Take two helpings of salmon and call me in the morning...

Alrighty,  had an appointment for a check-up yesterday.  I hadn't been to the doctor  in a while and had a few things that needed addressing.

At this check-up they took blood to check my glucose levels, liver, kidneys, and cholesterol.

Today I got a phone call with the results of said testing and apparently my cholesterol is a smidge high.  Now, when I think of people with high cholesterol, I think of big fat fatties eating fried foods and dipping them in butter.  If you know me you know that I am a size two and I eat relatively healthy foods. I do not fit your typical profile of someone with high cholesterol.

I've made it a point to watch carbs to avoid blood sugar problems and a fat belly.

I like to eat fresh fruits and vegetables all the time.

But, I have always had a love of butter.  And a weakness for fried goodies. And I've grown up with gravy and biscuts being a staple.  I thought I did a good job of eating those things in moderation, but it's time to pay a little more attention.

My curiosity was sparked and I've been doing some internet research.  Here's what I know about cholesterol:

• Bad carries fatty stuff from your liver to your blood.
• Good cholesterol carries fatty stuff from your blood to your liver to get rid of it

What's the difference?

• Bad cholesterol comes from saturated fats
• Good cholesterol comes from foods rich in Omega 3s like salmon, tuna, nuts, olive oil, etc.

Somehow fiber plays into getting rid of the bad stuff too. And if you get too much of the bad stuff it can clog up arteries leading to heart problems.

While mine wasn't bad, it was only borderline high, I want to catch it before it has a chance to get bad.

Here's my plan of attack:

• Fried foods - Once a month.
•  Read packaging on labels to check for saturated fats.  Apparently the box of off-brand cheezits in front of me has 2 grams per serving.  See ya!  No more of those apparently...
• Butter.... what to do about butter....?? I don't know.  I love the stuff.
• Red meats.... taking this portion from 2 times a week to maybe twice a month

That's just the beginning.  I want to learn more.

Here's my call to action to you though, go get a check-up!  If I can have this problem, so can any of you!  Don't wait until you are old and need a quadruple bypass.  Take care of it now.  Adults over 20 should have this checked once every five years, according to the websites I've visited.

Here are some resources:

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/9152.php

http://www.emedicinehealth.com/slideshow_pictures_cholesterol_levels/article_em.htm

Educate yourselves :)

-Miss Land

Another yummy treat!

Again with the "hangry" issue that I have...

If I don't eat breakfast, I don't function.  Plain and simple.

However, I have a war with myself every morning.  Sleep 10 more minutes.. or have time to fix something to eat?  Sleep? Eat? Sleep? Eat?..... Sleep wins 9 times out of 10.

So I've been looking for a solution.  What can I prepare ahead of time that I can grab and run out the door, but is still "clean" and nutritious?

I found  a baked oatmeal recipe on Pinterest and it was okay, but lacking some yumminess.

I've been baking one of these on Sunday and heating it up through the rest of the week.  I've tweaked it each time and have finally perfected my recipe!

Tasha's clean, yummy, awesome baked oatmeal

1 c. Old fashioned oats (not  the instant or 1 minute kind... although they would work too)
1 c. Whole wheat flour
1 tsp. baking powder
dash of salt
4 packets of Truvia
1/3 c. brown sugar
2 T melted butter
1 egg
2/3 c. milk

ANY fruits and nuts you want to add.  My favorite batch used fresh blueberries, banana, and a granny smith apple.  I also use chopped walnuts each time.

Step 1:  Pour oats into a bowl and add just enough water to almost cover.  Microwave for 1 1/2 minutes.

Step 2:  Mix all of the ingredients together with that oatmeal, (not sure how accurate my milk measurement was... so just know you want it to be the consistency of banana bread or muffins... add more or less milk if you need to) then pour into a greased, 9x13 dish.

Step 3: Bake at 375 for 30 minutes.

It's that easy!  After it has cooled, I cut it into squares and place in ziplocks in the fridge.

So easy, and oh so yummy....

Now, go eat some!  No more fatty fast food breakfasts or sugary cereals!