Brrrr....season change. Ugh.

Where I live, there are abrupt season changes. Some years we get no Springtime to speak of and some years (like this one) Autumn is elusive shifting from summer to winter without much in between, which would be called Autumn if it were there.

This year I am already cold. Indoors. I am already dressing in layers trying to stay warm. I have broken out the long pants and leggings. I have reintroduced the thick, fuzzy socks. I have terminated the use of sandals and gone to shoes. I likely will soon be turning to thick sweaters and sweat pants. Sheesh.

I know, some of you love winter because you love snowshoeing, snow skiing, snow boarding, playing in the snow, snow days off from school, spinning wheelies in the slickery snow and generally enjoying all the fluffy white stuff. I am not one of those people.

I am glad there are you folks out there that do like those things because without you I would not be able to find any reason for it at all and would be cursing it up one side and down the other.

My body has never been set up or oriented to handling the big cold. Granted, it doesn't handle the big heat either. I am meant to be in one of those temperate climates where it never moves the thermometer too much either way.

So - having said all that I will be adjusting my menus to match the season change. More things that keep the body warm, fewer cold menu items, and maybe some home made breads. And I will be drinking more of the hot liquids, I am sure.

I did switch to whole milk as an alternative to half-n-half, which I switched to as an alternative to powdered creamer (think coffeemate) for the sake of better health choices.

That was an effort to get away from ultra-processed 'stuff' and excess chemical formulas and additives. This whole "going Healthier" campaign can be a lot of work sometimes.

I like the taste of the whole milk in my decaf coffee so it's working out that way. I am not sure how it's going when it comes to the effect on cholesterol.

The reason I am so focused on food and diet is because I have come to learn that food really is the key to good health. Movement also plays a key role. And as I get older, health is more and more at the forefront. As the body ages it becomes more dominant in your thoughts because it's impossible to ignore all the new 'things' that occur.

And of course this is the season when all the nasty viruses and bacteria's thrive and are passed around like dollar bills.

So, I caved-in a couple years ago and got the flu shot for the first time ever in my whole life. I went just yesterday and got this years flu shot. Last month I got the pneumonia shot. Next month I will get the COVID shot.

Talk about being the sacrificial lamb. Mercy me.