Friday, January 11, 2013

MS? Flu? Bubonic Plague?*

*Yes, I suspect it's that one too.

I'm tired. I have a headache. Moving around the kitchen putting away dishes gets me winded. I think this diet is kicking my ass. My system is totally unaccustomed to the dramatic reduction in all of those yummy fats I used to eat with abandon. If I don't make a point of eating something every couple of hours, I find myself  collapsed in a heap on the couch like a pile of mashed potatoes. That's one of the hardest things about the Swank Diet so far: ensuring I have enough "right" food on hand at all times so I can quickly and easily make a snack. (Despite his claims, I don't believe Dr. Swank when he says, "A glass of skim milk is a great pick-me-up." In what universe?? A Twix bar is a great pick-me-up, thank you very much!)

My husband and I are on Day ?? (my notebook is all the way downstairs and unless Capt. Nap or his nimble assistant Squeaky trots right up the stairs with it, I won't be telling you what day we're on). Let's call it Day 7. There's been no straying. In that notebook ALL the way downstairs are details of everything we've been eating, and apart from last night, the recipes we've tried have been quite tasty.

Last night's Fish Bake is one we probably won't repeat. It was just so-so; not horrible, but not fantastic enough that I want to make it again. But the Savory Halibut, the Pistou, the Fish au Chablis have been good and have provided enough for us to have leftovers, which is key in conserving energy. It's been fun to get in the kitchen and make these new recipes, as well as get some fun gadgets and cookware, but if I had to do it EVERY night, well, that might be more than I'd be willing to tackle.

On the menu tonight: Puffy Omelet with Creole Sauce. If I have the energy, I'll also make corn muffins. Also if I have the energy, I'll shuffle downstairs and retrieve that notebook so my next update will be more accurate. Oh, damn, I have to shuffle downstairs eventually. We took (okay, "we" didn't) out the desiccated Christmas tree this morning and the floor/hallway is strewn with needles. Vacuuming that mess is one job I don't trust to the other love of my life, Roomba. If only the cats would get on board with doing some housework. They could make a game of it, and I think they might have fun! Trouble is, they just look at be balefully whenever I run the idea past them. Kind of like this:

"You want me to do WHAT?" - Squeaky the Cat

Ms. CrankyPants (aka Ms. HeapOfMashedPotatoes)

7 comments:

  1. It takes a while for the body to get used to the diet. It sounds like the problem might be low blood sugar, rather than lack of fat. Try the breakfast drinks as a pick me up during the day. Banana Strawberry is delicious as is the Lemon Velvet. The Quick Chocolate Cupcakes (pg 321) are great too, with only 1/12 of fat per cupcake.

    Squeaky sure looks comfortable!

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    1. Huh. So you're saying it might NOT be bubonic plague? Well, that's a relief! I hadn't considered low blood sugar...thanks! I did try the Banana Strawberry today and enjoyed it. Do you add any honey or Truvia for sweetness? It was just the tiniest bit tart (not a deal breaker, though). I also made the corn muffins, which turned out DG! I'm excited to try the other items you mentioned too...

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    2. p.s. there is seldom a time when Squeaky does *not* appear comfortable in the castle she shares w/ Capt. Nap!

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  2. Squeaky so looks like my Jazz - baleful look and all. And both Jazz n Jewel moult. Big time. If only I could knit, I would knit another cat. Ours refuse household chores as well 'we make mess, we do not clean mess.' Sigh.
    Karen is possibly right - though I think that low blood sugar is best treated with chocolate. (Karen is probably right - and much more responsible than I am.) All right, Karen is almost certainly right - further than that I will not go.

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    1. I once worked at a vet's office where a woman who was devoted to her dog asked us to shave him so she could -- not joking -- make a sweater out of his fur when he died. It was tragic and funny at the same time. I always wonder if she did, in fact, make that sweater. Poor dear.

      Baleful looks abound 'round these parts, but they're tempered by many adorable moments, so I can overlook them.

      Ohhh, chocolate. chocolate. chocolate. Although at this moment, I miss pizza more. We got a Tofurkey pizza, which I'm sure will merit its own blog post, as well as an Amy's brand cheeseless pizza. Huh? These are items I am none too excited about trying, but desperate times...

      Thanks for seconding Karen's low blood sugar theory. Makes sense, and gives me a fine excuse for shoveling in (Swank-approved) sweets!

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  3. I think the photo, more to the point, showed the danger in trying to recruit Squeaky to "help" with housework. Like some spouses (not any we know, but I've heard tell...), when asked to make the bed, she obviously decided to mess it up so royally that you would never have such a foolish notion again! Nothing baleful in her look that I see, just pure triumph! MK

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    1. Excellent point, MK. About the cat and husbands! Now that I look, her expression could be triumphant. Huh!

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