#2777, Tuesday, November 23, '21: Last food post of the year

Post 2777

- 11 years and 327 days since I started this blog -

November 18, 2018

Daily Comment

Well, here it is. Tomorrow's a travel day (down to NYC for the night, followed by a drive to Brooklyn to pick up my sister-in-law and drive up to Sharon, MA for family Thanksgiving.

This begins my Winter travels.

Going forward, I will be using the blog for comments and photos, as I visit Wilbur-on-the-Sea, Florida, Los Angeles, California, Cuenca, Ecuador, back to Wilbur, before coming home mid-March.

And that's all I have to say about that, for today.

I'm grateful for my life.

Food and Diet 

Today's Weight:                    199.8 lbs.

Previous Weight (11/22/21):        198.8 lbs.

Net Loss/Gain:                     + 1.0 lbs.

Diet Comment

I can't explain the weight gain of the past few days, but, this close to my last "diet" post, I can't work up a lot of emotion around it.

Food Log

Breakfast
12:05pm: A Nellie's Bacon and Pepper Jack egg bite.

Lunch
4:45pm: Chicken and greens miso ramen (Vite-Ramen high protein Miso ramen kit, rotisserie chicken breast, kale, spinach). And a Ghirardelli 86% Cocoa chocolate bar.

Dinner
10:50pm: Oatmeal + (rolled oats, chia and hemp seeds, oat milk, mixed berries, whey protein powder, kefir) and a Quest bar.

Liquid Intake

   Espressos: 2;   Coffee: 0 oz.;  Water: 64+ oz.; 

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Thank you!

#2776, Monday, November 22, '21: One great playing night

Post 2776

- 11 years and 326 days since I started this blog -

November 18, 2018

Daily Comment

I'm going to dispense with every aspect of the weekend - cold, windy, sleety as it was - and get right to my Sunday night jam.

It was one of the best nights of music I've had.

The previous week, after doing my first-set duties as house bass player in the host band, I never got to play. There were a half-dozen other bass players in the house, and I was shut out for the four hours after the house band's opening set.

Last night, I was the only bass player in the house. I got to play set after set, with only one fifteen-minute break (for a band that had its own bass). Nearly four hours of playing.

And, many of the sets were outrageously good jams. I also got to play with a lot of different drummers, including a few I hadn't played with since before the pandemic.

I live for nights like this. I was happy with my playing, and had a great time, and many of the people I jammed with said they did, too.

I have already said how much I enjoy jams/open mics, and the reason why is simple and was in full evidence last night: The challenge of making music without rehearsal puts me in as good a place as I can get: Present, fully engaged, completely in the moment.

It is a spiritual experience.

And, it is a gift that keeps on giving.

I do get my ego stroked for doing it. I am recognized for the joy I get from it, and it is appreciated.

I'm just grateful for having this joy in my life.

Food and Diet 

Today's Weight:                    198.8 lbs.

Previous Weight (11/19/21):        197.7 lbs.

Net Loss/Gain:                     + 1.1 lbs.

Diet Comment

I'm uncertain where this weight-gain came from, but I'm also okay with not knowing, and fine with my under-200-pound weight.

Food Log

Breakfast
2:45pm: Frittata (eggs, kale, spinach, mushrooms, peppers, onions, mixed Italian cheese) and air-fried brussels sprouts with olive oil and Everything But the Bagel seasoning.

Lunch
Skipped. 

Dinner
11:10pm: Chef salad (rotisserie chicken breast, shaved parmesan, walnuts, arugula, cabbage, chard, kale, spinach, creamy balsamic dressing) and a Quest bar.

Liquid Intake

   Espressos: 1;   Coffee: 24 oz.;  Water: 52+ oz.; 

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#2775, Friday, November 19, '21: Random stuff

Post 2775

- 11 years and 323 days since I started this blog -

November 18, 2018

Daily Comment

The diet-reporting posts here have only a few more days until they go on an almost-four month hiatus, during which time this becomes a travel blog.

My traveling begins next Wednesday, with a twelve-hundred-mile Syraacuse to New York City to Sharon, Massachusetts and back, and ends mid-March of next year.

When I get back from this Thanksgiving journey, I have two nights of gigs, one whole day of housecleaning, one day for packing and then a flight to Daytona Beach.

This has been an interesting week.

I saw my Primary Care Provider and my Cardiologist and my Urologist, and got a clean bill of health, even with a persistent cough, which caused me to take a Covid test, which was negative.

Along the way, two medications were reduced and one eliminated.

I had two rehearsals with I am Fool, which is two more than the entire month of October.

I had my second-worst investing week of the year (still doing very, very well).

I'm grateful for every bit of it.

Food and Diet 

Today's Weight:                    197.7 lbs.

Previous Weight (11/18/21):        198.6 lbs.

Net Loss/Gain:                     - 0.9 lbs.

Diet Comment

I'm glad my streak ended with a nice loss.

Food Log

Breakfast
1:45pm: Popeye's Spicy Chicken Sandwich, and steamed sweet potatoes with butter and Everything But the Bagel seasoning.

Lunch
Skipped. 

Dinner
8:10pm: Air-fried salmon burger with pesto sauce and brussels sprouts.

Liquid Intake

   Espressos: 2;   Coffee: 0 oz.;  Water: 64+ oz.; 

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Thank you!

#2774, Thursday, November 18, '21: No comment

Post 2774

- 11 years and 322 days since I started this blog -

November 18, 2018

Daily Comment

I've got nothing to say, but it's okay.

Food and Diet 

Today's Weight:                    198.6 lbs.

Previous Weight (11/17/21):        198.6 lbs.

Net Loss/Gain:                     - 0.0 lbs.

Diet Comment

Still the same weight, now, seven days in a row! That's a first, no weight change for seven days.

Food Log

Breakfast
3:45pm: Oatmeal with berries (and walnuts, chia and hemp seeds, Greek yogurt, kefir, nutritional yeast, maple syrup) and a small cheddar cheese omelet.

Lunch
Skipped. 

Dinner
11:10pm: Chicken salad (rotisserie chicken, shaved parmesan cheese, cabbage, chard, kale, spinach, creamy balsamic dressing) and a Quest bar with peanut butter.

Liquid Intake

   Espressos: 0;   Coffee: 24 oz.;  Water: 48+ oz.; 

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Thank you!

#2773, Wednesday, November 17, '21: No comment

Post 2773

- 11 years and 321 days since I started this blog -

November 18, 2018

Daily Comment

I've got nothing to say, but it's okay.

Food and Diet 

Today's Weight:                    198.6 lbs.

Previous Weight (11/16/21):        198.6 lbs.

Net Loss/Gain:                     - 0.0 lbs.

Diet Comment

Still on the level, six straight days.

Food Log

Breakfast
3:45pm: Fritatta (eggs, mixed Italian cheeses, kale, spinach, mushrooms, onions, peppers) and dry toast (Flax sprouted grains bread).

Lunch
Skipped. 

Dinner
11:30pm: Chicken and greens ramen (Miso ViteRamen high protein, high fiber ramen package, rotisserie chicken breast, kale and spinach) and a Quest bar.

Liquid Intake

   Espressos: 0;   Coffee: 24 oz.;  Water: 60+ oz.; 

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Thank you!

#2772, Tuesday, November 16, '21: Busy-busy

Post 2772

- 11 years and 320 days since I started this blog -

November 18, 2018

Daily Comment

Today was unusually busy.

After yesterday's visit to my Primary Care Provider, the beautiful Brooke Binion (I'm getting my medical care from Central Casting these days), I was woken up by a call from her office, saying the results from my bloodwork and X-ray had come in, and everything was fine, except they wanted to lower my dose of thyroid hormone.

In other words, great news.

Unfortunately, I couldn't fall back asleep after that. Oh, well.

Not long after, I got a text 'reminding me' (I swear, I never knew in the first place) I had a rehearsal at 1. I texted back I was going to be late because I had a date with my cardiologist, the beautiful Hana Smith (I'm getting my medical care from Central Casting these days), and so I'd be late.

But before that appointment, I had to stop at BJ's and return the wonderful but ill-fitting and expensive airPods I treated myself to a week ago. Turns out, if you can't get a good fit - and I couldn't - they're not so wonderful.

So I headed out before noon (that almost never happens), and after some serious customer service delays, got my refund in time to to my appointment with Dr. Hana on schedule.

Everything was great. My EKG looked normal, I was cleared for all normal activities, and travel, and given a new appointment schedule for every six months.

Then it was straight to rehearsal (after a stop at Dunkin' for breakfast to go). Which was a blast.

On my way home I tried to pick up a rapid Covid test kit, but no dice. I was trying to reassure my band mates in I am Fool that I was okay, after J. had been frightened by exposure to the 'Rona, but I was pretty sure it wasn't an issue. 

I did pick up some Robitussin, as recommended by Dr. Binion. Apparently, she had discounted the idea I might have Covid, felt that some OTC cough suppressant would do me fine.

After a nice peanut butter and Quest bar snack, and my after-the-close portfolio update, it was off to I am Fool rehearsal.

Which was also, and always, a good time.

I'm grateful for days like this.

Food and Diet 

Today's Weight:                    198.6 lbs.

Previous Weight (11/15/21):        198.6 lbs.

Net Loss/Gain:                     - 0.0 lbs.

Diet Comment

More of the same? Excellent.

Food Log

Breakfast
2:45pm, from Dunkin': bacon, eggs and cheese on a multigrain bagel.

Lunch
6:05pm: Peanut butter and a Quest bar. 

Dinner
11:00pm: Chicken salad (rotisserie chicken breast, cheddar cheese, Spring Mix, cabbage, creamy balsamic dressing) and a Quest bar.

Liquid Intake

   Espressos: 1;   Coffee: 0 oz.;  Water: 60+ oz.; 

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Thank you!

#2771, Monday, November 15, '21: Steady as she goes

Post 2771

- 11 years and 319 days since I started this blog -

November 18, 2018

Daily Comment

I don't have much to say about the weekend. The Sunday night jam was unusual, for two reasons: I barely got any playing time, thanks to a lot of bass players showing up, and when I finally got back on stage at the end of the night, there was a fight.

Today I had my annual medicare physical with my new Primary Care Provider, Brooke Binion. It was frustrating at the beginning, I am having hearing aid problems, and the nurse made me answer questions I had already answered twice before that day. Once because I tried to be a good patient and do the check-in online, and then again on a form I had to fill out for Medicare.

Not that it was unpleasant or anything, but the hearing aid problem plus the face masks that prevent lip-reading led to a few misunderstandings along the way.

The good and beautiful Doctor, though, was cheerful and easy-going. She didn't hear any problems in my lungs and so ordered a chest x-ray for my persistent cough. And took my blood for my usual panel on the spot. Pending the results, she gave me a clean bill of health.

Still, I've been coughing for a couple of weeks, beginning with a cold, so I'm going to get a rapid COVID test tomorrow, when I go to pick up some Robitussin. 

Probably when I make my trip to my appointment with the beautiful Dr. Hana Smith, my cardiologist.

I've surrounded myself with beautiful woman physicians. Still the luckiest guy I know.

And grateful for it.

Food and Diet 

Today's Weight:                    198.6 lbs.

Previous Weight (11/12/21):        198.6 lbs.

Net Loss/Gain:                     - 0.0 lbs.

Diet Comment

No gain - victory! Or something.

Food Log

Breakfast
5:05pm, at CoreLife: Chicken soup. Not from CoreLife: toasted cheese on Flax sprouted grains bread.

Lunch
9:55pm: Dal Tadka (lentil curry) with root vegetables and riced cauliflower. And a Quest bar. 

Dinner
12:10am: Keto probiotic snack mix (nuts, seeds, cheese).

Liquid Intake

   Espressos: 1;   Coffee: 0 oz.;  Water: 72+ oz.; 

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Thank you!

#2770, Friday, November 12, '21: No comment

Post 2770

- 11 years and 316 days since I started this blog -

November 18, 2018

Daily Comment

I've got nothing to say, but it's okay.

Food and Diet 

Today's Weight:                    198.6 lbs.

Previous Weight (11/11/21):        198.8 lbs.

Net Loss/Gain:                     - 0.2 lbs.

Diet Comment

Only by a little, but still, a weight-losing week.

Food Log

Breakfast
3:45pm: LEMOP (lox, eggs, and mushrooms, onions and peppers) and steamed sweet potatoes with Everything But the Bagel seasoning.

Lunch
Skipped. 

Dinner
12:10am: Air-popped popcorn, chef's salad (rotisserie chicken breast, horseradish cheddar cheese, walnuts, arugula, cabbage, chard, kale, spinach, creamy balsamic dressing.

Liquid Intake

   Espressos: 1;   Coffee: 24 oz.;  Water: 52+ oz.; 

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Thank you!

#2769, Thursday, November 11, '21: I am Fool rehearsal

Post 2769

- 11 years and 315 days since I started this blog -

November 18, 2018

Daily Comment

I wish it weren't such a rare event.

I am Fool finally, after a (another) six-week hiatus, had a rehearsal.

I love this band so much, the separation causes pain.

And we worked out a new original song! I'm in heaven when that happens. Also, I love this new song.

The next rehearsals will be preparation for a show we're doing the Saturday after Thanksgiving.

Unrelated news: It's open season for medical insurance, and I changed my dental insurance so I could stay with the same dentist. 

I'm still coughing. It's been two weeks. I feel fine, though, and I have a physical coming up next week. I'll deal with that then.

I'm grateful to have my band mates, J., John, Mike and Tami, in my life.

Food and Diet 

Today's Weight:                    198.8 lbs.

Previous Weight (11/10/21):        198.2 lbs.

Net Loss/Gain:                     + 0.6 lbs.

Diet Comment

Not an egretious gain, but still, wrong directions. Could sweet potatoes be the culprit? Or the sodium in Everything But the Bagel seasoning?

Food Log

Breakfast
4:05pm: Black bean spaghetti with Rao's Tomato and Basil sauce, Quorn Grounds, spinach, kale. Also, riced cauliflower with nutritional yeast.

Lunch
Skipped. 

Dinner
8:10pm: A Nellie's egg bite on a slice of Flax sprouted grains toast, and oatmeal with mixed berries, Greek yogurt, and kefir.

Liquid Intake

   Espressos: 1;   Coffee: 0 oz.;  Water: 60+ oz.; 

 Please leave a comment when you visit my blog.
Thank you!

#2768, Wednesday, November 10, '21: No comment

Post 2768

- 11 years and 314 days since I started this blog -

November 18, 2018

Daily Comment

I've got nothing to say, but it's okay.

Food and Diet 

Today's Weight:                    198.2 lbs.

Previous Weight (11/9/21):         198.7 lbs.

Net Loss/Gain:                     - 0.5 lbs.

Diet Comment

Am I back to weight loss? Maybe.

Food Log

Breakfast
4:05pm: LEO (lox, eggs, and onions) and roasted b russels sprouts with Everything But the Bagel seasoning and nutritional yeast.

Lunch
Skipped. 

Dinner
11:10pm: Walnuts, horseradish cheddar cheese, sweet potatos with butter and Everything But the Bagel seasoning, and a Quest bar.

Liquid Intake

   Espressos: 1;   Coffee: 24 oz.;  Water: 60+ oz.; 

 Please leave a comment when you visit my blog.
Thank you!

#2767, Tuesday, November 9, '21: Sleep and progress

Post 2767

- 11 years and 313 days since I started this blog -

November 18, 2018

Daily Comment

A call woke me up at 1:30pm. I was late for a rehearsal. I'd overslept.

I go to bed late, not as late as I used to, but still, I think I hit the sheets on average at about 1:30am. I'm usually asleep by 2am.

How much sleep I get ends up being a matter of how well and how quickly I can fall back asleep, because I will wake up two or three times during the night, and it takes me a few additional hours to get my fill of sleep, which I'm currently, arbitrarily define as seven hours.

Although I'd gone to bed at my usual time, by my 1:30 wake-up call, I'd gotten only my seven hours.

Scrambling to the rehearsal, I wasn't the last person ready, so there's that.

I got very good news from my sister-in-law, our efforts to restore her cable tv were finally successful.

It was a good day.

I'm grateful for my life.

Food and Diet 

Today's Weight:                    198.7 lbs.

Previous Weight (11/8/21):         198.7 lbs.

Net Loss/Gain:                     - 0.0 lbs.

Diet Comment

Holding that line.

Food Log

Breakfast
Skipped.

Lunch
6:30pm: Ultimate oatmeal+ (rolled oats, oat milk, walnuts, chia and hemp seeds, strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, Greek yogurt, kefir, whey protein, nutritional yeast). 

Dinner
11:20pm: Chicken and greens ramen (ViteRamen high-protein miso ramen noodles kit, roasted chicken, kale, spinach, nutritional yeast).

Liquid Intake

   Espressos: 0;   Coffee: 0 oz.;  Water: 54+ oz.; 

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Thank you!

#2766, Monday, November 8, '21: Weekend status

Post 2766

- 11 years and 312 days since I started this blog -

November 18, 2018

Daily Comment

I'm going to forgo any detail, I'll just say I am feeling well, all that 's left of my illness is a persistent little cough and a hit to my stamina.

The weekend was completely uneventful, until I got a call Sunday evening as I was readying my foray to the Sunday jam, that the host band was a no-show, could I help.

So now I'm in the host band for November. I'm happy about that!
I'm also aware that this month is going to be jammed with prep for my winter travel, and then... this blog turns into a travel blog, no more diet stuff. Just interesting things from my trip(s) and any interesting food that catches my eye.

I'm grateful for my life.

Food and Diet 

Today's Weight:                    198.7 lbs.

Previous Weight (11/5/21):         199.6 lbs.

Net Loss/Gain:                     - 0.9 lbs.

Diet Comment

Am I back to weight loss? Maybe.

Food Log

Breakfast
1:55pm: Shakshuka (vegetarian sloppy joe, mixed italian cheeses, poached eggs) and buttered Flax sprouted grains toast.

Lunch
Skipped. 

Dinner
10:40pm: Chef's salad (chicken breast, horseradish cheddar cheese, walnuts, arugula, cabbage, chard, chick peas, kale, spinach, creamy balsamic dressing).

Liquid Intake

   Espressos: 0;   Coffee: 24 oz.;  Water: 48+ oz.; 

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Thank you!

#2765, Friday, November 5, '21: Recovery day

Post 2765

- 11 years and 309 days since I started this blog -

November 18, 2018

Daily Comment

I feel almost completely well.

The most uncomfortable symptoms of my five-day long illness and vaccine reaction are all gone. What's left is a cough. This is familiar to me, happens every year about this time.

I made some changes in my Winter travel plans - eliminating almost all the driving time, and therefore, stops in New York City and North Carolina - by buying Syracuse to Daytona Beach tickets on Delta Airlines.

Now I know the exact limits of my Winter travels: December 1, 2021 to March 16, 2022.

I also went out today and got the legal administration papers sent to me by my sister-in-law's and my lawyer notarized.

Not bad for my first day of recovery.

I also helped my sister-in-law get her FIOS service back.

So, I'm feeling pretty good - I've done good today.

I'm grateful for the abundance that allows me to help myself and others.

Food and Diet 

Today's Weight:                    199.6 lbs.

Previous Weight (11/4/21):         199.0 lbs.

Net Loss/Gain:                     + 0.6 lbs.

Diet Comment

I'm feeling much better, and here comes the 'healthy' weight gain.

Food Log

Breakfast
3:55pm: LEO (lox, eggs and onions) and roasted brussels sprouts.

Lunch
Skipped. 

Dinner
9:10pm: Keto probiotic snack mix (nuts, seeds, cheese), and a couple of ounces of 86% dark chocolate.

Liquid Intake

   Espressos: 1;   Coffee: 0 oz.;  Water: 60+ oz.; 

 Please leave a comment when you visit my blog.
Thank you!