Every September 19th turns normally sane people, such as myself, (stop laughing.... I'm sorta sane) into people with eye patches, peglegs, and an odd sort of speech. This year is extra special because you can enjoy these Low Carb Recipes on the 10th anniversary of Talk Like A Pirate Day!

I can remember when cookies were healthy. No. Seriously! They were only 100 calories, fat-free, and claimed to be good for me. Come to think of it, there were several other healthy foods I enjoyed regularly, some of them even branded with the heart-check logo from the American Heart Association. Cheerios, SnackWells, Baked Lays, granola bars, fat free bagels - all that healthy processed goodness, wrapped in fancy packaging, promising health benefits that range from weight control to lower cholesterol.

It seems I'm doomed to repeat the same mistakes over and over. Maybe I'm being a bit melodramatic. I do usually learn from my mistakes. But sometimes I try something, look back to analyze it, and realize it's really not that different from the other things I've tried. “Hello Abby. Will you be staying long?” There are lots of reasons why I believe I'm abnormal, but today I'll just highlight one of them. We can save my various other flaws for analysis at a later date.

This success story starts with Susan being 380 pounds on her 40th birthday. Like many of us who have struggled with weight, she didn’t like being in photos and avoided them when possible. So when she got her photos back from the celebration, she didn’t recognize herself. “I not only looked bad, I felt horrible” says Susan.

I'm thrilled to introduce our latest success story, Marilyn Brazzle, an inspiring and compassionate lady. A CPA working in management consulting for an accounting firm in Washington, DC, she resides in Frederick, MD and runs a non-profit sanctuary for homeless senior basset hounds. "At any time I'm sharing my home with about 20 old dogs," says Marilyn. Her exercise includes caring for her home, the dogs, and her commute to work.

If you want true inspiration, you need look no further than Kent Altena. Eight years after starting Atkins, Kent is still literally half the man he used to be. In 15 months he'd shed 211 pounds and reached his goal. He's since rejoined the National Guard and has become a volunteer firefighter and EMT. He's also an active runner and has completed a number of marathons.

As a general rule, I'm a pretty positive person. But something has happened in the last couple of years that has changed that. I've let life events, stress, and people crush my enthusiasm. Now, despite what happens to me, my response to that event is completely under my control. I alone am responsible for my reactions. A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort. Especially on a low-carb diet.

Wheat Belly gives us the history of wheat. You'll learn all about the modifications made to wheat in the last few decades, and how they affect human health. One fact that surprised me was how much insect repellent/weed killer ends up in today's wheat supply.

Laurie Rosen's journey begins when she was having major health problems such as IBS, heartburn and hypoglycemia. A co-worker mentioned Atkins, and it was such a radical concept that she wondered if there actually might be something to it.

This month's awe inspiring success story comes from a good friend of mine named Hank Garner. Hank describes himself as a man who is incredibly blessed. Happily married for 17 years to his wife Dawn, they have 5 wonderful children and enjoy small-town life in Southern Mississippi. A web designer, Hank loves spending time with his family, the outdoors and being active. His newest passion is running, which he does 4 or 5 days a week.

Cooking for your family during the holidays can be a daunting enough task, without the added hassle of trying to keep those special meals healthy as well. Here we will help you find the perfect items here at CarbSmart.com to help make your celebration table tasty and healthy.