A fresh start with a clean colon

On Tuesday, I will have a colonoscopy. As I have said elsewhere, I am a posterchild for colonoscopies. You have the test and they can remove the polyps before they become cancerous. How cool is that?



The other thing about colonoscopies is that in order to see those polyps, you have to have a clean colon. This procedure involves a day of clear liquids and laxatives that would clean the sewer system of a small city. In this process, I always lose weight. Not just the water weight that returns after you drink a glass of tea.



I think it works because a day of fasting and pooping gives me a new perspective on eating. It's a great way to start a healthy eating plan. Some people do it regularly, without the colonoscopy, to clean out their system, but I'm not one of those people.



Starting Wednesday, I will choose food that is respectful of my clean colon. I will eat lean protein, veggies & fruits, and low-fat dairy. I will avoid fried stuff. I will picture the grease sliding through my colon.



Come to think of it, picturing anything going through the digestive tract is enough to turn your stomach. I think this might work.

Sunday

OK, I started with a sausage biscuit and coffee. Then I went to my sister's house and it would have been rude to refuse to eat the grits, eggs, and bacon. And more coffee. For supper, we are having pot roast with potatoes, carrots, and butternut squash. I've nibbled on grape tomatoes while I make the salad for the family feast at Mark's school. That will be a nice healthy salad. It will go well with the cardiac ham and cheese macaroni casserole I'm also making.

The salad:
1 can each black beans & small kidney beans, rinsed
kernels from one ear of corn, cooked
grape tomatoes
chili pepper
1/2 a jalepeno pepper chopped
olive oil
Romaine Lettuce.

Toss first 6 ingredients and store overnight. Toss with lettuce just before serving.

I'm probably going to add some more spices, but I don't want it to be too hot. Cilantro would be good.

I wanted to add avocados, but the one I bought at the Food Lion was inedible.

I may go by the Bi-Lo for cilantro and avocado.

And yet another new beginning....

I have always said that all my journals begin "this time I am REALLY going to lose weight/ exercise/live a healthier life. This is further proof of that claim.

I wrote this 3 years ago, when I decided to write an AOL journal. It was private, but even then I didn't write much. However, I did write something, so when AOL told me they were closing down my blog and I needed to transfer, I thought, why not? (Or, since I'm channeling Sarah Palin: "why not, doggonit?")

I have not looked at this journal in three years. This rediscovery of past promises finds me at a time in my life when a healthy life change would be a really good thing. My blood pressure, though currently "controlled," is very high. I am once again taking my thyroid medication and I can tell it does make a difference. I won't lose weight because of the medication, though. Another myth shot to hell. I am feeling the stress of three jobs that pay and a couple more that don't, family, friends, and age. And of course, the elections, the economy, and the wars.

In my brain, I know that a good walk around the neighborhood with my loving husband would do wonders for my health, mind, and spirit. It occurred to me today that I am very conscientious about doing the right thing as far as work, family, the environment, etc. In most things in this world, I have left behind hedonism. I go for the long term pleasure and good rather than the cheap thrill. I recycle.

So why do I eat cold tater tots when I really need steamed veggies? Why do I order the thickburger (even the little thickburger) that will make me want to shower and take a nap, when I know broiled fish will make me feel happier throughout the afternoon? Is this one of my last bits of hedonism? Go for the cheap grease thrill instead of the long-term good health feeling?

Maybe I should go back to romance novels.

Oh well... pass the popcorn...