Kimmy’s Garden

After reading the CBC article on the new task force on mammograms not being recommended until 40, and after reading so many books on breast cancer for my project a few years ago, I can agree that the trouble of worrying is not worth the preventative effort of possible early detection.
However, I do not like the short statement about them also NOT recommending the breast self-exam. What? If women did the self-exam more often and taught how to do it properly, they would be more familiar with their body and how it changes depending on where they are in their cycles and be less afraid after the first “lump” experience. Be aware, ignorance is not bliss. Don’t even get me started on the new legislation that lets Parents pull their children out of sexual education classes at school. Hmm.

OK, so ten days down, and I have been lead a-stray just a few times…
that cranberry raisin bread [yea, i knew that...]
pasta salad? what? [ok, have now been introduced to rice pasta...]
couscous in my bean salad? and those sweet wheat berries are a no-no? ah! [dammit]
hamburger buns [ok, i needed to put the burger someone gave me somewhere...]

But, now I have adjusted my recipes to have buckwheat, and quinoa to replace some of the bean salad bits.
And I have a great brownie recipe made with brown rice flour and quinoa flour, and apple sauce too. very chocolatey.

What I miss most: toast!!
What I like most so far: hot wasabi rice crackers!

OK, so like many people I have been trying to get more fit, and lose a little weight for my health.
I just read a great book called “Omnivore’s Dilemma” by M. Pollan – and there was a section on how corn and soy bean have taken over the world, cows eating corn when they naturally shouldn’t, etc. The corn carbohydrate (C4) is slightly different than a wheat or barley carb (C3) … anyway. Bottom line, the difference that corn as food makes is that corn-(force)-fed cattle are deliciously marbled with fat – and thus so are the humans that eat them [my conclusion].
Instead of simply not eating flesh that was fed by corn, I have decided to cut out corn – except in my curried bean soup and the occasional nachos platter.
Also, reflecting on the fact that I also eat a lot of bread, I have determined that I am fairly bread-like. Soft, doughy, and pleasantly fluffy. What makes bread so wonderful? Gluten and air. Ok, keep air – say goodbye to gluten. This was actually the tough part.
Going gluten free for a month to see what happens. I am now eating my last strawberry Twizzler licorice, for a month. Who knew there was gluten in licorice? This is going to be tough.

This Is Where We Live from 4th Estate on Vimeo.

¿Cómo estas? ¿Cómo va la familia? Debo confesarte que no escribo correos electrónicos porque hago siempre mis tareas con la computadora y no la quiero tocar si no lo necesito absolumente.

No estoy estresada, pero estoy muy ocupada. Todas mis clases son interesantes. Saco buenas notas, y necesito estudiar mucho. ¡Tengo dos exámenes esta semana!

Sí, sí, duermo seis horas como minimo cada día. Los sábados, trabajo y después voy a bailar en la discoteca con amigas. Los domingos descanso todo el día con mi gatita nueva MeiMei. ¡Holgazana, yo sé! Hace dos días que no hago ejercicio, pero corro regularmente. Como muy bien, te lo juro. ¡El hecho es que yo engordo! En mi próxima visita, ¿puedes preparar tu ensalada de espinaca? Yo la ansio.

De verdad, Marcos tiene novia, ¡ya era hora! ¿Ella va a preparar la cena para tí y papi? Estoy un poco celosa, hay una influencia nueva en mi sensible hermano. Y Mariela, ¿cómo van sus clases? ¿A papá le gusta mucho el retiro? ¿Tiene unas actividades, o no sale de la casa el pobre?

Mamá, no te preocupes por mí. ¡Yo te llamo este fin de semana, lo prometo!

Cariñosamente, tu hija, Kim