Wow... Been VERY busy these past few days... Sorry about the lagging blogs... Trying to get things caught up! But, we all need a brief hiatus sometimes.



I finally got Level 2 of my meditation program ordered. I had been putting it off for a while due to the cost. Received the processor/motherboard for the computer I'm building in the mail recently too. It's an AMD64 3200+ on an ASUS K8V Deluxe motherboard... Pretty sweet... Throwing it in a tower with a gigabyte of ram, a 120 gigabyte serial ATA hard drive, an NVIDIA Ultra 5950XT graphics card, and a 450 watt power supply... HP multi format dvd writer... And some other stuff of course... Haven't gotten that far yet... Sorry about the geek out.



Been juicing and eating well of course... I have also taken to soak up some sun when I can. Lying spread eagle around noon for a half hour or so makes me feel good... Just don't over do it.... I haven't had a day off in 9-10 days or so... Getting a bit stressed... Looking forward to this weekend. 10,000 Lakes Festival in DL!



The new sub woofer in the car is fantastic... I'm not a real bass head or anything, but, it adds the perfect amount of "punch."



To answer a question: Cinnamon is fine for all type A's as far as I know... It is an avoid for B's and O nonnies. It's excellent for balancing blood sugar too! Later gang.

AH........good to be home.....long day at work......gearing up for the 4th of July and lots of "patriotic" decorations and crafts must be finished at the summer camp. It's all very interesting. Personally, the most patriotic thing I've experienced of late is Fahrenheit 9/11. Very moving AND VERY SUPPORTIVE of the troops fighting the war and their families (just not certain politicians :-) I don't think my school would like it very much if I organized a bulletin board paying homage to it though even with several of my older students interested in it. Sigh............censorship in America.....what else is new.....

Back to the diet, my cynicism the other day about it being hard to be beneficial is only because we need to go food shopping, desperately. When the pantry gets low, finding something to eat is always a challenge, let alone according to the diet. We are out of all the staples, Soy milk, eggs, Ezekiel bread, onions, tomatoes and fresh green veggies. But, I've been surviving. Eating organic eggs for breakfast the past 2 days (we're out now); tuna fish, or a veggie wrap from Subway for lunch (just lettuce, tomato, cucumber and red onions for us AB's - sometimes I get turkey or a tiny bit of the horseradish dressing) Or a steamed veggie platter from the Chinese restaurant. Lunch 2 days ago was egg drop soup, lots of white rice and a large serving of broccoli, carrots, snap peas, and some white Chinese vegetable. I'll have to ask for no "baby corn" next time but that was easy enough to pick out. You'd be surprised how full you get off of things that are beneficial/neutral. It was very tempting to get the General Tso's Chicken, one of my all time favorites back in the day. But, there was a sweet, thick sauce of some sort for the veggies that they put on the side - I used a smidgen of it - it was very sweet but all in all not satisfying. I've become very astute to wether or not CORN STARCH OR CORN SYRUP is in a product. Not only are they both avoids for most people (not my A family out there :-) but I don't even LIKE things any more that have too much of it in them. So my General Tso's Chicken probably wouldn't even taste that good anymore. Maybe I'll just see if they can make a General Tso's Tofu for me if I'm REALLY tempted :-)

I had monkfish yesterday for dinner and despite all the good reviews, was not impressed by it - only had a few bites. The recipe for it (the monkfish) out of Cook Right For Your Type works really well on tofu though! (which is what I'm eating right now) I still have a lot of monkfish to cook. I'm going to try to fix the rest of it more like lobster - maybe just steamed or poached with a little bit of my "Earth Balance Non-GMO 100% Expeller Pressed Oils" (a fancy name for healthy margarine :-D)

*Update: I'm a little sick this morning (Thursday) so will be going into work late. The reason? I haven't had a lemon in 3 days. Figures,.....just last night I was reading in Live Right FYT how Hippocrates biggest reccomendation for health is to "cleanse the bowels." Even with beneficial foods, the importance of lemons can't be emphasized enough for us with A in our blood. Can't wait to go food shopping.....

On the monkfish front.....since I have time this morning, I steamed & followed the Red Snapper recipe in Cook Right FYT using the monkfish and it IS DELICIOUS. Guess I'm just not crazy about it fried. This recipe is great because the sauce is sooooooooo good, even if you DON'T LIKE FISH, you'll like this recipe. The trick to the sauce is to put all of it's ingredients in a food processor so it's SUPER fine and THEN add your soy/tamari. Delicious. I even liked the monkfish plain and just steamed. I could definately taste that slight lobster flavor then and the consistancy when steamed is the same as real lobster meat. Will have to use it the next time I want to make "lobster enchiladas." So, like I learned, don't be afraid to mix-up the recipes. Just because you don't like the way one thing tastes with say oregano and crumbs (and my oregano rye crumb tofu last night was great!) doesn't mean you won't like it with something else. What a wonderful breakfast! Fish and Echinacea tea! :-)

Today I’ve been MR ANGRY

My wife tells me I don’t go off very often but when I do look out.

It’s all work related. The last day of the financial year today potentially the busiest day of the year as well as preparing for stock take tomorrow.

Two of our sales/store people [two out of three where I work] both ring in sick.

If they are sick, fine, but a coincidence that I chewed them out yesterday about being slack and their commitment then today they both have the same sickness.

I’ll get over it, but maybe they won’t. Tomorrow during stock take guess who’s going to get the dirtiest, shittiest, grottiest jobs I can find. Well it won’t be me.

I’m fine really.

Our Greek Olive Oil has now gone up to $40.00/4 litre can which is still good value compared to the supermarket, however after some net shopping I think I’ve found a bargain in a Spanish Extra Virgin oil, I’ll know more tomorrow once I factor in the freight cost.

I just finished the last two disks of an anime called Lain. I can't get over it. It was so sad at the end. It's a 4 disk series. THe last two were beautifully abstract and made little sense until the last episode and now I'm balling my eyes out and my brain is in a state of tragic confusion. So many questions left unanswered with this one (just like my all time favorite Neon Genesis Evangelion) But this anime leaves you on such a depressing note, I'm having a hard time getting over it. I know, you're going to say "but it's just a movie." But I'm like that - I tend to throw myself into the theatre and look where it gets me.....all sad and philosophical. I can't write much, I need to go to bed and think and ponder. I think I find it so sad because in the end the main character is left alone. She seems to come to some sort of terms about it but I don't really think so. But that could be just me. AB's hate being alone.

Being compliant is difficult but my body is definately enjoying it. I prefer being clear for when I have these deep-thought break-troughs/meltdowns. I just get so emotional, especially about people. Even a character is the essence of a person.....some person.....someone had to come up with that character for it to be there so on some strange level or on a giant scale perhaps, we will one day meet that person since there are so many people and feelings in the world.

This is a strange log.....sorry for those of you used to all the food - will get back to normal by next entry. I'm just in such a state of.......I don't know.......sorrowful agitation over something that in it's material form is simply a bunch of moving papers. Strange how art can affect you.

So, the trip to Mayberry was delightful. Good wine, good times.

I would like to announce a simple and delightful snack I made up for my type O beau. Also good for As:

Take one Ezekiel tortilla and warm it on a frying pan. If you are in a bachelor pad and only have a small pan available to you, turn the burner on medium heat and turn the frying pan over for a nice flat surface. Really.

Now, flip the tortilla over once the first side is warm. Spread almond butter around the tortilla leaving room at the ends. Add apricot jam (no sugar added kind from the co-op or health food store), honey, raisins, and pumkin seeds at pleasure. Roll up the tortilla and voila!

I saw Super Size Me for the second time as Fahrenheit 9/11 was sold out for days. With all my healthy cooking lately, the boyfriend thinks I should become a vegan chef like Alex (Morgan Spurlock's girlfriend).

I love cooking simple healthy stuff when I have the time. But the vegan part I don't think I could do. I told him I would rather open a blood type restaurant.

Now, as for Jazz. I had a decent lunch at Dakota Jazz Club today. It was the fish special. Baked salmon on a bed of wilted greens with a warm melted ocean of onion-infused butter for dipping. Also a shot of espresso and some strange red iced tea which I can't say I'd recommend as it tasted a bit artificial. Otherwise, I would recommend this restaurant highly. Just down the block on Nicollet Mall, the masses were lining up for Chipotle. I mean, why, why, why? The line was out the door! When the line is that long it's no longer considered fast food! (Though I'll admit that it's at least healthier than most fast food). You might as well sit down and relax at a nice restaurant! I sure as heck did!

I've been doing more yoga lately and my body thanks me.

May I recommend an excellent red wine? Fat Bastard. On sale at Whole foods for $8.99

Well, duty to the world's sick calls me back to the farmacia.

Sorry I've been silent for a while. Computer problems. Need I say more? I don't think so. I hope it's fixed, but I'm not entirely sure. It's not for lack of trying, that's for sure.

I've been thinking about responsibility in the past while. Taking responsibility for myself in every possible way. It seems to grow in enormity with aging. It becomes apparent, with various little stiffnesses here and there, that there is a great, permanent responsibility to look after my body in terms of exercising it to keep it limber and fit as much as possible. That means working with 3 lb. weights every few days for a short period of time, doing some yoga stretches on other days, and walking as much as possible. The latter is easy - I don't own a car, don't want one, and love to walk around the city. I try to find ways to walk a bit longer to shops that aren't so far away, but certainly aren't in the category of convenient. After I move next month, I will be within walking distance of a T'ai Chi centre where I can register for classes, which pleases me enormously. There is also a ravine within two blocks of my new home, where I can go to practice my moves after I have my classes.

There are other responsibilities, of course. The fact I'm a non-secretor helps me to be very responsible in a good way - I can't cheat on my diet very often or very much without paying the consequences for doing so. I think I'm grateful for this. I can be more grateful when I'm not suffering from an indulgence. The effects of cheating on my diet have basically kept me on the straight and narrow for quite a long time now. Yesterday, for example, I was out for most of the day at a conference. The evening meal (for which I had paid handsomely) consisted of roasted legs of chicken, roast potatoes, pasta and salads, with a side of steamed veggies. I ate only the veggies and salads (green with cucumber, peppers and tomatoes) and some beneficial fruits offered for dessert. I went home VERY hungry, indeed, but I'm not suffering any side effects this morning, which is very, very nice indeed.

Then there's being responsible for what I say and do. Even at my age, I must consider carefully my actions and words because there are consequences when I do not do this. Jesus said that it is more important what comes out of your mouth than what goes in. I'm not sure I exactly agree with this sentiment after seeing what eating the wrong food can do to the state of my health, but I definitely agree it is most important to listen to my words: the spoken words and the unspoken ones. I have developed the habit of listening most carefully to what I say. There are two ways of judging my words. The first is what I said, the second is how I said it. I may say something quite innocuous, but if the tone of my voice is tired or judgmental, the effect of the words can be totally lost. I find, in doing this, that often when offering advice to others, it is actually something I need to do for myself, and if I am aware enough, it is usually beneficial to follow my own advice, ignoring whether anyone else has heard it or done anything about following through on it.

Then there are the silent words. The ones that race through my mind endlessly, it seems, dredging up old memories and sometimes grudges, or lists of things that I surely must do before I die. Most of these need to be silenced in some way. Much of it can disappear if I pay attention to it. Writing down the grudges and memories or even the lists can help my mind to understand I have good intentions towards the content it provides for me, and some of the franticness (is that really a word???) that comes at times can then be released safely. Listening to good music can also calm the beast within, and Gregorian Chant, among other religious forms of music, does this beautifully for me. Body language is harder to control. It's also a form of silent speech, and since I can't step back from my body to observe my posturing, it's more difficult to even know how this language escapes from my inmost being. I can only rely on the reactions of friends to give feedback about how I am doing in this regard. I think in this connection, keeping at the yoga stretches does help to be more graceful in movement and posture, thereby aiding the body language to be loving and accepting towards others.

Another responsibility is medical in nature. I was raised in an era when doctors indoctrinated the entire population to come to them for every small health problem because we would do a lot of damage if we interfered in our healing processes without proper knowledge. Unfortunately, as the years have passed by, it has become abundantly evident that a great many doctors know a little about certain areas, but there is much more in which they have either no information or no interest. I don't think it's wise to abandon the medical profession altogether. They are, after all, useful in some areas, and some of them are sincerely trying to understand the human body on a wholistic level. However, that leaves me to deal with the first issue of diagnosis that something is not quite right in my body, and the decision as to what may actually help before it deteriorates into something bigger and more difficult to cure. I find that my body has its own wisdom, and if I ponder its mysteries when it goes into decline, I will usually come up with the right remedy, more or less. I, of course, have no training in this field, and there are times when an expert must be consulted. I tend to see the wonderful Chinese accupuncture doctor if something doesn't clear up or worsens. Between his treatments and the herbs he gives me, I usually recover very quickly after seeing him for a few visits.

I was shocked the other day, watching a program geared for teens, at the advice given regarding acne, a very common adolescent problem. The doctor who was consulted smiled at the camera and said that most people have acne because it is hereditary, and that it is caused in general by abrasive treatments or applying strong astringents, etc. He recommended a gentle wash with soap twice daily, not even using a cloth for this procedure. If it doesn't clear up with this treatment, the only thing to do is to make an appointment to see a skin doctor! There was not even a hint that perhaps eating certain foods (let alone eating for your blood type!) could contribute to the problem more than heredity.

I think there are probably a few other responsibilities that I haven't gone into yet - being responsible for how I feed my intellect, what programs I watch on TV (or even turn it off because nothing is intelligent at the time), what books I choose to read, what movies I watch. Another responsibility is financial. Do I make sure that I pay my bills on time, do I live within my means, do I get carried away with expensive impulse items? Fortunately, the latter one is in a state of remission at the moment. Folks at my age need little in the way of kitchen equipment, furnishings, decorations or even wardrobe.

And perhaps the last responsibility I will list for today - being responsible to keep my blogs up-to-date as much as possible, and to communicate with those dear souls who have sent messages of encouragement or inquiry. For those of you who have sent a message in the last week or so, please be assured that I will be able to answer you very shortly, now that the computer woes seem to be minimalized, if not entirely gone.

Until soon, I remain your responsible friend!

A rose by any other name would smell as sweet.

I don’t mean to offend any meat eaters or vegetarians reading this, I’m just being mischievous today.

There are times when it is difficult to establish a foods status on the BTD because foods are called different things in different parts of the world.

There are lots of foods with dual personalities and lots with names to make them acceptable to the consumer; I guess a lot of it goes back to its place of origin.

I can’t imagine any restaurant accepting an order for a slice of cow cooked medium rare yet they would think nothing of accepting an order for Pig’s Trotters.

Sweetbreads, now if that’s not a food hiding it’s identity I don’t know what is.

Maybe they are all under a witness protection programme.

Snow Peas – Mange-tout

Eggplant – Aubergine

Zucchini – Courgette

Hazelnut – Filbert

Peanut – Groundnut

Parsnip – White Carrot

Swede – Rutabaga

Rocket – Arugula

Endive - Witlof

Green Bean – French bean, Runner bean, Climbing bean, Snake bean, Snap bean,

Broad Bean – Fava Bean, Faba Bean

Pea – Green Pea, English Pea, Shell Pea

Capsicum – Bell Pepper, Sweet Pepper

Shark – Flake

Cow/Steer/Bull/calf – Steak, Beef, Veal

Pig – Pork, Ham, Bacon

Sheep – Lamb, Mutton, Hogget

Fish – Too many

Sausage – Mystery bag

No problem ordering Chicken or Turkey though, in fact most fowl or poultry don’t hide their identity. You can get a Chicken thigh or a Turkey leg but imagine the look from your meat provender if you want to order a leg of Pig or two slices of Cows Bottom [rump steak].

There are probably thousands of foods with dual and even triple personalities, these are just a few, send me the best or weirdest you’ve seen and we’ll post a few more at a later date.

Another long and boring work day... A 12:00 to 7:30 is a crappy shift... Especially on a beautiful Sunday like today... My whole week is full of these shifts. Somehow, I managed to get Fri. and Sat. off to go to Detroit Lakes to see attend a festival/concert thing. It's called the 10,000 Lakes Festival. 40 bands playing, one of them being a favorite of mine... 311!



Juiced this morning. Running out of stuff to do it with again, so I didn't use much. Flowering kale, romaine, ginger, garlic, green onion, and a couple of carrots. I threw in an entire lime (peeled) to the mix as well... Funky...



Breakfast was 2 eggs w/dulse, dill, Bragg's, Herbamare, and cilantro. Had 2 slices of Ezekiel toast as well. One of them with Eastwind Farms peanut butter, the other w/olive oil, and that Red Sun nutritional Yeast... I'm really getting to like that stuff. I recommend trying it. You can find it at many grocery/health food stores. It's just a swell tasting yellowish powder that you sprinkle on food... Extremely high in B vitamins too!



Prepared lunch and dinner at home and brought 'em w/me. A can of pumpkin, a can of snails, the pulp form this mornings juice, olive oil, Bragg's, dill, turmeric, and mustard powder. Threw in a handful of Woodstock Farms Tamari pumpkin seeds too. Good stuff... I think that whole lime gave the pulp a bit of an odd taste... Not that I'm one to mind that though...



Ate half of the above mixture for lunch. About to eat the other half for dinner... Exciting, huh?



Had a shot 'o' juice before all three meals... Lots of water and green tea w/lemon juice goes without saying. May go have some wine at Bennigan's tonight... Maybe just watch a movie and enjoy some more jackfruit...



Someone asked about Lychees. An Asian fruit. Small green spiky lookin' balls that are, apparently, quite delicious... I happen to see them when I was at the Asian Market... I didn't pick up any as they are unknown. Heidi says you can treat these as "neutral" if you are otherwise healthy. I'll ask her and see if she's ever done any research on them... If anyone else has BTD related any info on them, I would appreciate it!

I would like to thank everyone that writes in w/comments, or just says, "Hi." Makes a guy feel good. Later gang!

I went to see the surgeon the other day for a pre operation consultation on my hernia. I was trying

to convince the surgeon to do a local anesthetic instead of a general due to the fact I historically tend to take longer to come out of general. He would not go for the local anesthetic idea (I would be awake but would not feel my abdomen area)…in his words ‘too many risks’ and I would hear all that

was going on…. He’s probably one of those surgeons who sings like Caruso when he operates and

didn’t want to hear any boos from the paying customers, mainly myself. I had to take forms for my doctor to fill out, most importantly how tall I was and how much I weigh. I immediately said to the surgeon…6 ft 160lbs…he replied, ‘I need your doctor to sign off on those measurements’ Great…I

need to take a few hours off work to get my doctor to take my weight and height and put in on the form…how crazy is that?

Speaking of crazy…took out a very good friend of mine, Carol (no, she’s not crazy), who is 8 weeks pregnant (it’s her third) to dinner at a restaurant called…’Tutti Matti ‘(that’s Italian for ‘Everyone’s Crazy’). My friend is a type B so it was good to have a meat eater with me…not that I have anything against A and AB. I had sent her Eat right for your Baby last week because she had complained this one was giving her severe morning sickness. She said she would give it a try. As we sat down to dinner, she asked me what she shouldn’t eat tonight. I commented…’for tonight just order what you would normally eat’ Looking through the menu I spotted an appetizer made with fresh figs and pecans and some greens. My companion ordered mixed greens with pecorino (goat) cheese and proscuitto (ham…an avoid for everyone but the only type I will the odd time eat…. odd is maybe once every three months). As the appetizer and salad came to our table, the presentation was so good I wish I had a camera to take a picture to show you how it looked. My friend and I were so impressed with food that we shared both our first plates. For the second course, I ordered veal tenderloin smothered in artichoke leaves…came with a side of small potatoes and diced eggplant. My friend ordered Gnocchi (I might of spelled this wrong), which is an Italian dumpling pasta dish, made from Semolina wheat (neutral for B’s)…it came in a pesto like sauce. The veal along with the artichoke leaves just melted in my mouth…it was so tender and succulent. I offered one of my pieces of veal with the artichoke (big avoid for B’s). I was a little hesitant with giving her the artichokes but I did not want to come across as someone who was controlling what she could eat or not eat…that would be nuts. She thoroughly enjoyed her dish as well as my small sampling to her. Dessert was a Baci (kiss), a cake made from dark chocolate with hazelnuts inside, sprinkled with blueberries on top, which we shared. Finished off with coffees, both decaffeinated…Carol had cappuccino...I had an espresso (coffee is an avoid for O’s mainly because it produces acid in the stomach which is already high for O’s but an ounce once in a while isn’t going to kill you).

I did fall off the BTD track slightly last night, but once in a while I like to, excuse the expression, especially coming from me, ‘let my hair down’ when it comes to the diet. What was more important for me that night was to enjoy my friends company and give my taste buds a real treat.

We left dinner to catch a “Second City’ show of live comedy and crazy improvisational acts.

I fitting end to my day.

P.S…Carol...if you’re reading this, I have my fingers crossed that it’s a girl…a third boy in the house along with hubby would be ‘Matto’

Saturday morning and it’s far to wet to do any gardening.

We’ve had 10 rainy days in June so far with a total of 121mm [5”], that’s about average for the last 4 years but it certainly slows down the gardening.

The car was booked in for a wheel alignment this morning, so Sue and myself went for a walk around town for an hour or so whilst it was being done.

Mooched through a few shops looking for nothing in particular but did find something interesting in one of our supermarkets. A sheep’s milk Fetta cheese from Bulgaria.

A 500gm pack for $6.00 was pretty good value. Tried some on my sandwich for lunch and it’s good.

It looks like too big a piece of cheese to eat before it goes off, so I’m going to try freezing half of it to see how that goes.

Anyway a good hours walk this morning and more exercise after lunch, splitting firewood for our wood heater.

Just followed that up with another 40 minute walk this afternoon.

I’m still trying to have a small serve of peanuts weekly and I’ve had no ill effects so far.

Broad beans are up about 50mm [2”] in the garden and I’ve got them netted to protect them from the greedy Sparrows and Starlings who can’t resist the young tender leaves.

Thanks to all seven Aussies who responded to my call. Not many of us are there ?

Not much else to say today, so I’ll talk to you again next time.

Lovin' the jackfruit gang... Yellow, sweet, exotic, cold, and hella beneficial. Sprinkle a little cinnamon on the half thawed fruit, and your in beneficial heaven... A nice meaty texture too... I can't think of another fruit like it. If you haven't already... Go and get some! Your body, and your Asian Grocer, will thank you! Huzzah!

Breakfast was 2 organic eggs, 2 slices of Ezekiel toast, a handful of Woodstock Farms Tamari pumpkin seeds, and a handful of blueberries. Good times. Seasoned with the dulse (love it, read two blogs ago for info), dill, herbamare, and cilantro. Didn't actually juice this morn. Just had a serving left over from yesterday. Back on the boat tomorrow.

Lunch was a tin of Beach Cliff sardines in spring water, an avocado, another handful of pumpkin seeds (reg. this time), sea salt, and lemon juice, all mixed in a plastic cup at work... How fancy a feast... Whaddya' do though...?

Met my dad and grandpa at Granite City Food and Brewery for a few glasses of wine after work... Two glasses of Vendange Cabernet, and a glass of Rosemont Shiraz... Not bad for house wine... The cab sucked though... Never drink Vendange if you can help it...

Dinner was huge. Too much food... At least I won't eat again for the rest of the night... Prone to late night snacking as of late... Had a third a block of Whitewind Tempeh with sea vegetables, a good sized bag of Broccoli Normandy.. California Mix... Whatever you wanna call it... Either way it's just broccoli, carrots, and cauliflower mixed... Anyway... Threw these along with some beautiful green onions into the ol' steamer... Seasoned with Braggs', garlic, and onion powder. Phenomenal... Followed this up with three... Count 'em, THREE! slices of Ezekiel toast. Each with a bit of Eastwind Farms peanut butter, a bit of House of Herbs black strap molasses, and some cinnamon/ginger powder... You think I'd be full by this point... Was it the wine? After all that food... What did I do? Ate a whole bag of that frozen jack fruit!

GLUTTON.

Like to tell you a bit about Heartify. Heartify is a flax oil infused, dairy/chemical/additive free dark chocolate. It comes in tiny heart shaped pieces, and is SICKENINGLY good. I found it by accident the other day in a small coffee/candy shop. It has a delicious creamy texture, and you can really taste the delicious, nutty essence of the flax... First piece of chocolate I've eaten in a coon's age... Ha ha... Perhaps that's why it was so good? Nah....

Anyway. The Omega 3/6/9 fatty acids content of this stuff is impressive... You know by now the benefit/necessity of these... Also, cocoa is rich in antioxidants called flavanols. These include: Procyandins, epicatechins, and catechins. High levels of these flavanols help to ward off heart disease, cancer, asthma, and type 2 diabetes. The Omega's are even good for depression...

You can get 90 'lil pieces for $20. I guess your supposed to eat 3 a day for a month. This translates to 65 cents a day. Why don't they have a "cents" symbol on the keyboard? Bull... Pretty cheap asking price for a delicious month. The phone number to order it is,

toll free: 1-866-866-2699. You can hit www.Heartify.com too. Enjoy fellow BTD's! Peace out.

OK, here we go for round two of What's Eating Erika Klus? (Gilbert Grape reference).

Before leaving for the cruisy little hippie town, I stopped by Red again for lunch. I had some magnificant Ahi Tuna Ceviche. It was on a bed of cabbage which I did not eat. Below the ceviche (for display only) was a little bowl to keep the ceviche cool. In this bowl was not ice, but cold water with a live clown fish. Quite the spectacle. As I ate the ceviche and people were walking by past the outdoor patio, I wanted to say to these strangers, "no, really, I won't be eating the little fishy."

I followed this dish with a blini with egg, chives, and oesetra caviar on top. Yum.

I also had another fusion, this time a grapefruit vodka infusion. Yeah, it was pretty good but I suppose that feeling all the way down your digestive tubes of warmth can't necessarily be a good thing.

Had a soy latte at Dunn Brothers. Have I ever mentioned how much I don't like our local chain, Caribou coffee? The problem is stale beans. I have yet to drink a good latte there. I like Dunn brothers much better.

So traveling to Mad Town, I was right on the path with all the tornadoes. The weather was just plain BRUTAL on the nerves. The sky turned green and the next thing I knew all the cars were parked under the underpass in hopes that it would somewhat protect them from harm. A normal four hour drive turned into SIX HOURS!

Now that I'm in Mayberry (Middleton), I have had some lovely meals. Whole foods had some great stuff which I hope to tell you about later, but first I'd like to give props to local diner here in Mayberry called Hubbard Avenue Diner. www.hubbardavenuediner.com<br />
Every Friday they feature cod. Fried and baked. Knowing what I now know about fried carbs, I try to abstain from the fried. So the baked cod has herb butter and it's baked in parchment paper. They serve it with wild rice (with regular rice) pilaf. And also a veggie. This time it was zucchini and yellow squash, I think, and red onions. I also had a shot of espresso.

Well, I should head off the web as the library is soon to close. I will finish this segment hopefully by the weekend.

Also to answer a question from a reader, the Ezekiel tortillas have the same ingredients as the bread.

Pretty much.

Music: 70's - The Double Dutch Bus

Mood: Funky (The good kind :-)

Listening to groovy music and feeling warm and fuzzy in my pj's as the boys play magic cards. They all love it. It's like the modern version of poker nights for the young, trendy and slightly nerdy, a perfect description of my O. It's like chess, monopoly and baseball cards all in one. Excepts there's wizards and dragons and elves instead of sports people and each card changes the rules of the game, giving you @500 rules to memorize and deal with that aren't always in effect depending on what's in your hand. Very confusing. I always said that I'd learn it when were in the nursing home together, I'll have plenty of time then :-D However, we've struck a compromise. He teaches me magic cards and in return he has to read ALL of the good doc's books. I think it's fair. I'll let you know how it goes......

Yesterday was too stressful to write a blog. More accusations that I change TOO well to my social settings making me "false" and "pretensious" instead of just being "myself." This is absurd. This coming from the ever too simple O not understanding the complex nature of the AB and that we're not "lying" but just have a lot of different personalities swimming inside of us and some are more appearant than others, depending on the situation. Most people see this as a GOOD thing, something called ADAPTABILITY and GETTING ALONG WITH OTHERS. After a very long evening, ending with me running out of the sushi restaurant, he promises to see a therapist to better understand his feelings on this issue and not cause me such stress. This makes me very happy and today he has been extra loving/supportive/apologetic. I do have a very sensitive and caring O after all it seems, thank goodness!

So, all is much better. I was going to make the cauliflour w/ pesto reciepe from Cook Right For Your Type but I'm too tired and comfortable now. So, what have I been eating......

Yesterday -

Morning: warm lemon water & Slice of carrot-ginger spice cake (made w/ Rye flour instead of spelt! super yummy!)

Lunch: more salmon w/ cucumber and a slice of Ezekiel bread

Snack: 1/3 of some corn syrup filled, sweet, fruit snack before I found the plum in my purse. Hurrah for the plum!

Dinner: Another plum @5:30pm as we went searching for hotels for my wedding guests to stay at. Sushi afterwards. Seaweed salad to start (asked for the vinegerette dressing on the side and a slice of lemon instead but they still put SESAME SEEDS on top of it! "doh!" Then a roll of cucumber and tuna wrapped in squid. Entre was mahi mahi seared tuna slices with spicy tuna in the center. VERY YUMMY. Lots of sake too.....it was needed.

Today -

Morning: warm lemon water, 2 eggs with a little bit of soy & a cup of "oatmeal" from Trader Joe's. It's really called "multi grain: hot ceral - made with Rye, Barley, Oats and Wheat" That's it, no other ingredients. It's very good, organic and always tastes satisfying weither by itself or with a little bit of honey and raisins. I put some honey in mine as I rushed out the door.

Lunch: Some yellow rice. Carlos surprised me by to stopping by to spend lunch with me - part of his "I'm really sorry about the other day" niceness. He had a pork and rice dish from a divine Spanish deli near my work. I just ate his rice (picked out the black beans) while we chatted in the park. Washed it down with a cup of chamomile tea (I know I shouldn't drink while eating but.......)

Snack: Work was crazy today - graduation ceremonies tomorrow - too much going on - no time to scrub the sweet potato in my purse and pop it in the cafeteria microwave. Had a small piece of yellow cake with pineapple filling (WHY IS THERE ALWAYS CAKE AT MY SCHOOL???) And I stayed late. I would have been fine if I left on time and then was at home, surrounded by beneficials but instead, @ 5:20pm, I had a Snickers bar. Sigh.....I can't keep this up.....the beach......I must remember the beach next time I'm tempted.........I know, it's vain, I should do things because they're "healthy" but sometimes you do things because you're "shallow."

Dinner: THe O ate white rice and the rest of his pork from lunch[ :-( ]. I had 2 big slices of fresh pineapple (yeah bromelain!) and a bowl of couscous. Made sure the O had his vitamin B and Calcium supplements. I, of course, took my B, C, and Helix supplements this morning.

Dessert: a small slice of the carrot-ginger cake and made the goat cheese frosting (on the opposite page) Delicious. Even the magic card boys were impressed. (Among them another AB especially liked it. I bet he's wondering too why he hangs out with all these O's as well - what is it with us????? Told him about the lemon water - hopes he takes it to heart.) Defiantely try this cake though! (pgs. 294-295 of Cook R.F.Y.T.)

Plan for the weekend - eat more vegetables and fix the ones in my fridge before they get over ripe (too late for that other cucumber though........icky!!!!)

Take care, get lots of sleep and enjoy the weekend!

6/24/2004 8:20 PM

OK. I’m back. Thanks for all of the support to all of you who wrote such nice words of encouragement. I’ve needed a little time to regroup and figure out what is going one within me these days. Part of it is being really busy. Part of it is the workouts – the T-Tapping makes me HUNGRY. Part of it is an internal rebellion to limitations of any kind. And part of it is the complications of my childhood and my past where food is concerned.

Whatever has been going on, I have decided to just go with the flow. It looks like I am able to be completely compliant for chunks of time, and then I need a break to eat less stringently.

As one of you said, once you are on the BTD, you really can never go back again, and that is a real truth. My body just won’t allow it. Many foods make me feel bad, and have immediate ramifications to my health. The two biggies for me are wheat and corn syrup. My body has very strong reactions to these two items and, although I might indulge in the occasional bite of Krispy Kreme or 3 Musketeers, I have such a disagreeable reaction to these types of foods that it isn’t worth it to me. My body knows what works for it, even if the segmented parts of my brain aren’t thinking straight.

I am amazed at how much wheat, oats and corn I used to eat. It has been a lifelong habit to eat a bowl or two of cereal before bed. Lifelong. Though I can eat an ounce or two of something wheat, oat or corn based now, eating an entire bowl of such cereal is as foreign to me as anything that I can imagine. I just couldn’t do it.

I forget that I have only been eating this way for 8 months or so. The changes are so large that I forget the perspective. Thanks for those who reminded me that, even when I am not eating “compliant” for ME, I am eating better than most of the people on the planet. I tend towards a certain level of person perfection, and I know that it can cause havoc on a day-in-day-out basis.

OK – I want move on from that. First, I have been craving nutritional yeast ever since the spider bite. I still have a very strange scar from the whole thing, and maybe the antibiotics are still taking their toll on my system. I really love nutritional (not a by-product of the brewing industry like brewer’s yeast, and not the yeast that you use to rise baking products) yeast. My favorite brand is KAL. I cook up some rice or quinoa, put in some ghee and some free-range chicken stock to give the grain some juiciness, and then I add in about ½ a scoop of the nutritional yeast and mix it up. Add a little sea salt and I am ready to go. I love it and have been craving it. It is SUCH a great source of nutrients and tastes great.

Another thing that I have been meaning to post is an appliance recommendation. Just as Jim must have his juicer, I MUST have my Showtime Rotisserie Grill. I believe that this is the single most important piece of equipment that any ER4Yting O could have. I use mine all of the time, and it works perfectly. I have had mine for 2 years now and I can tell you that it is one kitchen appliance that works BETTER than advertised. Ron Popiell has done a great job with this item. This is the model that I have:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4309105698

Although I know that he now has a less expensive, more compact model. Once you use one of these, you’ll never think about cooking meat any other way. It’s just that good.

OK – now I’ve made myself hungry, but my own personal “starch-Nazi” is saying to me, “NO CEREAL FOR YOU!”

Busy days... Missed yesterdays blog. I suppose I can't expect to get 'er done every day... Anyway gang. Good news! I've discovered Jackfruit!!!!

In Dr. D's Cancer book, jackfruit is introduced as a super beneficial for A's. I always wondered what the heck it was and what it tasted like. Where can I get some I asked? I asked around at a couple of health food stores... No one knew what it was, nor could they order it.

I gave up on it for a long time... Cruising down Main ave. today I saw an Asian grocery store. Very cool! They had the neatest stuff in there. I stopped in. Low and behold... There it was! Jackfruit! 3 different brands! All in a can though.... And they all contained sugar! Crap!

I searched the shelves for some packed in water to no avail... As I avoid sugar... I was pretty disappointed. I picked out one of each kind, and took them to the register... A 'lil sugar for the chance to try jackfruit was worth it I figured. I get to the register and the helpful clerk informs me that they have it freshly imported in the freezer section! Sweet mother 'o' gawd! I grabbed 4 bags. Just ate one for desert. Thawed it out most of the way, and dusted it with some cinnamon. Delicious! I'll be making this a regular addition to the diet...

Get back to you with more jackfruit updates and daily menus when things cool down. Your assignment: Go to an Asian market. Browse for fun. Buy a few things! Get some jackfruit. I'll bet ya' they have some! They could probably use the business too. I'd rather buy my turmeric/rice/ginger powder/etc. there, than at some corporate chain... Agree?

Once again... A Pluot is a plum... Only purpler... and sweeter... smaller pit too... Is purpler a word...? More purple..? Ha ha.

Later Gang!

OK, I don't have much time so I'll probably have to write this long, long blog in segments. I've been aching to write this for DAYS!!!!

First off, thank you to Jennifer (fellow blogger) for recommending Rice Paper in the Linden Hills neighborhood. Not only did I fall in love with the food, but also the fantastic community. Oh, those homes are SO cute!!!!!

At Rice paper last Saturday, I had the chicken spring rolls (with peanut dipping sauce. These are perhaps the best spring rolls I've ever tasted! Very type A appropriate! Also had the coconut tofu with the jasmine rice and some clear dipping sauce. Also very good! Walked out with a canned guava drink, though it wasn't pure guava, but had some nasty unhealthful stuff in it, too.

Walked over to the Linden Hills co-op. Very tidy little place. Very quiet, though it was a Saturday night in a quiet neighbhorhood so that was to be expected. Didn't buy much since most of the stock is similar to any other co-op or health food store, BUT did purchase some wild salmon and get this, EZEKIAL 4:9 TORTILLAS!!!

I have no clue these were available now. I really dig them especially since they aren't frozen and you can eat them right out of the bag!

Last but not least, another item from their deli case....Tofu Oat burger. Now, this was a nice little type A non-secretor-friendly food, BUT when I was eating it at work on Sunday I notice that the label on the parchment paper actually read TOFU OAT BUGER!!! Not BuRger, BUGER. It was my civic duty to call them and let them know about the typo in hopes that I'm not eating boogers. I mean, what would the health inspectors say?

Well, it's like they say, you can pick your friends and you can pick your nose, but you can't pick your friend's nose.

OK, so then after work on Sunday, I did NOT go to Mass. Something of seemingly greater importance to World's well-being was calling me. Perhaps by God? I don't know...but instead of listening to Father O preach the gospel, I watched to the acclaimed documentary that everyone must see: SUPER SIZE ME!!!!!!

If you have not seen this, please go. You will hopefully never set foot in another fast food chain again. A brief synopsis (if this has already been explained in someone else's blog, sorry, I haven't been cross-reading lately so an advanced apology for the duplication):

Morgan, a healthy 6'2", 182 lb male decides to eat nothing but McDonald's three times daily for 30 days. If he is asked to super-size, he will supersize. He will quit exercising and only walk as much the Average fast-food eating American walks. He will eat every item on the menu at least once. He enlists the scientific help of three physicians: a cardiologist, a gastroenterologist, and a general practitioner. He also enlists the help of a dietician at a health club as well as the reluctant support of his vegan chef girlfriend.

All his labs are normal at the beginning of the study. Halfway through his AST and ALT levels sky-rocket, meaning he is damaging his liver. His total cholesterol goes from 165 to 212. His doctors advise him to quit the diet immediately, but he is determined to see what happens in a month to him as millions of Americans eat this diet on a daily basis.

After thirty days his weight goes from 182 to 211. He takes in an average of 5,000 calories per day. He feels like crap, not even being able to walk up the stairs. According to his girlfriend, their sex life even suffers. He not being able to perform nor sustain a normal erection!

If this film does not illustrate (read:give major wake-up call) to millions of Americans that these nasty over-processed, fried fake foods, are harming themselves and their children (those who don't think their diet is the main culprit of their illnesses), our country is heading one place: to the crapper.

I have a couple more significant meals to report, but at this time, I need to log off and do some yoga. Take care and quit eating stuff that'll kill you if you haven't already!

THE PAOMNNEHAL PWEOR OF THE HMUAN MNID I cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod

aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was rdgnieg.

Aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer in

waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoatnt tihng is taht the

frist and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit a porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Amzanig huh?

As I was rdaenig tihs I was tkihnnig how hrad at fsrit it was rnieebemmeg waht fodos I cluod eat and not eat wehn I fisrt sratedd the BTD. As the mtohns wnet by I was sgrhruitg uitnl I fueirgd it was olny rlaely inptamrot to rmebmeer waht was a beniaicel and waht wree aivdos…eiyhtevnrg in bweteen (ntiruaes) wluod tahn be a sanp

Try it out…if it doesn’t work for you, there’s always the wallet card food list available on the web site.

Mkie

A loaf of bread a jug of wine and thou.

A glass of red wine is beneficial for type A.

I gave up drinking alcohol in any quantity a number of years ago but was glad to see red wine was beneficial for me.

Not having drunk for a number of years I found the taste of some reds was very overpowering and to the horror of any wine buff started to dilute it with water. I found a 50/50 blend to be very easy to drink and it took the sharp edge off some of the younger wines. I'm an avid reader of medieval mystery novels and it is a recurring theme in 13 & 14th century Europe the drinking of watered wine. This was in the days before vintage and storing of wine so was probably done for the same reason, to mellow out the taste.

In the cold of winter it is not all that appealing to come home from work and have a cold glass of wine so I've taken to giving my blend 30 seconds in the microwave. Instant mulled wine another popular medieval version of wine drinking.

What goes around comes around.

I'm currently drinking a Tasmanian Pinot Noir vintage 2001 which is an excellent wine but try my 50/50 tip at the next party your at and you can keep up with your mates or girlfriends all night and only drink half the alcohol.

Bye hic.

Music: Does the "Jackie Brown" movie playing on the X-box count?

Mood: Super-Fly

***

Ahh....so here I am relaxing after a hard day at work and enjoying a cup 'o joe. We AB's have to be careful with coffee as it is a 2-edged sword for us. It has several excellent enzymes that help the A side of our immune system (like soy, hence the Highly Beneficial listing in Eat Right F.Y.T.) But, our already super high adrenaline levels don't need any more caffeine (and it lowers our already low NK cell levels). Plus, coffee itself (even decaf) creates abnormal reactions with our blood (you know that "crazy" feeling you get - I especially get it after I eat a lot of corn......so coffee has an Avoid listing in Live Right F.Y.T.) So, be careful with your coffee. I love the taste and have it only when I really crave it, usually after a big meal instead of dessert. I don't feel the caffeine as much (yes, even your decaf has SOME caffeine in it, my sensitive system can feel it) if there's lots of food in the tummy :-)

So, what have I been up too........eating too much cake, that's for sure!!! You see, one piece isn't so bad but we keep having birthday parties in the classroom and everyone wants a picture with the teacher and everyone wants you to have a piece of cake. I've attended lots of baby showers in the past 2 weeks as well. I can be pretty good about most things but cake and sweets, in general, are a weakness. And I work in the Carribean section of Queens - nothing is as good as Haitian cake, you've got to try it if you can find it. I'm still miffed that I don't know my secretor status so I'm not sure if I'm really allowed wheat.

Regardless, even if wheat is a neutral, neutrals don't help you lose weight for the summer.

Remember, "Highly Beneficials" act like medicine on your body, "Neutrals" act like food in your body and "Avoids" act like poison on your body. You eat too much of any "food" and it will definitely cause you to gain weight; not to mention all the agglutinating going on with the avoids. So commercial cake with WAY too much sugar, wheat, egg yolks, not to mention the avoids (milk, all those gums, bad oils, artificial flavorings and corn starch)

And I can feel those neutrals/avoids having an effect on me! Even though breakfast and dinner has been healthy of late, (tuna, salmon, tofu, eggs and such) I was sooooo tired this early afternoon after 2 pieces of cake for lunch. {where the mom substituted MILK(avoid) for the eggs (HBene. and Neutrals) - "doh!"} I REALLY wanted to curl up and take a nap after that but twenty-five 4 year-olds thought other wise.... :-)

The O is currently eating Chicken Curry (made with coconut milk) and I'm a bit jealous - I'm married to a fabulous cook. The house smells delicious but fortunately, I'm very full, so no temptation. Had the "Great Meatloaf" from the Live Right cookbook earlier. My O thinks it's great, I'm only so-so about it. But then again it's only "neutral" for me and "highly beneficial for the O. I've noticed that since starting this in April, things listed as "Highly Beneficial" have never tasted so good. I DO still miss certain AB avoids like:

my grandpa's home grown white corn,

avocados and guacamole,

humus,

artichokes,

brie,

filberts - aka:hazelnuts (LOVED Hazelnuts),

guava,

mango,

lobster,

crab (I did live in Maryland...),

shrimp, (I used to be known as the "shrimp queen" amongst my family),

high quality ice cream,

Thai food made with coconut oil,

allspice in my cider during the autumn,

kettle corn popcorn,

toasted coconut Dunkin' Donuts,

FRESH tortilla chips at the Mexican restaurants in California,

rhubarb & strawberry pies from the Quaker Market,

and pulled bbq pork.

But you know, the funny thing is, when I do try these avoids again, (the "Oh, I'll just have a bite" syndrome as I call it) they don't taste as good anymore!!!! Strange but true. Apparently, now that my body knows what's good for it, it really doesn't want me to have avoids and will let me know by way of stomach aches, brain fogs and just general ambivalence to something I used to think was ambrosia. 2 weeks ago, I thought I'd want to eat a whole tub of guacamole my husband bought. But after a couple of bites, I wasn't even missing it. Guess the memories are better than the real thing sometimes. And avoids, when I eat them 1) never fill me up for long and 2) always make me crave more avoids. It's just not a good thing.

So, go ahead, try that avoid again! It's ok! If you've been following the diet with any sort of reasonable strictness, you'll find that reminiscing is sweeter than the actual food. Damn....I'm starting to feel a bit light-headed/funny now from the coffee - damn avoids....

Juiced again this morning. What a surprise! Flowering Kale, beet greens, carrots, celery, red onion, parsley, ginger, garlic, broccoli, and green beans... I've never juiced green beans before... Very good. They added a nice mild flavor. Took out a little of that "knock ya' on your butt" effect my juice tends to have... He he. I skipped on the spinach, and green onion today.



Breakfast was a diced avocado mixed w/a tin of sardines, seasoned with lemon juice, Bragg's, dill, granulated garlic, turmeric, mustard, and a Tbsp. of dulse. Dulse is a dried and flaked sea vegetable similar to kelp I suppose... It's a rusty red color, and has a bit of an oceany/salty taste... It's very good and contains well over 100% of your daily iodine as well as many other natural sea minerals. Low in actual sodium despite it's wonderful taste too. I love it. Going to try and use a Tbsp. Every day or two. Don't want too much iodine... It is neutral for A's, AB's, and B's. Benneficial for O's. Good stuff for thyroid maintenance. Fantastic. Had a pluot afterward. Last one.



Got my hair cut and grabbed a few groceries. WhiteWind Tempeh W/sea vegetables, a loaf of Ezekiel Bread, (been a long time since I've eaten any grains...) Two boxes of Arrowhead Mills Amaranth Flour, Red Sun Nutritional yeast (never tried it, Paul B. inspired me), organic eggs, and a few more avocados... Big bag of frozen blueberries too.



Going to have another shot of the juice in a bit here (enjoying a large mug of Celestial Seasons Honey/Lemon/Ginseng green tea). Lunch afterward will be another small avocado, a third block of the above mentioned tempeh, and a big handful of mutant cherries. I normally try to limit avocados to one a day, if that. This one is WAY too ripe though... So there...



Dinner will be late, after work... Probably just steam some veggies, and have a glass of wine and some frozen blueberries... I'll let ya' know.



To answer a Q:

I have a Green Star juicer... They used to call them Green Power juicers. Mine is the updated model w/all the attachments. Cost about $440 after shipping etc. I've seen them go for $600. Pretty spendy... Especially for a guy like me... I'd do it again in a second though... Google it, read about it... Buy one. Ha ha. I sound like a commercial...



Later gang!

"How I nearly cried when I found out I couldn't eat all of my favourite things: tomatoes, eggplant, chilli, capsicum, mushrooms, pepper, capers, olives, chickpeas"

A cry from a new member of the BTD community and can't you tell from the above Type A.

It's difficult at the beginning and we've all gone through the 'what do I eat now' syndrome.

Don't weaken it does get easier.

All the nightshade group of foods including potato is an avoid for us. You have to look outside the square for alternatives. Not all mushrooms are an avoid subject to your secretor status. The normal white domestic mushroom widely available is a neutral, so there is no need to give them up entirely.

Look back through my previous blogs to find Sarah's patented pepper substitute. It really is good.

There are a number of white bean alternatives, mostly neutral that can be used as alternatives for chickpeas, particularly for hummous. If you need a good alround bean for dishes the PInto is the best and beneficial.

When Sue & I used to do dog obedience training, one of the foundations of the training was that it takes a dog 42 consecutive days to learn and imprint a new behaviour. It's the same with food.

The more consecutive days you can go without an avoid the easier it becomes to do without them.

If you're struggling, it's not the end of the world to have an avoid but trust me you do feel better if you dont.

Are the cherries I'm eating genetically modified, or what?? I eat cherries every year... This is the first year I've noticed that one in six or so of the cherries I grab is joined at the hip to another cherry... Siamese cherries... Conjoined... Whatever your preferred nomenclature... Sadly... They are probably bombarded with all sorts of ill chemicals, genes, and radiation by the time they get to my mouth... I don't recall having ever seen organic cherries here in good ol' Fargo...



Juiced this morning. Same as yesterday, but I used red onion instead of green. Made way too much... Breakfast was an avocado, seasoned as usual and a tin of Beach Cliff sardines in spring water, w/Herbamare, turmeric, mustard powder, and dill.



Lunch was a can of pumpkin, and a can of snails eaten on the fly... Swear I put 'em both down in five minutes... Maybe six...



Eating dinner now... A bit late to be sure. 2 pluots, a grapefruit, cherries, and a steamed vegetable medley: Broccoli, yellow onion, and green beans.



Of course I had the juice, water, and green tea throughout the day.

Had a 12oz coffee today too. I crushed a BIG piece of ginger and put it in w/the coffee... Interesting... Later gang.

What a great winter’s day in Tasmania.

It’s what I’d call a ‘Windows 95’ day. A bright blue sky interspersed with light fluffy clouds. A gentle breeze is blowing and the temperature is about 11o C.

Where I work at Latrobe, all the mountains to the South have received a dusting of ‘icing sugar’ in the last 24 hours. In some areas someone has been a bit heavy handed with the shaker.

You may be surprised to know that areas of Australia do receive winter snow. The wilderness areas of Tasmania get heavy snowfalls during winter. Snow fell over the weekend down to 350 metres above sea level and some remote roads were cut for a few hours. Victoria and New South Wales both have extensive ski fields in the highlands and they may be small by Northern hemisphere standards I believe they offer quality skiing.

I still needed a light jacket for my lunch time walk, but it was very relaxing after polishing off a serve of savoury Indian style rice with a vegetable curry. Dried and fresh fruit and brewed coffee.

I don’t want to work its too nice a day.

What better way to start a winters Sunday than with a liesurely breakfast.

Sunday's are the only day of the week Sue and I get to sit down and relax at breakfast.

A huge bowl of muesli with warmed soy milk, ingredients mentioned earlier this week. Followed by Rye toast drizzled with E V Olive oil and topped with Miso or Peanut butter. A pot of Madura grren tea to accompany and a shared Sunday paper.

A walk on the wild side followed as we took Bonnie for her walk near the beach in 30 knot North Westerly winds. Bloody freezing. Followed this up with a brisk 30 minute exercise walk with Sue. Unfortunately Bonnie no longer walks far enough or fast enough for Sue and I to consider it exercise. She deserves her time sniffing the flowers and shrubs and collecting all her D-mail.

An hour in the garden before lunch and I got that garden bed tidied up and sown with it's green crop. Now if I can just discourage the Sparrows from gorging on the seed I'll be happy. Still it's sown thick enough to allow them to have some without it leaving bare patches. So long as they don't invite all their mates around.

Lunch was a toasted Tofu, miso, sprouts,cress & lettuce sandwich seasoned with savoury yeast, herbamare and Sarah's patented pepper substitute. A mug of freshly brewed hazelnut coffee followed by dried and fresh fruit.

An hour round the shops after lunch to by a new pair of training shoes. Since I've started the regular walking I hadn't realised how much extra wear it had placed on my shoes. With my orthotic insoles I have to make sure that I don't let my shoes get too worn before replacing them.

Home and a couple of glasses of filtered water, sit down and start to type today's blog...................

Yeeeeeahhhh... Juiced this morning. Romaine, kale, broccoli, green onion, a big green apple, a few carrot sticks, a couple of garlic cloves, spinach, parsley, and cilantro. Very green... Powerful stuff. I was out of celery and ginger... Too bad. # servings as per usual.



Big shot of juice before breakfast. Had a D'adamo protein shake again. Went all out on it. 2 scoops, 6oz pineapple juice, 3oz water, tbsp of House of Herbs Black strap molasses, tbsp of Knudsen's Black Cherry concentrate, tbsp of Eastwind peanut butter, dash of ginger powder, dash of cinnamon. It was scrumptulescent. Saved the pulp from juicing. I mixed it with EdenSoy unsweetened soy milk, dill, Bragg's Liquid Aminos, and some Herbamare. Ate a couple of spoonfuls of that with the shake.



Big shot 'o' juice before lunch again. Lunch was the above mentioned pulp mixture, mixed with Melissa's Pine Nuts, a can of pumpkin, a can of snails, and a can of salmon... Pretty funky... Too much food.



Last shot of juice before supper. Dinner was... You guessed it! More chicken... Sauteed in olive oil, with Uncle Ben's Rice, broccoli, and green beans. Seasoned with dill, turmeric, garlic/onion powder, and a 'lil salt and lemon juice.



To answer a few Q's:



1) A pluot is an extra sweet plum. It is much "redder/purplish" on th inside... Softer too... I love 'em.



2) Why so much chicken? Well... My 'lil sis was in the hospital recently with pneumonia. I was staying at my parents a lot, helping w/cooking, cleaning, taking care of business, etc. This coupled w/my Nanny (grandma) being in town = Lots of chicken... It's practically all they eat that I can have...



3) Here is some more of the B-17 info. Enjoy.

The diet of primitive man and most fruit-eating animals was very rich in nitrilosides. They regularly ate the seeds (and kernels) of all fruits, since these seeds are rich in protein, polyunsaturated fats, and other nutrients. Seeds also contain as much as 2 per cent or more nitriloside. There are scores of other major foods naturally, or normally, very rich in nitriloside.

Vitamin B-17 (nitriloside, amygdaline) is a designation proposed to include a large group of water-soluble, essentially non-toxic, sugary, compounds found in over 800 plants, many of which are edible. These factors are collectively known as Beta-cyanophoric glycosides. They comprise molecules made of sugar, hydrogen cyanide, a benzene ring or an acetone. Though the intact molecule is for all practical purposes completely non-toxic, it may be hydrolyzed by Beta-glycosidase to a sugar, free hydrogen cyanide, benzaldehyde or acetone.

Apricot kernels are known to prevent and cure cancer, even though the medical establishment has worked night and day and even lied to suppress it. Vitamin B17 is found in most all fruit seeds such as the apple, peach, cherry, orange, nectarine and apricot. It is found in some beans and many grasses such as wheat grass. The hard wooden pit in the middle of the peach is not supposed to be thrown away. In fact, the wooden shell is strong armor protecting one of the most important foods known to man, the seed. It is one of the main courses of food in cultures such as the Navajo Indians, the Hunzas the Abkhasians and many more. Did you know that within these tribes there has never been a reported case of cancer. (And there are doctors and scientists from the U.S. living within these tribes right now studying this phenomena) We don't need to make the seed a main course but we do need the equivalent of about seven apricots seeds per day to nearly guarantee a cancer free life. Other foods that contain vitamin B-17 are: bitter almonds, millet, wheat grass, lima beans and more. (The bitter almond tree was banned from the U.S. in 1995.) The kernel or seed contains the highest amounts of vitamin B17.

One of the most common nitrilosides is amygdalin. This nitriloside occurs in the kernels of seeds of practically all fruits. The seeds of apples, apricots, cherries, peaches, plums, nectarines, and the like carry this factor; often in the extraordinary concentration of 2 to 3 per cent. Since the seeds of fruits are possibly edible, it may be proper to designate the non-toxic water soluble accessory food factor or nitriloside that they contain as vitamin B-17. The presence of nitriloside in the diet produces specific physiologic effects and leaves as metabolites specific chemical compounds of a physiologically active nature. The production by a non-toxic, water-soluble accessory food factor of specific physiological effects as well as identifiable metabolites suggests the vitamin nature of the compound.

In metabolism, nitriloside is hydrolyzed to free hydrogen cyanide, benzaldehyde or acetone and sugar. This occurs largely through the enzyme Beta-glucosidase produced by intestinal bacteria as well as by the body. The released HCN [hydrocyanide] is detoxified by the enzyme rhodanese to the relatively non-toxic thiocyanate molecule. The sugar is normally metabolized. The released benzaldehyde in the presence of oxygen is immediately oxidized to benzoic acid which is non-toxic. Thus this newly designated vitamin B-17 (nitriloside) could account for:

The thiocyanates in the body fluids--blood, urine, saliva, sweat, and tears;

For part of the benzoic acid (and subsequently hippuric acid); salicylic acid isomers;

For the HCN that goes to the production of cyanocobalamin from hydrocobalamin, or production of vitamin B 12 from provitamin B 12 .

These are the physiological properties of the common nitriloside amygdalin. Before considering the possible antineoplastic activity of this vitamin B-17, let us recall that the benzoic acid arising from it has certain antirheumatic and antiseptic properties. It was rather widely used (in Germany and elsewhere) for rheumatic disease therapy prior to the advent of the ortho-hydroxy addition product of benzoic acid known as ortho-hydroxybenzoic acid or salicylic acid. It was originally obtained from beech-wood bark. As a matter of interest, the para- hydroxy isomer of benzoic acid occurs in the para hydroxybenzaldehyde aglycon (non-sugar) of the nitriloside found in the cereal millet. Millet was once more widely used in human nutrition than wheat. Wheat seed contains little or no nitriloside.

Recall now, that thiocyanate also was once widely used, in both Germany and American medicine, as an effective agent for hypertension. Used as such, as the simple chemical, the dosage was difficult to control. Obviously, this difficulty does not arise from the thiocyanate usually produced in the body through metabolizing vitamin B-17 (nitriloside). However, chronic hypotension has been reported in Nigerians who eat quantities of the nitriloside-containing manioc (cassava)--especially that of the bitter variety.

Let us pause to reflect upon this question: Might not the rheumatic diseases as well as certain aspects of hypertension be in some cases partially related to a dietary deficiency in nitrilosides? One can hardly deny that the ingestion of a sufficient quantity of nitriloside-containing foods will metabolically yield sufficient benzoic acid and/or salicylic acid isomers to palliate rheumatic disease and certainly to decrease, however temporarily, hypertension as well as to foster the nitrilosation of provitamin B-12 to active vitamin B-12: cyanocobalamin.

Despite all this, are we justified in suggesting that cancer itself might be another chronic metabolic disease that arises from a specific vitamin deficiency--a deficiency specifically in vitamin B-17 (nitriloside)?

There are many chronic or metabolic diseases that challenge medicine. Many of these diseases have already been conquered. What proved to be their solution? By solution we mean both prevention and cure. What really cures really prevents. Let us think of some of these diseases that have found total prevention and hence cure. We are speaking of metabolic or non-transmissible diseases. At one time the metabolic disease known as scurvy killed hundreds of thousands of people, sometimes entire populations. This disease found total prevention and cure in the ascorbic acid or vitamin C component of fruits and vegetables. Similarly, the once fatal diseases so aptly called pernicious anemia, pellagra, beri beri, countless neuropathies, and the like, found complete cure and prevention in specific dietary factors, that is, essential nutrients in an adequate diet.

Let's go a step further, almost to the border of dogmatism, to advance an axiom in medicine and biology:

No chronic or metabolic disease has ever found cure or prevention, that is, real cure and real prevention--except through factors essential to an adequate diet and/or normal to animal economy.

I would welcome a contradiction to this principle; but even an exception would "prove the rule."

Does it seem likely, therefore, that cancer will be the first exception to this generalization that to date has not had a single known exception? In my humble opinion, certainly not. But does it follow from this that vitamin B-17 (nitriloside) is the specific antineoplastic vitamin? Logically, by itself, alone, this conclusion that nitriloside is the specific antineoplastic vitamin does not follow. However, examine the brilliant laboratory studies of Dr. Dean Burk of the Department of Cytochemistry of the National Cancer Institute in Washington. I believe that in light of the experimental evidence that he has produced, you might agree that vitamin B-17 (nitriloside) is indeed the antineoplastic vitamin.*

One might ask, then, whether I suggest that vitamin B-17 (nitriloside) or Laetrile is an effective cancer drug. Our reply must be: it is not a drug, it is a food.

I love reading Peter's entries. They really make me feel at home at this website. He's not some lofty doctor, whose far away and doesn't care about people. Reading his journal entries really make me feel at home with him, even though I've never had an opportunity to meet the good doc.

Regarding Peter's latest entry, I could go into a whole spiel about conspiracies theories and the government but 1) most of you would think I'm nuts and 2) I don't like the idea of having the FBI watching me. They probably already are, I'm too liberal for my own good.....or maybe I'm just a wee bit paranoid :-D

I had so much fun last night, doing NOTHING!!! Well, actually, I relaxed and organized my closet, that's my version of doing nothing :-) The O went out with all our friends. It's nice to be by yourself sometimes. I just have to be in the mood for it. Usually I'm a people person to the 'nth degree but yesterday when ALL the people I knew wanted to go out and party, I didn't. It always seems to be that way.

I want to thank Ashley and Redd for their comments. I'm so happy people are reading my writitngs! It's a real privilege to touch so many people's lives. To answer Redd, I've been kinda bad about the whole peach pit thing. I've been leaving them in a dish on the counter for my husband to smash but he forgets to do it. The one time we did do it, he litterally took a hammer to it and shell went flying everywhere in pieces. I had to search for that center! Pretty funny. There must be an easier way...maybe if I buy a nut cracker I can do it myself......I had gotten the B17 info from fellow blogger Jim - he always has such great entries. I don't know the specific benefits for O's, if any (I even forget what it's supposed to do for me! Typical....) I'll ask him for us.

But I was just reading in one of the doctor's books (I forget which) and how O's need particularily B1 (Thiamin) and B6 to prevent and reduce stress. It even recommends, in times of GREAT stress, that O's take more of those B's than the daily reccommended allowance. I was Very happy to read this last night and will be feeding my O our B vitamin complex on a daily basis. He's been depressed of late. No wonder, he bought oranges this week, much to my chagrin, and has had the worst allergy reaction yet this summer. He blames it on other things......sigh.....and I just made him coffee (can't start denying him things, he'll go nuts)......I can't change him, he has to change himself.

Ashley asked what kind of foods as an AB she should be eating. For a more complete and up to date list, check out Live Right For Your Type from a local library. That's what I did. Ended up buying my own copy since I reference it so much. But the library is a great way to take a look at the books if your new or nervous about jumping into this. The explanations that he gives and data to back everything up are really nicely laid out. I find Eat Right For Your Type better for my more faith based friends, since it has lots of testamonials and Live Right For Your Type for my more logical friends. I believe everyone should read both though. :-) Eat Right For Your Type gives a great explanation of why one should do this on pages 23-28: Lectins. When I'm tempted to eat an avoid, I go back to the explanation of lectins to remind myself what the ice cream or steak will do to my body.

In general as an AB, tofu and vegetables are your friends, lots of fish and certain meats in limited quantities.

Meat - stick with turkey, lamb, rabbit, and liver. Avoid all others with a passion. (Ostrich and pheasant are ok too if you ever run into those).

The fish list is a little more complicated, you'll definately need the book - there's soooo many fish we can eat!!! But stay away from lobster, shrimp, crab, trout, flounder and bass and concentrate on Tuna, Salmon, Mackerel, Monkfish, Cod, Snail and Snapper. There's a lot more but it would take too long!

Dairy is limited - stick with eggs, mozzerlla cheese, goat products, ricotta, yogurt and soy products. Avoid, American cheese, blue cheese and cow products, especially whole.

Beans - stay away from black, garbanzo (what hummus is made out of) and kidney. Stick with lentils and pinto beans (what most mexican refried beans are made of) and of course, soy.

Nuts - basically peanuts and walnuts, avoid cashew, sunflower, poppy and seasame.

Grains - stick with Ezekiel bread (available at Trader Joe's!) and rice, rye and oats. Pasta, wheat and spelt should be avoided in general until you find out your secretor status. Stay away from all corn products like it's the plague.

Veggies - eat lots of them like carrots, eggplant, sweet potatoes, beets, broccoli, cauliflower, cucumbers and onions. Avoid any kind of peppers, (no matter the color), rhubarb, radishes, olives and pickles. There are lots of neutrals listed in the books too. Take advantage of those as well.

Fruits - Lots of great things to eat except for a few rare fruits and these guys: avocados, bananas, guava, orange, mango and coconuts. Eat cantaloupe, honeydew, tangerines, and prunes cautiously until you know your secretor status.

These are not complete lists. I tried to list the most common things we run into in our lives. Nor by just following this "list" will anyone stick on the diet for very long. You need to have a reason for why your doing something. Eat and Live Right give you all the information in a nice and easy manner to read. They take the scientific and break it down, even so the theatre major can understand it! :-D I just got my encyclopedia this week too. It's nice to have all those protocols at your fingertips. Today's a beautiful day in NY, might go swimming and tomorrow we're probably going hiking with friends!!! Hurrah!!!

Enjoy everyone!

I just finished reading ‘Diabetes...Fight it with the Blood Type Diet’ by Dr D. I picked it up because my dad is in a pre Diabetic stage and I want to help him bring his blood sugar levels down. I have found that my book buying dollars have reached an all time high since being on the diet.

Just the other day, a close friend of mine was in town from Austin, Texas and she wanted to get together with me to catch up on things. I had a nice night planned with dinner and ‘Second City’ but at the last moment she called and canceled…the reason being she had severe morning sickness. Although I was happy for her new pregnancy (number 3), I was concerned and immediately asked her what her address was (she is staying with her in-laws 50 miles east of the city. She asked ‘why’ and I basically told her …’I want to send you something for what’s ailing you’. She is probably expecting some congratulatory flowers or teddy bear …I sent her Dr D’s ‘Eat Right for your Baby’. I will be seeing her this Friday and hopefully she’s feeling better to go out and socialize.

A good friend of mine started on the BTD diet a few weeks ago and today commented how his pants were loose. He complained he always felt bloaty, especially after meals. He had a tough time giving up wheat and other avoids for type O like milk, potatoes etc. but he has a goal to get his waist size down to 35…it’s currently 39. I bought him “Live right for your Type”. He remarked that I went to far by buying him the book, but I explained ‘you need to know the “why” before the “do”.

My job at work entails getting people to work at their fullest potential…the more they produce, the more I get paid, the more money they make…. a win/win scenario. What I find curtails most people at work from doing so (besides attitude) is what they put in their mouths throughout the course of the day. My company provides free coffee (avoid for most blood groups) and bagels, danishes and such (all wheat laden) for the employees when “their energy reserves are low’. It irks me a little when the company I work for is in some way curtailing the job they pay me to ‘do’.

There is a saying in sales ‘that word of mouth is the best form of advertising’. I’ll just keep spreading the news about BTD till it reaches critical mass…hopefully that will put more dollars in my pocket so I can buy more BTD books for the people I care the most for.

On the brink of the shortest day here in the Southern hemisphere and Sue & I spent an hour or so digging the last of our carrots for the season.

Normally our fresh garden carrots are finished by May but with the advent of our new raised garden beds we still had carrots growing. 80mm [3”] of rain this week convinced us it was time to salvage what we could before they rot in the ground. Our soil is very heavy clay based and once it gets saturated at this time of year it doesn’t dry out again until about October.

Probably enough in the fridge to last another 3 – 4 weeks before we have to buy any.

The garden is still productive and we still have the following growing;

Leeks, Turnip, Winter Lettuce, Kale, Collard, Chard, Broccoli, Parsnip, Upland Cress, Rocket, Celeriac, Kohlrabi.

Already planted and poking their little heads up ready for spring are Broad Beans, Snow peas and Sugar Snap peas. Any spare plots have been mulched and sown with a green manure crop ready to dig in when Spring arrives.

Hopefully the sunshine this afternoon is a harbinger of better weather tomorrow. I’d like to clean up my carrot bed and sow the green crop weather permitting. The last three weekends have produced horrid wet and windy weather and put a total halt to my weekend gardening efforts.

I somehow managed to eat the exact same things that I ate yesterday for lunch or dinner. Exactly the same thing. Same juice and all.

Had an appointment to get my hair cut yesterday... Drove 15 minutes to get there... They had sent my stylist home sick... Thanks for calling Jerks... Took a good chunk out of my day... 15 minutes back... All the planning around, and, "Oh, I can't! I'm getting my hair cut..." Oh well... Call me shaggy. Dinner yesterday was 2 chicken breasts sauteed in olive oil, w Bragg's, dill, garlic, lots of onion, and a few glasses of Copper Ridge Cabernet.

Watched some more Simpson's on DVD late at night and enjoyed a GIANT "milkshake" which I made using Eden Soy Unsweetened soy milk, Frozen Blueberries (froze them myself, bought them at Sam's Club), and frozen Flavorite broccoli florets in my blender/food processor.. Threw in some cinnamon, and a good drizzle of House of Herbs black strap molasses. Fantastic.

Juiced again this morning. Same ingredients as the last few days. Added a couple of carrot sticks. 3 servings of juice, 5 1/2 oz. each. One a bit before each main meal.

Breakfast today was an Eggland's Best egg w/dill, garlic, and Herbamare. Had a D'adamo protein shake. 2 scoops mixed with 6 oz. Dole Pineapple juice, a tsp. of the black strap, a Tbsp. of Eastwind peanut butter, cinnamon, ginger, and some Knutson's black cherry juice concentrate. Oh yeah... The peanut butter made it magic. Had a pluot, and a couple of Tbsp. of Melissa's' Pine Nuts too. Never had pine nuts before... Very good. Kinda creamy almost. They're VERY high in fat. The good kind!

Saved the pulp from this mornings juicing excursion. I threw some pine nuts, a few sprays of Bragg's, and some dill in it. I'll mix that with a tin of wild sardines packed in pure olive oil for lunch later.

Threw an avocado, 2 pluots, and an apricot (still eating the kernels of course.) in the bag for dinner as well... Eating at work is simple... As long as you don't mind repetitive simple meals...

Enjoying a large cup of Celestial Seasonings Honey Lemon Green Tea. All beneficial or neutral except for one thing... Orange blossoms... Not sure what the rating on this would be... It's the last ingredient though... Wait... It's listed before ginseng... No wonder this stuff perks me up so much... I'm LIT!

Ok, feeling a little stressed but I'm currently drinking some red wine and hoping the A side of me is enjoying it as much as my brain is. :-) Let's start with yesterday's menu (Wednesday).

Morning was a quick yogurt shake I concocted up the day before after a look at the Cook Right For Your Type Smoothie section. Low-fat Organic yogurt, some soy milk, 1 fresh peach and 100% grape juice. Very yummy. I'm really starting to enjoy the way soured things taste. I had put it in the fridge and it was waiting for me as I rushed off to the classroom. However, my body definitely noticed the lack or grain and protein. I was tempted, I caved in but it was still a victory!!! Instead of eating 20 Ritz crackers and lots of onion dip(it had cream and other naughty avoids in it) I had only 2!!! (and a smidgen of the dip) It took a lot self control, especially when your serving it to 30 children. Lunch yesterday was leftover pasta with the mushroom sauce and LOTS of collard greens. I was so happy. I think if I could marry a vegetable, I'd marry a bunch of collards - they're so good for you. Before dinner, I made my lemon water - I had skipped it that morning because of the rush. It definitely worked but a naughty side affect of taking it so late in the day was that I was flatulent the entire day even though I was eating Beneficial and Neutral foods!!! I know, not a very lady like thing to discuss but this is a health related web-site so, I kinda feel obligated to share my experiences....good and embarrassing. There really is a reason why you need to take ½ a squeezed lemon in warm water EVERY morning. It's like grease on a squeaky hinge - it makes you work more smoothly. I'm glad I took it eventually yesterday but will (or at least try) to make more time for it in the MORNING. For my sake as well as others! :-O

Dinner was the most amazing fish I've ever fixed - Poached Lemon Cod - very simple to make from a cookbook my in-laws got me for Christmas. Can't remember it now, I'm a little too tired to post it but will do so this weekend. Steamed some squash in soy sauce to go with it. Then, we went out to our favorite ale house with the boys, Croxley's. When we got there, we were greeted with an 1 hour and a half wait so.......we went out for ice cream. It was my fault, we could have gone anywhere but my craving for chocolate and peanut butter could not be satiated by anything else. Once again, I'm wishing I had access to one of those vegan chocolate bars so when I get a craving like that I don't go nuts. I'm sure there was some agglutinating going on amongst my blood cells as I enjoyed my "very chocolatey peanut-butter ice cream Sunday with granola topping and extra walnuts," but I didn't feel it. Once we got back to the bar, my O boys munched all night on 10 cent chicken wings and my husband ordered their lobster special (avoid for everyone I think). It's a very good deal, I might have to jump ship and do it at least once this summer but I was happy that last night was not that night. Instead I enjoyed a Belgian beer and ate almost all of Carlos' sweet potato fries (beneficial). I was sooooo stuffed by midnight - I really shouldn't have eaten so many but they were so good!!! Highly addictive.

Today has been nice - hot but nice. Just too much to do in too little time. I'm glad the weekend's here, I just wish it would last a little longer. Here's what I did today (Thursday):

Breakfast: Lemon water and 1 slice Ezekiel bread ½ an hour later as I ran for the bus......

Lunch: Left-over lemon-cod with rice and squash and collard greens and handful of terra potato chips in the park.....mmmm.....lunch of champions......

Snack @ 5pm while waiting for pick up from work: a plum

Dinner: 2 veggie-fed, free range eggs.

I was going to have a sweet potato with that (that I've been trying to eat for the past 24 hours!) but then we made an spur of the moment visit at my Maid of Honor's place - she's moving to California in a week, unfortunately. We munched on lots of carrots and celery while she and her husband cooked and chatted with us. She fixed us dinner of steak (avoid), German potatoes (neutral) and corn(avoid).

I find that sometimes it's just better to lie than to start arguments and speculations about my diet. I have no problem defending my beliefs but sometimes, it's just a hassel. So, I said that I was on a vegetarian diet and that I had just gotten the devastating news from my doctor that I'm officially allergic to corn, avocado and chicken and acted really bummed out about it. "It lowers my insulin levels and causes my seizures," I said. I know, I'm a liar, somebody burn me at the steak......

I did used to have seizures pretty often, since age 17 (haven't had one in over a year though) and my blood sugar used to be all out of whack before this diet so it wasn't TOO far of a stretch. All of those things do block insulin production in AB's so, yeah, I am "allergic" if you think about it. I just didn't want confrontation from two people who I knew were going to nay say and want explanations for what I was doing. I guess it's that chameleon like quality AB's have coming out. I just want to blend in with everybody sometimes and not make waves. I did eat some of the German potatoes. They were AMAZINGLY DELICIOUS but, they had TONS of vinegar (avoid) and BACON (avoid) in them! I picked out as much bacon as I could and discretely disposed of it without her knowledge. Trust me, it's a dish I love, but I HATE the effects of too many avoids on my tummy. In the end, everyone was happy, I was actually quite full and my O got extra steak - what a good way to end the day with friends. :-)

6/17/2004 3:23 PM

Well, I haven’t gone out and eaten off of the plan yet. I guess that I’m sort of stuck on this diet, whether I want to be or not, because when I eat according to plan I feel good, and when I don’t, I don’t feel nearly as well.

I’m eating way too much starch. This all started the weekend before the spider bite and has snowballed ever since. I was really doing well until that point, and I’m not sure what changed. Whatever it was, it is clear to me that I can’t do the perfection thing. My insides (mostly the insides of my head) are rejecting it. As I have said, I really believe in the AVRT (a.k.a. “Norman” voice) thing, but I’ve fallen and I can’t, but mostly don’t want, to get up. It’s very clear to me that eating no starch at all is actually the easiest thing for me, but I don’t know if I’m up for another commitment of that type.

I’m still chewing it all around in my head. In the meantime, it IS clear that BTDing is something that I have already assimilated into myself, and there it will stay.

More soon.

Well, here I am at Zeno eating a veggie Quesadilla and sipping Kona w/soy after a very therapeutic shiatsu session at Pagoda.

Next thing I hear from the therapist, PAGODA IS CLOSING!!!! NEXT WEEK!!!

Apparently the owner of Urban Retreat who then opened Pagoda had some problems with the business partner or something like that. It makes me sad because so much beauty and effort was put into designing this spa. It seems so lame to be sad this about considering all the suffering in the world, but I guess you have to understand that when you work so hard all day and feel like curling up into a little corner after work and forgetting you are alive, nothing rejuvenates better than a massage like this! It has a lovely steam room. It has a little room off the the side for couples or bridal parties to have their own little private retreat. I was seriously thinking about renting this place out someday if and when I get hitched for all my girlfriends and me.

Well, perhaps someone else will take over the building and keep its gorgeous interiors intact. I almost feel like doing something dramatic like starting a picket line: "SAVE PAGODA!! SAVE PAGODA!!" (think: "SAVE THE CLOCK TOWER!!!")

The LMT also told me that there are rumors that the building is cursed. Many have tried to open businesses there (restaurants, etc) but soon went out business. Maybe that's just what happens when you try to take an old library building and make it into something it's not. Luckily the therapist, Charlie, hopes to open his own small wellness spa. I hope he does. He is a really great therapist!

Well, before I'm forced to log off (due to time limits), allow me to describe my quesadilla: Mozarella cheese, avacado, red onion, sun-dried tomatoes, red peppers, scrambled eggs, and tomato salsa. I tried my best not to eat the tortilla itself, but when it's soaked in all the yummy juices from the veggies and eggs, it's hard to resist.

Today I am filled with gratitude. I can think of so many things to be thankful for, from big to small items. Here’s a small list that shows some of the range in my heart at the moment:

• I’m alive. After my experience on Monday morning awakening to a smoke-filled kitchen, the ensuing panic and the incredible number of “what-if’s” that have been in my mind since then, I’m very much alive, and very thankful to be in this state with so little damage to everything around me, including my physical being. If ever there was a cause to believe in guardian angels or divine grace, this must be at least one of the good ones.

• Following the BTD has helped my speedy recovery from the state of panic and the inner janglings that accompany such a state. The morning after the smoke incident, I got up feeling quite strong inside, and I am sure that my food choices have contributed enormously to this strength (though I can’t discount my meditation practices, etc., either).

• Last week I conducted a brief interfaith service for a group of six young people afflicted with varying degrees of deafness, one of them a deaf-mute with beautiful, shining eyes full of love. The experience brought home to me how much I take my sense of hearing for granted, how much I use it, and how limited these young people (and others in their situation) are because of this condition. I am hoping that there might be a “magic” discovery that would replace some of their hearing loss that would be as simple as eating for their blood type. There may be a connection, you never know! I am incredibly grateful not only for my own faculty of hearing, but also for the fact that science has advanced to a point where cochlear implants are becoming a little more common and are quite effective for some of these people. Let us all pray that deafness becomes a thing of the past in a short period of time.

• I am strong and healthy, generally speaking. I could grumble about a great many small annoyances, but I have no impediments in terms of going about my business. I don’t have a major disease (at least none has been diagnosed so far), other than simply growing older. My aches and pains come and go, but mostly they are gone. I don’t need a cane, walker or wheelchair with which to move my body. I still have hair on my head! My eyes sparkle, even though I need glasses to read or do close work. I laugh a lot and enjoy my life. I love my family, friends and community. So far I am not senile. Even though at times it may take longer to remember some particular words, they do come in a fairly short period of time. I am not lonely or alone, though I have lots of time to be alone on a daily basis, for which I am even more grateful.

• And down to the trite – I’m grateful that this morning, on a showery day that is also humid and polluted here in the City of Toronto, Canada, I was able to (a) to go the store that isn’t exactly around the corner without getting tired from walking there or back (at least 3 miles, as much as I can figure it, perhaps more); (b) my o-l-d shoes, very comfortable, are perfect for rainy days because they’re made out of recycled rubber tires; (c) my very old rainjacket only leaked a little on the shoulders by the time I got home, with quite wet jeans by which to measure the success of the jacket; and (d) I recently acquired a new backpack with wheels and a handle which makes bringing food home from the store a wondrously effortless chore.

Is it any wonder that I feel so very rich right now?

Identification of foods in different markets is still an issue for BTD identification.

Beef is beef, lamb is lamb, pork is pork, chicken is chicken, turkey is turkey, tofu is delicious, fish is……………..?

Fish is the hardest food group to identify on the BTD lists because the same fish is called different names in different areas of the World. Take the Orange Roughy for instance. A popular fish in Australia and New Zealand does not appear to be in the type base and people have expressed concern about its status.

If you type fish into the type base all the names have fish in them. Thinking outside the square, I typed in orange, guess what the first item listed was, Orange Roughy. This may be something for the D’Adamo web site designers to check out. There are obviously some anomalies in the way foods are listed or found.

By the way it’s neutral for all blood types.

In the nicest possible way I was called a ‘food intellectual’ by a fellow blogger the other day. Now I’m not even sure what a food intellectual is, but if it means I have an interest in food and a passion for food then possibly I am. All I know for sure is that without food you die.

Looking back at my blog history I guess I do come over as a bit black or white. There are no grey areas in my food life, however this blog is supposed to reflect me and my thoughts and that’s what I give you.

Long before BTD I was an avid ingredient reader for reasons totally unrelated to this diet.

For most of her adult life Sue, my wife has suffered from Migraine. Not the “I’ve got a headache I think I’ll take an aspirin” type of headache but the full blown flashing lights, lie down in a dark room and sleep type headache. Any of you who are severe migraine sufferers will know what I’m describing.

When we were first married in 1975, Sue experienced migraine attacks with a frightening regularity, culminating one night after a meal in a restaurant with me sitting on the floor holding her while she suffered probably the worst attack of her life up until then and disposed of the evening’s meal in fairly violent ways. Enough said about that.

That particular meal included a seafood mornay so included cheese, shellfish and wine.

As it turned out all of these food groups eventually turned out to be migraine triggers. Years of experimentation and food elimination followed until we established a diet regime that is fairly safe for her. During this time we learnt early that we had to read all ingredients and be very specific about what we asked for when eating out. Migraines were an ever present part of our earlier married life, however because we worked at it and were rigid in what Sue ate they have become less of a threat over the years.

Much like a recovering alcoholic is still an alcoholic Sue will always be a migraine sufferer. Years later we were on holiday in Thailand when she experienced an attack of similar severity to the one described earlier. Imagine her terror and confusion in a foreign country with a foreign doctor and trying to explain what was wrong. The medical staff at the hotel was superb and gave Sue an injection which settled her down. Our holiday schedule was such that we were due to travel the following morning to the coastal resort of Pattaya Beach. I still don’t know how we got Sue onto the mini bus and down there. I think we both thought she was literally going to die.

Migraine attacks are still infrequent and the severity varies now. I hope she doesn’t read this and think that it will be ‘Murphy’s Law’ having written about this.

Anyway this is the reason I am so stringent about my food, I have seen 29 years of my wife’s struggle against migraine and am a firm believer that what you put into your body has a definite influence on your health.

Since Sue has been on the BTD her health has also improved and the range of foods she can eat safely has widened.

If that makes me a food intellectual so be it. If it makes me seem black and white in my outlook on food then so be that as well.

All right... gonna cram two days menus into this one... Three glasses of wine (Copperidge Cabernet Sauvignon, not the best...) and the release of The Simpsons: Season 4 on DVD took presedence over blogging last night...

Yesterdays Breakfast: Juiced early am. Kale, spinach, ginger, parsley, cilantro, celery, garlic, and green onion. Made 3 servings. Can of Member's Mark salmon (from Sam's Club, probably farm raised w/color added... Not sure...), drizzle of House of Herbs blackstrap mollasses, spray of Bragg's liquid Aminos, garlic and onion powder, Tbsp of Eastwind peanutbutter, and a small salad of romaine, cucumbers, and carrots.

Yesterdays lunch: An avocado w/salt and lemon juice, and an apricot. Had a serving of the juice before hand.

A snack of 2 pluots after I got off work. The last serving of juice. That stuff is spicy as hell w/all the garlic, ginger and onions... I get comments on it form yards away... Ha ha.

Yesterdays dinner: Big dinner. Sauteed chicken, suchinni, lemon, onions, and Whitewind tempeh (they make 3 flavors, my favorites being the original, and the kind with added sea vegetables.) in olive oil, and Texas Hills (found it at a vineyard, good luck...) lemongrass pesto. Seasoned with turmeric, Bragg's, dill, and garlic and onion powder. Sweet.

A handfull of blueberries was desert.

Hit up Bennigan's at about 10:30 w/an old friend and my roommate. 3 glasses of wine (mentioned above) while we played Mega Touch games. Photo hunt, word search, etc. Good time. Watched 3 episodes of Simpsons on arriving home. Funy stuff... Very tired...

Today. Juiced again. same as yesterday morning. Made 3 servings again. Breakfast was a couple of the Egglands Best cage free, all natural eggs, seasoned with dill, Herbamare, and cilantro. Had a D'adamo type A protien shake. I mixed 2 scoops in pineapple juice and a little bit of water. Added cinnamon, Knutson's Black Cherry Juice Concentrate, and a bit of the aforementioned blackstrap mollasses. Handfull of blueberries too. Awesome stuff. I'm dreading running out.

Lunch today was an avocado with salt and lemon again. Whitewind Tempeh, an apricot, and 2 pluots. Had a serving of juice beforehand.

Dinner was HUGE. More juice before hand. Sauteed chicken in olive oil, w/lemon, onion, broccoli, green beans, and zuchinni. Seasoned with turmeric, braggs, dill, and garlic/onion powder again... Ate lots... Dessert was a big hanful of frozen raspberries mixed in a blender with a couple of oz. of Peter Vella Cabernet... Very red... Intersting flavor... When you are 22, enjoy a drink now and then, and only drink wine... You gotta keep things varied.

A note for Luis. It's the OCD's in berries that counter polyamine availability in cooked/flash frozen protien laden foods. I either marinate said food w/a bit of berry concentrate (not bad), mix the concentrate with the already cooked food, or just put down a Tbsp or so of the concentrate before, during, or after the meal. As you may know by now... I'll mix ANYTHING! Later gang. Not spell checking this.

Note for Paul. Nothing wrong w/ the pig Harry Potter! I went to see it didn't I? Of course... The book will always be better than the movie... Enjoy!

Hello kids,

Yeah, just had a fantabulous meal (and drink) at Figlio's uptown. Dear Lord, if I ever needed a nice martini, it was tonight. After working 8 hours straight w/no break, it was time.

I had this interesting martini infused with LAVENDER. And then I had the duck pizatta (mini-pizza) with LAVENDER-infused duck, fig compote, arugula, and some sort of mushroom, which I don't remember as being an avoid. But then there was brie. I think it was supposed to be chevre, but somehow I ate brie. Oh well.

In light of the upcoming pride weekend (end of June), just thought I'd make a quick funny while I'm not in the crowd I am a supporter.

Then I had some sort of wild salmon with a bed of "garlicky spinach". I could have died and gone to heaven! Oh, yes, and before that there was this paste in an island in the middle of olive oil. The paste was a white bean/spinach type paste.

No, the martini was not so good for me, but I'm hoping that the Type A in me can find some sort of benefit to the LAVENDER. Ahhhhhh.....

Now, onward and upward, or something (the martini talking) for a nice masaaaaaaahhhhhge.

-eriklus

ps-I have a funny story to tell you but not sure if I should disclose on the web, not because it's illegal or inappropriate, but because it involves three key elements: a date from Speed-dating, Figlio's and garlic. I will let this stew and log on later..........

I mentioned a food list in my posting yesterday. I obtained this list from a web site that no longer exists.

A lot of you are obviously looking for the same thing judging by the number of comments I received about it. My list was based on ER4YT and I sat down and manually updated any foods that had changed after LR4YT using my book and the Type base on this site.

A food list on its own does not constitute the diet, you must have the book to understand the basis of why foods are good or bad for you. I know a food list makes it easier for meal planning and shopping than trying to flick through the book. I’m not sure what the Blood type cards that are available do, but I suspect they may fill this need.

If you must have a list, why not sit down one wet or cold weekend and type up your own personal copy using your book.

Food lists are still available in various forms on the Internet. It took me 30 seconds to find one this morning. I’m not going to tell anyone how to do it though. The LR4YT lists are protected by the book publisher under copyright, but they are out there.

Thanks to all the Aussies who responded to my call the other day. It’s nice to know there’s a few of us about.

Mood: Happy

Music: Sound of hamster's gnawshing on nuts....

Oh, what a nice day. Thank you to Philip and Luis for their emails!!! It's REALLY, REALLY nice to hear from other people and know that your voice is getting out there. Thanks for your kind words and questions! Spent my time indoors today, air conditioned and cooking! I find certain domestic work very relaxing actually and today was a nice, tranquil day. Started off with lemon water - hurrah!!! The lemons are back! I'm just so sorry that lemons only seem to work so nicely at cleaning out A's and AB's - but I'm sure you guys have other perks.....(Can you say filet mingon?) Waited for the acid levels to chill and fixed myself some mushrooms and tofu with curry. Not your usual breakfast but since it's a beneficial spice, I try to use it often. Drank some Trader Joe's Green Jasmine Tea throughout the day. Nice and refreshing.

I was so busy just trying to straighten the apartment/do dishes, I almost skipped lunch! I could feel lunch time because I was starting to get weak so I had a quick bowl of rice chex and soy milk and watched an anime called Lain. Very good - uses lots of silence and nice dialogue. Also munched on peanuts and dried pineapple that afternoon. Then I started craving vegetables. We have yams in the house but I couldn't remembe the last time I had a good, green vegetable. All I could think about were green leafy things this afternoon. So, that being my cue, I headed down to the veggie mart and did lots of shopping! Broccoli, Scallions, Collard Greens, Cucumbers, Celery, Oyster Mushrooms, Yellow Onions, Yellow Squash, Spinach, Parsley, Mint, Basil, Blueberries, Canteloupe, & Carrots. I almost got the cutest baby red potatoes but my $20 bill only went so far :-) Dinner was the Braised Collard Greens receipe from the cook book and the Wild Mushroom sauce over some pasta. I know, regular pasta's not very good for anybody but I'm not going to let it go to waste and wheat is ok in moderation for AB's (better than giving it to the O!). The sauce was yummy - used those flavorful oyster mushrooms. They have such a unique taste. Very expensive but well worth it. Before I left for the market, I was feeling industrious so I cooked the chicken that my O had left out to thaw. The Simple Seasame Chicken receipe from the cookbook got rave reviews from this house. (I was very tempted to lick the measuring cup that the seasame seeds were in but I prevailed, the stomach trials of this weekend are keeping me very compliant!) It's really amazing he says, everyone should try it!!! (I guess I'll have to try it with some turkey or tofu!) and only 4 ingredients, Chicken being one of them!

Then I was bad - had a small kid sized package of shortbread cookies AND vanilla cookies just an hour before bed. We were watching "Chicken Run." (We love the skill of good claymation) I'm sure they were filled with hydrogenated this and corn syrup that and something else that's not good. But, on the bright side 1) It was not a whole box/package of cookies, only 8 and 2) everything else was very compliant today. That still doesn't make up for it. I really need to get some "healthy" vegan chocolate or something to chew on when I get this way. That way it's not as damaging to my body. Maybe they'll only be 1 or 2 avoids I'm consuming in the snack but it's better than 11! :-)

Oh, as far as supplements go, I've just been taking a vitamin C by Shaklee (I need to find a better one), a vitamin B by Trader Joe's (I find it helps decrease my hunger) and the Helix Plus by the good Doc. I also had a few alfalfa tablets by Shaklee today (I usually forget to take those) I'd like to be totally NAP in my supplements but I'm not going to throw away my expensive Shaklee ones, which still have there good side. Besides, I find it easier to take vitamins if you do it slowly, just trying to remember to take 2, then 3 and then increasing the various supplements by what your blood type needs. I've been keeping mine at the computer console - I always forget to take them when they hang out at the back of the kitchen table. With his dinner, I gave my O a B supplement as well as the Shaklee Calcium supplement we have hanging around. I'm sure there's more I should be doing but you don't change your habits over night, it has to be done slowly, over time and built up on other things. I'm just doing the best I can with what I have.

OK, today I have enjoyed a leisurely stroll down Hennepin Ave. uptown before I have to return to fast-paced corporate America pharmacy world.

I begin my journey at Sidney's for breakfast. Starting out with a tall glass of pineapple juice, I next had the "West Hollywood Scramble" or something like that. It contained saffron'd rice, chevre, red onion, egg whites, wild mushrooms, and what not, on a bed of greens.

It was nothing to write home about though I'm sure it was good for me, probably one of the only blood-type compliant foods on the menu. Strolled down to Tao Foods. Oh, that place cracks me up because I could spend hours there. Heck, I could buy the whole store! I bought a book on clearance there. And there, among the D'Adamo blood type books, I spotted two other blood type books NOT written by D'Adamo!!!!!

I mean, wow, I had NO CLUE that anyone else was inspired by/expanded on his work in a layperson book-type publication! I think that's great in a way that others are inspired enough to write about it and spread their knowledge to others, especially since they make it clear that it is not endorsed by him, in order to separate any differences between authors. One set of authors combines the blood-type diet with the food-combining diet. I really didn't read into it, but it looked like it was a very basic format. Of course, neither source in their finite number of pages could possibly contain the technical knowledge that the D'Adamo's books contain, but it was still refreshing to see these books.

My last stop is Sebastian Joe's ice cream. But not for ice cream. For coffee and internet access. I ordered the Cafe Ricki w/soy milk, minus the whipped cream. It also contains chocolate, a pinch of cayenne and a cinnamon stick so it's muy delicioso!!! But as I began to sip it and monkey with the iMac, the nice lady at the counter who made it came up and said, "you know, I think I forgot to add the espresso!" Suddenly, it dawned on me, too! Once added, I realized, yes, something was missing. We had a good laugh. And now here I am. Full of caffeine, ready for the power work week. The end.

The past week has been probably the most stressful one I’ve passed through since I retired from working for a living a year ago. I was not at all prepared, following my five-day retreat, to plunge into the world of financing a mortgage and finding a lawyer. The week was an extremely busy one, unfortunately. I bottomed out on Thursday. Following a trip to the local library (a short walk), I realized I was so tired that I was hurting. This made me rethink several obligations lined up for the weekend, so I cancelled several. Sunday morning, a fever blister attempted to reside on my lower lip, and I had dryness in my throat. Not good signs. I took Vitamin C and grapefruit seed extract. They seem to have worked – the symptoms both retreated.

Yesterday morning I slept late. I am usually up before 6 a.m. (the result of doing this for a great many years), but I’d been awakened by a noisy fan, a hot room, and some (needless) financial worries in the middle of the night. I was awake for a couple of hours before falling back to sleep, and didn’t want to get up since I’d managed to fall asleep just before my usual time to rise. (Ain’t that the way it always works?) I was peacefully sleeping when I suddenly realized that I smelled something burning. My neighbours down the street sometimes burn wood in during the cold months, but this is June, definitely not cold. I jolted awake to find my kitchen full of smoke. Panic was the state of the day. I quickly threw some clothes on and checked the kitchen. There was a cardboard egg carton in the corner near the door, smouldering. I threw it into a bowl of water in the sink. I couldn’t see anything else burning. The stove was cold. By way of explanation, I usually leave my recyclable items on the floor near the door, to be taken out to the bins the next time I leave home. Later, we all came to the same conclusion: the rays of the sun (now with much less ozone protection) had combusted the carton as it shone through a glass water bottle standing on the floor in front of the carton. My windows face east, and of course, the very hot rays of the rising sun.

I ran next door (thank God my landlord lives right next door!). His wife came back with me as we checked everything. I was so afraid that the apartment downstairs was on fire, but it was only the egg carton, which had scorched the linoleum beneath it and the baseboard beside it. We put a wet cloth on the blackened area. My landlady, who stayed calm, thankfully, assured me that the linoleum created a LOT of smoke. She was right! We opened the windows wide and I placed small fans in them, blowing outwardly. The smoke vanished quickly. My panic did not. Unfortunately, it was there all day.

The past week has focused my mind on comfort foods, yesterday more than usual! My comfort foods in the “old days” (before the BTD) were generally dairy/carbohydrate oriented. I would head for potato-type foods (fried potatoes with onions, sometimes with mushrooms added, potato pancakes, potato perogies for starters) slathered in sour cream, or ice cream or chocolate or cake of some description. Almost all of these are now on my avoid list.

Yesterday, my body was in no condition to receive my regular fare, so I had only various fruits, yogurt and teas. By supper time, I could eat my regular fare of steamed veggies with a few tiny lamb meatballs. Later, my housemate, who is from Turkey, made a large glass of ayran for me. It is not only delicious and soothing, it shifted my headache to a much lighter level. It also helped me sleep more easily and to feel as strong (headacheless) as I did when I got up this morning.

Here is how to make ayran: To a generous amount of yogurt, add some cold water (more than half should be water, perhaps 1/3 yogurt to 2/3 water proportions). Add salt to taste, and some finely chopped fresh garlic. Shake, stir or blend and allow to sit for a short while until the garlic infiltrates the yogurt mix. Eat the residue of chopped garlic at the bottom of the glass when the liquid is gone. This is a wonderful summer drink, and also great in the winter when sniffles are imminent.

I am hoping and praying for a very peaceful week after this much too exciting beginning. The good news is that I have had a massage booked for this afternoon for a month now, and it couldn’t be better timing. Really.

Mood: Groggy

Music: My Alarm Clock.....I wish I was still in bed!!!

My "A" mom has jokingly made the comment that all I talk about is the avoids I eat and they're going to kick me off the website soon. :-) Well, here's another. It really is amazing how many avoids are in your foods. Even my favorite tofu/spinach rolls from Trader Joe's have guar gum and some other things in them. They were however better than what I ate this weekend.

It started with an 8 hour drive to Ohio turning into an 11 hour one because of traffic. Poor Carlos - what a good man. I had eaten very compliant all day in the car, ezekiel bread with peanut butter, dried apple slices through out, tofu and eggs that morning and lamb stew for lunch. We get to the bachlorette party late but everyone is still having a good time. I'm offered a mudslide. It has a cream liquor and ice cream in it but it's never given me problems before so I accept despite the avoids (it's the only drink they're serving at this shin-dig). The mistake seems to be a few hours later at 3am when I also have half a beer. That seems to be enough to curdle the milk products in my stomach and sure enough the next morning, I feel as though I've eaten an entire carton of whole sour cream. My case of lactose intolerance was so bad I couldn't even make it to the 2:30pm wedding we'd traveled all this way for. Too busy praying to that porclien god and yelling at people who tried to comfort me on the bed. (Every time the bed moved I felt worse than awful) I hadn't felt this bad since the time I did have too much sour cream on potato skins at our favorite bar. I don't think it's the ice cream (I've had that since starting) but really the beer that did something to it in my stomach. I did make it too an after party party so I got to see everyone and they were proud I made it out of bed. It's something I will never, EVER do again though.

Mistake number 2

Before we head out for our ridiculously long drive, (I'm still not feeling all that great since I hadn't had a lemon in 2 days) we go out for some Mexican food with our host. As a spoiled New Yorker, I will NOT be eating Mexican food in Ohio ever again. I order beef enchiladas since NOTHING on this menu is compliant save for some eggs. (not the case at our favorite place here in Long Island) I figure "oh, I'll just pick the beef out and eat the rest of the enchilada and the rice and other yummy things..." When it comes my "enchilada" was nothing but Beef in a CORN tortilla (avoids)! I used to love corn tortillas but have learned to eat nothing but the flour ones on this diet. All the enchiladas near me in NY are on flour tortillas with lots of cheese, refried beans, a tiny bit of sour cream, lettuce, and tomatoes and rice on the side. My side of "beans" were not the usual pinto (highly beneficial) but black beans (avoid) !!! And the rice on the side was a very small portion and not at all yummy. I don't know how they messed up yellow rice but they did. I should have sent it back. I should have walked out and gotten a tuna fish sandwhich else where. I didn't. I stayed and ate almost the whole thing. I was almost as quesey on the ride home as I was yesterday and no lemons at home for Monday when I went to work! I'm having my first lemon right now and promising to never be without them for that long again. The next time I run into that many avoids, I'm simply sending it back to the kitchen and saying I'm allergic. It's sooooo not worth it. (Just ask my stomach)

Seeing as how the rain was persisting down outside I thought that yesterday we’d have a bit of an insight into a two blood type family. Fortunately there is only Sue & I to consider and it must multiply the difficulty enormously where you have three or worse all four blood types in one household. Throw in the secretor status as well and I don’t know how you manage.

I am a Type A (assumed Secretor) and Sue is a Type AB (assumed secretor). I had already started the BTD and we purchased a home typing kit to check Sue’s type. It came out or so we thought as Type A. A little later she had a blood test for something and got herself typed and came back AB. When we looked back at her original card you could see the slight difference leaning towards an AB. Maybe secretly we wanted her to be Type A for convenience. I know she said if she came back Type O there was no way she was eating meat.

The first thing we did was print out a combined A & AB food list from one of those illegal web sites that were circulating Dr D’s food lists early in 2000. They are no longer allowed to do this because of copyright restrictions.

We sat down using LR4YT and the web site Type base and highlighted all the foods that were beneficial for us both in green and all the foods that were beneficial for one of us and neutral for the other in yellow.

This list still forms the basis of our regular diet today. You could do the same thing yourself using the books, type base and your favourite spreadsheet software.

Bearing in mind that I’m the A and Sue is the AB listed this is an average non work days food with its status relative to us..

There looks like a lot of food but wherever possible we have broken the meal down into all its component forms.

Day off today... I wanted to juice this morning, but I had no groceries to do it with... Breakfast was two plums and two eggs. Eggland's Best all natural, vegetarian fed, free range hens. These eggs are the goods. An optimal ration of Omega 3's and 9's. Much better than the moth balls most people eat. Ha ha. I mixed these with a Tbsp. of East Wind organic peanut butter, dill, garlic, parsley, chives, onion powder, and drizzled a little House of Herbs blackstrap molasses. YUM! I'm gettin' hungry just typin' it...

Went to see the new Harry Potter with my grandma and my 'lil bro. It was all right I guess... Too long, and not quite entertaining enough for me... It's really meant for the younger audiences... I did let a tear fall at one part though... I'm such a sap. I took them to Granite City Food and Brewery for a late lunch/early dinner afterward. I had the Salmon Oscar on a bed of rice pilaf w/ steamed broccoli as well. The salad before hand was a custom job. A bowl of romaine, spring greens, pea pods, and cucumbers. Asked for a side of garlic powder, lemon wedges, and olive oil to make a dressing for it. Not too shabby. Had to put some salt on it though...

Grocery shopping. Bought lots of stuff for juicing. Kale, broccoli, cilantro, ginger, a grapefruit, spinach etc. Bought some avocados too. Highway robbery! 1.29 a piece!!!???? They're 50 cents in TX!

Bunch of other stuff obviously... I know you don't read these blogs for my shopping list though... Or do you...? Ha ha.

Lots of random junk to take care of on the comp. And here I am! I would like to take this oppurtunity to mention a few glaring failure I have in following the BTD.

1) I eat to much chicken... And it's NEVER organic. Full of their own crap and antibiotics. Who knows what else.

2) I drink soy milk w/carrageenan in it occasionally. That crap is horrible. Really gums ya' up.

3) Too much flash frozen and canned fish... It's never fresh... There are no acceptable sources around here. I try to off set the polyamines form tehse with berries and berry concentrates.

4) The beverages think. Too much coffee some days. We A's are only to have 6 oz. every 6 hours at the most. I'll have a 12 oz cup at once most times. Only a few days a week though... I also drink with meals too often... Only if it's wine or coffee though... Never water or anything else.

More failures later. Later gang. Glad you're diggin the Herbamare Paul!! It's fabulous! A great alternative to table salt, and a wonderful way to get some iodine in ya'!

p.s. I'm not spell checkin' this... So there.... krjehgkji

well, I'm up in N. Minnesota right now with my family. I had a blog saved on my email that I had yet to cut and paste from a few days ago, and now was just able to....now for the weekend food blog. I on the way up, my family and I went to Hell's Kitchen. I have been begging my mom to try the Bloody Mary there for months! Finally she did. We had a great lunch. I had the lemon-ricotta pancakes and jasmine green tea. Not completely compliant with the diet, but oh well.

More later,

Erika

I took a day off from work today because I have racked up 22 vacation days this year and I have only taken two year to date…so Friday and today knock it down 18. I decided to take a little trip across town to an area of Toronto, known as Greek Town where…you’ve guessed it… where a large Greek community resides (love the Greeks and their lamb). In this neighborhood, resides a very successful Organic food mart called the Big Carrot. I usually go their once a month a loud up on stuff. Today I picked up some food and skin products.

I came across a chemical free sunscreen made by Alba Botanica SPF 18… it didn’t come any higher for some reason. I wonder, sometimes, how my cavemen ancestors dealt with the sun. It probably was not a concern for they didn’t have a ozone depletion issue back than like we do now and I’m sure come spring and summer they started eating fruits and vegetables that were high in beta carotene (like peaches (N), apricots, sweet potatoes ( etc…a natural internal sun block that keeps the skin poised to combat over exposure…not likely that they sat on the beach all day...if was basically let’s go look for food, eat and mate) Anyway a SPF 18 without the chemicals is a lot safer that a SPF 30 with the chemicals. If I do happen to burn myself, I picked up 98% Aloe Vera gel form a company called Jason Natural products to ease the pain. Also use it on my face after I shave.



On to the food section, and back to beta-carotene, picked up 10 pounds of organic carrots for my juicer. Great thing about carrots (N) is you can juice it with a lot of other fruits and vegetables (to many to name them all here, maybe some other blog). I than walked into the pasta section I came across this brand of Rice Pasta (N) (eat this maybe twice a week tops) called Tinkyada that fellow blogger Kristin had mentioned a few blogs back (and gave two thumbs up). I bought 4 packages, one of each variety of pasta. Lastly I went to the Organic meat section and lo and behold, they had Free-range veal/chicken (mixed together Beneficial/neutral) sausages…I bought a pack, which had 7 large sausages for $10.00. I had one for lunch today with bok choy (N) and they were excellent! Lastly I picked up a spelt (N) muffin with raisons (N) and zucchini (N) in it as a snack. The whole excursion cost me $22.00 for the cosmetics and $32.00 for the food. Not cheap, considering I could have bought the same stuff with a lot more chemicals and pesticides for say $20.00 less. There was a point say maybe 3 years ago, that I thought organic was way to costly but ask yourself what price are you paying by eating the “other” stuff. If you’re on the fence about buying Organic or feel it’s expensive, here are 10 reasons why you should.

1. Protect future generations…children receive 4 times more exposure than adults to cancer-causing pesticides in food

2. Prevent soil erosion…Three billion tons of topsoil are eroded from crop lands in the US each year, much of it due to conventional farming practices

3. Protect water quality…the EPA estimates that pesticides pollute the primary source of drinking water for more than half the country’s population (side note…Canada has the largest world supply of fresh water in the world…water, not oil, is someday going to be the hot commodity )

4. Keep chemicals off your plate…pesticides are poisons designed to kill organisms, and can also be harmful to humans

5. Protect farm worker’s health…pesticides are poisons designed to kill organisms, and can also be harmful to humans

6. Save energy…more energy is now used to produce synthetic fertilizers than to till, cultivate and harvest all the crops in the U.S.

7. Help small farmers…although more and more large scale farms are making the conversion to organic practices, most organic farms are small, independently owned and operated family farms

8. Support a true economy…organic food might seem expensive; however, your tax dollars pay for hazardous waste clean up and environmental damage caused by conventional farming

9. Promote Biodiversity…planting large plots of land with the same crop year after year tripled farm production between 1950 and 1970, but the lack of natural diversity of plant life has negatively affected soil quality

10. Flavor and Nourishment…organic farming starts with the nourishment of the soil, producing nourished and nourishing plants. Conduct your own taste test!



In closing, the skin is the largest organ (the liver is a lot smaller but really the workhorse of all your organs) your body has to help you detoxify (mainly when you sweat) of any chemical buildup in your body. Stop being a mad scientist, stop mixing the bad chemicals you have ingested with the bad chemicals you slap on your skin.

With a little intense sunlight, one day you might just go…

POOOF!!!

(Gives new meaning to spontaneous combustion…no?)

COOEE: (kui) A call used to attract attention, esp. a long loud high pitched call on two notes.

Today’s blog is an impassioned plea to all Australians who follow the BTD.

How many of us are there really.

I get regular comments from a couple of people, and a couple more have written in the past two days.

If you’re Australian or a New Zealander, in fact let’s broaden this a little. If you are in Asia or the South Pacific drop me a brief line, it doesn’t need to say anything, just let me know if you follow BTD and where you’re from. You can even include your blood type if you wish.

I hope you all get support from your medical practitioner, I’m fortunate we even have a health food store close by who’s owner believes in and follows the BTD principal.

Can you get any NAP product in Australia or where you live.?

I’ve never seen any in Tasmania.

Have you successfully purchased NAP over the web and actually got it into Australia?

I purchased an herbal treatment for Bonnie from America for 6 years with no problem. It was always checked by Australian Quarantine and sent on to me. Last week I received notification that the shipment had been seized under quarantine regulations and would be destroyed within 30 days as an illegal import. I am currently disputing the seizure but don’t hold out much hope for success.

The Australian Quarantine Information Service now lists therapeutic and other medicinal products for humans and animals as a prohibited import. I’m all for protecting our Country but do all those spammers out there know that they are wasting there time trying to sell me Viagra, V14gra, v!agra, v!4gra. It would be seized at quarantine, so stop trying to sell it to me.

Peter, If you read this , is there a distributor for NAP in Australia or S E Asia ?

It’s Queens Birthday long weekend in Australia. A public holiday to recognise the Official birthday of Queen Elizabeth II. I’m not sure how relevant it is in Australian society today, but don’t try and take a public holiday off us. Anyway Devonport on this holiday is experiencing 25 –35 knot north westerly winds interspersed with lashings of rain. It’s not a bitterly cold wind so it’s not so bad. Just ruined plans for the garden, oh and washing & polishing the car. Not too fussed about it stuffing up the last one.

Took advantage of the day off to search out and purchase Jim's seasoning of choice, Herbamare.

Like it Jim, nice one.

Remember if you’re a down under BTD’er, let us know.

By the way I've had confirmation that the lab mentioned yesterday were still doing secretor tests as recently as May 2003.

Had a night out with my brother, my roommate, and an old friend last night. Stared with white wine... Ended with red... Probably drank a wee bit too much... These things happen.

Breakfast today was juice. 2 plums, carrots, broccoli, green onion, garlic, and parsley. Interesting...

Lunch was a big handful of blueberries, some turkey, and a vegetable medley including yellow squash, green beans, onions, and few mushrooms.

Just ate dinner. Marinated cod in olive oil, lemon juice, Bragg's liquid Aminos, granulated garlic, onion powder, chives, and parsley. Grilled it up with a yellow onion, and some sliced zuchinni. Delicious.

Jeez, I'm a good cook. Had a salad with it. Romaine, carrots, and cucumber. Made a quick dressing w/lemon juice, olive oil, garlic and onion powder. Enjoying a glass of Kendall Jackson Vintners Reserve Cabernet. A 99'. Not bad at all.

I've got things backward lately... Eating all my protien at dinner instead of early... Also drinking wine with meals too often...

Going to make up a list of those rules, and list them all at once soon... You'll have to wait until then... Sorry.

To answer a few Q's:

I'm going to get better about listing brand names, when applicable, so that people know exactly what I'm using. I'll start next blog.

The meditation practice I do is one hour a day. I started Dec. 4 of 2003. I have missed two days since then. Whoops... I use a product called Holosync. It's amazing, and powerful stuff. It uses brainwave manipulation frequencies in order to raise your stress threshhold and do a MILLION other beneficial things. I couldn't possibly list all the benefits here. Go to centerpointe.com for all the nitty gritty. It really is amazing.

The raw foods thing is a touch and go thing for me... I eat it raw when possible. I usually make a preference for it. If I'm really in the mood for grilled zuchinni or whatever, I'm going to have it.

Someone brought up an interesting point today. Raw foods in the summer Vs. in the winter. I believe that a lighter, raw diet should be taken up in the summer. Foods should be cooked more in the winter to break them down into thier simpler constituents. The body uses a lot of energy in the winter to stay warm. You can off set this by cooking food a bit to make it easier to assimilate. It's also a bit of an in season thing... Our ansestors sure as hell didn't eat a whole pineapple and a big salad of chopped romaine in Jan. Probably more like cooked squach and richly oiled, coldwater fish... This is another of those topics I could discuss/debate for hours. Research it further if you like. Keep the Q's a comin'... Later friends...

June 13, 2004

I don’t remember how old I was when I did my first “diet”. 6th grade, maybe? That sounds about right. I remember it, though. I counted calories. This was the early 70’s and that was pretty much what was available to someone who wanted to lose weight. I remember starting with 1500 calories, then moving to 1200 and eventually dropping down to 700 per day. I didn’t do this for a long time, just long enough to shed the prepubescent pounds that were starting to creep on. That was the beginning of my life and I have followed that same pattern ever since.

My pattern has been one of eating whatever I wanted until I had become “fat” in my own mind. I don’t know how many times I have actually been truly fat in my life. My own mind is warped in that sense. I think that if I over a size 14/16, I start to get nervous. When I was a lot younger, the scale defined it, but once I got through college and firmly passed the 155-pound mark, the scale said less than the size of the clothes.

Since college, when I took lots and lots of “uppers” to keep me going and keep me thin, I have been truly thin a few times. Most of the time I fluctuate between a size 12 (thin for me) and a size 16 (what I consider to be heavy for me). The times that I have been truly thin have be very extreme times of my life. The time that I was the thinnest, I also had a nervous breakdown – a true breakdown – just a few months after reaching my “goal”. I remained thin that following year, and only started to become closer to my true size after I started to feel mentally and emotionally better. It’s odd. I pulled out some pictures from that “thin” period. I look amazing. I know that I am blessed with good looks, good skin, good teeth, etc., and that being that thin, I looked like a model. You know what, though? I don’t see that in those pictures. I can look at myself and remember so clearly how miserable I was. I was so unhappy, so deep down sad, that, to me, THAT is what shows most in those photos. I look wistfully at my body at that time, and wish that that could come without the sadness that was there, but I think that I have also come to understand that the two go hand in hand.

I have a tendency to be able to stick to any “diet” for about 8-12 months. Most of the time it is about 10 months. After that, I just want my life back. I want to be able to go to a nice restaurant and eat what I want. Actually, I just want to be able to eat what I want to eat.

I am afraid that I am seeing that I am reaching that place with the BTD. In February of 2003, I read an article online that horrified me regarding the animal production industries – in this case the fact that an egg laying farm in San Diego had decided to “dispose” of their “spent” laying hens by throwing them, alive, into a wood chipper. Here is that article:

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/northcounty/20030411-9999_1mi11chip.html

This sparked in me a big jump into the world of vegetarianism and Veganism. I became a Vegan, and I researched extensively into the inhumanities of how we treat the non-humans of this world. I liked the ideals of Veganism. I was obsessed with eating no animal products at all. I felt emotionally good. I got fat and felt physically awful.

8 months later I was exposed to ER4YT. This was October of last year. Eating that way made me feel SO much better, and helped me to lose the weight that I gained while being a Vegan. However, I have not become perceptively smaller than my “usual”. Actually, since I have added T-Tapping, I have dropped ½ a size. Will it help me to get smaller, I don’t know. I do know that I have reached my limits of obsessing about food.

There is no doubt that I have felt better during the time of complete starch elimination, BUT I can’t do it anymore. It's very difficult for me to do that. I'm tired of all of the shopping and the cooking and the cleaning. It's not that I want to eat fast food all of the time, I just want to feel a little more relaxed in my life. I’m tired of the obsession with food. I’m just tired of it. I feel like I have been food obsessing my entire life.

So, that’s where I am. Do you still want a blogger who is, most likely, not going to be more than 80% complaint? I still believe in the BTD principles. I still intend on avoiding wheat, corn, potatoes and the others BUT I will be eating a sandwich, some fries and a shake here and there. I don’t intend to do it every day. I intend, on a day in, day out basis, to make as many choices, based on ER4YT, as is convenient for me. I am going to continue to T-Tapp. I’ll be happy to keep posting on how it goes for me, but I am not going to be as compliant as many of the other bloggers are. Or maybe I will be. I’m not sure at this point. I’m going to just allow myself to be more relaxed about my food, and I’ll see where that goes. Got any opinions? Let me know….

On the food end, I have been pretty compliant, but I did have a patty melt last night. It is the first wheat since the weekend before the spider bite. It was rye bread, actually, and maybe I’m not as reactive to rye (although it was at a restaurant, so you don’t really know how much rye is in there), because I had no ill effects. The sandwich also had Swiss on it, but dairy, in general, doesn’t bother me nearly as much as other avoids.

I got up and had one of my scrambled eggs in sushi nori. I just LOVE that. I made my daughter spelt pancakes and had a couple myself. I have some maple syrup from Williams-Sonoma that has cinnamon in it. I put that on the pancakes and realized that it was a perfectly acceptable substitute for a cinnamon roll. Of course, the spelt made me sleepy. As much as I am willing to add starches back in, I AM acutely aware of the fact that wheat relatives make me sleepy - the safest starch for me is rice. The spelt pancakes were well worth it, but would NOT be on a morning where I needed to actually get things done. The blueberries and Rainer cherries are finally getting good again, and I LOVE both of them. I can just eat them all day long. Junky deserts can’t hold a candle to a good Rainer cherry, in my book.

OK – off to nap. It has been a CRAZY weekend for me, including having to have my daughter at a swim meet by 6:45 AM yesterday AND her dance recital last night. I just want to vegetate today as much as possible.

This blog contains some of my favorite philosophies of success as it pertains to the BTD diet. They are unwritten rules That I live and breathe. They come to life in every aspect of the BTD diet, from my interactions with other people, eating habits and decisions as to what I buy as food. Here they are:

It’s only good if it’s win/win

Do your body some good and try your best to eat (as much as possible) combinations...or single servings but for the sake of this philosophy… of Beneficial/Beneficial, Beneficial/neutral or Neutral/neutral…Beneficial/Avoid, Neutral/Avoid and Avoid/Avoid are not win/win scenarios (try your best not to let those blood specific lectins in by eating foods you can’t digest properly, combining proteins with starches like potatoes and grains or eating ‘Frakenfood’)

Good health many times comes disguised as hard work

Putting food into your mouth without thinking what it will do to you is a very easy thing to do. You might stumble and fall many times while you’re on the diet but all the hard work you do to stay compliant will pay off till eventually it becomes a way of life and a healthy habit

Perfection (perfect health, 100% compliance) is unattainable

If you strive for perfection on the diet you’ll achieve excellent results

Pay attention to your weaknesses (avoids)

Mine are wheat, corn, dairy, many beans and certain fruits and vegetable like cauliflower, potatoes and melons. Lack of strenuous exercise also affects me.

Treat every meal as your only meal…if you don’t, it may be your last meal

We as a society have this “eat and run mentality” when it comes to eating. Savor your food...chew your food thoroughly and savor all the tastes and smells that the food has to offer. Try to eat in a relaxed state away from distractions, like your computer screen, loud music or TV… your stomach and digestive system will thank you and you’ll enjoy many more meals to come.



Smile!

You are one of many people who have experienced beneficial results from being on the BTD diet

8-)

Secretor testing in Australia seems to be almost non-existent.

I have received a message from a chap in Townsville in Queensland who’s Doctor is unable to provide secretor testing. He mentions his Dr has over 800 blood tests listed and there is no mention of secretor or Lewis tests. I went through the same scenario with my own Dr with the same result. I remembered this subject being discussed on the old bulletin board here a couple of years ago and a quick search provided what I was looking for.

Contact the following lab for instructions to obtain a test.

The price mentioned is about two years old and hopefully the name mentioned still works there. I did actually speak to these people back then and they were very helpful I never followed through with the test though. I think I was and still am scared that I’ll find out that I’m a non-secretor and have to start again. I don’t really think so !!

Actually given the way I currently feel health wise I’m 80% sure that I’m in the 80% of the population that secrete, and that’s good enough odds for me at this time in my life.

The private, independent pathology lab in Melbourne is:

General Diagnostic Laboratories - (03) 9808 2122

68 Burwood Hwy, Burwood Vic.

enquiries should ask for John Robert

- saliva test $30 AUD

To any Australian readers, these people may know of a lab nearer to you that will perform the test to save sending samples by post to Victoria.

Secretor out.

Trying something else today... Just going to quick list what I ate, then proceed to tell you the BTD rules I follow.

Juiced early am. Carrots, celery, kale, broccoli, garlic, green onion, apple. Made three servings.

Breakfast: 2 raw eggs, 2 handfuls blueberries, 2 scoops Dr. D protien powder for A's, cinnamon, ginger, and pineapple juice, and a little water in the blender... Delicious shake. Highly benneficial.

Coffee, juice, and water between.

Lunch: 2 pluots, an apricot, a half head of romaine lettuce, a can of snails, and a half a carrot.

Green tea, water, and 2 servings of juice between.

Dinner: The other half of the romaine lettuce and carrot, another pluot, an avovado seasoned as usual, a big sald containg an entire head of chopped romaine, a handful of carrotsticks, and a dressing I made using olive oil, onion powder, parsley, granulated garlic, lemon juice, and love... Pretty full now...

Here are the rules. I follow the type A diet strictly. I have tested as both secretor (saliva test) and non-secretor (seropanel evaluation). This leads me to believe I am a very weak secretor. Other wise I am: A+ (weak secretor), M,N , Lewis A+, B-. So....

1) I avoid all the "avoids" for secretors.

2) I avoid all the "avoids" for non secretors.

3) I avoid all the "neutral: allowed infrequently's" in both the cancer and the diabetes books.

4) I avoid tap water. I use only reverse osmosis water, and sometimes distilled.

5) I always get organic when I can. If it isn't organic, I have veggie wash at home, or I'll rinse it if I'm away from home.

6) Always take a benneficial over a nuetral.

7) Probiotics, digestive enzymes, and various other alternating supplements everyday.

8) LOTS of water everyday... I shoot for 90 oz of fluids... I usually fall short.

9) I cook foods as little as possible most of the time... Try to keep the vitamins and enzymes in tact.

10) Beverages 1/2 hour before and 2 hours after meals... I cheat sometimes. Especially with wine...

11) I have a lot more rules... I'll get back to ya' w/the rest... I'll also fill you in on areas where I fail. Feel free to write in w/q's. I'll try and get them answered asap.

I’d never really considered my approach to exercise through my life before, but when I look back over my sporting life there has been a definite aversion to hard physical training. Despite this apparent dislike of training I have thoroughly enjoyed all my sport. I may not like the training aspect but I can be as competitive as the next person when it counts.

Aged 7 I started to play football [soccer] at my local park. Right from the very beginning I was drawn to the position of goalkeeper. Less running you see. 21 years later I played my last game after being carried off the field with a career ending knee injury. From that early age I had a natural aptitude for the position between the sticks and played to a reasonably high amateur level, winning numerous awards along the way. During my years at Grammar School in England we played Rugby and Cricket and I represented at school level in both sports. At no time did I ever enjoy the repetition of fitness training although what skill training there was provided at this time was totally absorbed.

I loved playing football and to this day it is still a passion.

After rehabilitation and recovery time which involved a lot of non competitive walking and cycling I took up golf. Another sport I could play competitively with minimum physical training. I used to hit golf balls for practice 3 – 4 times a week, but you couldn’t call that hard work. I never did any strength or flexibility work to improve my game because it just didn’t appeal. I eventually played to a handicap of 11 before injury once again finished a promising sporting career. I hit a crook shot one day playing in a downpour and the club slipped as I hit the ball. This had the effect of reversing the angle of my right elbow and tearing all my ligaments in my arm. Nasty.

It finished my golf. After attempts to numerous to mention I was never able to regain my confidence in the elbow and return to my former level. I ceased to enjoy the game for that reason and gradually faded away from the game. I’d still love another go one day but I still don’t know if the old body will stand up to it.

I took up Table Tennis.

Another sport that doesn’t need lot’s of physical training, although it’s surprising, you can play it as hard as you like and you will get a good aerobic workout, but it doesn’t involve hours of running and weights etc. unless you play at the elite level. During this period I took up refereeing and qualified as a State Registered Table Tennis official and even officiated at a National Veterans Championship held in Hobart in 1998. I eventually had to give it away as like most things, the more you do the more people want and holding down a fulltime job as well made it tough to devote the time that people wanted. I was never a star player but I was competitive and it fulfilled a need for competition.

I currently don’t play any competitive sport, except Chess with the wife, and you wouldn’t believe how much physical training that requires. No really you wouldn’t.

I enjoy my garden and work around home at weekends; I’m a bit [lot] of in Internet junky these days. When you look at my sports history there is a noticeable aversion to all the hard physical training involved. I’ve no doubt that had I applied myself more physically I may well have gone to the next level but what could I do.

All that time and it was in my blood all along.

Sorry about the blogging delay friends. My little sister is in Intensive care right now with a terrible case of mono/pneumonia/heppatitis... No idea how this came about... She isn't doing very well and I'm very worried. These last few days were my Nanny's last days in town as well, so time has been tight.

Eating well. I'll skip what I've had over the past few days. Lots of grilling, and my basic fare. Juicing a lot too.

Today was all right. Breakfast was juice. Carrots, kale, celery, garlic, broccoli, parsley, and green onion. I was outta ginger. Just wasn't the same w/o it. Made lots. Lunch was eaten out at a restaurant called Green Mill. Very cool! Normally eating out doesn't work well for me... Too strict. This was great though! I got an idea... I took a pen and pad. Looked at the salad menu, and proceeded to write down everything that looked good an that is okay for A's. Let's see... Spinach, romaine, diced avocado, cucumber, mushrooms, red, white, and green onion, almonds, walnuts, grilled maple chicken, olive oil, lemon juice, and garlic powder. It was great! They were totally cool with it. I reccomend anyone try this at a favorite restaurant. They only charged 8.99 for it too.. Not too bad I guess. Had a glass of Yellow Tail Shiraz with it too... Not sure if it was 02' or 03'. Good stuff though.

Dinner was eaten at work. Pretty simple. 2 pluots, 2 apricots, a can of salmon, and a handful of cherries. Had more of the juice about a half hour before it too...

Sitting down to a snack of spinach leaves and peanut butter while I chat with ya'll. Again, sorry about the delay! I'll get more posted when my sis is feeling better, and I'm not so pressed.

To answer a Q: HERBAMARE is a Swedish sea salt product. It is steeped in garlic, kelp, ginger, and a bunch of other delicious herbs for 2 years I think... Fantastic stuff. Benneficial herbs too. Good iodine content. Try ordering it on line. I found it at Herb Mart in Dallas, TX. Good luck!

Not spell checking this... Too rushed! Later gang!

Well, my little health drama has reached a verdict…I have a hernia on my right side and I’m going under the knife July 9th. I went to see a specialist this morning and he confirmed after a few coughs and some heavy pushing on my part (like I was having a tough bowel movement). I felt the discomfort immediately while he was examining me.

I will have to curtain any heavy lifting or heavy workouts for about a month after my surgery. I have done light workouts since it has been troubling me. The doctors said just don’t overdo it till I’m clear of my hernia.

The surgery is apparently quick and I will be out of the hospital the same day.

Now what does this all mean to my type O physiology? First off type O’s have blood that does not clot as easily say as a type A…especially O secretors like myself. Good for O’s because we are less likely to have heart disease because of our free flowing blood…not so good when we need to be operated on. Therefore, I will be going on a Surgery recover protocol (see web site on bottom of page for link). I’m going to start on Stinging Nettle leaves or Horsetail 2 weeks prior to my operation and will be complementing it with Bromelain starting two weeks after my surgery. The bromelain is an excellent anti-inflammatory especially after surgery.

My May 15th blog about my Ileocecal valve was well…. way off… but I didn’t know I had one until I had this discomfort. This was a positive outcome (knowledge) and I try to find a positive in all supposedly negative situations…remember everything’s relative.

Ignorance of one’s lack of good health sometimes can seem like a heavy burden.

Consider yourselves lucky (as I do myself) to be part of this great BTD community

Thanks to everyone who emailed me expressing concern…you carried me a bit and made me worry less. Now that I know the outcome I’m more at peace.

I am absolutely flying today. On top of the World. Nothings going to stop me now.

I went back to my Doctor this morning for the results of last week’s blood test. What a fantastic set of numbers, I couldn’t believe it.

Thyroid test.

TSH level is 0.57. Normal range is anywhere between 0.47 – 4.70.

Last years reading was 0.43.

This is the first time in three years that my TSH has been in the normal range and has come about purely from following the BTD diet and using a Kelp homeopathic treatment. No drugs or anything.

Prostate Test.

PSA level is 0.5. Anything less than 4.0 is considered acceptable.

The PSA or Prostate Specific Antigen is a simple test to see if there is any Prostate problem and this reading is almost identical to last year.

Cholesterol Test.

Cholesterol level is 3.7. Recommended level is less than 4.0 mmol/L.

Triglyceride level is 1.0. Recommended level is less than 2.0 mmol/L

HDL Cholesterol level is 1.3. Recommended level is greater than 1.0 mmol/L.

Cholesterol/HDL average is 2.8.

The Doctor told me he was extremely please with the levels and when I asked him for a copy of the test results I told him about my blogging on this site and wanting to share with the World. He asked me what my blood type was and then said I’m an A as well does that mean I should be vegetarian. I explained some of the meat options he had but he looked downcast when I told him he’d have to give up potatoes. It won’t happen but at least he knew of the BTD and we were able to hold a constructive dialogue.

Peter, Thanks to you and all your staff who have made these readings a reality. If you ever want to quote a set of numbers to justify your BTD stance please feel free to use these.

Maybe this will stop all those funny looks people give me when I tell them how or what I eat.

Mood: Chill

Music: Ironically enough, "Hit Me With Your Best Shot" - Pat Benetar



The Personal Note

This past week has been crazy; to use a cliche, more like a roller coaster. The most disturbing thing? Last Saturday, my husband got into a fight outside the bar b/c a drunk was insulting us as we walked by. Why am I not surprised??? It had been 2 weeks since my "O" last exercised to any great extent. I'm beginning to notice a pattern. Usually, we get into verbal fights over little things when he hasn't exercised - this time though it was an all out brawl with some young thug who was much taller and thicker than the two of us. Surprisingly, my O actually wasn't touched at all - avoided punches quite well and gave the other guy two blows to the head/jaw line, some kicks (he takes karate) and a kick to the nether regions. Then the cops came. I'm good now but I was crying hysterically for ½ an hour after and was completely shook up. It had been a bad day at work too.

It all started when we were walking out of a deli on the boardwalk that evening (I NEEDED a tuna wrap - I'm sure you other AB's understand) before going back to the bar/club. Then the insults came as we walked by two young men and Carlos lost it. I was so worried. I never realized how much I hated fights ‘til I was in the midst of one. I tried to stop it but instead the ruffian grabbed me by the shoulder, which added to my hysteria. Not a good Saturday. Carlos was so sorry he made me cry and told me to run away if a fight were to break out again so I wouldn't get hurt. He then admitted, to his disgust, that he really enjoyed the fight. I basically said "not to worry, I understand, you're you" (you physco O !!!). So, if you're an O, with all that pent up energy and rage.....please go to the gym or park or run or swim or whatever on a regular basis. Our friend, Paul, is one of the calmest guys we know. Nothing phases him. He's an O as well but he goes to the gym every day.......coincidence?

The Food Note

Avoids are creeping into EVERYTHING and it's making me angry!!! I feel like it's a conspiracy sometimes and "the powers that be" want the masses to be dumb and uninformed AND grouchy/discombobulated b/c of what they eat. But maybe I watched too many "X-Files" in college :-) The good news is, Ezekiel bread is back in my life (every time I went to the supermarket last week, they were out!!!) I love it. Makes for excellent turkey sandwiches or my quick breakfast on the bus. I find it's always what my body wants. On the bad side, I ate 8 chocolate donut pop-ums yesterday (why are we serving this has snack to the kids??? Where are the apples?) After work a bunch of us went to Long Beach here in Long Island. Too cold for a swim....(well not for my crazy O's) but nice for the toes and lots of tossing of a football that the boys have named "Wilson" (for obvious reasons). I was sweating by the end, we played ‘til the sunset. Then we went out for sushi.

My phoenix roll had spicy tuna, salmon, rice & avocado and I had some mackerel sashimi. (Almost All Beneficial!) I should have been fine since there was VERY little avocado in it but then Carlos ordered 2 dragon rolls for the table - Avoid Central. The place was closing so,......I had basically a whole roll. The dragon roll contains LOTS of avocado, shrimp tempura, and eel in that yummy sauce. It used to be one of my favorites before the diet. Sure enough, when we went to the ice cream parlor later that night, I had a stomach ache. Not a bad one, just that constant churning sensation I always had before the diet and every so often a sharp drilling pain but that only last for 5 seconds at a time. Not fun but, they happened so often before, I just learned to deal with it. I was full from sushi (not to mention the tummy rumbling) so I didn't have any gelato. I did enjoy the smell of the waffle cones as I sipped my water though! :-)

The Weekend

We will be going to Ohio for a wedding so, no more entries ‘til next week. I promise to be more diligent and write more often in the future. Enjoy yourself!!! Eat lots of Veggies!!! (Just not lima beans and corn! I have a story about that for next time!)

Most of us here in BTD world except ABs have a hard time with wheat…it’s the big 5-letter word we don’t want to see, hear or eat. Monsanto…a company famous for their product, Nutrasweet (another big avoid…apparently turns into formaldehyde once broken down in your body) is coming out with genetically modified wheat…Roundup Ready Wheat. It is said that this wheat could grow in the snow (it’s pretty indestructible…it can withstand hail and drought). Anyway it has all the wheat growers in Canada (organic and regular farmers) in a bit of a stink. A poll showed that 60% of Canadians would avoid products made from GM wheat. Greenpeace is fighting hard to stop Monsanto from producing it but it will probably come down to the government of Canada and our food and drug agency to stop the production of it. AB’s beware…everyone else, try not to eat wheat period.

Speaking of governments…going stateside…Mr. Bush has threatened to pull out of a landmark treaty, the Montreal Protocol of 1987 that was a global agreement to phase out the production and use of chemicals that cause the depletion of the Ozone layer. Bush wants the strawberry and tomatoes farmers to have continued access to a pesticide, methyl bromide, one of the most dangerous ozone depletion chemicals in use. With an election brewing it looks like Bush needs votes from the growers…probably from critical states in the electorate A good reason to buy organic if these two foods are on your B or N lists.

Lastly, came across a new food product on the shelves this week…Wasabi (horseradish) Peas. Yes, just when you thought a food could not get commercialized, someone comes up with Wasabi Peas, because we all need to eat more peas, right? Here's where you take a naturally good food, not on anybody's avoid list and you butcher it. Here are the ingredients:

Peas

Glutinous rice flour

Wheat flour (who knows, could be genetically modified)

Horseradish

Palm oil

Sunflower oil

Blue dye

Yellow dye (dyes mixed together make green because the natural pea green isn't good enough)

The only good thing about the product is that you can fit two tennis balls in the aluminum cylindrical container it comes in.

Enough said......Anyone for tennis?

If there is anything that can be considered as the truth as we know it, it is very, very simple: do not, ever, under any circumstances, offer to buy a piece of real estate and immediately leave town for a week of retreat. It’s much more difficult than trying to mix oil and water. They are totally foreign elements to each other. I find myself still in that “middle ground” of not being at the retreat and not being in the world at the same time. I returned home just in time to face the last day to arrange the financing for the purchase of my new home, and to find a lawyer. Fortunately, I had already applied to a friendly credit union for financing before my retreat began, but I still had to go downtown in smoggy Toronto weather, and call several lawyers. The good news is that all was easily accomplished, and the rest – hopefully - will be a matter of form. I will have a new home before the end of July, which I am so much looking forward to.

The 5-day retreat was held in a camp established by the Easter Seal campaign, which provides fresh air experiences for children with physical disabilities. It is located near Perth, Ontario, which in turn is not far from our nation’s capital, Ottawa. It took 3 ½ hours to get there, and 4 hours to return home, with excellent company both ways. The property is situated at the tip of a small peninsula jutting out into an expansive lake (for which Canada and Ontario are famous), so we were surrounded by water on three sides. In spite of the manicured lawns and cluster of various buildings which were carefully engineered to accommodate wheel chairs (including the paved walks around the buildings and near the lake), the area happily teemed with wild life.

The lake supports several loons, whose cries could be heard day and night, and could also be observed from time to time as they came closer to our location. Towards evening, their bodies seemed to glow on the water as their white feathers reflected the rays of the sun. Loons are my most favourite water bird, and I am always pleased and comforted when I see and hear them. A great blue heron easily flew over the lake against a strong wind, an awesome sight to be sure. Deer were sighted, including a new fawn curled up in a safe place. Owls hooted all night. Sunfish had created small circles in the shallow sandy bottom of the lake, standing guard at the edge of the circles to protect their eggs. Minnows were in class. Bullfrogs sang us to sleep each night. Someone saw a muskrat swimming in the lake. A young snake sighted in the underbrush departed by gliding into the lake and swimming away. A flock of Canada geese honked their way noisily across the lake several times. A humming bird tried to come through the window to access a bouquet of flowers placed near the glass. Dragonflies whirled around. An eagle soared across the lake. The full moon was beautifully reflected across the water. Across the expanse of water were small islands and the far shore, with buildings here and there. Little birds happily erupted at 5 a.m. to announce the beginning of each day. Although I set my clock faithfully each morning, I did not really need it as I was always awake at just the right time.

In advance of the retreat, I had emailed a list of foods to ensure my good health and participation in the retreat. Due to a series of unfortunate external incidents which included emergency by-pass surgery and printer failure, these were not properly transmitted to the caterer. At first I was put on my own responsibility to eat what was good for me. The first day’s lunch was a series of sandwiches made with wheat bread. The alternatives were kamut bread with soy or garbanzo fillings, which I couldn’t eat, either. They quickly (and happily) provided a plate with cheese, rice cakes and baby greens salad. At supper, lamb stew and a pre-seasoned salad were available. I ate both, saying a few prayers. The headache that resulted was reasonably tame before bedtime, but woke me up at 2 a.m. After explaining my situation, the caterer happily supplied compliant foods, and the rest of the retreat was a dream. There was fresh organic local lamb which was delicious, and I had several meals with it, cooked simply in broth. I was happy to avoid combinations and focus only on lamb, cheese and veggies with unseasoned baby green salads. For breakfast I could have boiled eggs and spelt toast. At breaks there was sometimes a pot of the most delicious tea, made by pouring hot water over freshly picked mint and raspberry leaves from the garden. A ginger root was placed on the table to be used in teas. I cut thin slices and chewed on them happily every so often.

Aside from animal life and food, the retreat was intense. There was little time for “extras”. A friend brought two books, but could not concentrate on reading. Days began with at 6:30 a.m., punctuated by meals and a series of sessions with enough breaks to allow for dishes to be washed on a volunteer basis, walks down the road, or even little naps. Evenings produced music in which we all participated, by singing, or at least, moving rhythmically. The musicians leading the sessions were sensitive, joyous and versatile, each playing several instruments, some of them quite exotic, such as a tambura (an East Indian instrument). By the time I came home, I was very euphoric and a little tired by the somewhat rapid transition from semi-wilderness to city life where it was hot and humid.

The effects of the week continue to reverberate deeply inside me. Being surrounded by the lake and its inhabitants was a wonderful experience for a city dweller without a car to get to these magical places. As well, there were some important insights and break-throughs during the course of the retreat, and much to contemplate and process in the weeks to come as I begin the process of sorting through my belongings and packing them up. I don’t know if I look exactly the same as when I left home over a week ago, but I do know I don’t feel the same – and you know, I don’t think I want to entirely return to that old me. I kind of like some of what I’m feeling right now.

Sue baked our first attempt at Rye Foccacia yesterday. It was by quantity a 1/3rd Spelt flour and 2/3rd light Rye.

It made a really nice bread but wasn’t the light texture of a normal foccacia although the crust was excellent. Possibly worth trying with a 50/50 flour mix or if you can eat Spelt 100% certainly works.

You need;

1-1/2 cups warm water [45oC 110oF]

2 Tablespoons of sugar

2-1/2 teaspoons of yeast

2-1/4 cups of Rye flour

1 cup Spelt flour

2 teaspoons salt

2 tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Use spelt flour on your board when kneading.

Dissolve sugar in warm water and add yeast, leave in a warm place until frothy.

Mix all ingredients in a bowl and knead, knead and more knead, adding more flour if required until you get a nice soft texture. 15 minutes of good aerobic exercise.

Rub dough with Olive Oil, cover and leave in a warm spot until approx. double in size.

Beat the crap out of it to wind it and knock all the air out. Knead again, shape or divide into a size that suits you and your baking trays.

Press fingers into surface of bread so it looks like a bad case of cellulite, cover and rest for 20 minutes [that’s the dough not you], brush with a virgin [oil], herbs of choice and bake 25 – 30 minutes at 190oC.

Lightly toasted on a grill and drizzled with more E V Olive oil its a ‘bloody beauty’.

Second day off in a row today. I like that... Just don't get another day off for a while...



Up early. Probiotics, oxygen powder stuff, and lots of water. Lemon juice too. Ran an errand or two. Breakfast was an avocado seasoned as usual. Cut it up into a bed of spinach, two half-hard boiled eggs, and white onion. Really good.



Spent most of the day at Itasca State Park today. Headwaters of the Mississippi. Beautiful place. My dad, both brothers, grandma, and my 'lil bro's friend and I all had a great time. Checked out all the sites etc... Got a little wet, played a 'lil frisbee. Brought plenty of stuff to eat and

drink too! Sirloin burgers for the "other" people. I had grilled chicken, seasoned with Herbamare. Grilled apricot slices seasoned as well (good!), and a couple of small grilled yellow onions. Had a plum too. Delicious. We brought out a couple of bottles of Merlot as well. Robert Mondavi 99 Merlot, Napa Valley, unfiltered. Very good. And a french bottle of Le Faux Frog. Pretty good... Should have had it first though... The Mondavi was sumthin' special... I'll tell ya' what.



Later that day... Ate LOTS of raw pineapple. I always eat to much when I cut up a whole one. My brother and I decided to make a "concoction" as we were both in the mood for a dessert type thing...

Get this. Amaranth flour, pineapple juice, soy milk, cinnamon, frozen cherries, an egg, and peanut butter... We didn't measure anything... Just threw it all in a bowl and put it in a cupcake pan and baked it at 350 for about a half hour... A culinary disaster as far as texture and doneness... DELICIOUS THOUGH! Oh man... Too many carbs today...

Later gang.

With things in the Middle East as grim as they are the increased cost of oil is beginning to take effect.

Tasmania as an Island State is very susceptible to increases in fuel costs. I am already receiving notifications at work of transport companies and fuel surcharges to their freight rates. This will cause an across the board increase in the cost of living and makes me glad that I grow at least some of my own food. We have been paying a fuel surcharge on shipping containers from the USA for the past three months and this looks likely to continue, at least for the foreseeable future.

Unleaded petrol costs AU $1.10/litre at the moment approx. US $3.50/gallon or GBP1.95/gall, how does that compare with what you are currently paying.

Speaking of oil, we used extra light Olive oil in the Rye pastry. It wasn’t 100% successful; it either was slightly undercooked or used slightly too much oil. You will need to juggle it around until it feels right. All you pastry cooks out there don’t need me to tell you how to make pastry.

Tasmania has a burgeoning Olive industry developing. Using special cold climate strains there are thousands of acres of Olive groves under development along with the associated processing equipment. Like our wine sector they are targeting the gourmet upper end of the market and prices vary between $20 – 30$ per 750ml bottle AUD. I haven’t been game to try it, mainly because I can’t afford to pay that on a regular basis and the taste of it might put me off the beautiful Greek oil that I currently use.

I don’t know if we produce enough to export yet but keep a look out in your local deli or HFS for Extra Virgin Tasmanian Olive Oil.

We went to "Doolittle's' Wood Fire Grill" last night for dinner. I thought it was terrible... The atmosphere was anxious and uppity, the service was crap, the wine wasn't poured in front of me (I hate that), ALL of our dinners were lukewarm at best. I ordered the Honey Maple Salmon. The fillet was pitiful. Tiny, and cold. It came w/potatoes (which I subbed for broccoli) and grilled vegetables. The veggies consisted of a green bean. Yes... A green bean, as in "one." 2-3 pieces of mushroom... Looked like they came out of a can. Yellow squash and zucchini, and a bunch of red peppers... Picked these out as they are an avoid for secretors. I avoid the avoids for secretors and non secretors usually... I will let a couple of mushrooms slip by once in a while. And that dam* carageenan... Grrrr... Needless to say, I will not be going back there again.



Juiced this morning. Made lots. Carrots, celery, kale, green onions, ginger, broccoli, garlic. Yum. Breakfast was an avocado w/lemon juice and dill. Used a bit of Herbamare as well. Also had a couple of hard boiled eggs, yolks in tact as always. Mixed these with frozen blueberries. Made a very interesting soupy kinda stuff.... I recommend it to anyone!



Had more juice for lunch. 12 oz of it... Probably too much to drink at once... Revs me up. Like coffee... But not... Ya' know?



Going to Sams' Club with Mom, and Nanny. Hope they have fresh blueberries...



Going to pick up something to grill for dinner too. Salmon, turkey burgers... I dunno... Let ya' know all about that later. So... Later!!!

Comments about freezing Cherries have been coming thick and fast in the last couple of days and a big thank you to everyone who has written. I obviously picked peak cherry season in the Northern hemisphere.

I didn’t know you could freeze them either until I got a glut of them. I just Googled my way through freezing or preserving cherries until I found what I wanted.

It couldn’t have been simpler. Pick the top quality ones; don’t bother with anything that has a blemish or a split in the skin. Just wipe them clean and make sure they are dry. Then just line them up like little marbles on baking paper on a baking tray. Pop them in the freezer like that for a couple of hours, possible even overnight. Then bag them in a useable quantity and put back in the freezer. The first freezing makes them hard so that when you bag them they retain their shape and you don’t finish up with squishy ones in the bottom of the bag. We froze them in 100gm [4oz] packs as this is a nice single serve size.

After my first success at the weekend I tried again on Sunday.

This time I pitted and mashed them with my blender stick. I put them into a small saucepan with a little water and a teaspoon of sugar. Brought them to a slow boil and let the liquid reduce. I then thickened with about a ¼ teaspoon of Arrowroot powder mixed in water. We allowed the mixture to cool and voila instant [almost] Cherry jam or conserve. It would be ideal for toast or crackers or even a croissant if you’re allowed.

It probably wouldn’t keep more than 24 hours but let’s face it why would you want to.

I actually hade mine with a slice of homemade apple pie made with a Rye crust and served with natural yoghurt. The pastry wasn’t perfect, but who’s complaining.

Not me !!

Quick one today... Flash Gordon Style. Worked all day... Missed a beautiful one too. Going out to a plce called Dolittle's for dinner with the fam... This should be interesting.

Juiced this morning. Carrots, broccoli, cucumber, garlic, ginger, green onions, celery, and lemon pulp. Had some 15mins after my probiotics and that Homosone stuff. Breakfast was an avacado seasoned as per usual w/a D'adamo protien shake. Warm water, 2 scoops, and cherry juice concentrate.

Lunch was a can of snails, and a can of pumpkin mixed... That's it... Had another big glass of juice too.

Off to dinner now... Still in work clothes... I love/hate going out to eat... I think you all know why.

"Can you leave this out?" "can you add this?" Is the peanut sauce made with palm or olive oil...?" Ha ha. Sure you've all been there before. Later gang.

Quick note on the flush. Lie on your right side, with your right knee drawn up as close to your chin as possible for a half hour. This helps the olive oil mix pass into the intestines faster. LOTS of people don't pass stones on thier first flush. I didn't... Wait two weeks and do it again. Keep at it and good luck!

6/6/2004 9:13 AM

Wow. What a week. First, it took me 10 days to get “over” the spider bite. On day 7, the thing finally came to a head and burst. I’ll spare you the gory details – just to say that it made a boil look like a cakewalk. I finally felt normal and truly good 2 days ago.

I can’t believe that I made it through the end of the year school thing, my daughter and husband’s birthday (including a slumber party for 8 kids) and the beginning of the summer break while dealing with this spider thing. That’s the only problem that I can see with having children later in life – you just don’t have the energy that you did 10 years earlier. However, I wouldn’t change anything – the benefits, for me, far outweigh the tired feeling that I often have.

I want to talk about the diet now for a while. I have had some changes and I think that they are OK. While I was sick, I was craving rice with soup and rice with nutritional yeast. My stomach was very sensitive for about 5 days, and even though I tried to concentrate on bennies, it just wasn’t working for me. I decided to listen to my body and give it what it wanted. It definitely gave me something that I really needed.

Up until this point, I have been completely starch free for nearly 2 months. However, I have to say that I wasn’t truly happy about it. I don’t necessarily feel that it made me any healthier, just more deprived. In some ways, I felt the best, physically, that I have ever felt, so in that way it was a very good experience, but it’s not for me long term. I do have to say that it has changed that way that I approach and consume starches. I can clearly see that rice is my best option, and, at this point, I find that a very small portion is sufficient for me. I don’t really crave starches, nor, at this point, do I find that I am eating them at every meal. I am eating a little each day.

In my life, I have spent countless years obsessing about anything associated with my weight: diet, exercise, weighing, size. You name it, I have obsessed over it. I think that I have finally come to a good place. The T-Tapping is definitely working. After doing a 12-day “boot camp” (it was supposed to be a 14 day camp, but got cut short by a certain spider), I have settled into doing a 1-hour to 1-1/2 hour workout every other day, or at least 3 days per week. On the days that I don’t work out, I either do a 23 minute, “step away the inches” workout using my MetaTreks

https://iwellness.speedfc.com/store/list_items.html?find=fitness&referrer=TTAPP

weighted shoes OR I just wear the shoes around the house or do errands. Yesterday I didn’t “workout” per se, but I wore the MetaTreks to my daughter’s swim meet. 4 hours of wearing weighted shoes around is definitely enough for one day.

I am happy to say that I am down nearly 1 full size. Teresa Tapp believes in the BTD principles, but also has another approach to food: 2 days “God Made" (or in the way that I think: "Nature Made”) followed by 1 day “Man Made”. I am going to start incorporating this approach into my following of ER4YT. What this means for me is that for 2 days I will stick to the BTD, but only eat food in it’s truly “natural” form: meat, veggies, fruit. Nothing processed in any way. After that, I will allow myself “man made” foods for one day, but still staying within the principles of ER4YT. On that day I will allow myself some spelt pancakes, or some white rice, or something of that sort, keeping the portions of these items low. I’ll let you know how it works out for me.

Even with all of this, I must say that wheat is still a big avoid for me. I have eaten a little bit over the past week, and it really makes me sleepy. It’s just not worth it for me.

OK – gotta run for now. I’ll try to blog a little bit more than I have been. Hopefully, this week will be less chaotic than the past 10 days. I’ll be measuring myself towards the middle of the week, and I’ll let you know how it is going. I really like the combo of ER4YT and T-Tapping. It may be the thing that works the best for me.

I was in the vegetable garden this morning digging a few veggies. Parsnip, carrot, leek, celeriac, lettuce, cress, rocket and chicory. Whilst I was cleaning them I was thinking it’s a real shame that carrots out of the garden don’t come as clean as they do from the supermarket.

This probably had something to do with the fact that I had drawn a bucket of water from our garden rainwater tank and it was f…….. freezing. The air temperature is only 6.0o C with a wind chill reading of 4.0o C and while I’m in the middle of scrubbing vegetables , the big feller upstairs decides this is a good time to make it rain. I don’t think so!

Seriously I’m glad I get the opportunity to wash my own produce in pure rainwater, I’ve been reading some horror stories lately about the treatment of salad greens before they are all packed in plastic bags. They don’t actually grow like that you know.

We grow Chantenay carrots as we have fairly shallow heavy soil, these give a good size thick carrot about 6 – 8 inches in length. Hollow Crown Parsnips are my seed of choice and these can be anything from 12” to nearly 20” in size. The Leek for my garden is a type called Musselburgh. They stay sweet and tender all winter, at the moment the are probably not much more than an inch across but they will continue to develop in size to about as thick as a persons wrist without any loss of flavour.

Upland Cress is my choice of watercress and it has been growing all summer. About three weeks ago I took to it with the hedge clippers and fed it heavily with liquid manure fertiliser, it’s re-sprouted and producing as well as ever.

Chicory at this time of year, well that’s a treat for our Budgie.

I don’t really mind scrubbing the veggies.

I had grilled salmon last night, instead of chicken. Can't beat that. Wild caught, preservative/color free... Probably flash frozen though... How's a guy to tell these days? Some OCD's oughtta take care of that though. Eat your berries kids.



Had a meeting at 7am today. Got up at 5. A little early for my tastes. Took a couple of probiotics, took a shower... Made that weird Homosone oxygen potion stuff... Really gets "things" movin'... Breakfast was a couple of eggs, seasoned as usual, another D'adamo protein shake. Two scoops in warm water w/lemon juice and cherry juice concentrate. Ate a bunch of raw spinach and broccoli too.



The meeting sucked... Everyone was feasting on donuts and commercial orange juice and milk... If they only knew...



Lunch was a cup of cooked lentils, w/turmeric, dill, Bragg's, Herbamare, and ginger powder. Had a tin of sardines, seasoned the same way w/the lentils. More spinach and broccoli. Good stuff.



Had a quick snack before I left work too. A half a cup of lentils, a plum, an apricot, a handful of cherries, and... AND!... More spinach and broccoli.



Took a walk at about 5. Still beautiful out. Meditated afterward. Ate dinner at my parents again as my Nanny (grandma) is in town. Had an avocado w/lemon juice and sea salt. Had a cooked veggie mix too. A yellow onion, green beans, and sugar snap peas, all sauteed in olive oil w/cumin and some sea salt. Not bad... Cumin is interesting stuff. Don't eat it very often as it is neutral...



The fam is watching "The Last Samurai" right now. I liked it a lot. I thought I'd skip the first few minutes to chat with y'all, as I've seen it before. Sipping a glass of Lindemans' Bin 65 Chardonnay... Izzzzz OK. Nothin' special... Just took some sylmarin, caprylic acid, and a digestive enzyme. Wonder if wine interacts w/the caprylic acid... He he... Later gang.



Note for Paul: Yeah, I understand. Cherry pits have the wonderful, B17 laden kernel inside them just like apricots and other fruits. The thing is... They're tiny, and a lot of work to get at.... Not much payoff either... Very small... I only do it if I have nothing better to do, which isn't often. You're better off w/peach and apricot pits. Most payoff. Apple seeds are B17 laden as well. Nothing to bust to get at them either! Keep up the awesome work. You are a source of inspiration to us all! Wish I could have one 'o' those muffins...

I made a discovery today.

In our freezer.

1st week of Winter in the Southern Hemisphere.

I had black cherries.

Earlier this year I mentioned I had been the fortunate recipient of a glut of black cherries from one of our customers and that I'd frozen them whole as an experiment rather than waste them. I have been eating them frozen like little cherry ice blocks, but it's got a bit cool for that now. My tummy still hasn't recovered fully from it's skirmish with a bug earlier this week and I thought I'd make it double beneficial. I got a pack of the cherries from the freezer and let them thaw. I then took out the pips [pits], that was messy [no Jim I didn't eat them]. I then blended them with my blender stick and poured them over a bowl of natural yoghurt. Great a double beneficial snack. It tasted great and got me thinking. I don't know when you northerners have your cherry season, but pop a few in the freezer whole to have in Autumn or Winter. Blended and heated gently they would also make a great dessert topping.

I've recently planted this years crop of broad [fava] beans and also in the freezer is last years crop. I often have them heated as a quick afternoon snack at the weekend, but we are in the middle of apple muffin season at the moment and the beans have been temporarily forgotten.

So much food...........................So little time.

My Daughter’s school a few months ago had a campaign against television watching for a week. Parents were asked to keep the TV’s off for a week and to help the kids ‘cope’ and suggest other activities to do instead of watching TV, Lucky for me, my daughter is an avid reader and is about one year ahead in her reading abilities. I think she almost polished off the first edition of Harry Potter that week off from TV. She did severely miss her daily dose of Looney Tunes.

I decided last week to do the same thing and refrain from turning it on. This was hard since the hockey playoffs between Calgary and Tampa Bay had just started. My TV watching in the last few years has amounted to 2 hours average a day (usually in the evening after dinner), so I say I was probably giving up (more like taking back) say 15 to 18 hours a week.

My activities varied…Monday after dinner I learned a few new tunes on my guitar….Fake Plastic Trees by Radiohead…and…Father and Son by Cat Stevens. Two hours strumming and picking and singing did a real number on my fingertips.

Tuesday…. I attempted a crossword puzzle while I listened to two of my favorite jazz albums…Kind of Blue by Mile Davis…and Mingus Ah Hum by Charles Mingus.

Wednesday…I bought an Italian Complete Course on CD so I could brush up on the language of my ancestors (thank you Alma for giving me a little inspiration 8-]) ‘Mi porti una tazza di te verde (green tea) e due uova alla coca (hard boiled eggs)’ (helps to keep you compliant just in case you’re in Italy)

Thursday…I started on a new novel…Guy Vanderhaeghe…The Last Crossing...read for several hours and polished off about 75 pages...a tale set in the second half of the 19th century in the American and Canadian west and in Victorian England; a real page turner

Friday…I cleaned out my closet and packed a lot of clothes I hardly wore into two large garbage bags and took them to the Salvation Army depot.

Not a real exciting week but I’m not one to go out to clubs or bar hoping during workdays but the oddest thing happened after the five days were up. I lost three pounds!! (Losing weight is the last thing I need). Now I swear to you I was not eating anything less than usual but all that extra brainpower and light moving each night burned a few more calories than I was consuming.

I have heard it said that the single most behavioral predictor of obesity in children and adults is the amount of TV viewing. Yes… TV watching is sedentary but it is also has a great effect, because of the advertising, in what we choose to eat. The food industry major objective is to get you to eat more food; most of it laden with sugar, salt and trans fats etc, and TV’s objective is to make you more sedentary... a great marriage of sorts.

If you started the BTD to shed more than a few pounds, do yourself a favor and turn the TV off for a week every month or so…you’ll find yourself buying new clothes in record time.

Ho fame...ciao

Short blog today... My Grandma just flew in from Gordon, TX. My Nanny, I love her to death.



Juiced last night before bed. Made enough for a 5oz shot last night, a 7oz shot before breakfast, and a couple of ounces before lunch. I used carrots, celery, kale, garlic, ginger, broccoli, green onions, and... Pretty sure that's it... It was wonderful.



Breakfast was a couple of eggs seasoned up w/dill, herbamare etc., the juice of course, a D'adamo protein shake. I mixed two scoops with warm water and a Tbsp. each of cherry juice concentrate and lemon juice. Not bad. Had a handful of cherries, and a couple of handfuls of spinach. Dipped a couple of cloves of garlic in peanut butter too... Holy geez, I'm a freak...



Lunch was eaten at work. Can 'o' pumpkin, can 'o' snails, big handful 'o' walnuts. Mixed 'em all up... Eat at your own discretion... You have to be pretty hard core to try this mix... Seasoning of some sort would have been nice...



Two apricots and a plum for a snack a bit ago... Green tea and water throughout the day of course. Waiting for dinner... Pretty hungry. Going to have grilled chicken, onions, and salad of some sort while the rest of the fam has chicken Parmesan... What can ya' do? Brought a bottle of Robert Mondavi Cabernet... Not a reserve or anything, just his Woodbridge line. Still a pretty good wine. Makes for a social evening w/family.



Just wanted to thank all the people that write in w/comments. I love getting them and they are encouraging.



To answer a question: There are many types of flushes. One can flush almost any organ in the body that retains something... Even Elation therapy can be done to remove metal deposits in the brain...

Lungs, sinuses, kidneys, liver/gallbladder, colon. These can all be flushed... There are many ways to do them. Someone asked about coffee enemas... Don't use these more than once a week I'd say... Not unless your dying of cancer anyway... They are an excellent "quick detox." hey help to stimulate the liver/gallbladder to expel stored bile wastes etc. They are also excellent for clearing out the colon and removing impacted waste from the colon wall. On the flip-side, they are addicting. They will exhaust your adrenals rather quickly (especially type O's and AB's), and you can lose the ability to have normal bowel movements if you do them regularly over an extended period of time. The bowel muscles lose their "tone" if you don't use them... Sorta like atrophy I suppose... They can also cause anxiety or jitteriness in those that are prone to nervousness or are caffeine sensitive. Anyway... Read extensively, choose a cleanse that's right for you, and have someone you trust be a coach. Best of luck! Later gators.

I stand falsely accused.

Someone on this very web site who should know better has accused me of giving him a virus.

The blogger who shall remain nameless is a qualified man and quite frankly I’m shocked at his baseless accusation.

I use a firewall and a virus checker and despite the apparent intimacy created by this blogging forum there is just no way I could have transmitted the virus in question.

I have also used pro biotics as a preventative against this virus.

Are pro biotics the Norton of the health world ?

Today’s visit to my Doctor was successful although blood was spilt. Actually it was taken from me despite my kicking and screaming, no actually it was just a painless withdrawal. I’m having tests to check my thyroid condition, Prostate and Cholesterol.

The good news though is that at age 51 my blood pressure was a very healthy 122/80, my height is 191cm and my weight 91.2kg which indicates that my body mass index is in the healthy range. Results come back next week and if I can get a copy I’ll post the results for you all to drool over, only if they’re good of course.

Mood: Mellow

Music: Does the white noise of my air conditioner count?



I now have a headache and a grumbly tummy. (Like Pooh-Bear but not so cute....) And I have no one to thank for this but myself. Some people are good. When someone tells them not to do something, they don't do it. Or, they do it once and then think "Wow, I've learned my lesson, I won't ever do that again!"

But not me....I have a stubborn streak. I somehow must like bumping my head against the wall a thousand times before I learn. My mind is always thinking, "maybe it will be different this time." And then nothing ever changes. I'm not dumb. (At least not according to my SAT's.....) But I think "hard-headed" most aptly describes me sometimes. I'll be so carefree and non-chalant about something my friends think I should be worried sick over and then I'll go and be absolutely, 100% positive that I have to do "X" in order to get to "3" while the world is telling me I need "1" and "2." Needless to say, these tendencies have classified me as the official family nut on more than one occasion (until I met my father-in-law....tee-he-he!)

So, what does this have to do with food.....Breakfast started off nicely - 2 organic egg whites & 1 yolk) fried up after the lemon water and then a handful of Rice Chex on the bus. Then snack time came for the children. Blueberry muffins....I couldn't resist - I've always been a blueberry muffin fanatic. I had ½ a muffin. Not too bad. Lunch was collard greens followed by massive fits of crying because three important people might not be coming to my wedding this fall. Made me feel very alone and abandoned and self pitying for 40 minutes. Long story for another time. So, I'm now completely stressed out as I head back for another round of work. Then the lunch we serve the kids was "make your own sandwich" day. I apparently lost all sense of Blood Type propriety. I had a tempting looking white bread roll COVERED in sesame seeds (big avoid) with turkey (beneficial) and American Cheese (oh no!!!) Sure enough, just like the M& M's, my tummy now knows EXACTLY what's not supposed to be in it and was very grouchy for the rest of the afternoon. By 3pm, with 2 hours left of helping too many kids with their homework, I had a VERY bad headache. (I think the stress from earlier + the avoids caused that one....) My head was still hurting until recently and still doesn't feel completely normal. Dinner was girl's night out at Taco Bell (was able to keep on the beneficial/neutral side :-) and then had lots of fun at Trader Joe's. Good way to end the day - shopping for healthy foods and good company.

Now, you would think after my last bouts with avoids in large amounts, I would have learned that my stomach is very sensitive. Always has been, I just never realized how good it could feel ‘til I started this diet. Just another mishap to chalk up to experience, I guess. I hope I remember this feeling the next time I'm offered "free" food that I know I shouldn't be having - it's just not worth it.

Didn't make the fancy dinner last night... Had the 6 oz. shot 'o' juice, a small can of chicken, a can of green beans, and a couple of sweet Vidalia onions I threw on the grill. Steamed up some broccoli too. I don't normally eat out of cans. High polyamine availability, low nutritional content, higher mold count (not good for the candida prone). All in all, just an inferior food choice. I was feeling lazy and had a couple of cans lying around.

**Added afterward: Ya' know? Now that I think about it... I eat a lot out of cans. Pintos, lentils, pumpkin, salmon, tuna, sardines, occasionally other beans such as adzuki, black, soy... Once in a blue moon some veggies, i.e. green beans, spinach etc. I guess I should try to eat fresher, "living" food...



Probiotics early in the AM. Meditation too. Breakfast was three small organic eggs, seasoned up all nice w/about 3/4 cup of cooked pinto beans and several handfuls of spinach. Had some raw garlic and ginger as well. These "bitters" when eaten before a meal, really help to get the gastric juices flowing. Especially important for us A's. Low stomach acid and even lower intestinal alkaline phosphatase levels equal weak digestion. Do what you can to off-set this. Plenty of bitters, betaine HCL, lemon and lime, garlic, ginger, gentian, take your pick, just get 'er done.



Had plenty of green tee and water throughout the day.



Lunch was a tin of sardines, another 3/4 cup of cooked pintos, a small crown of broccoli, and a small apricot and plum. Turmeric, chives, mustard powder, and herbamare were the toppers. Similar to breakfast.



Had another plum and apricot for a snack in the pm. Dinner was later. Had a HUGE salad. The size of my torso... He he. Spinach, broccoli, cauliflower, turkey, and raw garlic. Olive oil and lemon juice for dressing. Bragg's liquid aminos for a kicker. Also had a "D'adamo Type A" protein shake. 6 oz of pineapple juice and 4 of water w/two scoops of the stuff is fantastic. Dessert was a big bag of frozen blueberries sprinkled with too much cinnamon and ginger powder. Delicious... This was a HUGE dinner... Too big. Could have been the fact that I was watching Rambo III... WTH is wrong with me? Ha ha.



Going to juice around 10:30. Hopefully end up w/enough for a bit tonight, a good deal before breakfast, and maybe (probably not), some w/lunch. Let ya' know what I use. Later gang.

Well, I need to keep this quick because I've been having computer problems. You really take for granted internet access until you are forced to use public computers and have time limits to your internet use.

Picked up a great book called the Maker's Diet. Of course, the author discredits many other diets including the blood type diet. Had good things to say but also said it's "unbiblical" and it's "not proven in studies". Well, in a lot of ways I think this diet is very biblical. First of all, like the Maker's Diet, pork is never allowed. Most shellfish are really only allowed in type O diets. It emphasizes not eating anything unnatural. The book is otherwise a great book if it weren't for its one-size-fit-all diet plan. It reminds me a lot of the Fat Flush plan with a few distinct differences.

What else? I made a very interesting meal the other day: free range turkey fried sauteed in Thai peanut sauce. Both ingredients supplied by the Wedge.

Also, I had some amazing work done on my body that I didn't even know existed until two weeks ago: end-dermology and iontothermy (spelling?). My thighs really need it. The therapist said that in France cellulite is considered a medical condition and is treated and covered by insurance. Damn, that really makes a lot of sense. All those toxins stuck in your fat cells. I don't care how unpatriotic this sounds, but I really think the French have the right idea about a lot of things. Especially diet.

Well, I should go before this thing times out.....

Mood: Ever So Bubbly.....

Music: Vacation Song - The Go-Go's



I just wanted to say that life is really nice. There's no other word for it. The sky was beautiful at lunch, the majority of my children are angels and I'm surrounded by people who love and care for me. I'm a happy lady!!!!

My breakfast yesterday was yummy - egg whites, curry, garlic and tofu. Today's was on the run - lemon water and 1/2 an hour later, rice chex on the bus, dry. Much better with soy milk but when you're running late.....by the way, Rice Chex or the generic brand I buy seems to be the cereal with the least amount of avoids and is actually healthier than the cereals I find at Trader Joe's. Every thing seems to have wheat or corn. The worst I could find about the rice cereal was some malted barley (and that's almost the last ingredient too) My O loves it. Not as good for him as it is for me but actually a lot better than most other cereals when you read their ingredient listings.

Lunch was a lamb I broiled real quick this morning before iI headed out the door. No, I'm not "Martha Stewart" - I'm sure you're thinking who has time to fix "lamb" for breakfast. But it had been marinating for a while and I didn't want it to go bad - broiling only takes 5 minutes per side. :-) Yeah, I know, I'm eating too much meat. I need more veggies in my life - they're just harder to incorporate when you're on the go. (Was up 'til 1:30am playing Monopoly so not a lot of cooking/chores got done....) Did eat two peaches today (one with lunch and one when I came home) Saving the pits for my husband to smash the natural vitamins out of them. Dinner will be just collard greens - something light. I also had a few pieces of a low-sodium turkey and mozzerella when I got home.

Just watched the movie "Orange County." I had to - it's the place I grew up in. :-) Very funny - recognized several places and stereotypes but, the plotline got REALLY trite the last half hour. And what's up with all the music taking the place of the actor's acting? Still, not a total waste of time - amusing but definately Jack Black's worst film - totally over the top and not in a good way - he only made me laugh once. Too bad, he's really funny when he puts his mind to it....(High Fidelity)

Enough of the movie critiques - I have to fix some collards - ever so tasty. I like them much more than dandelions. Dandelions are still very bitter after you cook them; collards are just d*** delicious. Enjoy the nice weather, if you have it and try to find the good in the weather that makes you sad. Stay healthy......and away from the M&M's!!!!! I had some at 1am and they gave me a naughty stomach ache - not fun :-(

Perfect. What you say? Why, today of course! Had a couple of apricots, a small plum, and an overdose of bing cherries last night while watching the Bourne Identity. Good movie. Had the day off again. Thank God. Woke up to a PERFECT day. Beautiful blue sky, shining sun, the works...



Juiced first thing today. Kale, carrots, celery, broccoli, ginger, garlic, and some green onion. Wonderful. Made enough for a six ounce shot this morning, another one at lunch, and another for later close to bed time. I always drink the juice on an empty stomach to allow it to be absorbed, uninhibited, by the intestines. After the Breakfast shot of juice, waited a bit and had an avocado and a couple of organic eggs. Bragg's, dill, herbamare, lemon juice, and mustard powder did the trick.



Got out into the sun asap. Donned a pair of shorts, my backpack, and a pair of Oakleys, and took to the plains. Rode for hours. Hit my parents house, mowed their lawn, then rode some more. I cherish the time in nature (be it in town, or elsewhere) spent getting exercise and quietly contemplating the nature of all things.



Lunch was light. Another six ounce shot of the juice, and an 18 ounce mug of hot green tea (not too hot mind you, gotta keep the phenols and enzymes in tact now.) Proceeded to add to this two scoops of the Type A protein powder and a Tbsp. and a 1/2 of lemon juice. Pretty good. I honestly enjoy the flavor of the mix unsweetened.

Did an hour of meditation, and went back out on the bike. And here I am!



Ate light in prep for dinner tonight. Going to have wild salmon sauteed in olive oil w/whatever spices suit my fancy. Steamed veggies including, but not limited too, broccoli, onion, carrots, etc. I'll come up w/ some sort of miso sauce type of stuff to top it all off too. Let ya' know how it goes. Later gang.



Here's to the sun! To misplaced and missing commas! To run on sentences! To sentence fragments! Salute!

It’s been a tough few days for my poor old stomach.

I reckon it was a good 48 hours before I felt recovered from the avoid foods I ate whilst in Hobart. By Sunday lunchtime I was starting to come good again.

Tuesday I came down with what can only be described as an aggressive stomach virus. The details are far too unpleasant to discuss on a family site.

Copious amounts of water and nearly 3/4 of a kilo of natural yoghurt appear to have got on top of the little bug[ger]. I have always found natural yoghurt to be of great benefit whenever I have a stomach upset.

Tuesday afternoon I had my first visit to my Osteopath in nearly two years. This was just for a little preventative manipulation as I was feeling some back soreness. It used to be a regular visit as I have been plagued with a variety of back related injuries going back to my soccer playing career. I guess playing as a goal keeper and throwing myself around on the hard Australian grounds was bound to take its toll eventually.

Friday I go to the Doctor to arrange for a blood test. It’s time to have my annual check for my Thyroid status. I think whilst I’m at it I’ll get him to check my cholesterol level [ I haven’t checked that for years and have a follow up on my PSA level.

Message to all guys over 50. PSA is Prostate Specific Antigen. It can be checked by blood test and if the levels are within acceptable parameters there is no need for the other test. You know the one I mean.

I had a PSA test 12 months ago and all was well, so hopefully more of the same this time and I won’t need to tell the Doctor to ‘get his finger out’.

Dinner last night was a GIANORMOUS piece of over-ripe watermelon... Must have been a 1/4 of a whole one. Had a couple of carrot sticks, a couple of glasses of that merlot I had the day before, and a couple of garlic cloves... I think the combo gave me terrible gut rot... Okay today though.



Woke up early. Had some lemon water w/this oxygen powder stuff called, Homezone. Interesting.

Breakfast was an avocado all seasoned up. A couple of garlic cloves and green onions dipped in peanut butter. Had another D'adamo type A protein shake w/pineapple juice and a bit of water again too. Threw some black strap molasses and cherry juice concentrate in for flavor, iron, and polyamine inactivation. I love that protein powder! Very happy w/it.



Lunch was eaten late at work. Had a couple of glasses of green tea w/lemon and many glasses of

water. Took a couple of the type A polyflora. Finally got around to having a small can of snails, a can of pumpkin, and a big handful of walnuts all mixed together... Topped it all off w/a few strange looks from co-workers... He he. Such is the way of things when time is short and health is high on the priority list.



Been getting headaches (not common since eating right for my type...) at work ever since I switched from the home-theater dept. to the computer dept. It's either the progression of this suspected Candida, or all the da** electromagnetic pollution. Bastard EMF's... I'll show them... A 'lil EMP should do the trick...



Dinner is being eaten as I type. Sauteed some tempeh in olive oil w/seaweed, yellow onion, lettuce, parsley, turmeric, garlic/onion powder, and a bit 'o' salt. Delicious. How's THAT for cookin'!? Ha ha.

Here's the answer to a few Q's I've received:

1) Aliza, the BTD is one of the best things that has ever happened to me. I have experienced dramatic wight loss, elimination of almost all allergies, no longer need to use an asthma inhaler, ever. Improved sense of well-being... The list goes on and on. I hope your science project goes well. Let me know if you have other Q's.

2) Jennifer. I don't know what happened to me... Nothing tastes bad to me anymore... I really can eat just about anything. I appreciate the health benefits of the foods I eat more than the flavor sometimes... I am the big dog. As far as a good digital camera goes, you have a lot of options. Depends on budget, what you're using it for, if you'll be printing photos on your own and how large you'd like them to be. how large or small you want it, etc. I can recommend anything form 300 to 8000 dollars. Narrow down your requirements and I can recommend an excellent choice.

3) Carla, the less something is cooked, the better, in most cases. Natural enzymes in food, as well as nutrients, deteriorate after being heated past 105 degrees Fahrenheit. The more you deplete the enzymes, the harder your pancreas/entire endocrine system and digestive tract have to work to digest it and with less nutritional payoff. All fruits and veggies would optimally be eaten raw. Meats that are organic, grass fed, and free range should require very little cooking as the risk of E coli is VERY low. Nuts should never be roasted, but saoked. Soak dry fruits as well. Going raw is pretty hard core. I myself am only half. You're friend has a good point, however the raw foods diet isn't for everyone. Especially you O's. Take the best concepts from all fields. Raw, BTD, etc. Do what works for you. Try hitting him with this: "Dead" foods require more enzymes from your body to digest. However, "live foods" require more energy to digest... Kind of off-sets itself in the end. Balance it out and you'll live a full, happy life. Take a digestive enzyme such as pancreatin or bromelain regularly too. Good luck!