If you don't use it you lose it!

 

I went to the doctor last week and everything is great except my cholesterol was elevated.  I might have overdone it on the ice cream this Summer...tee hee.  Plus, my doctor told me no dairy products!  I'd not heard that before as I have osteoporosis supposedly so I thought I had to get calcium so I've been eating a yogurt every morning for breakfast! He told me to replace it with 2000 mg of Vitamin D3 which thankfully I was able to get at Wal-Mart in the "gummy" version.  Love those gummy vitamins!

 So...........I figured I needed to change things up a bit.  I had also stopped walking in the heat of summer.  I'm back walking, I replaced yogurt with oatmeal made with water and sometimes I add a sliced up apple or some fresh fruit I have on hand and sweeten with organic maple syrup.  Don't be fooled either....instant oatmeal is not the same plus it has loads of sugar in it.  If you want to benefit from oatmeal get steel cut or at least old fashioned...you're looking for fiber and bulk not mush. 
I also started using cinnamon and honey which I mixed up in a jar.  I put it on my homemade bread toasted  instead of jam.  There are health benefits to eating as close to "the source" of the food as possible.  The more "processed" the food the worse it is for you. 

 I'm not a big milk drinker but I sure did love me some ice cream and my Fage yogurt in the mornings!  I'll be 65 in January and I want stay flexible and as healthy as possible.  I've come back from Graves Disease where I was almost blind and Rheumatoid Arthritis which I have gotten to the point where I only take my Enbrel once a month instead of twice a week now.  My rheumatologist was upset when I told him but the shot is SO expensive that I was trying to cut back and yet still be able to function.  He said we would do blood tests and see if I had inflammation and if I did that meant I was damaging my joints and needed to take it twice a week again.  Well, the blood tests came back and they were perfectly fine!  No inflammation!  I have never been one to want to take meds of any kind because there are side affects no matter what you take.  At one point I was taking Methotrexate with the Enbrel as that was the suggested method of treatment.  Methotrexate is a drug they give to cancer patients and it is very strong and after you've been on it awhile you have to have a liver biopsy to see if it's damaged your liver...yet.  I told my doctor I wanted off of the metho and he said he's never known anyone to not take it in conjunction with the Enbrel but he said he was willing to try and we'd see.   I went off of it so many years ago I can't remember when, but it's been more than 10 years, I know that.

 I do stretching exercises in the morning when I get up to stay limber.  I lift, haul and tote and don't allow people to do it for me as I want to keep my back muscles strong and they are.  I have no back pain ever.  I know I am aging and I can't stop it but attitude and not dwelling on your "aches and pains" helps a lot I think.  I know many "elders" who all they talk about are their illnesses and their surgeries etc.  I try not to other than to point out to others that you are still in control and you can still do things to help yourself and stay strong.   Keep moving, keep smiling and stay grateful...life can take a turn for the worse at any moment so enjoy this one!

   Also, ensure you understand your ailments and question your doctor(s), make sure you know what the side affects are of any treatment or medicine you are taking and don't just "go along to get along".....it's your body and your life and you only get one!  Good health to all and to all a good night! 

Time's flying and I'm trying! WIP's and my favorite Fall sandwich recipe......

It was WIP  Wednesday and here it is supper time already and I haven't even blogged!  I only do my handwork in the evening when my legs are too tired to go anymore.  Thanksgiving is on the horizon and I have house guests coming, hopefully,  if the weather holds (theirs, not mine! LOL!).  Walking daily and my journaling in the morning takes about 2 hours right there.  But here's what I've been working on when I haven't been doing other things.

 Bedroom lighting wasn't good with the sun down but here are 3 squares done in my Ordinarily Extraordinary blanket designed by Dottie Angel who I linked to in my last post.

I also started and finished my teeny tiny granny squares done in crochet thread for a bookmark.  I'm going to do several of these for Christmas presents.  I still need to weave and join and block.  I'd like to actually do different colors like granny squares in blankets but I need to order more thread.  I've never done anything this small but it sure is a frugal way of doing handwork!

Here are some of the views from my walk today....it was "brisk" out...just like I like it!

Years ago, I used to lunch occasionally at a restaurant called The Soup Kitchen, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa where they served this.  I am not a sandwich person usually but this is my favorite sandwich (along with grilled cheese, of course).  It's so easy and so tasty!

 

I used my homemade bread, sliced smoked turkey breast, some sliced Havarti Cheese, slices of Granny Smith apples and before you put it together slather both pieces of bread with apple butter.  YUMMO!  I always toast my bread first but that's not necessary. 

The restaurant used to serve it with a bowl of white chile.  I'll be sharing that recipe another day.  Enjoy this Fall favorite of mine.!