I think people will forgive the fact that I didn't rush back to finish part two of this story. I mean, it isn't exactly the most fun topic, is it? And really, the most important part was the cleanse, because really, the procedure was a breeze.

Arrived at the clinic. They did a few heart tests on me (to make sure I was ok to be put under), and then I was brought up to the recovery room.

There's a lot of information online about what happens during a colonoscopy, but what I wanted to find - before I had mine - was a personal account. I never found one, and I believe it would have helped me prepare for it better. So here I am, sharing my own experience just in case it helps other people.

Recently I've been having a problem with cramps. Not the same cramps I usually have after consuming a food trigger, but a totally new unrelenting painful cramp that feels completely different from those I associate with digestion problems.

There is some speculation from my family doctor that it might be endometriosis or something having to do with the female plumbing.

I've been too busy to notice people have sporadically been commenting on the original recumbent bike post. As a peace offering for forgiveness, I'm stopping everything to make this new post.

First, an update.

I used the bike faithfully for 6 months straight, 3-5 times a week. It definately helped with joints and reduced inches on my body.

I've always heard about eating seasonally, but I never thought much about it. Lately, I've been reading more and more on the subject. For now, let's talk about the basics.

Winter time is upon us. It's a season where we tend to hibernate (and eat!) a bit more; for comfort, for warmth, and for energy. Winter foods tend to be heartier, and we replace salads and lighter fare with soups, stews and roasted veggies.

For something a little lighter, here's a parody of Star Wars. The message is buy organic.

Personally, I was most entertained by Chewbroccoli.

I decided that instead of focusing on foods I shouldn't eat, it was time to look for foods to include. One of the diets (or rather, eating lifestyles) I hadn't paid much attention to was macrobiotics. This holiday, I read two books: Hip Chick's Guide to Macrobiotics by Jessica Porter, and The Macrobiotic Path to Total Heatlh by Michio Kushi (one of the main innovators of the macrobiotic movement) and Alex Jack.

Hey there folks. I haven't posted in a while for a few reasons. Sometimes I just need a break from talking about food intolerances. We have to deal with it everyday of our lives, as most of you know, and I just wanted to spend my summer on an intolerance vacation.

Missing that deli meat sandwich? Craving that submarine you used to buy? Perhaps this will help.

Take a look at Mystery Meat Macrophotography by Mike Adams. Mike does macro photography, which basically means really, really, really close up images. In this collection of pictures, he takes you closer than you've ever wanted to get to some processed salami, then some sausages, and finally hot dog wieners. As he goes along, he lists the ingredients for each and tries to point out what the array of colours and textures might be that are appearing within the meat.

In 2001, the UK tightened hygiene protocols and lengthened pasteurization (heat-treatment times) on dairy farms. This was in response to scientific studies that suggests exposure to a bacterium called Mycobacterium paratuberculosis (MAP) (which is also called Johne's disease) may play some role in chronic illness, which causes abdominal pain, diarrhoea and fatigue.