A bunch of changes
Well. I got my blood tested, and both my insulin resistance and my cholesterol are a little high. I was already planning on seeing the endocrinologist and the cardiologist, so nothing changed on those fronts. However, I wasn't happy about the cholesterol, since I already eat a mostly vegetable and lean meat diet. After spending some time trying to figure out why there was so much cholesterol in my diet, I discovered that chicken liver has more cholesterol than bacon or butter (but less than eggs). This was a surprise to me. So, I have cut out the chicken livers and hearts and replaced them with a pill of defatted freeze-dried beef liver. After taking so many of those difficult to swallow vitamin C pills that I hate, it is much easier to take the big beef liver pill. I'm hoping that "defatted" means that it will not have so much cholesterol, but honestly, I have no idea. Still, beef liver has less cholesterol than chicken liver, so maybe it will be enough. I'll get my blood tested again before I go to the cardiologist, and we'll see if there is any improvement.
In addition to cutting out the liver, I increased my red lentils a little, which means more carbs (and protein). I balanced that out by removing a bunch of cucumber and cabbage. This means less time spent eating, which is great. Although, honestly, there is still a lot of time spent eating. I had intended to increase my peanut consumption to balance out the decrease in calories and fat from liver, but so far I'm not miserable, starving, or exhausted. (I'm a little tired now, but maybe I'm just tired fore normal reasons, since I'll go to bed soon.) I expect that my body will eventually complain about this new version of the diet, but maybe I could lose a little weight before I have to start eating more. We'll see.
As mentioned/hinted at previously, we're starting the process of looking for somewhere else to live. I really like living in Russia, but I am not a big risk taker when there is no reason to take such risks. We're going to miss our friends a lot. That is definitely going to be the worst part. Well, plus it is so much work to get a visa to Russia that we may never return. That stinks. I just don't see that the Russian government will suddenly decide that their infatuation with repression is unhealthy and will change their ways. Sadly. I will slowly work on putting together information to figure out where to go next. Then, we will take some time to visit our top choice countries. Then, hopefully, we'll be able to spend years and years here before it gets bad enough that we have to leave. I just really do not want to be one of those idiots who is crying about the borders closing when they have had months and months worth of warnings. (Stay tuned to find out if I'm one of those idiots.)
All else is fine with us, although we still haven't gone to the cat cafe.
Joel's Menu
In addition to cutting out the liver, I increased my red lentils a little, which means more carbs (and protein). I balanced that out by removing a bunch of cucumber and cabbage. This means less time spent eating, which is great. Although, honestly, there is still a lot of time spent eating. I had intended to increase my peanut consumption to balance out the decrease in calories and fat from liver, but so far I'm not miserable, starving, or exhausted. (I'm a little tired now, but maybe I'm just tired fore normal reasons, since I'll go to bed soon.) I expect that my body will eventually complain about this new version of the diet, but maybe I could lose a little weight before I have to start eating more. We'll see.
As mentioned/hinted at previously, we're starting the process of looking for somewhere else to live. I really like living in Russia, but I am not a big risk taker when there is no reason to take such risks. We're going to miss our friends a lot. That is definitely going to be the worst part. Well, plus it is so much work to get a visa to Russia that we may never return. That stinks. I just don't see that the Russian government will suddenly decide that their infatuation with repression is unhealthy and will change their ways. Sadly. I will slowly work on putting together information to figure out where to go next. Then, we will take some time to visit our top choice countries. Then, hopefully, we'll be able to spend years and years here before it gets bad enough that we have to leave. I just really do not want to be one of those idiots who is crying about the borders closing when they have had months and months worth of warnings. (Stay tuned to find out if I'm one of those idiots.)
All else is fine with us, although we still haven't gone to the cat cafe.
Joel's Menu
- Monday: Sushi
- Tuesday: Fasting
- Wednesday: Pelmeni
- Thursday: Draniki
- Friday: Fasting
- Saturday: Pad Thai
- Sunday: Beef and Broccoli