Paul just had a stent put in...again

[WillParkinson]

Hi doctor told him to cut back on sodium and cholesterol. The 2nd one is easy as we don't eat meat. We came home and went through out stuff. My gosh I never noticed how much salt is in stuff.

So we're trying to upgrade our house and want to dispense with the soup bases we have. We want to try and make our own soup base but are unsure how to go about making a decent one that we'll enjoy. Anyone got any advice? (Either on the soup base or how to get him back to heart healthy!)

[Ignis]

1. Sorry to hear that. Hope he feels better soon.

For soup bases, I find that the best ones are made with the nastiest, most inedible ingredients. :D

All those stems, roots, leaves, skins, etc. that you remove from your vegetables before using them? Clean them, throw them in a large pot, and stew them for several hours. Strain and store.

[CrispyQ]

2. I don't make my own soup base, but,

Rapunzel makes a good vegan no-salt bouillon cube. Better Than Bouillon has a low-salt veggie base, but I think it's still pretty salty.

[flvegan]

3. Does Paul eat dairy and eggs?

I'm certainly not going to get all preachy, especially not to you and not in this forum, but if there was ever a time to consider veganism, if he isn't already, now might be a good time.

Also, is he getting enough exercise?

[WillParkinson]

4. No, he's not vegan...

Once a year (his birthday) he has a fish dinner at a restaurant we go to. That's the only time during the year he eats any type of meat.

No eggs. No dairy. Not enough exercise for either of us, though I get more at work walking 3 miles a day.

Our problem is that there are very tasty, but unhealthy, vegan options out there and we eat too much of that.

We are going to try to cut down. I explained to him today that our wedding is 2 months away and I want him standing next to me then and always. Not sure if it sinks in, but one can always hope.

On edit:

Get preachy with me. Sometimes a smack in the head is what it takes to pay attention.

[flvegan]

5. Couple things, Will...

First, congrats on the pending nuptials. I hope we'll see pics!

Paul's veganism? Close enough. 364.99 days of the year is close enough for me to not want to draw that line in the sand, considering. He's obviously one of us, and I say that with every bit of cred I might bring to this conversation. Sorry, Level 20 vegans that will hate me for saying that. But, our friend Paul needs a bit of help, not a bit of criticism.

Regardless of how "unhealthy" some vegan options are, they shouldn't elevate cholesterol to the point where he needs such drastic correction.

Honestly, were I standing in your shoes, I'd get a baseline cholesterol reading. Then, I'd try a totally vegan, damn-near-raw diet for 30 or 45 days. Ramp up the exercise just a bit (don't go all flvegan gym rat, just get that workout in). Then, take another baseline cholesterol reading. Many doctors have not caught up with the idea that some folks have a body that will generate more cholesterol based on what the body needs (per the body's guidance). Like the BMI, they see a number and just forget the reasons why.

Then I'd revisit that number, maybe without that doctor and using a bit of logic. And I'll NEVER get preachy with you. Not with a gun to my head, friend.

And if anyone gives you or Paul shit about what you're doing, you refer them to me, okay?

[WillParkinson]

7. According to Paul I am wrong...

He says that his cholesterol level is fine and that it's unhealthy eating that is clogging his arteries. I am not a doctor so I cannot say for certain.

Today was his first day back to work. He came home and was still tired and went to bed at 6 pm and is set to wake up at 5 am. I still think there's a problem and am pushing him to go get checked out again.

(Of course I'm the worrier in the family.)

[livetohike]

6. I'm sorry for Paul's troubles Will

:hug: for both of you. I never use anything for soup base when I make soup, so I guess I'm just not used to it. There are many good cookbooks out there that you could borrow from the library and get started. I bought my parents one from the American Heart Association years ago. I hope that helps some.

Also for the sodium, watch out for any faux meat products out there you might like. You'd be surprised at the sodium content.

Cook with canola or olive oil only.

Years ago I took care of my Great Aunt for months when she was recuperating from a heart attack. There's lots of help on line now, but back then in the 70's the doctor gave us some good guidelines in pamphlets.