:001_smile: And remember to supplement your salt intake - it is absolutely necessary.

I fry 2 or 3 pounds at a time and store it. It warms up quite nicely in the microwave for 20-40 seconds.

Here's a great site to get you started if you need a little support. The New Atkins books is also terrific. http://www.dietdoctor.com/lchf This is the site of a Swedish doctor who treats patients with obesity, diabetes, and metobolic disorders. He specializes in LCHF.

It sounds like she has already been involved with social workers and child protective services to some extent. You'll just be letting them know of concerns they need to monitor and that might be enough to frighten her into re-thinking the way she's living. Make the call. The baby needs an advocate and the mom needs a kick in the pants.

Here's his blog:http://www.marksdailyapple.com/#axzz23fDkycwV He does discuss how Primal (low-carb) can help with stress. He's big into lifestyle and peaceful living.

the Confederate flag with the old west. It's kinda like the way we might call a Brit "English". While people who are English are British, not everyone who is British is English. :001_smile:

Good tip. :001_smile:

[quote name=FourOaks;4207055 It's the chocolate' date=' sweets, and chips I JUST CANNOT KICK for the life of me! Anyone have any good replacements for those?[/quote] Berries (blue, black, rasp.) with whipped cream (heavy cream). If you really need a chocolate fix, get a block of dark chocolate (70% cocoa or more because it has less sugar and fewer carbs than milk chocolate) and sprinkle shavings over the cream. Yum. Add a teaspoon of Stevia to the cream if you need a bit of sweet. Also, almonds and peanuts are a good replacement for chips. Still sweet and delicious but less carby. :tongue_smilie: ETA: almonds rolled in cocoa powder. really good stuff.http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001EQ55RW/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_1?pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B001IZM9BO&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1CDAR3DRXS3AFHZKPTSQ

It is interesting. But, as a former New Yorker, I can tell you that the primary reason so many students in the NYC public schools are poor is because working and middle class people have been abandoning NYC in droves for decades. Most of the schools suck and life is almost unlivable unless you're either wealthy and able to insulate yourself or poor and living off of public assistance. Property values and taxes are crushing. If New Yorkers want a city less economically polarized they should look at how to make the city livable for the working and middle class.

focus on body image - NO DANCING. If she's not already participating in something - as a prior poster mentioned martial arts are terrific, as are sports like soccer and softball. The productive exercise will probably comfort her and she'll be with girls that will more focused on athleticism rather than thinness.

I'd give her some emperical evidence to measure her body. Find one of those height/weight charts that the pediatrians use, and also some information about what a healthy weight is for her height and body type. (what percentage is she at?) "Look dd, you're in the 50% of your peers in weight. The doctors say that's exactly where you need to be for your height..." Giving her factuals from a professional gives her something concrete to reassure.

I'd try to get your dd an appointment with a doc that's tuned into low-carb living. http://lowcarbdoctors.blogspot.com/

The Fed is going to introduce a new mortage purchase program that will further drive down interest rates on mortages. If you can wait a bit longer - do it.

and Costa Rico for 3 months. Additionally, I've traveled quite a bit for both my work (prior to children) and with dh for his job. I appreciate America in a way I never could have anticipated prior to my travels. What was most interesting to me was the sometimes very childish or single dimensional views others (non-Americans) had of us. They tend to see us in stereo-types. Fat, bible-thumping, gun toting, white supremacists, or lucid, thoughtful, right-thinking, pro-gay marriage, pro-abortion, pro-national healthcare, etc.. There seemed to be little understanding that America was a great big place with very a complex political, religious, social construct. I am frequently awed by our dynamism, how we continue to re-work and re-make ourselves. How we argue, compete, sometimes in a pretty grubby manner, but nonetheless, succeed. In America people don't give up or give in, we constantly stew, yet we do this all within our original constitutional framework.

health issues would overwhelm me. Caring for them sounds like a full time job, and on top of your other responsibilities, it just sounds like too much. :grouphug: They're probably both eligible for/receiving Social Security, and in the absence of other assets may qualify for assisted living/nuring home facilities (that accept Medicare as payment). I'd look for a facility near your home so that you can monitor their circumstances. I'd say your first step is discussing this option with your dh then beginning to get them used to the idea as well. You may need to be really firm here.

and or nation if they're responsible for choosing their own government even if they choose poorly, but the legitimacy of democratic elections are suspect when large chunks of the population aren't allowed to vote because of gender, race, or religion. Governments need to be accountable to their people and people need to be accountable for the actions of their government. That's really only possible within a democratic structure. Democracy can't do away with human stupidity, and we shouldn't blame democracy for the inevitable failures of some. The most it can do is ameliorate stupidity. As Churchill said (paraphrasing).....Democracy is the worst form of government except for all the others.

Atkins recommends two cups of beef/chicken bullion daily for the salt. If you aren't either getting enough salt in your meals or supplementing you WILL have issues with potassium which can slow down weight loss. It can also lead to the "Atkins flu", a loss of energy, tired muscles and a feeling of light-headedness. Also, you may need to limit your carbs to fewer than 20 grams daily. Folks who are already IR may need to go lower in carb count to see continued weight loss. I really recommend getting the new Atkins book and read the section on Induction. Congrats on the early weight loss. :001_smile:

I'm looking forward to taking up smoking again! :D

Just a reminder to get enough salt. If you begin feeling low energy or begin getting muscle twitches or cramps you might need more salt. Good job!

You're doing a great job. 7 is very young still. My ds15 (dyslexic) didn't learn to read and write until about around 11 years old. He's fine now. Your persistence and consistency will pay off over the long term. Sometimes we loose the forest for the trees when others don't understand. Don't internalize that outside pressure. It's not you or your son. It's the unrealistic or not terribly sensitive expectations. By the way, the tester sounds like an idiot. There are many, many 7 years olds that would be stumped if told to "write a story". Yeesh.

He got in his car and drove away from the theatre while his gf and BABIES where still inside. The mind boggles. :confused:

Congratulations!! I loved you're story. Many blessings.

:iagree:

:D well done.

We'd be happy to have your recipes here, Bill, but please refrain from criticizing others. Different strokes for different folks.