Boring health post and a question about ice trays

[clevermanka]

I got to work at 10:00 this morning (lady doctor time, yay), and I am ready to go home. I've got a headache coming on (there was a time I used to look forward to thunderstorms), and I'm crazy bloated. If I scoot my chair close enough, I can rest my belly on my desk. I didn't want to strip out of skirt and stockings (and put them back on) after my appointment, but now I really wish I'd changed into Real Work Clothes afterward, before coming up to work. These jeans? Not Comfortable. This sucks so much. It's ridiculous that I should plan my wardrobe around a health problem that only surfaces part of the time. I gotta admit I'm starting to become a little bitter about it.

The lady doctor gave me some tough love about getting off my ass even though I'm still tired all the time. The three and a half months I've slacked off on exercising hasn't done me any favors, and I know getting up and moving even a little will put me on a path towards more movement. So. I'm going to try this Monday night Zumba class even though the idea of taking such a thing makes me cringe. Nothing wrong with Zumba, really. It's just...not my thing. But since I'm not doing Monday yoga anymore, this will give me an opportunity to restart a movement mentality. Also, a friend of mine, whom I don't see near enough, has been going to this class for several months now. So it's an opportunity to see her. If nothing else, this should provide some serious lulz. In the interests of full disclosure, I shall mention that I was further enticed by the fact that the guy who teaches the class is a tall black man with dreadlocks. *ahem*

Although I've considered it before, this article on the health benefits of bone broth has convinced me to start drinking a mug of broth in the morning. Now that I've given up my morning coffee (and have only three days left of my morning decaf tea), it's perfect timing to try something completely new.

I got a question about storage, though. Everyone talks about pouring broth in ice cube trays and then just using a cube or two when you want to use the broth, but whenever I try this, the damned things won't come out of the tray. Anyone got suggestions on why my broth cubes are so sticky and how I can successfully remove them (moderately intact) from the tray? Running it under hot water does not work. Already tried it.

I was talking with mckitterick last night about the snacking and he asked what was I snacking on before. I thought about it and realized: I can't be snacking! I have no food in my office other than what I bring for lunch. So why am I having these sensations of being deprived of food right now? I think it's the antibiotics. I think there's something happening in my gut that is triggering a hunger response.

Also: I'm not just swelling in my abdomen after meals. I'm also swollen around my hips and thighs. I noticed this just now when I was sitting in my desk with my crazy tight jeans (which, btw, I eventually had to unbutton at my desk). I didn't notice it for several hours after the swelling first started, but after a while, I was like "why are the thighs of these jeans so uncomfortable?" Then I noticed that I could feel every inch of the fabric squeezing down almost to all the way down to my knees. This additional swelling is probably why my legs and hips hurt.

Comments

[auroraceleste.livejournal.com]

Do you pour it in hot? I've found it's best to let the broth cool off (we do overnight) then skim the fat/schmaltz (good sub for butter to fry stuff in, or freeze to add back to the broth later) strain out the solids and freeze the leftover liquid.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Ah, I bet that's it! yes, I'm pouring it in while it's warm, before skimming the fat. Thank you for the hint!

I collect schmaltz like a fiend, so this is a win-win solution. I made zucchini and red peppers in schmaltz last night with no extra seasoning whatsoever and it was amazing. Yum.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_luaineach/]

Yes, this was going to be my recommendation also!

ETA: I love to drink broth. I'm the only one in our house who does; I've given up on Jim but I'm still hopeful that I can convince Jet that it's no different than liking soup, but without the soup parts, and in a cup. I mean, he drinks all the broth out of his bowl when we have soup but he just doesn't like the idea of "just a cup of broth". I make chicken bone/fat, garlic, onion, parsley, bay leaf, black pepper broth all the time. Delicious!

ETA2: Everyone I know who has taken/who takes Zumba enjoys it a lot and says its a killer workout.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Excellent!

And yay we can be broth-drinking buddies when you visit! =D

[redheadfae.livejournal.com]

Is that Barry's class?
I'd go if I had the incentive to do something no too late on a Monday night.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

It is totally Barry's class. You should come and we can be complete dorks together!

There's a fifteen minute warm-up class with light weights at 7:00. The actual Zumba class starts at 7:15 and runs for an hour. Since it's on your side of town, you'd be home by 8:30!

Oh, and it's only eight bucks, no membership required. At LAC.

[redheadfae.livejournal.com]

Yes! I feel bad that he gave me a freebie coupon and I never used it. I think he'd be awesome fun.

I tried Zumba once up there before, it was hi-intensity, but yah, totally fun. Just have to laugh at the combined "belly dance" moves *snort* at least that particular class.

We must motivate each other to go! Nothing like letting someone else down to keep me honest.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Well, I'll see you Monday, then! Woot!

[miischelle.livejournal.com]

Oh bleh. This all sucks so much for you. It has to get better. IT HAS TO! I have to believe it will anyway.
{{loves}}

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

I believe it has to get better, too.

[kalimeg.livejournal.com]

I bet olive oil spray in the trays would help, too.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Maybe...but I think fattiness is the reason why they're sticking. I'm going to try skimming the broth, per auroraceleste's suggestion and see what happens.

[shrijani.livejournal.com]

I have no helpful advice or commentary whatsoever.

*support*

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Aw. Thank you baby. Sometimes *support* is all that can be done. I appreciate yours.