Yes, it’s here and I’m so glad it is! “Fun-Filled Friday” is back after my one-week hiatus last week while I was in Washington, DC testifying before the USDA about the proposed new 2010 Dietary Guidelines. I missed being with you guys and getting my weekly dose of fun fun fun here on Fridays. It’s a nice reprieve from the go-go-go of my regularly weekly duties with all that I do to just let loose and let ‘er rip with all kinds of cool and interesting stuff. It’s what makes this weekly post one of my most popular features on the blog. How about we get started with it? LET’S GO!
Continuing with the theme of the USDA meeting that happened in Washington last week, here’s a video with a variety of responses from people in the low-carb community who attended the testimony time and offer up their reaction to what they heard, including my wife Christine, Sally Fallon from The Weston A. Price Foundation, registered dietitian Pam Schoenfeld, concerned citizen Bonnie Matlow, low-carb researcher at UConn Dr. Jeff Volek, doctorate nutrition student Adele Hite, and Nutrition & Metabolism Society President Dr. Richard Feinman.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eq86r1PQ7xM
It was quite the experience being in that room and seeing the healthy low-carb lifestyle message proclaimed so boldly by a fantastic representation of people from the research community as well as average Joes like me who just shared how this way of eating has changed us despite the low-fat, high-carb, plant-based diet recommendations of the USDA. In fact, Dr. Feinman was given the opportunity to share his disgust and concern with the direction of the 2010 Dietary Guidelines on the local Washington, DC FOX affiliate while he was there.
Way to go, Dr. Feinman! And it was refreshing to see the openness and inquisitiveness of the television host who interviewed him–the tide is a’changing! WOO HOO! And my friend and fellow low-carb warrior Laura Dolson from the About.com Low-Carb Diets site couldn’t join us in DC, but submitted her excellent written testimony just in time for the July 15, 2010 deadline. YOU GO GIRL!!!
We stayed in nearby Herndon, Virginia and decided to have an impromptu low-carb get together there where a group of people showed up at Outback Steakhouse there to meet us. Here’s a video of the people who were there (and we had a BLAST with them!).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ax1GBzj5s_8
While we were in our nation’s capital last week, Christine and I got to do a little bit of sightseeing around the city, including a visit to the hallowed grounds of Arlington National Cemetery. I don’t know how you can visit this historic landmark in the DC area and not feel overwhelmed with gratitude for the sacrifices made by the men and women buried there to preserve our freedoms. It’s breathtaking and awe-inspiring to see all of those tombstones and realize that each of those brave soldiers have paid the price for me to be able to live in a country that celebrates individual liberty. Paying our respects to those who have gone before us while we were there was a special moment for us.
We also enjoyed seeing the Washington Monument while waiting for the Smithsonian museums to open.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Olhx4VKMvGw
When the Natural History Smithsonian opened at 10AM, we were one of the first in line and Christine was the proverbial kid in a candy store. I LOVED watching her reaction to being there since she’d begged me to visit for years. She took well over 300 pictures on her iPhone!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yELWqCXg1_o
I couldn’t go to Washington and not meet up with personal trainer Josef Brandenburg who has been a guest on my podcast a couple of times. He and his lovely bride of seven months took us to a seafood place right on the Potomac River for lunch and Josef got crab…well, let’s just say he got it all over himself!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ynP6aMkeu6Y
Funny dude! Of course, a few minutes later when we were in his gym, Josef got his payback getting me to try to touch my toes! I couldn’t when we started, but within five minutes I could easily do it thanks to his training par excellence!
Moving on to some other stuff this week, did you catch The Silver Cloud Diet author Dr. John Salerno on the Fox Business Channel recently? This low-carb physician based in New York City was discussing health care reform and the problems he sees coming in the next few years because of our unhealthy nutritional habits.
OUTSTANDING exposure for low-carb living! And we’re gonna be seeing more and more of this in the coming years–are you ready for the revolution? Otherwise, we might all start eating cat food as a great alternative to chips (well, nutritionally speaking, it probably is!).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZpiCCEl3pxE
That’s it for this edition of “Fun-Filled Friday.” One more thing before I go, though. While I was in Washington, DC last week, I got my first-ever Spanish language interview on Un Cafelito A Las Once (1C11) and they published it in both English and Spanish. I’m always game for reaching a new market with the message of livin’ la vida low-carb. ENJOY and THANK YOU for your support! Have an outstanding weekend.
