Air conditioning Emergency

(not ours)

Wesley Chapel, Florida

We finished up our kitty sitting job a few days ago.  Frank arrived back here from New Orleans.  I’m sure his kitty Frisk was glad to see him.  We had been going over there twice a day to make sure the a/c was working and that it was cool inside.  Frisk had plenty of food and water and just needed his kitty pan scooped.   (a lot)  He seemed pretty lonely.

The morning after Frank got home, he called us from work.  Apparently, his  a/c went out that night.   Luckily for her his wife was out of town.

We went right over to check on Frisk.  It was 93 inside the motor home.  Frisk was hot and upset, and  hiding behind the couch.  Of course that’s the hottest place in the house because he’s not getting any breeze.  We brought over a fan and set it to give Frisk some breeze.

Frank discovered that most mobile rv techs don’t work on basement air.  He finally found one and had them come look at it.  I guess they are now waiting for a part.  They did find some sort of portable air units that have given them some relief from the heat until they get it fixed. 

 

Today is day 14 of the “Vegan Experiment.”   It looks like the experiment part is over and we are ready to commit to a permanent change in our diets.

Vegetarians eat no meat. Vegans go a little further and also avoid dairy products.   

We have had to educate ourselves on what we can and cannot eat.   It was difficult at first.  It seemed that when I went to the grocery store, I couldn’t find any food we could eat.  Fortunately, it didn’t take too long to discover many wonderful alternatives.    It just took a few trips to Whole Foods and Nutrition S’mart to learn what is out there.  We’ve tried a few products that weren’t good, but for the most part we’ve been eating some really delicious things.

I  find that I am having to plan meals ahead, (not my strong suit)  and cook more.   I find cooking vegetarian is easier.  No more browning up a pound of greasy hamburger and messing up the kitchen.

We’ve  both lost 6 pounds, and that is without being hungry and without craving anything that we couldn’t have.  Al still is having a few beers in the evening, and I have a vodka tonic or two if I want them.  We haven’t felt deprived at all.

My energy level is way up.  Al is still dealing with the sinus infection, but I think he’s finally getting a little relief from that.  

I wish I had known a few years ago what I know now.  I believe this will finally be the answer to my weight problem.  

We found a very good new vegan food product.   It’s basically a veggie burger.  It comes in a little clear baggie and looks more like a dry mix for oatmeal cookies than a burger.  All you do it add water, stir and then cook it like a burger.

They’re  called Joe's Patties.    They have a lot of spices in them.  They smell wonderful while cooking and taste great.  I patty them up and fry them in a little olive oil.    I like the texture of a crisp “burger” cooked in a little oil.  We really like them.  They are $5.99 a package and we can get two meals out of them.  We seem to be satisfied with much less food.

 

A friend loaned us a good vegan recipe book.  I like it so well that I bought a copy for myself.

It’s called Vegan Cooking for Carnivores

The author is the personal chef for Ellen DeGeneres.  He was a regular chef when Ellen hired him.  He had to learn to cook vegan when he started working for her.  It’s a great cook book with a lot of quick and easy recipes. 

We haven’t been doing any kayaking or even going to the beach.  I don’t know where they day goes.  We have beautiful beaches close by  and some wonderful rivers to kayak.   I don’t know why we haven’t done any of that.   Of course we’re in the midst of rainy season, so you do have to plan your days around the weather.  Maybe that’s our excuse.  Maybe it’s the situation with my brother and mother.