A Quick Health Update

For my family and friends checking in: Here's a quick health update for me... not for Small Fry. My blood pressure is totally fine. Yay! I must have white coat syndrome where it is elevated at the Drs office. Here at home it averages completely normal every time. I'm so thankful!

My cholesterol is up, but not significantly. But the Dr wants me to start a low fat diet to help lower the cholesterol levels. (I mentioned that a few weeks back). I spoke to a good friend and she managed to lower hers through diet as well. She said it's the little changes that can make a big difference. So, I'm adding flax seed to lots of things, and using whole grain pasta, rice and tortillas. My sister also baked a month worth of oat bran muffins and individually wrapped them for the freezer. I am sooo thankful for her, because it helps me tremendously in the mornings. All I have to do is grab a muffin from the fridge. Thank you Lisa!! My favorite oat bran recipe is below... they are really good, and my understanding is the oat bran helps soak up that bad cholesterol. I actually have another favorite flax and apple.... but I will have to post that one later.

In other health news: I went to the orthopedic doctor yesterday, and was informed that I have "bruising of the bone on the 2nd metatarsals." Woohoo! I hate to say this, but this Dr. is such a conceited, arrogant pita.... but he's good and I respect his medical diagnosis. He annoys me to no end though, as he hardly lets a patient speak. I look at him and think.... what are you going through some type of mid-life crisis or something? I feel for his older patients.... Anyway, when he pressed on my very tender foot, I yelped so loud there was no doubt where the bruising was! I have to get special shoe inserts to help take the pressure off that metatarsal, and hopefully it will heal in about 2 months. Meanwhile my low fat diet might help take off some weight, which might help take off some pressure on my feet as well. (See how my brain thinks??)

Here is the recipe:

Blueberry Nut Oat Bran Muffins

1 1/2 cups oat bran
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
2 tsp baking soda
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 cups applesauce
1/2 cup egg substitute
2 TBSP canola oil
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 ounce chopped pecans
1/2 cup low fat granola

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a 12 cup muffin pan with paper muffin liners and spray liners with cooking spray.

2. In large bowl mix the oat bran, flour, brown sugar, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon and salt. In a separate bowl blend the applesauce, egg substitute, canola oil and vanilla extract. Thoroughly mix the applesauce mixture into the flour mixture. Fold in the blueberries and pecans. Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin cups. Sprinkle batter with granola, and press lightly to make it stick.

3. Bake 18 minutes in the preheated oven, or until a toothpick inserted into a muffin comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack.

Nutritional Info:

Serving size: 1 muffin
Calories: 191
Total Fat: 4.4 g
Cholesterol: < 1 mg
Sodium: 397 mg
Total Carbs: 37.6 g
Dietary Fiber: 3.4 g
Protein: 5.5 g