Almost Everything I Thought I Knew About Food Is Wrong

Let me start by saying I am not a doctor nor a nutritionist. I have never been morbidly obese. I have been a quasi-vegetarian but that years ago so doesn't count.

I believed, bought the line, hook and sinker, that meat was something to eat in the strictest of moderation. Grains, especially "whole" grain were good for you and added bulk and fiber to your 'system' which needed it to help pass the waste out the other end. Fruit and veg ought to be consumed daily and thickly and fats should be avoided at all cost.

How many here have read that "Fat makes you fat! Duh!" ? All of us have and I believed that. It was the fat in my diet that kept the stubborn numbers from heading south. It was the odd chocolate bar or ice cream scoop or (gasp!) butter on the toast what done me in, those saboteurs! That and creeping age has kept the spare tube around the mid-section despite all this plogging around the home front

Hmmmmm maybe not. Since last week when I read an article on how the 'low carb' diet helped children with epilepsy control seizures, I was intrigued.

I have heard about the Atkins plan, the South Beach diet and the Sugar Busters thing that was crazy popular some ten years ago but I didn't even glance at it because I was so convinced, by what I cannot say, that all that was hooey and baloney and no one in their right mind would eat nothing but meat, eggs and cheese and (gasp!) butter and expect to make it out alive on the other end! Heart disease! Clogged arteries! Constipation!!!!!! Fer cryin' out loud, who wants to be that desperately thin? You need whole wheat bread to stay clean... everyone knows that!!!!

ahem...... No. I was wrong. I have been off bread, pasta, rice and potatoes & eating large amounts of all the 'wrong' things now for 9 days. No, it is not easy; not for me anyway, who still finds it difficult to resist bread . But I get to eat eggs!! Eggs and not feel guilty with cheese!!! Eggs everyday and every way. Butter (gasp!) and boiled eggs, yum! The whole chicken breast and brussel sprouts and rutabaga roasted. Yum! Bring on the sausage and bacon!!!!! Oh boy!!

How does this work? If I understand it correctly, it's like this:

We eat carbohydrates to get glucose for energy. The pancreas makes insulin to use the glucose as energy (fuel) for the brain and store the excess blood sugar as fat for future use, in case it needs it. We take in way more carbs than we need to live everyday and therefore, the pancreas works overtime to process all this. But when there is little in the way of carbs to offset, the pancreas stops producing insulin and the body heads over to turn the stored fat into fuel. Pretty simple.

Since the body is not getting the carbohydrates it needs to function, it burns the stored fat. Say that again. Ah ha...... but where does the protein consumption come into play? If you didn't eat a good amount of protein, your body would start to break down your muscles to fulfill it's needs. You don't want that! so you have to find the right balance of enough protein and fat to sustain and a tiny amount of carbs so your body kicks into ketosis, where the stored fat begins to burn.

All of this to the degree that you don't fall to pieces in the process. I have stated all this very simplistically and realize it is not done completely accurately but darn close. The point is, I am a few pounds lighter; I am drinking lots and LOTS of water so don't tell me all I am doing is spilling excess water; I eat plenty all and and therefore am not hungry which is weird; I hope to continue this for 5 more days.

What I miss: orange juice. That and fruit in general. But I get that again next week.

What a Year it Was! What a Year Will it Be?

It's only hours away from being behind us and I will shut the door on 2011 by looking forward eagerly to 2012.

I hope it will be spectacular and not in a bad way!

I hope it will be one of completions. (Quilt-wise, to be more specific)(gotta completely finish more than 12 to get ahead of the closet)

I hope it will be fruitful. (Fruit-wise, that is)(and veg)

I hope it will be memorable. (as in I don't forget half of it by sleeping)

I hope it will be healthy. (as in I or no one I know gets injured or ill)

I hope it will be injury-free. (as in my feet make to the Finish Line in March.)( and beyond)

I hope a year from today I will look back and go YIPPEE!!!!!!!! WHAT A YEAR IT WAS!!!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR

I'm Only Braggin' Coz It's True

I slept til 5:30am.

Went to bed around 10 ish and woke up at 5:30

8 hours of straight sleep feels amazing. I feel 20 yrs old

The Cube Project

This is very interesting:

A tour of the Cube from Mike Page on Vimeo.

3 x 3 x 3 meters... no oven. There goes the aroma of fresh-baked bread. and no towel rack.... booo what are you thinking, Mike!

However, after the honeymoon period has ended and the novelty wears off, I wonder what happens to the human mind when the body is literally confined to such a small space.

Also.... can two average size people live in harmony together in this space and not be constantly bumping into each other or have to choreograph each other's movements to avoid collision. "''scuse me..." "Pardon me"..."oh dear, excuse me..." At least you'd never hear, "Honey, where are you?"

"Or two friendly people.." It's going to take something more than friendship to manage living in 10 square meters. Like, maybe .... an alibi?

Don't misunderstand..... I think this is a remarkable achievement... and a vastly superior improvement to the formaldehyde Katrina trailers, no comparison really. But they had more space in them......

I'd like to try a week in it to see how it holds up, not just how I would do in one. But a lot of thought and money has gone into this...... it is clearly intended as a long-term abode and not just for emergency or as a lark.

Maybe you need a duplex for a couple.

Weird

It was blurry cold outside this morning when I let the chickens out of the coop. So cold, the water froze in the two troughs. Take a look at this ice formation and see what you think. Have you ever seen anything like this?

? Weird, huh? I wish I captured the depth better. The ice is in layers, about 4" deep and then the water is 1 inch deep at the bottom. Again Weird, because it was completely thawed and liquid while all this on top was hard and iciled. Is that a word?

I have a camera app on the phone that takes artistic photos. Here is Stu

He usually isn't so thalo-green

Happy New Year 2011

Well, I made my goal from last year..... I was so relaxed, easing into this one, I fell asleep by 10.30pm.

Hear me out: I usually am snoring by 8:30pm, wiped out by the day's activities. So, to be AWAKE past 9:00 is something of a challenge and to be relaxed and awake is truly an achievement.

I hope anyone reading this drivel had a wonderful and wonderous Christmas holiday. Ours was both joyous and peaceful.

We hosted the 5th Borgasmord on Christmas Eve

and had a standing-room only crowd. The food evaporated (note to self: make an extra Jansson's Temptation next year) (I mean.... who knew my fellow Americans would grow to love this dish?)

Myself, "Aunt Mary" and Jan

Akavit. So much to tell. In the past, we simply looked each other in the eye, said skol and knocked the shot back. This year, to be more traditional and, let's just say it true, more Swedish, we sang "Helan Gar". Badly, okay.....to be truthful, but we sang it! The first 2 times in English, just to get them liquored up enough to thrust the Swedish version at 'em.

But THESE guests are courageous and intrepid. They sang with gusto and reverb. Of course, the reward is worth it. I love these people..... the best.

The weather cooperated splendidly. It was cold enough to enjoy glogg and warm enough to play games outdoors. Kubb was a hit! Considering only a handful of people there had ever played, let alone seen the game, it came as a surprise to find a ringer in the list of participants. Nick..... have you been practicing? HHMmmmm? Did you play jai alai in college, perhaps?

And silly indoor games as well..... this one was interesting.

And as it is difficult to get all the young 'uns in one shot, here's a way...

Two sad observations. 1. The hours pass too quickly. 2. We must wait 360 days to do it again. But on a happy note: I have our jultomtes all picked out for next year!

The Barn Is Done

and it truly is beautiful.
We know we hit a homerun too.... everyone who sees it is in awe. Women gasp......"OOhhhh it's greeat!!!!!"

Men are the biggest kick to watch.... much more discerning. They will walk in and just take it all in for a minute. To a man, they stand there with one arm across the chest, hand cradling the elbow of the other arm. The hand of the cradled up by the face, stroking the chin or cheek, lip pursed, eyes scanning the ceiling, the walls, the shelves, the worktop...... If there are more than one, they huddle together, stroking and furtively pointing at the attention to detail in construction.

And then they say, in reverent and slightly whispered tone, "I want one."

I know! We want another one already!

The veggies are growing and thriving. We ordered and received a roll of row cover material and have so far covered only two beds; the artichoke and tender greens but I am ready with the hoops to cover two more. The broccoli are looking great and although there are plenty of flowers on the peas, not all that many have pods. Some, and those are slow to grow. SO now I know, I should plant them farther in the north raised beds if they are going to get enough sunlight in the fall. Once the leaves finish falling, these will get more warm sun, but at the moment, they live in heavy dappling shade. I will do all I can to keep them alive under the wraps as the days get colder and the winds increase.

My daughter rescued a chicken in Florida and is going in with her neighbor to have a small flock!!!! How cool is this!? Very small, however. The towns restrictions are 2 per household..... ridiculous. 2? It's hardly worth the bother..... and only half the fun. You need enough to have a proper self-respecting flock! I mean, how on Earth can they establish any form of pecking order? 2 is just a squabble, surely. .... Well, if they EACH get 2 and house them in the same coop, that's 4. I think they could handle that. The chickens, I mean. Girls can handle anything!

Had a blast learning how to program a computerized quilting machine yesterday. Once you know the HOW, it seems (almost) easy; but getting to that place was a long process. The one I use has no computer but I look at it now and wonder....... can I get an after-market add-on? I really like free-motion. It's a thing about the freeness of it but I can also see the freedom I would feel at the end of this long list of quilts ready to finally use. I have a closet of quilttops that are neglected and shelves of fabric waiting to be cut. At this rate, I'll NEVER die. (of course, that IS my ultimate plan......)

I Yam What I Yam. Restfully So, Too!

I am glad I didn't let that phone experience yesterday get the better of me. We ran up to the little town to pay an electrical bill and get bread and I stopped at the pharmacy that closes at 5pm. (So strange, to me, because people heading home from work at 5 pass right by it and can't use it for their medicine!!!! )

Anyway, the pharmacist in there was a delight and helpful in letting us read up on melatonin before we bought a bottle. I took 2 mg at 8:15 pm.

Hallelujiah!!!!!! I slept like a champ last night. Woke up at 2am and thought "crums!!!!!" so I wandered into the guestroom and played the "left toe is relaxed.... right toes relaxed... ankles relax" game for however long it took to fall back asleep and wakened at 6:53am!!!!!!! What a Feeling!!!!!

Then I stumbled onto this test and found exactly what I thought I was, I am.

Your true political self:

You are a

You are a Social Conservative (35% permissive) and an... Economic Conservative (63% permissive) You are best described as a: Republican Link: The Politics Test on Ok Cupid Also this: You exhibit a very well-developed sense of Right and Wrong and believe in economic fairness.

I'm glad to see a random computer-generated test revealed what I suspected. I was slightly surprised as well.

Now, as I was taking this test, here is what I experienced (because I think this is what was MOST interesting to me...) there were questions that I initially answered one way and NO I am not going to reveal which ones (mainly because I can't remember...) but stopped and thought about it. When I applied my "oh really?" test to those reactive answers, I found that no, I really didn't think that... I really THINK THIS! and changed my answer. The initial answers were my PC responses and this test didn't care if I thought against what MSM thinks I should think!

I wanted a true revelation and I got it.

I am exactly who I thought I am

Amazing. I'd Have Slapped It!

For s a second there, I thought he was going to do just that.

Look how unconcerned and focused this prairiedog is on feasting.....

Our chickens behave the same way... I'll be handing a piece of bread to Stu and the others will snatch it out of his mouth. Even as he is merely standing there and they have their own... they take from him as well.

Sigh

I need a secretary.

I thought I had a clear calendar yesterday and headed south to help Kathy process lots of apples. We had a pot of sauce in one station and another of apple butter going when the cell phone rings. It's the shop

"Chris? You have a class here waiting" (or words to that effect.)

me: "No I don't! That's Jayne's Build a Block! (said with great conviction because, darn it! I KNOW my schedule!)"

No It was my class! And Kathy was signed up in it too!

So clearly, I can't hire her to be that secretary

But that class was fun. And what I fretted over concerning color choice was unnecessary. The color scheme they chose was terrific.

Do You Know What He Meant By This?

Pres Obama said something off the cuff at a speech:

And over the last two years, that's meant taking on some powerful interests -- some powerful interests who had been dominating the agenda in Washington for a very long time. And they're not always happy with me. They talk about me like a dog. (Applause.) That's not in my prepared remarks, it's just -- but it's true.

Now in the past he has spoken about himself thusly:

When asked about his background, which includes a black father and white mother, Obama said of African-Americans: "We are sort of a mongrel people."

"I mean we're all kinds of mixed up," Obama said. "That's actually true of white people as well, but we just know more about it."

{(?) I, as a white person, don't know the details of my heritage? That was presumptuous}

aaaaannnnnd (channeling my inner Obama)

"our preference would be to get a shelter dog," which would point to the possibility of a mixed breed, or, as Obama said, "a mutt, like me."

So, ok, it's the powerful interest folks who "talk about him like a dog".....check. Moving on...

Do you know which"special interests" had it in for him? He made it a point to single out banks as the special interests who had the long knives out for him, who weren't happy about the changes his administration has made. Now I am pretty sure it was, (among others like the Unions) (and auto), the financial institutions that received a whole lot of money Bank Bail Out Program) from his administration so it's a little confusing to hear him single them out for a public slap in the face. And then he said this:

That's why -- we've given tax cuts -- except we give them to folks who need them. (Applause.) We've given them to small business owners. We've given them to clean energy companies. We've cut taxes for 95 percent of working Americans, just like I promised you during the campaign. You all got a tax cut. (Applause.)

Okay, but how many worker's lost their jobs? And all of you who LOST your jobs these past 2 years..... well, lucky you: Now you receive 99 weeks of unemployment checks. That's almost 2 years. Wow. And funemployment is rising so those tax cuts for 95% is sort of a strange victory.

{Clean Energy Companies: He gave $2,400,000,000,000. (count those zeros. that comes from taxes, ya'll so SOMEONE is paying lots more for this) to develop this electric car program for the future of America.

I don't know where the electricity is going to come from...but again, let's don't get bogged down in details at this critical point.}

Back to the original question. I don't know what he meant by that remark about the dog. I really don't. I thought we Americans, as a whole, think of dogs as man's best friend. Loyal to the core. Ready to go at a drop of a suggestion. Where am I wrong and what do you think he meant by this?

Not that it matters, I realize. I am curious, though.