And just like that, January is over!
Laraba's Blog
Thursday, February 2, 2023
February 2nd
Saturday, January 28, 2023
Health Update
I did an at home A1c test a few days ago and it was 5.8. Color me happy! That is pretty good!
Many months ago, I said that I had gained some weight and was going to try to maintain 165 lbs. Since I am 5 ft. 9 inches tall, that isn't exceptionally heavy, but I was like 140 lbs until I went on Lexapro. Apparently anxiety kept me from eating, or from resting, or something. I will gladly take 25 healthy pounds and not be anxious.
Anyway, I was at 165 for months and then about a month ago, maybe 6 weeks, I decided to start exercising more. I've been consistently punching the punching bag in our basement, and doing the elliptical machine, and even lifting weights.
And...I promptly put on 5 more pounds. I don't think I'm eating more! Maybe it is muscle? Anyway, I am not going to worry about it but it does show how lame "weight" is for analyzing one's fitness. I am certainly in better shape but now weight 170 lbs!
I have been messing around with low carb fudge. I made some that was pretty good, made up of cocoa, no sugar peanut butter, butter substitute, vanilla, and low carb sweetener.
It was quite tasty, but there was always a nasty aftertaste. I kept messing with the recipe, trying different sweeteners, but the after taste remained.
A couple of days ago, I tried agave nectar, which isn't as low carb as I usually go for. That fudge tasted pretty bad for some reason. Ugh. I ate quite a few bites before deciding forget it -- I am not going to worry about wasting food when this tastes so bad.
At some point, my Ph.D. level brain thought -- hmmm, maybe it is not the sweetener?
I think it is the butter substitute. I took a tiny bite of straight butter substitute and YUCK!
So next time I will try coconut oil.
In the middle of all this experimentation, I didn't think to google agave nectar and whether it is high fructan, because I do have a fructan intolerance...
Yes, agave nectar is very high fructan.
So yesterday, after eating some of the fudge, I got pretty unhappy digestively.
Sigh.
The older I get, the less I can eat.
But I am doing pretty well all in all. My doctor is always thrilled at my A1c levels and my blood pressure is low and my cholesterol is high but not too high...
So I am grateful that I am as healthy as I am. And also vaguely annoyed that my body has decided that no dairy, no wheat, no high fructan anything, is my future in life.
Oh well. There is always dark chocolate! Thankfully.
Tuesday, January 24, 2023
Little Vacation
Friday, January 13, 2023
Mid January and Medical appointments
After the incredible storm a couple of days before Christmas where it was below zero with terrible winds, we have had a mild January. It is snowing now, but not in an enthusiastic manner. We have gotten up to 60 a couple of days. Weird.
This week we are getting back into the swing of normal school. Isaac started up at college, and Joseph and Miriam will start next week. Rose is now reading quite fluently which is awesome and fun.
This week was also a "visit to the doctor" week. Tuesday I took Miriam for her well teen checkup plus she got her work permit signed saying she could safely work. She has been working at Burger King for six months so that is silly, but life is silly sometimes. The story is that she started working in the summer when she didn't need a work permit, and it took BK months to realize they needed one for the school year. So we jumped through hoops, one of which was going to the local high school to have the superintendent sign the work permit.
Which is absurd. She isn't in public school and the only knowledge the superintendent's office has is that she is homeschooled. But whatever. Paperwork.
I also took the six younger kids to the dentist for six month cleanings. None of the kids had cavities! Hooray! I did have two cavities myself, but given that I am in my 50's, that isn't too bad. I mean, I have had other fillings but mostly I am doing well. Of particular interest is that I have forty year old fillings which are still intact and happy, so that is amazing!
Yesterday Joseph transitioned to an adult medical provider, the same one that I see. She is a great doctor. I didn't go in with him (he is an adult!) but apparently the doctor's one concern was Joseph's weight. He is very thin. Some of that he comes by honestly because Kevin and I both have thin genes. He is also tall (over six feet). I am certain he is fine and will put on weight in the next few years but it is amazing how thin he is! He is going to try to eat more. I am not really worried and I think he looks great. There are a range of healthy weights. It would probably be good if he weighed a little more though.
So that was my "medical" week. Next week I have two more appointments but at least we are done with the dentist. I love and hate going in one day. Love because we get it done. Hate because it makes for a long day at the dentist. But the kids are older now so I don't have to worry about a small one climbing the furniture anymore!
I had a major issue with my left foot earlier this week. It hurt so much I was on crutches. I did a few things; I took one day off from putting weight on my foot. More importantly, I bought a new "night" boot from Amazon. I realized my old "night boot" which helps relieve plantar fasciitis, was old and worn and weird. So now I have a new boot and my foot is mostly better. Thankful for boots!
Friday, January 6, 2023
New Year's Day Feast (not on New Year's Day)
Warm Spell
After the insane cold and wind the weekend of Christmas, we are enjoying a warm spell. Today it was like 40. However, a couple of days ago it was...
Like. Wow. From 0 degrees on December 24th to 58 on January 4th. Wow.