Health Update and Bonus Recipe

I recently received some great news after having my latest 3 month lab work done. Everything is good, but there are two notable highlights I want to share.

One is that my HDL is 51. This is the highest it's ever been that I can remember! For so long, it was in the 40's, gradually getting higher over the past couple of years. But never has it been in the 50's that I can remember until now.

The second is my triglycerides. This has consistently been in the normal range for years, but never has it been as low as 80 until now!

Whenever I receive test results, good or bad, I always reflect on what caused it to be that way. It's the only way to maintain or improve it. Here are three things I've done differently over the past few months:

-I made sleep a priority. This is the foundation for me. Without adequate sleep, everything else is difficult to maintain. I actually have been struggling with getting enough sleep, but it's starting to consistently improve. I used to be good with 6 to 6.5 hours, but nowadays I need at least 7 (8 to really function at my best). It's a work in progress. Some nights are great, others not so much. But I'm actively trying to improve it every single night. And I don't stress out (anymore) when it doesn't happen. Stress only magnifies the problem.

-I increased strength training. I do 2-3 days a week of various forms of strength training. I was already good with cardio, but strength training needed work.

-I increased my Omega-3 intake. Instead of eating only salmon just once or twice a week, I now eat a variety of low mercury, wild caught fish that's rich in Omega-3 three times a week (salmon, sardines, anchovies, and mackerel), in addition to chia seeds twice a week.

That's why I am sharing this picture.🙂 It was my lunch a few days ago - Risoni (like risotto, but made only chickpeas), organic steamed broccoli, organic peas, and anchovies. I mixed it with organic dried parsley and pasture-based butter.😋