Diabetes Assn. Accepts Low-Carb Diets for Weight Loss

The ADA has finally admitted that low-carb diets are a good way to lose weight. Read Jimmy Moore's blog entry on low-carb and diabetes. And don't miss Why the Low-fat Diet is Stupid and Potentially Dangerous by Regina Wilshire and Anthony Colpo.

Years ago I ate very low-fat for four months (and only lost 4 pounds). When I wound up in a doctor's office suffering from low-energy, he ordered a blood test and the results showed that I needed more protein. Not long after that, I started having more and more digestive problems and reactions to specific foods. So I can relate to Colpo's experience that after following a strict low-fat diet he "frequently felt tired after meals. I showed signs of leaky gut syndrome, racking up a rather impressive list of irreversible food sensitivities."

Meanwhile, my husband has been to his doctor for diabetes and gotten a prescription. We hope that this will keep his blood sugar from rising to an alarming level again (which it did on Thursday).

Tourism on the Icy Frontier

My daughter Marie has an interesting article on travel to Antarctica on Perceptive Travel Web Magazine. It's perceptive indeed, and her photos are worth seeing. You can see more of her exciting Antarctica photos on her Mac homepage album.

Holiday Leftovers

Since I carelessly let me camera's batteries run out of power right after Christmas, I wound up using a disposable camera for a few final shots. I picked up the prints today, along with a CD of scans.

So here are those pictures leftover from the day after Christmas: one of me and Frank, and below a picture of Allison, Dave, Frank and Marie.

Belle Grove Plantation

I drove past here the other day on my way home from shopping, just as the sunshine flowed in from low in the sky. Belle Grove was the site of the Battle of Cedar Creek in 1864. It's on U.S. 11 between Middletown and Strasburg.

Belle Grove is a National Trust for Historic Preservation site. Yes, I've taken pictures here before. You can search this blog for Belle Grove or Cedar Creek, or visit my field trips pages.

Fan Club?

This scene is from 35 years ago. My daughters and their friends are posing in our townhouse in Delray (Alexandria, VA).

Is Non-fact milk dangerous?

I was surprised to see a new article stating that nonfat and low-fat milk seem to increase the risk of prostate cancer. Considering the movement to supply only low-fat milk in schools, this study raises a concern that we are doing harm while trying to do good.

A quick search revealed that a similar study was done ten years ago!

"A significantly increased risk of prostate cancer was associated with skim milk as compared to whole milk."

Veierod MB, Laake P, Thelle DS., 'Dietary fat intake and risk of prostate cancer: a prospective study of 25,708 Norwegian men.', Int J Cancer 1997 Nov 27;73(5):634-8

I also found a list of numerous studies linking high consumption of milk to prostate cancer.

Resolutions

My new year's resolutions include walking more and cutting back on sugar. Now I don't eat much sucrose; it makes my blood sugar spike up and down, plus more than a little bit gives me a weird headache. For years I consumed no cane sugar whatsoever*; then I started making exceptions and it crept back into my diet. First I allowed a little bit in main dishes; particularly the only frozen dinner I'm not allergic to (basil chicken with rice); then in the frozen rice dessert that I started eating when I read that Rice Dream had gluten (in barley malt - this may have changed), and then in a gluten-free dairy-free cookie.

Of course, cutting out sugar further shortens the list of foods I can eat. And it's already a short list, mostly meat, vegetables and rice. Which is not bad as long as I'm home and have time to cook.

~*~~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

*Except when sugar was hidden in restaurant food. If they throw a little in the green beans, for instance, I have no way of knowing.

New Years at Home

Here's Ben in front of the Christmas tree.

It's New Years Eve and we are staying home. I've never been a New Years party-person. I don't drink and I don't like being out late in cold weather.

We did some socializing on Saturday. Had the couple across the road over for some refreshments in the afternoon, and attended a get-together at a friend's house in the evening. Her guests included several children and two dogs, who mingled with her own dog. Her cat was off hiding somewhere. We left Ben at home, which is good because he is nervous and sometimes disagreeable.

Christmas 1972

Here's a picture of Lynn and Marie in 1972. They are posing in front of their grandparents' fireplace.

Our Morning View

A couple of days ago I got up early. As the sun lit up our view, the clouds parted enough to let us see the house across the ravine.

Scamp the Sheltie

We've been dog-sitting for some friends. Their dog is a sweet Sheltie (Shetland Sheepdog). Scamp behaves so well; I am embarrassed for our spaniel because he has neither Scamp's mild demeanor or cooperative attitude.

We used to have a Sheltie named Emmy. She was slightly smaller than Scamp is.

Happy Birthday to Frank

Frank's birthday falls even closer to Christmas than mine! He was born in Oakmont, Pennsylvania... a long time ago.

Frank's Sites: Walcroft.com | MyBryceHome.com

Christmas Gifts

We had a nice Christmas. Both my daughters were here, plus my sister, and Allison and Dave.

Left: Frank

Below: Marie and Lynn

Do You See a Resemblance?

Above: Me, Ben, Marie, Peggy

Below: Marie, Me, Lynn, Peggy

Christmas in 2004

Here we are three years ago while my best dog ever was still with us.

Merry Christmas!

LW, Christmas 2003

One Good Thing about Short Days

I'm no fan of the short days of December. What little sunshine there is ends before 6 PM, so we wind up walking the dog in the dark.

But sometimes we get a treat on the short days: a lovely sunset while we are on the way home. Below is one that I saw a week ago when I was driving home from a periodontal appointment. I pulled off into a church parking lot and took some pictures. (Yes, I often carry my camera when I am running errands. The scenery in the Shenandoah Valley is so pretty; all it takes is a nice shaft of light and you've got an image worth saving.)

No more antlers

All the taxidermy items (left by the previous owner of our house) have finally been removed from the living room. Frank mounted one set of deer antlers in his office; the rest went into the garage.

Our Tree is Ready for Christmas

Our tree is decorated and twinkling with lights. We talked about cutting one again this year but decided to take the easy route and buy a cut tree. We found a nice one at Fort Valley Nursery, which is actually in Woodstock near our vet's office. It's full and straight and seems fresh.

Still Green in our Valley

Golf Course in Mid-December, Basye, VA