Paleo Pals - Health, Weight Loss & Support

ksusan - I am guilty! No, I did not wear my compression sleeve. I tend to forget to put it on, plus I hate the thing because it causes so much limitation in the range of motion in my arm. Usually, it is when I feel the fluid pressure in my upper arm and chest that I remember to put it on. Bad, I know!

Hooray, though for your bloodwork results.

Egads - I had not thought of it before, but now that you've mentioned the Paleo idea for Kirby, I believe he is already Paleo. I feed him "The Honest Kitchen's-Embark" dog food. It is grain-free, dehydrated organic turkey, flax seed, carrots, bananas, cranberries, celery, coconut, spinach, apples, potatoes, eggs, kelp & a whole bunch of chelated vitamins and minerals. He seems quite healthy so far.

Also, as I said previously, I went to Costco on Thursday and as I was perusing the aisles I came across the vanilla and almost fainted. The price for a 16 oz. bottle of pure vanilla is now $34.99. Last Summer / Fall it was $27.00, it used to be $6.99 for the same 16 oz bottle. At that point I decided I was going to make my own vanilla. Until I realized it would have cost 5 times the amount to make it myself. I'd bought the bottle of vodka, but when I went to buy the vanilla beans, they where $8 - $10 each and I need 10 to make the stuff. So the total cost would have been like $125.00 for a quart of vanilla. Plus it takes 6 mos. for the vanilla to brew (so to speak) in your closet. So the $27.00 didn't look so bad at that point. So glad I still have some left. I think it might get me through the holiday's this year. Apparently there have been some really bad storms that have decimated the vanilla plants in the countries where it is grown, over the past few years. Baking is fast becoming a huge luxury at these prices.

Ksusan; I always had trouble with low HDL. I thought maybe it was genetic in my case but then mine increased. The only things I could identify as changes were I started eating more nuts, started taking Vitamin D and I started getting natural sunshine too, because I read it improves your immune system.

I was way behind and kind of skimmed through to catch up just now. I have been on a trip to Nashville with some BCO sisters from the exercise thread. We had a great time but I did not Paleo it. Having a southern family, I enjoyed eating like my grandma used to cook including biscuits, chicken and dumplings, fried apples and apple crisp-oh and pimento mac and cheese. From now on we can change the phrase from “went to vegas” to” went to nashville” and its the same effect for me. I am glad to be up only 1.2 lbs.

You may be able to grow a vanilla orchid at home if you can create the conditions it requires. The good news is that with global warming, soon you'll be in the right heat/humidity zone and can grow them in your yard!

Egads, I've had tuna salad, shrimp, and scallops so far this week, and I hear that I'm having a curried Thai salmon dish at a gathering with students later this week.

I just ate an apple. It was almost too sweet! I expected my weight to go back up today, but I was down another .5#--by my home scale, I'm down 17.5# in 12.5 weeks. 3.5# to get to what I weighed the morning of my BMX.

Had my PCP appointment today. She suggested labs again in 3 months, hydrate more, back off some meat and animal fats, increase above-ground vegetables (all of which I proposed) and yes, if I'm reintroducing some grains because of upcoming professional travel and Christmas chez nous, do it now in case the gastric effect is unfortunate. She was not concerned by my handful of wacky levels, and was delighted by my A1c.

I walked to my appointment and then on to work. On the way, I stopped at a natural grocery and bought 4 fresh shitakes and a small bunch of broccoli (and an apple). In my building's cafe, I got a coffee with heavy cream and a hardboiled egg. In my office I had a small box of organic chicken broth, olive oil, and a little salami. First I improved my coffee with MCT oil, cinnamon, stevia, black pepper, and turmeric, then I prepped my soup. Yummy! Ready to teach!

Good evening ladies,

As you may remember I was complaining about my elbow being painful. Well yesterday it was like a 9 on the 0-10 scale. I kept my compression sleeve on and laid low all day yesterday. So guess what I saw this morning when I was fixing my coffee? Yep, red spots on my right forearm. I spent the afternoon in the ER. Thankfully I was able to come home with oral antibiotics and will see the MO tomorrow. However, the red spots have spread, but it is happening slower than in my previous episodes, so the MO said I didn't have to return to the ER tonight YAY!!!! Kirby is with his trainer, so my apt. is very empty right now. But he is apparently having a lot of fun with another dog being boarded with his trainer. Anyway Major Bummer! I really don't like that guy!

Also, since today is Vegas Day, I'll admit to my having pizza for dinner tonight. Didn't feel like cooking after this afternoon.

Egads - No joking, Mark Sisson looks great! More like a 45 year old rather than 65. Also, really cool coffee mugs. Last night I watched a show called "Vets Saving Pets" and the veterinary clinic is located in Toronto. Part of the episode was filmed at the Toronto Zoo.

Vamps - 6 hours of cooking is a lot. No wonder you're tired. Did you try the Chicken Alfredo before putting it in the freezer? I need to make some myself.

Well I will bid you all goodnight for now. Rest well.

Junie, so sorry! I hope it resolves quickly.

As to marijuana, I appreciate being able to buy a topical ointment for the ongoing pain around my port scar. I haven't noticed people driving worse than they already did, nor am I seeing traffic accidents reported as associated with being high.

Not the best picture - but lots of flavour!

Green Bean Casserole

Can somebody repost the chicken Alfredo recipe, please? Lost it somehow.

I am on my second week of rads. So far so good, except tiredness in the evening and mild itching right after the treatment. Cording is almost gone, thank God. A couple more PT sessions should get rid of it, hopefully.

This weekend we were blindsided by my husband's aunt's massive stroke. She died on Monday, poor lady. We loved her very much. My DH is en route to Denver, where she lived, for the funeral. My DH has a horrible year: first I was diagnosed, then his 50 year old cousin died unexpectedly, then his aunt died in Israel, and now another one in Colorado. He usually bottles up his emotions inside, but this time it's just impossible. It feels like we've been crying for months. I don't even have thepower to write anymore.

Egads - I think you misunderstood what I said. Kirby loves his trainer. She loves him too. She is very good with him.

I was trying to be a bit funny with the Major Bummer comment. It has nothing to do with the trainer, just the fact that my arm is infected AGAIN!

I am back in the hospital getting IV antibiotics. The oral one had zero effect on the infection. The spots just spread and my arm is double in size, red & hotter than hades. This is four times this year.

It is 4:40 a.m. and I am awake and listening to the news. Hospitals are not the ideal place to get any sleep. However, pain meds are kicking in and I may get to catch a few more winks of sleep.

Inna - I am so sorry to read about the losses your family has experienced this year. Hugs & prayers to you & your DH!