Re: Health Challenge DAY ONE Oct 1st 2011

[Guest guest]

I'm curious, was that dark chocolate? Skim milk latte? Is that redi-made

latte or does adding the chocolate make it latte? Just trying to figure out

how to make this. What is expresso? I've never tried this so I'm blank.

You can soften walnuts by soaking them. You can also put them in a blender

with warm water and make a butter. Add a little salt and this makes a nice

spread for O freindly crackers or breads.

Try serving yourself some nice asparagus with your smoked herring. Melt

some O-freindly cheese on it like soft mozzarella. Have you tried the sweet

potato chips? You can make your own by slicing your sweet potato very thin

and drying it slowly in the oven.

My first day was ok. I stuck to the program pretty much. I weighed but

didn't measure, I guess I will do that today before things go much further.

I just didn't think about it.

I'm going to make a shake this morning with skim milk, banana, blueberries

and protien powder. Haven't tried this yet. I need to make a trip to the

store to pick up more snack foods. Nuts are easy to pack with you, so I'm

sorry you find it hard to eat them, Irene. Does it help to chew them up

really well?

How is everyone else doing on the challenge? I'm not even looking at

calories. None of this food should be very high in calories anyway.

On Sun, Oct 2, 2011 at 5:17 AM, Irene de Villiers

<furryboots@...>wrote:

> **

>

>

> Well today was not the easiest day to start a challenge but it helped a lot

> that it was planned ahead.

>

> I weighed myself and measured my waist and recorded both.

> My starting waist is 5 inches - the amount I want to lose in this

> challenge.

> My starting weight is 42 lbs - the amount I want to lose in this challenge.

> If/when I can achieve either of those, my reward will be to buy enough

> fancy yarn (well maybe not Yak or Quiviut yarn, but something almost as

> good) to knit a new sweater to fit my new shape.

>

> Progress report day one:

>

> I did half hour of fairly good exercise today, with a few rests. (For me it

> is a fair bit.)

>

> Over the past " preparation " month, I lost 3 pounds but I gained another

> waist inch - so for me that is actually the opposite of what I want. It did

> not help that I have had (and still have), nasty bronchitis all month long

> in Sept.

> I want mainly less dangerous waist inches.

>

> So I am doing something wrong. I am losing protein and turning it to fat

> around the middle.

> It is a high risk result of trying to diet with Cushings syndrome.

> But it is all the more reason to look for a solution that works.

>

> My conclusion is that I need to eat more protein. It is VERY hard for me to

> do that - it is the last thing I feel like eating as this illness makes my

> blood sugar high and that makes you feel like NOT eating protein. A catch 22

> I realize so I shall keep looking for a way to succeed, and not feel ill

> doing it.

>

> I see this as a process and not something I have to be perfect at, from the

> get-go (or any other time).

>

> Today I did discover an idea from a magazine that I plan to try:

> The Kuna (Blas Islands off Panama) are said to be the world's healthiest

> people. One thing they do is to drink lots of (unsweetened) cocoa, 5 or 6

> cups a day.

> A barista I know says the way to make ready to use cocoa " syrup " to add to

> hot drinks is to heat equal parts of sweetened cocoa powder and water. So

> tonight I tried to make such a " syrup " , but minus the sugar - using

> Ghirardelli pure cocoa powder and water. Equal parts is a thick paste, so I

> added about 1 2/3 parts water to 1 part cocoa powder to get a thick but

> pourable consistency, and heated it in the microwave. I'm not sure the

> heating is needed as there is no sugar to dissolve.

> I tried three spoons of this in a cup and a half of hot skim milk latte

> with one shot of espresso, (no sweetening) and it was very acceptable.

> I also tried it in plain hot water and that is a lot less drinkable though

> it may be an acquired taste,

>

> Harvard studies show cocoa lowers bad cholesterol and blood pressure,

> raises good cholesterol and improves insulin sensitivity - all of which I

> need. But it needs a lot of unsweetened cocoa.

> I already use a lot of turmeric and ginger (6 capsules of these two mixed,

> per day - I make them) as anti-inflammatory supplements. So maybe the cocoa

> will be a good increase to that.

>

> I've discovered organic, no salt added, smoked herring in cans and I am

> using those for good protein.

> I have not found the ideal thing to eat with them. (Potatoes are easy to

> find but inappropriate.)

>

> I have tried using walnuts as a snack - but I can not eat them, and have

> had to use cashews as they are soft enough for my very damaged esophagus -

> but cashews are avoids and walnuts are beneficial. How can I make walnuts

> softer? Can one soak nuts? Would that soften them? I tried a nut grinder to

> make walnut butter but they are too hard to work well in the nut grinder I

> got. Any ideas?

> Clearly an avoid type snack is not the way to go, though they work as a

> hunger beater!

>

> SO ... my improvement strategy for today - or for week one perhaps - is

> cocoa :-)

>

> Namaste,

> Irene

> --

> Irene de Villiers, B.Sc AASCA MCSSA D.I.Hom/D.Vet.Hom.

> P.O. Box 4703 Spokane WA 99220.

> www.angelfire.com/fl/furryboots/clickhere.html (Veterinary Homeopath.)

> " Man who say it cannot be done should not interrupt one doing it. "

>

>

>

--

www.bigpondaussies.com

[Guest guest]

I have a small Cuisinart food processor that makes wonderful walnut butter. I

just have to let it run past the meal stage to the butter stage.

 

I always soak my nuts (in salt water) for at least 7 hours and then dry them for

24. They get a little softer when soaked but I don't know if they would be soft

enough for you. After they dry they are crisper and delicious.

 

________________________________

From: Irene de Villiers <furryboots@...>

Sent: Sunday, October 2, 2011 3:17 AM

Subject: Health Challenge DAY ONE Oct 1st 2011

 

Well today was not the easiest day to start a challenge but it helped a lot that

it was planned ahead.

I weighed myself and measured my waist and recorded both.

My starting waist is 5 inches - the amount I want to lose in this challenge.

My starting weight is 42 lbs - the amount I want to lose in this challenge.

If/when I can achieve either of those, my reward will be to buy enough fancy

yarn (well maybe not Yak or Quiviut yarn, but something almost as good) to knit

a new sweater to fit my new shape.

Progress report day one:

I did half hour of fairly good exercise today, with a few rests. (For me it is a

fair bit.)

Over the past " preparation " month, I lost 3 pounds but I gained another waist

inch - so for me that is actually the opposite of what I want. It did not help

that I have had (and still have), nasty bronchitis all month long in Sept.

I want mainly less dangerous waist inches.

So I am doing something wrong. I am losing protein and turning it to fat around

the middle.

It is a high risk result of trying to diet with Cushings syndrome.

But it is all the more reason to look for a solution that works.

My conclusion is that I need to eat more protein. It is VERY hard for me to do

that - it is the last thing I feel like eating as this illness makes my blood

sugar high and that makes you feel like NOT eating protein. A catch 22 I realize

so I shall keep looking for a way to succeed, and not feel ill doing it.

I see this as a process and not something I have to be perfect at, from the

get-go (or any other time).

Today I did discover an idea from a magazine that I plan to try:

The Kuna (Blas Islands off Panama) are said to be the world's healthiest people.

One thing they do is to drink lots of (unsweetened) cocoa, 5 or 6 cups a day.

A barista I know says the way to make ready to use cocoa " syrup " to add to hot

drinks is to heat equal parts of sweetened cocoa powder and water. So tonight I

tried to make such a " syrup " , but minus the sugar - using Ghirardelli pure cocoa

powder and water. Equal parts is a thick paste, so I added about 1 2/3 parts

water to 1 part cocoa powder to get a thick but pourable consistency, and heated

it in the microwave. I'm not sure the heating is needed as there is no sugar to

dissolve.

I tried three spoons of this in a cup and a half of hot skim milk latte with one

shot of espresso, (no sweetening) and it was very acceptable.

I also tried it in plain hot water and that is a lot less drinkable though it

may be an acquired taste,

Harvard studies show cocoa lowers bad cholesterol and blood pressure, raises

good cholesterol and improves insulin sensitivity - all of which I need. But it

needs a lot of unsweetened cocoa.

I already use a lot of turmeric and ginger (6 capsules of these two mixed, per

day - I make them) as anti-inflammatory supplements. So maybe the cocoa will be

a good increase to that.

I've discovered organic, no salt added, smoked herring in cans and I am using

those for good protein.

I have not found the ideal thing to eat with them. (Potatoes are easy to find

but inappropriate.)

I have tried using walnuts as a snack - but I can not eat them, and have had to

use cashews as they are soft enough for my very damaged esophagus - but cashews

are avoids and walnuts are beneficial. How can I make walnuts softer? Can one

soak nuts? Would that soften them? I tried a nut grinder to make walnut butter

but they are too hard to work well in the nut grinder I got. Any ideas?

Clearly an avoid type snack is not the way to go, though they work as a hunger

beater!

SO ... my improvement strategy for today - or for week one perhaps - is cocoa

:-)

Namaste,

Irene

--

Irene de Villiers, B.Sc AASCA MCSSA D.I.Hom/D.Vet.Hom.

P.O. Box 4703 Spokane WA 99220.

www.angelfire.com/fl/furryboots/clickhere.html (Veterinary Homeopath.)

" Man who say it cannot be done should not interrupt one doing it. "

[Guest guest]

I will have to try making my walnut butter that way. Thanks, .

On Sun, Oct 2, 2011 at 12:10 PM, Bumpas <lindabumpas@...> wrote:

> **

>

>

> I have a small Cuisinart food processor that makes wonderful walnut butter.

> I just have to let it run past the meal stage to the butter stage.

>

> I always soak my nuts (in salt water) for at least 7 hours and then dry

> them for 24. They get a little softer when soaked but I don't know if they

> would be soft enough for you. After they dry they are crisper and delicious.

>

>

>

> ________________________________

> From: Irene de Villiers <furryboots@...>

>

> Sent: Sunday, October 2, 2011 3:17 AM

> Subject: Health Challenge DAY ONE Oct 1st 2011

>

>

>

> Well today was not the easiest day to start a challenge but it helped a lot

> that it was planned ahead.

>

> I weighed myself and measured my waist and recorded both.

> My starting waist is 5 inches - the amount I want to lose in this

> challenge.

> My starting weight is 42 lbs - the amount I want to lose in this challenge.

> If/when I can achieve either of those, my reward will be to buy enough

> fancy yarn (well maybe not Yak or Quiviut yarn, but something almost as

> good) to knit a new sweater to fit my new shape.

>

> Progress report day one:

>

> I did half hour of fairly good exercise today, with a few rests. (For me it

> is a fair bit.)

>

> Over the past " preparation " month, I lost 3 pounds but I gained another

> waist inch - so for me that is actually the opposite of what I want. It did

> not help that I have had (and still have), nasty bronchitis all month long

> in Sept.

> I want mainly less dangerous waist inches.

>

> So I am doing something wrong. I am losing protein and turning it to fat

> around the middle.

> It is a high risk result of trying to diet with Cushings syndrome.

> But it is all the more reason to look for a solution that works.

>

> My conclusion is that I need to eat more protein. It is VERY hard for me to

> do that - it is the last thing I feel like eating as this illness makes my

> blood sugar high and that makes you feel like NOT eating protein. A catch 22

> I realize so I shall keep looking for a way to succeed, and not feel ill

> doing it.

>

> I see this as a process and not something I have to be perfect at, from the

> get-go (or any other time).

>

> Today I did discover an idea from a magazine that I plan to try:

> The Kuna (Blas Islands off Panama) are said to be the world's healthiest

> people. One thing they do is to drink lots of (unsweetened) cocoa, 5 or 6

> cups a day.

> A barista I know says the way to make ready to use cocoa " syrup " to add to

> hot drinks is to heat equal parts of sweetened cocoa powder and water. So

> tonight I tried to make such a " syrup " , but minus the sugar - using

> Ghirardelli pure cocoa powder and water. Equal parts is a thick paste, so I

> added about 1 2/3 parts water to 1 part cocoa powder to get a thick but

> pourable consistency, and heated it in the microwave. I'm not sure the

> heating is needed as there is no sugar to dissolve.

> I tried three spoons of this in a cup and a half of hot skim milk latte

> with one shot of espresso, (no sweetening) and it was very acceptable.

> I also tried it in plain hot water and that is a lot less drinkable though

> it may be an acquired taste,

>

> Harvard studies show cocoa lowers bad cholesterol and blood pressure,

> raises good cholesterol and improves insulin sensitivity - all of which I

> need. But it needs a lot of unsweetened cocoa.

> I already use a lot of turmeric and ginger (6 capsules of these two mixed,

> per day - I make them) as anti-inflammatory supplements. So maybe the cocoa

> will be a good increase to that.

>

> I've discovered organic, no salt added, smoked herring in cans and I am

> using those for good protein.

> I have not found the ideal thing to eat with them. (Potatoes are easy to

> find but inappropriate.)

>

> I have tried using walnuts as a snack - but I can not eat them, and have

> had to use cashews as they are soft enough for my very damaged esophagus -

> but cashews are avoids and walnuts are beneficial. How can I make walnuts

> softer? Can one soak nuts? Would that soften them? I tried a nut grinder to

> make walnut butter but they are too hard to work well in the nut grinder I

> got. Any ideas?

> Clearly an avoid type snack is not the way to go, though they work as a

> hunger beater!

>

> SO ... my improvement strategy for today - or for week one perhaps - is

> cocoa :-)

>

> Namaste,

> Irene

> --

> Irene de Villiers, B.Sc AASCA MCSSA D.I.Hom/D.Vet.Hom.

> P.O. Box 4703 Spokane WA 99220.

> www.angelfire.com/fl/furryboots/clickhere.html (Veterinary Homeopath.)

> " Man who say it cannot be done should not interrupt one doing it. "

>

>

[Guest guest]

Wow I am so late with updates here, it has been very busy for me this week -

mostly due to one particular case in Serbia - a cat who it turns out has feline

skin tuberculosis - was wrongly diagnosed as burnt, then pemphigus....The vets

in Serbia were of no use and refused to do a biopsy so it was a scramble to

confirm true diagnosis long distance, and then plan the cat's treatment (by

homeopathy, as conventional medicine has nothing for this condition anyway).

Client in Serbia is a wonderful person rescuing this dear tortoiseshell kitty

who is so ill.

I work with animal cases that vets give up on, so it is mostly ones in very

serious condition - so there is not a lot of say in how my hours are spent, if

an animal is in need. I've been up late every night since Sat - I did read the

emails here, enjoyed them and some of the ideas actually kept me going so

thanks!!! - a lot! - asparagus/herring for example - but been too exhausted to

write anything....

I finally got some time off today, first time since Sat...though actually it is

not " today " ,

it's " tomorrow already " :-)

my cocoa latte plan has been great!

> I'm curious, was that dark chocolate? Skim milk latte? Is that redi-made

> latte or does adding the chocolate make it latte? Just trying to figure out

> how to make this. What is expresso?

Okay so I start with a commercial " plain skim milk latte " which consists of;

Fresh fine ground coffee powder with boiling water forced through it to make a

concentrate called espresso. One decides how much by naming the number of

" shots " - a fancy way of saying how much concentrate of coffee you want in your

drink. I use only one shot in a 20 oz coffee mug, which is a good two cups

volume.

To make it into a " latte " they use a steam nozzle to cook up the milk (I choose

skim milk, but almond or soy or whatever is available) very fast to your chosen

temperature, and the coffee concentrate and steamed milk together make the

" latte " .

Most people also add a " shot " of some flavor or other. Those are sickly sweet

syrups or else icky artificial sugar free ones. I can not stand them personally

- but the flavors range from chocolate (called mocha) to rum or any number of

strange and unstrange flavor concentrates.

SO my cocoa idea is instead of the supersweet " mocha " chocolate flavor shot.

Till now I had them plain, no flavor.

My cocoa mix that works, unsweetened:

I buy pure Ghirardelli cocoa powder (a pricey but nice brand).

Then I mix 1 small cup of cocoa powder and same size cup of water, and mix it

to a paste with a spoon. It is pretty thick, but the consistency is the easiest

to use to get rid of lumps and get it smooth. When there are no more lumps, I

then add another 2/3 cup of water, and mix it in well, as it is otherwise too

thick. Now it is a consistency that does not fall out of the container, but if

tipped will move to the other end - also is not too thick to dissolve fast when

added to my latte. I add a decent glop of it - like an overflowing heaped

teaspoon - to my latte and stir it in.

Yummy, and not too sweet. No sugar added - but the lactose in the milk makes it

plenty sweet enough with that brand of cocoa powder (which is not bitter).

The result is a dark-chocolate flavored latte if you use enough of the cocoa

mix, and a light chocolate flavor if you use less - but only 3 g of carbohydrate

per serving form the cocoa powder for dark choc flavor as I'm using.

> I've never tried this so I'm blank.

> You can soften walnuts by soaking them. You can also put them in a blender

> with warm water and make a butter.

Thanks so much - I plan to try this - need to invest in a blender.

Good brand anyone?

I found some dark-chocolate dipped walnuts. I like them except for me there is

too much sugar added to the chocolate aspect.

A very yummy item I found is dark chocolate covered gogi berries. Oh goodness

though - they are so More-ish - I can not stop eating them! Gotta have more...

Gogi berries are not very sweet - but coat with dark choc and you have heavenly

flavor.

I need to reserve them for just before exercise so I can burn off the sugar

aspect.

>

> How is everyone else doing on the challenge? I'm not even looking at

> calories.

Nor me. I am looking for health improvement, and have decided to just take each

day as a challenge to do as well as I can, and try to find ONE new or specific

thing that is beneficial that I can try as a positive thing.

So my new positives were, for Sat through Wed, in no particular order:

* The cocoa latte which I am having twice a day at least

* gogi dark chocolate before exercise;

* chicken curry soup that I actually like (red pepper and tomato soup, plus hot

curry powder, and a big handful of pieces of fresh roast chicken deboned);

* and a great find was macadamia-butter balls at the HF store as snacks.

* and I found a tea I like and can tolerate (incredibly hard to do in my case),

which is a mix of ginger and dandelion root, not made too strong.

Other good stuff:

I did exercise 3 days out of the five - I want to do it daily.

I got enough sleep for a change

I kept up on my supplements properly.

I made time for some knitting with a friend

I felt good about the work I did for cats despite the long hours.

Plan:

I decided to check weight/waist stats weekly on Saturdays and not think about it

other times.

I have a notebook to record eating ideas, also O-neg-ns beneficial lists that

ALSO suit my likes

(no dislikes or avoids - just good stuff).

I plan to eat a lot of fish and egg for high value protein and held to that so

far.

I record Questions I have and hope to find answers for, like:

Is Creamy Havarti cheese as beneficial as it feels when eating it?

Ditto for gogi berries?

How do I get less human gas and more car gas, and can one convert. (Sorry!)

Oh yes and I found Guava juice in the HF store - fresh!

I grew up on guavas and such - that was like finding gold.

I'm using it as a reward desert for a good meal, 5 sips at a time as it is

pretty sweet.

Namaste,

Irene

--

Irene de Villiers, B.Sc AASCA MCSSA D.I.Hom/D.Vet.Hom.

P.O. Box 4703 Spokane WA 99220.

www.angelfire.com/fl/furryboots/clickhere.html (Veterinary Homeopath.)

" Man who say it cannot be done should not interrupt one doing it. "

[Guest guest]

On Oct 2, 2011, at 10:10 AM, Bumpas wrote:

> I have a small Cuisinart food processor that makes wonderful walnut butter. I

I need to look for that- sounds ideal.

:-)

It wil be my reward purchase after one weeek on the plan.

.......Irene

--

Irene de Villiers, B.Sc AASCA MCSSA D.I.Hom/D.Vet.Hom.

P.O. Box 4703 Spokane WA 99220.

www.angelfire.com/fl/furryboots/clickhere.html (Veterinary Homeopath.)

" Man who say it cannot be done should not interrupt one doing it. "

[Guest guest]

Just a thought ,

I would recommend being careful about going non or low fat. The fat can

help stabilize the appetite.

Good fats are helpful.

K

On Thu, Oct 6, 2011 at 7:32 AM, Forrester <bigpondaussies@...>wrote:

> I was very interested in your story about the cat, Irene. Jerry and I

> rescue cats. We have 21 right now. One of those is a foster cat for a

> lady

> soldier in Afghanastan. He weighs 20 lbs!! He is a Russian blue. I also

> own a Russian Blue female named Sheba. All of the cats have been spayed

> and

> neutered. If you have ever visited our web-site, you know we raise

> gorgeous

> Australian Shepherds, grow our own beef and own a few horses. It is a busy

> life.

> Now for the challenge:

> I have done very well this week. I am weighing every day, because it helps

> to keep me focused. I'm not counting calories or dieting really, but just

> eating the right foods and I've lost 2.2 lbs so far. Pretty amazing

> because

> I'm hypo-thyroid and it is hard for me to lose weight. Last night I got

> really hungry!! I remember hearing that the pectin in apples is good for

> calming appetite, so I cut up 2 small apples and munched on those while I

> watched my Cardinals win game 4. Now back to Philly for game 5!!

> I'm going to see if I can find that chocolate you are talking about. I've

> been making my chocolate with Hersheys dark chocolate, a little splenda and

> non-fat milk. It's good, but I couldn't drink it without the sweetner.

> Those Emerald brand almonds I told you about don't have a candy coating.

> It

> is like a sweet dark chocolate powder. Just enough so you get a taste of

> the flavor. I don't know if you could eat those, though, Irene. They are

> pretty hard.

> All in all this has been a very good week. I love my new breakfast find!!

> Oatmeal, yogurt, fruit all mixed together. I cheat with a little splenda.

> Gas!! Try eating your fruit by itself. Maybe as an in between meal snack.

> I have heard when fruit is eaten with other foods it forms gas. Perhaps

> you

> know better if that is true.

>

>

> On Thu, Oct 6, 2011 at 3:38 AM, Irene de Villiers

> <furryboots@...>wrote:

>

> > **

> >

> >

> > Wow I am so late with updates here, it has been very busy for me this

> week

> > - mostly due to one particular case in Serbia - a cat who it turns out

> has

> > feline skin tuberculosis - was wrongly diagnosed as burnt, then

> > pemphigus....The vets in Serbia were of no use and refused to do a biopsy

> so

> > it was a scramble to confirm true diagnosis long distance, and then plan

> the

> > cat's treatment (by homeopathy, as conventional medicine has nothing for

> > this condition anyway). Client in Serbia is a wonderful person rescuing

> this

> > dear tortoiseshell kitty who is so ill.

> >

> > I work with animal cases that vets give up on, so it is mostly ones in

> very

> > serious condition - so there is not a lot of say in how my hours are

> spent,

> > if an animal is in need. I've been up late every night since Sat - I did

> > read the emails here, enjoyed them and some of the ideas actually kept me

> > going so thanks!!! - a lot! - asparagus/herring for example - but been

> too

> > exhausted to write anything....

> >

> > I finally got some time off today, first time since Sat...though actually

> > it is not " today " ,

> > it's " tomorrow already " :-)

> >

> > my cocoa latte plan has been great!

> >

> >

> > > I'm curious, was that dark chocolate? Skim milk latte? Is that

> redi-made

> > > latte or does adding the chocolate make it latte? Just trying to figure

> > out

> > > how to make this. What is expresso?

> >

> > Okay so I start with a commercial " plain skim milk latte " which consists

> > of;

> > Fresh fine ground coffee powder with boiling water forced through it to

> > make a concentrate called espresso. One decides how much by naming the

> > number of " shots " - a fancy way of saying how much concentrate of coffee

> you

> > want in your drink. I use only one shot in a 20 oz coffee mug, which is a

> > good two cups volume.

> > To make it into a " latte " they use a steam nozzle to cook up the milk (I

> > choose skim milk, but almond or soy or whatever is available) very fast

> to

> > your chosen temperature, and the coffee concentrate and steamed milk

> > together make the " latte " .

> > Most people also add a " shot " of some flavor or other. Those are sickly

> > sweet syrups or else icky artificial sugar free ones. I can not stand

> them

> > personally - but the flavors range from chocolate (called mocha) to rum

> or

> > any number of strange and unstrange flavor concentrates.

> >

> > SO my cocoa idea is instead of the supersweet " mocha " chocolate flavor

> > shot. Till now I had them plain, no flavor.

> > My cocoa mix that works, unsweetened:

> > I buy pure Ghirardelli cocoa powder (a pricey but nice brand).

> > Then I mix 1 small cup of cocoa powder and same size cup of water, and

> mix

> > it to a paste with a spoon. It is pretty thick, but the consistency is

> the

> > easiest to use to get rid of lumps and get it smooth. When there are no

> more

> > lumps, I then add another 2/3 cup of water, and mix it in well, as it is

> > otherwise too thick. Now it is a consistency that does not fall out of

> the

> > container, but if tipped will move to the other end - also is not too

> thick

> > to dissolve fast when added to my latte. I add a decent glop of it - like

> an

> > overflowing heaped teaspoon - to my latte and stir it in.

> > Yummy, and not too sweet. No sugar added - but the lactose in the milk

> > makes it plenty sweet enough with that brand of cocoa powder (which is

> not

> > bitter).

> > The result is a dark-chocolate flavored latte if you use enough of the

> > cocoa mix, and a light chocolate flavor if you use less - but only 3 g of

> > carbohydrate per serving form the cocoa powder for dark choc flavor as

> I'm

> > using.

> >

> >

> >

> > > I've never tried this so I'm blank.

> > > You can soften walnuts by soaking them. You can also put them in a

> > blender

> > > with warm water and make a butter.

> >

> > Thanks so much - I plan to try this - need to invest in a blender.

> > Good brand anyone?

> >

> > I found some dark-chocolate dipped walnuts. I like them except for me

> there

> > is too much sugar added to the chocolate aspect.

> > A very yummy item I found is dark chocolate covered gogi berries. Oh

> > goodness though - they are so More-ish - I can not stop eating them!

> Gotta

> > have more...

> > Gogi berries are not very sweet - but coat with dark choc and you have

> > heavenly flavor.

> > I need to reserve them for just before exercise so I can burn off the

> sugar

> > aspect.

> >

> > >

> > > How is everyone else doing on the challenge? I'm not even looking at

> > > calories.

> >

> > Nor me. I am looking for health improvement, and have decided to just

> take

> > each day as a challenge to do as well as I can, and try to find ONE new

> or

> > specific thing that is beneficial that I can try as a positive thing.

> >

> > So my new positives were, for Sat through Wed, in no particular order:

> > * The cocoa latte which I am having twice a day at least

> > * gogi dark chocolate before exercise;

> > * chicken curry soup that I actually like (red pepper and tomato soup,

> plus

> > hot curry powder, and a big handful of pieces of fresh roast chicken

> > deboned);

> > * and a great find was macadamia-butter balls at the HF store as snacks.

> > * and I found a tea I like and can tolerate (incredibly hard to do in my

> > case), which is a mix of ginger and dandelion root, not made too strong.

> >

> > Other good stuff:

> > I did exercise 3 days out of the five - I want to do it daily.

> > I got enough sleep for a change

> > I kept up on my supplements properly.

> > I made time for some knitting with a friend

> > I felt good about the work I did for cats despite the long hours.

> >

> > Plan:

> > I decided to check weight/waist stats weekly on Saturdays and not think

> > about it other times.

> > I have a notebook to record eating ideas, also O-neg-ns beneficial lists

> > that ALSO suit my likes

> > (no dislikes or avoids - just good stuff).

> > I plan to eat a lot of fish and egg for high value protein and held to

> that

> > so far.

> >

> > I record Questions I have and hope to find answers for, like:

> > Is Creamy Havarti cheese as beneficial as it feels when eating it?

> > Ditto for gogi berries?

> > How do I get less human gas and more car gas, and can one convert.

> (Sorry!)

> >

> > Oh yes and I found Guava juice in the HF store - fresh!

> > I grew up on guavas and such - that was like finding gold.

> > I'm using it as a reward desert for a good meal, 5 sips at a time as it

> is

> > pretty sweet.

> >

> >

> > Namaste,

> > Irene

> > --

> > Irene de Villiers, B.Sc AASCA MCSSA D.I.Hom/D.Vet.Hom.

> > P.O. Box 4703 Spokane WA 99220.

> > www.angelfire.com/fl/furryboots/clickhere.html (Veterinary Homeopath.)

> > " Man who say it cannot be done should not interrupt one doing it. "

> >

> >

> >

>

>

>

> --

> www.bigpondaussies.com

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I eat quite a few nuts and use olive oil almost daily.

On Fri, Oct 14, 2011 at 3:44 PM, s <responsiblywell@...

> wrote:

> **

>

>

> Just a thought ,

> I would recommend being careful about going non or low fat. The fat can

> help stabilize the appetite.

> Good fats are helpful.

> K

>

> On Thu, Oct 6, 2011 at 7:32 AM, Forrester

<bigpondaussies@...>wrote:

>

>

>

> > I was very interested in your story about the cat, Irene. Jerry and I

> > rescue cats. We have 21 right now. One of those is a foster cat for a

> > lady

> > soldier in Afghanastan. He weighs 20 lbs!! He is a Russian blue. I also

> > own a Russian Blue female named Sheba. All of the cats have been spayed

> > and

> > neutered. If you have ever visited our web-site, you know we raise

> > gorgeous

> > Australian Shepherds, grow our own beef and own a few horses. It is a

> busy

> > life.

> > Now for the challenge:

> > I have done very well this week. I am weighing every day, because it

> helps

> > to keep me focused. I'm not counting calories or dieting really, but just

> > eating the right foods and I've lost 2.2 lbs so far. Pretty amazing

> > because

> > I'm hypo-thyroid and it is hard for me to lose weight. Last night I got

> > really hungry!! I remember hearing that the pectin in apples is good for

> > calming appetite, so I cut up 2 small apples and munched on those while I

> > watched my Cardinals win game 4. Now back to Philly for game 5!!

> > I'm going to see if I can find that chocolate you are talking about. I've

> > been making my chocolate with Hersheys dark chocolate, a little splenda

> and

> > non-fat milk. It's good, but I couldn't drink it without the sweetner.

> > Those Emerald brand almonds I told you about don't have a candy coating.

> > It

> > is like a sweet dark chocolate powder. Just enough so you get a taste of

> > the flavor. I don't know if you could eat those, though, Irene. They are

> > pretty hard.

> > All in all this has been a very good week. I love my new breakfast find!!

> > Oatmeal, yogurt, fruit all mixed together. I cheat with a little splenda.

> > Gas!! Try eating your fruit by itself. Maybe as an in between meal snack.

> > I have heard when fruit is eaten with other foods it forms gas. Perhaps

> > you

> > know better if that is true.

> >

> >

> > On Thu, Oct 6, 2011 at 3:38 AM, Irene de Villiers

> > <furryboots@...>wrote:

> >

> > > **

>

> > >

> > >

> > > Wow I am so late with updates here, it has been very busy for me this

> > week

> > > - mostly due to one particular case in Serbia - a cat who it turns out

> > has

> > > feline skin tuberculosis - was wrongly diagnosed as burnt, then

> > > pemphigus....The vets in Serbia were of no use and refused to do a

> biopsy

> > so

> > > it was a scramble to confirm true diagnosis long distance, and then

> plan

> > the

> > > cat's treatment (by homeopathy, as conventional medicine has nothing

> for

> > > this condition anyway). Client in Serbia is a wonderful person rescuing

> > this

> > > dear tortoiseshell kitty who is so ill.

> > >

> > > I work with animal cases that vets give up on, so it is mostly ones in

> > very

> > > serious condition - so there is not a lot of say in how my hours are

> > spent,

> > > if an animal is in need. I've been up late every night since Sat - I

> did

> > > read the emails here, enjoyed them and some of the ideas actually kept

> me

> > > going so thanks!!! - a lot! - asparagus/herring for example - but been

> > too

> > > exhausted to write anything....

> > >

> > > I finally got some time off today, first time since Sat...though

> actually

> > > it is not " today " ,

> > > it's " tomorrow already " :-)

> > >

> > > my cocoa latte plan has been great!

> > >

> > >

> > > > I'm curious, was that dark chocolate? Skim milk latte? Is that

> > redi-made

> > > > latte or does adding the chocolate make it latte? Just trying to

> figure

> > > out

> > > > how to make this. What is expresso?

> > >

> > > Okay so I start with a commercial " plain skim milk latte " which

> consists

> > > of;

> > > Fresh fine ground coffee powder with boiling water forced through it to

> > > make a concentrate called espresso. One decides how much by naming the

> > > number of " shots " - a fancy way of saying how much concentrate of

> coffee

> > you

> > > want in your drink. I use only one shot in a 20 oz coffee mug, which is

> a

> > > good two cups volume.

> > > To make it into a " latte " they use a steam nozzle to cook up the milk

> (I

> > > choose skim milk, but almond or soy or whatever is available) very fast

> > to

> > > your chosen temperature, and the coffee concentrate and steamed milk

> > > together make the " latte " .

> > > Most people also add a " shot " of some flavor or other. Those are sickly

> > > sweet syrups or else icky artificial sugar free ones. I can not stand

> > them

> > > personally - but the flavors range from chocolate (called mocha) to rum

> > or

> > > any number of strange and unstrange flavor concentrates.

> > >

> > > SO my cocoa idea is instead of the supersweet " mocha " chocolate flavor

> > > shot. Till now I had them plain, no flavor.

> > > My cocoa mix that works, unsweetened:

> > > I buy pure Ghirardelli cocoa powder (a pricey but nice brand).

> > > Then I mix 1 small cup of cocoa powder and same size cup of water, and

> > mix

> > > it to a paste with a spoon. It is pretty thick, but the consistency is

> > the

> > > easiest to use to get rid of lumps and get it smooth. When there are no

> > more

> > > lumps, I then add another 2/3 cup of water, and mix it in well, as it

> is

> > > otherwise too thick. Now it is a consistency that does not fall out of

> > the

> > > container, but if tipped will move to the other end - also is not too

> > thick

> > > to dissolve fast when added to my latte. I add a decent glop of it -

> like

> > an

> > > overflowing heaped teaspoon - to my latte and stir it in.

> > > Yummy, and not too sweet. No sugar added - but the lactose in the milk

> > > makes it plenty sweet enough with that brand of cocoa powder (which is

> > not

> > > bitter).

> > > The result is a dark-chocolate flavored latte if you use enough of the

> > > cocoa mix, and a light chocolate flavor if you use less - but only 3 g

> of

> > > carbohydrate per serving form the cocoa powder for dark choc flavor as

> > I'm

> > > using.

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > > I've never tried this so I'm blank.

> > > > You can soften walnuts by soaking them. You can also put them in a

> > > blender

> > > > with warm water and make a butter.

> > >

> > > Thanks so much - I plan to try this - need to invest in a blender.

> > > Good brand anyone?

> > >

> > > I found some dark-chocolate dipped walnuts. I like them except for me

> > there

> > > is too much sugar added to the chocolate aspect.

> > > A very yummy item I found is dark chocolate covered gogi berries. Oh

> > > goodness though - they are so More-ish - I can not stop eating them!

> > Gotta

> > > have more...

> > > Gogi berries are not very sweet - but coat with dark choc and you have

> > > heavenly flavor.

> > > I need to reserve them for just before exercise so I can burn off the

> > sugar

> > > aspect.

> > >

> > > >

> > > > How is everyone else doing on the challenge? I'm not even looking at

> > > > calories.

> > >

> > > Nor me. I am looking for health improvement, and have decided to just

> > take

> > > each day as a challenge to do as well as I can, and try to find ONE new

> > or

> > > specific thing that is beneficial that I can try as a positive thing.

> > >

> > > So my new positives were, for Sat through Wed, in no particular order:

> > > * The cocoa latte which I am having twice a day at least

> > > * gogi dark chocolate before exercise;

> > > * chicken curry soup that I actually like (red pepper and tomato soup,

> > plus

> > > hot curry powder, and a big handful of pieces of fresh roast chicken

> > > deboned);

> > > * and a great find was macadamia-butter balls at the HF store as

> snacks.

> > > * and I found a tea I like and can tolerate (incredibly hard to do in

> my

> > > case), which is a mix of ginger and dandelion root, not made too

> strong.

> > >

> > > Other good stuff:

> > > I did exercise 3 days out of the five - I want to do it daily.

> > > I got enough sleep for a change

> > > I kept up on my supplements properly.

> > > I made time for some knitting with a friend

> > > I felt good about the work I did for cats despite the long hours.

> > >

> > > Plan:

> > > I decided to check weight/waist stats weekly on Saturdays and not think

> > > about it other times.

> > > I have a notebook to record eating ideas, also O-neg-ns beneficial

> lists

> > > that ALSO suit my likes

> > > (no dislikes or avoids - just good stuff).

> > > I plan to eat a lot of fish and egg for high value protein and held to

> > that

> > > so far.

> > >

> > > I record Questions I have and hope to find answers for, like:

> > > Is Creamy Havarti cheese as beneficial as it feels when eating it?

> > > Ditto for gogi berries?

> > > How do I get less human gas and more car gas, and can one convert.

> > (Sorry!)

> > >

> > > Oh yes and I found Guava juice in the HF store - fresh!

> > > I grew up on guavas and such - that was like finding gold.

> > > I'm using it as a reward desert for a good meal, 5 sips at a time as it

> > is

> > > pretty sweet.

> > >

> > >

> > > Namaste,

> > > Irene

> > > --

> > > Irene de Villiers, B.Sc AASCA MCSSA D.I.Hom/D.Vet.Hom.

> > > P.O. Box 4703 Spokane WA 99220.

> > > www.angelfire.com/fl/furryboots/clickhere.html (Veterinary Homeopath.)

> > > " Man who say it cannot be done should not interrupt one doing it. "

> > >

> > >

> > >

> >

> >

> >

> > --

> > www.bigpondaussies.com

>

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Nuts may not be good on you

On Fri, Oct 14, 2011 at 6:43 PM, Forrester

<bigpondaussies@...>wrote:

> I eat quite a few nuts and use olive oil almost daily.

>

>

> On Fri, Oct 14, 2011 at 3:44 PM, s <

> responsiblywell@...

> > wrote:

>

> > **

> >

> >

> > Just a thought ,

> > I would recommend being careful about going non or low fat. The fat can

> > help stabilize the appetite.

> > Good fats are helpful.

> > K

> >

> > On Thu, Oct 6, 2011 at 7:32 AM, Forrester <

> bigpondaussies@...>wrote:

> >

> >

> >

> > > I was very interested in your story about the cat, Irene. Jerry and I

> > > rescue cats. We have 21 right now. One of those is a foster cat for a

> > > lady

> > > soldier in Afghanastan. He weighs 20 lbs!! He is a Russian blue. I also

> > > own a Russian Blue female named Sheba. All of the cats have been spayed

> > > and

> > > neutered. If you have ever visited our web-site, you know we raise

> > > gorgeous

> > > Australian Shepherds, grow our own beef and own a few horses. It is a

> > busy

> > > life.

> > > Now for the challenge:

> > > I have done very well this week. I am weighing every day, because it

> > helps

> > > to keep me focused. I'm not counting calories or dieting really, but

> just

> > > eating the right foods and I've lost 2.2 lbs so far. Pretty amazing

> > > because

> > > I'm hypo-thyroid and it is hard for me to lose weight. Last night I got

> > > really hungry!! I remember hearing that the pectin in apples is good

> for

> > > calming appetite, so I cut up 2 small apples and munched on those while

> I

> > > watched my Cardinals win game 4. Now back to Philly for game 5!!

> > > I'm going to see if I can find that chocolate you are talking about.

> I've

> > > been making my chocolate with Hersheys dark chocolate, a little splenda

> > and

> > > non-fat milk. It's good, but I couldn't drink it without the sweetner.

> > > Those Emerald brand almonds I told you about don't have a candy

> coating.

> > > It

> > > is like a sweet dark chocolate powder. Just enough so you get a taste

> of

> > > the flavor. I don't know if you could eat those, though, Irene. They

> are

> > > pretty hard.

> > > All in all this has been a very good week. I love my new breakfast

> find!!

> > > Oatmeal, yogurt, fruit all mixed together. I cheat with a little

> splenda.

> > > Gas!! Try eating your fruit by itself. Maybe as an in between meal

> snack.

> > > I have heard when fruit is eaten with other foods it forms gas. Perhaps

> > > you

> > > know better if that is true.

> > >

> > >

> > > On Thu, Oct 6, 2011 at 3:38 AM, Irene de Villiers

> > > <furryboots@...>wrote:

> > >

> > > > **

> >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > Wow I am so late with updates here, it has been very busy for me this

> > > week

> > > > - mostly due to one particular case in Serbia - a cat who it turns

> out

> > > has

> > > > feline skin tuberculosis - was wrongly diagnosed as burnt, then

> > > > pemphigus....The vets in Serbia were of no use and refused to do a

> > biopsy

> > > so

> > > > it was a scramble to confirm true diagnosis long distance, and then

> > plan

> > > the

> > > > cat's treatment (by homeopathy, as conventional medicine has nothing

> > for

> > > > this condition anyway). Client in Serbia is a wonderful person

> rescuing

> > > this

> > > > dear tortoiseshell kitty who is so ill.

> > > >

> > > > I work with animal cases that vets give up on, so it is mostly ones

> in

> > > very

> > > > serious condition - so there is not a lot of say in how my hours are

> > > spent,

> > > > if an animal is in need. I've been up late every night since Sat - I

> > did

> > > > read the emails here, enjoyed them and some of the ideas actually

> kept

> > me

> > > > going so thanks!!! - a lot! - asparagus/herring for example - but

> been

> > > too

> > > > exhausted to write anything....

> > > >

> > > > I finally got some time off today, first time since Sat...though

> > actually

> > > > it is not " today " ,

> > > > it's " tomorrow already " :-)

> > > >

> > > > my cocoa latte plan has been great!

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > > I'm curious, was that dark chocolate? Skim milk latte? Is that

> > > redi-made

> > > > > latte or does adding the chocolate make it latte? Just trying to

> > figure

> > > > out

> > > > > how to make this. What is expresso?

> > > >

> > > > Okay so I start with a commercial " plain skim milk latte " which

> > consists

> > > > of;

> > > > Fresh fine ground coffee powder with boiling water forced through it

> to

> > > > make a concentrate called espresso. One decides how much by naming

> the

> > > > number of " shots " - a fancy way of saying how much concentrate of

> > coffee

> > > you

> > > > want in your drink. I use only one shot in a 20 oz coffee mug, which

> is

> > a

> > > > good two cups volume.

> > > > To make it into a " latte " they use a steam nozzle to cook up the milk

> > (I

> > > > choose skim milk, but almond or soy or whatever is available) very

> fast

> > > to

> > > > your chosen temperature, and the coffee concentrate and steamed milk

> > > > together make the " latte " .

> > > > Most people also add a " shot " of some flavor or other. Those are

> sickly

> > > > sweet syrups or else icky artificial sugar free ones. I can not stand

> > > them

> > > > personally - but the flavors range from chocolate (called mocha) to

> rum

> > > or

> > > > any number of strange and unstrange flavor concentrates.

> > > >

> > > > SO my cocoa idea is instead of the supersweet " mocha " chocolate

> flavor

> > > > shot. Till now I had them plain, no flavor.

> > > > My cocoa mix that works, unsweetened:

> > > > I buy pure Ghirardelli cocoa powder (a pricey but nice brand).

> > > > Then I mix 1 small cup of cocoa powder and same size cup of water,

> and

> > > mix

> > > > it to a paste with a spoon. It is pretty thick, but the consistency

> is

> > > the

> > > > easiest to use to get rid of lumps and get it smooth. When there are

> no

> > > more

> > > > lumps, I then add another 2/3 cup of water, and mix it in well, as it

> > is

> > > > otherwise too thick. Now it is a consistency that does not fall out

> of

> > > the

> > > > container, but if tipped will move to the other end - also is not too

> > > thick

> > > > to dissolve fast when added to my latte. I add a decent glop of it -

> > like

> > > an

> > > > overflowing heaped teaspoon - to my latte and stir it in.

> > > > Yummy, and not too sweet. No sugar added - but the lactose in the

> milk

> > > > makes it plenty sweet enough with that brand of cocoa powder (which

> is

> > > not

> > > > bitter).

> > > > The result is a dark-chocolate flavored latte if you use enough of

> the

> > > > cocoa mix, and a light chocolate flavor if you use less - but only 3

> g

> > of

> > > > carbohydrate per serving form the cocoa powder for dark choc flavor

> as

> > > I'm

> > > > using.

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > > I've never tried this so I'm blank.

> > > > > You can soften walnuts by soaking them. You can also put them in a

> > > > blender

> > > > > with warm water and make a butter.

> > > >

> > > > Thanks so much - I plan to try this - need to invest in a blender.

> > > > Good brand anyone?

> > > >

> > > > I found some dark-chocolate dipped walnuts. I like them except for me

> > > there

> > > > is too much sugar added to the chocolate aspect.

> > > > A very yummy item I found is dark chocolate covered gogi berries. Oh

> > > > goodness though - they are so More-ish - I can not stop eating them!

> > > Gotta

> > > > have more...

> > > > Gogi berries are not very sweet - but coat with dark choc and you

> have

> > > > heavenly flavor.

> > > > I need to reserve them for just before exercise so I can burn off the

> > > sugar

> > > > aspect.

> > > >

> > > > >

> > > > > How is everyone else doing on the challenge? I'm not even looking

> at

> > > > > calories.

> > > >

> > > > Nor me. I am looking for health improvement, and have decided to just

> > > take

> > > > each day as a challenge to do as well as I can, and try to find ONE

> new

> > > or

> > > > specific thing that is beneficial that I can try as a positive thing.

> > > >

> > > > So my new positives were, for Sat through Wed, in no particular

> order:

> > > > * The cocoa latte which I am having twice a day at least

> > > > * gogi dark chocolate before exercise;

> > > > * chicken curry soup that I actually like (red pepper and tomato

> soup,

> > > plus

> > > > hot curry powder, and a big handful of pieces of fresh roast chicken

> > > > deboned);

> > > > * and a great find was macadamia-butter balls at the HF store as

> > snacks.

> > > > * and I found a tea I like and can tolerate (incredibly hard to do in

> > my

> > > > case), which is a mix of ginger and dandelion root, not made too

> > strong.

> > > >

> > > > Other good stuff:

> > > > I did exercise 3 days out of the five - I want to do it daily.

> > > > I got enough sleep for a change

> > > > I kept up on my supplements properly.

> > > > I made time for some knitting with a friend

> > > > I felt good about the work I did for cats despite the long hours.

> > > >

> > > > Plan:

> > > > I decided to check weight/waist stats weekly on Saturdays and not

> think

> > > > about it other times.

> > > > I have a notebook to record eating ideas, also O-neg-ns beneficial

> > lists

> > > > that ALSO suit my likes

> > > > (no dislikes or avoids - just good stuff).

> > > > I plan to eat a lot of fish and egg for high value protein and held

> to

> > > that

> > > > so far.

> > > >

> > > > I record Questions I have and hope to find answers for, like:

> > > > Is Creamy Havarti cheese as beneficial as it feels when eating it?

> > > > Ditto for gogi berries?

> > > > How do I get less human gas and more car gas, and can one convert.

> > > (Sorry!)

> > > >

> > > > Oh yes and I found Guava juice in the HF store - fresh!

> > > > I grew up on guavas and such - that was like finding gold.

> > > > I'm using it as a reward desert for a good meal, 5 sips at a time as

> it

> > > is

> > > > pretty sweet.

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > Namaste,

> > > > Irene

> > > > --

> > > > Irene de Villiers, B.Sc AASCA MCSSA D.I.Hom/D.Vet.Hom.

> > > > P.O. Box 4703 Spokane WA 99220.

> > > > www.angelfire.com/fl/furryboots/clickhere.html (Veterinary

> Homeopath.)

> > > > " Man who say it cannot be done should not interrupt one doing it. "

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > --

> > > www.bigpondaussies.com

> >

> > >

> > >

> > >

[Guest guest]

I usually eat just a small handful of the beneficial ones. Don't you think

it is the amount we need to worry about? Thoughts?

S

On Fri, Oct 21, 2011 at 7:46 AM, s <responsiblywell@...

> wrote:

> **

>

>

> Nuts may not be good on you

>

> On Fri, Oct 14, 2011 at 6:43 PM, Forrester

> <bigpondaussies@...>wrote:

>

> > I eat quite a few nuts and use olive oil almost daily.

> >

> >

> > On Fri, Oct 14, 2011 at 3:44 PM, s <

> > responsiblywell@...

> > > wrote:

> >

> > > **

>

> > >

> > >

> > > Just a thought ,

> > > I would recommend being careful about going non or low fat. The fat can

> > > help stabilize the appetite.

> > > Good fats are helpful.

> > > K

> > >

> > > On Thu, Oct 6, 2011 at 7:32 AM, Forrester <

> > bigpondaussies@...>wrote:

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > > I was very interested in your story about the cat, Irene. Jerry and I

> > > > rescue cats. We have 21 right now. One of those is a foster cat for a

> > > > lady

> > > > soldier in Afghanastan. He weighs 20 lbs!! He is a Russian blue. I

> also

> > > > own a Russian Blue female named Sheba. All of the cats have been

> spayed

> > > > and

> > > > neutered. If you have ever visited our web-site, you know we raise

> > > > gorgeous

> > > > Australian Shepherds, grow our own beef and own a few horses. It is a

> > > busy

> > > > life.

> > > > Now for the challenge:

> > > > I have done very well this week. I am weighing every day, because it

> > > helps

> > > > to keep me focused. I'm not counting calories or dieting really, but

> > just

> > > > eating the right foods and I've lost 2.2 lbs so far. Pretty amazing

> > > > because

> > > > I'm hypo-thyroid and it is hard for me to lose weight. Last night I

> got

> > > > really hungry!! I remember hearing that the pectin in apples is good

> > for

> > > > calming appetite, so I cut up 2 small apples and munched on those

> while

> > I

> > > > watched my Cardinals win game 4. Now back to Philly for game 5!!

> > > > I'm going to see if I can find that chocolate you are talking about.

> > I've

> > > > been making my chocolate with Hersheys dark chocolate, a little

> splenda

> > > and

> > > > non-fat milk. It's good, but I couldn't drink it without the

> sweetner.

> > > > Those Emerald brand almonds I told you about don't have a candy

> > coating.

> > > > It

> > > > is like a sweet dark chocolate powder. Just enough so you get a taste

> > of

> > > > the flavor. I don't know if you could eat those, though, Irene. They

> > are

> > > > pretty hard.

> > > > All in all this has been a very good week. I love my new breakfast

> > find!!

> > > > Oatmeal, yogurt, fruit all mixed together. I cheat with a little

> > splenda.

> > > > Gas!! Try eating your fruit by itself. Maybe as an in between meal

> > snack.

> > > > I have heard when fruit is eaten with other foods it forms gas.

> Perhaps

> > > > you

> > > > know better if that is true.

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > On Thu, Oct 6, 2011 at 3:38 AM, Irene de Villiers

> > > > <furryboots@...>wrote:

> > > >

> > > > > **

> > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > > Wow I am so late with updates here, it has been very busy for me

> this

> > > > week

> > > > > - mostly due to one particular case in Serbia - a cat who it turns

> > out

> > > > has

> > > > > feline skin tuberculosis - was wrongly diagnosed as burnt, then

> > > > > pemphigus....The vets in Serbia were of no use and refused to do a

> > > biopsy

> > > > so

> > > > > it was a scramble to confirm true diagnosis long distance, and then

> > > plan

> > > > the

> > > > > cat's treatment (by homeopathy, as conventional medicine has

> nothing

> > > for

> > > > > this condition anyway). Client in Serbia is a wonderful person

> > rescuing

> > > > this

> > > > > dear tortoiseshell kitty who is so ill.

> > > > >

> > > > > I work with animal cases that vets give up on, so it is mostly ones

> > in

> > > > very

> > > > > serious condition - so there is not a lot of say in how my hours

> are

> > > > spent,

> > > > > if an animal is in need. I've been up late every night since Sat -

> I

> > > did

> > > > > read the emails here, enjoyed them and some of the ideas actually

> > kept

> > > me

> > > > > going so thanks!!! - a lot! - asparagus/herring for example - but

> > been

> > > > too

> > > > > exhausted to write anything....

> > > > >

> > > > > I finally got some time off today, first time since Sat...though

> > > actually

> > > > > it is not " today " ,

> > > > > it's " tomorrow already " :-)

> > > > >

> > > > > my cocoa latte plan has been great!

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > > > I'm curious, was that dark chocolate? Skim milk latte? Is that

> > > > redi-made

> > > > > > latte or does adding the chocolate make it latte? Just trying to

> > > figure

> > > > > out

> > > > > > how to make this. What is expresso?

> > > > >

> > > > > Okay so I start with a commercial " plain skim milk latte " which

> > > consists

> > > > > of;

> > > > > Fresh fine ground coffee powder with boiling water forced through

> it

> > to

> > > > > make a concentrate called espresso. One decides how much by naming

> > the

> > > > > number of " shots " - a fancy way of saying how much concentrate of

> > > coffee

> > > > you

> > > > > want in your drink. I use only one shot in a 20 oz coffee mug,

> which

> > is

> > > a

> > > > > good two cups volume.

> > > > > To make it into a " latte " they use a steam nozzle to cook up the

> milk

> > > (I

> > > > > choose skim milk, but almond or soy or whatever is available) very

> > fast

> > > > to

> > > > > your chosen temperature, and the coffee concentrate and steamed

> milk

> > > > > together make the " latte " .

> > > > > Most people also add a " shot " of some flavor or other. Those are

> > sickly

> > > > > sweet syrups or else icky artificial sugar free ones. I can not

> stand

> > > > them

> > > > > personally - but the flavors range from chocolate (called mocha) to

> > rum

> > > > or

> > > > > any number of strange and unstrange flavor concentrates.

> > > > >

> > > > > SO my cocoa idea is instead of the supersweet " mocha " chocolate

> > flavor

> > > > > shot. Till now I had them plain, no flavor.

> > > > > My cocoa mix that works, unsweetened:

> > > > > I buy pure Ghirardelli cocoa powder (a pricey but nice brand).

> > > > > Then I mix 1 small cup of cocoa powder and same size cup of water,

> > and

> > > > mix

> > > > > it to a paste with a spoon. It is pretty thick, but the consistency

> > is

> > > > the

> > > > > easiest to use to get rid of lumps and get it smooth. When there

> are

> > no

> > > > more

> > > > > lumps, I then add another 2/3 cup of water, and mix it in well, as

> it

> > > is

> > > > > otherwise too thick. Now it is a consistency that does not fall out

> > of

> > > > the

> > > > > container, but if tipped will move to the other end - also is not

> too

> > > > thick

> > > > > to dissolve fast when added to my latte. I add a decent glop of it

> -

> > > like

> > > > an

> > > > > overflowing heaped teaspoon - to my latte and stir it in.

> > > > > Yummy, and not too sweet. No sugar added - but the lactose in the

> > milk

> > > > > makes it plenty sweet enough with that brand of cocoa powder (which

> > is

> > > > not

> > > > > bitter).

> > > > > The result is a dark-chocolate flavored latte if you use enough of

> > the

> > > > > cocoa mix, and a light chocolate flavor if you use less - but only

> 3

> > g

> > > of

> > > > > carbohydrate per serving form the cocoa powder for dark choc flavor

> > as

> > > > I'm

> > > > > using.

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > > > I've never tried this so I'm blank.

> > > > > > You can soften walnuts by soaking them. You can also put them in

> a

> > > > > blender

> > > > > > with warm water and make a butter.

> > > > >

> > > > > Thanks so much - I plan to try this - need to invest in a blender.

> > > > > Good brand anyone?

> > > > >

> > > > > I found some dark-chocolate dipped walnuts. I like them except for

> me

> > > > there

> > > > > is too much sugar added to the chocolate aspect.

> > > > > A very yummy item I found is dark chocolate covered gogi berries.

> Oh

> > > > > goodness though - they are so More-ish - I can not stop eating

> them!

> > > > Gotta

> > > > > have more...

> > > > > Gogi berries are not very sweet - but coat with dark choc and you

> > have

> > > > > heavenly flavor.

> > > > > I need to reserve them for just before exercise so I can burn off

> the

> > > > sugar

> > > > > aspect.

> > > > >

> > > > > >

> > > > > > How is everyone else doing on the challenge? I'm not even looking

> > at

> > > > > > calories.

> > > > >

> > > > > Nor me. I am looking for health improvement, and have decided to

> just

> > > > take

> > > > > each day as a challenge to do as well as I can, and try to find ONE

> > new

> > > > or

> > > > > specific thing that is beneficial that I can try as a positive

> thing.

> > > > >

> > > > > So my new positives were, for Sat through Wed, in no particular

> > order:

> > > > > * The cocoa latte which I am having twice a day at least

> > > > > * gogi dark chocolate before exercise;

> > > > > * chicken curry soup that I actually like (red pepper and tomato

> > soup,

> > > > plus

> > > > > hot curry powder, and a big handful of pieces of fresh roast

> chicken

> > > > > deboned);

> > > > > * and a great find was macadamia-butter balls at the HF store as

> > > snacks.

> > > > > * and I found a tea I like and can tolerate (incredibly hard to do

> in

> > > my

> > > > > case), which is a mix of ginger and dandelion root, not made too

> > > strong.

> > > > >

> > > > > Other good stuff:

> > > > > I did exercise 3 days out of the five - I want to do it daily.

> > > > > I got enough sleep for a change

> > > > > I kept up on my supplements properly.

> > > > > I made time for some knitting with a friend

> > > > > I felt good about the work I did for cats despite the long hours.

> > > > >

> > > > > Plan:

> > > > > I decided to check weight/waist stats weekly on Saturdays and not

> > think

> > > > > about it other times.

> > > > > I have a notebook to record eating ideas, also O-neg-ns beneficial

> > > lists

> > > > > that ALSO suit my likes

> > > > > (no dislikes or avoids - just good stuff).

> > > > > I plan to eat a lot of fish and egg for high value protein and held

> > to

> > > > that

> > > > > so far.

> > > > >

> > > > > I record Questions I have and hope to find answers for, like:

> > > > > Is Creamy Havarti cheese as beneficial as it feels when eating it?

> > > > > Ditto for gogi berries?

> > > > > How do I get less human gas and more car gas, and can one convert.

> > > > (Sorry!)

> > > > >

> > > > > Oh yes and I found Guava juice in the HF store - fresh!

> > > > > I grew up on guavas and such - that was like finding gold.

> > > > > I'm using it as a reward desert for a good meal, 5 sips at a time

> as

> > it

> > > > is

> > > > > pretty sweet.

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > > Namaste,

> > > > > Irene

> > > > > --

> > > > > Irene de Villiers, B.Sc AASCA MCSSA D.I.Hom/D.Vet.Hom.

> > > > > P.O. Box 4703 Spokane WA 99220.

> > > > > www.angelfire.com/fl/furryboots/clickhere.html (Veterinary

> > Homeopath.)

> > > > > " Man who say it cannot be done should not interrupt one doing it. "

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > --

> > > > www.bigpondaussies.com

> > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

[Guest guest]

On Oct 21, 2011, at 6:53 AM, Forrester wrote:

> I usually eat just a small handful of the beneficial ones. Don't you think

> it is the amount we need to worry about? Thoughts?

> S

I think handful (literally what I can lift in a hand) of the right nuts is very

beneficial and a perfect snack meal.

Namaste,

Irene

--

Irene de Villiers, B.Sc AASCA MCSSA D.I.Hom/D.Vet.Hom.

P.O. Box 4703 Spokane WA 99220.

www.angelfire.com/fl/furryboots/clickhere.html (Veterinary Homeopath.)

" Man who say it cannot be done should not interrupt one doing it. "

[Guest guest]

On Fri, Oct 21, 2011 at 9:53 AM, Forrester

<bigpondaussies@...>wrote:

> I usually eat just a small handful of the beneficial ones. Don't you think

> it is the amount we need to worry about? Thoughts?

> S

>

> On Fri, Oct 21, 2011 at 7:46 AM, s <

> responsiblywell@...

> > wrote:

>

> > **

> >

> >

> > Nuts may not be good on you

> >

> > On Fri, Oct 14, 2011 at 6:43 PM, Forrester

> > <bigpondaussies@...>wrote:

> >

> > > I eat quite a few nuts and use olive oil almost daily.

> > >

> > >

> > > On Fri, Oct 14, 2011 at 3:44 PM, s <

> > > responsiblywell@...

> > > > wrote:

> > >

> > > > **

> >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > Just a thought ,

> > > > I would recommend being careful about going non or low fat. The fat

> can

> > > > help stabilize the appetite.

> > > > Good fats are helpful.

> > > > K

> > > >

> > > > On Thu, Oct 6, 2011 at 7:32 AM, Forrester <

> > > bigpondaussies@...>wrote:

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > > I was very interested in your story about the cat, Irene. Jerry and

> I

> > > > > rescue cats. We have 21 right now. One of those is a foster cat for

> a

> > > > > lady

> > > > > soldier in Afghanastan. He weighs 20 lbs!! He is a Russian blue. I

> > also

> > > > > own a Russian Blue female named Sheba. All of the cats have been

> > spayed

> > > > > and

> > > > > neutered. If you have ever visited our web-site, you know we raise

> > > > > gorgeous

> > > > > Australian Shepherds, grow our own beef and own a few horses. It is

> a

> > > > busy

> > > > > life.

> > > > > Now for the challenge:

> > > > > I have done very well this week. I am weighing every day, because

> it

> > > > helps

> > > > > to keep me focused. I'm not counting calories or dieting really,

> but

> > > just

> > > > > eating the right foods and I've lost 2.2 lbs so far. Pretty amazing

> > > > > because

> > > > > I'm hypo-thyroid and it is hard for me to lose weight. Last night I

> > got

> > > > > really hungry!! I remember hearing that the pectin in apples is

> good

> > > for

> > > > > calming appetite, so I cut up 2 small apples and munched on those

> > while

> > > I

> > > > > watched my Cardinals win game 4. Now back to Philly for game 5!!

> > > > > I'm going to see if I can find that chocolate you are talking

> about.

> > > I've

> > > > > been making my chocolate with Hersheys dark chocolate, a little

> > splenda

> > > > and

> > > > > non-fat milk. It's good, but I couldn't drink it without the

> > sweetner.

> > > > > Those Emerald brand almonds I told you about don't have a candy

> > > coating.

> > > > > It

> > > > > is like a sweet dark chocolate powder. Just enough so you get a

> taste

> > > of

> > > > > the flavor. I don't know if you could eat those, though, Irene.

> They

> > > are

> > > > > pretty hard.

> > > > > All in all this has been a very good week. I love my new breakfast

> > > find!!

> > > > > Oatmeal, yogurt, fruit all mixed together. I cheat with a little

> > > splenda.

> > > > > Gas!! Try eating your fruit by itself. Maybe as an in between meal

> > > snack.

> > > > > I have heard when fruit is eaten with other foods it forms gas.

> > Perhaps

> > > > > you

> > > > > know better if that is true.

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > > On Thu, Oct 6, 2011 at 3:38 AM, Irene de Villiers

> > > > > <furryboots@...>wrote:

> > > > >

> > > > > > **

> > > >

> > > > > >

> > > > > >

> > > > > > Wow I am so late with updates here, it has been very busy for me

> > this

> > > > > week

> > > > > > - mostly due to one particular case in Serbia - a cat who it

> turns

> > > out

> > > > > has

> > > > > > feline skin tuberculosis - was wrongly diagnosed as burnt, then

> > > > > > pemphigus....The vets in Serbia were of no use and refused to do

> a

> > > > biopsy

> > > > > so

> > > > > > it was a scramble to confirm true diagnosis long distance, and

> then

> > > > plan

> > > > > the

> > > > > > cat's treatment (by homeopathy, as conventional medicine has

> > nothing

> > > > for

> > > > > > this condition anyway). Client in Serbia is a wonderful person

> > > rescuing

> > > > > this

> > > > > > dear tortoiseshell kitty who is so ill.

> > > > > >

> > > > > > I work with animal cases that vets give up on, so it is mostly

> ones

> > > in

> > > > > very

> > > > > > serious condition - so there is not a lot of say in how my hours

> > are

> > > > > spent,

> > > > > > if an animal is in need. I've been up late every night since Sat

> -

> > I

> > > > did

> > > > > > read the emails here, enjoyed them and some of the ideas actually

> > > kept

> > > > me

> > > > > > going so thanks!!! - a lot! - asparagus/herring for example - but

> > > been

> > > > > too

> > > > > > exhausted to write anything....

> > > > > >

> > > > > > I finally got some time off today, first time since Sat...though

> > > > actually

> > > > > > it is not " today " ,

> > > > > > it's " tomorrow already " :-)

> > > > > >

> > > > > > my cocoa latte plan has been great!

> > > > > >

> > > > > >

> > > > > > > I'm curious, was that dark chocolate? Skim milk latte? Is that

> > > > > redi-made

> > > > > > > latte or does adding the chocolate make it latte? Just trying

> to

> > > > figure

> > > > > > out

> > > > > > > how to make this. What is expresso?

> > > > > >

> > > > > > Okay so I start with a commercial " plain skim milk latte " which

> > > > consists

> > > > > > of;

> > > > > > Fresh fine ground coffee powder with boiling water forced through

> > it

> > > to

> > > > > > make a concentrate called espresso. One decides how much by

> naming

> > > the

> > > > > > number of " shots " - a fancy way of saying how much concentrate of

> > > > coffee

> > > > > you

> > > > > > want in your drink. I use only one shot in a 20 oz coffee mug,

> > which

> > > is

> > > > a

> > > > > > good two cups volume.

> > > > > > To make it into a " latte " they use a steam nozzle to cook up the

> > milk

> > > > (I

> > > > > > choose skim milk, but almond or soy or whatever is available)

> very

> > > fast

> > > > > to

> > > > > > your chosen temperature, and the coffee concentrate and steamed

> > milk

> > > > > > together make the " latte " .

> > > > > > Most people also add a " shot " of some flavor or other. Those are

> > > sickly

> > > > > > sweet syrups or else icky artificial sugar free ones. I can not

> > stand

> > > > > them

> > > > > > personally - but the flavors range from chocolate (called mocha)

> to

> > > rum

> > > > > or

> > > > > > any number of strange and unstrange flavor concentrates.

> > > > > >

> > > > > > SO my cocoa idea is instead of the supersweet " mocha " chocolate

> > > flavor

> > > > > > shot. Till now I had them plain, no flavor.

> > > > > > My cocoa mix that works, unsweetened:

> > > > > > I buy pure Ghirardelli cocoa powder (a pricey but nice brand).

> > > > > > Then I mix 1 small cup of cocoa powder and same size cup of

> water,

> > > and

> > > > > mix

> > > > > > it to a paste with a spoon. It is pretty thick, but the

> consistency

> > > is

> > > > > the

> > > > > > easiest to use to get rid of lumps and get it smooth. When there

> > are

> > > no

> > > > > more

> > > > > > lumps, I then add another 2/3 cup of water, and mix it in well,

> as

> > it

> > > > is

> > > > > > otherwise too thick. Now it is a consistency that does not fall

> out

> > > of

> > > > > the

> > > > > > container, but if tipped will move to the other end - also is not

> > too

> > > > > thick

> > > > > > to dissolve fast when added to my latte. I add a decent glop of

> it

> > -

> > > > like

> > > > > an

> > > > > > overflowing heaped teaspoon - to my latte and stir it in.

> > > > > > Yummy, and not too sweet. No sugar added - but the lactose in the

> > > milk

> > > > > > makes it plenty sweet enough with that brand of cocoa powder

> (which

> > > is

> > > > > not

> > > > > > bitter).

> > > > > > The result is a dark-chocolate flavored latte if you use enough

> of

> > > the

> > > > > > cocoa mix, and a light chocolate flavor if you use less - but

> only

> > 3

> > > g

> > > > of

> > > > > > carbohydrate per serving form the cocoa powder for dark choc

> flavor

> > > as

> > > > > I'm

> > > > > > using.

> > > > > >

> > > > > >

> > > > > >

> > > > > > > I've never tried this so I'm blank.

> > > > > > > You can soften walnuts by soaking them. You can also put them

> in

> > a

> > > > > > blender

> > > > > > > with warm water and make a butter.

> > > > > >

> > > > > > Thanks so much - I plan to try this - need to invest in a

> blender.

> > > > > > Good brand anyone?

> > > > > >

> > > > > > I found some dark-chocolate dipped walnuts. I like them except

> for

> > me

> > > > > there

> > > > > > is too much sugar added to the chocolate aspect.

> > > > > > A very yummy item I found is dark chocolate covered gogi berries.

> > Oh

> > > > > > goodness though - they are so More-ish - I can not stop eating

> > them!

> > > > > Gotta

> > > > > > have more...

> > > > > > Gogi berries are not very sweet - but coat with dark choc and you

> > > have

> > > > > > heavenly flavor.

> > > > > > I need to reserve them for just before exercise so I can burn off

> > the

> > > > > sugar

> > > > > > aspect.

> > > > > >

> > > > > > >

> > > > > > > How is everyone else doing on the challenge? I'm not even

> looking

> > > at

> > > > > > > calories.

> > > > > >

> > > > > > Nor me. I am looking for health improvement, and have decided to

> > just

> > > > > take

> > > > > > each day as a challenge to do as well as I can, and try to find

> ONE

> > > new

> > > > > or

> > > > > > specific thing that is beneficial that I can try as a positive

> > thing.

> > > > > >

> > > > > > So my new positives were, for Sat through Wed, in no particular

> > > order:

> > > > > > * The cocoa latte which I am having twice a day at least

> > > > > > * gogi dark chocolate before exercise;

> > > > > > * chicken curry soup that I actually like (red pepper and tomato

> > > soup,

> > > > > plus

> > > > > > hot curry powder, and a big handful of pieces of fresh roast

> > chicken

> > > > > > deboned);

> > > > > > * and a great find was macadamia-butter balls at the HF store as

> > > > snacks.

> > > > > > * and I found a tea I like and can tolerate (incredibly hard to

> do

> > in

> > > > my

> > > > > > case), which is a mix of ginger and dandelion root, not made too

> > > > strong.

> > > > > >

> > > > > > Other good stuff:

> > > > > > I did exercise 3 days out of the five - I want to do it daily.

> > > > > > I got enough sleep for a change

> > > > > > I kept up on my supplements properly.

> > > > > > I made time for some knitting with a friend

> > > > > > I felt good about the work I did for cats despite the long hours.

> > > > > >

> > > > > > Plan:

> > > > > > I decided to check weight/waist stats weekly on Saturdays and not

> > > think

> > > > > > about it other times.

> > > > > > I have a notebook to record eating ideas, also O-neg-ns

> beneficial

> > > > lists

> > > > > > that ALSO suit my likes

> > > > > > (no dislikes or avoids - just good stuff).

> > > > > > I plan to eat a lot of fish and egg for high value protein and

> held

> > > to

> > > > > that

> > > > > > so far.

> > > > > >

> > > > > > I record Questions I have and hope to find answers for, like:

> > > > > > Is Creamy Havarti cheese as beneficial as it feels when eating

> it?

> > > > > > Ditto for gogi berries?

> > > > > > How do I get less human gas and more car gas, and can one

> convert.

> > > > > (Sorry!)

> > > > > >

> > > > > > Oh yes and I found Guava juice in the HF store - fresh!

> > > > > > I grew up on guavas and such - that was like finding gold.

> > > > > > I'm using it as a reward desert for a good meal, 5 sips at a time

> > as

> > > it

> > > > > is

> > > > > > pretty sweet.

> > > > > >

> > > > > >

> > > > > > Namaste,

> > > > > > Irene

> > > > > > --

> > > > > > Irene de Villiers, B.Sc AASCA MCSSA D.I.Hom/D.Vet.Hom.

> > > > > > P.O. Box 4703 Spokane WA 99220.

> > > > > > www.angelfire.com/fl/furryboots/clickhere.html (Veterinary

> > > Homeopath.)

> > > > > > " Man who say it cannot be done should not interrupt one doing

> it. "

> > > > > >

> > > > > >

> > > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > > --

> > > > > www.bigpondaussies.com

> > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

[Guest guest]

Pay close attention to how you feel after eating them. Or anything

actually.

Listen to your body, notice the difference in what you are eating.

On Fri, Oct 21, 2011 at 9:53 AM, Forrester

<bigpondaussies@...>wrote:

> I usually eat just a small handful of the beneficial ones. Don't you think

> it is the amount we need to worry about? Thoughts?

> S

>

> On Fri, Oct 21, 2011 at 7:46 AM, s <

> responsiblywell@...

> > wrote:

>

> > **

> >

> >

> > Nuts may not be good on you

> >

> > On Fri, Oct 14, 2011 at 6:43 PM, Forrester

> > <bigpondaussies@...>wrote:

> >

> > > I eat quite a few nuts and use olive oil almost daily.

> > >

> > >

> > > On Fri, Oct 14, 2011 at 3:44 PM, s <

> > > responsiblywell@...

> > > > wrote:

> > >

> > > > **

> >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > Just a thought ,

> > > > I would recommend being careful about going non or low fat. The fat

> can

> > > > help stabilize the appetite.

> > > > Good fats are helpful.

> > > > K

> > > >

> > > > On Thu, Oct 6, 2011 at 7:32 AM, Forrester <

> > > bigpondaussies@...>wrote:

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > > I was very interested in your story about the cat, Irene. Jerry and

> I

> > > > > rescue cats. We have 21 right now. One of those is a foster cat for

> a

> > > > > lady

> > > > > soldier in Afghanastan. He weighs 20 lbs!! He is a Russian blue. I

> > also

> > > > > own a Russian Blue female named Sheba. All of the cats have been

> > spayed

> > > > > and

> > > > > neutered. If you have ever visited our web-site, you know we raise

> > > > > gorgeous

> > > > > Australian Shepherds, grow our own beef and own a few horses. It is

> a

> > > > busy

> > > > > life.

> > > > > Now for the challenge:

> > > > > I have done very well this week. I am weighing every day, because

> it

> > > > helps

> > > > > to keep me focused. I'm not counting calories or dieting really,

> but

> > > just

> > > > > eating the right foods and I've lost 2.2 lbs so far. Pretty amazing

> > > > > because

> > > > > I'm hypo-thyroid and it is hard for me to lose weight. Last night I

> > got

> > > > > really hungry!! I remember hearing that the pectin in apples is

> good

> > > for

> > > > > calming appetite, so I cut up 2 small apples and munched on those

> > while

> > > I

> > > > > watched my Cardinals win game 4. Now back to Philly for game 5!!

> > > > > I'm going to see if I can find that chocolate you are talking

> about.

> > > I've

> > > > > been making my chocolate with Hersheys dark chocolate, a little

> > splenda

> > > > and

> > > > > non-fat milk. It's good, but I couldn't drink it without the

> > sweetner.

> > > > > Those Emerald brand almonds I told you about don't have a candy

> > > coating.

> > > > > It

> > > > > is like a sweet dark chocolate powder. Just enough so you get a

> taste

> > > of

> > > > > the flavor. I don't know if you could eat those, though, Irene.

> They

> > > are

> > > > > pretty hard.

> > > > > All in all this has been a very good week. I love my new breakfast

> > > find!!

> > > > > Oatmeal, yogurt, fruit all mixed together. I cheat with a little

> > > splenda.

> > > > > Gas!! Try eating your fruit by itself. Maybe as an in between meal

> > > snack.

> > > > > I have heard when fruit is eaten with other foods it forms gas.

> > Perhaps

> > > > > you

> > > > > know better if that is true.

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > > On Thu, Oct 6, 2011 at 3:38 AM, Irene de Villiers

> > > > > <furryboots@...>wrote:

> > > > >

> > > > > > **

> > > >

> > > > > >

> > > > > >

> > > > > > Wow I am so late with updates here, it has been very busy for me

> > this

> > > > > week

> > > > > > - mostly due to one particular case in Serbia - a cat who it

> turns

> > > out

> > > > > has

> > > > > > feline skin tuberculosis - was wrongly diagnosed as burnt, then

> > > > > > pemphigus....The vets in Serbia were of no use and refused to do

> a

> > > > biopsy

> > > > > so

> > > > > > it was a scramble to confirm true diagnosis long distance, and

> then

> > > > plan

> > > > > the

> > > > > > cat's treatment (by homeopathy, as conventional medicine has

> > nothing

> > > > for

> > > > > > this condition anyway). Client in Serbia is a wonderful person

> > > rescuing

> > > > > this

> > > > > > dear tortoiseshell kitty who is so ill.

> > > > > >

> > > > > > I work with animal cases that vets give up on, so it is mostly

> ones

> > > in

> > > > > very

> > > > > > serious condition - so there is not a lot of say in how my hours

> > are

> > > > > spent,

> > > > > > if an animal is in need. I've been up late every night since Sat

> -

> > I

> > > > did

> > > > > > read the emails here, enjoyed them and some of the ideas actually

> > > kept

> > > > me

> > > > > > going so thanks!!! - a lot! - asparagus/herring for example - but

> > > been

> > > > > too

> > > > > > exhausted to write anything....

> > > > > >

> > > > > > I finally got some time off today, first time since Sat...though

> > > > actually

> > > > > > it is not " today " ,

> > > > > > it's " tomorrow already " :-)

> > > > > >

> > > > > > my cocoa latte plan has been great!

> > > > > >

> > > > > >

> > > > > > > I'm curious, was that dark chocolate? Skim milk latte? Is that

> > > > > redi-made

> > > > > > > latte or does adding the chocolate make it latte? Just trying

> to

> > > > figure

> > > > > > out

> > > > > > > how to make this. What is expresso?

> > > > > >

> > > > > > Okay so I start with a commercial " plain skim milk latte " which

> > > > consists

> > > > > > of;

> > > > > > Fresh fine ground coffee powder with boiling water forced through

> > it

> > > to

> > > > > > make a concentrate called espresso. One decides how much by

> naming

> > > the

> > > > > > number of " shots " - a fancy way of saying how much concentrate of

> > > > coffee

> > > > > you

> > > > > > want in your drink. I use only one shot in a 20 oz coffee mug,

> > which

> > > is

> > > > a

> > > > > > good two cups volume.

> > > > > > To make it into a " latte " they use a steam nozzle to cook up the

> > milk

> > > > (I

> > > > > > choose skim milk, but almond or soy or whatever is available)

> very

> > > fast

> > > > > to

> > > > > > your chosen temperature, and the coffee concentrate and steamed

> > milk

> > > > > > together make the " latte " .

> > > > > > Most people also add a " shot " of some flavor or other. Those are

> > > sickly

> > > > > > sweet syrups or else icky artificial sugar free ones. I can not

> > stand

> > > > > them

> > > > > > personally - but the flavors range from chocolate (called mocha)

> to

> > > rum

> > > > > or

> > > > > > any number of strange and unstrange flavor concentrates.

> > > > > >

> > > > > > SO my cocoa idea is instead of the supersweet " mocha " chocolate

> > > flavor

> > > > > > shot. Till now I had them plain, no flavor.

> > > > > > My cocoa mix that works, unsweetened:

> > > > > > I buy pure Ghirardelli cocoa powder (a pricey but nice brand).

> > > > > > Then I mix 1 small cup of cocoa powder and same size cup of

> water,

> > > and

> > > > > mix

> > > > > > it to a paste with a spoon. It is pretty thick, but the

> consistency

> > > is

> > > > > the

> > > > > > easiest to use to get rid of lumps and get it smooth. When there

> > are

> > > no

> > > > > more

> > > > > > lumps, I then add another 2/3 cup of water, and mix it in well,

> as

> > it

> > > > is

> > > > > > otherwise too thick. Now it is a consistency that does not fall

> out

> > > of

> > > > > the

> > > > > > container, but if tipped will move to the other end - also is not

> > too

> > > > > thick

> > > > > > to dissolve fast when added to my latte. I add a decent glop of

> it

> > -

> > > > like

> > > > > an

> > > > > > overflowing heaped teaspoon - to my latte and stir it in.

> > > > > > Yummy, and not too sweet. No sugar added - but the lactose in the

> > > milk

> > > > > > makes it plenty sweet enough with that brand of cocoa powder

> (which

> > > is

> > > > > not

> > > > > > bitter).

> > > > > > The result is a dark-chocolate flavored latte if you use enough

> of

> > > the

> > > > > > cocoa mix, and a light chocolate flavor if you use less - but

> only

> > 3

> > > g

> > > > of

> > > > > > carbohydrate per serving form the cocoa powder for dark choc

> flavor

> > > as

> > > > > I'm

> > > > > > using.

> > > > > >

> > > > > >

> > > > > >

> > > > > > > I've never tried this so I'm blank.

> > > > > > > You can soften walnuts by soaking them. You can also put them

> in

> > a

> > > > > > blender

> > > > > > > with warm water and make a butter.

> > > > > >

> > > > > > Thanks so much - I plan to try this - need to invest in a

> blender.

> > > > > > Good brand anyone?

> > > > > >

> > > > > > I found some dark-chocolate dipped walnuts. I like them except

> for

> > me

> > > > > there

> > > > > > is too much sugar added to the chocolate aspect.

> > > > > > A very yummy item I found is dark chocolate covered gogi berries.

> > Oh

> > > > > > goodness though - they are so More-ish - I can not stop eating

> > them!

> > > > > Gotta

> > > > > > have more...

> > > > > > Gogi berries are not very sweet - but coat with dark choc and you

> > > have

> > > > > > heavenly flavor.

> > > > > > I need to reserve them for just before exercise so I can burn off

> > the

> > > > > sugar

> > > > > > aspect.

> > > > > >

> > > > > > >

> > > > > > > How is everyone else doing on the challenge? I'm not even

> looking

> > > at

> > > > > > > calories.

> > > > > >

> > > > > > Nor me. I am looking for health improvement, and have decided to

> > just

> > > > > take

> > > > > > each day as a challenge to do as well as I can, and try to find

> ONE

> > > new

> > > > > or

> > > > > > specific thing that is beneficial that I can try as a positive

> > thing.

> > > > > >

> > > > > > So my new positives were, for Sat through Wed, in no particular

> > > order:

> > > > > > * The cocoa latte which I am having twice a day at least

> > > > > > * gogi dark chocolate before exercise;

> > > > > > * chicken curry soup that I actually like (red pepper and tomato

> > > soup,

> > > > > plus

> > > > > > hot curry powder, and a big handful of pieces of fresh roast

> > chicken

> > > > > > deboned);

> > > > > > * and a great find was macadamia-butter balls at the HF store as

> > > > snacks.

> > > > > > * and I found a tea I like and can tolerate (incredibly hard to

> do

> > in

> > > > my

> > > > > > case), which is a mix of ginger and dandelion root, not made too

> > > > strong.

> > > > > >

> > > > > > Other good stuff:

> > > > > > I did exercise 3 days out of the five - I want to do it daily.

> > > > > > I got enough sleep for a change

> > > > > > I kept up on my supplements properly.

> > > > > > I made time for some knitting with a friend

> > > > > > I felt good about the work I did for cats despite the long hours.

> > > > > >

> > > > > > Plan:

> > > > > > I decided to check weight/waist stats weekly on Saturdays and not

> > > think

> > > > > > about it other times.

> > > > > > I have a notebook to record eating ideas, also O-neg-ns

> beneficial

> > > > lists

> > > > > > that ALSO suit my likes

> > > > > > (no dislikes or avoids - just good stuff).

> > > > > > I plan to eat a lot of fish and egg for high value protein and

> held

> > > to

> > > > > that

> > > > > > so far.

> > > > > >

> > > > > > I record Questions I have and hope to find answers for, like:

> > > > > > Is Creamy Havarti cheese as beneficial as it feels when eating

> it?

> > > > > > Ditto for gogi berries?

> > > > > > How do I get less human gas and more car gas, and can one

> convert.

> > > > > (Sorry!)

> > > > > >

> > > > > > Oh yes and I found Guava juice in the HF store - fresh!

> > > > > > I grew up on guavas and such - that was like finding gold.

> > > > > > I'm using it as a reward desert for a good meal, 5 sips at a time

> > as

> > > it

> > > > > is

> > > > > > pretty sweet.

> > > > > >

> > > > > >

> > > > > > Namaste,

> > > > > > Irene

> > > > > > --

> > > > > > Irene de Villiers, B.Sc AASCA MCSSA D.I.Hom/D.Vet.Hom.

> > > > > > P.O. Box 4703 Spokane WA 99220.

> > > > > > www.angelfire.com/fl/furryboots/clickhere.html (Veterinary

> > > Homeopath.)

> > > > > > " Man who say it cannot be done should not interrupt one doing

> it. "

> > > > > >

> > > > > >

> > > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > > --

> > > > > www.bigpondaussies.com

> > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >