I went to the mall today, which is really non-specific because this country has zillions of them. But I was there last week pricing protein powder - nearly had a heart attack when I found out how much they charge here. In the future I will be ordering from the States and getting it and my vitamins shipped in. So I went back today to get the protein powder and try to find natural broth at yet another grocery store. It amazes me that customs won't let preservatives and additives into this country in chocolate (an entire shipment had to be burned), but most every other food has them, which is not good for someone who has a sensitivity to them - like me. I miss Whole Foods.

I was able to grab some soups for when I go off clear liquids, but I have resigned myself to making my own chicken stock. I like cooking, but it's really such a hassle sometimes, particularly when it comes to peeling and cutting up vegetables just to make a good stock. I plan on adding some protein powder to it - has anyone tried this? The Isopure people say you can.

Well, as of right now I have had three cups of Jello, two cups of tea, water, pineapple juice, fresh red and green apple juice, and two bowls of potato soup. I'm sure the potato soup doesn't exactly count on this diet, but I was HUNGRY and it was heavenly.

I must say, though there aren't many things in this country that I think are "done right," they certainly know how to do fresh juice. ANY place you enter has a juicing machine, and they don't charge a lot. You can get all kinds of juices. My favorite is fresh kiwi, but I have yet to try one I didn't like.

While I was at the mall (and for the record, I detest malls), I also went to the pharmacy and picked up my multi-vitamin, anti-diarrhea, anti-gas, and antacid. So, aside from popsicles and making my stock, I think I'm pretty set. I also made a huge thing of mashed potatoes yesterday and stuck it in the freezer and this evening I will be making homemade applesauce.

Though I'm not a huge fan of this whole liquid diet thing - because I'm HUNGRY - I'm hoping it will get easier once I have the surgery on Thursday. I'm also really proud of the fact that I wasn't tempted to eat anything while I walked through the food court at the mall.

By the by, does anyone know at what point I can start drinking skimmed milk again?