Far Away and Yet So Close
October 21, 2018
Sugar 172 a.m., 117 7:45 p.m.
Weight: 273.5
BP 166/88 56
Omelet to the left, mushrooms (1/4 cup), spinach (1/8 cup), Asiago cheese - 1/4 cup with 2 eggs. Sausage was under 2 g of sugar (really look on the back of packages and check sugar levels - this was a pork and sage sausage, loose, no skin.
Lunch was 1/2 avocado with no-soy mayonnaise and chopped shrimp with 2 small grape tomatoes, 2 leaves of butter leaf lettuce - cumin, garlic powder and onion powder, salt and pepper.
Dinner was a recipe from Everyday Keto Living - only for the brave of heart this one. It is the Philly Cheese chicken recipe. There is a LOT of cheese - cream cheese, cheddar cheese, provolone cheese - it is really good and the fat to protein ratio could have made weight jump a pound from a side serving of acorn squash - NOTE TO SELF: maybe just greens with bacon dressing?
Late that night we were in the hospital with Afib. It took 2 shocks to get me in rhythm - then home we went. Second time this month we were in for Afib....sad.
Sugar: 142 at 7:31 a.m. (YEA)
Weight: 274
BP 154/77 57 pulse
Breakfast was prepared by Tim - duck eggs scrambled with 1/8 cup heavy cream, mixed Mexican grated cheese (about 1/4 cup for 2), spinach, green onions and basil (Basil was a bit strong for my taste)
Lunch was an experiment in "lighter" fare. Romaine lettuce leaf boats with 2 slices of bacon each (2 'boats'), cream cheese (1 tsp), one olive, 2 slices of tomato and salt and pepper. It is a great lunch to take with you if you pack lunch-to-go!
Dinner - acorn squash with 1 tablespoon butter, mushrooms with chicken thighs (1 per person), 1/2 green pepper and of course - cheese. Quick fix - took under 10 minutes to get the whole thing to the table and we are beginning to notice that we are not hungry at night (snacks) and don't have any cravings.
Spent the day in Seattle - since I was out of the hospital and the next ferry was later in the day. We went to Queen Anne Hill looking for a paper shop and WOW! I was so excited I forgot to take pictures but rest assured I brought home some beautiful papers to make covered, lidded boxes with. This is a sample of an earlier one:
Next we headed up the street to see the mosaics embedded in the sidewalk - along with a very handsome dog sculpture!
Tim says "Here is your puppy!"
More hospital and clinic time - UGH!!!!!!
Sugar: 198 a.m. (usually high after hospitalization)
Weight: 276.5 (usually high after tasteless and bland hospital food - plastic margarine, egg beaters, under cooked chicken sausage for breakfast followed by mystery minuscule chicken breast, broccoli and more plastic margarine - I passed on dinner)
BP: 169/80 49
Breakfast was a duck omelet with cheese and sausage, tomatoes with non-soy mayo on the side.
Lost the rest of my notes - so we will move forward to today...
October 30, 2018
Sugar: 257 9:45 a.m.162 9:30 p.m.
Weight: 273
BP: 173/81 pulse 5
It is discouraging to have to be on 'heart' meals in hospitals where most choices include bread, bread, and more bread. Oh, and pastas - all which are NOT on the Keto plan until you reach your comfortable weight and then infrequently.
Breakfast: Omelets (they are much easier to make and be creative with) - spinach, egg, mixed cheddar cheeses and mushrooms with less than 2 oz of asparagus in butter. 2 small pieces of bacon to add to fat content.
Lunch: Forgot to eat lunch - wasn't really hungry at dinner either.....,but - cooked anyway.
Dinner was shrimp in butter with 2 pieces of bacon chopped small. Add to the pan 1/2 cup of chopped asparagus, mushroom and red onion combination (1/2 of all three, not three 1/2 cup measurements) - A very nice dinner - very quick and tasty. Herbs are an important part of the Keto - I keep cumin, dill, smoked paprika, garlic and onion powder, salt and pepper. If I have fresh basil, thyme or oregano that is tasty in omelets.
Whew! That was a long post - the weight keeps hovering in the low 270's and I wish that I could stay out of hospital long enough to get under the 70 mark. (Actually I live for the day when the 70 is preceded by a 1 and I only have 40 lbs to loose from there) Sigh - - - the meal plan is diverse, the recipes easy to follow and after talking with the cardiologist 2 nights ago - who was also on Keto - I feel a lot better. We eat too much 'plastic' food in an effort to lose weight. The key to Keto - sugar less than 2 grams a day (be surprised how much sugar is in vegetables and fruit for now is not something I can mix in - a banana is over 30 grams of carbs!!! If you do NOT eat sugar, your body will burn the fat. The fat that has been accumulated has been there for a very long time in my case and toxins can be one of the reasons that the idea of eating is less than appealing. Keep at it - I hope if you are reading this you are considering Keto. It is worth feeling less foggy and less groggy. Even though I have only lost 11 lbs since the journey began - I can move easier (would be better without the wheelchair) and sleep sounder than I have in years....
And now for a view from the back yard. Truly inspiring to a painter (or two) and every night and morning it is breathtaking. I count my blessings to be here - mild winters, the ferry and just under 2 hours to get to the ER. (relax, there is one down the hill if the ferry isn't going or if the pain is too great)
The view from the hospital window this week.
A shelter in Seattle. Be kind - donate what you can to shelters and community kitchens. If you can't donate your time, pick up the personal shampoos, toothpaste, mouthwash, deodorant - or if you can - pick up a case of vegetables, instant cereals and fruit cups, crackers, snacks, at big box stores and drop them off - and if you can - donate to charities that work with those who need help in the city you live in.
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