I had a good ETL day yesterday. We went over to visit some friends and watch some pre-season football 🏈 stuff together (Hard Knocks, plus a bit of our team's preseason game; our team looks to be terrible this year, oh well). Anyway, I took my food, including my huge salad and lived through my husband holding it up in all its bigness to show it off. Totally a 3rd grade, don't-look-at-me-being-different moment! Funny afterwards but a moment of complete horror. My husband is bone deep fearless about looking different. Me, not so much! 😱 😆

On a foodie note, salad dressing had to be different yesterday and will be today because we broke our immersion blender. New part is on the way, but I had to do something a little different. Last time I made a dressing with apple cider vinegar, white miso and some very fresh and fragrant dried oregano (picked up at my local east Asian and middle Eastern market). It was delicious! So that dressing is on the menu again today.

So SO much work to do to be prepped for classes next week. I am looking to get a bunch of that done today and over the long weekend.

The big treat on today's agenda is a coffee-and-writing meeting with a friend. I have gotten in a couple of writing sessions this week, and am working my way up to a daily practice.

Yesterday:
B- blueberry-broccoli-spinach smoothie; side of almond butter and goji berries; coffee
L- turnip greens with diced turnips topped with homemade fermented hot sauce (time to make more this weekend!); savory baked tofu; steamed mushrooms; zucchini, tomato & onion bowl with spices (including a new one aleppo/Turkish pepper!); steamed butternut and apples with cinnamon
S- apple slices and almond butter
D- huge salad with ETL-friendly dressing; zucchini, tomato & onion bowl with spices; steamed butternut and apples with cinnamon

Only @mihani could put the labor back into Labor Day.

@magic71755 Cheap Lazy Vegan sounds right up my alley. Except, I am SO lazy... combing 2 ingredients, is just about my limit.

@bisky The tests did not go my way. In a nutshell, I've been fatigued beyond belief for months. Not that any Dr's really 'doubted' me... but until certain blood tests came back SO far out of whack... I don't think they really understood how much it sucked to be me. My 'CRP' was 15X beyond normal. The hematologist started me on Prednisone, but the latest tests don't show improvement, so he reckons that's not the course of action. Now, I'm being weened off the Prednisone, and going for more tests.

High CRP apparently indicates inflammation, infection, or cancer. I have been amazed, how every Dr I've seen, flings the word 'cancer' around.... 'it could be cancer...' I'm like... ya but it's probably inflammation or infection. When did Dr's stop sugarcoating everything for the patient.?

Anyhow, I'm off work, so there's that.

Sloth, I agree with Bisky. Need to stay on the docs and get some answers.

Austin, the Asian salad dressing sounds delish. I like "theme" salads but usually just throw all the veggies in a bowl and go. Hope you're getting through all your projects!

Magic, are you working the holiday weekend?

Donna, are your eyes cleared up yet?

I'm off to work shortly. It was nice to sleep in until 7:30 (I'm usually at the office by that time) and I imagine I will only stay at the office 6 hours or so today and tomorrow, then bring work home to do on Monday. I am seriously considering a one day water fast for Monday. Just for fun.

Plan today:
B - sprouted grain muffin with PB, a banana
L - big ol' salad with all the stuff
D - boca burger, corn on the cob, baked beans

Happy weekend, all!
I started my weekend off by waking up really early (before 5), and doing a bunch of work, then headed out for a long martial arts class. I came home and had to have lunch and a short nap. Now I am about to head to the grocery store, as I am running low on supplies!

@sloth3toes - Wow. I am so sorry you are dealing with so much, and glad that they at least have a test result that has them taking how you feel seriously. As Bisky and Mihani say, keep bugging them to work with you on this. And of course keep taking care of yourself, to try to help your body fight that probable inflammation or infection.

@magic71755 - Your new Chipotle sauce sounds yummy!
Your testimonial to the results of all you have done to improve your health is so inspiring!

@Mihani - I hope you are home by now, and getting in some relaxation!

@Bisky - How is your case of contact dermatitis? Clearing up yet?

Thank you all for being part of this ETL community. I am so glad to know other people on this journey. I really appreciate hearing about your food ideas, resources, and your lives in general!

Awesome Mihani! I frequently cycle through rooms after I thought I had cleared out and happily find more things to get rid of. I think it makes it easier to live. Remember, some of the sentimental stuff or papers you are not sure of take a picture and then toss!

Sloth - I think we all care and don't mind discussing medical issues or offering encouragement, support and advice. Sometimes it is easier to talk here than with family. You are on the right track. I wish I could be full on Eat to Live but I like wine, chocolate and carbs (cookies, chips and bread - the bad kind) ...I think we all are just trying to find balance in our lives. That is what I love about this forum...it is very non judgemental but offers information, support and place safe to share.

Fruit vegan smoothie this morning! Walk dogs and then bike ride. We have a bunch of toads in our back yard and Brooks made toad houses for them with rocks but they still like to hide in our planters.

Happy Weekend!