No end....

Let's go back to December when I had my blood work done. My creatinine was .1 higher than it should be. In 2010 is was .15 higher than it should be. So, it's improved a bit. Elevated creatinine shows kidney damage or loss of kidney function. I have been freaking out. So, I had to go to a "Care of the Kidney Class" yesterday. Two and a half hours of kidney talk. Orgasmic.

I learned a lot though. My Glomular Filtration Rate was low and that made me nervous. Well. That's just a calculation based on age, race and creatinine level. 1. I am not a typical 59 y/o. 2. I do not have average musculature. 3. the level was probably high because I was moderately dehydrated because I had been fasting. They tried to fit me into someone else's box. Again. I will retake the test while hydrated and see what happens.

I did learn that I was eating too much protein. Damn. If I cut the protein, I have to cut the carbs and fat more to keep my percentages in line. That means I will get no food. I get a total of 5.5 oz of high quality protein a day. I'm going to either starve or get thin. But my kidneys will be GREAT.

Sensitivity

I have been in a vicious cycle and I think it's coming to an end. I have been addicted to Carmex. Seriously addicted. I have at least 9 tubes going. One always in my pocket, one on my night stand, two in the kitchen, one on my desk at home, two on my desk at work and one in my purse. Oh, and one in the car. I would panic if I couldn't reach for one without having to move. Oops, I forgot the one by my reading chair. I put it on unconsciously. And my lips burned. Sizzled. Ouch.

I have been so addicted I would buy all of the tubes on the rack in the drugstore just to keep a stash on hand. I have cleaned out Target's supply. I was worried I couldn't get it if I needed it. What a junkie!

Turns out, it was the ingredients in my whitening toothpaste which started the problem. Something in my new toothpaste made my lips burn. Ouch. So on went the Carmex. And on went the Carmex. Ouch. And then it was time to brush my teeth again. So I went cold turkey with the Carmex, thinking the need to apply would disappear. The withdrawal pain has been intense. My lips cracked, peeled and bled. I looked like I was surviving a winter in Wisconsin. After two days I realized it had to be the toothpaste so I started brushing with baking soda and FINALLY, I am getting some relief. The burn is easing, the cracks are healing and I am feeling better. I have switched to olive oil on my lips for now. I need to find an organic lip balm. Maybe I can get away with no lip balm at all once I get through this. Hm. Maybe I will get enough olive oil on my lips when I cleanse my face twice a day.

And about the olive oil as a cleanser: it's all I use now. A half a teaspoon rubbed on my face and neck does the trick. Nothing fancy there at all. I follow with a rinse and towel dry and a cotton ball of witch hazel. I had someone guess my age at 38 the other day. I was wearing mascara and a touch of blush. Between drinking a half gallon of water a day, the organic food and the olive oil cleanser, my skin is vastly improved. I'll keep doing anything which makes me appear 20 years younger than I am.

Eating on Super Bowl Sunday.

I started with a good base breakfast. I roasted 4 Roma tomatoes and steamed some broccoli. I scrambled two eggs and poured them in a heated 8" saute pan sprayed it with Coconut oil spray. I dumped 1 cup of roasted tomatoes and a cup of chopped broccoli on top of the eggs and covered the pan. 4 minutes later I had a savory omelet! I'm so full, I'm almost aching. There were a total of 197 calories, 10 grams of fat and fifteen grams of protein. 41% fat, 29% protein and 30% carbs.

Later, I am roasting a pork tenderloin, peeling a couple of oranges and having a glass of Bourbon. Okay, a four oz. shot of Bourbon. And I will still have to consume 697 calories. I could have three more omelets!

Big Day.

No, this has nothing to do with the Super Bowl, I had to buy smaller jeans yesterday. Mine were bagging in the butt and drooping so badly that the crotch was at mid thigh. They were just uncomfortable!  So, here I am with brand new jeans. My two too large pair are being donated. On my way to work tomorrow I will drop them off. OUT!

I spent yesterday with the girlfriends. I was limited on what I could eat and I didn't have a problem with it. I had some organic chicken sausage and lots of fresh vegetables followed by an apple for dessert. I was happy with what I had. My very best friend had a problem though. First, she offered me a croissant. No, thank you. I explained that I had given up gluten and dairy because they made me feel uncomfortable (more on that in a minute). Because I have made this change, I feel fabulous to the nth degree. Every day, all day. She would not let that rest. She said to me. "You could get used to eating them again." I'm not sure what her motivation is, but I don't want to get used to eating them again. I loved the taste of my apple after lunch. It was sweet, juicy and delicious. Cake and icing is too, too sweet!

What I discovered about dairy: I get a sharp, stabbing abdominal pain 30 minutes after eating cottage cheese. It doesn't last long, but why would I want to get used to that again? I had purchased two pints of organic cottage cheese and took a cup to work with me four days last week. The first time it happened I paid attention and knew I needed to try it again. the same thing happened the next two days. Well, that's empirical proof. The fourth day, I ate it after I had my meatballs and didn't have pain, but...I'm sure if I had had the cottage cheese first... So, I have cut out dairy. I'm going to try it in some gluten free pancakes and see if it's okay there.

Am I crazy to choose to feel good all the time?