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Here I would love to share with you our travels and adventures as international mushroom consultants. MEMOIRS about husband Pieter Vedder, who was a SCIENTIFIC PIONEER in Mushroom Cultivation Education. His practical handbook is in 9 languages and is called the MUSHROOM BIBLE: https://mariettesbacktobasics.blogspot.com/2020/08/modern-mushroom-growing-2020-harvesting.html
Showing posts with label Last Call by Neiman Marcus. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Last Call by Neiman Marcus. Show all posts

Thursday, February 9, 2023

Heart and Kidney Update after Hyperkalemia

 The week before Christmas was the worst one for me...
Suddenly got so weak and sick—vomiting even after three sips of water!
SO, I learned to lay low and REST and pray.
Because I still wanted to make it to Florida—where I'd booked us already in October—those 7 free nights for points.
And YES, I did make it to drive to Florida on December 26, and I only needed REST, vitamin D from swimming, walking and biking.
Eating healthy and finding my way out of this.
Well, my nephrologist had SHOCKED me on December 19, when he delivered the news that from 28% kidney function in June, now it only was 25%... and I had a heart murmur!
~
While I was sick, I called my nephrologist's office twice but no person on the line!
A nurse on a recording and she never bothered to call me back.
But I started analyzing things on my own and learned a LOT.
This by the way is me on the scale before breakfast, on my B'day and in my B'day suit—haha!
49.7 kg or 109.5 lb.
Just wanted to SEE if it was true what I felt...
Yep, only 66 cm or 26 inches.
Aha—that's WHY my 28 inch low rise jeans from Australia (Last Call by Neiman Marcus) FELL OFF MY HIPS!
Pieter solved it, by adding 3 more holes in his former belt that I used...
Guess the week before Christmas I suffered from Hyperkalemia and for that I've drastically changed my diet.
I knew that I had to limit my potassium intake but since my kidney function went down—it is even more serious to strictly adhere to that!
Hyperkalemia from any cause may produce nausea and vomiting... as published by healthfully.com
Guess that was also why it was affecting my heart, causing palpitations when running up and down the stairs and very much I felt it in Colorado at the high altitude pedestrian bridge...
Pieter said, he's having that problem already very long and that's why he alters his pace and needs frequent rests.
Weakness, dizziness, lightheadedness all have been felt.
Sure, as being advised by the Mayo Clinic—I knew already those 3 points:
Avoid products with added salt.
Choose lower potassium foods.
Limit the amount of protein you eat.
The University of Maryland Medical Center explains that as potassium increases, people are likely to notice muscle aches and cramps, fatigue, weakness, difficulty breathing, irregular heartbeat, nausea...
Mayo Clinic about Kidney Disease Symptoms.
Loss of appetite I've never had and I sure hope not any decreased mental sharpness...! 
All the REST—YES except swelling of feet and ankles.
Such lists are helpful in knowing what to avoid!
No more coffee...!
CHOCOLATES! Good grief... and even salt substitutes!
Sure milk I have not taken for quite a while, only Trader Joe's soy milk as that has the LOWEST percentage of sugar—another thing to watch being diabetes type 2.
With fruits I'm fine—still a lot left to enjoy!

But I'm feeling a LOT BETTER since I've altered my diet.
Not for losing weight but purely to SURVIVE just a little longer...

Maybe this will be helpful for others as well.
My singing with the choir goes better—as I have more breath!
AND on February 1st my housekeeper started and that is super as now I find more time for doing the laundry, the shopping, the cooking + biking!

There is hope and with lots of prayers we have made it this far and even together in a blissful relationship.
May God grant us some more time together—so grateful for everything we lived through and for the fond memories and many friends all over the world!

Related link:
{Cashmere Words of Wisdom & Update} | previous post shortly after Mom died from Chronic Kidney Disease—she had almost 7 years of dialysis...

Tuesday, July 26, 2022

Celebrating at Ristorante da Maria my Safe Arrival Home

 We certainly had a VERY GOOD reason for celebrating with a delicious dinner at Ristorante da Maria!
Lady Chef Maria Runggaldier as published in: 5 FIERCE FEMALE GEORGIA CHEFS YOU SHOULD KNOW←click link
On Saturday, June 25th we both went out for dinner...
We were so engaged in conversation that I FORGOT to capture the Appetizer and already had eaten a few bites from the First dish: Summer Lasagnette with mozzarella, tomatoes and basil pesto, topped with Parmesan and fresh basil leaves.
As always we both opt for the healthy living and select Seafood–Entrée:
Scallops and Shrimp over a light "putanesca" sauce with butter, cherry tomatoes, capers, green olives, garlic and fresh parsley.
Maria had potatoes with French beans and breaded egg plant with it.
Pioneer Pieter sure deserved such a great 5–course meal; he'd lost some weight doing such a Mega Task for weeks on end.
Happy to be together!
Wearing my Escada skirt and twinset.
Sorbet:
Pineapple/Lemon Sorbet
Dessert:
Semifreddo Parfait
Half frozen Moscato/amaretto Parfait with merengue, served with fresh berries over strawberry coulis.
~
It was heavenly—as always at Ristorante da Maria

Wednesday, March 9, 2022

Yummy 5-Course Italian Dinner at Ristorante da Maria in Dublin, Georgia

 We sure are glad that friend and Lady Chef Maria Runggaldier got FINALLY back home from Italy after having been stranded there for almost 1.5 year...
So, we once more enjoyed her excellent cooking at Ristorante da Maria.
Arriving at the elegant Ristorante da Maria...
Pieter wearing his navy Burberry blazer and I wear my Escada silk blouse and wool vest with red roses.
And still in my soft leather boots, gift from Italy.
It would have been Mom & Dad's 73rd Wedding Anniversary on February 26.
Appetizer:
Zuppa di granchio al pomodoro
Tasty Tomato Crab Soup, English peas, pearl onions and celery leaves
Such a YUMMY and spicy soup...
First dish:
Involtini di pasta con cariofini
Oven baked home made Pasta Rolls stuffed with baby artichoke cream, topped with Parmesan cheese and butter flakes, served on a zucchini veloutée
Fish–Entrée:
Cuore di merluzzo alla mediterranea
Pan seared Cod Fillet, served in a Mediterranean sauce with fresh tomatoes, oregano, shallots, olives and capers
Sorbet:
Sorbetto ai lamponi
Raspberry/Lemon Sorbet
Pieter also did wear his Brioni shirt (Last Call Neiman Marcus score...) for which he also needs to wear his cuff links.
Heinz always knows how to serve an espresso coffee for Pieter, with his dessert...
For both of us, it is very much like being back in Italy.
Maria is an authentic Italian Lady Chef and the only one in our region.
She has an excellent staff as well, they learned so much from her over some 18 years!
At least, her sous chef and staff managed to continue with serving delicious meals on Friday and Saturday nights, while Maria was stuck in Italy.
Dessert:
Crema catalana allo zenzero con frutti di bosco
Ginger flavored "Crema Catalana"
It was indeed a yummy 5-course Italian Dinner...

Related links:
Lovely Birthday Dinner at Ristorante da Maria | wearing my same Escada outfit...
{ROSES} | showing you the back of my Escada wool rose cardigan...

Thursday, March 3, 2022

Birthday in Davie, South Florida

 So here we are, our 3 nights at the Hyatt Place Fort Lauderdale/Plantation in South Florida.
The weather was perfect all our days in Florida!
We once stayed here before, during the weekend of April 16-18 in 2011.
Starting out with this picture from the front entrance of the Hyatt Place Fort Lauderdale/Plantation in South Florida.
Do you see the 'skinny' palm tree trunk between the 2nd and 3rd palm tree?
That was right in front of our room on the 6th floor...
There was a hole in the broken off palm tree... we suspected a Woodpecker had taken up residence.
But look who was the palm tree resident: A cute squirrel.
He/she later hopped onto the green palm leaves of the other trees.
Quite daring at such a height!
So that's why I captured that top photo afterwards to see from where it looked out.
This photo shows said stump palm tree more clearly.
Approaching the Colonnade Outlets at Sawgrass Mills Circle in Sunrise, Florida... 
Just wanted it to show on my Relive video.
It was our goodbye, as they appeared to be nearly abandoned... some of the upscale stores had closed down, as was my favorite place of Escada.
Bye bye Last Call by Neiman Marcus...
It was very easy for finding a parking space the day before.
Our entire economy is looking rather bleak; let's hope, we will live to see better years to come!
My Birthday supper at Whole Foods Market in Davie, FL
Fish (small piece as I'm only allowed very little protein intake for my CKD stage 4), some rice and veggies.
Pieter's selection of some Indian curry, fish and chicken...
Regardless of being also diabetes type 2, I did have my Birthday dessert!
A heavenly chocolate dessert, called Midnight in Miami...
It was SO GOOD!
Yes, I'm a lifelong chocoholic but most times I restrain myself, except our daily piece of dark chocolate with tea.
Wearing my set of pearls with antique silver pieces, artfully done by a dear friend that made jewelry.
Pieter enjoyed his yummy dessert, called Cappuccino...
He is lucky for never having been diabetes type 2 as he sure has a sweet tooth! 😏
Enjoy this short 1:08 min Relive video:

Sunday, August 9, 2020

Pieter in Suspenders Then and Now


Whenever one travels, there is a chance you come upon unique finds.
Thus was the case on our trip to South Africa where husband Pieter lectured at a conference and where both of us traveled all around for visiting numerous mushroom farms. 
On Monday, November 18 of 1985, we found this couture shirt of Lanvin for only $ 32.00 due to the fluctuation of the South African Rand.
Here on June 22, 1986 husband Pieter is wearing it with his white cotton pique pants and leather suspenders.
Fast forward, 24 years later, same husband, same cotton pique pants and new leather suspenders.
Now paired with an Outlet find from Last Call by Neiman Marcus at the Colonnade Outlets at Sawgrass, FL.
This is a Brioni shirt, that we found for a steal!
Husband Pieter never gained any weight, just like me; same size all the time.
The Brioni shirt needs to be worn with cuff links but Pieter got several pair.
You can also see the detail of the pique pants where I stitched the crease, so it always stays in impeccable and thus avoiding a double crease.
See previous post below.

Do you like suspenders?


Related link:
Part II - Pretoria and Sandton City, South Africa | previous post by me, where we purchased Pieter's Lanvin shirt in Sandton, S.A.

Thursday, April 13, 2017

Scenic Walk Hyatt Place Atlanta/Duluth/Johns Creek

When we both have to make our rounds in Atlanta, going to Costco Wholesale, Whole Foods Market  and Trader Joe's it is refreshing when we can start doing so from Atlanta.
So when I had to go to Macon, on March 23, for my regular check up at the Rheumatologist, we decided to drive the 1.5 hour from there to Atlanta. But boy, were we wrong. The traffic in and around Atlanta is so heavy that it takes you double that time!
A sunny but windy day and we went straight for the Scenic Walking Trail around the Community Lake, behind our Hyatt Place Atlanta/Duluth/Johns Creek hotel. 
What a treat that was!
Such a tranquil lake to walk around, following the trail!
Looking back towards the hotel, on the left there is a generous sized gazebo.
We both love the Hyatt hotels, as they are for us a Home Away from Home!
It was windy so Pieter did wear a jacket and I put on my down puffer vest.
Walking like this feels so good after a long drive in the car!
Happy for being able to walk and also because it is almost nice spring weather.
It had gotten a bit nippy with the wind but still sunny.
I slept like a rose that night on the King size bed with down duvet and pillows.
Next day after breakfast I started out fresh!
My entire outfit is from Last Call by Neiman Marcus except for the 'Eleni' Wedge Sneakers which came from NORDSTROM with 50% discount.
They do have a zipper on the inside so you don't have to lace or buckle up!

Hope you also enjoy spring weather and walking in the outdoors.

Thanks for your visit.

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MARIETTE'S BACK TO BASICS © 2009. All rights reserved - Text and images may not be copied for distribution or sale.

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