Toast

 
So, I've not been around these parts for some time. A few things have changed for me, in the kitchen and otherwise. Combined with my inherent inertia, they provide such explaination as I can offer for my absence.

There's  been a bit of ennui here, food-wise, since I was notified, via an impersonal, blunt email, that I've got type-2 diabetes. (It turns out that my doctor did not have my changed phone number, and was not, after all, exhibiting uncharacteristic  chilliness. She is actually extremely nice, and, even better, is a tiny little bit plump-a truly lovely trait in a PCP, I feel.)

This turn of events is far from tragic, and, in fact, I am fairly pleased to report that I've been righteously compliant. In fact, in addition to getting my blood sugar on the right track, I've lost a nice chunk of weight. Because, not surprisingly, I do not wish to die an early, preventable death, and it does seem like I can probably do something about that. I've even been reading up on how this insulin-resistance stuff works-  believe me  when I tell you that is a big yawn and a half- but I need to know what I'm doing. So.

I've been eating a sort of generalized low carb, diabetic-exchange kind of diet, with attention to avoiding sugar, white flour, and refined carbs in general. It seems to be working for me, and is certainly not revolting, food-wise. But it cannot be denied that it is boring, both in the preparation and the eating. I think both the diet and my medication are dulling my appetite, which is convenient, but not conducive to much  in the way of putting up preserves or  babbling on about meals and such. Nor have I acheived such sveltishness that I am driven to write about fashion and glamour.

I need to keep up with all this virtuous behaviour, and lose more weight- in aid of which I have actually purchased a hideously ugly, awkward, space-guzzling recumbent exercise bike. And I am actually using it, more or less daily. In fact, I must grudgingly admit that I'm growing fond of the thing, much though I loathe this sort of pointless exercise on principle. It's just been such a good solution- except for the tripping over it when it's not in use and the ruining the looks of the place aspect. Oh, and the spending of a ton of perfectly good money intended for holiday travel.

  Still, though, while it is very much more fun to go on a long interesting walk, when the windchill is -2F, and sidewalks icy, that  is just not happening for me- at least not on a daily basis. Nor am I going  to some gym after work to do aquarobics- the other highly  recommended exercise for people with bum knees. The idea of peeling off a chilly, damp swimsuit and dashing out into the cold with wet hair is pretty much anathema, as far as I am concerned.

The recumbent bike is entirely comfortable... hurting neither my back nor my knees, and I've been able to increase the extent of my so-called "work out"-ha- over time. And I can do the whole thing in pajamas, if I like. Although sometimes I picture myself with the mobile, outdoor version of the recumbent bicycle, riding merrily around the neighborhood, a shameless weirdo. But really- who wants to read or write about proper diet and exercise? Not me.  

I'm not actually especially bummed out about any of this, though I do miss writing about food. Indeed, I could hardly be less downhearted, as the redfox and Steve have recently presented me with a delightful granddaughter, in the charming tiny person of the lovely Jane, aged 9 months.  She is so cute that it is nearly ridiculous, as you can see  here in the photo with her mama and the utterly gorgeous and brilliant, nearly-four-year-old Grace. All my lovely girls, my excellent son-in-law, and many other important-to-me people were with me here on Christmas eve. We had a large happy party with lots of food, including the sort I no longer eat much of, and all was glowingly good, in my book. Also, I get to go westcoastward next month, to visit redfox and company, which very much helps to blunt the woe of their return home.

I know there are worthy and well done blogs about eating with dietary restrictions and so on, but I just kind of don't wanna. If you see what I mean.  However, that being said, there is something I want to try. A semi-defunct food blog seems just the right place for it, too. Something I would actually be interested in food-wise- regardless of the diabetes thing.

It turns out that while all bread is best kept to a minimum, whole wheat and sourdough breads are quite a bit less implicated than white ordinary ones. Further, nuts are kind of a good thing. I am a serious fan of artisan-type walnut breads, especially the whole wheat sort , loaded with walnuts, which toast up brilliantly, and are a super treat with cheese. The more walnuts, the less bread-per-slice, I figure. So, I have a recipe for a nice-sounding whole wheat, highly walnutty bread (it's a yeast recipe-Bernard Clayton) and some sourdough starter purportedly especially grown on, and good with, whole-wheat flour. I've got the starter going, and I'm going to try to combine the two, and see what I can come up with. If you haven't wandered off by now, frozen by dullness, perhaps you will check back here in a few days, and see how I'm doing?

Posted by: Nancy | February 03, 2011 at 11:50 AM

Posted by: Dr Alice | February 20, 2011 at 12:33 AM

Posted by: Andrea | February 21, 2011 at 11:40 PM

Posted by: Lindy | February 22, 2011 at 02:09 AM

Posted by: toast fan | March 04, 2011 at 03:59 PM

Posted by: Potion Lotion | March 26, 2011 at 05:32 AM

Posted by: Katie | May 26, 2011 at 01:13 PM

Posted by: zp | June 01, 2011 at 04:13 PM

Posted by: kitchenography | April 20, 2012 at 09:28 AM

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