I made a blog - because onestar has one, and he's cool.

My pen name is Sara Dark, and I'm an avid writer of: poetry, sci-fi, fantasy and romance/erotica. I'm very artistic, from decopage and pencil sketching to painting and digital art such as fractals and terragen. I also work with wood, sew clothing, and experiment with a variety of cooking styles (much to the pleasure of my family.)

I live the military life, happily, and am currently working for a BA in Education focusing on becoming an English teacher in highschool. I intend to also double major in Sociology and psychology after I attain my BA and join the military as a comissioned officer.

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I currently wrote a rant on dieting which is a hot topic this time of year. Here it is, for your reading pleasure:

Diets
With the Holiday season upon us, most of us will become concious of those extra pounds such rich food can add to our midsections and other body parts. Dieting is a major New Year resolution, especially in the United States.

It's a concern of mine when I see people pining away to be size two that we don't focus on our health enough for some of the diets on the market.

Slim Fast
While a good source of nutrition if you have time, Slim Fast is one of the largest diets in the world. From shakes and pre-made meals to charts and calorie counters, they seem to have covered every base here. One thing they don't work with: detoxification of the digestive tract. In fact, most of their shakes and health bars contain large doses of harmful sweetners that can counteract good eating. This diet has many pro's and con's, but a main warning I've heard from many doctors is it can cause havoc with blood sugar levels. Your body needs several chemicals (gluconen and gluclose as well as insulin) to balance sugar levels in your blood. This requires a healthy and functioning liver, as well as no history of diabetic problems in your family. My greatgrandmother and grandmother both became severely diabetic after following the Slim*Fast diet.

The Atkins Plan
After talking to several doctors I've become vehemently against this diet. Firstly, carbohydrates are a nessicary part of your body's functioning. Without them your body will enter a protective state known as "famine". Malnutrition. Carbs (friendly and non friendly) are your body's ready energy. Without them your body will function by depleting fat reserves. This sounds like a great idea, but when you consume any form of fat, the body puts it directly into reserves again- often resulting in weight gain, or muscle deterioration. This particular regimen is known to cause heart strain. Dr. Atkins himself followed this diet to a T- and died of heart complications. I would highly suggest against using a diet that killed the person who created it. Talk to your doctor before even considering it- because I can promise they will tell you to steer clear of it.

TrimLife, and Herbal Supplements
Most herbal diet pills today boast about their levels of "Mu Haung" (sp). This is just the herbal name of the drug ephedra. Ephedra is nothing more than a toned-down version of Ephedrine, which is little more than a legalized street-drug known as speed. It causes problems with your heart and nervous system. These drugs boast that they give you energy- but they are ineffective. Proper sleeping patterns and water consumption levels will give you more long-term energy than these pills could ever hope to provide. Once again- talk to a doctor before considering one of these diets. Another one of my "I can promise they will tell you to steer clear of it" diet concerns.

The Fat Flush Plan
This diet, which I am currently researching, seems to be the most level-headed diet on the market. I purchased the book from an online book club called "One Spirit". It includes strict recipes and available cheats and alterations based on lifestyles. Why am I sold on it? The diet focuses on the detoxification of your digestive tract, and promotes general good health, while also focusing on foods that will help burn calories, shave off unwanted water-retained pounds, and such important things as Food Group servings. Every day is planned out already- or you can alter every day with your plethora of healthy cooking ideas. I've consulted doctors who say this diet is one of few they would advise their patients to use based on their strict adherence to daily reccomended values.

Why am I worried? Because love encompasses the whole world, and I hate to see people hurt and suffer. Health promotes happiness, and could just be the key we need to truely unlock world piece. Every shred of hope helps.

Have a Happy and safe Thanksgiving, and take care of you and yours through the holiday season.

With love,
Toxic-Erotica and Family.