Category: Food

Blood Pressure update

Sawadee Khrap

Blackmores Omega MemoJust found and started taking Blackmores Omega Memo – this stuff is a concentrated Omega-3 nutritional oil capsule containing  500 mg DHA.  DHA being the most important Omega related to “good” cholesterols.  It is supposed to increase the level of good cholesterols while decreasing the bad, while also thinning the blood, and reducing the blood pressure.  I find that I can reduce the Valsartan from 240 mg/day to 160mg/day and my blood pressure is running about 120/60 all day.   Before I had to take 3000 mg standard fish oil to get the same 600 mg DHA – too much daily consumption of oil for the same benefit. 

So my pill regiment has become :  160mg Valsartan, baby aspirin, 1/8 Cialis tab, and 3 squares of 73% Coco after a large Oatmeal breakfast – then a 1000mg Omega Memo after dinner – this combination has been keeping my BP almost steady at 120/60 all day and also allowed me to eliminate the Plavix I was taking for blood thinning.  Of course the 2 mile/day walking work-out has a lot to do with the equation too.  Don’t forget the exercise.

Now my monthly cost is running about 1000 Baht (US $31/mo. ) for all my meds.  Far cry from where I started out in this nightmare being told I had 5 blocked artery’s and needed 800,000 Baht   (US $25,000)  operations and would need to take roughly 4,000 Baht/mo. (US  $125) meds for the rest of my life.   I supposed if I had insurance – well I don’t.  God Bless.

At the end of Sept I will once again check my cholesterol levels and kidney functions to make sure everything is still on track – but so far I feel great and that should be the best indicator. Although this combination is working for me, I have just talked to a friend that the Blackmores product didn’t work for him – so I put this up here to show a example of what could work -  I have done numerous trials and checks to determine what is working best for me and I’m just hoping my experience can benefit others.

Ciao

Hospital update –

Sawadee Khrap

Well it’s been a month since my last check up and things are really on track.  My BP is controlled using Valsartan (average 123/58) so far with no problems.   Amazingly, my  total Cholesterol is in the good low range and the HDL (good )  Cholesterol is up.  Kidney function has returned to acceptable levels and my new arches and posture supports are working and the back pain is going away.    AND 1/8 Cialis tab/day is keeping me me on the cutting edge, so to say – also helping with the BP.

I am finding out that the “Folic Acid” that the doctor in Chiang Mai had me taking to help the weakened kidneys was affecting my sleep and seemed to be making my muscles ache  – so I have now cut it down and that seems to be working good – going to stop taking it and the blood thinner Pavlix – both of these I am slowly reducing so there are no sudden stoppage that can cause side effects. 

Solution:     I start every day off with a large hot bowel of Oatmeal ( Hahne’s Trauben-Nuss Sultanas-Nut) and I add Honey for taste,  then I make sure I walk about 2 miles/day, eat 3 squares  of a “Ritter Sport – Fine Extra Dark 73CoCOChocolate 73% CoCo bar daily ”,  have grilled fish for dinner at least twice/week and enjoy great lunches and dinners of sautéed vegetables/rice, salads, fresh fruits and pastas, everything cooked  using only olive oil and no salt.

I did try “Fish oil” for a while, but through research I found the version I was taking did not have high enough levels of DHL (600mg) so stopped until I can find a product with the high DHL levels.  Maybe I won’t need it if my cholesterol ratios keep getting better as they have been – .    So at this point NO OPERATION.        We’ll see what the reports are like next month. 

Feeling Great

Ciao

Chiang Mai trip

Sawadee Khrap

IMG_144620140710_091350-EditJust got back from a great visit to Chiang Mai – first I went to see  ‘Kay”.   Got to spend a couple of days with him in between his working and we got in a visit to Doi Suthep – I’ll post some photos later.  We’re hoping to be able to get together when I move back to Chiang Mai.  The day I left he made this beautiful flower arrangement for me.  He has been my inspiration and helper during my visits at the hospital – I’ll post the results on that ordeal in a future post – but everything checked out OK and no operation is needed at this time – what a relief.


20140708_183655I stayed at the B2Geen Hotel, just around the corner from the Soho Bar on Huay Kaew Rd.  They have the greatest TukTuk I have seen so far – 20140709_182832 Used it to go to dinner with Jim and Mike at Pern’s the night before I left Chiang Mai  20140709_182511Here’s a  shot of Jim’s newly re-furbished Honda Motorcycle – what a beauty.


I also got to visit David Cooper at McKean Retirement Home at Dok Kaew Gardens  – Jim and I took him to lunch at IMG_1379the Marrakech Restaurant at the Shiek Istana Hotel – what a beautiful place and great food.IMG_1391IMG_1394


Nice trip – great weather , flight and time.  Took bus up and AsiaAir  flight back.

Ciao.

Goody’s–when it rains it pours

Sawadee Khrap

Painting Goody finalI just went to show the owners, Chris and his lady, at my favorite local restaurant in bldg B  the 16×20 in. painting I made for them and have my regular lunch.   Gift too late !!!

Bad news all around – they have just been informed by the View Talay Management that he will have to remove his gas burners and replace them with electric,  it’s against the Insurance code.   Chris has been preparing my lunch, and dinner for that matter, ever since I developed my condition – special cooking, salt and sugar free, olive oil, no MSG – stir fried fresh daily vegetables and rice with grilled fish for dinner at a price extremely affordable.  Sounds like he will have to move as he does not want to cook with electric – different flavor and not as good.  He has a week or so but it sounds like unchangeable – I can only hope they find a place close by -  within walking distance would be nice.  Sorry you didn’t have a chance to taste his food – only comparable restaurant around is Cabbages and Condoms and that’s too far for walking.

I wish them all the best luck and I am really going to miss them.  I’ll post their new location as soon as I know.

Ciao

5-Star Centara Grand Mirage – Pattaya

Sawadee Khrap

A friend asked me to help him with some photos and treated me to Centara Grand Mirage Beach Pattaya-1dinner with his manager at the Hotel.  WOW, what a place – or palace I should say .  Absolutely beautiful.  Centara Grand Mirage Beach Resort Hotel – Pattaya.  They were having a new Disco Party and he’s auditioning to be the photographer there.  I took my camera so I could get some shots of the facilities to post here._MG_0160_MG_0396_MG_0235-Edit_MG_0382

 

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Here is a slideshow of the shots I brought back – haven’t seen

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any that he took – maybe this weekend, as we are planning a photo trip to Nong Nooch Garden – just to get some shooting time in next week – I am going to help him with some tips on using Photoshop.

And for a bit to eat – try out their Oasis Restaurant – MAGNIFICENT.

Ciao

Little Mango – Ton’s Birthday

Sawadee Khrap

Went to dinner with Jerry at Ken’s Little Mango Restaurant last night_MG_0536.  Below is Ken (owner-middle), Potter (his brother-right), Bell (staff team-left)   Great food, service and staff.  _MG_0533Just up from Sunee Plaza area on Soi VC.  If your in the area make sure you stop by and say hello to Ken and his guys and have a delicious meal before heading to Sunee or Boyztown for the evening.  I think, with out a doubt, the best restaurant in the area.

_MG_0538Speaking of Sunee, the Sawadee has closed down _MG_0540and has been replaced with a beer bar/pool place – and I also captured a great shot of a couple of the boys waiting for your arrival .

  Next we headed to check out Ton’s Birthday party at La Dolce Vita in Jontiem Complex.

_MG_0541_MG_0545They had a 3 piece Isan band and a attracted a huge attendance – food, music, and birthday cake  -       HAPPY BIRTHDAY Ton !  

I had a terrible headache all day ( I think from my glasses) and just couldn’t stay out anymore  – so had to call it quits.

 

Ciao

Rimpa Lapin Scenic Bar & Restaurant

Sawadee Khrap

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Just got back from a great dinner and night out with a friend.  What a excellent place to go – try Rimpa-Lapin  on the way to Sattahip. Great food, wonderful view (I will go back and get some better shots – it was raining and I only had my phone camera).  Dinner for 2, drinks for about 600 Baht.

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This is the start of the sunset but then the rains came and blocked it completely – but still beautiful (camera phone panorama) and quite a view.  Thanks Aum.

Ciao

Chiang Mai special events Newsletters

Sawadee Khrap

Well I’m on the subject –  Paul Schoenkopf and Sarawut (Nop) Sriwichai  send out two newsletters on a regular basis that should be included in your favorite links for Chiang Mai happenings.

fasgroup@hotmail.com            Schedule of Performing Arts

gay-movies@hotmail.com        Private Gay Theme Film Festival

send a email with “subscribe” in the subject and become a member

And Paul also has a “Sunday Funnies” newsletter and the “Dining Out Group”  – I don’t have the email addresses right now but ask when you subscribe above – takes the edge off the week –

Ciao

Looking for a Harley–or -Amer-Tex food ??

Sawadee Khrap

Are you looking for a Harley-Davidson or perhaps American or Tex food, maybe a club with live music and 2 full pool tables –

PurpleSpaceMonkeyTHEN, The Purple Space Monkey, is the place to go.  Went there yesterday for lunch with Jerry and was really surprised – great food at reasonable pricing.  Planning on going back to catch some of the entertainment and see what the place is like at night.  I can recommend the food – next I’ll try out the show.

The Purple Space Monkey is a combined Custom Bike shop and bar/restaurant located in the road mid way along Jomtien Beach Rd,( where there is a police box) and you turn left and its on your left 1/2 way down the road that leads to Sukumvit Rd.

Ciao

Radchada Garden Café

Sawadee Khrap

New place in town – Radchada Garden Café   be sure to check it out.

Radchada Garden Café

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I’ll stop by over the weekend and get some photos too – Should be a great place to just relax and have a place to mingle earlier in the evening – I have always hated that Chiang Mai only had venues starting at 10 PM – Now I have a place to stop by and still be able to get home before 10:30   ha ha

Good luck Khun Mai ,  and also Hi to Note and Peter.

Ciao

Khun Churn Vegetarian–Chiang Mai

Sawadee Khrap

Just a follow up on my new diet – I have never felt better and getting better each day – as I said earlier amazing.

Every day for lunch I have been going to Khun Churn Vegetarian Restaurant.KhunChurnKhunChurn-2 There I met Khun Tum, Manager of the location, but didn’t realize till now that they were so big, 4 sites – Chiang Mai and BKK.  The CM site is at Soi 11, off Nimmanhaemin Road -  The photo above is the Owner, but I haven’t met him yet.  Wonderful food and extremely great prices. Check out some reviews.

Ciao

My New Diet– I wouldn’t believed it

Sawadee Khrap

Well it’s been 2 weeks since starting my new vegetarian diet – feel great, no acid reflux, no heartburn, most of all the pain I have been having in my legs and back has gone away – and a very clear head and overall great general feeling.   Amazing !!!!

3 weeks ago, I was having a bad reaction to the acid reflux drugs I have been taking for almost the past 4 or so years, also costing me over 2000 Baht a month for this crap.  That shit really began to give me problems and caused me to start having vertigo and other loss of control like my blood pressure would just drop, and worse of all – my dick dropped to the ground – so I stopped taking all of it – Miracid and any other versions of the same shit.  All drugs.  I still had acid reflux but it felt the same as when I get a bacterial infection from drinking bad water – so I thought I try Disento to see if it was just an infection – it worked.  I did.

Disento did the trick – I am also getting weekly massages from Pea and he is excellent – I am sure that the massage and diet have brought me to this wonderful stage.  No reflux, heartburn, everything returning to normal, everything is picking up so to say.

My diet now is that I eat nothing that has a ‘Mother’ – Beef, Pork, Chicken, Lamb, Seafood, Fish, etc..   Also cut down on oils, except olive oil that I use to make my stir fried rice with vegetables. Stopped anything cooked with palm oil, cheap and a favorite here in Thailand – Just vegetables, fruits, nuts and grains – but I do include some boiled eggs in my rice for flavor – but small amount.  And for 2 weeks – free of any problem. 

I think I got most of the bacterial from the water they use to make hot tea – tap in most cases because I think that they figure when they boil it is will be OK – not the case – So now I request ONLY bottled water be used and no problems.   I’m going to monitor another 2 –3 weeks and post my results.

Ciao

Café Khun kru–Off Suthep Rd.

Sawadee Khrap

KhunKruCafeMax told me about “Wit” and his Café, take the second Soi on the left past the Canal Road on Suthep Rd.  (See the map) .  It is hard to find and when I went there Sat it was still raining and so they were not open.  I did get to meet Wit and managed to take some quick shots.

It’s located in the front yard of the house and can be a little difficult to find.  I plan to go back and visit next Tuesday and see how the drinks are and what kind of customers he draws – students, students and more students – hopefully it won’t be raining .

Wit seems like a real neat guy and we will chat later and I’ll tell you more about the Café and him.  Maybe I can find some models there too.

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and here’s a shot from the front road – don’t go past it – more Tuesday

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Ciao

fang lagoon home stay – revisited

Sawadee Khrap

WOW EXCELLENT, (especially the food) – That sums up my stay at Fang Lagoon -  Khun May, Kla, Aew, and Emy  were wonderful. _MG_3057

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I opted for the overnighter package – 3,500 Baht ($100) which included 2 massages, full time escort, four meals (check in lunch, evening dinner, breakfast, check out lunch) and private hut for sleeping.

These guys were great – I was pampered, pampered and PAMPERED.   After the each massage, I was given an outdoor Roman Style bath to remove the oil – lovely – I got a quick shot of them after they finished my shower – what a way to end a massage.

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But then there is my favorite – FOOD – I have never tasted Thai food as good as what was served here – for example – dinner included:

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Tom Ka Kai soup – a blend of galangal, lemongrass, ginger, chicken, banana hearts and other spices in a coconut broth. – Amazing – every item was harvested that afternoon to make the dish – fresh, fresh, fresh – and so tasteful – All the herbs melted in your mouth and everything was editable – everything – even the galangal – which has always been like wood and un-editable – it has a wonderful taste.  Khun Emy is a excellent cook – Wow again – I will be back.

As I said almost all items are grown on the farm – coffee, fruits, herbs, and they also produce their own coconut oil for the massage.

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Here the the oil is separating from the milk.

You have to make reservations and try at least a overnighter –

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And the country side is so relaxing – farming country – quite evenings – wake to the distant crow of a rooster. Only to be pampered again by your devoted escort. – Just imagine a 3 day stay – tour of the area and local National Park – check out the pricing – you’ll love it.

 

Ciao.