If you want something really delicious, try orange juice in your Coke. I love it. I think half and half is what I drink. I have not had it in ages because I don't need the caffeine or sugar.
I have been wanting a Domino's pizza for weeks. We had one Tuesday night--large with double sausage on one side and double mushrooms on the other half. Tommy despises mushrooms, so he gives me the mushrooms that accidentally fall on his side. Wanting the full experience, I had a Coke and now my heart is beating too fast. I don't do this often. The pizza was sooo salty!
Speaking of salt, I now have SALT WARS, by Michael F. Jacobson. I don't salt foods I cook but realize I probably get too much salt. Take the pizza we had tonight, for instance. I put a smidgen of salt in my oatmeal and about 1/4 tsp or less in slaw. The book was new and I could not find it used, so I bought it. I don't need to be convinced that too much salt is a killer. But, I bought the book for the political contents, the forces that keep companies saturating our foods with salt, and for my health.
When I was 36, I decided to quit using salt. I did. When I was standing in a line for blood pressure checks, I was telling someone about limiting sodium, how I ate (and still do eat) blackeyed peas without any salt or other flavors. After about 30 minutes it was my turn. My blood pressure was 95/55. The nurse said, "That is what your cutting down on sodium has done for you."
I clearly remember when I was 12, I decided I would not eat the salt my family seasoned with and consumed. I was the only family member that did not put salt on watermelon, green apples, and sliced tomatoes. Gradually, the rest of my siblings followed my practices. I have always wondered why I decided to change my eating habits. I had no clue that sodium was a problem at twelve-years-old.
I am writing this on Tuesday night There are tornado warnings again tonight. After last Thursday, this makes me wary. However, the chance of losing the electricity seems lesser this week than last. At least, I hope so. We have lights! If it gets bad with wind like last week, I will keep my lift chair reclined with footrest up. At least, I can relax with feet up. Tommy refuses to take this precaution. However, I would let him use my chair for sleep. He knows that! Okay, charging my book light, preparing for the worst. `
I also received two more books. I bought a book about moths. I leave moths alone unless they are in the house. Last year, to my horror I learned that a pretty, white moth in the yard would soon become a pest and attack my garden. Now, I will know what to leave alone and what to kill. The third book today was one I won from a blogger--Letters from an Iowa Housewife. This is from Robyn's Simple Life. Thanks, Robyn!
It is wonderful to have plenty of reading material. I still am working on the box of books a friend sent me. Right now, I am reading Salt Wars. The moth book is a browsing type book with lots of color photos. There is a lot of text, but I probably won't sit down to read it like I will the other two books.
Wednesday morning
I slept well after several days and nights of fractured and poor sleep. I have not heard the news yet, but as I went to sleep we determined there was little chance of weather problems here, unlike the high chances last week.
The grocery ads are out for the week, and there seems to be so few bargains I need. Bananas, bread, milk, and a bag of salad is all I need. Only the salad is on sale. I forgot that the bread I use is on sale, so we won't be making the trek to the bread store.
For the last two days we have had to use the ac. Tuesday evening, the temperature in the house was 78! Spring is bursting through!
The doctor has never told me to reduce my sodium intake. I just do it. Mostly! Except when I don't! Are you guilty of over-indulging in sodium laden foods? How have you cut back?
Nobody better tell me not to use salt!! LOL! I salt everything. I consistently have had blood pressure about 90 or 95 over 60 for years and years. I drink a lot of water and I do get a lot of exercise.
ReplyDeleteCaffeine I do not drink. I make caffeine free tea, drink juices or water. If I get a pop (always diet) I get a caffeine free one.
Cheryk,
DeleteSome people get lucky on the sodium lottery, I suppose. Age does have a way of catching up with us.
I have never used extra salt on anything I cook, because of hubs weight and high blood pressure. So, restaurant food is always way salty for us. I always tell people I cook for to salt as they see fit.
ReplyDeleteFunny you posted this, and I was adding salt to that bread recipe. But really who makes bread without salt?
Kim,
DeleteDo you use any salt when you cook? You said "extra" salt. I use none in most dishes.
I don't make bread, so I don't know if bread can be made without salt. The King Arthur site confirms that bread does need salt. So, I don't know for sure.
I do realize that my beloved cheese has salt. This presents a dilemma. So, I suppose the bread can have salt.
That was a good question.
Bread DOES need some salt. Or at least a salt substitute. Because I accidentally made it without salt once, and it was inedible.
DeleteSue,
DeleteWas it the texture or the taste?
The loaf and texture were fine. It tasted like cotton balls. I kid you not!
DeletePS. I tried and enjoyed your Coke & chocolate ice cream concoction, so I guess I need to trust you about coke & OJ. I will have to round up the ingredients again, because we don’t keep either in the house.
I dont add salt to food I cook, except mashed potatoes and soups. I just can't tolerate those unsalted.
ReplyDeleteI don't think about salt in other foods though, so I probably still eat too much of it: just a cheese sandwich and you're over the recommended limit for the day so its easy to overindulge.
I used to wish I could cook like my mother in law, her food was always delicious, and then I saw how much salt she put in!
kylie,
DeleteYes, the cheese is doing me in with salt. I need to find less salty cheese. Mashed potatoes need a bit of salt! But, I never salt soups, using celery, carrots, and bell pepper to give flavor. Plus, I use spices and never miss the salt.
There was a group of us eating at a friend's house and everyone was raving about the corn. It turns out she added two sticks of margarine to the corn. You could see the reaction on everyone's face. We left a bit of corn on our plates that night. Back to salt. I just don't like the taste of salty things except for fries and those are few and far between.
TWO sticks of margarine just for the corn? Good grief, dog poop would taste delicious with that much butter! Well, you know what I mean…
DeleteSue,
DeleteYu could see a reaction to this revelation! NO ONE took seconds of the corn!
When we have bloodwork done John and I both consistently have low sodium levels. We were told to restrict fluid intake to avoid flushing what sodium we do have away. Low sodium can upset the electrolytes in your body. This can cause mental confusion. We are both seeing the same hematologist who said not to worry about the fluid intake any longer because he is of the opinion that we were barely below the normal range.
ReplyDeleteIt seems so strange that we both have low sodium levels. It must be dietary. I do cook with a moderate amount of salt but we rarely eat fast, or processed foods. We haven't actually gone to a restaurant in about 4 years.
Have I told you that they discovered that John has leukemia? His blood viscosity was out of measurable range. They were able to remove blood, remove platelets and return the cleansed blood. In doing so he has been more aware of what is going. While this won't cure the dementia it has made it somewhat easier to manage. He will have his second chemo treatments March 1 & 2. He had ZERO side effects from the first treatments.
I was able to get out of the house for an hour last week so of course I went to a thrift store! While there I picked up a few more books for you. This store sells paperbacks for .25c and hardback bools for $1! I will set these aside until I have enough to fill a medium sized box.
Janet,
DeleteI know when my electrolytes are low. I have usually had diarrhea or thrown up lots. I am glad you are okay, sodium-wise. I suppose it shows your healthy diet, free of fast food, is good for you.
No, you did not tell me he has leukemia! It is amazing that that procedure helped his cognition. Is that normal not to have any side effects? Good luck with the next round.
A thrift store is a great getaway. Thanks. I will look forward to those books.
A while back I had been feeling really weak and bad. The doctor ordered blood work and I had very low sodium levels and chloride levels. I had been taking a blood pressure medication and a diuretic. The doctor halved the dose of the water pill and my sodium and chloride levels went back up to normal. I don't salt too much but I do use in cooking, and to taste on potatoes.
ReplyDeletesusie,
DeleteOh my! I am glad you got that straightened out. After so many trips to the bathroom yesterday and last night, I hope that does not happen to me. I hope you feel better now.
I never liked salt and rarely ever used it. I had high blood pressure though, and the doctor always fussed at me and told me to cut back. There was nothing to cut! I didn't use it!
ReplyDeleteOnce I cut out the carbs and processed foods, my blood pressure issues were resolved. Now I eat salt all day long. I love it! I do not use 'umbrella girl' salt, as it has SUGAR in it. (look on the label, it's "dextrose" and that is sugar) I buy from a USA company Redmond's Real Salt. It has no additives nor any microplastics that many 'sea salts' can have.
Many processed foods have sodium/salt! I am glad you got that figured out. I will check the umbrella girl box.
DeleteOh, another book you should check out: The Salt Fix by Dr. James DiNicolantonio.
ReplyDeleteAlice,
DeleteI will do that. Thanks.
My family on both sides have high BP issues, so I avoid salt except where absolutely necessary (like homemade bread!). I buy low-or no-salt (tomatoes, beans, soy sauce, etc) products whenever I can. I do the same for carbs & sugar since going low-carb. I buy sugar-free condiments (G. Hughes has a fabulous, delicious line) and eat low-carb tortillas, buns, and bread. The homemade bread is mostly for my family’s happiness.
DeleteI feel so much better since avoiding these 3 things!
Sue,
DeleteGood for you. We should all do the same thing. I am sure you are much healthier.
I do use small amounts of salt when I cook and sometimes on the finished dish. I also use ingredients that have added sodium like soya sauce or ketchup. Since most of my cooking is with non-processed food items my blood pressure is normal or sometimes better than normal. Often if I buy any fast food, the salted foods are way too much for me. If I remember, I ask for no salt added and then I have to wait longer for the order but it is better that way.
ReplyDeleteJoyful,
DeleteI never had a problem with sodium until I did. The wait gives you fresher food!
Exactly. I like my food hot and fresh. I dislike it when they put fries on the tray or in the bag before everything else is ready. I always tell them the fries are getting cold.
DeleteI also hate when it is winter and I see my bag of food sitting in the wind!
Delete