I'm a type O and I read that beef jerky can be made using a low oven temperature. Could you tell me what the temperature should be in degrees to make beef jerky. I am very busy and I would be nice to have something to eat on the go that is healthy for me. Thank you, alot. -- Delilah

Thanks for asking!

Jerky's not just for type O. It can be made from red meat, fowl, fish, even snake... even alligator meat makes tasty jerky.

I understand you’re a busy person, so I hope I won’t discourage you from making jerky when I say: the key to success is experience. You don’t really need a fancy dehydrator or even an oven. If your climate is dry, breezy and warm, a clothesline will do. But technique is paramount, since the basic idea is to preserve meat through drying and/or salting for a projected period of time – and every cut of meat is different.

It can be made with complicated marinades, or nothing more than fine sea salt. Most people associate jerky with thin strips of meat, but pound-sized chunks can be used, too. With strips, you can tell it’s done when it will bend and crack a bit, but not break. The larger hunks of meat are prepared to the point where they no longer drip or sweat, but it’s a little more difficult for the novice to determine when they’re really ready for storage.

Here’s a quick recipe for two pounds of lean red meat or turkey, cut into ¼” strips. Just double all the ingredients if you want a bigger batch:

Mix together 2 minced cloves of garlic, 2 tablespoons of salt, a tablespoon of ginger powder, ¼ teaspoon of cayenne and ½ teaspoon of fresh-ground black pepper. Type As & ABs: you can substitute one teaspoon of cumin for the cayenne and pepper, reduce the salt to one tablespoon, and add 1/2 cup of wheat-free tamari. Put the meat into a glass or ceramic container, distribute the spice preparation over all sides of the meat, cover and put it in the fridge overnight.

In the morning, drain any liquid that has seeped out. Line the bottom of your oven with some protective covering (like aluminum foil) and arrange the meat strips flat across the oven racks. Each strip should be supported by at least two wires of the rack; you don’t want the sides of the strips to touch as they hang there. Set the oven to 160 degrees Fahrenheit, and leave the door just cracked open. Use an oven thermometer to monitor the actual temperature, and adjust it so that it remains around 140 degrees Fahrenheit for six to eight hours. Start testing the jerky after six hours – it should, as I mentioned, bend with some cracking when it’s done.

There is a wonderful little book which explains and elaborates upon the basic techniques of the manufacture of all kinds of jerky and pemmican, and I recommend it to anyone who would like a solid grounding in the subject. It’s called, surprisingly enough, Jerky, written by A.D. Livingston and published by The Lyons Press. No matter whether you just want a snack to take to work, plan to store large quantities of game meat for survival and kitchen recipes, or are hoping to find a use for the nutria you’re eradicating from your pond, this book has what you're looking for.

Enjoy!!!

Your book gives information on the Blood types; but I'm a sickle cell trait carrier. I do not have the disease, but I would like to know if there are certain indications for those like myself. I'm african-american. Should I assume that the basis for O+ can also be applied if your're a carrier. Thanks, Yvonne

Hi, Yvonne! I assume your physician ordered hemoglobin diaphoresis in order to make sure that you do not have the disease, but only carry the trait. For those who don't know this, the "sickledex" test does not distinguish between sickle cell anemia and sickle cell trait. Similar to the type O genotype with its two O genes, one must have two Hgb-S genes in order to have sickle cell anemia. An individual who possesses only one is a genetic carrier but asymptomatic for the disease.

Yes: anyone who knows that he or she carries a genetic marker for any disease would be well advised to follow the appropriate blood type plan pretty strictly -- making sure to incorporate the diet, exercise, and stress relief protocols for that type. Even such a mainstream organization as the National Institutes for Health has recognized that stress plays a key role in symptomatic sickle cell anemia. It's a good idea for all of us to establish effective stress-reduction practices.

In addition, it would be prudent to get additional screening, primarily for ABO subgroup, secretor status and MN type, in order to take advantage of the refinements in Live Right 4 Your Type. The saliva secretor test can be obtained from North American Pharmacal.

A full serotype panel from SouthWest Medical Center provides ABO group, ABO subgroup (A1, A2, etc.), as well as MN, Lewis and Rhesus types. It costs about $90, in addition to whatever your nurse or clinic may charge for the blood draw for the test. The SWMC collection kit can be obtained by calling 1-480-970-0000. If you use the saliva secretor test, which is recommended, and since you know your ABO and Rhesus types already, having this panel done would add only your MN type -- which has a minor impact on the O diet. Instead, I'd opt to use the "Tier II" plan (explained in Live Right) which emphasizes the beneficial elements of the food lists.

You probably already know how important it is that you maintain hydration. I'd try for three to four quarts of water (NOT distilled) per day, with one of those being a high quality mineral water such as Gerolsteiner -- that's my favorite, anyway, for mineral balance and taste. To two of those quarts of plain well or spring water, I'd add a teaspoonful of good sea salt. We want your tissues to absorb the water, rather than just running it through your kidneys and out again.

The type O exercise plan is great for boosting your blood oxygenation. I suggest getting a standard blood panel through your doctor, at least twice per year, to monitor red and white cell counts and ensure your liver enzymes aren't on the rise. And if he doesn't suggest it, I'd have him check your spleen at those times, as well, just as an added precaution. That way, you can monitor your progress with the plan, as well as avoiding strenuous exercise if any spleen enlargement is present.

Yvonne, thank you for writing and let us know how you're doing!

Hello Heidi, I am working hard to support my low thyroid through diet/exercise and supplements and to that end, I am of course on my A+ diet for the past two years, I exercise with walking, pilates, yoga and some tennis and I take several NAP supplements as well as a recommended supplement called B.M.R.(Tyler)for thyroid support. This product has among other things, some freeze dried bovine BMR concentrate. I am also taking NAP's Deflect A.

My concern is that I may be cancelling each of these out by the other, losing out on any progress stimulating my low thyroid, and my money in the process. Please help with this question as it has clouded my sights and caused me to be very uneasy with the continuation of using Deflect although I have had positive results in all other areas. Thank you very much for your insights. -- Pamela

Interesting question!

Deflect is designed to (1) keep lectins from attaching to body tissues, and (2) slowly remove old lectin-damaged cells. It works by providing a more attractive substance with which to lure them away from you. Kind of like using a chunk of meat to distract a puppy who's headed for your favorite pair of shoes.

Since the source of the supplement, B.M.R., is bovine, and beef contains no lectins, Deflect isn't going to limit the effectiveness of the supp. Even if B.M.R. did contain galectins ("animal lectins"), as chicken does, only the lectins themselves would be rounded up by the Deflect -- not the hormones, which are the active element of compounds like B.M.R.

The standard high-carbohydrate diet is rife with (plant) lectins, both in number and in quantity consumed. Deflect has been formulated primarily to defeat the attachment of lectins such as those found in wheat, corn, beans, etc., which do the lion's share of damage through stimulating fat gain and triggering illness. Wheat lectin alone is associated with a sizeable list of serious ailments.

Although type A secretors tend to have a higher tolerance for the modern high-protein version of wheat than other folks, and are well-suited to a plant-based diet, Deflect-A has been formulated to target a variety of lectins which ARE harmful to As, and to support the growth of healthy tissue where old damage resides. I'd suggest continuing with it, especially since your results so far have been positive.

Congratulations on your commitment to getting healthier, and I wish you success!