Bye-bye, daylight savings time. 1st day of Eastern Standard Time.

Saw Marti, my physical therapy neighbor, this morning.

We talked about autumn being about 15 minutes long, and the cold weather here already.

Caught her up about foot progress. Are you doing your exercises? she asked.

PTs are like truth-telling angels. Can you lie to one of them? No. No, I said. She laughed.

But I am walking out the creakiness in my gooder left leg. Today, 10 blocks. I have to stop mid-way of the 5 blocks and rest.

But I am getting better. I will do my left leg extensions and flexions.

I am eating better -- in a more balanced way -- and feeling better. Losing some weight.

And tomorrow I begin tai chi class again!

An interesting stroll in the Glucose Garden at a birthday celebration.

It was with my friends Claudia and Julia, at Lebanese Taverna.

A very balanced and delicious meal of salmon, roasted vegetables, and bulgar, with a little whole wheat bread to start and spiced oil.

Dessert? I usually don't, and didn't want any. But I wanted them to feel free to have some if they wanted some.

They ordered bread pudding. It comes beautifully presented, with a side scoop of ice cream.

Instead of keeping my sweetaholic gaze averted, I allowed myself to look at it totally, admire is, smell and savor the sweet odor.

One of the desserts had a lit candle, and the waiters and waitresses joined Julia and Claudia in the birthday song.

My 70th, after all!

They were also wonderful friends.  They wanted only what was best for me. No pressure one way or the other.

No: "No, don't eat that, it's not good for you." No: "C'mon, have some..."

In the past, I would have dampened down my sensory reaction to the dessert.

 

And, on getting home, I would have said good night, walked back to the parking lot, gotten in my car, driven to Safeway or Giant, bought a half gallon of ice cream (today's 3/8th gallon).

And eaten it.

I'm Connie, and I'm a sweet- and fatoholic.

The exposure to the alluring stimulus would have trapped my appetite and the more I fought, the harder would be its hooks in me.

What was crucial this time was having had a wonderfully satisfying meal balanced among vegetables, protein, and good carbs.

Totally freeing friends were another factor.

Am I going to be able to repeat this terrific sense of control over food?

Remains to be seen.

But it was a fine lesson about the need to eat in a balanced way. 

Getting the numbers helps -- a lot. 

Yesterday I craved something sweet. Had a cup of Special K. Blood glucose an hour later: 181.

Blood glucose this morning on waking: 95.

Took a lovely walk this morning.

Walked to Le Pain Quotidian for a mushroom omelet. Read the NYTimes.

 

Walked back along the Crescent Trail.

It was about 50^o. 

Did about 10 blocks. Not bad. Saw more neighbors and yakked a bit.

November is the month of thanksgiving. Thanksgiving Day, gratitutde, thankfulness.

I am so grateful for the abundant blessings in my life.

Pressed down, shaken together, overflowing.

Thank You, loving God.

 

 

Photos: Marti in summer 2010; Claudia, Julia, and me at the Landon Azalea Festival, April 2011; Crescent Trail Nov. 4, 2012.