Remember this line from a Beatles song… so long ago? I remembering singing it … in younger days, in gentler, kinder times… Actually we can still depend on friends. I have always thought I could take care of myself. I think I am an independent thinker and I know what’s best for me. But do I always DO what’s best for me? Several times in the past year, when I disobeyed doctor’s orders about advice and medicines my very kind doctor has prescribed, my very kind and handsome doctor has looked at me gently and asked… "Do you WANT to have a stroke?… Do you WANT to get diabetes?" Inside my obdurate brain the naughty Susie whispers, "No, but I don’t want to take medicine either; I can cure myself; I don’t want to do what anyone says…" I use the word obdurate. Isn’t that an interesting word? Reminds me of stone… It’s stubborn and unwilling to be flexible or malleable. Delightful word!!! Anyhow. I finally agreed with the good doctor that I wasn’t going to get my cholesterol down all by myself, and my "bad" cholesterol (LDL) was climbing. But a small amount of statin has the cholesterol numbers under control and the "numbers are good". Now about the A1C. That has been climbing and the doctor who is so happy with my obedience with the statin, well he doesn’t want to be too pushy … so he says, "lose a few pounds and the A1C will go down." OH? Yeah? Well I have a history of losing a few pounds, and Chuck and I just go on more cruises. Boy oh boy do we live too well. I am an expert at losing 10 and gaining 12. That is the way it’s been for the past few years and "at our age" it isn’t so easy is it? So enter now a new phase.
Young mother Julia Paparelli and her mom Kathy have been suggesting I try Juice Plus a program of smoothies and loads of fruits and vegetables that also cuts out dairy, gluten, and sugar on occasional 10 day "shreds". Kathy has been on Juice Plus for 20 years, and she never gained the weight one might expect on a mother of 4 who has reached the "age of retirement"… and Julia with 2 children, and her lovely little sister, are both slim and and all are healthy healthy. But I said no to them. No to smoothies and protein supplements. Back to the doctor’s office for a moment. When I suggested to our doctor that it’s impossible for Chuck and I to lose weight… we live too well and eat too much ice cream and pie… to the exclusion of fruits and vegetables… he said… "Do you like blueberries?" "Yes, on pie with ice cream…" we guiltily answered. "Why not smoothies?" he asked. "Hmmmmmmm," I mused, looking at my husband, fatly, "Would you like a smoothie with blue berries, banana, and strawberries?" Sure! So we began. Frozen, milky, fruity smoothies replace ice cream. Then Julia suggested Juice Plus for greater nutrition. I started the Juice Plus this weekend and it’s delicious. Silk Almond Milk, protein shake loaded with fruit. You can add in oatmeal, nuts, peanut butter, spices. YUM. Chocolate or vanilla. All there. So I began today in serious "following." For 10 days, no dairy, no gluten, no sugars only 2 protein shakes, all the fruits and veggies I want, and a whole lot of whole foods. Nothing processed, no dairy, no breads or glutens. These last items, the "no" items are eliminated so the body can just be natural… I’ve read many times that the body is not made to drink milk after childhood… and the "no added sugar" is a no brainer. I rarely get fruit or veggies or at least not enough… so let’s see how the digestion improves. I’ve set a goal to lose 10 pounds in weight this month… That gets me closer to goal weight and helps me fit better into 2 new slinky dresses I bought for cruising at the end of March. If anyone is interested…. Look up Juice Plus and you will see both sides of the "health food argument". I was firmly on the "Won’t do it" side, but I also was gaining weight, A1C climbing, energy low… so I’m going to try it. When I get my next blood work if weight is off and A1C is back in the "normal range," then what will we conclude? I’ll keep you posted. OH! Need to exercise too. And I’m doing that!!! 3 miles a day. Try to walk daily. Let’s get healthy!!! Keep me posted on changes you make. Love and God bless you!!!!