WET & GUSTY SHABBAT EVE~Self-Care; Ocean Park-WA

This Shabbat is a rock and rolling event … stormy weather has come to the peninsula 😒 and that's a fitting end to a rocky 2 weeks overshadowed by sibling deaths (both sides of our Union), and another sibling attacked in in her home by a stranger - police later informed her was a sex offender.

I am more than ready for my Shabbat Rest period ☝️🕊️

Admittedly, the observation has been trimmed back significantly since remarriage because my new husband is convinced my Shabbat observance is a seventh day adventist thing: I have told him repeatedly that I am a Jew, and though I am a Messianic Jew ✝️ (meaning saved by Yeshua's atonement) and do not adhere to the orthodox rituals … I do keep the observance for a 24 hour period 💖

I am not going to argue with anyone about whether a Christian should observe the Sabbath or not – I DO because Yeshua DID. The Early Church DID … and I DO now.

But before I settle in for my 24-hour reboot period, I did some very necessary self-care things: (1) I blocked a sibling on FB; she is self-destructive and if I don't block her - I'll find myself checking her Page to make sure she's okay. I came to the decision this morning that I really do not need the frustrated stress. I'm cutting her loose ✂️, and letting Elohim check in on her (2) I stayed focused on my body toning 🏋️‍♀️ goal 👌

8-lb. Dumb-bell weight & 10-lb Kettlebell weight; 8 to 10 repetitions EA exercise; you can go at your own speed, throughout the Day.

Calorie burn & steps taken this year, compared to last year - same day, same timeframe.

1 mile walked today … and I never left the house.

54 mins workout; 470 calories burned; swept floor, made bed, did exercise sets during that timeframe.

Heart Rate during workout period; safe range for my age & physical limitations.

And Holland has been engaging in some introspective thoughts, also. He is thinking we'll be packing up and moving the end of this month; he's cutting some familial ties ✂️ with self-destructive people, also.

We're making wise decisions. We're building a Life that works for US.

Life is just too short to keep spinning our wheels. The familial hamster wheels keep us both so stressed that our bodies are ballooning with the fallout 😟🤦🏻‍♀️ Hopefully, putting some distance between us and the stressful situations - as well as changing the way we eat, will help with the cortisol issue. Our joints need some relief, as well as our hearts & emotions.

Cortisol:

(https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/22187-cortisol)

Plus the weather here, since April, has been cold and wet 😔; we can literally count on 1 hand how many sunny, warm, days we have enjoyed here this year. In all honesty, the weather everywhere has been pretty rotten; but at least there was some warmth in the lower regions of America: he's looking into some of those warmer climates, and planning routes for sun chasing 😎😘

Wet & gusty, today; Ocean Park-WA  5:50 PM

Gale  Watch Warning; Coastal

We live on the road - and our home is slightly elevated; we feel strong winds.

Holland is seriously contemplating pulling stakes here, the end of this month.

We are both wanting, and hoping for a warmer and unifying days ahead 👩‍❤️‍💋‍👨

It's Holland's time to whip things up in the kitchen until Monday; my husband does not know how to "cook light". He knows how to cook bachelor carnivore fare, and totally cancels the fact that he is no longer spry rooster working the carnivore fare off 🤦🏻‍♀️; he's a senior aged couch potato living the retirement Life of Riley - and I'm trying to lose fat … while my husband is feeding me fatback soup with man-size toasted cheese sandwiches 😕

Even toning and burning calories, I'm probably just breaking even, at this point. But, he is a good man who is good for me - plus, he does make good food 😘 And I am determined: it may take me an entire year to get back into some of my closet clothes 🤞 (there are 52 weeks in a year - if 1 lose 1 pound a week, it's still doable) but it's gonna happen.

Now, I'm going to take my fat & sassy/aching in a good way body upstairs to bed - where I'll while away a couple hours listening to the raindrops tap dance across Independence's roof, and read a couple more chapters in the Clive Cussler novel that's picking up speed in narrative action: I'm going to ignore the world's chaos for the next 23 hours …

Picking up where I last left off … tonight is a perfect night for reading about stormy weather 😉

VAL'S STUFFED CABBAGE HOUOVA POLEVKA; Ocean Park-WA

Val's Stuffed Cabbage Houbova Polevka;  Ocean Beach-WA

My husband and I both like cabbage - and I happened to have some on hand, so  …

My mother could make the most wonderful stuffed cabbage hot pot, called Halupki - if I close my eyes and think on those days, I can actually smell that wonderful aroma as it simmered on the back burner all day long.

This has been a difficult week for us, with sibling deaths on both sides of our union 😔: my baby brother 5 days ago … Holland's older brother, yesterday afternoon. And it has been raining here in Ocean Park-WA, since Wednesday evening: soul soothing is definitely needed, and today's supper fare fits the bill.

Betsy & Independence~2; Ocean Park-WA

The Archies - 'Sugar And Spice' song: 

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zLhB4560-Y4&list=RDzLhB4560-Y4&start_radio=1)

My mother's Halupki hot pot was a simple undertaking (sometimes cinnamon was added if around holiday time), but I prefer more ingredients, more spice, & more color - all, of which, have their own special health benefits. My food is my "medicine"; so, I've jazzed my recipe up. The onion, carrot, & celery help eye health, & skeletal strength; and the spices used help improve immune function, reduce inflammation, protect against heart disease, and even boost brain function. Additionally, paprika & vinegar aid digestion, & help regulate blood sugar.

Thankfully, my husband, who also benefits from my healthy offerings … is appreciative of my kitchen concoctions 😘

9 Impressive Health Benefits of Cabbage: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/benefits-of-cabbage

Shiitake Mushrooms - Health Benefits, Nutrition, and Uses: https://www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefits-shiitake-mushrooms

9 Healthy Ways To Use White Rice~Dietitian: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/ways-to-use-white-rice

This easy peasy healthy cabbage-mushroom-soup, has all the wonderful flavor of stuffed cabbage - without all the fuss (I never could keep my cabbage leaves from tearing - I've tried all the "tricks"); and as a bonus plus, delivers taste without the waist adage 😁

You pronounce {Houbova Polevka} as such: "Hoe-boo-vah Pa (soft a)-lev-kah".

Val's Stuffed Cabbage Houbova Polevka ~serves 4

1/2 lb. Hamburger, prebrowned (second 1/2 frozen for later use) * 1/4 head of med-size Cabbage, sliced * 2-1/2 c. Water * 1 c. Sweet Yellow Onion, chopped * 2 med. Carrot, shredded * 2 stalks Celery, chopped * 1 garlic, pressed * 1 TBSP Sugar * 1/2 TBSP Paprika * 1/8 tsp. Cinnamon powder * 1/4 tsp. Salt Substitute * 1/4 tsp. Himalayan Pink Salt * 1/4 tsp. grnd. Black Pepper * 1/8 tsp. Cayenne Pepper * 1/2 tsp. Dill Leaf, dried * 1/2 Bay Leaf * 5-ounce can V-8 Juice * 2 tsp. Beef Bouillon * 1/2 TBSP Cider Vinegar * 1/4 c. Shiitake mushrooms, chopped * 1/4 Rice, cooked * 1/2 TBSP Parsley flakes, dried * Lrg Cooking Pan * Measuring spoons & Measuring cups * 1 Cooking Spoon * 1 Ladle

Gather Ingredients:

Ingredients.

1) In a large soup pot, place the browned hamburger, onion-carrot-celery, garlic, mushrooms, rice, & V-8 juice …

2) Add the spice blend; pour the water & vinegar over all:

Spices added - bay leaf inside tea ball; then liquids.

3) Chop cabbage and place in the pot …

Cabbage added to pot … stir thoroughly to blend all ingredients.

4) Turn heat to medium-high, place pot over flame; bring to a boil:

When soup begins to boil, reduce heat to simmer.

5) When pot begins to boil, turn the heat to low and simmer for 2 hours …

Simmer flame.

Turn heat off & ladle up: YUMMY 😁

Husband liked this soup, a lot - it will be a requested repeat 👩‍❤️‍💋‍👨

CHICKEN-RICE CASSEROLE; Shavua Tov~Ocean Park-WA

Betsy & Independence; Ocean Park-WA

I haven't made this casserole for some time … but I've been missing it - and tonight those left-over chicken bits in the freezer from a recent chicken meal served us again, in tonight's Supper dish 👌

I liberally sprinkled paprika over the surface of this casserole before popping it into the oven, to add flavor as well as a vibrant color; I like color 😉

But Paprika, derived from dried peppers, also holds a treasure trove of health benefits in it's vibrancy: it's a good source of vitamins A and E, which support eye health and immune function. Paprika is rich in calcium, potassium, and phosphorus, all of which are important for building strong teeth, bones, and muscle. Paprika contains zinc, a mineral crucial for collagen synthesis, which can support wound healing and skin health.

Paprika also contains capsaicin, a compound with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, potentially aiding in pain management; and may help improve heart health by potentially lowering LDL cholesterol and triglycerides. Capsaicin, found in paprika, may also have a positive impact on blood pressure and blood vessel health.

The capsaicin in paprika may have anti-obesity and appetite-suppressing properties. Studies have shown that it improves fat metabolism, especially the oxidation of abdominal fat. Capsaicin may also reduce appetite and caloric intake when incorporated as part of a healthy diet.

Other compounds in paprika called xanthophylls also show the ability to reduce abdominal fat and BMI.

Incorporating paprika into your diet may help protect your skin from UV-induced skin damage.

Chicken-Rice Casserole; with leftovers for tomorrow's lunch.

CHICKEN-RICE CASSEROLE  – 6 servings (about 1 cup EA)

¼ cup Margarine, reduced-calorie * 1/3 cup Flour, all-purpose * 3/4 teaspoon Salt Substitute * 1/8 teaspoon Black Pepper * 1-1/2 cups Skim Milk * 1 cup Chicken broth * 2 cups COOKED chicken, cut into bite-size pieces * 1-1/3 cups COOKED white rice (to make 1-1/3 cups of cooked rice, you'll need approximately 1/2 cup of uncooked rice & 1 cup of water) * 1/3 cup Green Bell pepper, chopped * a drop of Almond Extract * 2 TBSP Pimento, chopped * 1/2 c. Mushroom pieces, chopped * 2 tsp. Paprika

Ingredients

1) Heat oven to 350-degrees.

2) Heat margarine in a 2-quart saucepan over medium heat; stir in flour, salt & pepper and cook. Stirring constantly, until bubbly; remove from heat. Stir in milk & broth and heat to boiling – stirring constantly. Boil and stir 1 minute. Stir in remaining ingredients.

Move cooked rice off burner & to the side; melt margarine …

Whisk in the milk & broth - cook as directed.

3) Pour mixture into UNGREASED 2-quart casserole or square baking dish, 8 x 8 x 2 inches; sprinkle with paprika.

Casserole, oven ready.

RV Ovens are small things, & timing is everything: the casserole will be slipped into the oven as the biscuits are pulled & set on a cork hot mat; cover the biscuits with a kitchen towel to keep warm.

Bake UNCOVERED for 40 to 45 minutes … or until bubbly. Garnish with parsley if desired.

This casserole is not spicy - it's kinda bland; but my husband , who douses everything pretty liberally with black pepper, says this chicken casserole is "a repeat" 👩‍❤️‍💋‍👨

Holland's pepper-doused portion …

MOD Crochet Inhaler Wrist Pouch; Ocean Park-WA

It was very foggy this morning & very dusty this afternoon; Independence rocked on her support legs all day long, when wind gusts ripped through here. I drank my coffee and watched the grit clouds filter through the evergreens.

Foggy here today - travel warning issued.

I don't care how Holland wants to spin things … I am not noticing any improvement in the air quality: the WA air, here in Ocean Park, seems to be just as dusty as Yuma-AZ & Quartzsite-AZ - and the wind gusts are comparable to those we withstood in Kingman-AZ. The weather is just plain weird everywhere, and seasons are off-kilter.

And Holland - because he did not fall into bed until after 6 AM, slept through it all.

While Holland slept, I watched 'The Quest' featuring Jean-Claude Van Damme & Abdel Qissi - all the fighters were stellar cast, but these 2 are my favorites. I don't particularly like blood sporting events, but I do like this movie; and will watch it along with 'Zandy's Bride' starring Gene Hackman and Liv Ullmann, every time they are available to watch. I have watched both so many times, for so long … I know the scripts by heart, but they always pull me in 😉

The Quest~1996 Movie & Zandy's Bride~1974 Movie.

Last night I designed and worked up this Inhaler Wrist Pouch to fit my fat Apple Watch Band: it's not actually my own idea … but the crochet pouch is my own design:

MOD Inhaler Wrist Pouch designed to fit my fat Apple Watch Band~Crochet

I saw a fella wearing something like this, and thought, "I can make one of those for myself & ease Holland's mind." The whole thing only took about 15 minutes from concept to button 😁

Holland insists I have an inhaler on my person at all times - especially when I am hiking; my jegging do not have front pockets & I do not always use a backpack. Lately, I've just been shoving it into the left cup of my bra … and that gets me strange looks from people wondering "why does that old woman have a square-tipped boob?" 😂🤣

Inhaler shoved down my bra … at my husband's insistence ;-)

Now, I can just slip this little glittery pouch over my watch band and boogie: and my husband can relax while I'm burning the calories, walking my fat ass off 👍😘

Still working on the "Lady" feature 😕 both Husbands (Bob gave up hope - Holland is still hopeful) seem to think I have … somewhere in my Heinz-57 DNA 🧐

Today I thought I'd make fish for our Friday meal … and I knew just the recipe I was hungering for 😉

In this recipe, I use tilapia; but trout, red snapper, halibut, or swordfish can be substituted.

I first made this recipe in July of 2019 - and tonight, Holland will be the only man who has enjoyed this delicious fish recipe, with me 👩‍❤️‍💋‍👨

Fish With Cumin-Garlic Butter & Val's Cornbread With Sweet Peppers & Cilantro

FISH WITH CUMIN-GARLIC BUTTER; Ocean Park-WA:  (https://roadgypsiesvalandholland.blogspot.com/2025/07/fish-with-cumin-garlic-butter-ocean.html)