Posts by Olivia Castillo562

We have a tour of local bakeries scheduled for November 29th and 30th. I am praying we can actually hit every spot on the list. Honestly, my biggest concern isn't even the cost—it's the quality. I’m terrified of spending all this time just to find out every single pastry is mediocre.

I recently picked up some treats from a local boutique bakery; they were decent given the price point, but nothing spectacular. I could have easily polished off ten of them in one sitting without breaking a sweat. I also tried a selection from a high-end patisserie, but at $40 per pound, they were utterly pedestrian. I refuse to pay premium prices for average results.

Here is the status report: I reached out to Sugarman, but they were ghosts until I finally cornered them. Even then, they charge per individual pastry, which is an absolute non-starter for me. Everyone else has responded; some listed prices and others didn't, but our itinerary currently includes: Le Cakes, Sweet Stories, Fancy Cake, and Amelia.

If anyone has additional recommendations, speak up now. I still have enough room in the schedule to squeeze in one more stop if it's worth the trip.🤣

silvermarlin7 said:I spotted someone at Walmart yesterday buying huge bags of dried cookies for $13. Honestly, if you're looking to save a few bucks on 😉, it might be worth checking out. I’ve tried some of their other stuff before and it wasn't half bad, though I have no clue about these specific ones.

We finally pulled the trigger on getting a dessert table for 😍. I think we're leaning towards using Catering Bell. Has anyone here actually used them? What was your experience like?

Small Town USA off 😁 honestly, Walmart is a goldmine 😁 if you aren't trying to lose weight, because I'd be buying them every single day😁

My last full blood panel was done on February 12, 2013, and my ESR was at 9 (reference range 4-24). I believe I had another test done back in November, but I don't have those specific results on hand. It’s difficult to track exact dates when you aren't holding the paperwork, especially since I've had blood drawn about 20 times now for various tests. 🙂

I dealt with sinus issues long before I underwent surgery to remove a cyst that actually pushed out along with my tonsils when I was 16. The cyst was located beneath the bone at the level of my nostrils and was extracted through the inside of my mouth. Apparently, it was about the size of a plum; I didn't even realize I had it. Following the procedure, I suffered from headaches and intense pressure in the sinus area on that side of my face. I went through several rounds of testing, but nothing turned up—eventually, the situation just resolved itself over time.

Thank you very much for the explanations; they were truly helpful. 🙂

Yes, I am referring to throat/pharyngeal inflammation. The initial bout occurred on August 12, 2012, though no tests were performed then since it was my first flare-up after roughly three years. The second started on October 28, the third on December 10, and the fourth began on February 8, 2013. That was the last time I was sick. Every single time, I was put on antibiotics and dealt with extremely high fevers, often hitting around 104°F during the onset.

The swab was taken on the day the illness began; the throat irritation was present, the inflammation was visible, and I had a fever exceeding 102°F, which is my standard pattern.

To be clear, the first instance was August 12, 2012, but the first CRP wasn't run until December 18, 2012, during the third flare-up. A second CRP was repeated during a period when I was healthy.

Frankly, I know nothing about the tests or the immunology work done for me in Washington, D.C., because the immunologist at the Mayo Clinic saw me for all of two minutes, scribbled down all the orders, and kicked me out of her office. I didn't even have a chance to ask questions. Consequently, I have no idea why an autologous serum test is necessary, why I need computerized telethermography (beyond what a quick Google search says), or why I’m required to undergo ultrasound of the arm and leg arteries.

Nicholas Myers, thank you so much for such an exhaustive response. 🙂 I’ll be sure to fill in some of those gaps in my research.

To clarify, I’ve had my AST levels checked several times—both while sick (under inflammation) and when healthy.
On Dec 10, 2012, it was 484 IU/ml (sick); on Dec 22, 2012, it was 502 IU/ml (after finishing a course of antibiotics); on Jan 8, 2013, it was 406 IU/ml (healthy) and 678 IU/ml (sick). The reference range is < 200 IU/ml.

A throat swab was done on Dec 10, 2012, which showed normal physiological flora. I haven't done any nasal or ear swabs.

I’ve had my CRP tested twice: on Dec 18, 2012, it was 17.46 mg/l (while on antibiotics), and on Jan 8, 2013, it was 14.28 mg/l (healthy). The reference range is < 6 mg/l.

Regarding the hives, there were only two episodes back in September 2012, but since this year, I’ve been getting a mild red rash on my arms whenever I come into contact with strawberry leaves. That’s never happened before. Interestingly, I ate raspberries this year and had no reaction at all.

Skin tests don't show an allergic reaction to any standard inhaled allergens except for histamine—which shows a 5x5 reading next to it—but the autologous serum test came back negative.

I’ve been battling strep since I was a kid; even before my tonsillectomy, I was frequently ill, sometimes several times within a single year.

The knee pain started about 5 or 6 years ago. There's no swelling in the joints, just a dull ache deep inside. It fluctuates from feeling like my knees are just "there" to intense pain, especially when walking up stairs. Because of this, my primary care physician sent me for Waller Rose testing, as well as latex and LE cell tests. Honestly, I have no idea what LE cells signify in my specific case.

At my doctor's suggestion, I also underwent a MUCH swab and tests for both aerobic and anaerobic bacteria—both came back negative.

Given the fatigue I felt in November and December, my doctor suspected thyroid issues, but my hormone levels are normal: T3 is 2.9 (ref: 1.3–3.1), T4 is 127.2 (ref: 66–181), and TSH is 2.57 (ref: 0.27–4.2). The ultrasound showed a thyroid of normal size, with lobes measuring 41x15x15mm. The parenchymal structure shows normal echogenicity, though it's slightly coarse. No large nodules were found. There are reactive lymph nodes on both sides of the neck, measuring up to 10mm.

I’m not sure if any of this provides new insight for you; in my first post, I focused mostly on the findings from the immunologist in Washington, D.C., because my primary doctor doesn't have extensive experience in detailed immunology.

Thanks again for all your effort. 🙂

Hello, this is my first time posting in the "health" section, so I hope I am following the rules correctly.

Age: 28, not pregnant 🙂 non-smoker, currently on oral contraceptives

Reason for testing: I suffer from frequent strep infections; I had my tonsils removed at age 16. While I was healthy for a while after that, last year was rough. I fell ill in August, then again in October—at which point doctors suggested inpatient infectious disease care, though I declined—and then again in December. In September, I experienced severe hives after eating raspberries (on two separate occasions, despite having no prior allergies), and this year I’ve had repeated rashes on my arms after touching foliage and strawberries. I have also been dealing with varying degrees of knee pain. Throughout November and December, I suffered from extreme fatigue. This prompted me to seek diagnostic testing.

Tests completed prior to seeing the immunologist at Holy Spirit: I underwent two sets of cell extractions, testing positive on two out of three days during both sessions. My thyroid function is normal, with all values within the reference range. I tested negative for Waaler-Rose and latex agglutination. My CBC is entirely within normal limits.

fibrinogen 4.4 (reference interval 1.5 - 4),
last AST 678 IU/ml (reference value < 200),
last CRP 17.45 mg/l (reference value < 6),
protein electrophoresis: elevated alpha 2 at 11.1 (normal range 6-10) and beta at 15.5 (normal range 8-13).

My primary care physician referred me to an immunologist at Holy Spirit, where the following tests were recommended: ANA, IEF, anti-thyroglobulin and anti-microsomal antibodies, AST, computerized thermography, autologous serum test, skin prick allergy testing, total IgE, C3 and C4, and an arterial ultrasound of the arms and legs.

I have already completed the skin prick allergy testing and the autologous serum test; both returned negative results.

Next were the anti-thyroglobulin and anti-microsomal antibodies:



ANA, IEF, total IgE, C3, and C4



I haven't done the rest yet because the wait time for computerized thermography is incredibly long, so I am holding off on the arterial ultrasound and the AST for now.

I would appreciate any insight regarding these results. My doctor is away on vacation for a while, and my follow-up appointment with the immunologist isn't until November 6th.

Thank you in advance 🙂

I actually love those days when I’ve got nothing better to do than wander aimlessly around the web :P I was just talking to my fiancé about wedding colors—we're leaning toward pink and green—and then I stumbled upon this

It's pretty ridiculous, honestly 🙂

mellowcobra82 said:And how exactly is glycerin produced if not through a chemical process?!😉 Look, it's not poison, but I've seen firsthand that people usually find those cakes way too sweet and rubbery, leaving half of them sitting on the plate. A baker I know mentioned that if you're stacking tiers, the bottom layer needs to be drier to support the weight of the whole thing. I didn't dig too deep into the science, but it likely comes down to the size of the cake, the filling, and definitely the skill of the baker!🤷

You only need a single spoonful of glycerin for nearly a pound of batter, and it isn't toxic.😉 I see your point about the bottom tier needing more structural integrity, but just because this specific cake was still good the next day doesn't mean it was dry. It was a massive cake, and let's face it, some people just leave frosting on their plates regardless.🙄

mellowcobra82 said:I finally picked out my wedding cake the other day. Since we're having a summer wedding, I wanted something light—nothing heavy like those dense walnut or chocolate sponge cakes. I also wanted to steer clear of the typical Black Forest or fruit cream classics you see at every single wedding lately. When something becomes a trend, people just follow it blindly without thinking. 🙄 In the end, I went with a three-tier setup (separate tiers): first tier is fruit, second is vanilla parfait, and third is chocolate parfait. 😍 It should be light enough to satisfy just about anyone.

Now, I was torn between using fondant or whipped cream. Fondant can make a cake look absolutely stunning, but there's a catch... If you stack the tiers directly on top of each other, the bottom layer has to be incredibly firm to support the weight, and I have zero interest in serving a dry, hard cake. Plus, let's be honest: fondant is basically pure chemicals, and half the guests usually leave it sitting on their plates. I didn't want to see perfectly good cake going to waste. Ultimately, flavor won over aesthetics, and I'm confident I made the right call. We're doing whipped cream, decorated with some handmade daisies the baker is making herself. We'll see how it turns out... 😉

Fondant isn't "chemicals"—it's mostly powdered sugar, a bit of fructose, gelatin, and glycerin. Last year, I attended some weddings where they had massive multi-tiered fondant cakes from Costco. They used a combination of ice cream and sponge that I haven't even tried yet. It wasn't dry; I think the quality depends entirely on the pastry chef.

We are planning to visit several bakeries to sample different cakes and pastries, but for now, we are leaning toward fondant.

slydriver52 said:It won't cause you any trouble at the border, and as far as origin goes, that stuff comes from Canada anyway.
The reality is that you'll spend at least $23 on gas if you're driving from Washington, D.C., depending on your vehicle and how far you go. As for those sneaky extra fees, with ProSport
you're looking at 98 cents, whereas everyone else takes a 1% cut of the package value. Just keep an eye on the expiration dates in both scenarios.
Also, double-check if the prices on that site include sales tax; some stores list prices without tax for countries outside the Eurozone. Your safest bet is to just open the Canadian domain (.si) immediately.

Are the prices on the FlexShop website excluding sales tax? There’s just one number listed with no extra details. The price for 4.5kg is 90 euros, which works out to about 675 + roughly $23 in gas from Washington, D.C., totaling 745, while the price at Pollo is $300. So, I think it's worth making the trip; I still have about a month and a half left in my "old" tub, so it's not urgent.

I realize prices are going up, but in my case, I won't be buying protein constantly (only until I'm fully in shape) because it's a pretty expensive sport.

Chloe Ruiz15 said:I don't mind using eBay, provided the seller isn't some fraud. I've had issues where people list items just to bait you, then ignore my emails or have nothing in stock.
p.s. There's a shop called FlaxShop on eBay listed for $105 + $10 shipping (they're based in Canada), but you mentioned customs duties aren't an issue if it stays under $100. Isn't customs applied once you pass $53?

I'm also curious about how the eBay process works. Honestly, I'm pretty skeptical about online shopping; in an era filled with scams, you rarely know if the product actually exists. I was even considering driving down to Canada myself to pick up 10 lbs of protein. I doubt they'd give me any trouble at the border.

Chloe Ruiz15 said:Does anyone have a recommendation for where I can find the best deal on MuscleTech - Gold Standard Whey 2.352g chocolate with mail delivery?

polleosport offers free shipping on orders over $133. I didn't use the mail; I just picked it up at their physical store. From what I've seen online in the States, most MuscleTech products hover around the $470-$167 mark. If my math is off, please correct me 🙂 and point me toward a cheaper spot (just not a local flea market)

Kenneth Jackson3 said:Try using an immersion blender, or just buy one of these:

It has a built-in strainer, so you won't be left with clumps when you mix it.

The vanilla flavor works perfectly if you blend it in a mixer with a banana.

That’s why I grabbed the vanilla now while strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries are in season. I think I've tried pretty much every fruit combo imaginable; I just toss it in the blender with some fruit, then add the protein and milk. A few tiny lumps aren't going to ruin my day.

I went out to pick up some yoga mats, so I grabbed a small sample pack of Double Rich Chocolate whey to try out. I'll likely switch to chocolate during the winter since it pairs great with bananas when fruit options are limited. Honestly, I still can't believe I finally found a substitute for my sweet tooth.😁

Quote: Soul Lid

Kenneth Jackson3 said:Check out this old nutritional breakdown. It’s a classic example of how much things have changed.

A 29.4g serving provides exactly 24g of protein. It’s basic math, really. 🙂

Zero sugar, an incredible aroma, and a truly fantastic flavor profile.

I mix mine with milk. I picked up the vanilla flavor and can confirm it is absolutely delicious.😁 It pleasantly surprised me; I was fully expecting something bland and floury.