Updated pictures & information on the link below. Soon to come: Plants received from the MTPS (Middle Tennessee Plant Swap) & my Hyponex experiment. Steve's Garden Update

Lee, I don't come over to conversations very often but you have been in my heart and prayers. It's amazing that you are living, much less walking. I just know you are a walking miracle and are going to continue to do well. Thank you so much for taking the time to let us hear how you are doing. I know it has been a terrible struggle for you. Beverly

Not to hijack either, but I've used microfiber cloths and regular 'ol Ajax Liquid Dish Soap used to make hot, soapy water to clean my granite. Nary a problem...ever. My granite is just as shiny as it was the day it was installed almost three years ago. Now for the food sticking problem. Granite is cool, typically, and when any warm food drips or hits it, it starts to cool fast and will stick. I especially notice more things 'stuck' when we have company and I use the island as a buffet. I use a plastic scraper that I use for my pizza stone to clean up stuck food on the counter. I think I got it from Pampered Chef. I also keep a single blade razor handy just in case I need a sharper edge than the plastic scraper. It just depends on what I'm cleaning. Neither the razor blade or the plastic scraper hurts or scratches my granite. Awhile ago, I was using Crazy Glue and literally got it everywhere on my granite counter. I was in shock. I went ahead and let it dry then used the razor blade to get if off the granite. It came off without a problem and no evidence that it ever happened appeared. As a matter of fact, the fabricator suggested using the razor blade and I pulled out the plastic scraper because I did not DH or my kiddos using the blade in an unsafe manner or irresponsible manner to clean off the granite.

I live the Virgin diet every day. It should be called the Virgin Lifestyle. This is a good diet for people with intolerances and who have a very difficult time losing weight, but it's great for everyone I think because it makes complete sense and is super natural. It's a ten-week plan to lose weight and discover intolerances. Take out 7 foods for three weeks then reintroduce them one at a time for the next seven weeks. Below I've explained the reasons for taking out these 7 foods. Gluten: contains lectins that bind to insulin, which creates insulin resistance and can make your blood sugars rise, making it hard to lose weight. Gluten is also an inflammatory. Soy: a phyto-estrogen, a plant source of the hormone estrogen. It's also heavily genetically modified. Dairy: like gluten, acts as an isulin resistant. It's nearly impossible to find hormone-free milk. So, hormones and rising blood sugar=acne and fat. There are studies out there that show countries with the highest dairy consumption have the highest levels of osteoporosis. On the contrary, countries that rely on calcium rich foods have a much lower rate of osteoporosis. I've read that the pasturization process of milk breaks down the protein that allows our bodies to absorb the calcium. I believe all this but there is still a huge debate about it. Corn: inflammatory and a high-glycemic food Peanuts: inflammatory and high in lectins. Eggs: inflammatory. If you have sensitivity to corn and soy, eggs might affect you because the chickens are probably fed corn and soy. I have a huge intolerance to fat so another reason eggs bother me. Sugar: we all know that's bad! And don't be fooled by agave necter...higher in fructose than high fructose corn syrup. I'm 5'8 and was 148 lbs. I'm now 135 and holding. In two weeks, my injured knee from subluxation over a year before wasn't hurting and felt stronger. My ankles reduced by 1/2 inch, something I thought was genetic but I guess was just excess fluid. I never really had bad acne, but what I did have cleared up and my blackheads reduced significantly. Also, my menstrual cycle went from seven days to three. My head felt clearer and I had more energy. I rarely have wind or bloated belly as well. The cellulite on my legs reduced by about 50%. I made a point to not exercise the first three weeks to see how effective just changing my diet was. ALL these changes happened without exercise, though of course after the three weeks I went back to yoga. I don't think everyone needs to cut out all of these foods. I also know some people won't have as many changes as I did. But I don't see how it will hurt to try, just to see what changes might happen to you! I think JJ knows what she's talking about. In regards to sticking to it, I cheat every once in a while but I usually feel so bad when I do that I find myself cheating a lot less. Good luck!