timmyp

Monitoring yourself to see if your actually in ketosis isn't really going to tell you that much. The actual level of Ketones are going to bounce around and its not necessary to be in a higher range.

I would consider downloading or reading the book "Ketogenic Diet" by Lyle McDonald.

Thanks, Cobra. I'm actually on the CKD. I think the ketosis diets are good and an interesting challenge. I mostly know when I'm in ketosis or not, but I believe some foods with hidden carbs are knocking me out, and I really want to check that. Specifically had problems with kimchi and eating too many peanuts. I also wonder if come cottage cheese I bought had some sugar in it. People sure love to sneak sugar into things around here... makes it taste great, but it's upsetting when you're trying to avoid carbs.

I have been thinking about trying out Lyle's diet as well... I will take a break from the CKD on my next carb-up, then start up again in a month or so. Might give Lyle's book a try, though I'm not anxious to spend the money on it (CKD, TKD, and other carb-cycling diets are all posted for free on the net with lots of advice).

Anyone know where I can buy ketone test strips?

Those are the test strips that you pee on, and they tell you if have ketones present in your urine (i.e., you're in ketosis). These are sold for people with diabetes, and low-carb diets such as the Atikins diet. I had my brother send me a bunch from the U.S., but have now run out. I have checked so many pharmacies, but nobody seems to have any idea what I'm asking for.

Incidentally, are there any other low-carb or no-carb folks out there in BKK?

Finally bought a banjo! Paid 4000 baht. It's incredibly light, even with the resonator. It's impressively loud and has a good tone for just 4000 baht. Actually, it was the only playable banjo in the four banjos I looked at when I checked out the music instrument stores near Sanam Luang. I think it's an excellent deal for 4000 baht, the instrument makers in China are getting better all the time, the instruments coming out of there isn't the junk it used to be.

Thanks a ton for asking the banjo player over at Catucak and letting me know where I can find a banjo.

So, anybody up for some bluegrass or old-time? Send me a PM! Would be great to get a bluegrass session going in Bangkok, I'm kinda surprised there isn't one already, especially with all the Thai people I see carrying around fiddles.

I would love to get together with you! Do you live here or just passing through? I still haven't found any sessions... people are pretty clueless about this music, they think it's singing Pogues songs or popular drinking songs. I really want to get a trad session going in BKK.

I don't mean to unnecessarily resurrect this thread, but I just wanted to add that the Marko supermarket over in Dusit has some big 1.5 kilo tubs of cottage cheese for 450 baht. It's standard, straight-ahead cottage cheese (i.e., not low-fat), industrial sized from Germany.

Thanks so much for the info about Makro! When I read the earlier postings, I misunderstood that it was a brand name of cheese... Anyway, it's a great store... and membership is free!

I bought a HUGE brick of cheese-- 5 kilos-- for just 726 baht. It's a mild cheddar import from the States. I love the sharper stuff too, but the mild is great for making an entire meal out of. Exactly what I was looking to buy.

On top of that, they had big tubs of cottage cheese from Germany, 1.5 kilos for 450 baht. Such a great deal...

I don't imagine that these are normal sizes for normal people, but I love my dairy products.

Thank you for the tip!

I finally went to the designated area and found several banjos!

For those who don't know (as I didn't), there's a strip of music instrument stores along the eastern side of Sanam Luang. All cheap, mostly made-in-China stuff. I tried out a couple of terrible banjos that were unplayable, then came across one for 4000 baht that was passable. It's about as cheaply made as a banjo can be and still be playable. People gathered around and took videos, I guess nobody around there ever plays banjo.

I will probably buy it, still taking a couple days to make the decision. Hell, the banjo is a folk instrument, it was never meant to be fancy...

On another note, I'm still looking for anyone who plays bluegrass or old time, please contact me if you do! Also Scots-Irish music.

Where can I get Makro and Anchor cheese? I've seen some expensive cheeses sold in butcher section of some fancy food stores (Emporium, Central Food Hall on Chitlom, the food store above Isetan...), but haven't seen the brands you mention, Makro and Anchor.

The California brand is good enough for me! I bought some before, and thought it quite a good deal at 105 baht for 227 g (mild cheddar slices). Last time couple times I was at Villa, though, they didn't have it in stock. Seems like Villa only temporarily stocks the stuff I like!! Wish I could check their current stock before making the trip down there...

To answer my own question about domestic cheeses, I realized that I had Caroline brand in my fridge. It's made here in Thailand. I bought Caroline Colby, 160 baht for 200 g.

Then I stumbled across a posting where someone compares the cheddar cheeses at Villa. Here's the link. It's in Japanese, but you don't have to read Japanese to see the brands, amounts, and prices.

http://www.bangkokmadam.net/bangkok_life/zadankai/cheddar2.html

I find a variety of cheeses at various stores, but it's all a bit expensive. Thailand makes loads of dairy products, but when it comes to domestic cheeses, I've only seen processed cheese. Nasty stuff, processed cheese is. Is there any domestically made natural cheddar? I figure that would be the cheapest...

If not, is there a place where I can buy some cheap mild cheddar? Buying in big bulk is fine with me, I eat heaps of cheese, it won't spoil. Mild cheddar is usually the cheapest natural cheese, because it hasn't been aged for very long.

The best deal I've found is an Australian import, Tasty Mainland cheddar cheese, 250 grams for about 175 baht. This cheese is easy to find, but does anyone know of a better value?

Many of you may already be aware of this, but to those who don't, Mission Hospital (a.k.a., Bangkok Adventist Hospital set up by the 7th Day Adventists) has an impressive health food store with vegetarian foods. The hospital is where Petchaburi Rd becomes Phitsanulok Rd. They also make their own peanut butter, 500 g for just 110 baht!!! Not the world's greatest peanut butter, but all natural and definitely tasty. Two varieties, one with sugar, and one without. There are also varieties of nuts and seeds, and various canned vegetarian curries for 40 baht a piece. There are vegetarian fishballs (i.e., taste like fish balls but really soybean). They've got low sugar chili sauce, bags of raisins, various lotions, soaps... I went for the peanut butter, and bought a bunch of other stuff. Highly recommended to anyone looking for a decent health food or organic goods store. The store is located inside the hospital right next to the cafeteria.

Kimchi by the kilo??? I'm headed there tomorrow! Thanks a ton.

I just stumbled across this post. Where can I buy this stuff??? There's is a fermented tofu in Okinawa, called tofu-you and sometimes "beni-tofu" ('beni" means 'red'). I love this stuff. Very stinky, like a funky cheese. Would love to buy some, perhaps the same as the chou tofu you're describing? Here's a link to Japanese WIkipedia.

http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E8%B1%86%E8%85%90%E3%82%88%E3%81%86

Sorry, no matching Wikipedia article in English, but you can see the photo. Japanese Wikipedia has a separate article for chou tofu, but it's not clear whether it's actually different from tofu-yo in Okinawa...

I love fermented food... kimchi, sauerkraut, weird cheeses, natto.

Where can I buy chou tofu? It's a common food here? Just found the Wikipedia article on chou-tofu in Thai.

Looks like they aptly call it

เต้าหู้เหม็น

tawhuu men

These tips are just what I need! I have scheduled my shameless hedonism for next Friday night, so will make may way down Soi 3 then to dine at the recommended spots.

Looking for a tasty but cheap Middle-Eastern/Mediterranean restaurant, where the main-course plates are around 150 baht. Cheaper is even better!

Kebabs, humus, falafel, grape leaves... Lebanese, Israeli, Persian, Greek, not really sure what the differences are, I love it ALL.

My goal is to pig out shamelessly on food from that region, to completely over-indulge, but on the cheap. I've found some fancier places in BKK, but it looks like a decent amount of food will easily clear 500 baht. Any tips on some cheaper but yummy, full-volume spots? A Middle-Eastern/Mediterranean joint where I can consume a good 4000 calories of main-course dishes for under 500 baht?

Many thanks to those with any tips!

Where can I get a decent sized jar of kimchi? I've seen some tiny bottles (packed with preservatives) at some major foreign-oriented supermarkets, but I'm looking for the real deal. No added sugar, no added vinegar, and definitely no preservatives. I found a couple no-preservative jars at the Central Hall supermarket next to Mos Burger near Chit Lom station, but the jars were pretty tiny. Anyone know where I can get a big fat container, at least 1 liter in size? Even better-- any info on people making and selling kimchi in BKK? Kimchi is great, I consume it in the family-sized containers. Wish I could make my own, but that's not going to happen...

Thanks a ton! Gonna check out the referenced music store.

Came across a mandolin at "Music Collection," a music instrument store in the Esplanade Mall.

Many thanks again.

Checked the music stores at Central World, they only have very standard guitar stuff. No banjos, anyway.

I'Ve looked for that banjo player at Chatuchak Market, but haven't found him. Many people have mentioned him to me. Where about is his shop?

I've seen someone who sells a tenor 4-string banjo up in Chiang Mai, but I want a 5-string. I'm pretty surprised I haven't come across a 5-string yet. Really regretting that I sold my banjo before I moved here, assuming I could buy another if I wanted.

Will post if I find a 5-string...

I'm looking for the same in Bangkok without much luck. I'll probably come across someone after a while... please contact me if you make a trip south to the capital, I would love the chance to play bluegrass or old-time with someone. Sold my banjo before I moved here in January 2011, but may purchase one. Just have my guitar now.

I was in Chiang Mai over the summer, and Tim over at The Garden has a Tuesday night sing-along jam session. You probably already know about this if you're living in Chiang Mai. Tim is very welcoming, and a very funny guy. It's a folk sing along, not really bluegrass or old-time, but it's a good time. Mostly American and UK trad songs.

I sold my banjo before moving here before to BKK from Japan a couple of months ago, and am now regretting the decision.

Any music stores in BKK that stock 5-string banjos? I don't know of any music stores in BKK, though I found a couple names of bigger instrument stores with a Google search.

Happy to pick up a cheapy Korean model or even Chinese-made one if it's not too bad. I don't want to slap down the cash for a pricey American-made banjo. I've seen some interesting home-made 4-string tenors in Thailand, but I'm after a 5-string. Open back is fine. Let me know if you've seen any around town.

Many thanks--

Still looking for trad sessions. Found a couple of bands that play electric versions of well-known Irish songs (like Danny Boy, Whiskey in the Jar, Black Velvet Band, etc.), but it's a set list with arrangements, not a session. The bands are still fun and keep everyone smiling. Almost all tunes played are songs, though sometimes a jig or reel is tossed in as the intro or instead of the fiddle player improving a solo.

For those interested, the bands play at Finnegan's and the Dubliner. There's the all-Thai "Error 99", with a tenor banjo, fiddle, and accordion. Great fun for Pogues fans. I also came across Celtic Colours with a flashy fiddle player from Japan. The keyboard player and fiddle player did a couple of well-known jigs and reels mixed in with the melody line. The fiddle player also did a couple of short airs on his own.

That all said, they aren't trad sessions, so I'm still on the look out. Please post if you know of any trad players out there, Celtic, old time, bluegrass, or anything else of that nature. Many thanks--

Wanted to say that I ordered cottage cheese from the Homemade Cheese Company.

It's incredibly bland, but it's satisfies my need for a cottage cheese fix. I'm happy to continue ordering for them. I paid 260 B for a 500 g container (250 g for 130B). Delivery is 80 B.

The Homemade Cheese Company has a nice list of dairy products.

I also stopped by Villa Market, and they had two different brands of cottage cheese, including a 500 g container of low fat. Maybe they were sold out last time I went?

You've got the firmware that can't be unlocked. I've got the same. You can jailbreak 02.10.04, but not unlock it. There is someone claiming the software limesn0w will unlock the phone, but it's a scam.

As of now, 02.10.04 can't be unlocked. Just as you mentioned, the legendary Dev Team says that they're waiting for the next software release before they release the unlock. Since November 2010, people have been saying "any day now." Hopefully soon, it sucks that I have this fancy iPhone but I can't use it.

To Dude: It sounds like your phone isn't unlocked. You might have the same firmware version problem we do. Check your firmware. There are directions on how to do this all over the net.

Just hit Villa and the floor of the Emporium. PB choices were slim pickens. No Skippy Natural to be found, only the tiny jar of Healthy Choice. I bought two and dropped one just after leaving the store. Apologies to anyone who slips in the peanut oil.

Is somebody in town hording the natural pb?? I'm really surprised that Chiang Mai has a wider selection (and cheaper) than Big Bangkok.

I've been buying fresh ground natural peanut butter from Bangkok Xian Guest House (123 Saladaeng, Bangrak, Bangkok 10500, Thailand 02-233-6303) for almost twenty years!

I plan to head over to the Xian Guest House as mentioned by unblock and get some freshly ground pb. Thanks again for the lead.

Need a tiny place to practice singing.

I know there are tons of practice rooms around, I just have no idea where to look, and I'm brand-brand new to town. I'm currently looking for a very a tiny space just for vocal exercises, no instruments needed. I would just do these in my apartment, but there's a tiny glass window out to the hallway, and it seems like a bit much for the neighbors to have to tolerate.

I spent 2 months in Chiang Mai where there are lots of practice studios. Most have several rooms that they rent by the hour. Small room was 80 to 100 baht for the hour (usually everyone from the band chips in, I just paid for it myself). They are usually equipped for a full band to practice. I just need a private room.

I'll post back if I come across anything myself.