Random Brilliant Thoughts

Friday, February 03, 2012

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

REJ7777 2/4/2012 6:17AM

"If you're good at forgetting, you can re-enjoy many things as if for the first time." My neighbor, who had Alzheimer's disease, was sent to the same nursing home as her sister, who also had it. When they saw each other, they were so happy to be there together! The caregivers said that it was the same reaction every morning, as they "discovered" the other was there. Sad and sweet at the same time. Report Inappropriate Comment

CHIEF_GEEK 2/3/2012 12:46PM

Love them! Report Inappropriate Comment

VALERIEMAHA 2/3/2012 10:47AM

Sweetness, Ashleigh, in his crazy wisdom manner, is such a great teacher of the important truths that we constantly and often forget. Thanks for the way you sort and organize the many spokes of the wheel of his Teachings! Maha Comment edited on: 2/3/2012 10:48:04 AM Report Inappropriate Comment

Random Brilliant Thoughts

Friday, January 27, 2012

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

VALERIEMAHA 1/27/2012 2:59PM

WAAAAAAAAAAH...on approaching the 70th turning of the sun around Pisces...IT WAS ALL SO DIFFERENT BEFORE EVERYTHING CHANGED.... Report Inappropriate Comment

TRAVELGRRL 1/27/2012 10:04AM

I love these! I remember when I was a girl they would run in the Detroit News. Thanks for sharing! Report Inappropriate Comment

23.5 Hours

Friday, January 27, 2012

Take a look and think about this:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUaInS6HIGo

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

DARKTHOR 2/28/2012 8:41PM

Thanks for this. Even though I 'know' this, it's not something that is in the forefront of my brain. You brought it back there and I'll try to do better because of it. Report Inappropriate Comment

LISALOSING52 1/28/2012 4:19PM

Reaffirming what we all already know but that most of us don't do. Thanks for sharing Deb and giving us that reminder! Report Inappropriate Comment

SUNNY332 1/28/2012 10:11AM

I loved this video. Just thinking of you today. Hope you have a good one. Sunny Report Inappropriate Comment

COMETER 1/28/2012 8:25AM

Cool! Thanks for sharing. Report Inappropriate Comment

EFFIEANNIE 1/28/2012 7:57AM

Thanks for posting this. I am struggling with exercise, maybe this will motivate me! Report Inappropriate Comment

READYBETTY 1/27/2012 9:16PM

Enjoyed the video. Thanks for sharing. Report Inappropriate Comment

ONEKIDSMOM 1/27/2012 7:45PM

Loved it. You find so many good links... and ... ta-da! I was back on an elliptical for 25 minutes after work... first cardio since I got sick... and it felt *wonderful*. Report Inappropriate Comment

DSJB9999 1/27/2012 12:41PM

and so true, thank you Deb for sharing Donna x Report Inappropriate Comment

DOODIE59 1/27/2012 9:50AM

This is fantastic -- nothing really new, but explained so clearly. I know what I need to do ... but will I do it? I'm going to watch this a few more times ... maybe Dr. Evans's very important point will sink in. Exercise is the starting point for all health. Thank you for sharing, Deb. Informative, as always:) I hope you're having a good day. Deirdre Report Inappropriate Comment

Another Turn in the Road

Thursday, January 26, 2012

So, here I was motoring along on my low carb diet when I discovered my uric acid levels had shot through the roof (normal is under 6; I am 9.1). I have never had a gout attack, and I never want to as I understand that they are quite painful.

Weirdly, there are no standard recommendations for diet except "avoid meat"and "eat low-fat dairy," both of which have been clinically shown to decrease the possibility and number of gout attacks and to lower uric acid.

Having done research now for several days, I think I have synthesized the information to be as follows:

1. Avoid certain foods entirely:
Organ Meats
Game Meats
Anchovies
Mackerel
Herring
Sardines
Mussels
Cod
Trout
Haddock
Scallops
Meat Stocks and Gravies
Brewer’s and Baker’s Yeast
Fish Eggs
Beer
Liquor
Juice and Regular Soda
High Fructose Corn Syrup

2. Otherwise, eat a "heart healthy" diet, especially high in low acid fruits and vegetables. Limit protein from animals to 4 oz. per day.

3. Make sure to get at least 2 fat-free or low-fat servings of dairy daily.

4. Take a 500 mg. Vitamin C supplement.

5. Avoid all alcohol except the occasional glass of red wine.

6. Do not fast or lose weight rapidly, but otherwise, work toward a healthy weight.

7. Exercise at least 30 minutes daily.

8. Push water.

The interesting thing is that the diet I'm following is good except that I will replace my protein shakes with low-fat cottage cheese or yogurt and I will eat mostly chicken, fish and eggs at dinner. I will also add more vegetables and fruit into the mix with my mid-morning and mid-afternoon low fat dairy.

So, the weight loss plan continues, but with some modifications to get the uric acid level back to normal.

The causes for the spike may be: a complication from psoriasis, a complication from the damage done to my kidneys a couple of years ago, an indication that I'm moving toward, or actually in, "metabolic syndrome," or hereditary. But diet and exercise are the first form of treatment, so I'm going to be highly compliant and get tested again in 3 months.

Funny how life twists and turns. It becomes more and more true what my doctor said at our last visit: I have many compelling reasons to lose weight. I just got one more.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

VALERIEMAHA 1/27/2012 2:58PM

What excellent, useful comments you have received from this wonderful group of SFriends! I hope the changes you make will have over-the-top results for your body, mind, and spirit! Report Inappropriate Comment

KASEYCOFF 1/27/2012 9:31AM

Crossing the metabolic-syndrome line into Type 2 diabetes pushed me into stage 2 CKD. I'm not much of a meat eater (never have been) and of the other foods on your 'best avoided' list there are very few I've ever eaten frequently. (Except for haddock, I haven't had most of them in many years.) Having gotten the Type 2 under control, the kidney-function numbers have also improved. But I hear you about another reason to keep an eye on things. You know what Marenamoo says: Be ever vigilant! Report Inappropriate Comment

DDOORN 1/27/2012 8:29AM

Used to have gout problems when I was more obese. NOT FUN! This occurred back when I was more "whole hog" with Atkins in a bad way...re: lots of processed meat (deli-type, salami, bologna, pepperoni, etc.) and cheeses. Shifting toward upping the veggies and dropping all of those processed meats took care of the problem...of course all the other stuff too...workouts, dropping pounds, etc. Your research has led you to spot-on solutions! :-) Don Report Inappropriate Comment

ONEKIDSMOM 1/26/2012 7:20PM

Pain is a great motivator? Yuck! But I know you're a smart gal and will make the modifications... here's to success. Report Inappropriate Comment

PENNYAN45 1/26/2012 5:46PM

How much better for this to happen after you have already been on this diet voluntarily and are prepared for the necessary food changes. Just a slight change - and you will have this taken care of. Report Inappropriate Comment

DARKTHOR 1/26/2012 10:58AM

I used to suffer from gout. It can be horribly painful and I have a high pain tolerance in general. I found the information on what to eat/not eat to be somewhat vague. In the 3 years since changing to a (mostly) vegan diet, my gout has disappeared other than 2 brief flareups when I fell off the wagon and ate too much meat/dairy/rich food. Report Inappropriate Comment

CMKSJOURNEY 1/26/2012 9:51AM

Thanks for the great tips! Best of luck with this new challenge. Report Inappropriate Comment

DOODIE59 1/26/2012 9:50AM

Hi Deb, Why is it important that the dairy be "low-fat"? Is that a calorie intake issue or does the higher fat cause more trouble for your kidneys? My understanding is that yogurt (and by yogurt, I mean real, plain, organic yogurt -- definitely no fruit, sugar or gelatin) needs to be high fat (3.5%) to do the positive bacteria work in your gut that it is meant to do. Of course, in the world of dairy, 3.5% IS low fat, compared to most cheeses, etc. Well, knowledge is power and it looks like you've done your homework, so you'll get on top of this unexpected barrier. And your motivation is that you have so many compelling reasons to get back to Healthy:) Be good to yourself, Deirdre Report Inappropriate Comment

DSJB9999 1/26/2012 9:45AM

Stay positive Debs, sometimes we are forced to make changes for our own good. Keep smiling and continue your great plans. Donna x Report Inappropriate Comment

Random Brilliant Thoughts

Friday, January 20, 2012

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

VALERIEMAHA 1/22/2012 5:25PM

Ohhhhhhhhh...I got knocked off your blog subscription while in SF Bay Area. YES! to Ashleigh...and these are especially pertinent with my 70th just ahead. YIKES! Thanks dear Deb, Maha Report Inappropriate Comment

REJ7777 1/20/2012 6:18PM

Feel like taking a pin to that last one. Report Inappropriate Comment

DOODIE59 1/20/2012 10:18AM

I usually tell you which one I like best, but this time I'm going to tell you that I feel really prickly about the last one. It hits a nerve with me. I have done that in the past, and there is no positive outcome unless you take your own feelings out of the equation. On a more positive note -- I like the first one best: "You and I can do wonderful things..." Ah yes, we can:) I see by your friend feed that you are feeling very bright and sparkly today -- awesome! Have a wonderful day Deirdre Report Inappropriate Comment