"Life Without Bread"

[stellar]

I had a nice surprise this morning -- the scale came up with a number under 200 lbs for the first time in a long time. That means I have lost 15 lbs or so since going low-carb about 5 months ago, and without starving myself the way I was doing the last time I dropped below this threshold in 2004.

Congratulations Megan! It really is nice to lose weight without starving and to do so slowly and safely. I also lost some weight - and it seemed to happen as if by magic - never has dieting been so painless. The only downside to this is having to get a new work wardrobe w/out spending a fortune. If we could only have a virtual clothing swap, it would be great!! ;D

When I marinate, I use 1/3 each vinegar, olive oil and water. Herbs and spices are optional, but salt and pepper and garlic are very nice in the marinade for those who can tolerate them. You can also use the marinade two or three days in a row. It's easy to put it in a plastic bag with the meat in there, then just turn the bag over every few hours. If you are worried about it leaking, put it in a pan.

I wonder if lemon or lime juice would do instead of vinegar. :/

By the way I posted a reply to this very post yesterday and it completely disappeared so I'm posting it again.

I tried marinating pork chops in apple cider vinegar - and the result was nasty. Am wondering if it was because I did not use a good quality vinegar, or if the secret is to cut it with water and oil. The pork chops tasted sweet and sour at the same time - I ate them anyway...but yuck :P What is a good brand to use?

The only disadvantage with the otherwise excellent marinading i found is the same as DMSO's. I begin to perspire the vinegar smell, which isn't good for a workplace so i have to stop. Until finding a solution to 'people can smell it'.

Mod's note: Edited to fix the quotation boxes

 

[Rabelais]

I wonder if lemon or lime juice would do instead of vinegar. :/

Yes... from what I have read in my research about pork marinating, lemon juice was alternative choice to ACV. I am going to try it soon. I have been using a lemon/garlic marinade for BBQ chicken for years. It is the acidity that gets the job done. Laura's marinade recipe sounds good. Going to be giving that a try.

The comment about ACV making the meat taste yucky is likely, as mentioned, a low quality vinegar. A good organic vinegar makes my chops tender and tasty. When I stock up at the butcher, I individually ziplock bag each chop, add the vinegar and freeze the ones that will not be eaten immediately. On the night before the day that they will be consumed, I take them out to thaw at room temperature and turn them throughout the evening. This has worked well.


Mod's note: Edited to change the name of the author of the quotation

 

[Rabelais]

Has anyone experienced dry flaky skin on the diet? I began to notice what looked like dandruff on my thighs a couple of weeks ago. I didn't think much about it and wrote it off to winter skin, but since then I have been having it on my head, face and forehead, as soon as my skin is dry from showering. It is getting really bad. There is no discomfort, redness or itching, just a blizzard of skin flakes that soon coat my clothes and reading glasses. I have been using coconut oil on it and that works temporarily fairly well, but where is this coming from? What is the causal factor? I am stumped. It would seem that consumption of saturated fats is antithetical to this condition.

I thought it might be a reaction to the corticosteroids that I am slowly weaning from, but in doing some research it appears that the steroids are the standard therapy for this condition. Just curious whether anyone else has had this experience.

 

[Jacques]

Has anyone experienced dry flaky skin on the diet?

On the contrary, since I increased my fat, my skin is a lot less dry .

 

[Regulattor]

Hi Rabelias.

I've noticed some similar skin changes recently as you have describe it, however I think I can connect it with chocolate consumption (dark, 70%, but still not without evil stuff, obviously) and perhaps wearing long johns due colder days here, which can be saturated with washing detergents and perhaps can affect my skin in this way.

One thing that I've noticed is how LCHF diet can change body response to evil stuff much faster and with greater consequences then before, so maybe skin condition may be some kind of signal of evil stuff presence in our systems, maybe in the liver primarly? (Lacking vitamin D?) I didn't see the Sun, except for few hours, for weeks here.

In general I did have some trouble with transition to LCHF diet and I did unfortunately knock my self out of ketosis few times with great regrets. In this process I've learned that my digestion is poor and lacking of hydrocloric acid and years of fiber consumption have done damage to my guts, but I think that things are moving forward slowly.

Im using DMSO cream for my skin and it's responding well, just thin coating over affected area.

Hope this will help.

 

[Laura]

Has anyone experienced dry flaky skin on the diet? I began to notice what looked like dandruff on my thighs a couple of weeks ago. I didn't think much about it and wrote it off to winter skin, but since then I have been having it on my head, face and forehead, as soon as my skin is dry from showering. It is getting really bad. There is no discomfort, redness or itching, just a blizzard of skin flakes that soon coat my clothes and reading glasses. I have been using coconut oil on it and that works temporarily fairly well, but where is this coming from? What is the causal factor? I am stumped. It would seem that consumption of saturated fats is antithetical to this condition.

I thought it might be a reaction to the corticosteroids that I am slowly weaning from, but in doing some research it appears that the steroids are the standard therapy for this condition. Just curious whether anyone else has had this experience.

Sounds like yeast. Antibiotic and steroid use is the most common reason for yeast overgrowth.

Steroids that are used to combat illnesses such as asthma, arthritis and lupus have been known to bring on a yeast infection, because these medications lower your immune response.

Steroid medications are included in one of the four primary causes of yeast infections, because the immune system is so important in preventing infections. If you must take steroids for a medical condition, ask your doctor for advice about preventing candida yeast infections.

If you’re on steroid medications for any reason, your immune system is compromised, so it it is not safe to treat any kind of infection yourself. Although it’s rare, it is possible for a common yeast or bacterial infection to become a real health risk for people who do not have a strong immune system response, so see a doctor at the first sign of infection. http://www.youryeastinfection.com/cause-of-yeast-infections/steroids-and-yeast-infections.htm

Steroids are said to supress the immune system, kill 'friendly' bacteria, cause the proliferation of fungal infections in the gut, all of which contribute to the development of a leaky gut. http://www.leakygut.co.uk/Pharmaceutical%20Drugs.htm See also: http://www.leakygut.co.uk/Sandra%20Cab%20and%20Marg%20LGS%20article.htm

 

[RedFox]

Has anyone experienced dry flaky skin on the diet?

How much Omega 3 are you taking? Are you taking anything for liver support?

 

[Laura]

How much Omega 3 are you taking? Are you taking anything for liver support?

He's on steroids.

 

[Rabelais]

Thanks Laura. I have never been on any drug this long before (since mid August) and suspected that it might be the culprit. The corticosteroids are sometimes a necessary evil... with evil being the operative word. It will be good to be rid of them.

I'll get back on the probiotics and see if that helps. I am still taking the digestive enzymes along with most of the other recommended supplements. With the LCHF diet it would seem that the candida wouldn't have much to eat, but I did have to up the carbs a little (small portions of brown rice, sprouted, and steamed carrots) to get me through a rough patch of loose bowels a few weeks ago. That could have given the candida a leg up.

I'll see what the doc has to say about any prescription nostrums for candida. That is probably better in the long run than an overgrowth.

Has anyone experienced dry flaky skin on the diet?

How much Omega 3 are you taking? Are you taking anything for liver support?

I am taking a lot of omega 3 every day, and cod liver oil and a high quality mixed tocopherols and tocotrienols E. I suspect that Laura nailed it with the cortosteroids triggering candida growth. When I began I was having to take 60 mg daily. I am now down to 20 mg and hopefully this month it will drop to 10 mg. It can't be good taking that stuff for many months. For the liver I am taking B complex and B 12.

 

[Vonrette Parker]

Is there anyone else getting blood pressure spikes with Ultrashake?
If there is noise, I apologize. I hope to get better at posting.
Blood Pressure Purgatory (Sigh!!)

I’m following the detox diet on EE website.
I’m having blood pressure spikes and I suspect flaxseeds. I restarted the detox diet on Thursday, 12/1/11. I stopped by the clinic on Friday, 12/2/11. I did a follow up on Monday, 12/5/11. Friday December 2, 2011, I had the Ultra shake and cream of buckwheat with breakfast. Later I was going to the health food store and stopped by the clinic to get a BP reading. It was 184/101. Of course they wouldn’t allow me to leave until I saw the doctor. After I sat quietly for awhile, they took it again. It was 179/106. My doctor prescribed an additional medication, Bystolic (nebivolol) .I’m also on Furosemide and Diovan HCT, Sooooo, 3 medications. I had to check with them again on the following Monday, December 6, 2011. I was feeling sort of okay. Again, I had the Ultra shake with breakfast .The nurse staff took my pressure 163/102. They left me to sit quietly for a time (I didn’t think to check the time, maybe 20 minutes). This time was the perfect opportunity to test PIPE BREATHING. They took it again, 149/97. OOOOKAY! NOW WE KNOW! PIPE BREATHING WORKS! On Wednesday, December 6 I drank the Ultra shake without any flax seeds, I went to clinic to calibrate my blood pressure monitor, and my pressure was 142/93. Note: When my BP is in the 70’s/ 100’s, I can hear and feel it in my head.

Three medications is a big setback for me. In 2008 having a highly stressful job, and a three day emergency hospitalization___and at 335 pounds with a blood clot in the back of my heart and on a breathing machine, and 5 BP medications, I got the gastric bypass surgery. By summer 2011, I was 240 pounds and 2 BP medications... Working in the yard, getting lots of sun and sweating, I was down to 203 pounds in September 2011. I kept a bag of peanuts with me and munched on them all summer long. I took Tramadol HCL for arthritic pain in joints. I had twinges in my left arm so I took a packet of Kelation Plus daily. The twinges subsided. There may have been blood pressure problems, but not pronounced and/or I was not paying attention. Sometimes I became very stiff and bloated. Note my unstated incorrect assumption: Less weight means better health___NOT SO IF THAT THAT BP ISN’T PERCULATING RIGHT and your diet is wrong!

So I then began my forum reading, coming up to speed, so to speak. I’m a slow reader, so I purchased a Natural Reader program. I go to the forum and other places, copy to word and place my reader on the article and it reads aloud in different speeds. My speed is -3 LOL .I went to Radio Shack and got sound cord extensions and extra speakers and extended my speakers outside to the yard. I started the detox diet on Sept. 22, 2011 at 203 pounds and on Sept. 30, I was at 190 pounds. But the BP medications were creating havoc, nausea, craving for sweets, drowsiness. In disgust, I came off all prescriptions. In this time period I had just enough time to test peanuts and grocery store pork. (I was getting dentures). The peanuts swelled my ankles in 30 minutes, particularly my left ankle... The grocery store pork had me aching in every muscle and every joint, flu-like symptoms. So, no peanuts and grocery store meat. While I was doing the pork test I had an appointment, October 11, 2011, with my heart specialist, BP 160/110. My general practitioner sent me to him. My general practitioner had tried me on different medications, most of which had terrible side affects so he referred me to the heart specialist and we settled on Furosemide and Diovan HCT.
That is when the nauseating BP medication was stopped and Diovan substituted. On October12, 2011, all teeth were pulled and I got off the detox diet. I had a follow up visit with heart specialist on October 21, 2011, BP 120/80. Again, I was not paying attention. I was off the detox diet.



Now I’m in the dental healing period starting on Oct 12, 2001. Sometimes when I get up in the morning, ideas and/or urges happen. It’s becoming more frequent. I think I’ll put a note pad beside my bed. I think I had better pay attention. But this urge came out of the blue. I felt to find an organic farmer. I think I was reading something on the forum and I felt the urge to find an organic farmer. Guess what. I found one, 13 miles from me. So on Nov. 16, 2011, after my dental appointment, I went to the organic farm. It is 10 miles from the dentist’s office. She told me that her family has been in the area since the 1700’s. I explained my situation. She suggested that I get sausage and not that much. I ate sausage four days and there was no pain. I don’t know what my BP was doing. Well, I experimented a little more. I bought a shoulder and neck bones and cooked them in a crock pot. I’m not a good cook. After I set the croak pot on high for 30 minutes, I then set it on low for 12 hours. I then portioned it out in freezer ziploc bags and added brown rice. I ate some everyday. It was soft like baby food. I gained 7 pounds; too much rice per serving. It didn’t hurt, but I don’t know what my BP was doing. I looked at that scale and realized that I needed to stop eating this with the rice. So I purchased some more pork and a large turkey breast. I cooked it all, portioned and froze them. I restarted the detox diet on Thursday, 12/1/11. I stopped by the clinic on Friday, 12/2/11 BP. I did a follow up on Monday, 12/5/11.

Significant Data
Blood Type-A+
Age-63
Afro American (3 race mixture)
Paternal grandmother Caucasian mixed
Maternal great great grandfather American Indian

Father -10 siblings- all died from some type of cardiovascular disease. No one made it to 70 years. Father died at age 61 of stroke
Mother-morbid obesity, diabetes-died of heart attack at age 68
Aunt –obese, died at age 62 from cancer
Maternal grandfather died at 64 from stroke or heart attack. It was sudden.
Maternal grandmother died at 72 from stroke on operating table.
Brother-open heart surgery at age 57
Sister- morbidly obese with broken back

Well now. It doesn’t look good. I am 63 years old and heavily damaged.
That’s okay; it’ll be fun to see if I can tune this body for higher frequencies.

Pertinent Community Data
The Bible Belt
South Eastern-USA
Christian- Fundamentalists
A church on every corner, relatively speaking

Lessons
Lesson 1- all is lessons; all is data
Lesson 2- pay attention
Lesson 3-learning is fun; your body is a unique machine, learn how it operates and uniquely responds to different stimuli
Lesson 4- collect data on your body type, network. It may be a little puzzle piece that can help someone else later or maybe not
Lesson 5- Better late than never



My Assignments
1. Order digital BP monitor and calibrate-done
2. Study EE site detox diet –in process
3. Copy and place in notebook-in process
4. Read The Ultrasimple Diet book-in process
5. Collect data on the affect of different foods on BP
6. Collect data on the affect of breathing exercises on BP (set up excel data sheet)
7. Collect data on the affect of foods on left ankle and other body parts (set up excel data sheet)
I put this on the list because I ate some cashews and woke up with the top of my feet puffy and swollen.
For me that means heart congestion.
8. Rejuvenate liver. Follow Psyches suggestions for rejuvenation of sluggish liver

9. Order:
a. Ox bile done
b. R-Lipoic Acid done
c. CoQ10 done
d. Magnesium Citrate done
e. Cardio Flow. done
f. Calcium Citrate done
g. Acetyl Carnitine done
h. Milk Thistle done
i. Spirulina Powder done
j. Vitamin C done
k. Vitamin D done
l. Vitamin E done
m. Betaine Hydrochloride done
n. Magnesium Potassium Aspartate done (my gut tells me to research this thoroughly)
o. Hulda Clarks liver cleanse kit
10. Get the Hulda Clarke Multi frequency Zapper






1st set of tests:

Test 1
Ultra shake #1
• ½ cup of frozen or fresh berries
• Spirulina
• Magnesium Citrate
• Calcium Citrate
• Vitamin C
• Nothing added
Test 2
Ultra shake #2
• ½ cup of frozen or fresh berries
• Spirulina
• Magnesium Citrate
• Calcium Citrate
• Vitamin C
• 2 scoops of hemp protein powder
Test 3
Ultra shake #3
• ½ cup of frozen or fresh berries
• Spirulina
• Magnesium Citrate
• Calcium Citrate
• Vitamin C
• 1 tbsp. of borage oil
Test 4
Ultra shake #4
• ½ cup of frozen or fresh berries
• Spirulina
• Magnesium Citrate
• Calcium Citrate
• Vitamin C
• 2 tbsp. of ground flaxseeds

Test5
Ultra shake #1
• ½ cup of frozen or fresh berries
• Spirulina
• Magnesium Citrate
• Calcium Citrate
• Vitamin C
• Nothing added


Cream of Buckwheat

I think I should run each test for 4 days, unless there is a spike and then I will stop.
If there are any suggestions, please post me.

 

[Laura]

Ladygraypanther, you really need to keep up with the diet/health threads here where everyone is reporting experiences, data, research, and making modifications based on what we are learning in our experiments. Most of us have long ago ditched any kinds of seeds including flax seeds because we discovered that they contain lectins and, contrary to some of the "health food" faddists and vegetarian oriented nutritionists, are not good for most people.

Most of us have also given up ALL grains and grain type foods including buckwheat and rice for the same reasons.

Additionally, most of us have given up MOST carbs and even many vegetables because the first spike insulin which can affect the heart/blood pressure, and the latter irritate the colon.

I've said it before and I'll say it again:

READ THE RECOMMENDED BOOKS AND DISCUSSION THREADS BEFORE YOU START DIETARY EXPERIMENTATION!

Additionally, check with your doctor.

 

[Vonrette Parker]

Thank You, Laura. Will you please delete my post.

 

[Rabelais]

Thank You, Laura. Will you please delete my post.

Hi Ladygraypanther, There is no reason that I can think of to delete your post. It was informative for me.

Laura's suggestion that you get caught up with reading in this forum and the recommended books was very good. Get a copy of Life Without Bread and Primal Mind, Primal Body. These will quickly bring you up to speed on the dietary logic being practiced here.

Long before there was EE, I was taking my own blood pressure with a machine that I have. I learned round breathing from Laura at the first Cass Conference in Florida. I utilized round breathing and found that BP, after relaxing and 15 minutes of round breathing, was dramatically lower than the first reading. It is always more accurate to take a BP reading after at least 15 minutes at rest. Hopefully with a low carb/high saturated fat diet and EE you can eventually get off the BP meds altogether.

In California, in the early 1990s, I was diagnosed with irregular heartbeat and a BP reading of 201/110. I guess because of my insurance coverage the doc wanted me to go straight to the hospital for surgery and a heart monitor, along with the requisite BP reducing meds. He said I was a walking stroke waiting to happen. I did not do this, and instead began a daily regimen of half hour long brisk walks every evening before dinner. I upped my C, E and B vitamin supplementation. My problems self corrected in a very short period of time.

 

[Vonrette Parker]

Thank You, Laura. Will you please delete my post.

Hi Ladygraypanther, There is no reason that I can think of to delete your post. It was informative for me.

Laura's suggestion that you get caught up with reading in this forum and the recommended books was very good. Get a copy of Life Without Bread and Primal Mind, Primal Body. These will quickly bring you up to speed on the dietary logic being practiced here.

Long before there was EE, I was taking my own blood pressure with a machine that I have. I learned round breathing from Laura at the first Cass Conference in Florida. I utilized round breathing and found that BP, after relaxing and 15 minutes of round breathing, was dramatically lower than the first reading. It is always more accurate to take a BP reading after at least 15 minutes at rest. Hopefully with a low carb/high saturated fat diet and EE you can eventually get off the BP meds altogether.

Thank you, she was right.
You know, I’ve been fat since age 11with all the accompanying rejections and negatives of obesity in a dysfunctional family setting... My current weight, 190 pounds is 10 pounds under my high school weight. That is a big positive for me. I asked my doctor about my ideal weight. He said 160-165 pounds, so I’m well on the way. I’ve got the weight issue under control and I’ll get the BP issue under control. At this moment BP is 153/93. That’s an improvement. Today is Thursday, so I’ve got to do the full breathing program. It will be interesting to see the reading afterwards. I have Life Without Bread and am reading it now. I’m ordering Primal Mind and Primal Body and will read it. I’ll go back in the forum and pick up the other books and readings.



I intuitively stopped dairy, margarine and bread years ago except for the occasional key lime pie, lemon meringue pie and made from scratch pound cake... But I couldn’t fit the puzzle pieces together about carbohydrate fixes that I needed. I love grapes, pomegranates and mangoes. Now, I know what to do. The people on this forum put the puzzle pieces together. I thank them. They’ve probably saved my life to witness the transformation. I’m not saying that I will have the appropriate frequency, but I can at least witness it. 309000 years is enough of this garbage. If I am recycled, it will be worth the witnessing.

IMO This forum is composed of Olympian thinkers. For example, besides Laura, there are 20 year olds with the knowledge and wisdom of old sages and they’ve been thinking that way since they were 3years old. And let us not forget the bilinguals who make the statement, “This (English) is not my native language and then proceed to write the most eloquent pieces imaginable. There are some threads that still boggle my mind, like Organic Portals. Then there is The Work on which I will never, never, ever, ever open my mouth. Currently there are 1645 printable pages on this thread. I was at page 417 and had the unmitigated gall to open my mouth. That won’t happen again. After Laura’s reply. I went to Anart’s garden and ate some worms. I’m happy to not get the phrase “move along” or “maybe this forum isn’t for you”.

In California, in the early 1990s, I was diagnosed with irregular heartbeat and a BP reading of 201/110. I guess because of my insurance coverage the doc wanted me to go straight to the hospital for surgery and a heart monitor, along with the requisite BP reducing meds. He said I was a walking stroke waiting to happen. I did not do this, and instead began a daily regimen of half hour long brisk walks every evening before dinner. I upped my C, E and B vitamin supplementation. My problems self corrected in a very short period of time.

Yeah, right. I’m a state retiree. No 3 day $10,000 plus hospitalization, thank you very much! I have a Nordic Track bike. I’ll dust it off and start riding it. I just ordered more supplements, so I’m good to go.

 

[anart]

There are some threads that still boggle my mind, like Organic Portals. Then there is The Work on which I will never, never, ever, ever open my mouth.

Ah, never say never. ;)

Currently there are 1645 printable pages on this thread. I was at page 417 and had the unmitigated gall to open my mouth. That won’t happen again. After Laura’s reply. I went to Anart’s garden and ate some worms. I’m happy to not get the phrase “move along” or “maybe this forum isn’t for you”.

Worry not, the recipients of those particular phrases never even think about receiving them - that's one of the differences between you and them. Laura's response in this thread to you was out of sincere concern for you - if she didn't care, she'd have not taken the time to try to help you get on the right track.

In a world where almost no one actually speaks directly to other people, honestly and directly and without agenda, it can be a very difficult thing to get used to the idea that words spoken directly do not equate to words spoken with malice. There is no malice, only concern and direct communication.