I'm the picture of health, though I could lose a few pounds. And, yes, there are those pesky cholesterol numbers; 246 total. 177 of the bad stuff (LDL) and 49 of the good (HDL).
The report didn't come as a huge surprise; as a magazine, newspaper and website travel writer, my job involves eating. And most of what is placed before me to "try" isn't exactly "plant based."
Let's see. In the past month, I've downed the best, creamiest New England Clam Chowder at a roadside shack in Westbrook, CT (Edd's Place). I was invited to the pre-opening VIP party at Dinosaur BBQ in Stamford, CT (ribs, brisket, mac and cheese, and the mouthwatering honey-butter-dripping cornbread). I ate toothsome meatloaf at Simon's Market in Chester, CT, and Russian delicacies at a community event. Of course, for Hanukkah, I had to devour my sister-in-law's irresistible potato pancakes, crisped golden brown to perfection. And that's just a sampling.
If you are grabbing your left arm as you read this, imagine how I must feel.
Yes, I've known my cholesterol numbers are up there, but the danger didn't register until last week, when two doctors (overseeing my two annual physicals; one general, one GYN) gave me "that look". It was a gaze that meant to impart, under no uncertain terms, that I might croak then and there if I didn't do something.
For my Internist, that meant drugs, Statins. For my "alternative doc" GYN, a more in-depth lipid panel test and a non-drug-based life-style change.
For now, I chose not to jump on the Lipitor train, and will attempt cholesterol reduction through diet and exercise.
Which is the long way of explaining this blog. How can I maintain healthy eating habits on the road? What menu items can I eat in my favorite restaurants or in those I'm covering for stories? What do I eat now? What are the best natural cholesterol-lowering foods and can I stomach them day in and day out? What are my favorite recipes?
Follow along and find out. And in March 2013, we'll find out if sacrificing pizza and General Tsao's Chicken is worth it.....
The report didn't come as a huge surprise; as a magazine, newspaper and website travel writer, my job involves eating. And most of what is placed before me to "try" isn't exactly "plant based."
Let's see. In the past month, I've downed the best, creamiest New England Clam Chowder at a roadside shack in Westbrook, CT (Edd's Place). I was invited to the pre-opening VIP party at Dinosaur BBQ in Stamford, CT (ribs, brisket, mac and cheese, and the mouthwatering honey-butter-dripping cornbread). I ate toothsome meatloaf at Simon's Market in Chester, CT, and Russian delicacies at a community event. Of course, for Hanukkah, I had to devour my sister-in-law's irresistible potato pancakes, crisped golden brown to perfection. And that's just a sampling.
If you are grabbing your left arm as you read this, imagine how I must feel.
Yes, I've known my cholesterol numbers are up there, but the danger didn't register until last week, when two doctors (overseeing my two annual physicals; one general, one GYN) gave me "that look". It was a gaze that meant to impart, under no uncertain terms, that I might croak then and there if I didn't do something.
For my Internist, that meant drugs, Statins. For my "alternative doc" GYN, a more in-depth lipid panel test and a non-drug-based life-style change.
For now, I chose not to jump on the Lipitor train, and will attempt cholesterol reduction through diet and exercise.
Which is the long way of explaining this blog. How can I maintain healthy eating habits on the road? What menu items can I eat in my favorite restaurants or in those I'm covering for stories? What do I eat now? What are the best natural cholesterol-lowering foods and can I stomach them day in and day out? What are my favorite recipes?
Follow along and find out. And in March 2013, we'll find out if sacrificing pizza and General Tsao's Chicken is worth it.....
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