Less than 2 weeks after hitting $19.7 trillion, we have now hit $19.8 trillion. Must be nice to be able to print $100 billion out of thin air just like that. Where did it all go?
Wednesday, October 26, 2016
$19 trillion, 800 billion
Less than 2 weeks after hitting $19.7 trillion, we have now hit $19.8 trillion. Must be nice to be able to print $100 billion out of thin air just like that. Where did it all go?
Monday, October 24, 2016
SmartPoints Formula
Source: http://calorielab.com/news/2015/10/08/weight-watchers-pointsplus-formula/
Interesting. But I think they penalize saturated fat unfairly, and they don't give any benefit to fiber. And they give too much credit for protein.
The Pizza Diet
A guy in New Zealand (also here) ate a large pizza every day for 222 straight days. He ate an average of 4000 calories a day. He gained 6kg (13 lbs), his body fat dropped from 15% to 13.5%, and his cholesterol levels improved. Of course, he was also lifting weights.
Trump is Molotov Cocktail You Can Throw on Crooked System
http://financialsurvivalnetwork.com/2016/10/trump-is-molotov-cocktail-you-can-throw-on-crooked-system-catherine-austin-fitts-with-greg-hunter/
Michael Moore said in an interview that Donald Trump is a Molotov cocktail you can throw on the system. Interestingly enough, if you look at the federal system, it has a negative return on investment to taxpayers. If you believe you can never fix that, then throwing a Molotov cocktail into the middle of that is the most intelligent thing you can do for productivity. It was when I wrote the theme for productivity for the second quarter wrap-up I realized . . . I may have profound disagreements with Trump’s style, but I can throw the Molotov cocktail (voting for Trump).
Michael Moore said in an interview that Donald Trump is a Molotov cocktail you can throw on the system. Interestingly enough, if you look at the federal system, it has a negative return on investment to taxpayers. If you believe you can never fix that, then throwing a Molotov cocktail into the middle of that is the most intelligent thing you can do for productivity. It was when I wrote the theme for productivity for the second quarter wrap-up I realized . . . I may have profound disagreements with Trump’s style, but I can throw the Molotov cocktail (voting for Trump).
Sunday, October 23, 2016
Monday, October 17, 2016
The Harcombe Diet
Zoe Harcombe explains phase one. She is a little heard to hear because of her voice, but it is an interesting concept. I doubt that 14 lbs can be lost in 5 days, but there is only one way to find out.
Fat meals vs. Carb meals
You can lose weight either with a low-calorie, low-fat diet, or with a low-carb, high-fat diet. With the Harcombe diet, you can switch these up. Either have a "fat meal", where carbs are restricted as much as possible, or have a "carb meal", where fat is restricted as much as possible, and separate the meals by at least 4 hours to give your body time to digest it. Protein can be eaten with either kind of meal, but the carb meals should have lean protein.
The only foods that are prohibited are those that are high carb and high fat, for example, pizza, doughnuts, french fries, ice cream and some kinds of yogurt. Also, sugar and corn syrup. So you can eat both bread and butter, but not together. Veggies (with the exception of potatoes, corn, beans, rice and wheat which are all carb-heavy) can be eaten at either meal.
Also, forbidden would be any kind of soft drink (including diet), ketchup and hoisan sauce (because of the sugar), and salad dressings. Yogurt would not be allowed unless it is low-fat and thus eaten with carbs, or low-carb and thus eaten with fat.
Interesting theory, worth a try.
===================
Arggh. There is another theory that protein and carbs shouldn't be combined in the same meal and that fat and carbs should be combined, in order to lower the glycemic index. I don't know what to say. Under this theory, there is a category called "starch" which includes bread, bananas, rice, corn and potatoes, which shouldn't be eaten with "protein" (meat, cheese and beans).
This actually makes more sense to me, but it is harder to describe. I could see a study with 4 options - a low-carb, meat-heavy diet; a low-fat, restricted-calorie diet; a Harcombe fat vs carb diet, and a food-combining protein vs starch diet.
===================
These are contradictory. In the Harcombe diet, meat can be eaten with bread, but butter can't be eaten with bread. In the food-combining diet, bread and butter can be eaten together but not bread and meat.
Under the food-combining diet, pizza is forbidden, not because of the carbs and fat, but because of the carbs and protein (meat + cheese). Doughnuts are forbidden, not because of the carbs and fat, but because of the sugar. French fries are not forbidden, but should not be eat with ketchup (sugar) or meat. Ice cream is forbidden because of the sugar. Yogurt is allowed as long as it is low in sugar.
====================
And yet another thought. The most passionate defender of starch, Dr. John McDougall is also in favor of low-fat.
So, bottom-line, if you must have bread, eat it without meat, cheese, or butter. If you must have potatoes, eat them baked, not fried, and without butter, cheese or meat. If you must have rice, eat it veggies, not with meat.
I am sure this isn't the final word. Time for experiments.
The only foods that are prohibited are those that are high carb and high fat, for example, pizza, doughnuts, french fries, ice cream and some kinds of yogurt. Also, sugar and corn syrup. So you can eat both bread and butter, but not together. Veggies (with the exception of potatoes, corn, beans, rice and wheat which are all carb-heavy) can be eaten at either meal.
Also, forbidden would be any kind of soft drink (including diet), ketchup and hoisan sauce (because of the sugar), and salad dressings. Yogurt would not be allowed unless it is low-fat and thus eaten with carbs, or low-carb and thus eaten with fat.
Interesting theory, worth a try.
===================
Arggh. There is another theory that protein and carbs shouldn't be combined in the same meal and that fat and carbs should be combined, in order to lower the glycemic index. I don't know what to say. Under this theory, there is a category called "starch" which includes bread, bananas, rice, corn and potatoes, which shouldn't be eaten with "protein" (meat, cheese and beans).
This actually makes more sense to me, but it is harder to describe. I could see a study with 4 options - a low-carb, meat-heavy diet; a low-fat, restricted-calorie diet; a Harcombe fat vs carb diet, and a food-combining protein vs starch diet.
===================
These are contradictory. In the Harcombe diet, meat can be eaten with bread, but butter can't be eaten with bread. In the food-combining diet, bread and butter can be eaten together but not bread and meat.
Under the food-combining diet, pizza is forbidden, not because of the carbs and fat, but because of the carbs and protein (meat + cheese). Doughnuts are forbidden, not because of the carbs and fat, but because of the sugar. French fries are not forbidden, but should not be eat with ketchup (sugar) or meat. Ice cream is forbidden because of the sugar. Yogurt is allowed as long as it is low in sugar.
====================
And yet another thought. The most passionate defender of starch, Dr. John McDougall is also in favor of low-fat.
So, bottom-line, if you must have bread, eat it without meat, cheese, or butter. If you must have potatoes, eat them baked, not fried, and without butter, cheese or meat. If you must have rice, eat it veggies, not with meat.
I am sure this isn't the final word. Time for experiments.
Saturday, October 15, 2016
Karl Denninger freaks out about Medicaid spending
Read: The CERTAIN Destruction Of Our Nation https://market-ticker.org/akcs-www?singlepost=3411605
I haven't had time to really analyze this. He might be right.
I haven't had time to really analyze this. He might be right.
$19 trillion, 700 billion
The national debt is suddenly spiraling out of control. After years of relative fiscal constraint, the Obama administration is partying like 1999 and they want to go out in style and soak the taxpayers or bondholders for everything they got. The national debt is now $19.720 trillion.
So I will be commenting on every 100 billion dollar increase, probably every couple of weeks, until it reaches $20 trillion, which I now project will be about December 31.
So I will be commenting on every 100 billion dollar increase, probably every couple of weeks, until it reaches $20 trillion, which I now project will be about December 31.
Friday, October 14, 2016
Monetary Easing Exacerbates Inequality
See http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-10-14/land-with-longest-stretch-of-negative-rates-finds-rich-are-getting-richer-faster
Years of ultra low rates have benefited the rich more than the poor. Lower interest costs have coincided with a significant rise in capital income. The wise men point out that “lower rate expenses” are one of the reasons why equity income has risen more than disposable income, thus adding to increased inequality.
Years of ultra low rates have benefited the rich more than the poor. Lower interest costs have coincided with a significant rise in capital income. The wise men point out that “lower rate expenses” are one of the reasons why equity income has risen more than disposable income, thus adding to increased inequality.
Thursday, October 13, 2016
Subway on a diet
This is part of my series on eating at a fast food restaurant while on a diet.
Subway is very difficult because they have so much bread and because of a discount for getting a footlong. And because their salads are relatively expensive and unsatisfactory. But here is my dinner today:
Italian BMT on Parmesian Oregeno bread (6-inch, half the bread, with cheese). I added swiss cheese (1 oz, I think), mustard and mayonaise. This has 582 calories, 34g fat, 46g carbs (3g fiber), 23g protein. Removing the 1/2 the bread saves an estimated 93 calories, 1g fat, 20g carbs (1g fiber) and 1g protein. Total: 489 calories, 33g fat, 26g carbs (2g fiber), 22g protein. Total points: 38. Cost with tax $3.78.
This was very delicious, and bigger than I remembered a 6-inch sub being. My only complaint is the the meat was a little sparse. I could have ordered it double the meat.
Verdict: This passes the test. But I won't give it flying colors. Because if you think it is ok to eat at Subway, you will order a footlong and then eat a ginormous amount of calories and then wonder why you are getting fat. You will say to yourself that you will only eat half and eat the other half later, but you will eat the whole thing. If you are going to try to attempt this experiment, DO NOT ORDER A FOOTLONG. Getting double meat on a 6-inch would be a much better solution.
Subway is very difficult because they have so much bread and because of a discount for getting a footlong. And because their salads are relatively expensive and unsatisfactory. But here is my dinner today:
Italian BMT on Parmesian Oregeno bread (6-inch, half the bread, with cheese). I added swiss cheese (1 oz, I think), mustard and mayonaise. This has 582 calories, 34g fat, 46g carbs (3g fiber), 23g protein. Removing the 1/2 the bread saves an estimated 93 calories, 1g fat, 20g carbs (1g fiber) and 1g protein. Total: 489 calories, 33g fat, 26g carbs (2g fiber), 22g protein. Total points: 38. Cost with tax $3.78.
This was very delicious, and bigger than I remembered a 6-inch sub being. My only complaint is the the meat was a little sparse. I could have ordered it double the meat.
Verdict: This passes the test. But I won't give it flying colors. Because if you think it is ok to eat at Subway, you will order a footlong and then eat a ginormous amount of calories and then wonder why you are getting fat. You will say to yourself that you will only eat half and eat the other half later, but you will eat the whole thing. If you are going to try to attempt this experiment, DO NOT ORDER A FOOTLONG. Getting double meat on a 6-inch would be a much better solution.
Debtwatch Warning for $19.7 trillion
The national debt is just a billion dollars shy of $19.7 trillion. Since it has been increasing so fast recently (up $187 billion in the last week), I think if it breaks this barrier within the next week, that would be a really bad sign. So let's hope the Treasury has enough money for now. If it is still below $19.7 trillion by 10/20/16, let's breathe a sigh of relief. It is breaks the barrier, it may be time to freak out.
See also:
http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2016-10-13/while-media-obsesses-over-pussy-gate-us-debt-soars-187-trillion
See also:
http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2016-10-13/while-media-obsesses-over-pussy-gate-us-debt-soars-187-trillion
Wednesday, October 12, 2016
Wendy's on a diet, part 2
I previously reviewed Wendys on a diet. Here is another take on it. There was a special on the grilled chicken combo for $5, so I ordered a grilled chicken sandwich, changed the side to a caesar side salad and had a small diet coke.
Grilled Chicken Sandwich (only 1 bun): This is 360 calories, 8g fat, 38g carbs (3g fiber), 35g protein. To make this total, make the total 364 calories. The bread has 165 calories, 1g fat, 6g protein, 33g carbs (2g fiber). So removing one bun saves 76 calories, 3g protein and 16g carbs (1g fiber). The bread was a multigrain bun and was delicious. Total: 288 calories, 8g fat, 22g carbs (2g fiber), 32g protein.
Caesar Side Salad with Caesar dressing, without croutons: 262 calories, 18g fat, 18g carbs (3g fiber), 7g protein. The croutons have 92 calories, 4g fat, 12g carbs (1g fiber), 2g protein. The dressing has 80 calories, 8g fat, 1g carbs, 1g protein. I added additional parmesan cheese which is not counted. Total: 170 calories, 14g fat, 6g carbs (2g fiber), 5g protein.
Total: 458 calories, 22g fat, 28g carbs (4g fiber), 37g protein. Using my revised point system, this is 45 points (24 [carbs] + 19 [protein] + 2 [fat]. The total with tax was $5.40.
Verdict: This is a winner. The grilled chicken was perfect, and the sauce was delicious. I think this is better even than Chick-fil-a, although I would have to compare again with their grilled chicken instead of the breaded. I think this is a much better choice than the Power Mediterranean Chicken salad which has too many carbs. This is a perfect meal, and this would be good for the dinner portion of a diet, (almost any kind, although I am doing keto). The only possible change would be to add a Double Stack (hold the bun, hold the ketchup), although this is filling enough.
To be fair, now I have to compare the other places again, with the grilled chicken sandwiches and side salad.
Grilled Chicken Sandwich (only 1 bun): This is 360 calories, 8g fat, 38g carbs (3g fiber), 35g protein. To make this total, make the total 364 calories. The bread has 165 calories, 1g fat, 6g protein, 33g carbs (2g fiber). So removing one bun saves 76 calories, 3g protein and 16g carbs (1g fiber). The bread was a multigrain bun and was delicious. Total: 288 calories, 8g fat, 22g carbs (2g fiber), 32g protein.
Caesar Side Salad with Caesar dressing, without croutons: 262 calories, 18g fat, 18g carbs (3g fiber), 7g protein. The croutons have 92 calories, 4g fat, 12g carbs (1g fiber), 2g protein. The dressing has 80 calories, 8g fat, 1g carbs, 1g protein. I added additional parmesan cheese which is not counted. Total: 170 calories, 14g fat, 6g carbs (2g fiber), 5g protein.
Total: 458 calories, 22g fat, 28g carbs (4g fiber), 37g protein. Using my revised point system, this is 45 points (24 [carbs] + 19 [protein] + 2 [fat]. The total with tax was $5.40.
Verdict: This is a winner. The grilled chicken was perfect, and the sauce was delicious. I think this is better even than Chick-fil-a, although I would have to compare again with their grilled chicken instead of the breaded. I think this is a much better choice than the Power Mediterranean Chicken salad which has too many carbs. This is a perfect meal, and this would be good for the dinner portion of a diet, (almost any kind, although I am doing keto). The only possible change would be to add a Double Stack (hold the bun, hold the ketchup), although this is filling enough.
To be fair, now I have to compare the other places again, with the grilled chicken sandwiches and side salad.
Stock market crash warning
This is from HSBC. "We now issue a RED ALERT". So long as the Dow remains above 17992, everything is fine. If it drops below that level, heaven help us. Right now (10/12) it is at 18144, so there is about 150 points of margin. If it goes above 18449, everything is fine and the alert will be canceled.
There was a triple top which the market failed to break, then it dropped below a trend line, and now it is testing resistance.
Update: The Dow closed today (10/13) at 18098. It dropped as low as 17959.95 before finding support. So I am moving the floor to 17959. It will break out at some point either to the upside or downside soon. Moving up isn't necessarily good, because that means it would have more to fall. The best case scenario is probably a slow decline. So a close slightly below the floor, without dropping further, would be a good sign. But still, breaking through 17959 could cause a crash.
Update 2 (11/1/2016): I am cancelling the crash warning, although the stock marking is still flat lining. I really expected something to happen in October. The next danger period will be January. I don't think the election results will make that much difference. Whoever is the next president is in for a world of hurt.
There was a triple top which the market failed to break, then it dropped below a trend line, and now it is testing resistance.
Update: The Dow closed today (10/13) at 18098. It dropped as low as 17959.95 before finding support. So I am moving the floor to 17959. It will break out at some point either to the upside or downside soon. Moving up isn't necessarily good, because that means it would have more to fall. The best case scenario is probably a slow decline. So a close slightly below the floor, without dropping further, would be a good sign. But still, breaking through 17959 could cause a crash.
Update 2 (11/1/2016): I am cancelling the crash warning, although the stock marking is still flat lining. I really expected something to happen in October. The next danger period will be January. I don't think the election results will make that much difference. Whoever is the next president is in for a world of hurt.
Tuesday, October 11, 2016
National Debt Jumps
Source: www.treasurydirect.gov
The national debt increased every day from 9/28/16 to 10/6/16, increasing $168 billion during those 6 business days. Also, note that the total debt on 10/6/16 was $1.5 trillion more than it was on 10/6/15 (although this is a little unfair to compare because there was a debt freeze at the time in 2015). I thought the deficit was only about $500 billion per year now. The total debt should hit $20 trillion about 2/1/17, right after the new president is sworn in. And we are still in an economic boom, supposedly. Just wait until the next recession - the debt will soar.
I haven't seen any mention of this in the press. Who cares, you say, it could reach infinity, we don't need to pay it back. Well, if it doesn't matter, then why don't you give me some of it? And why are you asking me to pay taxes if you don't need it?
Update 10/12/16: I'm not going to screenshot it, but the debt went up AGAIN, increasing another $6 billion since 10/6. Intragovernmental holdings are at $5.502 trillion, and total debt is at $19.694 trillion as of Oct. 11. $19.7 trillion, here we come, any day at this rate.
Tuesday, October 4, 2016
Mea Culpa
I was predicting something big to happen on September 30, 2016, which obviously didn't happen. And the previous year, I thought something would happen on September 11, 2015. I made a mistake. Maybe the whole premise of this blog is wrong. I think I should go "dormant" through the end of the year and reassess, unless something "big" happens before then. And stipulate that whoever wins the presidency is not a big enough event to qualify. So goodbye for now, and hopefully for good.
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