A question on obesity - I am finally losing weight, but only by going on a very low

calorie diet (under my physician's advice). I didn't drink soda, I didn't buy processed foods or eat out, I never bought chips - my only bad habit was having dessert daily - but my honest calorie intake was within guidelines.

So, I am losing weight now, but I am convinced that something is very wrong - possibly having the wrong intestinal bacteria:

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/265434.php

I am also somewhat suspicious of GMO corn which ends up in just about everything sooner or later.

Comments?

An ettiquete question :

I am a "small c" catholic, raised as a Roman Catholic. I may be visiting South Korea (again) and will have the opportunity to visit Buddhist holy sites (again). For me, a holy place is a holy place.

1. Would anyone be offended if I pray in a Buddhist temple?

2. If I pray in a Buddhist temple, what are the proper actions so as not to cause offense?

12 years ago, my youngest was still in grade school -

now she's a college graduate. Effectively, almost as long as she can remember, we've been at war.

It's become the new normal.

The year before she was born, Germany was reunified, the Cold War was over and we were at "the end of history". WE were looking forward to a peace dividend.

Methinks that there are forces in the US more interested in keeping the American People afraid than the most radical terrorist!

What in the world does Rand Paul have embroidered on his shirt?

Which is the worst example of stores jumping the season?

I want to buy eggnog during Christmas week, but oftentimes it's gone before New Year's Eve. But then - sometimes it's been on sale since late September!

Have you e-mailed your Congress person and Senators about Syria?

I have a dog who is marking in the house -

We have two male dogs, both neutered. The older, larger dog (a Beagle/German Shepherd cross) is about 8 years, the younger, smaller dog (A spitz) is about 4. The dogs have free access to an outside pen. The problem is that the spitz marks spots in the house - anything new that is left on the floor (laundry baskets, back packs) and several chairs.

Is there a good way to stop this? I do wash the floors with an orange oil based detergent, and that does seem to help until the next cycle starts.

Should the fact that so many people are opposed to intervention in Syria

itself be a reason not to intervene? That is, without the firm support of a majority of the American people, we should stay out of this?

If so, what would be the threshold number, 51%? 60%? 75%?

If the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result

could someone explain to me how interfering in Syria is a good idea?