December 27th - - still pigging out

Today I ate:

porridge

turkey with lots of mixed salad - - good so far

two pancakes with sweetener

crackers and cheese, with Pringles

an orange

Christmas cake

Six squares of chocolate

and I'm about to have a glass of Bailey's.

Verdict: Oh I know lots of people will have eaten a lot worse - - but it's NOT good enough and I must do better tomorrow!

Boxing Day

I wasn't feeling that great emotionally today and what I ate perhaps reflected that. Or perhaps I'm just a pig.

Porridge

Turkey salad

Christmas pud and brandy sauce

Roast beef, roast potatoes, sprouts, peas, sweetcorn, Yorkshire puds, gravy

Chocolate cheesecake

Pancake with sweetener

Verdict - - sighhhhh. Went well so far as the turkey salad!

Back to the Blog

I haven't written this blog for a while, since before I went to Italy in the summer. And it's not that I've been eating particularly badly in this time - - it's just that I have been finding a lot of things very difficult, and I've been very short of time.

But I know that I do tend to reach for something sweet when things are hard, and that's not good.

So I'm starting this blog again today, with the most-food day, Christmas Day. Surely after today things have got to get better.

Today I ate:

porridge

Turkey, sprouts, roast potatoes, sweetcorn, peas, a sausage, a chipolata wrapped in bacon, gravy

Elderflower and apple juice

An individual Christmas pudding with rather a lot of brandy sauce

five crackers with Double Gloucester and Brie

a piece of Christmas cake

two glasses of Bailey's.

Verdict: well, I know that this will be less than a lot of people have eaten. And I know that it's most certainly less than a lot of people have drunk.

But I'm not very pleased with myself really since I'm DIABETIC!!! And I should know better. And I do. But I'm not feeling great at the moment and I've been comfort=eating.

Must do better! (It's possible that I may finish the Bailey's first though).

Monday in the Office

I was in the office for most of today and Olli got the Letter from the doctor.

Today I ate:

Shreddies

Tuna and cucumber sandwich

Two nectarines and a banana with some evaporated milk

Baked potato and cheese with coleslaw and green salad with peppers and tomatoes

Two small plain scones with raspberry jam

Four squares of white chocolate

Verdict: All going well till the chocolate!

Saturday and Sunday with Chilli con Carne

A weekend of learning Italian and ironing!

Yesterday I ate:

Special K

Quiche Lorraine with green salad and tomatoes

Watermelon

Chilli con Carne (home made) with rice - made with tinned tomatoes and baked beans and peas and onions

Watermelon

Tub of chocolate mousse

Verdict: All fine till we got to the chocolate mousse!

Sunday: Our wedding anniversary!

And I ate:

porridge with frozen raspberries

an apple

two slices of toast with strawberry jam

two plums

a nectarine

four squares of white Caldey chocolate

Chilli con carne again with rice and peas

Raspberries with evaporated milk

Verdict: Well I shouldn't get scurvy!

A Kiwi fruit

North by Northwest

That was the film we saw tonight and highly enjoyable too!

And I ate:

Special K

a brown bread roll with butter

a plum

a cheese scone

some green salad with bits of carrot and pepper and a tomato

M and S rump steak beefburger with fried onions, peas, oven chips

frozen raspberries and a bit of Arctic Roll

Verdict: Naughty but nice!

Home and Hungry

Today I was at home all day and was really hungry by late afternoon!

And I ate:

Special K

two small slices of toast and strawberry jam

a large piece of watermelon

three ginger biscuits

five fish fingers, oven chips and peas

tinned fruit cocktail in fruit juice with evaporated milk

an orange

Verdict: Actually not as bad as I thought it was going to be!

Fish and Chips

It was a hassly kind of a day so I craved fish and chips. What can I say?

So I ate:

Special K

two thin small slices of toast and a banana

an orange

three ginger biscuits

Fish and Chips (sighhhhhhh)

Large slice of watermelon

Verdict: Oh dear.

Roast Pork Yum Yum

Today I went and removed the weeds from a patio and really enjoyed it, in the sunshine!

And I ate:

Special K

four small slices of toast, a banana, strawberry jam on two of them

an orange

Roast pork, some crackling, large baked potato, mixed vegetables, gravy.

Verdict: Pretty good! (and delicious too)

Office and Airport

I was in the office all day and later took my brother to the airport.

And I ate:

Special K with red berries

Tuna mayonnaise salad sandwich in brown bap

Nectarine, orange, banana

Scampi and oven chips and peas

Strawberries with evaporated milk

Verdict: Not too bad!

Friday, Saturday, Sunday - - all together

I don't know why I didn't write this blog for the past couple of days - - too busy and tired I think!

On Friday I ate:

cornflakes

two slices of toast with a banana

lamb steak, new potatoes, peas and carrots

raspberries with a slice of Arctic Roll

Verdict: not bad apart from the Arctic Roll (and enjoyed the film we saw in the evening too!)

On Saturday I ate:

porridge with raspberries

big salad with fish balls, avocado, lettuce, pepper, cucumber, tomatoes, Florida salad

strawberries

quarter of a Piel de Sapo melon

two slices of bread and jam

On Sunday I ate:

small Shredded Wheats

salad with fish balls, avocado, lettuce, pepper, cucumber, tomatoes, Florida salad (just not so much as yesterday!)

two slices of bread and jam

apple

lamb steak with small portion of boiled potatoes, frozen peas

quarter of a Piel de Sapo melon

four squares of Caldey Island chocolate

Verdict: Not bad apart from the chocolate!

Tuesday and Wednesday

Yesterday I had a lovely lunch at the Wellington pub (thank you!)

And I ate:

Special K

apple

turkey with roast potatoes, peas, green beans, sweetcorn, carrots, cauliflower

two slices of bread with raspberry jam

a bowl of cornflakes

Verdict: Interesting - - and delicious!

Today I was working at some Government Buildings and I ate:

porridge with frozen raspberries

chilli con carne with rice

a scone

chips and some chicken dhansak

an orange

a nectarine

Verdict: Not as bad as I thought it was going to be when I wrote it down!

Monday in the offce and Olli's Birthday

Today was Olli's birthday but Olli was coming back from Wacken.

And I ate:

Special K

banana

salad with lettuce, tomato, avocado, ham, red pepper

bag of raisins with yogurt coating

cauliflower cheese

half a melon

Verdict: Pretty good!

Too Much Today

Today I ate too much and I don't know why - - did go for a walk though.

Today I ate:

Special K

baguette and cheese and Branston pickle

five coconut biscuits (WHAT!!!)

half a melon

a banana

Thai Green Curry (Somerfield, quite nice) with wholegrain rice and peas

a gooseberry fool

half a bar of Caldey white chocolate

Verdict: What's going on? Far too much food! I think I left it rather late to have lunch and it all went downhill from there.

Friday and Saturday

I had a highly enjoyable evening watching Leon and Valiant last night, and forgot to write this blog.

Anyway, yesterday I ate:

Special K

a scone with jam

an orange, a nectarine, a banana

a piece of lemon cake (look, it was home made and it would have been rude to refuse, honest!)

half a portion of spare ribs and half a portion of chicken fried rice and some chips and some prawn crackers (sobs gently but it was YUM)

Verdict: Not the best of days nutrition-wise - - but it was a lovely evening and the Chinese take-away has been shut for weeks!

Today I ate:

porridge with frozen raspberries

a bacon sandwich

an orange

spag bol with tinned tomates and fresh onions and frozen peas

a bowl of strawberries

Verdict: Not too bad, though perhaps a bit too much red meat!

Planning Italy

Today we hired the car for our Italy trip. Woohoo!

and I ate:

Special K with red berries (a treat!)

two scones with raspberry jam

a banana

a coconut biscuit

pasta with bolognese sauce (mince, tinned tomatoes, onions, tomato puree etc) and frozen peas

small piece of Arctic Roll

strawberries and evaporated milk

Verdict: Not too bad!

Quiet Day

It was very quiet in the office today and I managed to send off for the proceeds of the Communist's insurance policy, for my mother.

And I ate:

porridge with frozen raspberries

egg salad sandwich (tomatoes and lettuce)

an orange

two apricots

roast chicken, new potatoes, peas and sweetcorn

a scone with raspberry jam

a nectarine

Verdict: Not bad at all. Would have been better without the scone - - but not bad!

Watching Films and Gardening

Today I did some gardening and watched the second Harry Potter film and also Madagascar - - highly enjoyable.

And I ate:

muesli

two slices of toast with butter

a banana, an apple, an orange, an apricot

chicken with gravy, fried potatoes, mixed vegetables

Verdict: Not bad at all!

Sunday and Monday

Okay, I don't know how I didn't write this yesterday.

Yesterday I ate:

muesli

a sausage sandwich (three sausages)

a lot of fresh peas

burger, fried onions, chips and peas

an orange

a nectarine

two apricots

Verdict: Too high in fat!

Today I ate:

muesli

fresh peas from pods

two slices of toast and a banana

two apricots

fish and half a portion of chips

an orange

Verdict: again, too high in fat - - I seem to be seeking comfort food as I've been feeling a bit below par.

Catching Up

On Thursday I went to London with Silverback for him to get his visa.

And I ate:

muesli

a banana

an apple

a ham and tomato sandwich on the coach

chips and a tiny bit of Kentucky Fried Chicken

Burger King cheeseburger and chips

a Kit Kat (four fingers!)

Verdict - - oh well, not good but only one day - -

On Friday I ate:

muesli

bread roll and butter

fresh peas from pods

M and S posh burger, with fried onions, new potatoes and frozen peas

lemon meringue pie

Verdict: Ah well, we were celebrating Silverback's visa in lemon meringue pie!

Today I was at home and I ate:

porridge with frozen raspberries

sausage sandwich with two sausages

lots of peas from pods

half a pizza and some garlic bread

some green salad and tomatoes

an orange

a nectarine

a small bar of Cadbury's Dairy Milk (comfort food)

Verdict: Not as bad as I thought - at least there were fruit and veg! Tomorrow - - back on track!

At home - - a bit disheartened

Feeling a bit fed up with the state of some things today!

And I ate:

Kelloggs' Fruit and Fibre

two slices of toast with a banana

some fresh peas from pods

scampi, oven chips and peas

half a melon

a nectarine

Verdict: Not too bad - - and not too much, either!

Healthy Salad

In the office today - took photos for a visa - -

and I ate:

bowl of Kellogg's Fruit and Fibre

sausage sandwich (two sausages, tomato ketchup, 2 slices bread)

a raw carrot

yogurt (low-fat) with a nectarine

salad: lettuce, tomato, avocado, cucumber, almonds
Florida salad and Waldorf salad
new potatoes with salad cream

rhubarb and evaporated milk with a bit of muesli

an apple

Verdict: a bit high in fat but plenty of fruit and vegetables. Pretty good really!

Strange Times

I woke up, worrying, at about three am having gone to sleep at one - - and then was up for a couple of hours and went back to bed until about eight - - so my times are all to pot.

And I ate:

porridge with frozen raspberries at about 5am!

a bagel with tuna and onion

two slices of bread and jam

a Walnut Whip

spag bol from yesterday with grated cheese and peas

bowl of strawberries with a nectarine

a bowl of Cheerios

Verdict: Not too good but I seemed unusually hungry!

Sleeeepy Day

Today I was tired until the afternoon - - then I slept for two hours!

And I ate:

muesli

apple

banana

bread roll with butter

three sausages (actually it was a sausage sandwich)

orange

wholemeal pasta with bolognese sauce - - mince, onion, tinned tomatoes, tomato puree
frozen peas

strawberries with evaporated milk

six small squares of Caldey Island chocolate

a raw carrot

Verdict: Shame about the chocolate, but not too bad - plenty of fruit and veg!

In the Office again

I was on my own in the office today but had a very pleasant evening watching Evita with Silverback and Stephen.

Today I ate:

Shreddies

fresh peas from pods

a raw carrot

a bread roll with melted cheese

a bread roll with butter and jam

roast chicken with new potatoes, frozen peas and carrots

a slice of Arctic Roll

a nectarine

Verdict: Would have been better without the Arctic Roll, but not too bad.

A Midsummer Night's Rain

In the office on my own today.

And I ate:

muesli

two slices of nutty bread with butter

an apple

a few raspberries

some fresh peas

two slices of nutty toast with a banana

four squares of very dark chocolate from Caldey Island

a bowl of Cheerios

Verdict: strange, could be better but not too bad.

Birthday!

My birthday today and I worked with some medical students in the morning and then went out for a lovely meal in the evening.

And I ate:

muesli

banana

small ham sandwich, two pieces of breaded chicken, two small veggie pancake rolls, slices of melon (Corporate lunch!)

Italian meatballs and penne pasta, a few chips, a bowl of salad

bread and butter pudding with raspberry coulis and cream

a nectarine

Verdict: Not too bad considering it was my birthday!

Back in the Office

At last the effects of the Gliclazide seem to have worn off and I haven't been starving hungry all day!

Today I ate:

muesli

ham and tomato sandwich with salad cream, wholemeal bread

stick of celery

raw peas

chicken Kiev, with oven chips and frozen peas

half a melon

an orange

Verdict: Not bad at all!

Back from Tenby

After a week of eating really rather too much food in Tenby, I'm back and trying to lose some weight before we go to Italy!

But I'm not on a diet really - just trying to go back to how I was before I was put on Gliclazide, which made me gain seven pounds in a few weeks.

Today I ate:

muesli (no sugar)

ham and tomato sandwich with salad cream
stick of celery

stewed blackcurrants, no sugar, with evaporated milk

fresh peas from pods

apple

Chicken Kiev, boiled potatoes, peas

half a melon

orange

nectarine

Verdict: Not bad at all - certainly plenty of fruit!

Getting ready for Tenby

I'm off the Gliclazide so not so hungry all the time hurrah!

Today I ate:

muesli

three small slices of white toast and peanut butter

pot of low-fat chocolate mousse

orange

banana

fish and (some) chips

bowl of raspberries with evaporated milk

Verdict: Could be worse, a bit too much fat!

No More Gliclazide!

I have missed a few days' writing here, in which I went to the doctor and was told that my blood result was good and I could come off the gliclazide, which makes me eat all the time - I've put on 6lbs in a few weeks and got rather dispirited.

But now I can work on losing it again!

Today I ate:

muesli

two small slices of white bread and jam

two raw carrots

some lettuce

an apple

a banana

two chicken burgers with half a tin of low-sugar baked beans

a bowl of strawberries with a bit of ice cream

three digestive biscuits

Verdict: Could be better, but not too bad.

Michael Jackson Broke My Internet

Michael Jackson broke my internet by sadly dying on Silverback's birthday (and Silverback and I had a great lunch at the Wellington on 25th).

Today I ate:

muesli

salad with leaves, avocado, tomatoes, red peppers, croutons

two slices of wholemeal bread with no-added-sugar raspberry jam

three digestive biscuits

fish and chips!! (Large fish but not too many chips)

half a melon

apple

orange

Verdict: Some good, some bad!

Turnip Time

Today I was in the office and I didn't really feel very well - - a bit lop-sided, which happens sometimes.

And I ate:

muesli

three apricots

a ham and tomato sandwich with salad cream

a bowl of rhubarb

an apple

a small raw turnip

scampi, oven chips and peas

a bowl of raspberries

a bowl of Special K

Verdict: Not too bad - - plenty of fruit and veg too!

Training for OSCE

I did some training for an OSCE (medical students' exam) this morning and then some gardening this afternoon.

And I ate:

muesli

two apples and a banana

a large chunk of white cabbage

a good number of fresh peas

two slices of wholemeal bread and strawberry jam

half tin low-sugar baked beans with two Marks and Spencers beefburgers

a large bowl of strawberries with evaporated milk

an orange

Verdict: Lots of fruit and veg and really not bad at all! Blimey!

Steak and Strawberries

I ate some rather pleasant food today, though I've been feeling a bit lop-sided and strange all day.

And I ate:

muesli

three fresh apricots

large lump of white cabbage

quite a lot of raw peas

three slices of cinnamon and raisin bread

rump steak, fried onions, peas, oven chips

large bowl of strawberries and evaporated milk

Verdict: pretty good, I didn't eat anything that I'm too ashamed of! But then I didn't seem quite so hungry as usual!

Helaina's party

Today we went to Helaina's birthday party and I ate a lot of BAD food in the middle of the afternoon.

Today I ate:

muesli

four small slices of cinnamon and raisin bread with butter

stewed gooseberries (no sugar - Canderel) with evaporated milk

two large bridge rolls with tuna and mayonnaise

a tiny cakey thing

a sausage roll and two little sausages

a large scoop of home-made chocolate ice-cream, ditto strawberry with real strawberries

a very large bowl of fruit salad with cream

a large chunk of white cabbage

a lot of fresh peas from pods

a bowl of Special K

Verdict - FAT! But, okay, quite a lot of fruit and veg too. But FAT! FAT! FAT!

Still Hungry Still Hungry

Today I spent a long time of tediousness having my hair cut.

And I ate:

muesli

three mints

two large chunks of white cabbage at different times

two slices of white bread and sugar-free jam

some raw peas

an apple

an orange

scampi, oven chips and peas (thank you Stephen)

a pot of low-fat chocolate mousse

and I'm STILL hungry!

Verdict - - oh, I'm so tired of this.

Filming a Video and Watching Films

This morning I filmed a video to help train cancer consultants - interesting and, I hope, useful. And this evening I watched "Bolt" and a Bill Bailey session - enjoyed them both very much.

I haven't written this blog for a few days as I went to Oxford with Silverback to visit my friend in hospital.

But today I ate:

muesli

baguette with cheese and ham

an apple

three shortbread biscuits

a large chunk of white cabbage

a tomato

another apple

chicken fried rice with bamboo shoots and water chestnuts

Verdict: Not good - - could be worse but NOT GOOD.

Vanstallation in Holmfirth

It was a sunny day today and Mum and I went to Holmfirth this morning to see an art exhibition including a Vanstallation - - like an installation with vans - - -

And I ate:

muesli

a butternut squash muffin (sounds hideous but it was delicious)

a fresh salmon sandwich in brown bread with cucumber and a bit of salad
with chips

lamb steak, new potatoes, peas

a bowl of strawberries with evaporated milk

Verdict: Not as much fruit and veg as usual but the good news is that, although I had my Gliclazide tablet, I haven't seemed to be as starving today - - or indeed for the past few days. Perhaps I'm getting used to it at long last - - I hope so!

Swinsty Reservoir Walk

Today we walked round Swinsty Reservoir, and it was lovely.

And I ate:

muesli

apple

banana

cheese and tomato sandwich

half a bar of milk chocolate with hazelnuts (well I was WALKING!)

ham and salad with lots of different leaves, pepper, tomatoes, Florida salad

fresh raspberries with evaporated milk

two scones with butter and jam

Verdict: Fruit and veg not bad - - shame about the scones and the chocolate!

Quiet Day in the Office and some Mended Doors

John came and mended several doors today and it's lovely that they work now!

Today I ate:

muesli (always sugar-free)

wholemeal chicken sandwiches with salad cream (the bread was wholemeal, not the chickens)

two tomatoes

an orange

an apple

a banana

chicken frozen thing with rice on the outside (I liked it) with oven chips and peas

a small piece of lemon cake

four (yes FOUR) digestive biscuits in two lots of two

half a small honeydew melon

Verdict: Still fine on the fruit and veg. Still too much of everything else!

Tiring Day

A long and busy day today - work in the office, Jo arrived with her kitten, and I spent the evening writing something about Communication Skills.

And I ate:

muesli

a large chunk of white cabbage

an apple

two slices of toast and raspberry jam

roast chicken, roast potatoes, sprouts, peas and sweetcorn

a smallish piece of lemon cake

Verdict: Could be worse - - but could be better too!

STILL hungry AGAIN

I was in the office for most of today. Still hungry, though.

And I ate:

muesli

a nectarine

two slices of wholemeal bread and jam

three digestive biscuits

a large chunk of white cabbage

four small sausages with baked beans and new potatoes

a bowl of raspberries with evaporated milk

an orange

some fresh peas

a bowl of Special K

Verdict: Fruit and veg fine - - too much of everything else!

Too Hungry

I was in the office today but STILL HUNGRY.

And I ate:

muesli

two small sausages, large portion green salad, large portion raw white cabbage

an apple

a banana

a bowl of Special K

chicken Kiev with new potatoes and frozen peas

an orange

some fresh peas

a bowl of fresh strawberries

three digestive biscuits

a small packet of Hula Hoops

Verdict: Eight portions of fruit and veg! Too much of everything else! I must go back to the doctor and see if I can have my tablets changes so I'm not SO HUNGRY all the time!

Art Market and Meeting

I've missed a few days of this blog partly because of Gareth coming out of hospital - - I just seemed busy with other things.

I had a great steak in London on Thursday, a really enjoyable Chinese takeaway of an assorted appetiser on Friday and yesterday I had lunch at a cafe, Timoney's - - roast beef sandwich with onions and really great chips.

But back to today:

muesli (sugar free Alpen)

banana

apple

two slices of wholemeal toast and butter with a boiled egg

three digestive biscuits

four small sausages and some baked beans

a large slice of fruit tart with confectioner's custard (NOOOOOOOOOO!)

an orange

some fresh peas (I love these!)

a large chunk of white cabbage

Verdict: Fruit tart is NOT one of your five a day, Daphne! Apart from that, not too bad.

To the Solicitor's

To the solicitor's this morning to sort out probate - - really, really not fun.

And I ate:

muesli

a large lump of raw white cabbage

two raw carrots

two slices of wholemeal bread and jam

two lemon and raisin pancakes (small!)

fish fingers, oven chips and peas

an apple

strawberries and evaporated milk

an orange

Verdict: Again, fine on the fruit and veg - - too much fat and sugar. I let my blood sugar get too low before lunch and hence ate too much.

Bradford and Bridlington

Today I was expecting to be working in Bradford but ended up in Bridlington instead which was wonderful.

And I ate:

muesli

carvery lunch: turkey, green beans, peas, carrots, sweetcorn, cauliflower, roast potatoes

a scone with butter and jam

a packet of Hula Hoops

an apple

a banana

three raisin and lemon pancakes

another apple

Verdict: Could do better - - though pretty good on the fruit and veg again!

At the University

Today I helped with a video assessment for medical students.

And I ate:

muesli

four slices of cinnamon and raisin bread with butter

an apple

a banana

chicken masala (from a jar!) with wholegrain rice and peas, and mango chutney

rhubarb, stewed, no sugar, with evaporated milk

three digestive biscuits

an orange

Verdict: not TOO bad but a bit too much sugar and fat

Another Sunny Day

Sunny today -- I drove to York and back and worked, apart from when my friend came round for a while, which was good:

And I ate:

muesli (sugar-free)

roast chicken with leafy salad and tomatoes and two carrots and some pickled cucumber

three slices of cinnamon and raisin bread with butter

a digestive biscuit

a banana

an orange

pasta with tomato and basil sauce and peas

stewed rhubarb and custard

Verdict: Plenty of fruit and veg, shame about the custard.

Sutton Bank in the Sunshine

Today I went for quite a long walk along the Cleveland Way near Sutton Bank - - about six miles I think.

And I ate:

porridge with frozen raspberries

an apple

a banana

a few brazil nuts

a tuna, mayonnaise and salad sandwich

three (yes three!) small Mr Kipling almond slices (I'd just walked a long way!)

a scone

chicken salad with green leaves, Florida salad, tomatoes, avocado (half)

a slice of bread and butter

strawberries with evaporated milk

an orange

Verdict: Well, pretty good on the fruit and veg, not so good on the sugar - - but then I did walk a long way!

Mixed Bag

I've been working in the office, then at Leeds University, and then spent a pleasant evening eating Chinese takeaway and watching films.

And I ate:

porridge with frozen raspberries

two slices of toast and a banana

a save-the-planet cereal bar

a pear

Chinese takeaway - - chicken fried rice with peas and prawn crackers

Verdict: Started well, ended badly - - yummy though.

Loooong Day in Sheffield

Today I was working in Sheffield and had to get up at half past five - - I didn't get back until about seven.

There was lots of food provided - - and I ate:

porridge with frozen raspberries

a croissant

an apple

a banana

a nectarine

half a bread roll with egg on it, half a bread roll with tuna

a small samosa and another small fried thing

two ginger biscuits

half a scone

another apple

a bowl of Cheerios

four Matzos biscuits with butter and jam

AND I'M STILL HUNGRY! - - but I'm going to bed now. And it has been a VERY long day.

Office Day and Claim Forms

A rather tedious day, work-wise, working in our office and filling in claim forms - - - doing the work can be less hassle than claiming the money sometimes!

And I ate:

porridge with frozen raspberries

some brazil nuts

two slices of toast and butter with a banana

a large chunk of raw white cabbage

two (albeit small) Eccles cakes

two slices of cheese on toast

half a tin of fruit cocktail in fruit juice with evaporated milk

an orange

Verdict: Well, it could have been worse - - at least I think today I've eaten a bit less than recently.

White Chocolate

I'm fed up of being hungry all the time!

Today I ate:

porridge with frozen raspberries

a large chunk of white cabbage

four squares of matzos with butter and cheese

a scone with raisins and butter

a small chunk of carrot and walnut cake

fish fingers, oven chips and peas

a fruit yogurt with two digestive biscuits

some white chocolate

Verdict - - - aaaaaaaaaargh I must STOP EATING SO MUCH! Infuriating Gliclazide tablets! Mind you, I did some gardening so I hope that worked a bit of it off.

Trying Not to Overeat

Bank Holiday Monday and I've done jobs, mostly, apart from going for a walk.

And I ate:

porridge with frozen raspberries

an apple

two slices of toast with butter and peanut butter

a brazil nut yogurt

an orange

pork casserole with onions and mushrooms, with peas and sweetcorn

a piece of melon

three digestive biscuits

another apple

Verdict: Fine on the fruit and veg - - is that NINE portions?! - - but still too much of the rest - - but these tablets make me HUNGRY!

Sunny - - and Hungry

A lovely sunny day today and I went for two walks, one in the park and one near home. But the Gliclazide made me really hungry all day.

And I ate:

Cheerios with milk

a banana

an apple

a large chunk of white cabbage with some salad cream (whilst I waited for the chicken to cook as my blood sugar was so low)

two glucose tablets (ditto)

a few brazil nuts (ditto)

roast chicken, roast potatoes, sprouts, peas, sweetcorn, gravy

two small Bakewell tarts

two scones with butter and jam

some Ritz biscuits with half-fat butter

a brazil nut yogurt

an orange

Verdict: Plenty of fruit and veg but too much of everything else. And I'm STILL HUNGRY. Sighh.

Strange Mixture

A trip to York, a trip to the supermarket there, Dungeons and Dragons in our house - - a bit of a strange day and I ate some strange food:

porridge with frozen raspberries

chicken tikka with half rice half chips

an apple

a few brazil nuts

three scones in total with butter and jam (low fat butter, no added sugar jam)

a large chunk of white cabbage, raw

an orange

a small Bakewell Tart

Verdict: Too high in fat and a bit too high in sugar. As usual! Sighhhhh.

Chinese and Films

Today I watched Fargo and Apollo 13 and I thought they were both superb.

And I ate:

porridge with frozen raspberries

an apple

a banana

two slices of toast with marmalade

three digestive biscuits

a few nuts and raisins

Chicken chop suey with boiled rice and a few chips

some prawn crackers

Verdict: Could be better. Wish Gliclazide didn't make me want to eat all the time.

Two Tiring Days

Yesterday I worked in the office and Gareth's mum Val came to visit.

And I ate:

porridge with raspberries

a banana

two slices of toast

four biscuits

Chinese takeaway - - assorted appetiser - - - lots of fatty things and some beansprouts!

an orange

piece of fruit cake

Verdict: Really not good but I was rushing around like a mad rushing thing.

Today I was over in Huddersfield at work this morning and it meant another early start.

And I ate:

porridge with frozen raspberries

tuna mayonnaise sandwich

shortbread biscuit

four digestive biscuits

banana

chilli con carne with tomatoes, onions, peas, wholegrain rice

piece of fruit cake

Verdict: Some good stuff in there but again I let my blood sugar get too low on the way back from Huddersfield. Must remember to eat before it does that!

Don't Do This Again Daphne

Today I left it too late to have lunch and by the time I did my blood sugar was really low.

It all started off well:

porridge with frozen raspberries

half a tuna and cucumber sandwich
half and egg and tomato sandwich

(thanks to David who brought me both of these)

but as I ate them I was aware that my blood sugar was still dropping - - -

a piece of lemon cake

four digestive biscuits

(oh dear oh dear)

an orange

and then a little bun in the afternoon, whatthehell

But things improved later:
stir-fry mixed vegetables with almonds and noodles

fresh raspberries and a banana

Verdict: Fine on the fruit and veg. Bad on the sugar! Must eat before my blood sugar gets too low.

Stressed Eating

Gareth's in hospital and I'm feeling thoroughly fed up. And, as usual when stressed, my eating turns to one thing - - FAT: and another thing: CARBOHYDRATE.

Today I ate:

porridge with frozen raspberries (so far so good)

tuna and cucumber sandwich (not bad)

apple (yes, fine)

two slices of bread and no-added-sugar jam (not too bad but getting a bit carbohydrate-ridden)

large bowl of Cheerios with milk (see line above)

Big Mac and fries (on the way back from taking Olli to York - - do I really need to comment?)

Verdict: Oh dear. Sighhhhhhhhhhhhh.

After a Gap - - -

I've had a very busy week or so with a trip to London closely followed by a trip to Barrow - - and I really enjoyed them both! And Gareth's been in hospital with appendicitis. Blimey.

But, after overdosing on delicious food, back to what passes for normal - -

Today I ate:

porridge with frozen raspberries

two croissants (it was a stressful day and one thing I've learned is that when I'm stressed out, I head for the croissants)

an orange
an apple

pasta with tomato and basil sauce
a slice of gingerbread with butter (nononononono)

another orange

a couple of squares of dark chocolate

Verdict: Off to the supermarket tomorrow to get some SALAD and VEG.

At the Queen's Hotel

I was working at the Queen's Hotel in central Leeds today - - never been there before in my life but it was really good with great food and the work was interesting too: and lunch was lovely.

I ate:

porridge with frozen raspberries in it

shepherd's pie with broccoli and carrots

several slices of water melon

three cream crackers and some cheese

a small piece of flapjack

stir-fry vegetables with rice noodles

half a melon

a scone with butter and jam

Verdict: there seems quite a lot of it - - though a long day and I'm off to bed now even though it's just after half past nine!

Wendy Returns

Rather a worrying day today as Wendy the kitten went missing - - - but returned safely before the end of the day, phew.

I bought some steak to cheer myself up and ended up celebrating her return with it.

And I ate:

porridge

two slices of white toast with butter and peanut butter

a banana

a scone with butter and no-added-sugar jam

sirloin steak with oven chips and peas and fried onions

Verdict: Could have done with more fruit and veg but I was so full after the steak that I couldn't eat anything else! I don't usually eat that much protein at one go and I'm STILL full.

Bank Holiday Sunday

I keep getting tingly fingers. I'm not impressed. It can be a symptom of diabetes, and it's not good. Sighhh.

Today I ate:

porridge

four cream crackers with butter and cheese

a carrot, raw

a chunk of raw cabbage

an apple

five fish fingers with oven chips and peas

an orange

Verdict: Could have been a bit more veg involved but really not bad at all. Wish my fingers weren't tingling though.

To the Garden Centre

A bank holiday Saturday and I went with Stephen, my mother and our old friend Connie to the garden centre.

And today I ate:

porridge

a tuna mayonnaise sandwich with a bit of salad

a scone

a whole packet of Maltesers (?!!!!!)

a boiled egg

two slices of toast, one with butter and one with jam too

an orange

an apple

Verdict: Maltesers? What's that all about?!

Chinese Friday

Today I was in a long meeting this morning and then enjoyed some gardening this afternoon.

And I ate:

porridge

a fruit scone with butter

a yogurt biscuit thingy

chicken fried rice with a few chips nicked from Silverback, and some extra beansprouts, and a few prawn crackers.

Verdict: Not good. Sighhhh. At least there wasn't too much sugar involved.

Shed Day

John built our shed today, hurray hurray hurray.

Sorry.

And I ate:

porridge

a cheese and tomato sandwich

a piece of apple pie

two crumpets with butter and jam

a bowl of Special K

Verdict: Terrible! What's going on? I think I'll go and have an orange before I get scurvy in the night.

In Bradford

I had an interesting trip to Bradford today and the roleplay went well too.

And I ate a strange mixture of things:

porridge

a banana on two slices of white toast with butter

a few brazil nuts

two crumble biscuits

some cooked chicken

a bowl of Special K Red Berries

an orange

Verdict: okay, a bit weird. And lacking in veg!

Pleasant Day

An interesting and pleasant day today with plans for the future!

And I ate:

porridge

four cream crackers with butter and brie

a banana

roast chicken with sprouts and rather too many roast potatoes

gooseberry fool

an orange

Verdict: not too bad - a bit too much sugar in the gooseberry fool!

Monday in the office

Today was a looong day in our office - - but we got a lot done.

And I ate:

porridge

four cream crackers with butter and brie

a large chunk of raw white cabbage and a raw carrot

a banana

some Pringles

chilli con carne with rice and peas (home made chilli from the freezer)

lots of raspberries with evaporated milk

a small slice of cake (sigh)

Verdict: Lots of fruit and veg, at least - - it all went wrong with the Pringles and the cake!

Sunday Lunch

My old friend from schooldays called round today and we had a very late lunch at about half past two.

Today I ate:

porridge

an apple

a banana

Waldorf salad, ham, herb salad, tomatoes, coleslaw, boiled potatoes

a bread roll with butter

a piece of madeira cake!!

two scones with no-added-sugar jam

an orange

Verdict: Not bad, apart from the cake!

Shopping on Saturday

We spent most of the morning in Sainsbury's and seemed to buy most of it.

Some visitors came round and stayed for lunch - - very pleasant too - -

and I ate:

porridge

White Stilton with apricots, Waldorf salad, salad leaves, tomatoes, coleslaw, French bread and butter, two cream crackers

some Marks and Spencers jelly with berries in and a slice of apple pie

some French bread with butter and raspberry jam, another lump of Stilton

a huge slice of watermelon

some salad leaves and cherry tomatoes

I think that's it!

Verdict - - some good, some bad.

Friday - - missed Wed and Thurs!

I missed a couple of days on this blog as I was busy working on exams for medical and dental students.

So, catching up now, today I ate:

porridge

a bowl of fruit and fibre

a scone with butter

an apple

a few peanuts and raisins

Chinese take-away: assorted appetiser and bamboo shoots and water chestnuts

Verdict: Not good. Off to the supermarked tomorrow to top up the fruit and veg!

Lemon Meringue Pie

Oh, look, the lemon meringue pie was left over from Mum's birthday.

Today I ate - -

a bowl of red berries Special K (too much sugar)

two slices of white toast with half-fat butter and a banana

an apple

wholemeal pasta with tomato and basil sauce and grated cheese and peas

an orange

a slice of lemon meringue pie (nooooo!)

two sugar-free sweets

Verdict - - and it was all going so well -- - !!

My Mother's Birthday

It also started off so well and then dwindled into lemon meringue pie.

Today I ate:

porridge

banana

turkey sandwich with salad cream

rhubarb and evaporated milk

salad leaves, tomato, pickled cucumber, cucumber, crisps, boiled potatoes, French bread and butter, turkey, hummus

small piece of cake

small piece of lemon meringue pie

Verdict: Could do better. But it was my Mum's eighty-fifth birthday.

Hungry

I've been hungry all day today, damn this Gliclazide.

Mind you, I did have a walk this morning - only about an hour round the park though.

Today I ate:

porridge

turkey sandwich with salad cream

piece of apple pie with evaporated milk

an apple

a large carrot, a tomato, two sticks of celery, four pieces of cucumber

some turkey with cranberry sauce

three chocolates

rhubarb made with canderel - - with custard!!

an orange

a bowl of Cheerios

Verdict: Sighhhhhh. But I was SO HUNGRY. The fruitand veg is fine - - it's just everything else!

Christmas Dinner Today

We had Christmas Dinner today and very good fun it was too.

And I ate:

a bowl of Special K

a croissant

two Werther's Original (my blood sugar was really low before the turkey was ready

turkey with sprouts, onion, roast potatoes, carrots, sweetcorn

apple pie with custard (nooooo - - )

and then

more apple pie with custard

then a walk in the park

then some sweetcorn

and another bowl of Special K

Verdict: Well weird. But enjoyable.

Christmas Eve

Okay, it's not really Christmas Eve but we're having Christmas Dinner tomorrow so it kind of it.

Today I ate a very strange mixture of things and seemed to be very hungry all day!

Porridge

(and then my blood sugar got really low)

a croissant

a banana

two raw carrots

a piece of raw cabbage

a bowl of Special K

half an assorted appetiser (Chinese take-away)

a few chips and prawn crackers

one chocolate

Verdict: ohhh noooo!

Busy Thursday

It was busy in the office today, training a new actor and doing lots of work.

Today I ate:

porridge

a banana

chunk of white cabbage (raw) and two small carrots

two scones with sugar-free strawberry jam

four Tuc biscuits (two twos sandwiched together!)

four sausages with half a tin of baked beans

fresh raspberries

an orange

Verdict: not bad on the fruit and veg, a bit high on the fat!

Fruit and Veg

Today I went shopping so there was lots of fruit and veg in the house, and I ate lots of it too!

Today I ate:

a bowl of Cheerios

a banana

two scones with strawberry jam and half-fat butter

a chunk of French bread and butter

an apple

a chunk of raw white cabbage, two raw carrots, some raw beansprouts

another chunk of French bread with butter and brie, a bit of coleslaw

salad with lettuce and cabbage and tomato and red peppers

strawberries

Verdict: lots of fruit and veg hurrah but rather too many things with flour in them.

No Easter No Chocolate

Today I was back in the office and it was good that my friend called round too.

Today I ate:

porridge

a banana

an egg mayonnaise sandwich

a bowl of rhubarb (grown in the garden, made by my mother, cooked with Canderel)

a cheese toastie

a piece of Naan bread

a bowl of Cheerios

an orange

Verdict: short on fruit and veg - must go shopping tomorrow!

Walking and Gardening

I had quite a lot of exercise today - a lovely sunny Easter Monday - a walk first thing with Stephen, then some gardening, and finally a session on the cross-trainer. I did eat a lot though!

Today I ate:

porridge

a small French baguette with butter

a banana

two chocolate digestive biscuits

a few brazil nuts

two all-beef burgers, baked beans and fried onions

a piece of apple pie with evaporated milk

four chocolates

Verdict: Nooooooooooooo! Right, Easter's over now. No more chocolate.

Not Paying Attention

I was concentrating upon sorting junk today and found it a bit upsetting to go through all the old stuff - - so I didn't pay much attention to what I ate.

Which was:

porridge

four slices of malt bread and butter (small slices!)

a banana

a beef pie (frozen) and green beans

an orange

quite a few chocolates (oh dear oh dear - - this "but it's Easter" lark is beginning to wear a bit thin).

Verdict: oh, could do better. And must.

Sorting Junk and Eating

I've been doing lots of clearing and sorting today.

And I ate:

porridge

a small baguette with butter

an orange

an apple

five fish fingers, oven chips and frozen peas

a bowl of Cheerios

a few Mini Eggs (it's EASTER)

a bowl of cornflakes (late at night and I was hungry.)

Verdict: - - oh, must do better tomorrow! Though it could have been worse.

Hmmm - - good fun but not good food

Okay, it's Easter and I ate some chocolate. And quite a lot of other stuff that's not good for me too - - but hey, it's Easter.

And I did do some gardening.

Today I ate:

porridge

two slices of wholemeal bread and butter and a banana

three chocolate digestive biscuits

a piece of apple pie

a Nice biscuit

a few Cadbury's Mini Eggs (It's EASTER - - and I hardly ever eat chocolate)

Chicken Foo Yung and chips

Verdict - - Must Do Better. But hey, as I keep saying, it's Easter!

Breaking Up for Easter

Today some concrete arrived and John made the base of a new shed. Hurrah!

And I ate:

porridge

two scones with half-fat butter and no-added-sugar strawberry jam

a chunk of raw white cabbage

two raw carrots

wholemeal pasta with tomato and basil sauce and grated cheese, with peas

an orange

a hot cross bun (well, it's coming up to Easter).

Verdict: not bad and I don't seem to have eaten as much as on recent days. Hurrah.

Biscuits and Sweets

I was at Leeds University this afternoon and I find I'm hungry all the time - - I try to eat healthier food but sometimes I just seem to reach for a biscuit - - - or sugar-free sweets - - sighh.

Today I ate:

porridge

four slices of malt loaf and butter

a banana

some almonds

a shortbread biscuit

an apple

half a quiche lorraine and some peas

a bowl of Cheerios

three sugar-free Werther's Original

Verdict: not too good. I just want to eat ALL the time!

Still Hungry

I've still been pretty hungry today, though I enjoyed doing some gardening this afternoon.

Today I ate:

porridge

a banana

an apple

two slices of breadmaker toast with butter and peanut butter

three biscuits (two chocolate digestive, one digestive)

a custard cream (exciting biscuit detail here, I know)

a beef pie with green beans

banana with low-fat custard and dessicated coconut

an orange

two sugar-free Werther's Original sweets

Verdict: Could Do Better

A bit better

I haven't been quite so ravenous today, and I don't know why, but I'm pleased.

Today I ate:

porridge

two smallish carrots

a chunk of raw white cabbage

two slices of breadmaker bread and butter

a few walnuts

chilli con carne with wholegrain rice and frozen peas

a large piece of honeydew melon

three digestive biscuits

Verdict: Would have been better without the biscuits, but still not too bad.

Enough eating already

'Twas the agency meeting today, so a busy day, and I had a walk this morning - - but this Gliclazide just makes me want to eat non-stop. I have tried to keep to "good" foods but it was very hard when my blood sugar plummeted suddenly just before lunch - - and hence just before the meeting!

So today I ate:

porridge

a banana

an apple

three smallish slices of toast with half-fat butter and peanut butter

three chocolate digestive biscuits

two small carrots

an orange

quite a few walnuts (during the meeting as I was really hungry!)

two treacle toffees

home made chilli con carne - - with minced beef, tinned tomatoes, onions, plus garden peas, wholegrain rice

a large slice of melon

Verdict: Well, no chance of getting scurvy, plenty of veg but TOO MUCH FOOD! I'll have to go back to the doctor. Sighhhh.

Hungry

Ahhh this Gliclazide is making me hungry! It works by boosting the insulin - - and, just like last time I tried it, I'm starving nearly all the time!

Today I ate:

porridge

an apple

two pieces of treacle toffee (I was about to collapse to the floor in the supermarket)

three smallish pieces of bread and butter, one with strawberry jam

a piece of cheese

three small carrots and a chunk of raw white cabbage

stir-fried vegetables with cashew nuts and Chinese sauce, with noodles

a banana in low-fat custard

an orange

a bowl of Cheerios

and I'd quite like to eat this computer.

Verdict: well at least there was plenty of fruit and veg and it could have been worse - - but I'm still hungry! Sighhhh. Think I may have to go back to the doctor.

The Damned United and the damned tablets

I went to see The Damned United today and really enjoyed it - - but my food today was pretty bad as I kept getting low blood sugar again, though not as dramatically as yesterday.

Today I ate:

porridge

a bagel with hummus

a bottle of orange and raspberry juice

a toasted teacake

some popcorn (at the cinema)

four vegetarian pancakes and bamboo shoots and water chestnuts (Chinese takeaway)

four treacle toffees (noooooooooooooo!)

Verdict: Pretty dreadful. I really was feeling bad at lunchtime, but better later.

Out to Lunch

I was taken out to lunch today, which was lovely. However I let my blood sugar get too low beforehand and everything was going a bit distant and woozy by the time I got the food, though the food was great.

And I ate:

Cheerios

roast turkey (lots), peas, beans, sweetcorn, carrots, cauliflower, roast potatoes, cranberry sauce and a bit of horseradish sauce, all with gravy - - yum!

four treacle toffees (!!) - my blood sugar still felt low

two slices of thick breadmaker bread toast with butter and peanut butter

an orange

Verdict: Hmmm - - toffee AGAIN. Must try to stop my blood sugar plunging down suddenly.

Treacle Toffee - - nooooooooo!

I was working at the University of Leeds this morning and then took my mother and our old friend Connie to the garden centre.

I left it a bit late to have lunch. Oops. Not a good idea on these Gliclazide tablets.

So I ate:

porridge

a cheese omelette with salad and coleslaw

a fruit scone with butter

- - - and my blood sugar still was incredibly low and I felt about to fall over. So I ate four treacle toffees in quick succession. It's probably ten years since I had treacle toffee and I loved it, though I was very aware that this was Not a Good Thing.

Then I ate:

roast chicken with a chunk of raw cabbage

a very few nuts and raisins

a bowl of Cheerios.

Verdict - - must NOT let my blood sugar get so low! Weird.

Office and Gardening

Today I was in the office in the morning and did some gardening in what turned out to be a lovely Spring day.

And I ate:

porridge

two sausages (Cumberland, but small) and a piece of raw cabbage

a bowl of Cheerios

roast chicken with roast potatoes, sprouts (lots), sweetcorn, onion

an orange

two digestive biscuits

some mixed fruit and nuts

Verdict: not too bad - - quite good on the fruit and veg, quite high in fat though.

Monday and a Costco trip

I worked a lot in the office today but then was taken to Costco by Silverback which was interesting and useful too.

And I ate:

porridge

a banana

four ryvita-type crackers with cheese

a chunk of raw white cabbage

four sausages (Cumberland) with low-sugar baked beans

half a Galia melon

an orange

three digestive biscuits

Verdict: a bit high in fat, but not too bad.

Quiet Sunday

Today I did some paperwork, watched the Boat Race, went for a walk, did some ironing - - but not much else as I was pretty tired.

I think the Gliclazide is kicking in as I don't feel sick but I do feel HUNGRY. Sighhhh.

Today I ate:

porridge

an apple

a raw carrot

some French bread and sugar-free jam

an orange

three small gingerbread men

pork casserole with onions, baked potato, peas, red pepper, carrot

a few nuts and rasins

Verdict: not too bad but I'm STILL HUNGRY!

Friday and Saturday

I forgot to write this blog yesterday because I was too preoccupied with Silverback's return from the States. He stayed at our house last night and it was great to see him.

So, what did I eat? - - er

yesterday - -

porridge

Can't remember what lunch was!

chicken and dumplings in a pot (Sainsbury's)

some fruit! - - Oh, and I think three small gingerbread men were involved too. Bad.

Yes, how quickly memories fade - -

Today I went onto Gliclazide as well as Metformin for my diabetes as a high dose of Metformin has been making me feel very sick. I had forgotten how hungry the Gliclazide makes me - - I was out earlier today and as I arrived back was suddenly starving so I ate lots of bad things very fast.

porridge

four small slices of raisin bread with cinnamon, toasted with butter

an orange

a bowl of Cheerios with semi-skimmed milk

some mixed nuts and rasisins

Chinese takeaway - - chicken with bamboo shoots and water chestnuts and fried rice - BAD! And I had some prawn crackers too. BAD. But I didn't finish it all and I didn't have the chocolate cake which was Stephen's birthday cake.

Verdict: Could do better. Mustn't let my blood sugar get too low. Or too high. Ahh - - that's the tricky thing.

The Fastest Cake in the World

Today I did a supermarket shop with my mother and Amy - - fruitful but it took aaaaages!

And I ate:

porridge

tuna mayonnaise and salad bagel

two plain scones with half-fat butter and no-added-sugar raspberry jam

pasta with tomato sauce and grated cheese and frozen peas

fresh strawberries with evaporated milk

an orange

Verdict: not too bad, though rather high on the scone front

Leeds University again - - -

Today was the seventh of eight sessions at Leeds University - I've enjoyed them.

And I ate:

porridge

two slices of white breadmaker bread with butter and a banana

some nuts and raisins

five fish fingers, oven chips, peas

an orange

three digestive biscuits

Verdict: a bit low on the fruit and veg front.

Elland Road for the third time

Today I was working at Elland Road again and enjoyed it.

And I ate:

porridge

a banana

a baked potato with butter, a bit of chicken stew, filo pastry with cheese in, a small piece of melon

three digestive biscuits

two slices of breadmaker toast with no-added-sugar raspberry jam

half a melon

an orange

Verdict: Could be worse - - I went to the nurse today for my HBA1C blood test - - we'll see how the sugar's getting on later in the week - - but I reckon it will be Too High. Sighhhh.

Elland Road Again

An early start today as I was working at Elland Road again. I haven't been feeling queasy for a week or so but started to again today - I think these tablets must have a cumulative effect.

Today I ate:

porridge

a banana

a ham, cheese and tomato panini (at Elland Road)

some grapes

a couple of strawberries

three digestive biscuits

an apple

a plate of chips (all I could face at teatime - everyone else had Indian takeaway)

a bowl of Cheerios

Verdict: it all started so well and it all went so horribly wrong!

Friday, Saturday, Sunday

I went away to Barrow in Furness this weekend and in general I managed to resist mostl things sugary - and I've been feeling really well all weekend.

On Friday I had a really busy day - gardening, working in the office, working with medical students, seeing a play and finally driving to Barrow-in-Furness.

I ate lots of good things: I can't remember what they all were - I know they included a raw carrot and some raw cabbage - but on the way to Barrow I had a bar of chocolate, because it was late at night and I was feeling really tired and hoped it would give me a boost, since I still had about 100 miles to drive - - it did!

Yesterday I had a healthy breakfast at Amy's with mixed fruit salad, wholegrain cereal, toast - - then a long walk - - then a carvery lunch with turkey, carrots, swedes, peas, green beans, cauliflower cheese, roast potatoes - - then salad for tea with chicken and pepperami - and a glass of red wine - - first alcohol for months I think!

And today I had fruit salad, apple juice,then rice krispies, then toast and marmalade for breakfast. Lunch was vegetable soup (home made, in a cafe) with a baguette and butter, and then a fruit scone and butter.

Then I had four Ryvita circles with butter and cheese, a bowl of Cheerios with semi-skimmed milk, an orange, a nectarine, a few brazil nuts.

Verdict: really not bad at all, with just a few slips. Still eating too much butter but not too bad at all. And I feel well! Hurrah!

Gardening and Greenhouse Day

I did quite a lot of physical work today, gardening, and then by proxy watching our greenhouse be taken down.

This all made me hungry: that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it.

And I ate:

a bowl of Cheerios

a hot cross bun

a cheese and tomato sandwich

a piece of apple pie

five fish fingers, peas and oven chips

another piece of apple pie

an orange

Verdict: Could Do Better. But I was hungry.

Back on the Tablets

Okay, I've tried my tablets again today - - just two rather than four. I've felt a bit queasy but not too bad.

And I ate:

porridge

a carrot and a large chunk of raw white cabbage

some brazil nuts

two hot cross buns

stir fry vegetables with fresh noodles

an orange

Verdict: hey, that's not bad, is it? Apart from the hot cross buns I suppose.

At LUFC

A very busy day today rushing from Leeds United's ground at Elland Road to Leeds University.

I feel so well! And sadly it's because I haven't taken my diabetes tablets. I have twice as much energy as usual and I just feel - - well - - WELL.

Today I ate - -

porridge

a small Danish pastry (when I arrived at LUFC - I knew it was going to be a long morning, that's my excuse)

a currant teacake with butter (I thoughtfully packed this before I left as I knew it would be a mad dash)

a banana

a few brazil nuts

chilli con carne (home-made some time ago and frozen) with wholegrain rice and green beans

an orange

Okay, I'm going to check my blood sugar now - - worry worry - - 16.1 - - and it should be about seven - - oh POOH. Back to the tablets - - back to the doctor - - sighhh.

Sunny Again

Today was sunny again - I did some gardening and I'm still feeling very well - - partly because I still haven't taken my diabetes tablets. A bit of a funny day, food-wise, because I had a meeting at teatime. So I ate:

porridge

a banana

a tuna mayonnaise and salad bread roll

a teacake with butter

an apple

a slice of breadmaker white toast with butter

a few walnuts

a bowl of Cheerios

Verdict - - not very good! Too much bread! - - - but at least there was a bit of fruit.

Feeling Better

A glorious Spring Sunday and I've had a good time chatting to some of my favourite relatives, and had a lovely time gardening in the sunshine.

And I ate:

porridge

a banana

a ham and tomato sandwich with salad cream in white sliced bread

a slice of white breadmaker bread with half-fat butter and no-added-sugar strawberry jam

tinned chicken and vegetable soup with a slice of breadmaker bread and butter

tinned fruit cocktail in fruit juice with evaporated milk

an orange

a few walnuts

Verdict: rather strange but not too bad

BUT

I didn't have any of my Metformin tablets for diabetes. And after feeling so ill yesterday, I've felt better than I have felt for months today. Ooh er. Something will have to be done about this - - I'm off to book a doctor's appointment tomorrow.

Long Day's Roleplay

I had a very tiring day of roleplay today and it didn't help that I was feeling very sick throughout because of the tablets I'm on. I asked another roleplayer who is older than me and who also has Type 2 diabetes if she'd ever been on the tablets that I'm on.

"Oh yes," she said, "I felt terrible all the time."

Lovely.

Anyway, today I ate:

muesli

an apple

a scone

raspberry and orange juice (fresh)

a small custard tart

a fat-free sugar-free yogurt

individual chicken pie and peas

an orange

several chocolate-coated brazil nuts

Verdict: when I'm feeling sick, I seem to crave things that are not good for me, because they somehow stop the sickness. Why? Dunno. Sighhh.

Filling the Skip

Today I worked in the office and finished filling the skip.

And I ate:

muesli

two slices of wholemeal breadmaker bread toast, with butter and a banana

an apple

three ginger biscuits

baked beans and a Marks and Spencers cheese and onion grill thingy

half a small honeydew melon

an orange

two chocolate-covered brazil nuts

Verdict: more veg would be good, but not too bad.

Not Sick - - but only one tablet - -

I didn't have my Glucophage tablets last night as I was feeling so queasy - - only had one instead of two this morning - - didn't have them tonight. Oops. And now I feel a lot better but who knows what my blood sugar's doing. Think I'll have to go back to the doctor.

Today I ate:

porridge

chicken pie and a large portion of Brussels sprouts

an orange

four shortbread biscuits altogether (spread out through the day)

a Marks and Spencer cheese and onion grill thing with baked beans

an apple

a large chunk of white cabbage

Verdict: not too bad - - apart from four biscuits and no tablets - - aaaaaaaaargh!

Queasy

The tablets I'm on for my diabetes tend to make me feel rather queasy and for some reason today was particularly bad so I found it hard to eat properly. A couple of the students I was working with this afternoon went home as they felt ill and I wanted to say "Hey, wait a minute! I feel worse than you do!" But, as seems to be the case with this kind of nausea, I can "screen it out" when I'm working and it's only when I stop that I think - - ohhh I feel sick!

So I ate:

a bowl of Cheerios

two cheese scones with butter

an apple

two slices of wholemeal breadmaker toast with butter and no-added-sugar strawberry jam

another bowl of Cheerios

an orange

Terrible diet I know but I just didn't feel up to anything else. I haven't taken my tablets this evening as I couldn't face any more feeling sick, thank you. I suppose I'll have to go back to the doctor. Grrrrrrr.

Monday - - gardening, office and skip

A strange mixture of different jobs today - - gardening, working in our office and sorting junk and putting it in a skip.

And I ate:

porridge

two slices of breadmaker bread with butter and a banana

a packet of plain crisps

Chicken Dopiaza (from a bottle with stir-fried chicken) plus wholegrain rice and peas

an orange

an apple

a plum

Verdict: all going so well, apart from the crisps! And I did a lot of physical work today, digging and carrying junk up from the cellar - I feel as though I've had quite a bit of exercise.

Agency Meeting

I'm very tired today as I usually am after the agency's four-weekly meeting, which is on a Sunday afternoon.

I've had a very odd day food-wise - - I felt very dizzy in the middle of the night and don't seem to have got my food straight all day.

Today I ate:

porridge

a banana

two slices of breadmaker toast and peanut butter

an apple

two ginger biscuits

part of a Thai takeaway - tofu and stir-fried veg and boiled rice - too much pepper in it for me though so I didn't eat much

a third of a melon

an orange

three shortbread biscuits

Verdict - - well, not bad on the fruit and veg but not good on the sugar!

Skipping

I ate far more sweet things than usual today - I'm not sure why except I used up a lot of energy putting junk in a skip!

Today I ate:

a bowl of Cheerios with milk (QUITE SWEET)

a banana

a slice of breadmaker white bread with butter and peanut butter

a bowl of stewed rhubarb (no sugar)

two pieces of shortbread (SWEET)

a boiled egg

one and a half slices of breadmaker white bread with butter

another bowl of stewed rhubarb (no sugar)

an orange

a few chocolate mini eggs (WHAT ARE YOU DOING DAPHNE?)

Verdict - - TOO MUCH SUGAR!

Thursday and Friday

I was tired last night and didn't realise that I hadn't written this blog until I was in bed - - and I thought - - ohhh - - tomorrow - -

So yesterday I ate:

muesli

two slices of breadmaker wholemeal bread with butter

a banana

chicken tikka masala with boiled rice (Sainsbury's ready meal)

an orange

And today I ate:

porridge (it was cold)

baked potato with butter and houmus and salad - lettuce, tomato, cucumber, red pepper

small apple pie

apple

Chicken Fried Rice from the take-away and it had peas in it and they're a vegetable!!

orange

and I'll probably have a bit of stewed rhubarb made with Canderel too

Verdict: a rather strange couple of days - - some really good food and some really bad!

Lots of Crying - - but only fictionally

It's been a day of Gloomy Roleplays today.

And I ate:

muesli

a slice of breadmaker wholemeal bread with butter

a scone with butter

two oat biscuits

a banana

cauliflower cheese (Sainsbury's)

an orange

a bowl of Cheerios

Verdict - - not too bad, though rather odd. I was at Leeds City Museum at lunchtime which is why I had a scone, and didn't want to hang around in the cafe for long as I didn't have a lot of time.

Still Feeling Better

I'm still feeling better than I've felt for a while and I can't quite pin down why - unless it's all down to cod liver oil - - which I doubt - - but I've been taking a cod liver oil capsule every day and also a calcium tablet, for about a week now.

Today I ate:

muesli

four small slices of cinnamon and raisin bread with butter

an apple

chicken kiev with butter inside (obviously) with new potatoes and peas and sweetcorn

blueberries and a small dob of half-fat ice-cream

an orange

Verdict - - perhaps too much sugar - those blueberries are very good for you but high in sugar. Last time I had blueberries my blood sugar soared astronomically. This time I've solved the problem by not checking it. Oops.

Feeling Better

Today I feel better - - so much better, in fact, that I realise quite how generally under the weather I've been feeling.

And I ate:

muesli

a cup of chicken soup from a machine

an apple

a large chunk of raw white cabbage

a slice of toast with butter and peanut butter

two small pieces of date and walnut cake

stewed rhubarb with evaporated milk (no sugar)

an orange

a pork chop with fried onions, lots of broccoli, new potatoes

strawberries with evaporated milk

another small piece of date and walnut cake (good job it's all gone now!)

Verdict: LOTS of fruit and veg! I seem to have been eating all day, though much of it was healthy.

Spring Sunday

Today there was Spring in the air: the sun shone: I enjoyed doing some gardening and by the end of the day I was feeling a lot less tired. Hurrah!

And I bought a breadmaker to replace the old one which had died of old age and lots of use.

Today I ate:

muesli

cinnamon and raisin bagel with butter and some Camembert cheese (no, not together eww no)

a chunk of raw white cabbage

two slices of bread-machine white bread (large!) with butter and more Camembert

stewed rhubarb (no sugar - Canderel) and evaporated milk

an orange

a banana

Verdict: It was going to be pork chops for tea but the breadmaker proved too interesting a diversion. Pork chops tomorrow! But today wasn't too bad.

Cheerios

I was still rather tired today though a bit of gardening perked me up, if only temporarily.

And I ate:

muesli

two slices of white toast and butter and marmalade (my blood sugar felt really low)

a banana

a bowl of Cheerios

an orange

home made chilli con carne but with baked beans instead of kidney beans: peas, wholegrain rice

rhubarb and custard (bit of a sugary day today, Daphne)

another, smaller bowl of Cheerios (yes, wholegrain cereal but with SUGAR in)

Verdict: what's with the sudden Cheerios addiction? Look, my diet's not bad but I still don't feel brilliant, to be honest - I think it's the diabetes. Think I'd better get myself to the doctor and have an HBA1C which is a blood sugar check which averages it out. Sighhh.

Sleeeepy Friday

I've been very tired today after a very busy couple of weeks with a working weekend in between. I'm considering going to bed and it's only eight o'clock!

Today I ate:

no-added-sugar muesli (all the muesli I eat is like this)

a handful of mixed nuts and raisins

a baked potato with hummus and salad (lettuce, tomato, peppers)

a small apple pie (BAD Daphne!)

an apple

an orange

a bowl of Cheerios with semi-skimmed milk

Verdict: Could be worse - - - but yet again Daphne counts apple pie as one of her portions of fruit - - !!

In Glorious Bradford

This morning I was working in Bradford and I can't begin to tell you how I hate the gloomy trafficky journey there!

And I ate:

a bowl of sugar-free muesli

some mixed nuts and raisins

two slices of cheese bread and butter

some green bean and mangetout peas salad

coleslaw

an orange

baked potato with cheese and more coleslaw

another orange

an apple

Verdict: not too bad at all really

A long and busy day

Today I had a very busy morning doing roleplay at Leeds University and then a very busy afternoon in the agency's office - - and in between I had lunch at The Wellington with my friend Connie, who'll be eighty-eight in a few weeks.

And I ate:

muesli (sugar-free Alpen)

roast turkey with carrots, peas, swede, cauliflower, green beans and roast potatoes

two slices of white toast with peanut butter

an orange

an apple

a bowl of Cheerios

Verdict: could be better but I need to go shopping and get some more fruit and vegetables!

Fish and Chips again

A long and busy day today culminating in an interesting afternoon at Leeds University.

And I ate:

muesli

two slices of white bread with butter and peanut butter

a banana

fish and chips and mushy peas (oh well. Sighhh)

an orange

an apple

Verdict: and it started SO well. Still, there's some fruit in there at least.

A Bit Washed-Out

I woke early this morning feeling suddenly very sick and dizzy and yet I felt fine last night - I think it was because I didn't eat very much in the evening and then took my tablets (Glucophage, which make me feel slightly queasy anyway) on an empty stomach.

After lying there feeling terrible for a while I went back to sleep and then woke at eight feeling a lot better - - but I've been very tired and washed-out all day. A busy day in the office though!

Today I ate:

no-sugar Alpen (muesli)

two slices of white toast and butter and a banana

two slices of Double Gloucester cheese on toast

an orange

Yes, hardly a balanced diet but it was simply what I could face. I still feel distinctly below par - I'll go to bed early and see if I feel better in the morning.

In Putney

I haven't been able to post to this blog for the last couple of days as I've been in London and they don't have the internet there yet. Or something.

Anyway, today I ate:

muesli

a croissant and a bread roll both with butter

grapefruit segments

orange juice

coffee

(a large breakfast but I did walk three miles to my place of work immediately after it)

Sunday lunch at Wetherspoon's - - roast beef with carrots, peas, broccoli, roast potatoes, gravy and very nice it was too

a packet of crisps

an apple

a small piece of carrot cake (yes, not much tea but it was a big breakfast and a big lunch!)

I've been working with nutritionists today and been given lots of very useful advice - - of which the main one seems to be - - - NUTS. There'll be some nuts from tomorrow, on a regular basis, oh yes, and a bit more explanation when I'm not so tired.

A Good Day in the Office

Some good offers of work came into the office today and I was particularly pleased when someone rang and said we had been recommended to them because our actors are so brilliant and so reliable. Hurrah!

Today I ate:

porridge

a large lump of raw white cabbage

three pieces of malt loaf with butter

a scone with butter and no-added-sugar raspberry jam

Sainsbury's chicken with noodles ready meal (didn't finish it though)

rhubarb with evaporated milk

an apple

an orange

another scone with butter and jam, as above

Verdict: Not too bad on the fruit and veg but as usual too much carbohydrate and TOO MUCH BUTTER! Will I never learn? - - - On the other hand, I neither smoke nor drink so please can I have some leeway on the butter front? - - Nope. Must do better.

Fruitcake

Today I had a looong morning at the University and let my blood sugar get too low.

So I ate:

porridge

ciabatta sandwich with cheese and tomato

a LARGE piece of fruit cake (not good - does THAT count as one of my five a day?)

an orange

two slices of wholemeal toast with butter

fresh rhubarb made with Canderel - - then I spoiled the whole thing by having custard with it

another orange

Verdict: Too much sugar, not enough vegetables!

Another Day at Leeds Uni

Today I was working with some students again and enjoyed it very much.

It meant that lunch was rather rushed!

Today I ate:

porridge

two slices of wholemeal toast with butter

a piece of currant square (pastry and currants and, hey ho, sugar)

a pear

chicken pie and oven chips and peas

tinned peaches and evaporated milk

Verdict: do the currants in currant square count as one of my five a day? - - er, probably not. But could have been worse.

Nearly Spring I Hope

Today the sun shone, the snowman melted and it reached a balmy six degrees Centigrade (don't know what that is in Fahrenheit, which I prefer).

Today I ate:

porridge

a small apple

two slices of wholemeal toast with butter (look, all my butter is half-fat, if that helps) and a banana

some nuts and raisins

a large apple whilst I went for a WALK in the SUNSHINE hurrah! About 40 minutes.

wholemeal pasta with tomato and basil sauce and grated cheese

three pieces of malt loaf with butter (sighhh)

an orange

Verdict: well, it could be worse - - not bad at all really.

Housework

Today I did mostly housework - - cleaning things and ironing things. We took my old friend Connie out for lunch.

And I ate:

porridge

Carvery dinner: turkey, roast potatoes, 2 individual Yorkshire puddings, carrots, peas, green beans, swede, cauliflower, gravy - - and a Diet Coke

two pieces of chocolate-covered fudge (why, oh why)

two slices of toast and butter with a banana

an orange

Verdict: big lunch but actually not TOO bad - - lots of fruit and veg, anyway. Lay off the fudge, Daphne.

Fish and Chips in Masham

Today I went to Masham, North Yorkshire, to see a play - Holmes and Watson - The Farewell Tour and very good it was, too.

Oh, a really strange day's food today.

porridge

tuna salad sandwich in ciabatta bread

three pieces of toffee coated in chocolate (yes, I'd let my blood sugar get too low, whilst shopping in town)

an orange

a bowl of cornflakes

a few nuts and raisins

fish and about half a portion of chips

Verdict: not good at all, no no no.

Very Busy Day

Today I had some work at the University this morning, then a meeting, and then I was back in the office - - I'm really tired!

Today I ate:

porridge

a baked potato with butter and cheese
salad - lettuce, tomato, cucumber

a small apple pie

wholemeal pasta with tomato and basil sauce and cheese on top

an orange

an apple

Verdict: A bit cheeeeesy - - and, Daphne, an apple pie is NOT one of your five a day, okay?

In the Office all Thursday

Today I was in the office all day, except for when the Financial Adviser came round to help sort out the Communist's finances - she was great.

Today I ate:

porridge

four crumpets with butter

an orange

an apple

Tesco's spaghetti carbonara ready meal

half a melon

two raw carrots

Verdict: a rather strange day food-wise, somewhat lacking in proper meals.

Chocolate Muffin Noooooooo

Today I was doing some quite "heavy" roleplay for nurses. I think it made me crave Bad Food.

And I ate:

porridge

two slices of wholemeal toast with butter and a banana mashed on it

two Dutch crisbake thingies with butter

a nectarine

a chocolate muffin (a WHAT Daphne? This is not good, is it? Weren't you diabetic last time you looked?)

Chicken Kiev with boiled potatoes and peas - - oh yes, and butter

an orange

an apple

Verdict: BUTTER! and CHOCOLATE MUFFIN! Could Do Better. (Mind you, plenty of fruit so could do a whole lot worse, but that's not the way to look at it, is it Daphne?)

Rushing About Again

Today I was working at the University again and the parking was a nightmare - - but I managed it.

And today I ate:

porridge

four small slices of malt loaf with butter (oh yes, all the butter at home is half-fat, and just as well)

a banana

chilli con carne (made with minced beef, onions, tomatoes) with wholegrain rice and peas

an orange

a nectarine

three digestive biscuits

Verdict: not bad till I hit the biscuits. But it could have been worse.

In the Office all Day

A long and busy day in the office today.

And I ate:

porridge

a large chunk of raw white cabbage

two raw carrots

a croissant (look, it was the last one and needed to be eaten, okay?)

four pieces of malt loaf and butter

Chicken Kiev with boiled potatoes and peas and butter (yes, I know, butter again)

an orange

six lychees

Verdict: too much butter! Otherwise not bad. Not checking my blood sugar tonight - I'm only supposed to do it twice a week and I am fed up of it being high.

A Meeting, a Snowman - - - and high blood sugar, damn it

Today was the actors' agency's monthly meeting and it went really well - three possible new members interviewed and all of them offered membership.

Olli and Gareth built a rather superior snowman.

And I ate:

porridge

a croissant (this was lunch as I'd been shopping and there wasn't much time before the meeting)

a chocolate digestive biscuit (yes, just the one)

an apple

a banana

Chilli con carne - - made with minced beef, tinned tomatoes, onions, baked beans (we prefer them to kidney beans) plus frozen peas, and wholegrain brown rice

an orange

six lychees

AND I remembered to take my tablets. And although the croissant and the chocolate digestive weren't exactly good, my diet could be a helluva lot worse. So it doesn't seem fair that now, just before I go to bed, my blood sugar is 13.9, does it? Sighhhhhhhhhhh. The one good thing is that I felt like cooking tonight, and made a huge pan of chilli and froze some - - which is great because in recent months I've often felt queasy at teatime - probably due to the tablets, so perhaps I've finally got used to them.

To Bury and Back - - and blood sugar HIGH

Today I went to Bury to see The Lighthouse Keeper's Lunch with one of our actors, Robert Took, in it. It was for three to seven year-olds and therefore ideal for me.

Today I ate:

porridge

scampi, chips and processed peas
Diet Coke

three digestive biscuits

two slices of toast and peanut butter
apple
orange

Verdict: well, a bit too much fat but hey, I'm not exactly overeating madly, am I? The porridge had milk in (it always does) and I drink a bit of milk in tea and coffee but I don't drink anything else except water (I don't drink alcohol) and the occasional Diet Coke.

I have Type 2 diabetes and forgot to take my Metformin tablets after tea today so have just taken my blood sugar now and it is 16.2 and considering it should be below 10 two hours after a meal, and I last ate at about six o'clock - - - well, I mustn't forget my tablets again! I'm feeling really tired tonight and clearly this is why: the sugar is high in my blood because it's not getting to the rest of me, which feels exhausted. Damn! I must do better with these tablets and not forget to take them. Blindness! Limb amputation! Heart disease! All possibly awaiting me if I don't keep my blood sugar down. Wake up and smell the coffee, Daphne! (and don't put sugar in it).

Friday - - a looooooong week

I've been really REALLY busy this week and tonight I have been really tired.

Today I ate:

porridge

banana

apple

raspberry and orange juice

baked potato with cheese and salad

a small apple pie

another apple

Thai take-away: stir-fry with pork and vegetables, with cashew nuts and boiled rice

Verdict: probably a bit high in fat (as usual!) but not too bad.

Rushing About Day

I had to rush off from the office to do a sudden roleplay job this morning - - but at least the lunch was good!

Today I ate:

porridge

chicken korma and rice
little platter of fruit - melon, strawberries, pineapple

a chunk of raw white cabbage (oh look, I'm on the cabbage again)
four cream crackers and cheese
three digestive biscuits
an orange

A strange assortment, though pretty healthy I think - perhaps a little bit too much fat but it's COLD.

Another Busy Day

Today I was again at Leeds University and again very busy so eating's been a bit haphazard.

Today I ate:

porridge

tuna mayonnaise sandwich
orange and raspberry juice

a scone with butter and sugar-free jam

two boiled eggs (what's THAT all about? I've never eaten two boiled eggs before in my life!)
two slices of wholemeal toast and butter

half a small melon
orange
apple

three digestive biscuits (yes, I know how to live it up food-wise)

Verdict: a reasonable amount of fruit but NO VEG!

Leeds University in the Snow

I was working at Leeds University again today and great students they were too!

Today I ate:

porridge

a ham and tomato sandwich with butter and salad cream

two hot cross buns with butter

an orange

a banana

a bowl of bitesize Shredded Wheat

Verdict: a rather strange day's food but I was very busy!

Wild Sweeps of Whiteness

It's snowed today and the whole country's seized up, apparently. I just made the most of it and decided that, like the birds, today I needed food with a high fat content so I thought I'd better do my bit to decrease the European Butter Mountain. Though all the butter I eat is half-fat, which is something at least I suppose.

Today I ate:

porridge

a banana

two apricots

a slice of toast with butter

two hot cross buns with butter

a scone with butter and sugar-free jam

Sainsbury's bacon, leek and pasta bake

three digestive biscuits

an orange

Verdict: not very good, but at least it wasn't laden with sugar. But it was snowing outside. SNOWING, okay?

Snowy Sunday

A strange day in that it SNOWED. I cleaned out the corner cupboard in the kitchen. Could this blog get any more exciting? My other blog www.mydadsacommunist.blogspot.com is more interesting - - I hope!

Today I ate:

porridge

banana

French bread with butter and sugar-free jam

an orange

a scone with butter and sugar-free jam

Chicken Kiev with boiled potatoes and peas

another orange

an apple

two digestive biscuits (go on, push the boat out Daphne)

Verdict: oh look, butter again, hidden cunningly in the Chicken Kiev as well as on the bread.

In Wigan

This morning I had to get up at half past five as I was working at a doctors' surgery in Wigan, which is seventy miles away. I loved the work though!

And I ate:

porridge

small sandwiches (those little triangular things you get for some corporate lunches):
small ham, prawn, cheese
a few grapes

half a tin of baked beans with one and a half potato cakes and a Marks and Spencer cheese and onion crisbake thingy
peach slices in fruit juice (tinned) with evaporated milk
an orange

Verdict - - - well, it could have been better but at least there wasn't too much of it for such a loooooooooong day!

At the University all day

Today I was at the University for most of the day.

I ate:

porridge

banana

baked potato with butter and grated cheese and lots of salad
fruit scone with butter

small apple pie

pasta with tomato and basil sauce and grated cheese

orange
apple

Verdict: if it wasn't for butter I expect I'd be two stone thinner. I blame the cows.

Foggy Day

Dull, grey, cold, rainy, foggy. I went over to Huddersfield today and I ate:

porridge

a piece of oat and honey bread

a small tin of baked beans with three potato cakes with butter

an orange

four digestive biscuits

a bowl of cornflakes

half a melon

another orange

Verdict: I had lunch late, at three, and that messed up the whole day - a tricky day anyway with an actor missing at the start of a roleplay - - turned out he was there, but had arrived late: but the constant phone calls about it were annoying as I was trying to have a bit of time off to see my friends. Hey ho. Still, at least I didn't grab the Penguin biscuits!

In the Office

A quiet day of working in the office - and just as well as I was very tired.

Today I ate:

a bowl of Shreddies

a banana

carrot and coriander soup with two slices of bread and butter
an orange

beef in a pot ready meal with carrots, peas and potatoes
half a melon

another orange

Verdict: not bad, could have done with more different fruit! Just fancied another orange and not an apple!

Busy Day

A really busy day today - the morning in the office, the afternoon facilitating for second year medical students, and the evening at the pantomime in Bradford.

So I ate:

porridge

four Crisbake thingies with butter (like dried bread!)
a banana

carrot and coriander soup
two slices of bread and butter

a vanilla ice cream in the theatre

a bowl of cornflakes after we got back

Verdict: if it's got butter on it, I like it. Hmmmm.

The Wellington

Today I took my mother and old friend Connie to The Wellington for lunch, to visit their excellent carvery.

Today I ate:

a bowl of Shreddies with semi-skimmed milk

turkey with roast potatoes, cranberry sauce, Yorkshire pudding, gravy, sprouts, peas, swede, carrots, cauliflower

three crumpets with butter and sugar-free raspberry jam
stewed rhubarb, no sugar (made with Canderel) but a bit of evaporated milk.

Verdict: Plenty of veg, at least, today, and not much sweet stuff. Still on the butter kick though!

Visitors for Lunch

My cousin Colin, his wife Cath and their daughter Helaina came round for lunch today and it was good to see them. I raided Marks and Spencers and did a buffet-type meal: Olli and Gareth and Mum and Stephen and me - - total eight so quite a few of us but it was fun.

Today I ate:

porridge

lots of green salad, no dressing
2 sausage rolls, falafel, gefilte fish balls
three bean salad in vinaigrette dressing
new potatoes
French bread and butter
apple juice
lots of fruit salad with a bit of ice cream
two profiteroles (look, they were on the table!! And they were only small!)

(yes, it was a big lunch)

a piece of French bread with butter and peanut butter
fruit salad and evaporated milk
an orange

Verdict: Well, plenty of fruit so I won't get scurvy, but still too high in fat and sugar, Daphne! Could do better!

It all started so well - - -

Today an old friend called round unexpectedly - - so we had fish and chips for lunch, which I wouldn't have done otherwise - - enjoyed them though of course! AND she brought me chocolates because she doesn't believe I'm diabetic, or just isn't having any of it, or something - - she is nearly 88 after all.

So today I ate:

porridge
fish and chips
three chocolates
two hot cross buns
an apple
an orange
stewed rhubarb with no sugar but some evaporated milk - - one of my favourite desserts!
two kiwi fruit

Rather a strange diet today - it got very bad in the middle and then improved mightily towards the end.

At Leeds University

I was at Leeds University all day so had lunch in the canteen where they do excellent baked potatoes.

I ate today:

porridge
a baked potato with grated cheese and salad
a bottle of strawberry, raspberry and banana smoothie
a hot cross bun
Chicken Kiev with roast potatoes and peas
an orange
an apple
a bowl of Rice Krispies (because I have a cold, and want comforting)

5 fruit and veg, I notice - - and I didn't check my blood sugar because I have a cold, did I mention that?

All Over Yorkshire

A frustrating day when I drove all the way to Huddersfield and back without finding anywhere to park!

And I ate:
porridge
10 Smarties (it may have been eleven. But no more than 12).
French bread with butter, mixed green salad (no dressing)
a hot cross bun with butter
Vegetable soup with barley with French bread and butter
melon chunks - different kinds - from the supermarket
an orange

oooh tooo much butter!

Going Doooooooown

Well, the increased dose of Glucophage seems to be working - just before lunch, after a long morning's medical roleplay, I suddenly realised my blood sugar was low and since I was by now home with plenty of food to hand I decided to check it before I ate anything. FOUR POINT SIX! Blimey. I don't think it's ever been that low and they say that four is the lowest you should let it go.

Still, it makes a change from all the disappointingly high readings that I got till I added the extra tablet - I'm now on two in the morning and two in the evening.

So I had some lunch pronto.

Today I ate:
porridge

a salad sandwich
a large chunk of raw white cabbage (yes, I know, there's quite a lot of cabbage in this blog)
two fruit scones with butter (because I'd let my blood sugar get so low)

then, later
a toasted cheese sandwich
some tinned peaches in fruit juice with evaporated milk
a bottle of raspberry and orange juice
an orange

I think the increased queasiness from the extra tablet is decreasing hurrah - I must be getting used to the dose - so I may even start eating more proper evening meals again soon!

Fish, Chips and Barack Obama

Quite a momentous day really. Barack Obama became President and my blood sugar dropped to 5.5 before tea which is a near-record low - - mind you, I did feel about to crash to the floor!

Porridge
two slices of wholemeal toast with butter and a banana
an apple
fish and chips
an orange
a large chunk of white cabbage (which wouldn't be everyone's favourite snack, but I love it).

Hey, though, 5.5! It shows it CAN go low. I did full justice to the fish and chips though.