Sweet Discoveries on the Healing Journey: Blending Wellness, Vital Signs, and Chocolate Cake Adventures

Welcome back to More Food Adventures! I have been busy and was away. Changed homes twice and changed schools.. 

hehehe

Food is so much more than just fuel - it is a way we build community, find comfort, and celebrate everyday moments. But what happens when your food adventures have to navigate a few new health plot twists? Lately, my culinary journey has been all about finding the sweet spot where delicious flavors meet mindful wellness.

Today, I am sharing a snapshot of my recent health check-ins, vital sign trends, lab results, and a guilt-free breakfast discovery that proves you can still have your cake and eat it too - even while managing diabetes, hypertension, and a heart stent!

Part 1: Checking In on the Numbers

Every great adventure requires a map, and keeping track of your health metrics is the ultimate roadmap. Here is where things stand following my recent clinic visit on October 19, 2026 at the Bumrungrad Clinic in Yangon:

• The Vital Signs & Weight Trend:

  • There is some fantastic progress on the scale! Through consistent lifestyle mindfulness, my weight has dropped from 95.0 kg back in late May down to 85.0 kg - a steady, encouraging 10 kg reduction.

  • My blood pressure readings have fluctuated across past months (peaking earlier in the year), and my October reading registered at 140/72 mmHg, reminding me to keep a close eye on cardiovascular health.

  • My resting heart rate is a calm 59 bt/min, respiratory rate is steady at 18 br/min, and oxygen saturation sits comfortably at 95% on room air.

• The Lab Results Snapshot:

  • HbA1c (%): Measured at 5.8% (slightly above the optimal range of 0.0–5.6%), placing it in the prediabetes range and indicating that average blood glucose has been running a little high over the past few months.

  • Fasting Blood Glucose (FBG): Came in at a healthy 83 mg/dL (Reference Range: 70–99 mg/dL).

  • Kidney Function: Serum creatinine is 1.29 mg/dL and the eGFR is 50.3 mL/min/1.73m², pointing to a mild-to-moderate decrease in filtration that requires careful medical monitoring.

  • Lipid Profile & Liver: Total cholesterol (93.0 mg/dL), triglycerides (70.0 mg/dL), and LDL ("bad" cholesterol at 46.0 mg/dL) are all in optimal shape! However, my HDL ("good" cholesterol) is running low at 32.0 mg/dL (Reference Range: >50.0 mg/dL). Liver enzymes (ALT/SGPT) are entirely normal at 18 U/L.

As always, these numbers are just part of the bigger picture and are best reviewed alongside my trusted physician from Bangkok.

Part 2: The Ultimate Food Adventure – Breakfast Chocolate Cake!

When a major sweet tooth hits, traditional desserts loaded with refined flour and white sugar are off the table. But who says you can't reinvent comfort food? Inspired by recent recipe discoveries, I whipped up a morning treat that sounds too good to be true: Chocolate Cake for breakfast, tailored for someone managing diabetes, hypertension, and a heart stent!

What Goes Into a Healthier "Breakfast Cake"?

Instead of heavy processed ingredients, this recipe swaps in nutrient-dense superfoods:

1. Chickpeas (Garbanzo Beans): Acting as the flour base, legumes provide complex carbohydrates, plant-based protein, and high dietary fiber. This means a much lower glycemic index, preventing the sharp sugar spikes caused by regular cake.

2. Ground Flax Seeds: A powerhouse addition! They bring heart-healthy plant-based omega-3 fatty acids (ALA), extra soluble fiber for blood sugar balance, and gentle support for cholesterol and blood pressure management.

3. Basil Seeds & 5 Eggs: Add fantastic texture, extra binding power, and a hearty boost of protein.

4. Dark Cocoa, Cinnamon & a Touch of Honey: Unsweetened dark cocoa brings rich, antioxidant-packed flavor, complemented by a dash of warming cinnamon, and sweetened ever so lightly with a minimal drop of honey just to balance the bitterness.

5. Baking Powder: To help it rise into a fluffy, satisfying cake consistency right in a pinch!

The Verdict?

It is rich, chocolatey, satisfying, and completely guilt-free when enjoyed mindfully as part of a balanced routine. It proves that living a health-conscious life doesn't mean giving up the joys of eating - it just means getting creative in the kitchen.

Curious about the quick microwave-and-cooktop method? 

Check out my YouTube channel: Mommy Dharlz - Let's have breakfast cake..)

Reflecting on the Journey

Balancing health goals with a passion for food is an ongoing adventure. Whether it's watching your HbA1c, keeping track of blood pressure, or experimenting with chickpea-and-flax-seed baking creations, every small step counts toward a happier, healthier lifestyle.

Here's to nourishing our bodies, enjoying our food adventures, and taking charge of our wellness one day at a time!

Have you ever tried baking with beans or flax seeds? What are your favorite healthy comfort food swaps? Let me know in the comments below!

 

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Cravings Satisfied: The Art of the ‘Healing’ Lunch

We often talk about food in terms of fuel, but there are moments when a meal is something much deeper. It is a pause button. It is a sensory anchor. It is, quite literally, a way to feed the parts of ourselves that feel a bit weary from the transitions of life.

In my recent reflections, I’ve shared that it’s okay to let go when the weight of uncertainty becomes too much. But while you are in the process of moving on, you still have to take care of the person doing the moving. For me, today, that looked like a table full of comfort.

The Menu of Self-Care

When the day feels "heavy," I find that a variety of textures and familiar flavors can act like a warm hug for the nervous system. Today’s spread was a deliberate choice to satisfy every craving:

• The Creamy Comfort: A perfectly prepared Penne Carbonara. There is something about a rich sauce and savory pancetta that feels like a safety net. It’s the kind of dish that requires you to slow down and just be present with each bite.
• The Hearty Classic: A robust Spaghetti Bolognese, topped with a generous dusting of parmesan. It’s a grounded, reliable dish - much like the strength we find within ourselves to keep going.
• The Savory Crunch: A platter of golden-brown fried chicken bites served on a bed of fresh lettuce. It provided that essential "crunch" that makes a meal feel complete and satisfying.
• The Structured Bite: A toasted steak and cheese ciabatta sandwich. The crispness of the bread against the melted cheese is a reminder that even when things feel a bit messy, there is still warmth and structure to be found.

A Hiccup in a Long Song

I’ve started thinking of these difficult moments - the goodbyes, the "no contact" days, the logistics of a new horizon - as just small hiccups in a very long, beautiful song.

Sitting down to a meal like this isn't just about eating; it’s about acknowledging that "You got this." It’s about satisfying the restless energy of the soul for connection by connecting deeply with the present moment, the vibrant flavors on your tongue, and the quiet peace of your own company.

The Sacred Table

Sometimes, words on a page can say what a meal alone cannot.

I sat down after lunch and let these thoughts flow -

a reminder that we are the music,

even when the notes feel heavy.

This is for anyone sitting at their own "sacred table" today:

It’s okay to let the salt water fall,

To admit the heart is tired of the climb,

To lean against the silence of the wall

And say, “I cannot hold it all this time.”

But even as the old songs start to fade,

And "no contact" becomes the quiet rule,

There is a different kind of promise made

In a simple room, a table, and a stool.

Bless the steam that rises from the plate,

The golden crunch, the comfort of the vine,

The way the appetite can navigate

Away from shadows, back to what is fine.

For life is not a sprint toward the end,

But a melody with hiccups in the air;

A thousand broken lines we cannot mend

Are healed by breath, and bread, and self-care.

So cry your tears until the well is dry,

Then lift the fork and taste the world again.

Underneath a vast and changing sky,

You are the song—not the sorrow or the pen.

The Takeaway

If you’re going through a season of "letting go," don't forget to nourish the version of you that is staying behind to build the next chapter. Cry if you need to. Let go if it’s time. But make sure you satisfy your cravings along the way.

You’ll be fine. In fact, with a full heart (and a full stomach), you’ll be more than fine.

What is your ‘healing’ meal today? Are you feeding your spirit as much as your body? Let’s celebrate the small hiccups and the big spreads together.

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