Do not anticipate trouble, or worry about what may happen. Keep in the sunlight. Ben Franklin

Counting sodium has created homework. Accepting invitations to parties ranks up there with going out to eat. Challenging yet slowly becoming more and more manageable with this great site I found during one night during my late night research: http://www.calorie-count.com/ There's no way some fast food joints would stay in business if people knew how unhealthy that cheap food really is. Why would anyone knowingly subject children to health issues when they grow up? Isn't this part of the "parent responsibility"?

For example... yesterday we went to Lisa Kay & Paul's 1st Annual "Soda-Pop” party & BBQ (really hot dogs and veggie dogs) with everyone bringing sides and desserts. Hot dogs haven't been on the menu at our house for quite some time.

They are however one of my husband's favorites... hot dogs with pickle relish, mustard and onions and occasionally with chili. His defense was he always bought beef franks and wheat hot dog buns so they were somewhat healthy. No sale.

Knowing he really wanted to have a hot dog or two, with pickle relish which is loaded with sodium... and sides that were probably the same, this site accomplished really two things... he got to choose what he ate... I could guess-estimate what his sodium content was so I wouldn't stress. So in the end, both of us had a relaxing time.

Lesson to take away: Keep in the sunlight.

Every human being is the author of his own health or disease. Buddha

I've never been a big fan of pancakes since most of them are made with just white flour. Except for, there was this breakfast diner in downtown Tulsa, Route 66, they had fantastic multi-grain pancakes that were fabulous! Since we've eliminated sodium from our kitchen, cooking has become more frequent. This morning I fixed buckwheat pancakes from one of the cookbooks my sister bought me and they were yummy! The recipe which serves 4. Sodium per serving: 71 mg

Buckwheat Pancakes...
1/2 cup of each: whole-wheat flour, unbleached all-purpose flour & buckwheat flour
1 1/2 teaspoon no-salt baking powder
1 egg (Eggbeaters)
3 tablespoons frozen Apple Juice Concentrate
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 1/2 cups skim milk

Sift dry ingredients. Combine remaining ingredients and stir into flour mixture.

Spray griddle with Pam. Cook over medium heat turning after bubbles appear on the surface.
Complete with no-salt butter with small amount of syrup.

ENJOY!!!

We must be willing to get rid of the life we planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us. Joseph Campbell

Today was a turning point.

My husband had tests done that would determine if he would need to start the evaluation process for a heart transplant... he doesn't... for now...

We've both worried together and silently, constantly lost in thought.

I'm thankful that maybe, just maybe... our focus to monitor the sodium, fluid, exercise, anxiety paid off.

SUCCESS!!

UPDATE from Austin very own Kerbey Lane Cafe....

How quick was this!! I was definitely excited to receive this fabulous reply from Katie Stark:

"Kerbey Lane Cafe is currently in the process of producing a reference guide for our guests that contains the nutritional info for all dishes. At this time, the information is contained in a data base that is not easily exported. We are in the process of reformatting this info for the ease of public distribution. I will be happy to put you on our mailing list and alert you when we have completed this project. In the meantime, if you had a particular dish or a few in mind that you are curious about, please let me know what they are and I'll be happy to check the data base and get the info to you."

I am SO impressed with this, I totally hope that other local Austin venues follow their lead!!