This is one I check everyday: http://www.fkbooksandtips.com/ I've gotten several hundred free books this way! :-)

NoS Main Page: http://www.nosdiet.com/ NoS General Discussion Board: http://everydaysystems.com/bb/viewforum.php?f=3 NoS Testimonial Board: http://everydaysystems.com/bb/viewforum.php?f=13 Hth,

Since you are asking about NoS, please let me add my 2(+) cents. I've lost 50 pounds (and counting!) by following NoS for the last 3+ years. I agree that you should thoroughly explore the website plus the boards (including the testimonials--I've written one each year for the last three years, same user name as here) for an encouraging examination of how well NoS works for so many different diet issues. But the MAIN benefit of NoS is to provide both structure AND flexibility. The actual "rules" are simple: no sweets, no snacks, no seconds. These are OLD rules that used to govern most cultures' eating habits back in the days when most people were a healthy weight. They definitely work long term. Now, you state that NoS didn't work for you. That leaves two possibilities: one: you need to give the rules more time, working through the difficulties that pop up in your life that prevent you from following such commonsense eating habits, or two: you need to slightly tweak the rules to match your needs all the while aiming for the same MAIN goal: structure and flexibility. The great thing about NoS is that the habits get easier and easier to live with, not harder and harder. Now, you also asked about portion control. Here are some simple basic guidelines that have worked well for me with the NoS approach: 1: Main meal: 1/4 protein, 1/4 grain/starch, 1/2 veggies/salad/fruit (heavy on veggies/salad). One beautiful, balanced plate of food because there are no seconds. And fix food (non-sweet) that you really enjoy. This is key!!!! And remember, this is a guideline--don't sweat if every meal doesn't match this. 2. Lunch-type meal: same proportions, just a smaller plate (there used to be something called a "luncheon" plate!). This might take the form of soup or salad or leftovers--or it might look like a mini-dinner. Don't overthink this! 3. Breakfast: protein/veg or fruit/whole grain--according to appetite and ability. Couple of tips: 1. Know that many modern cookbooks (at least in the US) offer LARGE portions. I can compare my Better Homes and Garden recipes (20+ years old) with online ones and in most cases, the modern recipes call for more: more meat, more oil, more sauces, and sometimes more veggies/starches/grains. 2. To make it easier for me to have a full 1/2 plate of veggies, I usually have two different veggies sides: the one I cook/prep for that meal plus the leftovers from a previous meal. Yes, I intentionally cook extra veggies/prep salad so I can have some for another meal (and I'm usually the only one who eats them--but it is no extra work for me). 3. If you need inspiration re: recipes, I like a lot of the recipes found on EatingWell's site, but be forewarned, the baking recipes (like muffins) still call for way too much sugar. Those recipes usually reduce fat and eggs and add wholegrain flour/fruits, but only minimally reduce sugar. So skip those or reduce sugar by 1/3-1/2. I think Taubes should be credited with popularizing the idea that all Calories are not created equal, and some people really do have serious issues with carbs/weight, but I think he overstates his case. And when people won't follow portion control on *his* suggested foods, they'll experience weight/health issues as well. Especially when Big Business starts marketing "health" food junk food based on coconut flour/almond flour/etc. Lastly, NoS is all about good eating habits; Taubes suggests specific food choices. *Some* people do combine both....but if you do, I would make NoS the "main" thing to follow and let Taubes/Atkins inform you about what to put on your plate. HTH,

I bought the test/answer key set from Hewitt Homeschooling Resources along with several other items I wanted from them. However, Hewitt has terrible shipping prices (that is why I ordered several exclusives...to bring the shipping down to a reasonable price.) One other possibility is to contact Rainbow Resources directly and see if they can/will carry the tests for Vocab for the CB Student. (They already carry the workbook). I've had success with getting other teacher-only materials by Amsco from Rainbow Resources. HTH,

FYI: Some of the early high school level Lightning Lit guides have been redone, so it might be worth checking in with Hewitt to see the changes. Definitely check out the samples available on the site.... FWIW, we liked both the 7&8th grade guides as well as the high school ones... HTH,

I can only relate *my* experience. I gained 50 pounds over the course of my childbearing years (5 kids), so definitely a creep. I didn't notice until I weaned the last one (now 16). How could that happen? Well, 1. I was incredibly busy with life and 5 small children. 2. I usually wore dresses with plenty of give for my at-that-time normal state of being pregnant and/or nursing. 3. I rarely bought new clothes....I might receive some as a gift but I rarely shopped at all during those lean (but happy) years. 4. My hubby never made any negative comments about my weight gain (and neither did anyone else). We had no full-size mirrors either, just a small one in the bathroom that showed face and up only. (We live in south-central Europe). So, I literally didn't SEE my weight gain. 5. I got in the habit of eating for two...while appropriately so most of the time, I overdid it here and there, but never where I could point a finger at myself and say "AHA! This is the reason for your weight gain!" 6. I like cooking, and we ate "healthy" (little purchased junk food) and, for a long time, I couldn't understand WHY I was gaining. However, I don't believe my 50lb gain was inevitable, as in "there is nothing I could have done." I think if I had been more mindful, I could have nipped it in the bud. And neither do I think I'm doomed to a miserable life to keep myself at a healthy weight. I've successfully lost 50 pounds and am keeping it off all the while enjoying life, family, and good food that I love. I relearned some basic good eating habits (see http://www.nosdiet.com for those habits) and became convinced that moving more (not necessarily HARD exercise) every day was essential (there are some fascinating studies that show a couch potato who works out 3-5 hours a week is still basically a couch potato health-wise), so I bought myself a pedometer and USE it every day. HTH,

(bolded part by me). In overcoming some health issues (thyroid-related) and improving our diet, I've spent the last two years visiting websites, updating myself on the latest nutritional controversies, visiting "good food" sites of various persuasions. I am astounded at the amount of sugar even "healthy" recipes call for. (I am not against sugar per se). A modern "healthy" muffin recipe, often called "low-sugar" calls for a cup of sugar (perhaps some white, some brown, some honey, some maple syrup, often several kinds adding up to even MORE than one cup of sweetener) per 12 muffins. Yes, it may include flax, ww flour, oats/bran, pumpkin puree, but all of that does not overcome the sheer amount of sugar. I am also astounded at many of the typical portions sizes. Take a look at an older cookbook (I happen to have a Joy of Cooking from the 70's). A muffin recipe in there (found in the bread section, incidentally) calls for 1/4-1/3 cup sugar and between 1 1/2-2 cups of flour for 18-24 muffins. My Better Homes and Garden cookbook muffin recipe calls for 1/3 cup sugar and the same amount of flour for 12 muffins. A modern Fine Cooking/Eatingwell/Cooking Light muffin recipe calls for 1+C sugar and makes between 8-12 muffins for the same amount of flour. The "diet" muffins have much less fat, not less sugar. Most people are completely out of touch with reasonable amounts of added sugar AND proper portions--I know I was..... I used to scoff at the idea that a 9x13 pan would make 24+ servings of cake--I'd have cut it into 12-15 pieces...

I've taken to calling it "Perimenopausal Hell" (PH). It's about the only thing that captures it..... I was one of those fortunate ladies who pretty much had a very easy time with all things "womanly" and I fully expected the transition from childbearing to menopausal would be just as smooth and uneventful. But in fact, the PH roller coaster started in my early forties. I thought to myself, "Ok, I'm strong, I'll ride it out." thinking I'd have just a few months of it all (my only good friend who had been through the change ended up menopausal at 43 years...). Well, it has been 12 years, 8 of which I was in denial. Four years ago I got a full check-up. I've never gone on HRT but did find out that my thyroid was problematic. Thyroid medicine helped me feel better most days, but my cycles, not at all. The worst for me was "flooding", not pain. I'd have days of changing my clothes 3 or 4 times. Argh... Definitely no one talks about THAT. However, THIS month is the first time I've missed (52 years now) and I'm NOT pregnant (took a test just to make sure). My husband doesn't understand my rejoicing at all. Now, I'm trying not to be too gleeful....MAYBE I'm all done....it takes 12 months of no cycles to be truly menopausal but even this small break is a bit of heaven..... :grouphug:,

Thank you! It was on my "wish" list!

American living in Montenegro (MNE)

Three of my five have left the nest. With no CC classes, no APs, no co-ops, no clubs, etc. We use standard texts that you can acquire from Rainbow Resources and Hewitt Homeschooling (plus lots of real books). The extent of their formal extracurriculars include soccer (boys), karate (girls), and music lessons (piano). We live overseas as missionaries and "typical" US experiences just aren't available. But we did what we could and that included spending $$$ on acquiring books (mainly used) to provide rich and varied reading experiences. Plus hosting people from all over the world (literally--all continents except Antartica) in the context of our work here. It thrills me to pieces and I thank the Lord everyday for how well the children are doing. Our eldest dd graduated from an Ivy League school (full scholarship) and is working her dream in magazine publishing in NYC. Second dd just graduated from a small, private liberal arts college (80% scholarship--worked, no debt) and has now entered the working world, living with a neat group of girls from her college, and enjoying "the real world." At her college graduation, one of her professors came over to me upon learning that she was homeschooled and shook my hand, asking me to send more like her. :001_smile: Our elder son is a sophomore at a large state school but involved in a small engineering department (He has classes taught by the head of the department) and is excelling beyond my wildest dreams. He's an aspie and while I expected he would enjoy his math and engineering classes, he tells me his *favorite* class this semester is history. He won two scholarships in his first year. He eschews the strange dorm room antics of the other students and has found a good social group through church. Our younger son is in the throes of applying for university right now. He has many interests but no outstanding passion. We are moving ahead with applications to a wide variety of schools and waiting to see where the Lord leads....

I haven't gone wheatless/lo-carb, but because my husband has some health issues, we've switched to a low-gi diet (carbs that enter the blood stream more slowly). I was *shocked* to realize that I lost an inch off that stubborn waistline in a week...and we pretty much each what we've been eating except for a greater emphasis on choosing low-gi carbs (parboiled rice vs. white rice, adding in oatbran to homemade muffins, homemade bread with added whole grains and flaxseed, etc). Note: portion sizes DO matter, so we are not heavy on the grain carbs (we don't worry about fruit and veggie carbs at all), just choose the ones we eat carefully. This has worked well for our family. HTH,

I regularly walk with a pedometer and have two favorite sites with challenges and they are FREE: http://www.10000steps.org.au/ http://walkertracker.com/index.php The sites differ in what they offer and how the challenges are set up. The first offers monthly individual challenges. The second site seems to offer more interaction (if you want that) and a wide variety of challenges. If you like walking, I highly suggest you check them out. HTH.

I make granola regularly (although we only eat it twice a week! otherwise I'd have to make it everyday). I use a lot of the same ingredients but often add dry milk powder. We have no dairy allergies and it greatly boosts the nutrient/protein value and balances out all those yummy carbs.

For a readable, up-to-date, tell-me-what-I-need-to-do-now-at-home-and-in-the-grocery-store nutrition book, I recommend this: http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/staticcontent/nutrition-divas-secrets-for-a-healthy-diet.aspx Subtitled: What To Eat, What to Avoid, and What to Stop Worrying About. At the link I posted, you can read two sample chapters. You can also browse her extensive website which is chockful of information. One thing this author does that I appreciate is that she takes headline health news (designed to sell papers or generate clicks) and explains the actual conclusions that are/can be drawn from the particular health study. HTH,

This website of free kindle books is updated daily, sometimes twice a day. And it is prescreened for XXX-rated material: http://fkbt.wordpress.com/ I have hundreds of books on my kindle, all free! :-) HTH,

Dear Jean, I feel your pain. As many pps have stated, I believe the very best diet is the one made up of whole, real foods as much as possible. Listen to your body. We once stayed with a lady following an Atkins-type diet. My blood work that furlough was horrible. My father-in-law, however, saw great improvements with reducing (not eliminating) carbs. When I went back to my normal foods (including carbs--we live in Europe, low-carb is not pushed at all (but neither is low-fat or processed-foods), my blood work showed its usual exemplary numbers. But additionally, I would like to point out that I have had much success establishing better eating habits following NoS principles: No Snacks No Sweets No Seconds except on Special Days. See more details at http://www.nosdiet.com There are many advantages to eating three square meals a day. One: Less "eating opportunities" generally means less eating overall. Two: You get some of the benefits of small-window fasting (good for insulin levels). Plus a little hunger by the next meal time makes even ordinary, everyday food that much tastier. Three: With no snacks/seconds, you don't fool yourself regarding how much you are actually eating. I wasn't a snacker, but the tidbits I ate while cooking and cleaning up probably added up to 300-500 calories a day. Four: With only three meals to worry about, I can usually implement my goal of using my plate as a portion guide: 1/2 for veggies, salad, fruit; 1/4 protein, 1/4 grain. Five: You might feel more satisfaction eating three "normal" meals daily than the same amount of food broken up into 5-6 meals--I never quite feel satisfied with the small amount "allowed" at any one time on the 5-6 meals-a-day plan. Six: Eating fruit (or something similiarly healthy but higher carb) as a lone snack has a different effect on your blood sugar than eating the same fruit as a satisfying conclusion to a meal. Seven: The basic principles are non-intrusive and can be followed anywhere, anytime. I lost (or maintained) while on vacation, while entertaining dozens of guests all summer, while on furlough, through the holiday season (at our house, Nov-Jan includes a minimum of 8 "Special" celebration days.) I've found my NoS habits a livable lifestyle. I've experienced even more benefits by following NoS principles, but I hope I've given you enough to look into seeing if you might adopt them. I've been following NoS for three years now, down 45+ pounds, despite my age (50+), height (5'2), and thyroid issues (hypo). HTH,

Well, we are all teens and above in my family (5 children, 15-23) and I second the food idea! This past Christmas season we enjoyed our Hickory Farms basket (meat, cheese, fruit, mustard); the gift box from See's candies (I never knew Sees Chocolates could be so good); the gift card to Trader Joe's; chocolate-covered almonds (milk AND dark) from Costco. All these items were real treats for our family and much enjoyed by everone. A good second is gifting an outing: local roller rink, bowling, movie theatre, museum, concert, etc.... HTH,

I will put in another vote for the NoS diet: http://www.nosdiet.com I've lost 45+ pounds over the last two years and love being able to live and enjoy life and food without fear of regaining. But, as someone else pointed out, NoS is all about forming good habits and not a "what to eat" book. Because of that NoS is a great foundation for following any other "what to eat" plan. One book that I've found very supportive of NoS (three meals, enjoy them all, one plate only) is the New Sonoma Diet by Connie Gutterson: http://www.amazon.com/New-Sonoma-Diet-Trimmer-Energy/dp/1402781180 I like this book because 1. It clearly delineates what constitutes a "good meal" with easy-to-follow portion control guidelines by using an ordinary plate as a guide which jives well with NoS. 2. An emphasis on whole foods, somewhat akin to the Mediterrean diet. I don't follow all her recommendations (only whole-grain pasta/bread or low-fat cheese, for example.) I will use white flour/rice and reg. cheese because it is what is available to me, and when eaten in proper portions, has virtually no negative effect on weight loss/health. 3. I like the style of food found in the recipes. Check out the Amazon site and do a google search on Sonoma Diet recipes and you'll get a feel for the suggested menu. FTR, I've never followed the Wave suggestions in the Sonoma Diet (something akin to phases, where Wave 1 lasts 10 days, and Wave 2 until you lose the weight you want, Wave 3 for lifetime eating). However, it is here, under the "Wave" section that you will find specific menu plans: 10 daily meals for Wave 1; 14 daily meals for Wave 2 with all recipes included. NoS has been my plan-of-attack for losing/maintaining weight and I highly recommend it as a first step, but I found that the New Sonoma Diet supports my NoS lifestyle with its emphasis on good food, suggested portion sizes, and encouragement to cultivate a love of good food/mealtime enjoyment. HTH,

I think you made a GREAT choice. The best thing you can do is just start. You don't need the book to get started. In fact, you don't really need the book. (I bought the book 5 months into starting NoS as a way to thank Reinhart). You just need commitment. I recommend that you visit the NoS general forum: http://www.everydaysystems.com/bb/viewforum.php?f=3 and read the stickies entitled: Phases of No-S (as I see them) and No S Catch Phrase Glossary (add yours!) Then I suggest you visit the NoS Testimonials page here: http://www.everydaysystems.com/bb/viewforum.php?f=13 and read a couple of pages of success stories to inspire you with the wide variety of successful NoS practicers. I just finished writing a summary of my own NoS success because a poster asked for it. You can read about it here: http://www.everydaysystems.com/bb/viewtopic.php?t=7640 I'm the 7th poster down, under the same user name: vmsurbat Again, I think you made an excellent choice :hurray: and encourage you in your commitment to three sane, simple principles: No Snacks, No Seconds, No Sweets except on Special Days.... HTH,

No, I wouldn't. Carrots? Yes. Pineapple? Probably. Raisins? No.

I think variations of 3-5 pounds is perfectly normal and no cause for concern. You will weigh more in the evenings, more after a larger than normal meal, more after a meal high in sodium (Chinese food?), more at some point in your cycle, more for a number of reasons, none of which accurately reflect real weight gain. But note the word "variation". One week you may weigh 100, then next 102, the next 103, the next 101. If you are willing, I would suggest only weighing once a month (that is what I do) because you see less of the variation.... If you go up three pounds and stay there (for a month or two or three)--is that acceptable to you? It could be because of increased muscle tone and so a good thing.... But if it is not acceptable, then you know that your maintenance eating is just a tad too high and can adjust from there.... HTH, HTH,

As one who has also lost a fair bit of weight and is at the maintaining stage (FTR: lost 45 lbs with the NoS diet: http://www.nosdiet.com ), here are my thoughts. Hopefully they will help you think through things. 1. I personally believe that Taubes overstates his position claiming that "Carbs make us fat." And to be honest, he *sometimes* does hint that different people can eat different levels of carbs and still be healthy. So think about how YOU feel given the food choices you have been making. 2. Unlike others who find Taubes a breath of fresh air (and I do not discount their opinions or experiences at all because they probably belong to the subset of people who do experience problems with carbs), I haven't found that eating carbs, even white bread or pasta or potatoes (in moderation) much less wholegrains, make me gain weight, crave more and more, or wreak havoc with my cholesterol, blood sugar levels, or anything even close.... In fact, the opposite occurred.. One furlough we stayed with a dear lady who was following Atkins and so obviously we did to as we were sharing our meals together. Plenty of meat, seafood, veggies, and salads and nary a slice of sourdough bread. That furlough was the only time where my blood work came back flagged for cholesterol. 3. I do think Taubes (and virtually every nutritionist that I would trust) is right in claiming that a calorie is not just a calorie. Thus, a 100 calorie poptart is not equally as healthy as 100 calorie homemade smoothie or muffin or any other non-processed food. Perhaps in terms of pure energy, but not in terms of wholistic health. 4. If you have been following the new WW plan, you should be getting a very good idea of what a balanced, healthy diet looks like--the new point system was changed to reflect the idea that all calories are not equal. 5. For long term maintenance, the best thing you can do is learn to "make healthy eating and moving" second nature. I personally have found the following ideas extremely helpful in (almost) effortless maintenance of my loss: A. The principles of the NoS diet: No snacks, no seconds, no sweets except on special days. See the website (linked above) for more information. By following these habits and getting them pretty much down pat, my habits now keep me at a healthy weight! B. Eyeballing portion control: for main meals, keep 1/2 the plate to salad, veggies, and fruit; 1/4 to grain, starch, or bread; 1/4 protein source. For mixed main dishes (casseroles, chili, etc), 1/3-1/2 of the plate can go to the main dish (size depends on the amount of veggies in the main dish). C. Principles outlined in the Sonoma diet which suggests portion control (slightly different percentages than above), savoring your food and eating slowly (my eating speed increased with every child and I went from generally being last to finish to being first--by a long shot. This tip has been a big help to really feel satisfied with my meals), and taking the time to prepare good food, real food. D. Incorporating Daily Movement into life. I bought myself a pedometer and love it. I started out 2 years ago with a baseline average under 3000 steps a day. Now I regularly hit 10000 steps daily except for Sundays! I'm fascinated by studies documenting the ill-effects of the lack of movement in our lives. One such study: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/17/magazine/mag-17sitting-t.html?_r=3 E. I am assuming that by following WW, you've gotten a good sense of what healthy eating looks like. If that is not the case, or you would like to know more, I highly suggest reading through the archives (or buy the book, but the website is free) at http://nutritionovereasy.com. This site is maintained by a registered dietician that regularly reviews scientific studies and clarifies what it means in laymen terms. She's even reviewed Taubes' work (bottom line: agrees that processed carbs are terrible, people are individuals, grains (not "no carbs")are not necessary for good health, but many people can enjoy them as part of a healthful diet). Sorry for the long post--but hopefully you will feel more empowered to make the best decision for you! And congrats on losing the weight! :) HTH,

We've used Abeka at the jr. high/sr. high level, following after R&S (which we liked but needed a change). First, you should know that the jr. high/sr. high books can be grouped into 3 sets: 7&8th, 9&10th, 11&12th. In each group, the materials, exercises, explanations, and difficulty level are VERY SIMILAR. We never did both 7&8th, but just one (8th,in our case). The same with the other "sets." Also, there is no need to do ALL the exercise problems in the 7/8/9/10th grade books. At the beginning of the year, I would go through and circle the problems I wanted them to do--sometimes half, sometimes every third or 4th. Whenever there was an exercise that included a bit of original thinking and rewriting/combining sentences, I would have my children do all (or most) of those. The 11&12th grade books are review books; the student does the exercises and if he/she needs a refresher, the grammar handbook is referenced. I think Abeka is an excellent choice at the high school level. And my kids have nailed the writing portion of the SAT--half of it is grammar-based....