OK, we have about 5 debates going on about the presidential elections, and two things are really coming out of it all:

One: We have some sharp divisions in this group as far as opinions go.

Two: On November 4th, either McCain or Obama will be elected president.

My question: With the various viewpoints, what will we do.

To those on the right (middle right, far right, etc) - what will you do if Barack Obama becomes president?

To those on the left (middle left, far left, etc) - what will you do if John McCain becomes president?

To all: What can we do to gain some unity in our country.

Note that, no matter what, there will be politicians, judges, reporters, bloggers, etc., who will make waves long after the election (saying this, people are still ranting about the 2000 elections).

But it is up to the individuals at the grass roots to make unity. So the question: How can we get there?

SnT & Beth - not sure if i mentioned this, but my FAVE protein shake is muscle milk... it is pretty high in fat / cals but it's very filling.... i drank it daily when i was working my ass off at the gym....

regular = 2 scoops - 300 cals 12g fat 32g protein

lite = 2 scoops - 195 cals 6g fat 25g protein

(personally, i'd just do the regular for the variety)

if you dont want the regular, they do have a 'light version'

the regular version has a BUNCH of flavors - my fave was probably peanut butter/chocolate and Mocha Latte...

cake batter was WAYYYY too sweet

the light has fewer flavors and i've never tried them, but i've heard they are good!!

i bought mine thru Bodybuilding.com - CytoSport Product Listing - On Sale! Lowest Prices For CytoSport! FABULOUS customer service, fast shipping and good prices... (not affiliated, just happy customer)

but i know Vitamin Shoppe also has it - im sure GNC does too...

I've heard that one recommended too. I haven't had the pre-op conversation with my nurse yet (that's scheduled for Thursday) to see how long after surgery I will be doing protein shakes too. If anything I would guess I would use them to help keep my protein numbers boosted, even after I start eating.

SnT & Beth - not sure if i mentioned this, but my FAVE protein shake is muscle milk

Thanks. Luluc also likes muscle milk. A gf bought me a 24-pack of MM Lite drinks in choc from Costco. I've only managed to get 3 of them down and the damn pack was $30! I even bought those Davinci syrups and they don't help enough...for me. I prefer the chocolate Atkins shakes. They have 15g protein, 1g sugar, 160 cals, but a high 9g of total fat. I figured if I had to be on liquids only for so long, I should pick something palatable. I haven't done any of the powders at all.

Thanks. Luluc also likes muscle milk. A gf bought me a 24-pack of MM Lite drinks in choc from Costco. I've only managed to get 3 of them down and the damn pack was $30! I even bought those Davinci syrups and they don't help enough...for me. I prefer the chocolate Atkins shakes. They have 15g protein, 1g sugar, 160 cals, but a high 9g of total fat. I figured if I had to be on liquids only for so long, I should pick something palatable. I haven't done any of the powders at all.

yeah... for some reason i dont think the lite would be that great...

regular PB chocolate is great and Mocha Joe (Java whatever) is REALLY good too... even has caffeine in it... if you have a 24 hour fitness near you you can get an individual ready to drink ... yummie!!

It had a very odd after taste!

yeah... for some reason i dont think the lite would be that great...

regular PB chocolate is great and Mocha Joe (Java whatever) is REALLY good too... even has caffeine in it... if you have a 24 hour fitness near you you can get an individual ready to drink ... yummie!!

so i got an idea from another bandster....take your left over coffee & put in ice trays - freeze.

when i do my shake (on choc/cheese cake kick now) - rather than the avg ice cube - i used the iced coffee cubes for the extra kick / caffeine...

that is if your a coffee lover like me..

so i got an idea from another bandster....take your left over coffee & put in ice trays - freeze.

when i do my shake (on choc/cheese cake kick now) - rather than the avg ice cube - i used the iced coffee cubes for the extra kick / caffeine...

that is if your a coffee lover like me..

Oooh, sounds good. But I thought caffeine was a semi no-no. Or does that depend on your doctor?

Oooh, sounds good. But I thought caffeine was a semi no-no. Or does that depend on your doctor?

i guess that would be dr dependent. i had coffee & tea on my post op liquids .... i gave up the diet coke, to take the coffee away would have been just cruel - especially to those around me...in the AM:eek:

i guess that would be dr dependent. i had coffee & tea on my post op liquids .... i gave up the diet coke, to take the coffee away would have been just cruel - especially to those around me...in the AM:eek:

LOL! Yeah, I read that fizzies (soda/beer) will probably have to go. Bummer, since I like my Crown in Diet 7-Up... I don't HAVE to have coffee. I like it, but I don't go through withdrawals or mood issues if I don't have it like hubby does. Guess I'll find out on Thursday what I can do when I go in for my pre-op visit with the nurse.

lulu - thanks for the tip

beth - fizzies depend on your doc.. my doc says its ok, some say no... follow your doc's rules...

LOL! Yeah, I read that fizzies (soda/beer) will probably have to go. Bummer, since I like my Crown in Diet 7-Up...

i'll have a cold beer every now and then...mostly on VERY hot days. if i go slow; i have no issues and it REALLY fills me up.

I prefer the chocolate Atkins shakes. They have 15g Protein, 1g sugar, 160 cals, but a high 9g of total fat. I figured if I had to be on liquids only for so long, I should pick something palatable.

Quite right. At this stage, remember the main focus is on healing. The weight loss is but a pleasant side effect!

Oooh, sounds good. But I thought caffeine was a semi no-no. Or does that depend on your doctor?

My doc discouraged it. When I asked "why" he didn't really have a very good answer, though. So now I'm riding the caffeine train again.

My doc discouraged it. When I asked "why" he didn't really have a very good answer, though. So now I'm riding the caffeine train again.

Knowing what little I know about caffeine, doesn't it shrink the blood vessels? Would that affect healing?

Knowing what little I know about caffeine, doesn't it shrink the blood vessels? Would that affect healing?

What about after healing? Guess I'll find out on Thursday what my doc wants me to do. Bummer, too, cuz I got this GREAT honey macadamia nut coffee when we were in Hawaii last month that I still have half of... :eek:

Knowing what little I know about caffeine, doesn't it shrink the blood vessels? Would that affect healing?

Yeah, it can have vasoconstrictive effects. I'd think that healing wouldn't really be compromised unless the individual already had some circulatory problems, though.

My doc told me that he advises against it because of the diuretic effect (and I drink lots of Water. Lots of water), so I personally thought it was an acceptable risk. Of course, I'm pretty much an idiot, so you really can't go wrong by doing the opposite of what I do...

Yeah, it can have vasoconstrictive effects. I'd think that healing wouldn't really be compromised unless the individual already had some circulatory problems, though.

My doc told me that he advises against it because of the diuretic effect (and I drink lots of Water. Lots of water), so I personally thought it was an acceptable risk. Of course, I'm pretty much an idiot, so you really can't go wrong by doing the opposite of what I do...

ROTFLMAO! :eek: