Unexpected Inspiration

This video isn't exactly lc related - but sure says a whole lot about life, working towards goals, and in the end, what's most important.

Atlanta based photographer Zach Arias made this video for Scott Kelby's website. For those who aren't familiar with photography circles, Scott in an amazing teacher and photographer. And in all honestly, so is Zach.

The reason I felt so compelled to share this video is because I know we ALL go through these phases - whether it be photography, writing, weight loss... or just getting through each day. This video has single-handedly brought some sanity back into my life. It's helped me see so much. I hope it's as helpful for you.

New Carb Tracker for iPod and iPhone

Now I need to get one of these:

Cool photo by nickwinch


So I can get one of these:




It's totally cool and will work on the iPhone or iPod. Hubby has the iPhone and the above shot came from a screen shot of his phone. He's loving this application! The rest of the screen shots we took are in the slide show of my latest article on Examiner. Please visit me there to see the rest and get all the fun details!

Babies everywhere need your help

Hey everyone! It's that time of year again. The time where I talk about the March of Dimes. As my long-time readers know, my daughter Rachel had some problems when she was born. While we never got any clear cut answers, we did benefit from the research and the technology that organizations like the March of Dimes have funded. But a few years behind that, my nephew Julian also needed the life-saving help that many preemies need. From my sister's MOD March for Babies page:

As many of you know Chris′ son Julian was born 4 months premature at just over a pound. Julian had many complications and as a result had surgery to help close a cardiac anomaly known as patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) and laser eye surgery due to retinopathy of prematurity (ROP)---both problems common to premature babies. He also had surgeries to repair Bilateral and Inguinal Hernias as well as procedures to alleviate cranial pressure due to hemorrhages.

When Julian was born (mid-term) the doctors gave him a 20% chance to live. They told his family that if he did make it through alive, he would certainly have one or more disabilities including cerebral palsy, blindness, deafness, mental retardation and other arrested development.

Julian was strong and was able overcome all the odds stacked against him. He has worked through his asthma by being active in soccer and swimming. Through ocular therapy, he was able to improve his vision to the point where he wears contacts. Chris is a proud father of a healthy teenager, Boy Scout, big brother, honor student and scholastic mentor.

The March of Dimes funds research to try to prevent premature birth and birth defects. It also helps expectant mothers with prenatal care. If you know Julian you know the world would be a much different place without him. I am proud to know him and happy to be apart of his life.

Please help with what ever you can for this important and life changing cause.

Thank you!

Julian, my sister Lana and my brother-in-law Chris

Julian is an exceptional young man and a blessing in our lives. I can't imagine what life would be like for so many of us if organizations like the March of Dimes weren't dedicated to seeing the end of premature births and birth defects.

I know times are tough right now. We are all trying to stretch those dollars as far as we can. If you can find it in your heart to help this organization who have helped so many for so long, we would all be very grateful. My sister is participating once again in this years March for Babies and has set her goal at a very low $300. She's just over half way there and has just over a week left. If you'd like to help babies everywhere, please visit her MOD page for more information. I've also added a MOD widget above in the sidebar for those who may decide to help before the deadline of April 6th.

Thank you from all the Rachel's and Julian's of the world, and those who love them.

I need your help

I'm trying to determine the direction of this blog. In order to do that I need to know what my readers would like to see more of, or less of, as the case may be. I'd thought about starting a poll, but honestly, I'd probably miss some important element. So here's what I'd like, if you don't mind sparing the extra minute or two...

Please leave a comment below answering the following:

What would you like to see more of? News? Research? My psycho-babble? Let me know what you do like and what you'd like to see increase.

What would you like to see less of? Tired of hearing about how tired I am or my teeth falling out? Prefer I don't gripe about junk science? Let me know what you think.

I can't promise I'll follow all the suggestions made, but they will at least give me some things to think about.

So please, pretty please, with all kinds of non-sugary good stuff on top? Please leave a comment (anonymous is fine if you'd rather not be named) and let me know your thoughts.

THANK YOU!!! :)

Help Name A New Sweetener!

Have you ever wanted to share your input on a new product about to hit the market? Here's your chance! I can't give out a lot of details right now, but there is another new stevia based sweetener in the works. And the company making it would like YOU to help them come up with a name for it! All you have to do is take this quick survey and give them your opinions and ideas! And when I say quick, I do mean quick. I think it took me all of 2 minutes, but only because I'm a slow poke. :) You have until Friday Aug. 8th, 2008 to take advantage of this cool opportunity, so don't delay!

Click below and give them your ideas!

(If you tried and the link didn't work, it's fixed now. Please try again!)


New Natural Sweetener - 1 Minute Survey

You help is greatly appreciated! And who knows, maybe YOUR idea will be on sweetener packets everywhere someday soon!

You Can Make A Difference!

I received a letter today from Richard Feinman, founder of the the Nutrition and Metabolism Society. He's asking for everyone to sign a petition to make NIH take notice of existing science supporting carbohydrate restriction in treating diabetes and that they should fund more research with experts who have experience in this type of treatment. Here's the letter:

The Metabolism Society requests your assistance.
Biomedical science needs your help. The public needs your help.

Please ask your readers to sign this petition.

The NIH must acknowledge the existing science and fund more research by the experts who have experience with carbohydrate restriction as a means of treatment for diabetes.

June 12, 2008

New England Journal of Medicine published the ACCORD study results. "We investigated whether intensive therapy to target normal glycated hemoglobin levels would reduce cardiovascular events in patients with type 2 diabetes" (intensive therapy meant intensive drug therapy).

Conclusion:
"As compared with standard therapy, the use of intensive therapy to target normal glycated hemoglobin levels for 3.5 years increased mortality and did not significantly reduce major cardiovascular events. These findings identify a previously unrecognized harm of intensive glucose lowering in high-risk patients with type 2 diabetes."

An elementary understanding of science lets one recognize that it is likely the treatment (intensive drug therapy) that has the (unrecognized?) harm. A substantial background of studies shows that not reducing glycated hemoglobin is a health risk.
It is the absence of any consideration of dietary carbohydrate restriction, the most safe and effective method of improving glycemic control that is so objectionable.

Scientists are stymied. Fighting with the NIH is not simple, generally not a career builder, and the number of people involved in this trial is in the hundreds. Only the public can help. We need your help in reaching them.

Please ask your readers to contribute by signing this petition.

Thank you.


Richard Feinman
Professor of Biochemistry
Founder, Metabolism Society
www.nmsociety.org

When you sign the petition, you have the opportunity to add your own personal message for impact. Here's what I wrote:

Carbohydrate restriction has been utilized by many diabetics and has proven itself to be a fantastic method of treatment. As someone who has blood sugar issues, I want to know the TRUTH! I can't risk my health on speculation or junk science. Please give restricted carbohydrate regimens the consideration it deserves. Lives count on it!

It's very important that we make our voices heard! Please sign the petition, and pass it on to your friends so they can sign it. Together we can make a difference for so many who suffer needlessly.

Free E-Book: Overcoming Sugar Addiction

If you have struggled with ridding the poison we call sugar from your life, you are not alone. There are countless people that want to rid this substance from their diets, but don't know how to make it happen. There are so many questions and fears that go along with making such a major lifestyle change. Let's face it. Sugar is an accepted, dare I say, encouraged drug that is pushed everywhere you look. And if you abstain from it, you'd better be diabetic or you'll be looked upon as a wacko.

There are many aspects of giving up sugar that are emotional. What will people say? How will I feel when everyone else is indulging and I don't? What about when I'm feeling down and need the comfort sugar provides? I'm afraid I won't know what to do at food-centered gatherings.

Honestly, giving up sugar can feel like losing an old friend. It's not always easy.

Then you have the physical repercussions of eliminating sugar from your life. The withdrawals, the mood swings, the lethargy. How could one little substance have such control over us! How do we defeat it?

Enter Karly Pitman. This mother of four knows what it's like to struggle with sugar addiction. She has had tremendous success and is gladly sharing her secrets with the world in hopes of helping others do the same. Karly wants to help you! For a limited time she is giving away her new e-book, Overcoming Sugar Addiction, to anyone who would like a copy.

Karly has devoted a lot of time and energy to inspiring and encouraging those who feel overwhelmed and discouraged. Not just with sugar addiction, but in many areas of life. She has an amazing website called First Ourselves and I highly recommend it.

I've just finished reading my copy of Karly's e-book, Overcoming Sugar Addiction, and I can only can describe it as nothing short of fantastic! She really gives you the motivation and ammunition you need to take this addiction by the horns and drive it away forever! I can't recommend this book enough. Be sure to get your copy of her e-book Overcoming Sugar Addiction: How to Kick Your Sugar Habit, Conquer Food Cravings, Stabilize Your Mood, and Lose Weight. It will be available free until April 14th, so don't delay!

Celiac Support Group

As most you know, support is essential when trying to lose weight. You need someone who has been there. You need others who can share their wisdom and experience when you are feeling at your lowest. Encouragement through the tough times is essential to keep yourself doing what it takes.

Support is just as important in other areas of life. Whether it be an addiction you are trying to overcome or a disease you or a loved one may be dealing with, you sometimes need help. Just knowing you aren't alone can be such a relief. That's why I glad to bring a special support group to your attention - The Celiac Support Group.

Some facts about Celiac Disease:

Did you know that nearly 1 out of every 150 Americans suffer from Celiac Disease? This makes it twice a common as Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis and cystic fibrosis combined. And this disease doesn't discriminate. It will attack young and old alike.

Celiac Disease is a genetic disorder that causes symptoms such as diarrhea, weight loss, abdominal pain, chronic fatigue, weakness, malnutrition, and other gastrointestinal issues. *People with celiac disease are unable to eat foods containing gluten, which is found in wheat and other grains. The gluten sets off an autoimmune reaction that causes the destruction of the villi in the small intestine. Celiac sufferers produce antibodies to attack the gluten, but the same antibodies also attack the intestine, causing damage and illness.

Long term consequences include malabsorption, osteoporosis, central and peripheral nervous system disease, pancreatic disease, internal hemorrhaging, organ disorders, and gynecological disorders. Researchers have also linked celiac disease to an increased risk of cancers, especially intestinal lymphoma.

Managed by a gluten free diet (void of wheat, rye, barely, oats, and other lesser known grains), celiacs can lean normal healthy lives, but there is no cure and no drugs to treat it. You can see why support is so vital for those suffering with this malady.

Thankfully support is available! The Celiac Support Group was created to compliment the regular offline groups and to help those who are unable to attend support meetings. They hope to serve as a hub for people and family who want to share their experiences and knowledge, ask questions and be around people who are facing the same challenges.

If you suffer from celiac disease, or know someone who does, please visit the Celiac Support Group. No one should ever feel alone.

*Information from www.umm.edu

Please Help The Sherburne Family

Many of you already know about the horrible car accident that injured Christin Sherburne, her husband and two small children on Jan. 1st. After spending the day with family they were traveling home when they were in a three-car accident. From the way I understand it, the car rolled and sent all the contents inside flying everywhere. Thankfully everyone was buckled in. But when a car is damaged this bad, you aren't walking away without some injuries.



It was really a miracle of God that anyone left this car alive! I'm praising God that both the children were fine, although banged up. Her husband is doing better and may be able to go back to work soon. But Christin herself sustained most of the injuries. She's been in a lot of pain and I know she appreciates all the prayers that have been ascending to Heaven for her.

While I personally believe prayer is the most beneficial way we can help them right now, there is another way we can lend a hand to this family in need. They not only have huge medical bills racking up everyday, but they also have lost one income now that Christin is unable to work. Her recovery could take some time, and you know how difficult each missed day can be in regards to paying the bills. Thankfully there has been a fund send up to help with these enormous expenses. Of course one person may not feel like their donation can really make a difference, but together we could each donate a small amount to help them through this tough time, and that could add up fast! Whether you are able to just give $5, or as much $100, her family will be forever grateful for the gift of love. I know my husband and I are planning on making our donation on Friday (after payday). It won't be much, but I know with other donations it can go along way to helping them through the rough spots ahead.

So if you feel lead to help this family out, you can donate through Paypal. All the details for donations, as well as updates, can be found at http://www.sherburne-relief-fund.org/.

May God bless each of you!