Waving from the Netherlands!!

[Gwyneth]

Hello all!

I'm from the Netherlands. Low Carb is not very popular here. Everybody eats lots of potatoes and pizza's and pasta's.

We sure don't have the lc goodies around, but that may be best!
I made the first dutch atkins site, many people visit it every day, so I hope to make low carb more popular in Holland!
I also started an emailgroup, we've gotten quite a group so things are starting to work out!

Hope to see more Dutch fellow's here! :)

[momy2girls]

Hey,
I think you and I talked alittle around the kerst last year. of zo iets. Well, I am back on the wagon again after going from 47 kilos to 60 kilos. I was trying to have one more child but the hormones just increased my weight in less than 2 months. I am really upset. I just had a miscarriage and that makes me even more depressed but oh well I want my old self back. Send me the link to your site please. Do you discuss places to get low carb foods and etc.?

Kelly Ann

[r.mines]

Greetings to our Netherlands friends! :wave:

Good luck with popularizing low carb in your country! It's so exciting meeting people from all over the world on this board!

Rachel

[tamarian]

Hi Kelly Ann,

The link can checked out by clicking the little "www" logo under her post. :)

Wa'il

[momy2girls]

:doah: :doah: :doah: :doah:


Hey thanks sometimes i can be so blonde....

[Gwyneth]

I'm so sorry it took me so long to respond. I haven't checked this board for over a month and I saw your reply late last night!

I'd love to chat with you. My site is [click on the www logo at the bottom of my posts] and I'm still working on it. I also made a Dutch Yahoogroup. We have a lot of fun and members keep coming to join us every month.

I'm so sorry that you're going trough such a horrible time.

Hugs,
Gwyneth

[doreen T]

Good to hear from you again, glad your site is doing well.

Members can use our private messaging system to exchange emails if they wish. We can't permit posting emails publicly, to prevent spamming, and to protect your privacy :) ... However, we're a community, and encourage sharing with the group, so that others may benefit from your lowcarb experiences.

All the best, hope to hear from you both soon.

Doreen

[IslandGirl]

I was born in Apeldoorn, but sadly don't have the written (or very much spoken) Nedelandse...

Say hello to all LowCarbers (and my relatives, mostly in Hilversum) from Canada for me!

sig: Judith JM van den Broek!

[Vickolien]

Hi, happy to see there are more Dutch people here. I'm sorry that your site isn't online at the moment, i would really love to visit it....
Bye!

[Vicky.S]

Hi! I'm an American, but I live out here with my husband and son. DH just started Atkins on the 2nd of this month, and I've been on the plan since November.

Too bad there arent more of us out here, its so hard finding LC products.

~Vicky
:wave:

[willeke]

Hi Vicky, we're having a bit of a talk in antoher thread right now, it's called something with Amsterdam in the name and you can find it when you go to "everywhere"!

Where do youlive in the Netherlands? I think it does make a difference, in some parts you have better stores than in others!

Willeke
Dutch, and living in Ireland with American husband and 4 dogs

[pattie]

HI Gwneth
I live in Germany,formerly from the U.S. Now call Düsseldorf home. I was wondering if you will have an English version?
I was just informed you can now buy SF Da Vinci syrup in Germany.
www.kaffeeshop24.de

Waving from Duetschland :)

Great job!
Pattie

[Charlif761]

I am also in the Netherlands and looking for buddies to get through this program. My mother died suddenly four years ago. I was two weeks into a Master's Degree and started gaining weight. Three grueling years later, I exited a bad relationship, graduated from school and began a business in Washington, DC.... about 90 pounds heavier than I started. Luckily, I met my amazing husband, :angel: a Dutchy, who loves even the fat me! Less than a year later, I closed my practice, married him and moved to Holland. Since then, I have decided to stop torturing myself with food and start LIVING again! :yay: Here I am....beginning Atkins to find the "old me" under all the layers of protection from all the hurts of the world! Now I am looking for people I can get advice from and to help me through the maze of unavailable products here in the Netherlands. I look forward to hearing from you, hopefully.

Charlotte

[pattie]

HI CHARLOTT
Just had to say hi..you sure have gone through a lot lately and I am very proud of you for starting your life over agin.
I live in Germany with my German DH. We met over the internet and well one thing led to another . I now find myself happily married living in a curious land with some strange ways. But it has been a great adventure! My DH only knows me as"fluffy and soft" If I can give you a bit of help please let me know..LC products just are not heard of here. So we have to make most of our foods from scratch. But not so hard and can be fun..also keeps you more in line with the WOE.
Good luck
Pattie

[Sooike]

Hello Charlotte,
My name is Dana and I live in Belgium.
I've been to the US on holliday a few months ago and it's obvious that the US is Atkins minded. But here in Europe Atkins isn't well known. Although I don't live in the Netherlands I'l try to help you finding the right products and things.
Greatings,

[Charlif761]

Thank you so much for responding. It was so nice to hear from you both and to know I have SOME support out there!

I started this WOE 6 days ago.......the day after my best and one of my only friends here left on a two week vacation. I knew I could never get through the first week if she were here wanting to have the "traditional" Dutch lunch of bread and _______ fill in the blank. Not to mention all the fruit juices we regularly consumed. SHe's Cuban and THIN! lol

Anyway, I finally broke down about day 4 and decided I HAD to have some fallback protection. SOmething for those days when I am out shopping and I get hungry....or I am at language class and am starving....that means Atkins something or other. Dang these Dutch!!! They are almost ALL thin and they have not learned the evils of SlimFast...hence that is ALL you find! I even have my husband indoctrinated against it! He sees all the carbs and gasps! heehee! Anyway, I had a friend in the States order me some Atkins Advantage bars....after making sure they are safe for Induction. Most websites want $40 to START to ship products here...... and the price climbs with weight of shipment! TOTALLY UNREASONABLE! He is spending about $40 to send me (airmail) a 12 pound package (5.5 kilos). It includes 60 Advantage Bars, 20 Morning Start and a few other goodies I cannot find here...like Splenda, etc.

Anyway, I think if you guys want something from Atkins etc, I can get someone to ship. Maybe a couple people get together and share the shipping costs. Even if you are far away from one another, it's cheaper to ship here in Europe. Right? A GREAT source for the cheapest stuff on the web is www.vitaglo.com (You can also go to www.easypricematcher.com) EX will meet the lowest price you can find anywhere (Vitaglo) minus another 5%. BUT, you have to pay for shipping from EX, not from Vitaglo (if purchase is more than $50) So, it's a thought. I am having mine shipped to the friend for free and he is shipping to me......TADA! Let me know if you want help with something like that.

Anyway, I would love to meet you both sometime!!! I was in Belgium 2 weeks ago on the way to Viande, Lux. for my 1 year anniversary. LOVE Belgium. And, the Dusseldorf area is also quite nice...although I am more in love with Heidelberg!

Have you guys found ANYTHING that would be of interest to me in Germany or in Belgium? I go to Germany ocassionally (Emden....WALMART, you know!) and I can get to Belgium VERY easily.

I look forward to hearing from you. Feel free to email me at *******


Hugs,
Char

[Sooike]

Hi Charlotte,
The things I take withme to work to eat when I am hungry between mails are : cooked eggs, nuts (I am not in induction), babybel cheese,bifi worst (salami) or a muffin or a slice of cake/bread. I think you can eat those muffins even in induction. The bread is very easy to make in de microwave. The thing I always have available in my fridge is cream cheese. I buy mine at Aldi, it's much cheaper as the Philladelphia cheese. I mix some sweetner (cyclamate and sacharine which I buy in Kruidvat) and vanille essence in it or some cacao and it's a real treat.
First I had trouble finding porkrinds, I found them in a chinese shop. I also buy soyameal and grounded allmonds there. But I have to say that the porkrinds I tasted in the states were much better than the ones I buy here.
Charlotte, do you know if the Davinci syrups are good, I have read so much abouth them and I am wondering if I should order some, but they are not sheap. Do you use them or used them?
Thanks !

[Charlif761]

Hi Sooike! Thanks for the info...especially the cream cheese idea...never thought of sweetner and cocoa added to cream cheese! HMMM! Delicious! I do not know about the soups, but you can go to www.epinions.com and there you will find reviews if you do a search! EXCELLENT before purchasing anything expensive! I almost had 4 pounds (cans) of Atkins Shake mix sent...then read the reviews! Was so glad I did! I saved about $60!!!!

I can look them up too and let you know what I find if you have no luck. I am adding you to my buddy list. OK? :)
Char

[smurf]

Hi!
I just found your post and wanted to introduce myself. My name is Judi and I am originally from Texas. but moved to Germany because my husband is from here. I am desperate to talk to anyone near me and moan about the lack of lc products here :) . I went to home for a 7wk vacation and had a massive advantage bar attack plus all the other lc stuff. I had bought some stuff to bring back but I woke up late the day of my return and in the mad rush to get out the door I left an entire suitcase!!!! Of course it had to be the one with the food, and gifts in it.

On a different note, Have you found some negative feelings towards doing Atkins? I have, of the people I know who actually want to lose weight (not many!!! they are all thin...where are the fat people??) they do WW, everyone thinks I am nuts because of this woe, you should see the looks from my m-i-l when i slather my veggies in butter!

well, hope to talk to you later,
cheers,
Judi

[Charlif761]

Hi there. So glad to hear from you! Berlin, huh? Well, I have always wanted to go there. Maybe one of these days we can get togehter and whine in person! lol

I was born in Texas and grew up mostly in South Carolina. I moved here almost one year ago when I married my Dutch husband, as I may have already said. WHat a difference living here after growing up a Southern Belle...you know what I mean!

I haven't disucussed my WOE with ANYONE......It's only been a week, but regardless, I am doing this quietly till I shed enough pounds for everyone to notice! lol Then I can say I am just changing my eating habits. I am not going to try to recruit people here to this way of life. The Dutch are FIRMLY convinced that bread is oh so healthy. OK....they are thin and it works for them. Wish I were Dutch. But, alas, I am not...so low carb is for me!

So sorry to hear about your suitcase of Atkins. :( I am talking to someone in Dusseldorf also. I know that is a long way from Berlin, but there HAS to be others out here....Germany, Holland, Belgium etc. We need to seriously try to find a way to get a distributorship togehter here...Even my husband is encouraging that! What do you think? Well, have to go...hubby is crazy because I have been on here off and on all day. lol I will write more tomorrow.

Hugs and am glad i met a friend!
Char

[smurf]

hi char,
i read your post about all of us getting together and getting atkins here, it would be awesome. in germany there are very few fat people.... i like to stand around and look and just see... i just came back from texas and boy the difference is astounding. in texas i was a little chubby or even regular size but here in berlin I am still one of the heaviest women wherever i go or at least i will have the biggest butt, these german women are so narrow in the hips! even if i went way past my goal weight i still have curves and could never look like this. the other thing they are very into whole wheat bread, pasta and tons of potatoes. my husband is supportive of me in the sense that he reads labels for me and is very carb conscious about my food but he does low fat, he saw me eating sausage today and i know he disaproves but will not say anything. i have not found anything here in germany that is an amazing lc find but if i do i will let you know right away... well, i will write later..

hugs,
judi :)

[Sooike]

Hi Charlotte and Judi,
Everything Ok?
As I wrote earlier, I've been to the states (west) a few months ago. It seemd to me that being fat in the US is not such a problem as in Europe. In the states I didn't feel as fat as I do here. Since I've been a kid, I've always been the fattest kid in the street, in class, in school, and later the fattest girl at work. It seemed to me that fat people aren't discriminated so much in america as in Europe. Here when you are fat people look (stare) at you. I have to say fat people in the states aren't ashamed of being fat and that I find very good, I admire that a lot !

[Charlif761]

Well, I am back on here before going to the Slagerij and picking up some nice spare ribs to cook on the grill tonight. This diet sound sgood right now! hehe Plus, my hubby is endulging me. I told him I longed for a fat, bloody t-bone. He told me to get one of those too!!! Damn Dutch...they don't eat much steak, hence you cannot find it in the grocery store...only in the butcher shops! Whatever....I am eating one soon! lol

You know, Dana, you are so right about the US. Jesus....I never realized how many FAT Americans there are....And not just fat, but severely obese. We were at Disney World and I was SHOCKED at how large so many people were...especially women. There is no way many of them could have gotten onto most rides, ridden on planes or trains. It was really a wake up call to me. Maybe I was desensitized in the US...but here, women are tall and slender and you rarely ever see a "fat" person! The US REALLY has an epidemic of obesity. And, since living here, LOTS of Europeans have said that America is known for harboring fat people......I never knew! I never get stared at here I don't t hink. But, I think I am lucky enough to have a prettir than average face (so people say) and I dress really carefully and usually pretty nice. So....I am at least not sloppy.

As for your observations of Germany, Judi, I am surprised. I have never been to Berlin and am not familar wiht Northern Germany....But, I am familiar with Southern Germany and see it on the news frequently here. Plus, North Holland is a huge vacation getaway for Germans. I think Germany also has a weight issue. BIG TIME. And, people here say the same things about Germans as they do Americans. In fact, friends from all over Europe tell me that ever European talks about how fat the Germans are. Of course, not ALL Germans.....but I guess compared to the rest of Europe. But, I have to say, I see plenty of emaciated looking girls here that could use a big hunk of cake!!! Having a 4 inch gap between your thighs isn't pretty no matter what ANYONE says!

No matter where you are, I find being fat is MISERABLE. And, I don't care if people stare, I am never looking anyone in the eye anyway...not even MYSELF! I have never been so "corpulent". :(

I am DYING to shed this fat person who ate me and be THIN again!!! Thank God for Atkins and things like these boards. I am feeling like I have a shot at being thin again for the first time in years. And, at 34, it's TIME! I always said I wanted to be in Playboy by 35...just for the giggles of doing it. Maybe I really can! hehehehehe.

OK. I am DEFINITELY going to try to find someone to help me get a petition togehter and do the hyperlinks.....then, I am going to circualte it. Maybe we can get Atkins here...even if only to England. Anyone up for a weekend trip to get supplies? hehehehe


I look forward to talking to you two soon. You can still email me also at the email I left earlier. And, a few more posts and I can start PMing! YEE HAAAAW!

Charlotte

[smurf]

hi char and dana,
well it is so nice to talk to people that really understand how hard it is to be overweight in a different country... in berlin there are not as many fat people as in southern germany, especially among the girls in their 20s & 30s, my friend has four kids including 1 yr. old twins, she is 5"10 and weighs 140, we went jeans shopping today and she wears a 4!!! i felt horrible, i was not used to this. i came from texas where men are polite and call you pretty and make you feel attractive and even other women compliment you. here i have been stared at, and even a very good friend of my husband asked him "what do you see in her?" i am so sick and tired of being one of the fattest people wherever i go, i used to be strong and self confident and now i do not even recognize myself!

as you can see from this post i am a bit down today, i am so totally not motivated and have been this way for about a week, i am eating so much crap and cannot seem to stop... i think it is because i have not been able to work out because of the stupid broken toe...

thanks guys for letting me wallow in self pity, i will be better tomorrow

lots of hugs,
judi :)

[Charlif761]

Well, I think you are beautiful. Come on....you are 30 pounds overweight (according to your stats)...that isn't exactly close to being a blimp. Someone REALLY had the NERVE to ask your husband what he saw in you? Well, first, I could smack your hubby for TELLING you that, and second, I hope he promptly pummeled the a$$hole!!! WOW! The NERVE of some people. But, if this person was so shallow that all he sees is how skinny a person is, he's going to miss out on some good people in life. When I ask my husband (who has never seen me skinny except in pics) why he married me fat....and how he fell in love with me this way, he says, "Because you are the most wonderful, beautiful woman in the world." You know what...he might be biased on the beautiful thing.....but he dar sure knows how wonderful I am. lol Kidding!

I have had a hard time the last few days too. I am on this induction and I thought the weight should be sliding off like crazy...well, it isn't!I have lost 5 1/2 pounds and am waiting, waiting, waiting for a MIRACLE! Last night, I put a little BBQ sauce on the ribs I grilled outside. I didn't feel bad at ALL. Because I haven't cheated once. And, I was feeling frustrated. I knew if I didn't do something, I was going to really mess up!!

I have tried to get KetoSticks here for more than a week and this stupid country....ARGH! It's impossible to get so many things IMMEDIATELY. So, I haven't even known if I am even IN ketosis. I know it is a crutch, but I need it right now. So, I know EXACTLY how you feel!!!

You are on your way Judi. And this isn't about other people or what they think....it's about YOU YOU YOU!!! I resent going out and seeing all this tin women, but I recognize that it's different genetics. What can I do? I figure I am smarter and better educated then most of them....so it makes me happy again! hehe. Not nice, but I have to laugh at myself sometimes!

I got some info on Davinci Syrups. Here you go. Maybe you can get some info from the one in Berlin???

Thanks again for your e-mail and interest in Torani. You may contact
the following wholesale distributors in your area to inquire about
purchasing Torani. If you do not wish to purchase wholesale quantities, you may also inquire with these distributors about possible retailers in
your area:

Coffeemamas Kaffeerosterei GmbH i.G. 49-30-247-222-25 Knesebeckstraße 76 10623 Berlin

Dionysos 49-621-718-5808 Birkenauer Str. 7 68309 Mannheim,


OK...gotta go to my language course this morning. Back at 10:45 and will write more then!!!

Char

[Sooike]

Hi Charlotte and Judi

Judi I hope you are feeling better today.
I to have those days when I feel down and think abouth all those nasty comments people gave me and how that makes me feel. Sometimes wallowing in self pity is a good way to get it all out of your system. It happens to me I go to sleep crying my eyes out and waking up thinking "there are worse things, I am healty, I've got nice family,..."

Hi Charlotte, how are the language classes, maybe soon I can email you in Dutch ? It would be much easier for me as you can see (my english isn't that good)but mailing to you all not only makes me feel better, but maybe my english will eventualy get better.

Have a nice day !

[Charlif761]

Mij Nederlandse is niet zo goed. Ik vind dat het is HEEL MOEILIJK!!! Ik kan niet het woorden vind..........vaak! Schrijven in Nederlandse is meer moielijk dan praten. Dus, ik wil schrijf in Engels! Misschien voor altijd! lol

Seriously, I find the grammar VERY difficult. I think part of it is this horrible course the gemeente requires me to take since I am now a resident of the Netherlands. Plus, I think Belgian Dutch aand Netherlands Dutch are somewhat different. Not terribly. Or do you not speak Flemish??? You can always write to me in Dutch...please..nothing long. lol I have a SHORT attention span. If it isl long, write in English. hehehehe My reading skills are pretty good and I am learning the grammar....slowly...but I am still terrified to speak. And I think I will never write Dutch well. But, I hear that for non-native speakers, writing Dutch is really impossible.


Your English is EXCELLENT! I would never guess (at least from your writing) that you aren't a native speaker......And, I think writing English is also different when it is not your native tongue. My husband often has to send documents he writes in English for work to me...so I can correct the grammar. Usually it is pretty ok, but his choice of words are sometimes not ones that are really the best. You know? Anyway, if you want to write me in Dutch sometime feel free. It'll be our ssecret code. lol Apparently there are no other Dutch speakers here.....I will respond in English...especially now that I have embarrassed myself with my crappy Dutch writing!

Hugs to you!
Char

[Charlif761]

HEY! Look at me Judi and Dana...I just "graduated" from EGGS to a CHICKEN LEG! Yummy! :yay:

[pattie]

Hi there
Just found you guys and was so happy to see others in my neck of the woods. Have read all the messages.
Judi you are not fat!! Do not let anyone tell you so.
I think what is happening to you is a bit of culture shock. I went through a period where I felt like everyone was against me or would be talking about me be behind my back, had a pity party for awhile but then something snappped inside. I just said to hell with you and I will make my life the way I want. I started to take more control of my life and making sure I was in the for front and not standing in the background. Sure the language gets me frustrated as hell..many more people speak English and understand you even when they say they don't. Hold on ,hold your head tall look people in the eye..that in it's self lets people know you are in control. Also consider this when you go out think how you are dressed..it is many times than not the way you dress that impresss people. Many people look at clothes as a social status..if you have items on from the U.S. many people are envious of this. When I wear jeans many look at me untill DH told me it was the jeans they were impressed with. It is not easy to get well made clothes here for large people that do not look like old women or tents. Berlin ,by the way is considered one of the most conserative cities in Germany..so blah to them all I say.
One thing to remeber Germans "hate to feel inferior" they go out of their way to find fault with anyone and everything. If you can over look this and laugh at it I think you have the battle more than have won. OMG I am rambling...
Here is a link to buy Da Vinci Syrups ..non wholesale
www.kaffeeshop24.de (http://www.kaffeeshop24.de)
look under aromasirup..they do not have all the SF flavors but if we all keep asking I bet they will carry more flavors. By the way I am an Expat from Washington State :)
So glad to have found you all.
Happy LCing!!,

Pattie

[Charlif761]

Thanks Pattie. Now we are all in the same forum. I just have to get Lisa T....Teegarden...in here. She is an expat living in Southern Switzerland. :)

I am SERIOUSLY thinking about starting a Low Carb Co-op here. Just trying to figure out how to start it up exactly. Are you guys willing to be a part of bringing Atkins Products to Europe?? Even if I get them shipped to the Netherlands and send them out to the rest of Europe from here, it will be MUCH cheaper than everyone going it alone. I am so psyched at the idea of being a Low Carb PIONEER in Europe. Yippee.

Funny thing.... My husband went to the bookstore to pick up a book for me...While he is standing there, the phone rings and someone asks the sales clerk for the Atkins book. The store, of course, didn't carry it in stock!!!!!!!!! My husband came out bitching about how horrible it is to get ANYTHING in this country. lol In case you missed it, he's DUTCH! He said, "Jesus, can you BELIEVE it? They don't even stock the damn book!" I replied that it has sold over 17 million copies that I know of...worldwide. He says, "Yeah, I know. How stupid can these people be that they don't stock this book?" ANOTHER ATKINS PROPHET! hehehe

OK...I thought it was funny...but also proves one thing..There are others WAITING TO BE CONVERTED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Let's get to work brainstorming. I want you guys to think of how we can reach potential markets in your areas. Can we post fliers in gyms? Talk to local health food stores that might have boards...etc. If we can start getting people interested, I might be able to get the seed money to start a seedling enterprise of Atkins products here in Europe. Anyone with me??????

You can also email me...if you don't have my email, I will PM each of you. Hugs! I am going to dinner with friends tonight..I made them choose a place I can get salad and MEAT! First challenge. Am going to miss the wine with diner though. But, I am thinking about how much money it is saving me on the dinner bill! :)

Char :doah:

[smurf]

hi all,
I am much better today, I went to the gym and did the elliptical thing and then ate a great dinner! I think when I excercise I feel more in control.. so now i am back on track. Thanks for all the support... I am taking everyones advice and just ignoring everything and feeling good and healthy. Oh, thanks Pattie for some great words of advice about Germans! I am going to check out the davinci syrup thing tomorrow, but what is the best use of this? for cooking or? anyone have a good recipe?
lots of hugs,
judi

[Charlif761]

Judi...so glad to hear you are feeling better. This crappy weather we have had for the last week is passing and it is beautiful and sunny again, so my mood is improving too.

Had a nice night out with the girls last night. There were ten of us and nobody even SUSPECTED I was eating differently. It was great. I passed on the MOUNDS of potatos dropped in bowls all along the 3 tables were were using and also on the yummy looking rolls with garlic butter. But, they did look tasy. However, I focused on my meal. I had garlic in butter.....asked for a steak with garlic and butte ron the side....of course they were OUT! So, instead, I had a fish "cauldron"...sort of a fish stew with TONS of big chunchks of fish. I pulled it out of the tomatoy sauce and ate JUST the fish. And, beleive it or not, they had SUGAR FREE ICE CREAM on the dessert menu! So, I had it. It came with banans and grapes...I had one cheat..I ate two grapes. But, the rest stayed in the nice little ice cream dish. I am very pleased I jumped that hurdle!!! YIPPIE!

So, Judi...the Davici syrups...you can use them in "ziplock ice cream"...found in the recipe pages....in coffee for a treat (mmm...coffee and hazlenut or kahlua, or vanilla or....). You an use some flavors on shaved ice for a snow cone. I have also seen people whip cream with splenda and then use the syrups to flavor it..My fav being the one made with caramel and then nuts sprinkled on top...kinda like a sundae! Oh..I am hungry now. hehe You can look up the recipes here or on Atkins site. Do a search for "davinci syrups" and you should find plenty. They also have recipes on davinci...not low carb, but you can adjust the accordingly???

Yesterday I was watching my favorite show on BBC...Ready, Steady, Cook! (WHY OH WHY DO I TORTUE MYSELF ON INDUCTION??). One of the chefs commented on how he'd lost a "stone and a half..I think around 21 pounds) on Atkins..and how it was 'brilliant'. I thought it was amusing...Had to share it. :)

OK...I wrote a cuter message earlier...and while sending the server went offline so I lost it. This will have to suffice. Hugs guys!

Char

[pattie]

HI Char & Judi
So sorry I have not been back to this thread..havebeen busy at home and with German lessons..damn.
Judi I am so glad you are feeling better.Sometimes you just need to take a few steps back and look at the whole picture. It never as bad as it seems.
Char I love your idea about getting a LC store going and I will support and even help ..but Have not a clue how to do this. Getting anything LC here is near impossible grrrrr But I get the feeling here if it is not a European idea most peopl do not want to have anything to do with it or even admt that maybe the idea or concept really work(just so many Pig Headed people here).
One of my favoirte treat right now is dipping Pork Rinds in Da Vinci syrup..a no carb treat and oh so yummy.
Do you two have any info on any LC foods available here? I can not find any kind of candy here that is LC,but maybe that is better for me :)
I will get back here more frequently .. lets see what we can do.

Pattie

[Charlif761]

Hello guys. I have been online for brief moments the last few days, but haven't been posting much either. This cold has really zapped my energy....especially because of the coughing. Thank God I have Chinese Herbs here so I at least didn't get a stuffy nose!!!

I am SURe there is some interest in Atkins here. I know it might be in the beginning stages, but it HAS to catch on...don;t you think??? I am thinking about starting a Co-Op. IE: Have only a limited selection of items to choose from...then, take orders and once I have enough for a bulk (read:DISCOUNT) price, I can order. Then we can split the shipping costs. Maybe if this catches on, I can generate enough orders to get a profit, expand selection and eventually turn the Co-op into an online store front. It's just an idea...but SOMEONE has to do SOMETHING! lol

I am going to talk to some people next week and see if I can generate ANY interest. You guys know anyone intersted in Atkins???

OK....so, by now, everyone knows I have a new puppy (A Boxer) named Bailey. He is REALLY keeping me BUSY. It's like having a baby...they eat, they sleep, they poop and pee. I can't IMAGINE what I was thinking when we decided to do this! lol But, he IS cute and cuddly.

How's everyone else out there????

Charlotte

[smurf]

hi guys,
i have not been around since i am quite sick, I have Lupus SLE and have been very sick and have been avoiding the computer, but will post tomorrow.....

hugs to all,
judi :)

[cmwig]

Hi Judi - Hello All,
I'm so sorry you aren't feeling well Judi. My prayers are with you for a speedy recovery.
To All - Judi contacted me to let me know of my fellow European LCers. To introduce myself, I'm originally from Texas (who knows? Judi and I could have been neighbors). My husband and I are currently stationed in Stuttgart with the US military. We've been here for...almost a year now - WOW...time sure does fly! But I actually met my beloved in 1997 when we were both stationed in Spangdahlem, Germany.
So anyways, I'm taking a Speech class and I had to give a persuasive speech. Of course, I chose LCing as my topic and lo 'n' behold - what did I discover while doing my research you ask? well I discovered some research that stated that LCing as been popular in Germany over the last 30 years. Which of course led me to wonder where all the LC products are? and like Judi, I can't help but notice how thin all the Germans are. You rarely see an overweight German. And I suppose that may have something to do with the fact that if you are overweight (like myself, but not for long) then you tend to get looks of disgust from the Germans. I guess if I was native, these looks of disgust would have dissuaded me from ever becoming overweight in the first place.
But anyways, where are the LC products? I actually found a health food store here, but the prices were outrageous!! can't afford it. And unfortunately my German isn't good enough to read the labels anyways.
So is LCing big in Germany just because they eat lunch meat and cheese for breakfast?
Anyhow, I'm glad to know I have support from this side of the globe now.

Cameron

[letsgo]

Hello!!

I'm American but my family is from Stein. I didn't realize how much I was raised with a Dutch eating habits until I visited my family with my friend this year. She's from Alabama and just stared at the food:) I must have gained 6 lbs in a week on the food. I will definately pass your website to my relatives and try to get some more word of mouth going!! Good luck!

[Charlif761]

You Dutchy's are EVERYWHERE! lol I wrote a woman in Canada from thsi forum...got a note back from her...last name Van der Broek! I thik the world is being secretly infiltrated! lol I have to be careful about using my bad Dutch cursewords! lol I always tought they sounded less unpleasant than English ones! lol

Judi: Sorry to hear you are sick. I know about Lupus and how terribly it's consequences can be. I hope today brings you some relief. You know, alternative medicines have a lot of therapies for Lupus. Perhaps you might look around there. Germany is really progressive in this area.... If I can be of assistance, I certainly will. I also know that acupuncture can have some benefits for certain symptoms you may be experiencing. (I am an acupuncturist, remember?) :)

OK...now the dog has found a piece of glass...I have NO idea where...so I have to go chase him before he swallows it. I will write more later...

Char

[smurf]

hi all,

Well it is rainy,cold and so yucky here. This weather makes my knee and all my other joints ache so badly, but I decided not to give in and went to the gym. I struggled to do 45 min. on the elliptical and felt a little better. I then went upstairs to change and what do I see. There is this thin German woman who has finished working out and she is eating an entire packet of cake and a huge bottle of juice!!!! Now, if I even look at cake I gain a kilo, and this woman is inhaling it! How do they do it? Oh well... I hope everyone is doing well and having a great lc day. I have been Totally off the lc woe but am jumping in 100% (started today) i am also going to lay off the schlagsahne (cream) to see if it helps, since I just read that a cup has 800 calories, I shudder to think exactly how much I was eating per day. I have been more on a maintenance mode but really want to get my body fat percentage down and be healthier and fitter.. that is my goal, if I get some weight off in the bargain it will be great.
i am off to call the landlord..Again, since they have not turned on the heat in the building and I am sitting in front of the computer dressed in sweatpants, tshirt, fleece sweatshirt and a scarf.

hugs,
Judi :)

BTW anyone know how many carbs is in a Bratwurst( kind they sell in the imbisses?)

[Charlif761]

I have NO idea how many carbs are in that......Don;t you love how labeling laws haven't reached Europe yet. I guess that is because nobody thinks about what they put in their mouths here. lol Oh well....

Don't worry so much about fat if you are keeping carbs low...You should be ok.

I am sorry to hear you have had such a hard time recently and are feeling so discouraged. It happens to the best of us. Just keep trudging along. You will get there. Look h ow far you have come...and, you had the major setback of breaking your toe. :)

I am glad you are back with us....I haven't been around much this week, thanks to this horrible chest cold. But, I am hoping by Sunday I will be all better. Plus, this new puppy is keeping me BUSY! lol. I could lose a kilo a day just chasing behind him! lol

I am sending good vibes your way and hoping today will find you happier and more motivated.

By the way, ther eis a new European Low Carbers Forum...follow the threads below to find it..... It'd be nice to have us all togehter....

> Main Low-Carb Diets Forums & Support > Countdowns, Buddies & Challenges > Welcome All European Low Carbers

Char

[IslandGirl]

Oy, y'all!
Judi van den Broek here...and hello again, Char.

I've been wildly busy so haven't been able to commune lately, but popped in for a quick read and have a couple of pointers for you and you and you :D that MAY be helpful.

The Atkins (or Protein Power or whatever) book?
Try www.amazon.nl (http://www.amazon.nl/) (for The Netherlands) and www.amazon.de (http://www.amazon.de/) (for Deutsche Republic or however it's spelled :devil: ) ---

and I set up a low carb co-op originally, the first online, in Canada for exactly the same reasons y'all have except there were a LOT fewer products available ANYWHERE then. And it's still running but is pretty well now an online store with inventory. Hard work but do-able. Start with one product line, get the wholesale buying info, get the customs info (if you're importing or 'exporting'), build a basic webpage and set up a simple email address for orders only, guestimate shipping (local post office webpage to start), collect pre-paid orders complete with shipping address & postal code) and then order cases. Expand from there. Basically. Hope this helps?

A quick note. Low Carbing does NOT depend on manufactured products, those are TREATS only. It depends on high-quality proteins and fats, and low carb or non-starchy vegetables, with lower carb berries and fruits for later on in the process. MODERATE but not LOW calories (i.e., watch out for cheese, cream and, eventually, nuts: the downfall of many a low carber with their DENSE calorie and fat counts). Take it from me, starting in 1998...

Again, hope this all helps?

[IslandGirl]

...I am SURe there is some interest in Atkins here. I know it might be in the beginning stages, but it HAS to catch on...don;t you think??? ...
Charlotte
There should be a dedicated small following in Europe somewhere, because of the most EXCELLENT book (yes, Dr. Atkins wasn't the only one chasing this theory):

Life Without Bread: How a Low-Carbohydrate Diet Can Save Your Life (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0658001701?v=glance)
by Christian B. Allan (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-url/index=books&field-author=Christian%20B.%20Allan/104-1009799-8930351), Wolfgang Lutz (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-url/index=books&field-author=Wolfgang%20Lutz/104-1009799-8930351) (this link is from www.amazon.com (http://www.amazon.com))

Now this is the fairly recently translated North American version, the original is in German, the title might be ? Leben Ohne Brot, by Dr. Wolfgang Lutz.

Hope this is useful info...

[escol2003]

I found this www.virtualmum.co.uk - looks to be angled towards Dutch based expats, few yummy recipes think alot are translations from othr sites, but it's a nice base to help with the lo-carb stuff in NL

[willeke]

hi there!
There is a good website about Atkins - in Dutch - and they have started with selling Atkins stuff. it's at www.atkinsdieet.nl,
I will go to the forum and ask Eddy - the list owner - if he can't set up a special category for English speaking Atkinsers in the Netherlands and otherwise I could start a special mailinglist for y'all.
I am translating dr Atkins' books for a Dutch publisher and they should be in the shops in February, and I am sure that there will be en enormous increase in the availability of Atkins' and general low carb stuff then.
Any specific questions, give me a shout!
willeke at dutchtran.com

[willeke]

SPECIAL MAILING LIST
I have created a special mailinglist for English speaking Atkins follwers in the Netherlands and invited Dutch people who speak English well, so they can give you a hand when needed.
write an email to atkins_netherlands-subscribe at yahoogroups.com to subscribe!

see you there
Willeke

[IslandGirl]

SPECIAL MAILING LIST
I have created a special mailinglist for English speaking Atkins follwers in the Netherlands and invited Dutch people who speak English well, so they can give you a hand when needed.
write an email to atkins_netherlands-subscribe at yahoogroups.com to subscribe!

see you there
Willeke
How's that mailing list going, Willeke? How do you feel about Canadian people of Dutch extraction who speak almost no nedelandse (but can work through computer software and are learning) ... and have lots of low carb experience?

[willeke]

Hi Judy, I feel quite good about Canadians of Dutch extraction, but I'm afraid you won't be able to help expats who live in the netherlands! Their problem is exactly that they don't know how to find certain things in the shops etcetera.
But you know what, why don't you become a member? I'm sure you will be able to help in different aspects!

just send an email to the address I mentioned, and things will get rolling!
cheers
Willeke

[Charlif761]

Willeke, Escol and Island.... Thanks for your posts. I am so grateful to each of you for you info and, to you, WIlleke, for setting up the special mailing list for us! You guys are the BEST. Sorry I haven't been around lately or responded more quickly....I have had tons going on here also. Holidays etc.... But, I am getting back on (Atkins) track and raring to go. I WILL NOT GIVE UP....even when I might give IN! \

Happy New Year to all!!
Char

[LekkerDoen]

Hi,

I haven't read all your posts, I only saw you b*thcing about holland and talking about importing atkins products. So probably you are a pro in low carb products. Great... in the mean time you must have made a list of the products you CAN get here with a listing of carbs.

I have seen the koolhydratentabellen on the internet, but they are no good because they only state the product and not the brandname.

Which products should I buy from which shops? Because if I won't get a headache from this diet.. I will from looking at each and every label on every thing in a store. And NO i'm not gonna buy atkins stuff because I like to have freedom of choice.

So have you made a list? Or do you only want to sell stuff?

[Laura Lou]

I'm so glad to find other AMericans living in Europe doing LC diets! Atkins IS here in Holland. I saw a sign at Etos about it. You can even buy the book now. I'm doing South Beach though so that doesn't help me. I wish I could buy SF fudgcicles! AHHH! We got to my hometown in Iowa 2x a year so I can load up the suitcases with stuff then. I brought a ton of SF jello with me.. and crystal light and salad dressing. I am very picky on my salad dressing!

Any tips on buy low carb in this country is appreciated. We live in Heerlen which is next door to Maastricht. We get fuel in Belgium and go to Germany allllll the time. 10 min drive to either country for us.

Walmart in Germany has Splenda I think.. I will look next time we go. We should all open stores for low carbers or something!!!

Well nice to meet you all! I'm 24 and I also married a Dutch man. We have a 13 month old son. Did you all learn the languages? I was required by LAW to learn Dutch for one year. I mostly understand everything but am really shy about speaking it. Everyone here speaks English it seems though.

Well that's my intro.. email me if you would like!

Laura

[samg_nl]

Hello,

I did the Atkins for about 6 months years ago. I didn't see a great result so I figured that it wasn't the diet for me. Recently I have been dealing with 24/7 headaches for the last 5 months. After exhusting the AMC and the VU with them still not figuring out what is wrong I went to an iris/Homeopathic doctor. She looked into my eyes and saw quite a bit wrong. So my new diet, although there could be a term for it, is no starches, no sugar or sugar substitutes, no diary. It is a lot like the Atkins. So I decided to search for some good recipes, since buying things pre-made in Holland is almost impossible. If anyone has some good hints for ways to make this diet seem less daunting I would love to hear it.

Also a tip, if you search Ebay they have low-carb shakes and things where you could save some money.

Samantha
American, lived here for about 6 years now with my Dutch husband.

[IslandGirl]

Hello,

I did the Atkins for about 6 months years ago. I didn't see a great result so I figured that it wasn't the diet for me. Recently I have been dealing with 24/7 headaches for the last 5 months. After exhusting the AMC and the VU with them still not figuring out what is wrong I went to an iris/Homeopathic doctor. She looked into my eyes and saw quite a bit wrong. So my new diet, although there could be a term for it, is no starches, no sugar or sugar substitutes, no diary. It is a lot like the Atkins. So I decided to search for some good recipes, since buying things pre-made in Holland is almost impossible. If anyone has some good hints for ways to make this diet seem less daunting I would love to hear it.

Also a tip, if you search Ebay they have low-carb shakes and things where you could save some money.

Samantha
American, lived here for about 6 years now with my Dutch husband.

Recipes? GALORE in the Kitchen forum right here on this website, as well as our own Karen Barnaby's (Executive Chef and somehow makes wonderful yet simple to make recipes, she's the bomb ;) ) at the Recipes link on the green bar at the top of this very page....

signed: Jude van den Broek, Canadian born in Apeldoorn ;)

[willeke]

hello all Dutchies and Americans living in the Netherlands,
I have been away from the forum for a long time for personal reasons, but am back now.
I'm also back in the Netherlands.
Just visit me in my journal if you'd like to talk about things Dutch, this separate part doesn't seem to work all that well, unfortunately.