Home Ec. 101 and assorted other stuff

Thanks everyone for the understanding comments yesterday, and for not telling me not to feel what I was feeling!  What a difference a day makes...today has been mostly peaceful and manageable.  My emotional clutter from yesterday is where it belongs...in yesterday.  No emotional hangover either, because I didn't do anything self destructive or stupid.

I have several random and unrelated things to talk about, so here goes:

1.  I went back to the eye doctor yesterday for my first eye pressure test ("IOP - intraocular pressure in optometry speak) since starting the drops I talked about here when it was incidentally discovered that I had high pressure in both eyes.  In the interim, I'd gone back for some glaucoma testing which is necessary once high pressure is discovered.  Yesterday was good news X 3, because my pressure is down lower than they thought it would be after a month on the drops; I passed the glaucoma testing with flying colors; and I definitely DO NOT have glaucoma.  Turns out I have thick corneas (like you Helen), which can make the readings a little higher (though mine was more than a little), and that is a good thing for protection of the eyes.  The other good news is that it turns out that these drops will make my eyelashes longer, thicker and darker!  Woot - I'm one of the less hirsute individuals that's ever roamed the earth, so I'll be welcoming that "side effect"!

2.  This morning I opted to not go to my usual meeting so as not to upset that newly calmed applecart after yesterday's violations of snarky hair comments and know-it-all blowhards.  Instead, I decided to hang out at home and make another of the sweet potato/egg/spinach/sausage casserole of Helen's.  This time I did a photo essay, and also changed things up a bit.  I used more onion than the recipe calls for; I used Bob Evans' Turkey sausage crumbles - a 9 ounce pkg as compared to the 16 oz reduced fat pork sausage of last time.  I used more spinach, and most notably, I had leftover butternut squash.  Instead of sweet potato, I thought this would be a lower carb and lower glycemic index addition:

I had a piece for breakfast, and while good, it was nowhere near as decadently delicious as the first time I made it.  First - the butternut squash was MEH at best.  It also was still a tad firm even with the same amount of microwave and cook time.  Flavor much less satisfying.  The sausage was also not nearly as good - the first time with 16 oz, you really got a succulent savory blast of sausage goodness  in every bite.  This had less sausage, and it wasn't as flavorful.  Other than those 2 differences, it was good.  I'll still make it again but go back to red. fat pork sausage and use 10 0z.  And of course, the real McCoy for the sweet potato.

3.  I've recently discovered golden raisins - of course I'd heard of them forever, but was suspicious of their non-brown appearance.  Well - I used some in a recipe awhile back, and realize they are softer, more flavorful, and just a yummier version of their darker cousin.  Despite trying to stick with low carb and mostly Paleo type eating, I have oatmeal maybe 2-3 mornings a week.  Now I've been putting 2 Tbsp. of the goldens in for the last couple minutes of cooking, and it takes the oatmeal to a whole new level.  If you haven't tried it, though you probably have because I'm usually the last one to know about these little life surprises, definitely give them a shot.  You'll never eat brown again.

 4.  Inspired by Shelley of the Sit and Knit diet, I'm posting a picture of a baby blanket I'm working on for a pregnant niece.  She's due in July, and this is about a third done, so I'm pretty sure I'll make it in time.

 I'll get another picture when it's complete.  It's great to do while watching episodes of Dexter and Mad Men!

5.  Last but not least, I started this post at work, and now it's 4:15.  I left work an hour early and did a 3 mile power walk with a friend.  It's a gorgeous day here - the only downside is the voluminous pollen that is tormenting my nasal passages now.

Have a good weekend everyone, and thanks again for being such wonderful blog humans!