Yucky! Icky! Phew! I Don't Like That! Lament

Very few have missed the fact I'm trying to shed much maligned fat for health reasons. I never intend to be as svelte as Luckie, nor runway models.

After 26.5 lbs of controlled, tormented starvation and over six months, using Weight Watchers On-Line, I still am no closer to loving vegetables than when I was six years old.

I rarely tolerate more than one serving/meal. The only way I meet my diet requirements of 5-7 fruits or vegetables is with fruit, all of which cost me infamous points!

Starchy vegetables also cost points: white and sweet potatoes, most root vegetables, peas, dried shelled beans/peas, pumpkin. Naturally, those are the ones I like a bit more.....

Mother tried, but I regularly refused stinky vegetables, Brussel sprouts, broccoli cauliflower, turnips, cabbages, parsnips, rutabagas. Onions I liked. She ate a lot of vegetables RAW. I gagged, just watching her.

You get the picture ... this old dog isn't learning any new tricks! But I keep trying. I know...I know. It's good for you.

I've found a miniature variety of bok choy, a Chinese cabbage, baby bok choy, I tolerate fairly well. It has little odor and can be cooked, stir-fried or eaten raw. WalMart used to carry it in a packet of three, but their marketing strategy seems to be this: they no longer carry it after you get hooked on it.

On my frequent trips to Springfield, MO I have purchase moderate supplies at a local Asian Market. Debbie Meyer Green Bags keep Baby Bok Choy fresh for a long time.

Today, I chopped one baby bok choy into stir-fry bits, added 1/2 tablespoonful of olive oil, 1/2 cup of leftover Bush's speckled butter beans, 1.5 oz of leftover Crock Pot pulled BBQ pork loin, finely minced crystalline ginger and a liberal sprinkling of black pepper in to a 6" skillet. [2 vegetable servings here!]

I cooked the mixture until liquids evaporated. I served myself in a small bowl ( so it looked like a BIG serving - perception is everything to a dieter) along with 15 Kashi TLC 7 grain wheat crackers.
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UPDATE: LUCKIE AND HER TOYS

I think Luckie has caught on to Christmas - - Starting in July, start hinting what Santa should bring down the chimney and place under the Christmas tree. Meanwhile be sure to demolish a few toys so you have a few new ones from which to pick the next "favorite toy."

For at least two Christmases, my best friend has provided her the most popular toys; this year I have no name for it, except it had two ears, two arms and two legs. I am amazed its nub of a tail remains intact!

To date it has had 5 amputations and the 6th is due any day. She has a huge box of untouched toys, of which a select few CLEAN ones will find their way to the yard sale Labor Day.

I have purchased her a chipmunk (toy) for Christmas. I have deep reservations about her having such a toy, given her penchant for hunting the cute little critters.''

"I GET TO BE THE TAIL END!!!"

Luckie - Home Alone: Graze or Hunt?

This Thursday morning is a hazard zone at our household. Like Sundays, Luckie will be spending a lengthy time alone. We both have various appointments during the same time period of six hours.

Despite her usual congenial disposition, "home alone" provokes a different aspect of her personality. I think she suffers from separation anxiety complex or just plain boredom.

She empties trash and garbage cans, chews up the Kleenex tissue box or her soft, fuzzy toys, and steals/eats anything that might be construed as food, like half or whole loaves of bread, Parisian donuts, frozen meatloaf, candy, or anything left within her ability to grab.

She once emptied a trashcan we keep near our coffee makers for filters and grounds. I've never figured how she did that, as its cover is step lever actuated. She shook the filters with grinds in such a manner as to cover nearby cabinets, walls and floor with coffee grinds. It must have been a lot of fun...for her. It was no fun cleaning up for me!

Our vet has advised giving her sedatives; we bribe her with a heavy serving of her favorite dog treats before we leave. I think we have that backwards -doggy treats only if she leaves the house intact!

She instinctively knows when we are leaving; she goes and sits in front of the cabinet where her treats are stored. We are shamed into giving her treats--guilt complex in full mode.

Today I hope the chipmunks [ground squirrels] and red or gray squirrels attract her attention and occupy her time. They have made their spring appearance in reduced numbers as their habitats have been diminished. We have less trees and vegetation since the 100 year ice storm.

She loves to hunt and show us her trophies, sometimes bringing them through her doggy door into the house for display. YUCK!

However, it is raining; Luckie is deluded , thinking she is made of sugar - might melt and dislikes water. Maybe she will choose a long nap in her favorite lift recliner.