m very proud. Many often forget that Native American Indians were here long before the migrants.
Melinda
Refernce:
https://congregationallibrary.org/events/colonization-wampanoag-story
Every month there is a long list of awareness months, weeks and days which is why I only include a partial list. I encourage you to read the full list, and you can find it by clicking here or at the bottom of the post.
Melinda
Reference:
https://www.goodgoodgood.co/articles/december-awareness-days-months
Just three?????? At 62, my peeves have changed as I age, thank goodness. Peeves are what I call my last nerve and there are more than three but the top ones are: being told what to do or think, abuse of any kind including animals, arrogance.
Outside of the three are: people who wallow in their problems, liars, are unkind and rude, and people who do not help others. Oh, I can’t forget, someone constantly reminding me of what I need to do and the ones who won’t take responsibly.
I’m far from perfect but no one is, my attitude has changed along with what I think is important. I shake the thoughts off after they happen but they pop-up the next time.
Have a great day.
Melinda
David and I were close to 40 when we married and part of the reason for our success is that we talked about what traits we looked for in a lifelong partner, shared our complete backgrounds with each other, boundries and discussed possible issues we may have to face. I was completely honest about my mental illness and the challenges we would face. It was critical to put in all on the table before we were married.
Like all marriages, we’ve had tough finacial issues, medical and family issues but they never divided us. My Lyme Dieases treatment cost over $150,000 dollars none of which was covered by insurance which caused us to take a second mortgage on our house. He didn’t blink and was caring for me in the years that followed.
We had the same goals when we married and still share the same goals today. He has given me unconditional love, supported me in every way and even though he’s not one of many words, his actions always shows his love.
Marriage has ups and downs, for me it’s the downs that challenge your commitment, desire to communicate and comprimise.
Happy Anniversary Honey.
Melinda
I prefer both because they offer such different opportunities yet if I had to pick it would be water. I have loved the water or playing in water since I was a small child and once older I discovered the love of falling asleep being rocked by the water. There’s nothing like waking up to the sunrise drinking a cup of coffee while the water calms you.
I’ve had one bad experience on my friends 40ft boat. One day the weather was beautiful, I was sail boarding when I saw this massive black cloud coming our way. I rushed back to the boat and the waves on the way back to the dock were massive, he dealt with the waves while I was down stairs scared but constantly picking up items that had fallen including myself. I felt like it took forever. So glad he was at the helm.
The mountains are beautiful because the terrain is always different and you can see for miles. I was a hiker at one time but stopped after climbing a 1,000 feet to reach the top of Verna Falls at Yosemite National Park. We were rookies at climbing mountains and the climb reminded me why. You had to hike in circles all the way up, I had only one pole and several times I thought about stopping but knew better. The waterfall made every step worth it.
Melinda
In this fast-paced social media world, it can be difficult to find the time to look within or back in time. I hope you find these quotes and questions interesting. So glad you stopped by today!
Melinda
Thank you for joining me for this week’s Friday Quote.
Melinda
Great oldies that are as relevant today! Love the horns.
It’s the weekend!!!!!!
I’m glad you joined me for another edition of Weekend Music Share this week.
Have a great weekend!
Melinda
Welcome back to Weekend Music Share, the place where everyone can share their favorite music.
Feel free to use the Weekend Music Share banner in your post, and use the hashtag #WeekendMusicShare on social media so other participants can find your post.
WOW!!!!! I have a long list of histrorical people I would love to chat with and learn from. It’s a toss up between, George Washington, and Abraham Lincoln.
Why? because George Washington was the first President, a Founding Father, he didn’t belong to a political party and and presided over the convention that drafted the U.S. Constitution.
Abraham Lincoln was the 16th President, and His Emancipation Proclamation paved the way for slavery’s abolition, while his Gettysburg Address stands as one of the most famous pieces of oratory in American history.
Melinda
References:
I’m glad you joined me on Wordless Wednesday and I hope to see you soon.
Melinda
I don’t have a favorite month because each month has something wonderful to offer. New Years day is a great time to reflect on the challenges and accomplishments and turn my focus to apply what I’ve learned tothe new year.
Melinda
As we close out the end of 2025, it’s time to look ahead at what topics are trending as we move into the new year. The topics change reguraly and my goal is to stay current in what topics you want to read about.
Looking for the Light is successful when posts are on topics you are interested in. Please drop a comment to add additional topics you want to read about. :)
I will delve into many of the topics in the coming year. Staying current on what topics you are searching for helps me learn and allows me share the knowledge with you.
Melinda
Reference:
I miss you every second of the day yet knowing we will see each other again brings me great joy.
In the leather box are the medals he was awarded and his wedding ring.
I love you.
Melinda
I would like people to see me as a warm and welcoming person but in reality it doesn’t matter because their impression is their perception and has nothing to do with who I really am. The impression of me would also be different based on who I am meeting, say I’m meeting a religious leader, I would be humbled and taking in their presence and any lessons offered and not ask questions unless the door was open. I think the impression of me is different for everyone I met.
I am not a fluffy person and my writing is more raw and to the facts. That in itself could be taken may different way. All I can do is be who I am and hope that people will give me grace.
Melinda
Enjoy!
Melinda
Melinda
I’m an American and I once was proud to say that. I still love America and it is home for me but the politics, division in the country and the rise in physical and cyber crime is very concerning. Almost 10 years ago everything changed with the focus of our government with the biggest impact is neither party working together, they out right refuse. How are they helping Americans grow?
Back to the question. I have looked at other countries as an excersis and have found the countries that live by the values and government style I perfer and way to cold. I’ve thought about Austrailia because I think in many ways we are similar and while visiting Sydney, everyone was so welcoming. It made me think I was back home in Texas.
There are locations that have crossed my mind but in reality every country has it’s issues and living in America is far less expensive than any country I researched. I would not feel right moving away from my home country but wish for some magic to turn America around to better times.
Melinda
lookingforthelight.blog 