The Weekly Ramble – September 18, 2026

Today’s ramble is going to be short and sweet because I don’t have a ton to report. The week has flashed before my very eyes. I’m not quite sure how that happened.

Have we talked about my magnet mirror? For the longest time I collected magnets of our travels — until the fridge got way too crowded so I stopped. (I did still get one from Hawaii and one from Japan, but I wasn’t displaying them.)

A few months ago I realized that this mirror I bought on clearance at Target in the 00s was solid metal so magnets stick to it. What fun! I have a place to display the magnets that doesn’t feel as cluttery as on the fridge!

You might also note the guava sitting there. We have a tree but have no idea when they are ripe or what to do with them. Please let me know! I found this one out on the sidewalk — the tree is in the front — and brought it in, but it’s just waiting.

Here’s what else I’ve been doing, eating, listening/watching, and/or reading this past week:

What I’m Learning

AI is not all bad.

I know, I can’t believe I’m saying that. But, I started using Gemini recently re: topics I have researched heavily, like nutrition, and not been able to put the pieces together on my own.

I asked it some specific questions about how to frame my meals so that I can hit the macros and not feel sad. I had to give very specific likes, dislikes, etc, but it’s been very successful!

I would never use an AI for creative pursuits like photography and writing; I’m still hacked off that they fed the machines my books! But I am seeing that there is some benefit to be found.

I told my doctor this week, and she agreed! She even suggested that I ask Gemini about my burning tongue. 😜 We have come a loooooong way from doctors scolding you from googling!

I am down 5 pounds from when I saw her in June; about 1-2 of those are since consulting Gemini, so it’s gratifying for sure!

What I’ve Been Doing

The week has been busy! House, meals, church, work, bible study, doctor’s appt, and general life.

I have a church Bible study three towns over on Wednesdays and have a lunch date with one of my kids afterward. The last two Wednesdays I’ve gotten my steps at Costco Business in order to stay cooler.

It has worked, but now that I’m counting macros again, I don’t think it will be sustainable. It’s making me too hungry!

I’m on a 150+ day streak so that’s cool.

What I’ve Been Eating

The million dollar question. As I mentioned already, it’s been interesting to give Gemini my goals and preferences and have it help me plan my macros.

It explained why the 2BMindset isn’t great in menopause (not enough carbs throughout the day and possibly too much water). I’ve also learned about coffee and its impact on cortisol if you’re not getting adequate protein with it. Don’t trust me or the AI – do your own research.

All I can say is that I have less bloating, am sleeping better, and I’m not starving on 1400 calories a day. Here are some things I’ve been eating:

• My favorite yogurt bowl still works according to my nutrition coach.
• Same with my fave salad with apple, chicken, gorgonzola, nuts, and jam dressing – just have to watch the proportions.
• At Chick-fil-A this week, grilled nuggets and a side salad topped with salsa
• protein latte is still a go
• Mediterrranean quinoa bowl
• fish and veggies
• eggs and veggies

Each morning I tell it what I was planning to do and it offers suggestions to make it fit the plan. For instance, I want to have pizza tomorrow, so it told me how to combine it with other foods like shrimp and a salad to make it all work in my favor.

So funny that my GP even endorsed it!

What I’ve Been Listening/Watching/Reading

My media consumption was on the slimmer side this week.

• I watched one movie: Sheep Detectives. It was better than I expected. We watched it as a family and were stunned to see HeMan in it! We’d never heard of the guy, and now we’ve watched his movies two weeks in a row.
• I listened to one podcast: Home Fires. Loved the story of the grandbaby being born.

What I’ve Been Writing

I’m working on Christmas plans as well as holiday promotions for my products. Did you grab The Merry Map?

Check your inbox or drop your email below. And then check your inbox. 😜

Alrighty then, that’s it for me. Leave a comment and let’s chat!