Marge

Easy Black Bean Chili— 1 med. onion, chopped— 1 med. green bell pepper, chopped…2 cloves garlic, chopped— 2 cans (15 oz. each) black beans, rinsed and drained— 2 cans (15 oz. each) diced tomatoes, undrained—1 can (15 oz.) tomato sauce— 1-2 Tbl. chili powder— 2-3 Tbl. brown sugar - to taste.—Chop onion, garlic, green pepper, Lightly spray large pot with olive oil. Saute vegs until tender-crisp. Stir in other ingredents. Bring to a boil over med. heat. Cover, simmer over low-med heat for 30 mins. Reduce heat to low, stir, taste, adjust seasonings to taste. Let simmer on low heat, 1.5 to 2 more hours. Yields-Four 1 1/2 cup servings. Reheats and freezes well.

 Fruited Cole Slaw— 1 pkg cole slaw mix with carrots, (don’t use whole bag)—Can pineapple tidbits—8 oz.can mandarin oranges—Use drained fruit-save some pineapple juice, Dressing- 1 Tbl. pineapple juice— I Tbl. olive oil—1 tsp. sugar—1 1/2 tsp cider vinegar— salt and pepper to taste. Mix ahead of time and let flavors mingle. Purple cabbage, shredded, may be added and double the dressing.

   ENJOY!!      Marge

It has been three weeks since I started the lowering lipids plan Dr. Marc sent me. Have had friends sent me several new recipes and I am getting the hang of it pretty well. No meat and no dairy doesn’t bother me, but the no bread and pasta, well, that takes some getting used to. I am doing a lot more cooking and for some strange reason my kids are not coming over to eat as often. Their loss, as these new dishes are really good. I should have kept my mouth shut and not told them. Now it’s like, where’s the beef? It was always chicken breast or salmon anyway. I made black bean chili yesterday with fruited slaw. Yummy. I haven’t weighed for a couple of weeks as it is so painful to stand on the scale. I must be getting old or something! But the waist band on my skirts is loose. And my energy level is high. Also a G.I. tract problem I have had for many years is SOLVED. All the fiber, I guess. Hope this week is wonderful for all of you and I want to read more blogs. I am way behind. Stay with it and it will happen! Big hugs, Marge

But I think sleep, rest, and lots of fluids have it on the run. I have not been out of my apartment in ten days. Don’t feel like going out and no need to spread this stuff around. I am trying to get caught up on the blogs, but takes awhile. My nephew goes to the grocers for me and I tell him to hang it on the door and knock. He has a problem swallowing at the best of times, so he doesn’t need this virus. I sound like a frog in a deep well. Since I am following the plan Dr. Marc gave me for lowering lipids I am not eating bread, dairy, or meat. There is still a good selection of foods out there. Taking my vitamins and fish oils. I am eating lots of veggies, oatmeal, and fruits. Have missed y’all. Hang in there. Love, Marge

Drinking lots of liquids and resting. My family treats me as though I have the plague. Wed. was my birthday. Hung a package on my doorknob and rang the bell and ran. I really don’t blame them. This is awful. This is the 5th day and I am beginning to feel a little better. Will be back to read blogs and comment soon. ENJOY your weekend! And for heaven’s sake don’t catch anything! Love (no hugs) you might get this. Marge

I miss the grains the most. I can do anything for a month. I will not throw food away. Have been taking unopened low fat dairy products downstairs. They are spoken for before I leave the room. Wonderful! Making new grocery list for my nephew tomorrow. Soup’s on. I got a little hungry yesterday, filled in with an apple and carrots. Am going to cook my soups and veggie stews so I won’t have to be hungry. Hate black coffee but only have 1 cup in morning and the cardio Dr. hates coffee anyway. I can do without that. I’m glad I have a big selection of herbal teas on hand. Wish me luck! I an doing a lot of reading, Ornish, McDougall, Neal Barnard…. Hugs, Marge

Now I am not sad just MAD!! Dr. Marc sent a comment about lowering lipids. Bless his heart. I think he saw I was in terrible shape. Going through the refrigerater this morning. I have been slipping. Little things here and there have got to go. Nothing really drastic except low fat dairy products and some grains. My pantry and freezer are fine. Dragging out my Dr. Ornish book and taking out the grains in his plan. Have already ordered Omera 3 supplements from the drug store. Any one who wants a copy of the advice, just message me. It is raining and grey outside, but I am smiling. I have a new PLAN! This old dog is going to try some new tricks. Thanks again. Love, Marge

high blood fats. I had not been to the Dr. in six months, but went yesterday. They called me this morning because of BAD blood lipids. I can not tolerate any statins. Make me deathly ill within three days of begining them. I have lost 23 lbs. since I last saw the Dr. My blood sugars are fine, my B/P normal, no chest pain with less meds, but my lipids are horrible. I know it is heredity because my Mom died at 60 and my Dad at 69 after many, many surgeries and loss of quality of life. I am 71 and though in w/c from spinal cord injury, have been enjoying my life and feeling on top of the world with all the healthy eating and exercise. Why am I trying so hard when I see no results in my lipids? I mean 300 chol. 3oo trig, and 200 Bad chol. I could drop over at any moment from h/a or stroke. The lipids have gone up 30 points apiece in 6 months. I am upset and angry. I guess if I lived on bread and water, my lipids would still be out of sight. My sister weighs 105 and her lipids are the same as mine. Back to the routine. At least I feel better when I eat right and exercise. Thanks for letting me blow off steam. Love, Marge

cut backs and businesses failing. I feel like screaming! But I will not overeat! I have cut out cab rides and movies to try to help my sons over some rough spots. I can’t do much as I am on a fixed annuity, but even having them over to eat often and buy them some gas helps. We are all in this together in this country. Okay, I know I am preaching to the choir! But I will NOT become discouraged. Anyone else dealing with this right now? Just skip Mama’s birthday this year. I don’t need to celebrate, just help each other….what I told my sons. Three are skating on thin ice, but they do help each other, with a little nudging from Mom. I haven’t lost anything in a month, but am maintaining. Good enough for me! Hang in there. Love, Marge

by a heart problem called stenosis of his arotiac valve. He was filled with fluid because of the weak and thickened valve. He will be in Memphis the 8th for tests and the 9th will have the open heart surgery. Please wing a prayer up for him. He is a great person and does so many things here in this apartment house, such as giving computer lessons and running a food pantry for some of our shut-ins. Linda, we are praying for your hubby. Best to you both. Thank you. Love, Marge

Medical Center about 7am. I put out a request for prayers this morning. So many responded and I can never thank you enough. I had a call from them about 2pm and they said they were stopping by here on their way home. The first thing I thought was the tumor or her blood work is so bad they can’t operate tomorrow. The reason they can’t operate is they could find no tumor!! The tests all came back normal. There was laughing and crying and shouting going on in the elevator. The surgeon from Vanderbilt Univ. asked by phone if she wanted him to operate tomorrow and try to restore her hearing in that ear and also make certain he can see no tumor! NO! NO!! Just praise God and she will have to go back for more tests next Tues. This was experimental treatments and I am sure they would like to see exactly what happened to make the tumor disappear, but God can do things man cannot understand! Is she cured? No one knows, but at least for now she has some time. Thank You, Thank You. I am spreading the word to the whole family and my son and Allison are going home to call their pastor and church members. If someone else wrote this I would probably think they had flipped their wig, but remember, “When you pray, believe!” Prayer changes things. Love, love, love, Marge