Now We're Cooking With Coconuts

I'm 3 weeks plus into the detox, and striking out in strange and weird directions.  Specifically, I went on a hunt for coconut oil, which has a much higher smoke point than olive oil, and is actually better for you when frying foods.  Coconut oil (or butter) comes in a jar and is weirdly solid until you heat it.  The upside of that is you don't spill it everywhere.

My downfall came when I got impatient, and instead of locating the deodorized item, I picked up the only brand I could find in the store.  I've been forced to admit that unless the dish I'm cooking calls for coconut, the flavour really IS more noticeable than I'd like.

I've been drinking (for me) heaps of water, but in reality I've finally gotten up to a normal, non-dehydrated level.  I wish my brain would inform the rest of my system, which seems determined to mimic a motion-sensitive sink tap.  Apparently this seems to be a Barbara-specific problem, so don't be afraid to drink more water!

I'm getting the hang of not resorting to frozen vegetables and microwaves, and Andrew is even gaining a bit of benefit with fresher foods, despite my cooking a separate meal for him.  I try to cross over on the veggies where possible, but we have very some different preferences in types and styles of cooking.  I think I need a bigger stove and more pots & pans...and some more prep space.  I wonder if we really need that microwave...

Energy Drink

I've discovered the ultimate energy drink:  water.

OK, it's not just the water, it's getting the body healthy.  We all hear about how good health and nutrition will actually make you feel better, more focused, have more energy, yada yada yada.  And we all mentally agree with it.  But having been suddenly graced with the mental fortitude and determination to do this diet properly, I'm astounded to find I really do have more energy and focus:  I'm reading, writing and doing things I used to - I even hared off on my own and met up with friends and family at an amateur theatre production on a Saturday night.   It wasn't in the city, but given the crazy things I used to do, who knows, I may even brave downtown one evening.

I can't say I feel exactly like a kid again, since I managed to blow out my knees as a teen; but I am already feeling better than I have in years, and am becoming interested in life outside the daily "rut" again.

Donating Sleep and Other Odd Things

This week's discussions with friends have included the concept where our sleep is being donated.  There seemed to be quite a bit of insomnia going around - once one person was finished with it, they seemed to pass it to the next.  But we couldn't figure out which of the lucky ducks actually got the extra sleep nobody was using.

Other things that are disappearing seem to be my weight.  I'm genuinely looking forward to being half the women I currently am.  Well, perhaps 2/3 would be a better goal.  I've finally dropped all that weight I put on visiting the States for Thanksgiving two years ago - which essentially is attending one huge party from the end of November until New Year's when everyone makes their diet resolutions.  One friend claims I must have donated the kilos to her.

We've also just recently been informed that the 14th of September is officially the last day in our house here (which may explain some of the insomnia).  We will soon be on the hunt for a new home - anyone out there bored with donating insomnia, sleep, or weight?

California, here I ...am?

I'm doing a detox diet these days. It's something I've always seen value in, but have generally relied on the bodies amazing ability to detox itself. Finally, reaching what ambos & other medical types affectionately call the "Three Fs" (forty, fat & female), I realised I really needed to something radically different. Einstein was certainly right - to do the same thing over & over and expect different results is madness.

Currently I'm in week three of the 6-week program. Once I started, the enormity of no caffeine alcohol, or bread hit me fully, but I've soldiered on nonetheless. I've been fairly fanatical about it, too, and didn't have any sort of red meat until last night as a treat.

This phase includes a drink which looks (& tastes) like it is straight out of "LA Story." It is green, grass-like but at least isn't like licking a shag carpet. So far no earthquakes or warm sunny weather, but I'm definitely feeling California-ish these days.

Anyway, the diet is certainly helping. I'm feeling better, and as a bonus I've lost about 2 kilos or so, which brings me back to the weight I was when I arrived here. I'm hoping to lose more soon, and bring Australia back to the #2 most obese country in the world. We surpassed the USA by .01% shortly after I arrived, which makes me very suspicious...

Buzzing the Plane

We just purchased a Power8 Workshop. OK, so there's no planing tool in it. But this thing is still awesome - it has a hammer drill, jig, circular, scroll, and table saws, drill press, plus a halogen light. Plus it's got a bunch of other bits and bobs, and runs fully on battery power with all kinds of cool power connectors. Everything packs away neatly inside the "table," (item 8 for those of you who are counting), which is really a large carry box with all kinds of nooks, crannies, and work surfaces.

The handheld bit is really heavy, so I much prefer attaching the bits to the table. Yes, I am learning to use this thing. I thought it was so flash that I promised I'd learn to use every tool in the kit if we got it.

It's not high quality by any stretch of the imagination, but it does have the advantage being portable - at least if you use your imagination for that. The only way I was able to carry the unopened box down the hallway was to wheel it on a trolley. I was a amazed that the chap we bought it from was carrying it under one arm. Maybe after a few weeks of using the power tools I'll be able to do that, too. Goggles, please.