Helping Out a Friend!

"Got Video? Do you have photos that you would like to make into a picture slideshow for your Valentine? Did your family film an old birthday party that needs some continuity?
I need your help!

I’m holding a fire sale. I can edit your video, photo, or both into a DVD. We can add titles, and make your home movie something everyone will enjoy.
I can load your video onto youtube as well if you wish."

Please click here to get the rest of the story :-)

Are You A Kimkins Survivor? Ready to Tell the World?

We finally have National Media Attention!

"Please, if you have or had any medical issues related to following the Kimkins diet, contact KimkinsonABC@gmail.com within the next 48 hours.

No travel will be required, an ABC crew will come to you to discuss your experience.

If you know of anyone who fits the above-mentioned medical criteria, please share this contact information with them for this important opportunity."

I know there are survivors out there. Read more here and please, if you can help - DO!

How Do You Say Goodbye?

How do you say goodbye to a friend who never gave you one moment's
heartache or trouble for 14 years?

How do you say goodbye to that special one who always greeted you at the door with some "gift", no matter how small, whether it be a slip of paper that she found on the floor, a sock, a squeaky toy...always something in greeting.

Always a unique "Woo Woo Woo!!" and her little "welcome home"
rocking-back-and-forth funny dance.

How do you say goodbye to your first Golden, the puppy who came into your empty arms, feeling like a gift from heaven, when the doctor told you you'd never have another child?

How do you say goodbye to one of the few in your life that truly personified the meaning of unconditional LOVE?

This past Saturday night, while grooming my dogs, I made a horrifying discovery on my oldest Golden, Missy Sue.

Friday, Missy turned 14. She'd been slowing down recently and it seemed to us that it was accelerating. Still, we chalked it up to increasing stiffness in her hindquarters due to advancing arthritis.

Nothing in my imagination had prepared me for what I saw when I rolled my dog over.

A huge red, inflamed mammary tumor. And it was bleeding. How could this thing have appeared seemingly overnight? Her last bath was after Thanksgiving. There was nothing there then. In fact, she got a lot of belly rubbing attention on Christmas too, from other members of the family. Nothing was seen or felt then.

My poor Missy Sue. I broke down in tears. My 6 years as a veterinary clinic assistant/mgr. and Golden Retriever breeder told me this was the worst possible finding.

I cleaned her up as best I could and gave her an extra Rimadyl. And then I cried and cried....
How could this day be here so soon?

It seemed just a few short years ago, she was that rambunctious puppy who could uproot a miniature rosebush without breaking stride and run all the way across the yard with it, us chasing her and laughing the whole way.

Wasn't it just a few days ago that she adopted an orphaned 3 day old border collie mix puppy and nursed her, raising her like her own?

Was it really 5 years ago that she climbed into the whelping box with our other female Golden's litter and calmly began wet-nursing that brood of 9 puppies while their dam, Ginger Mae suffered with post-caesarian mastitis and then severe eclampsia?

Wasn't it just yesterday we showed her our new grandbaby and she took that first gentle warm lick and lost her big old heart to Aubrey Elizabeth Davis?

Oh, the memories that came flooding in....

All day Sunday we thought about it, talked about it. Missy could hardly get up! She went outside, and laid down in the wet grass, in the rain. She needed help getting back up. She refused dinner that night. Whatever it was, was ravaging her quickly. We decided that surgery and treatment were probably not an option, although we'd get the vet's best opinion on Monday.

Monday afternoon, my fears were confirmed. Not the best circumstances to meet a new veterinarian. It was a huge and obviously aggressive tumor. The prognosis, she told us, even with immediate surgery, was very dim. But if we wanted, she could run some tests and possibly suggest surgery.

It was tempting to take ahold of the tiny straw of hope she held out.

But I looked deeply into Missy's eyes. There I saw in the liquid brown
depths a plea:
"And, my friend, when I am very old, and no longer enjoy good health, hearing and sight, do not make heroic efforts to keep me going. I am not having fun. Please see that my trusting life is
taken gently.

I shall leave this earth knowing with the last breath I draw that my fate was always safest in your hands."

It was so tempting to give in to my understandable (but ultimately selfish) desire to keep my "Old Girlfriend" with us another year or even months longer.

But I'd made a vow long ago to myself, while holding countless other pet owner's hands, handing out fresh tissues in those countless heart-rending moments at other clinics where I had worked:
"Dear Lord, when my time comes to make this decision, please give me the strength and the wisdom to know and to let go and do the right thing. The loving thing."

I used to tell Dr. Beall, "You know I'm going to be a basket case when my turn to do this comes." He used to nod knowingly. He'd walked this road with his treasured Golden friend, "Harvest".

Perhaps he'll read this blog and he'll understand, though. Dr. Beall, I now know how it feels.

Missy Sue breathed her last in my arms, with my husband stroking her soft ears in just the way she loved, hearing us whisper how very much we loved her and always would.

Go to God, Mrs. Woo.

They say memories are golden
Well, maybe that is true.
I never wanted memories,
I only wanted you.

In life I loved you dearly,
In death I love you still.
In my heart you hold a place
No one could ever fill.

Comprehensive Listing Of Kimkins Information Sites

Thanks to HoneyBee who has been compiling this list of sites, blogs and forums for months now!
And thanks to the tireless bloggers and article writers who are doing all they can to chip away at the Evil Kimpire.

Kimkins Exposed
Anti-Kimkins
Becky: Winning Weight
Christin: The Journey
Deni: Open Bench
Free Kimkins Free
Jimmy Moore’s Apology
Kimkins @ Slamboard
Kimkins Controversy
Kimkins Dangers
Kimkins Sucks!
Kimkins Survivors
Kimorexia
Kkatastrophediet’s Weblog
TRUTH Starts Here
3 Fat Chicks: Anatomy of a Diet Scam
About.com Inside Kimkins
A Pinch Of…
How Jeanessa Got Scammed
How Much Body Fat Can You Really Lose In A Week?
Jersey Girl: Thoughts on Kimkins
Kimkins Circus
Kimkins Controversy Continues to Boil
Kimkins Debacle; Super Smart Diet Tips
Kimkins Experience Part 1
Kimkins Experience Part 2
Kimkins Saga Revisited
Kimkins Survivors
Mama Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to be Anorexic
Tami’s Change in Game Plan
The Problem with Kimkins
Thin at Any Cost
A Running Jewel
Kimkins Circus
The Quack of Doom: Entering the circus for the first time?
Once Upon A Diet
Someone in Southern California may need an attorney soon
The Final Escape
melting mama: Kimkins Scam.
Have you ever screamed so loud that the room echoed? « Incredible Shrinking Ladies
Inside the Kimkins Controversy
A Dumbbell In A Home Gym: Kimkins: Caveat Freakin’ Emptor.
Heard of the Kimkins Diet? Steer Clear it’s a total scam!
Vickie’s Voice: …more of my story…
The Road to Clarity and Transformation: The Kimmer (Kimkins) Controversy and a Parallel Universe
Banished…oh Fo’ Shame. not.
a mother’s heart » the kimkins debacle
Vilma’s World » Kimkins on Dateline & other complaints
Because I Said So: KimKims Survivors
Hundred Day Head Start Kimkins a fraud
Healthy Low-Carb Living Blog: Kimkins - How I Feel About It Now
Back Across The Line: Kimkins Cult Mentality
Good Carbma: Words for Heidi Diaz
Living Low Carb & Lovin’ It!: What an Amazing Day This Has Been!
Borat Does Kimkins: Hello From Borat!
Medusa
Kimkins Nightmares
stepping up to the plate « 2big4mysize’s Weblog
mariasol
Kimkins Scam
Willa’s Notebook
Doggy Girl’s Weblog
All About Kimkins & More
Itscloudyinhere’s Weblog
Psychic Rations: The Slimmer Kimmer That Wasn’t
Beware: Kimkins Diet is Dangerous!!: Just Say NO
Kimkins Lies
Sparkly and (soon to be) Skinny!: A new safe haven
Stop Kimkins Now!: Stop Kimkins Now!
Kimkins Soap Opera Story - AnthaBeth’s blog
Kristine’s Low Carb Corner

Time for a Recap!

Oh my...what a strange and eventful year it has been!

I've taken some time off from reporting on the Kimkins fiasco/scam/fraud. I've been concentrating on doing some undercover work and following things very closely, but I've not blogged or been particularly vocal anywhere in recent weeks.

Now, to make up for my silence (heh) I'm going to share a long list of links to some Anti-Kimkins blogs who have done a rather remarkable job this winter of keeping up with the almost constant developments from the Battle to Take Out Kimkins.com.

But first, with the New Year rapidly approaching, I think it's important to add my voice to the growing number of bloggers who are genuinely concerned about those Oh-So-Familiar New Year's Resolutions.

Yeah, you know the one I mean.


The one we all make, "I'm gonna lose a few (or a lot) of pounds finally this year if it kills me."




Let me share something. I just got back from a visit to a new doctor who specializes in hormone rebalancing. You know what she said to me when I told her about my little Kimkins diet experience? "Oh no!! Diets DO NOT work and neither does cutting fat!"

Folks, I could have cried. Or kissed her. It's a very rare doctor indeed who has moved on beyond the Great American Low Fat Mantra. What an answer to prayer!

Please. Remember her words (this is an MD!): Diets DO NOT work! Neither does cutting out fat!

If you've read any of the rest of my blog, or even the title, you know what's coming next.

It's not FAT that makes us fat. It's insulin. What drives up insulin? Carbs.
It's really very simple. Cut carbs, lose the insulin spikes....lose the fat.

Some good ones to consider:
Protein Power, South Beach, Atkins, Dr. Groves (Natural Health and Weight Loss)....just a few of the lower carb eating plans out there. Do the research, try a low carb eating plan (not a diet....it's not a temporary fix, you need to change your entire way of eating!) and see what a difference low carb eating can make in your waistline, your general mood, your overall health.

And here it comes...the one to AVOID LIKE THE PLAGUE is Kimkins. Folks, there is simply no more dangerous, nutritionally-bankrupt diet out there than Kimkins. Seriously!

You can expect to see Heidi Diaz aka "Kimmer" spamming the internet over the next couple months because she needs the business. Most of her previous members have fled. It's a ghost-town in the Kimkins forum. But yanno, it's all about the money for Ms Diaz and you can bet she is ready to PREY on those desperate people who have decided that 2008 is their year to lose the weight and get in shape. JUST SAY NO TO KIMKINS!! I can't say it enough.

Please, I did the diet! I know how bad this one is! As if the fact that the founder herself still weighs somewhere in the neighborhood of 300 morbidly-obese pounds and cannot lose the weight herself, following her own diet, then believe the words of her early admins who fled the site one by one (or were banned for questioning the Mighty Kimmer).

In closing, I want to remind you to check all the new links over on the side menu. And here's to a wonderful, prosperous and healthy New Year to you all in 2008!

ETA: JOIN THE LAWSUIT!

Back to ME :-)

Well, it's been a really busy month for me, so it's been a while since I last posted.

I have to tell you about this fabulous, stupendous book I just finished reading!! Honestly, in my opinion Gary Taubes deserves the Pulitzer Prize for this amazing expose on diet, nutrition and the medical/scientific juggernaut that for about a hundred years has been promoting the WRONG nutrients - namely carbohydrates - as the mainstay of our diets.

This book angered me.

I admit it. I have a high level of personal justice. I guess I got that from my dad, the attorney and judge. But seriously, in every chapter I became outraged afresh at the way good science has repeatedly been subjugated to foregone conclusions/agendas by scientists and doctors who should have known better!

If you happen to be new to my blog, and if you happen to be unfamiliar with low carb eating, let me put it into a nutshell for you. Sugar, starch and refined carbohydrate, processed foods are literally killing us. I believe that with all my heart.

I sit here today as proof of what a healthy, standard American diet can do to wreak havoc on your waistline and your overall health. I've been quite a health nut for years. I know I've been eating better than most of the people I know. I have always loved whole grains and vegetables. I baked my own whole grain breads. I bought whole-grain cereals. We always ate vegetables and have had a veggie garden since 2000. I didn't eat a LOT of fruit but that's just because it filled me up and I would hate wasting it. I dearly love bananas and citrus fruit, though. My favorite Christmas gift each year is the big box of Albritton's Fresh Citrus fruit sent to us by the in-laws.

In addition to a well-rounded diet with as much organic and unprocessed foods as I have been able to manage in the past few years, I also take quite a few nutritional supplements such as Kyo-Green Harvest Blend and even eat ---- ack!!! ---- tofu! I love sushi. I love raw foods. I could live on salads.

Wouldn't you expect me to be normal or near-normal weight and in the peak of health? Sure you would expect that. But guess what. As Gary Taubes so eloquently said it in his NYTimes article (cited and linked down below a few blogs ago), It's All Been a Big Fat Lie!

I'm at least 40 lbs overweight. I had cancer last year. My fasting blood sugar last time tested was pre-diabetic range. My thyroid is shot. I'm anemic. I have GERD with Barrett's Esophagus, which is precancerous changes of the esophagus. I have Fatty Liver Disease. I've had high cholesterol for at least 10 years and high triglycerides to boot.

Granted, some of this metabolic damage is no doubt due to my fairly frequent attempts over the past 25 years to lose weight. I've almost never done a sensible, slow diet. I always jump on the fastest weightloss promise/fad out there. I acknowledge that I've undoubtedly done a lot of damage with fad dieting. However. What has led to my constant upward spiral of weight gain?

A "healthy diet" laden with carbs.

In June, I told my doctor "no more statins". I was miserable. Every part of my body ached constantly. My feet and ankles HURT in the morning when I got out of bed and put weight on them. Exercising became torturous. I felt fatigued and sick all the time.

Kicking statin drugs to the curb was the first thing I did in taking back control of my health. The second thing I did turned out to not be such a good thing in the short term but I have to say that starting on the Kimkins diet and becoming familiar with Low Carb eating has completely changed not only my outlook on food and nutrition, but my health as well.

In late Sept., having been off the statins for the first time in 2 years, my numbers were slightly improved! One of these days I'll get the previous years' figures and post them here. But I'm happy to report my LDL is up and my triglycerides are down! Just by eating low carb--YAY!

The aches and pains are gone. Now as for my weight, I've only lost 10 lbs and have been stalling for about 3 months. But I now know it's due to my thyroid. I've been taking Synthroid for 25 yrs. Always took the doctor's word for it when they said, "your thyroid's fine" or "we need to make a small adjustment". Well, another thing I've done recently is learn all about hypothyroidism. Two excellent online resources for thyroid disease are here and here.

I insisted on switching to Armour Thyroid. What a difference! I felt better and more energetic within 3 days. Now, 4 weeks later I can feel my body adjusting to the current dosage so I know I'll need to up it soon. But wow, I honestly know why I read testimonials about Armour with people saying "Armour thyroid gave me my life back".

I think each of us deserves the best health information and care we can get. I believe that in this day and age of managed medicine, it behooves each person to learn as much as we can about our health. After all, my doctor has perhaps hundreds of patients to be concerned with. I only have one patient, ME. If I can learn for myself what is best for my body and my health, I will be the best partner to my doctor in creating a healthy lifestyle for myself.

Right now that lifestyle looks like lots of organic meat, brown eggs, cheeses and butter, with loads of fresh green leafy veggies. I wouldn't go back for anything--not even tempted!

Til next time...take care of yourself! Have a great, cool, Fall weekend and don't forget to set your clocks back tonight :-)

Can you say "OH So Busted!"

It's said the wheels of justice grind slowly but they grind exceeding fine. Well, it appears that Heidi's lies are slowly catching up with her.

There are many other things happening behind the scenes to bring this woman to justice, but for those of us who have been waiting to see the news services pick up this incredible story, today is a Pop The Champagne Day for us all.

Last night, KTLA TV aired Part 1 of a 2 part expose on Heidi Diaz, aka Kimmer.

They do such a good job, I have nothing more to add except, grab that bag of low carb snacks and a glass of tea and get ready to have your socks knocked off!! (wait...I want to say "Well done, HBgal ;-) You did a great job, honey!)

http://ktla.trb.com/news/local/

(you may need to scroll down using the small box titled News Videos to the right of the TV screen to find "KTLA Exclusive!! Internet Diet Scam Scam Exposed" dated October 2.

Part Two is set to air tonight, Oct. 3 at 10 pm, Pacific Time.

If that one doesn't work, try this direct link:

KTLA Exclusive on Kimmer

Want to help stop Kimmer from continuing to perpetrate her fraud and get FILTHY rich selling a life-endangering starvation diet to KIDS? Send the KTLA link to your local news affiliates TODAY. It's time to stop Heidi "Kimmer" Diaz before someone dies.

Edited to add this new link from Slamboard's new YouTUBE video!!