It's amazing how much you take for granted when you don't have to think about what you eat.
Today is the third day of my mold-free adventure.
So far the toughest part was giving up tea and the ensuing caffeine withdrawal. The headaches are wicked, but I think that's subsiding now.
Still, I miss tea.
This morning I drank a cup of hot water, just because I missed my tea so much. It didn't quite measure up to a cup of sweet warm dark earthy taste of tea, but it was nice to hold something warm in my hands anyway. I've also squeezed a bit of lemon juice into hot water.
I am also going to miss cheesecake on my birthday. That had been my only request to Richard for my birthday. Creamy smooth, sweet cheesecake, with gooey toppings or chunky chocolate bits. Yum.
Thank goodness I can still have ice cream and popcorn or I'd got totally crazy.
But so far I'm coping. It's nice to know that it's only for 10 days. It's amazing what we can put up with when we know it's only temporary.
Pending assignments: 2
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Friday, April 25, 2008
Out to get me
Computers of the world are out to get me today.
I have no idea how I may have offended the collective circuitry of the world's computers, but it's becoming more than a little irritating.
Today I spend half of my time trying to solve a problem with a wee bit of potentially malicious code called spyware.
This particular bit of code would redirect any google searches to obscure websites advertising other websites. Annoying, but probably nothing sinister. Still anytime your computer is hijacked to a different web destination than originally intended there's the potential it will be eventually be sent to some place with damaging consequences.
So as I said, I spent any spare moment I had scanning, googling, scanning, and googling.
It all had little effect as both Ad-aware and SpyBot couldn't kill it.
They could happily point fingers and identify the perpetrator, but that's about it.
It's pointing at a nuclear missile silo and saying... yup, that's a missile all right.
Sigh...
I had to leave before the problem was solved.
I came home and decided to be a good little steward of my newly acquired MacBook and check for software updates.
Unfortunately, I was met with a privileges error as I tried to install the update.
I was dumbfounded.
Keep in mind trying to do anything on my Mac takes a few minutes longer than normal cuz the thought process goes something like this...
Run repair disk permissions in the disk utilities area, in the utilities folder.
And I'm like... utilities folder is in system preferences... wait no. Um... Finder... Go... Oh there it is!
Sigh...
It's a learning process.
Happily, the downstairs PC updated it's spyware scanner and all is well.
I think...
On second thought, I'd better go check...
I have no idea how I may have offended the collective circuitry of the world's computers, but it's becoming more than a little irritating.
Today I spend half of my time trying to solve a problem with a wee bit of potentially malicious code called spyware.
This particular bit of code would redirect any google searches to obscure websites advertising other websites. Annoying, but probably nothing sinister. Still anytime your computer is hijacked to a different web destination than originally intended there's the potential it will be eventually be sent to some place with damaging consequences.
So as I said, I spent any spare moment I had scanning, googling, scanning, and googling.
It all had little effect as both Ad-aware and SpyBot couldn't kill it.
They could happily point fingers and identify the perpetrator, but that's about it.
It's pointing at a nuclear missile silo and saying... yup, that's a missile all right.
Sigh...
I had to leave before the problem was solved.
I came home and decided to be a good little steward of my newly acquired MacBook and check for software updates.
Unfortunately, I was met with a privileges error as I tried to install the update.
I was dumbfounded.
Keep in mind trying to do anything on my Mac takes a few minutes longer than normal cuz the thought process goes something like this...
Run repair disk permissions in the disk utilities area, in the utilities folder.
And I'm like... utilities folder is in system preferences... wait no. Um... Finder... Go... Oh there it is!
Sigh...
It's a learning process.
Happily, the downstairs PC updated it's spyware scanner and all is well.
I think...
On second thought, I'd better go check...
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Breakin' the mold
So I had an allergy test today.
It wasn't as uncomfortable as I thought it would. But I did learn some very surprising and not-so-surprising things.
First, it has been concluded that should Richard ever be on penicillin again, I shall continue to be vigilant and keep my distance. And I will not, under any circumstances touch the medicine bottles.
That was a given.
Nothing earth shattering there.
The test also revealed that I am allergic to tree and grass pollen.
Ok. Also no stunner there. I could have told them that.
And given that I am so allergic to penicillin it would stand to reason that I would react to molds of all types.
I also reacted to various foods like halibut, peas, cabbage, flaxseed, sunflower seeds, honey, coffee, strawberries and...
worst of all...
... chocolate.
The doctor is advising a mold-free diet for ten days. It starts on Sunday.
Sounds fairly simple, I think. I mean who eats mold on purpose?
Then I got the list of foods I have to avoid for a week and a half.
The list includes: cheese, sour cream, milk, beer, wine, processed meats (no trouble there, I usually avoid them anyway), vinegar and vinegar-containing foods, soured breads, breads made with large amounts of yeast, all dried fruits, melons (especially cantaloupe, watermelons, honeydew), soy sauce, tomatoes (other than fresh), malted breakfast cereals, canned or frozen juices.
It also means, I can not have leftovers more than 24 hours after they were cooked.
Hmm... that is quite the list.
So starting Sunday I shall be getting rid of the mold in my diet.
If I feel better then I can add back these verboten items one at a time. But if not then I get to eliminate the rest of foods that I reacted to.
Should be fun!
It wasn't as uncomfortable as I thought it would. But I did learn some very surprising and not-so-surprising things.
First, it has been concluded that should Richard ever be on penicillin again, I shall continue to be vigilant and keep my distance. And I will not, under any circumstances touch the medicine bottles.
That was a given.
Nothing earth shattering there.
The test also revealed that I am allergic to tree and grass pollen.
Ok. Also no stunner there. I could have told them that.
And given that I am so allergic to penicillin it would stand to reason that I would react to molds of all types.
I also reacted to various foods like halibut, peas, cabbage, flaxseed, sunflower seeds, honey, coffee, strawberries and...
worst of all...
... chocolate.
The doctor is advising a mold-free diet for ten days. It starts on Sunday.
Sounds fairly simple, I think. I mean who eats mold on purpose?
Then I got the list of foods I have to avoid for a week and a half.
The list includes: cheese, sour cream, milk, beer, wine, processed meats (no trouble there, I usually avoid them anyway), vinegar and vinegar-containing foods, soured breads, breads made with large amounts of yeast, all dried fruits, melons (especially cantaloupe, watermelons, honeydew), soy sauce, tomatoes (other than fresh), malted breakfast cereals, canned or frozen juices.
It also means, I can not have leftovers more than 24 hours after they were cooked.
Hmm... that is quite the list.
So starting Sunday I shall be getting rid of the mold in my diet.
If I feel better then I can add back these verboten items one at a time. But if not then I get to eliminate the rest of foods that I reacted to.
Should be fun!
Saturday, April 19, 2008
How to tell...
you're a Saskatchewan Roughrider fan...
1. You've ever spent more than an hour inputing the latest season into your computer calendar... complete with email reminders. Ok. Maybe that just means you're a nerd. Like me.
2. You've ever had the following conversation with your spouse...
"Should we?"
"I don't know. It seems kind of 'bandwagon-ish'"
"True."
"And you see them everywhere!"
"Good point!"
"We'll skip the car flag, and I'll just wear my jersey."
3. You've ever given or received a Rider jersey, t-shirt, bunny hug, hat, mittens, toque or other apparel as an anniversary, birthday or Christmas present.
4. You know the words to "Green is the colour..." and you've sung it with complete strangers in a public place at least once!
5. You've ever considered purchasing a one piece snow-suit on the off-chance the Riders make it to the playoffs. Hey, at least you'll be warm.
6. You've ever stared at a complete stranger in absolute awe who's wearing Rider Green gear in devil's playground like Calgary or Edmonton.
7. You've ever laughed at Rider put down jokes, cuz you know they're true.
8. You've considered painting your face green and/or you've ever purchased a watermelon with the intention of wearing it.
9. You plan your social get togethers around who has TSN.
And finally...
10. You can tell you're a Roughrider fan if you or any of your offspring have worn Rider gear before they knew how to talk!
Go Green!
1. You've ever spent more than an hour inputing the latest season into your computer calendar... complete with email reminders. Ok. Maybe that just means you're a nerd. Like me.
2. You've ever had the following conversation with your spouse...
"Should we?"
"I don't know. It seems kind of 'bandwagon-ish'"
"True."
"And you see them everywhere!"
"Good point!"
"We'll skip the car flag, and I'll just wear my jersey."
3. You've ever given or received a Rider jersey, t-shirt, bunny hug, hat, mittens, toque or other apparel as an anniversary, birthday or Christmas present.
4. You know the words to "Green is the colour..." and you've sung it with complete strangers in a public place at least once!
5. You've ever considered purchasing a one piece snow-suit on the off-chance the Riders make it to the playoffs. Hey, at least you'll be warm.
6. You've ever stared at a complete stranger in absolute awe who's wearing Rider Green gear in devil's playground like Calgary or Edmonton.
7. You've ever laughed at Rider put down jokes, cuz you know they're true.
8. You've considered painting your face green and/or you've ever purchased a watermelon with the intention of wearing it.
9. You plan your social get togethers around who has TSN.
And finally...
10. You can tell you're a Roughrider fan if you or any of your offspring have worn Rider gear before they knew how to talk!
Go Green!
Sunday, April 13, 2008
The countdown is on!
The best part about hockey playoffs starting this week is it means only nine weeks left until Riders start their preseason.
Just saying...
...
Does that make me a bad Canadian?
...
First game will be against B.C. in Regina. Of course, the Lions will be looking for revenge after last season's crushing defeat at the hands of a hungry Rider team on their way to Grey Cup glory.
All I can say is...
Bring. It. On.
Just saying...
...
Does that make me a bad Canadian?
...
First game will be against B.C. in Regina. Of course, the Lions will be looking for revenge after last season's crushing defeat at the hands of a hungry Rider team on their way to Grey Cup glory.
All I can say is...
Bring. It. On.
Thursday, April 03, 2008
More culinary escapades
Last week I indulged in cooking up some rich (and yes fattening) treats for hubby and I while the kids were out of town.
Tuesday I made a delicious supper just for my hubby. I made cream of mushroom soup.
From scratch.
The recipe included half a bottle of red wine. And a couple of pounds of fresh mushrooms. The result was delicious.
With it I served a salad including greens, sunflower seeds, grapefruit and a creamy orange dressing. I also warmed up this amazing pepper garlic bread.
To end I served one of the most incredible desserts I've ever tasted... Chai tea pudding over fresh raspberries, topped with mango-ginger coulis. It was so light, fresh and spicy. The tart raspberries were a perfect balance.
A couple of nights later I made one of my all time favourite and easiest dishes ever... Shrimp with garlic and tomatoes. The fresh tomatoes melt into a delicious sauce. I served it over spaghettini.
Last Friday I invited a dear friend of mine and her three girls over for an Indian feast, along with another very dear friend.
Again, I served:
Grilled Tandoori Chicken with butter sauce
Basmati rice
Aloo Gobi
Naan bread
Salad (with cranberries and raspberry vinaegrette)
For dessert I discovered the most amazing combination. It's a treat for the eyes and the taste buds... vanilla ice cream topped with fresh mangoes and mini chocolate chips. Never would have thought of putting mango with chocolate.
Delicious.
So those have been my recent culinary exploits.
Pending assignments: 3... whee...
Tuesday I made a delicious supper just for my hubby. I made cream of mushroom soup.
From scratch.
The recipe included half a bottle of red wine. And a couple of pounds of fresh mushrooms. The result was delicious.
With it I served a salad including greens, sunflower seeds, grapefruit and a creamy orange dressing. I also warmed up this amazing pepper garlic bread.
To end I served one of the most incredible desserts I've ever tasted... Chai tea pudding over fresh raspberries, topped with mango-ginger coulis. It was so light, fresh and spicy. The tart raspberries were a perfect balance.
A couple of nights later I made one of my all time favourite and easiest dishes ever... Shrimp with garlic and tomatoes. The fresh tomatoes melt into a delicious sauce. I served it over spaghettini.
Last Friday I invited a dear friend of mine and her three girls over for an Indian feast, along with another very dear friend.
Again, I served:
Grilled Tandoori Chicken with butter sauce
Basmati rice
Aloo Gobi
Naan bread
Salad (with cranberries and raspberry vinaegrette)
For dessert I discovered the most amazing combination. It's a treat for the eyes and the taste buds... vanilla ice cream topped with fresh mangoes and mini chocolate chips. Never would have thought of putting mango with chocolate.
Delicious.
So those have been my recent culinary exploits.
Pending assignments: 3... whee...
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