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My father used to say, “Chuck doesn’t do anything in halves.” He was right: sometimes its a virtue and sometimes a curse. He and my mother taught me to cook, sometimes using cookbooks, like Julia Child's, but more frequently just winging it. This site is a roller coaster ride of recipes, articles, ingredients and anything else that involves cooking and presenting food. There is something here for everybody from beginners to experts.


Cooking Temps

Chicken breast 165, Chicken thigh 170 or more. Pork med well 145, Pork med 140, Rack of lamb med rare 131, Beef very rare 125, Beef rare 130,Beef med rare 135, Duck Breast 126, Salmon med 118, Disclaimer: USDA stds dictate much higher temps. To be super safe, cook everything until it is dry and crunchy, then toss it in the trash

Amazing Dive into Food Science.

I am not diabetic, but I am now using a CGM (Continuous Glucose Monitoring) device. I use Dexcom Stelo.  This is a glucose analyzer that sticks to my arm and lasts for about 2 weeks.

Dexcom Stelo continuous glucose monitoring

 It continuously analyzes my glucose level and sends it to an app on my iPhone. It doesn't require a prescription and costs $100/month. I have been using it for a month now. I previously thought I instinctively knew what a healthy diet was; turns out I was an ignorant idiot. I have learned a great deal, and have drastically changed my diet. I also found that seeing in real-time what food was doing to my glu levels made it much easier to change eating behavior. 

1. Even small amounts of sugar caused a glucose spike; almost any prepared food has sugar. Protein bars are loaded with it. 
2. The worst sugar for metabolic health is fructose. Table sugar, sucrose, is half glucose and half fructose. Most sports drinks are sweetened with fructose
3. Even a small amount of physical activity after a meal drops glucose levels
4. Fruits like ripe banana, pineapple, and grapes are not good while guava, strawberries and plumbs are much, much better
5. Inadequate sleep raises glucose levels 

I noticed I was having a spike in glucose after breakfast which consisted of yogurt, fruit. Unfortunately the yogurt was loaded with sugar and the fruit was banana and peaches. Sounded healthy!

Today I had a cheese omelette, avocado slices,  and coffee. Absolutely no spike!