There is going to be a big change around here, my mum always said when something bothered her. Now it is my turn to be bothered. I mentioned that I am having problems with my blood pressure. I have tablets and after two weeks, it is gradually returning to how it should be. As I really only noticed this a couple of weeks ago, I have no idea how long this state of affiars had existed. Now I have begun to notice it. Luckily I have a blood pressure gauge and now check it regularly. However, I am now going towards 80 years old, not quite yet, still have two years to go, but now I must be careful. Tablets are not the solution alone and my food consumption must be changed. This is easier said than done.

I have been examining the situation and it seems salt is something I must stop using. The diet food is now fresh fruit, nuts, salad and vegetables. Cooking should mainly be done by using oil (olive oil or other oils). Thie is a new adventrue for me and I have had to alter my food requirements. I live with my autistic son and cook for both of us. How do I change my son’s eating habits. Actually I noticed this is no big problem. He eats well and always leaves an empty plate after a meal. I spoke with him about not cooking with salt and he could add the salt at the table. No problem it seems, Salt does not seem to bother him. I think it hangs together a little with autism that it is no problem with or without salt. Otherwise I can adapt the food to cover both our needs.

I am alone at midday, when he goes to work, and I then adapt to the new diet. This evening I have a small problem. My menu plan says spaghetti I had a glance at internet and saw that the ingreients for spaghetti are not so 100% suitable. Tinned tomatoes are not advisable, better with fresh tomato, spaghetti should be whole grain, which I do not have at the moment. The meat should be lean, although this is no problem as I always buy the leaner mincemeat which I usually freeze myself as you can see on the photo, with its date. Positive is the parmesan cheese it seems as this type would be ideal. I should use fresh herbs in the sauce, and this is no problem. I grow them myself in my herb bed. I have decided to go ahead and cook my spaghetti with that what I have (without salt).

I bought a melon last week and have been wondering if it would be OK to eat with my new diet. It seems it will be perfect, and might even sink my blood pressure.

I have been cooking for more than 50 years, but have never had this type of problem, but I am learning. My blood pressure is now down from 194 to 130 and sinking. I think it is the first time that I have felt threatened with my health. A high blood pressure is to be taken seriously. Yes as my mum said, there is going to be a big change around here.