I take it back about the Blizzard -- now I just want Putz's Creamy Whip, because WHAT?

I would be concerned that said dude was a troll, in that case.

Well played, -t. Well played.

I take it back about the Blizzard -- now I just want Putz's Creamy Whip, because WHAT?

That's pretty much everyone's first reaction to the name. But the ice cream is good stuff. And conveniently right around the corner from my house! (Okay, more like a 5-minute drive; does that count as "around the corner"?)

Unrelated to anything, I think I'm getting a cold, which is NOT ON. I used to get sick and/or injured every time we went on vacation, and I crowed to Tim last week that I managed to avoid getting sick despite the presence of 3 kids under 6 years old, and avoided injury despite sleeping in a sketchy bed, getting pummeled every day by the waves, AND roller-skating for the first time in 30+ years.

But I don't think getting sick today is a leftover from vacation; that's a little too long. I'ma blame my dentist, who I saw Tuesday. So I have chicken soup and am considering a therapeutic nap.

I will admit to feeling judgey when I'm behind someone who looks like a refugee special orders in such a way as to remove all possible food value. I can't help thinking, "Oh, get the low-fat milk. Live a little." I try to remind myself that I don't know her story and ordering anything in public might be a victory for her.

I have tasted a Blizzard and it is not my thing. I live for fizzy water. Plain is fine, but a drop of added flavor or a tiny splash of juice is also wonderful. I don't do sugar. It hasn't been an issue for me, but all 3 siblings are on meds for diabetes and both maternal grandparents were diabetic so I have always avoided the stuff.

Wine is good. Always.

The only people I feel I can justifiably comment on food choices to would be my immediate family. I got enough to do taking care of myself. I don't need or want the burden of deciding what anyone else should do with their diet.

It hasn't been an issue for me, but all 3 siblings are on meds for diabetes and both maternal grandparents were diabetic so I have always avoided the stuff.

My dad has diabetes (along with the heart disease -- I seriously don't know how he's still alive, although I thank god that he is), and so I keep an eye on my blood sugar. So far, it's always under 90 (fasting), and my doctor is happy with that. But the older I get, the more factors I'd like to rein in if at all possible. So -- less sugar. (The inflammation it can cause is also a contributor to heart disease, so cutting out sugar is beneficial on that front, too.)

There are just so many factors in life! My grandmother had a hot dog or BLT and a coffee frappe (aka milkshake, for people Not From Here) for lunch every day for many many years. She had many heart attacks in her 60s and a quadruple bypass, and then lived to 94, feeling pretty good most of the time!

My great-grandmother was a happy and enthusiastic consumer of animal fat and sugar and lived to 96 with not a lot of health issues even at that age. There's no telling what's going to happen at the individual level.

Yes, a lot of it is moderation too. Sweets and ice cream and such are not at all a regular part of my diet, but if I feel like having an ice cream or piece of candy I go for it. Fortunately I don't have the urge often.

Now my cheese and wine urges are another matter altogether.

Yes, despite both of my mom's parents being diabetic my mother never had an issue with sugar. And she never let a pastry pass her by, and still doesn't. She'll be 93 next month. Her heart valves aren't in great shape but the cardiologist says it isn't for any reason other than her age. They be tired.

While my sister got lung cancer just from living with a smoker. She has never smoked. Her doctor said flat out that she smoked for 18 years by living with her smoking father.

We all have our individual strengths and weaknesses. When we figure out what they are we can make changes accordingly. DH has a super heart. Always has had great blood pressure and enviable pulse and such. No cholesterol. Man can eat bacon daily. Me, not so much.