New Diabetes Science - Hope From Chinese Bitter Melon

On Tue, 13 May 2008 09:32:26 +1000, Alan S
<loralgtweightandcarbs@gmail.com> wrote:

>>by the way, do you get what we call spaghetti squash in oz? If so, what
>>do you call it? spaghetti pumpkin?:-)

We get spaghetti squash here.

Sometimes there are large quantities available but usually supply
exceeds demand and then the growers dump it and wont grow it again.
--
Quentin Grady ^ ^ /
New Zealand, >#,#< [
/ \ /\
"... and the blind dog was leading."

http://homepages.paradise.net.nz/quentin

Quentin Grady <quentin@paradise.net.nz> wrote:
> On 12 May 2008 08:04:11 GMT, Nick Cramer <n_cramerSPAM@pacbell.net>
> >Quentin Grady <quentin@paradise.net.nz> wrote:
> >> On 12 May 2008 02:20:28 GMT, Nick Cramer <n_cramerSPAM@pacbell.net>
> > [ . . . ]
> I really do appreciate the generosity of your offer. A few years
> ago I would have taken up your offer. I once grew nineteen different
> varieties of chili. It was an incredible learning experience as I
> discovered that hot has many meanings beside what is contained on a
> hotness scale.
>
> However. The anti-cancer drugs I take have greatly affected my
> responses to chili. Some Thai dishes taste fine one week and are
> impossible for me to eat so are so hot the next week even though
> others find no difference. So sorry, I can't accept your generous
> offer.

G'day Quentin,

The only generosity involved would be the cost of postage. ;-)

The fact that you mention the differences in flavor, where the heat is
felt, etc., tells me that you are a true aficianado! There is, indeed, more
to life than the Scoville scale. We're presently growing some Bhut Jolokia
chiles as well as our Thais. We'll see how they taste.

I'm sorry your anti-cancer drugs interfere with your enjoyment of chile
dishes. Even sorrier that you have to take them.

I hoist a wee dram in your general direction. Slainte mohr!

--
Nick. Support severely wounded and disabled Veterans and their families!
I've known US vets who served as far back as the Spanish American War. They
are all my heroes! Thank a Veteran and Support Our Troops. You are not
forgotten. Thanks ! ! ~Semper Fi~

Quentin Grady <quentin@paradise.net.nz> wrote:
> On Mon, 12 May 2008 18:52:24 +0100, Trinkwasser

> >the only worse thing is baking a pizza and finding it was still on the
> >polystyrene sheet
> >
> >stank the whole house out
>
> I've heard of people roasting supermarket chickens and finding the
> giblets packed in plastic were inside.

Heh heh! Haven't done that, but a friend did nuke a pizza in the plastic
wrap. Then tried to peel it off. We were both quite drunk at the time!

--
Nick. Support severely wounded and disabled Veterans and their families!
I've known US vets who served as far back as the Spanish American War. They
are all my heroes! Thank a Veteran and Support Our Troops. You are not
forgotten. Thanks ! ! ~Semper Fi~

On 13 May 2008 08:06:41 GMT, Nick Cramer <n_cramerSPAM@pacbell.net>
wrote:

>G'day Quentin,
>
>The only generosity involved would be the cost of postage. ;-)

Nah. First must come generosity of heart to think of such a thing.
>
>The fact that you mention the differences in flavor, where the heat is
>felt, etc., tells me that you are a true aficianado!

Absolutely. I often taste the harissa at the Farmers' Market. It is
a standing joke. For some reason I can eat it straight on a cracker.

On the other hand, a Thai soup that is supposed not to have any chili
is often too much for me.

>There is, indeed, more to life than the Scoville scale.

To appreciate the flavour difference it often helps to deseed the
chili. The best flavours come from the flesh. Most of the heat comes
from seeds of course. As you've astutely noticed the different
capsaicins hit you anywhere from the lips and tip of the tongue all
the way down to what is called the Mexican time bomb that throttles
you deep in the throat.

>We're presently growing some Bhut Jolokia
>chiles as well as our Thais. We'll see how they taste.

I can imagine the excitement associated with the anticipation.

>I'm sorry your anti-cancer drugs interfere with your enjoyment of chile
>dishes. Even sorrier that you have to take them.
>
>I hoist a wee dram in your general direction. Slainte mohr!

Thank you.

Best wishes,
--
Quentin Grady ^ ^ /
New Zealand, >#,#< [
/ \ /\
"... and the blind dog was leading."

http://homepages.paradise.net.nz/quentin

HEARD OF "URINE THERAPY". cHECK IT OUT ON WIKIPEDIA.
eRACH


On May 5, 10:01*pm, antmee...@yahoo.com wrote:
> I have eaten this melon in fine Chinese Dim Sum (brunch) meals. *It
> is, indeed ... bitter.
> It is also, very tasty. *This looks promising:
>
> *http://www.healthnewsdigest.com/news...0/Bitter_Melon....

On Wed, 14 May 2008 17:34:31 +1200, Quentin Grady posted:

>On 13 May 2008 08:06:41 GMT, Nick Cramer <n_cramerSPAM@pacbell.net>
>wrote:
>
>>G'day Quentin,
>>
>>The only generosity involved would be the cost of postage. ;-)
>
>Nah. First must come generosity of heart to think of such a thing.
>>
>>The fact that you mention the differences in flavor, where the heat is
>>felt, etc., tells me that you are a true aficianado!
>
>Absolutely. I often taste the harissa at the Farmers' Market. It is
>a standing joke. For some reason I can eat it straight on a cracker.
>
>On the other hand, a Thai soup that is supposed not to have any chili
>is often too much for me.

Fascinating. People have told me I 'm crazy when I say that there are
"different kinds of hot". I find hot Mexican food to be harsh, and
don't enjoy the hotter dishes much at all. Good Szechuan food can be
VERY hot and I'll still enjoy it. Indian and Thai seem to vary in my
tolerance of it.

I definitely don't consider myself a connoisseur, but I can both taste
and feel the differences.

--
roses are #FF0000
violets are #0000FF
all my base
are belong to you

On Wed, 14 May 2008 08:43:58 -0600, Oleg Lego <rat@atatatat.com>
wrote:

>
>On Wed, 14 May 2008 17:34:31 +1200, Quentin Grady posted:
>
>>On 13 May 2008 08:06:41 GMT, Nick Cramer <n_cramerSPAM@pacbell.net>
>>wrote:
>>
>>>G'day Quentin,
>>>
>>>The only generosity involved would be the cost of postage. ;-)
>>
>>Nah. First must come generosity of heart to think of such a thing.
>>>
>>>The fact that you mention the differences in flavor, where the heat is
>>>felt, etc., tells me that you are a true aficianado!
>>
>>Absolutely. I often taste the harissa at the Farmers' Market. It is
>>a standing joke. For some reason I can eat it straight on a cracker.
>>
>>On the other hand, a Thai soup that is supposed not to have any chili
>>is often too much for me.
>
>Fascinating. People have told me I 'm crazy when I say that there are
>"different kinds of hot". I find hot Mexican food to be harsh, and
>don't enjoy the hotter dishes much at all. Good Szechuan food can be
>VERY hot and I'll still enjoy it. Indian and Thai seem to vary in my
>tolerance of it.
>
>I definitely don't consider myself a connoisseur, but I can both taste
>and feel the differences.

Yes agreed.

One thing that doesn't differ though is if you rub your eyes without
properly washing your fingers.

On Tue, 13 May 2008 19:02:56 +1200, Quentin Grady
<quentin@paradise.net.nz> wrote:

>On Mon, 12 May 2008 18:52:24 +0100, Trinkwasser
><spam@devnull.com.invalid> wrote:
>
>>the only worse thing is baking a pizza and finding it was still on the
>>polystyrene sheet
>>
>>stank the whole house out
>
>I've heard of people roasting supermarket chickens and finding the
>giblets packed in plastic were inside.

<giggles>

Remembers an old Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers cartoon

"That was an excellent chicken. What did you stuff it with?"

"Oh I didn;t need to stuff it it wasn't empty"

<antmeeter@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:95ec6bcb-f5b9-4b7a-a5cc-c35a1f7daae0@l64g2000hse.googlegroups.com...
>I have eaten this melon in fine Chinese Dim Sum (brunch) meals. It
> is, indeed ... bitter.
> It is also, very tasty. This looks promising:
>
> http://www.healthnewsdigest.com/news...tter_Melon_An_


My late wife loved bitter melon. She was happier than a pig in shit when we
lived in Hawaii. Bitter melon was available in every market and you could
even pick your own alongside the roads.

She was a T2 and died of its complications. Eating bitter melon never had
any effect on her BG, one way or the other. Maybe in a more concentrated
form like an extract it would.

Quentin Grady <quentin@paradise.net.nz> wrote:
> On 13 May 2008 08:06:41 GMT, Nick Cramer <n_cramerSPAM@pacbell.net>
[ . . . ]

G'day Quentin,

I can also send you some Kaffir lime leaves and seeds. When our sadau (Neem
trees) seed next year, I can send yome of their seeds, too. Do you know
about Neem trees?

--
Nick. Support severely wounded and disabled Veterans and their families!
I've known US vets who served as far back as the Spanish American War. They
are all my heroes! Thank a Veteran and Support Our Troops. You are not
forgotten. Thanks ! ! ~Semper Fi~

"erach27@gmail.com" <erach27@gmail.com> wrote:
> HEARD OF "URINE THERAPY". cHECK IT OUT ON WIKIPEDIA.
> eRACH

Urine has antiseptic qualities (if you don't have any urinary tract
infections). If you drink it, you'll find out why the body eliminates it!

--
Nick. Support severely wounded and disabled Veterans and their families!
I've known US vets who served as far back as the Spanish American War. They
are all my heroes! Thank a Veteran and Support Our Troops. You are not
forgotten. Thanks ! ! ~Semper Fi~

Oleg Lego <rat@atatatat.com> wrote:
> On Wed, 14 May 2008 17:34:31 +1200, Quentin Grady posted:
> >On 13 May 2008 08:06:41 GMT, Nick Cramer <n_cramerSPAM@pacbell.net>
> > [ . . . ]
> Fascinating. People have told me I 'm crazy when I say that there are
> "different kinds of hot". I find hot Mexican food to be harsh, and
> don't enjoy the hotter dishes much at all. Good Szechuan food can be
> VERY hot and I'll still enjoy it. Indian and Thai seem to vary in my
> tolerance of it.
>
> I definitely don't consider myself a connoisseur, but I can both taste
> and feel the differences.

Hi Oleg,

We grow a couple of kinds of Thai chiles, plus a few other really hot ones.
They all have their uses. Jun uses Thai, Serrano, Jalapeño and the Habanero
variants in different Thai and other dishes.

I enjoy certain Mexican dishes, some hot, some not. Finding a good
restaurant can be daunting. Good Indian food is excellent, but finding a
good Indian restaurant is a chore! Pretty much the same with Thai food,
although the percentage of hits is higher.

If you can taste and fell the difference among various chiles, you're
connoiseur enough in my book!

--
Nick. Support severely wounded and disabled Veterans and their families!
I've known US vets who served as far back as the Spanish American War. They
are all my heroes! Thank a Veteran and Support Our Troops. You are not
forgotten. Thanks ! ! ~Semper Fi~

On Wed, 14 May 2008 08:43:58 -0600, Oleg Lego <rat@atatatat.com>
wrote:

>
>On Wed, 14 May 2008 17:34:31 +1200, Quentin Grady posted:
>
>>On 13 May 2008 08:06:41 GMT, Nick Cramer <n_cramerSPAM@pacbell.net>
>>wrote:
>>
>>>G'day Quentin,
>>>
>>>The only generosity involved would be the cost of postage. ;-)
>>
>>Nah. First must come generosity of heart to think of such a thing.
>>>
>>>The fact that you mention the differences in flavor, where the heat is
>>>felt, etc., tells me that you are a true aficianado!
>>
>>Absolutely. I often taste the harissa at the Farmers' Market. It is
>>a standing joke. For some reason I can eat it straight on a cracker.
>>
>>On the other hand, a Thai soup that is supposed not to have any chili
>>is often too much for me.
>
>Fascinating. People have told me I 'm crazy when I say that there are
>"different kinds of hot". I find hot Mexican food to be harsh, and
>don't enjoy the hotter dishes much at all. Good Szechuan food can be
>VERY hot and I'll still enjoy it. Indian and Thai seem to vary in my
>tolerance of it.
>
>I definitely don't consider myself a connoisseur, but I can both taste
>and feel the differences.

There are at least five different capsaicins, hot substances. The
sites where they act differ. So do their tastes. So you're not crazy
just more observant.

Best wishes,
--
Quentin Grady ^ ^ /
New Zealand, >#,#< [
/ \ /\
"... and the blind dog was leading."

http://homepages.paradise.net.nz/quentin

W. Baker <wbaker@panix.com> wrote:
> Chris Malcolm <cam@holyrood.ed.ac.uk> wrote:

> : > Water boils at 212 F. If your oil is at 350 to 375, anything with a high
> : > water content will splatter when placed in it.

> : That's why I put things in only warm oil which I then heat up. The
> : water in whatever I'm cooking keeps the oil from getting so
> : hot. Healthier, so I suspect, for the oil, the cooked thing, and
> : me. And has the side effect of reducing splatter :-)

> : --
> : Chris Malcolm cam@infirmatics.ed.ac.uk DoD #205
> : IPAB, Informatics, JCMB, King's Buildings, Edinburgh, EH9 3JZ, UK
> : [http://www.dai.ed.ac.uk/homes/cam/]

> But it makes it harder to get a browned coat if you want it.

It also makes it easier to avoid a browned coat if you don't want it :-)

(Browned coats contain some not entirely benign substances.)

--
Chris Malcolm cam@infirmatics.ed.ac.uk DoD #205
IPAB, Informatics, JCMB, King's Buildings, Edinburgh, EH9 3JZ, UK
[http://www.dai.ed.ac.uk/homes/cam/]

Nick Cramer <n_cramerSPAM@pacbell.net> wrote:
> Chris Malcolm <cam@holyrood.ed.ac.uk> wrote:
>> Nick Cramer <n_cramerSPAM@pacbell.net> wrote:

>> > Water boils at 212 F. If your oil is at 350 to 375, anything with a
>> > high water content will splatter when placed in it.
>>
>> That's why I put things in only warm oil which I then heat up. The
>> water in whatever I'm cooking keeps the oil from getting so
>> hot. Healthier, so I suspect, for the oil, the cooked thing, and
>> me. And has the side effect of reducing splatter :-)

> So long as you can keep whatever you're cooking from absorbing oil, that's
> great!

Why would I want to stop the food from absorbing good healthy oil? The
more the merrier :-)

--
Chris Malcolm cam@infirmatics.ed.ac.uk DoD #205
IPAB, Informatics, JCMB, King's Buildings, Edinburgh, EH9 3JZ, UK
[http://www.dai.ed.ac.uk/homes/cam/]

Chris Malcolm <cam@holyrood.ed.ac.uk> wrote:
> Nick Cramer <n_cramerSPAM@pacbell.net> wrote:
> > Chris Malcolm <cam@holyrood.ed.ac.uk> wrote:
> >> Nick Cramer <n_cramerSPAM@pacbell.net> wrote:
>
> >> > Water boils at 212 F. If your oil is at 350 to 375, anything with a
> >> > high water content will splatter when placed in it.
> >>
> >> That's why I put things in only warm oil which I then heat up. The
> >> water in whatever I'm cooking keeps the oil from getting so
> >> hot. Healthier, so I suspect, for the oil, the cooked thing, and
> >> me. And has the side effect of reducing splatter :-)
>
> > So long as you can keep whatever you're cooking from absorbing oil,
> > that's great!
>
> Why would I want to stop the food from absorbing good healthy oil? The
> more the merrier :-)

I disagree with you, but will not contend with you on this.

--
Nick. Support severely wounded and disabled Veterans and their families!
I've known US vets who served as far back as the Spanish American War. They
are all my heroes! Thank a Veteran and Support Our Troops. You are not
forgotten. Thanks ! ! ~Semper Fi~

Chris Malcolm <cam@holyrood.ed.ac.uk> wrote:
: Nick Cramer <n_cramerSPAM@pacbell.net> wrote:
: > Chris Malcolm <cam@holyrood.ed.ac.uk> wrote:
: >> Nick Cramer <n_cramerSPAM@pacbell.net> wrote:

: >> > Water boils at 212 F. If your oil is at 350 to 375, anything with a
: >> > high water content will splatter when placed in it.
: >>
: >> That's why I put things in only warm oil which I then heat up. The
: >> water in whatever I'm cooking keeps the oil from getting so
: >> hot. Healthier, so I suspect, for the oil, the cooked thing, and
: >> me. And has the side effect of reducing splatter :-)

: > So long as you can keep whatever you're cooking from absorbing oil, that's
: > great!

: Why would I want to stop the food from absorbing good healthy oil? The
: more the merrier :-)

: --
: Chris Malcolm cam@infirmatics.ed.ac.uk DoD #205

Because it might well taste soggy and greasy. think of a doughnut cooked
in oil that is too cool-Blech!!!!

Wendy

On 15 May 2008 06:49:42 GMT, Nick Cramer <n_cramerSPAM@pacbell.net>
wrote:

>Quentin Grady <quentin@paradise.net.nz> wrote:
>> On 13 May 2008 08:06:41 GMT, Nick Cramer <n_cramerSPAM@pacbell.net>
>[ . . . ]
>
>G'day Quentin,
>
>I can also send you some Kaffir lime leaves and seeds. When our sadau (Neem
>trees) seed next year, I can send yome of their seeds, too. Do you know
>about Neem trees?

G'day G'day Nick,

I have a Kaffir lime growing in my garden. It started life in a
container but that turned out to be cruel it not being possible to
keep the water level correct. When transplanted into the rich soil of
my garden it took off and hasn't looked back.

I don't have a neem tree. I understand they grow very large and there
is no more room for any more trees in my garden. Ask my wife.

New Zealand has some strict import restrictions on some seeds being
imported into the country. IMHO these are very sensible so I'm going
to decline the generous offer of some neem seeds.

Best wishes,
--
Quentin Grady ^ ^ /
New Zealand, >#,#< [
/ \ /\
"... and the blind dog was leading."

http://homepages.paradise.net.nz/quentin

Quentin Grady <quentin@paradise.net.nz> wrote:
> On 15 May 2008 06:49:42 GMT, Nick Cramer <n_cramerSPAM@pacbell.net>
> >Quentin Grady <quentin@paradise.net.nz> wrote:
> >> On 13 May 2008 08:06:41 GMT, Nick Cramer <n_cramerSPAM@pacbell.net>
> >[ . . . ]
> >I can also send you some Kaffir lime leaves and seeds. When our sadau
> >(Neem trees) seed next year, I can send yome of their seeds, too. Do you
> >know about Neem trees?

> I have a Kaffir lime growing in my garden. It started life in a
> container but that turned out to be cruel it not being possible to
> keep the water level correct. When transplanted into the rich soil of
> my garden it took off and hasn't looked back.

I tried to keep our first one pruned back to the highest I could reach for
leaves. It's now about 11 meters.
>
> I don't have a neem tree. I understand they grow very large and there
> is no more room for any more trees in my garden. Ask my wife.
>
> New Zealand has some strict import restrictions on some seeds being
> imported into the country. IMHO these are very sensible so I'm going
> to decline the generous offer of some neem seeds.

Understood about the seed import restriction. Regarding the saze of the
Neem tree. In good soil, they can easily grow to 100 feet. When planted in
a large (10 to 20 gallon) pot, they can easily be kept pruned back. They
beome bushy and it's easy to harvest flowers and other parts for cooking,
etc.

Take care.

--
Nick. Support severely wounded and disabled Veterans and their families!
I've known US vets who served as far back as the Spanish American War. They
are all my heroes! Thank a Veteran and Support Our Troops. You are not
forgotten. Thanks ! ! ~Semper Fi~

On 16 May 2008 05:34:07 GMT, Nick Cramer posted:

>Quentin Grady <quentin@paradise.net.nz> wrote:
>> On 15 May 2008 06:49:42 GMT, Nick Cramer <n_cramerSPAM@pacbell.net>
>> >Quentin Grady <quentin@paradise.net.nz> wrote:
>> >> On 13 May 2008 08:06:41 GMT, Nick Cramer <n_cramerSPAM@pacbell.net>
>> >[ . . . ]
>> >I can also send you some Kaffir lime leaves and seeds. When our sadau
>> >(Neem trees) seed next year, I can send yome of their seeds, too. Do you
>> >know about Neem trees?
>
>> I have a Kaffir lime growing in my garden. It started life in a
>> container but that turned out to be cruel it not being possible to
>> keep the water level correct. When transplanted into the rich soil of
>> my garden it took off and hasn't looked back.
>
>I tried to keep our first one pruned back to the highest I could reach for
>leaves. It's now about 11 meters.
>>
>> I don't have a neem tree. I understand they grow very large and there
>> is no more room for any more trees in my garden. Ask my wife.
>>
>> New Zealand has some strict import restrictions on some seeds being
>> imported into the country. IMHO these are very sensible so I'm going
>> to decline the generous offer of some neem seeds.
>
>Understood about the seed import restriction. Regarding the saze of the
>Neem tree. In good soil, they can easily grow to 100 feet. When planted in
>a large (10 to 20 gallon) pot, they can easily be kept pruned back. They
>beome bushy and it's easy to harvest flowers and other parts for cooking,
>etc.

I once planted a "dawn redwood" smack in the middle of our front lawn,
knowing full well it could grow to 160 ft. I figured I would probably
cut it down long before that, though. I was quite disappointed when I
noticed that the folks that bought the house removed it sometime
during the first year they owned it.

--
roses are #FF0000
violets are #0000FF
all my base
are belong to you

On 16 May 2008 05:34:07 GMT, Nick Cramer <n_cramerSPAM@pacbell.net>
wrote:

>> I have a Kaffir lime growing in my garden. It started life in a
>> container but that turned out to be cruel it not being possible to
>> keep the water level correct. When transplanted into the rich soil of
>> my garden it took off and hasn't looked back.
>
>I tried to keep our first one pruned back to the highest I could reach for
>leaves. It's now about 11 meters.

G'day G'day Nick,

Glad you have plenty of space. I have a small section but have all
manner of fruit trees. They have to be pruned heavily each year else
we'd have the same problems.

Best wishes,
--
Quentin Grady ^ ^ /
New Zealand, >#,#< [
/ \ /\
"... and the blind dog was leading."

http://homepages.paradise.net.nz/quentin

Quentin Grady <quentin@paradise.net.nz> wrote:
> On 16 May 2008 05:34:07 GMT, Nick Cramer <n_cramerSPAM@pacbell.net>
> []
> Glad you have plenty of space. I have a small section but have all
> manner of fruit trees. They have to be pruned heavily each year else
> we'd have the same problems.

Hi Quentin,

Yes, we have about 280 sq. metres. Besides my San Pedro cactus and the
Kaffir limes, Jun has orange, lemon, guava, banana and an assortment of
chiles and other vegetables. She is in charge of our backyard jungle! I buy
seeds and seedlings and occasionally take pictures. We always eat good. I'm
waiting for our San Marzano Roma tomatoes to start producing. My favorite
tomato for cooking, salads or just eating off the vine. Grapes and
pomegranites are in the front yard, where our neighbors steal a lot of
them. They always pick 'em before they're ripe! LMAO

--
Nick. Support severely wounded and disabled Veterans and their families!
I've known US vets who served as far back as the Spanish American War. They
are all my heroes! Thank a Veteran and Support Our Troops. You are not
forgotten. Thanks ! ! ~Semper Fi~

On 17 May 2008 08:02:11 GMT, Nick Cramer <n_cramerSPAM@pacbell.net>
wrote:

>Quentin Grady <quentin@paradise.net.nz> wrote:
>> On 16 May 2008 05:34:07 GMT, Nick Cramer <n_cramerSPAM@pacbell.net>
>> []
>> Glad you have plenty of space. I have a small section but have all
>> manner of fruit trees. They have to be pruned heavily each year else
>> we'd have the same problems.
>
>Hi Quentin,
>
>Yes, we have about 280 sq. metres.

G'day G'day Nick,

That is roughly three times what we have.

> Besides my San Pedro cactus and the
>Kaffir limes, Jun has orange, lemon, guava, banana and an assortment of
>chiles and other vegetables. She is in charge of our backyard jungle! I buy
>seeds and seedlings and occasionally take pictures. We always eat good. I'm
>waiting for our San Marzano Roma tomatoes to start producing. My favorite
>tomato for cooking, salads or just eating off the vine.

It is amazing what a sense of kinship your description brings for me.

When diagnosed about six years ago I looked upon it as an opportunity
to put my own house in order ... rather literally as it happens.

There are certain principles to which I adhere as a T2 diabetic.

One is to grow SMALL fruit. It seems crazy to use LARGE letter to
emphasize SMALL but I think you get the point.

A. Small fruit makes it easier to limit the portion size.

B. Small fruit has a higher skin to flesh ratio which means in many
cases that there is more antioxidants. Take a look at damson plums
for sauce making. When ones diet consists of lean meat and salad type
vegetable one needs sauce to make it palatable. Plum,chili and garlic
sauce goes a long way. Forget the garlic if you want.

C. Most plant breeders select for large fruit. So small fruit
strongly suggests less genetic tampering with the fruit. They are
more likely to have plenty of polyphenols which recycle Vit E and Vit
C plus acting as an intermediate handshaking molecule between the
lipid (fat) soluble Vit E and the water soluble Vit C.

D. The levels of Vit C are often higher. Take yellow cherry guavas
for instance. They have much more vitamin C even than kiwi.

It also conveyed to me an important message. T2 diabetes is for life.
Trees are for life. Plant fruit trees to express your determination to
stick around. Avocados are supposed to take a long time to fruit but
I fed my soil well with worm compost and similar trace element goodies
and was rewarded with fruit in about four years. Small bush like
fruit trees like the cherry guavas crop even sooner. Have faith in
ones continued existence. Select carefully and get over the notion
that all fruit and vegetable have to be supplemented with vitamin
tablets. Feed the trees the way you'd like them to be fed.

>Grapes and
>pomegranites are in the front yard, where our neighbors steal a lot of
>them. They always pick 'em before they're ripe! LMAO

LOL. I have a dwarf pomegranate right by the footpath.
I watch mothers with their children in push chairs "wondering" as they
stare at them. Quite what they wonder I don't know. Perhaps it is
what they are. Perhaps it is whether they'll get caught if they steal
one. Frankly I've never had to worry about people stealing fruit
here. It is such a rare event thanks to a natural selection process.
Those most like to steal prefer chocolate and I don't have a chocolate
tree. What it means is I don't have to waste space on fences and am
able to grow things everywhere in my section, fully utilizing every
inch of what I have.

Oh, They do pick a few mulberries where it over hangs the footpath
out of view. The tree produces so much I don't mind sharing.

Persimmons look orange for a long time but taste of tannin before they
ripen enough for those with a desire for short term gain overpowering
their recognition of long term negative consequences to want to be
bothered with them.

Best wishes,
--
Quentin Grady ^ ^ /
New Zealand, >#,#< [
/ \ /\
"... and the blind dog was leading."

http://homepages.paradise.net.nz/quentin

Quentin Grady <quentin@paradise.net.nz> wrote:
> On 17 May 2008 08:02:11 GMT, Nick Cramer <n_cramerSPAM@pacbell.net>
> >Quentin Grady <quentin@paradise.net.nz> wrote:
> >> On 16 May 2008 05:34:07 GMT, Nick Cramer <n_cramerSPAM@pacbell.net>
> >> []
> >> Glad you have plenty of space. I have a small section but have all
> >> manner of fruit trees. They have to be pruned heavily each year else
> >> we'd have the same problems.
> >
> >Hi Quentin,
> >
> >Yes, we have about 280 sq. metres.
>
> G'day G'day Nick,
>
> That is roughly three times what we have.

I figured 55' wide by 50' deep. I didn't measure the depth, just eyeballed
it. Jun thinks it's a lot less than that.

> > Besides my San Pedro cactus and the
> >Kaffir limes, Jun has orange, lemon, guava, banana and an assortment of
> >chiles and other vegetables. She is in charge of our backyard jungle! I
> >buy seeds and seedlings and occasionally take pictures. We always eat
> >good. I'm waiting for our San Marzano Roma tomatoes to start producing.
> >My favorite tomato for cooking, salads or just eating off the vine.
>
> It is amazing what a sense of kinship your description brings for me.

I feel the same, Quentin. It's the Sicilian-Ozmaniam connection! ;-D
>
> When diagnosed about six years ago I looked upon it as an opportunity
> to put my own house in order ... rather literally as it happens.

When I was dx'd about 16 years ago, I just kept on truckin'. I think those
earlier years of inattention are responsible for a lot of my current
problems, although I am, undeniably accountable for them. I've become much
more proactive since discovering a.s.d and the associated NG's.

> There are certain principles to which I adhere as a T2 diabetic.
>
> One is to grow SMALL fruit. It seems crazy to use LARGE letter to
> emphasize SMALL but I think you get the point.
>
> A. Small fruit makes it easier to limit the portion size.
>
> B. Small fruit has a higher skin to flesh ratio which means in many
> cases that there is more antioxidants. Take a look at damson plums
> for sauce making. When ones diet consists of lean meat and salad type
> vegetable one needs sauce to make it palatable. Plum,chili and garlic
> sauce goes a long way. Forget the garlic if you want.

You have no idea how much Jun and I love garlic!

> C. Most plant breeders select for large fruit. So small fruit
> strongly suggests less genetic tampering with the fruit. They are
> more likely to have plenty of polyphenols which recycle Vit E and Vit
> C plus acting as an intermediate handshaking molecule between the
> lipid (fat) soluble Vit E and the water soluble Vit C.
>
> D. The levels of Vit C are often higher. Take yellow cherry guavas
> for instance. They have much more vitamin C even than kiwi.
>
> It also conveyed to me an important message. T2 diabetes is for life.
> Trees are for life. Plant fruit trees to express your determination to
> stick around. Avocados are supposed to take a long time to fruit but
> I fed my soil well with worm compost and similar trace element goodies
> and was rewarded with fruit in about four years. Small bush like
> fruit trees like the cherry guavas crop even sooner. Have faith in
> ones continued existence. Select carefully and get over the notion
> that all fruit and vegetable have to be supplemented with vitamin
> tablets. Feed the trees the way you'd like them to be fed.

We also have an avocado tree in the backyard. We've had it 15 years. It's
grown well, looks healthy and has never produced. Our gauvas are also
'bushy'. Not much over 1.2 m in height. The fruit are perhaps 7 0r 8 cm in
length.

> >Grapes and
> >pomegranites are in the front yard, where our neighbors steal a lot of
> >them. They always pick 'em before they're ripe! LMAO
>
> LOL. I have a dwarf pomegranate right by the footpath.
> I watch mothers with their children in push chairs "wondering" as they
> stare at them. Quite what they wonder I don't know. Perhaps it is
> what they are. Perhaps it is whether they'll get caught if they steal
> one. Frankly I've never had to worry about people stealing fruit
> here. It is such a rare event thanks to a natural selection process.
> Those most like to steal prefer chocolate and I don't have a chocolate
> tree. What it means is I don't have to waste space on fences and am
> able to grow things everywhere in my section, fully utilizing every
> inch of what I have.
>
> Oh, They do pick a few mulberries where it over hangs the footpath
> out of view. The tree produces so much I don't mind sharing.

We don't have a fence in front. The backyard is walled on three sides. Jun
has one grape vine, which is really chugging along, now that she finally
followed my pruning instructions. They look like Golden Muscats to me.
Should be fat, juicy and prolific this year. She just started some
mulberries from cuttings. Looking forward to them.

> Persimmons look orange for a long time but taste of tannin before they
> ripen enough for those with a desire for short term gain overpowering
> their recognition of long term negative consequences to want to be
> bothered with them.

Mangoes are a favorite of my wife, kid and grandkids. I'll have an
occasional sliver. Our Neem trees are coming along nicely. They're potted,
so they won't grow to their 30 m potential. When we get some mangoes
started, they'll be potted, too, as in the ground they'll easily reach 35
to 40 m!

Hoisting one in your general direction (WSW). Cheers!

Take care.

--
Nick. Support severely wounded and disabled Veterans and their families!
I've known US vets who served as far back as the Spanish American War. They
are all my heroes! Thank a Veteran and Support Our Troops. You are not
forgotten. Thanks ! ! ~Semper Fi~

On 26 May 2008 10:51:45 GMT, Nick Cramer <n_cramerSPAM@pacbell.net>
wrote:

>vocados are supposed to take a long time to fruit but
>> I fed my soil well with worm compost and similar trace element goodies
>> and was rewarded with fruit in about four years. Small bush like
>> fruit trees like the cherry guavas crop even sooner. Have faith in
>> ones continued existence. Select carefully and get over the notion
>> that all fruit and vegetable have to be supplemented with vitamin
>> tablets. Feed the trees the way you'd like them to be fed.
>
>We also have an avocado tree in the backyard. We've had it 15 years. It's
>grown well, looks healthy and has never produced.

G'day G'day Nick,

Was it grafted?

I guess if you bought the standard Hass variety it would have to be.
Seedlings often take much longer to fruit than the grafted trees and
in many situations it would provide an explanation. There is a slight
advantage in having two avocados with one from each of the two main
groups A and B. It is a matter of the timing of the pollen release,
morning or evening.

We had friends who attacked their giant avocado that had never
fruited, thinning out a lot of greenery letting the light in I guess.
The next year is produced enormous crops. They could hardly believe
how much money they made from one tree.

I also have a seedling grown from the stone of an unusual purple
skinned avocado I found in an organic supermarket. Such places are
often good hunting grounds for unusual varieties. This avocado is a
year older than the grafted Hass but has yet to flower.

Sugar pears for instance first appeared there. Sugar pears sound like
something T2 diabetic unfriendly however this probably isn't true.
They are small compared to other pears, about half the size of a
Winter Nellis

> Our gauvas are also 'bushy'. Not much over 1.2 m in height. The fruit are perhaps 7 0r 8 cm in
>length.

They sound larger than our cherry guavas. I'll have to check them
out. The purple one has long finished. The yellow one is still
going.

Best wishes,
--
Quentin Grady ^ ^ /
New Zealand, >#,#< [
/ \ /\
"... and the blind dog was leading."

http://homepages.paradise.net.nz/quentin

On 26 May 2008 10:51:45 GMT, Nick Cramer <n_cramerSPAM@pacbell.net>
wrote:

>Mangoes are a favorite of my wife, kid and grandkids. I'll have an
>occasional sliver.

I'd love to be able to grow mangoes however our climate is subtropical
bordering on temperate.
--
Quentin Grady ^ ^ /
New Zealand, >#,#< [
/ \ /\
"... and the blind dog was leading."

http://homepages.paradise.net.nz/quentin

Quentin Grady <quentin@paradise.net.nz> wrote:
> On 26 May 2008 10:51:45 GMT, Nick Cramer <n_cramerSPAM@pacbell.net>
[ . . . ]
> >We also have an avocado tree in the backyard. We've had it 15 years.
> >It's grown well, looks healthy and has never produced.
>
> G'day G'day Nick,
>
> Was it grafted?

Stone grown, Quentin. Thinning the greenery sounds like a plan for late
autumn. Thanks.

[ . . . ]

Jun bought a couple of pear trees several years ago. One only lasted a
year, the other a little longer.

I didn't 'scope out the guavas, so that was a guess.

Take care, and Cheers!

--
Nick. Support severely wounded and disabled Veterans and their families!
I've known US vets who served as far back as the Spanish American War. They
are all my heroes! Thank a Veteran and Support Our Troops. You are not
forgotten. Thanks ! ! ~Semper Fi~

Quentin Grady <quentin@paradise.net.nz> wrote:
> On 26 May 2008 10:51:45 GMT, Nick Cramer <n_cramerSPAM@pacbell.net>

> >Mangoes are a favorite of my wife, kid and grandkids. I'll have an
> >occasional sliver.
>
> I'd love to be able to grow mangoes however our climate is subtropical
> bordering on temperate.

A mango falling from 40 meters can be a silent killer! And shatter auto
windshields and tile roofs. I remember that v = sqrt (2*a*s), but can't do
the math at this time of night. v = 27 meters/sec? 97 km/hr?

I just found out that she's also growing persimmons and some kind of Thai
fruit that I couldn't understand the name of, for which she doesn't know
the translation (if there even is one)!

G'night, Quentin.

--
Nick. Support severely wounded and disabled Veterans and their families!
I've known US vets who served as far back as the Spanish American War. They
are all my heroes! Thank a Veteran and Support Our Troops. You are not
forgotten. Thanks ! ! ~Semper Fi~

On 27 May 2008 10:47:42 GMT, Nick Cramer <n_cramerSPAM@pacbell.net>
wrote:

>Quentin Grady <quentin@paradise.net.nz> wrote:
>> On 26 May 2008 10:51:45 GMT, Nick Cramer <n_cramerSPAM@pacbell.net>
>
>> >Mangoes are a favorite of my wife, kid and grandkids. I'll have an
>> >occasional sliver.
>>
>> I'd love to be able to grow mangoes however our climate is subtropical
>> bordering on temperate.
>
>A mango falling from 40 meters can be a silent killer! And shatter auto
>windshields and tile roofs. I remember that v = sqrt (2*a*s), but can't do
>the math at this time of night. v = 27 meters/sec? 97 km/hr?

Perhaps I leave mango growing to the experts. Seems safer.

>I just found out that she's also growing persimmons and some kind of Thai
>fruit that I couldn't understand the name of, for which she doesn't know
>the translation (if there even is one)!

Now that is very interesting. Botanist friends of mine who have
traveled to Thailand tell they saw fruit in their markets that never
seem to make it way overseas. They speculated on why this might be
so. Perhaps they don't transport well or have such a short season
being produced from trees in the wild making continuity of supply is
impossible.

>G'night, Quentin.

Indeed.

Best wishes to you, Nick, and your Thai wife,
--
Quentin Grady ^ ^ /
New Zealand, >#,#< [
/ \ /\
"... and the blind dog was leading."

http://homepages.paradise.net.nz/quentin

Quentin Grady <quentin@paradise.net.nz> wrote:
> On 27 May 2008 10:47:42 GMT, Nick Cramer <n_cramerSPAM@pacbell.net>
> >Quentin Grady <quentin@paradise.net.nz> wrote:
> >> On 26 May 2008 10:51:45 GMT, Nick Cramer <n_cramerSPAM@pacbell.net>
> > []
> >A mango falling from 40 meters can be a silent killer! And shatter auto
> >windshields and tile roofs. I remember that v = sqrt (2*a*s), but can't
> >do the math at this time of night. v = 27 meters/sec? 97 km/hr?
>
> Perhaps I leave mango growing to the experts. Seems safer.

Did you check my kinematics and math? It was 4 AM and I was half in the
bag!

> >I just found out that she's also growing persimmons and some kind of
> >Thai fruit that I couldn't understand the name of, for which she doesn't
> >know the translation (if there even is one)!
>
> Now that is very interesting. Botanist friends of mine who have
> traveled to Thailand tell they saw fruit in their markets that never
> seem to make it way overseas. They speculated on why this might be
> so. Perhaps they don't transport well or have such a short season
> being produced from trees in the wild making continuity of supply is
> impossible.

There are also Customs problems, e.g. Neem (sadau) seeds can't be brought
into the US. Jun brings all kinds of things back. No cobras, yet! Never has
a problem.

Is there much of a Thai community in Brisbane? Buddhist temple(s)? Jun and
I've stayed at a lot of Buddhist temples over the years.

> Best wishes to you, Nick, and your Thai wife,

Thanks, Quentin. Likewise, I'm sure!

--
Nick. Support severely wounded and disabled Veterans and their families!
I've known US vets who served as far back as the Spanish American War. They
are all my heroes! Thank a Veteran and Support Our Troops. You are not
forgotten. Thanks ! ! ~Semper Fi~

On 28 May 2008 10:30:03 GMT, Nick Cramer <n_cramerSPAM@pacbell.net>
wrote:

>Quentin Grady <quentin@paradise.net.nz> wrote:
>> On 27 May 2008 10:47:42 GMT, Nick Cramer <n_cramerSPAM@pacbell.net>
>> >Quentin Grady <quentin@paradise.net.nz> wrote:
>> >> On 26 May 2008 10:51:45 GMT, Nick Cramer <n_cramerSPAM@pacbell.net>
>> > []
>> >A mango falling from 40 meters can be a silent killer! And shatter auto
>> >windshields and tile roofs. I remember that v = sqrt (2*a*s), but can't
>> >do the math at this time of night. v = 27 meters/sec? 97 km/hr?
>>
>> Perhaps I leave mango growing to the experts. Seems safer.
>
>Did you check my kinematics and math? It was 4 AM and I was half in the
>bag!

The mango trees we used to have in Zambia were rather small, probably
only 7 or 8 feet or so. They were rather unpleasant trees, with heavy,
dark shade that seemed to harbour a variety of nasty flies. We used
them as a boundary tree - the half of the mangos we got were plenty,
they sure produced a lot!

Nicky.
T2 dx 05/04 + underactive