Eat Like Us for a Day Challenge 2010

Hello, People Who Read My Blog! I'm posting a request for you to participate in Eat Like Us for a Day Challenge 2010. The two people who still read my blog I also communicate with in other ways, so you've probably already heard about this, but just in case someone else happens to stop here for a moment, I'm posting some information about the event.

Here's how the Atlanta/North Georgia American Partnership for Eosinophilic Disorders Support Group describes it:

Can you imagine life without food? Could you cope?

Could you help your child to cope?

Eosinophils (eos) are white blood cells and are a component of your immune system which normally play a role in fighting parasitic infections. They can also play a role in allergic diseases as well. In patients with eosinophilic diseases, eosinophils are inappropriately called to areas which normally do not contain eosinophils or present in areas that do contain eosinophils, but do so significantly exaggerated numbers. It is thought that these eosinophils then cause damage by releasing inflammatory chemicals, normally intended for infectious organisms, on normal body tissues. Eosinophilic diseases are an emerging and quickly expanding field of study...Treatments may include dietary modification, formulas, systemic steroids, oral topical steroids, or leukotriene/mast cell agents. New therapies are emerging as well.

Many people with Eosinophilic disorders must maintain strict diets. Sometimes only one or two kinds of foods are able to be safely consumed. Many patients survive without any food at all, by drinking elemental formulas or by consuming them through a tube inserted directly into the stomach.

I'm blessed that my condition is nothing like what is described above; that said, however, I do have a restricted diet. I have to avoid corn, wheat, barley, rye, and soy. My allergist says I may have wheat, barley, rye, and soy in limited quantities, but after having dysphagia in inconvenient places a couple of times, I've chosen to avoid them entirely. If eating those foods means there will be one more time when I have to excuse myself from the table (whether eating with family or attending a networking lunch in a restaurant) to go stick my finger down my throat and cough up what I've just eaten, I'd rather do without. And many, many thanks to the one family member who has patiently helped me deal with this (ahem, *JLR*) and who reminds me that, oh, I don't know, maybe I should see my doctor every now and again.

If you decide to join me, read the labels at the grocery store very carefully. Here's a list of corn-derived ingredients: http://www.cornallergens.com/list/corn-allergen-list.php.

If you take the challenge, be prepared also to avoid almost every restaurant and all fast food.

Here's a facebook page for the event: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/event.php?eid=313283326802.

I will greatly appreciate anyone out there who participates with me.

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Vertical Pack Green Beans

A year (or so) ago, I saw these in the grocery store and wanted to buy them. I don’t remember the conversation, but I’m reasonably sure JLR made one of two remarks: either (1) ‘Hey, if you’re actually interested in green beans, let’s go for it’; or (2) ‘Sure. Why not? We both know you’re not really going to eat them, but since I like green beans, let's buy them anyway, I’ll eat them.’

Fast-forward a year (or so), and no one has eaten the Vertical Pack Green Beans. To tell you the truth, I think we're both a little afraid of them. At the time of purchase, I thought, ‘These green beans are different! Their being packed vertically means they will someone taste different from regular green beans!’ But once they were in my home, the realistic side of my brain took over and said, ‘No, they won’t. No matter how you pack them, they’re still green beans.’

And I can’t bring myself to get rid of them.

Comments on K-Pop, Part 1: The Bad Boy

Look, if you look like you're about, oh, 16 years old, and you're in a boy band, you shouldn't refer to yourself as a 'bad boy.' You're only setting yourself up for mockery. This is, of course, in addition to the mockery you will already experience merely for being in a boy band.

Now, granted, I don't speak Korean, so maybe you didn't say you were a bad boy. Maybe you said, "Some people think I'm a bad boy, but I'm not, so please love me," or "I'm so glad I'm not some stupid bad boy." But I doubt it, and I cannot take you seriously. You sing that line, and I snicker, "All right. Sure. We'll go with that."

And don't even get me started on men who use the term "my lady."

Rain, on the other hand? If he wants to sing pop music, and if wants to say he's a bad boy, that is fine with me, because the man himself is just fine with me. He is fine. I feel kind of like a gross old woman for saying than since I think he's just barely above the age of consent, but still. Man (he's only six years younger than me! That's not too much, right? No. Sadly, you're right. It is too much).

Besides, he was in Ninja Assassin, and even though that's just a movie, I'm pretty sure he could kick my behind and the behinds of most of the people I know.

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In Other Gardening News

The peppermint plant is definitely dead. The rosemary, however, was managing to hang on--though just barely. Encouraged, I bought a bell pepper plant last weekend, which we named Douglas (although he is not a runner bean plant). It made it through the week indoors, and on Sunday I did the right thing by the plants and repotted them, used both mulch and compost, and placed them outside, where they could have plentiful sunshine.

This evening, I peeked outside to see if both plants were still alive. Y'all, something pulled out the rosemary. My little rosemary plant! It's been yanked out of its pot!

I'm worried for Douglas.



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One Way to Make Sure I Don't Work Late

Our code compliance officer, who is only a few years away from retirement, thinks I work too many hours. As he was leaving on Friday, he told me he was having my car towed at 5:15. I think he was only half joking.




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In Memory of Dixie Carter

One of my favorite clips of Ms. Carter:

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