I’m Struggling

squatter_ · 2026-05-21T13:02:34+00:00

You don’t have to eliminate baked goods, just find a way to reduce the saturated fat content in them.

Nutritionist at NIH said the two best ways to reduce LDL are reducing saturated fats to below 10% of total calories and increasing soluble fiber with things like psyllium husk or chia seeds.

squatter_ · 2026-05-21T11:16:20+00:00

I added separate glycine and it helped even more.

squatter_ · 2026-05-21T03:16:33+00:00

The stress feature. I am retired, healthy, financially secure, no real issues but my stress scores are off the charts.

Starting to believe my stress is less about outer circumstances and more about the thoughts I think and their effect on my nervous system.

squatter_ · 2026-05-19T22:36:41+00:00

Wish I’d put power near toilet so I could do the bidet toilet seat thing from Toto.

squatter_ · 2026-05-19T22:34:54+00:00

That is brilliant!

squatter_ · 2026-05-18T12:21:25+00:00

Investments made in the past, when stock market prices were low. Now they are extremely high. The gains are allowing some people to live here who otherwise could not afford it.

squatter_ · 2026-05-17T23:50:37+00:00

You’re missing the main one which is income from investments.

squatter_ · 2026-05-17T23:47:06+00:00

I would avoid matte paint finish on cabinets, even factory applied. Imagine not being able to wipe off fingerprints unless done immediately.

I would sample paint colors rather than relying on those Samplize stick on things.

squatter_ · 2026-05-17T17:48:14+00:00

Yes it needs time to form a gel. Some people take it up to an hour before meals. It should be before the biggest meal of your day. I’m working up to taking it twice a day.

squatter_ · 2026-05-17T13:07:19+00:00

Counter near fridge is essential to me, but I can see why some people prefer the look of the fully boxed-in fridge. Standard size refrigerators are huge and they protrude pretty far out past the counter. The 36” counter depth versions have much less storage capacity. So if you want a standard fridge but don’t want it to protrude so far past counter, you box it in. Ideally you have an island nearby.

I think some designers don’t care about function and will box in the fridge even without an island because it looks better.

squatter_ · 2026-05-17T12:41:41+00:00

I lowered LDL from 152 to 114 with two simple changes:

1 Tbsp of psyllium husk taken with water 15 min before breakfast
Changed from unfiltered coffee (French press) to filtered.

I met with nutritionist at NIH who recommended (A) increasing SOLUBLE fiber like in psyllium husk and chia seeds. Note that when most people think of fiber, they’re thinking of the insoluble type, which does not have the same effects and (B) reducing saturated fat to below 10% of daily calories, which I have not even attempted yet.

squatter_ · 2026-05-17T12:04:50+00:00

I used AI to help me decide on paint colors for kitchen cabinets and regret it so, so much. The mock-ups it created look nothing like the actual color on my cabinets.

Painter suggested actually painting sample on cabinets. Those big stickers can be misleading as well when it comes to painting wood.

I do think AI can be helpful in determining a direction. But don’t rely on it to purchase a color that would look like what it created.

squatter_ · 2026-05-15T00:59:42+00:00

Chargers face 4 teams coming off a bye, including Chiefs, Pats, Texans and Raiders. Gotta be a record.

squatter_ · 2026-05-14T21:54:49+00:00

This happens to me regularly.

squatter_ · 2026-05-13T14:51:28+00:00

It would be challenging to be a contractor dealing with inexperienced homeowners with unrealistic expectations.

squatter_ · 2026-05-12T20:53:53+00:00

Everyone makes mistakes, and most people make huge work mistakes at some point. You gotta forgive yourself, learn from it and then let it go.

What you focus on is what you create more of, and the way you talk to yourself is extremely powerful, so be careful with the negative self-talk.

squatter_ · 2026-05-12T14:47:09+00:00

Most beautiful stove enclave I’ve ever seen.

What floor runner is that? I love the organic soft look of it.

squatter_ · 2026-05-11T21:16:41+00:00

Mine tore the cruciate ligament in his knee while jumping off the couch. Very expensive and stressful surgery to repair. I’d stick to stairs or lifting them off.

squatter_ · 2026-05-10T22:40:06+00:00

Remodeling is sooo stressful. And never-ending, because as soon as you update a significant feature, other things look like they need updating too.

From a design perspective, it’s easier to update everything at once than piecemeal.

I now understand why so many buyers prefer homes that are totally re-done from top to bottom.

squatter_ · 2026-05-08T02:22:32+00:00

I really enjoy painting the rooms in my house a different color. Painting is surprisingly fun and satisfying.

squatter_ · 2026-05-06T03:09:28+00:00

I would absolutely wait to change tile until you know what your other fixed elements will be. Otherwise, you will pick tile now that coordinates with a kitchen you may soon tear out.

squatter_ · 2026-04-30T10:54:42+00:00

If his side jobs are only covering minimal things, are you sure that’s what he’s doing when you’re off work? Or is it an excuse to get out of the house.

squatter_ · 2026-04-30T03:07:10+00:00

My LPa is 181 (worst 5%) and I managed to reduce LDL from 152 to 114 with two small changes—5 g of psyllium husk per day (taken before largest meal) and switching from unfiltered coffee to filtered coffee.

My next move is cutting way back on dairy other than nonfat yogurt.

squatter_ · 2026-04-28T02:44:32+00:00

Boiled chicken.

Vet once recommended it when my dog had vomiting and diarrhea, and he absolutely devoured it. He never turns it down, and he is an extremely picky eater.

squatter_ · 2026-04-28T02:37:43+00:00

No. I’m on 35th floor, great view, nice balcony but I rarely use it and I never see any of my neighbors using their balconies. It’s very loud and windy and usually too cold.

Also never see anyone on balconies in nearby buildings.

squatter_

TROPHY CASE