“modern wheat is the most powerful disruptive factor in the health of modern humans than any other…”

Merri and I went wheat-free more than a year ago and see many benefits beyond weight loss. Follow the link to read a summary of Dr Davis’ anti-wheat argument. It’s not my intent to endorse the cookbook referred to in the blog entry — I think you’ll find plenty of wheat-free recipes on the Web. peace, mjh

Chef Pete Evans goes wheat-free! | Wheat Belly Blog

Modern wheat is the product of 40 years of genetics research, intensive efforts aimed at increasing yield-per-acre. The result: a genetically unique plant that stands 18-24 inches tall, a “semi-dwarf” strain, not the 4 1/2-foot tall “amber waves of grain” we all remember. Traditional wheat is long gone, a product that has not been on store shelves since around 1985. Today, virtually all products made with wheat flour, regardless of whether it is organic, sprouted, multigrain, etc., originates from this high-yield, semi-dwarf creation of genetics research.

The genetic distance modern wheat has drifted from its ancient origins exceeds the difference between chimpanzees and humans. Chimps and humans genes differ by only a few percent, sharing at least 90%—but what a difference a few percent can make! But that’s more than modern wheat is genetically removed from its ancestors.

Okay: So wheat has been changed by genetics research that altered the appearance of this plant. Is it really that important?

You bet it is. In fact, understanding the changes that wheat has undergone is probably one of the most crucial aspects of gaining control over modern health and weight, more than calorie intake, more than exercise, certainly more than fat intake. I will go so far as to say that modern wheat is the most powerful disruptive factor in the health of modern humans than any other, nutritional or otherwise. …

Chef Pete Evans goes wheat-free! | Wheat Belly Blog

A friend of ours who is a doctor read the book and found much of the science acceptable. However, he was suspicious of the implication that everything wrong with health today stems from wheat. Agreed. On the other hand, would you be surprised that through a combination of ignorance and greed, the Food Industry and the Health Industry would let you poison yourself every single day? mjh

Birding near Alameda, New Mexico

note the shadow and the reflectionmute swanAlbuquerque’s bosque is a true gem, an authentic treasure to be worshipped and cared for. One can walk in the bosque and scarcely believe that over 600,000 people occupy the surrounding county. Most recently, a pair of mute swans drew us to Alameda, one of our favorite hiking destinations close to home. Some of these photos are also from the area near the Rio Grande Nature Center.

 

Who is twisting and re-writing what here?

“Recently, information has come to me that this sacred situation might be twisted, re-written out of whole cloth and shopped to press outlets large and small in a vicious attempt to smear, hurt and diminish Pete Domenici, an honorable man, his extraordinary wife, Nancy, and other innocents,” Michelle Laxalt.

An honorable man known as Saint Pete, who cheated on his wife yet continued to participate in his Catholicism and conservatism? From the woman involved in St Pete’s betrayal of his extraordinary wife?

Understand: None of these people needs my forgiveness, understanding, nor respect. People are flawed. People cheat and lie. When “saints” do it, one could kindly say he’s only human. But Conservatives have raged against society’s decline at the hands of everyone but them. Conservatives present themselves as pillars and paragons. Conservatives believe they are more patriotic and more trustworthy than liberals. Perhaps they are simply bigger fools. It would be funny except for how hard they ride roughshod over the rest of society. Conservatives had earned humiliation, scorn, and derision. I don’t want to hurt Saint Pete or any of these fools. I want to see all of Conservatism with its head bowed, tears in eyes, lips trembling as it lies, “Please, baby, I won’t do it again.” We should know better.

Domenici’s news?

That the paragon of Republicans before the party went insane was a lying philandering hypocrite for over 30 years? I want to see Republicans tearing off their shirts to flog themselves bloody in the street – nothing less will begin to redeem the party of scoundrels and bastards. Until then, they can shut the fuck up, sit on their hands, and nod politely while decent people move the nation forward again.

Let the Republicans bloody each other for years to come

I would be fine with Gingrinch and Rove killing each other — literally. There is no better fight to the death than between fat old rich white men. Bring it on. The young Republicans — a nauseating oxymoron — can bury the dead and make up fairy tales about how great they were and will be again. Bullshit.

Could Newt Gingrich Attack On Rove Signal Beginning Of Public Intra-Establishment Fight?

"I am unalterably opposed to a bunch of billionaires financing a boss to pick candidates in 50 states," Gingrich writes, casting Rove as the "boss" picking candidates through groups like American Crossroads. "No one person is smart enough nor do they have the moral right to buy nominations across the country."

"That is the system of Tammany Hall and the Chicago machine. It should be repugnant to every conservative and every Republican," he writes.

Gingrich also mocks Rove for his "blow up" on Fox News on Election Night, after Fox called Ohio for Obama.

"Handing millions to Washington based consultants to destroy the candidates they dislike and nominate the candidates they do like is an invitation to cronyism, favoritism and corruption," Gingrich writes.

Could Newt Gingrich Attack On Rove Signal Beginning Of Public Intra-Establishment Fight?

How do you know it’s Spring in New Mexico? The wind gets dustier.

If you don’t live in New Mexico, you might not understand what it feels like to see fat clouds, to hear the weather report calling for rain and snow, to see the map with three quarters of the state covered, and to know with utter certainty that nothing will fall but dust. Our latest winter storm may deposit some moisture somewhere, but it won’t be in Albuquerque. The repetition of this tease is painful.

Actually, Spring starts in New Mexico with the first 100 acre fire — any day now.

"It does not require a majority to prevail, but rather an irate, tireless minority keen to set brush fires in people's minds." — Sam Adams