KonMari 2016 - The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up

maryb

Another thing that 'clean eaters' get het up about is the idea that we shouldn't eat dairy and come up with statistics to show that most of the world can't digest lactose. The fact is, you can't look at it at global level. A chance adaptation enabling lactose to be digested in adulthood was probably a factor permitting settlement in cooler northwestern parts of Europe which are good for pasture and less good for large scale grain production. On the other hand I have seen a suggestion that the incidence of coeliac disease is higher in such regions (suggesting less suitability for a grain based diet). Although I can't find statistics showing the incidence.

I did very briefly consider ethical vegetarianism or veganism when I was young and idealistic. But it seemed to me that to be consistent and avoid all animal products was dependent on modern industrial technology making substitutes possible and therefore it was a luxury only possible in current times. And this was long before I came across the concept of peak oil. So I have always tried to go for compassionate food production as a considered position

GreyQueen

I am actually a type O of northern european ancestry. But my understanding is that the blood group type hypothesis has been superceded by more science? I did read a lot about it back in the day.

I do eat dairy; some cheese, and natural full fat greek style yoghurt, as a dessert over frozen berries, just a spoonful or two, very nice. But I would expect that my ancestry was long-since adapted to dairy-eating, although too much milk upsets my digestion and I don't normally have milk in tea (and don't take it otherwise).

I've seen plenty of cases IRL when folks are the first generation of their families born in the UK and raised on a western diet and are almost a foot taller then their Han Chinese, Indian or Vietnamese parents. This suggests to me that the ancestral diet of their regions of origin had stunted their parents' genetic potential to reach the approx 6 ft mark, which their children clawed back in a single generation, women and men alike.

GoingToDoIt

I don't like meat. Never have. Refused it when being weaned, apparently. Much to the disappointment of my omnivorous family. There was a few years where they could get me to eat sausages, and a lot of bemusement that even the promise of a mac burger would not tempt me to eat more than a bite. Sadly the drive to get me to eat meat meant that there was little drive to get me to eat non-meats, so only as an adult did I get into eating chickpeas, lentils, cabbage, spinach and other such exoticfoods. Much to everyone's surprise, because "you don't like anything!" It's true, I really just don't like meat. I kondoed trying to like it years ago.

It's good to hear that GQ is an omnivore, as my CFS is occasionally diagnosed as a consequence of a meat free diet, by some non-medically qualified bright spark or other. Am fairly certain that if I did eat meat it would have been the worst sort (I.e. Sausages and burgers-see above)

I'm going to wander to the leedle for a few bits and bobs and do a bit of batch cooking today I think

GreyQueen

My CFS was the result of a go-round with glandular fever back in the eighties and my borderline anaemia (was only just at the very foot of the normal range even when on prescribed iron tablets) was the result of heavy periods. Used to get GPs and nurses looking at my results and saying are you sure you're not a vegetarian?

And me who'd walk five miles for a roast beef dinner.......:rotfl:

Hokay, going offline now to get on with kondo-ing. Have a defunct boom box (the last of the three) ready to go to the tip on the way up and will garden, then do a tip run on the way back with a couple of IKEA blue bags, and some gardening in between.

Have a good day, lovely peeps. GQ x

MMF007

GQ, well done in the weight loss. I had stalled for nearly 3 months. Gained a couple of pounds then lost it, repeat a few times. Have had some sort of 'under-the-weather feeling since well prior to horrid chest infection. That's cleared now so i am back to low carb eating. It really seems to suit me and I tolerate dairy well so cheese does feature! My 2.5 stone weight loss last year left me feeling good but I have more to lose after years of neglecting my body. The positive thing is, I know i can do it and that I will do it!

Over the years, at various times, I have set long term goals and I have pretty much achieved them.
Since leaving my job last year I have been working part time in my own business but i have not quite got my commitments at the level I am happy with. I took a new client on, anticipating a reduction in demand from a current client that never happened. Consequently I am doing a few too many hours for my liking. I even had 2 clients asking for more hours but I said No! I am going to see if i can jiggle my schedule round to better suit me

It is all about getting organised and having as much as possible how you want it, just as MK advises.

OK, the above ramblings bring to mind the idea of a bullet journal (was it Polly who first mentioned on here?). I do love a list and feel I can combine short, medium and long term goals happily in one notebook!

Right, it's freezer kondo time, wish me luck!

Igamogam

silvasava wrote: »

I also cleared out the tubs of mashed potato from my freezer to make some corned beef hash but when I started to stir it up together it all went to watery mush - any idea what I've done wrong anyone??

DawnW wrote: »

Mashed potato does go a bit watery on thawing, so you need to tip it into a sieve over the sink and let it drain a bit before use, that is all

I freeze mash potato in portion 'dollops' on a tray first with no added milk/butter so it quite stiff. Then pack into boxes or bags when solid - I find boxes best. Just take out how many portions needed and thaw out of box/bag - seems to work OK

Igamogam

GQ and GoingToDoIt ever had your B12 levels checked in relation to CFS? Just curious! My GP almost convinced me I had CFS but I refused to be fobbed off - cos I can be a bit bolshi like that and am not afraid to challenge even what is claimed to be an 'educated' opinion :rotfl:

silvasava

DawnW - thanks for that - I shall remember in future if it happens again.

Fen1 - the Thursford Collection makes a lovely day out. It's a huge collection of steam engines and fairground organs. They usually have an organ recital of popular tunes during the day too (with seating)

Started making new cushion covers for my sitting room yesterday. I'd bought some zips from my local hospice craft shop. Got the first one half in and found it was jammed and wouldn't undo - checked the others and there was another one jammed too, so had to unpick . Redid with another zip and needle broke so I've left it to come back to later grrrrr!

GoingToDoIt

Thanks Igamogram for thinking of meI have a robust blood test roughly every 12 months, and in addition I take supplements. I too had the experience with glandular fever, however it wasn't formally diagnosed (apparently it is not always picked up on tests, and I wasn't tested for it until months after becoming desperately ill. My symptoms suggest that I did have it so it's assumed that's what happened). Unfortunately it took me a few years to find my current GP who is a great practitioner with a pragmatic approach. Previously I was on a carousel of locums, pull yourself together types, etc.
As is often the case, it hit me when I was in peak physical condition. I actually won a prize at my gym not long before! I only ate a balanced diet of home cooked food, no junk, no convenience foods. As a veggie I had it drilled in from an early age to use supplements for b vits, and iron. I do believe CFS is linked to a viral infection, or some underlying issue triggered by the virus.
As I get older and more accepting of the CFS in some ways I think it's a good thing!!! Only in some ways. I can see that if I had not got it, I would be much less mindful, for example with Konmarie, I have the time to do it. I think if I had boundless energy I would be on the treadmill of "earn more, do more, spend more"

greenbee

MMF007 wrote: »

Over the years, at various times, I have set long term goals and I have pretty much achieved them.
Since leaving my job last year I have been working part time in my own business but i have not quite got my commitments at the level I am happy with. I took a new client on, anticipating a reduction in demand from a current client that never happened. Consequently I am doing a few too many hours for my liking. I even had 2 clients asking for more hours but I said No! I am going to see if i can jiggle my schedule round to better suit me

It is all about getting organised and having as much as possible how you want it, just as MK advises.

Sounds like you need to sub-contract. It's such a pity GQ doesn't live near you! Is there any way you could make one of your services helping clients to find the help they need? Build a list of reliable gardeners, cleaners and others who you would trust to support your clients so you can do the stuff that only you do?

Love all the stories of weight loss and diet. I know I feel better if I eat a mainly plant-based diet, but don't actively exclude any foods. I try to have as much variety a possible - e.g. Lots of different types of pulses and grains as well as veg. And variety in my proteins. However, I know I need to deal with my sugar habit and cut the amount of carbs I'm eating at the moment as it doesn't suit me. I do very well when I'm not too busy, but struggle when life gets hectic.not having a proper kitchen doesn't help but hopefully that will be resolved sometime this year.

On the subject of clean eating, the BBC did a great programme on this. In fact I think there were a couple. I'll try to find them. Once was 'clean eating's dirty secret'.

ETA the other was a Horizon documentary - Clean Eating, the dirty truth