I'm thinking of becoming a daily drinker

[midnight armadillo]

I'm taking Rx niacin to raise my HDL and the giant pills and side effects ("flushing" - makes my skin feel like it's on fire) are really getting to me.

A daily beer or glass of wine is also effective in raising HDL, and is vastly tastier. If I don't go nuts with exotic microbrews it might even be cheaper due to high Rx co-pays.

I need to ramp up my exercise too...right now I am a little too slow on my bike to bike to work very much, so I will work on that.

If anyone can suggest a good, inexpensive wine I'm all ears. I've heard that vino verde is good. I can handle the brewskie side of the occasion.

[suninvited]

1. You might want to check with your doctor

about switching to the non flushing type of niacin that you can get at your health food store.

When I was on prescription niacin, I couldnt take the flushing, either.

[Tobin S.]

2. I've heard that Omega-3, found in fish oil and flaxseed oil, helps raise the HDL

I've been taking it for a while now because I had low HDL as well. I haven't gotten back to the doctor yet to do more blood work to see if it's working, though.

[snooper2]

3. I had to "flush" my system for a test many years back

took some niacin and about 30 minutes later I had a white sheet on the floor and I was naked with three fans blowing on me...

I'll never do that shit again :)

[trof]

4. You're gonna LOVE it!

I've been a DD for over 40 years.
WooHoo!
:beer:
;-)

[appal_jack]

5. If you like dry reds...

Here are the cheap (~$5 per bottle) dry reds I like for the price:

Barefoot (California): Merlot, Red Zin., and Cabernet Sauv.

Lindemann's (Australia): Merlot, and Cabernet Sauv.

Alice White (Australia): Merlot, and Cabernet Sauv.



Moving up the price ladder a bit, I also enjoy Turning Leaf (California), Beringer (California), and some of the Mondavi (California) reds. Because I like supporting American farms and workers, I try to buy the Cali stuff, except when there's Australian, French, Spanish, etc. wines on ridiculous sales.

-app

[XemaSab]

6. If you're near a Trader Joe's

they have LOADS of cheap wines.

The two buck chuck is decent for daily drinking, but try a bunch of different stuff. They probably have 20 wines under $5, so even if you get something horrible, you haven't thrown your money away.

:toast:

[XemaSab]

7. Ooooh, burn.

Not all the TJ's in Mass sell alcohol. x(

[Auggie]

8. Black Box is a decent box wine

It sells in California for about $20.00, the equivalent of $5.00 a bottle.

XemaSab makes a great point about Trader Joes -- great deals. Don't discount varietals from South America either.

[flvegan]

9. I'd suggest

just going vegan.

:7

Sorry, I had to. It's in my contract.

Seriously though, Xema mentioned two buck chuck and that's good value for money. You realize that your doctor will be pissed that you're considering this approach, right? I'm not saying you shouldn't, because everything seems to point to this being effective, but most doctors HATE this idea.

I hope it works for you. Good luck!

[midnight armadillo]

10. Well I just changed doctors...

My old doc retired, and he would have been amused more than anything else. The new guy, who knows?

I could probably eat vegetarian without too much transition, but i don't see going vegan any time soon. There is a jar of oat milk in the fridge though since I've gotten tired of my lactose intolerance on those rare occasions i have a hankering for Cheerios.

[XemaSab]

11. Have you checked out almond milk?

It's got a much creamier quality than most of the faux-milks.

Chocolate almond milk, vanilla Bacardi, and espresso shots will MESS YOU UP, so if you're looking for that kind of action, I would suggest heading in that direction.

[wroberts189]

14. You must find ways to cut back.. allow the body to process it.

Do not blast yourself. You have to face what makes you want to be numb and change you're thinking about it. It's the only way.

If you blast the body you can damage things.. go as easy as you can ...try to say ....how late in the day can I go without this...?

Your body is strong but it needs time to recover... no binges and take a Flintstones vitamin once a day.

Find a doctor you can be honest with....

[wroberts189]

12. What exactly are you drinking and how much per day ?

Do you know how much percent "proof" it is?

[midnight armadillo]

15. Nothing right now

but I was thinking of the therapeutic dose - 12 oz of std. beer, or 5 oz of wine. I'm not looking to get hammered or anything.

[wroberts189]

16. Then you are quite safe imho....

The wine has properties that are quite beneficial.. I believe red is best ..but there is the a certain type the is the best. I will look for it.

Avoid beer ..yummy but will make you fat.


Some people drop 2 pints of 100 proof hard stuff for years. You are nowhere near that.

At your rate..

Its probably doing you some good. There are studies that suggest this. Its good to take the edge off... helps the body.

[tavalon]

13. I have wine butt as I head into my middle age

I've had to give up the vino and the hard cider because they are too many empty calories.

[wroberts189]

17. I cannot believe I would advocate such a thing but...

100 proof Vodka is purest. 50% methyl alcohol. Doubt the remaining 50% has many calories/carbs.

Mix it with the diet Snapple of your choice. Better yet .. diet iced tea decaf. Or caf. if you need a little kick.

Avoid fruit juice...filled with sugar.

[tavalon]

19. LOL

I decided to take healthier options for stress relief. But thanks!

[wroberts189]

21. Good.. :) nt

[fNord]

18. vino verde is a lightly sparkling, lightly alcoholic white that is...

a little too sweet for my taste. kind of a good picnic wine for the summer. you can drink it during the day with out getting drunk and still drive home after.

I am very knowledgeable on both beer and wine, so tell me your preferences, and I might be able to help you.

starting with wine, red or white?

[Kali]

20. Columbia Crest - reds

relatively inexpensive, pretty tasty, and the winery is unionized.

For bubbles Chateau Ste. Michelle - same deal, tasty, inexpensive, union.

UFW also has it's own label, Black Eagle Wines, but I haven't seen them around here to give a try.

More info here: http://www.blackeaglewines.com/

http://www.ufw.org/_page.php?menu=organizing&inc=orga_label.html