Primal Journal - Siobhan page 87

[Judg]

I use the rock crystal deodorant. It lasts so long, it's dirt cheap and it doesn't gum up my bras. And now that I don't stink much, it is plenty powerful enough even for sticky summer days.

[Siobhan]

Slept and slept - guess I was tired! Lots of sleeping has led to a 16-hr IF. Woke up quite hungry! Had a hot dog, a scrambled egg, cheese, guacamole, iced coffee - the last of my cold-brewed batch. Must get some more coffee so I can make some more. I feel great, if a bit full. Am having fun drinking out of my Henri the Existential Cat mug. One day when I was a bit down I indulged in retail therapy and purchased a mug and a mouse pad even though they were a bit pricey. I was quite pleasantly surprised when they arrived and proved to be very good quality, well above what I would have expected. The mouse pad is very thick and of a nice material and cheers me greatly at work (don't use a mouse at home) and the mug is extra-large, heavy, but not too heavy. Big enough to keep around with water in it but okay for coffee and tea. I smile every time I look at it, so I consider it money well spent even though I am trying to cut back, with some success.

I'm starting to settle into certain foods, developing a menu of six or seven primal meals that I like. Makes shopping and cooking a lot easier. Eggs are a staple, of course, squashes, leafy greens, berries, bananas, avocados, cheese, rotating chicken and turkey as I get bored with those very quickly. Some kind of beef - either roast beef I can buy already cooked, hot dogs, ground beef. I wanted to get away from elaborate cooking and meals - have a simpler eating routine. My kitchen is totally primal, helped along by my recent move. No point it dragging along open containers of flour, etc. Just pitched everything that was open and took the rest to the food bank. No non-primal oils.

I'm going to break down and dye my hair this morning. I have been toying with the idea of going natural, but my hair at this point is a very dirty looking drab gray. I'm not ready for that. I'm only 53! Hopefully it will turn a nicer shade, platinum or something. Doubt it though, none of my sisters are platinum.

Last night a terrific storm blew up, very violent, trees whipping all over, rain in sheets, thunder, lightning - and it was over in 10 minutes. Scared my cats something fierce. What a view I have here in my treehouse! Today is crystal clear and perfect. Just another day in paradise.

[Siobhan]

Okay, hair is dyed. I seem to be losing a disturbing amount of hair lately and this morning was no exception. I have a doctor's appointment coming up - regular physical - and I am thinking it might be time to start estrogen. I've done some research and it seems the transdermal patch is quite safe and using it right away, i.e. before symptoms become too severe can be very beneficial down the road. The problem with oral estrogen is that it is processed in the liver and affects clotting factors, leading to heart attacks and strokes, but the transdermal patch is not processed in the liver. I don't mind avoiding memory loss, hair loss, bone mass loss, and hot flashes.

Got dressed - what a strange experience that is. Not so long ago choosing clothes was agonizing - finding something that didn't show too much flab, wasn't too tight, etc. Now I have only one pair of summer pants that fit, and many shirts to choose from. Actual fun choices to be made!

[Siobhan]

Had some tuna with my homemade mayo for lunch. It is just as good today. And yes, it is gone now! I will make a double batch next time (probably today, who am I kidding?) I think there is an artichoke in my future.

Really, really hot. I went into town to do some errands, forgot my library books, forgot my errands when I got there, just walked around and enjoyed the stuff going on - a craft fair, some street stuff, went in the bookstore. It is fun living in a vacation town - when you can find a parking space, that is. Pits aren't smelly as far as I can tell. Not particularly sweaty, either.

Tubby cat has lost some weight and I am no longer going to refer to him as tubby cat. I'm calling him B&W Cat in this journal, since he is black and white. Slim cat is still slim, so I will continue to call him Slim Cat. He is, in fact, almost all black.

[Judg]

Sounds like you are having a good summer! I could never survive with only one pair of pants. I am particularly gifted at spilling things on myself. Mind you, I assume you are not counting scrubs in there.

Menopause doesn't have to be that bad. I've had it mostly pretty easy. Except for one time when I ended up taking a taxi to the hospital in the middle of the night. They told me I did the right thing, but fortunately there's been no call for it since.

For your sunflower oil, did it say high oleic right on the label? I didn't think to look yesterday at the grocery store, but it's not serious; I have a good supply of light olive oil laid in, and I've never had trouble making mayo. Occasional flop of course, but very occasional. And a mayo that breaks can be rescued.

[artyscat]

Wow Tubby is no longer tubby and has new name ! That's brilliant and really well done for sticking it out , no one is more manipulative than a cat seeking what it may devour that is forbidden ! I particularly like when they sit directly in front of you and do the "I am going to hypnotise you " strategy .gaze into my huge unblinking eye human, you cannot look away ..... you will obey me your cat now ! Then for me there is a period which is kinda fuzzy.....lol !

Sound like you are having fun with clothes how fab that is and inspiring too ! .yep have a few things that don't see much daylight at the moment...

[JudyCr]

Got dressed - what a strange experience that is. Not so long ago choosing clothes was agonizing - finding something that didn't show too much flab, wasn't too tight, etc. Now I have only one pair of summer pants that fit, and many shirts to choose from. Actual fun choices to be made!

Yep, closet once again a fun place to be, keep organized, just to go in, look around and smile.

[Siobhan]

Yeah, my scrubs are all too big but this is no time to be buying new ones - another ten pounds and I will get a couple of pairs. The problem is not so much the waist - they are drawstring and no one thinks anything about baggy scrubs - but now they are too long. They hang straight from my waist with no flab to take up room and I am almost tripping on them. I tried hemming once but it didn't go well, and professional hemming is more than the scrubs cost in the first place. For my real life, I have a pair of white pants that I wear to church and one pair of capri pants for everyday. It works out okay. I have many, many tops to wear, hurray!

A friend unfortunately had her refrigerator die and gave me lots of chicken and sausages, which I cooked right up. They were cooling on the table for a minute and B&W Cat snatched a sausage. I should have been angry but it was awfully funny seeing him hie off with a six-inch sausage. I eventually retrieved it and cut it up for them - it disappeared almost immediately. Worked out okay.

Judg, yes, the sunflower oil says 'high-oleic' all over it and specifically mentions that it is good for high-heat cooking, some stuff about monounsaturated fat vs. polyunsaturated, etc. etc. It has virtually no taste, something I sorely needed in my kitchen. The brand is Spectrum Naturals, same as the coconut oil that I use. I just used it to cook a big batch of chicken and am very happy with the result. Mark has never lets me down!

Got to get some rest - work tonight -

[Siobhan]

Didn't get much rest, it is much too hot in here and I was unable to calm my mind and relax for some reason. I did sleep for a little while, though, and woke up with a cat spooned up on each side me. Very charming and peaceful. Maybe they were trying to take away some anxiety from me.

This place is a mess! I need to get a housecleaner to do the heavy wet work and then maybe I can keep up with the daily stuff!

[Siobhan]

Here I am at work, not hungry as usual when I am here. I am falling into a pattern of not so much food on work days and then a lot of food on off days. That'll work.