Your New Year's Resolutions

'Tis the end of the year.. and many make resolutions. So..... what are your resolutions? check off each and every one that applies: Add any you feel like..
lose weight,

exercise regularly

eat healthier meals

quit smoking

save money

organize

declutter

destress,

become a better listener

be a better person

I haven't made a resolution in over 10 years.   You know what?

In those ten years, I haven't been disappointed.

Once again, what are your resolutions?
Happy New Year!!!

Heimlich to the Rescue

I bring  lunch everyday. This particular meal consisted of greens, some chicken and teeny-tiny potatoes the size of very small grapes in one dish. I believe in the one container lunch. The contents of the refrigerator goes directly in the bowl. Clamp on the lid...LUNCH!!!!!!

So there  I was, eating lunch with my colleagues, A teeny tiny potato slips down my throat or was it my airway. My table mates were repeatedly asking me if I was okay. I couldn't answer. I wasn't able to breathe, I wasn't able to get up or thrash around..I was able to shake my head. Someone got up , got behind me... The Heimlich maneuver works.

 I now cut those teeny-tiny potatoes in half before throwing them in my lunch 'pail'. I suggest you do the same.

Is it a Cold or the Flu?

A useful chart: click on it for easier reading

The Joy of Magazines

You have read these titles:

Lose 8 Inches In 30 Days.    Lose 15 Pounds In 60 Days.     Firm Thighs with Three Easy Exercises         The Secret of Getting Rid of That Belly Fat          Get Ripped           10 Super Foods     Anti-Aging Foods               The Best Skin Creams for Your Face

The magazine I enjoy always has:

Energy Article          Hairstyle Article         Exercise Article       Weight Loss Article        Superfood Article             Recipe Section

What are the consistent themes of your favorite magazine(s)?

A Blast of Winter brings on Warming Foods.

During the summer I do not cook. My eating patterns parallel with the seasons.
Our first blast of winter brought out my easiest recipe for a great substantial soup. For the most part I cook from whole unadultertated foods but work precede my love in the kitchen. I enjoy easy healthy quick food. I usually reserve Sunday for more elaborately prepared foods.. My elaborate is not exactly on par with Nigella or Julia Child.
So this the black bean soup recipe I received from a friend,  has been reformatted to a 99% Trader Joe's Black Bean soup.

Black bean soup..from Goodhousekeeping Magazine online

• 1 tablespoon(s) olive oil

• 2 medium carrots, chopped

• 2 clove(s) garlic, finely chopped

• 1 large (10- to 12-ounce) onion, chopped

• 1 medium (4- to 6-ounce) red pepper, chopped

• 2 teaspoon(s) ground cumin

• 1/4 teaspoon(s) crushed red pepper

• Salt

• 2 cup(s) water

• 2 can(s) (15- to 19-ounce) black beans, rinsed and drained

• 1 can(s) (14 to 14.5-ounce) reduced sodium chicken broth

• 1/4 cup(s) fresh cilantro leaves, chopped, plus sprigs for garnish

• 1 tablespoon(s) fresh lime juice

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Directions

• 1. In 6-quart saucepot, heat oil on medium until hot. Add carrots, garlic, onion, and pepper; cook 12 to 15 minutes or until vegetables are lightly browned and tender, stirring occasionally. Add cumin, crushed red pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon salt; cook 1 minute.

• 2. Stir in water, beans, and broth; heat to boiling on medium-high. Reduce heat to low and simmer, uncovered, 15 minutes to blend flavors.

• 3. Ladle 3 cups soup into blender; cover, with center part of cover removed to allow steam to escape, and blend until pureed. Stir puree into soup in saucepot; heat through on medium. Stir in cilantro and lime juice, and garnish with cilantro sprigs to serve. Makes about 6 1/2 cups.



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My Trader Joe's Black Bean Soup
 
• 1 tablespoons TJ's olive oil  or walnut oil
• 3 can(s) (15- to 19-ounce) TJ's Organic black beans, rinsed and drained
• 2 Trader Joe's Mirepoix ~chopped Carrots, Celery, and Onions
• 2 or 3 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground red pepper or red chilies (depending on taste)
• 2 cups water
• Sea Salt
• 1 box 14.5-ounce) TJ's Organic reduced sodium chicken broth
Cilantro for garnish.. (I use a fistful)

__________________________

Directions


• 1. In 6-quart saucepot, heat oil on medium until hot. Add carrots, garlic, onion, and pepper; cook 12 to 15 minutes or until vegetables are lightly browned and tender, stirring occasionally. Add cumin, crushed red pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon salt; cook 1 minute.

• 2. Stir in water, beans, and broth; heat to boiling on medium-high. Reduce heat to low and simmer, uncovered, 15 minutes to blend flavors.


• 3. Ladle 3 cups soup into blender; cover, with center part of cover removed to allow steam to escape, and blend until pureed. Stir puree into soup in saucepot; heat through on medium. Stir in cilantro and lime juice, and garnish with cilantro sprigs to serve. ***I find my blender 'explodes' with or without the center cover therefore I use a hand held metal blender to blend a small amount directly in the pot!

Makes about 7 1/2 cups.

Deficient! Take your Vitamin D!

I had to go to the doctor to get blood tests; thyroid and iron. Well why waste time; I asked for a Vitamin D blood test. During the summer .I made sure my skin was exposed to the sun (sans sunblock, mind you) for at least a half hour on sunny day. Did that help? I was going to find out!

According to the lab results, my levels read 29.. HUH!!!!   Not low in my doctor's eyes. Do I ever listen to my doctor? Well, once and that literally saved my life. (another time, another entry.) 


Quest Labs was the lab.  Dr. Mercola stated that if Quest was used for the Vitamin D test; divide the results by 1.3. That substantially lowered my results to approximately 22.

Our levels should hover between 50-65 ng/ml.

I am now taking 2 Carlson softgels 4000IU per capsule a day. The next test is in January ~~~~~~ I am aiming  for 75 ng/ml.

Thyroid Issues

Not one to rely on medication, I found that my thyroid shriveled. Diagnosis: Hashimoto's Disease.


Hashimoto's Disease sent me on a journey. Initially I was on Synthroid. After a month, I demanded Armour. Worked like a charm until Forest Labs reformulated Armour. I found information that enabled me to make decisions that work. The outcome was Naturthroid/Westhroid. My doctor listens, advises but ultimately, I make the final decision.



Upon waking at 5:30am, I take my Natural Desiccated Thyroid . It has been difficult to obtain the last few months due to a shortage of porcine powder. I was running out of the meds. Advised by my mail-in pharmacy to switch to Synthroid, I researched for a compounding pharmacy. Lo and behold, I found one a half a mile away. I felt like a little girl receiving a Madam Alexander doll, dressed in a gold gown with a crown of diamonds on her head.


I opened the medicine bottle, closed it, opened it, closed it. Smiling like the Cheshire Cat, I was in 7th heaven. I have my medicine.