Fasting...Mmmm, makes me hungry.

Talked to my dad a while back about fasting. Saw this article about how it's good for you, and how fasting often may have many health benefits. Makes a ton of sense to me. 

So busy!

I can't believe how my first month of 2009 has flown by! I've been so busy with work, and rarely home. It's been nice to be busy, and I must admit it makes me feel better to be busy when thinking about the economy. 

The house is completely quite. Kind of weird. I stayed home so I can get some work done. 

The boys are out camping, coming back tonight. Left yesterday. 

Georgia is at a pool swim party. Even though it's beautiful outside, still a little too cold to be swimming. It's an indoor party. 

Suzi, and Hannah? I think they are out shopping. Hannah had a soccer game this morning, but she came home early. Hurt her fore arm. I swear if it's broke, I'll brake her arm. Kidding. Hope she's OK, if it keeps bugging her will get her to a doctor.

Me, well I started the day with a run with Georgia. She rode her bike, I did some interval training. Then we grabbed a donut together, went for a walk. We stopped by some friends house because she wanted to say hi. Then she took off for the party, and I went and played church ball. 

I'm a little tapped out, but ready to dive into some work. Obviously I'm not really wanting to "dive into it", if that were the case I wouldn't be posting this blog. 

Oh, one other thing. I think the Volvo has taken it's last breath. I  think. I'm kind of hoping we can save it. I really want the boys to drive that piece of crap in high school. I really want them to have the suckiest car ever. 

We are car shopping, save your opinion on who, what, and where to buy a car. Everyone seems to have one, and none of you seem to have the same opinion. You all tell Suzi, and Suzi tells me what you think we should buy, and where we should buy, and who we should buy from. Don't tell me I don't want to hear about it. You all can tell Suz, cuz she'll listen and value your opinion, and I'm sure I'll hear about it from her. 

Here's a thought that just crossed my mind. None of you suggested a Mercedes. Why is that? What do all of you have against driving a Benz? I remember when I bought that used blue one, "big blue" and you have no idea how many times I heard "they are expensive, and when they break down they are too expensive to fix." It wasn't expensive, it never broke down, and when I sold it it was just a 2K less than when I bought it. How about one or two of you go German, and quit driving Suburbans. FYI I think I'm getting a Suburban, or an Aspen. I swear if  you say anything about gas I'll break you arm. 

Christmas Eve

The Young Men from Lodi 2!

Back: Mike and Sean. Middle: Gary, Ian, Chris, Christian, Greg, Patrick, Jacob, Bishop Brink. Front: James, Clay, Cameron, and Adam.

Georgia Art Work

I told Georgia I would take a picture of her drawing, and stick it on the blog. She kept asking me "did you put it on your blog?" I said "no I still haven't even taken a picture yet, but I will, I promise." Well I never did take a picture of her drawing, but apparently she did, because when I downloaded my recent photos to the computer look what I found! Her picture! This is a drawing of me on my road bike on my trainer in front of the TV. Please note the dripping sweat, and puddle of sweat. Such great detail. The only thing that seems out of place might be the smile. Unless I'm watching something funny, or that's a grimace... I just don't smile that much on the road bike. That thing hurts my butt, and cuts off circulation to.... well it just isn't that fun for 60 minutes.

Heaven is....

Sam might answer:

Sitting around on Saturday afternoon watching college football, and strumming the guitar.

Scary

I don't know, kind of creeped my out. This photo was taken way after bed time. I heard some noise upstairs, and look what was found.

Sam's Super

The Real National College Football Champs!

The best article I've seen written so far. This is great, take a look. 

Pass it along on your blogs! 

"Life changing beans"

Suzi and I think it would be a great thing to add more beans in our diet to replace some other foods we'd like to drop. She happened across a simple recipe that I LOVED! When I tasted them I was blown away, and told her we have to have this more often. These are "life changing beans!" The kids all laughed, but I'm telling you they are great.  The next time you want to add white rice, or potatoes try these. I'm telling you, you'll dig them. Great source of protein without having to eat meat.

cannellini beans

• 1 cup cooked cannellini beans

• 6 tablespoons olive oil

• 6 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes

• 2 tablespoons basil leaves, cut in narrow ribbons (chiffonade)

• 1 garlic clove, thinly sliced

I thought you might find this interesting.

Low-glycemic-index diet beats high-cereal-fiber diet for glycemic control in diabetics

December 16, 2008

Toronto, ON - Eating a diet rich in low-glycemic foods, such pumpernickel and flaxseed breads, beans, peas, lentils, and nuts, provides greater improvements in glycemic control in diabetic patients compared with a diet rich in cereal fibers, a new study has shown. After six months of eating foods with a low-glycemic index, patients lowered glycosylated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels and raised HDL-cholesterol levels significantly more than those eating the high-cereal-fiber diet, report researchers.

"There's nothing fancy here," lead investigator Dr David Jenkins (University of Toronto, ON) told heartwire. "Slowly released carbohydrates seem to have a benefit in terms of metabolism in these diabetic patients. If you release carbohydrates into the digestive track slowly, it gets absorbed slowly, and over time the tissues become insulinized, taking up the glucose without much of it appearing in the blood or as a rise in blood sugar."

The study is published in the December 17, 2008 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.A nondrug option for patients
In an interview with heartwire, Jenkins said that diabetic patients are typically advised to follow a similar low-fat diet that patients with heart disease follow. Although it is recommended they reduce calories from carbohydrates, many diabetic patients have been influenced by the Atkins diet, reducing their calories from carbohydrates from the recommended 50% to approximately 40%, said Jenkins.

In this study, the researchers studied the effects of a low-glycemic-index diet on diabetes control and cardiovascular risk factors in 210 individuals with diabetes treated with antihyperglycemic medications. Previous studies have suggested the dietary strategy could improve diabetes control, as well as improve various cardiovascular risk factors, such as raising HDL cholesterol and lowering triglyceride and CRP levels.

Patients randomized to the low-glycemic-index diet consumed pumpernickel, rye, and flaxseed breads, large-flake oatmeal or oat-bran cereal, fruits such as apples and pears, pasta, beans, peas, lentils, and nuts. Among those randomized to the high-cereal-fiber diet, participants consumed whole-grain breads and breakfast cereals, brown rice, potatoes with skins, and fruits such as cantaloupe and mango, as well as crackers. Caloric intake did not differ between the two treatment arms.

After six months, HbA1c levels were significantly better in individuals assigned to the low-glycemic-index diet compared with those who consumed the high-cereal-fiber diet. HDL-cholesterol levels were also significantly improved. LDL-cholesterol and triglyceride levels were not significantly altered with the dietary strategy.

Jenkins pointed out that a diet based on a low glycemic index differs from a low-glycemic diet. The Atkins diet, an example of a low-glycemic diet, involves the restriction of carbohydrates. A low-glycemic-index diet, on the other hand, does not restrict the consumption of carbohydrates but rather restricts foods that overwhelm the insulin secretion mechanisms and cause spikes in blood glucose levels.

The reduction in HbA1c was modest, said Jenkins, but the diet "is another tool in the toolkit for clinicians" and should help those not wishing to prescribe too many antihyperglycemic medications or who do not wish to significantly increase the dose of existing drugs. Investigators did not observe any appreciable hypoglycemic occurrences, something that is difficult to avoid with medications, said Jenkins.

In case you missed it.