Discussion Board

The house looks so empty this morning! Yesterday we were full to capacity with great food, old and new friends, neighbors, visiting dignitaries, success stories, supportive friends and spouses, and good cheer. I had planned to take some photos, but my hands were full. Julie aka Funcrunch, our professional event photographer, who had a new camera with her did take a few, but I'm afraid we kept her too busy with other stuff this time to allow her to really show her (photography) talents to best advantage.

Carolyn, aka Caroveggie arranged for Dr. McDougall joined via the us for a skype session for about an hour following the video on vitamin supplements. We had a great connection, but I understand there may have been a sound problem with the webcast. Sorry about that for those of you who tried to join us. Dr. McDougall and his staff are working on getting the technology right so that folks can participate simultaneously world-wide. But, we're not there yet.

I wanted to share some comments from a couple of my friends who are new to this way of eating:

Sara said (midway through the video) "OK, I get it. I need to eat healthy. I'll buy a cookbook".

Tina (upon attending her second brunch in response to her blueberry muffins) "This is my first McDougall recipe" (and they were delicious!)

Roz (from Napa, who attended the last brunch, but couldn't make this one as she walked into the last brunch and saw the spread of food) "Ohhhh, this isn't about deprivation is it?" And her comment yesterday when she called to say she couldn't make it "I feel so much better when I eat this way. I need to learn more".

So, for those of you who are planning events, in addition to putting out the word to the converted, don't forget your old friends, especially if you want to have them around as you grow old together:

Not to be a downer, but I need to share one more thing, then I'll shut up. I work for the state, and have been very active in my union over the years. Through that activity I have made friends all over the state--many I consider closer than family. A few months ago, one of my dear union brothers ("Mike") retired, I guess in his mid 50's. He was overweight, and had a history of high blood pressure. He had a stroke at his retirement party--right in front of his wife and 16-year old daughter. He had just completed a travel agent course, and had great plans for a change of careers. That is now off the table. He spent three weeks in ICU on a feeding tube and ventillator, and thankfully, is now improving. He's talking, and eating on his own, but he's paralyzed on one side, and his short-term memory sucks. Some of us have been trying to raise money to help with the cost of his therapy (which is through the roof). And I'm kicking myself for never mentioning this lifestyle to him because I didn't want to be rude. I'll be visiting Southern CA in about a month on a family matter, and I plan to visit Mike, who is now in a rehabilitation facility. I'm also planning to have a talk with his wife, who needs all the support she can get to help Mike get well.

Thank you for sharing this with those of us who couldn't be there or tune in to the web cast.

Fulenn

that is so sad about your friend, Vanilla Orchid. Don't beat yourself up.

It's a fine line to walk with people. If you volunteer health info, people get defensive. If they ask for more info on your lifestyle, they say it's too extreme for them. But if you say nothing, you wonder if you could have helped. I see people in the library all the time checking out books on cholesterol, heart disease, diabetes. But I don't think they would listen to me if I said anything about McD-ing. I've recommend books and people tell me they are too radical. It's like we know the best secret in the world, but no one wants to hear it!

Crying as I read this--deep sobs of frustation and sadness. --knowing these truths and so often unable to share them.