My daughter is captivated by the numerous ladybugs hanging out at our house. I made her a ladybug house out of a recycled salsa jar.
While I was cutting up vegetables for my dinner, another ladybug appeared on the window. I caught it and gently tossed it in the jar. Now she has two critters to gawk at. I wonder how long this phase will last, or will she want to be an entomologist when she grows up? Either way, there will be no scorpions or spiders in this house.
Dinner was a colorful collection of crunchy vegetables.
A friend of mine suggested I watch Michael Mosley’s new series on PBS, particularly this one. I realized that I’m already fairly close to the regime he discusses on the show. That is, for a few days you eat a regular diet (feeding), then hardly any calories (fasting).
The key nugget I took away was that a body running on very low calories and protein will use the available energy for restoration of cells instead of multiplication or “go-go” mode. In terms of disease and cancer, the body works to restore deterioration brought on by these aliments. Very interesting stuff. My cousin recently discovered a cancerous tumor and is undergoing treatment. Anything that peers into the biomechanics of humans, especially in relation to food, is intriguing to me.
I remember my grandmother, who lived into her 90’s eating very little each day and drinking hot tea. Was there a direct correlation of diet and longevity? This is the question Mosley poses.
A reminder of my habits (good and bad) came in the form of a blood test, cholesterol specifically. My total was 184. According to my doctor, you want to keep it under 200. I didn’t get the break down of the HDL and LDL but the number still jarred me, especially after watching the show.
This year is the beginning of an introspective look at my own health. No time like today, right?
midnitechef 