Well, yesterday evening my new toy was dropped off at my front door by the UPS man. I had been using a GE blender, that I got as a wedding gift four yearsago, to make my twice/thrice daily green smoothies. In the past week it really started get HOT, too hot to touch even, just when making a kale/spinach/peach/blueberry/banana smoothie. I had been very careful to fully prep the food, use enough liquid, add the ingredients one at a time and keep the vortex going; however, it was still getting extremely hot. My wife gave me the go-ahead to order a new blender and I was torn between the Vitamix/Vita-Prep and the Blendtec. After much deliberation, I opted for the Blendtec even though it was obvious that both companies make a great super-blender. I went online to order the Blendtec Total, but found out that they just changed to the Blendtec Home blender. The only difference I can find is the touch-pad is updated to have 25 presets instead of the previous 9. I paid the same price that everyone was selling for; however, I also recieved an extra 64 oz carafe for "free".
Thursday night is my grocery night so I quickly unpacked the blender to make sure all was present and then ran to the store to pick up my produce. I got home, put up the produce, washed the carafe and prepped for my first green smoothie in my new super-blender. I felt like a kid on Christmas morning! I opted for kale/spinach/mixed field greens/peach/ginger/banana/flax seed and got everything ready to go. I put all the ingredients in, put the top on and chose "XL Smoothie" from the preset menu...it absolutely pulverized that smoothie into submission. It did in 45 seconds what my blender needed nearly 3 minutes to do. I am hoping it is reliable and continues to make beautiful green smoothies for me for some time!
**On a suprise note** My wife emailed me the other day at work and said "I'm going to start getting up with you in the mornings so you can show me how to make green smoothies. I think I will just add a little greens with lots of fruit until I can get used to the idea. I think I really want to start having green smoothies for breakfast and lunch, but I'll probably still have a "normal" dinner. I am just really impressed with the change I've already seen happen in you in such a short time!" WOW!!! My jaw hit the floor. I am so excited! I have pushed NOTHING on her but just tried to live by example. I am so excited!!!!
Friday, August 8, 2008
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Been a while
Hey all, it's been a while since I've been able to post but I just wanted to say that all is well. I've been about 90 - 95% raw the last couple weeks and striving to hit that 100% mark. I feel really well and am learning every day. I started at 245 lbs (I'm about 5'9") and am weighing in at 235 as of yesterday. The weight loss is nice since it was so needed, but the big thing is that I feel really good and am enjoying every minute of this ride! I hope all is well in your universe.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Day 3...halfway down
Today, Thursday, is day 3 of my adventure/transition to "raw-ism" if you will. Day 1 was good, day 2 was looooooooooooooong and day 3 is going smoothly. I did not stay 100% raw yesterday, day 2, as I slipped up and ate some steamed edamame last night after I ate my incredibly delicious salad for dinner. I obviously didn't make my salad near big enough because I was still hungry afterward. I dedicided that I am absolutely not going to beat myself up over a slip up on edamame. That slip up is better for me than most everything I ate previously on a "diet". Green smoothies are QUICKLY becoming my friend as I am having a huge one each morning for breakfast and loving them so far. Coming into this, the idea of eating "salad" everyday was not very appealing; however, I am quickly finding out that "salad" is a VERY broad term and is far from boring. Last night I had a chopped salad consisting of romaine, golden bell pepper, cucumber, tomato, carrots and broccoli with juice from half a lemon. It was very pleasing to the eyes, but it tasted so very good. I suppose it could have been the fact that it had been 8 hours since my previous meal(3 bananas), but it tasted better than any salad ever. I figure that as I progress through this transition, I'll learn to pack more adequately for the workday.
Last night I had a great opportunity to catch up with a very special friend over the phone. We grew up together and have stayed in decent touch over the years. He's living in a different state now with his wife, so it's sometimes hard to keep caught up. We were able to speak for about an hour last night and really catch up. He's been experimenting with veganism and raw veganism for a while now, which means...he's the only person I really know that has any interest in this lifestyle I am learning so much about and transitioning too. It was great to not only catch up, but to have someone to talk to about raw. My wife knows what I'm doing, but she doesn't really care to talk about it much...which is fine and I won't push the subject; however, there is so much going on in my mind right now and so much I want to talk about. It was sure a relief to be able to share my excitement with someone that shares the interest.
I know that I know nothing when it comes to living this lifestlye, but I'm just keeping it simple and enjoying it. With every headache(I used to never get headaches) and muscle ache I simply look at it that my body is cleansing itself of the junk I've allowed to build up my entire 27 years on earth. I will enjoy this transition: the good and the "bad".
Last night I had a great opportunity to catch up with a very special friend over the phone. We grew up together and have stayed in decent touch over the years. He's living in a different state now with his wife, so it's sometimes hard to keep caught up. We were able to speak for about an hour last night and really catch up. He's been experimenting with veganism and raw veganism for a while now, which means...he's the only person I really know that has any interest in this lifestyle I am learning so much about and transitioning too. It was great to not only catch up, but to have someone to talk to about raw. My wife knows what I'm doing, but she doesn't really care to talk about it much...which is fine and I won't push the subject; however, there is so much going on in my mind right now and so much I want to talk about. It was sure a relief to be able to share my excitement with someone that shares the interest.
I know that I know nothing when it comes to living this lifestlye, but I'm just keeping it simple and enjoying it. With every headache(I used to never get headaches) and muscle ache I simply look at it that my body is cleansing itself of the junk I've allowed to build up my entire 27 years on earth. I will enjoy this transition: the good and the "bad".
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Day one @ 100% raw
Well, today was my first day at 100% raw! I don't know that I started the day planning to be 100%, but it just kind worked out. I went to the store this evening and bought a cart load of fruit and veggies: bananas, peaches, strawberries, raspberries, plums, grapes, lemons, watermelon, mango, apples, tomato, avocado, cucumbers, sugar snap peas, yellow bell pepper, celery and romaine. I'm not sure how long that will last me, but I'm excited! One day is not alot, but it's a start and I wanted to share!
Friday, July 11, 2008
Overflow of Emotion
I think this blog is purposed just to allow me a chance to vent and express concern. I am dealing with a situation right as we speak and just need to unload:
I work with a wonderful woman, whom we can refer to as K, and she has become a close friend over the past 3 years. K is dealing with some serious health issues right now and has been for the better part of a year. First off, she is diabetic, and has issues caused by this. Second, she has been dealing with SEVERE G.I. issues and has had about every test imaginable run on her poor body over the past 4 months...and imagine this...they can't figure out what's wrong. K introduced me to a book called The Ph Miracle a couple months ago and it is what ultimately led me to curiousity regarding raw foods. K hadn't eaten meat in a year or so and had subsided on fruits, veggies, nuts, seeds, tofu, meat substitutes, etc...As K became sick, those around her began telling her that she was sick because she "stopped eating meat"!!! They convinced her that "her body needs to heal" and that "meat is a healer", so she finally started eating meat again...what do you know, she is getting worse! Although I am just beginning with this process, I am very aware that arguing my lifestyle does NOTHING positive, so I just sat back and listened. They told K that "the amino acids in meat couldn't be found anywhere else, so meat is the ultimate healer because you need these aminos from the meat". She is so scared and so sick and trusts these friends. I am so scared for her, but am afraid that she is going about things the wrong way, driven mainly by fear (as I'm sure would be the case for most of us in her situation, with the same knowledge and understanding level as she has about how to "properly" eat).
I just had this conversation with the friend and did very well at not showing my frustration at her direction-giving, but I just had to vent. Does anyone have any thoughts?
I work with a wonderful woman, whom we can refer to as K, and she has become a close friend over the past 3 years. K is dealing with some serious health issues right now and has been for the better part of a year. First off, she is diabetic, and has issues caused by this. Second, she has been dealing with SEVERE G.I. issues and has had about every test imaginable run on her poor body over the past 4 months...and imagine this...they can't figure out what's wrong. K introduced me to a book called The Ph Miracle a couple months ago and it is what ultimately led me to curiousity regarding raw foods. K hadn't eaten meat in a year or so and had subsided on fruits, veggies, nuts, seeds, tofu, meat substitutes, etc...As K became sick, those around her began telling her that she was sick because she "stopped eating meat"!!! They convinced her that "her body needs to heal" and that "meat is a healer", so she finally started eating meat again...what do you know, she is getting worse! Although I am just beginning with this process, I am very aware that arguing my lifestyle does NOTHING positive, so I just sat back and listened. They told K that "the amino acids in meat couldn't be found anywhere else, so meat is the ultimate healer because you need these aminos from the meat". She is so scared and so sick and trusts these friends. I am so scared for her, but am afraid that she is going about things the wrong way, driven mainly by fear (as I'm sure would be the case for most of us in her situation, with the same knowledge and understanding level as she has about how to "properly" eat).
I just had this conversation with the friend and did very well at not showing my frustration at her direction-giving, but I just had to vent. Does anyone have any thoughts?
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Well...improvement, I suppose...
I guess I shouldn't expect to change over night, but yesterday was a bit of a disappointment regardless. I keep reminding myself that this is going to be a long, difficult process but that it will be so worth the effort to get to where I want to be: feeding my body what it was designed to be fed. The old Bill Murray movie, "What About Bob?", comes to mind. Baby steps will most definitely be necessary at times, so I have to be ok with that.
Yesterday for breakfast, I ate nothing at all. This wasn't necessarily by choice, but more necessity. I have been so busy finishing up my degree that I haven't made it to the store lately, so breakfast was either a bagel or nothing...I did toss back a liter of water. By lunchtime, I was ravenous! I'm a big boy, 5'9 and 245 lbs, so I do love my food. For lunch, I ran to the market and picked up some produce: two tomatoes, a cucumber, a small avocado and a mango. I came back to work and noshed on the above mentioned produce and it was incredibly yummy. I'm sure this wouldn't classify as a great lunch, but it worked with the resources available. Dinner was the disappointment of the day: I had two pieces of cheese pizza with jalepeno peppers :( Both raw foods and veganism are both way new to me. I guess you would say I have been practicing pollotarianism since February of this year, so I've eaten some poultry in that time, but not other meat. I've really not eaten dairy during that time, save maybe an instance or two(including last night). I was upset with myself after dinner, but know that it's all a process and I'm not perfect.
Today started of a bit better with a smoothie made of ice and some frozen mixed berries (that is ALL I had available). We'll see what lunch brings and then I'll be in class during dinner. Today, on a brighter note, is my fourth wedding anniversary!!! I will be taking my wife out for dinner, but just not tonight because of class. I'm hoping to be able to find a nice compromise in the avenue of eating establishments. Next week is making me very nervous. My family is driving to New Mexico for a week of relaxation and vacation. I am very nervous about my diet during that time as we will be in the middle of nowhere with limited resources for a whole week!! Hopefully I can make it through and be ok!
Baby-steps, right?
Yesterday for breakfast, I ate nothing at all. This wasn't necessarily by choice, but more necessity. I have been so busy finishing up my degree that I haven't made it to the store lately, so breakfast was either a bagel or nothing...I did toss back a liter of water. By lunchtime, I was ravenous! I'm a big boy, 5'9 and 245 lbs, so I do love my food. For lunch, I ran to the market and picked up some produce: two tomatoes, a cucumber, a small avocado and a mango. I came back to work and noshed on the above mentioned produce and it was incredibly yummy. I'm sure this wouldn't classify as a great lunch, but it worked with the resources available. Dinner was the disappointment of the day: I had two pieces of cheese pizza with jalepeno peppers :( Both raw foods and veganism are both way new to me. I guess you would say I have been practicing pollotarianism since February of this year, so I've eaten some poultry in that time, but not other meat. I've really not eaten dairy during that time, save maybe an instance or two(including last night). I was upset with myself after dinner, but know that it's all a process and I'm not perfect.
Today started of a bit better with a smoothie made of ice and some frozen mixed berries (that is ALL I had available). We'll see what lunch brings and then I'll be in class during dinner. Today, on a brighter note, is my fourth wedding anniversary!!! I will be taking my wife out for dinner, but just not tonight because of class. I'm hoping to be able to find a nice compromise in the avenue of eating establishments. Next week is making me very nervous. My family is driving to New Mexico for a week of relaxation and vacation. I am very nervous about my diet during that time as we will be in the middle of nowhere with limited resources for a whole week!! Hopefully I can make it through and be ok!
Baby-steps, right?
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
1st post!!!
Ok, well, how bout we start with a little background so we can get to know each other a little bit better:
I am a 27 yr old guy from America's heartland, Oklahoma. I am married to an incredible woman whom I love with all my being. I have a 15 month old son who I believe is the most beautiful, amazing child alive...I MIGHT be a little biased though :) I grew up in rural western Oklahoma, where cattle and hog farming are the career choice of many. I, like everyone else I knew, grew up eating meat at EVERY...SINGLE...MEAL. I knew no different and was happy in my ignorance. List most people, my thoughts and views of my world have evolved as I've grown older and "wiser". I simply wish my growth in knowledge could keep up with the growth in my disgust for my lifestyle.
In February of this year, I came to a place where I knew that some changes needed to be made. I cut red meat and pork from my diet completely to begin with. This was a start, but I knew that simply cutting those two things wouldn't do me much good if done alone. The reaction of those around me when they found out what I had cut from my diet...well...you would've thought that I had shot someone's dog!! I really thought that people would at least understand the health benefits even if they didn't quite understand the humanity of it...boy was I wrong! Well, last weekend I gave in and ate beef while we were visiting family for the holiday. I thought, just out of ease, I could eat what everyone else was eating and be ok...again...I was WRONG!! I did not feel well at all. I was more affected, both physically and psychologically, than I would have ever imagined. After returning home, I knew that there was no room in my life for beef or pork, but thought maybe a little poultry would still be ok...what could it hurt, right!? Last night became the final proverbial straw. I got home late from work and my wife picked up dinner from one of her favorite fastfood places: Taco Bell. I ate a couple chicken chalupas and didn't give it much thought. I woke up this morning about 2:00 a.m. and thought I was dying! My stomach was cramping as badly as I can remember it ever cramping. I was SICK!
I had spent a great deal of time yesterday reading on my favorite raw foods forum (www.rawfoodsupport.com) and really wanting to transition to raw foods. I figured I would put it off just a while longer, but last night gave me a good nudge to get going. I know nothing about cleanse to start with, being healthy in my transition or really anything else. I just know that it is way past time to do this and I owe it to my poor body. My wife is a VERY picky eater and expresses zero interest in joining me on this journy and I am ok with that. I understand this is not something to push anyone to and just hope that as I become healthier, she will become more interested in joining me. As important as my health is in this decision, it is equally important to me that my meals no longer require animals being slaughtered or dying. I hope that my heightened understanding and conciousness are only the beginning of tremendous growth.
Again, I know nothing and will most likely say some very dumb things, but I'll be completely transparent and honest through all of this. I have nobody to support me through this or to hold me accountable so this blog will have to suffice. Comments, criticism, encouragement and the like are always appreciated and welcomed!
Thanks so much for allowing me to introduce...well...me!
I am a 27 yr old guy from America's heartland, Oklahoma. I am married to an incredible woman whom I love with all my being. I have a 15 month old son who I believe is the most beautiful, amazing child alive...I MIGHT be a little biased though :) I grew up in rural western Oklahoma, where cattle and hog farming are the career choice of many. I, like everyone else I knew, grew up eating meat at EVERY...SINGLE...MEAL. I knew no different and was happy in my ignorance. List most people, my thoughts and views of my world have evolved as I've grown older and "wiser". I simply wish my growth in knowledge could keep up with the growth in my disgust for my lifestyle.
In February of this year, I came to a place where I knew that some changes needed to be made. I cut red meat and pork from my diet completely to begin with. This was a start, but I knew that simply cutting those two things wouldn't do me much good if done alone. The reaction of those around me when they found out what I had cut from my diet...well...you would've thought that I had shot someone's dog!! I really thought that people would at least understand the health benefits even if they didn't quite understand the humanity of it...boy was I wrong! Well, last weekend I gave in and ate beef while we were visiting family for the holiday. I thought, just out of ease, I could eat what everyone else was eating and be ok...again...I was WRONG!! I did not feel well at all. I was more affected, both physically and psychologically, than I would have ever imagined. After returning home, I knew that there was no room in my life for beef or pork, but thought maybe a little poultry would still be ok...what could it hurt, right!? Last night became the final proverbial straw. I got home late from work and my wife picked up dinner from one of her favorite fastfood places: Taco Bell. I ate a couple chicken chalupas and didn't give it much thought. I woke up this morning about 2:00 a.m. and thought I was dying! My stomach was cramping as badly as I can remember it ever cramping. I was SICK!
I had spent a great deal of time yesterday reading on my favorite raw foods forum (www.rawfoodsupport.com) and really wanting to transition to raw foods. I figured I would put it off just a while longer, but last night gave me a good nudge to get going. I know nothing about cleanse to start with, being healthy in my transition or really anything else. I just know that it is way past time to do this and I owe it to my poor body. My wife is a VERY picky eater and expresses zero interest in joining me on this journy and I am ok with that. I understand this is not something to push anyone to and just hope that as I become healthier, she will become more interested in joining me. As important as my health is in this decision, it is equally important to me that my meals no longer require animals being slaughtered or dying. I hope that my heightened understanding and conciousness are only the beginning of tremendous growth.
Again, I know nothing and will most likely say some very dumb things, but I'll be completely transparent and honest through all of this. I have nobody to support me through this or to hold me accountable so this blog will have to suffice. Comments, criticism, encouragement and the like are always appreciated and welcomed!
Thanks so much for allowing me to introduce...well...me!
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