Read this article on Agave on another board and thought you guys might be interested as I know several of you use it and are diabetic.

I bought some agave nectar to use for sweetener and it really is good but then I decided to research it. I really should do the research first. It is not good for you espcecially if you are a diabetic.

"High fructose from agave or corn will kill a diabetic or hypoglycemic much faster than refined white sugar," says Mr. Bianchi. "By eating high fructose syrups, you are clogging the veins, creating inflammation, and increasing body fat, while stressing your heart. This is in part because refined fructose is foreign to the body, and is not recognized by it."

"Without the FDA making efforts to enforce food-labeling laws, consumers cannot be certain that what they are eating is even what the label says it is. New sweeteners like agave syrup (refined fructose) were made to coin a profit, and not to help or assist vital health. Due to the lies from many companies who sell agave syrup (refined fructose), you have been led to believe that it is a safe and a natural sweetener. The retail refined agave syrup label does not explain that it goes through a complicated chemical refining process of enzymatic digestion, which converts the starch into the free, man-made chemical fructose that has a direct link to serious the degenerative disease conditions so prevalent in our culture. While high fructose agave syrup won't spike your blood sugar levels, the fructose in it will cause: mineral depletion, liver inflammation, hardening of the arteries, insulin resistance leading to diabetes, cardio-vascular disease, obesity, and may be toxic for use during pregnancy. to read the article go to:
www.newmediaexplorer.org/chris/2008/11/1
7/
agave_nectar_the_high_fructose_health_
food_fraud.htm

Happy Monday Ladies!

Actually, It isn't so bad for a Monday. Woke up at 5:00 and got up and went to the gym. Didn't mind getting up or working out. For a Monday that is unusual. Could only do upper body as my foot is worse. We went to dinner Sat night and DH let me out at the door and I stepped out onto the curb so he could pass. When I did my foot slipped off the curb and I pulled that tendon even more. I grabbed onto the car as not to fall and Dh pulled off. I don't know what saved me from falling on my face. It was all I could do to hobble to the door of the restaurant. Went home and sat in the hot tub with my foot on the big jet hoping that would help. Spent most of yesterday sitting after hobbeling through the grocery. It is some better but not much. I am so mad as it is supposed to be so nice here for the next couple days and I could get out and walk at night. I don't see that happening. Thought about going to get a cortisone shot tp see if that helps. I may have to do that. Eating sucked over the weekend, but I am back on track today and trying very very hard to stay there.


Meowee, you are an inspiration. You are doing so good. Keep up the good work.

Toni, Your pizza sounds good. I can sometimes find ww crust at Meijers and I load it it up with mushrooms, onions and peppers. We had pizza last night but from the pizza place :no-no:

Candoit, I am so sorry you will have to have surgery. Hope your employer is sympathetic.

Tech, I hope Shelley can get some help from the tapes and the nurse. It helps to have someone that has gone through the same thing. That post from the tapes sounds a lot like me too.

Crystle, glad you are feeling better. No, the foot thing is something that just can pop up with anyone. Apparently it is caused from walking on concrete, bad shoes, overweight, etc. I have had it once before but a long long time ago. Funny thing is, 4 out of the 8 ladies in my bunco group have it and they have been talking about it for months. I didn;'t have it, so I swear I caught it from them. Ha-ha. The bad t hing is, it takes forever to get better and I am not a patient person.

Ellen, hope you had a good weekend. We are missing you.

Better get my day started here. Have a great one!

Hi . . .

I'm one of those Diabetics and I have honestly never even tried Agave Nectar. Must admit to sticking mostly with Splenda which has a slightly (only slightly) better reputation than some of the other artificial sweeteners. Seems to work okay for me.

Nothing too exciting around here -- it is School March Break week and I do have a few places I have to go. Everywhere will probably be clogged with small kids. At least the sun is shining again so maybe the nice day will keep some of them busy outside although it is getting colder rather than warmer around here again. Silly high temp is not expected to get about the low 20's.

Hope you have fun things on the go on this Monday. . .

Considering our weekend eating has been okay. We lost my father in law to cancer Sat. night. He fought very hard for two years.

The sun is out today and it is beautiful. Hopefully it will dry things up for weekend planting. We did get some new babies Sat. We got two goslings and 6 chicks. The one gosling is an african and the other is going to be your typical white goose. I have no idea about the chicks. They only had straight run so I put my name on a list for some pullets when they come in. I may order some before then I haven't decided for sure. They are in the den but we'll be moving them out under the heat lamp very soon.

Solly..I'm so sorry that your foot is hurting. Praying that it doesn't' take too long to heal. I found the article interesting but I still prefer agave over sugar. I've read some good and some bad reviews. Daily I actually use a Stevia product for my tea.

I need to get my booty off the computer.

((Everybody))

God bless,
Crystle

TOP O' TH' MORNIN' to ya . . . Hope the day brings a to each of you -- but do try to stay away from that green beer. Far too many carbs. Speaking of green beer -- the bars in Halifax opened at 7 am this morning and the patrons were already lined up to get in.

It's another nice and sunny but cold day around here and I guess I'll throw on some green clothing and make another trip to town for a couple of things I forgot yesterday. The ice in the harbour is starting to break up and I saw three beautiful bald eagles cruising the open area looking for fish yesterday as crossed the Causeway -- actually gives me hope that Spring will really, really get here.

Have a great day . . . :wave|:

Hi ladies,
Day 2 of OP eating Foot is some better. Rolled it on a frozen water bottle for a couple hours yesterday and stretched the muscle with a beach towel for about an hour last night. it has seemed to help. Slowly.

Crystle, Deepest sympathy on the loss of your FIL. He is at peace and no longer suffering. I hope your family finds some peace in that.

Meowee, We Irish like to celebrate St Paddy's day. Heck, I know some that think it is a holiday. Friday is the first day of spring so it is coming.

Have a great day. Off to vote for dancing with the Stars

It's a bit foggy this morning but we are promised awesome weather after it burns off. I'm looking forward to the sunshine. We went to the store the other day and bought some awesome veggies to help make good eating easier. For lunch I think I'm going to make some asparagus, mushrooms, spinach, onion and bean sprouts. I'm getting hungry just thinking about it.

Solly...Thank you very much for your kind words. I'm so glad your foot is doing better. ((hugzz))

Meowee...too cool! I'd love to see a bald eagle. We have an owl that visits from time to time and I really enjoy watching him...or her..LOL

Toni...Ellen....Sue...Mary...Tech...((Hugzz))

God bless,
Crystle

Good afternoon and Happy St. Pat's Day I've got a cornbeef, cabbage and some potatoes in the crockpot for tonight. My DH will be in heaven. Hope you're all having a good day. Its warm and beautiful here. I can feel spring on the way.

Meowee- Your weather sounds wonderful. You're doing so good!!! Congratulations.

Solly- Good job girl!!! Hope the foot hurries up and gets better.

Crystle- Your lunch sounded wonderful. I love veggies.

Howdy Candoit and Tech....

Good morning ladies,

Today feels like a Monday instead of Wed. I did not want to get up and go to the gym last night, but I did. I am proud I did 30 minutes of cardio. I love strength training, but hate cardio. I need to find something I like.

Still hobbeling around. it is smome better but I guess it will take awhile.

Crystle, did you fix all those veggies mixed together. I love asparagus. Had some Monday for dinner. It was nice here yesterday and again today, almost 70. I love it. But I think the rain is coming tomorrow.

Toni, I almost bought a corn beef at the grocery. I love it and love a Reuben sandwich too. Did you see the BL last night? I was glad Sione won the $10,000. I actually hate to see anyone go home this season as I like them all. The transformation of the ones that go home blow me a way. So inspiring. Now if I could only keep that picture in my head all the time, I would be fine.

Got to get somem work done. I have bunco tonight and I plan to be so good. No dessert and only 1 glass of wine. Don't know what she is having, but if it is not low cal, then I am only doing half. Wish me luck.

Hi . . .

Another sunny day and we may work up to above freezing temperatures, too. Tomorrow is supposed to be rainy but quite a bit milder. We'll see.

Had a major chocolate meltdown yesterday afternoon (darn those bunnies anyway). Just worked out my nutritional averages for the month so far and happy to say my 2286 total calories yesterday did NOT screw things up too badly. I'm still in good shape for the month. Average total calories are 1444 and percentages are running right on 40% carbs and 30% each for fat and protein. Sometimes you just get lucky I guess. Definitely cannot rest on my laurels though. I really, really want to be able to post a new decade by the end of the month. Right now I think I've had enough sugar to do me through April, too.

Yes, I do believe in the 'cycling' philosophy whether you are tracking calories, points, or something else. I just don't think it needs to be all pre-planned. For me, and most of us (probably), it just seems to happen.

Have a great day, gang . . .

Howdy ya'll. Another totally beautiful spring day here in Texas. Lunch was SO good yesterday. I left out the bean sprouts but mixed all the other veggies together. My hubby said it was very delicious, so it passed the test. Today I'm thinking guacamole.

((Everybody))

Love and hugs,
Crystle

Good afternoon. Its been a beautiful day today. I went to a friends house for tea today. Tomorrow we're going to a huge salvage grocery store out of town. I can't wait to see it. Before I leave I'm putting chicken bones, celery, carrots, and other seasonings in the crockpot to make turkey soup for tomorrow night. I haven't tried it that way yet but think it will be good. Tonight is fish.

Solly- Yes I did watch BL last night and thought it was good. I was glad Sione won to. That was sure a strike of luck for him. I was so surprised Ron lost 10 lbs. It really is an inspiring show.

Meowee- Sounds like me and the darn cookies I've had to battle with. Good luck with no more chocolate.

Crystle- I need to be eating at your house. Yum....

Hi ladies, boy am I dragging this morning. Didn't get to bed until 11:30 and that alarm at 5:00 was way too early.

Meowee, you are doing great. The biggest thing is that you got right back on track and didn't let that one mistake blow your whole day or week.

Toni, your soup sounds good. have fun at the store.

Crystle, I would have to have some of those chips to go with the guacamole.

to anyone that is lurking and all those MIA's. Have a great day

It's raining . . . but it's mild . . . the snow is melting and, of course, now you can start to see all the nasty, nasty litter along the sides of the roads -- I din't think there were this many Tim Horton's cups in the entire Province.

Nothing too exciting for me -- a little shopping and a little lunch with a friend. Ate well yesterday, so hopefully I can hold it together today, too.

Have a great day, gang . . .

Another beautiful day here. I didn't get to take a fast walk yesterday but I did get out and stroll with my mom. The guacamole came out great and I ate the whole bowl. For dinner I sautéed some butternut squash with a little onion. Oh my gosh was it DELICIOUS! Today for lunch I'm thinking something with broccoli, maybe with mushrooms.

Solly...I didn't have chips with the guacamole but I did have one chip later with some salsa.

Toni...I'll be right over. I LOVE soup, especially turkey.

Meowee...wtg getting right back on track.

((Everybody))

God bless,
Crystle