Pgh Lesbian Correspondents

Content Note: nutrition and health minus the judgey lecture, destigmatizing food pantries, and bloodwork

Kale.

Kale seems to have done the trick.

Back in April, I began a daily regimen of a kale smoothie. My cholesterol readings were elevated. I had already been taking a statin, but something else was necessary. My blood pressure was also elevated, unusual for me.

I subscribe to the theory that it is easier to add something to my routine, diet, etc than it is to focus on taking something away. Incorporate a walk, devote 30 minutes to reading a book, etc. A smoothie with a kale base was the thing I added.

No recipe. I learned that it is important to eviscerate the kale leaves in a small amount of liquid before adding the good stuff. My liquid is typically unsweetened vanilla oat milk. Sometimes, it is orange juice. Then I add what I have on hand – banana, apple, orange, carrot, etc. Add some lowfat plain Greek yogurt and two teaspoons of chia seeds … voila. Typically I have 16-20 ounces, depending on how carried away I get.

My modest smoothie makes doesn’t pulverize the kale completely, but I don’t mind the texture. I think of it as little warriors rolling up their sleeves and heading into my blood vessels. The size of the maker is small.

I’ve been doing this almost daily for three solid month. Had my blood drawn on Monday and the results for cholesterol are in the normal range. I’m staying on a low statin dose to keep it under control, but onward with the smoothies. My blood pressure is consistently back to normal.

Best of all, my lab results show I’m doing okay. We have to manage my kidneys because I’ve been on lithium for 23 years. It is the gold standard to manage bipolar disorder, especially both stabilizing moods and lowering the very high risk of suicide with my diagnosis. But it can do a job on kidneys. I have to see a kidney specialist soon. But no sign of concern at this point.

Yes, I have this incurable, chronic, life-long disease that should shorten my life span by 8-12 years compared to typical women my age. I also have two other chronic mental health disorders.

But I am not helpless. I figured out the smoothie solution. Managing cholesterol and blood pressure are important tools to resist that 8-12 year early-onset death sentence.

I’m not saying kale is the solution for you. I’m not interested in your recipe or suggestions for protein powders. I am interested that you are actively adding something to your life – a smoothie, a cereal, a non-dairy milk, whatever. I’m also saying that finding a precise recipe isn’t for everyone. And maybe tone down the protein powder warbling. Not everyone can afford it.

Maybe consider kale – strip the leaves and try blending in liquid as a base. I would imagine a kale/spinach mix would make for a good solid with something sweet like strawberries or mandarin oranges.

Then there’s the expensive reality of a healthy lifestyle. My food pantry box is often filled with things I don’t understand – like a Kiwano melon (I put it into a smoothie) – but it also almost always has kale and/or spinach. Kale is also pretty affordable, under $2 for a bunch of raw kale. Since I am washing and stripping off leaves, it isn’t hard to manage. Bagged, chopped kale often still contains the stems. Stems are bitter.

Oat milk isn’t super cheap, but orange juice can be. And it can be any liquid. I also buy the lowfat Greek yogurt which isn’t terribly expensive. The rest comes from the pantry box – bananas, apples, and carrots mostly. Sometimes oranges, an occasional pear. Or horned fruit. Last week saw strawberries and I’ve had blueberries, raspberries, and more.

NOTE – my neighbor picks up my food pantry box for me every week because I don’t have a reliable car and it is a bit far from my home. This IS something you can do to support someone in your life. This is what YOU can add – picking up and delivering a food pantry box or similar item for a friend or neighbor. ADD THIS.

Blending five servings of fruit does not count of five servings of fruit because of science. BUT it is five pieces of fruit that you might not otherwise consume. Smoothies made with juice can carry a lot of sugar. These are considerations, not negatives.

My smoothie often replaces a meal, not intentionally but just because I’m not hungry afterwards.

I’m also not committing to add something else just yet. I would like a slightly larger smoothie maker, but that’s pricey – a girl can dream.