Lunch of Fruit and Veggies

I decided to cook the remainder of my spinach today...so I'd have something hot. Then, on the same plate...I added 2 stalks of celery for crunch, 1 pear and about a dozen grapes for sweetness, and a few cherry tomatoes for color. I had some more of the tomato/onion/cilantro/raspberry chutney on the side with three sliced strawberries. In total...all of this added up to only 353 calories according to the USDA Super Food Tracker.  Earlier, For breakfast, it was two cups of coffee with creamer and mid morning...a snack was one cup of non-fat buttermilk and 3 almonds...because I had forgotten to eat! Then this lunch... For dinner...I want a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. And I need the protein... I cut back on the amounts of peanut butter...and jelly...and am using a low-calorie high-fiber bread. To this I'll add a small glass of 2%  milk....cause you know I have to have my milk! For snacks later will be an orange and a snack bar this evening if I get hungry. My total food plan for today calculates to just under the 1200 calories. That's within the per day limit I have set for myself, with my doctor's blessings. I'm trying to be good this week too...because I know that I'll blow my calories while on the road this weekend...and that's okay...as I won't go nuts with chips and sweets...but, the calories are still bound to be higher. I plan on enjoying my visit with Jackie and the ladies of the Magnolia Guild! So looking forward to the class!

Time to Pay the Piper!

Well, my carefree life has caught up with me! Ha!...yeah, right! Well...sort of. My cholesterol numbers are too high...as is my weight...so, I have to get them down. I do not want to do the "pill a day" routine...so, will try to do my own thing and loose some of this weight.  First to go...my whole milk. So sad. But, I'm drinking 2%...and after a few days, have no issue with it anymore. Switching to 1% will be harder I suspect...but will do that in a few days/weeks...when I get my nerve up. First, we'll see if I can make other changes and not have to go there. You know how I love my milk!

Found this little container of chopped tomatoes, onions, and a slight bit of cilantro in Walmart yesterday. I added a half of teaspoon of sugar, a pkg (2 cups) of fresh raspberries, and a teaspoon of vinager...to create a Raspberry Chutney...which is wonderful. (Of course, you can just chop up a large tomato, some onion, and cilantro too...but this was cheaper...faster...and could be used before I left town). Then, on top of the spinach leaves..add a few baby tomatoes, some grapes, 1/2 cup of the chutney...and four almonds for protein...and my lunch is born! And, there are still enough supplies...to do the same lunch for two more days...so saving money too! Change of subject...sorta...Lentils. Have you ever cooked lentils? My daughter and I went to Lowes...then to the CPAP place for the new mask...and then to Walmart looking for lentils. Lentils are supposed to be very good to eat and lower your LDL numbers. That good...but I have never cooked them before...so we'll see how that goes next week...after I get back from Mississippi. I'm pretty sure I can't put bacon or fat-back in them for seasoning...and still get the benefits (LOL)...so thinking maybe some garlic? onion? to flavor...if you cook these...what do you use?  My grocery cart included...some fresh baby spinach, some almonds, fresh fruits, a very dense low calorie and high fiber bread, and some 90 calorie snack bars. Doctor says eat at least five times a day...and that is harder than you think...and keep everything balanced. But, so, far...in the last week...I've managed to loose four pounds...without really trying. Just changing a few things in my daily intake...like my milk. And cutting down on the butter on my toast...still doing a little jelly. So, I have good hopes to make this happen..but, you know me..I have to research...make a plan...and a way to track my progress. So, a little thinking is in order...then, it's a full scale attack!! I also found a good way to count the calories...and it is helping me to figure out my menu for the day...but, I'd like a quicker way. If you have a good one let me know please. My site right now is a Government one...from the USDA. It is called Super Tracker...and I make my profile, and go and create my menu...and it tells me the calories I'll be consuming...and what food groups they belong to. So, I can adjust...to get less of this...and more of that...to meet the recommended daily needs to keep everything balanced. I'm thinking that this might help to keep be from being hungry...or craving something.  BTW, the amounts and ingredients in my salad total 553 calories. When I include the milk, bread, snacks, and breakfast, dinner plans...I'm at a whopping 1187 calories...under my goal of 1200. So, repeating this menu for today...and tomorrow. Then, it's "on the road again"...more about menus next week perhaps.  

Whew...no wonder I'm tired!

Last night, was my test night for sleep aphea. I already had this done about 15 years ago, and know that I do have that condition...but I didn't do anything about it at the time. Now, I just can't ignore it any longer. I'm tired all the time.

  And, I was right...I'm not resting at all when I sleep.Last night, I was hooked to about 15-20 sensors that were "stuck" to my body in various place to measure my breathing, my brain waves, whether I kick my legs, etc. There was a clip on my finger to monitor my oxygen levels and a tubing strapped to my face with nodes in my nose and mouth to measure my breathing.

 It's a wonder that I could even get to sleep...but after settling in, it was possible after about 45 minutes. They wanted me to sleep on my back if possible...but that was not happening...as I have slept on my side for decades. I tried, really, I did...but after about 20 minutes...gave up and rolled to my side. Was asleep in about 15 minutes after that.Woke up twice during the night...or so I thought.But, being "fully awake" and being just "awake" is two different things.My brain can wake up...without me being fully awake. And, apparently...when your brain is awake...that means you are not resting. Okay, that makes sense to me.Why would your brain "wake up" when you are asleep? Well...mostly...because you stop breathing. And the brain wakes up, mentally slaps you around...so that you start breathing again. Okay, that might also explain why I'm so tired and achy in the morning...all that "slapping around".Bottom line...my brain woke up "69 times an hour", and I stopped breathing "46 times an hour", and my oxygen level dropped below 89% for about 58% of an hour...as the lowest it dropped to 70% level.Yep, I'm not getting any rest!So, I go back to the Sleep Center on the 30th of July...to be fitted for my CPAP machine.

 This handy little scientific breakthrough will push air into my throat/nose...keeping my throat from closing and me from stopping to breath. It is intended to keep you sleeping and resting longer. That's after you get used to having something strapped to your face pushing air down your throat. I'm not looking forward to the new "addition" but it is needed, and I'm praying that I'll be able to tolerate it...and that it will help.Will keep y'all posted along the process.
Right now...I've got to go wash the "goo" out of my hair...this is the stuff that holds the little "sensors" in place on my head...and feels like Silly Putty or Slime. Yuck!

This Post Is Only for My BFF's!!

I know that this is a sensitive topic...but, we're Bestest Friends...so thought you'd like to know of a GOOD THING! I Am NOT a Doctor...and I DO NOT Play One on TV!However, I have had a "condition" and now...it's gone.I have been "sluggish" for the past few months. I was using different over-the-counter remedies...then...

 I started eating Chobani Greek Yogurt (and yes I have tried other types too...no luck). It took a couple of weeks to get me back to normal...And, I've been continuing to eat the yogurt for a total of about five weeks now. I'm back on track, and regular as a clock...and...my waist is smaller too! Not small...I said small-ER. Ha!
No more pills or powder cocktails for about 4 weeks now! I have a container for breakfast (or before or after breakfast)...and another for my afternoon snack. It took about a week to get my train going good...and another week to completely get me back on the right track...but, ever since that week...it has stayed on track! Yea!See all the little tubs stacked up...they should be good for something! I'm thinking little dye cups...but you just never know what ideas I might come up with. If Chobani would start using lids...instead of the peel off aluminum thingies...I'd be estatic!! Just thought the info might help someone else. Now, I have to go pick my Mother up off the floor...cause she can't believe that I posted this!!