Related Notes:
016. The sound of rain before sunrise
-- I woke up early yesterday morning, and I laid in bed listening to the rain. It was quiet and relaxing; I wish I could feel so calm all the time. I felt warm and fuzzy all over, grateful for everyone and everything I have in my life.
015. Homemade pizza
-- I'll never master pizzeria quality pizza, but I've come a long way in my pizza making adventures. I think my favorite is garlic pizza with olive oil; garlic; Italian seasoning (just a little); and Romano, Parmesan, and mozzarella cheese.
014. Homemade fries with Frito's mild cheddar dip
-- I enjoy making these fries at home in the air fryer with olive oil and a bit of salt. I've attempted to replicate different cheese dips; and while the ones I make at home are delicious, there's just something about the Frito's. Couple the fries with a nice, cold Diet Coke; and that's the recipe for a great summer evening.
013. Watching documentaries about pop culture
-- I'm intrigued by the underbelly of celebrity culture, and I can't seem to stop watching programs about them. Right now I'm watching "Surviving R. Kelly." I'm so glad I never broke into the entertainment industry.
012. Late night showers
-- Late night showers don't always help me sleep, but they do help me relax. In addition to my skin being dry and itchy, I've been dealing with a lot of chronic pain and fatigue. It helps reduce the stress headaches and makes me feel mellow.
011. Fruit
-- I've switched over to fruit to kill my sweet tooth. I shouldn't be consuming sweets anyway; but now that I'm on Ozempic, if I eat something like ice cream my body automatically rejects it. Yes, I spend the rest of the night throwing up. I've really been enjoying bananas and Mandarin oranges.
009. Homemade bread
-- I never realized how easy it was to make good bread at home. While I prefer bread made with all purpose flour served with butter, whole wheat with a side of a good quality margarine is great too.
010. "South Park"
-- I've been watching this show for well over 20 years; while some seasons are far superior to others, it always makes me feel better when I'm feeling bad. I'm especially loving the most recent season mocking President Trump and his cabinet.
001. Cetaphil Gentle Face Wash
-- I have extremely oily, mildly sensitive skin. This product cleans my face well without feeling tight and squeaky afterward.
002. Pond's Face Cream
-- This moisturizer is designed for dry skin, but it was a real life saver this winter. The trick is to apply the cream while the skin is still damp to reduce the greasy feeling. My skin feels silky and hydrated.
003. Nivea Nourishing Care Body Wash
-- I bought this product on a whim, and I really like it. It's thick almost like a lotion, and it smells very amazing; makes for a nice shower experience.
004. Nivea Creme
-- Winter was absolutely brutal on my skin this winter. I skipped a few days applying lotion, and my skin actually started to hurt. I'd never experienced anything quite like it before. Anyway, this body creme was a real life saver. It's extremely thick, but it sank in completely after a few hours. I'll definitely keep this in my rotation.
005. Nivea Skin Firming Sheer Hydration Body Lotion
-- Okay, so I have this habit of reading articles about skincare celebrities use. I especially enjoy the drugstore recommendations. Meghan Markle uses this product on the regular, and I mean she's the standard right? I don't expect it to do much Firming. I've lost a lot of weight and have crepe skin. However, the lotion does absorb nicely and leaves a bit of radiance.
006. Homemade McDonald's sausage egg McMuffins
-- I started making these at home, because the prices are absolutely outrageous. I was shocked at how easy they are to replicate at home. Obviously, I don't know McDonald's recipe for their sausage patties, but the Great Value maple sausage patties come pretty close. What I do is buy Bay's English muffins, and spritz them with a little I Can't Believe It's Not Butter Spray. I place them face down in a large frying pan, and then I melt some butter in an egg ring. Once the butter has melted, I crack in an egg and break up the yolk. Finally, I throw in one of the sausage patties and flip when one side is cooked. After I assemble the sandwich with cheese, egg, and sausage, I place it in wax paper for a few minutes to allow it to steam. The result is pretty darn close to the restaurant for a fraction of the price.
007. Homemade Crunchwrap Supreme
-- I've watched a few different videos, and I've found a concoction that works for me. The first step is to boil your ground hamburger--or whatever meat you choose--and drain it. After you drain the fat and water, toss it in a pan with a low sodium taco mix. (Follow the directions.) I grate mozzarella, cheddar, and Monterey Jack cheese to make my own blend. Take a quarter cup of the meat and cheese blend and layer it in the middle of a burrito-size tortilla wrap. (I recommend the El Paso Extra Grande ones.) Place a tostada on top, and add a layer of sour cream and Frito's Mild Cheddar Cheese dip. Top it off with a layer of shredded lettuce, and fold the tortilla wrap in a hexagon. I fry it up in a little bit of canola oil. (I opt for mild cheddar cheese dip, because I don't like any of the jalapeno dips. You can also add tomatoes if you so wish.)
008. Finesse Restore and Strengthen Moisturizing Shampoo and Conditioner
-- I picked these up on Amazon for nostalgia purposes, and I've been pleased with them. My hair feels nourished, and I can blow dry my hair without adding any product. (I hate mousse.)
