They say it's summer, and after 4 days of almost 30 degrees heat in London, I expected warmth this morning when I saw sunshine. But, on my bike to work, my toes were a bit chilly, I must admit!

Tom Naughton from 'Fat Head' is really funny. He is very clued up on the Low Carb lifestyle and he got to roast all of us lecturers at the pre-cruise dinner.

Have a watch and a laugh!

A day out in London...

And I found a South African shop, bought loads of biltong (dried meat), a traditional snack from home. Lots of fat and protein. Can't get a better LCHF snack than that. AND the kids love it too!

When trevelling I don't usually want to do the 'tourist' routine! But in this case, for the sake of the kids, I did agree, partially, to do some of it at a distance.

Which was fine, even for me, and the weather was with us, so a breezy walk over the Thames was perfect!

We did go and see the musical, 'The Lion King' which was magic! So amazingly well done, and the music touches you deep inside.

A bit of shopping and a ride (or many) on the London busses...

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So what do they offer for kids on board the flight to London. A kids box sounds like an alternative. NOT!

It only had candy, where is the food part here? But for 'adults' there are various alternatives as salmon sallad or chicken sallad...

Which works for kids too!

On our way to London! My wonderful friend, Chantelle, is having a 40 yrs-bash - we will be there!

When I was recently in the US, I bought this chocolate. It was awesome, totally wonderful, what I would call *a chocolate experience*.

I bought this one package, it lasted a week, yet I thought I was nibbling at it all the time. But a tiny piece every now and then was just perfect.

Wish I could buy it over here...

I am having a beautiful evening. Just sayin...

My 7 year old went with me to my crossfit class today! She is so good, plays in the rings or sits and draws while I train.

Today she drew me. Gave me the picture and said: "Mommy you are so strong"... I melted!

You just have to love the picture she drew... My sweetheart...

Should or shouldn't you use sunscreen?

I have a few sensitive spots on my face, due to over exposure to the African sun for many years in my childhood. So I, now, am using sunscreen on those spots. Not so happy about it, but it's too late...

However I do not use sunscreen on my children, instead we protect with clothes and hats. Don't forget about the importance of the sun and vitamin-D either! So exposure everyday is good too, just not for too long, and not to allow for burning!

Dr John Briffa has som excellent writings on the subject. I can warmly recomend you to read and learn from these.

The dark side of sunscreens

Another reason to avoid sunscreens

If you know you are going to be extremely over exposed then I would opt for an organic sunscreen!

When I was recently in New York, I just happened (in fact) to walk past Asics shoe store. I only use Asics as they are most spacious inside. Hate tight shoes, Reeboks are a no no for my feet!

Found a nice pair, with lots of bounce and under-foot support. Would love to do 'barfoot' training, or with five fingers, but as the indoor floors are un-natural and very hard, I opt for shoes indoors.

I went for the pink and black parin, top right... Very nice!

Ben & Jerrys have a new ice cream out, adapted to us in the nordic countries.

SWEET cream Ice Cream, chocolate cookie pieces, chocolatey peace signs (?) & chocolate fudge swirl. This is Nordic? Sounds more American to me!

Nordic would be more 'vanilla snow flakes, butter buttons and coffee beans'.

Although ice cream is a part of the past, I prefer to do my own with heavy cream (whipped), raspberries, vanilla, coconut and egg yolk! Very fresh, very nice and pretty Nordic!

Tonight it was really HOT! Both in the air and in the dancing! Had a great class, lots of energy and fun! Especially with the new songs from the Caribbean cruise...

Today was pure summer weahter. I LOVE it! And then my bicycle gets to see some daylight too! I can start a club - the comfortable cycling team. I really only (hate to admit it) cycle when the weather is at its best! So today I biked to work.

It takes usually about 20 min, but my daughter was with me today so it took 45 min - and we both got some fresh air and exercise!

I am not much for cycling in the rain or in stormy snowy weather - just 'can't' do that one to well!

More sunshine my way! :)

I only make low carb high fat food at home. My 7 yr old loves it. I fried minced organic meat in lots of coconut oil, spices, onion, leek, and cream... Served with tomatoes (her favorite) and broccoli with melted butter over!

One happy and full child! :)

John Briffa and I connected immediately. I got myself a new friend, a really awesome friend! He also reminds me so much of my brother in SA, quite scary resemblance in fact, and at the same time a reassuring feeling.

John Briffa is a practising doctor in London, UK, and author to several books....

This is what you can read about Dr. John Briffa on his website 'drbriffa':

"Dr Briffa is a former columnist for the Daily Mail and the Observer, and former contributing editor for Men's Health magazine. He has contributed to over dozens of newspaper and magazine titles internationally, and is a previous recipient of the Health Journalist of the Year award in the UK. He has been listed by Tatler magazine as one of the UK's leading doctors, and has twice been on the judging panel of the prestigious Prince of Wales Integrated Health Awards."

About his lecture....

I loved the way Briffa started his talk.

He started by saying that he is English, not Australian nor South African. He is not married, but is not single – he has a girlfriend since some years back. He is an Aries....

"People often wonder about things like this, and have many questions in their heads so I want to clear all of that up right from the beginning, just in case you are all wondering..."

John Briffa is a medical dr. who got sidetracked into nutrition through personal health issues. He continued to say that he does not know if USA have the same problems as the UK with junk foods like: pizza; beer; KFC; smoking; sodas; etc...

When he changed his own diet he then got interested in nutrition. He did not know that there was a thing called nutrition, he had only spent many years in medical school and there he learnt nothing about the subject.

He was a diet doctor helping people without really knowing how to help them. He made it his mission to understand why people were yoyo dieting and which results they obtained.

People can take control over the weight so much more easily than what they have been taught through the' traditional' way of eating, by eliminating carbs and adding fat.

John Briffa does not call the diet by any specific name, why bother to eat low carb/lchf/paleo.

"Something that is low carb does not really mean that it's ok to eat it. Like perhaps the carpet on the floor. The carpet is low in fat too, AND high in fiber, as is potatoes... And also dog shit, and even more, dog shit is also low in cholesterol AND it's fresh!" These things are low in carbs, but not edible!

What happens when people go on a low fat diet? Not much! Actually something does happen – they gain weight actually.

There was in fact a study done on this, but the study was withdrawn without being published (?)!

We should forget about calories. Forget them! FORGET!!!

Is a calorie a calorie?

Plenty of studies show that low carb diets don't have positive affects. But these studies are very short studies. So they have given up before the positive effects have been established...

Imagine that a calorie is a calorie... IF that was true. Then people cannot afford to get hungry. You then exert your will power, and land up feeling more bad about yourself than you did prior.

Instead a high fat diet is like a bear hibernating, you don't get hungry!

It's not that diets don't work, they fundamentally cannot work!!!

John Briffa says he is positive to anything that is better than what the person was eating before, but he does not use branding (naming the diets as lche, paleo, atkins, low carb, etc...)

He also briefly mentions exercise and whether that works, or more, what does work? Resistance exercise helps as it is strengthening and toning, but it's not necessary for weight loss.

John brings up the American 'my plate' which all are recommended to follow in USA!

He showed slides with how the myplate looks today, and how he would like to see it change...

'Myplate' does not work for me, it's not working for anybody actually!

I also must just add, that on the last day of the cruise we had a question panel for all the lecturers... Briffa was asked:

"How do you as a dr. handle collegues that are critical towards you for treating patients with a low carb diet?"

Briffa has a standard answer which is as follows:

"Sir, I am afraid you have mistaken me for someone that gives a shit about what you think!"

I have had a lovely Sunday with my children today. Lazing in the sunshine, having a braai (SA word for bbq), sipping wine (me that is) and playing music outside.

You can just call me the braai-queen! :)

It's not only table sugar and syrups... Look out for the hidden sugars that you find in breads for e.g.

Take the time, and watch this - then spread it!

The youth in America are suffering from obesity and diabetes, it's worse than what medical experts earlier have thought. Obesity rates in children is climbing as is Type 2 diabetes!

The disease progresses more rapidly in children than in adults and is more difficutl to treat.

Obesity-Linked Diabetes in Children Resists Treatment

A study with 699 children between the ages of 10 - 17 was done during a period of 4 years. Researches were shocked at how poorly the oral drugs performed on these children compared to how they perfom on adults.

Results of the study can be read here: The New England Journal of Medicine.

I somehow feel enraged when reading this! What is happening out there? What part of this do people not understand! What is the (simple) cause, and what (simple) measures can we do to avoid Type 2 diabetes from staying on the increase?

Type 2 diabetes in children is increasing and creeping down in the ages, there are chilrden that are getting Type 2 diabetes, and they are 10 year olds???

The way too high carbohydrate and low fat diets has been going on for too long! And the diabetic children are given the same diet to eat! No wonder it's impossible to control their blood sugar levels.

Type 2 diabetes is only reversable with low carb eating and increasing the intake of fats (not margarines). Due to the crazy fear of fat, the high carb eating industry has exploded instead, at the same pace, Type 2 diabetes is also exploding!

Let's make a change!

Had a swell one and half days in New York with my son. Lots of good low carb foods to be found, despite the 'appleish' name of the city!

Did do a Margarita, not quite the same as in Mexico though - hmmm.

Back home now anyway, and living on memories from the whole trip, many wondeful ones I must say! Already downloaded (read: bought) two of the 'shuffle' songs from dancing on the deck! Adding them to my Zumba classes!

I just have to share this one...

At the restaurant where we had dinner, in New York, a family came in and asked if I was the LCHF woman from Sweden! How's that? :)
(they were from Sweden themselves, but still...)!

A study was done at UCLA, where researchers found that rats that were fed water with fructose were not as quick in maze-navigating as rats that were fed plain water.

This could be due to how the brain responds to insulin after consuming fructose.

Conclusion: A high fructose intake is harmful for the brain and the body.

In USA high-fructose corn syrup is used in many manufactured foods, sweeteners and preservatives. Quite a few studies have been done about sugars and the harm sugar does to the body.

Earlier studies have shown that too much sugar has negative effect on obesity, diabetes and blood-fats, raises triglycerides and has negative effect on the liver in response to insulin.

Now they are even showing how negative sugar is for the brain too!

High-fructose corn syrup is cheaper than other sugare, therefore very frequently used in many foods.

After a wonderful week with amazing people and some new friends, the week came to an end and the good byes were taking place.

One new friend I made was John Briffa - we will definately stay in touch, and as we said good bye at the pier he gave me a signed copy of his new book.

An hour bus trip to Houston and then off to New York for a stop-over...

Have had a wonderful time, truly!

Laura Westman is another friend I made on the cruise. We will certainly be in touch! :)

A little bit here and there we could find this pamphlets telling us how much more fun life can be, a whole 17% more (?), with alcohol consumption. I wonder how they measured that???

The last evening on the ship was great fun! Lots of laughs, lots of people from our group in the piano bar and quite a bit of alcohol!

Dr. Eric Westman is a researcher, a medical weight loss dr. and author of the book: "New Atkins for a New You".

He tells us that he was trained to giving pills for ills, but now he rather removes the pills and instead prescribes low carb eating.

Essential nutrients you have to eat, but carbohydrates the body can make by itself – so we don't need to eat them! (Important words these...)

Calories in and calories out, Eric Westman says: 'Let's put them to rest!' BUT if you don't talk about calories, dietitians would not have any jobs.'

Counting calories is not helpful when eating a low carb diet.

You don't need to talk about/restrict calories to get people to loose weight, you just need to restrict the carbs.

Eric Westman speaks of the myths around low carb eating. For instance those that eat low carb increase their protein intake. BUT as long as people increase their fat intake their protein consumption will more than likely stay the same as before.

Another myth was that of the brain needing carbs in order to function. He continues to say that this is however true, BUT we do not need to EAT these carbs! Our liver produces carbs (glucose) for the brain automatically. The brain needs100g – 140g carbohydrates (glucose) and our liver does this per automatic, our liver produces over 250g glucose so our brain gets exactly the amount it needs...

Eric talks also about ketogenic diet and the roles of ketones.

Eric Westman is a researcher and from what I can tell, he likes to see evidence for different statements being made. Having that said, it does not mean that if there is no study – it can't be true. He asked the audience how many believe they get hungry from carbs. A large (all?) amount of people put up their hands. So experience and anecdotes are also important. So is it true?

Another example he used was that of a lady at the check out counter at the store that wanted to warn him about all the eggs he was buying. She had said he should be wary of all those eggs as his cholesterol would go up. To this Westman answered 'Don't worry I am a dr.' The person was not reassured.

This due to what 'people' through the years, media and bad 'research' have been taught (brain washed?)!

He gives hands on tips about what choices people can do to easily follow ketogenic diet by eating a maximum of 20 g carbohydrates per day.

In his tips he does use fast foods, with this Eric Westman means that the majority, at least a very huge amount of Americans do eat fast foods, and that changing their eating habits to ketogenic diet / low carb will not stop them from eating fast foods. Therefore it is better to give advice and tips which the general American can follow and adapt to his or her lifestyle.

I like the way he thinks and really listens and follows the individual person and their needs.

Eric Westman also brought up the increasing popularity of LCHF in Sweden. He showed a slide with a picture of google search on diets.

He concluded his lecture with: 'How can we fix all this? Dr's need to firstly start prescribing a good diet (low carb) BEFORE prescribing medication.

The last slide shows facts about low carb, high fat diets. When reading these positive and simple steps, it's difficult to understand who would not want to try out low carb eating!

I sat next to Eric Westman during a few of the dinners on board the ship. He is a very easy going, funny and interesting man. We spoke about food, health, teenagers, sweetners (will get back to that conversation - a very interesting one) and life in general.

Today is the national day of our neighbour country, Norway, 17 May!

This is one of the most celebrated days in Norway, a day of celebration with friends and family.

Lots of foods, ice cream, sodas, cakes etc...

On the streets people flock to see the '17 May train' where families and friends walk together celebrating, waving flags and playing fun 'instruments' which mainly just make a noise ;)

A bit of a hectic day for me... From New York to Stockholm, then home to Karlstad and re-pack bag and off to Oslo to celebrate 17 May.

This day in Norway is known for the foods and 'eats' - everyone eats exactly what their herats desire - all day. No limits! Although for me, I will be as strict as always. But cream and strawberries will do me fine!

On Friday was our last stop, and it happened in Cozomel, Mexico! There were a few of us that took a taxi to the end of town, and stopped at a lovely quaint little restaurant.

It was so nice, that we just stayed all day, sipping margaritas and eating guacamole and gazpacho. I almost had a South African feeling, you know when you meet up with friends and just 'chill' all afternoon at a favorite restaurant. This was that. We sat chatting for hours, played some music and just had a swell and relaxing day.

Dr. Michael Fox sat next to me several times during the cruise. Already during last years cruise we got on really well. Especially having children of exactly the same ages (except his youngest are triplets)... And both of us eat as strictly as the other. He is one of the only dr.'s that does not either eat fruit, sweeteners or any other light products with artificial sweeteners.

During his lecture he spoke briefly about his life as a reproductive doctor at his fertility clinic in Jacksonville.

In the 90's Michael Fox had a simple association in the shower one day – we eat too many carbs. Maybe those that are having trouble falling pregnant would be helped by eating less carbs. When he decided to reduce drastically the amount of carbs in PCO patients the pregnancy rates both doubled and tripled.

He also works with menopause / hormone replacement therapy. He was taught to give everyone hormone replacement, same for all. They thought it was good for everybody. But now he realizes this is very individual. Even with the hormon replacement woman were still getting hot flushes, headaches, sleeping badly, etc. So instead he started to apply nutritional therapy. All the symptoms improved.

AND the same is for men, treating med and measuring testosterone levels. If their testosterone levels were low, then also their sperm count was low. This, instead, could be helped by changing food consumption and diet.

The second of the two formal evenings was a huge success. What fun!

Lots of pretty dresses and good looking suits!

We had an awesome evening with excellent food, good wine and great company.

We all know eachother a bit better by this stage, which is very nice! After dinner we met up in the piano bar, and then dancing after that.

Good morning! Just landed in Stockholm after an awesome trip to the Caribbean where I met so many new and wonderful people.

Morning here and midnight in my mind and body! But on low carb there is endless energy!

The breakfast on the flight was, however, very sad! Bread, jam and fruit! Oh well, I did eat the butter though. Will get something to eat on the way home. A 3 hour drive is awaiting us!

Hope you all have a good day!

There were many lecturers that were on the cruise from last year, but that were not lecturing this year. Jimmy Moore likes to introduce new lecturers every year.

Although these lecturers were given only 10 min to talk.

Dr. Mary Vernon

This is a very popular, well liked doctor in US. She is well known for her research and enthusiasm within the low carb diet. Mary Vernon writes, researches and educates doctors.

She told us how she says to patients that if what you do works for you, then keep on doing it. 'Get where you need to get, what works for you to balance your metabolic balance. Be it Paleo, low carb, whatever. You need to meet and maintain quality of life function.

Our body should work optimally as it does at the age of (25 -) 35 years. That we need to look at our hormones, and not only insulin. Hormonal balance is important.

Mary Vernon said that she is on the cruise, so everyone that wanted to talk to her, get advise and help could just grab her during the cruise for a chat. BUT you don't get off the hook by talking to her, you are the one that puts whatever you want to put in your mouth!

She is inspiring. We sat at the same breakfast table the one morning.

In a new studie we can read about how fatty food is good for diabetics. Something many of us have already known for years actually. But great to even see more of it in writing!

The advice to eat a more fatty diet improves the health of diabetics and reduces the need for medication. This is shown in a study that was printed in the magazine 'Diabetologia'.

Do you want to read more about healthy diabetics? Have a look at dietdoctor.com

This was the first time I have tasted frogs legs. Similar to chicken, very nice indeed. Great starter! As main course I received pork, a HUGE portion (but I had actually ordered a fillet steak. So dr. Michael Fox offered to save me from overeating and happily took over my plate. I did get to taste, and it was very nice.

Others at the table did raise their eyebrows, ever so slightly at the commotion at the other side of the table.

But we were having fun!

After dinner, we moved ourselves to the popular pianobar, which has become the social meeting place for our low carb group.

In our low carb group we had the opprtunity to meet Rob, from paleobootcamp.com! He offered to give us a good Paleo workout, funtionell training.

Upon arrival at Cayman we are med by touristguides, and just beyond all the guides and their flags you see the first lot of shops. Of which, not only one, but several were pure sugartraps!

When it was time for lunch we all felt the need to find something more 'local' to be honest. Away from the tourist areas...

We found a small Indian place, so small that it only had one table... with three chairs. The friendly little woman behind the counter informed us that the locals sit in the park on the other side of the street.

We had a swell lunch amongst locals, hens and chickens. A nice experience I must say!

A few of us decided to do a deep-sea snorkling trip when we arrived at Cayman Island.

The weather and conditions at sea were optimal. It was a great day and for Daniel it was his first time to test snorkling!

It was awesome diving down towards the bottom of the ocean bed (a couple of meters ;) ) and experience the silence and beauty of the sea. I just LOVE the sea!

The snacks onboard consisted of soda, chips and candy! But after our trip, we did find a very local Indian restaurant that suited us much better!

The sun is setting over Jamaica... The horn has been blown, and we are leaving port. I am enjoying a glas of white wine and the stunning views.

Service is truly excellent on the ship. I am so impressed. I received my special starter a'la LCHF ordered: sashimi. It was awesome! As was the lamb shanks – really good food. The meat just melted in my mouth, and the butter too.

Today we spent the day in Montego Bay, Jamaica. We were amongst the first off the boat and found a taxi that took us to an awesome beach. Warm waters and white sand!

At the beach café there was in fact wifi, but I did not have my mac with me, so iPhone had to do, which is fine just to check emails.

For lunch we could order hamburgers without bread and fris and with extra mayo! Perfect.... A wonderful day at the beach!

Nu på morgonen har jag hållit i ett zumbapass. jättekul var det.  Sen blev det mera f

Two of the evenings on the ship are formal evenings – we all have to dress upp for dinner. It's really pretty neat, and good fun.

The dinner consists of Maine lobster with melted butter (we ordered two each) and to this, just to top it off – some champagne.

At our dinner table we even have a couple Anna and Dr. Jeff Volek and their two little charming boys. Jeff is known as one of the leading researchers in the world on the topic low carb (and training).

At the formal dinner we even invited Dr. Michael Fox who runs a fertility clinic and is an expert on hormones. Which I found very interesting to talk to (being 40 these days...).

So, as you might understand – there is not much time over for anything else after all the lectures which run all day, and then all the socializing.... By the time my head hits the pillow I am out for the count!

Sunrise is at 6.30, Andreas, dietdoktor.com, and I met at the sky gym (outdoors) at 6.20 to enjoy the sunrise and have a good morning workout too.

Stunning sunrise! Back again tomorrow! :)

Todays lectures are about to begin.

We are sitting here, ready to blog, to listen and to get inspired.

Today's schedule is as follows:

Jimmy Moore - opening and welcoming us all!

Dr Jack Kruse – "Factor X"

Dr. Eric Westman "Debunking The Myths Told About Low-Carbohydrate Lifestyles"

Lunch

Fred Hahn – "Exercise: The Truth And Nothing But The Truth, So Help Me Fred"

Monique (JAG!) – "Health Food, Healthy Kids"

End of day 16.130

A full day of lectures... Looking so forward to this!

There are activities all day on the ship, for e.g. dancing by the poolside! Looks like fun actually, but I just enjoyed if from a distance...

Daniel and I are enjoying the sea-views and a glass of something to drink. The feeling of awesomeness is how I would describe things at the moment, using one word!

Lunch and a glass of wine... There is a tremendous amount of food, all over! I took some roast meat, a few veggies and some butter.

Andreas was faster than me this year at blogging!!! But I just enjoyed the feeling of being...

On board the ship! Great feeling... The first hour we spent exploring our new 'playground' where we will be spending the next week.

Outdoor gym, water slides, climbing area, spa, casino, disco, library... a sea of activity areas.

Bags are packed, bus loaded and we are on our way to the harbour for our Low Carb Cruise on Carnival Magic, a brand new boat!

Very exciting!

I don't know how much blogging I will be doing onboard. Would love to blog loads, but I remember last year how poorly the internet connection was!

So if you don't hear much over the next week, please bare with me! Hopefully I will manage a few blog posts!

If not, I wish you all a good and healthy week! Eat fat and be happy! :)

This weeks motto!

The Low Carb Cruise has oficially begun! And it starts with a big gala dinner.

Great atmosphere!

Lots more pictures here on FB!

Dinner was really good. A celery mash, steak and veg. I left out the carrots...

Afterwards it was berries and cream, but the cream was sweetened with sweetner (don't understand why that is so necessary - but that's how it is here).

The Swedes all skipped the cream part, but enjoyed the berries.

With some nice wine too...

After dinner, comedian Tom Naughton (from the film Fat Head) spoke about us speakers, for 1,5 hours! It was so funny!

He started off with dietdoktor.com, Andreas. See the slide below to give you an idea!

Then it was my turn!

Tom spoke a bit about who I was and that I had lost weight, about as much as this and some... (see slide below):

Tom also spoke about my fanatic use of lipp gloss (so true). Zumba, and some more things... Lots of laughs!

My wonderful son recorded what Tom saig about me, hope the sound is good, co's then I shall post it here shortly!

Tom finished the evening talk with thanking Jimmy Moore for all he does, his enthusiasim and his continous work and encouragement to the Low Carb community. He mentioned how Jimmy is always reaching new heights, new goals and doing new shows and blogs... The next one might just be this:

Jimmy Moore and low carb experts with awesome hair and cool accents!

Wow! What an evening.

I am in the hotell lounge, waiting for some Swedish friends to join in.

I am very satisfied with my new dress and my new shoes! :)

Always a bit extra to get a bit dolled up, especially in a new outfit.

This evening will be exciting. Tom Noughton, comedian, is going to entertain the audience of almost 300 people. He is going to be talking about all of us that are speaking on the conference! I guess he will be offering som embarassing moments :)!