Yuck, Gag, Truly Awful

 I have not had Cream of Wheat in years. I love it but it is not something I should eat since I love it with milk, butter, and sugar. But, once in a while, I succumb to buying Cream of Wheat. 

First off, when I opened it, I realized I had bought the expensive stuff in little packets. Well, too late. When I am sitting on a cart, I cannot see high and find what I want. When the guy put his hand on it and asked if it were what I wanted, I said "yes" in order not to waste his time. Well, I wasted money.

I put a packet and the right amount of water in a bowl, microwaved it and prepared it to eat. Since I was trying to make it healthy, I did not use salt and only one spoon of sugar instead of my preferred three spoons of sugar. As I stirred it around to mix it all, I put a dab of butter, probably two teaspoons of butter. Then, before it was stirred well, I had a taste. Oh, YUCK. I needed to spit it out. Sitting in my chair, I found nothing into which to spit! Tommy could not figure out my anguish. I had put a spoon of salt into the COW and had a good portion of it in my mouth! It took me hours to get over that horror. Actually, I could have spit it into the bowl since it was all inedible, anyway. 

Why I had salt in a quart canning jar is anyone's guess. At this point, I decided I need a better labeling system! 

Today was another low-key day and nothing spent. Lynda gave us a tray of vegetables and dip. We saved the tomatoes, threw out the dip, and cooked the rest. (below)

Dinner: hamburger patty cooked in oven with onion soup mix over it, carrots, sugar peas, broccoli cooked in oven on another pan. Tommy had half a leftover oven baked potato that was cooked with chicken. This was all truly delicious. But, I should have used only a sprinkle of the onion soup mix. There are leftover baked vegetables. 

Have you ever gotten a spoon of salt in your mouth, thinking it was something else and sweet? Or, have you oversalted or seasoned and made something truly awful?

SALT WARS Wednesday

 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?