Well here goes! I just saw a headline about a gal who lost 112 lbs by blogging about it and using the blog as her motivation. This seems utterly simple in concept and very possible in my life.
Last week I didn't make any bread. That was good, but then I found ways to get around the loss of bread by making things like fat free pancakes. They were so disgusting, I ended feeding them to the compost pile.
Lucky for me the garden is starting to put out a few items and I will be able to augment my diet with freshly picked vegetables and some berries from the property.
I ate my first cucumber yesterday from this year's garden. This morning I picked some large heads of broccoli. I am having Broccoli for lunch. Meanwhile, this morning I have been soaking my flax seeds for crackers to be made in the dehydrator. I soaked some almonds last night. I put them in the food processor and ground them up. Then I added the almonds to the soaked flax seeds with some sunflower seeds. After a few hours they were ready to flavor. I decided an organic cocoa powder and agave syrup for sweetner would be good. I also added raisins to the mix and they will add some sweetness too.
I spooned the glop onto the dehydrator teflex sheets and found I had made more than I had bargained for. I laid out some wax paper on the racks and finished the job of making little crackers. I will turn it on and tomorrow around this time they should either be done, or ready to turn over and finish off. Sometimes the moisture content can not be estimated and I just dehydrate until they are ready.
Now for some work around the house for some badly needed exercise. The vacuum is my playmate for the next few hours.
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Last week a friend had mentioned how much wildlife I witness over in my neck of the woods vs. his in Holderness. The very next day was the day the fawn with the broken leg walked around the yard bleating for it's mother. I tried to rescue it, tried to get someone to come and get it. I had a makeshift fence around it, it drank water and chewed on some clover. Then in a flurry of unforeseen energy, knocked down the fencing and pranced away.
Next day, a young buck was in the woods behind the Noon's house. He had furry protrusions on his forehead.
Yesterday there was a mink running around the property I was working at on the big lake. So cute and mischievous.
My kayak group was hosted by myself and Donna C. at the local beach. When we arrived there was a pair of loons right inside the swimming area feeding. On our trip we saw more loons, a handful of breasted cormorants, a Great Blue Heron, many red winged black birds and a hawk with prey in it's claws. It was a pretty good day for wildlife sightings on the water.
My neighbors are entertained by the busy muskrat family that lives under the big tree on the shore.
My bird feeder is emptied by the chipmunks and the red squirrels on a regular basis.
Today a deer was in the yard. It was munching the day lilies in the back and then moved to the front yard, got spooked and took some big leaps and bounds across the street and into the next yard.
This year's porcupine has not returned to visit me and I have not seen any fox in a few months. I must keep my eyes open and be quiet so that my little friends are not startled by me.
Next day, a young buck was in the woods behind the Noon's house. He had furry protrusions on his forehead.
Yesterday there was a mink running around the property I was working at on the big lake. So cute and mischievous.
My kayak group was hosted by myself and Donna C. at the local beach. When we arrived there was a pair of loons right inside the swimming area feeding. On our trip we saw more loons, a handful of breasted cormorants, a Great Blue Heron, many red winged black birds and a hawk with prey in it's claws. It was a pretty good day for wildlife sightings on the water.
My neighbors are entertained by the busy muskrat family that lives under the big tree on the shore.
My bird feeder is emptied by the chipmunks and the red squirrels on a regular basis.
Today a deer was in the yard. It was munching the day lilies in the back and then moved to the front yard, got spooked and took some big leaps and bounds across the street and into the next yard.
This year's porcupine has not returned to visit me and I have not seen any fox in a few months. I must keep my eyes open and be quiet so that my little friends are not startled by me.
Saturday, May 1, 2010
I put out Oriole and Hummingbird feeders last week. I still have not seen either, so I guess I will make wash the feeders and put out new nectar.
Oriole nectar is 1/4 cup sugar with 3/4 cups boiled water. I mix mine in a mason jar for easy measuring, cool before putting in the feeder.
Hummingbird nectar is 6 to one, so 1 cup sugar to 5 cups boiled water. You can keep it in the fridge if you have extra. Lasts about a week.
Disinfect all feeders with bleach and rinse well between new fill ups.
Oriole nectar is 1/4 cup sugar with 3/4 cups boiled water. I mix mine in a mason jar for easy measuring, cool before putting in the feeder.
Hummingbird nectar is 6 to one, so 1 cup sugar to 5 cups boiled water. You can keep it in the fridge if you have extra. Lasts about a week.
Disinfect all feeders with bleach and rinse well between new fill ups.
Saturday, April 24, 2010
The gaul of the squirrels
A few chipmunks are cute, but the squirrels irk me beyond reason. They eat too much!
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Life changing events
On March 15th I had a heart attack. Naturally, I was in complete denial. I stayed at home trying to get aspirin to take the pain away. After a long (and stupid) wait, I realized home remedies and mother nature were not going to solve this problem. Off to the hospital. My daughter Victoria drove me to one near where she is staying. Little did we know they were going to ship me off to Portland, Maine.
The good thing about this was Maine Medical is a state of the art facility with friendly, clean, efficient practices. The food was good as well. The view was Fabulous. I had nothing but good things to say about it until I got the bill. YIKES! But I am not going to dwell on that, as I need less stress in my life.
Coming home was the next step of reality. I was weak and sore and defeated. They say rest, don't lift and all that. I have great family, neighbors and friends who came and fixed me meals, hauled wood, supplied me with books and movies. Fruit baskets were received and greedily eaten up. I was also left alone, no car available. I get calls from my good neighbors asking if I want to go to the store, post office, or if I need anything. It is a really good feeling. The fact is, it is hard to be in a large house and not do the usual stuff that needs to be done. I don't really have a way to get the clean up done. I have found I can wield the swivel sweeper for a few minutes at a time to get some of it up. I need a cleaning crew to make a dent.
My very good friend, who is acting like a mother toward me sent me an airline ticket to go to Florida for 10 days. I would be able to sit by the pool and relax. The GP doctor didn't have a problem with it, but the Cardio guy was not too thrilled with the idea. I went anyway. I read 5 books and had a wonderful time. Good company, great food and glorious weather. My sister Susie came to visit. I had not seen here for 5 years. We lounged in the pool and played a fun crossword game called bananas. I visited my Mirror Lake neighbors in Naples and had a really good time with them too. I returned to the cold north and huddled by the wood stove with three cats piled on me for additional warmth. Two days of snow this week cemented the reality check.
Victoria purchased a car! This is really good news, as we have a fleet of broken vehicles and have been subsisting with one car. Mark fried the rear end of the truck on his way north the night I went into the hospital. We were aware this might happen, but he was determined to be by my side, and you can't blame a guy for that, now can you?
I'm feeling stronger for longer every day. I get little twinges in my chest and before I can even wonder if they are pain they have gone away. One day last week, I had a slight uncomfortable spot. I have a hard time quantifying if it is pain, as it was not at all painful, just uncomfortable. So, I thought I would try one of those tiny nitro pills. I cannot really say for certainty that it worked. There are questions as to if there was any pain at all, much lest if the nitro took it away. So much for my little experiment!
Then there is the food. Start the day with the GERD medicine. I am now taking a little green pill instead of the Prilosec as there is a conflict with the heart medication. Then I have one cup of coffee and a piece of 9 grain toast. A treat might be some Teddy Organic Crunchy peanut butter with a topping of banana slices. A large bowl of oatmeal is then prepared and served with fruit, copious amounts of cinnamon (I heard it is good for high blood pressure) sprinkes of crushed almonds and sometimes some raisins or craisins. I have weened myself of milk and cheese and that sort of thing. I still eat an occasional yogurt, but would like to ace that out of the diet too. Salads have become tedious and I must make sure to have enough protein each day or I become lethargic and noshy. Chicken and fish are good things. I cook some chicken ahead of time and then can put it on the salad as needed. I was missing eggs, so I got some egg white type stuff. I find it makes good meals with things like spinach and mushrooms or broccoli. I love broccoli, asparagus and raw celery. Once in a while I treat myself to some tuna or salmon from the can, but I am counting all the sodium I am consuming. I was given a limit of 2000 g a day, but I usually try to keep it down to 1000. I'm reading all the labels too. Anything with fat or cholesterol is suspect. I have been eating Talapia filets. I was surprised to find cholesterol in them, but was reminded by my daughter, that animal based food all has it. Gee, where was I when that memo was sent out?
10 more days until the stress test. Then I am supposed to go to rehab. I don't know how that is going to happen, so I am looking into doing my own. I will be looking for one of those dandy heart monitor things, a pedometer and some good exercise shoes. Future is not looking good in the uncertainty department.
Questions keep popping up: will I ever be able to ski again? My father says he is giving it up as he is on blood thinning medicine and the doctors have advised he not do dangerous things so he won't bleed to death if he gets in an accident. I suppose I am in that category also. I just cannot see myself gong out on the ice in the winter to ice fish for entertainment instead of skiing. The picture of that just is WRONG!
Will I have enough strength to go sailing? I didn't have enough on a good day before the heart attack, who am I kidding?
How about kayaking? That sounds good. I hope I can still do it. It will save me from complete boredom.
The good thing about this was Maine Medical is a state of the art facility with friendly, clean, efficient practices. The food was good as well. The view was Fabulous. I had nothing but good things to say about it until I got the bill. YIKES! But I am not going to dwell on that, as I need less stress in my life.
Coming home was the next step of reality. I was weak and sore and defeated. They say rest, don't lift and all that. I have great family, neighbors and friends who came and fixed me meals, hauled wood, supplied me with books and movies. Fruit baskets were received and greedily eaten up. I was also left alone, no car available. I get calls from my good neighbors asking if I want to go to the store, post office, or if I need anything. It is a really good feeling. The fact is, it is hard to be in a large house and not do the usual stuff that needs to be done. I don't really have a way to get the clean up done. I have found I can wield the swivel sweeper for a few minutes at a time to get some of it up. I need a cleaning crew to make a dent.
My very good friend, who is acting like a mother toward me sent me an airline ticket to go to Florida for 10 days. I would be able to sit by the pool and relax. The GP doctor didn't have a problem with it, but the Cardio guy was not too thrilled with the idea. I went anyway. I read 5 books and had a wonderful time. Good company, great food and glorious weather. My sister Susie came to visit. I had not seen here for 5 years. We lounged in the pool and played a fun crossword game called bananas. I visited my Mirror Lake neighbors in Naples and had a really good time with them too. I returned to the cold north and huddled by the wood stove with three cats piled on me for additional warmth. Two days of snow this week cemented the reality check.
Victoria purchased a car! This is really good news, as we have a fleet of broken vehicles and have been subsisting with one car. Mark fried the rear end of the truck on his way north the night I went into the hospital. We were aware this might happen, but he was determined to be by my side, and you can't blame a guy for that, now can you?
I'm feeling stronger for longer every day. I get little twinges in my chest and before I can even wonder if they are pain they have gone away. One day last week, I had a slight uncomfortable spot. I have a hard time quantifying if it is pain, as it was not at all painful, just uncomfortable. So, I thought I would try one of those tiny nitro pills. I cannot really say for certainty that it worked. There are questions as to if there was any pain at all, much lest if the nitro took it away. So much for my little experiment!
Then there is the food. Start the day with the GERD medicine. I am now taking a little green pill instead of the Prilosec as there is a conflict with the heart medication. Then I have one cup of coffee and a piece of 9 grain toast. A treat might be some Teddy Organic Crunchy peanut butter with a topping of banana slices. A large bowl of oatmeal is then prepared and served with fruit, copious amounts of cinnamon (I heard it is good for high blood pressure) sprinkes of crushed almonds and sometimes some raisins or craisins. I have weened myself of milk and cheese and that sort of thing. I still eat an occasional yogurt, but would like to ace that out of the diet too. Salads have become tedious and I must make sure to have enough protein each day or I become lethargic and noshy. Chicken and fish are good things. I cook some chicken ahead of time and then can put it on the salad as needed. I was missing eggs, so I got some egg white type stuff. I find it makes good meals with things like spinach and mushrooms or broccoli. I love broccoli, asparagus and raw celery. Once in a while I treat myself to some tuna or salmon from the can, but I am counting all the sodium I am consuming. I was given a limit of 2000 g a day, but I usually try to keep it down to 1000. I'm reading all the labels too. Anything with fat or cholesterol is suspect. I have been eating Talapia filets. I was surprised to find cholesterol in them, but was reminded by my daughter, that animal based food all has it. Gee, where was I when that memo was sent out?
10 more days until the stress test. Then I am supposed to go to rehab. I don't know how that is going to happen, so I am looking into doing my own. I will be looking for one of those dandy heart monitor things, a pedometer and some good exercise shoes. Future is not looking good in the uncertainty department.
Questions keep popping up: will I ever be able to ski again? My father says he is giving it up as he is on blood thinning medicine and the doctors have advised he not do dangerous things so he won't bleed to death if he gets in an accident. I suppose I am in that category also. I just cannot see myself gong out on the ice in the winter to ice fish for entertainment instead of skiing. The picture of that just is WRONG!
Will I have enough strength to go sailing? I didn't have enough on a good day before the heart attack, who am I kidding?
How about kayaking? That sounds good. I hope I can still do it. It will save me from complete boredom.
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