I Need [Another] New Doctor

I consider myself a reasonably healthy individual. In fact, so healthy that I have avoided my annual "well-exam" for about five years. Now, I do need to see a physician maybe once a year or so for a sinus infection or something minor. But, when my girlfriend recently had a hysterectomy I thought that maybe I, too, should schedule an appointment. The physician I'd been seeing (since 5th grade) is apparently facing some serious jail time, so I needed to find someone else within the practice to declare my "primary care physician".

I decided on a physician I'd seen a few times for above-mentioned sinus infections. I'd always found him professional, but kind (and willing to prescribe zithromax!). So, yesterday, I headed in, fully expecting to receive a clean bill of health. After waiting in a paper gown for at least 45 minutes, he finally came in. He did a great job, very thorough, caring, and knowledgeable. The downside: way too thorough. He looked at me like I had three heads when I told him I hadn't been running as much and that I ran maybe twice a week and did yoga twice a week. He said that if I lost ten pounds I could get my BMI a little lower and that ice cream and cheese (my primary sources of calcium) were fattening. It's not that I don't realize any of these things, but to have someone else point them out to you is a little disheartening.

Apparently in the next few months I need to have a mole removed, schedule some labwork, have an ultrasound, and possibly consult with a surgeon. We do have an HSA (basically a great way to trick yourself into thinking that you're not spending your own money on things your insurance should cover), but it's certainly not unlimited. I don't normally put a price on my health, but I just expected something else, along the lines of: "you're doing a great job, now get on out of here"!

So, I've decided that I need a new doctor. I would like someone at least 100 pounds overweight, a heavy smoker, one who thinks these would make a great breakfast



Perhaps it was my small form of rebellion that when I returned home, I immediately whipped up a batch of peanut butter cookies. Thanks to Betty Crocker, we all enjoyed these immensely last night.

Peanut Butter Cookies (courtesy of the Betty Crocker New Cookbook)
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup shortening
1/4 cup softened butter
1 large egg
1 1/2 cups flour
3/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
granulated sugar

1. Mix 1/2 cup granulated sugar, brown sugar, peanut butter, shortening, butter, and egg in large bowl.
2. Stir in flour baking soda, baking powder and salt.
3. Cover and refrigerate for 2hrs or until firm.
4. Form into small balls, roll in granulated sugar and bake at 370 degrees for 9-10 minutes, or until light brown.




In other news, I've been obsessed with keeping my house clean this week. It's been a full five days and I've made my bed every day. I consider this the mark of a good housekeeper. Now, I don't fold my underwear, I consider that the mark of a total clean freak. I'm not sure how much longer this little trend of mine will last, but I'm enjoying it while it does! I feel so much better when I look around and see clean surfaces and no clutter.