I just heard today that there is a bill before Congress that requires doctors to report the BMI of our children to the Federal government. Really? The government is going to monitor the BMI of our children? They say it's to allow children to get help in losing weight, but what else could this information be used for. And what kind of foods or diet plan will they promote? Low fat? I'm sure it won't be low carb, considering how far behind the times most dieticians are. I think it is outrageous.
And have you heard the latest weight loss commercials that tout a high carb diet. They say that carbs are the best source of energy. Come on. Get with it. What did our ancestors eat for energy? Before sugar became so prevalent in our diets, man got energy from fat.
And, again, another new medicine is being advertised on television that raises blood sugar levels, tryglicerides, and cholesterol levels to a dangerous level. Look out for Seroquel. It's a medicine for bi-polar depression. It reaises the aforementioned levels to a deadly rate.
I just think that if people would realize the health benefits of low carb living, we wouldn't have a lot of the health issues we have today. If health care professionals would get up to date with all the new studies that have, and are, coming out, and give their patients the right information, we wouldn't need the government getting involved.
I've lost around 70 pounds and have been off all diabetes related meds for over 3 years thanks to low carb living. I haven't lost brain function or muscle mass. As a matter of fact, my focus is better and my body has never looked better. If I had listened to the dieticians my doctor sent me to when I was first diagnosed with diabetes, I would still be overweight and on meds.
Okay, I've said enough. This is just for your consideration. See ya!
Monday, May 17, 2010
Monday, May 10, 2010
I'm Baaaaccckkk!!!
Hello, everyone. I hope you're doing well. I have been so busy, I just can't keep up. My daughter is going off to college soon and we've been getting ready for that. She is graduating from high school in a few weeks and we've been busy putting together a little get-together for her and her friends in our backyard. We decided that since our patio and deck weren't big enough for a party, we would quadruple the size of the deck. Phase 1 was a 16' x 8' extension of the existing deck, one step higher. Phase 2 is a same size extension in the other direction, again, one step higher. Phase 3 is a same size extension joining the previous 2, only 2 steps higher. Since our house sits lower than the backyard, a lot of digging is involved and my poor back is killing me. In addition to the additions, I have been creating paths, using rock and stepping stones. I have moved almost a ton and a half of rock, almost a ton of old bricks, and a bunch of concrete pavers for stepping stones. This is all on top of the painting and gutter modifications I did for a friend, the drywall repairs and painting I'm doing for another friend, and the landscaping I did for another friend who is unable to walk due to an injury. Top all of this with band rehearsals, playing music, and giving drum lessons and you'd think I'd have enough on my plate.
Speaking of 'enough on my plate', how are ya'll doing with your low carb living? I've been doing pretty good, though I must admit, I went a little crazy on Mother's Day. I had a slice of cheesecake and a cookie. As soon as it hit my mouth, I wished I had just stuck with the strawberries and kiwi. But the great thing about this being a lifestyle is, if you screw up you can just get right back to it. And I did. I feel so much better living low carb. I have more energy, my mind is sharper, and I just feel good.
I hope all of you will bear with me when I neglect to blog. I feel like I'm letting you down, but sometimes life gets in the way of living, doesn't it?
I'm still putting together more blogs on diabetic misinformation, so look for that coming soon. Well, I gotta go. See ya soon!
Speaking of 'enough on my plate', how are ya'll doing with your low carb living? I've been doing pretty good, though I must admit, I went a little crazy on Mother's Day. I had a slice of cheesecake and a cookie. As soon as it hit my mouth, I wished I had just stuck with the strawberries and kiwi. But the great thing about this being a lifestyle is, if you screw up you can just get right back to it. And I did. I feel so much better living low carb. I have more energy, my mind is sharper, and I just feel good.
I hope all of you will bear with me when I neglect to blog. I feel like I'm letting you down, but sometimes life gets in the way of living, doesn't it?
I'm still putting together more blogs on diabetic misinformation, so look for that coming soon. Well, I gotta go. See ya soon!
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
More Recipes for Diabetics Misinformation
I am appalled at some of the misinformation that is out here on the Internet when it comes to so-called diabetic websites. I have subscribed to some of them just for fodder for my blog. While some are good and provide useful information for diabetics, many are just downright horrible. I know some of them mean well, but they are just so far behind the times when it comes to what really works for diabetics and what diabetics really need to know. One such 'diabetic living' site lists some of it's favorite 'diabetic' breakfast recipes. Out of 33 suggested recipes, 22 of them had from 15 carbs up to a whopping 47! Out of the 22, only 2 had less than 20! I was flabbergasted at some of the suggested ingredients. Sugar, brown sugar, coconut, honey, all-purpose flour, and one recipe called for 6 cups of sourdough bread! It seemed the only thing they were concerned about was fat. Most of the recipes called for low fat this and low fat that, while at the same time telling you to use 1/2 cup of sugar! Let me give you the list of the 22 I spoke about and how many carbs per serving in each.
Spiced Breakfast Popovers. One serving is 1 popover. Each popover contains over 30 carbs.
Southwestern Breakfast Tostadas. One serving has 24 carbs.
Cheesy Grits and Sausage. 30 carbs per serving. Try cheesy eggs and sausage instead.
Fruit Filled Puff Pancakes. 26 carbs per serving. Lisa uses almond flour and cuts the carbs tremendously.
Toasted Walnut Waffles. 33 carbs per serving
Low Fat Spinach Quiche. 15 carbs per serving. A little better but, again, fat is the concern here.
Oat Bran Pancakes. 32 carbs per serving. Again, why all-purpose flour?
Fruit and Yogurt Parfaits. 30 carbs per serving. Low carb yogurt is out there and if they had chosen the fruit a little better, the carb count would have been cut so much it would truly be good for a diabetic.
Ginger Pear Muffins. 19 carbs and brown sugar?
Toasted Oat Muesli. 27 carbs.
Cranberry Whole Wheat Scones. 26 carbs. Whole wheat does not mean low carb. Try some of the low carb flours and Healthy Life Low Carb Whole Wheat Bread.
Pick Me Up Bars. 20 carbs.
Best of Bran Muffins. 23 carbs.
Diabetic Mango Coffee Cake. 35 carbs and they call it “Diabetic”? ½ cup of sugar? Really?
Tropical Coffee Cake. 28 carbs. Same ol', same ol'.
Honey Apple Pancakes. 22
Baked Cheese and Egg Dish. 24 carbs. 6 cups of sourdough bread? Why not use Healthy Life Low Carb Sourdough? Do these folks even know that low carb breads are available?
Cranberry Almond Cereal Mix. 32 carbs.
Oatmeal Brunch Casserole. 47 carbs!!! Whaaaattt? I'm not going to say anything else about this one.
Double Oat Granola. 27 carbs.
Stuffed French Toast. 29 carbs.
Spiced Irish Oatmeal. 27 carbs.
I just can't understand why these sites even call themselves 'Diabetic' sites. I will say that some of their recipes, 5 or so out of 33 were actually low carb, but give me a break. And I have to say that a lot of this misinformation is out there because we diabetics don't always do our homework and we tolerate this. Stand up and let the truth set you free. Leave comments letting not only the site know they are misguiding folks, but letting the readers of these sites know they are being misled.
Enough for now. I have fish frying in olive oil and it needs my attention. Yeah, I'm frying. I like my fat. See ya!
Spiced Breakfast Popovers. One serving is 1 popover. Each popover contains over 30 carbs.
Southwestern Breakfast Tostadas. One serving has 24 carbs.
Cheesy Grits and Sausage. 30 carbs per serving. Try cheesy eggs and sausage instead.
Fruit Filled Puff Pancakes. 26 carbs per serving. Lisa uses almond flour and cuts the carbs tremendously.
Toasted Walnut Waffles. 33 carbs per serving
Low Fat Spinach Quiche. 15 carbs per serving. A little better but, again, fat is the concern here.
Oat Bran Pancakes. 32 carbs per serving. Again, why all-purpose flour?
Fruit and Yogurt Parfaits. 30 carbs per serving. Low carb yogurt is out there and if they had chosen the fruit a little better, the carb count would have been cut so much it would truly be good for a diabetic.
Ginger Pear Muffins. 19 carbs and brown sugar?
Toasted Oat Muesli. 27 carbs.
Cranberry Whole Wheat Scones. 26 carbs. Whole wheat does not mean low carb. Try some of the low carb flours and Healthy Life Low Carb Whole Wheat Bread.
Pick Me Up Bars. 20 carbs.
Best of Bran Muffins. 23 carbs.
Diabetic Mango Coffee Cake. 35 carbs and they call it “Diabetic”? ½ cup of sugar? Really?
Tropical Coffee Cake. 28 carbs. Same ol', same ol'.
Honey Apple Pancakes. 22
Baked Cheese and Egg Dish. 24 carbs. 6 cups of sourdough bread? Why not use Healthy Life Low Carb Sourdough? Do these folks even know that low carb breads are available?
Cranberry Almond Cereal Mix. 32 carbs.
Oatmeal Brunch Casserole. 47 carbs!!! Whaaaattt? I'm not going to say anything else about this one.
Double Oat Granola. 27 carbs.
Stuffed French Toast. 29 carbs.
Spiced Irish Oatmeal. 27 carbs.
I just can't understand why these sites even call themselves 'Diabetic' sites. I will say that some of their recipes, 5 or so out of 33 were actually low carb, but give me a break. And I have to say that a lot of this misinformation is out there because we diabetics don't always do our homework and we tolerate this. Stand up and let the truth set you free. Leave comments letting not only the site know they are misguiding folks, but letting the readers of these sites know they are being misled.
Enough for now. I have fish frying in olive oil and it needs my attention. Yeah, I'm frying. I like my fat. See ya!
Thursday, April 22, 2010
More 'Healthy' Snack and Diet Food Misinformation?
Hello, guys. How are you? Well, I hope. I'm doing better now that most of my dental work has been done. I got a temporary crown yesterday. One more visit and I'm finished for a while. Yea!
I wrote in a previous blog about some snack suggestions coming from what I know are well meaning folks, but well meaning folks I just don't happen to agree with completely. I know that not everyone is a diabetic and so some of the suggestions aren't particularly for diabetics, but with the whole new push to help Americans eat healthier, you'd think they'd look at how much sugar we ingest, not just fat. Most lists of 'healthy' snacks and diet foods I've seen lately just don't make sense to me, low carber or not. I'll give you some examples from the latest list I read.
Calorie-Controlled Snacks. 100-calorie snack packs come in everything from chips to cupcakes, but how much sugar to they contain? Carolyn O'Neil, RD, author of The Dish on Eating Healthy and Being Fabulous, says, "Foods packaged in 100-calorie packs do the work and calorie math for you so you can enjoy snacking on foods that need to be enjoyed in limited amounts." Here-in lies one of my problems with this kind of thinking. It's mindless, it doesn't take into consideration sugar or anything other than calories, and I know several people that don't stop at one pack. And, while they may satisfy a sweet tooth, they don't fill you up for long, and have little or no nutritional value. The article went on to suggest that snacks should contain 15 grams of carbs or less. 15 grams is a lot for a snack.
Low-Fat and Fat-Free Dairy Products. I keep reading about cheese, milk, yogurt, sour cream, and cream cheese only being good if it is low fat. Here again, they say it's okay if it's low fat and then they say mix it with things like cereal and crackers. So, add more carbs?
Diet-Friendly Desserts. I saw the following in an article about desserts on a diet. "Lower-calorie and portion-controlled sweets mean that desserts can be part of any weight loss diet." They went on to suggest low calorie ice cream, fudgsicles, cookies (Fig Newtons and Vanilla Wafers?), and hard candy. Lower calorie foods usually lower the calories but add more sugar. Just be sure to always look at the Nutrition Facts label and check for yourself.
Graham Crackers. This was suggested on a site for Diabetic friendly snacks. They suggested 3 or 4 crackers. Graham crackers contain anywhere from 5 to 7 grams of carbs. Thats 15 to 28 grams! And they also suggested a snack of 15 to 20 between every meal or 2 to 3 times a day. Add up just the snacks and you've taken in 45 to 60 carbs or more. Thats almost twice the amount I take in in one day, total!
I'm going to make this a series, so be sure to check back. Well, I have to go do a little drywall repair work at my church. See ya!
I wrote in a previous blog about some snack suggestions coming from what I know are well meaning folks, but well meaning folks I just don't happen to agree with completely. I know that not everyone is a diabetic and so some of the suggestions aren't particularly for diabetics, but with the whole new push to help Americans eat healthier, you'd think they'd look at how much sugar we ingest, not just fat. Most lists of 'healthy' snacks and diet foods I've seen lately just don't make sense to me, low carber or not. I'll give you some examples from the latest list I read.
Calorie-Controlled Snacks. 100-calorie snack packs come in everything from chips to cupcakes, but how much sugar to they contain? Carolyn O'Neil, RD, author of The Dish on Eating Healthy and Being Fabulous, says, "Foods packaged in 100-calorie packs do the work and calorie math for you so you can enjoy snacking on foods that need to be enjoyed in limited amounts." Here-in lies one of my problems with this kind of thinking. It's mindless, it doesn't take into consideration sugar or anything other than calories, and I know several people that don't stop at one pack. And, while they may satisfy a sweet tooth, they don't fill you up for long, and have little or no nutritional value. The article went on to suggest that snacks should contain 15 grams of carbs or less. 15 grams is a lot for a snack.
Low-Fat and Fat-Free Dairy Products. I keep reading about cheese, milk, yogurt, sour cream, and cream cheese only being good if it is low fat. Here again, they say it's okay if it's low fat and then they say mix it with things like cereal and crackers. So, add more carbs?
Diet-Friendly Desserts. I saw the following in an article about desserts on a diet. "Lower-calorie and portion-controlled sweets mean that desserts can be part of any weight loss diet." They went on to suggest low calorie ice cream, fudgsicles, cookies (Fig Newtons and Vanilla Wafers?), and hard candy. Lower calorie foods usually lower the calories but add more sugar. Just be sure to always look at the Nutrition Facts label and check for yourself.
Graham Crackers. This was suggested on a site for Diabetic friendly snacks. They suggested 3 or 4 crackers. Graham crackers contain anywhere from 5 to 7 grams of carbs. Thats 15 to 28 grams! And they also suggested a snack of 15 to 20 between every meal or 2 to 3 times a day. Add up just the snacks and you've taken in 45 to 60 carbs or more. Thats almost twice the amount I take in in one day, total!
I'm going to make this a series, so be sure to check back. Well, I have to go do a little drywall repair work at my church. See ya!
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Hey, Hey, Hey
While I meant to write every day, lately I have had so much going on, I just haven't had the chance. We went to Cincinatti over the weekend to visit Northern KY University for an honors luncheon and to register my daughter, Lori, for classes this fall. I've been spending hours and hours learning new songs for a concert this Saturday night, just learned yesterday that I have 5 more new songs to learn, and had to learn 3 new songs for a friend's mother's funeral that I sang at this morning. I got an email from a person at my church, asking me to paint a ceiling in a large classroom, but when I showed up to paint, I found a very large area in the ceiling that had been damaged, cut out and repaired, but not finished. So, I turned around and went home to get my drywall tools and worked on that instead of painting. I went back today to sand and put on another coat of joint compound. I'll probably paint Thursday. While I was there, I was asked to paint the Associate Pastor's office, too. Plus, I have waltz classes 2 nights a week with my daughter for prom and band rehearsal 3 nights this week.
I have, however, been doing more research and reading about the blog series I spoke about in my last blog, so it's coming soon. I've also been getting very nice emails from new fans of our Facebook page. Thank you to all of you who have been writing.
Well, I need to get going. I have a 30 minute drive to tonight's rehearsal. Oh, yeah, I just remembered, I'm singing for a Volunteers Banquet tomorrow morning at one of the hospitals in Evansville, IN. Guess I better get ready for that when I get home from rehearsal. Hope you all have a great evening. See ya!
I have, however, been doing more research and reading about the blog series I spoke about in my last blog, so it's coming soon. I've also been getting very nice emails from new fans of our Facebook page. Thank you to all of you who have been writing.
Well, I need to get going. I have a 30 minute drive to tonight's rehearsal. Oh, yeah, I just remembered, I'm singing for a Volunteers Banquet tomorrow morning at one of the hospitals in Evansville, IN. Guess I better get ready for that when I get home from rehearsal. Hope you all have a great evening. See ya!
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Busy, Busy, Busy
Hello, everyone. I hope you are all doing as well as I am. I've been helping a friend paint his house and what should have taken 6 days only took four, thanks to my sons and buddy Greg. We've been going in early and working late every day this week, plus, I have been doing Waltz classes two nights a week with my daughter, Lori, so we can dance together at her Prom. And, I sang at my grandmother's church today at noon for a luncheon. AND, I have been preparing for a rehearsal for another concert in Owensboro, having to learn 20 new songs. You'd think at my age I'd slow down, wouldn't you?
So, now you know why I haven't blogged in a few days. I am working on a new series of blogs concerning some of the crazy things I've been reading lately for diabetics and dieters. I will begin posting those tomorrow, but tonight I just wanted to touch base and let you know I did not fall off the face of the planet. And, since Jimmy Moore from Livin' La Vida Low Carb listed my blog as one of his favorites and suggested you read it, I thought I'd better get my rear in gear and write something.
I will say, before I go (it's bedtime), that even though we were painting all day this week, we were still able to eat low carb. Lisa, my lovely wife, who has a wonderful blog called in the low carb kitchen with Lisa, made us all a tasty low carb lunch and supper every day this week. Please be sure to check out her blog and her delicious recipes.
Well, I'm going to bed now, so, be sure to check back tomorrow. See ya!
So, now you know why I haven't blogged in a few days. I am working on a new series of blogs concerning some of the crazy things I've been reading lately for diabetics and dieters. I will begin posting those tomorrow, but tonight I just wanted to touch base and let you know I did not fall off the face of the planet. And, since Jimmy Moore from Livin' La Vida Low Carb listed my blog as one of his favorites and suggested you read it, I thought I'd better get my rear in gear and write something.
I will say, before I go (it's bedtime), that even though we were painting all day this week, we were still able to eat low carb. Lisa, my lovely wife, who has a wonderful blog called in the low carb kitchen with Lisa, made us all a tasty low carb lunch and supper every day this week. Please be sure to check out her blog and her delicious recipes.
Well, I'm going to bed now, so, be sure to check back tomorrow. See ya!
Monday, April 5, 2010
I'm Home!
Oh, my, what a week and weekend. We started home from Daytona Beach at 6:00am on Friday and didn't get home until after midnight. The traffic was so bad that it took us 4 1/2 hours to go from Macon to Atlanta, Georgia. Construction, Spring Break travelers, and accidents on the road caused traffic to just stop several times and other times we would move a few feet, stop, move a few feet and stop, for hours. I'm so glad to be home.
Saturday was spent setting up our Praise Band's equipment and massive PA at the Henderson Fine Arts Center for our church's Easter Service. We began having the service at the Center several years ago as a service to the community at large. The Center seats about 900 and it was about 95 percent full. Our sanctuary only seats about 350, so having the service at the FAC just makes sense. It was a wonderful, Spirit filled service, with great music, inspirational video, a wonderful message, and our Youth performed one of the most powerful drama skits I think I have ever seen. I sang a song entitled, "By His Wounds We are Healed". It's an awesome song originally done by Mac Powell from Third Day.
After the service, Lisa, Lori, and I had lunch at our local Tumbleweed. I like to eat there as they have several low carb choices. I had a Filet Mignon, a house salad with Bleu Cheese dressing (minus croutons), and a vegetable medley. It was really good.
Have you heard about the proposed tax on junk food? I read a little about it, and I am concerned about the fact that the main focus is on fat and not sugar. Another concern is, who decides what is considered "junk"? The so called main stream thinking is still behind the times when it comes to high fat/moderate protein/low carb eating. What many of us know to be healthy eating may be considered unhealthy to whoever makes the decisions. I don't know what we can do about it just yet, but I'll keep you informed.
Well, I have to go now. I'm putting a new starter on my truck today and my buddy Greg, who is helping me, just got here. Wish me luck. I already replaced the solenoid and had my battery checked, so I'm hoping the new starter fixes my problem. I hope you all have a good day and I'll see you later.
Saturday was spent setting up our Praise Band's equipment and massive PA at the Henderson Fine Arts Center for our church's Easter Service. We began having the service at the Center several years ago as a service to the community at large. The Center seats about 900 and it was about 95 percent full. Our sanctuary only seats about 350, so having the service at the FAC just makes sense. It was a wonderful, Spirit filled service, with great music, inspirational video, a wonderful message, and our Youth performed one of the most powerful drama skits I think I have ever seen. I sang a song entitled, "By His Wounds We are Healed". It's an awesome song originally done by Mac Powell from Third Day.
After the service, Lisa, Lori, and I had lunch at our local Tumbleweed. I like to eat there as they have several low carb choices. I had a Filet Mignon, a house salad with Bleu Cheese dressing (minus croutons), and a vegetable medley. It was really good.
Have you heard about the proposed tax on junk food? I read a little about it, and I am concerned about the fact that the main focus is on fat and not sugar. Another concern is, who decides what is considered "junk"? The so called main stream thinking is still behind the times when it comes to high fat/moderate protein/low carb eating. What many of us know to be healthy eating may be considered unhealthy to whoever makes the decisions. I don't know what we can do about it just yet, but I'll keep you informed.
Well, I have to go now. I'm putting a new starter on my truck today and my buddy Greg, who is helping me, just got here. Wish me luck. I already replaced the solenoid and had my battery checked, so I'm hoping the new starter fixes my problem. I hope you all have a good day and I'll see you later.
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