4kDP: Coffee Snob

Ok, I'm seriously loving this diet plan this morning.  The biggest thing I've complained about in the past is the lack of having my coffee in the morning.  I'm one of *those* people, yes.  But I'm maybe a little worse because I hand grind my own coffee, have my own espresso maker and purchase organic beans!  You could definitely say I'm a "Coffee Snob."

I usually have a Breve in the morning, which is apparently an American variation of the standard Latte.  They're so wonderfully creamy and it's my one weakness.  Ok, I have more than one weakness, but it's my One Morning Weakness.  Hehehe.

With the 4kDP, I get half a cup of skim milk!  Where I'm supposed to marry it with half a cup of cereal, I'm not a cereal eater, so I married it to my espresso instead.  :)  Wheeeee!  It's not nearly so creamy as a Breve, but it does make me feel spoiled still, which is what the morning espresso is all about anyway.  You know, fulfilling that "one weakness" thing.  ::grins::

Anyway, I'm way under the calorie count for the breakfast *and* I get something similar to my typical breakfast.

Turns out, Mom's loving this concept, too.  She normally has a cup of chai for breakfast.  It's a complicated recipe for her: 1 double spice chai tea bag, one single spice chai tea bag, one earl grey tea bag, one envelope of stevia, and four ounces of water.  Put that into the micro 1.5 minutes, then let steep 20 minutes or until cold.  Add half cup milk and one cup water, put back into the micro for 3 minutes.  Pull it out and squeeze the juices out of the tea bags into the cup she's going to drink out of.  Then pour the milk mixture in the cup and drink.  This, currently, is Mom's "One Morning Weakness."  :)

So, we both get to start the day off with our "spoil me!"

Feasting Day (Loading) 1 done!

I really don't like loading days.  They're not fun at all.  They sound like they should be fantastic and the best thing *ever,* but they're just not.  They're icky and make me feel sick to my stomach for the whole time I'm stuck doing them.

I don't know if I'm doing such a great job this time around, to be honest.  Where I am eating high fat content foods, I'm not really eating until I'm green.  In fact, today, loading day 2, I've only had a breve and a cookie! Naughty, naughty me!

::sighs::

I suppose I best get into the kitchen and see about something fat to eat.

::blech::

Thank goodness there's only today left, and then I don't have to force myself to each any more!

4kDP

Yesterday, I mentioned the HCG brand I ordered from Amazon.  The interesting thing about that is that I got an email from the company, Wild Butterfly, with their version of the HCG diet.  I think I may be trying this one out this time around, since it came with the product *and* it looks so much easier to follow when you're out and about!  I'll call this expanded version of HCG the 4000 Diet Plan or 4kDP, just because the product is called "HCG Lean 4000 Plus Activate-8 Diet Drops."

Here's a snap shot of the main diet page:

I really love that there's a breakfast!  I also love that there's MILK included with the morning meal, because I can continue to have some semblance of my traditional Breve.  I've mentioned how much I love those liquid delights before...  Hehehe.  It certainly won't be a Breve, but I can have a Skinny Latte.  I flavor with pure vanilla extract and a little stevia, so if the milk is allowed, all is well!  :)  YAE!

I also like that there's an option for an egg and a bread...  The bread we have around my place is 160 calories per slice, which I had no idea of until I saw that the bread on this list had to be 140 calories.  I figure when I want the egg/bread option, I'll stick with my own bread (it's a sprouted grains bread with TONS of seeds and nuts in it), but just slice off a side of it and share with my Grrls.  They'll love me for it and I'll feel like I'm a spoiled HCGer, for certain...

From this point in my blog forward, any recipes I post will be made from this list.  I've caught a lot of flack in the past about not sticking to the original ultra-strict Simeon's diet plan, but why be so strict with yourself when you can use an expanded foods list and still reduce body fat?  It's basically the same thing, but more flavors to work with!  If you like the recipes posted, but want to stay with Simeon's original foods list, just substitute the protein and veggie with one from his list, then use all the same seasonings and cooking instructions.  I'll be doing something similar, as I'm adding buffalo to the list of proteins.  Buffalo already proved itself to me.  It's delicious and it works within the confines (read: fat content) of the diet requirements.

Anyway, that's it from my corner of the world for today!  Tomorrow everything should arrive and we'll begin loading Saturday, then VLCD on Monday.

Update 2012.06.23:
I should have thought of this before, but Boy Scouts Twilight camp had my brain not quite functioning properly...  Here's a copy of the 4kDP on my Google Drive, available as a public document!

HCG ordered & on it's way...

We ordered the HCG yesterday.  It'll arrive on Friday, thanks to Amazon Prime!  :)  I chose to order a different kind of HCG this time.  The reviews on it are ridiculous, as they ones reporting with one star complain about the HCG being Homeopathic and not containing actual HCG.  The other side of the reviews all have 5 stars and are reporting that the HHCG works exactly as it's supposed to.

I've also ordered Raspberry Ketones.  It makes sense that they will help me keep the body in ketosis while in phase 2 & 3.  If they work as advertised, I will plan to just continue them!  This is my testing for this time, which I promise to report back about...

I'm planning a few other alterations, but they're minor, really.  I've fallen in love with Fred Meyer brand water enhancers that's similar to Mio.  The Fred Meyer brand has added B3, B6, and B12 - I see a huge difference in my energy level when I add this to my water as opposed to when I don't.  This is something I'm refusing to set aside, even for the HCG Diet.

The other thing I refuse to set aside is my toiletries.  They will all remain the same.  I sincerely hope to alleviate some of the dry skin commonly associated with phase 2.  I have trouble with dry skin already; HCG  always exacerbates it.

So, there's a few things I'm altering, but for the most part - it's business as usual!

This weekend should be the feasting days!

Going to do it again!

We've decide in my household that we're going to run through a short 28 day round before the heat of summer really gets us into the mood for cooking outside...  Mom's heading to North Dakota for a while in August, so if we're going to do it, now's the time.  :)

I'm still on my cycle for another day or two, so the timing is perfect for starting this!

Wish us luck and I'll check in daily with what's going on after we begin again...

Flavored Water

It occurred to me, just moments ago, that rather than using Mio flavors (not allowed on Very Low Calorie Diet nor in the Phase just after it), I could concoct my own formula using Stevia and Capella Flavors...  That's something new!  Where the concept of flavored water is far from a "new" idea, the idea of using those two allowed substances to flavor your water while you're on the Very Low Calorie Diet part is something that could be useful...

Every day life considerations

While I was on HCG, I sort of fell in love with Stevia.  It's got a nice sweet taste and I'm especially partial to the fact that it doesn't mess with your blood sugar levels.  I don't have a problem with blood sugar or diabetes, but I think Stevia may be something that helps me keep it that way.

Mom prefers the powdered Stevias, but I really like the liquid instead.  There's a reason for both, of course, but I'd like to share my reason - as it's something versatile and fun.

I started out with a bottle of regular unflavored liquid Stevia.  But after HCG, I still wanted to have my vanilla breve.  That's tough to do if you're trying to stay away from high fructose corn syrup.  The syrup is where the flavors come from - and the sweetness, but that seems to be an afterthought in the world of Northwestern Espresso.

I grabbed our bottle of *really good* vanilla extract (not vanilla flavoring) and decided to flavor my own Stevia.  From here, I tried out some of the flavorings discovered while on HCG, Capella flavor drops.  We've several flavors left over, so I started experimenting.  This is a complete success!  I found that if you add Cinnamon Coffee Cake flavor to some liquid Stevia, then use that to top off a baked apple, you come up with a cinnamon apple coffee cake that leaves you satisfied.  That little bit, by the way, could be used in any phase of HCG...

I don't have most of the flavors, but I imagine the maple could be used in similar fashion.  I wonder if you could do a little Stevia, a little Capella Maple, and water it down to use as a maple flavoring with bacon and eggs?  I wonder if that would deliver the same basic effect as having a full plate of pancakes or waffles.  Lol.  Probably, that's wishful thinking, but it might be of some use for Phase 3 (no carbs)...

You could even use heavy whipping cream, eggs, stevia, your choice of flavoring and put it all into an ice cream maker and have ice cream while in Phase 3 without botching the process!

Possibilities abound!

Mom wants to go again...

I think Mom is gearing up to go again.  She went to the doctor after she was having trouble keeping the weight off, even though HCG "promises" that it does just stay off because you've reset your hypothalamus.  She found out that her thyroid was underactive, so she got an Rx to correct that.  Now, she's all stable and ready to go again.

Anybody else?

-OLD NEWS- Special Deal on HCG!

I just got word that Think HCG Drops has Sold Out of their 2oz bottles.  They are awaiting another shipment within the next couple weeks!

While we wait, I've talked them into offering a $10 off coupon for their 4oz bottles.  So instead of $70 its only $60 for 4oz of HCG Drops!

Coupon Code - "soldout10" - use during checkout at http://www.thinkhcgdrops.com

They mentioned in their email, this coupon code will only be active until they get their next shipment of 2oz bottles.  I think we'll have at least until the 15th of the month before they get more 2oz bottles in stock.

I also talked them into $10 off each 4oz bottle.

Coupon Code

"soldout20" - $20 OFF (minimum 2 - 4oz bottles ordered)

"soldout30" - $30 OFF (minimum 3 - 4oz bottles ordered)

"soldout40" - $40 OFF (minimum 4 - 4oz bottles ordered)

"soldout50" - $50 OFF (minimum 5 - 4oz bottles ordered)

Let this Back to School time really be productive and shed those unwanted pounds quickly!

"Round Days Progression"

Just by way of reminder, here's the basic "Round Days Progression":

1. 2 days loading
2. 23-40+ days HCG+VLCD
3. One of the following, depending on type of HCG:
• Homeopathic HCG:  2 days VLCD, no HCG
• Injected HCG:  3 days VLCD, no HCG
4. 21 days no carbs/no sugars, slowly increase your fats/oils intake
5. 21 days of slowly introduce carbs/sugars
6. The rest of your life!

Great day, new resolve

What a great day out today! It was the perfect temperature and the perfect blue skies... Reminded me, truly, of Louis Armstrong's Wonderful World.  Loved it, 100%.  I think that's my favorite song with words.  :)

Mom got a letter from her school reunion group and she's got a whole new resolve to drop those 10# that seemed to creep back on.  I'm not so resolved yet.  It takes a lot longer time to heal from the loss of a loved one than I ever thought.

So, I think Mom's planning to do a short stint of HCG - 28 days?  She's not quite sure yet.  I'm sure the decision is coming soon, though!

Cabbages

Cabbage is an allowed food for VLCD part of HCG, as we know. Most of us grab a head of green cabbage and that's the only thing we consider "cabbage." But, for variety and interest, don't overlook purple cabbage, bok choy, brussels sprouts, and other cabbages!

Weight Loss & Sleep

I keep seeing articles & bits on the news that indicate sleep is important to weight loss.  I've been hearing that for ages, but I noticed that no one ever tells you HOW to get a good night's rest - just that you should do it.

So, how do you do it if you're already overweight?  With weight gain, you also get sleep problems, due to the way the body has to adjust so it can keep functioning. Things that interrupt sleep include:

• Snoring
• Tingling in limbs
• Pain in extremities
• Sleep apnea

Sleep apnea is a fairly common sleep disorder in which your breathing temporarily stops during sleep due to blockage of the upper airways.  As you gain more weight, the likelihood that sleep apnea will increase (especially if you sleep with a pillow), for the simple reason that there's more bulk pressing down on your neck and closing your airway.

Tingling in the limbs (not to be confused with RLS, Restless Leg Syndrome) is generally caused from the extra bulk of the body cutting off the circulation from the limb.  This generally happens in arms, for people who sleep on their sides.

Pain in extremities also happens from lack of circulation.  It's simply the body's way of letting you know that lack of blood to the hands and feet is not a good idea.  :)

Snoring is is the vibration of respiratory structures and the resulting sound, due to obstructed air movement during breathing while sleeping.  Snoring can be caused by lots of things, but one of the important ones to examine is that fat in and around the neck, combined with throat muscle weakness commonly makes snoring.  Not only does it impact your ability to sleep, but the people who sleep near you can't get a good night's rest either.

I don't have any personal experience with sleep apnea.  I do, however, have experience with the other three things!  So, how to get around those things so you can get a good night's rest?  I use dogs as pillows.  Hehehe - they get a warm heater to snuggle up with ON the bed, I get limbs that work in the morning.  lol.  If you don't have a dog to snuggle up with to keep your arms from getting pinched underneath you, try a body pillow!  I'm told they work very well but find that fuzzy poodles work very well, too, and I get added benefits from the dogs in that they've been proven to help lower your blood pressure.  ::grins::

The great thing about all my testing stuff out is that I FOUND A SOLUTION TO SNORING!  It's even a homeopathic solution.  Snorestop, in particular, is the product I used.  I've done it two nights in a row and had no complaints from my guests (niece and nephew) the next morning about my snoring.  The interesting things is that I feel better.  Normally, I need 10 hours sleep a night.  I've been down to 7-8 for the last two nights and just waking up earlier feeling refreshed instead of waking up after 10 hours and still feeling like I need to go back to bed.  THIS works.

So, my product suggestions are all in the Less of Me Store, under Sleep Help Products.  I hope they help me drop a few pounds and I hope they help you drop a few, too!

Steak Day

Steak Day, oh Steak Day.
How I wish to stay
Right at Last Drop Weight.
Return now with Steak.

Ok.  It doesn't quite rhyme, but it's close.  lol.

Zevia Coupon!

It's a little bit of a large file (3M) for blogging format, but unless you're on dialup, it shouldn't be too big a problem to download:

HCG "causing" Cancer

I just did a bit of research on HCG causing cancer for a friend on Facebook.  I wanted to be sure to share it here, as well, since it seems to be a BIG controversy.  HCG, in general, is controversial just for the bit that it's not "FDA Approved for Weight Reduction."  That being said, here's what I found...

Question:

I didn't want to post this on the feed...don't want to put it out there. I have heard there is a connection with the hCG injections causing cancer cells to multiply quickly. According to this Dr. cancer cells exist in some people's bodies and our immune system will naturally attack them, but when hCG is introduced our immune system will not attack because it is designed to not attack the baby (the foreign matter). I was hoping you had some info. to counter this claim. The reports I have found say homeopathic hCG is very safe and was wondering if you had any information to confirm that. Thank you, Becky

Findings:

• Homeopathics are very safe, yes. The key to why they're so safe is also the biggest thing that doctors who don't understand them say they don't work. There is such a tiny amount (or none) of the original substance that it's like taking water. There's speculation that homeopathics work on the same quantum physics principles as nanotechnology, but it's still speculation.
•  HCG is *always* in our systems, both men and women. It's hard for me to accept the statement, logically, that HCG (Rx or Homeopathic) is going to increase cancer cells like this. However! I will look into it and get more information about it, then get back to you.
• http://ehealthforum.com/health/cancer-e285.html  Of note in this article: "What causes cancer? Doctors still don't understand this disease and are doing their best to uncover causes..."
• General symptom of cancer: weight gain or loss with no known reason Many doctors don't consider HCG to work (especially since a majority of them side with the FDA instead of their eyes) - for them, an HCG diet would be "no known reason."
• Among the "cures" for cancer, including chemotherapy, radiation therapy, biological therapy, support group, and surgery, is also hormone therapy.
  
  Here's what ehealthforum says about that:
  
  "Hormone therapy
  Because some types of cancer require certain hormones in order to grow, the reduction of these hormones is considered effective treatment. Medication may be given to suppress the body's hormones, or hormone-producing organs may be removed (e.g. the testicles or ovaries). Both men and women can experience side effects of this treatment as hormones are removed from the body. Women may experience hot flashes, for example. And, men may experience breast tenderness and growth."
• "Risk for ovarian cancer in women that use this drug for weight loss is far less present than in women who used this drug as a fertility treatment."
• "It is believed that HCG has protective effect for breast cancer."
• "This substance [HCG] is produced and secreted by certain types of cancer, that is why its measurement in blood is a marker for cancer presence (HCG is a tumor marker)."
• This doctor is showing that HCG may be the key to ending breast cancer: http://labs.fccc.edu/bcrl/biographies/irma-Russo.html
• ‎"As published (56-64), a cancer of any primary, when advanced, can produce hCG-like material. This is most commonly the free ß-subunit of hCG, as detected in serum samples, and its degradation product, ß-core fragment as detected in urine samples (56-64). Research now shows that advanced cancers not only produce free ß-subunit, but use the free ß-subunit to promote cancer cell growth and metastases. New vaccines are undoing clinical trial throughout the world. These generate an antibody to the free ß-subunit which removes free ß-subunit and stops it from promoting cancer growth. Hopefully these vaccines will be available by prescription in the near future. Cancer is a simple explanation for a positive hCG or pregnancy test, with no obvious pregnancy. The USA hCG Reference Service identifies cancer cases by the finding that >60% of the total hCG reactivity in serum is free ß-subunit, and by the supportive finding that >60% of the total hCG in urine is free ß-subunit or hCG ß-core fragment. If cancer is found a full malignancy work up, MRI of the head and pelvis and CT scan of the chest, and cancer blood work (blood cell checked for lymphoma and leukemia) is strongly indicated to find the cancer primary (can be anywhere in body)." From http://hcglab.com/

Mainewellness.com released a pdf statement saying:

"Does HCG cause cancer?
Individuals (including health professionals) who don’t understand the Dr. Simeons HCG
protocol or who are biased against the use of HCG for weight reduction may say a variety
of things with the purpose of discouraging people from using HCG for weight reduction.
One of the things that they may say is that HCG causes cancer.
Here are the facts about the relationship between HCG and cancer:

• HCG does not cause cancer or stimulate growth of tumors. 
• There are some tumors that produce HCG (but HCG did not cause these tumors). 

They include choriocarcinomas, germ cell tumors, teratomas, and islet cell
tumors.
It appears that some individuals have a double standard with regard to the medical use
of HCG:

• Mainstream medicine has approved and accepted the use of HCG for use in fertility treatments. The dosages used for fertility treatments are significantly higher compared to those used for weight reduction. 
• Mainstream medicine has approved the use of HCG for boys who are sexually underdeveloped. 

Pregnant women make the equivalent of millions of units of HCG. Pregnant women do
not have an increased risk of cancer during or following pregnancy. If HCG causes cancer, why aren’t we advising expectant mothers of this danger? BECAUSE HCG DOES
NOT CAUSE CANCER!
From this website: http://drbloem.com/treatment-options/dr-simeons-hcg-diet/hcg-dietfaqs/"

 And, that same site is publishing some of the findings on HCG helping to get rid of cancer.

*********

Summary/MY Opinion:

I suppose, in my head, this small bit of research clears up the concept of HCG causing cancer.  I especially like the statement, "If HCG causes cancer, why aren’t we advising expectant mothers of this danger? BECAUSE HCG DOES NOT CAUSE CANCER!"

It *does,* however, look like if you have particular types of cancer that *already* emit HCG, it's best to discuss the HCG protocol with your cancer doctor in those cases (lymphoma and leukemia) before running with it.

An Apple A Day...

I was going over some of the stuff written on this blog in the past, including the apple and cheese day, trying to figure out why it works. You know, the really really WHY. I still don't have any answers, but think it's the apple in particular. Not only does it not work without the apple, but apples seem to be the "cure all" for everything.


The adage that "An apple a day keeps the doctor away" seems to have quite a bit of merit to it.  In face, there appears to be much more merit than I ever considered, in fact.  When you (read: I) grow up with everyone in the world telling you something like that, it sort of goes in one ear and out the other, while you quietly (behind their backs, of course - especially when you're a teen) mime them talking with your hand, roll your eyes, and mouth "blah, blah, blah."  Truly, I wrote it off as just stuff people tell you because it's what their Mom's Mom's Mom's distant Aunt's Friend's Cousin's Best Friend heard from some guy sitting around on a mountain freezing his hiney off.  It made no sense and certainly didn't seem like anything in life could be that simple.


But it seems that it is.


That simple.


Eat an apple a day simple.


It turns out that, not only does it help drop the pounds when combined with about a 50-50 fat:protein, but it also helps STOP acid reflux if you eat one right before bed.


I do have to wonder, as I sit here considering apples and stuff that works from the Book of Old Adages (does that exist?), if some of the adages about cinnamon have the same amount of merit as the apple thing does?


Cinnamon?
Basil?
Turmeric?


It just seems to me that I need to pause for thought a little more often.

My Aunt's Figuring!

Well, I just figured out why I'm so fat!!! The shampoo I use in the shower often runs down my body and the bottle says, "for extra volume and body." I'm going to start using Dawn dish washing soap, that bottle says, "dissolves fat that is otherwise difficult to remove."

Blogging & Journaling

I've mentioned it before, but wanted to hit this point once more for everyone new to reading my blog.  Journaling is an excellent addition to your daily habits for a bazillion reasons, including weight loss!  Below is an excerpt from my preferred journaling solution, Penzu.com.  I use this particular service (and have the pro upgrade for $19/yr) for a few different reasons:

1. It gives you the option to keep it private and LOCK your journal with encryption!
2. It's assessable from your computer, smartphone, or you can just email your entries to it.
3. You *can* share your entries, sort of like a blog.  The catch is that your viewers have to log in to see/comment about your thoughts.  It's like having an "invitation only blog."  :)
4. Free, unless you want the Pro stuff.

Many of us who've decided to drop a few (or more than a few) pounds want the health benefits but don't necessarily want the world to read what we have to say (such as blogging).  I do both, myself.  I figured that it wasn't like my fatness was a big secret.  lol.  It's pretty out there in the world already.  However, there's still some personal emotional things to work through that I don't want to share with anyone but myself and my own personal journal.  This is the place that penzu gets used for me.

Journaling Helps YOU Lose Weight¹

Keeping a daily food diary can double a person's wieght-loss, according to a study from Kaiser Permanente's Center for Health Research. "Those who kept daily food records," said author Jack Hollis Ph.D., "lost twice as much weight as those who kept no records. It seems that the simple act of writing down what you eat encourages people to consume fewer calories."

"The process of reflecting on what you eat that helps us become aware of our habits, and hopefully change our behavior," says Keith Bachman, MD, a Weight Management Initiative member. "Every day I hear patients say they can't lose weight. This study shows that most people can lose weight if they have the right tools and support."

Combined with healthy eating and moderate exercise, over 1,700 patients were able to lose an average of 13 pounds. Losing as little as five pounds can reduce the risk of developing high blood pressure by 20 percent.

Other than dropping the pounds and being held accountable to you (and those you choose to share with), what are some of the other benefits of journaling?  There are so many, that Penzu has several pages discussing it.  Take a look at the top layer:

• Good for You

1. Less Stress.  Expressive writing is an extremely cathartic process, helping you to relax and release stress.
2. Be Healthier.  Numerous studies have shown that keeping a journal can improve your immune function.
3. Get Smarter.  Keeping a journal or diary can not only boost your "working memory" but your grades too.
4. Lose Weight.  Keeping a food diary has been suggested to double weight-loss when combined with a diet.

• Good Karma

1. Penzu donates a portion of our proceeds to a charitable cause that improves literacy and writing worldwide.
2. Room to Read is a charity that partners with local communities in the developing world to improve literacy and education.  Room to Read establishes libraries, creating local language children's literature, constructing schools, and providing education to girls. A portion of all proceeds from Penzu Pro accounts will go to supporting Room to Read.

• Why Penzu?

1. Never Lost or Stolen - While a computer, or a paper-bound diary can be lost or stolen, your entries are always safe with Penzu.
2. Access Anywhere - Ever forget your diary at home? Wherever you have internet, you have Penzu!
3. Privacy First - Not only are your entries private, but you can password protect them individually for even more privacy.
4. Easy to Use - With a simple design and paper-like interface, Penzu is extremely intuitive and easy to use.

I realize that this sort of sounds like a sales pitch, but it's all true.  It's completely worth your time and it's something just for YOU, not for anyone else.  That, all by itself, is worth the look-see to find out if it's for you.  Not to mention, it's free, unless you really want the benefits of the Pro version!

1. Penzu.com

Non-Interrupt

My non-interrupt is going well so far.  I've been on it now for 8 days and am down a further 5.2# from where I ended.  So, what am I messing around with involves quite a few "super foods," including green tea, blueberries, acai & pomegranate.  I also included black tea and white tea, just for good measure (mostly because they have a lot the same qualities of green tea, but there's a whole host of flavors outside green tea); green tea gets old.  lol.

Basically, losses are much slower than when on VLCD, but I'm zeroing in on a combination of those super foods that allow me to continue losing while on interrupt, with greater food variety.  The coolest part?  It's developing into a new diet concept!  How would a cycle like this sound to you?

• 2 Load Days
• 14 Days VLCD
• 7-14 Days "non-Interrupt"
• 14 Days VLCD
• 7-14 Days "non-Interrupt"
• 14 Days VLCD
• .... Repeat the above 2 steps as often as you like
• 21 Days of High Protein, no carbs
• 21 Days of slowly introduce carbs back in
• Life

If you don't like "Life," you can always go back to the 14-7 cycle.  We could probably even do  what I did, which was closer to 24-7.  :)  Hahahaha!