Thursday, March 27, 2014

Medical, Travel League. Beets.

Yesterday I went to the Nephrologist who gave me a BP monitor a BPweek or so ago. I saw a nurse who went through the whole business with me. I said I hadn’t changed my medication as I had recently acquired a load of pills before I had seen the specialist and wanted to finish them. Because my blood pressure is so high, he said that in that case I had to take diuretics. No can do, causes me really bad cramps. Eventually, I conceded and agreed to dispense with the older meds and get the new one. It is supposed to bring my BP back down so please keep your fingers crossed for me. I have to admit they are pretty high, my diastolic is running in the high 160s and when I am at the doc’s it goes into the 180s which scares the bejasus out of them.

Today it is our Travel League. We go out to lunch first, today we goWalnut Crunch to the Red Lobster and I have a big quandary having found that the dish I normally chose is actually something like 1,400 calories. Trouble is I enjoy it. It’s shrimp in a spicy sauce. Technically, if I eat that, I am done for the day but I can’t not eat because of diabetes. Not only that we get donuts and Jamie, one of the owners of Towne Bowl gets my favourite specially, Walnut Crunch, so I have to eat that don’t I? Luckily the actual bowling gives me a couple of extra calories to play with. Not that I have really been losing weight this year, seems to have virtually stopped. But I’m not gaining which is a good thing.

I bought myself some beets but then ended up cooking them the ordinary way. Just didn’t have time for that recipe I posted. I am also beginning to notice asparagus recipes - the time will soon be here.

I am such a chocoholic I couldn’t resist this recipe and sharing it with you. I have recently learned to like salted chocolate, it is quite delicious.

Salted Chocolate Peanut Cookies

Source: Cooking.com
Active Time:  20 Minutes
Total Time:  40 Minutes
3 dozen

For chocolate and peanut lovers, here's a rich, moist cookRec Imageie that will be the star of your next holiday cookie bake-off.

INGREDIENTS
1 1/4 cups unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup light brown sugar
1 cup sugar
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
2 large eggs
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup unsalted peanuts, coarsely chopped
1 cup peanut butter chips
Sea salt, to garnish

DIRECTIONS
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, cream together the butter, light brown sugar and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla and beat well.
In a medium bowl, stir together the flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients into the butter mixture. Stir in the peanuts and peanut butter chips.
Drop heaping tablespoonsful onto the cookie sheets.
Place in the oven and cook for about 8 to 10 minutes.
Remove to a wire rack. Sprinkle a bit of salt on top then let cool.

Have a great day
Jo

16 comments:

  1. I hope your new meds help bring your bp down, my father suffers from high bp too and also takes medication for it. My mother however suffers from low bp, maybe that means I'll be right in the middle?? I can always hope I guess. Anyway, you have me craving shrimp. I haven't been to a Red Lobster since the last time I visited the States, but who would have thought shrimp could be so high in calories. It has to be the sauce they use. The grilled shrimp is probably a better option and is pretty tasty too. Have fun bowling today!

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    1. I hope for your sake you are right in the middle Elise. Much easier. Makes it worse if you have diabetes too, they have to be more careful.

      We go to the Red Lobster once a year. It is the sauce which is absolutely delicious. but I will have to see what else I can find that appeals to me.

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  2. Hi Jo - good luck with the meds .. and getting that BP down. Sadly losing weight is saying no most of the time ... I'd skip the donuts ... but the shrimp - I'd be caught on .. perhaps eating half of it .. I know you pay - but you'll enjoy it .. or as Elise says .. having a grilled version ..

    Chocolate thankfully I can do without ... usually! Cheers Hilary

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    1. I lost lots of weight last year, but this year I am stuck on a plateau. I still only eat 1200 calories a day. Donuts can be built into my diet, the odd one now and again that is.

      Chocolate, of course, is actually good for you, in moderation.

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  3. I hope the new meds work.

    What is that in the second picture?

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    1. Thanks Diane, so do I.

      My Walnut Crunch donut. Picture doesn't do it justice I guess.

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  4. I love it when those cookies are still moist in the middle. You always have the best recipes.

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    1. I prefer mine crunchy all the way through.

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  5. I love walnut crunch! I don't have high blood pressure, but high cholesterol, no real solution, when you're allergic to statins, although I am trying Red Yeast Rice. I do hope your new meds help you! That is dangerously high, although I've also been told what's high for one isn't necessarily high for someone else. Looks like 'norm' is changing.

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    1. Sadly, it turns out they are no longer making walnut crunch because of allergies. Red Yeast Rice, never heard of that before. I believe that, I think I've always had high blood pressure, but couldn't swear to it.

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  6. I also hope that the new medication helps. I was worried that the salted chocolate peanut cookies would be loaded with salt, but a half a teaspoon spread over three dozen isn't bad. Everything in moderation. Happy bowling!

    Julie

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    1. Yes, sounded OK to me salt wise. Bowling was fun but not terribly successful.

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  7. There's so much decadent salted chocolate to be found. It's pure evil and pure heaven.

    On a healthier note, beets are yummy too.

    Be well, Jo.

    xoRobyn

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    1. Used not to like it, but now..... Love beets too. You be well too Robyn

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  8. Hi Jo,

    Wishing you the very best with your meds. I've found that my various medications have been more of an experiment than anything else.

    Thank you for that recipe. I just added calories by looking at the photo.

    Oh and in and incredibly roundabout sort of way, I have finally noticed my mug shot on your Google Friend Connect.

    A peaceful, hopeful day to you, Jo.

    Gary :)

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    1. Oh, OK I just read your blog about GFC, didn't realise it would leave one's picture when completed. Useful to know that, thanks.

      I am so hoping these meds will work. I was already on BP meds but they weren't doing much.

      Yes, it wasn't a lo cal recipe today. Peaceful day to you too Gary, and to Penny.

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