Pre Halloween Indulgence

Gertrud was surprised at my little unannounced visit today. I caught her sitting in her armchair with a cup of tea and and a small plate of Halloween chocolates. You know the kind.... Small sized candy bars of all varieties. She happily offered me some. I don't know why she doesn't remember that I won't eat sweets. She and Heinz have diabetes and there is more diabetes in my immediate family. So I have good reason not to eat sweets. Anyhow, I said to her: " Mama, thank you for asking, but do you know what I see, when I look at that plate? I see diabetes, cholesterol, high blood pressure as well as an array of other diseases. You can enjoy it if you like, but I can not eat that. It doesn't bother me not to see it either." Gerdtrud responded by laughing. " Well, I like my candy and I just eat a little at a time." I can't say that I like seeing her eating that junk, but I understand that it is one of her small pleasures, however, I hope to avert the diabetes, cholesterol, high blood pressure and stroke that she has endured, as well as the heart attack that Heinz has had. People think my diet is too rigid at times, but I don't feel deprived. I eat lots of healthy fresh veggies and fruit and have lots of variety. For desserts I make home made puddings, tapioca, banana breads and eat lots of fruit. But I substitute healthy oils for butter and avoid processed foods like the plague. I eat whole wheat everything and I love it and thrive perfectly fine. For Halloween I bought 100% fruit rollups for the kiddies that come to the door. I feel good about not contributing to the consumption and addiction of corn syrups, and sugars in the young and if some is left over, well then I can treat myself sometimes without feeling too guilty.