SLOW CARB FOR LIFE All New Easy Low Carb Cooking Testimonials


What People are Saying About SLOW CARB FOR LIFE©2004

“Hi Harv and Pat, Many thanks for sending me your new book. I think it is just great and I am all set to try some of the new recipes. Today begins the first day of my third year of maintenance and I have even managed to pare off a couple more pounds. I still keep my diary but my food choices are just second nature now and I could probably do without it. I don't plan to let it go though. I would say that the daily record is one of the main keys to my success. That and a firm resolve to not go back to where I was before. As you have said Nothing tastes as good as thin feels!!!! Thanks once again for the knowledge that allows me to be in control of my weight and my life! Kindest regards" - Cally Tripp, Brockville ON

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What People Said About EASY LOW CARB COOKING©2002 our best-selling first edition low carb cook book.

“This is the best broccoli salad I have ever tasted! I can’t believe that I can eat like this and lose weight.” - Bill, Belfair Washington

“I have been trying the recipes and Bert and I are finding them very tasty. I am not a good cook and never experimented with spices. Bert just didn’t like to try anything different, he has sure changed … tells me ‘you can try this again’.” - Donna, Victoria BC

“I’m finally inspired to start cooking again – so thanks for making this book available to us – well done Ms. Haakonson.” - Jacqueline, Toronto ON

“I have been using the cookbook for about a month now; I keep it out on the kitchen counter always. The recipes are fabulous and easy and help me to renew my old way of cooking with your fresh and healthy ideas. I am impressing my friends with the new recipes and they are raving about how good they taste. It’s like having a good friend with me in the kitchen.” - Annette, Victoria BC

“Just got my cookbook tonight. I am VERY impressed. …After supper I went from cover to cover and I can see quite a few recipes – especially the chicken ones - that I will have to try.” - Margot, Halifax NS

“I must tell you that the introduction at the beginning of your book is very helpful. ..I’ve also adopted a healthier way of eating and no longer consume carbs or sugar – I’ve lost 20 lbs. so far, yahoo. ..I gave one of the books to my mom for her cooking pleasure … she loves it.” - Sheila, Calgary AB

“I LOVE your cookbook. I have lost 20 pounds already (in just 8 weeks). My favorite recipe is your Creamy Broccoli Soup, it’s so good and so easy to make.” - Carol, Palm Desert CA

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What People Said About EASY LOW CARB LIVING©2002 our best-selling original low carb life style book.

FORMER COLLEAGUE We had many wonderful encounters with new friends and old during our ten month book tour. One of those encounters brought us together with a former colleague from the British Columbia Ambulance Service. Del and his wife Colette now winter in Blythe, CA in their Fifth Wheel RV. We spent a week there to visit other friends also staying in a Fifth Wheel. This was one of the locations where we did a presentation and to our surprise, there in attendance were Del and Colette. This is their story. Hi Harv & Patricia: THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU for introducing us to a new way of life. It seems that it was just meant to be that you folks would pull into the RV park in Blythe and we were there also. I pretty well read your book before we left Blythe and returned to Comox in early April. We decided to give this a go and on Apr 15th I weighed in at 204. My goal was to try and reach 175 but guess what? I overshot the runway and at my weekly weigh in this am it was nice to see 172 flash up on the scale. I can't believe how comfortable I feel - no more tight clothes and 4 notches less on the belt. I have encouraged quite a few people to try this new way of living and many are interested when I tell them how easy it is. Colette has dropped 15 lbs but can't exercise much as she is waiting for cartilage repair in her right knee. She looks and feels great and really likes trying on clothes 2 sizes smaller. Patricia: You will be glad to hear you have another follower as you may recall when we spoke in Blythe that I have been troubled with IBS for 40 years - well, low and behold it is no more. That in itself is a real blessing as I'm sure you would know. We have tried lots of recipes and not a bad one in the bunch. We always have chocolate nut or citrus bars in our freezer. I don't know how many times over the past years I heard people say: "It's not the potato that is bad for you, it's what you put on it." How wrong they were and when we tell people about the deserts we have with whipped cream they can't believe it. I could go on and on but don't want to bore you. You might sense that we are excited about the "new us". When we go back to Blythe this winter, we will be armed with the recipe book and the necessary supplies. If you are ever up this way, it would be great to see you folks. Take care and God Bless. Whatever you do, keep up the good work. Del & Colette, Blythe CA & Comox BC

REPEATED FEEDBACK It is a real joy to receive feedback from readers who are having success with our books but is pure ecstasy when we get repeated feedback from the same readers. Karen in Thunder Bay, Ontario continues to make our day with the story of her husband and herself. Thank you Karen. October 31, 2002 Dear Harv & Patricia: My husband & I are two of the converted. We have inspired 4 of our friends to adopt your way of eating. My husband was told to lose weight or be taken out on a flat bed truck. I am proud to say he has met his target weight. I have lost 26 lbs. with a bit more to go. My husband's cardiologist is thrilled with him & asked all kinds of questions about your book. He gave him the book name & web site. He said he'll use my husband as his poster boy for how to lose weight sensibly. Had to let you hear our success. Karen, Thunder Bay Ont May 28, 2003 Dear Patricia & Harv: Greetings from Thunder Bay. Just an update on our progress. All is well - our goals met and have been maintained. We have introduced several friends to your eating program & they all have had success. We are most proud of my sister & brother-in-law who just started & each has lost 20+lbs. They both have chronic health concerns & are feeling so much better on your program. David has been asked by his cardiologist to attend a dinner at a weekend retreat they have for all their cardiac patients. They want him to tell other patients how he has lost his weight & kept it off. He'll be talking about your books & will give out your website. Even if only a few adopt your program he'll feel successful. Bye for now. Karen, Thunder Bay ON

TWO STORIES FROM GOLFERS We continue to be rewarded almost daily with wonderful comments from readers. There are so many great stories that it is often difficult to choose just one to share with you. So this time we have chosen two. The first is from Bob in St. Albert, AB whose story we liked because it is so typical of what readers say to us. We may also have been just a little biased because he is a golfer. We like the second story from Dr. Rick in Calgary because it illustrates the impact on blood parameters as a result of a low carb lifestyle, even for a short time. OK so he's a golfer too! Hi Folks, My wife has long been coaxing me to control my weight. Not that I've resisted, it has just been difficult for me. I've tried the Weight Watcher's, and the "Florida Heart" diets and then tried to just cut back on calories, fats, etc. all to little progress. I could get about 15 pounds off, but then my weight just seemed to stagnate at that level. I've tried the low carb method your books suggest since August of this year (4 months), and have now dropped below 200 lbs for the first time in 20 years. Seems to work for me! My blood pressure has lowered, and I can still exercise at the levels I am used to. The interesting thing; I can have my shake for breakfast and golf the first nine holes before having a low carb lunch of 5 crackers and tuna. This has done me throughout the remainder of the golf season. I've found it a good way to manage what I eat without losing energy. Thanks for the help. Bob, St. Albert AB

Hello. After six weeks eating low carb, prior to starting the statin (medical prescription), I got my lipid profile done. I was very interested to see what it was going to be after eating 10 eggs per week, doubling my cheese intake and quadrupling my nut intake. I had increased my exercise to almost daily vs two or three times per week in the winter. Total cholesterol (TC): 4.0 (Normal range 3.8-5.2) In the past I was 4.8 to 5.1 Triglycerides: 1.1 (Normal <2.3) In the past I was 2.0 to 2.9 HDL: 0.87 (Normal >0.9) I had typically varied from 0.6 to 0.7 in the past (As did my parents) LDL: 2.66 (Target varies, less than 3.4 considered excellent without risk factors such as cardiovascular disease or diabetes) TC/HDL ratio is 4.6. In the past it was typically 6 to 7 for me. The new Canadian guidelines will emphasize the ratio as the most important lipid treatment target. (It will vary from less than 7 for people with no risk factors to less than 3 for those with extremely high risk.) For me, being in the TC/HDL ratio range of 3.5 to 4 with an LDL of 2.0 or 2.2 is the goal. Therefore, I will now try the low dose statin medication. I expect that with this eating lifestyle and only a modest response to the lowest dose of medication a target TC of close to 3 and ratio of 3.5 should be easily obtained. Bottom line: I was truly amazed at the results after 6 weeks. 16 pounds lost and a dramatic improvement in lipid profile despite eating what were once considered the "bad foods". I am now converted. I also need to buy new belts. Rick, Calgary AB

REWARDING STORY Hello Harv and Patricia. I thought you might be interested in hearing about my successes with the help of your two books. I lost the first 20 lbs before Christmas and now I am starting the second 20 lb phase of my weight loss in Jan 2003. It is not only easy but I feel that the weight is just melting off. I don't feel deprived and I sure don't miss the white stuff!...you, know, the potatoes, bread, rice or pasta. I get lots of comments about my weight loss and I give instant credit to the sensible low carbohydrate eating plan that is recommended in the "EASY LOW CARB LIVING AND COOKING" books. This is my weight loss story: With an early retirement at 55 I was totally focused on finally getting fit, since a busy career in health care administration left little time to care for myself. Not that I didn't know the benefits of good health, but having the energy to allocate to my personal health never seemed to be forthcoming. So in January 2002, having thought through some specific new years resolutions about better life style choices, and along with my newly retired partner, we headed off to the weight room at the Panorama Recreation Center in Sidney and made that our 5 day a week - 1 ½ hrs per morning commitment. With the help of a personal trainer, Susan, we had individualized workout programs designed for our age and ability. (Cardiovascular workouts, weight lifting and mat work.) After 7 months I was feeling stronger, fitter, more flexible, but still carrying the same weight as I started. I was really discouraged! I was easily 50 lbs. overweight and I was working too hard not to be seeing better results! My partner was losing weight with no difficulty. Was it related to hormones, I wondered? So I turned to some references: In particular, "The Wisdom of Menopause" by Christiane Northup MD. I also attended a lecture by Pamela Peakes MD. Both sources suggested that especially during perimenopause, a diet lower in carbohydrates is recommended. Co-incidentally I spotted your two books (Easy Low Carb Living and Cooking) on a friends coffee table and was immediately drawn to the simplicity of the format. Next day I located the books at Tanners Book Store in Sidney. It was my plan to read them during the summer and once I had digested them (so to speak) I would start making changes to my eating in September. That all changed once I read them. I was ready to start, then and there. I began by using the daily food journal and following the type of meal planning in the book. The recipes are easy to follow and very tasty. I frequently use them even when entertaining. I had a 5 lb. weight loss the first week and then a steady and gradual loss up to Christmas. Then I gave myself permission to enjoy the season with a few more carbs than recommended! However, I started back on the low carbs right after Christmas and by my first weigh in Jan 6th I had lost any gains…and started towards my second goal of another 20 lbs. …target date is April. I've tried a lot of strategies to lose weight over the years, but I can honestly say this method is the easiest and most effective. Thank you for these great resources. These books are a "staple" in my kitchen. Joel, Sidney BC

SECRET NO MORE "My husband and I had been on a 3 week diet (in Men's Fitness magazine) guaranteed to shed 15 pounds in 3 weeks, and what we realized later is that this diet, although still fairly high in carbs, was a lot lower than what we had been consuming. I, myself, had been a fanatical low-fat eater for many years and when we married, my husband began to gain weight; we now know why, and here I thought I was doing him a favor. On my birthday, I received a cookbook from my son and his girlfriend; unfortunately, or I should say fortunately, I already had this cookbook. When I returned it to the bookstore, my husband and I pondered what cookbook we should buy and thought about something along the same lines as the 3 week diet we had been on as we did lose weight. That's when we saw your books on the shelf. We didn't buy anything right away but did some research into it and bought both your books 1 week later. I am a registered nurse and have taken nutrition courses throughout the years but I am convinced that your way is the right way! It just makes sense! I am very grateful for your books as it has helped us to make a life-style change, one that was surprisingly easy considering how fanatical I was about low-fat! Your books are easy to read and comprehend. It's like discovering a well-kept secret and I've been telling everyone I know about it. Thank again! PS: The food tastes great!!!!" Dianne, Calgary AB

TOPS ~ WHAT A GREAT IDEA Sometimes the comments we receive are such good ideas they really need to be shared. This great idea comes from Shelley in Victoria BC. The fact that she acted on her idea makes it all the more impressive. Shelley belongs to a TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) group and has shared her low carb experience and success with her group members. She actually gave a presentation based on our books. It took just one week after Shelley shared her story for the group to demonstrate the power of low carb living by the amount of weight they lost. What a great thing to do Shelley.

"I have just received your cookbooks. I am thrilled! … Now with these great books, I can make meals that are interesting to cook and good to eat, and avoid the same old repetitious way of doing things - I'm not as imaginative as you and can only prepare meat and vegetables so many ways - I'm bored! I'm so thankful to you and Harv for writing these books and explaining things in simple English as well as providing great recipes. I am re-inspired!!" - Lucille, Los Angeles CA

"Thanks Harv: Your accomplishment has spurred me on to tackle a beast I have had for a long time, carb addiction and insulin insensitivity. I have always known that I was better on low carbs but when I was training seriously I was eating 9000 cals!!/day and I relied on carbs. So I am trying to break a habit while getting back to fighting weight". - Steve, Victoria BC

"Gord and I are presently changing our eating habits to low carb. Finding recipes has been a problem. I saw you both on the Vancouver Island Morning Show in Nanaimo. You were having a book signing at Chapters after the show, so I phoned Chapters and they put away one of each of your books for me (autographed yet!) which I appreciated. After looking through them, we were thrilled to find so much information and recipes." - Pat, Nanaimo BC

"Read your book. A great read whether you adhere to the lifestyle or not. Motivational, haven't read a book like it and been excited about trying it since the Wealthy Barber." - Gord, Vernon BC

"Thank you so much for your book! I am almost done reading it. I started the program today, as I have overviewed the whole book in one sitting. I am also familiar with the low carb lifestyle, as I have tried Atkins. I am feeling great so far, with Atkins I felt horrible. With research I am seeing that with low blood sugar it will take time for my body to adjust. I am excited to see what will happen as I completely commit to this lifestyle." - Tannace, Creston BC

My wife and I discovered your eating plan in Oct of last year (2002) through a friend who had met you at a book signing in Thunder Bay. I have gone from 237 to 179 in that time and my wife from 138 to 111. We have been very happy with the results and have not really found any great difficulty following it after the first 2 weeks. We feel much better and my blood pressure has been lowered considerably as well as much less pain from an arthritic knee. I no longer take the anti-inflammatory medication previously prescribed. Keep up the great work! George & Marg, Thunder Bay, ON
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