Delmar, NY

One of my priorities is to make most of my diet low-glycemic index foods 🍇

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Foods with a low glycemic index (GI) are those that have a slower and more gradual impact on blood sugar levels when consumed, helping to avoid blood sugar crashes. These crashes can lead to increased hunger and have been linked to health issues like obesity, diabetes, and heart disease, particularly when they occur frequently. Treating and preventing blood sugar crashes is important for overall health.

A blood sugar crash occurs when your blood glucose level drops below 70 mg/dL (3.9 mmol/L) after a rapid increase in blood sugar following a meal. This happens when your body releases too much insulin in response to a sudden spike in blood sugar. Symptoms of a blood sugar crash include hunger, irritability, fatigue, anxiety, headaches, difficulty concentrating, shakiness, and dizziness.

Here is a list of foods that typically have a low GI:

Non-Starchy Vegetables:

  • Broccoli
  • Cauliflower
  • Spinach
  • Kale
  • Bell peppers
  • Zucchini
  • Cabbage
  • Tomatoes
  • Cucumber

Legumes:

  • Lentils
  • Chickpeas
  • Black beans
  • Kidney beans
  • Peas

Whole Grains:

  • Steel-cut oats
  • Barley
  • Quinoa
  • Whole wheat pasta
  • Whole grain bread (with minimal processing)

Nuts and Seeds:

  • Almonds
  • Walnuts
  • Cashews
  • Peanuts
  • Chia seeds
  • Flaxseeds

Dairy Products (without added sugars):

  • Greek yogurt
  • Milk (preferably low-fat or unsweetened almond or soy milk)

Fruits (in moderation):

  • Berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries)
  • Cherries
  • Apples
  • Pears
  • Oranges
  • Grapefruit

Sweeteners (sparingly):

  • Stevia
  • Erythritol

New York, let’s go chase that ducking money as the Indians swelter in the summer 🗽💵

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Technically it’s not Indian summer until we have a cool period though I guess you could call all of August really cool and Labor Day came and went, with all that is left is the work, the traffic and the bills in these inflationary times.

Good morning! Happy Tuesday. Partly clear 🌅 and 68 degrees in Delmar, NY. Sort of foggy, air has that taste of barnyard and grain on it. Soon to be silage time. There is a north-northwest breeze at 5 mph. 🍃. The dew point is 67 degrees. The muggy weather ends next Monday around 3 pm. 😓

Big pots of rice-lentils along with a pot of red kidney beans 🍲 is simmering down on the stove, already had my first cup of coffee ☕ and out for the morning walk 🚶. On my way home from the Adirondacks I stopped and stocked up my pantry 🛒 as there was a lot of missing things and I always like to have my pantry full of complete meals 🍴 that provide all the nutriental essentials. 🍏

Today will be sunny 🌞, with a high of 89 degrees at 4pm. 11 degrees above normal. Maximum dew point of 70 at 1pm. North wind 3 to 7 mph. A year ago, we had light rain in the morning, which became light rain by afternoon. It was somewhat humid. The high last year was 65 degrees. The record high of 92 was set in 2018.

Going to ride to work today 🚵 but I expect to take the express bus 🚍 back home as it’s going to be a hot one. 😰 The ride downtown is a lot easier then the ride back, bar of course the Madison Avenue Hill. I won’t mind moving to the Erie Boulevard office 🏢 when it comes to the hill eventually. No idea when.

Solar noon 🌞 is at 12:55 pm with sun having an altitude of 54.3° from the due south horizon (-16.6° vs. 6/21). A six foot person will cast a 4.3 foot shadow today compared to 2.2 feet on the first day of summer. The golden hour 🏅 starts at 6:48 pm with the sun in the west (274°). 📸 The sunset is in the west (280°) with the sun dropping below the horizon at 7:25 pm after setting for 2 minutes and 57 seconds with dusk around 7:52 pm, which is one minute and 44 seconds earlier than yesterday. 🌇 The best time to look at the stars is after 8:28 pm. At sunset, look for mostly clear skies 🌄 and temperatures around 85 degrees. The dew point will be 70 degrees. The heat index around sunset will be 69. ⛱ There will be a northwest breeze at 5 mph. Tomorrow will have 12 hours and 59 minutes of daytime, a decrease of 2 minutes and 49 seconds over today.

It was a nice Labor Day Weekend 🇺🇸 even if all that’s left now is memories and labor. Backgrounds and cap grants need reviewing, emails replied to. Work picnic on Thursday, I’m going to see if I can work from home that morning so I can get sweet corn 🌽 to bring to the picnic and maybe cook up some beans with the maple syrup 🍁 and smoked salt.

Yesterday I rode the larger Spectulator Tree Farm bicycle 🚲 loop ➿ around Elm Lake and across the Long Level, down Fly Creek Road to Old 8B. Added a slight addition of Austin Falls and Robbs Creek to the loop. Nice ride, took it slow on some of the hills but that’s rust low gear ⚙ is for. Then went for a brief swim 🏊‍♂️ at the Spectulator Beach 🏖 and then a paddle 🛶 down the Sacandaga River until around 6 pm before changing out of my bathing suit, tying up the kayak and making the long slog home 🏡.

Tonight will be mostly clear 🌃, with a low of 70 degrees at 5am. 14 degrees above normal. Maximum dew point of 71 at 9pm. Northwest wind around 6 mph. In 2022, we had light rain. It was somewhat humid. It got down to 63 degrees. The record low of 38 occurred back in 1938.

Stormy weekend ahead but still mild but not as hot. ⛈️ Saturday, showers likely, with thunderstorms also possible after 2pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 81. Chance of precipitation is 70%. Maximum dew point of 72 at 11am. Sunday, showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 79. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Maximum dew point of 68 at 11am. Typical average high for the weekend is 77 degrees.

Looking ahead, there are 8 weeks until Halloween 🎃 when the sun will be setting at 5:51 pm with dusk at 6:19 pm. On that day in 2022, we had partly cloudy, rain showers and temperatures between 64 and 37 degrees. Typically, the high temperature is 56 degrees. We hit a record high of 75 back in 2019.

Soon summer will be a memory

Labor Day Origins 👷✊

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Labor Day is a public holiday celebrated in various countries around the world to honor the contributions of workers and the labor movement. In the United States, Labor Day is celebrated on the first Monday of September, and its history is closely tied to the labor movement’s efforts to improve working conditions and workers’ rights.

Here’s a brief overview of the history of Labor Day in the United States:

  1. Labor Movement Emergence (late 19th century): During the late 19th century, as industrialization was transforming the American economy, workers often faced harsh working conditions, including long hours, low wages, and unsafe workplaces. Labor unions began to form to advocate for better conditions, fair wages, and reasonable working hours.
  2. The Haymarket Affair (1886): One significant event that influenced the Labor Day movement was the Haymarket affair, which took place in Chicago. On May 4, 1886, a peaceful workers’ rally advocating for an eight-hour workday turned violent when a bomb was thrown at the police, leading to deaths and injuries among both police officers and civilians. The incident resulted in the arrest and conviction of several labor leaders, some of whom were later executed. The Haymarket affair is remembered as a pivotal moment in the struggle for workers’ rights.
  3. Labor Day’s Origins (early 1880s): The idea of having a dedicated day to honor workers and their contributions gained traction during the early 1880s. Labor activists and unions began organizing parades and demonstrations to demand better working conditions and recognition of laborers’ contributions.
  4. Oregon’s Initiative (1887): The state of Oregon became the first to officially recognize Labor Day as a public holiday in 1887. This was followed by several other states adopting similar measures.
  5. Federal Recognition (1894): The push for a national Labor Day gained momentum, and in response to pressure from labor unions and workers, the U.S. Congress passed an act making Labor Day a national holiday on the first Monday of September. President Grover Cleveland signed the act into law on June 28, 1894. Labor Day was thus established as a day to honor and celebrate the contributions of workers to the nation’s growth and prosperity.

Since then, Labor Day has been celebrated on the first Monday of September each year. It’s often observed with parades, picnics, barbecues, and various recreational activities that mark the end of summer. The holiday also serves as a reminder of the ongoing efforts to protect workers’ rights and promote fair labor practices. While the historical context and specific events may vary in other countries that celebrate Labor Day, the overarching theme of honoring workers and their contributions remains consistent.

Where have all the August days gone, long time passing? ⛱️🩴🦕🌽🎪🎢🎡

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Where have all the August days gone,
With memories from dawn to dusk?
They slipped through time’s gentle hand,
Leaving memories in the mud and muck.

Good morning! August days fade away as mostly wet memories — though it looks like come September a beautiful stretch of weather is ahead. Did you see that big blue moon last night? Mostly clear and 56 degrees in Delmar, NY. 🌅 There is a north-northwest breeze at 9 mph. 🍃. The dew point is 51 degrees.

A nice morning for the walk 🚶. I have chickpeas cooking down on the stove this morning 🍲 in a second attempt to make hummus again this time with fully cooked down chickpeas, sufficient salt and olive oil and fresh lemon 🍋. This time hopefully it will be a nice smooth mixture. 🛻 Tomorrow at this time my hope is to be heading towards Tribes Hill for Samdil’s Farm to stock up 🌽 🍆 🍅 🥩 🥚 prior to the Adirondacks. ⛰️

Today will be sunny 🌞, with a high of 73 degrees at 4pm. Seven degrees below normal, which is similar to a typical day around September 19th. Maximum dew point of 50 at 6am. North wind 8 to 10 mph. Very autumn like day ahead. A year ago, we had cloudy skies in the morning with more sun in the afternoon. The high last year was 79 degrees. The record high of 93 was set in 1953.

Closing out summer what seems like much too soon 🌻 but it always seems to happen this way. I went out to Bender Mellon Preserve 🍈 after finishing off the last cantaloupe last night probably the last time after work until next spring due to the early sunset. Dark and shadowy now for the morning walk too as the sun rises later.

The red lentil wraps I made yesterday worked out good, 🍳 they were tasty with just the right amount of added sea salt. Again the key was soaking the lentils in advance all day so they were big and soft when they hit the food processor to make a good batter. 🥞 Ultimately they were delicious with the red kidney beans and maple syrup 🍁 for dinner though I’m sure if I had kept more water in mix they would have been excellent wraps. Might try again up at camp this weekend.

Glad I rode back and forth to work yesterday 🚲 as there was a car 🚙 🔥 fire on the Thruway and 787 was quite backed up plus I saved $2.70 for the day and got good exercise. Strong west wind coming out of the Norman’s Kill Gorge but I knocked it down and climbed slowly in lower gear ⚙. Going to do the same today.

Solar noon 🌞 is at 12:57 pm with sun having an altitude of 56.1° from the due south horizon (-14.7° vs. 6/21). A six foot person will cast a 4 foot shadow today compared to 2.2 feet on the first day of summer. The golden hour 🏅 starts at 6:56 pm with the sun in the west (276°). 📸 The sunset is in the west-northwest (283°) with the sun dropping below the horizon at 7:34 pm after setting for 2 minutes and 58 seconds with dusk around 8:01 pm, which is one minute and 41 seconds earlier than yesterday. 🌇 The best time to look at the stars is after 8:38 pm. At sunset, look for clear skies 🌄 and temperatures around 69 degrees. The dew point will be 49 degrees. There will be a north breeze at 6 mph. Tomorrow will have 13 hours and 13 minutes of daytime, a decrease of 2 minutes and 46 seconds over today.

Tonight will be clear 🌃, with a low of 50 degrees at 6am. Eight degrees below normal, which is similar to a typical night around September 22nd. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. In 2022, we had cloudy skies. It got down to 55 degrees. The record low of 41 occurred back in 1967.

Funny thing about all this warm weather coming up next week 😎 is I am already thinking a lot about the soups I can make up for cheap this winter, and are a bit disappointed that coming week isn’t going to be good soup weather. I was researching the use of canned broth and bouillon mixes and making my own stock for soup in coming months. 🍞 🍲 Bouillon is cheapest and easiest way to add flavor to soup and other meals, and broth is fine though it seems like a lot of packaging, and once you open it up, you kind of have to use it up quickly. Most bouillon is high in salt though, in part due to it’s use as a preservative, but also taste. The flipside is the salt in bouillon means you can leave it out of the rest of the soup, and soup can keep you going most of the day. Stock is a good way to go if I have time — a whole chicken isn’t that expensive and I think I have a big enough pot. I am thinking soup is a great way to make a lot of healthy meals cheaply, and would be so good with the simple, whole wheat bread like I made up earlier in the week.

On this day in 1965, Super Guppy took it’s first flight. The Aero Spacelines Super Guppy is a large, wide-bodied cargo aircraft that is used for hauling outsize cargo components. 🛬 It was the successor to the Pregnant Guppy, the first of the Guppy aircraft produced by Aero Spacelines, which in turn was named for its resemblance to a pregnant guppy. Five were built in two variants, both of which were colloquially referred to as the “Super Guppy”.

A truly beautiful Labor Day Weekend on tap. 😎 Friday, clear and crisp 74. Might want to wear jeans and even a long shirt for heading up north! Saturday, mostly sunny, with a high near 81. South wind 3 to 8 mph. Maximum dew point of 59 at 4pm. Sunday, mostly sunny, with a high near 85. Maximum dew point of 66 at 4pm. Labor Day, sunny heading up to 90. Typical average high for the weekend is 79 degrees.

I packed clothes and filled the water containers 🎒 in preparation for Labor Day Weekend and will finish packing this evening. I want to be to bed well before 9 PM, maybe 8:30 so I can get a very early start tomorrow, and be on the road before 7 AM if at al possible, so I can hit Spectulator by nine or so. Not because I’m planning on working 💤 but I want to get that Hardwood Hill Campsite if at all possible, and then have the hammock set up and be all set up by mid-day, after which I’ll go for a nice bike ride. 🚲 I was thinking on Saturday or Sunday when it’s warmer, one option would be to ride down to Jessup River to cool off in the creek, although I almost want to drive down just so I can bring the tube for floating and cooling off. 🏊‍♀️ Going to be hot come Labor Day, though not excessively hot up north — but it is September. Still with the sun, it could get pretty warm up on Hardwood Hill, should I get that campsite.

Looking ahead, there are 6 weeks until Columbus Day Weekend starts ⛵ when the sun will be setting at 6:20 pm with dusk at 6:47 pm. Can you believe only six weeks until that one final big blast of autumn color? On that day in 2022, we had partly sunny, shallow fog and temperatures between 71 and 41 degrees. Typically, the high temperature is 63 degrees. We hit a record high of 85 back in 1954.

Blue to Yellow

Biking to work or riding the bus 🚴

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The bus fare is only a dollar and thirty cents, which is significantly more then virtually free cost of riding my bike to work that I’m comparing it to. It might not seem like much money, but it does accumulate every time you swipe your card to board the bus. Riding the bus definitely more economical than driving, but if I choose to ride my bike, I don’t have to pay any fare at all.

Of course, biking isn’t completely free. There’s always some wear and tear involved, although I doubt it’s worth just $1.30. My once shiny new bicycle isn’t as new anymore; the back tire is showing some signs of wear. Nonetheless, it should easily last until next year and potentially even beyond. I’ll also need to schedule a tune-up and maintenance overhaul during the winter, but the overall experience is enjoyable.

I was undecided about whether I should bike to work today, especially this morning due to the rain. However, I’m glad I made that choice because I saw a rabbit and several birds while riding along the rail trail. I also passed by the misty Normans Kill Falls and managed to burn around 500 calories.

Having biked to and from work throughout the past week, I’ve already saved $5.20. This amount will only grow as I continue to ride throughout the week. This is money that would have otherwise been spent on bus fares. So far, I haven’t used this as an excuse to make mid-week store runs, although there are weeks where those savings disappear.

Moreover, in many cases, the groceries I might not have bought mid-week would have been purchased over the weekend. Additionally, as I’ve started cooking more dishes, I’ve found myself needing more spices and supplies, which wasn’t the case before.

Beyond the financial savings, each bike ride presents an opportunity to improve my health. This could potentially lead to saving money in the long run by avoiding doctor’s visits and extending my productive working years, whether that’s in an office or on a future homestead. Paying others to do things I can do myself can become expensive.