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Msg #38139
2 replies | Psyllium husk - any takers? | By Bear900/CA on 5/13/26 11:11am
I started seeing a nutritionist. I provided her a full list of my diet, supplements, eating regimen, etc.
I asked for a referral from my doctor and found Medicare will cover 4 visits a year to a nutritionist if the doctor provides a good reason. I asked specifically for a nutritional means to maintain good cholesterol levels.
I provided a full written list of all my foods and supplements to my nutritionist. She's the one that informed me I needed at least 30 grams of protein per meal as I discussed in my previous post. She was pointed in her questions.
I also mentioned there are times when I just cannot get satiated after a meal.
She prescribed psyllium husk. I never heard of it. I found out it's the main ingredient in Metamucil but better in raw form. Isn't that for old people I thought? Well, join the crowd!
I take about one level tablespoon (8 grams) once a day about an hour before my main meal. I started with a teaspoon.
You can research all the benefits, how it works, when not to take it, etc. It's really great for flushing LDL cholesterol, and preventing insulin spikes and crashes (insulin resistance leading to diabetes).
We went out for dinner last night. I took the psyllium husk as prescribed about 1-1/2 hours before.
"Did you leave room for desert?" Not a chance!
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| Msg #38137
4 replies | Sarcopenia: Muscle loss | By Bear900/CA on 5/13/26 10:25am
Nobody likes to hear that.
Symptoms and Risks: Primary signs include muscle weakness, slow walking speed, difficulty rising from a chair, and poor balance. This leads to an increased risk of falls, fractures, loss of independence, and higher mortality rates.
Causes and Risk Factors: Beyond natural aging, risk factors include physical inactivity, inadequate protein intake, chronic diseases (such as diabetes, COPD, and heart disease), and hormonal changes. It can also co-occur with obesity, known as sarcopenic obesity.
Diagnosis: There is no single test; diagnosis involves assessing low muscle strength (e.g., handgrip test), low muscle mass (via DEXA or BIA scans), and low physical performance (e.g., walking speed or chair stand tests).
Treatment: Management focuses on resistance training and increasing protein intake (aiming for 20–35 grams per meal).
That's a lot of protein!
I added up all the protein I intake for breakfast and discovered I'm not taking nearly enough. I added whey to my breakfasts. May opt for protein shakes part of the week.
I have a good friend who is a strength trainer and gym owner and has been begging me to visit. I'll be seeing him later this week. I mentioned my worn joints and he said he can work around those.
Stay strong!
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| | Msg #38130
0 replies | Caitlin Clark is back! | By Bear900/CA on 4/29/26 12:24am
We enjoyed the WNBA pre-season game, Indiana Heat vs NY Liberty. We hope to follow the Heat this season as they have turned the WNBA on its ear with passionate fans, a team legacy in the works, and of course #22, Clark who can do just about anything.
For that, she gets beat up a lot on the court. Other teams are coached to take her out. While she can handle herself it helps to have a teammate called The Enforcer, #8, Sophie Cunningham.
Netflix is working on a Cunningham documentary with six episodes this year. Her looks may fool you but she is tough. At the young age of six, she earned a black belt in taekwondo.
Both of these ladies are great players and fun to watch. The entire team is just great.
http://youtu.be/_0yEe4NYpyU?si=3Z6SLNjlFPhz4Lo8
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| Msg #38124
4 replies | Does anyone use airtags? | By SC/CA on 4/22/26 10:46am
I’m looking at purchasing some and am wondering if they’re worth it, or if they’re safe (in general, privacy wise).
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| | Msg #38116
7 replies | I just got my | By SC/CA on 4/2/26 6:14pm
lipid-panel results, and they’re lookin’ good!! :-)
I’ve gone up, way up, on the good stuff- HDL, and brought the triglycerides, LDL and other meanies to well within normal (they were just borderline before). I went from being on the “watch list” for “having a talk” about statins to having and an “excellent” LDL/HDL ratio. Whoo- hooo! Heart attacks and strokes are big in my family (even with thin, healthy, fit folks) so I’m keeping an eagle eye on things.
What may have increased the HDL count are nuts, which I’ve increased substantially just because I like them. That could also explain why I’ve gained a bit of weight. But I’m still well within normal there too.
So within the last few years, I’ve gotten rid of acid reflux/hiatal hernia, gerd, IBS, high blood pressure, borderline high cholesterol, and extra pounds.
My sister is fit (walks 4 miles/day), works full-time in the medical field, has tons of stamina, but has many of the markers I used to have. Her diet isn’t unhealthy by any means, mostly whole foods, but it is meat heavy. She’s eyeballing my results, but it would mean a lifestyle change.
I was fortunate to have a doctor, about six years ago, who said she looks at “lifestyle first, then at medications.” And I told her that I was completely on board with her approach. She really steered me in the right direction (like DASH diet for high blood pressure, I’m looking at you- sodium), and it’s been well worth it.
The cholesterol was my last marker that I wanted to resolve, so today feels a bit like graduation day. I know that good health is on-going, especially as I age, but I’m on the right track and it feels good.
Janet, you said I’d get the last marker down, and you were right!! :-) And Bear, you’re my mentor extraordinaire!!
I’m giving myself a smiley-faced sticker. LOL. Go plant-based eating, moving, and less vino (for starters)!!
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| Msg #38092
5 replies | Got the garden in | By Bear900/CA on 3/25/26 12:44am
And boy are we sore. I dug down 18" the entire row where I wanted my tomatoes. They haven't done well in a couple of years so I wanted to fill with Kellog's Organic. I didn't make any compost this year.
I came across a number of thick roots so had to chop and dig those out. I have no trees nearby except over the fence. Roots will travel a long way for water and nutrition. Quite a number of large white grubs too, larvae of June Bugs. They eat roots and hibernate deep in the soil during Winter for two to three years. Right about now they get closer to the surface to eat plant roots. We fed a bunch to our blue jays and they had a ball.
We planted tomatoes, bell peppers and Jalapeño pepper seedlings. From Winter garden planting we have some nice kale, garlic, cilantro, celery and a few lettuce heads. Also a winter gopher which I caught today!
By seed we planted carrots, bunch onions, corn, squash, cucumbers and Bok choy.
Have some nice looking parsley that came up wild and Swiss chard too. Go figure.
Weather has been bouncing all over the place but mostly warm and mild, perfect for the garden. New plants took right off in the new soil. Glad I got the gopher. I know there's another one out there.
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| Msg #38088
11 replies | There’s a new-to-me movement in my area, | By SC/CA on 3/23/26 12:17pm
fueled by local volunteers, whose mission is to fix things for free, for the general public. It’s probably been going on for a while, but I just never heard about it. If you have something similar in your area, I highly recommend it!
The general rule of thumb is that if it’s small enough to carry to the repair clinic, they will try to fix it.
In two visits, I brought in a shirt that needed mending and two lamps. I plan on bringing more! Like my bike, a computer, jeans, a mirror, and a CD player.
I asked one of the computer techs if they could fix the broken video cable and hinge on my old Lenova Yoga and install Linux, and they said sure. I just bring the parts. Fantastic! After reading Bear’s tech journeys (most appreciated, Bear!!), I thought Linux might be worth a try. I’ll let you know how it goes with the computer repair.
The whole concept is great for spring cleaning - use it, loose it, or repair it ! :-) Keep stuff out of the landfill, curb waste, and use your old stuff. I love my “new” lamp and shirt! :-) And I look forward to more repairs.
Here’s a fix-it link that I was referred to as well. At first glance, the website looks really cool.
http://www.ifixit.com/
Happy Spring!
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| Msg #38086
11 replies | Fuel (or fool) prices | By Bear900/CA on 3/21/26 11:16pm
Diesel at my local station just went up from $6.99 yesterday to $7.99 today.
Sign on the pump said to pay with cash, credit, or leave an organ...
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| | Msg #38075
6 replies | Great news! I am back! | By  Cheryl Elliott on 3/9/26 10:58am
My PT sessions have been reduced to 1x per week, and soon will be every other week. I am in my 13th week since shoulder replacement surgery and I'm feeling great. It happened real fast too. I went to a party Saturday night in my community and we talked about what works and what doesn't. One of my neighbors, younger, a retired college football coach has had many surgeries to knees, hips and back. He is in constant pain. He will be my first convert to what makes inflammation disappear and stay gone, which is a major reason for the pain.
Great to be back in the fold, plus not having to go to so many doctors' appointments and PT sessions.
Phew! So pleased, nothing worse that not wanting to do much around here.
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| | Msg #38070
2 replies | Solo Mio with Kevin James a very funny | By Cheryl Elliott on 2/19/26 2:17pm
and entertaining movie. Most of us remember him in sitcom King of Hearts, I believe. Very heart warming, and I love Andre Boccelli. Great must see! Jonathan Roumie, who starred as Jesus in THE CHOSEN, plays an outstanding part as well.
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| | | Msg #38057
2 replies | Storms churning through the mid- to eastern US... | By JanetK_CA on 1/24/26 1:15pm
Sounds like it's going to be a doozy rolling through, followed quickly by another one, with lots of snow and potentially dangerous ice... I hope any of you in places impacted are taking necessary precautions - and staying safe and warm!
Sending good wishes to you all! Please let us know how you fare...
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| | Msg #38051
1 replies | Linux Journey; learn Linux step-by-step | By Bear900/CA on 1/22/26 9:24am
If you're curious:
This link was given to me by my computer friend who installed Linux for me. I had previously read a lot of the same information scattered all over the web. Was hard to grasp that way.
I like how this breaks it down in easy steps to follow and understand. First heading is: Grasshopper
http://labex.io/linuxjourney
Getting started.
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| Msg #38045
5 replies | Good evening! | By Mihawk/NY on 1/20/26 11:20pm
I wish you all the best on Notary Rotary™ , My grandma used to use this forum and she introduced to me recently. It is very hopeful that this forum is still alive today. Thank you for keeping it alive!
- Mike Hawk
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