Omg...i Might Be On To Something

[CarlaB]

Hi everyone! I'm back! You were busy while I was gone!

Welcome, newcomers!

Funny that TheDave finally jumped back in!

Rachel, I am wondering, my hair analysis showed mercury. I would think that from fish that everyone would have some level of mercury .... what level is considered toxic? I don't know at what point in my life I started having health problems, but my fillings were removed 15 years ago. The dentist put me on a supplement program to detox the mercury. If that's part of my problem now, I guess I need to find out how to take care of it!

[DingoGirl]

Carla...was wondering where you were yesterday.....was this the big coffee and donut outing??

Kathy Ann....dang, girl, read your signature and you do have a lot going on. Glad you found us and here's to your (all of our) continuing good health. Just rest and -- - keep reading - there is always lots of interesting stuff here. We'll keep pressing on, together (check out my new MENOPAUSE thread - I am freaking out and still trying to find out what's going on, like Rachel - different issues).

Am too tired to hike today and besides, all of my hiking/climbing pants are just a BIT too tight. Will drive dogs somewhere fun today.....

Have already eaten half a bag of Reese's minatures. I simply can't be alone with small individually-wrapped chocolate candy items involving nuts. Clearly. Where is MY own Dave to stop me?????? Maybe I'll start taking things to my next-door-neighbor's house....except that'll clue her in to that specific area of....dysfunction and she is PERFECT and I try so hard to hide my issues from her

[CarlaB]

Carla...was wondering where you were yesterday.....was this the big coffee and donut outing??

No, this was the go to Indiana to see Morgan and get my hair colored outing! Morgan took some pictures of my new hair, but she's at the football game and hasn't had a chance to email them to me yet. I was tired of bleaching it ... not because I don't like it light, it was just too dry looking .... plus, I change the color every few months anyway .... this time, it's something totally new for me, but I have to ease into it as the old blonde will fade too quickly -- which means it's still basically blonde, but there's a lot of red/brown in it now. I'll post the pics today, hopefully.

[Rachel--24]

That's interesting. I also had a "deep, permanent sadness" begin in my life at about age 6 or 7 which coincides perfectly with my mouthful of amalgam fillings. My teeth were probably bad because of celiac. But the mercury likely accelerated things greatly. All my amalgams were taken out 10 years ago. I've lost 3 teeth which couldn't be saved since then. But I've often wondered if all the mercury is out. Anybody had good luck with anything to efficiently remove mercury? I know of lots of possibilities, but am too weak right now to endure a giant detox or anything harsh.

Hi Kathy Ann....

If testing proves mercury to be a problem I'll be taking steps to remove the mercury through chelation. I guess I'll be the guinea pig here...for the sake of scientificness.

When you remove the fillings you prevent further poisoning and resulting damage from occurring. However if toxic levels have already been reached and the mercury has already stored itself in various body tissue this would need to be addressed as it would continue to tax the immune system. Autoimmune disease, food intolerance, digestive disorders, yeast overgrowth, thryroid disorders, hormonol problems, and the list goes on and on can all be a direct result of mercury toxicity.

I think detox methods are very important but will not actually draw the mercury from the tissue its stored itself in. It will however, help with symptoms due to toxic build-up from other substances in diet or in our environment. All of these things will take a toll on an immune system thats already burdened with heavy metal toxicity.

After spending so much time on message boards and hearing so many stories similar to each other I cant help but wonder how much a part mercury plays in all of this. It seems no matter what health board I visit the subject of mercury always comes up.....same with yeast overgrowth which is always present when mercury is involved. I'm thinking that gluten sensitivity in a person with no Celiac genes, like myself, may be a result of something toxic in the body like mercury.

Its widely accepted that Autistic children improve on gluten-free and casein free diets....even with no evidence of Celiac...they also have alot of other sensitivities to chemicals in food such as dyes and preservatives. It is also a fact that most of these children have yeast overgrowth and heavy metal burden...particulary mercury. More recently, it is suspected that the high incidence of Autism in the US is a direct result of mercury in vaccinations. This is the subject of much debate....as is the subject of mercury toxicity in amalgams.

I dont think the presence of mercury and the common resulting symptoms is a coincidence at all. There *is* a link here and I believe someday in the future it will all come to light. As far as mercury in fillings...it is banned in other countries. If it were true that there is no risk involved I highly doubt these other countries would take such serious measures to not allow it to be used in dentistry.

It is clear that the U.S. is behind in all of this. Is that why this country has the highest rate of Autism, Alzeimers, obesity and other health problems?? Its a scary thought.

I wonder if mercury can be a triger for Celiac? I dont see why not...seeing anything that is traumatic to the body can trigger the disease. Mercury is known to cause all other autoimmune diseases and some of these have been reversed with chelation of the mercury. Obviously Celiac wouldnt fall into that realm but I do believe the onset can be triggered by things that often go undiagnosed such as heavy metal burden and Lyme Disease.

It certainly would explain the ongoing health problems that some Celiacs deal with long after implementing a gluten-free diet. It would make sense that the diet would initially bring alot of relief to a person with Celiac or gluten intolerance *but* if there is an underlying cause which had triggered the disease to begin with...it would also make sense that other problems would then come to light. Maybe some of us are missing the diagnosis of whatever brought on Celiac/gluten intolerance to begin with??

Thats what I'm starting to believe....Mercury causes autoimmune disease....Celiac is autoimmune and those who are genetiaclly predisposed are particulary vulnerable.

If someone develops Celiac as a result of Mono or pregnancy...it would make sense that once the mono is treated and once the pregnancy is over and the Celiac diagnosed these people can restore their health by simply eliminating gluten which is the only effective way to treat Celiac. What about the people who have had their Celiac triggered by something *unknown* and undiagnosed....it would make sense that complications would still arise and the development of other autoimmune diseases, intolerances, physical and psychological problems would still be a huge possibility.

I guess I believe that gluten sensitivity isnt always the *main* culprit when we have a decline in health. In some cases it is (and these people get better)....and in other cases its a result of something else thats gone wrong.

Maybe I'll start taking things to my next-door-neighbor's house....except that'll clue her in to that specific area of....dysfunction and she is PERFECT and I try so hard to hide my issues from her

HA-HA...Susan....noone is PERFECT....sooo just think....its highly possible that she's hiding her "flaws" from you as well.

Am wondering....do dentists USE amalgam fillings any more?

Yeah...some dentists do still use them but I think its being quietly phased out in recent years.

[AndreaB]

I *do* hope that this turns out to be the problem for me because not only would it make sense to me but with a good doctor....its totally cureable. The prognosis is better than it would have been with a Lyme Disease diagnosis. I think it'll really put a strain on the finances though.

Yah, finances are the pits aren't they. I hear you loud and clear. I'm still looking forward to your renewed health.

[DingoGirl]

OMG Rachel - neighbor IS perfect - in a Stepford way....I have a key to her house and often she'll call from her day travels and ask me to let her dog out - - - IT LOOKS LIKE NO ONE LIVES IN HER HOUSE, it is SO clean....nothing EVER out of place....kind of sickens me - I am always mortified when she pops in and I am, say, working on some giant project - things are EVERYwhere and I know she can't relate.....

The obesity and ill-health of America is just staggering. I don't know how this happened or why - but somewhere along the way the SUPERSIZE mentality came into being.....I just don't get it. CUrrently there is a commercial on TV for Olive Garden - something about endless pasta - - like, you could eat pasta all day, it just keeps coming - and I think - - - WHY???? Why does anyone need plates and plates of empty, white-flour carbs....or endless plates of anything???? I saw NO obese Europeans while there - - the really fat people were Americans, and this wasover 20 years ago....it would be worse now. Of course, the infiltration american fast food has infiltrated many countries....that is so sad and clearly, the beginning of the end.

[AndreaB]

I don't remember if I posted this on this thread or not, but the doctor I see for allergies said that the wheat kernals used to be (or are) coated with mercury to prevent them from molding or whatever before they sprouted. He believes that the mercury binds to the protein molecule. Obviously that would cause a lot of problems.

BTW, I also believe that msg in all forms, along with sugar, excessive starches contribute to obesity. Msg is in everything (thanks Rachel for posting that comprehensive list hundreds of pages ago ).

[Rachel--24]

Rachel, I am wondering, my hair analysis showed mercury. I would think that from fish that everyone would have some level of mercury .... what level is considered toxic?

I dont think there is a specific level that is considered to be toxic since we are all diferent and it would depend on alot of different factors. How toxic our bodies become probably depends on so many things such as lifestyle, diet, stress, how well our bodies are able to detoxify, etc.

I could be wrong but I'm kind of skeptical of Dr.'s that use only supplements but do nothing to really address the underlying cause. Although I do think that in some cases supplements can be very beneficial I also believe that they should be used not only to treat symptoms but in conjunction with treatment that is designed specifically for addressing the root cause of illness. For example if your Dr. recognizes that the adrenals arent functioning properly (i.e. adrenal exhaustion)....what exactly is causing that problem to begin with?? I dont tend to believe that adrenal exhaustion by itself causes a breakdown of our health but I see it more as a symptom that goes along with other symptoms (such as candida) but ultimately these are symptoms that are caused by something that is stressing and taxing the immune system. These are problems that would cause even more stress on the immune system but why did this occur to begin with??

I dont know if I'm right or wrong but I'm just following what my gut insticnt tells me...I dont always agree with the Dr.'s point of view....whether they are mainstream or alternative....makes no difference to me. I believe I know my body and am more aware of whats going on with it than any doctor could ever be. When I can listen to a Dr. and feel that they are completely on the same page as me....thats the only time I feel comfortable enough to put my health in their hands and to put my trust in their decisions. I guess I've become very wary and very protective of myself throughout this whole ordeal.

[VydorScope]

Is there any way to test that WONT cost me money or invovle my doc?

[CarlaB]

OMG Rachel - neighbor IS perfect - in a Stepford way....I have a key to her house and often she'll call from her day travels and ask me to let her dog out - - - IT LOOKS LIKE NO ONE LIVES IN HER HOUSE, it is SO clean....nothing EVER out of place....kind of sickens me - I am always mortified when she pops in and I am, say, working on some giant project - things are EVERYwhere and I know she can't relate.....

The obesity and ill-health of America is just staggering. I don't know how this happened or why - but somewhere along the way the SUPERSIZE mentality came into being.....I just don't get it. CUrrently there is a commercial on TV for Olive Garden - something about endless pasta - - like, you could eat pasta all day, it just keeps coming - and I think - - - WHY???? Why does anyone need plates and plates of empty, white-flour carbs....or endless plates of anything???? I saw NO obese Europeans while there - - the really fat people were Americans, and this wasover 20 years ago....it would be worse now. Of course, the infiltration american fast food has infiltrated many countries....that is so sad and clearly, the beginning of the end.

I'm quite a perfectionist when it comes to my house ... both my parents are OCD (Mom is diagnosed, Dad is worse!), and it's just inbred in me! I'm more relaxed than either of my parents because of six kids, but most still consider my house to be perfect. I still get projects going and the whole thing gets torn up. We have lots of fun, but I make everyone clean up afterward. And, actually, I don't notice and don't really care if others houses are clean or not, this is just my little "issue"!! In fact, I usually wish I could let go a little! Well, since I've been sick, I have ... a little Your neighbor is probably like me and doesn't even notice your messes ... and if I had noticed fewer of mine, maybe I wouldn't have had such constant stress to wear out these adrenal glands

[VydorScope]

Welp Im off for our first trip in months to Wild Oats! Its a big deal for us as its a good 45min+ drive to get there and then its always a mad house!

Hoping to find a replacement for Cocoa Puffs

Seeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee ya!

[DingoGirl]

Adrenal fatigue - kind of chicken or the egg issue, IMO - - and all these things go hand-in-hand.....we just have to keep working on things and thank God we have Dr. Rachel for all this scientifiness!! (contrary to popular opinion I do not have phobia of same!)

Andrea - MSG - so evil, and if I'm not mistaken - a huge appetite enhancer, isn't it? makes us eat more.....that must be a huge part of the over-eating problem....

[sparky]

Well I've been struggling for quite some time now. It doesnt matter what I eliminate I'm still sick. Its like it HAS to be something that is constantly in my system because I havent had a single symtom-free day for over 3 years now. Even when I limit myself to 2 safe foods I'm still having symptoms so basically nothing has worked. All meds or supplements have worsened my symptoms. All gluten-free packaged foods bother me. I toatlly eliminated casein and still have problems. It was only one supplement I was taking that had milk in it so I stopped taking it...felt better...started eating more foods and totally symptomatic again.

I was eating Enjoy Life chocolate chips with no problems..also did some baking...no problems. I had one cake mix with all safe ingredients and reacted. The mix only had like 4 ingredients and I tolerate all of them...the only questionable ingredient is Xanthan gum. Its also in every gluten-free product I've reacted to and also rice milks and almond milks and a ton of other stuff I cant have. I found out its from CORN. I never thought about corn...but its in everything. Even when I'm only eating meat and veggies (no corn) I'm still having corn everyday in my thyroid meds and any supplements or vitamins I've ever taken most likely have corn.

Pre gluten-free I never ate much candy or sweets....my favorite snacks were popcorn and Tostitos. These were also the first foods I started avoiding long before I ever heard of gluten because the next day I always had a swollen face and a migraine. I had thought it was from the salt or something. I thought everything was thyroid related since I had Graves so I started avoiding all salt.

I did some research on corn and its in pretty much everything...seems more difficult to avoid then both gluten and dairy. Today at work (I work in a grocery store) I started reading all the labels of the foods I used to eat before I got sick. They ALL have corn. Its in bread, soups, microwave dinners, yogurts, cheese (why is corn in cheese?). Anyways, I've never been corn-free because of my thyroid meds and lots of other things I've tried over the last year. I had posted about getting "glutened" by all the gluten-free cereals. Well they are all corn based....DUH. I dont know why I never thought of this since everything I've had problems with have some form of corn in them.

I really need to eliminate the corn to see if I get better but dont know how I can do this when I need to take thyroid pills everyday. What do people do in a situation like this? What if I'm intolerant to corn all this time and its in the medication I need to take?

The other big question is am I really intolerant to gluten and dairy? If I get better off corn I dont know what to think about that. All the foods that have gluten also have corn so I would likely have to stay off gluten anyways....hmmm...does pizza have corn in it?

Also yogurt and ice cream really mess me up but they also have corn. There ARE some brands and flavors that dont have corn so I would LOVE to not have a problem with dairy!!

I would rather be intolerant to corn and gluten both than have to give up dairy for good.

Does anyone have a corn intolerance? Could I have just developed this out of nowhere and NOT have gluten intolerance...or is it more likely that gluten caused this to happen in the first place? I'm actually hoping I'm corn intolerant cuz as hard as it seems I've been struggling a long time now. The symptoms I've gotten from the stuff I've eaten with xanthan gum are severe....also I had powdered sugar yesterday and had another severe reaction. I have no reaction to cane sugar but when I looked at the ingred. of the powdered stuff its cane suger AND corn starch! Right now I feel exactly like I felt before I ever went gluten-free...everything hurts. This would explain why I dont do well with anything processed or with any supplements or vitamins or medications.

I dont see too many people here with corn problems but hopefully someone has some advice about the thyroid meds??

RECOVERY TIME / CROSS-REACTIVITY: I just wanted to help everybody out here. I've been gluten free for 9 months. It took me about 6 months to get more significant/more noticeable results. Still, I have to watch my diet. I can't eat fatty food. Everybody, please go check out MayoClinic.com and search for celiac disease. I also worked at Mayo Clinic Hospital for a little while. My understanding is that the villi can take anywhere from 6 months-2 yrs to heal or grow. Then 2yrs to 5yrs for close to 100% recovery. The reason for the such the large range of time has to due with age/severity. These villi, in the small intestine, are responsible for absortion and production of enyzmes to break fats/proteins in food. So, as you can see, they are very important. People experiencing Dermatitis Hepataformis (DH), can expect to wait up to 2 yrs to clear up. Me, I've had skin problems, diahrrea, lupus like symptoms, and etc. I've also lived 15 yrs. not knowing what the heck what going on. I'm 30 yrs old now. From age 26-29 my symptoms got really bad. All the CELIACS out there who are just diagnosed. HAVE HOPE. It will get better. There is a 95% chance you will recover in time. I think the other 5% who don't are either still eating gluten or the villi are dead. These are good odds. If you are younger (new born-50). Odds of recovery are almost 100% One final note for complications of recovery. Ya, you probably heard that we celiacs become lactose intolerant. This is due to the tips of the villi, where lactate (enzyme that breaks down lactose in dairy) is produced, being damaged. My final piece of advise for those who aren't recovering. Make sure you are not cross reacting with SOY or MILK. Guess what? These two have very similar protein structures to gluten. This may make the immune system react and destroy your villi. That's right, gluten isn't the only substance that can trigger a villi attack.

your safest foods will be meat (avoiding seafood), rice, vegetables, fruit, potatos

[Rachel--24]

BTW, I also believe that msg in all forms, along with sugar, excessive starches contribute to obesity. Msg is in everything (thanks Rachel for posting that comprehensive list hundreds of pages ago ).

Yeah....personally I believe that MSG is one of the biggest factors in this epidemic of obesity we're seeing in this country. I can almost guarantee that the removal of it from our food supply would "cure" this country of this ever growing problem. HELLO....they use MSG to fatten up mice for experiments. Now is it normal for rats to be obese???....I think not....but simply add MSG to their diets and all of a sudden....OBESE RATS is what you get.

Sooo...we as a society are victims of what is basically a "drug" that alters our brain and causes us to eat way beyond what our bodies need.

Susan....yeah....WHY do we need plates and plates of food??? Why do we need "all you can eat" buffets....shouldnt one plate be enough for us??? Why isnt it???

I have to admit when I could eat whatever I wanted I was definately not able to eat normal portions of anything and clearly even now that my body is a mess I STILL cant stop myself from Racheling everything in sight.

But....when I was on my strictest diet last summer and ate *nothing* processed at all....for the first time in my life I ate small portions and was satisfied.

I also would like to add this *disclaimer* to my post....

I'm in no way saying that we are all going to die because of MSG or mercury....

These are not conspiracy theories I'm throwing out to everyone....they are proven facts that we should all be aware of but unfortuantely are not...until we are very sick and forced to find out why.

If anyone is offended by whatever is written in these posts then I apologize for that but this thread is for those of us who are very sick and trying to find out why. We are a persistent bunch here and we will leave no stone unturned in our quest for better health!

and thats all I have to say....

[AndreaB]

Welp Im off for our first trip in months to Wild Oats! Its a big deal for us as its a good 45min+ drive to get there and then its always a mad house!

Hoping to find a replacement for Cocoa Puffs

Seeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee ya!

Have fun! The do have envirokidz but I forget what is in them.

[Rachel--24]

Is there any way to test that WONT cost me money or invovle my doc?

Sorry Vincent,

There isnt a cheap way to find out about something like this.

I've been waiting 4 years just to find a Dr. knowledgeable enough to run the tests. I've wanted to find out about this for soooo long now but unfortuately theres no way to do it w/out a Dr.'s help....unless maybe you become an expert yourself.

Oh...going back to the obesity factor....

Someone told me they were at a school picking up someones kids. As they watched all the kids coming out of the school they were shocked to notice that nearly ALL the kids were obese.

I started looking around myself at the people I see in the grocery store everyday....yeah...I think its just become so normal in this country that obesity isnt really something I notice that much anymore. Now that I think about it though...back when I was in school....most of the kids were thin. Obesity wasnt exactly the norm back then.

I think it has everything to do with whats in our food....just look at what they serve in the cafeterias in schools today. Eveything is loaded with sugars, high carb....nothing healthy. Also the amount of MSG in our food today compared to what was added a few decades ago has increased dramatically. I cant recall the exact numbers but I posted it hundreds of pages back and the amount was alarming.

[dlp252]

Well dang, lol. I just typed about 4 paragraphs then hit something with my knee and it appears to be gone (the stuff I typed, not my knee).

Welcome to the new posters! I've been here since around page 15 and haven't really WANTED to find my way out, lol.

Glad to see you Dave...

By-the-way, I've determined that the way Rachel or Dave would know it's ME in whole foods...I'll be the lady standing, staring intently at the empty space on the shelf in the aisle that USED TO HAVE THE STUPID CHOCOLATE BUMBLE BARS, and muttering under my breath "why", "why"... I swear...I only spent 15 minutes at the store and 5 minutes of it was spent staring at the empty spot, AGAIN. I do it every week. Thinking it's probably a really good idea they don't stock that shelf when I'm there...I might have to tackle the guy/girl.

Mercury: I have a mouth full of metal...all of which is either gold crowns or amalgam...they are definitely in contact with one another. I'm sure at least 1 or two of the crowns are over some part of an old filling...don't know for sure if the amalgam was fully taken out...I'm definitely thinking I should look into this. I had several of my fillings redrilled and replaced a few years ago and it was not long before I started getting really sick. In the last few years I've had others redrilled and I know my dentist doesn't use any kind of barrier for that. I was also eating a lot of fish in the last few years...supposed to be healthy, grrr.

Now for some good news though. I saw a dermatologist on Wednesday...mostly for a mole check, but had her look at my legs too. She told me they are VERY dry. So, she recommended that I put lotion on after the shower...to which I said, yes I do that and I've tried every lotion out there can you recommend something that is extra rich...she did and told me I may have to put it on twice. Well the stuff she recommended is like thick vaseline and I can hardly stand the feeling of it, BUT I tried putting it on my legs while I was still wet, THEN drying off...and then putting a regular lotion on after I am dry...guess what. My legs haven't itched in 3 days now!!! I can hardly believe that's all it was all this time. She also gave me a different prescription cream and said to use it twice a day on the itchy spots. I've only had to use it a twice (only once a day), at the first sign of itch and it did stop it. She said that part of my problem is that my skin itches and I scratch, which makes it itch more...so it's been like a vicious cycle. She also did mention that I should take an antihistamine to keep the levels of histamine in my system low...I told her I HAVE been taking it every day and that I even reduced the amount of dietary histamine I'm consuming. Anyway, I didn't want to get too excited about all this until I'd had several non-itchy days...so yay!

About mass quantities of food...I totally agree...we are just so overboard...and I'm guilty of it myself sometimes...when someone brings a plate with small servings, the first thought is usually, is that all there is...but in reality, it's usually all I need. I certainly have that problem with chocolate.

[DingoGirl]

Rachel you're so right. There is NOTHIGN smacking of normal, pure, healthy food in school diets any more. It is disgusting. My ex-boyfriend fed his daughter so many chemicals, sugars, trans-fats....boxes and boxes of bars, "fruit" rollups, cerals, everything. I mean, he did barbecue and they ate fruits/veggies fairly regularly, but if she didn't want to eat veggies, he didn't make her. She ate SO much sugar, all day long - he never limited her intake or said NO - you've already had dippin dots (is that what they're called?), three quaker bars, soda, lemonade, sugared cereal, donuts.....she was thin but SO moody. if I suggested cutting down on her sugars - I got the stink-eye EVIL stare and stony silence....and my ex loaded himself up with trans-fats and sugars as well....he was chronically exhausted and wouldn't listen to me - and this was way before my celiac dx.

We went to a football game at USC stadium last year. This stadium was built in the 30's, with endless wooden bench seating, each "seat" with a number. People were quite thin - normal - back then. But we were just smashed together in this stadium, almost couldn't move. There was a family next to us, each one easily taking up two or more seats - they were all about 250 to 300 pounds. So crazy. I still am shocked at the obesity - will never get used to it.....and the "front butts" - a relatively new thing......

The girls are lapsing into clinical despair and we must head out for a big romp. I think they know it's Saturday. Last time we went to the park - Stinker ran off in her dementia and couldn't find her way back to us....Annie and I had to get in the car to find her and she'd gone well outside safe boundaries, was near the road. When we got to her she looked as though she had never seen us before and continued happily munching on what turned out to be - - decayed squirrel carcass. Ew. It was like.....squirrel jerky.

[dlp252]

Oh yah, I had a question to Carla in the 4 paragraph that got kneed out of existence...

Did you have the hair analysis done while you colored your hair. I noticed a statement on the website of the lab thing that you posted a few pages back that coloring on the hair might interfere with the results...I've colored my hair for ages and really can't go without it any more, lol. Too much gray!

[DingoGirl]

Well dang, lol. I just typed about 4 paragraphs then hit something with my knee and it appears to be gone (the stuff I typed, not my knee).

By-the-way, I've determined that the way Rachel or Dave would know it's ME in whole foods...I'll be the lady standing, staring intently at the empty space on the shelf in the aisle that USED TO HAVE THE STUPID CHOCOLATE BUMBLE BARS, and muttering under my breath "why", "why"... I swear...I only spent 15 minutes at the store and 5 minutes of it was spent staring at the empty spot, AGAIN. I do it every week. Thinking it's probably a really good idea they don't stock that shelf when I'm there...I might have to tackle the guy/girl.

DONNA - you are cracking me up!! Glad your knee is still there.....

And WHY can't I Rachel a plate of veggies???? I am the queen of over-eating the small individually wrapped chocolate-y candies....help me......did I already post that here or was that my menopause thread? See.....losing my mind......

[AndreaB]

By-the-way, I've determined that the way Rachel or Dave would know it's ME in whole foods...I'll be the lady standing, staring intently at the empty space on the shelf in the aisle that USED TO HAVE THE STUPID CHOCOLATE BUMBLE BARS, and muttering under my breath "why", "why"... I swear...I only spent 15 minutes at the store and 5 minutes of it was spent staring at the empty spot, AGAIN. I do it every week. Thinking it's probably a really good idea they don't stock that shelf when I'm there...I might have to tackle the guy/girl.

I certainly have that problem with chocolate.

Donna,

I can totally see that too!

Rachel with her ice cream, you with the chocolate bumble bars, and me with the enjoy life chocolate chips.

[CarlaB]

Oh yah, I had a question to Carla in the 4 paragraph that got kneed out of existence...

Did you have the hair analysis done while you colored your hair. I noticed a statement on the website of the lab thing that you posted a few pages back that coloring on the hair might interfere with the results...I've colored my hair for ages and really can't go without it any more, lol. Too much gray!

Sorry, I was only skimming earlier ... two days away from the board, there was a lot to see!

Yes, I color my hair, but they want the hair from the back, below the ear-line, and the first 1 1/2 inches of growth, not the whole length ... so, most of that was my natural color as I was bleaching it back then and she didn't really do the underside with the bleach. My doc had never even mentioned it as being a problem.

Went back and re-read your post. Now I see why I missed the comment!

[AndreaB]

Carla,

It that the new pic already? Your hair looks nice, they did a good job.

[nikki-uk]

I think it has everything to do with whats in our food....just look at what they serve in the cafeterias in schools today. Eveything is loaded with sugars, high carb....nothing healthy. Also the amount of MSG in our food today compared to what was added a few decades ago has increased dramatically. I cant recall the exact numbers but I posted it hundreds of pages back and the amount was alarming.

I think you'll find Britain is catching up with the states with it's rates of obesity.

The school dinners here are appalling too.

When I was at school,you hated school dinners (think meat,lumpy mash and cabbage!),but they were nutritionally sound (no junk)

There is a chef in the UK who is taking on the government as to the state of our kids school dinners.

Open Original Shared Link

[CarlaB]

Carla,

It that the new pic already? Your hair looks nice, they did a good job.

Thanks. The pic was taken today, and after yesterday, I'm bushed! Anyway, I'm waiting for Morgan to send me one she took yesterday .... you can't see the reddish lowlights in this one .... Jacque is really, really good with color, she's taking it slow getting rid of the bleached hair because most of the color will wash out quickly the first couple colorings. Wish you could see the red! Adam says it's still blonde, but I've never had it this red before, so I FEEL like it's red!