FolkGuitar

A good definition, I think... MAGA Republicans are people who will withhold food from 1000 people out of fear that 1 person might not deserve it. Democrats are people who will feed 1000 people out of concern that one person might need it. I know in which country I'd prefer to live. MAFCA - "Make America Follow the Constitution Again!"

Just simple Market Manipulation. Insider trading has increased the fortunes of a lot of rich friends of the White House. Financial gain for a select few, while screwing the rest of the world. If you think Trump is controlling the tariff flip-flops, you're crazy. He is a puppet, a TV actor following a careful script worked out before he ever set foot again in a position of power.

Absolutely!

Meat, eggs, cheese (in moderation if an adult,) avocados and Kalamata olives. This is 80% of my diet.

Tipping is a very different game here. In the US, at least a 15-20% tip is required for everything, or don't bother returning to the same place. Here in Thailand, we're fortunate that there is no requirement, but there are 'some' expectations. In up-scale dinner restaurants, a small tip is expected, perhaps 10%-15%, but not required. Rich folks will say 20%-25% but they are just showing off, as is the guy in the local family restaurant who leaves a 100-Baht note as a tip for his 40-Baht lunch. If I'm on the road and eat in small Mom & Pop places, if there is change, leave the coins from my change. If I'm eating with my wife (so two of us) and the food and service good, I'll leave a 20-Baht note. Here in town, where I eat lunch at the same places often, I always leave 20 Baht if I'm alone, or 30-40 Baht if with my wife. I'm treated very nicely at my usual lunch place (been eating there for the past 5 years,) so that seems to be sufficient. The bottom line is that here in Thailand, a tip is just that: a gratuity. It's not a requirement. How much you tip depends on what you can afford and how visible you wish to be. That said, money talks. Sometimes tipping before an event can be beneficial...

ANYTHING (everything) we eat 'helps' burn fat. In fact, just typing this sentence helps burn fat! That's what your body does even while sleeping. It burns fat. Hell, even eating a piece of cardboard will cause the body to burn fat. Just not at a rate that will do anything for weightloss. But certainly, cutting down on sugary fruits will do a better job. I limit myself to raspberries and blueberries, and in limited daily amounts. A half cup of raspberries, a shot of sugar-free Strawberry syrup, all mixed into some Greek yogurt for a snack or dessert, and I'm a happy camper! But there is no fruit 'better' for burning fat. Just as there is no exercise that 'targets' belly fat or targets cellulite thighs, etc. Just marketing hype.

Americans have long been seen as the 'Ugly' tourist/expats abroad, running roughshod over more polite, less aggressive cultures who 'say' nothing but notice everything. Yes, I think we will begin to see less polite behavior towards Americans. Hell, Americans are seeing less polite behavior towards other Americans BY Americans. Why not by the Thais?

Convicted felons should not be allowed to run for ANY office.

Too late. Already destroyed in just these last few months. I'll bet they go so far as to suggest a name change for the country!

I haven't seen too many Hallmark Greeting Card stores in Thailand, so perhaps giving cards isn't an important part of Thai Culture. We Westerners tend to equate gifts with how someone feels about us; the more they spend, the more they value us. Not all cultures do that, and some (Japanese culture, for example) often even keep a record of how much has been spent by others for their gifts, to be sure to spend at least an equal amount when repaying gifts to them!

Soon to be the norm in America too...

Sounds like a very healthy, yet enjoyable way to deal with diet. Keep it up! 🙂

According to the emojis, someone is confused about this post. In fact, I've noticed that, regardless of the subject, 'usually' there is one (only) confused person among the various other responses to most of my posts. Many agree. Many disagree. Some love it. Some don't. But only one is confused. I'd hate to think I'm causing you so much confusion. If you send me a message when this happens, I'll be happy to explain.

Flour, potatoes, and rice on a low 'sugar' diet? All of those convert to sugar once in the body. One medium potato contains 'about' 25g of carbs that all turn into sugar. The body can't use a potato as is. It will convert it to sugar for cellular energy. Pasta and rice aren't far behind. Once a week for each is fine on a low-sugar diet, but more than that... it ain't a low-sugar diet anymore!

Yet another excellent reason to avoid Pattaya!

Songkran 'can be' fun. If you have kids, it's a delight to watch them play. With a group of friends, it can be a blast, especially for tourists. Get drunk enough, and it's an mobile party! At least until the fighting starts. But after 25 years of it, I'm done. Take away the blocks of ice and I'd consider an hour or two of it again. That's enough. I hope those who want to play enjoy the holiday.

If you don't want to play, do your daily chores in the morning, before 11am, then stay home. It's only a couple of days.

Better have another meeting and discuss what we haven't done for the past 50 years, just in case we might do it this year.

100% cocoa powder, Food-grade cocoa butter, sweetener of choice, (I also add a spoonful of vanilla extract and a pinch of salt. ) I buy where ever I can find the best prices, and still not sacrifice quality. As for proportions, I just wing it. Make it as rich as you'd like and as sweet as you'd like. If you prefer milk chocolate, add powdered milk, NOT fresh milk. 🙂

Don't have to be a scientist to know that there are carbs in ALL veggies. While there are no vegetables that contain zero carbohydrates, there are many that have very low carbohydrate content.

Man, I love carbs too! Wouldn't give 'em up for nothing! Same with sweet things. But I'll choose healthy carbs like spinach and broccoli, berries and nuts. And for a sweetener, Monkfruit or stevia if I want to go natural, Allulose or Erythritol for the times I don't. Breads, waffles, cakes, and pastries, just made without wheat flour. And of course, chocolate. I made mine into Almond Bark breakup. Nope... no suffering involved.

LOL! No effort at all! Give up pasta, potatoes, rice, root vegetables, and sugar. Eat everything else. Doesn't get much easier than that. Find a sport you enjoy and go play! My wife plays with her group every afternoon, and I'm in the field 3-4 days a week. Good exercise and good fun!

It's fine for us. Relatively low fixed income, but it's enough for the two of us here to still enjoy doing what we like.

Wonderful! That gives me another four years to not think about it. Thanks.

How long is 'the long run?' I've been following Keto, now going into my 6th year. How long before I start putting on weight? I'm an old guy. If it's another 6 years, that will be fine with me. I probably won't live much longer than that! 🙂