Weekly Musings of the 5th

 

Tigger is one happy girl now that her tree is back.  She came running when she saw the box, looked inside and sat down watching as hubby put it together.  Now that it is all set, her favourite place is the back corner where she watches the world go by and settles in to sleep.  

I got one walk in this week, on Tuesday after the snow stopped the sun came out and warmed the parking lot right up, no ice.  I got out there for my usual walk and was pretty happy I did as it was the only ice free time for the rest of the week.  Winter is kind of hit or miss but I don't stress about it, I figure if I walk over 330 days a year then those days I miss because there is ice on the ground is no big deal.  

Tuesday morning I was off to see Dr. A. and to go over all the results of the blood work.  The nice thing is he actually went through line by line going over each number.  He told me what was good (and there were surprisingly a lot of good) and what needed to be worked on.  

We went over the food sensitivity (which can cause allergy reactions - some small and some big, like hives) The ones with the big numbers is what I have to cut out and the lower are not a problem.  As you can see I have a problem with egg, dairy and gluten.  I figure because these things have so many chemicals in them today than they use to, especially hormones. I actually was pretty happy with the numbers and I suspected these foods were the problem in many areas.  Since I had given the plant-based diet a try many years ago the need to eliminate dairy and egg was pretty easy peasy to me.  Gluten could be more of a challenge but then again the section at our Superstore is so full of gluten free foods I am pretty much set with changing things up.  I am not overwhelming myself with the changes but taking it one step at a time.  Thanks to all that I learned from the Happy Herbivore's cookbooks and website I am pretty happy with the changes.  

I thought back to my sister's godmother who had celiac disease that was diagnosed in the early 70s.  There was nothing in the way of information and she had to figure out everything.  Doctors then had minimum information and told her things like use rice flour (which was not just in any store) She had to figure it all out on her own.  Now I can just ask a question on Google and there it is.  Asking like is yeast okay and being told yes, these kinds are just fine.  She didn't have that, nor did grocery stores carry anything gluten free.  I am lucky it is just a sensitivity and not celiac and that everything I could need or eat is at most grocery stores today.  

So, grocery shopping included getting things to support all the recommendations and we will follow up in three months to see how the vitamins and food changes are going.  It is even possible that in 6 to 12 months I may no longer need my prescription for blood pressure and that my hands may get better than they are now and the inflammation will go down.  Determined!  Yes, I am.  If I can do that with just getting back to mostly plant-based I am certainly good with that!  

Today I am going over to the Superstore on my own to explore more of the gluten free products and take my time.  We did the main groceries on Wednesday together but now I want to just look closer at things.  Especially the gluten free flour they carry for my bread making.  If hubby doesn't notice a difference then I don't have to make one loaf for him and one for me ;) 

So that's it for me, have a great week!

 

Weekly Musings of the 28th

Perfect thing to do today!  You know when you switch out stuff you planned for one day with another day and the reason you did it came true.  Makes you feel pretty smart.  Yesterday we normally do house chores and Friday we run a few errands and this Friday we had planned to go to the reserve for hubby's stuff and some gas for the car.  It was windy yesterday but the ground was bare and dry here with no ice but they were still calling for snow.  We decided it was better to head out yesterday, even if people here were silly shopping like there are never any other sales in the year.  If I had a quarter for every store that said they were having a black Friday sale nearly every month of the year, I would be able to buy that condo.  

So, in spite of the high wind off we went and this morning there was ice and snow on the ground and I see people slipping.  Smart move on our part.  Yup, feeling pretty pleased with myself.  Checking out the gas prices on the way - the highest out on the highway, $1.39.9 a litre, in the town next to the reserve, $1.30.9 a litre and at our little place we go to $1.12.8 a litre.  Yup, definitely worth the drive since we have to go there for hubby anyway.

So hubby got the car serviced and the snow tires put on so we are good to go if needed although much of the time we postpone until roads are clear.  At least I don't have to go out in it because mom always insisted she needed something during a blizzard (even though I knew she didn't).  I don't miss that at all.  

Finished off another puzzle and this one was a bit of a challenge but I really wanted to see the finished picture.

Lots of shading to work through but focusing on one cat at a time for me was the way to go.  Reminded me of Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen.  

Still managed a walk every early morning but today and I figure if I walk 30 minutes for at least 330 days and miss 35 because of snow and ice, I am good and I am betting it is even less because most days by the afternoon my walking path is clear and dry.  

So next week I will be seeing the Naturopathic Doctor for all the blood work results and the recommendations to keep me healthy for the next while.  I am really looking forward to finding out what he thinks.  I mean I know what I need to do to eat better and I am working on that but to know what food allergies that might be working against me is great!

Today I am going to enjoy Walking Alice's video of the Macy's Day Parade because she always does a great job and posts it the day after.  

 This weekend is the first Sunday in Advent so the Christmas tree will be coming out much to Tigger's joy as well as the other decorations.  Even though I see them all over the streets and homes I refuse to put anything up until Advent starts.  Same with Christmas music and movies plus all the on line pictures and banners - LOL.  The Christmas cards that I do for just some family now are ready to go being done during the Grey Cup.  Down to just 10 now which is much better on the budget.  

Anyway, that was the week that was.

Have a wonderful weekend!

  
 

Last Day - Your Thanksgiving

 

Happy Thanksgiving to my American Family and Friends. 

I am grateful that I did this gratitude from Canadian Thanksgiving to American Thanksgiving.  It really was an interesting project.  Some days were super easy and some days took some thought but I am grateful for it.