June 26th - July 2nd Menu

The carb counting plan I've been on for almost a month is still working like a charm so I'm going to continue it. My blood sugar is rarely under 75 or over 110 and for me those are fantastic numbers. It's been weeks since I've had a middle of the night hypo and I've had only two day time episodes, both when I shot for 30 grams of carbs and ate only about 15. Ooops! Two hypos in a month is excellent, though, so I'm encouraged. I've gained back a little of the weight I'd lost but since increasing my exercise the weight is leaving again. It looks as though I'll just have to exercise regularly, like it or not. Go figure!

This week I have quite a bit of time off so trying new recipes is in the works. I've picked a few that sound delicious and fairly easy so the plan is to make those and post the recipes and pictures separately.

And on to this week's menu. Last night I didn't eat because I was very full and tired from the weekend. My sisters came in from Dallas and yesterday at Mom's we prepared a turkey roast with gravy, asparagus, pea salad, spicy pinto beans, and cherry cobbler and I had some of each. When I got home I couldn't even think of food and had to force myself to choke down a yogurt before bed.

Tonight's dinner will be chicken wings with caramelized onions and mushrooms, half an ear of corn, and a tossed salad. Connie prepared and brought 10 pounds of wings to Mom's house so I snagged enough for at least two meals this week. She made three kinds of wings - hot, barbecue, and cheese and all are delicious!

The rest of the week I'll have, in no particular order:

Marinated and grilled rib eye steak, the remaining half ear of corn, and grilled vegetables

Pico de Gallo Chicken Quesadillas with cold black bean salad

Chicken Alfredo with a bit of pasta, tossed salad, and steamed asparagus

A big salad with toasted tomato and cheese baguette

Dinner out one night

So that's it for this week's eats. Join Laura and the crew at Menu Plan Monday and share what's on your plate!

Update and happy anniversary/birthday to me

Almost a month ago my computer shut off and wouldn't come back on. I loved that old Mac Mini and off to the doctor I sent it. Three weeks later it was pronounced officially dead. It could have been saved but the cost of repair considering it's age seemed high so I did my research, talked to some very Mac-savvy folks, decided I wanted this computer then went out and found a good deal. It was one of the smartest moves I've made in regard to computers!

Interestingly enough, I didn't miss the computer. Not often, anyway. I missed having something to do at times but found other entertainment. I made some great meals, read more books than I have in years, watched a lot of History Channel, and spent time with friends and acquaintances. I even wrote quite a bit, something I hadn't done for way too long. I don't think most of us realize just how plugged in we are until we're no longer so plugged in. Without the computer, cell phone, television, games, and constant flow of information we often feel lonely or as though we're living in the dark ages but I'm beginning to think it's the other way around. Those things, which give the illusion of connections of some sort with other people, might actually isolate us and lead to our own personal dark age and the lack of true connections.

Speaking of dark ages, my one year anniversary is next week and my 49th birthday is not far behind. If you haven't a clue what anniversary I'm talking about, almost a year ago my life changed dramatically. I won't say it's been a fun or pleasant year but I will say it's been enlightening and, in many ways, satisfying. I have a new group of folks I enjoy spending time with whom I affectionately refer to as "the tribe", I'm going back to college soon even though I don't know just what I want to be when I grow up, and I've realized that being almost 50 doesn't mean life is over. In fact, it's just starting and as they say, better late than never.

So here's to new computers, new connections, and new endeavors. May we all have plenty of them and success with each!