Sunday, March 31, 2019

For the little people in your life

For all that's bad in the world when people walk around half naked, I don't want to embrace Spring this year. For the flooding in the Midwest, I don't want warmer temperatures. For the house across the road which will set empty soon, I DON'T want it to be Spring.

For the mad rush which will soon fall upon the farmers to get their crops seeded, and for our guys to help them by getting their seed grain cleaned, I want it to stay cold a little longer. I can't believe I would ever say such a thing!!!

Nothing seems to warm my heart this year. Nothing can match the sorrow of my daughter taking her sweet little daughters and going into the dairy industry when cows run your life. I know. I did that the first 8 years of my marriage to Robert!

Please pray for our family! Please pray for my daughter who wants to follow her husband's dream but wants to stay close to the support of her birth family. I want to help her but I am in such a cold, dead place right now. I guess that's why this song was a welcome to me as I wait for my lunch to cook.

I try, I REALLY try not to bring any negative energy into the lives of my readers. That's probably the LAST thing you need!! However, this blog is my therapy so I have to be real with myself.

Anyway, I have nothing to offer you today but this song. I'm sure that I'll fall in love with Spring eventually this year but it's going to take some time. I did see a robin the other day in the tree outside of my kitchen window. I wondered what it came here for when the snow banks are still 3 feet deep all around. Perhaps it came to brighten my day?? I don't know if that is even possible with all of this gloom around my heart.

Well, perhaps someone out there will enjoy this song.

God bless,

Dawn

Saturday, March 30, 2019

I am disgusted

I am disgusted!! NO I'm not offended, as that isn't safe these days, but I AM disgusted!!

It's a matter of the straw that broke the camel's back! It does no good to go over the disgraces I see around me constantly these days. You all can see them and perhaps are becoming accustomed to them. As for me, I will NOT stoop to the modern disgusting lows!!!! I've gotten along without them all this time and I have no interest in learning how to swear or belittle others or think the whole world revolves around me!!

Let's just say that I'm old enough to remember being expected to show respect to ALL people--especially older people!! Nobody ever said to me "Show respect to others" that I can recall. It was just normal to say, "Please" when I wanted something and "Thank you" when I received it. IS THAT SO DIFFICULT???????

I better just drop it as I'm too upset now to write well and you know how I value my fine use of the English language. What a JOKE! Who even cares any more how they speak let alone how they write??

So I went in search of an article which could adequately and politely share my thoughts on this topic. The one that I almost shared, because of how I'm feeling right now, was ludicrous. It was this guy cussing at people for having low manners. It was almost hilarious if I weren't so sad about this whole topic!

I could appreciate this article as it was written by someone who enjoys the finer things in life--the things like dressing up and going to the theater with a friend. What could be better?? I think that he did well to press by these 2 peace mongers but it made enough of an impact on him to write about it later on.

I like how our writer ended his thoughts on the subject. Perhaps you will too?

Happy Sabbath to all my loves,

Dawn

Sunday Obverver

THE DECLINE OF MANNERS

JAN. 25, 1981

About the Archive

This is a digitized version of an article from The Times’s print archive, before the start of online publication in 1996. To preserve these articles as they originally appeared, The Times does not alter, edit or update them.

Occasionally the digitization process introduces transcription errors or other problems. Please send reports of such problems to archive_feedback@nytimes.com.

January 25, 1981, Page 006012 The New York Times Archives

BAKER COLUMN

OBSERVER:

The Decline of Manners

By RUSSELL BAKER

I am not of the party that holds the world is getting worse year by year. Quite the opposite. In most respects, I believe, it has improved slightly since the time of the Babylonians. In one respect, however, there has been a recent decline that is hard to live with.

I am speaking of manners, courtesy, etiquette - whatever you choose to call it. What I call it is civilized social behavior, and, stuffy though that sounds, it is the grease that makes it possible for all of us to rub together without unnecessary overheating.

There are times, of course, when overheating is both necessary and satisfying, but a society perpetually overheated is a society bound to suffer cracked gasket and roasted pistons. Manners, courtesy, etiquette - these keep the temperature down.

I mean, suppose you are walking a crowded sidewalk and two perfect strangers up ahead are enjoying a loud quarrel concerning an automobile. I am talking now about New York, where loud street quarrels, usually about automobiles, though sometimes about marriage or garbage cans, are commonplace.

In New York etiquette, violent shouting between disputants is O.K. and words elsewhere considered appropriate only in a Marine barracks, though not precisely O.K., are accepted by the populace, more or less the way a fancy hostess might accept the ignorance of a guest who drinks from the finger bowl.

Even in New York, however, it is a bit much for one of the disputants to offer to shoot the other right there on the sidewalk, as occurred in this particular incident on 44th Street off Sixth Avenue. This is midtown Manhattan, for heaven's sake. It is the theater district. In certain streets, I know, threats of shooting, and even shooting, are part of the social code, but in the theater district they are an unspeakable breach of etiquette.

Consider the social problem they create for the hundreds of pedestrians not interested in the quarrel about the car. On this occasion I was in a hurry to get to the theater to meet someone under the marquee, and since I had the tickets it would have been a breach of decorum to arrive not only late, but also shot.

One of the two men blocking the sidewalk was shouting, ''All right, you want me to shoot you, I'll shoot you,'' and the other was saying, in the manner of people with little breeding and less discretion, ''Go ahead and shoot, you -.'' ''Vile person'' was the civilized term for which he was looking, without success.

The threatening fellow had no gun in evidence, but looked capable of producing one very quickly. Obviously, he was utterly unconcerned about the social awkwardness he was causing among the rest of the people on the sidewalk.

Here was a typical case of men without the slightest sense of courtesy indulging themselves at the expense of a great number of people who had no interest in them, in their quarrel, in their automobile or even in whether they shot each other. Why do so many people nowadays think it a matter of right to carry on so rudely?

If one man is of a mind to shoot another and the proposed victim proposes that he ''go ahead and shoot,'' surely they can easily satisfy themselves without overheating a hundred miscellaneous strangers. The simplest sense of good manners might have reminded them that they had a car, after all, and that they could get into the thing and drive to some out-of-the-way location where they could shoot and be shot, or just scream at each other, without terrifying a whole community.

A few years ago they would have done this instinctively. Though obviously not gentlemen, they would most probably have felt constrained by the prevailing national code of manners against committing a nuisance, not to say a felony, in front of a hundred witnesses.

What they were doing, I suspect, is what so many of the expanding population of boors is doing these days. They were presumptuously exercising their presumed right to express themselves freely in public. Since the 1960's, when public displays of coarse manners became a popular activity, justifiable as political action, the habit of swinish behavior has become addictive, and the addiction has become epidemic.

In this matter I am an absolute reactionary. If people want to behave like louts, so be it. But let them do it down in the warehouse district after midnight, the way louts used to do.

Thursday, March 21, 2019

Dealing with Mold?

Your Definitive Mold Clean Up Guide

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Your Definitive Mold Clean Up…

Mold illness can be sneaky and symptoms may seemingly come from nowhere. Mold illness symptoms can range from low level and feel like a bout of flu you can’t shake to debilitating fatigue that makes getting through the day tough.

When you Google for more information, all you find are dramatic photographs of black mold – something you just don’t see in your home. It’s important to know that not all mold can be seen by the human eye.

Let’s look at ways to clean up harmful mold and reduce its impact on your life.

Targeting the Underlying Cause of Mold

Mold thrives in moist and warm conditions. When these conditions combine with a suitable food source, mold can spread very quickly, often in unseen places. Mold easily lives on paper, cardboard, wood, fabric, carpet, drywall, and many other common building materials.1

The underlying causes of mold include:

Moisture: Ensure any water pipe or roof leaks are fixed. If the property has a history of flooding, you need to evaluate the risk of it happening again and maybe even consider a house move. Extensive flooding increases the risk of mold contamination.2 I recommend removing wet carpet from your property as soon as possible, as they encourage not only the growth of mold, but also bacteria.3
Holes and gaps in the walls: Look out for cracks in walls or windows – they may be letting mold in through your external walls.4
Condensation: If the warm air inside your property hits a colder surface, like your windows, it causes interior condensation. This often leads to mold eating away at wooden window frames. To specifically target your windowsills, moisture eliminator products are useful. However, if you suspect mold elsewhere in your house, they won’t be effective.
Air Conditioning units: Your air conditioning, heating, and ventilation unit needs regular maintenance and cleaning to ensure that it is not the culprit. It could be circulating fungus spores around the house. Get an expert to look into it and consider getting a HEPA air scrubber to clean the air.
Humidity: I advise you purchase one or more dehumidifier units, depending on the size of your home. A dehumidifier ensures you can keep the humidity of your property around the 50% mark – mold finds it harder to multiply in drier air.5

If this list seems intimidating, bear in mind you can hire a remediation company to assess, contain, and remove the mold. Make sure you pick a company certified in mold remediation.

Removing Mold From Your Carpet

Mold loves fabric, making most furniture a potential hub for mold. If you are cleaning up after a large leak, I recommend removing the carpet completely. In mold infestation cases where the carpet has not gotten wet, it’s a good idea to buy a high efficiency particulate arrestance (HEPA) vacuum cleaner to clean your carpet.

You must choose a true HEPA vacuum cleaner, not one that is labeled ‘HEPA like.’ HEPA vacuum cleaners utilize a strong motor and fine filter to suck up everything, including mold spores, whereas regular vacuum cleaners suck up the mold spores – only to deposit them back into the air.

When using your true HEPA vacuum cleaner:

Make sure you vacuum from every angle. When vacuuming it’s easy to get into the habit of pushing the machine across your carpet in the same direction. Many modern vacuum cleaners have a more flexible design, meant to get into difficult corners or underneath furniture. Use it from every direction possible to remove as many mold spores as possible.
Empty your vacuum cleaner outside. If your vacuum model is bagless, use a disposable wipe to clean out the canister fully. Avoid breathing in the dust by wearing a N-95 respirator.6 If your vacuum cleaner uses bags, ensure you wear protective gloves, respirator, and clothing as you do so to avoid carrying the spores back into your home.
As the dirt, dust and mold spores in the fibers may have been accumulating for years, don’t be disheartened if you don’t see an immediate improvement in the state of the carpet or your health. It may take several long sessions of vacuuming before you start to feel the benefits.

Removing Mold From Your Clothes and Soft Furnishings

Mold removal is not straightforward when it comes to soft furnishings and clothes. If you use biocides such as diluted bleach and vinegar, the mold on the fabric dies, but the mycotoxins continue to be an allergen. It is not enough to kill the mold, it needs to be completely removed.

Also, using harsh chemicals such as bleach on fabrics is hardly ideal. Unfortunately, wiping upholstery doesn’t remove the mold from the stuffing inside. And dry cleaning can cause cross contamination from other sources.7

Instead, I recommend borax, also known as sodium borate which is a mineral and a completely natural solution for cleaning mold. Borax also combats bacteria.

Mix 1 cup of borax to 1 gallon of water and soak your clothes for half an hour before putting them in in the wash. Borax works well on mold because it’s alkaline, making an inhospitable place for the mold, which prefers a lower pH environment. You must take care when using it – always wash your hands after handling clothes that have been treated with it and avoid getting it in your mouth or eyes.

Removing Mold From Your Wooden Furniture, Walls, and Other Surfaces

Mold loves hard surfaces, especially wood or plaster. Luckily, borax is suitable for most furniture.

Be wary of the claims made by most household cleaners – just because a surface is sparkling and clean looking, it’s no indication of how many mold spores are still stuck to it. I recommend the following procedure for a surface that may have been contaminated:

Use two rounds of disposable wipes to clean the surface.
Move on to using a dry microfiber cloth to wipe up any excess moisture and mold spores.
Throw the disposable wipes in the garbage – being careful to avoid cross-contamination of your clothes.
The microfiber cloths can be washed on a hot wash cycle and reused. They are also more effective for everyday cleaning, wet or dry.

Of course, some surfaces are more of a challenge to clean. Mold spores stick easily to surfaces in the kitchen that tend to be coated in grease or cooking oil. I recommend that you cut through the grease with a simple soap or detergent, before using borax or the wet and dry cloth method.

Mold and Your Prized Possessions

If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with a mold related illness, your doctor may have suggested you remove all items likely to be contaminanted – including most of your possessions. While your doctor is interested in your wellbeing, the thought of removing all your favorite things may feel unbearable. There is also no guarantee that all of your possessions contain mold or mold spores. So it’s important to make well informed choices.

Possessions you can clean and keep:

Non-porous items, e.g metals, glass
- Jewelry
- Pottery
- Glassware
- Plates and dishes
- Cutlery
- Leather

Decorations
- Framed artwork (remove from frame, dust and reframe)

Possessions that require more thought:

Paper
- Paperwork & important documents
- Books
- Photos
- Old letters
- Yearbooks

Books and paperwork are hard to clean adequately and book conservationists recommend wearing protective clothing and masks when handling mold-damaged books.8 It may be time for you to go digital. Photos, old letters, and yearbooks can also be digitalized, saving you from heartache.

Rugs and furnishings
- Antique rugs
- Bed, mattress, pillows, bedding
- Taxidermy
- Indoor plants
- Holiday decorations

You need to replace your bed completely, as it is the only way to make sure you’re not exposed to mold in your sleep. Indoor plants and taxidermy are prime sources for mildew. Antique rugs are just as bad as carpet for attracting mold and are harder to clean.

Non-washable clothes and accessories
- Shoes
- Bags
- Dry clean only items
- Non-waterproof watches

Toys
- Stuffed animals
- Plastic toys that are difficult to clean adequately

Whether it’s your childhood bear or a recent addition to your childs collection of toys, it is unlikely that a spin in the washer removes mold spores or toxins.

Home Appliances & Electricals
- Refrigerator
- Washer and dryer
- Air conditioner or purifier
- Home computer or laptop
- Televisions and stereos

Washers and dryers are often a source of cross contamination, as mold can grow inside the drum. It is difficult to clean the back of refrigerators properly. Modern electronics are hard to clean inside and a compromised computer often blows out mold spores whenever the fan starts up. An air conditioner or purifier can also cause contamination when brought into a clean environment.

Open Consumables
- Open food packets
- Jars of rice, flour, spices etc
- Open cosmetics and toiletries

Whatever you decide, you’ll need to clean and store many of your possessions in sealed boxes in a place external location from your home while you work on your mold issue. It’s possible that you will need a few months to sort through your possessions.

Avoiding Mold Cross-Contamination

I touched upon cross-contamination in relation to removing personal items, but there are many ways you can avoid contaminating your home once you have removed the mold. Some of these actions may seem extreme, but it’s the only way to ensure that your mold illness doesn’t come back.

Reintroduce cleaned possessions into your home slowly, over a period of months, to ensure that each item is mold free.
Domestic dogs or cats need to be boarded elsewhere. They need to be washed fully with an antifungal shampoo and shaved before they can return to the household.
When cleaning possessions, surfaces, or removing the contents of your vacuum cleaner, do so outside, wearing protective gloves, a N-95 respirator and protective clothing. Never walk into your property wearing this protection, as it could cause cross-contamination.
Wrap everything you intend to remove from your home in plastic bags – doubled up.
If you suspect a second source of mold contamination (ie. your office) you can use a mold spray such as Concrobium or EC3 Mold Solution on your clothes and everyday belongings to avoid cross contamination.
Remember that certain items can survive mold spray decontamination better than others – avoid bringing papers, books, used computers, and soft furnishings that may already be compromised into the house.

Above all, though it can be tempting to make a number of huge changes all at once, I recommend consulting a doctor that specializes in mold illness and taking action a little at a time. I hope this helps you know exactly what to do in the case of mold.

References

Wednesday, March 20, 2019

My hero

I have a hero and his name is Jay Sekulow. Jay Sekulow is an amazing man who has been termed by friend and foe "A bulldog for freedom." Jay is a Messianic Jew (a Jew who has become a Christian) and Jay is a lawyer.

Jay has argued before the US Supreme court 12 times arguing for life and for freedom. Not only that but Jay created the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ). This is a network of Christian lawyers fighting for freedom in many places around the globe--including the UN!

As many of you know, New York recently passed a law that would allow abortions to be committed on a baby up to the moment of birth. The church there started crying out to the Lord for the lives of little babies to be spared from this murderous act!! God is answering those prayers!!

Jay and his team got busy and went to court and started to turn this thing around. You'll be encouraged to read the email (Posted below the video) Jay sent out to his followers this morning. I'm sharing it with the hopes of encouraging God's people but also with the hopes of motivating God's people.

Jay has a television show which airs at 11:00 AM in the Central time zone. I would urge everyone who wants a source of positive, encouraging news to become a regular listener. You can watch this either on Jay's Facebook page or by going directly to https://aclj.org/ I love hearing from Jay's team which includes officers in the military; religious leaders; political analysts; and the staff member who works at the Capitol in DC.

On his website, you can read excellent articles written by Jay or his influential staff members. There are videos of projects the ACLJ is working on along with success stories and prayer requests. The most amazing news I've found is reading the Victory Reports of what the ACLJ is accomplishing around the world. https://aclj.org/victory-reports

One of the things that I like best about being a part of the ACLJ, is that they put out petitions for folks to sign. When a court appearance is coming up, or a speech at the UN, the numbers of those who signed the petition is shared. When millions of people take the time to sign a petition, it speaks volumes. YES, your voice can be heard in this way!! I urge you all to go to the website and sign the current petitions available.

PLEASE prayerfully consider donating to the ACLJ. I have been blessed again and again when I have sent them money--especially when it was a cause for Israel. Yes, the ACLJ LOVES ISREAL!!

I very happily share this morning's email I just received from Jay and the team at the ACLJ! They're not just sitting around wringing their hands in dismay. NO, they are actively using the court system to stop the abortion industry from murdering helpless babies!!! GO JAY!

Without any further ado, I give you Jay Sekulow--my hero!!!

Dawn,

Planned Parenthood can be defeated.

We filed an amicus brief, helping win a major case that will allow states to defund Planned Parenthood - a shocking defeat for the abortion giant. We're already showing other states how to do it.

In fact, we beat New York City on abortion in New York.

Our legal team was just in New York - where abortion was expanded until birth - arguing directly against the abortion industry's targeting of pro-life pregnancy centers. And we won.

New York City caved, withdrawing its case.

Today we are taking legal action against New York over its abortion-through-birth law and refusal to comply with our records demands - the first step toward a possible lawsuit.

We're also preparing to file a new amicus brief to defend a rule that will defund millions from Planned Parenthood. We're preparing a critical Supreme Court amicus brief in one of the biggest abortion cases in years.

We can win. We can beat back extreme pro-abortion laws. We can help save lives. But we urgently need your Tax-Deductible support. Have your gift DOUBLED today through our March Matching Challenge. $25 becomes $50; $50 becomes $100.

Have Your Gift Doubled to Defeat Abortion at Supreme Court.

Jay Sekulow

ACLJ Chief Counsel

Friday, March 15, 2019

MORE SNOW--updated!!

We just got dumped on again. I mean we had a LOT of snow before yesterday but this is ridiculous. All of the highways in our area are plugged FULL of snow--we're talking at least 4 foot banks of snow all over the highway! Nobody is going anywhere today which makes me sad as I was going to receive a visit from my dear friend and teacher but she can't get here!

Still, as I ponder our problems here in North Dakota, I'm thinking of the greater troubles that are going on for ranchers in South Dakota. They're having to dig their cattle and sheep OUT OF SNOWBANKS!! Let's all pray for them!

Then there's Nebraska which is flooding something awful. PLEASE pray for these folks and their animals. As of this morning, 12 towns have been evacuated. The total number of displaced Nebraskans is over 60,000. They had to leave to save their lives but who will care for their animals? They need our prayers!!! Where will they go if their homes float down the river?

It's easy to slip into panic mode as I think of all who are suffering. I want to help them ALL but I am just one person. I need to keep focused so that I can help those that Father brings to me for natural healing sessions. HOW CAN I STAY CALM??? As usual, Father directed me to music sung by His children for encouragement. I love this one.

Keep warm, folks, and stay inside!

Happy Sabbath,

Dawn

Monday, March 11, 2019

Not another diet!!

If you're like me, you've tried every diet under the sun. I have even bought diet programs which came in the mail and are still unopened. The shelves of my library are full of diet plans that never worked for me. Maybe they worked for other people but they didn't work for ME!

Probably the number one reason that they didn't work for me is because the approach was wrong. To tell someone that you can loose weight, and keep it off, by eating all you want is absurd!!!

Another factor in my long string of diet failures is that the program was just too complex--TOO MANY RULES!! I'm not making excuses for myself but I do have MS which deteriorates the brain. To try to remember to eat X 10 times a week; avoid Y 3 times a week; lift 3 pound weights 22 reps 4 times one week then only 16 times the next week--well, it became impossible to remember all the rules!!!!!!!!!!!!! );

The psychology of all that was harmful too. If you don't follow the rules, you're a bad girl. If you need a manual full of rules and sub-rules and exceptions to rules, it's just TOO HARD TO REMEMBER ALL OF THAT!! How does that make ME bad? I felt bad, though, and wandered off to try the next diet. Maybe I'd be able to remember all that was required to look like the gorgeous women on the front cover of THIS program.

Eventually I gave up hope and accepted that I would be fat for the rest of my days on Earth. With that thought overriding my days, I had little desire to keep living. If there really was nothing that could be done about the hormonal weight issues I suffered from, why bother trying?

It's not like my discouragement caused me to binge eat--I'm way beyond that. However, it caused me to have NO JOY in food!! Food became my enemy. Food became my torturer. In fact, I ate very little and still my weight didn't budge. I was doomed to be obese and live in pain. Death couldn't come fast enough!

Enter Brad Pilon with his book, EAT STOP EAT! How simple is that? In fact the whole program is simple. I can remember to fast twice a week, having 0 calories, with 2 days in between. I can remember to eat at least 100 mgs of protein on my eating days. I can remember to do resistance training on non-fasting days. I can remember all of this!!!

So today is my 19th fast day this year. Each fast day is easier and easier as my body has gotten used to the rhythm of the program. Fast, don't fast, don't fast, fast, don't fast, don't fast, don't fast. Anyone can remember that!

You can drink coffee, herbal teas, water--anything that has 0 calories--during your fasts. One disclaimer I would make is that I wouldn't put anything with artificial sweeteners in my body. See Dr. Mercola's excellent book, "Sweet Deception" if you haven't heard that artificial sweeteners are killing us. They killed my mother. ):

On eating days the one overriding rule is to eat at least 100 mgs of protein food. When a person consumes that much protein, you aren't hungry. I focus on all of the wonderful protein that I can consume and not what foods I have to avoid. It's NOT a deprivation mentality and so it works!! This is a "Help yourself to all of the protein you want," mentality. Did you know that you cannot overeat on protein? You get full naturally and you quit eating naturally.

So far in the first 2 months of 2019 I have added SO much muscle to this old body. I haven't even done the exercise part of this yet as I haven't been able to handle the pain of exercising for over a decade with fibromyalgia being my constant companion. However, I am STILL adding muscle and THE GREAT NEWS IS that muscle burns fat!! That's how this program works.

I decided to start this program for the sake of my health. There are over 35+ research studies that prove that this type of program (eating/not eating) helps the body to heal. Now THAT has been my greatest incentive as I delved into "EAT STOP EAT" this year. The fact that I have less pain; can think better; and am happier are all worth the few hunger pangs I experienced at the start on my fast days.

Some have said that this approach is pretty extreme. My health is extremely bad so I felt led to use this method to see if healing can come from a little self denial twice a week. If you're not getting well with what you're doing, I urge you to give your digestive system a rest twice a week. Let the body focus on healing, rather than digestion, and see how much better you'll feel. I think you'll be pleased.

I found this article which may be helpful if you are pondering joining the "EAT STOP EAT" community. I keep busy during my fasts and they pass with me feeling totally victorious at the end. I'm hungry right now as I write, but so what. I'm going for a total rebuilding of my body not just a patch up job. I'm going for a strong healthy body--something I've never had. If my digestive system needs weekly rests, I'm going to give it just that--so that I can heal.

God's best to you,

Dawn

How "Eat-Stop-Eat" Works

Weight-loss guru Brad Pilon based his plan “Eat Stop Eat” on the theory of intermittent fasting, which focuses on when you eat rather than the types of foods you include or restrict. According to Pilon, who has a background in the sports supplement industry and nutrition, scientific evidence indicates that brief, regular fasts promote weight loss and retention of muscle better than diets that eliminate certain foods or cut your number of daily calories. As a bonus, intermittent fasting may also lower your risk of chronic diseases. Pilon’s plan involves fasting up to two times a week, and it does not require you to give up any specific food group. This type of regimen does have drawbacks, however, and may not be for everyone.Intermittent Fasting Basics

"Eat Stop Eat" works in a fairly simple way: You fast once or twice a week, aiming for a complete break from food for 24 hours at a time. For example, you might eat normally until 7 p.m. on a Saturday, then fast until 7 p.m. on Sunday, resuming regular eating at that time. If you can’t make it the full 24 hours, Pilon says 20 to 24 hours will also work. For the next couple of days, eat approximately 2,000 calories a day for women and 2,500 for men; never fast on consecutive days. After several normal eating days, you can have another fast and repeat the schedule. Do not exceed two fasts in any one week. By doing even one fast a week, Pilon says you will create a calorie deficit of 10 percent.

Fasting and Non-Fasting Days

On your fasting days, you should take in as few calories as possible – Pilon recommends only tea, coffee, plain or sparkling water and diet soda. When you break your fast, you can eat whatever you like, but in moderation, because overeating could undo the benefits of the fast. You do not have to avoid any specific foods, such as carbs; in fact, Pilon says a low-carb diet on non-fasting days may negatively affect your energy levels. He does advocate consuming lots of fruits, vegetables and spices. For protein, Pilon recommends 20 to 30 grams of high-quality protein every four to five hours for a total of about 100 grams daily. Some of this can come from protein powder, if necessary. If you find you are gaining weight between fasts, Pilon says to cut back on your food consumption on non-fasting days by 10 percent.

Weight-Training Exercise on "Eat Stop Eat"

When you are on Eat Stop Eat, you engage in resistance or weight training to maintain and build muscle, rather than cardio or other types of exhaustive exercise. You don’t have to exercise on fasting days, however. The Eat Stop Eat Quick Start Guide recommends a consistent training schedule of three to four times per week, with two to four exercises per body part, two to five sets per exercise, and six to 15 reps per set.

"Eat Stop Eat" Pros

Scientific research supports intermittent fasting as an effective weight-loss tool. One review of literature, published in Obesity Reviews in 2011, found that up to 12 weeks of intermittent calorie restriction – similar to the Eat Stop Eat plan – was as effective in weight loss as reducing calories by a set amount every day; in addition, it helped dieters retain more lean muscle mass. This type of intermittent fasting may produce other health benefits, too. A review published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition in 2007 discovered that fasting on alternate days led to lower risk of chronic disease in animals, although more studies on humans are needed. Pilon cites reduced inflammation and cellular “cleansing” as other possible benefits. Finally, Eat Stop Eat may be less confusing and more straightforward than diets in which you have to limit an entire food group, like fat or carbs.

"Eat Stop Eat" Cons

Having to fast every week may not fit your lifestyle. Richard Bloomer, chair of health sport sciences at the University of Memphis in Tennessee, told the journal CMAJ in 2013, “Most people aren’t going to be able to do it.” Pilon admitted to the same reporter that Eat Stop Eat is best done privately because it interferes with regular social interactions, like meals with family or friends. The diet may cause headaches and crankiness in some people, and is not a viable choice for diabetics, pregnant women or those with a history of eating disorders like bingeing. The plan permits artificially sweetened drinks, which may actually make you crave sweets or choose unhealthy foods because you have “saved” calories. Finally, Eat Stop Eat doesn’t make any specific meal-plan recommendations for non-fasting days, leaving you to demonstrate enormous self-control and judge for yourself what to eat – an area in which many people who struggle with their weight need guidance.

A Ray of Hope

Sunday, March 31, 2019

For the little people in your life

Saturday, March 30, 2019

I am disgusted

Sunday Obverver

THE DECLINE OF MANNERS

We were all left with a choice of diving for cover and thereby looking cowardly and arriving at the theater with our clothes in a mess, or of forging stupidly ahead out of faith in the theory that insurance companies always win.

My choice and everybody else's choice were the same. We strode past the two men pretending that nothing untoward was happening. No shots were fired.

Thursday, March 21, 2019