Lifestyle Magazine is a TV show that airs on TBN. It is usually on at weird hours, so I always set my recorder to record the show.
Dr. McDougall is often a co-host on the show when medical topics are discussed. But most of the shows I see are fairly old. I was excited to see a recent episode concerning the Oregon MS trials, because Dr. McDougall's association with this study is fairly recent, as is his cooperation with Dr. Bourdette, who was a guest on a recent show. That means that some of his recent work may be on soon (including my own appearance on the show). I know that Dr. McDougall has hosted many very interesting guests, and that the shows have already been taped. Hopefully the more modern shows will be airing soon.
For those who don't get TBN, or can't record it, the shows are available for viewing at their website, lifestyle.org. To view Dr. Bourdette's appearance with Dr. McDougall, see here: http://www.lifestyle.org/article.php?id=99
Dr. Bourdette is supervising the clinical trials concerning MS and diet at the Oregon medical school. The results should be available soon, and rumors are strong that they will be very positive.
The hosts of this show are a really nice couple, and I also enjoy some of their episodes on topics like marriage. They approach everything from a Christian point of view, but many of their episodes would be of interest, I think, to everybody. Check it out.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Sunday, March 6, 2011
A great lecture on weight loss
One of the best nutritional websites is that of the Vegetarian Society of Hawaii. They maintain a library of guest lectures from their regular meetings. In that library you will find lecture from many brilliant people. The lectures can be viewed live with a high speed connection or can be downloaded for you to watch whenever on your own computer.
I periodically check the new lectures that are posted. In doing so, I found a wonderful recent lecture on weight loss.
"Weight Loss without Hunger" by Elaine French
http://vsh.voip-info.org/French.html
The presenter is familiar with Dr. McDougall and Dr. Lisle and is familiar with the concepts of calorie density as taught by Jeff Novick. She is particularly good explaining why, for weight loss, things like smoothies, rice cakes, tortillas and tortilla chips, bread, crackers, etc. are going to prevent weight loss. It's a great lecture for anybody concerned about weight loss. Take a look.
I periodically check the new lectures that are posted. In doing so, I found a wonderful recent lecture on weight loss.
"Weight Loss without Hunger" by Elaine French
http://vsh.voip-info.org/French.html
The presenter is familiar with Dr. McDougall and Dr. Lisle and is familiar with the concepts of calorie density as taught by Jeff Novick. She is particularly good explaining why, for weight loss, things like smoothies, rice cakes, tortillas and tortilla chips, bread, crackers, etc. are going to prevent weight loss. It's a great lecture for anybody concerned about weight loss. Take a look.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
One of Jeff Novick's best posts ever
Many people are invested in the idea that recovering your health is very complex. It isn't. Recently, Jeff Novick posted a summary of how to go about it in his McDougall forum.
The advice given by Jeff is virtually verbatim the same advice he gave me when I hired him as a nutritionist to reverse my own health problems. It is really simple, and all you need to know. If you follow these guidelines, you can't help but be trim and restore your health. Here are Jeff's words:
Here is a quick review:
- Focus your diet on unrefined unprocessed fruits, veggies, starchy veggies, intact whole grains and legumes.
- Start meals with soup, and/or salad, and/or fruit as they will fill you up for less calories and help to reduce your consumption of other more calorie dense foods
- Avoid all liquid calories as they provide little to any satiety for the calories
- Dilute out meals based on intact whole grains, and/or starchy vegetables and/or legumes with fruits and vegetables. Make sure 1/3 to 1/2 of the bulk/volume (by eye) of all your meals are low calorie dense vegetables
- Salt - the less you salt your food, the less people tend to eat
- Variety- the less variety, the less consumption
- Raw Foods - Foods you can eat raw tend to be lower in calorie density and you may not digest as efficiently. Cooking begins the digestion process.
- Make sure you are avoiding all higher fat, calorie dense plant foods, nuts, seeds, oils, avocados, tofu, etc
- Make sure you are avoiding all refined processed grains and starches, (breads, bagels, crackers, cookies, dry cereal, etc and anything made from ground up flour) even if they are whole grain
-Avoid all refined concentrated sugars/sweeteners, even if they are natural and organic.
In regard to sodium, while tracking may be of some value, tracking is nearly impossible as most of the sodium is hidden. However, if you follow the program, the recommended foods are all naturally low in sodium. For any packaged/processed foods, make sure the amount of sodium per serving is no more than the amount of calories per serving.
If you do this, and make adjustments as necessary, you will hit all the numbers automatically and lose weight and lower your cholesterol and BP.
The advice given by Jeff is virtually verbatim the same advice he gave me when I hired him as a nutritionist to reverse my own health problems. It is really simple, and all you need to know. If you follow these guidelines, you can't help but be trim and restore your health. Here are Jeff's words:
Here is a quick review:
- Focus your diet on unrefined unprocessed fruits, veggies, starchy veggies, intact whole grains and legumes.
- Start meals with soup, and/or salad, and/or fruit as they will fill you up for less calories and help to reduce your consumption of other more calorie dense foods
- Avoid all liquid calories as they provide little to any satiety for the calories
- Dilute out meals based on intact whole grains, and/or starchy vegetables and/or legumes with fruits and vegetables. Make sure 1/3 to 1/2 of the bulk/volume (by eye) of all your meals are low calorie dense vegetables
- Salt - the less you salt your food, the less people tend to eat
- Variety- the less variety, the less consumption
- Raw Foods - Foods you can eat raw tend to be lower in calorie density and you may not digest as efficiently. Cooking begins the digestion process.
- Make sure you are avoiding all higher fat, calorie dense plant foods, nuts, seeds, oils, avocados, tofu, etc
- Make sure you are avoiding all refined processed grains and starches, (breads, bagels, crackers, cookies, dry cereal, etc and anything made from ground up flour) even if they are whole grain
-Avoid all refined concentrated sugars/sweeteners, even if they are natural and organic.
In regard to sodium, while tracking may be of some value, tracking is nearly impossible as most of the sodium is hidden. However, if you follow the program, the recommended foods are all naturally low in sodium. For any packaged/processed foods, make sure the amount of sodium per serving is no more than the amount of calories per serving.
If you do this, and make adjustments as necessary, you will hit all the numbers automatically and lose weight and lower your cholesterol and BP.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Only one card on the table
Wow, it's been a long time since I posted anything. In part, I have been busy enjoying life, and in part it often feels like I might not be helping anybody.
The only people (I think) viewing this blog already know about Dr. McDougall, and I have seen few questions here. When it comes down to it, this is really simple.
Dr. McDougall often says that, concerning his program, that there is only one card on the table. And that card is whether a person is going to follow his advice. Everybody who does follow his advice gets better - usually markedly and quickly.
So many people are interested in esoteric nutritional or psychological questions about diet. But for those who give the program a real try, success in inevitable, and anybody who does try it (with real adherence) does not question that Dr. McDougall is correct because the results are so dramatic and rapid.
What about people who don't experience good results? Simply, they are, usually knowingly, but sometimes unknowingly, failing to adhere to the recommendations. Dr. McDougall cites the case of smoking. When smokers quit, they all get better. When alcoholics quit, they all get better. And when those who eat our Western diet follow Dr. M's recommendations faithfully, they all get better.
There truly is only one card on the table. Are you going to do it? If you are going to do it, there is plenty of help available, including here, and all you have to do is ask. For those who don't want to do it, or who want to do their own version of the program, I wish you success but expect failure I could cite many cases of people who try partial adherence and remain fat and sick. There is no known benefit to knowing about what Dr. McDougall teaches, or talking to others about it. You have to play the card.
You might want to view my friend Laura' blog. http://www.mrsdoodlepunkslaststand.blogspot.com/
Laura thought that she was an obese McDougaller (there is no such thing). I challenged her to eat nothing but unprocessed whole plant food of low calorie density for a month. You can see the results in her blog. She played the McDougall card and won big time.
So there is only one card on the table. It takes some effort at first to play that card, but it makes all the difference in the world.
The only people (I think) viewing this blog already know about Dr. McDougall, and I have seen few questions here. When it comes down to it, this is really simple.
Dr. McDougall often says that, concerning his program, that there is only one card on the table. And that card is whether a person is going to follow his advice. Everybody who does follow his advice gets better - usually markedly and quickly.
So many people are interested in esoteric nutritional or psychological questions about diet. But for those who give the program a real try, success in inevitable, and anybody who does try it (with real adherence) does not question that Dr. McDougall is correct because the results are so dramatic and rapid.
What about people who don't experience good results? Simply, they are, usually knowingly, but sometimes unknowingly, failing to adhere to the recommendations. Dr. McDougall cites the case of smoking. When smokers quit, they all get better. When alcoholics quit, they all get better. And when those who eat our Western diet follow Dr. M's recommendations faithfully, they all get better.
There truly is only one card on the table. Are you going to do it? If you are going to do it, there is plenty of help available, including here, and all you have to do is ask. For those who don't want to do it, or who want to do their own version of the program, I wish you success but expect failure I could cite many cases of people who try partial adherence and remain fat and sick. There is no known benefit to knowing about what Dr. McDougall teaches, or talking to others about it. You have to play the card.
You might want to view my friend Laura' blog. http://www.mrsdoodlepunkslaststand.blogspot.com/
Laura thought that she was an obese McDougaller (there is no such thing). I challenged her to eat nothing but unprocessed whole plant food of low calorie density for a month. You can see the results in her blog. She played the McDougall card and won big time.
So there is only one card on the table. It takes some effort at first to play that card, but it makes all the difference in the world.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
A Wonderful Safety Razor
It has been awhile since I posted here - very busy. One thing I want to do is a review of rice cookers, since we recently bought our third cooker. We have a Sanyo, a Zojirushi, and a Tiger. Our favorite is the Tiger, but more to come.
I did want to talk off topic about shaving. I have the ideal gift idea for the man in your life who is a wet shaver (or wants to be - it really is the best way IMO). I have a stout beard but a sensitive face. I long ago abandoned the electric - just too poor of a shave. For a long while, I used a straight razor, and still do on occasion. It gives a great shave, but takes a lot of time, and there is always the inevitable nick unless you do it every day. It is definitely not for everybody, and really not for me when such great double edge safety razors are so inexpensive.
The widely available multi-blade cartridges are to me an abomination. The cost is ridiculous, they don't last long, they cut the whiskers below the skin, which then irritate the face as they grow back, and the plastic cartridges will contaminate our world for many years to come. Then there are the aerosol cans of awful shave lotion. And the teflon strips that are there because the shave cream is so awful.
The old double edge safety razor with a badger brush and shaving soap or creme can't be beat. You get a smooth shave that feels and looks good. It is inexpensive over time and is better for the environment. It is so cheap that you are not tempted to push things with a dull blade.
I have a fairly large collection of razors, and am always willing to try something new. I was using a (expensive) Merkur Vision Adjustable, which did pretty well. But I had read glowing reports about the reasonably priced Muhle 89R (non adjustable) in shaving circles. Since I needed some new shaving cream and more blades, I ordered one. Wow. I now see why so many people who could and would buy anything are moving to this shaver.
Here is what it looks like (from Lees Safety Razors, where I got it) http://www.leesrazors.com/products/Muhle-R89-Safety-Razor.html
Lee says that the Jagger for $41 has the same head and shaves just as well. It is perhaps not as beautifully finished as the Muhle. The Muhle is just amazing.
It comes with a single Derby blade, which turned out to be excellent. I will order some more of those blades. This combo shaved very close with no irritation. That is what others have noted, and I agree. With most razors, it is easy to get a close shave if you don't mind ripping your face a bit. And easy to get a comfy shave if you don't go close. But the Muhle razor is the best of all worlds and does not need to be adjustable. I haven't heard of a single person who has not gotten great shaves with this, and I am very enthusiastic, as is Farley. She noticed how my face was Baby Bottom Smooth for most of the day.
Amazon sells Gillette Mach III blades, 12 for $24. That is about $2.00 each, and they don't last long. Lees sells the Derby's 15 for $7.50. That is $.50 each and a fourth the price of the Gillettes, and they shave better and are more durable. You will be kinder to the environment, your face, your loved one, and your wallet by going Double Edge. If you use 120 blades per year, you will spend $60 per year on blades versus $240 for Mach III.
You will also save money and feel (and smell) better with a quality shaving soap or creme over the cheap [in quality] stuff that is sold in aerosol cans. Lee is a guy who will help you out. You will also need some type of brush, but the less expensive ones are fine. In fact, I prefer them because I like a stiff brush.
So I think that this makes a great gift. It actually saves money and wins in every department. Marketing is amazing. It convinces people that they want bad food and bad shaves for more money.
I did want to talk off topic about shaving. I have the ideal gift idea for the man in your life who is a wet shaver (or wants to be - it really is the best way IMO). I have a stout beard but a sensitive face. I long ago abandoned the electric - just too poor of a shave. For a long while, I used a straight razor, and still do on occasion. It gives a great shave, but takes a lot of time, and there is always the inevitable nick unless you do it every day. It is definitely not for everybody, and really not for me when such great double edge safety razors are so inexpensive.
The widely available multi-blade cartridges are to me an abomination. The cost is ridiculous, they don't last long, they cut the whiskers below the skin, which then irritate the face as they grow back, and the plastic cartridges will contaminate our world for many years to come. Then there are the aerosol cans of awful shave lotion. And the teflon strips that are there because the shave cream is so awful.
The old double edge safety razor with a badger brush and shaving soap or creme can't be beat. You get a smooth shave that feels and looks good. It is inexpensive over time and is better for the environment. It is so cheap that you are not tempted to push things with a dull blade.
I have a fairly large collection of razors, and am always willing to try something new. I was using a (expensive) Merkur Vision Adjustable, which did pretty well. But I had read glowing reports about the reasonably priced Muhle 89R (non adjustable) in shaving circles. Since I needed some new shaving cream and more blades, I ordered one. Wow. I now see why so many people who could and would buy anything are moving to this shaver.
Here is what it looks like (from Lees Safety Razors, where I got it) http://www.leesrazors.com/products/Muhle-R89-Safety-Razor.html
Lee says that the Jagger for $41 has the same head and shaves just as well. It is perhaps not as beautifully finished as the Muhle. The Muhle is just amazing.
It comes with a single Derby blade, which turned out to be excellent. I will order some more of those blades. This combo shaved very close with no irritation. That is what others have noted, and I agree. With most razors, it is easy to get a close shave if you don't mind ripping your face a bit. And easy to get a comfy shave if you don't go close. But the Muhle razor is the best of all worlds and does not need to be adjustable. I haven't heard of a single person who has not gotten great shaves with this, and I am very enthusiastic, as is Farley. She noticed how my face was Baby Bottom Smooth for most of the day.
Amazon sells Gillette Mach III blades, 12 for $24. That is about $2.00 each, and they don't last long. Lees sells the Derby's 15 for $7.50. That is $.50 each and a fourth the price of the Gillettes, and they shave better and are more durable. You will be kinder to the environment, your face, your loved one, and your wallet by going Double Edge. If you use 120 blades per year, you will spend $60 per year on blades versus $240 for Mach III.
You will also save money and feel (and smell) better with a quality shaving soap or creme over the cheap [in quality] stuff that is sold in aerosol cans. Lee is a guy who will help you out. You will also need some type of brush, but the less expensive ones are fine. In fact, I prefer them because I like a stiff brush.
So I think that this makes a great gift. It actually saves money and wins in every department. Marketing is amazing. It convinces people that they want bad food and bad shaves for more money.
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Our Thanksgiving Menu
Our first Thanksgiving 3 years ago was an adventure in experimentation. Bob and I were quite happy with the results of my mad scientist efforts in creating a healthy and festive meal for this special occasion. Traditionally we always have another (carnivorous) couple over the next day for leftovers. I was worried how it was going to go over with them but they loved it! So here is my menu for the big day to help anyone over the hump of thinking that holidays might be a bit of a drag going without the usual turkey, marshmellowed yams, heavy oily stuffing and mountains of buttery desserts. You will not feel cheated and if you are going to someone else's home for Thanksgiving, everything can be made in advance and go with you to rewarm elsewhere..self-defense cooking is a must and everyone else will want to taste what you have!
Do realize that this is a "feast" menu, meant to be enjoyed just a few times a year. The sesame glaze is a high density calorie food and the dessert is high in sugar.
Do realize that this is a "feast" menu, meant to be enjoyed just a few times a year. The sesame glaze is a high density calorie food and the dessert is high in sugar.
Thanksgiving Menu
Mushroom Lentil Loaf
Green Beans with Sesame Seed Glaze
Baked Japanese Sweet Potatoes
Spinach Greens with Garlic Mustard Dressing
Baked Apple-Berry Crumble
MUSHROOM LENTIL LOAF
1½ cups red lentils cooked in advance in 2½ cups water until tender, then partially mash in cooking water (doing this the day before is very helpful)
2 medium onions, chopped
2 large portobello mushrooms, diced
red wine, vegetable broth or water for sauteing
2 cups packed fresh spinach, chopped
1 15 oz can diced no-salt tomatoes and juice
2 cups brown rice, cooked (another do-ahead)
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp dried sage
1 tsp Mrs. Dash's garlic and herb seasoning blend
½ tsp dried marjoram
¼ - ½ cup ketchup or barbecue sauce
[best sauces are “Bone Suckin' Sauce” BBQ sauce (my favorite) or Muir Glen ketchup]
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Stir-fry onions and mushrooms in wine, broth or water in a nonstick pan. Add spinach and cook, covered, until spinach wilts.
- Add onions and mushrooms, tomatoes, rice, garlic, sage, Mrs. Dash, and marjoram to lentils in a large bowl and mix thoroughly.
- Press into a 9x5 inch loaf pan and spread ketchup or BBQ sauce on top.
- Bake for 45 – 60 minutes. Serve with more sauce drizzled over slices.
If you have any leftovers this makes great sandwich material.
GREEN BEANS WITH SESAME SEED GLAZE
The Beans:
2-3 lbs of fresh green and yellow wax beans rinsed and looked over.
Steam beans for approximately 25 minutes then turn into an oven proof baking dish.
The Glaze:
4 TBS sesame seeds
2 tsps honey
2 tsps low-sodium tamari sauce
- Toast sesame seeds in the oven or in a pan, watching carefully so they don't burn. Place in a small grinder or food processor and process just until ground.
- Put sesame seeds in a small bowl and add honey and tamari. Stir until mixed and just crumbly. Add to hot green beans. Gently toss and keep warm in low oven until time to serve.
Both beans and glaze may be made in advance, then mixed together and warmed about 15 – 20 minutes before serving.
JAPANESE SWEET POTATOES
4 – 6 small sized Japanese sweet potatoes (sometimes also called oriental yams) depending on number of people. At least one potato per person. But these are delicious and you will want some extras for possible seconds.
Any type of sweet potato or yam will do. We like the jewel or garnet yams.
I simply scrub and place in a convection or regular oven and bake at 350 – 360 degrees for about 1 ½ hours. Leave in oven to keep warm. Serve as is...they just don't need anything else.
FRESH SPINACH GREENS WITH GARLIC MUSTARD DRESSING
Fresh spinach, well washed and coarsely chopped...set aside in salad bowl.
Dressing:
In a jar with tight lid combine
2 cloves fresh garlic finely minced or pressed
2 TBS of Dijon Mustard or your favorite spicy mustard
½ cup balsamic vinegar
juice of 1 lime
Shake well, adjust for your own taste
Serve greens and dressing separately for guests to add dressing as they choose.
BAKED APPLE-BERRY CRUMBLE
5 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored and sliced
1 cup blackberries, chopped
1 cup raspberries, halved
1 cup blueberries
½ cup packed brown sugar
1 ½ tsp ground cinnamon
1/3 cup buckwheat flour
2 ripe bananas, mashed
1/3 cup rolled oats
- Heat oven to 375 degrees. In a large bowl, combine apples, berries, ¼ cup brown sugar and ½ tsp cinnamon; toss to blend. Place apple-berry mixture in a 1 ½ to 2 quart baking dish. (I cheat and use a disposable aluminum baking pan - no gooey washing)
- In medium bowl combine flour, remaining ¼ cup brown sugar, and 1 tsp cinnamon. With pastry blender or two knives, cut in mashed bananas and then add in the oats. Spoon on the banana/oat topping over the apple-berry in baking dish covering apples as much as possible. Bake 40 – 45 minutes until apples are tender and topping is getting crispy.
Note: frozen berries are fine if fresh are not available.
ENJOY!
Farley
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Dr. McDougall's Address to the ACLM
A few people appreciated Dr. McDougall's lecture on MS, RA, and autoimmune diseases. I would like to promote another of his lectures that is also available for free download and is excellent.
Dr. McDougall was asked to be the keynote speaker to the first meeting of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine, now an accepted specialty board within the medical profession. In this address, Dr. McDougall summarizes some of the main problems facing those who specialize in this area, and some of the main problems faced by all of us as patients and candidates for the western diseases that seem to plague most of us as we age. It is SAD because it is so unnecessary that we age so poorly in this country.
Enjoying my "golden years" is one of the wonderful benefits of this lifestyle. I was not enjoying my entry to these years before I was lucky enough to contract heart disease, and learn about this important knowledge that reversed my heart disease, diabetes, kidney stones, high blood pressure, obesity, etc. I was suffering every day while trying to remember how many of each of my basket full of pills to take. Now I feel great and take no medications at all.
Here is the link:
You have to scroll to the bottom of the page and download the lecture of almost an hour and a half (a fairly large file)
http://drmcdougall.com/store_electures.html
Dr. McDougall was asked to be the keynote speaker to the first meeting of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine, now an accepted specialty board within the medical profession. In this address, Dr. McDougall summarizes some of the main problems facing those who specialize in this area, and some of the main problems faced by all of us as patients and candidates for the western diseases that seem to plague most of us as we age. It is SAD because it is so unnecessary that we age so poorly in this country.
Enjoying my "golden years" is one of the wonderful benefits of this lifestyle. I was not enjoying my entry to these years before I was lucky enough to contract heart disease, and learn about this important knowledge that reversed my heart disease, diabetes, kidney stones, high blood pressure, obesity, etc. I was suffering every day while trying to remember how many of each of my basket full of pills to take. Now I feel great and take no medications at all.
Here is the link:
You have to scroll to the bottom of the page and download the lecture of almost an hour and a half (a fairly large file)
http://drmcdougall.com/store_electures.html
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