Getting Started on the Low Carb/Low Glycemic Lifestyle

I've been getting a lot of inquiries from people who want to start on a low carb/low glycemic lifestyle, but either don't know much about it, or are misinformed about it. If you or someone you know is looking for information about this eating program, it's very important that you get the right info from experts in the medical field, for your health's sake. "Doing low carb" incorrectly, or without medical advice can not only be dangerous for those with medical issues, but also lead to weight gain and poor health. Once they've made the decision to make the lifestyle switch, I recommend to all of my clients that they read one of the following books, in addition to taking my 4 hour "quickstart" package that will give them shortcuts, helpful articles, recipe conversions, personal counseling, food choice lists, and meal ideas. Happy reading, and of course, feel free to contact me via comments here if you have any questions.

-The Atkins Essentials, A Two-Week Program to Jump-Start Your Low-Carb Lifestyle
by Atkins Health & Medical Information Services. An easy reading primer.

-The Diabetes Diet, by Richard K. Bernstein, MD. Probably the best and most comprehensive guide to controlling blood sugar, for those with, and without, diabetes.

-Dr. Bernstein's Diabetes Solution, The Complete Guide to Achieving Normal Blood Sugars, by Richard K. Bernstein. He was the originator of, and is the authority on, low carb for diabetics Type I and II.

-Atkins Diabetes Revolution, based on the practice of Dr. Robert C. Atkins, with Mary C. Vernon, MD, CMD, and Jacqueline A. Everstein, RN. The Atkins approach to preventing and controlling Type 2 diabetes.

Crack Pretzels

Okay, so I spent a little time at home in Ohio with my parents, and niece and nephews and got a little off track...I don't know how people with kids manage to watch their carbs! We try to limit the sugary snacks and, of course, no soda or sports drinks, but it still creeps up on you...food left uneaten on the plate (you're not going to throw that away are you?), the ubiquitous pretzel snack (what kind of a devil-person brings peanut butter stuffed pretzel bites into a house?? Don't you know those things are like crack?!), and of course, a little fast food (oh what the heck, at this point I'll wrestle you for the bun). At 8, 10 &10, these kids are just starting to really learn about food choices, and it's interesting to watch. One loves the little cups of mandarin oranges, but when she's finished with the oranges, drinks the "best part"...the "juice", otherwise known as high fructose corn syrup these things are packed in. Someone get that kid an actual orange! I realize how hard it is for kids to learn about nutrition, what with their cartoon network channels crammed with commercials for fast food and sugary snacks and drinks, but they do like wholesome good food in the absence of other bad choices...........ah ha! Just like me, they do fine unless the bad food options are omnipresent. So why do we bring the stuff into the house? I don't have crack pretzels at my place, so I usually crave those microwave greenbeans dipped in ranch dressing. What if, as responsible adults, we simply didn't make the excuses and refused to buy this garbage? Having grapes and fresh cut fruit readily on the counter when the kids want a snack, instead of the big tub of pretzels and a couple bags of chips makes the decision easy...and they don't ask for anything else. I know, life is full of temptation and hard decisions, and there will always be the equivilent of peanut butter filled pretzels around to lead us astray...but can't we just admit we're human and capable of taking the path we know is wrong, and make it easier on ourselves by not throwing those detours in the middle of our perfectly good path? Grandma, get rid of the crack pretzels...as for me, I'm back on induction.

Been awhile

Been awhile since I've posted, but business is good. I've got a couple of great regular weekly clients, and June was packed every weekend with special events....whew. I'm doing a four-hour "Jumpstart" package now, to get people started or re-motivated on the Low Carb/Low Glycemic lifestyle, complete with cooking lessons and recipes converting their favorite "cravings" into acceptable options. That's going really well, and I get so excited when others get psyched about living this way. Check out my website for details...

We also managed to get in a meetup of our Low Carb Lifestyle Support Group and had a great dinner at BD's Mongolian BBQ. We've just scheduled another one...plans for a potluck BBQ in the works, check it out. I also posted my Romanian Summer Slaw Recipe here: Summer Slaw...one I've never given out before...everyone loves it, as it's low carb, low calorie and low fat...a little something for everyone! (I've been told it tastes like crunchy lemonade)