BENEFICIAL SHOPPING; Castle Rock-WA

We had stuff to do today, across the river.

Before we left home - a quick targeted workout was done, a morning call was made to my dentist/an appointment set up for Wednesday: & Holland has a scheduled Dr. appointment in Chehalis next week, to discuss which procedure would be the best to move forward, to get relief for his bum knee.

Complete set reps as indicated, in this video.

Glute Stepup~In & out of Betsy x10 today.

Crossing the Columbia River to Rainier-OR, an appointment for a bank meeting, was set up for tomorrow morning. We shopped a little at the grocery outlet store on main street …

I was happy to find some mushroom powder that promises to be beneficial ⚕️ for us - certain mushroom species have been studied for their potential therapeutic effects on asthma symptoms. One such species is the Reishi mushroom, known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which may help to alleviate asthma symptoms. Studies have suggested that Reishi may improve lung function and reduce the need for asthma medication in some individuals. Lion's Mane mushroom supports breathing and oxygenation primarily through its anti-inflammatory effects, which help soothe inflamed respiratory tracts, allowing for smoother airflow and more efficient oxygen exchange in the lungs; this beneficial mushroom, is particularly good for Holland's lung issues. Chaga mushrooms can help improve lung function by enhancing respiratory health through its powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. By reducing oxidative stress and inflammation in the lungs, Chaga supports better airflow and overall lung capacity. A clinical study showed that asthma patients treated with Cordyceps experienced an impressive 81.3% improvement rate, compared to just 61% with conventional antihistamines. The mushroom works by dilating bronchial passages and enhancing the relaxation effect of adrenaline on airways. Cordyceps may help improve COPD symptoms by: reducing airway wall thickening and inflammation. Modulating inflammatory cytokine production - cytokines are not just chemical signals ... they are whispers, screams, and symphonies in the molecular language of immunity. They are the difference between life and death in an infection. Cordyceps mushrooms are beneficial in that they enhance better oxygen exchange in the lungs. The Shiitake mushroom, has also been studied for potential therapeutic effects on asthma. This mushroom contain various bioactive compounds that may help to reduce inflammation, improve lung function, and support immune health. Ashwagandha is an evergreen herb shrub found in India, Africa and parts of the Middle East. It has long been used medicinally to stabilizes mood, sharpens cognitive function, improves sleep quality, increase energy, & reduce inflammation, pain, and anxiety. The Cortisol Connection - When the body encounters stress, the adrenal glands release cortisol. In short bursts, this is functional. But chronically heightened cortisol disrupts sleep, impairs cognition, increases fat storage, and slows muscle repair. Clinical research shows that Ashwagandha supplementation reduces serum cortisol levels by 15–27%, a range significant enough to produce real, noticeable shifts in how the body handles daily and cumulative pressure: this is great … Holland was just saying the other day that we need to work on our cortisol levels.

This powder will also be easier to store in Independences - RV refrigerators are small; and keeping produce & mushrooms at an even temperature gets tricky. Produce will sometimes get frostbite, & mushrooms will often get slimy in a short period of time. You can mess with the temperature from here to kingdom come … and it will always be a frustration. And I have not been successful in finding dried mushrooms at any store, in any State we've visited these 39 months of road gypsying. I was very happy to see mushroom powder, so I bought 2 👏

I was also happy to bring a colorful cupcake tin home with us - there are many things I have been wanting to bake … but foil cupcake [pans] are not very sturdy. I need the sturdiness, & I like the bright mustard color 😁

Shopping bags placed in the back seat space of Betsy's cab, she was then driven a mile or so up the highway & fed diesel before we turned towards home base. Crossing back over the Lewis & Clark Bridge, and driving down Oregon Way, Holland nipped into Don Pedro's Drive-thru for a couple burritos for him, and a few street tacos, for me. The taco's are wonderful; I love small, soft, street tacos!

Tracked 1 hour = 1 mile, this morning.

Street Taco's~Don Pedro's Mexican Restaurant; #437 Oregon Way, Longview, WA

2 good finds this afternoon at the Grocery Outlet; #215 W B St, Rainier, OR. The mushroom powder will be good to back down the inflammation of both our bodies.

Back home, stuff got put away and the evening wound down in a relaxed manner - Holland watched a movie & I posted to a few Blog Hops, noticing that one of my crochet plant pot covers had been featured on Angie's Blog:

MOD HOLD THE LINE FREEDOM 250 Plant Pot Cover (https://roadgypsiesvalandholland.blogspot.com/2026/06/mod-hold-line-freedom-250-plant-pot.html), was featured on Angie's Blog Hop @ God's Growing Garden

And we will be tucked in cozy & early 😴🛌 thankful for another blessed Day; and the beneficial shopping (dentist, doctor, bank info, groceries, organic medicinals, fuel, lunch, and entertainment) we were able to get done this afternoon.

Tomorrow is going to be another busy Day, with an early start ⏰

WEIGHTY DAY~Self-care; Ocean Park-WA

This morning while Holland was sleeping upstairs, I got busy in the spare bunk room stretching muscles and burning fat (a slow burn, but slow & steady still counts 😉).

Since remarrying, I have been in sedentary mode due to my husband's disability limitations - my new sedentary mode life has caused me to regain all the weight I had shed during the months of impending widowhood. From the winter of 2018 to the winter of 2022, I had faithfully been careful to maintain a weight my body was comfortable with, at the age I am at … and now that I am several years past 62, with a new husband that loves fatty food, my aging body is telling me that I need to shed those extra pounds, again.

I'm okay with that notification.

And I have the time to do it, at the moment - we are hunkered down in one place for a while. And I'm taking [space] from life's turmoil's.

I like to work my body to keep it limber and functionable.

I don't mind 'getting back at it'.

And I also want to burn calories and shed a few pounds: I seriously need to do that - it's not a vanity want, it's a health need. Plus, I have clothes in my closet I would like to wear again before passing years force me to cull them.

The asthma episodes have slowed down.

Allergy season has backed off.

It's time 👍

And it doesn't have to be a dreaded thing; toning the body can be enjoyable if it's entered into with fun-filled hope 💪😊

First, I stretched so my muscles wouldn't shockingly rebel against the push and pull on them - I was pleasingly gratified to take note that I could bend and easily touch my toes for 15 reps without too much rebelling from my couch potato stomach 👌😉

Then, I moved on to my weighty exercises:

I used my 10-lb Kettlebell weight = 10 ct. x 3

8-lb. Dumb-bell weight = 10 ct. x 3 for EA exercise.

I broke my stepper exercise down into three 10-minute sections: this is what works for me - it may slow the fat-burning down a bit, but my knees aren't what they used to be … and neither is my heart, or lungs. I monitor my heart rhythm and oxygen level to ease my husband's mind (I do not allow my physical limitations to handicap me); and I stop when they edge close to the caution area; the stepper is not like taking a leisurely stroll, or short hike, on a gravel or a paved trail.

30 minutes on the stepper … works the legs, hips, heart & lungs, so I try to maintain a [strolling & gawking at scenery] speed.

WHEW! It ain't over 'til the fat lady sings … and I'm not ready to sing, yet ;-)

I am determined to be a healthy, fit & toned sassy-pants again.