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Life continues to meander along. Slowly but surely, my steps are falling into line. All that can be done is being done. What remains is in the hands of the universe, the God/Gods/Goddesses, or chaos, depending on one's philosophical approach. Spring is definitely infiltrating my small world. Attila suspects that spring may be a bit late this year, he has not seen any Robins yet. Every spring he takes note of the date upon which he first spies a Robin. When I was a child in the primary grades at school, each spring we discussed Robins as heralds of warmer weather. Our crayons filled in the outlines of their red breasts, brown beaks, and black beady eyes. Since the temperatures during the day have risen above five degrees centigrade, I have been taking tea time in the back yard. It has been too cold to sit, so that I stand staring up into the trees until I get cold. How nourishing it is, to hear the birds, watch the squirrels, and allow my senses sensitivity to the environment. It gives one some distance from the madness of "mankind" that still roars in the distant traffic and streaks white across the blue sky. I am keeping my eyes open for Robins during tea time in the back garden. The minutiae of my health have been demanding my attention. My iron supplements have become very difficult to obtain. No one has them in stock; my name is on a waiting list. In the meantime, I am at some risk to anemia. Due to allergies to modern additives, my diet is highly restricted; I am unable to eat many reasonably priced foods that are high in iron. A kindly clerk at the local health food store recommended millet as a food high in iron. I purchased a small bag and carried it home. Yesterday I had a bowl of boiled millet for lunch. The introduction of any new food requires an adjustment period, an experimental phase. I ate my first bowl of cooked whole millet with a spicy sauce. I did not care very much for it prepared that way, although it was very filling and I did not find myself hungry again until into the evening hours. Today I will cook and eat the whole millet as a cereal, with milk and sugar. Eventually I will discover quick and easy ways to enjoy millet. However, to my disappointment, my research has revealed that millet, while high in iron, is also high in leucine, which in turn impairs the metabolism of tryptophan and niacin and can be responsible for niacin deficiency. Sigh. There are no magic bullets. I will add millet to my diet, but limit my intake to two meals a week. This past winter was one of relative inactivity, primarily due to icy conditions on the local walkways. Consequently, my weight increased. The repercussions are increased discomfort and raised blood pressure. The doctor had recommended a health club, but frankly, the suggestion seemed a bit silly considering my financial situation, of which he is aware. However, he evidently felt satisfied that good advice had been given and since I had no better suggestion to offer, I simply smiled and said, "Yes, that is a very good idea!" I did not want to discourage his enthusiasm. After pondering the matter of movement for some days, several strategies have been implemented. Attila and I now walk daily. As well, for the past several weeks, I have focused on increased activity indoors. Activities outdoors have resumed as the temperatures have risen and the ice has melted. Already half of the added poundage has disappeared and my blood pressure has stabilized. The greatest benefit, however, is that I feel better for moving around. |
RECIPES :: Cast Worldly Distractions  Up Into The Sky By the Easy Chair Marriage and the Family in the Middle Ages Frances and Joseph Gies, 1987 Quote "Better to hunt in fields for health unbought Than fee the doctor for a nauseous draught. The wise for cure on exercise depend; God never made his work for man to mend." John Dryden (1631-1700) Epistle to John Dryden of Chesterton. Line 92. Weather 11:58 EST Temp: -1`C Humidity: 64% Wind: N 24 km/h Barometric:102.5 kPa Sunrise 6:35 AM EST Sunset 6:32 PM EST |
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