What was your thread about? Basically, with the PDF, topics tend to get moved or deleted unless they're strictly about life in a specific foreign country... for instance, if I wanted to talk about weather issues, I couldn't just start a new thread asking "how does your home country handle snowstorms?" Instead, I’d have to post in the Italy thread, which covers everything from getting a green card to whether or not they stock sour cream at the local grocery store. So, since it looks like the mods aren't really feeling it, the lockdown diaspora only really tolerates service-related info for potential expats, or posts confined to the specific country you're living in. Anything outside those lines has been getting wiped for over a year now, so honestly, most of the old crowd doesn't even bother visiting anymore.
Same thing happening here. First it was some random Meta ads, and now some US federal gaming commission agency is throwing up warnings and blocking me from the forum because of some gambling site. I had to dig through Google to find this PDF just to figure out what the hell is going on. It’s a relief to see I’m not the only one dealing with this; I usually have AdBlock Plus running, but this is clearly something else. 🤷definitely annoying
Tried heading back to the homepage, but I hit the same wall. This warning pops up instead: In accordance with the decree from the State Gaming Commission dated January 2, 2007, regarding the removal of unauthorized online games, lotteries, betting, or prize competitions, the requested site is unreachable as it lacks the necessary authorizations to operate online gaming in the USA.
The list of authorized online gaming operators is available on the official government website www.aams.gov.it.
I should mention, thanks to some tips from 👍 , I tweaked my settings in Mozilla and now I can finally get back to the main page.
I don't really get why that post needed correcting—it felt totally unnecessary, especially since I saw how the original looked. From my experience, though, you might as well just take moderator calls and infractions in stride. It’s not like you're getting banned.
The vibe in the food section hasn't been great for a while now, but constant arguing isn't going to fix anything. It's like in real life: if you run into someone who's just being difficult, you don't waste energy trying to prove them wrong; you just give them a wide berth. Why not apply that same logic to the forums?
It’s a shame this "contest" thread is mostly being boycotted just because of the person who started it. You're all making a mistake by treating this as "her" thread; she just picked out the prizes based on what most people wanted from that Asian fusion thread.
A forum is meant for discussion, and it's one of the most democratic ways to communicate—everyone gets a say. I'd like to believe there's still room for everyone in the food section, regardless of what they're cooking up 😁
Sandra Baker35 said:I constantly feel like it’s something serious, which is why I’m terrified to actually go get checked out... it sounds irrational, but that's just how it is. Dammit... I don't know what's worse, the fear or the actual pain. 😲
I get it, I really do. You're dealing with a double whammy: you have the physical pain, and then you have the constant mental loop of imagining the absolute worst-case scenarios. Given how stressed you are, there's probably some IBS in the mix too, which usually makes hemorrhoids even worse... but you won't know for sure until you see a doctor. We're all scared of something. Honestly, the worst thing you can hear is, "I wish you had come in sooner."
First off, go get checked out by a doctor. Just because you have hemorrhoids doesn't mean you're automatically headed for surgery. A friend of mine actually had the Longo procedure done over in Italy; he was discharged the very next day and was back to his normal routine within a week. You can check out how the Longo technique works here, even if you don't speak the language. I think there's a clinic in a small town in the US that uses this method, maybe near Cleveland, if my memory serves me right. The Milligan-Morgan version is way more painful. My sister had that one done and she really went through it for nearly a month after the procedure. That said, they've refined that technique too, so it’s probably much less brutal than it was 15 years ago.
Sandra Baker35 said:How are you guys handling the fear? Has anyone actually skipped a doctor's visit because they were too anxious, even when things weren't feeling right?
There are a lot of people posting here who have never actually seen a specialist or gone through an exam. They describe everything from bleeding to pain while sitting or using the bathroom, sometimes even mentioning symptoms that point to much more serious issues. I can't imagine living with those symptoms and just guessing what's wrong. You see all kinds of stories here because so few people actually follow through with a checkup. People deal with issues that aren't just hemorrhoids, and I’ve had my own exam done—I want to encourage anyone who's terrified of the process. I've dealt with four different specialists, and they all shared one thing: extreme care and professionalism. It feels like they know how awkward this is for patients, so they go out of their way to be extra considerate. For women, a rectal exam might feel slightly less daunting since we're used to gynecological visits, but there's really no reason to suffer through pain or, worse, live with the uncertainty. Hemorrhoids are usually just hemorrhoids, but they can hide other problems. I still remember what a 42-year-old woman told me while I was at the hospital with my mom; she had been through chemo for anal cancer and said, "it felt just like hemorrhoids, it just hurt for a long time.>>" Isn't it easier to just handle a few minutes of discomfort to confirm it's "only" inflamed hemorrhoids—get some treatment or maybe discuss a procedure (modern surgeries like the Longo method are much easier than they used to be)—rather than living in doubt and potentially dealing with something far more serious? ☕
I don't see why people are making such a big deal out of this or complaining so much... if a woman is dealing with incontinence, she needs to see her gynecologist, get the tests done, go through urodynamics, and then schedule surgery if it's actually necessary. Why suffer for ten years when you don't have to? Honestly, since when did incontinence become such a massive epidemic anyway? Just because they run commercials for pads featuring young women instead of actual grandmas?
Kimberly Nguyen said:Secured Loans: - backed by your savings accounts - mutual funds - life insurance policies - stock portfolios - home savings plans ....
Look, here's how it works: say you’ve got a solid chunk of cash sitting in a high-yield savings account at Chase. Instead of breaking that deposit and losing out on interest, the bank gives you a line of credit based on that balance—usually up to 90% of whatever you've got tucked away. You'll pay a slightly higher interest rate than what the account is earning, sure, but you get to pick the term that actually fits your life. It's flexible, it's smart, and it keeps your principal intact.
If you ask me, these are hands down the best loans out there. They're simple, they're straightforward, and they're easily the cheapest way to borrow money without getting absolutely ripped off. 👍
Sure, it might be the best, simplest, and cheapest option out there—but you have to ask: who is it actually serving?
Banks don't actually do anything besides lend your own money back to you. Why on earth would anyone bother with a secured loan if they already have the cash sitting in a savings account? 🤷 If I have to put up $1,000 just to get a $1,000 line of credit, what’s the point? Why bother dragging the bank into this if I already have the cash sitting there?
Don't roast me for being naive here, but if someone isn't working directly with bees or in a setting where they're constantly at risk of getting stung, why bother with immunotherapy? A bee sting is usually just a random accident; they aren't out there hunting people down to sting them. Is this treatment meant for those facing anaphylactic shock, regardless of how rare or accidental the initial sting might be?
brightlynx11 said:Look, I never claimed my way was the only way, just that it delivers the best results. Studies show about 90% of people cut their weight in half within two years of getting a gastric band. Most of them actually keep the weight off even after the band comes out. In the rest of the world, this is a routine fix for morbid obesity, and for tons of people, it’s literally a lifesaver.
I’m not so sure an 1100-calorie restrictive diet can really become someone's "lifestyle." Personally, I figured out which foods were healthy and what I should be eating a long time ago—mostly because both my parents had heart bypass surgery—but I ended up eating WAY too much of those "healthy" foods. It isn't just about *what* you eat; it's about how much. My issue wasn't my food structure, it was volume, and that's where the band helps because it physically limits how much you can shove in. The magic part about the band is that you can stick to an 1100-calorie limit without feeling like you're starving. Not feeling hungry is HUGE, and anyone who’s ever tried to diet knows exactly what I mean. Right now, I get full off one tiny yogurt and stay satisfied for like 5 or 6 hours. Why did I see results so fast? Because I stuck to that restrictive diet 99.99% of the time (okay, I had a slice of birthday cake), I didn't fail because I wasn't even hungry, and I crushed an hour on the elliptical every single day. One big reason people crash and burn on diets is pure hunger—they can't stand it. And the heavier a person is, the bigger the stomach, which makes that hunger even worse. So, for anyone with a massive BMI (like, over 40), the most logical move is to get the band and solve the problem once and for all. Just because the medical establishment here in America is conservative about this method doesn't change the fact that globally, this is standard procedure, often done as an outpatient thing. Besides, it’s not like this is the only life-saving surgery out there, so I don't get why everyone is making such a huge deal out of it.
Of course, whether or not someone actually goes through with getting the band is a personal call. You have to be honest with yourself and promise you'll actually follow the rules...
People get worked up because they still view obesity as a failure of willpower—a character flaw—rather than a legitimate medical issue. There is a massive difference between being a few pounds overweight and being in a category of pathological obesity with a high BMI. Pathological obesity doesn't just happen overnight; the entire body undergoes physiological changes. You can't judge someone dealing with clinical obesity based on the few extra pounds someone might carry due to bad habits. It feels pretty hypocritical to lecture someone about "willpower" when they're choosing a procedure that actually saves their life. Obesity kills, both directly and indirectly. Meanwhile, you see countless women rushing into totally unnecessary liposuction or cosmetic tweaks that have absolutely nothing to do with health.
Peeled tomatoes are basically canned San Marzano types—long, meaty, and perfect for preserving. I’m not saying carton sauces are trash, but I prefer peeled ones because you can actually see what you're getting. I stick to peeled tomatoes in their own juice with just a pinch of salt—nothing else, no weird acids. Carton salsas often end up using lower-grade tomato blends, so if you have to go that route, maybe thin it out with some water. Buckwheat is a super healthy (and tasty) heart-shaped grain. It was a staple back in the day in the Appalachian Mountains, though people don't eat it as much now. Research suggests it's great for managing blood pressure and diabetes. Just scroll to this page to see what it looks like. Personally, I'm not a fan of constantly introducing weird, new foods while dieting, but we really ought to bring back some old-school classics. I'm thinking thick vegetable soups paired with things like buckwheat, barley, or wheat.
Look, I really want to encourage you—losing weight is totally doable, but you have to overhaul your habits first. Your meal today was okay because you added veggies to the pasta, but there’s way too much starch in there. If your handful was roughly my size, you probably ate about 100 grams of pasta. If you’re a huge pasta lover, try this instead: go with 60 grams of pasta tossed in a bit of tomato sauce, then follow it up with 100 grams of lean meat (like chicken breast, veal, or even a lean pork cut or a chicken thigh) or 120 grams of fish. Pair that with 200 grams of vegetables—maybe a big green salad with some shredded carrots or radicchio mixed in. It forces you to chew more, which is a little trick that actually works. You can also do steamed veggies seasoned with a teaspoon of olive oil and lemon. As for fruit, stick to most kinds, but skip the grapes, figs, persimmons, and bananas if you're serious about dropping pounds. For dinner, try making a hearty vegetable soup using half a small onion, half a cup of diced carrots, the same amount of peas, and half a cup of Buckwheat. Sauté the onion in a little olive oil, toss in the carrots with a pinch of salt over low heat, then add two blended canned tomatoes, the peas, the Buckwheat, and about two cups of water. Simmer until everything is tender. You'll end up with a thick, filling soup. Follow that up with a salad paired with 50 grams of cheese or a small can of tuna in brine, and you won't be heading to bed hungry. Changing habits is always the hardest part, but once you flip that switch and adopt a "new mindset," you won't even think about going back to your old ways. If you're interested in slim cooking, check out the Gastronomy thread; I'd be happy to help you find recipes that are filling and perfect for when you want to shed a few pounds.
driftingseal3 said:When I was just seven years old, doctors diagnosed me with a heart murmur—specifically 😛mitral valve prolapse and mild mitral valve insufficiency, grade 2. Since then, I’ve been under constant medical supervision with checkups every six months, and I take half a tablet of Atenolol every single morning. About five months ago, my partner and I decided to start trying for a baby, and since then, I’ve completely stopped taking my medication. It’s been far too long without any pills, and honestly, I feel terrible. My heart rate spikes up to 180 bpm, and on top of that, my blood pressure drops dangerously low—sometimes hitting 90/60, or even as low as 60/40. I really need to know if anyone else has dealt with this specific situation and whether this will cause major complications during pregnancy. Every time I ask my doctor for guidance, he just tells me to come back once I’m actually pregnant and we can discuss it then; all he says is that my pregnancy won't be "business as usual" and that I'll need to be extra cautious. But I'm asking: am I allowed to continue my medication even though I'm actively trying to conceive? Because without them, I feel absolutely awful. Thanks for any insight. 😉
Generally, women with mitral valve prolapse handle pregnancy just fine, but... given you were on beta-blockers and now you're dealing with tachycardia, you really need to find a top-tier cardiologist and a solid OB-GYN. You shouldn't have just quit your medication on your own. Any heart issue needs more than a "let's just get pregnant and see what happens" attitude. If you were taking medication before, you likely still need it, and you need professionals to help you navigate a healthy pregnancy instead of just leaving it all to chance.
Mark Stewart4 said:Yeah, yeah... I’m honestly just laughing at myself at this point!!! Once again, I decided to take a "big leap" and once again, I completely blew it!!! Way to go, me!!! I don't even know how to deal with this anymore when my willpower is basically non-existent. Everything feels totally pointless right now. I am so done with the constant setbacks and then the massive mood swings that hit immediately after I try to "fix things" with whatever quick fix comes my way!!! Seriously though, how do you guys actually pull this off?!?!?! Is there even any hope for someone like me?! Why does everything feel ten times harder now than it used to be?! Does anyone even have an answer for that?! It feels like everyone here has stopped posting too, and I’m left feeling like everyone has just given up on me—and honestly, mostly I've just given up on myself!!! But look, even though I’m spiraling right now, I think I’ll actually make that kale dish stormylynx4 was talking about for lunch... I feel terrible, just awful... My period is coming and I honestly feel like I could bite my own head off!!!
I’m not sure how much this helps, but I’m convinced people don't struggle with weight because they just love food; it's more about bad habits and using eating to drown out emotional hunger. Overeating leads to weight gain, and for those who actually managed to lose weight and stay there, there was usually a mental shift. It’s a total overhaul—changing how you cook, what you buy at the grocery store, when you eat, and basically your whole lifestyle. Like I’ve said before, I wasn't born with skinny genes. I love cooking and I love a good meal, but I’ve cut certain foods out entirely and honestly, I don't even miss them. The catch is that right now, you're focused on losing a few pounds, but what happens after that? Looking at the meal you described, it's actually backward—you can't just eat tuna and cheese pasta and expect not to gain weight; I doubt you even cooked 70 grams of pasta, which is likely the max you could eat without creeping upward. If you crave carbs, mix them with veggies. It's zucchini and tomato season right now; try pasta with cauliflower instead. Pair that with a big salad and you won't be starving. For the initial phase of changing your diet, it's better to dodge heavy pasta due to the glycemic index—you'll be hungry again in ninety minutes if you aren't careful. To start, before you even begin a "diet," you should spend a few days tracking absolutely everything you eat and when you eat it. You need to see where the mistakes are so you can fix them. Check out the book "Why the French Don't Get Fat"—it’s a great read and might give you some solid ideas.
Mark Stewart4 said:And that’s that. Woke up on an empty stomach and feeling totally weak, hahaha... But look, I'm gonna be whatever I want to be, end of story!!! Sean Martinez34 hit the nail on the head regarding support; my folks at home are already getting pretty frustrated since my weight has been the main topic of conversation for the last 9 years, oh my God... I honestly wonder how much of a pushover I am, making myself and everyone else suffer just because I crave a decent slice of pizza. stormylynx4, regarding habits—props to you. It seems like Gerald Kern77 was saying yesterday how certain foods just became repulsive to her; when I first started my diet—a drastic one, I'll admit—I didn't touch bread or anything with a strong flavor for 4 months straight... I dropped 16 lbs, so my mom decided to reward me with pizza... Man, forget that, I took one bite and felt sick to my stomach... I don't want to get back to that point. Like you guys said, we don't have to give up everything because that just makes the cravings worse, but having a small "light" pizza once a month is plenty for me. I know I'm just telling you guys what you already know, so don't get mad, but it feels like I'm just talking myself through this and trying to stay encouraged! 🙂 stormylynx4, please tell me how you prep your meat because that bottom layer is driving me crazy... I pour sauce over mine, but I can never get it tender... And if you could only see how well my pizza dough is coming along, mmmm... 🎉 Frank Hughes56, come join the club, just do it... Ugh, I love it when my stomach is empty, I'm a completely different person, you guys!!! Anyway, I'm off to scarf down some oatmeal and then clean the apartment—God, I hope some guests show up soon... The rain cleared everything out and chased them away... Later... 😍
For any kind of lean meat, just give it a light salt first. Then, heat up a tiny bit of oil—we're talking teaspoons here. I usually start by heating a stainless steel pan (skip the Teflon) and then add the oil once it's hot so it spreads evenly, kind of like when you're making pancakes 🙂 . Put the meat in the hot pan and cover it to prevent splatters. After a few minutes, flip it and turn the heat down so it simmers gently under the lid. Usually, the meat releases its own juices and cooks right in them. I can get chicken, veal, or rabbit almost perfectly tender this way without adding extra liquid. Toward the end, once it's nearly done, I might splash in some white wine, but since you're dieting, maybe try a little sparkling water instead. Feel free to use herbs, garlic, or lemon juice. It takes some practice, but this method means you aren't constantly adding liquid. The only catch is that it won't be ready in ten minutes.
My breakfast is pretty much a ritual: some toast (about 50g) with just a touch of butter and jam, paired with a white coffee. For lunch, I already had something ready at 6 this morning—collard greens lightly blanched and sliced into diagonal strips, sautéed in olive oil with three crushed tomatoes and a bit of garlic, then simmered low and slow. I paired that with chicken pan-seared in two tablespoons of olive oil, seasoned with sage and a splash of white wine until it gets tender over low heat. For an afternoon snack, I’m grabbing some blueberry yogurt cake from the freezer (I don't have time to bake daily). Dinner will likely be melon and prosciutto—and I never eat after 7 PM during the summer. Throughout the day, I'll stick to watermelon and peaches for fruit.
I’m not here to lecture anyone on dieting, but I can say a few things about cooking healthy. A few years back, when my husband fell ill, I had to switch to a really strict meal plan for him. Honestly, making diet food was a struggle because we’ve never been big foodies—my husband never struggled with his weight, and we don't overeat—but still, changing our entire routine was a lot. And mind you, I actually love to cook; it’s more of a hobby than a chore for me. I started getting creative with pasta and veggie combos, whipping up different vegetable soups, and mastering meat dishes with almost zero fat. We never ended up eating anything bland or unappetizing. Once his health issues cleared up, the habit stuck. You realize you can make great food without all the sautéing and frying. Plus, both of us are fine with just steamed veggies and a tiny drizzle of olive oil. I doubt everyone enjoys steamed cauliflower as much as I do, but a lot of what we eat is just habit. Like the old saying goes, necessity is the mother of invention. When I hit the grocery store, I keep in mind that I wasn't born with those slim genes—I have the kind that turns you into a pear the second you slip up. Because of that, I steer clear of certain aisles entirely. I just don't buy the stuff I know I can't resist, like Twix. Even though my meals are "lighter" than average, I think it's vital not to deprive yourself. If you tell yourself you can't have something, you just end up obsessing over it. For example, I have this ritual where I have coffee and a piece of cake every single afternoon. That is the *only* time I eat sweets, even during Christmas when the house is overflowing with treats. It’s such a deep-seated habit that I don't even think about eating dessert outside of that window. I don't crave it at other times; it's just my 5:00 PM sweet treat. I also think people make a mistake when they start a diet by buying all these "weird" specialty health foods they wouldn't normally touch. Isn't it better to just stick to seasonal fruits and veggies from the local farmer's market and prepare them in a healthy way?
