And so it begins

I had my doctor's appointment on April 30th. Luckily my doctor, Dr. Kutz (with Meriter in Madison) is the best doctor ever and he decided he wanted to play along with my experiment with "the fast diet" by Dr. Michael Mosley and Mimi Spencer.

I finally got into the clinic this past Thursday, May9th to get my beginning stats done. The results of the blood tests are below.

The Good: My blood sugar, kidney function and electrolytes returned normal.  My thyroid function returned normal.  My liver function test were normal.  Triglycerides was 120 and the normal range is less than 1My IGF levels were normal.  IGF-1 is a measure of cell turnover and therefore of cancer risk. It may also be a marker for aging.  This 5:2 diet is supposed to drop the levels of IGF-1 and contribute to cell repair and elongate your life.

Now the bad and the ugly: 
My Cholesterol was 221 (Normal range 0-199)
My LDL (bad cholesterol) was 148 (Normal range 60-129)
My HDL (good cholesterol) was 49 (Normal range more than 50)

Dr. Kutz obviously recommended that I work on improving the above LDLs.  Luckily, this 5:2 diet is supposed to help correct all those things!

Why did Dr. Mosley start all this? Well, he read an article in New Scientist magazine by Dr. Mark Mattson of the National Institute on Aging in Baltimore. Along with co-author Edward Calabrese, Dr. Mattson introduced the idea of "a little poison is good for you". This is a colorful way of describing the theory of Hormesis, the idea that when a human, or any creature, is exposed to a stress or toxin it can toughen them up and improve their system.

Dr. Mosley looks at vegetables through the prism of hormesis: Many veggies taste bitter.  This is because they contain chemicals that are potentially poisonous to humans.  But these chemicals are present in such low levels that our bodies treat the veggies as a small amount of toxin and activate a stress response and switch on genes that protect and repair your cells, like exercise, or in this case, fasting.

The two fasting days cannot be consecutive.  I figured I would start the diet with a fasting day.  I began on Friday, May 10th.  On fasting days, as a woman, I am allowed 500 calories. I had tea and water throughout the day, 1/2 an apple and 20 almonds for breakfast.  Then I had a small chicken breast (3-4 oz) with sweet potatoes.  I did feel hungry.  I was really hungry throughout the day.  Even before I went to bed I felt hungry.  But not overwhelming by any means.

Yesterday was a normal diet day.  I find myself eating A LOT less and wanting less food on the "free" days.  I cannot go crazy.  As a woman I should be consuming 1000-1200 calories (energy) a day on these days.  I was going to my Mom's for Mom Day lunch and ran out of time to eat breakfast.  I would say I ate probably somewhere between 900-1100 calories for the whole day. I have decided to not eat sugar as much as possible.  This is not necessarily a requirement of the diet, but sugar has a lot of calories and very little staying power or nutrition. So I have chosen to take it out of my diet for now.  An unplanned positive side affect from this.  I have had NO, that is right NO heart burn since Friday.  For me, that is like a miracle in itself.

I was not intending, in any way, to make Mom's day a fasting day.  But all of the sudden it was 2pm and I had not had anything to eat and only black coffee for breakfast.  I had 1/2 a bagel and peanut butter for breakfast.  Then had a salad for dinner and it look like this.

Today has been tougher, hunger wise, for some reason.  Even after eating dinner, I feel HUNGRY.

The results so far: I have lost 5 lbs in 3 days.  No heartburn. 

There are other things going on in my life besides this diet, believe it or not ;)  
I *just* started a new documentary project (my cousin Tyler will be the cinematographer). I will be following the Vernon Hershberger case in Sauk County here in WI. On June 2, 2010, representatives of the WI Dept of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer protection (DATCP) conducted a raid at the Vernon Hershberger farm.  DATCP agents intentionally destroyed nearly 300 gals of fresh milk by pouring blue dye into the bulk tan, claiming the milk was "adulterated and misbranded"- even though there was no logical, factual, or scientific basis for this conclusion. The DATCP agents also placed a holding order on all the fresh, wholesome food in coolers on the Hershberger farm, most of which belonged to members of the Hershberger's private buying club and his family. May 20-24th will be when the trial takes place. I look forward to seeing the conclusion of the trial.  Depending on the outcome of the jury trial, the results could have a tremendous impact on non-corporate and other such farmers with food clubs.

I also continue to work on the Marilyn McIntyre Cold Case feature film project with Director, Mary Jo Oathout.  We recently received an incredible amount of information about the trial and investigation leading up to the trial of Curtis Forbes.  So we have begun work on the film's script. Updates to follow.

Happy Mother's Day to all you mothers out there! My life has been made fuller, cooler, more fun, and more loved by my Finnman :)

eat less live longer?

I have decided, after researching for a couple weeks now (I think I was just buying more procrastination time under the guise of actual scientific/personal research if you ask me) to try The Fast Diet aka the 5:2 diet.
http://thefastdiet.co.uk/  I made an appointment with my medical doctor today.  I really want to see what a difference it makes in my overall health along with the weight loss.  The idea is that you fast (for women 500 calories) two non consecutive days out of the week and eat a reasonable and "normal" diet the other 5 days of the week.  I have only started the book and will begin the diet officially after the dr. appt.

I got the idea to do this from the documentary series by Dr. Michael Mosley.  They have been showing the 3 part series for the past two Wednesdays on PBS Wisconsin.  The first week focused on fasting diets, and more specifically, the 5:2 fasting diet (as well as some other fasting diets).
Last night was about exercise.  Mosley, via the doctors and scientists who have been studying this area for quite some time, discovered that each of us is genetically coded to either adapt and flourish greatly to physical exercise. Or on the other end of the spectrum, completing the same physical exertion, individuals that experience not as great of physical rewards for the same work.  For some,  you can exercise and exercise and lift weights...the whole shebang, and never be as ripped as the guy or gal next to you at the gym. You can thank your parents and your genes ;)  I think I may be on this end of the spectrum unfortunately.  They were not saying you cannot be fit, just not as fit as those who are genetically predisposed to be more muscular and thin.

Along with the diet I will begin moderate running and biking and TRX 3 times a week at first and will build up.  I am supposed to run a 5k at the end of this month so I am thinking I should probably get out there and run a few times before that  ;)

I have given myself the challenge to actually make some of the hundreds of recipes I pin on Pinterest.  Of course I always tweak them a little.  Today I made a bacon, cheese, roasted red pepper, garlic and onion strata (custardy egg dish).
The original recipe called for ham and asparagus, but I didn't have those around so I got creative.  It turned out pretty ok 

The crap weather is getting to me.  I want to move to Costa Rica.

Spring, we invite you!

I have taken the whole winter off of pretty much all physical activity.  It was cool for a bit, but the other day there was a sloth on the Ellen show, and I was identifying with the sloth a little too intimately.  My surgeon told me to take off at least until "spring" to fully heal my knee.  Well, it still feels like winter to me!  :)  No, I know it is time.  I keep setting a start goal day and it keeps getting moved another and another and another day.  I have no one to keep me accountable here.  Finn and Atticus don't care if I make my workout goal for the day.  And self accountability seems to have gone on strike.  I need inspiration.

I signed up to be a bike escort for the Madison Half Marathoners on May 26th.  I volunteered in the same capacity last year and really enjoyed it.  It was so hot that day, that is what I recall.  They canceled the full marathon as a matter of fact and now the Madison full marathon is run in November this year for the first year.

I registered Finn for 4K in February.  It will begin in September 2013.  He is going to love school.  I am excited for him and all the new experiences he is going to have at school.  And all the new friends.  I am also scared for him.  I remember, even from that young age, just how cruel some children could be with their words and actions.

I have been working on a film project with director, Mary Jo Oathout, off and on since last year.  Just this month she asked me to assistant direct the film.  I have never worked on a film in this role before so it is a real learning experience.  The script is still in development and I continue to work on research.  The film focuses on the true story of a 30 yr old cold case that took place in Columbus, WI.  I will keep you updated on the progress.

Here's to spring coming our way very, very soon.  I cannot remember the feeling of sunshine on my skin anymore.

token creek

This sunny and a bit warmer weather was appreciated, for sure! 
Finn and I and our dog, Atticus, went disc golfing with my Dad, Tom, twice this week out at Token Creek.

The baskets have been taken down so we pick a spot near where the baskets would normally lay.  Finn is getting pretty good.  He will be out shooting me pretty soon.  If you haven't tried disc golfing, you really should.  It is an awesome sport that can be enjoyed by all.

So I took Finn's 2012 pics this past weekend.

And of course last night, after asking for months, Finn agrees to let me cut his hair.

Off to swim lessons with his new hair!

feelin' lucky?

1/2 billion $$$, yes please!  I am so buying a lottery ticket today.  If I win, I plan on taking a trip around the world with Finn.  I cannot imagine a better education than one you could get through experiencing travel and other cultures and people and languages.  Before I had Finn I took at least one big trip every year.

In 2004-2005 I traveled in wester Europe for 6 months.  I visited every country but Portugal and Lichtenstein (although I could see Lichtenstein from the hotel we stayed in the Black Forest in Germany).  While I wouldn't suggest traveling that length of time having experienced it, a long trip to any place you haven't been before is so inspiring.  I so look forward to the day regular travel is possible again.  I miss traveling so very much.

Today Finn and I went to the Madison Children's Museum.  We have a year long membership and frequent the museum at least once a week.  Finn loves it!

As you can see in the photo above, the Wisconsin state capitol building is right across the street from the Children's Museum.  When Finn saw the capitol he requested to take a little trip over there.  That's just what we did.  They were putting up the Christmas tree and decorating it.

good times

The 2013 Sundance Film Fest competitors were announced today!
http://bit.ly/2013Festival1
Congrats to all the filmmakers!!

I worked for the Sundance Film Fest in 2000 and again in 2007-2008 as a Filmmaker Coordinator to the US Documentary filmmakers and their entourage.  It was and probably will be my most favorite and best jobs I will have in this lifetime.  I loved the people and the films and the music and the excitement of it all.  Ok, working 17 hours the 2nd day of the festival was not "exciting" but you get the idea ;)

 I am interested to see what they did with this topic so close to my heart.Citizen Koch / U.S.A. (Directors: Carl Deal, Tia Lessin) — Wisconsin – birthplace of the Republican Party, government unions, “cheeseheads” and Paul Ryan – becomes a test market in the campaign to buy Democracy, and ground zero in the battle for the future of the GOP. 

grateful

This just makes me happy.  Please watch and enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WOyo7JD7hjo

Psy (with special guest MC Hammer) American Music Awards performance November 2012

Getting ready for Thanksgiving tomorrow.  We are traveling to Indiana for this holiday.  I am only making dessert.  I am making Pumpkin Pudding Upsidedown Pie.

Recipe:
2 sticks of melted, salted butter
1 large can of pumpkin puree
3 eggs
1 can of evaporated milk
1 cup white sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp or less of clove
1 dry box of yellow cake mix
(can be served with whipped topping/whipping cream)

Melt the butter (don't overheat!!  salted butter burns very quickly and then it will all taste a bit off) and set aside.
Mix well together the pumpkin puree, eggs, evap. milk, sugars, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and clove.  Pour into 13X9 pan.  Evenly spread/sprinkle the dry yellow cake mix over top of the pumpkin mixture.  Then evenly cover the cake mix with the melted butter.  Bake at 350F for about 45 mins.  Each oven is different.  The original recipe called for this to be baked for 1 hour.  It only took my oven 43 mins to fully bake this dessert.  It was bubbling all over (esp. the center), browned on the top and giggled like jello when shook.  That's how you know it is done.

I made this as a test earlier this week and...yum.  I recommend!

My actor of the week:  Joseph Gordon-Levitt   http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0330687/ 
 This young man is certainly proving that he learned a lot as a child actor from his co-stars on 3rd Rock from the Sun.  I recently watched him in the latest Batman installment, The Dark Knight Rises and Inception.  He is going to be one of the greats of his generation, mark my words.  He has Gary Cooper understated charisma and chops.  like buttuh

The surgeon says my knee is doing so well with PT that he now doesn't think I will need surgery.  No running until the spring, doctor's orders, dammit.  I can ride my bike on easy paths so that is something.  And I can swim. 

I am singing with Chris Weigt and Tom Mielke here http://fpcoregon.org/ to join in the Christmas Cantata again this year.  It is good times as usual.  I just like driving down Oregon Main Street and reliving my youth.  The Firefly Coffee shop is reason enough to make a stop in Oregon.  I always make an excuse to stop in there for a latte and scone.

Grateful for all my friends and family and good health.  I was watching ABC News this morning.  I am wishing for safety and peace for those who do not have it today.  Especially those in the Gaza Strip and Israel are on my mind.  Much love :)