This is the end of the quarter at school. That means I'm just barely keeping my head above water. My class has a newspaper deadline this week. Their 9-week yearbook projects are also due. Grades have to be in the office by Friday. My daughter has tests in every subject. My son is coming home for spring break, so I should be sprucing up the house and shopping, but instead I'm staying late at school every day.

None of this lends itself to writing a well thought out blog. So tonight I'll just be honest about how I try to fit the Blood Type Diet into my life during frantic days. In a word - I take shortcuts.

Last night we didn't leave school until after 8:00. My daughter and I were both starving, and there was nothing cooking on a timer at home. We drove through a fast food Mexican restaurant and got Taco Salads. Chicken for the As, beef for me. It wasn't optimum food, but the avoids were minimal. It was less stressful to get something quick to eat than to prepare a really good meal that wouldn't be ready until after 9:00

I had unavoidable errands this morning. I was running late, and knew I wouldn't have much time for lunch before I had to change clothes and get to school. I stopped in a barbeque place and bought brisket. At home I steamed some broccoli. I would have rather had a variety of vegetables, but broccoli and brisket was beneficial and good.

Tonight was NHS induction at school. We got home late again, but not quite as late as last night. I fixed quick salads when we got home: chicken teriyaki with lettuce, carrots, and a couple of eggrolls for my daughter; shredded carrots and zucchini with tuna, black beans and olive oil for me. My husband didn't want to wait for us so he had a sandwich in front of the TV.

You could argue that if there was no time to cook, there was no time for exercise. My stress increases exponentially if I don't burn off some of the adrenaline. So, I have made time for exercise, though I've shortened the minutes somewhat. Monday I worked out with a video tape before breakfast. Today I swam - but only 16 laps instead of my usual 24.

I remind myself that this week will end. The pace will get back to normal. I will cook balanced meals again. I will have time for a real workout. In the meantime, shortcuts keep me from throwing up my hands and abandoning the BTD altogether at the moment when I need it the most.