7 Quick Takes

 

1. Are you a woman of childbearing age taking extra folic acid?  I have been for a number of years.  So let me tell you it caught my attention when I started seeing the reports linking folic acid supplementation to several different types of cancer.  One South American study showed a 50% increase which was not explained by other factors.  Great.  It is suggested that the general public may want to avoid fortified flour products by making their own cereal and bread using whole grains.  Course that isn't bad advice anyway.  

2. Another son has a tattoo.  There does seem to be merit to the desensitization theory.  Or maybe its just a really good tattoo <g>  At any rate I didn't hyperventilate this time and only once did I mention that I MADE that skin and therefore maybe should get a vote.  Still, it is a gorgeous, highly detailed Asian Madonna he has been creating for some years and I am glad its not Betty Boop or something.  

3. Should you hear that it is not necessary to worry over high school transcripts and all that students really need is some algebra and a lot of time to explore their world, just know that your local US Armed Forces recruiter will disagree and want to see paperwork.  Lots of paperwork.  For that matter, the state university system does as well.  We were covered on both counts, but I am throwing that out there for new homeschoolers.  They aren't playin' fwiw.  Absolutely do read widely, see the world, and get your hands dirty.  Then do your geometry and foreign language.  It's gonna matter. 

4. Time it takes for dust to accumulate on a glossy finish piano which sits 30 miles from the nearest pavement?

 

Geesh. And hey kids, I don't care if its getting warm.  Shut the windows!  ; D  Trying to reach me?  I am probably dusting. 

5. I feel good.  Really good.  Better than ever in my adult life.  That is saying a lot after ten kids and an autoimmune disease.  My Dr. and I attribute this in large part to the oddball no-starch diet (NSD).  I didn't figure it had much relevance to the general public until I ran across a book at Barnes and Noble outlining this very thing for diabetics.  (This book is where I got the pumpkin seed flour idea fwiw)  Then while looking at its reviews on Amazon I linked to this site which says pretty much the same things.  I guess others are seeing improvement with stubborn health challenges by going low starch as well.  

6. Saw a report on the local news about the great success being seen using EMDR with returning soldiers.  Again, I have to say there is something to this drug free, non-invasive approach to healing from trauma.  It first came to our attention in regards to stress from repeated pediatric medical procedures.  It can be truly miraculous for a lot of issues.      

7. Lucky me! After several years of trying to get together I am having lunch today with Sherry of Large Family Mothering as she travels through our neck of the woods.  Don't worry.  I will dust the piano first. : ) 

An aside - if you want one of the best bits of advice for wives she sums up here. 

Comments

[Sue]

What an informative 7 Quick Takes! I think I'll go read up on my follic acid. That's kind of scary.

Thank you for #3. My oldest is a rising 7th grader, and I have been thinking that I ought to start reading up and thinking about high school pretty soon - especially since I am used to not being required to show anyone any kind of paperwork of any kind (since my kids are dual citizens, the Japanese government totally leaves us alone). Thanks for the kick in the pants ;o).

Now, I have an autoimmune disease, too, and diet modification hasn't worked wonders for me as it has for some people I know. I will check out your links, though, because one never knows!

[Mary Jean SL]

This is a bit strange, since I don't know how many people actually have ankylosing spondylitis, but I also have a good friend here in SA who has it, and who also uses a low-starch diet to avoid prescription meds. It has worked wonders for her.

As for me, I haven't tried low-starch, but low sugar has made an unbelievable difference in my arthritis pain. Don't know if I could do low starch - not sure what I would have left to eat. :-(

Couldn't agree with you more about the paper trail. I was putting together a transcript for my grade-ten dd, and found it was very heavy on the arts electives, and full of gaping holes in science and history. Now we have a very, very tough summer ahead.

[Kim]

Mary Jean, I think the premise for the low starch is that starch=carbs=sugar. I didn't realize til I was pg last time that its really hard to get many carbs without starch. So its naturally low sugar/carb. But much more generous than Atkins. You can eat all the protein and produce (including most fruits) and dairy you want. Nuts, eggs, fish, meat, cheese,yogurt, fruit, vegs. Its basically the grains and potatoes and beans that go.

[Kim]

Oops should say that is the premise for using low starch diets for other disorders. For AS it really is because its a bacteria based syndrome and the particular bacteria feeds on starch. (though not sugar oddly)