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Well said, as usual. One might think you're someone who writes and communicates for a living. 😂 Index vs. load is definitely a thing. Ultimately, because diabetes is such an individual thing, you find what works well for you. Eating at my sister's home, she's almost an eater from the 18th century. Meat and breads. Add the endocrinologist tweaking my meds (currently on Ozempic, which doesn't have side effects for me, but is doing nothing about my appetite. And Lantus, a long lasting insulin.) About to see about dropping the Lantus. I'm having to hunt carbs to keep my blood sugar from bottoming out. Just had to seriously demolish some of a Quality Street assortment to keep it high enough, about a week ago. A fun comparison: breakfast cold cereal. Comparison by serving size, the "healthy ones" are quite high carb. And the sugared ones tend to have half as much. But... Doing the "per 100 grams," they're virtually identical. Ultimately it's all about what works for you. And the situation. And... 😉 A great series, sir!

I have found that my experience with different foods depends on the amount of exercise I have done during the day. If I have had an exhausting day physically, my body is letting me know I can consume food that may be higher in sugar and carbs. There are certain foods that I will not touch, regardless. One is watermelon. Another is citrus. I love beans but some like navy beans. Black beans are ok. Yes, some foods have hidden sugar. Ham is notorious for sugar. I am surprised at chicken, though Tonight I will be dining out. I will have a very nice salad with a luscious prime rib of beef. I may ever go for flan for dessert. It is all about balance.

Thank you, Michael. You make an important distinction. I remember reading about GL about 20 years ago in Patrick Holford's The Optimum Nutrition Bible (1997). If I remember rightly, he made the example of the banana, which is sugary and high GI but because of fibre etc it has an acceptable GL. Under GI, you'd ignore bananas, but under a GL measurement, a banana may be acceptable. Forgive me if my memory errs on that. Holford went on to write The Holford Low-GL Diet (2005), though I haven't read it so that's not a recommendation. Your videos are totally worthwhile, because you are sharing knowledge a lot of people don't know and this can make all the difference to one's food choices. And I was the one who mentioned sugar in chicken to you in a comment a couple weeks ago: I am very happy indeed to be referred to as a friend, even if just in digital incarnation! Sorry to hear about your heating system. My mother's back boiler packed in completely a few years back after decades of good service: had to have a whole new combi-boiler put it. A remarkable fuss and quite pricey, too, but not something you can avoid paying to fix! Life is a right pain sometimes, leavened by wonderful content and company like this. Hope it all gets fixed, Michael. Take care!

🙂🙂 Thank you.

Are you sure that you weren’t a part of Monty Python?

The weak point on the Perfect Pencil for me has always been the sharpener. Even the expensive platinum version has a crappy sharpener--unforgivable at that price point. I find myself carrying the Blackwing sharpener and not even considering the GvonFC one inside the cap, which is a shame and makes it less worth the exorbitant price. GvonFC could replace it with one of those Pollux blades. In the mid-price version, do those rubber rings round the bottom of the cap decay eventually? Or come loose?

I don't get how someone who writes for a living can't discipline themselves to the point where they can't just do it on a computer. You can always disable internet access if you can't do it without wasting time.

I like that the preppy seals so well that the pen is usable after months laying in some drawer. No hard starts ever. I wished all of the expensive pens were that good at that. And the nib writes well, quite consistently for some preppies I had.

Hi, I have a question: what kind of "pen" do you use for painting and sketching? In the last part of the video you use some sort of paint in a special container. Could you make a vidoe for these tools for a beginner painter ( maybe the next van Gogh? just kidding). Thanks in advance. And thanks for the nice video! I really like watching these! For the preppy you can get a converter, also an adaper to use normal cartridges; there a also the "platinum plaisir" with preppy inside plus some AL part (cap and holder, I think) Best regards Jürgen

Not an artist myself (struggle with stick figures) but I have heard artist like the Platinum 3776with their Ultra Extra Fine nib. Their extra fine is really really fine so who knows about the UEF.😊

Wonderful, happy dogs! ❤ Is it a Rhodesian Ridgeback and a Berner Sennen? 🥰

I love my two TWSBI ECO's, they are fantastic value for money. I also like my Platinum Preppy's, I have a fair few of them now usually in 03 'Fine', great writers. But for true value for money 'beater' fountain pens that don't write like trash, I have just discovered the Zebra Fuente disposable fountain pen, these retail for about £2.50 and are amazing! So comfortable and have great fine steel nibs.

Have you seen the paperclip that is shaped to take pens on notebooks?

👍👍👍👍🍺😎

Thanks that helps explain things. I appreciate it!

What's important is we are all different, what affects you badly might not affect me in the same way. On Jan 2nd I had my review and the blood test revealed that I was prediabetic, just one point off diabetes, bit of a shock, fast forward eight weeks and I was back no normal. In the first couple of days I became an expert in diet 😁 Carbs were the enemy. Bought a finger prick monitor which I found didn't show much, 'but' I decided to do a before meal test and an after meal test and this was a wow moment. I'm 73 and for fifty of those years I had porridge for my breakfast, the test results on this went through the roof, I tested boiled and roast potatoes, through the roof, tested frozen chips cooked in an air fryer and surprise hardly any spike (oh happy days) Freezing does something to the make up of a product. Freshly cooked chips, you guessed it went through the roof. So, by doing this test I found out which foods were good or bad for me. I have lost forty pounds in weight, my blood pressure as come down to normal and on this new way of eating I'm never hungry. Take care.

I have found that aside from the general guidelines, one's diet can be highly individual. Tolerance to certain foods works for some but not for others. It is a question of balance for me. A pasta meal means I have to balance that with a low carb diet afterwards or if I know it will be a dinner item, then any meal prior will be low in carbs. If I am going to be particularly active during the day, then having carbs is not as much of a worry. This is particularly true during the warmer months when outside activity is the norm. Other ethnic foods tend to be lower in carbs. Mexican is one for me as is Asian. The emphasis is in protein and vegetables. Fruits is a landmine. I have found that citrus and certain melons spike my sugar level. Pears, apples, grapes, cantaloupe and mangoes are tolerated well. Lentils, black beans are fine. Red and kidney beans I avoid.

"Whole grains" ultimately is a marketing gimmick, and means virtually nothing when its "X grams per serving." Being well informed is an important part of diabetes control. Actually, using wholemeal is the more important thing than the label claims of "Whole Grains." Then total vs. net carbs. Fibre is your friend. 😉 Dietary fibre can, gram for gram, counter the impact of many carbs. Totally agree about palm oil and corn syrup. Evil. And something my late brother-in-law couldn't give up was corn syrup. Man loved pecan pie, which is mainly corn syrup. Not good, as he was diabetic. Rice supposedly is okay if it's brown rice. Though, based on the source of information, it's questionable to me. Can say that browned (like for a pilaf) or overcooked (like for a rice pudding) seems to lower its glycemic impact, in my experience. I can use it either way in moderation (Mexican arroz rojo, for example. Just not huge amounts. Again, anything in moderation. 😁 Bigger portions of other foods. ) Great resources you've shared! Might have to find a copy of the cookbook! Thank you!

Thanks for the tips. Palm oil & corn syrup seem to be infiltrating more food over here. I know in US they’re used in most processed food as they are super cheap. Please do you have details for the book with the cakes recipe? (Jay’s happy on lower carb / keto but I’m a sweet-toothed carb fiend 😂). RIP Michael Mosley

The Sheaffer snorkel is my intro to fountain pens. In 1954 my brother received one from my parents for some academic achievement or other; he was 16 and I was 7. I'd heard of gold before, but platinum? Yes, my brother told me all about the platinum masking on the nib--which I believe he called a "point." I know this is a bit late--3 years--but I thought I'd add my bit. BTW, at your recommendation, I bought a CS Ukraine pen, and am delighted with it.

Thank you, Michael. You are quite right about Dr Michael Mosley, what a huge loss. Agree on the palm oil: I try to avoid products with it. One thing I do to keep track of my diet, is to start a new conversation each day with ChatGPT: I tell it through the day what I've eaten, in as much detail as I can, and it calculates my caloric intake. I can't see why you couldn't ask it for the GI measure for each item, too. It is a conversational tool and helps me, albeit we are entering the age of Hal from 2001!

Thanks for the tips. Very interesting.

A Visconti is a bit pricey for me. I might have taken the plunge on a more inexpensive one were it not for one thing. I can’t really bring myself to trust a company that puts out a product like their ink. The packaging screams bargain-bin pound-shop! How could I trust a company that puts its name on that abomination?

You are the first person I have heard of to get a hard start from a Preppy. It caps so well.

Graham Greene is such an excellent writer. Another author on a similar ilk , who always seems to be overlooked, is the Scottish author, Allan Massie. His books are insightful, and like Greene's take a human dilemma and expands on it.

Thank you for this informative video. I bought a HS Demo sapphire stones on sale from Goldspot a few years ago, but the nib was never quite right, so I put it aside to use some of my other most wanted end. A couple of months ago I bought a Crystal Dream which feels so good in the hand, writes smoothly and I know where my ink supply stands. I hesitate taking it to work for fear of misplacing it, but you’ve provided the solution. I’d never paid attention to Pineider aside from the portable inkwelI-which I recommend, as well as the Visconti version for a full fill every time-but your explanation of the Avatar made it the perfect choice as an EDC. I’ve ordered the blue with medium nib so I can enjoy a bit of Visconti without worrying about expensive replacement.

It is interesting that this came out just yesterday since I was thinking about this yesterday myself, even before I knew about how both companies had dante with them, I found that the Quality control in visconti has been slipping and their back and forth changing of nibs was a bit odd too, so between italian companies I narrowed on Leonardo and Pineider, than i learned about Dante leaving visconti and joining Pineider and basically transforming the company that had been around for hundreds of years, that cemented that i gad to go with a Pineider especially since they are disassemblable, and tough, although this is all hypothetical, I won't be able to aford either for a long time, but have tried them

Thank you - always positive to hear “regular” people talking about how and why they are taking control of their own health through personal responsibility, diet and lifestyle changes

Michael, wonderful video. You may recall you helped me source my red twin tank touchdown with that special nib when i couldn't source one from melbourne. It sure wasnt cheap but its one of my most special pens and i am very grateful to you for sharing it with us. Keep well! Kind regards, Jake

Just my personal impression about Messrs Visconti. I purchased a Homo Sapiens fountain pen some years ago. Like you, I also wanted to have my initials on the finial of my fountain pen. So, I sent email (more than two, I think) to both Visconti and its representative in Spain, asking them where to buy the initials. Unfortunately I did not receive a mere single word as response. However, the pen writes well. Regards.

Excellent topic :) They are all great pens, and any of them could be someone’s “only pen”. I think it a matter of taste, emotions and desires. Each of these parameters could be overridden by practical factors if you make a living using a pen. (hint, hint :) Based on less rational factors I suspect the Bronze Age has a broader appeal, and especially among does who like a subtle but masculine design. Or any brilliant collector would have them all with the theme of “Dante” :) Thanks for another interesting video!! Dolce far niente <3

I have two Pineider Avatar cartridge converter pens which are both “WOW” pens when I write with them even though they are steel nibs. Don’t have a Homosapiens pen, though they are intriguing.

I have Pineider Avatar UR without "twin tank". (Even though I ordered 'Traveler' variant which is Twin Tank Touchdown, the store got my order wrong.) It has very different grip section - it's curvy, with an indent in the middle - which I find rather uncomfortable. I guess it's meant to guide fingers into a particular spot but that doesn't feel right for my hand. So, beware! Not all Pineiders are the same. And a small detail can derail the experience of using a pen.

By the way, when we were in junior and senior high school, among the supplies we were required to purchase or have was a fountain pen. Most of us purchased Scheaffer fountain pens, very low end, but still fun. There was a learning curve associated with knowing how to not make inky messes, as I recall.

As always. I enjoyed this episode. But I must tell you, when I looked up these pens, I incurred severe sticker shock. Wow! Each episode though is an absolute delight.

I agree the classic Visconti Homosapiens is the most beautiful, but I can see why you’re using the Pineider more. It sounds like a sleeper pen - looks simple but very cleverly designed. ❤️ doggos x

Love the channel! A Visconti Homo Sapiens is on my to buy list but I'm curious what you think about the nib size. I have a medium nib MB 149 and it's quite wet. Is the Visconti medium nib comparably to the MB in the terms of ink output, and if so, would you recommend a fine nib for the Visconti?

Test m200 with italic grinding nib and you are also happy

Which is better - Visconti or Pineider? There is one common factor between the two - Dante Del Veccio. I met Dante when he was at Visconti. He is a wonderful person. In a word, he is passionate. During his tenure, Visconti made innovative and imaginative models that were wonderful writers and glorious in appearance. I have many pens from the Del Veccio era. When he joined forces with Pineider, I followed him. His pens with Pineider continues the innovation and technology. I met him again when he was introducing his Forged Carbon model and I bought one. Lately I have gotten the Twin Tank Touchdown with the hyper flex Quill nib. It is a glorious writer. It is also interesting that no glue is used in the assembly of these pens. I have not bought any Visconti pens since he left. I think all they are doing is rehashing designs that Dante developed. I will support Dante and Pineider..

Nice video with the fountain pens who started it all . I was a Pelikan and PILOT fountain pen aficionado until ... I discovered your video's during the Covid pandemic. Your VISCONTI video's made me buy my first Visconti a Homosapiens Bronze Age with an 18K Broad nib (writes more like an european medium) but it is one of my favourite pens. Later came some other Visconti's : Homosapiens Steel Age the smaller version with an 23K Pd950 Medium nib, also a very nice pen (was an old stock pen at discount and I couldn't resist) , very wet writer with a small ink capacity but a nice little fountain pen with a very good nib. And a Rembrandt-s with a Broad SS Schmidt nib. Then I acquired my first Pineider after reading an interview with Dante del Vecchio about his switch to Pineider : a Pineider La Grande Bellezza Gemstone with a 14K Quill nib, a beautiful classic shaped pen, a wet and broad writer. And the second Pineider I own is an Avatar Twin Tank Touchdown , the clear version (has a stainless steel section and piston knob) with a medium SS Bock nib, a beautufil technical pen, the medium nib writes more like a european fine so a bit small for me. I like both Pineiders , specially their looks and craftmanship but but my favourite is the Visconti Homosapiens Bronze Age teh granddad of them all. I wish you all the best and look forward to more videos about fountain pens.

Both make good travelling inkwells. ❤ I also have HS from over 10 years ago. One of my fave pens. Wish I could afford a different size nib - they're almost as much as the entire pen. 😂

Love Dominant Industry Ink! Thx for the review!! Hope you are doing well.

I thought the USB & charger cable came with the typewriter

"Thanks" tomy severe case of lackabucks, I have to stick with my Zebra M701 pencil. Tho to be honest, I use fountain pens much more often. I MIGHT have use that pencil once in the five years I've had it, and the matching F701 ballpoint around 12 times when graphing my notebook to keep a log of days and times I get one of my meds.

Agree that the inexpensive Black perfect pencil will not take a Tombow nor will it take Koi-I-Noor and of course Blackwings. However it will accept Derwent, Chambers, Mitsubishi, Caran d'ache, Helix Oxford, Berol Mirado, Lyreco, Steadtler and even my old Chapman Stylerite pencils.

Thanks for this. Government policies certainly change from country to country, but all will have aspects that make no sense. And saddened that you can't get your testing supplies from the government. A healthy population is the best way to avoid huge costs to the general population. I have only ever tested myself first thing in the morning, on advice of my doctors. It has worked for me thus far. Stay well!

Thank you, Michael. It is surprising what can trigger a blood sugar spike. I remember Dr Gundry (heart surgeon) here on CZcams said how he and his patients swapped out usual desserts for plain popcorn, as a healthy alternative. But he was curious about the effects on blood sugar, so he measured his own blood sugar and was staggered by the impact. Suffice to say, he gave up the popcorn. You also make an excellent point about food and emotion: encouraging our family members to have "one more" slice of cake, to pile food on the plate. In the past, this was simply a sign of love and of ensuring that people were well-fed: but we're generally less active now and modern foods are scientifically designed to contain a dangerous ratio of sugar and fats that are highly addictive. I used to think blaming the food companies was wrong, and that we should blame people's willpower. Today, I realise how many millions are invested in making these foods addictive. As one example, the other day I made a healthy sandwich using tomatoes, salad and some real, non-processed chicken breast from a packet: it was only afterwards I realised, in reading the back of the packet, that this "real" chicken breast had been pumped full of sugars! For preservation or for sweetness, I don't know. These are the hidden dangers of even "real" food: the food industry needs to be held to some account for this. Of course, many also blame the 1980s "low fat" trend, where sugar replaced fats, leading to today's obesity epidemic. People even now don't seem to realise how sugars (carbs) turn to fat unless you burn them off. I get so angry when I see yoghurts emblazoned with a "Low Fat" label but containing 5 teaspoons of sugar!

This is important. Thank you for these great updates, @writerlywitterings