Couch 182: Spiced Gingerbread.

Ugh! I need help! My pcp just told me no more carbs: bread, pasta, rice, couscous, etc. Only low fat dairy, fruits and veggies, and meat and fish. Fish has to be low in mercury. What in the world do I eat? Oh, and I can't eat hard foods like celery or carrots because of my partials.

This sucks so much! I have to give up carbs, cigarettes, and cut back on my psych meds! Does anyone know how difficult this is?

If anyone has suggestions for meals, please let me know!

I don’t really have an objection to the Joplin quote as much as I’m just more curious why the therapist quoted her. The therapist also claims on her profile to treat trauma and drug addiction (neither of which I would see a therapist for) but in my head I read the profile as:

“I treat addiction and here is an inspirational quote from Janis Joplin”

There is an weight loss forum here on PC. Seems like those people there often have some good tips. Maybe go have a look at some of those threads to see if you can find any helpful info?
I’m not good at advice on how to cut stuff out but to find low carb/no carb replacements for those things? And if you enjoy eating meat then maybe eat more of that to feel fuller longer and you might crave carbs less?

Hm, it doesn't seem right that she's saying to cut out carbs entirely. Even complex carbs like whole wheat or brown rice? Could you maybe see a dietician, even just for one session? They could suggest meal plans (I haven't seen one personally but have a friend who works as one). Or I imagine there's lots of info online about low-carb diets. Can you eat beans and lentils? Quinoa? (a high-protein grain)

I adore carbs, but I have recently tried zucchini noodles in place of pasta and was pleasantly surprised. Stir-fry then with tomato sauce and throw in some garlic and a bit of cheese and you might find it a decent substitute.

I also love berries, which I eat a lot of every morning, along with a high-protein waffle and peanut butter. The waffle has some carbs, so not sure that would suit you, but perhaps there might be some low-carb thing to spread some peanut butter on?

Almond butter is good, too--I especially like Justin's with Maple (I think?) They make a few flavors. Honestly, I just would sometimes eat a spoonful of it, not even put it on anything. (I was going to suggest putting it on apple slices, but I imagine that would be an issue with your partials. Maybe a softer fruit, like pears?)

Also, could you do smoothies, maybe with some sort of protein powder or lowfat yogurt?

Today i went to a private dentist because the local health service outsourced. I had no valium or whiskey so i went straight. They didnt seem to mind the crying and vomiting, this was just an assessment appointment next week i have fillings and something else. I am so exhausted.

We call her Janis

Joplin is the old timey jazz guy.

Jazz and ragtime are not the same!



Janis Joplin, go break a heart...



ETA: isn’t calling women by their first names (unless it’s Cher) and men by their last names kind of sexist?

H*LL yeah!

Janis is authentic, honest, and F**'d up just like me! Of course, I grew up in the 60s, and I am still an old hippie. But listen to this interview:
"I'm a victim of my own insides. There was a time when I wanted to know everything. I read a lot. I guess you'd say I was pretty intellectual. It's odd, I can't remember when it changed. It used to make me very unhappy, all that feeling. I just didn't know what to do with it. But now I've learned how to make feeling work for me. I'm full of emotion and I want a release, and if you're on stage and if it's really working and you've got the audience with you, it's a oneness you feel. I'm into me, plus they're into me, and everything comes together. You're full of it. I don't know, I just want to feel as much as I can, it's what 'soul' is all about."

Oh yeah, I'd see a T that could relate to that. Any time.

Alex
The Donald
Bill
Clinton
And how about Jesus Mary Joseph?

Why are you making me work so hard on hump day??

Hm, I don't know. Also a fan of her music, but not sure how I'd feel about a T who chose to quote her in their profile. I mean, ex-MC is a Dylan fan (he mentioned it a few times in session), but I'd feel weird if he quoted him in his profile. Then again, current T isn't really a fan of any music (we've discussed it)...I have no idea what I'm trying to say here. Maybe she's trying to appeal to a certain demographic?

Yes, it is very sexist

I think I can eat beans. I don't really know about lentils. Quinoa would be a no. And no wheat or brown rice for sure.

I'm a big carb and dairy eater. I don't eat much meat or veggies. I guess I have to now.

I'm actually going to try zucchini noodles. We're going to buy some tonight if I can find it. I like berries... covered in sugar. *Sigh* And I can't have waffles. Even the peanut butter, she wants me to find one that has no sugar.

If you have one of these near you, they have zucchini noodles.
https://www.noodles.com/

Maybe there is a name for this kind of diet that would help you find recipes and advice? Keto, maybe? We bought a spiralizer that can make noodles from veggies. I am particularly partial to spiralized butternut squash, roasted in the oven with a little olive oil and salt and pepper. I might actually like it better than real pasta.

I think that’s what she might be trying to do. I’m thinking of sending her an initial email JUST so I can find out where she’s coming from with quoting Janis Joplin.

I love this.

Yeah, I think it's most close to keto except low fat.

Out with the pumpkin spice, in with the gingerbread spice....

I bought gingerbread oatmeal so far. I added some ground cloves to it as it was kind of bland. I need to get gingerbread spice coffee or coffee creamer.

Maybe she’s trying to be cool??

Yum, I need to buy gingerbread spice something.

Session in just under two hours. Anybody about to pocket ride? I hope I can say what I mean without feeling like I'm speaking a foreign language.