Hi folks,
Well, this is a shout-out to anyone who might have some down-to-earth tips on naturally lowering cholesterol. These would include simple methods to help shed a few pounds too.
Yesterday, I started taking psyllium husks in a glass of water (which is supposed to be excellent for lowering cholesterol), then repeated again today with orange juice. I must admit the juice was much better with those globs of psyllium than the plain water. Actually, not bad at all in the juice once I moved beyond the texture issues.
I don’t eat beef or pork so I am already ahead of the game there. But, clearly, whatever I am eating is brimming with cholesterol. My children all would give me a long look here and collectively shake their heads. “It’s all those honey-sweetened cookies and cakes that you’re always baking that are causing those high numbers, Mom. Let’s not kid ourselves.”
All right then, perhaps there is some truth in that. How do I bake low-fat/no-fat honey-sweetened treats? We know my sweet-tooth will demand some satisfaction. How does one deal with that besides eating fruit? I love fruit, by the way, but I love a good baked good at least as much. So, recipes for low-fat sweets? I am open.
I also know that saturated fat is a big no-no. I am loathed to stop using big globs of butter on my morning whole wheat toast, but I understand that is a necessity. In fact, for the past two days, I haven’t had my toast at all but instead gobbled down microwaved steel-cut oats. These too are purported to have cholesterol-lowering abilities. I didn’t use a dollop of honey for sweetener either since those extra calories add up; instead, I used liquid organic stevia. Not as satisfying except that stevia has zero calories.
I even made homemade pinto beans today for dinner. Okay, I admit I made homemade cornbread too with probably too much coconut oil and an overly generous amount of honey. And, yes, I did eat two pieces. But I am not having ANYTHING else today (and that was at 4) except for some honeydew melon that is already cut up and ready to eat. Surely two smallish (okay, one big and one slighter less big) pieces of cornbread are not the end of the world.
I had salad, roasted potatoes, and a little chicken for lunch with low-fat Blue Cheese dressing. Surely, that’s not too bad.
Anyway, I could use some guidance. If you know of any good advice that is simple and not too punitive, then send it my way. Punitive only equals me rebelling and that’s not going to get these cholesterol numbers to where they need to be. I have three months. I can do this. All help is appreciated.
I’ll check back in again with you tomorrow.
20 Minutes a Day 
Raisins in oat meal
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Is that for taste, motivation or extra iron?
Oven roasted veggies. Roasting makes them almost sweet
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That sounds good. Oil?
Roasted veggies with olive oil is a standard for me. I’m more a salty person than a sweet person, so I load it with flavoring like smoked paprika, garlic powder, or a Northwoods from Penzy’s is a new favorite. Just a touch of spice.
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Smoothies with fruit.
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Sounds good. Any recommended combos?
For one year I ate oat bran for breakfast and oat bran muffins for desserts/snacks. The doctor was impressed with the results and I got to ditch the meds. If only I had maintained diet but one can only eat so much horse food before one begins to neigh.
Ha! Okay. Oat bran, here I come!
Yum! Thank you.
Fiber good! Emphasize veggies. I would make that psyllium part of a breakfast green smoothie – a serving of Activia yogurt for protein, probiotics, and creamy texture, a bit of banana for potassium and sweetness, spinach, apple, dried matcha green tea powder…personally i like downing a glass of something that tastes like a newly mown lawn…you may not 😁 shift recipes to a 5 to 1 ratio of veg to protein ingredients. Beans are great and i often use canned chickpeas or white beans in a salad to make it a substantial meal. For baked treats sneak in fiber with grated veggies -think zucchini or pumpkin breads. Flax meal is also full of goodies and fiber and you can add to turkey meatloaf too. Rodale press has great recipe books for sale and you could get an issue of Clean Eating magazine. They both provide inspiration to tweak recipes we love by using nutritionally dense whole foods in creative ways. Lastly, some ripe avocado on toast or spread on sandwiches will make you forget butter 😉
Sounds great. Thanks, Michelle!