Jetting into June
Replies
-
Hi, Magic!
I am so sorry you are stressing about your bloodwork results!
If it helps to know you have company -- I had to do a lot of research the last time I had bloodwork done! My doctor said he was happy, but I am a data geek and wanted to know more, just because I like to know stuff.
I think if your doctor is not concerned, I'd listen hard to that perspective! I'd also look again at the fact that you have no lifestyle-related health issues, which is truly remarkable! If you are worried, maybe you want to dig some more into the numbers and ask him more questions?
Your LDL number seems not to be terrible based on this Medline article, which puts 107 in the "Near optimal" category.
https://medlineplus.gov/ldlthebadcholesterol.html
LabTestsOnline is one of the sites I used to help me think about my test results. Go to the website, choose a specific test from the Tests menu, and then they have a set of info about that test. After you get to the page for a test, open the "What does the test result mean?" section.
https://labtestsonline.org/tests/vldl-cholesterol
So based on that and your doctor telling you he's not worried, maybe... keep doing all the healthy things you do! It sounds like he is happy and impressed at how well you are doing!From that website: In general, healthy lipid levels help to maintain a healthy heart and lower the risk of heart attack or stroke. Your healthcare practitioner will take into consideration the results of the LDL-C and the other components of a lipid panel as well as other risk factors to help determine your overall risk of heart disease, whether treatment is necessary and, if so, which treatment will best help to lower your risk. ...
Current guidelines from the American College of Cardiology (ACC) and the American Heart Association (AHA) recommend that a risk calculator be used to determine your 10-year risk of CVD if you are age 40 to 75 and do not have heart disease.
I followed the link on that site to the American College of Cardiology's nifty risk calculator, which might be interesting to you, too. Again, though, maybe plug in your info and then discuss it with your wonderful new doctor!
http://tools.acc.org/ASCVD-Risk-Estimator-Plus/#!/calculate/estimate/
This nifty tool also lets you input some data from a previous visit, if you have it, to get a sense of overall direction. Output is 10-year risk for ASCVD as a percentage.1 -
Oh goody! Austin, thanks so much for taking the time...this will surely help. I will get into these numbers tomorrow or Monday evening, good start to my weekend.
Feeling better already.
More later.
Japanese sweet potato...I need to get those...your menu looks yummy, Mihani!0 -
magic71755 wrote: »Oh goody! Austin, thanks so much for taking the time...this will surely help. I will get into these numbers tomorrow or Monday evening, good start to my weekend.
Feeling better already.
More later.
Japanese sweet potato...I need to get those...your menu looks yummy, Mihani!
Magic Yay! I hope that helps you breathe and bring some perspective to the numbers! I found the calculator especially interesting. I hope you have a good day at work!
Mihani I have yet to see Japanese sweet potatoes where I am. I will warn you that goji berries are not a super strong flavor -- a little tart and sweet. I essentially have a spoon with half almond butter and half gojis, and it's the 2 flavors together that I particularly like!. So if you get them and are underwhelmed, maybe try them with a bit of nut butter.0 -
Hi all, hope it was a good Sunday. I took it easy more than I should have this weekend and didn't get as much work done as I should have, but I hope to be recharged and ready for another busy week at work. I had a good WFPB day with the exception of some plant based yogurt which is something I allow now and then as an indulgence.
B - oats with all the goodies
S - watermelon
L - ezekiel toast with dijon, sliced cucumbers, lots of lettuce
D - salad, yogurt
1 -
Good Monday Morning my sweet friends...
Just having coffee and figuring out the day/weekend...
Big push to finally finish kitchen and move into the living room/dining room...
Work on eating properly and not eating so much close to bed time...big NO NO and it is reflected in my BPM on my apple watch sleep app.
Hope everyone has a good week. Stay safe my dear ones.
Mihani, I love my ezekiel sammys with loads of crunchy iceberg lettuce. I usually have three kinds in the house: Romaine, Trader Joe's Herb Salad and Iceberg. All play different roles.
1 -
today's plan
coffee
oatmeal, blueberries, almond milk
Ezekiel sammy with Gardein "chicken" tenders
The above is in my tummy...always so sad when it's gone...especially when I am eating stuff I love. Today, my oatmeal was simple and truthfully, much better. Three ingredients...oats, blueberries, almond milk, which I made...ingredients, almonds and water. That was the best my oats ever tasted. You could really taste the pop/sweetness of the blueberries. Not masked at all.
*************************************
Mason Jar Salad with Tinkyada pasta
watermelon
Chocolate Good Pop
the end1 -
Sounds like a great day, Magic! Hope you make good progress on the kitchen.
I have some work to do tonight and got stuck at the office late so this is a quick check in while I eat my salad.
B - oats with all the goodies
L - Dr. McD soup, cucumber slices and grape tomatoes, couple wasa crackers
D - big ol' salad, watermelon
0 -
Happy Monday, friends!
Magic, I hope you are enjoying your home improvement work today! Your menu looks delicious!
Oh, and I LOVE that you have three different types of greens in your house!
Mihani, I hope getting some extra rest helps make this a calm and productive week for you! Enjoy that salad!
I am headed back to the kitchen. This evening's cooking adventure is homemade naan. Not something I need to eat much of, but fun to make, and The Teenager will hopefully enjoy it!
https://thekitchenpaper.com/quick-naan-without-yeast/
I am trying not to stress about my To Do List, as I have made little progress today. I did get grocery shopping done, and am partway doing all the associated food cleaning and prep.
I am trying out bringing more mindfulness to the exercise... "We can be present in any moment of life, even when we’re busy washing the dishes. Rather than put off those household chores, embrace them as another opportunity to nurture and transform the mind.” – Andy Puddicombe, co-founder of the meditation app Headspace. Quoted in "How to Be Mindful Doing the Dishes," by David Gelles, Nov. 30, 2016
https://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/30/well/mind/how-to-be-mindful-doing-the-dishes.html
0 -
Sorry I haven't been posting...I am in a terrible funk. A friend texted me last night to check on me...she told me what everyone says, STOP WATCHING THE NEWS.
My brand new car ... (well, I got it last August)...one of the perks of working full time at my dealership...you get a good deal on a leased new car...anyway, the computer thing that regulates the check engine light has been on and off so much. So they had my car for a several days for a second time. Picking it up this morning. Not sure why I even mentioned this...but that is my excitement for the day.
My weight is UP...which does not help my funk-a-tude! I did pick up another watermelon and Tuscan cantaloupe yesterday...hoping they are sweet.
My house is still a giant mess. Only good thing I can say, is I have my spending and CCs under control.
Will try and pull myself out of this very sad state today. I do want to spend some time looking up the sites, Austin shared with me about my blood work.
Today's plan
Try and stick with it, Magic!
coffee
oats, almond milk, frozen blueberries
Ezekiel sammy with Gardein Chicken tenders
watermelon/cantaloupe
NOT SURE...this is where I have been messing up. I have a mason jar salad that I need to eat...should just DO that!
Good Pop...chocolate fudge.
Be well, be safe...talk to you sweet peas, later.
0 -
I will check out that mindfulness link, Austin! I am trying to get back into the practice. It's really important to practice whenever possible when you aren't stressed, because when you are stressed you can't just go oh yeah, I should think about being mindful. It has to become second nature to pause and breathe. I was doing really well with it after I took an 8 week course, but of course I slacked off on the practice over time. How did your naan turn out?
Oh, I just remembered I have the zoom class on mindfulness tonight. I haven't even hooked up my camera. I swear, if I didn't procrastinate so much my life would be easier, but I have been putting off addressing my procrastination problem.
To be honest, I will likely reschedule for the next one because I left the office early today and I have work to do here at home this afternoon and tonight. My boy had anesthesia at the vet yesterday for a dental and he was still pretty shaky and not feeling well this morning so I wanted to come home and hang out with him. He's doing much much better now.
Magic, I totally get where you are right now. I have been struggling for the past month. I took the initial COVID outbreak in stride, but after all these months and the continuing bad news from all quarters... it's just draining. I have talked to so many people who are feeling it too. We're all getting tired of it, and while I have good intentions about using the time to work on good habits, I haven't made much progress, which just adds to the funk. So I get it. (((hugs)))
I had ezekiel toast topped with E2 hummus and some veggies and lettuce for breakfast. I haven't had lunch yet but I'm going to make a big batch of cooked veggies and a spaghetti squash for a late lunch/early dinner and it will be good leftovers for the next few days. Then I'll get to work. If I'm hungry later I'll have some fruit.
I use this method for cooking spaghetti squash. Works great. https://steamykitchen.com/19385-cook-spaghetti-squash-microwave.html
I haven't mentioned maybe, but I love the Lundberg rice cakes. Very simple and tasty. They also have thins which are like large flat crackers. No "bad" stuff in them at all. If you are craving a crunchy snack they are great.
1 -
Thank you, Mihani...hoping your sweet boy is doing ok...it always frightens me when they have to go under, for whatever reason.
Just a quick check in...going to make lunch...so far today, ON PLAN. Funk is not quite as bad. Thanks for the tips...spaghetti squash and the Lundberg rice cakes.
Austin, how did the Naan turn out. Sounds so yummy!
TTYL, (((hugs from me, too)))0 -
Today's Plan...
coffee
oatmeal, blueberries, almond milk
Ezekiel sammy with Gardein crispy tenders
watermelon
pasta with sauce, onions, zucchini, mushrooms
Good Pop, fudge
Nothing going on...have NOT had the news on once today. Passed up a program I usually watch at night...it does help. Let me know if anything really crazy goes down. I do check the headlines, but even then, that proves to be too much.
Pedi/Mani at one. My usual girl is still not back...not that crazy about her replacement...oh well.
My niece and her DH and almost one year old baby Stella, (birthday, Monday) was supposed to arrive tomorrow. They cancelled because AZ is totally spiking in cases of Covid...I think Houston, as well. Alberto, my niece's DH, said, nope...too risky.
I will have to share with you the two gifts I got her. One, I was able to send again to their addresss and take the one that got me me back to Kohl's. Amazon.
The second one is being personalized...and that one I will have to ship. Way cute. Will send you sites later.
Alrighty, my plant peeps...TTYL! Stay safe. 0 -
Happy Thursday, plant-based friends!
I am having a good plant-based day so far.
B-green smoothie (broccoli, spinach, blueberries), goji berries & almond butter, sliced fresh mango
L-turnip greens & black beans; zucchini with tomato & onion; steamed mushrooms & carrots; steamed butternut with some diced apple & jicama
S(planned)-sliced apple & cashews
D(planned)-big salad with beets, more steamed butternut with some diced apple & jicama (it was so yummy at lunch, and the butternut I bought was huge!)
I am talking to you from Texas. Bad news -- we are indeed seeing increased COVID numbers. Good news -- our Governor, who has been pretty hands-off/pro-reopening, has paused reopening, which may be helpful. The news may be scary, but here in Texas, I am a little glad to see it getting talked about. That said, now that I know what's up, I am not consuming any more news about that for the day. I swear, I may start timing how long I can spend on thew news a day.
At our house, we are renewing our commitments to being safe and careful. In sunnier days, some weeks back, we had made plans for our martial arts school to gather outside this weekend at a carefully chosen park space, at an off hour, staying careful distances away. We have postponed that. It's a disappointment, but it's necessary.
I am for sure not backing off on meditation, and am getting in at least a walk around the black at night (so almost no foot traffic) every evening.
Magic - So, yes, if you have family in Houston (I do, too!), I am glad they are sheltering at home. Things are heating up there, virus-wise, so safest to stay in. Even the Gov says so!
Has your mood improved? A news/media diet sounds like a great start. Maybe there are other things you want to try, to help support your happiness? One tiny idea -- you might take a look at SuperBetter.com. It's free and full on fun ideas on getting happier and healthier. My husband turned me on to it.
Mihani How did your mindfulness class go? Did you work out the webcam okay? I hope it ended up offering some fun and something life-affirming.
Thanks for being here, you guys! Your kindness and your ongoing commitment to health inspire me.
1 -
I didn't do the mindfulness class last night. I was so tired from puppers having me up several times the night before that I took a nap, then I got up and figured I better get some work done. I will reschedule for the next one.
I will check out that website too, Austin. I have a butternut squash I haven't done anything with yet. I'll get it cooked this weekend. I used to hate winter squashes and sweet potatoes, and now I love them. So weird how tastes change.
Hope you enjoyed your mani/pedi and it was relaxing, Magic. Too bad you can't see your family but definitely best to stay safe right now.
I have just a couple work things to deal with tonight then an early bedtime.
B - ezekiel toast and cooked veggies
L - salad and Dr. McD soup, a clementine
D - baked tofu, cooked veggies, salad, blueberry chia seed pudding with a couple walnuts
2 -
Hey Mihani - I hope that early bedtime left you feeling rested! I keep working on sleeping well. I did better last night.
You are so right about tastes changing. I was not always such a huge fan of squash, but now it's a staple.
Magic - I forgot to answer your question about the naan last time. It came out .... okay. I overcooked it, though, as I was trying to get it to brown (at restaurants where I have eaten it, naan has browned spots). So, with no oil and no sugar, these just don't brown. Now I know! If you ever make these, know that if you go oil and sugar free, they will still be tasty, but don't leave them in the oven for longer to get them to brown. It just dries them out. On the plus side, it's an easy and fun dish to make, and 5-10 minutes of kneading dough is very soothing!
I have my WFPB plan for the day. No more mangos, though. Ah, well!
B-green smoothie (broccoli, spinach, blueberries), goji berries & almond butter, clementine
L-turnip greens & black beans; zucchini with tomato & onion; steamed mushrooms & carrots; steamed butternut and turnip with some diced apple
S-sliced apple & cashews
D-big salad with beets, steamed butternut and turnip with some diced apple
0 -
That was actually me that asked about the naan Austin! Sorry it was just "okay" ... but practice will make it better I'm sure. Hope you had a good day.
How you doing, Magic?
My back went out on me again last night. I have a "bad disk" in my lower back and had steroid shots in it quite a few years ago which helped a lot, but now and again it flares. I did a lot of icing this morning and today at the office, and it's better now. I know a big part of it is too much *kitten* time at my desk and not enough movement. The scale tells me I'm still the same weight, but my clothes are snug so I know I'm "fatter" even though the scale says I'm not. I am going to set an alarm on my phone to remind me to get up and stretch and move every hour at the office and when I'm working at home. Have to look into how to do that. Or I might be able to do it on the fitbit.
Oh well... perils of aging I guess... but no need to surrender. Good nutrition and exercise can turn it around!
B - ezekiel toast and cooked veggies
L - Dr. McD soup, lundberg rice thins
D - big ol' salad, baked tofu, a clementine
I also ate a huge handful of cashews today that are in the snack cabinet at work. Roasted and salted so NOT good. Also some blue corn chips. I have been extra hungry this week. Not sure if it is stress or something else, but I need to rein it in. I bought carrots, celery and cucumbers on my way home, and going to make up "snack packs" for next week so I can eat those instead of the junky stuff at work.
I just feel out of sorts, stressed. I have to get it together mentally and physically before it gets out of control.
2 -
LOL... tried to get around MFP by saying a followed by two dollar signs but it still saw a s s and changed it to kitten. I get trying to avoid bad words, but I don't think the a word is that bad myself.1
-
Just a hello from the Valley of the Desert...to say, hanging in there. Using this weekend that should have been for celebrating Stella's 1st Birthday, to right my ship...it's in rocky waters. Hugs to you both. 0
-
My plan so far for today:
coffee
oatmeal
Gardein Crispy Tenders sam on Ezekiel
canteloupe/peach
refried black bean tostadas
Choco Good pop
Wishing you all a good day.
0 -
Happy Monday All. Still having a lot of back pain so I'm working from home today. Nothing new to report, was mostly in bed all weekend.1
-
Sorry about your back, Mihani. I usually use hot/wet compresses. But I never had what you had.
My back will just freeze up some times. I guess that why the moist - heat works.
Feel better soon! 0 -
Hello and happy Monday, everyone!
Mihani - I am so SO sorry your back has you in pain. I am sure you are doing all the self care things possible, so I can only wish you well. I hope things ease up soon.
Magic - Your menu looks lovely, especially the peach and cantaloupe!
When you say your ship is in rocky waters -- are you not eating well? are you blue because of the change in plans re. Stella's birthday? been watching the news too much?
Whatever is going on, I hope the mood chemicals get to a happier place soon. If there is anything we can do to support you, let us know!
Sending hugs to you both!
Austin-land:
- Menu is in good shape.
- Movement - slacked off last week. Got in a morning workout today, and hope I keep things going this week.
- Working on projects.
- Garden/yard is disgraceful. Hoping to get some of that done this week, too!
0 -
I actually feel better when I'm moving around as long as I'm careful. When I go to bed it gets worse. I was doing ice and heat, but the heat seems to make it worse so just icing now and taking Aleve. I have to get back to the office tomorrow so I hope it's better by then. It's not that I can't work but being in pain puts me in a bad mood, and work stress puts me in a bad mood, so it's best for everyone not to be around people too much. LOL
I need to do some yard work and house cleaning too, Austin. Didn't do much physical this weekend other than a load of laundry. I did set an alarm on my phone to go off every hour and that worked great today. Got up and walked around for a few minutes and did some stretching when it went off. The fitbit will do that, but I guess I don't notice it going off or it's not working properly.
Magic, hope you're doing better. I wish I had some good advice, but at least you know we're here for you!
B - ezekiel toast and a plant protein shake (Fresh Thyme store brand powdered... I just mix with water)
L - big ol' salad with unhoney mustard dressing, some cooked veggies
D - ezekiel toast and an apple
I ate lunch really late in the afternoon so I just had a slice of toast so I could take more Aleve a little bit ago. I made my weekly big batch of cooked veggies today too, so I'm all set for the week.
I tried the unhoney mustard with water rather than almond milk this time and it's still great so I'm happy about that. I hate opening a box of plant milk and never using it up.
0 -
Magic, since you sometimes like videos, I will point you at one I am listening to today and really enjoying! It's an interview with Dr. Michael Greger, and he has so much energy and enthusiasm, and so much good info.
Tactics For Sustained Weight Loss: Michael Greger, MD | Rich Roll Podcast
0 -
Stopping by to say Good Morning and to catch up on posts!
Mihani, your moving around makes great sense to me! The alarm every hour is brilliant!
Hurray to all that batch cooking!
I hope that you slept better and have a reasonably good day in the office today!
The two key things I do, when my back goes out, are to keep moving, but slower and paying attention to continuing to move normally, and to adjust my sleeping posture if needed (pillow between knees or under knees, etc).
Austin-land update:
- Finished all my basic veg prep for the week.
- Movement - Yesterday was great (morning workout, weights, outdoor walk). Plan to do well today!
- Working on projects.
- Did tiny bit of work on garden/yard. Will do that again today.
Menu for today will be the usual, in general. Big excitement may be getting to eat some fresh pineapple, as I picked one up while shopping.0 -
The pillow thing does help, Austin, but I have to admit I was tired and cranky today. It hurts most when I'm in bed so I don't sleep well. I tried sleeping in my recliner to see if that would help but it didn't. Hope you got through some of your projects.
Today was good...
B - toast and plant protein shake
L - cooked veggies, Dr. McD soup, apple
D - will be a big ol' salad and a clementine
Going to wait to eat dinner until about 6:30 so that I can take another Aleve, then I will try to go to bed and see if I can catch up on some sleep. Went okay today some pain but not terrible, and got up every hour when the alarm went off to move and stretch.
0 -
Love Dr. Gregor's youtubes...always on that treadmill ...he is a crack up...and I think Chef AJ set him up with another plant based doc...can't remember who...maybe Dr. Jen.
Sorry the back is still giving you fits.
My niece ordered dinner for me last night...from Pita Jungle...they have a good vegan/GF menu...she bought dinner for her parents and me, delivered. Such a doll baby!
today's menu
coffee
oatmeal
ezekiel gardein crispy tender sammy
fruit
ezekiel black bean tostadas...
more fruit
Good Pop...chocolate
probably the same men tomorrow as well.
Making a Sprouts run today...also paying my taxes...due the 15th. What else...putting Stella's present in the mail...
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07RSXNVR8/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1
I got it in cream with white embroidery ... came out so sweet. There is a video...not sure if it comes up when you see it...it plays peek a boo. Really cute.
Have a great day everyone.
0 -
Sorry the back is still giving you fits, MIhani. Like I said, the only thing that has worked for me is moist heat...as hot as I could stand it. And long showers with the hot water pushed down on my back.
It usually is the small of my back...and this thing has worked for me, time and time again:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000E5BJUQ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
0 -
Hi Magic, what a sweet present! I'm sure Stella will love it. Stella is a great name. Ice works best for my back because it is swelling in a disk and the ice reduces the swelling. Heat can actually make it worse. Feels like it is a bit better today, and I did manage to get a few hours uninterrupted sleep at a time last night for which I'm sooo grateful. I will continue to be careful, continue icing and Aleve, and hopefully I'll be over this soon.
Busy week at work and we're coming up on the end of the extended time to file taxes so I'm scrambling on the last few to get everything to the CPA. Everyone was late getting out 1099's and such this year, and it has been a nightmare. I am likely going to go to the office at least one day this weekend but maybe after that things will settle down a bit.
We need to come up with a good title for July. Can't believe it is July already, and no end in sight to the 2020 nightmare.
Meals today were same as yesterday. Enjoying my salads more than usual this week with it being hot.
1 -
Thanks for those nice words about Stella...and her gift!
Yep, I see why ice is your best bet! Hope you continue to improve!
Had to take a picture today at Sprouts for you two! ❤️ 🥭 ❤️
0
