A few months ago, I switched supermarkets. Old LWM posts used to show my grocery receipts from Tops Markets. They had a lot of good bargains, but their customer service stank. So, I now shop at Wegman's.
Wegman's has a great store-line of products called "Food You Feel Good About," which they abbreviate as FYFGA. I would say that the bulk of my food purchases are from this quality store line -- it is free of high fructose corn syrup, antibiotics, etc. They also have a regular Wegman's store brand too, which is also good. I especially like their Kitchen-cut Roma Tomatoes!
But best of all, they treat their customers well. I arrived at their parking lot during a torrential down-pour. Scattered around the lot, where carts with umbrellas in them. A clerk stood at the door handing them out to departing customers. Customers left theirs in the carts designated throughout the rows. I got out of my car, grabbed a bumbershoot, walked to the door and handed it to the kind young fellow. OK, so my feet got wet. But it was a big help to be sheltered from the rain while I walked!
This is just one example of Wegman's thoughtfulness. Patrons return because of it -- and they don't steal the umbrella's from what I can tell! Over at Tops, they just don't care, they wouldn't spend payroll or invest in umbrellas. And the average Tops customer in my neighborhood would probably steal them too.
Sometimes I think it's worth it to spend a bit more to get better quality and better service. This is one of those instances!
btw... I'll be away from the blog tomorrow. I'll be dropping The Big Guy off in Geneva, NY so he can go a long bike ride with friends.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Am I Too Old For These?
I bought a pair of blue jean leggings today. These are one of those fashion items that middle-aged women are supposed to stay away from. The list of fashion-forbidden items seems to grow as I age -- and I can accept why certain pieces just look foolish on a lady of a certain age. The problem, though, is that I don't like a lot of the stuff that is age-appropriate. I struggle with trying to look classic and nicely dressed in an ageless sort of way -- especially not wanting to coming across as if I'm trying to pass for a 30 year old. I don't understand women my age who try to dress like their daughters. Then again, my daughter is a dog...The reason why I decided to give these a try, was that they were on clearance at Marshall's for ten bucks. For that price, I can try them out in both practice and principle. Chances are I'll wear a loose shirt over them. Likely with higher heels too. I was drawn to them because they are a size 8 -- and they fit!!! OK, I know I generally have to buy down a size on the rare occasion I am purchasing a stretchy item. But still, it's nice to be in an 8 -- however I manage to get into it!
I don't wear regular leggings as much as I used to. I got three pairs of capri leggings at the start of summer but haven't worn them yet. The weather has been kind of cool. Then I read an article that said middle aged women aren't supposed to wear capris. So I am now a double-don't as far as they go (capris and leggings, call the fashion police!).
Do other ladies over 40 worry about this stuff?
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Another Cheap Lunch Eat
Here's a cheap, easy and nutritious lunch and snack idea using no-fat cream cheese.
I make up a spread of cream cheese with a small amount of feta in my food processor every week. I take a carrot or two and broccoli stems -- or bits of any other fresh green veggie I'm buying for the week. I've used green beans, asparagus, red and green peppers, scallions, onion, etc. First I run the veggies through that shedding blade. Then I put them in the canister with the regular whizzy blade (OK, sometimes I'm lazy and just throw chunks in with the whizzy blade). I whizz in one brick of no-fat cream cheese and maybe a quarter brick of feta, along with a little bit of olive oil. I like to season this with dill and pepper. Fresh parsley from the garden adds great flavor too. Feel free to omit the feta if you don't have it.
I spread this on low-sodium or reduced-fat crackers for snacks (delicious with wine). But even better, is this great healthy lunch: Cut a piece of pita in half and smear in the cream cheese mixture. Cram in some thinly sliced apple. Wrap tightly in foil and store in the fridge at work. And please, use a high fiber whole wheat pita!
To put this in perspective: the pita is around 170 calories and will offer about 6 grams of healthy fiber. No-fat cream cheese (a source of calcium) has only about 15 calories per tablespoon -- which is about all you need use for each half of pita. The apple with, feta and whizzed up veggies and olive oil will only add a few more calories -- but almost no fat.
This is a healthy lunch that is a breeze to make (if you make it a habit to whip up a block or two of this spread each week). Best of all, it's cheap and nutritious. If we avoid take out at lunch, we'll save money and have an easier time watching our weight.
I make up a spread of cream cheese with a small amount of feta in my food processor every week. I take a carrot or two and broccoli stems -- or bits of any other fresh green veggie I'm buying for the week. I've used green beans, asparagus, red and green peppers, scallions, onion, etc. First I run the veggies through that shedding blade. Then I put them in the canister with the regular whizzy blade (OK, sometimes I'm lazy and just throw chunks in with the whizzy blade). I whizz in one brick of no-fat cream cheese and maybe a quarter brick of feta, along with a little bit of olive oil. I like to season this with dill and pepper. Fresh parsley from the garden adds great flavor too. Feel free to omit the feta if you don't have it.
I spread this on low-sodium or reduced-fat crackers for snacks (delicious with wine). But even better, is this great healthy lunch: Cut a piece of pita in half and smear in the cream cheese mixture. Cram in some thinly sliced apple. Wrap tightly in foil and store in the fridge at work. And please, use a high fiber whole wheat pita!
To put this in perspective: the pita is around 170 calories and will offer about 6 grams of healthy fiber. No-fat cream cheese (a source of calcium) has only about 15 calories per tablespoon -- which is about all you need use for each half of pita. The apple with, feta and whizzed up veggies and olive oil will only add a few more calories -- but almost no fat.
This is a healthy lunch that is a breeze to make (if you make it a habit to whip up a block or two of this spread each week). Best of all, it's cheap and nutritious. If we avoid take out at lunch, we'll save money and have an easier time watching our weight.
Monday, July 27, 2009
It's Better to Look Good Than to Feel Good
I absolutely do not subscribe to the theory put forth by Billy Crystal, pictured here, satirizing Fernado Lamas. IMO, if you feel good, you'll show it -- and you'll look good.I've mentioned that I have a twin sister. She came to camp with me this weekend. Every morning, she put on a full face of make-up. Every day, I washed my face and put on moisturizer (at camp I use one with sunscreen). I washed my hair and either pulled it back in a scrunchie or let it air dry. My sister had a flat iron with her, which she used every day.
We are polar opposites. The thing is, we both probably spend the same amount of time on upkeep. The difference is where she spends her time primping and un-primping, I spend my time grooming. I would rather have skin that feels clear and healthy, than a face that is "finished." She'd rather periodically pay for a pedicure, while I'm willing to spend time each night sanding my feet, filing and buffing my nails. I don't need them to look "pretty" per-se, but I want the cuticles to be pushed back, the nail bed clean and healthy. I also need to deal with the running mileage I put on them. But her aim is to be sure her toes look good in a pair of sandals. I would assume I spend as much time filing/sanding the bottom of my feet, pushing cuticles, buffing and filing nails (fingers and toes) each day as she does putting on and removing make-up.
So, I guess my twin agrees with the mock Fernando Lamas, while I'm the flip side of that coin!
Friday, July 24, 2009
Notta Lotta Grande
I was at Lotto Grande yesterday (a.k.a Big Lots) and noticed there was not a lotta good stuff for cheap. Has anyone else noticed this? I think the recession is impacting the type and quantity of overstocks they are buying.
I had stockpiled about a year or more supply of high quality French soap. There were always piles of it at my favorite BL so I stopped stocking up. I don't get to that particular store as often as I used to because my office moved, so I was not aware of the dwindling supply. Now I can't find it at all -- and I'm down to my last four bars! In fact, I'm not seeing any really good soap for cheap there any more. Ditto for skin creams. I've been using Aura conditioner in the largest retail size -- $3.50 at BL, well over $12 at other discount beauty suppliers. For months I have seen only lavender -- which is not a good scent on me. I prefer orange (redhead that I am). Yesterday there were bottles of ginger -- close enough! I picked up two. I also grabbed two bottles of Vitabath moisturizer with shimmer -- $1.50 each.
I've gotten about five or six jars of Bodysource (a Khol's brand) body souffle because they are just a buck. It's been a nice light summer moisturizer (with avacodo, which I love). I put it on after rubbing in Infusium leave-in conditioner after my shower. I use it for my skin -- not my hair (try it, it's great!). I've had an awful time finding the Infusium leave-in conditioner too. Walmart stopped carrying it -- I used to buy it there in the largest size. I grabbed what I could from BL the last time I saw it there and am hoping my two remaining bottles will last until I see it again.
My skin-care indulgences are suffering as a result of this recession. I am guessing the supply of good-quality overstocks has diminished while the discount-seeking population has increased. This means I'll have to hunt a little harder!
Has anyone else noticed this?
I had stockpiled about a year or more supply of high quality French soap. There were always piles of it at my favorite BL so I stopped stocking up. I don't get to that particular store as often as I used to because my office moved, so I was not aware of the dwindling supply. Now I can't find it at all -- and I'm down to my last four bars! In fact, I'm not seeing any really good soap for cheap there any more. Ditto for skin creams. I've been using Aura conditioner in the largest retail size -- $3.50 at BL, well over $12 at other discount beauty suppliers. For months I have seen only lavender -- which is not a good scent on me. I prefer orange (redhead that I am). Yesterday there were bottles of ginger -- close enough! I picked up two. I also grabbed two bottles of Vitabath moisturizer with shimmer -- $1.50 each.
I've gotten about five or six jars of Bodysource (a Khol's brand) body souffle because they are just a buck. It's been a nice light summer moisturizer (with avacodo, which I love). I put it on after rubbing in Infusium leave-in conditioner after my shower. I use it for my skin -- not my hair (try it, it's great!). I've had an awful time finding the Infusium leave-in conditioner too. Walmart stopped carrying it -- I used to buy it there in the largest size. I grabbed what I could from BL the last time I saw it there and am hoping my two remaining bottles will last until I see it again.
My skin-care indulgences are suffering as a result of this recession. I am guessing the supply of good-quality overstocks has diminished while the discount-seeking population has increased. This means I'll have to hunt a little harder!
Has anyone else noticed this?
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Healthy Omega 3 Breakfast
Yes, I've still got the Omega 3 bug -- but I wanted to put a fine finish on the information I've been spouting over the past few days.
A wonderfully unique and rather inexpensive brunch spread can be put together using pickled herring. While I love bagels and lox, smoked salmon is a treat -- not a regular breakfast staple. The breakfast spread I'm proposing is likely less calories and more nutritious than bagels and lox.
The main part of the meal is herring in wine sauce. If you want to add a bit of variety, you can include herring in sour cream sauce. However, I serve the herring with sour cream (low fat of course) on the side -- with a smattering of chives. And use the word "smattering" because it is Yiddish -- and this is traditional Polish/Yiddish fare. Boil up some small white potatoes the night before and store in the fridge. Serve them on the side -- cut in half if you wish. If this is being presented to company, stretch the offering out by adding a pile of baby pickles. One take on this is an appetizer called "roll mops," which is simply herring wrapped around pickle. But I like serving these separately. The final component to this offering is a hard boiled egg. Or if you want to go a bit fancy, a few deviled eggs. Wash it all down with low-sodium veggie/tomato juice.
To scale this down for a healthy meal during the week, simply scarf a few pieces of herring and guzzle some veggie juice before you leave for work. Studies have shown that it is beneficial to start the day with a protein-based nosh. I make up my basket of food for the day while enjoying this kind of quick mini-breakfast.
I hope this talk of Omega's hasn't been too boring. It is possible to have a healthy breakfast and not spend a lot of $$. It's even better when the meal is unique and refreshing.
A wonderfully unique and rather inexpensive brunch spread can be put together using pickled herring. While I love bagels and lox, smoked salmon is a treat -- not a regular breakfast staple. The breakfast spread I'm proposing is likely less calories and more nutritious than bagels and lox.
The main part of the meal is herring in wine sauce. If you want to add a bit of variety, you can include herring in sour cream sauce. However, I serve the herring with sour cream (low fat of course) on the side -- with a smattering of chives. And use the word "smattering" because it is Yiddish -- and this is traditional Polish/Yiddish fare. Boil up some small white potatoes the night before and store in the fridge. Serve them on the side -- cut in half if you wish. If this is being presented to company, stretch the offering out by adding a pile of baby pickles. One take on this is an appetizer called "roll mops," which is simply herring wrapped around pickle. But I like serving these separately. The final component to this offering is a hard boiled egg. Or if you want to go a bit fancy, a few deviled eggs. Wash it all down with low-sodium veggie/tomato juice.
To scale this down for a healthy meal during the week, simply scarf a few pieces of herring and guzzle some veggie juice before you leave for work. Studies have shown that it is beneficial to start the day with a protein-based nosh. I make up my basket of food for the day while enjoying this kind of quick mini-breakfast.
I hope this talk of Omega's hasn't been too boring. It is possible to have a healthy breakfast and not spend a lot of $$. It's even better when the meal is unique and refreshing.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Affordable Omega 3
The American Heart Association recommends eating fish (particularly fatty fish) at least two times a week. Fish is a good source of protein and doesn’t have the high saturated fat that fatty meat products do. Fatty fish are high in two kinds of omega-3 fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). I had to look up the spelling of those two words... Omega-3 fatty acids benefit the heart of healthy people, and those at high risk of — or who have — cardiovascular disease.
You can get EPA and DHA from sources like mackerel, lake trout, herring, sardines, albacore tuna and salmon. As for salmon, you'll want wild caught. The farmed variety doesn't seem to have the same benefits.
I have not yet explored eating much mackerel. I do like to keep a can of Jack Mackerel on hand for the pup. It's a good solution when we find we're suddenly out of raw meat. Lake trout is not easy to get a hold of -- although we live on the shores of two of the Great Lakes, we don't fish and aren't sure we'd want to consume to much Great Lakes fish! Per pound, trout is pricey too. What is a frugal health nut to do?
I've read that chunk light tuna is a good source for heart-healthy fat and it's a bit cheaper than white albacore. We eat canned sardines as appetizers sometimes -- but they aren't cheap and the canned variety tends to be high in salt.
But salmon -- phew! The fresh caught variety is waaaay out of our budget. It's currently $13.99 per pound! We are eating farmed raised salmon these days, which is $5.99 per pound. It's not consumed as a source of Omega 3 -- but it makes a nice dinner with healthier fat. Granted it is far more expensive pound per pound than chicken but the calories consumed per serving are lower (40 calories per ounce as opposed to chicken thigh, which is 65 per ounce). The least expensive way for us to get the Omega 3 kick of wild salmon at an affordable price, is to go canned. That's about five bucks -- which is a bit pricier than tuna. One large can can make about six sandwiches. We strain the juice and make it a puppy/kitty treat. I like to mix in a low fat balsamic or raspberry vinaigrette and a small amount of mayo to our canned salmon (tossed with dill and freshy ground pepper). Smart Choice makes a great low-fat Omega 3 mayonnaise product at a good price (and a good butter substitute spread too). Don't forget to serve it on whole wheat! It's what I'm eating for lunch today -- with a side salad made with organic greens, baby spinache, red escarole, garnished with chick peas, almonds, onion, tomatoe and carrots.
Herring is the way we get our daily dose of EPA and DHA from a food source (I like to take a fish oil capsule every day too). If you shop the seafood case in the supermarket, look for a jar of pickled herring in wine sauce. Wine sauce is lower in calories than sour cream -- and more versatile. Pickled herring makes a great breakfast and an awesome snack/appetizer. A 16 oz jar is about $4.99. I snack on it with a glass of no-salt added veggie juice (our supermarket's brand is $1.99 a bottle). You can chop up the chunks and dress a salad too.
So here's the LWM short of it. If you want to increase your heart-healthy Omega 3 intake, you don't have to spend a whole lot! Make a canned salmon sandwich using Alaskan Wild Caught Red Salmon ($4.99 Bumble Bee). One can will make a week's worth of lunches. Pick up a jar of pickled herring (Vita, $4.99) and have a few pieces for a snack or breakfast along with some low/no sodium veggie juice.
Tomorrow I'll post a great brunch idea using herring that is inexpensive yet healthy -- and a great meal to enjoy yourself or even present to guests.
Being fit and healthy costs a bit more than going the totally frugal route. However, a high quality "fit diet" can be managed for not a lot of bucks if you know a few good short cuts!
You can get EPA and DHA from sources like mackerel, lake trout, herring, sardines, albacore tuna and salmon. As for salmon, you'll want wild caught. The farmed variety doesn't seem to have the same benefits.
I have not yet explored eating much mackerel. I do like to keep a can of Jack Mackerel on hand for the pup. It's a good solution when we find we're suddenly out of raw meat. Lake trout is not easy to get a hold of -- although we live on the shores of two of the Great Lakes, we don't fish and aren't sure we'd want to consume to much Great Lakes fish! Per pound, trout is pricey too. What is a frugal health nut to do?
I've read that chunk light tuna is a good source for heart-healthy fat and it's a bit cheaper than white albacore. We eat canned sardines as appetizers sometimes -- but they aren't cheap and the canned variety tends to be high in salt.
But salmon -- phew! The fresh caught variety is waaaay out of our budget. It's currently $13.99 per pound! We are eating farmed raised salmon these days, which is $5.99 per pound. It's not consumed as a source of Omega 3 -- but it makes a nice dinner with healthier fat. Granted it is far more expensive pound per pound than chicken but the calories consumed per serving are lower (40 calories per ounce as opposed to chicken thigh, which is 65 per ounce). The least expensive way for us to get the Omega 3 kick of wild salmon at an affordable price, is to go canned. That's about five bucks -- which is a bit pricier than tuna. One large can can make about six sandwiches. We strain the juice and make it a puppy/kitty treat. I like to mix in a low fat balsamic or raspberry vinaigrette and a small amount of mayo to our canned salmon (tossed with dill and freshy ground pepper). Smart Choice makes a great low-fat Omega 3 mayonnaise product at a good price (and a good butter substitute spread too). Don't forget to serve it on whole wheat! It's what I'm eating for lunch today -- with a side salad made with organic greens, baby spinache, red escarole, garnished with chick peas, almonds, onion, tomatoe and carrots.
Herring is the way we get our daily dose of EPA and DHA from a food source (I like to take a fish oil capsule every day too). If you shop the seafood case in the supermarket, look for a jar of pickled herring in wine sauce. Wine sauce is lower in calories than sour cream -- and more versatile. Pickled herring makes a great breakfast and an awesome snack/appetizer. A 16 oz jar is about $4.99. I snack on it with a glass of no-salt added veggie juice (our supermarket's brand is $1.99 a bottle). You can chop up the chunks and dress a salad too.
So here's the LWM short of it. If you want to increase your heart-healthy Omega 3 intake, you don't have to spend a whole lot! Make a canned salmon sandwich using Alaskan Wild Caught Red Salmon ($4.99 Bumble Bee). One can will make a week's worth of lunches. Pick up a jar of pickled herring (Vita, $4.99) and have a few pieces for a snack or breakfast along with some low/no sodium veggie juice.
Tomorrow I'll post a great brunch idea using herring that is inexpensive yet healthy -- and a great meal to enjoy yourself or even present to guests.
Being fit and healthy costs a bit more than going the totally frugal route. However, a high quality "fit diet" can be managed for not a lot of bucks if you know a few good short cuts!
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Eat More to Weigh Less
I've been packing on the pounds during the time I've been blogging. All that delicious frugal cooking saved more than a few bucks, but also added a few inches to my waist. Recently, though, I've been good. Over the past year, I'd say I lost anywhere from ten to twelve pounds. On a 5'4" frame, that's not insubstantial (nor is it particularly easy!).
However, I'd hit a plateau and as a result have had the need to change my diet. Sadly, there is a lot less chicken and the food budget is coming in at about $100 per week. About $20 higher than it had been -- and this is minus what used to be spent to feed Kitty Boy. Now that it's summer, I buy his food from a lady in Rochester on our way home from camp.
Anyway, in my pursuit of dietary and nutritional excellence, I am packing more than leftovers for lunch. Here's what I packed today:
1 Bottle Kefir
1 jar 1% milk (a recycled yeast jar)
Total Breakfast cereal
1 banana
1 jar cottage cheese w. blueberries
1 slice pita
1 jar tzatziki
1 Peanut Butter & Jelly sandwich
The kefir will last the week. What I don't drink at work, I'll bring home to finish off. For lunch today, I'm having a big bowl of Total cereal with a banana -- hence the milk. I had no leftovers and I need a bowl of fortified cereal a day as per my MSRD sister-in-law who is advising my on my current B12 deficiency (it's nice to have a dietitian in the family). The cottage cheese and blueberries are my afternoon snack. The PB&J are breakfast. The pita and tzatziki (a strained yogurt dip with cucumbers and onions) will be my emergency nosh in case I get tummy grumbles later in the afternoon. This will likely last me a few days. I'll also be drinking a glass of no salt added veggie juice.
I hauled in a big tote of rations today -- but all this food is helping me keep my weight down! It's a bit costlier than a tuppy of leftovers, but it's worth it. I am eating more in order to weigh less.
With a healthier diet, and my recent medical procedure and more consistent running, I am down a couple of pounds. I'm losing about a pound a week and hope to keep it up. Realistically, I think I'll end up at around 140. That's down from a 152 weigh-in I had in March.
This might not seem to be a frugal topic -- but two of us are doing this for much less than we'd be spending on a commercial weight loss program such as Nutrisystem!
However, I'd hit a plateau and as a result have had the need to change my diet. Sadly, there is a lot less chicken and the food budget is coming in at about $100 per week. About $20 higher than it had been -- and this is minus what used to be spent to feed Kitty Boy. Now that it's summer, I buy his food from a lady in Rochester on our way home from camp.
Anyway, in my pursuit of dietary and nutritional excellence, I am packing more than leftovers for lunch. Here's what I packed today:
1 Bottle Kefir
1 jar 1% milk (a recycled yeast jar)
Total Breakfast cereal
1 banana
1 jar cottage cheese w. blueberries
1 slice pita
1 jar tzatziki
1 Peanut Butter & Jelly sandwich
The kefir will last the week. What I don't drink at work, I'll bring home to finish off. For lunch today, I'm having a big bowl of Total cereal with a banana -- hence the milk. I had no leftovers and I need a bowl of fortified cereal a day as per my MSRD sister-in-law who is advising my on my current B12 deficiency (it's nice to have a dietitian in the family). The cottage cheese and blueberries are my afternoon snack. The PB&J are breakfast. The pita and tzatziki (a strained yogurt dip with cucumbers and onions) will be my emergency nosh in case I get tummy grumbles later in the afternoon. This will likely last me a few days. I'll also be drinking a glass of no salt added veggie juice.
I hauled in a big tote of rations today -- but all this food is helping me keep my weight down! It's a bit costlier than a tuppy of leftovers, but it's worth it. I am eating more in order to weigh less.
With a healthier diet, and my recent medical procedure and more consistent running, I am down a couple of pounds. I'm losing about a pound a week and hope to keep it up. Realistically, I think I'll end up at around 140. That's down from a 152 weigh-in I had in March.
This might not seem to be a frugal topic -- but two of us are doing this for much less than we'd be spending on a commercial weight loss program such as Nutrisystem!
Monday, July 20, 2009
Cheap and Easy Smoothies
Looking for a no-fat inexpensive and quick smoothie? How about some Kefir. In an effort to improve my over-all health and increase my calcium intake, I've started drinking Kefir. I buy Lifeway brand and am plugging away for it today.
This is a great way to enjoy a yogurt smoothie without having to make it yourself. Kefir is high in pro-biotics -- higher than most of the national brand smoothies, and a lot cheaper than the super pro-biotic products being offered. It also has less sugar than most of the popular smoothies I've seen.
I'm into calcium in this form for a number of reasons: I've been diagnosed with a vitamin B12 deficiency. B12 is produced in the gut and as a result of this deficiency, I feel I need to improve my intestinal health. Calcium helps the body dispose of fat. Studies have shown that increasing dairy intake leads to weight loss. Calcium helps deliver blood and oxygen to muscles during exercise.
Women, we need to do what we can to prevent osteoporosis. Kefire is one great way to get the protective benefits of calcium. A healthy gut means a healthy immune system too.
We are buying three bottles per week -- hubby and I take one to work and one stays at the Chez in the fridge.
This stuff tastes good -- so it's easy to chug it down!
This is a great way to enjoy a yogurt smoothie without having to make it yourself. Kefir is high in pro-biotics -- higher than most of the national brand smoothies, and a lot cheaper than the super pro-biotic products being offered. It also has less sugar than most of the popular smoothies I've seen.
I'm into calcium in this form for a number of reasons: I've been diagnosed with a vitamin B12 deficiency. B12 is produced in the gut and as a result of this deficiency, I feel I need to improve my intestinal health. Calcium helps the body dispose of fat. Studies have shown that increasing dairy intake leads to weight loss. Calcium helps deliver blood and oxygen to muscles during exercise.
Women, we need to do what we can to prevent osteoporosis. Kefire is one great way to get the protective benefits of calcium. A healthy gut means a healthy immune system too.
We are buying three bottles per week -- hubby and I take one to work and one stays at the Chez in the fridge.
This stuff tastes good -- so it's easy to chug it down!
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Dead Tumors!
I am back from my medical adventure. Actually, my return to the working world was Tuesday, but there was some catch-up involved that precluded blogging.
My procedure was apparently a success -- if the pain after was any indication. I believe my tumors have been well and truly wrung of life. A Uterine Artery Embolization (UAE) is quite interesting to watch. I finally got to see my two large tumors -- the Interventional Radiologist (IR) actually classified them as "very big," meaning I'm not the hypochondriac I was begining to think I was. My small tumor had reached the same size as the larger one -- and they'd both continued to grow, so I was carrying the equivalent of two small grapefruits in my belly. Preemies are smaller than that!
While constant fatigue is an after-effect as the tumors begin to be absorbed, I'm doing OK. I'm lethargic by the end of the day, but able to work. I am also doing short runs.
This procedure means I will likely drop a size or two. If I keep up with my healthy meal habits and regular exercise, I should end up quite slim by September. This is nice. I was feeling very badly about sporting a pregnant-looking tummy, which no amount of diet or exercise was going to touch. It would have continued to grow!
As soon as I got the all-clear from the IR, I went for a run. Then I hammered out the pickets of my fence. Neighborhood children vandalized it. Their mom came to us all upset wanting us to know it was her sons. But she can't pay to fix it. So, we will have to manage some sort of inexpensive solution -- but they've already been ordered to help. I'm not so sure how much a 10 and 12 year old can help, though.
For any readers who feel their children are evil, I assert that they're not as bad as you think. After all, would they do this:
My procedure was apparently a success -- if the pain after was any indication. I believe my tumors have been well and truly wrung of life. A Uterine Artery Embolization (UAE) is quite interesting to watch. I finally got to see my two large tumors -- the Interventional Radiologist (IR) actually classified them as "very big," meaning I'm not the hypochondriac I was begining to think I was. My small tumor had reached the same size as the larger one -- and they'd both continued to grow, so I was carrying the equivalent of two small grapefruits in my belly. Preemies are smaller than that!
While constant fatigue is an after-effect as the tumors begin to be absorbed, I'm doing OK. I'm lethargic by the end of the day, but able to work. I am also doing short runs.
This procedure means I will likely drop a size or two. If I keep up with my healthy meal habits and regular exercise, I should end up quite slim by September. This is nice. I was feeling very badly about sporting a pregnant-looking tummy, which no amount of diet or exercise was going to touch. It would have continued to grow!
As soon as I got the all-clear from the IR, I went for a run. Then I hammered out the pickets of my fence. Neighborhood children vandalized it. Their mom came to us all upset wanting us to know it was her sons. But she can't pay to fix it. So, we will have to manage some sort of inexpensive solution -- but they've already been ordered to help. I'm not so sure how much a 10 and 12 year old can help, though.
For any readers who feel their children are evil, I assert that they're not as bad as you think. After all, would they do this:
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Big Guy's Birthday
On Sunday, we did have a nice dinner to celebrate Tom's birthday. And I do really refer to him as "Big Guy" or TBG since he is very big. In a burly and manly sort of way. 6'2" and 240lbs -- he can pick up a refrigerator by himself -- pretty impressive for a guy who can also ride 75 miles on a bike in three hours!
We met up with friends at a local Vietnamese restaurant. This place is not fancy but the food is great. There were 8 of us. We joked about Tommy's birthday and had a nice meal. At the end, the owner came up to him with a sealed envelope that read "Happy Birthday." We made jokes about it being the check. But it wasn't. The owner gave him a ten dollar gift certificate!
This is one of our favorite places to eat. There used to be two locations -- one was only about three miles from our house. We used to go there every Thursday night for dinner. That location was closed down as a result of eminent domain (the government forces you to sell your land so they can build on it). The second location is on the other side of town. We don't go there as frequently, but will now make an extra effort to do so.
Good service and thoughtful consideration make real business sense. This place is not fancy and it's not expensive, but we choose it over more formal venues because the service is reliable, it's fast and the food is awesome. We rarely splurge on an expensive restaurant meal and will generally do so only with a restaurant.com certificate. That's why places like 99 Fast Food are so worthwhile -- even for special occasions like birthdays.
We met up with friends at a local Vietnamese restaurant. This place is not fancy but the food is great. There were 8 of us. We joked about Tommy's birthday and had a nice meal. At the end, the owner came up to him with a sealed envelope that read "Happy Birthday." We made jokes about it being the check. But it wasn't. The owner gave him a ten dollar gift certificate!
This is one of our favorite places to eat. There used to be two locations -- one was only about three miles from our house. We used to go there every Thursday night for dinner. That location was closed down as a result of eminent domain (the government forces you to sell your land so they can build on it). The second location is on the other side of town. We don't go there as frequently, but will now make an extra effort to do so.
Good service and thoughtful consideration make real business sense. This place is not fancy and it's not expensive, but we choose it over more formal venues because the service is reliable, it's fast and the food is awesome. We rarely splurge on an expensive restaurant meal and will generally do so only with a restaurant.com certificate. That's why places like 99 Fast Food are so worthwhile -- even for special occasions like birthdays.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Last Minute Catastrophes?
I am finally done with all my pre-procedure appointments. I was ordered to get blood work which had to be done no more than seven days or less than one prior to the procedure. I couldn't get the blood work done until my physician wrote the script -- and that was yesterday. So, this morning I tried to get an appointment and the earliest they'd set it up was next Tuesday. My procedure is Monday.
So, I just walked in and it worked out fine. But it's tough to reason that kind of thing out after fasting for 12 hours.
In the midst of my fast, I was presented with two problems. The old lady two houses down had died and her family wants to take her cat and dump him outside somewhere and the rest of my neighbors are begging me to find him a home. A co-worker is out of the country for three months and the kid he arranged to have bring in his mail and mow his lawn has gone AWOL. The local shelter called to see if I could help with a rescue dog.
Our office is closed Friday, so I have tomorrow to sort this out. I told the shelter I don't do rescue anymore. I might bring the cat up there to be humanely euthanized -- because I think that's kinder than turning a 10 year old housecat out. I've sent my co-worker a link to stop his mail on-line. If he needs a lawn guy, I know a landscaper. I took in his mail today, but wasn't inclined to mow for him since I was dressed for work and wearing sandals.
I think I will enjoy being sedated...
So, I just walked in and it worked out fine. But it's tough to reason that kind of thing out after fasting for 12 hours.
In the midst of my fast, I was presented with two problems. The old lady two houses down had died and her family wants to take her cat and dump him outside somewhere and the rest of my neighbors are begging me to find him a home. A co-worker is out of the country for three months and the kid he arranged to have bring in his mail and mow his lawn has gone AWOL. The local shelter called to see if I could help with a rescue dog.
Our office is closed Friday, so I have tomorrow to sort this out. I told the shelter I don't do rescue anymore. I might bring the cat up there to be humanely euthanized -- because I think that's kinder than turning a 10 year old housecat out. I've sent my co-worker a link to stop his mail on-line. If he needs a lawn guy, I know a landscaper. I took in his mail today, but wasn't inclined to mow for him since I was dressed for work and wearing sandals.
I think I will enjoy being sedated...
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