The Quest for Healthy Eating

Oh the never ending quest to eat healthier! Since our family is now dealing with Kristie's kidney disease we are on another quest to eat more vegies and cut down on protein. Did you know that if you are a meat eater in the U.S. you are probably consuming too much protein. For those who know me, you know that I always say I don't like vegies. But, I'm changing my tune and instead of saying "I don't like vegies", I'm saying, "I'm finding vegies I like." And, in reviewing my Vegetarian Cookbook (which I have always loved), I'm starting to pay more attention to how I can prepare vegies that I know I already like and have more of them that way.

I also love cheese so will now start exploring the world of lower fat cheeses and maybe soy cheeses and perhaps if that doesn't work, then just cutting down on the quantity of the full fat variety will probably do the trick.

In addition, there is a world of grains that look yummy. I'm going to try this week a grain called Kasha and make mini-balls with onion gravy. Sounds great!

Oh and the world of sodium is now a consideration - drats!

Favorite Cookbooks
New Vegetarian Cuisine
Everyday Italian by Giada DeLaurentis

Update on Kristie's kidney disease
Went to the doctor last Thursday and her blood pressure is still too high so started her on another blood pressure medication. This morning's blood pressure was 117/76 so its working. Your blood pressure should be 120/80 or within 10 points (up or down) of these numbers. She will need to take EPO shots each month because she's very anemic and needs more red blood cells (your kidneys produce a hormone called EPO that help produce red blood cells). She was a trooper and had her first shot and was very brave. Also has to have her blood drawn each month to check for creatinine levels. If that level climbs to a 4, she will have to go on dialysis. right now, its at a 2.5.

The goal is to keep her kidneys functioning at its 25% current level for as long as possible. So keep those prayers coming that her kidneys remain at this level forever!

Kristie's kidney disease is linked to her Leber's Congenital Amarousis (which is a rare genetic disease which caused her developmental delay and blindness) and has now just appeared. She was just diagnosed about 6 weeks ago.

This blog is about enjoying life and love while also managing an annoying kidney disease. We will not give it power by focusing on it but we will be smart about managing the effects it may have on our lives.

I LOVE
Friends that care - you know who you are
Family that is supportive - you know who you are

I HATE
Non-friendly people at event booths
Greed

FUN SITES
Shutterfly.com has fantastic Christmas cards that are easy to drag and drop your own photos into to customize your own card. I spent a few hours last Sunday creating the card - although it would take more computer saavy people MUCH less time - and it only took 3 days for them to ship the cards to me. Very inexpensive too! Check it out - you'll love it!

Love, Julia
P.S. The photo is Kristie at her happiest - Disneyland!