It’s rather quiet In My Kitchen as another month rolls around and this time there are medical issues. My advice to you is not to get older. It’s highly overrated.  🙂  Thankfully I’m still smiling.

You might recall that over the past few years I’ve mentioned that I suffer from back pain. My doctor always said, “It’s muscular, get more exercise.” To that advice I saw a physiotherapist week after week with no improvement. Then it was, “Get a few massages,” and while they were very relaxing, no improvement there.

Finally, I told the doctor I was going to be in a wheelchair if something wasn’t done. Why do they wait until you’re at the end of your rope before investigating? Anyway, the tests show all sorts of problems back there and I’m off for an MRI tomorrow and maybe a CT scan after that. If the diagnosis is what she thinks it is, there’s a shot for it. I try not to be angry but frankly, I’m losing that battle.

Then just to add insult to injury, I have brand new kidney disease which she thinks is from the ibuprofen I’ve eaten like candy just to function. All this isn’t for sympathy because I need none. I’ve got a plan and it includes juice (and that shot in my back!).

Years ago I had problems with my liver from living with gallstones for a long time (long story) when I lived in New Zealand. After the surgery I was told that I had irreversible liver damage and I was out to prove them wrong. I bought a masticating juicer and juiced carrots, spinach, beetroot, red cabbage and anything else in my fruit and veg drawer every day for six months. No more damage. The doctor decided that the test must have been wrong. Could be, but I’m on another quest for wellness.

I read nearly every article on kidney disease that Dr. Google has and then dragged out the old Green Star juicer from the shelves where I store things I rarely use.

Day one, I ate nothing but watermelon because nearly every page said watermelon will help to clear up an unhappy kidney. I’m not sure why it’s important but they all said it was an alkaline juice.  I enjoy eating watermelon so I didn’t juice it.

Day two I made a juice from carrots, apples, black grapes, mango, beetroot, peach, celery, ginger, blueberries, raspberries and strawberries. It didn’t taste too bad.

Day three and I added spinach, pomegranate, cherry tomatoes, green grapes and pears to the above mix. Most of the juice is carrot, then apple but enough of the others to make a difference.

After that, I just switch around with whatever is in there. Yesterday I added pineapple to the mix.

I was talking with a friend who told me I shouldn’t have anything in my juice but green stuff and maybe she’s right but I wouldn’t drink it so why bother. I drink juice that is fresh, healthy and tastes good.

My diet will now have less protein, more water and way more fruit and veg. It’s a real change for me but now you know where I’ve been. Just sitting for a short period feels like I’m sitting on spikes.

I’m keeping on with the blog and hope you’ll follow my progress as 2016 is going to be a good year for us. I just know it.

In my kitchen is a new bottle of homemade vanilla extract that’s about a month old. I have made my own vanilla extract for years and one day recently I noticed I was out. I’m ordering some new vanilla from Sunshine Vanilla and I’m going to make 3 bottles from vodka. In 3 years, the vanilla extract should be wonderful.

Early in January, I met up with Tania Cusack from My Kitchen Stories and she brought me these gifties. I love this oil in a salad dressing! That pink thing is SHARP. Good thing she warned me.

Australia Day was on the 26th and every year there’s a party with with my friends Fran and Chris. Sadly, this was our first Australia Day without Chris who died from cancer late last year. Thankfully Fran has a covered deck because it poured rain all day. I had a wonderful time catching up with old and new friends and it reminded me of an Australia Day in 2004 when I became an Australian citizen. When I got home from the ceremony all our friends were on our verandah wearing yellow hats that said, “I’m Aussie Mauzza’s Mate.” Then they handed me this one.

Holidays like Australia Day and 4th of July make me realise just how lucky I am. I might have a niggly bit here or there but my life could be a whole lot worse. Thanks for being my friend – I really mean that.

I appreciate your visit and if you’d like to be part of the In My Kitchen group, we’d love to peek in your kitchen. Seriously. All you need to do is snap some shots from your kitchen, post it on your blog and link to orgasmicchef.com. I’ve recently taken over In My Kitchen from Celia over at Fig Jam and Lime Cordial and I’ve made some incredible new friends.

Finally, my best friend needs a haircut but he’s still very cute. He’s started going for walkies every day with daddy so now I’m not needed any more.