Foods, Real Foods

I started paying attention to food labels back in my twenties. At first, I was just trying to cut out sugar (anything ending in “-ose”) and Red #40 from my son’s diet. This was well before it became a common thing to do. Back then, asking questions about what was in your food often earned you some strange looks. But something didn’t sit right with me, and thankfully, it was actually easier to avoid toxic ingredients then. Fewer processed options, fewer marketing distractions. And yes, for those wondering, the change made a real impact.

Every new school year, the usual forms would come home asking about allergies or special dietary needs. I always returned mine with a simple request: “Please don’t feed him anything that I didn’t send.” I packed everything he ate, from daily snacks to birthday cakes. But the school always pushed back. They wanted a physician to sign off on this so-called special diet. So I brought my handwritten food log, a real notebook filled with daily entries about what my son ate and how he responded, to our DO.

She would glance through it, nod, and say, “I wish more parents would do this.” Armed with her signature, I returned the paperwork to the school. Even then, they acted like I was doing something extreme, like I was depriving him. But with a doctor’s note, their hands were tied. And to be clear, he never missed out. If there was a celebration, I supplied cake. Homemade. I made cookies, candies, and more, all from scratch. No shortcuts. No chemicals. That alone could fill a book.

Years later, not much has changed. I still read labels when I shop. And to be honest, most of what I pick up goes right back on the shelf as soon as I spot something like toxic oils, hydrogenated anything, synthetic sweeteners, sugar, high-fructose corn syrup, artificial flavors, or colors. At this point, I don’t even call them ingredients anymore. To me, they’re chemicals.

There are whole aisles in the grocery store that I just skip. Condiments are a lost cause. Salad dressing? No. Store-bought mayo? Definitely not. Most of it smells like it’s gone rancid, and for good reason. The oils used are unstable and low quality. BBQ sauce? Packed with sugar and high-fructose corn syrup. I make all of these at home with real food. Ingredients I can recognize and pronounce. Sometimes I add in lacto-fermented components to boost nutrition and shelf life. Though nothing really lasts long in my fridge. I do consume fats, just ones that my body recognize, things like real butter, olive oil, animal fats and the such.

This isn’t a fad for me. It’s just how I live. If you ask the people around me, they’ll tell you I’m hard core about it. If I’m at someone’s house and they offer me food or drinks, I usually decline. Politely, but quickly. Even when it’s something they think is a better option. That’s when the game begins. They start rifling through their kitchen, hoping to find something I’ll approve of. I always appreciate the effort, but it’s sad how many of those “healthy” products are still full of questionable ingredients. Labels like “natural,” “sugar-free,” and “fat-free” are just marketing. Most people don’t realize how misleading those claims are.

One example that sticks with me is Wheat Thins. Their box practically shouts health benefits. “Whole grain,” “no artificial flavors or colors.” One day, I was shopping in the store and broke my usual rule. I bought a box to munch on during the drive home without first reading the label. As I was eating, I noticed they tasted oddly sweet. I figured maybe I was just sensitive because I don't eat sugar. But when I flipped the box over, here’s what I saw:

WHOLE GRAIN WHEAT FLOUR, CANOLA OIL, SUGAR, CORNSTARCH, MALT SYRUP (FROM CORN AND BARLEY), SALT, REFINER’S SYRUP, LEAVENING (CALCIUM PHOSPHATE AND BAKING SODA), BHT ADDED TO PACKAGING MATERIAL TO PRESERVE FRESHNESS.

From my perspective:

• Canola oil is toxic.

• Sugar, malt syrup, and refiner’s syrup are all added sugars.

• BHT is a toxic synthetic preservative I want no part of.

I threw the box away. I hated wasting the money, but I couldn’t bring myself to eat another bite. It’s disappointing. And the saddest part is knowing how many parents buy these thinking they’re doing something good.

I have some hope that the MAHA movement will push the food industry toward more transparency. But even if it does, it won’t solve everything. That’s why we can’t stop reading labels. We have to stay alert. Companies will always look for cheap ingredients that maximize profit (nothing wrong with profit as long as it isn't harming anyone). And many of them intentionally add substances that mess with your brain chemistry and appetite. The goal is to keep you coming back for more. If that sounds a little like addiction, it’s because it is.

Last weekend, I did my usual grocery shopping. I stuck to the outer perimeter of the store, where the real food is. I picked up fresh produce, eggs, milk, half and half (more on that in a second), and meats like chicken and pork. I also grabbed a bag of corn chips, but only after carefully scanning the options and picking the cleanest one. And no, I don’t snack on them randomly. They’re part of an actual meal.

Let’s talk about cream. I love using it in recipes and coffee. But I’ve noticed that most heavy creams, even the pricey organic ones, come with gums and stabilizers. Why? Cream should be just that: cream. That’s it. Ironically, I’ve found that plain half and half, which is just milk and cream, usually doesn’t have any of those additives. I have no idea why that’s the case, but it is. If I could find raw heavy cream straight from a local farm, I’d be thrilled. Until then, I’ll stick with half and half.

This is how I live. Every day. It’s not about being extreme. It’s about being intentional. What’s really extreme is how normal it has become to fill our bodies with synthetic chemicals and call it food.

So now I’ll ask you. Have you made changes to your diet? What have you swapped out? What differences have you noticed? Let’s start sharing and celebrating real food again. It’s time.

All written text from this blog are copyrighted and owned by Wretha unless otherwise stated. All rights reserved, You may download or copy for your own personal enjoyment, but please do not distribute without written permission. You may post a portion of this (or any) message from this blog on another site as long as you include a link back to this site and the original message.

Wretha,

Thanks for visiting!

Sam's Club Membership Half Price 50% Off

Want a Sam’s Club Membership for Half Price?

Use my referral link to get 50% off your first year of a Standard Club membership—that’s only $25 instead of $50! You’ll also get $5 in Sam’s Cash to spend, and I’ll get $5 too.

If you want all the extra perks of Plus (like free shipping on most items, 2 % Sam’s Cash back, and more), you can upgrade immediately for $60. That means you get Plus for only $85 total (instead of $110) your first year, and you still get the $5 Sam’s Cash!

Sign up here: https://fbuy.io/samsclub/98rkdmya

Link good through August 31, 2025

Limited to the first 5 friends per Sam's Club rules, if you don't make it in this time, look for a new link next month.

I don't live near a Sam's Club, in fact the closest one to me is some 3 hours away at Texas highway speeds, I'm a very rural mountainous area of far west Texas (yes, Texas has mountains, just don't tell anyone), we have very limited access to stores (food or otherwise) and what we do have is typically more expensive than city shopping. Even paying full price for the plus tier it's worth it for me to carry the membership since they will ship most items to me for free. I wish I could get perishable items, but they don't ship those, so an every few months trip to Odessa is not out of the question for me to stock up on the items I need and want from Sam's, mostly the items they won't ship. Things like fresh fruit and veg, meats, cold and frozen foods, it's always a good trip to the big city for those items. 

As for the rest of the stuff, things like coffee, powdered creamer (it's for hubby, I wouldn't consume that but I can't stop him from liking it), supplements, dry goods like Kleenex, paper towels, disposable cups, and a few other staples, I save enough money ordering those items that it more than pays for itself over the year. 

Hoping you are having a great day! Tell me, do you prefer Sam's Club or Costco? Or do you use both? I have made online orders from Costco before, they carry a peanut butter I like, since I am not a club member, they do charge a shipping fee, it's not much, just a few dollars, well worth it. I did a comparison for the two clubs and discovered for me, for the things I typically like to buy that Sam's Club Plus is the best deal for me.

All written text from this blog are copyrighted and owned by Wretha unless otherwise stated. All rights reserved, You may download or copy for your own personal enjoyment, but please do not distribute without written permission. You may post a portion of this (or any) message from this blog on another site as long as you include a link back to this site and the original message.

Wretha,

Thanks for visiting!

Turning 60

Well, this is my last week of being in my 50s, I'm 59 which makes my upcoming birthday one of those milestones that I'm not sure what to think about it. I've never been one to fret about age, I always considered age just a number. I've known people who seemed to be forever young, and I've known people who looked and acted elderly long before they should have.

It's funny, ironic, I'm not usually at a loss for words, in fact I tend to be a bit too wordy when it comes to writing. But I don't know what to write, well that's not entirely true, I have lots of thoughts on this subject and have started several paragraphs only to delete them. I don't want to come across as whiny, or complaining, I also don't want to sound like everything is perfect. I need to find a middle ground here. So let's get started.

The whiny parts, I'm aging, it's a fact, the alternative is dying young, something I obviously am not interested in. In the last few years (about 5 or 6 years) I have actively worked on my health, mostly by eliminating unhealthy things and adding in healthy things. (How many times can I say "things" LOL). 

The things I started and continue doing, I began doing intermittent fasting, it just happened to fall when Covid started, it had nothing to do with that, it was absolutely a coincidence, but a good one it turned out. I typically don't get sick, or when I do it's fairly short lived, but during C, as we all know, anyone who coughed, or had the hint of being sick, well it was a scary time. I personally wasn't worried about it, but I know how people acted, especially in public, so getting or sounding sick just wasn't an option.

It turned out that during the height of the C scare, I didn't get sick, not once, no cough, no sneezing, no sickness at all, I fully attribute that to my daily fasting. Later on I do believe I caught it once, from someone sitting next to me in a meeting I had to attend whose family definitely had it. No big deal, it was one and done. I never got tested nor did I take the jab (a personal choice, no judgement), I'm going by the symptoms I had to determine that I did in fact have C.

After I started daily fasting, I began to pick one thing in my diet to eliminate, it wasn't really hard since I love to cook, and I am already an avid label reader, I already chose not to consume artificial chemical garbage, things like artificial sweeteners, artificial colors or flavors, at that time it was difficult to avoid because it was in everything, but I did my best. I discovered when I ate cleanly, I felt better, and it was immediately apparent if I ate something that wasn't good.

The next thing I eliminated was a hard one, it was sugar, all refined processed sugar. I am pretty hard core about that, even homemade goodies, if they contain sugar, I choose not to eat it. Last Christmas, my friend who is a fab cook/baker, was making homemade cookies, I agreed to try one, I ate one cookie and one tiny square of fudge. Well the rest of the day, my head was buzzing and I was dizzy. It was not pleasant, and absolutely not worth the few minutes of pleasure on my tongue.

The only sweeteners I'll eat are natural from fruit, and allulose/monk fruit, and maple syrup in moderation, mostly in my coffee which isn't daily. 

The next thing I eliminated from my diet was toxic oils, things like palm oil, anything hydrogenated, corn oil, basically all of the toxic seed oils. I use butter, ghee, olive oil, and avocado oil. I am truly amazed at the companies who make so called healthy foods that use toxic oils, it's just safer to make my own snacks and foods.

Now with RFK Jr in charge of our foods, he is banning artificial colors and other things, I'm happy about that, it means I'll potentially be able to buy more foods from the store without with less worry. Though honestly I still don't fully trust the food manufacturers to do the right thing, I'll still continue to read labels and if it has something I don't like, I won't buy it or eat it. 

Lacto-fermentation, it's something I have been delving deeper and deeper into, science is learning that we are influenced by our gut microbiome, some are good, some not so good. I am actively working on making and consuming more and more lacto-fermented foods. Right now I have 5 jars of fermented veggies sitting out that I eat from. I also make my own yogurt. All of this is so much simpler than I originally thought it would be, it's not scary at all, just do it!

I am doing other things to improve my health, supplements, hydrogen water, red light therapy, making my own tinctures and the such. All of this is an attempt at keeping my body and mind in tip top shape. I am not perfect, I am overweight, but have maintained this weight over many years, ie I don't yo-yo diet, I feel like maintaining is healthier than losing and gaining over and over. 

_____________________________________________

So it's been a few days since I started writing, I almost decided to not post this at all, but then I went over to my friend's house, she could see there was a bit of a shadow over me, so she pulled out 2 boxes and sat them in front of me. I didn't know what to think, she is a big, major big wrapping paper kind of person, she even commented that she hadn't wrapped them but chose to give them to me anyhow.

I opened each box, the first one had a fermentation crock, the kind with a an airlock lid, weights and a thing I can only assume it's for tamping down whatever I'm fermenting. The other box contained 2 large glass jars with lids that also have an airlock/venting system. And there were 2 glass weights. 

I must say that my friend knows me so well, she knew I'd love those items, I would USE them and I'm  going to make some ferments for her as well. 

All written text from this blog are copyrighted and owned by Wretha unless otherwise stated. All rights reserved, You may download or copy for your own personal enjoyment, but please do not distribute without written permission. You may post a portion of this (or any) message from this blog on another site as long as you include a link back to this site and the original message.

Wretha,

Thanks for visiting!

Greenthread: The Desert Bloom with a Moody Disguise

Tucked among the rugged terrain of the Davis Mountains, where dry winds brush across stone and sunbaked earth, a slender, scrappy plant quietly thrives. Around our place, we call it the “Adam’s Family flower”, a nickname my husband coined after watching its sunny yellow blooms shrivel into something you'd expect in a gothic bouquet. But officially, it’s known as Greenthread (Thelesperma megapotamicum), a native wildflower with deep cultural roots and a flair for dramatic exits.

🌿 A Closer Look at Greenthread

Widespread across the American Southwest, from Texas plains to Arizona foothills, Greenthread is a tall, wiry perennial with thread-thin foliage and solitary golden flower heads. During bloom, it’s cheerful and bright. But after flowering, the heads dry and blacken, transforming the plant into something out of a Tim Burton set. The contrast is striking, and once you see it, you’ll never forget it.

That darkening stage is exactly why the name “Adam’s Family flower” stuck in our home. The spent blossoms look like something Morticia herself would carefully arrange with a smirk.

🍃 History in a Cup

Beyond its theatrical looks, Greenthread has long been valued for its herbal uses. Often called Indian Tea, Navajo Tea, or Coyote Tail, it’s been used for generations by Indigenous communities as a calming herbal infusion.

Traditional tea made from this plant is believed to:

• Ease digestive issues

• Calm mild stomach cramps

• Act as a gentle sedative

• Help with water retention

• Support general detox (according to folk beliefs)

Modern research hasn’t yet caught up to traditional wisdom, but its use in herbal practices is well-documented and considered safe.

✂️ How to Harvest & Preserve It

Interested in harvesting your own? It’s simple, but timing matters:

• Best Time: Mid-morning, once the dew has lifted and before the sun gets too hot

• What to Harvest: Snip the top portions, stems, leaves, and blooms, while in flower

• Drying Method: Gather into small bundles, hang upside down in a shaded, airy space until crisp. Store in paper bags, tins, or glass jars, away from moisture and sunlight.

☕ Brewing Greenthread Tea

Here’s a simple way to prepare a cup:

1. Use about 1 tablespoon of dried plant material per cup.

2. Pour just-boiled water over the herbs.

3. Let it steep for 10 to 15 minutes.

4. Optional: add a slice of lemon or a bit of honey.

The flavor is light, earthy, and faintly bitter, somewhere between green tea and chamomile. Longer steeping brings out a stronger, more medicinal flavor.

🔍 A Few Plants to Avoid Confusing It With

Although Greenthread is fairly distinct once familiar, here are a few plants that can appear similar:

• Coreopsis tinctoria – Often used for tea as well, but has red and yellow bicolored petals.

• Dyssodia species (aka fetid marigold) – Similar shape but an unmistakably foul odor.

• Small thistles and dandelion relatives – Yellow flowers, but different leaf and stem structure.

Trust your senses, especially your nose and an eye for those signature thread-like leaves.

🪴 Why I Love It

Greenthread is a survivor, growing in dry, rocky soil where little else wants to root. It's modest in size but full of charm, both during bloom and after. Whether you’re harvesting for tea or just appreciating its resilience, this unassuming plant has a lot to offer.

And yes, part of me still chuckles when I see those dark, dried flower heads swaying in the wind. The “Adam’s Family flower” might not be its scientific name, but around here, it’s the one that sticks.

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🌿 Disclaimer:
The information provided here is based on personal observations, traditional knowledge, and informal research. While I strive to be accurate, I am not a certified botanist, herbalist, or medical professional. If you choose to forage or use wild plants for culinary or medicinal purposes, please do your own thorough research and consult with qualified experts when needed. Proper identification is absolutely essential, some plants can look similar but have very different effects, and mistakes can be harmful. You are fully responsible for any use of the plants described here. When in doubt, leave it out!

All written text from this blog are copyrighted and owned by Wretha unless otherwise stated. All rights reserved, You may download or copy for your own personal enjoyment, but please do not distribute without written permission. You may post a portion of this (or any) message from this blog on another site as long as you include a link back to this site and the original message.

Wretha,

Thanks for visiting!

Constipated in the Spirit: When God Prescribes Castor Oil

I saw a meme on Facebook (imagine that! LOL), it was about Jonah, of Jonah and the whale (though it was really a fish), when he was angry about having to let Nineveh know that they were about to be judged, Jonah didn't want them to be saved, so afterward he sat down, angry, full of bitterness. God caused a plant to grow to give him shade, I had always read it was a gourd, but it turns out it was apparently a castor bean plant. Well, that preaches, he was spiritually constipated so God gave him a castor bean plant to shade him and give him comfort. This is a sermon y'all!

“Constipated in the Spirit: When God Prescribes Castor Oil”

Text: Jonah 4:6
"ADONAI, God, prepared a castor-bean plant and made it grow up over Jonah to shade his head and relieve his discomfort. So Jonah was delighted with the castor-bean plant."

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Introduction

Today, I want to talk about a kind of constipation you won’t find in the body, but in the mind and spirit. You can be spiritually blocked, emotionally stuck, and mentally bound up by pride, anger, unforgiveness, and disobedience. And in Jonah’s case, that’s exactly what was going on.

God had called him to go to Nineveh, but Jonah didn’t want to go. Why? Because he didn’t want those people saved. He wanted judgment. He wanted fire from heaven. He was spiritually constipated, backed up with bitterness and self-righteousness.

---

Point 1: Jonah Had a Heart Full of Toxic Waste

Jonah had just come from being saved out of the belly of a fish. You’d think that experience would humble him. But no. He preached to Nineveh and then sat outside the city, waiting and hoping it would be destroyed.

He didn’t want grace extended to them.

Let’s call that what it is: a spiritual backup. Jonah was full of himself, full of judgment, full of anger, and when you're full of those things, you don’t leave room for God's mercy to move through you.

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Point 2: God Grew a Castor Bean Plant to Cover Him

Jonah 4:6 says that God grew a castor bean plant over Jonah to shade his head and relieve his discomfort.

Now, if you know anything about castor oil, you know it’s a natural purgative. It clears you out. It's used to get things moving. And spiritually speaking, God was doing the same thing with Jonah. God said, “Let me put a covering over you, not just to shade your head but to work on your heart.”

That plant was mercy.
That shade was comfort.
That growth was a holy prescription for a constipated prophet.

God didn’t scold him, He soothed him first.
But He was about to stir his insides.

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Point 3: What We Delight In, God Can Use to Teach Us

Jonah delighted in that plant. Why? Because it served him. It made him feel better. It relieved his external discomfort.

But God wasn’t done. The very next verse says God sent a worm to destroy the plant. And Jonah was angry again.

God asked him, “Do you have a right to be angry about the plant?”

God was exposing the inner blockage, the fact that Jonah had compassion for a plant, but not for people. He loved the thing that served him, but didn’t love the people God wanted to save.

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Closing: Let God Clean You Out

Sometimes God lets you sit under shade before He brings the heat.

The castor bean plant wasn’t just for comfort. It was a picture of mercy. And like castor oil itself, it was a tool for healing, a symbol of cleansing. God was trying to clear out Jonah’s spiritual constipation, his resistance to grace, his pride, his judgment, his hate.

So what about you?

• Are you holding on to unforgiveness?

• Are you resisting God’s call because you don’t think certain people “deserve” mercy?

• Are you full of yourself when God’s trying to fill you with compassion?

Let Him grow a castor bean plant over you. Let Him shade you, soothe you, and then stir you.

Because healing isn’t always gentle, it sometimes comes with a purge.

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Final Word:

The same God who made the castor bean plant grow,
Is the God who can break up the hardened places in your heart,
Clear out what’s backing you up,
And set you free to love the people He’s calling you to reach.

To God be the glory!

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All written text from this blog are copyrighted and owned by Wretha unless otherwise stated. All rights reserved, You may download or copy for your own personal enjoyment, but please do not distribute without written permission. You may post a portion of this (or any) message from this blog on another site as long as you include a link back to this site and the original message.

Wretha,

Thanks for visiting!

Blessing others to protect your peace

Over the years, I’ve noticed a pattern. Sometimes people treat you poorly, and there’s no clear reason why. You didn’t say or do anything wrong, and yet, something in their tone, words, or behavior hits you wrong. It’s easy to take it personally. It’s even easier to let it rattle your peace.

I’ve learned that I don’t want to carry that chaos inside me.

So I came up with a little mind hack, a simple practice that helps me interrupt that inner storm when it starts brewing. It’s not always easy, but it is simple.

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The Practice: Bless and Release

When someone’s energy or words feel off, when I sense disrespect, judgment, or coldness, I quietly say, either in my mind or under my breath:

“Bless them, Lord.”
or
“Blessings on you.”

And then I release them.
I let them go in my heart and in my thoughts.

Now, I won’t pretend this is always graceful. Sometimes I bless through gritted teeth. Sometimes the blessing feels more like throwing a flaming lawn dart blessing (just being honest). But I do it anyway, because I’ve learned this truth:

You can’t hold anger and offer genuine blessings at the same time.

The moment I shift to blessing, the power of that irritation fades. The tension softens. My peace returns.

---

Why This Works

Our minds love to dissect and react:

• “Why did they act like that?”

• “What did I do wrong?”

• “How do I explain myself?”

• “Should I say something back?”

But chasing those thoughts rarely leads to resolution. It just keeps the emotional storm spinning.

By blessing and releasing, I interrupt that loop.
I return to calm.
I protect my peace.
I remain in alignment with who I want to be.

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It’s Not About Them

When someone is rude, distant, or overly reactive, there’s usually more going on than we can see. Maybe they’re having a hard day. Maybe they’re carrying something heavy. Maybe they don’t even realize how they’re coming across.

And honestly? We’ve all been that person.
We’ve all snapped or shut down when we were overwhelmed or hurting.

So blessing someone in that moment isn’t about condoning bad behavior.
It’s about choosing not to absorb it.

Blessing others when they’re not at their best isn’t about fixing them, it's about freeing yourself.

---

And Surprise: It’s Biblical!

Today I had a lightbulb moment while listening to a YouTube video about prayer, it's amazing where church can happen if you are listening. I realized this little mind trick I’ve been using is exactly what Scripture teaches.

Here are the verses that confirm it:

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1 Peter 3:9

“Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.”

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Romans 12:17–21

“Do not repay anyone evil for evil... Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

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Matthew 5:44

“But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”

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Proverbs 25:21–22

“If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you.”

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Wrapping up

Choosing peace over reaction is a spiritual practice.
Blessing instead of stewing is a way to stay grounded in Christ.
Releasing instead of clinging to offense is how we stay free.

So the next time someone throws shade, acts cold, or says something sharp, try it. Whisper the blessing. Release the weight. Protect your peace.

You’re not blessing them for their sake.
You’re doing it for your own soul.

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All written text from this blog are copyrighted and owned by Wretha unless otherwise stated. All rights reserved, You may download or copy for your own personal enjoyment, but please do not distribute without written permission. You may post a portion of this (or any) message from this blog on another site as long as you include a link back to this site and the original message.

Wretha,

Thanks for visiting!

ChatGPT AI Use

Something I'm learning about and getting more and more comfortable with is AI. There, I said it, right now you are either leaning in, curious, interested, or you are learning back, shaking your head,  wondering why on earth am I messing around with this. Some of you may have already left, I can't speak to them, but if you are still here,  I hope I can educate and interest you. 

For those who are absolutely anti-AI, remember, not too many generations back, when "modern" conveniences were considered the work of the devil, things that would make life easier, washing machines, dishwashers, automobiles, airplanes... all of these (and many other things) were lumped into the work of the devil, things that would create more idle time (especially for women), we were told "idle hands are the devil's workshop",  while that may have some truth buried in it somewhere, this is just a tool, like any other tool, one that can be used for good or evil. Ignoring it, refusing to use it, pretending it doesn't exist will not make it go away, I for one will use it and will use it in a positive manner. OK, now I'll jump down off of my soap box.

I began playing with AI some 2ish years ago,  I was most interested in graphics,  co-creating graphics,  I would even say art (gasp!). In the early days, creating something accurate was challenging,  I would ask for a cow,  they would end up having more than 4 legs,  asking for something that contained human hands, they might have 6 or more fingers. I also got into AI generated music, that was a real disappointment,  it was a bit fun at first, but it quickly became so frustrating that I only played with it for a month or less. (I have since found a much better music/song AI site, I'll post something about that later)...

Fast forward to April of 2024, I started using ChatGPT on the paid tier.  The writer in me squealed like a kid going to Disneyland! No worries, this is 100% me writing this. Sometimes I use AI to help me write, I tend to use AI to assist, to research. In fact I am on the paid tier,  I named it ChattyG.  It works hard for me, I treat it like my personal assistant. I began exploring the custom GPTs, using them then creating my own. A custom GPT is a personalized version of ChatGPT tailored for specific tasks, personalities, or industries. It can have unique instructions, behavior, knowledge, and tools to suit the user's needs, like a chatbot trained for customer service, writing, or teaching. For me, it's something I am using all the time so I don't want to have to explain each and every time I want to do one of these things HOW I want it done, so I created custom GPTs to make it easier and faster, then I shared them on the GPT store for other people to use.

Personalized Video Summarizer & Action Planner

A couple I am particularly fond of is a video summarizer, especially for YouTube , it started out allowing me to directly access the transcript to create the summary,  then YT clamped down and stopped allowing AIs to access the transcript, so ChatGPT can't directly access the transcript, but if you are using a computer (ie not a phone or tablet) you can copy the transcript and paste it into this custom GPT, if you are using a phone or tablet (Android or IOS app), you can use a (free) website that will grab a copy of the YouTube transcript, allowing you to copy it and paste it into the custom GPT. It sounds more complicated than it is, sometime soon I plan on making a tutorial video showing how this works. I made 2 of these custom GPTs, this first link is for one that uses limited bullet points, I have noticed that ChatGPT LOVES bullet points, so this one is designed to output fewer bullet points.

Custom GPT for video summaries w/fewer bullet points

If you like or prefer bullet points, use this custom GPT to create video summaries.

Custom GPT for video summaries

Try them both to see which you prefer, I tend to lean toward the fewer bullet point one, but that's just my preference, which do you like better?

Web Wise Page Brief

My next custom GPT that I created and use a lot is Web Wise Page Brief, this is such a timesaver for me, you copy the URL of a webpage into this, it quickly scans the webpage and delivers clear, ad-free summaries with key takeaways and action items. Just provide a URL, and get a concise breakdown of important insights, instructions, or next steps, perfect for research, news, and guides.

Have you ever clicked on a link to a webpage and found it so packed with ads that you couldn't read the article? I have no problems with a few discretely placed ads on a webpage, after all the author needs to eat too, but when the page is obviously an ad farm, with popups and video ads competing for your attention, it quickly becomes a pain to continue reading, I actually have a pretty hard rule about webpages, if they force more than 1 or 2 popups that I have to close to continue reading the page, I'll often leave that page before I am finished reading it. This custom GPT eliminates that problem, and it saves the information you were looking for in one place for you to refer to later.

((EDITED TO ADD))

I have discovered that many webpages block AI from directly accessing their pages, so the workaround for this is to copy and paste the entire page and ChatGPT can summarize it. It's easier to do on a computer but can be done on a smartphone or tablet. On a computer just put your cursor on any word on the page (that isn't a link), on your keyboard click CTRL A then click CTRL C, those two commands choose all of the text and copies it, then go to the Webwise Page Brief, click on the area where you type and press CTRL V, that pastes the text, now hit enter or click on the action button on the page. If you are using a smartphone or tablet, tap and hold on a word until it is highlighted, choose "Select All", then choose "Copy", then go to the Webwise Page Brief in ChatGPT and paste what you copied.

Sometimes if you just copy the web address to Webwise Page Brief, it tries to give you a summary, but I find it's mostly guessing based on the name of the page, and often it will just give an error message saying it can't directly view the page, so it's best to go ahead and copy & paste the contents of the page so that Webwise can properly and accurately summarize the page.

Webwise Page Brief

Amazon Saved Cart Price Sorter (best to worst)

Track price changes in your Amazon Saved for Later cart. Copy the list of price changes from your Amazon Saved for Later section and paste it here. You'll get two lists: Best Discount First. Cheapest to Most Expensive (organized by price). Easily spot the best deals and maximize savings!

If you have an Amazon account, and you have saved items in your shopping cart, I'm sure you have noticed that when you go to your saved cart, you will get a list of items that have changed prices, usually in 2 categories, items that went up in price and items that went down in price. Of course we are all more interested in the items that went down in price. 

Prices are always fluctuating on Amazon, so it's nice to see this list, but I've noticed that the list isn't in any kind of order, at least not one I can decipher. So I want to see the best discounts and the best prices, so I created this custom GPT to create order from chaos in this list. Just copy the list and paste it into this custom GPT and wait a few seconds to get 2 lists, one list will show the greatest to least discounts and the other list shows the cheapest price to the most expensive price. This is really helpful when you have LOTS of saved items and it gives you a huge list of price changes.

This particular GPT is somewhat restricted on ChatGPT, only because I have used the name "Amazon", it says I can't put this in their custom GPT store as public, but it appears that I can share this custom GPT, so let me know if this works for you. I might be able to tweak it so that ChatGPT doesn't have an issue with it later on, but for now I'm leaving it as is. Let me know if you are able to access this or not.

I created a new custom GPT for this, removing the name "Amazon" from the title and and using "A*mazon" in the description, that seemed to satisfy ChatGPT's rules, I didn't get a warning when I published it, so here is the new link, it should work without any problems.

Amazon Saved Cart Price Sorter (best to worst)

I have created quite a few other custom GPTs in ChatGPT, most are for my own personal use, or they aren't up to (my) standard for public consumption. Anyone with a ChatGPT account, even the free levels should be able to use any of these custom GPTs in their own account. Just click on the link(s), be sure you are signed into your ChatGPT account and use the custom GPT, once you use it, it should stay listed in your account for use unless you choose to remove or hide it.

Let me know what you think about ChatGPT and AI in general, are you a user? If so, what do you do with it? If not, why not? And let me know if any of these custom GPTs are useful to you. 

All written text from this blog are copyrighted and owned by Wretha unless otherwise stated. All rights reserved, You may download or copy for your own personal enjoyment, but please do not distribute without written permission. You may post a portion of this (or any) message from this blog on another site as long as you include a link back to this site and the original message.

Wretha,

Thanks for visiting!

The Truth About Fats: How They Affect Your Health, Hormones, and Weight (summary)

This is a summary of 

https://youtu.be/5f2E_LKEUgk?si=-wjX3ONLloRUUlJk

Sumarized in ChatGPT 

Overview:

This video dives deep into the misunderstood world of dietary fats, revealing their critical role in metabolism, disease prevention, and overall health. The presenter debunks common myths, explains why Americans are deficient in essential fats, and breaks down how different types of fats, saturated, unsaturated, trans fats, and Omega-3s, affect the body. The discussion also covers the biochemical impact of fats on metabolism, cholesterol levels, and cardiovascular health, while emphasizing the importance of choosing the right fats for long-term well-being.

Detailed Summary:

The video opens with a thought-provoking question: Which fat contains an essential nutrient missing in most American diets? The answer: Omega-3 fatty acids, which are crucial for brain function, inflammation control, and overall health. Shockingly, 95% of American children and 70% of adults lack sufficient Omega-3 intake while overconsuming unhealthy fats, leading to widespread metabolic and cardiovascular diseases.

Fats have been misunderstood for decades due to conflicting dietary advice. The presenter explains that although fats provide a dense source of energy, consuming them with carbohydrates leads to blood sugar spikes. Additionally, the quality of fat matters more than the quantity when it comes to health outcomes.

To simplify fat biochemistry, the presenter introduces key terms:

Triglycerides: The most abundant fat in the body, serving as a primary energy source. When triglyceride levels are too high, they become harmful and accumulate in organs like the liver, pancreas, and muscles, leading to metabolic dysfunction.

Phospholipids: Essential components of cell membranes that help transport fats in the bloodstream.

Steroids: This category includes cholesterol, which is necessary for hormone production (testosterone, estrogen, cortisol) and vitamin D synthesis.

A critical discussion follows on lipoproteins, which transport fats in the blood. LDL (low-density lipoprotein) and HDL (high-density lipoprotein) are commonly measured in blood tests, but one often-overlooked factor is lipoprotein(a). This genetic marker significantly increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, and aortic stenosis. The presenter stresses the importance of testing for lipoprotein(a) at least once in a lifetime.

The Good, The Bad, and The Dangerous Fats

1. Trans Fats (The Worst Type)

Found in processed foods, margarine, fried foods, and baked goods.

Increase insulin resistance, oxidative stress, and inflammation.

Raise LDL (bad cholesterol) while lowering HDL (good cholesterol).

Even though the U.S. banned artificial trans fats in 2020, manufacturers can still label products as having “0g trans fat” if the amount per serving is under 0.5g, making it crucial to check ingredient lists for partially hydrogenated oils.

2. Saturated Fats (The Metabolic Toxin)

Found in butter, coconut oil, dairy, and fatty meats.

Solid at room temperature, making them easy to identify.

Linked to fat accumulation in metabolic organs (liver, pancreas, muscle), which worsens insulin resistance and metabolism.

Excess consumption leads to plaque buildup in arteries, increasing the risk of heart disease.

3. Unsaturated Fats (The Healthiest Choice)

Monounsaturated Fats: Found in olive oil, avocados, and nuts. They support heart health and reduce inflammation.

Polyunsaturated Fats (PUFAs): Include Omega-6 and Omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-6 is abundant in vegetable oils but should be balanced with Omega-3 to prevent excessive inflammation.

The Essential Omega-3s

Sources: Fatty fish, krill oil, algae, walnuts, and flaxseeds.

Types:

ALA (from plants)

EPA and DHA (from marine sources, crucial for brain and heart health).

Deficiency Consequences: Impaired brain function, higher inflammation, and poor metabolic health.

Many people rely on plant-based Omega-3s (like flaxseeds), but the conversion to active EPA and DHA is inefficient. To truly meet needs, marine-based Omega-3s are recommended.

The Danger of Mixing Fats & Carbohydrates

One of the most critical points is how fat affects insulin response. Eating fat with carbohydrates leads to:

Increased insulin resistance.

Higher blood sugar spikes.

Accelerated fat storage.

This is why the Standard American Diet (SAD), which combines processed fats and refined carbs, is a leading cause of obesity and metabolic disease.

How to Choose the Right Fats

Avoid ultra-processed foods that separate fats from their whole-food sources. (e.g., eat whole olives instead of olive oil, whole nuts instead of nut oils).

Increase fiber intake to slow fat absorption and improve metabolism.

Focus on whole foods with naturally occurring fats instead of refined oils.

The video ends with a call to action: educate yourself on fats, avoid misinformation, and prioritize real food choices over processed ones. The presenter provides a free handout for viewers to further explore the topic.

Actionable Takeaways:

✔ Get tested for lipoprotein(a) at least once in your life.

✔ Cut out trans fats completely, check labels for hidden sources.

✔ Limit saturated fat intake to protect metabolic organs and reduce inflammation.

✔ Prioritize Omega-3-rich foods or supplements (fish oil, algae oil).

✔ Avoid mixing high fat with high carb meals to prevent insulin resistance.

✔ Choose whole foods over ultra-processed versions to improve metabolism.

✔ Increase fiber intake to slow fat absorption and enhance weight management.

Hashtags:

#HealthyFats #Omega3 #Metabolism #Cholesterol #HeartHealth #NutritionScience #WeightLoss #StandardAmericanDiet #FatBiochemistry #BloodSugarControl

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My personal take, I stopped consuming toxic fats/oils many years ago, I do use butter, tallow, lard (only if it's not hydrogenated), coconut oil, olive oil, and avocado (seed) oil. I agree with most of what's written above, except for the part about some of the saturated fats being bad for us. I have no issue with eating or using the fats/oils I listed above, of course I consume these in moderation, mostly because of the calorie content.

All written text from this blog are copyrighted and owned by Wretha unless otherwise stated. All rights reserved, You may download or copy for your own personal enjoyment, but please do not distribute without written permission. You may post a portion of this (or any) message from this blog on another site as long as you include a link back to this site and the original message.

Wretha,

Thanks for visiting!

Day 1: The Beginning of My 6-Day Fast

You know that floating week between Christmas and New Year? Well I decided to take that week and do an extended fast. A clean fast, meaning 0 food, only water, Topo Chico, plain coffee and Celtic sea salt. I had intended on going a full 7 days but managed to get through 6 days, still a pretty big accomplishment, my longest clean fast before was 4 days. I kept a daily dairy with the help of ChattyG (my ChatGPT persona). Here is what happened on day one.

Day 1: The Beginning of My 6-Day Fast

I started my fast today, feeling really good so far. Honestly, I’m not usually hungry until later in the day, so the morning wasn’t too hard. Leading up to this fast, I’ve been eating super healthy, no sugar, nothing processed. My last meal, which I had last night on Christmas Eve, was homemade yogurt sweetened with monk fruit and allulose, plus a banana. Not a bad way to finish before starting this journey.

The day went pretty smoothly overall. Around the time I’d usually eat, my brain decided it was time for food, even though my stomach was just fine. Isn’t it funny how your brain tries to play tricks on you? Instead of giving in, I drank a bottle of water with a good pinch of Celtic sea salt, and that did the trick. I also went for a short walk, about half a mile, to help deplete any glycogen stores still hanging around.

As the evening rolled in, I decided to call it a day and head to bed. No big fanfare, just the end of Day 1. One down, five more to go.

All written text from this blog are copyrighted and owned by Wretha unless otherwise stated. All rights reserved, You may download or copy for your own personal enjoyment, but please do not distribute without written permission. You may post a portion of this (or any) message from this blog on another site as long as you include a link back to this site and the original message.

Wretha,

Thanks for visiting!

Blessings, Medicare, and a Year Without Sugar: A Thanksgiving Reflection

Blessings, that's what I experienced today. In my usual way, I waited until the absolute last minute (literally, the last day) to get PB signed up for Medicare. I knew it had to be done by today, maybe tomorrow at the latest, but I wasn’t about to risk missing the deadline. Last year, I read that he needed to apply for Medicare no later than one month before his 65th birthday, which is next month on the 4th. Missing the deadline could mean hefty, lifelong penalties. The problem? We needed specific paperwork and IDs we didn’t have, or couldn’t find. And PB, being the wonderfully stubborn man he is, isn’t the type to willingly hunt down “papers, please.”

He assured me he knew exactly where these documents were and promised to dig them out by yesterday. Well, in a classic Murphy’s Law moment, he pulled a bunch of ammo boxes out of storage, convinced they contained what we needed. Spoiler alert: they were filled with rice and beans. Yes, rice and beans, the emergency stash we’ve been hoarding in case the world decides to end.

Fast forward to today. I’d been helping a neighbor clear junk from her land when I got home to find a small stack of papers sitting on the porch steps. Lo and behold, they included everything we needed for proper ID! Victory, right?

I hopped online to start the Medicare signup process. Since PB had already applied for early Social Security retirement benefits, I discovered it was a linked process. Sure enough, when I got to the Medicare section, surprise! He was already enrolled. It was all taken care of, and I didn’t need to do a thing. All that worrying and procrastinating over what I thought would be a bureaucratic nightmare, and it was already done.

The silver lining? We found some important papers we’d both been needing. That got me thinking about when my turn comes to file for early retirement. You can bet your bottom dollar I won’t wait until I’m 65, or whatever age the powers-that-be decide we’re allowed to get a fraction of what we paid in. By the time it’s my turn, either I’ll have forgotten how to navigate the process, or everything will have changed anyway, forcing me to start from scratch.

I hope your Thanksgiving was wonderful. Ours was filled with blessings. I made two batches of turkey carcass soup, one from our turkey and another from a part-time neighbor who didn’t want to take their leftovers home. They dropped them off on their way out, and we happily made good use of them.

On a side note, I’ve stuck with my sugar-free lifestyle, even through all the tempting desserts. Not eating pumpkin pie was tough, but I made my own version: a can of pumpkin purée mixed with monk fruit/allulose powder and topped with roasted pecans. It wasn’t quite the same, but it hit the spot with just enough sweetness and crunch to keep me satisfied.

It’s been about a year now since I gave up sugar, no adding it, no sneaking it in prepared foods. Let me tell you, it’s taken the full year to get past the cravings. They say quitting sugar is as hard as quitting hardcore drugs. I can’t speak to that, but sugar withdrawal? It’s no joke.

Thanks for reading! How was your Thanksgiving?

All written text from this blog are copyrighted and owned by Wretha unless otherwise stated. All rights reserved, You may download or copy for your own personal enjoyment, but please do not distribute without written permission. You may post a portion of this (or any) message from this blog on another site as long as you include a link back to this site and the original message.

Wretha,

Thanks for visiting!