I remember Lana telling me once (I think she was aware then of the beginnings of her dementia) that it really helped the brain to switch things up. Accordingly she was sleeping on the other side of her bed and had moved her toothbrush to the other side of the sink and her hair stuff to her bedroom out of the bathroom.
She was never a cook, ate her breakfast "out" every day for about 45 years give or take. And shopped for "stuff" as she needed it. I tend to organize myself a little better than that and save money while doing so as I don't impulse shop in grocery stores like many of my friends. I order on line and have it delivered to my car and plan a menu around my supplies and stick to it.
I do switch things around a bit. And I engage my brain in 12 games of scrabble every day. On line for about 15-20 years now. We all have pretty high ratings so that is challenging and good for the brain. I also read voraciously, now with a magnifying glass due to my right eye being nearly blind. So there's that. And design and knit "stuff."
So on this caloric reduction regime I am doing quite well. I make a variety of soups, delicious soups. My phone camera is old and my phone owes me nothing so I need to upgrade. So apologies for the quality.
Today's soup, a large pot, is potato/carrot/lowsalt bacon, chopped/onions.chopped/ kale chopped and portabella mushrooms fresh and sliced thin and used as garnish after gently sauteeing them. All in a no-salt chicken stock. I cook the carrots and potato first then blend these with an immersible blender before putting in the sauteed kale, bacon, onions and mushrooms.
Seriously? It's to die. This is a huge pot and I will freeze much of this in smaller containers and give away to those who like that sort of thing.
I've gone down around 3 sizes in the 8 weeks I've applied myself to these restrictive measures and my body thanks me.
I saw my new primary care person today and I was surprised at how thorough she was, familiar already with my intake interview which was detailed and took well over an hour and with discussion on the comments from my specialists on my on-line file. We're going to do well together, I believe. I really like her.
And my little window garden delights me with these:
I'm still not in perfect condition for an old dog, but this salt free soup making is a new trick and I can sit while slicing and chopping which is a bonus.
Have you learned any new tricks lately?
I learned salt-free or even low salt is wrong for me. The brain and heart need salt and other nutrients respond to low salt badly. Found out in emergency. Now I must take 1000 mg sodium tablet every day to keep everything in balance. Learned the hard way. The soup sounds delicious. Emma
ReplyDeleteI guess I have the opposite problem as I have kidney disease and salt is deadly for me according to my kidney specialist. It's weird how our bodies work, isn't it? And we are so fortunate to live in today's world as not many years ago we would be dead.
DeleteXO
WWW
I am thrilled that your new medico sounds good. And that she pays attention and does her research. Excellent signs.
ReplyDeleteYay for new tricks - though I really, really need to remember 'old' lessons so painfully learned.
And cheers to your diminishing self.
Dear Elephant's Child: I heartily agree on the new medico and good research!
DeleteThank you so much EC, and yes to the old lessons, it takes far to much practice to learn them though :)
DeleteXO
WWW
Thank you also Joanne, it's a relief and also she does advocacy for a new drug she wants to put me on at no cost to me.
DeleteXO
WWW
I wonder if you feel better with carrying less weight? In theory you should. I suppose I was about twenty five when I stopped adding sugar to tea and coffee and I can't drink such now if there is any sugar in them. Some things do need sugar when making them though. Similar with salt. We never sprinkle it or add it to anything. We know we are already getting more than enough in bought food. About then we realised alcohol was both a good and bad friend.....oh well, two out of three isn't bad.
ReplyDeleteI'd say the weightloss is much less strain on my compromised heart and lungs and other assorted organs Andrew. I haven't had sugar in yonks. It's surprised how easy that has been as I have a terrible sweet tooth. I am banned from purchased meals as they are loaded with salt. And well alcohol and me had a mad romance for about twenty years. A loooong time ago now so I had to tearfully let it go.
DeleteXO
WWW
I bought a crossword puzzle book. I was horrified by how few words I knew right away--and I'm an editor/writer, for god's sake. I read constantly...it was weird that I kept drawing blanks on silly clues. I'm telling myself that it was some kind of weird performance anxiety!
ReplyDeleteCompletely off topic: do you ever read a blog called Going Gently? A lovely gentleman in Wales; works as a nurse. John Grey. He is a wonderful writer about his community, work, etc. You would enjoy him (and I don't think I've seen him comment here).
I have a short term memory thing Elle so I can relate to being baffled at how I forget things within 30 seconds. Like today, I was told to book my next appt at reception and bingo, driving home is when I remember it. Thirty effing seconds. Yes. I am familiar with John Gray, a prolific writer!
DeleteXO
WWW
I'd skip the kale and use cabbage instead, but that soup sounds yummy. I'm going to have to try this "soup" diet. I haven't lost even a pound in six months, yet my daughter, also eating mainly home made soups is down by about 30kg.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with it River, soups are very filling and nutritious, especially the home made ones and very easy to make as well. I like doing a huge batch at once so I'm never in a panic about what to eat and choose badly as a result.
DeleteXO
WWW
I think soup is a wonderful food but my family are bored by it, i don't think we had one soup over winter!
ReplyDeleteI don't have to eat what they do but it seems unsociable and ungrateful to have my own menu so I just try to make little adjustments like leaving the rice off my plate or replacing half my pasta with salad.
I'm glad you're feeling better, that's marvellous
Thank you River. Yes, I hear on you on eating with family, very difficult to keep that plate size down but subs are good. Out on brunches I substitute a fruit bowl for those luscious home fries.
DeleteXO
WWW
One thing new for me: I started doing crossword puzzles during Covid. I play table tennis. Thinking of switching to pickleball -- a little different, more exercise, might get me in better shape. Btw, congrats on the weight loss; that is a major accomplishment.
ReplyDeleteThanks Tom, yes I was impressed when I read on your blog about the new stuff in your life. I am hoping to get back even to slow hiking with George my cane as a backup. I can dream, right?
DeleteXO
WWW
Yes, I'm sure it's good for the brain to switch things around a bit and not stick to the same old routines. Twelve games of Scrabble a day is quite something. Jenny and I have a game every few days, and we're pretty evenly balanced skill-wise.
ReplyDeleteI love learning new words particularly Nick. Looking up especially the ones from a friend in California who is a top biologist and uses obscure pharmaceutical terms.
DeleteXO
WWW
Good for you! If you want a portrait of Ansa, find your best photo of her and contact Canvaspop. They are very helpful and guarantee customer satisfaction.
ReplyDeleteThank you e, what a great idea. I have photos of her around but a canvas art would be wonderful.
DeleteXO
WWW
Learn new tricks? No, sadly not. I've been doing and cooking and living and sorting the same life now for the past five years since I've been alone. Although I'd love to surprise myself occasionally, my routine remains routine. Can't say I regret it, it's really quite pleasant.
ReplyDeleteBotheration!! It's Friko. What's wrong with Google, why won't they let me reply without all this roundaboutationing!!
DeleteI hear you Friko, a botheration of the highest order.
DeleteRoutine can be a wonderful thing. When I'm in one I love the rhythm and predictability of it all.
XO
WWW
New tricks, yes, saw a video tip: a raw egg in a small ramekin, covered with at least 3/4-inch water, microwaved for 1 minute on high, makes a hard-poached egg. Tomorrow I'll try 45 seconds because I prefer my yoke soft. -Kate
ReplyDeleteWe haven't bought a microwave at home, so this was a timely tip as I have access to one where I'm staying these 10 days. -Kate
DeleteI'd find it difficult to live without a microwave though Daughter and some friends do it. I think I am more impatient in that I want things NOW. Not a good trait.
DeleteXO
WWW
I love seeing all the tips suggestions but why are they all done sitting? I have to be out and about, or even just inside but on my feet more. Scrabble, knitting, reading, all done sitting. Emma
ReplyDeleteSome have mobility issues Emma, I did for close on 3 years. Massive pain and breathing challenges.
DeleteXO
WWW
I do too. Still, sitting builds up. All our work and leisure is sitting. As we get older it gets worse.
DeleteCoping with disability and age: a 70-something friend gave up her driver's license and walks to all her errands and chores. She wears a back pack and for example yesterday walked 15 blocks to the bulk store and back for some items. Today she walks in the other direction for her prescription. Every day she finds some reason to walk. She said she sometimes has to force herself.
DeleteI do like to switch things around and learn new things - but cooking ... not so much, I finally found a way of cooking that does not end up with me having a stomach ache and brain fog, so I keep to that. But I willingly experiment using the "safe" ingredients. Carrots are NOT among those ;)
ReplyDeleteIntrigued. Why not carrots Charlotte?
DeleteXO
WWW