If you meet me, you will think I’m a healthy woman. I’m 64 years old, but don’t feel that way at all. I’m always unpleasantly shocked when I glance in the mirror and think who is that person?
Now that I’ve stopped coloring my hair (I always felt uncomfortable pouring chemicals on my head….I mean really….society makes us think we need to do that?), and it’s much more salt than pepper, I do look more my age.
Many people think I’m a little younger than 64, though. I tell them it’s because I’m immature.
Anywho, the point I’m taking a long time to make is that while I usually look healthy, on paper I’m old and unhealthy.
I’ve had 4 small strokes (TIAs), have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, some kidney craziness and have a couple of other health issues that I don’t feel like talking about here (depression type issues) and have had a kazillion surgeries.
I don’t like red meat much but love chicken and turkey, and really love desserts and junk food. I eat healthy meals and eat crap in between.
And while I look pretty healthy, I gained a lot of weight over the years. The calories I used to burn off as a teenager and young adult now sit on me like balloons.
Okay, so at any rate, I had oral surgery over the summer, which made me not want to eat as much, so I said let’s try getting rid of sugar. I started to lose weight.
Then in September, I had a mild heart attack. Are you still with me or am I boring you to death? Another brief hospital stay, lots of tests and then bedside visits from 2 cardiologists.
They said that I have to go on a vegan diet. I immediately said okay. But it’s been a tad harder than I thought.
I stopped eating meat, which hasn’t been a hardship, and have been replacing things in my cupboards and refrigerator slowly. Then Christmas came and I couldn’t resist the sweets and other junk foods that abound.
Now I’m eating almost 100% vegan. The one thing left to give up is cheese.
I’ve lost about 30 pounds.
Does anyone know Angela Lidden with her Oh She Glows blog/website ohsheglows.com? My son’s girlfriend gave me The Oh She Glows Cookbook for Christmas. It’s available at Barnes and Noble and on Amazon….that’s the Barnes and Noble link. I’m having a blast trying recipes and finding where everything is in the grocery store. I’m still avoiding the dreaded word my cardiologist keeps using: exercise. Shhhhhh…….I’ll tackle walking next.
I want to share a smoothie recipe of my own that I make almost every day and bring in the car as I commute to work. The first few smoothies that I tried made me want to spit them out (some I did spit out). But just throwing this stuff into a blender, I made a smoothie I love. By the way, I measure nothing, so you’ll have to figure that out for yourself if you’re interested.
Almond milk– the amount I would drink in a glass of milk
Oats – a handful or two
Flaxmeal – a heaping tablespoon
Banana – 1/2 a frozen banana (If you wait until your bananas are on the soft side and cut in half and throw in the freezer, they are sweeter)
Baby carrots – I cut 3-4 in a couple of pieces so they blend better
Frozen fruit – I bought a huge bag of frozen mixed berries. I use a tablespoon or two of those
Baby spinach – Rinse and throw in a couple of handfuls
I have a Ninja Blender (that’s really the brand name) that can make individual servings, so I blend, put the drink lid on it and off to work I go. For newbies, this combo of ingredients may sound strange, but it’s super healthy and delicious.
From start to finish it’s about 5 minutes. Filled with nutrition and a great snack.
Tonight I’m making a new recipe from the Oh She Glows Cookbook.
I’ll let you know how it goes. And please share your recipes if you have some you love.
Peace out.
saneteachers 