Oh, oh, Diet Teas! Warning from the FDA!

A cup of hot herbal tea may feel soothing to the soul, but instead of soothing the body, some herbal teas can make you sick.

This is especially true with so-called dieter's teas, herbal teas containing senna, aloe, buckthorn, and other plant-derived laxatives that, when consumed in excessive amounts, can cause diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, stomach cramps, chronic constipation, fainting, and perhaps death.

In recent years, FDA has received "adverse event" reports, including the deaths of four young women, in which dieter's teas may have been a contributing factor.

As a result, FDA is advising consumers to follow package directions carefully when using dieter's teas and other dietary supplements containing senna, aloe, and other stimulant laxatives. Consumers should seek medical attention for persistent diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and other bowel problems to prevent more serious complications.

New Eating Plans...er..Diet Books?

After a relatively short amount of time, my new diet books arrived. "The Volumetrics - Eating Plan" - Barbara Rolls, PH.d, and "The Fast Food Diet" - Stephen Sinatra, M.D.

I have always been on the look out for a new way to lose weight. Cabbage Soup diet, Mayo Clinic diet, Atkins, South Beach, Scarsdale diet have helped me in some ways but never long term. I can't live without bread nor can I live without cheese. (My last meal on earth will most likely be a cheese sandwich.) When you've eaten a certain way for most of your life it is hard to change even after 21 days!

Yet this Fast Food Diet book at only $.49 from the used section of Amazon.com by the way, appeals to my penny-pinching habits. I can go to Wendy's? Cool!

I'll keep you updated!

O/T: Congratulations to the Boston Red Sox sweeping the World Series against Colorado Rockies! The parade is tomorrow by the way for you fans. If I get any pictures I will post them here. :)

I can't forget the New England Patriots. 52-6! I hope they can keep it going and take Peyton Manning down a notch at next weeks game!

Calling All Ghosthunters!

A little slow at work today and who needs another lecture on food when the weekend is almost here?

Teacher Maria de Silva Agustina said yesterday: “One child called it the Blair Witch Playground. We believe it is haunted.”

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/article385529.ece

By the way copy and paste the link.

See you tomorrow!

Self-Sabotage (What's with the cheese?)

For the past few months, I've been on a virtual roller coaster of life's usual ups and downs. I'm my biggest critic and worst enemy. I know what you're thinking. Oh, another one of those weight loss blogs that pervade the internet. Yawn!. What's on Fox tonight? Yes, yes, I know! I get tired of those mindless blogs, too, but yet, drawn to them the way cars slow down along the freeway to view an accident or when one compulsively reads the headlines of Star or National Enquirer at the check out line at the supermarket.

They always tell you to write some of food/lifestyle journal. Which I used to do a few years ago until I got into trouble with people reading the thing! I'll save that saga for another blog. (Insert evil grin here.) I spend more time deciding what to do than actually doing it these days. I push myself to go to the gym 5 days a week. I try to eat right. I enjoy researching articles on diet (eating plans) and exercise. I'll even try a few eating plans to see if they work. Sometimes they do, often times they do not. I start over but then the weekend appears and my best efforts during the week can be dashed away in a single evening of alcoholic/cheese eating bliss!

One of these days, I'll get the eating bit right. I'll be tracking my progress in here for you to advise, comment, or constructively critique. What do I eat now, you ask?

Here's an example of any one of my (week) days:

Breakfast: 2 slices of whole-wheat toast with a smear of hummus, Boca Meatless Burger. Small Glass of 1% Milk.

Snack: Half of a Sliced Green Apple, 5 Wheat Thins with Peanut Butter.

Lunch: Greek Salad with Half Pita. (I love kalamata olives!)

Snack: Depends on how full I got with the salad. I might get a Low Fat Dannon Yogurt for protein.

Dinner: Baked Chicken L'Orange with side salad (light drizzle of olive oil and Mrs. Dash!)

And in the morning and at night I drink Green Tea. Once in a while ice coffee with coffee mate (no sugar).

Weight In as of 10/24/2007 - 155lbs. My (1st Goal) 150lbs. - Ultimate Goal 135lbs.

October 25, 2007

Thank you for the comments! Yes, I should eat more protein. I'm not a big fan of red meat anymore. I'd rather get my protein through soy and other vegetables. I take it one day at a time.

Cheers!