This is the tricky stage of recovery from illness: Those early jolts of energy tempting you to charge back into life, the return of the obligations you had to ignore because you felt too crummy to lift your head off the pillow. It’s hard not to get swept back up in the grind again. But I know if I do, I’ll overdo it and end up fighting this virus longer than I need to.

I’m happy to report I’ve learned some things recently that I plan to continue. Why? Because an occasional less-than-ideal meal here and there is fine, but I feel crummy if I’m not regularly eating fruits, veggies, and quality grains and proteins. My energy wanes, my stomach feels weird, and I get crabby.