Eyes on the Dollar 20/20 Roundup #37-Travel Plans and Craving Carbs!
I had blood work done at the spring health fair recently, and I got my results this week. My total cholesterol and triglycerides are a little high, just over 200. My good/bad cholesterol ratio is good, but it’s all creeping up a little. I rarely eat red meat or other high cholesterol foods, and I work out almost every day, but I have really bad genetics for cardiovascular issues. I also have been snacking too much, and I often finish my daughter’s candy. So, this week, I went back on a low carb eating plan. Jim and I did it once before when he had put on some weight after an injury. We felt great, and looked awesome, then I got pregnant. Seven years later, we eat all the carbs we want, and now my cholesterol is inching up.
I’m not going whole hog this time, as I won’t cut out fruit. I’m also going to allow one piece of whole grain bread per day if I want, but pasta, chips, sugar, and other types of bread have gone bye-bye. It’s been five days, and I would be lying if I said I wasn’t craving pretzels, but I feel great, and I can feel my blood flowing better already.
We finalized some summer travel plans this week. My daughter and I will be heading to Kentucky next Friday, the day after school is out. It worked out to visit my family over Memorial weekend. I’m looking forward to seeing everyone. Jim and I get to take a kid free trip at the end of June for a conference I’m attending in San Diego. My mother-in-law is coming to babysit, and I couldn’t be more excited. We got tickets to see Train. While, it’s not Pearl Jam, I do love live music, and it’s been a while. Our big family trip to Seattle and Portland will be in July, so it will be a busy summer. I love not having to work all the time!
Giveaways
If you haven’t entered for your chance to win this awesome Samsung 50-inch HDTV, then what are you waiting for?
DC is giving away a yoga mat and pants. Plus check out his Friday giveaway post at Young Adult Money.
Gift Idea
Anne at Unique Gifter has come up with a Fort Building Kit for adults. You know you want one. Who didn’t love building a fort when we were kids?
Carnivals
Carnival of Financial Independence, Ninth Edition, and Tenth Edition
Mentions
Thanks for the love, and you can have all the crackers in my house!
Frugal Rules, Debt Roundup, My Money Design, Evolving Personal Finance, I Heart Budgets, The Heavy Purse, Money Smart Guides, The Frugal Farmer, The Random Path, Fix Em Up Rent Em Out, Canadian Budget Binder, and Budget and the Beach.
Fun Search Terms
do snakes smell like burnt tires– I’ve never really smelled a snake, but I would guess no?
how can i duplicate my money wisely- I think it’s called counterfeiting, and it’s not that wise.
hmm, it’s ok i get it- I’m so glad. I was worried.
how do they make jeans– With denim?
you are too short and rude– Is it the shortness or rudeness that bothers you more?
2– Why not 3 or 4 or 765?
20/20 Posts of the Week
I am really excited that Holly at Club Thrifty got to quit her day job. You can read about it with Why I Quit My Day Job: A Club Thrifty Confessional. I love Holly, not just because she’s bitchin’, but she says what she thinks, and really walks the walk. Congratulations!
Why I Shut Down My Profitable Online Business at Debt Roundup. There are many things worth more than money.
Gee, Can I Please Walk Over a Bed of Hot, Burning Coals at The Frugal Farmer. Taking responsibility is often the hardest, but most rewarding path.
Teen Pregnancy: Couple Make Amazing Life Changes and a Budget at Canadian Budget Binder. How often to teen pregnancy and budgeting end up in one sentence?
Long Distance Marriages: Communications and Personalities at Evolving Personal Finance. Emily has a cool series about couples and how they manage their money while living apart. I hope I never have to find out!
Things I Would Never Do: The 97 Month Car Loan at Frugal Rules. Seriously people, really an 8 year car loan? Oh, yeah, I did that with three different cars. Trading them in every three years is the same thing!
Our Vacation For Free on Credit Card Points at I Heart Budgets. Free stuff is just way more fun that paid stuff.
Are you going anywhere this summer?
Written By
Most people should aim for an LDL level below 130 mg/dL (3.4 mmol/L). If you have other risk factors for heart disease, your target LDL may be below 100 mg/dL (2.6 mmol/L). If you’re at very high risk of heart disease, you may need to aim for an LDL level below 70 mg/dL (1.8 mmol/L). In general, the lower your LDL cholesterol level is, the better. There is no evidence that really low LDL cholesterol levels are harmful. :`;;
Glad to hear about your trip Kim. Also, I assume from the post that you like Pearl Jam and my wife is a huge fan of them. Maybe a little too big a fan. I really appreciate your mention and I hope you had a great weekend.
I’m afraid I’m a 90’s holdover. I’d be happy to wear flannel every day!
Nice, Sounds like you had lined up some interesting activities there. Enjoy. And hope you had a good weekend.
Hope you get your diet back on track and glad you’re already starting to notice the difference. I love my carbs too! 🙂 But I used to eat a lot of pasta but it made me gain weight around my middle so I try to avoid them as much as possible myself. My trips include Detroit for two weeks in June and Portland/Seattle in Sept. Have fun in Kentucky!
I’m afraid weight seem to stick to my middle now as well. Oh the joy of slowing metabolism! I will not go down without a fight!
This is the one summer that I’m actually staying home. My brother and I are thinking of forming a rock band (just for fun).
I hope you have a great time Kim, but I’m not going to lie – it sucks hearing about all you guys enjoying summer over there when I am all alone over here at the bottom of the world entering winter 🙁