Mary Vernon leads the charge for low-carb diets for diabetics
I have lots to share with you that I heard and saw at the ASBP/Nutrition & Metabolism conference in Phoenix, AZ I attended earlier this month. It was an amazing experience being around the superstars of the low-carb scientific world and hearing the very latest research that unequivocally supports livin' la vida low-carb. Anyone who tells you there isn't any real evidence that low-carb is a viable nutritional approach has chosen to ignore the literature. It's there!
As I previously noted, I met an extraordinary couple while in Phoenix who head a television production company called Atlanta Teleproductions. Richard and Melanie Vogan have over three decades of filming experience each that was put to good use with all these amazing low-carb researchers in one place. Anyone who was attending that meeting would have seen Richard behind the camera taking video footage of Melanie interviewing everybody they could during those few short days. They were kept quite busy moving their equipment from location to location.
Although the original plan was to try to piece together a documentary of sorts with all these experts, Richard and Melanie now believe the videos they shot are much too important to chop up and remove key elements. For the sake of the integrity of the answers that were provided and to expose the positive message to a wide online audience, they are posting the interviews commissioned by the Nutrition & Metabolism Society individually in an exclusive Internet series.
"The interviews that we got are so incredible we realized they should not be edited," Melanie explained to Livin' La Vida Low-Carb. "We now have lots of content and the possibility of lots more. As much as I would love to do a documentary, for now this is the most viable option."
And that's why they created a new web site called DiabetesNewsStand.com which is "dedicated to the education and prevention of the diabetes epidemic." How is gonna do that? By sharing amazing videos online with the most knowledgeable and successful doctors and diabetes experts in the world today. It's am ambitious project that certainly warrants the support of anyone who cares about taming the exploding diabetes epidemic with real, innovative solutions to the problem--not more of the same failed treatments centered around prescribing more and more medications and insulin.
Regular "V-Issues" will be presented on this new web site to share from the researchers, physicians, authors, nutritionists, and advocates of healthy living for people suffering from diabetes. As they are posted, I will highlight each of them here at my "Livin' La Vida Low-Carb" blog so you'll be made aware.
First up is this interview with Dr. Mary C. Vernon, who discusses insulin resistance, the role of insulin in the body, blood sugar abnormalities, traditional vs. dietary measures for controlling diabetes, and so much more. As you will quickly notice, Dr. Vernon is arguably the most articulate and ardent supporter of a low-carbohydrate dietary approach for controlling diabetes in the world today. Her enthusiastic and impassioned plea for people to take notice of livin' la vida low-carb is difficult to ignore.
Kudos to Richard and Melanie Vogan for starting off their new "V-Issues" series with a bang by presenting this fabulous interview with Dr. Mary C. Vernon to the online world. You'll be seeing a lot more of these in the coming months, so be sure to check DiabetesNewsStand.com for even more outstanding interviews and comments from the biggest names in low-carb living!
If you would like to support this effort to share even more videos from low-carb experts in the future, then e-mail Melanie at melanie@diabetesnewsstand.com or call her in her Atlanta office at 770-777-1265. After spending some quality time with Richard and Melanie, I can tell you they are as committed to the cause of sharing the truth about livin' la vida low-carb as I am. Whatever you can donate to this cause I know will be used for the greater good of promoting low-carb to those who need to hear it the most.
Weeks after a hacker took my forum, the new one is ready!
A little more than three weeks ago, a ruthless and cowardly hacker breached my forum and took it down for good. But despite this rather bleak and depressing incident, I refused to give up. Thanks to the encouragement of so many members of my old forum, I've been working diligently behind-the-scenes with my public relations company to create a brand new and improved forum--and now it's ready to go public!
Check it out now at LivinLowCarbDiscussion.com. You'll notice it is a lot more user-friendly with less categories for easier use. Many of the same faces from the old forum are back here again for the new one, including most of the moderators you loved and enjoyed such as Charles, Linda, Christin, Lisa, Amy, Deni, Valerie, Mary, and ME! :) They and others have been working over the past few days adding lots of great content ready to go right now waiting for you to continue the discussion that we started before.
I have been working with my PR company to make this new forum as hacker-proof and secure as possible by installing all the latest security software with daily backups. This is costing me a pretty penny, but I think it will be worth it so that you can have the best possible experience at a low-carb forum. THANK YOU for your incredible patience as I've been working on getting this web site back...and now it is!
Special thanks to Amy at the Eating Low forum as well as Tom at the Low-Carb Friends forum for opening the doors to their respective sites over the past few weeks to my forum members who were going through withdrawals without their favorite forum. For that, I am so grateful to them and sincerely appreciate their generosity towards me and so many of you. It warms my heart that the low-carb community can band together for the greater good.
So, go ahead and dip your toes in the water of the new "Livin' La Vida Low-Carb Discussion" forum. Hope to see you there early and often as we talk about anything and everything that deals with the healthy low-carb lifestyle. Lemme know if you have any comments, questions, or suggestions about how to make the forum even better. E-mail me anytime at livinlowcarbman@charter.net.
The low-carb lifestyle changed my life much more than physically
After you lose weight, a whole lot about your life changes. Besides the obvious physical differences in how you look and feel, there are some rather unexpected emotional and psychological issues that happen whether you know it or not. Some of them are good and others will blindside you if you aren't ready for them.
In Episode 34 of "Livin' La Vida Low-Carb On YouTube," Christine and I talk about the amazing changes that happen in your life after experience low-carb weight loss. It's the fun part of going on the low-carb lifestyle being able to reap the rewards of your efforts and basking in the glory of achieving success and accomplishment when so many others have not been able to do the same. Hopefully seeing how our lives have changed following the low-carb miracle will encourage you in your lifestyle change.
See just a few ways our lives have changed in today's video:
In my book Livin' La Vida Low-Carb: My Journey From Flabby Fat To Sensationally Skinny In One Year, you will see exactly how much my life has changed since I was that 410-pound gargantuan man in January 2004 compared to the man I am today. The changes were dramatic and the way people treated me seemed to suddenly switch, too. To this day, that is the one thing that surprised me the most about my weight loss experience.
The book I wrote about my low-carb weight loss experience
Just a friendly reminder, you only have a few days left to enter my 3rd blogiversary giveaway contest, so be sure to sign up for your chance to win one of 100 great low-carb prizes! GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!
Catch up on all our previous YouTube videos and then go subscribe to our videos for the "Livin' La Vida Low-Carb On YouTube" series. E-mail us your thoughts and questions anytime at livinlowcarbman@charter.net and feel free to share a topic of interest you would like for us to cover in a future video. THANK YOU for watching and supporting our YouTube videos.
I Feel Like Death May Be Following Me With Recent String Of Tornadoes
A twister touches down in Suffolk, VA one day after I was there
Have you ever seen that movie series Final Destination? The premise in all three flicks is that once you cheat death, it comes back to get you anyway in the most peculiar ways. It certainly made for an entertaining set of movies, but now I'm beginning to wonder if "death" may be following me with tornadoes over the past three months.
Here are 3 tornadoes incidents we came close to in 2008:
Just six weeks prior to the tornado I blogged about ripping through Union University in Jackson, TN, we drove right by there on a trip to Bolivar, Tennessee to visit my dad for the Christmas holidays. I can remember pointing directly at the Union campus telling Christine that I had several friends who went to college there while I was at the University of Tennessee at Martin in the early 1990's.
It was only one week before the tragic tornado hit downtown Atlanta that I was walking straight up International Boulevard in that very city at the 2008 Heart, Patio, and Barbecue Expo on a Friday night right after returning from my low-carb cruise to Mexico. It's scary to think that could have happened one week later and we would have been right there in the center of it all!
This time was almost too close when only one day prior to the tornado ripping through hundreds of homes in the town of Suffolk, VA, Christine and I were driving back to our home in Spartanburg, SC after a quick weekend trip to the Hampton Roads area in Virginia Beach, VA for my sister-in-law's wedding reception. Had we known what was to come to that town the next day as we drove by it on Sunday, then we would not have been able to control our emotions. We drove through several very heavy downpours on the way home, but had no idea a tornado was about to hit where we were driving along US-58.
Coincidence? Sure. What are the odds of being that close to three different tornadoes in three cities over the span of three months though? I'd say the probability of that happening is at least a bazillion to one. And yet it has happened and the tornadoes seem to be getting closer and closer each time.
It's all just a bit unsettling when you stop and think about it. Of course, if there really was something like "death" coming to get you, then certainly it would all be within God's perfect plan for my life and I'm cool with that. But I'd prefer to stick around a lot longer doing what I'm doing helping people as they begin the healthy low-carb lifestyle.
This blog post doesn't really have anything at all to do with livin' la vida low-carb, but I couldn't help sharing this story with you today in the wake of yet another sad story about a tornado tragedy. Thoughts anyone?
Join low-carbers on the Carnival Ecstasy in January 2008
Remember the low-carb cruise I blogged about a couple of months back? About 35 of us low-carbers spent five glorious days together making Mexican memories we'll never forget. It was a fabulous time and now YOU have the chance to go back with us in January 2009.
Scheduled to leave out of Galveston, Texas port on Monday, January 19, 2009, the 2nd Annual Low-Carb Cruise will set sail at 4:00pm headed to Progreso and then Cozumel before heading back to Galveston five days later. We are expecting well over 100 low-carbers to join together on the 2009 cruise and you'll be happy to know it is surprisingly affordable!
An inside cabin per person cost is only $400.19, which includes the port charges and taxes. And if you'd like an oceanview cabin, the per person price is only $460.19. When you factor in this includes a five-star dinner every night, food at your beckoning call 24 hours a day, housing with cable television and movie channels, beautiful scenery on two Mexican resort destinations, and so much more, this is quite a bargain.
But, as all the infomercials always say, "wait, there's more!"
Yep, there's an added bonus to the 2009 cruise that we didn't have for this year's event: a special guest! Sure, we all had each other to meet and greet while surfing down the Gulf of Mexico back in February, but for next year's cruise I've been able to secure a giant in the world of low-carb living to join us--DR. JONNY BOWDEN.
Low-carb author and motivational speaker Dr. Jonny Bowden
I met Jonny in person a couple of weeks ago in Phoenix, Arizona and he's super-excited about meeting all of you on this Carnival cruise next January! Check out my podcast interview with Jonny from earlier this year for a taste of the awe-inspiring message of hope and inspiration in your low-carb weight loss efforts. Jonny is dynamic and will have you stand up and cheering when you hear him speak.
If this sounds like something you'd like to be a part of, then the first deposit of $50 is due by May 6, 2008. Since we are all getting at least $600 a piece from the government-sponsored rebate checks that started mailing out this week, you've got this little bit of money coming your way. Then, your next deposit of $150 isn't due until another five months from now on September 8, 2008. The remaining balance is due on November 6th.
This cruise should be booked through Vacations To Go out of Houston, Texas. The cruise agent's name is Amelie Richards and you can contact her with any questions about the cruise by calling toll-free 800-514-9986 ext. 7583 anytime Monday through Friday from 8am-5pm CST. Or you can e-mail her anytime at arichards@vacationstogo.com. Or if you have any questions for the cruise leader, e-mail Becky Regandy at xregandyx@yahoo.com.
Are you gonna come cruisin' with us in 2009? Leave a comment below and let us know! I can't wait to spend some time with you next January. :)
Here's your chance to be in a new Food Network series
Ever since we got cable back in our household about a year ago, my wife Christine has gone through phases of watching one particular channel at a time. At first, it was her favorite cable channel of all-time, the Sci-Fi Channel, and she got her fill of space aliens, ghost stories, and all things otherworldish! Then she switched over to the Discovery Channel for hours upon hours of Dirty Jobs, Cash Cab, How It's Made and Mythbusters. Great shows indeed!
But lately she's been in a cooking mood and you know what that means--THE FOOD NETWORK. Yes, our home has now been overtaken by Paula Deen, Rachael Ray, Emeril, Bobby Flay, Tyler Florence, and so many more. I like walking by and seeing what is being made if it is particularly low-carb (and many times it is or can be adapted to be low-carb!). Watching those professional cooks on The Food Network makes me wonder if maybe someday somebody I know will have a chance to appear on one of their shows.
Well, that might just happen sooner rather than later!
Right now, The Food Network is looking for what they describe as "amazing stories for a groundbreaking new series." Here's a brief set of questions detailing specifically what they are looking for.
"Do you or someone you know have an amazing food related story to tell? Do you know someone who has gone from being homeless to the owner of their own restaurant, makes pop art out of pineapples, or eats nothing but peanuts? Do you know someone who is battling food fears or phobias? Has food helped to cure an illness, changed the course of your life, or helped to inspire you in some dramatic way?"
If you can say YES to any of these questions, then this may be your big opportunity to appear on a national cable television network to share your story. They want a wide variety of stories to share, including ones that are "odd or humorous" so they can be featured on this new television series for The Food Network. If you have a strange or interesting food-related story to tell, then let them hear from you.
Casting us now underway and submitting your information is super-easy. Just send a brief description of your story, the best-looking photo you have of yourself, and all your contact information and e-mail it directly to Michael Raptist at michaelraptis@alroker.com. You can also call Michael at 646-723-9848 if you would like to be considered for the show.
I called Michael last week about this opportunity and shared with him about my 180-pound low-carb weight loss success story. He asked me all kinds of questions about my life, including how long I've been married, how many kids I have, why I want to do this, etc. At the end of the conversation, he wanted me to send him an e-mail with more information, so wish me luck! And I hope it works out for some of you, too! Let us know if you get chosen to be on the show so we can look for you.
GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!!! The Food Network--this is HUGE!
I hope to see you at the Rio Churrascaria in Cary, NC on Sunday
Plans have been made for my wife Christine and I to drive three hours up I-85 this Sunday for a trip to the Triangle area of North Carolina (aka Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill) for a series of events centered around the subject of livin' la vida low-carb.
First up is Sunday, May 4, 2008 at 6:00pm when we hope to meet so many of YOU at the uniquely low-carb Rio Churrascaria Brazilian steakhouse restaurant in Cary, NC. Their address is 107 Edinburgh Drive South right across the street from MacGregor Downs Country Club. I'd never heard of a Brazilian steakhouse until last month when friends of ours in Atlanta took us out to one and now I'm hooked! If you like to eat meat (and most low-carbers I know do!), then this is indeed your place to eat! Check out the menu for yourself by clicking here.
If you would like to come, we have dinner reservations for a party of 20 and we already have over a dozen signed up to be there. Please e-mail me at livinlowcarbman@charter.net if you are planning on coming so I can make sure we have a seat for you when you come on Sunday night. It's gonna be exciting to get to meet you all and there's a fairly large contingent of readers in that area. I'll have a special surprise gift for everyone who comes, so I hope you can make it out.
Then on Monday night, May 5th, I've been invited to come speak to the patients of Dr. Eric Westman, a well-known low-carb researcher and practitioner from Duke University who actively seeks to help people dealing with weight and health issues by using a low-carb nutritional approach. He's a real trailblazer for the work he is doing and I'm honored he would ask me to share a few words with his patients about my low-carb success. I'll be at Dr. Westman's clinic at 6:30pm on Monday for their monthly "Low-Glycemic Diet Support Group" and I look forward to meeting many of my readers who found out about him from my blog. :)
Finally, on Tuesday morning, I'll get to see Dr. Westman and his team in action at the Duke Lifestyle Medicine Clinic located at 4020 N. Roxboro Street in Durham. If I'm able to fit it into his schedule, then I may try to shoot some YouTube video footage. Otherwise, I'll just be observing what happens when someone comes into the clinic for help and see for myself how it all works. I know Dr. Westman told me when I saw him in Phoenix a few weeks ago that he has a full load of patients that keep him quite busy. That's a good problem to have!
Again, I hope to see you North Carolinians from the Triangle area on Sunday! Don't forget to let me know you're coming for dinner and I'll make sure you have a seat reserved JUST FOR YOU at 6:00PM. SEE YA THEN! :D
In Episode 133 of "The Livin' La Vida Low-Carb Show with Jimmy Moore," I asked the dynamic low-carb duo a series of questions about livin' la vida low-carb, including why belly fat is harder to burn as you get older and what to do about it, which is better to consume between fat and protein, why is the "slow-burn" technique better for you than traditional resistance training methods, and so much more! Remember, today is only Part 1, so be sure to tune in again on Thursday for the remainder of the interview.
Click on the "LISTEN NOW" link below or download it to your iPod to hear Episode 133:
"The Livin' La Vida Low-Carb Show with Jimmy Moore" Episode 133 [20:09m]: LISTEN NOW | Download
Although I had met Dr. Mike and Dr. Mary Dan previously at a low-carb science conference in Brooklyn, NY in January 2006 and interviewed them for my blog in October 2006, this was the first time I had been able to interview them for my podcast show. You will not find two more delightful people who treat you with the kind of respect and kindness that Mike and Mary Dan Eades do. They are tremendous ambassadors for this way of eating and I count it a real privilege to stand in their shadow working alongside them in this nutritional tour de force against the continuing low-fat diet enigma. THANK YOU for all you are doing in support for the low-carb lifestyle, Drs. Mike and Mary Dan Eades!
Hear experts like Drs. Mike and Mary Dan Eades anytime by:
Do you have anything you'd like to share in response to my interview with Mike and Mary Dan Eades? Want to share a compliment with them about how much they mean to your in your personal low-carb lifestyle? Leave it in the show notes section of Episode 133. Go visit the blogs by both Dr. Mary Dan Eades as well as Dr. Mike Eades to get more from the reigning king and queen of low-carb living. :D
I don't normally like to do this because it doesn't give me a chance to be as opinionated as I wanna be in my blog posts, but that annoying hack attack and Blogger shutting down my blog for a week has me backed up with a ton of low-carb news that I can't wait to share with you. So, rather than hoarding all this great content, I'm just gonna throw it all out there for you to enjoy. There's a lot to share, so here goes.
This IndyStar column about a new study claiming low-fat diets are better for cardio health than low-carb ones. Only 20 people were included in this "study" and it's unclear how they quantify why low-fat was better. Hmmm, ya think it could be based on a biased OPINION rather than any actual data analysis? They really should check out this REAL study on the long-term heart health of people following a low-carb diet.
The long-term consequences of the Atkins diet are questioned in this WXII-TV story and it wasn't half bad. Usually there's such a bias against the low-carb lifestyle over the long-term, but this was pretty good. CHECK IT OUT!
Did you catch the March 2008 issue of Good Housekeeping? In a rather inconspicuous column about adult acne is women 30-50 years old, you'll never believe what an amazing low-carb nugget of truth that was found in it--listed among the reason why adult women suffer from acne after stress and hormones was a "carbohydrate-laden diet." Yippee! :D
Many of you have been asking about the Canadian documentary "My Big Fat Diet" which I was privileged to screen while attending the 2008 ASBP/Nutrition & Metabolism conference in Phoenix, AZ a couple of weeks ago. This film was shot by independent filmmaker Mary Bissell and her team at Bare Bones Productions and they are fully committed to bringing this to the United States. Contact your local PBS station to ask them to show the documentary. Additionally, they're working on making this available on DVD, so stay tuned for more information about that. Also, I have an interview set with Mary to share with you on my podcast show soon.
I love a good grassroots campaign when it's for a good cause. And my fellow low-carb blogging friend Regina Wilshire from the "Weight Of The Evidence" blog has a good one for you to participate in right now. It seems there is a petition that has been submitted to the FDA by various special interest groups in favor of pharmaceuticals trying to completely destroy and annihilate the dietary supplement industry--their primary competition. This is trying to be pushed through without any input from the public, so go read Regina's plea for us to get involved at her blog.
Wanna see some brand new "no sugar added" products coming out? Click here to see what's on tap.
One of my regular readers and low-carb success Burt stumbled across some pro-low-carb mentions at a rather strange place--The Disney Channel! As the father of a 4-year old and a 16 month old, the television stays on Disney. Burt said he's noticed several times a character talking about carbs. One of the shows was "The Suite Life of Zach and Cody" where one episode shows a character pretending to be a dog eating a doggy biscuit when she suddenly replies, "Ewww, that's too many carbs!" The other example is on a show called "Phineas and Ferb." The sister of one of the main characters was offered a shaved-ice snow cone and she turns it down muttering something about too many carbs. COOL STUFF, HUH?! ;) THANKS for the tip, Burt.
Did you hear noted celebrity vegan Natalie Portman went on the Atkins diet? (Note the date of this column for the full scoop!) Speaking of Atkins, last Thursday (when my blog was still down!) was the 5-year anniversary of the tragic slip-and-fall accident that took the late great Dr. Robert C. Atkins from us prematurely. Read long-time Atkins nurse Jackie Eberstein's moving tribute to the man she worked with for 30 years helping people understand the healthy Atkins low-carb nutritional approach.
The "World's Fattest Man" Manuel Uribe just keeps losing weight on a low-carb diet and inspiring millions in the process. He's approaching 600 pounds lost and counting...KEEP IT UP MANUEL! Check out all of Manuel's progress from his starting weight of 1230 pounds at my links blog.
Finally (for now!), I'd better be careful with my career as a blogger because apparently blogging for a living is a death wish. I don't see it that way as long as you set up the proper boundaries for yourself by not getting so engrossed in the work of keeping content on your blog that you sacrifice your health in the process. My formula for writing is to take lots of breaks throughout the day, rest when I'm tired, and spend quality time with my wife Christine when things get tough. Blogging has been the best job I've ever had and I wouldn't trade it for the world. I LOVE IT (although there's not enough time in the day to get everything I want to talk about in)!
That's it for now because it's getting late and I have to get out of town for the next few days. My sister-in-law is having a bridal reception on Saturday in Virginia Beach, so we'll be heading that way on Friday and coming back late on Sunday night. There'll be plenty more to blog about when I get back, so keep reading!
La dee da dee da! It's another glorious day and even more prizes to share with you in my 3rd Annual Livin' La Vida Low-Carb Blogiversary Giveaway Contest. Are you getting excited about it yet? Well, you should be because there's an EXCELLENT chance you're gonna win something when I draw the winners next Friday. The entries are still pouring in from your fellow "Livin' La Vida Low-Carb" blog readers and I'm happy to see so many people getting in on the action. I CAN'T WAIT TO PICK THE WINNERS! :)
For those of you who HAVEN'T entered yet, let me offer one bit of advice about answering the questions for the contest--READ THEM CAREFULLY! The most missed answer has been a. followed by b. and then d. Nobody has missed c. or e. yet, so I guess those would be the "well duh" questions of the giveaway. Slowly read the questions and you shouldn't miss any of them. Just so you know, the people who missed questions were given a second chance to correct their answers. Everyone given a second chance has submitted the right ones. :)
CLICK HERE right now to enter the contest and take a look at all the prizes you'll have a chance to win here, here, here, and here.
Here is the final list of prizes that could be coming your way:
81. 27-PACK CASE OF SATIATRIM 82. 27-PACK CASE OF SATIATRIM 83. 27-PACK CASE OF SATIATRIM 84. 27-PACK CASE OF SATIATRIM 85. 27-PACK CASE OF SATIATRIM 86. 27-PACK CASE OF SATIATRIM 87. 27-PACK CASE OF SATIATRIM 88. 27-PACK CASE OF SATIATRIM 89. 27-PACK CASE OF SATIATRIM 90. 27-PACK CASE OF SATIATRIM
One of my latest sponsors of my blog is a wonderful product called Satiatrim. I did a YouTube video on this hunger-controlling product that comes in three delicious flavors: Chocolate, Vanilla, and Mixed Berry. The ten winners of this prize package will receive 9 boxes of each flavor to try and enjoy on your low-carb plan. THANK YOU Satiatrim for your donation to my blogiversary contest.
91. PROTEIN POWER AUTOGRAPHED BOOK COLLECTION
You can't talk about livin' la vida low-carb in 2008 without mentioning the incredible work of Drs. Mike and Mary Dan Eades from Protein Power fame (check out my encouraging blog interview with them from 2006). They are both outspoken proponents of the low-carb lifestyle for weight and health management, so the winner of this prize will receive solid information about how to make this lifestyle change permanent. Autographed copies of some of the most popular Protein Power books will be included in this giveaway. THANK YOU for all that you do on behalf of low-carb living, Drs. Mike and Mary Dan!
Aquafina is an industry leader in the bottled water market because they are constantly creating innovative products for your healthy lifestyle. That's why I was thrilled to try their new Aquafina Alive products for myself. Lemme tell you...these are AMAZING! Satisfy is fortified with fiber, Protect contains essential antioxidants, and Energize contains caffeine and Vitamin B. I was pleased to see these are sweetened with Splenda and ACE-K (instead of NASTY-tame!) and they are a refreshing way to finish your workout or sipping throughout the day. The five winners of this prize package will receive a special limited-edition Aquafina Alive backpack filled with lots of goodies, including a long-sleeved t-shirt. THANK YOU Aquafina!
97. BLACKBERRY PATCH DIET SYRUP GIFT PACK
Nothing tastes better than freshly-made syrups that are created from real low-glycemic fruits with no added sugars other than the natural goodness that is contained within. That's the mission of Blackberry Patch, a gourmet Georgia-based company dedicated to delivering high-quality jams, jellies, and fruit syrups. I've personally tasted these for myself and they are far superior to any other sugar-free syrups that are on the market. My favorite part are the little chunks of fruit in the syrup which authenticate that these are made from real berries. The winner of this prize will receive the following syrups: Sugar Free Maple Praline flavor, Sugar Free Roasted Pecan flavor, No Sugar Added Wild Blueberry, No Sugar Added Whole Raspberry, and No Sugar Added Whole Blackberry. These are PERFECT as a topping on cheesecake, ice cream, and anything else you want to infuse with berry-liciousness!
98. EAT SMART NUTRITION SCALE
Have you been caught in the kitchen cooking with a food that you have no idea what the nutritional make-up is? Sure, we all have. That's why I was so happy to find out about the EatSmart Nutrition Scale and this gizmo is absolutely stunning for what it does. With the touch of a few buttons in only a matter of seconds, you can find out EXACTLY how many calories, carbohydrates, fiber and so much more are contained within a given food you are weighing. This takes the guess work out of what you are putting in your mouth and one lucky winner in my blogiversary will own one of these for themselves. THANK YOU to William from EatSmart for donating this awesome prize!
99. BIG GREEN EGG GRILL GIVEAWAY
When Christine and I attended the HPBA Expo in Atlanta, GA back in March, we came across what is arguably the most unique grill I think I've ever seen in my life. It's called The Big Green Egg and the porcelain shaped into a big green egg makes this grill stand out above the rest. And now you one of you will win a Medium EGG package (including the EGG grill, Nest, and a Bag of Charcoal--CLICK HERE to take a look at this beautiful grill!). What an INCREDIBLE PRIZE for one lucky reader! THANK YOU Big Green Egg!!!
100. HASS AVOCADOS FROM MEXICO GUACAMOLE PARTY PACK
The last prize, but certainly not the least, in my 3rd blogiversary contest giveaway is for one of the most beloved low-carb foods out there--avocados! And there's no better avocados than the ones from Hass Avocados from Mexico which are very low in carbs and rich in healthy fats. The winner of this prize will be in avocado heaven! The guacamole kit comes with fresh avocados, limes, a lime juicer, Mexican dishes, and matching napkins. You can have an avocado party (ooooh, can I come?!) with this one-of-a-kind prize package. THANK YOU Hass Avocados from Mexico.
So, there you have it--100 BIG PRIZES that you can win as part of my 3rd Annual Livin' La Vida Low-Carb Blogiversary Giveaway Contest. You can't win, though, if you don't enter, so be sure to ENTER THE CONTEST soon. The deadline is next Thursday, May 1, 2008 at 11:59PM. Winners will be announced next weekend. GOOD LUCK EVERYONE and THANK YOU for reading the "Livin' La Vida Low-Carb" blog.
Could this man have the answer to your weight and health problems?
When you think about obesity and health problems, generally the first place most physicians look at for dealing with these problems is a drug therapy. But what if the antibiotics that you consume are killing off the good bacteria inside of your body to fight the fungus that is eating away at you...LITERALLY! And what if the high-carb, low-fat diet that is so highly recommended is completely ineffective against these parasites that seek to destroy your health?
In Episode 132 of "The Livin' La Vida Low-Carb Show with Jimmy Moore," we talk to a rather fascinating fungus expert named Doug Kaufmann from "Know The Cause" who believes the best way to bring your health into complete control is to limit your carbohydrates so you'll stop feeding the fungus that is at the root cause of diseases like cancer, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and more. I'm sure you've never heard anything like this before, so hold on to your hats for some truly revolutionary ideas that could very well be the answer you need to address your health woes.
Click on the "LISTEN NOW" link below or download it to your iPod to hear Episode 132:
"The Livin' La Vida Low-Carb Show with Jimmy Moore" Episode 132 [36:56m]: LISTEN NOW | Download
Doug Kaufmann may be on to something even bigger than a simple diet change. What if by default our healthy low-carb lifestyle is actually keeping fungus from growing and wreaking havoc on our bodies? Regardless of the reasons WHY you eat this way, the results are worth doing it for the rest of your life. You can hear the intense passion that Doug Kaufmann has for this issue and that he sincerely wants people to understand all the intricacies of the fungal connection to weight and health ailments.
Get cutting edge expert interviews like Doug Kaufmann anytime by:
He hit on so many topics, including cancer, statin drugs, Induction flu, and the fungal connection to virtually every health problem, but Doug Kaufmann really seems to know his stuff. What did you think about what he had to say regarding fungus and the healthy benefits of a low-carbohydrate diet for treating it? Share your thoughts in the show notes section of Episode 132. Be sure to visit KnowTheCause.com if you are interested in even more information about Doug and this one-of-a-kind topic.
Did you think I was finished sharing prizes in my 3rd Annual Livin' La Vida Low-Carb Blogiversary Giveaway Contest? Not by a long shot! There are so many people entering this contest that I wanted to make sure a good many of you will win SOMETHING. I really wish you could all win a prize, but you do have an excellent chance with so many up for grabs.
For those of you who haven't entered yet, you'll be pleased to know I extended the deadline for entering through May 1, 2008 at 11:59PM. The winners will be chosen at random on Friday, May 2nd and announced at my blog soon there after. CLICK HERE to find out how to enter TODAY so you'll get your name in the hat to win some truly remarkable gifts from the sponsor companies who support the "Livin' La Vida Low-Carb" blog. You can see the prizes I have already highlighted here, here, and here.
Let's take a look at the latest set of prizes:
61. $25 NETRITION.COM GIFT CERTIFICATE
Compliments of our friends at Netrition.com, we are pleased to offer a $25 gift certificate to the reader who wins this prize. Netrition has a full line of products to help you on your low-carb lifestyle, so check 'em out the next time you have a need for low-carb foods. Special thanks to Tom for his generous donation to my blogiversary contest.
62. $25 LO-CARB U GIFT CERTIFICATE 63. $25 LO-CARB U GIFT CERTIFICATE 64. $25 LO-CARB U GIFT CERTIFICATE 65. $25 LO-CARB U GIFT CERTIFICATE
Jason at LO-CARB U is another one of the fine low-carb retailers out there today. He specializes in shirataki noodles and other such niche, hard-to-find low-carb products, so be sure to see what he has to offer you for your low-carb lifestyle. THANKS for donating four $25 gift certificates to my contest, Jason!
66. $50 LOW-CARB CONNOISSEUR GIFT CERTIFICATE
Finishing up the low-carb retail giveaways is this $50 gift certificate to Low-Carb Connoisseur. My friend and fellow South Carolinian Elaine Payne has one of the longest-running online low-carb retail stores that I'm sure you will absolutely fall in love with if you try them out. Elaine will personally take care of your low-carb shopping needs and I can vouch for the excellence she brings to her job. THANK YOU for your gift to my blogiversary giveaway, Elaine!
67. TRUE LEMON GIFT SET SAMPLE PACK 68. TRUE LEMON GIFT SET SAMPLE PACK 69. TRUE LEMON GIFT SET SAMPLE PACK 70. TRUE LEMON GIFT SET SAMPLE PACK 71. TRUE LEMON GIFT SET SAMPLE PACK 72. TRUE LEMON GIFT SET SAMPLE PACK 73. TRUE LEMON GIFT SET SAMPLE PACK 74. TRUE LEMON GIFT SET SAMPLE PACK 75. TRUE LEMON GIFT SET SAMPLE PACK 76. TRUE LEMON GIFT SET SAMPLE PACK
One of my newest sponsors in 2008 is True Lemon. This unique crystallized lemon, lime and orange product allows you to take citrus goodness with you wherever you go and have a need for a fresh lemon, lime, or orange flavor in your beverage or food. There are so many uses for True Lemon products as Christine and I demonstrated in this YouTube video. My favorite thing to make is this tempting True Lemon cheesecake that is yummy, slap-your-momma-silly delicious! And don't forget you can order free samples and help the troops in Operation Gratitude in the process. THANK YOU for your generous donation of ten True Lemon Gift Set Sample Packs which include a full box of True Lemon, a full box of True Lime, and a full box of the brand new, hard to find True Orange. This is an amazing product and I encourage you to go request your FREE SAMPLES right now with no obligation. :)
77. AUTOGRAPHED COPY OF THE INFLAMMATION FREE DIET PLAN
One of my most popular podcast shows this year has been an interview I conducted with nutritionist Monica Reinagel. Unlike most of her fellow colleagues in dietetics, Monica understands the role of inflammation and its connection to health and disease. Visit her Inflammation Factor web site to understand more about this phenomenon and get the full scoop on this subject in her outstanding book The Inflammation Free Diet Plan. Monica has so wonderfully donated an autographed copy of her book to one lucky reader, so good luck! THANK YOU Monica for your outstanding giveaway.
78. 5 BOTTLES OF LIPTON DIET PEACH PAYAYA WHITE TEA 79. 5 BOTTLES OF LIPTON DIET PEACH PAYAYA WHITE TEA 80. 5 BOTTLES OF LIPTON DIET PEACH PAYAYA WHITE TEA
We've all tasted tea, but have you have the new White Tea from LIPTON yet? First discovered in the Fujian province of China, this white tea product is plucked by hand from the tips of young tea buds before the leaves blossom to preserve the natural goodness of the whole leaf with a rich concentration of protective flavonoid antioxidants. No further processing takes place so it maintains its delicate flavor and a clear liquid color. The light taste of white tea blends well with the other natural flavors, like tangerine, peach or raspberry. Three of you will get to try the Peach Papaya flavor with five bottles of the LIPTON product to try for yourself. THANKS for your prize donation, LIPTON! I've tried these and they are absolutely amazing.
So, am I done sharing all the prizes NOW? Not by a long shot! I told you there would be enough for a whole lot of winners and I wasn't lying. In fact, some of the best prizes are still to come, so keep checking back at the "Livin' La Vida Low-Carb" blog to see even more in the coming days. Don't wait to get in on the action, ENTER TODAY to become eligible as so many of your fellow readers have already done. We're gonna have well over 100 prizes to give away before its over, so don't miss out!
While much of the diet and health debate around the world is still caught up and enamored by the imaginary allure of the high-carb, low-fat diet as a means for losing weight and improving health, there is something rather remarkable happening in Sweden. An open dialog about the merits of a high-fat, low-carb diet has ensued ever since Dr. Annika Dahlqvist was vindicated by the Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare on January 16, 2008 when that government-led institution concluded that a low-carb diet is "in accordance with science and well-tried experience for reducing obesity and Type 2 diabetes."
Yep, that's right! Livin' la vida low-carb is now promoted by the government of Sweden alongside the low-fat diet as an option for people desiring weight loss and improvements in their health. However, as Dr. Dahlqvist noted in my interview with her in January 2008, they're not very happy about it and neither are the so-called health "experts" who desperately tried to get a ruling AGAINST low-carb--but it backfired on them!
I've been trying to get organizations like the American Medical Association, the American Heart Association, and even the USDA (creators of the infamous Food Pyramid, set to be revised and updated for 2010 by Brian Wansink and his team) to consider low-carb alongside low-fat diets so that the general public will have an informed choice rather than all the needless scaremongering about the healthy low-carb lifestyle. Although it didn't go far enough in the opinion of most supporters of low-carb, the change in recommendations by the American Diabetes Association (ADA) in January 2008 in favor of supporting low-carb diets for diabetics for weight loss is indeed a positive step in the right direction that I think will put pressure on these other health groups to follow suit. In light of all the evidence that has come out, they'll have no choice.
In fact, at the recent ASBP/Nutrition & Metabolism conference in Phoenix, an entire lecture was dedicated to why the ADA suddenly changed its tune regarding low-carb living for diabetics. Their conclusion: the science has shown it to be safe for weight loss over the span of at least one year. Of course, you and I know the science says a LOT more than that about low-carb and there was plenty of evidence of that during that weekend of lectures from the best and brightest in the world of low-carb research. As this evidence continues to mount, it will be impossible for the ADA, AMA, AHA, or any old "A" to ignore anymore!
And this brings me back to Sweden for a moment. The "science and well-tried experience" behind low-carb is what has led Dr. Dahlqvist and many of the most famous advocates of carbohydrate restriction from around the world to call for a critical appraisal of this way of eating for the purposes of treating metabolic syndrome and Type 2 diabetes. We really have come to an impasse in the hyperbole against low-carb where an all-out discussion is now sorely needed about this nutritional approach. It happened in Phoenix among a couple hundred bariatric physicians, but the scale of the conversation needs to become larger--MUCH larger!
That's why I was pleased to see Johanna Söderlund take it on at her blog last week by interviewing some of Sweden's most intelligent and articulate proponents of the high-fat, low-carb hypothesis. This is the kind of open-minded conversation that needs to take place in the United States, Canada, the UK, Australia, and around the world. It MUST be done if we are wanting to get serious about dealing with obesity, diabetes, and diseases that plague modern society. The question is no longer a matter of if we will, but rather when. That's why we should take our cue from what is happening in Sweden and get the conversation started.
Special thanks to my Swedish low-carb blogging friend Arne Anderson for translating Johanna Söderlund's interview into English so we can enjoy the answers provided to some rather pertinent questions about livin' la vida low-carb. As you read through these answers from the leading low-carb experts in Sweden, imagine the same thing happening in Congressional hearings on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC from such notable researchers as Dr. Eric Westman, Dr. Mary C. Vernon, Dr. Richard Feinman, Dr. Jeff Volek, Dr. Stephen Phinney, and others. A clear unbiased presentation of the data would speak for itself.
Here's that interview with the Swedish low-carb experts:
1. In terms of fat, protein and carbohydrates, how much of each of these macronutrients should people who are healthy and free from illness (Defined as free from insulin resistance and feeling well) eat?
Annika Dahlqvist:I recommend healthy people eat liberal amounts of natural fat. Then they automatically consume less carbohydrates because they have normal appetite regulation. If you count on it I guess the intake of carbs will be half of what is recommended (by the health authorities). Protein should be consumed "normally"--that is 1g per kilo of normal body weight.
Lars-Erik Litsfeldt:Healthy persons have a greater freedom of how they put together their diet. For example, people keeping a diet low in the glycemic index make it fine with that. The more insulin resistant you are, the less freedom you have to eat if you want to regain your health. I can't see any reason for a healthy person to keep up a specific level of carbohydrates in his diet. Carbohydrates are the only macronutrients we don't need to eat. I think most people realize what level is most suitable to them.
Andreas Eenfeldt:I think across the board recommendations like 55:25:20 (carbohydrate:protein:fat) become arbitrary and in the end are not very meaningful. I believe it is arbitrary because there are no comparing studies looking at the different amounts of carbs within the definition of "low-carb." Therefore, that recommendation is just a personal opinion based on anecdotal stories. It's not meaningful at all because it is a very small minority of people who actually keep up with the breakdown of macronutrients of their daily dietary intake.
It is my opinion that healthy persons who don't feel they need to lose weight should exclude sugar from their diet. The rest of the carbohydrates ought to be natural and not refined--that is carbs with a low glycemic index. Plus, the less physical activity you engage in, the more careful you must be with the total amount of carbohydrates consumed.
Sten Sture Skaldeman:For healthy persons, the most important thing is to eat food that is natural and not processed. How it is divided in macronutrients you don't have to feel distressed about. Fat must be the primary source of energy intake and protein and carbohydrates can divide the rest. Your diet should look like this: 20% protein, 10-20% carbohydrates and 60-70% fat. This will give you a lot of freedom in making up your diet.
Johanna Söderlund:Many proportions can work well, but most people would get the best health if they had an intake of 40–60% fat, 20–30% protein and 10–20% carbohydrates. Muscular persons need to eat more protein than others and inactive people ought to eat less carbohydrates than others. The distribution of macronutrients also varies based on how much you eat. A person who eats smaller portions may need to have a larger percent of protein than a person who eats larger portions because protein gets stored in the body as energy.
2. In your opinion, will some people feel bad following a low-carb, high-fat (LCHF) diet because it is too low in carbohydrate intake or is this diet that can work well for everybody?
Annika Dahlqvist:I know some people say that they are not feeling well while on a low-carb, high-fat (LCHF) diet and I usually give them this advice: Increase the carbs and decrease the fat and then go back slowly to see what level of carbohydrates suits them best.
Lars-Erik Litsfeldt:I don't know, but I believe feeling bad on a low intake of carbohydrates is only temporary. But it is all about individuals and you can't exclude the possibility that some people need a certain intake of carbs in order to feel fine. I have heard that people who workout a lot need carbohydrates to recover faster after their workout.
Andreas Eenfeldt:I think it is possible that some people feel more tired and weak even after been on a low-carb, high-fat (LCHF) diet for a longer time, although it's not very common. I think practical issues arise because people on these diets are eating different from others or different from their previous diet and that's what presents an even bigger problem.
Sten Sture Skaldeman:No, nobody can feel bad from eating a low-carbohydrate diet, except for the first two first weeks. When we are adapted to operating on fat for fuel, the need for carbohydrates is zero. (No, a low-carb, high-fat (LCHF) diet is not for everyone. It demands people have both willpower and intelligence.)
Johanna Söderlund:I see a strict low-carb, high-fat (LCHF) diet as a method for insulin resistant people. Insulin resistance means that insulin regulation doesn't work properly, probably because of too much stress on the system because of too much high-glycemic food. As a result of too high insulin levels in the body, the organs have decreased their sensibility to insulin. That leads to problems with high levels of blood glucose that can be remedied with a low-carb diet because it is mostly the carbohydrates that raises the glucose level in the blood. (Insulin resistance depends on the diet and lifestyle mostly, but heredity is also a factor. The more insulin resistant you are the more important is minimizing carbohydrates.)
If you start a strict low-carb diet and have no problems with insulin resistance, then your blood glucose level will fall. Different hormone systems will be activated to keep the blood glucose at a normal level. There are different hormones that can be activated to normalize the blood glucose levels and some are more desirable than others. Cortisol and glucagon are both working to increase the blood glucose level. Cortisol is a stress hormone but glucagon will be activated when you workout.
If you change to a new diet suddenly, there may be major changes in the hormone systems and that can make you feel bad. Insulin resistant people usually have no problem when changing to a strict low-carb diet. You may have a good production of blood glucose even before you start a low-carb diet and there will probably no problems when changing and you will feel better after you reduce the carbs.
3. Which differences–if any–can you distinguish between the kinds of carbohydrates (for example, sugar and starch) and do you differentiate these differences in your dietary advice?
Annika Dahlqvist:They are all the same to me. Future research will perhaps point out the differences that may be there.
Lars-Erik Litsfeldt:I don't see any differences. Fiber may be harmless for most people, but the point is it is still about the amount of carbohydrates.
Andreas Eenfeldt:Yes, there are a lot of things indicating that an excessive intake of sugar (sucrose) is worse than a high intake of starch because of the fructose in the sugar. If the carbohydrate intake isn't very low, then the glycemic index comes into play.
Sten Sture Skaldeman:Sugar and starch are equally bad. The addiction is as equally strong in both sugar and starch. I accept the carbohydrates that come from animal products without limitations. For example liver, seafood, eggs and cheese. Vegetables (grown on top of the soil) can be eaten without limitations by most people. I myself restrict tomatoes and peppers, but I'm very liberal with onions. I think the healthy benefits of the onion are more important than the few carbohydrates that are in them.
Johanna Söderlund:I think there is a big difference between the different kinds of carbohydrates. I wrote earlier about insulin resistance and a lot of the science that tells us that different sources of carbohydrates influences our body differently. Most important is that sugar releases more insulin than starch. That means that insulin resistant persons should reduce starch and non-insulin resistant persons should reduce sugar intake first.
Fructose should not be consumed in any larger amounts at all by anyone. In short: When the glucose stores are filled, there will be problems with the surplus of fructose. Diabetics should not eat very many carbs at all, but for those who are not insulin resistant and want to eat carbs I recommend them to eat most of it as starch. Sugar is also a problem for those who are addicted to carbohydrates. Sugar seem to cause addiction easier than starch does. Sugar also stimulates your appetite mostly because of its content of fructose.
Fructose activates ghrelin and ghrelin stimulates your appetite. Of course, you should pay attention to the glycemic index of those starchy foods and how easily the carbs are digested. Parboiled rice increases the blood glucose level slower than sticky rice. You must understand that foods containing sugar (like fructose and lactose) have a relatively low glycemic index, but it is not healthy to eat a lot of fructose and lactose.
What a truly fascinating interview that was! I welcome your comments about the answers provided by these health pioneers in Sweden who are blazing the trail and setting a precedent for how the rest of the world of low-carb supporters should be addressing the misinformation that exists about the healthy low-carb lifestyle. In fact, I'd love to ask these exact same questions to the low-carb experts in the United States. Wouldn't that be a great follow-up to what Johanna Söderlund did with her interview? And I could even give my own answers to these questions too. What do you think?
While it can sometimes seem discouraging when you see an anti-low-carb story in the media, be encouraged my friends. We have the truth on our side and the science speaks for itself. Even more importantly, in my not-so-humble opinion, are the scores of people like you and me who have been changed for the better because of the positive impact of low-carb. This is the testimony of livin' la vida low-carb that the ADA, AMA, AHA, and those in the government who make dietary recommendations need to hear. We should never stop sharing our stories because one-by-one we are making a difference.
I will soon be blogging about how we can band together in an effort to put pressure on the United States Congress to take a closer look at the current dietary recommendations in light of the latest science that has come out regarding low-carb diets. We need to encourage our U.S. Representatives and U.S. Senators to call for Congressional hearings on this subject because it is a vitally important issue that directly impacts such political hot potatoes such as healthcare, Medicare, and other aspects of public policy. Waiting on the sidelines for them to act on their own is no longer acceptable, so we must provide public pressure on them to do something. More on that coming soon.
For now, I want to publicly acknowledge and applaud the brave researchers and practitioners in Sweden who support the high-fat, low-carb diet for their courage in the face of opposition to stand up for what is right. We need this kind of testicular fortitude to rise up in the United States, Canada, the UK, Australia, and around the world if we truly care about the health and well-being of the world population. If we choose to remain passive and simply allow the same old, same old to continue, then it will be our own fault when we reach the point of no return in this debate.
The time to act is NOW and I'm ready to step up the pressure on the powers that be. Won't you join me in this effort?
You can't talk about livin' la vida low-carb without mentioning the incredible Dr. Jonny Bowden. His impact on the health and weight loss community is unmatched and I am honored to call Jonny a friend. Meeting him at the Nutrition & Metabolism conference in Phoenix a couple of weeks ago was a real thrill and he is such a neat guy. If you missed my podcast interview with him in February, then click here to check it out. The winner of this prize will get Jonny's two latest books: The 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth and The Most Effective Natural Cures on Earth. THANK YOU for your generous donation, Jonny!
42. TWO NIGHT SMOKY MOUNTAIN CABIN GETAWAY
Back by popular demand for this year's blogiversary is a two-night stay at the VERY luxurious "A Glimpse of Heaven" cabin. Christine and I had the privilege of staying at this cabin not just once, but TWICE last year and it was amazing. Click here for my pictures and memories from our first visit to "A Glimpse of Heaven" in the Pigeon Forge, Tennessee area. You haven't experience the Smokies until you stay in a cabin. Special thanks to Roger & Cheryl for generously donating this amazing prize to my anniversary contest. Check out their web site at HeavenlyCabins.com for more information about ALL of their incredible cabin getaways. YOU'LL LOVE IT!!!
43. $100 GIFT CERTIFICATE TO CARBSMART.COM
Longtime supporter and friend of the "Livin' La Vida Low-Carb" blog Andrew DiMino from CarbSmart.com has again stepped up and offered a $100 gift certificate on the low-carb products of your choice! Whether you want GoLower bars, DaVinci syrups, or NexGen muffins, this should take care of everything you'd like to stock up your low-carb pantry. CarbSmart is one of the industry leaders in customer service and delivery, so I know you'll be taken care of by their top-notch staff. Wanna hear from Andrew himself? Check out my exclusive podcast interview with him to hear about what's going on in the world of low-carb products. THANKS for your donation, Andrew!
44. SWEETRIOT CACAO NIBS GIFT PACKS 45. SWEETRIOT CACAO NIBS GIFT PACKS 46. SWEETRIOT CACAO NIBS GIFT PACKS 47. SWEETRIOT CACAO NIBS GIFT PACKS 48. SWEETRIOT CACAO NIBS GIFT PACKS 49. SWEETRIOT CACAO NIBS GIFT PACKS 50. SWEETRIOT CACAO NIBS GIFT PACKS 51. SWEETRIOT CACAO NIBS GIFT PACKS 52. SWEETRIOT CACAO NIBS GIFT PACKS 53. SWEETRIOT CACAO NIBS GIFT PACKS
A couple of years ago, I was introduced to a pretty neat company called SweetRiot. They have one of the most unique products for people who LOVE chocolate--cacao nibs! Until you've actually tried cacao, you have no idea what you're missing. Let's just say you can't eat very much of it because the intensity is incredible. They have so graciously agreed to donate 10 gift packs to my readers who win, so you'll see exactly what I mean. Visit the official SweetRiot web site to learn more and sneak a peek at their corresponding blog, too.
54. 24-PACK MIXED SAMPLE OF ZEVIA DIET SODA 55. 24-PACK MIXED SAMPLE OF ZEVIA DIET SODA 56. 24-PACK MIXED SAMPLE OF ZEVIA DIET SODA 57. 24-PACK MIXED SAMPLE OF ZEVIA DIET SODA 58. 24-PACK MIXED SAMPLE OF ZEVIA DIET SODA
We all know that The Coca-Cola Company is currently pleading with the FDA about approving the supplement stevia as a sweetener so they can manufacture a stevia-sweetened diet soda. But why wait on that when there's already a company out there doing just that--Zevia! Available in natural cola, lemon-lime, and natural orange flavors, Zevia is committed to providing an all-natural diet soft drink that they think you'll enjoy without the use of any artificial sweeteners. Each winner will receive a 24-Pack Mixed Sample of Zevia to try for themselves. You can order some for yourself to try, including a special FREE SAMPLE offer (pay only shipping), by visiting the Zevia online store.
My friend and fellow diet and health writer Charles Stuart Platkin (aka "The Diet Detective") recently started a new line of products that allow you to show off your food choices in a unique way. He calls them a FoodTee and they're really cute! That one with the broccoli with the caption "Veggin'" is one of my favorites, but you may find another one that suits your fancy. The two winners of this prize package will be able to choose 2 FoodTee products of their choice from the FoodTee Market.
So, do you think I'm done sharing prizes yet? Not by a long shot because there are still a BUNCH more to go. You'll just have to keep reading and entering the contest for yourself so you can take advantage of these amazing prizes. I am so grateful to all my blogiversary sponsors for their incredible donations. There's gonna be a lot of loot to win this year and I can't wait to give it all away!
Because of the craziness with my blog being down for much of the past week, I have decided to extend the deadline for entering the contest to Thursday, May 1, 2008 at 11:59PM. Winners will be chosen at random from all the entries on Friday, May 2, 2008 and announced at the blog soon thereafter. Now is the time to enter and be sure to encourage others to enter to win, too! I've only shared 60 prizes so far with a lot more to go. THANK YOU for reading "Livin' La Vida Low-Carb!"
When I messed up the Oopsie, I made something even better!
I love experimenting in the kitchen with new ways to spruce up my low-carb lifestyle. It's one of the things that I enjoy about livin' la vida low-carb the most--making it interesting by coming up with new recipes and food combinations that suit my sugar-free, low-carb life. When you put a little creativity behind it, there is no limit to what you can come up with.
Just look at the Oopsie phenomenon, for example. Created by Cleochatra from "The Lighter Side Of Low-Carb" blog, this neat little recipe for making a low-carb "bread" replacement using some rather simple low-carb ingredients is a prime example of ingenuity at work. The possibilities for recipes are truly endless with these Oopsies.
So, being the gung ho cook that I am, I finally decided to gather all the ingredients to make the Oopsie for myself to see what all the fuss is about. I headed down to my local grocery store on Monday afternoon and immediately went searching for the cream of tartar in the spice aisle. This little itty bitty container of it cost $3.50 and I was thinking, "This had better be good if I'm gonna pay that much money on something I only need a 'pinch' of!" :D
Next, I headed for the refrigerated section to get the cream cheese and you can't buy the off brand--you gotta get the good stuff, so that means Philadelphia cream cheese. I already had the Splenda, eggs, and salt at home, so I went to the checkout and went on my merry way to go make some Oopsies. With all the stress of the past couple of weeks, it was time to relax and unwind the cares of this world in an Oopsie kind of way. I was rip-roaring ready to go.
Following the basic recipe for making an Oopsie and doubling it, I did as instructed and separated the six egg whites from the egg yolks. In the bowl with the egg yolks, I added a block of cream cheese, 2 packets of Splenda, and two dashes of salt. Meanwhile in the other bowl with the egg whites, I added the obligatory two pinches of cream of tartar. So far, so good, right?
Welllllll...then I made my uh-oh. Rather than whipping the eggs white mixture until "stiff," I whipped it to oblivion and it was a big bowl full of foam. EEEEEK! What a dopey thing to do, Jimmy! Hoo boy. I didn't realize my mistake until I read in the instructions about carefully folding in the egg yolk mixture so you won't "break down the whites." OOOPS! Too late. Now what?
I went ahead and used my mixer to blend the egg yolk mixture and carefully tried adding it to my egg white foam. The bowl was getting too full, so I got an even bigger bowl and just poured both the egg white and egg yolk mixtures together and stirred 'em all up. What was supposed to be this nice thick batter for making the Oopsie rolls was more like a very, very thin pancake batter. HOO BOY! What can I do with this?
My oven was already preheated to 300 degrees, so I decided to go ahead and try to cook this concoction in the oven for the required 30 minutes to see what would happen. Obviously I wasn't gonna be making Oopsie rolls, but I decided to pour it in a pan to see if some sort of cake would develop. At the last minute, I decided to add some cinnamon and erythritol to the mixture to give it some flavor in case it turned out well. Worst case scenario, I would have some really tasty cinnamon-flavored goo! :P
But, like my accidental low-carb "magic shell" recipe last year, this recipe actually turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Little did I know just how amazing this uh-oh was gonna turn out to be. When I pulled it out of the oven, the pan appeared to be filled with a cinnamon cake of sorts. I pressed my finger against it and the top was spongy, so that was a good sign.
After a few minutes of allowing it to cool, I decided to take a bite for myself. OH...MY...GOSH!!! This tastes unbelievably good! I ran and got my wife Christine to take a bite and she couldn't believe it either. Could lightning strike again on one of my kitchen disasters and turn it into something extraordinary? Yep, it sure can and it did! This is always a unique moment for cooks when they stumble upon something new.
I commented to Christine that it sorta tasted like French toast with the cinnamon, so I cut a slice on a plate, put some butter on top, poured a little sugar-free pancake syrup on top of that, and then scooped a dollop of whipped cream for the finishing touch. It was so rich and yummy, you'd never know it was basically cream cheese and eggs for the "bread." INCREDIBLE! My wife said, "If you have a sweet tooth, then this sure will take care of it." Indeed.
After experiencing this uh-oh in the kitchen while making the Oopsie roll, there was really no thinking about what to call this recipe:
JIMMY MOORE'S UH-OH OOPSIE LOW-CARB FRENCH TOAST
6 large eggs 2 packets of Splenda 2 dashes of salt 2 pinches of cream of tartar 1 8-ounce box of cream cheese Cinnamon to taste Sweetener to taste Butter Sugar-free pancake syrup Whipped topping
Preheat oven to 300 degrees.
In a bowl, mix the eggs, Splenda, salt, cream cheese, cream of tartar, cinnamon, and the sweetener of your choice (I used erythritol, but any sweetener--besides SUGAR!--will do) together with a mixer until blended and creamy.
Spray a baking pan (I used a 10 X 7) with non-stick spray and pour the mixture into the pan. Bake for about 30 minutes until it resembles a cake. Let cool for a few minutes and then cut into squares. Put desired amounts of butter, sugar-free pancake syrup, and whipped topping on top and ENJOY!
Serves 6-8 and the net carb counts per serving are around 4-6 grams.
The moral of this story is when life gives you a foamy mess, you can turn around and make French toast out of it. Okay, so it's not as snazzy as making lemonade out of lemons, but you get the idea. THANKS again Cleochatra for sharing your amazing low-carb discovery with us. I'll be back in the kitchen again soon trying to make the REAL Oopsie recipe. In the meantime, I've got me some Uh-Oh Oopsie Low-Carb French Toast to chow down on. Yummy! ;)
Obesity doc Yoni Freedhoff wonders about low-carb long-term
We hear it all the time from people who have genuine concerns about low-carb diets: Can you sustain it over the long-term? It's a fair question and I can appreciate that people who work in the medical community want to be thorough with the information they are providing their patients. Not every doctor asks that question with the best of intentions, but I think the one I interviewed for my podcast show today does.
In Episode 131 of "The Livin' La Vida Low-Carb Show with Jimmy Moore," you'll hear from Dr. Yoni Freedhoff in Ottawa, Ontario Canada as he talks about how he got into bariatric medicine, what he does in his office to help the obese, what he thinks about the low-carb diet as a sustainable lifestyle change, and why he believes the pharmaceutical answer to obesity isn't necessarily the primary answer for people desiring weight loss. I think you'll enjoy hearing what Dr. Freedhoff has to say. ENJOY!
Click on the "LISTEN NOW" link below or download it to your iPod to hear Episode 131:
"The Livin' La Vida Low-Carb Show with Jimmy Moore" Episode 131 [22:02m]: LISTEN NOW | Download
Dr. Freedhoff is a very articulate physician who sincerely wants to help people beat their obesity through the use of a calorie budget--whether it is low-fat or low-carb--and trying to keep within their individualized parameters. It's an interesting strategy to give overweight and obese people "guidance" rather than shaming them into losing weight. I was pleased to hear him say that he understands fat and protein are filling (that thing called satiety) and are great for weight loss.
Get in on the fun with Dr. Yoni Freedhoff and others anytime by:
Are the concerns by Dr. Yoni Freehoff about the sustainability of low-carb diets over the long-term justified? What do you think about his philosophy for people dealing with obesity? Let's discuss it in the show notes section of Episode 131. Check out his blog "Weighty Matters" as well as his Bariatric Medical Institute web site for more information from this fascinating doctor who is helping his Canadian patients lose weight and get healthy again.
Come back later this week when I'll be sharing an outstanding interview I conducted with a man named Doug Kaufmann. One of my blog readers told me about Doug and his "Know The Cause" program which zeros in on fungus as a primary role in obesity and disease. I know, it sounds gross and a little crazy, but I can assure you this will be one podcast you will NEVER forget! That's what I have coming up for you on "The Livin' La Vida Low-Carb Show with Jimmy Moore" on Thursday.
Jimmy & Christine Moore Coming To Raleigh/Durham, NC On May 4th
We're coming to the Triangle area of North Carolina in early May
If you live in the Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill area of North Carolina, then Christine and I would absolutely LOVE to meet you when we come to the area for a visit on May 4-6, 2008. Please contact me at livinlowcarbman@charter.net if you would like to meet for dinner on Sunday, May 4th at 6pm.
We are deciding between two places to eat:
Rio Churrascaria at US1 and 64W in Cary, NC or the Golden Corral at 3800 N. Roxboro Road in Durham, NC. I didn't want to exclude anyone who wanted to come because they couldn't afford the Brazilian steakhouse, so let me know what you preference is for the meetup. I'll e-mail everyone back who plans on attending to let you know where we will be eating. :)
There's a great group of low-carbers in that area who try to meet up every once in a while called the "Triangle Low-Carb Cooking Meetup," so I hope we can have a good crowd show up. It's good when we can get together and exchange ideas about how to make the low-carb lifestyle work in our own lives by learning from the experiences of others. If you live in this area, then I sincerely hope you can come.
I have been invited to speak to the patients of low-carb diet clinician Dr. Eric Westman at Duke University on that Monday night and then check out his clinic on Tuesday morning before heading back a few hours south to my home in Spartanburg, SC. It'll be a fun time to talk about how livin' la vida low-carb has changed my life and I know there are a whole bunch of you who read my blog from the Triangle area.
If you're coming, then I will have a special prize for you as a gift of gratitude for coming out to see me and Christine. It would be a true honor to be able to meet you in person and share how low-carb living has impacted our lives for the better. Remember to e-mail me at livinlowcarbman@charter.net if you are coming along with your preference about where to dine so we can know how many to plan for. SEE YA SOON! :)
