Long Time No Write!

Hi all,

So sorry for my absence from the blog the last month or so. I have been dealing with some health issues. Nothing too serious. As many of you know, I had heart surgery a little over four years ago and was diagnosed with Hypertension and Atherosclerosis at the time. These have been well under control and I've been doing great, with some small adjustments in my diet, but a couple of weeks ago I was also told that I have Hypertrigliceridemia. Simply put, my body is not processing carbohydrates and sugars as well as most peoples do. Consequently, a more aggressive diet is in order. Once I get the "trigs" under control, I'll still be able to do my regular reviews and such. In the meantime I am finding new ways to keep my taste buds satiated, with some interesting limitations to my normal diet. I am basically restricted to Phase Three of the South Beach diet from her on out, meaning little or no sugar, potatoes, white bread, white pasta, ketchup, and non-light BEER, among others. Try that for a week!

I am assured that I can still have an occasional pizza and hamburger, within reason, which is good news, as I am in the research stage of writing a book on the history on the hamburger from Genghis Khan to present day! I'll be asking some of you for input on this project as it moves forward, so please send me any photos or good burger images that you come across (who knows, you might get a "shout out" in the book!). I am hoping to have it published by Christmas 2010, so keep your eyes open for it.

I will be posting notes on my trials and tribulations with the "South Beach" process and some of my favorite "Heart-Healthy" recipes, as I develop them, in my effort to create diet specific dishes that would be palatable to the general public.

Think of me any time you're eating a burger, nachos, or a pizza and I'll keep you in mind when I am eating spinach, low fat cottage cheese, and whole grain bread!

Bon appetit!
Greg