Return to Reality

Dear Readers - Just a quick post to explain my silence lately. As Robert Service said in the Cremation of Sam McGee: "The Northern Lights have seen queer sights..."

Well, this Winter was no different, and I felt a lot like Sam McGee, just before Christmas.

Potato Hack Variations

If anyone is considering some serious potato hacking for the new year, here's some inspiration: Seven different variations of the original potato hack. Whether your goal is weight loss, maintenance, or healing a troublesome gut, these variations might help you stick to the potato hack.

Aside from all these variations, the potatoes themselves are another source of variety. Don't just buy the cheapest bag you can find, try all the different types. Each potato cultivar has its own unique tastes and texture. Maybe just using a different type of potato each day is all the variety you'll need.

 

The seven rules of the potato hack work extremely well as written. Once you’ve done a round, evaluate how it worked. Did you see any weight loss or other benefits? There is no disgrace in hating the potato hack. Admittedly, it’s not for everyone. That’s where these variations come in.

Over the years, as people try to bribe and coerce me into allowing other foods on the “potato” hack, there have been some unique variations proposed. I’ve personally tried all of these. Some work great, some not so great for me. Some folks swear by their favorite variation. These variations take into account the unique nature of the human being, our need for control, and a desire to continually tweak everything we do. Consider these variations as “hacks on the hack.” You may even come up with your own hack.

Reflections on 2015

Where did it go?

I hope 2015 treated you all well, and that 2016 brings great health and prosperity to everyone. I've tried to keep the blog light and informative and I've really enjoyed interacting with all of the commenters. We talked about some great stuff, looking back through the posts, and I can kind of see my thinking has changed quite a bit from 2014.

Christmas PUDDD'ing and Potato Porn

Merry Christmas, kind readers!

We take Christmas seriously up here in North Pole, Alaska. I have some intel from "the man himself" that the reindeer are looking forward to that warm weather ya'all have been having down in the lower-48.

You might think I'm kidding, but check it out. Santa has so much time on his hands what with automating the toy work shop and outsourcing to China, he ran for City Council. Right. Like we aren't going to vote for Santa in North Pole, Alaska.

Maybe we can write him in for president!

Anyway, just wanted to let you all try my favorite variation of the potato hack over the holidays. I know we should all be good little boys and girls and not eat the fudge, divinity, toffee, and candy canes, but sometimes you just gotta say, "ho! ho! ho!" and go with the flow. So here's a great way to keep the old waistline in check over the holiday season. I call it Christmas PUDDD'ing.

The Potato Hack

Fellow Tater Fans - I'm playing around with the Potato Hack, updating the "rules." The Potato Hack is always popular around the holidays, so if anyone wants to give it a try, let's hear your questions and results in the comments!

Alaska Grown!

Here are the new Potato Hack guidelines: 

The rules for the Potato Hack are simple. If you are eating something that is not a potato, you are doing it wrong.

1.     Plan on eating just potatoes for 3 to 5 days

2.     Eat 2-5 pounds of potatoes each day

3.     No other foods allowed (this includes butter, sour cream, cheese, and bacon bits!)

4.     Salt, pepper, and vinegar allowed, but not encouraged

5.     Drink when thirsty; coffee, tea, and water only

6.     Heavy exercise is discouraged, light exercise and walking are encouraged

7.     Take your normal medications, but dietary supplements will not be needed

Expected results from 3-5 days of the Potato Hack:

·       Fat loss of 3-5 pounds

·       Reduction in inflammation, joint pain

·       Reduction in digestive complaints

·       Increased insulin sensitivity, lower fasting blood glucose levels

·       Restoration of healthy intestinal bacteria

·       Continued weight loss upon resumption of normal diet

Many people report that, for the first time in a long time, they are not hungry despite eating such a bland diet of restricted calories. People report better sleep and habitual snorers stop snoring. Those that have watched an un-budging scale for months or years report daily losses of ½ -1 pound, and the weight does not come back on, as in other “crash” diets.

Thoughts?

Later!

Tim

Black Friday Shopping Ideas

I have 6 emails in my inbox from people asking what would make good "health-based" Christmas gifts, so instead of answering them, I will just make a quick post. Here are my Top-10 ideas, all available on Amazon.

Oh, and by the way, you can get Amazon Prime free for 30 days here.  This means free shipping on just about everything!

#1 is:

Under $20!

1. Hot Air Popcorn Popper - $18.  I use it almost every night!  I bought these for my Mom&Dad, two brothers and sister for Christmas this year. Apparently I missed this craze in the '70s.  Heck, buy one for yourself!

               1a. Heirloom Popcorn - $13 for two big packages. Thank me later.

2. Tortilla Press - $20. Takes some practice, but homemade tortillas are da bomb!

              2a. Masa Harina Corn Meal - $13 for 4 packages. This is the "real deal" for making tortillas or 'corn dodgers' just like John Wayne (remember this post, lol).

3. Garlic Press - $9. Love this thing!  Has it's own storage container so you can press out a couple day's worth and stick the whole thing in the fridge. Ingenious!

4. Beekeeping Stuff:

              4a. Starter Kit - $213.  This is almost everything you need to keep bees. If you get this for someone, I am available to give free advice!

              4b. Beekeeping for Dummies Book - $18

              4c. Bee Suit - $75.  The starter kit comes with a hat and veil, but trust me, you will get stung!  Buy a whole body suit and avoid unnecessary stings!

5. Food Dehydrator - $225.  This is a professional model with timer.  Works unbelievably well.  Dehydrates green plantains perfectly.  Also great for anything from your garden.

6. Smoked Oysters, in olive oil, 18 cans - $55.  If you like smoked oysters, but can never find them in olive oil, here you go. Perfect for a low-carb lunch. Oysters are packed with nutrition, a can a week is better than any multi-vitamin you can buy.

7. Jack Lalanne PowerJuicer - $99.  Mine is about 5 years old. Makes the most amazing carrot juice you can imagine. You can also use it to make your own "Tatertot Brand potato starch!"

              7a. Jack's book - "Live Young Forever"

8. Blood Glucose Meter - $27. For the "biohacker" in the family.  Not just for diabetics!  No prescription needed. Use to make an insulin sensitivity graph personalized to your meals.  Fun for the whole family, lol.

             8b. 50 Extra Test Strips for the meter - $35.

9. Snowshoes - under $100. If you think snowshoes are old-fashioned and clunky, these are modern, expedition style. I have about 1000 miles on a pair that is 5 years old. Love them!

10. Aerogarden - $150ish. Grow herbs or whatever you like all Winter long.  I just ordered peppermint seeds for mine. Last Winter I tried chives, cilantro, mint, parsely, and thyme...all did great!

Honorable mention: 

Drone with HD Camera - $1200. OK. This is what I want for Christmas.  How else can we keep tabs on refugees?

Happy Shopping!
Tim

Attract Women with Garlic!

Photo Credit

One weird little trick to get the woman of your dreams!  Eat Garlic!