[Amazing/Fun/Unique Gifts for Adults???]

Thanks everyone, for all of your suggestions.

The problem I'm having is that these are all people with established homes/lifestyles and they're all foodies. They buy what they want or need.

They have all the kinds of "stuff" that you would normally think of in this situation. I considered Penzey's but when I looked at their options, I didn't really see anything unique that would work since everyone already has great spices. I did see a package on Crate Joy that might work.

I should know in the next couple of days if I'm buying for a female or male or both (dh and I each need to buy a gift. Guess who is buying his).

[Amazing/Fun/Unique Gifts for Adults???]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions so far! I'm thinking the food type items might work. They're all foodies, so it might be a challenge to find something new. Any suggestions in that area (or other suggestions?)?

TIA

[Amazing/Fun/Unique Gifts for Adults???]

We will be doing a gift exchange with a $30 max with adults. The majority are 55-65 years old, but I don't know who we'll get. There are also a few 30ish year olds. I won't know what their interests or needs are so I'm hoping for something kind of universal. Would rather not do gift cards. They are all pretty well off (we're not) so are able to purchase anything they need.

 

The one cool gift I have found this year is one I purchased for a gift exchange at work. I happened to draw the name of a woman who loves to read, so I ordered the November package from www.onceuponabookclub. I'm really looking forward to giving it to her. 

[Medical Insurance for International Travel]

IMG Global may have some policies that work for her. 

Thanks! I'll check.

Off to work now. Will check later to see if anyone has more info/suggestions.

[Medical Insurance for International Travel]

It is extremely unlikely that any normal medical insurance policy, issued in the USA, or in another country, would cover expenses in another country. If it did, the hospital would probably not accept the policy as proof of insurance, or proof of payment, because the staff there would probably never have heard of the insurance company, and also would have to assume that they might never receive payment, if they accepted the insurance policy.

 

Many years ago, I had an annual policy that covered my overseas trips on a yearly basis. Possibly I purchased that via Clements International, a reputable insurance agency in Washington, DC

 

Your DD should be prepared to pay, upfront, for any medical care she might need. Probably the cost would be extremely low, compared to what it would cost in the USA.

 

If she has a Gold Visa or MasterCard, it may have coverage that will help her. 

 

If your DD is going to be in Nairobi that sounds like a very large city and I assume there is at least one private hospital that is excellent, if she should need medical treatment.  , 

 

Our medical insurance here does not cover us in other countries, so we will purchase temporary coverage, for our trip to the USA before we go.

 

I hope your DD has a safe and wonderful trip!

She will have a card, but not "gold". She has a flight into and out of Nairobi, but not spending any time there. She'll be a very small "remote" village.

Thank you!

[Medical Insurance for International Travel]

Does your current insurance company offer an add-on option for international travel and short stays?

 

You are very smart to be looking into this.  My mom managed to contract viral meningitis once while visiting us here in Switzerland and spent a week in the Swiss hospital.  Her insurance covered it, but it took a while to get it all sorted out.   

No, I checked with our HR Benefits Coordinator and it doesn't cover this situation.

Glad your mom had insurance to cover her situation. No insurance would have made it all that more scary and stressful. Stuff happens. Hopefully we won't need the insurance, but I want it just in case.

[Medical Insurance for International Travel]

Also if the tickets were purchased by credit card, does the credit card company offer some sort of automatic insurance that can be upgraded if necessary? This was the case for many of our travels.

The university purchased the tickets, so I have no idea about anything.

[Medical Insurance for International Travel]

Have you checked with the university to see if they offer insurance or have a recommendation? 

Dd was supposed to have been checking into that. But, now of course, everything is closed. She said she'd email her prof, but still haven't heard anything.

[Medical Insurance for International Travel]

We've always just gone online and found something affordable that looks good (I can't remember which companies we've used- there are quite a few available).  Read some reviews and look over the coverage.  You want it to cover emergency medical evacuation in case she needs to be treated elsewhere and repatriation of remains.  For most things though, if she needs medical care while she's in Africa, the cost will probably be low enough that it may not even be worth dealing with the insurance since getting all the paperwork in order and translated into English can be a major hassle. Even with insurance, many hospitals will require some form of payment up front. 

 

I hope she has a wonderful trip!  What a great opportunity. 

Thank you! I've been looking online, but was quickly overwhelmed. I don't want to get "taken". Medical evac is one of the priorities I have for the insurance. 

It is an amazing opportunity for her. The prof has promised to help her get a couple of papers published. She's very excited and I'm trying not to worry too much.

Dd is able to look back and see how much she benefited from HSing. It's given her a huge advantage in college.

[Medical Insurance for International Travel]

My daughter will be traveling to Africa (Kenya and Rwanda) next month with her prof to work on a research project. I found out that our medical insurance doesn't cover international travel. I'd like to be sure dd is covered in case of emergency or illness as she'll be there for 6 weeks. Does anyone have any suggestions?

[Holiday worthy corn in a crock pot?]

Years and years ago (long before going low carb), my inlaws came to our house for a Christmas dinner. I made this recipe and it was wonderful. I'd totally forgotten about it until now.

 

 Gulliver's Corn

 

  2               bags  frozen white kernel corn (defrosted). (I like to use one bag of white kernel corn and one of yellow.) -- (16 oz each)

  1 1/2           cups  whipping cream.

  2                tsp  salt

  1                tsp  sugar

  3               tbsp  flour mixed with 3 tbsp melted butter or margarine

     1/3           cup  grated Parmesan cheese

 

Butter an ovenproof baking dish. (I like to use those disposable foil pans since I'm generally bringing the dish to someone else's house.) Set aside.

Sprinkle 2-3 tbsp parmesan over the butter, tilting the pan to distribute the cheese.

Bring the whipping cream to a boil. Reduce the heat and add corn. Simmer for 5 minutes.

Stir in salt and sugar.

Make a paste out of the butter and flour, and stir into the corn and cook until the mixture boils and thickens.

Turn corn into oven proof dish, sprinkle with cheese and dot with butter.

Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until bubbling and golden brown.

(Note that this dish can be refrigerated for up to 4 days before baking.)

 

[Transportable Christmas dinner ideas?]

Is there a meal that is your mil's favorite?

[i usually post serious posts. Today i need your best recipe.]

I made this cake for a relatives 40th birthday party. There were people, who after have a piece, asked if they could also take a piece home with them. It uses a bunch of prepackaged foods, but you could definitely sub in your own recipes. It also looked amazing. I've been sugar/gluten/carb free for almost 4 years, so probably won't ever make this cake again. It is a show-stopper dessert, though.

                      

* Exported from MasterCook *

 

                  Cheesecake-Stuffed Dark Chocolate Cake

 

Recipe By     :

Serving Size  : 0     Preparation Time :0:00

Categories    : Cakes & Frostings               Pizzas

                To Try

 

  Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method

--------  ------------  --------------------------------

                        Unsweetened cocoa

  1            package  devil’s food cake mix -- (18.25 oz.)

  1            package  chocolate instant pudding mix -- (3.4 oz.)

  3              large  eggs

  1 1/4           cups  cups milk

  1                cup  canola oil

  1              Tbsp.  vanilla extract

  1 1/2      teaspoons  chocolate extract (optional)

  1               tsp.  almond extract

  3                     milk chocolate bars -- (1.55 oz.) chopped (tested with Hersheys)

  3               cans  homestyle cream cheese frosting -- (16 oz.)

  3              boxes  frozen cheesecake bites -- (7.75 oz.) coarsely chopped (tested with Sara Lee)

  1                jar  dulce de leche caramel sauce (tested with Smuckers) -- (12 oz.)

                        Double chocolate rolled wafer cookies -- coarsely broken (tested with Pirouline)

                        Chocolate fudge rolled wafer cookies -- coarsely broken (tested with Pepperidge Farm)

 

Grease 2 (9â€) round cake pans, and dust with cocoa. Beat cake mix and next 7 ingredients at low speed with an electric mixer 1 minute; then beat at medium speed 2 minutes. Fold in chopped milk chocolate bars. Pour batter into prepared pans. Bake at 350 degrees for 32 minutes or until cake springs back when lightly touched. Cool cake in pans on wire racks 10 minutes; remove from pans, and cool completely on wire racks. Wrap and chill cake layers at least 1 hour or up to 24 hours. (This step enables you to split cake layers with ease.) Using a serrated knife, slice cake layers in half horizontally to make 4 layers. Place 1 layer, cut side up, on a cake plate. Spread with ½ cup cream cheese frosting; sprinkle with one-fourth of chopped cheesecake bites. Repeat procedure with remaining 3 layers, frosting, and cheesecake bites, omitting cheesecake bites on top of last layer. Frost sides and top of cake with remaining frosting. Drizzle desired amount of caramel sauce over cake, letting it drip down sides. Chill until ready to serve. Decorate cake with rolled wafer cookies and remaining chopped cheesecake bites. Store in refrigerator. Yield: 12 servings

Source:

  "Christmas with Southern Living 2007"

My notes: I used three different flavors of cheesecake bites - caramel, chocolate, and cookies & cream - one kind on each layer. I also found devil's food pudding mix instead of the chocolate. I subbed Dove chocolate ice cream topping for the caramel.

                            

[Christmas gift ideas for adult relatives......]

This year I'm getting a couple of people usb slippers. They plug into your computer or laptop and warm up. Think Geek has a couple of styles available. I bought myself a pair because starting this time of year my feet get cold. On the weekend I oftentimes spend some time sitting with my laptop and this way I have warm feet.

[Jeunesse Instantly Ageless - has anyone tried this?]

I'm really tempted to buy this. I'd like to use it for a special occasion (and I'm sure additional situations in the future), but it's pricey. It looks like it's gotten good reviews. I've just got a few crows feet and yucky "worry" wrinkles between my eyes that I'd love to smooth out.

[Hair Thickening Spray]

I use Aussie Aussome Volume Styling Mousse. It's not a spray spray, but a spray mousse. I don't use it for styling, just to add some body to my very thin, fine hair. It definitely makes a difference for me and it's only around $3.

[it's raining!]

You must be somewhere around my neck of the woods. I can't tell you how much I've missed the rain. And, falling asleep with the sound of the rain was lovely. I'm hoping for more today, but so far, just clouds.

[Current LC'ers Support Thread?]

Great thread! I've been keto for 3 1/2 years - health reasons. I'm leaning towards Zero Carb but am just not quite ready to take the plunge. I eat primarily meat and a little dairy, eggs and nuts (macs and pistachios). Occasionally I eat a small salad (if I'm at a restaurant), but really no other vegetables. I'm loving that so many others are making the switch!

My "go to" meals when I don't feel like cooking are eggs or beef patties. Sometimes both at the same time. Love a burger patty with a fried egg on top. Quick and easy. I make a big batch of deviled eggs on Sundays to take to work for snacks during the week. I usually have 1/2 as morning snack and 1/2 as afternoon snack. 

I do splurge on dark chocolate. Lily's Chocolates and Chocoperfection bars are my favorites - sugar-free, sweetened with stevia and erythritol.

Bone broth is amazing stuff. If you haven't made it yet, give it a try. Makes a great fall/winter breakfast. I sometimes add a bit of cream to it.

I'm considering doing a major splurge for the 4th. I haven't had any fruit in all this time, but am thinking about making a low carb cheesecake from All Day I Dream About Food - No Bake Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cheesecake. I've wanted to make it for a long time but was concerned about the strawberry aspect of it. I'm thinking that if I make it for a lot of people, I can have a taste and not have to deal with the leftovers. And, if there are leftovers, I can take them to work to share. It's one of those "should I or shouldn't I" decisions. I'll probably go ahead and make it and just have a taste.

That's one of the great things about LC. The cravings go away and you aren't driven by them anymore.

[diet for diabetic besides low carb?]

Well unfortunately she also passed away at 49 from cancer.  She had a laundry list of health problems. 

:grouphug:  I'm so sorry!  I feel very fortunate to be dealing with this today rather than even 10 years ago. We re so lucky to be able to do our own research rather than just taking advice blindly from the medical world. I'd rather not have to deal with it at all, but...

[diet for diabetic besides low carb?]

I suspect part of it might just be what they can realistically get people do actually do.  Telling someone to radically change things is probably not going to happen.  So maybe they figure tell them limit it to 45 grams per meal which is actually well below what is probably typical.  But yeah I don't see how that is going to do anything.

 

My mother never controlled her blood sugar on the menus and suggestions given to her by dietitians.  She did when she tried low carb though.  In fact she was able to go off her medication.

 

But people don't want to freakin listen.  So whatever.  Frustrates me somewhat regarding the misinformation out there.

I think you're right. They probably figure that cutting down to 45 carbs per meal is radical enough. But, they aren't doing anyone any favors with that info. 

I totally agree about the misinformation. If you're diabetic, you really have no choice if you want to stay healthy, and trying to sugar coat (ha ha ha) the bottom line just doesn't work.

Glad your mom was able to make the change. 

[diet for diabetic besides low carb?]

My sister probably would benefit from doing something like this because she cannot control her blood sugar at all.  It's really really scary and out of control.  She won't do it though.  And the stuff she has been told by dietitians is just ridiculous.  Her take away from them is "moderation".  Everything in moderation.  So sure she can have white rice with her meal because she is only having half a cup.  And sure she can have sugary yogurt because it's only one small container.  But this is her entire day of "moderation".  She gets readings that jump from 40 where she is almost passed out to stuff as high as the 400s.  All within a matter of an hour or two.  She has to take insulin now, but that isn't really controlling it either.  She just won't listen.

There's not much you can do about someone who won't listen except support them the best you can. There is SO much good info online now from diabetics who are successful with very low carb. Hopefully she'll start looking into it. But, I know that if I hadn't gotten the diagnosis I wouldn't have changed my diet. I was very lucky that my dr was receptive to what I was doing (I made the decision on my own and was going to do it no matter what she said). But, she moved back east and her replacement isn't as LC friendly. I'm now seeing an endo and she has been very supportive of my woeing.

My experience is that many doctors and nutritionists and dietians just spout the ADA line and that's not good enough. Anyone who tells a diabetic to eat 45 or more grams of carbs per meal is doing a ton of damage. 

One of my main goals is to avoid insulin. I just don't want to go there, so I guess that fear is a big motivator. Is your sister aware of the horrible complications of uncontrolled diabetes?

[diet for diabetic besides low carb?]

For those of you low carbers who sub cauli for rice, Trader Joes now has frozen organic riced cauli. Another convenience item!

[diet for diabetic besides low carb?]

I seem to be on the complete opposite side of the spectrum from all you carb eating diabetics. :001_smile:  I was diagnosed 3 1/2 years ago and immediately went low carb (under 30 grams per day). Even that wasn't enough. I'm closer to zero carb now and keep flirting with the idea of going all the way. I just can't eat any carbs and have reasonable blood sugars. That means not any fruit either and only very very limited veggies. I primarily eat protein now. I think that to stay low carb and be happy, you really do have to limit the carbs all the time. Eating carbs makes most people crave more carbs. You need to find the number of grams you can eat without craving more. Once you do that, it's just a way of life. I also think the number of carbs you can get away with depends on how long/far your diabetes has progressed. I'm thinking I was diabetic way longer than 3 1/2 years. If it was caught early enough, you can probably get away with eating more carbs. But, the bottom line is that diabetics can't deal with carbs. The fewer carbs you eat, the longer your diabetes will hopefully stay in check. 

I'm finding it's easier and easier to stay low carb with the foods available and restaurants dealing more and more with people's dietary changes. 

My meals have gotten to be very simple. I work full-time and I'm usually too pooped by the time I get home to make anything fancy. Scrambled eggs and bacon, etc. is a quick and easy one. I sometimes make a rollup of sliced ham filled with scrambled eggs and cheese and then lightly browned in a pan.  I'd love to give you more suggestions if you have questions.

If you haven't read Dr. Bernstein's book yet, I highly recommend it.

[LCHF: Hit me with your favorite blogs or recipes.]

Here are my 3 favorite blogs:

 

alldayidreamaboutfood.com

 

ibreatheimhungry.com

 

mariamindbodyhealth.com

 

Other blogs I read and enjoy are:

 

gourmetgirlcooks.com

uplateanyway.com

ruledme.com

http://fluffychixcook.com/blog/

http://247lowcarbdiner.blogspot.com/

[Does this product REALLY work?]

I am also well over 48 and have been using Bare Minerals for about 10 years now. I'm responding to this thread because just yesterday I had a co-worker stop and tell me what amazing skin I had. If she only knew... Since wearing Bare Minerals I've had quite a few wonderful comments made about my skin.

I also have splotchy skin, but Bare Minerals seems to work for me. I use Philosophy's Purity to wash my face and use whatever moisturizer is the best deal at Costco. I put just a bit of moisturizer on my face about 10 minutes before putting on my makeup. I use the foundation, mineral veil and just a tiny bit of clear radiance. I also use a neutral  eyeshadow and mascara. Oh, I do use BM undereye concealer. I forget the name, but if you want it, I can go look.