Your 3rd Quarter Life Report Card

Today is your last day of your third quarter for 2016.  What kind of season are you having?  I like to break my life down into quarters to help me stay focused on the big picture.  It's all about the adjustments.  Take a few moments today to review the last three months.  Think about what's working well and what areas of your life need attention.  Whatever you do, please don't write this year off by squandering the final quarter of the year.  If you were playing on a football team, the fourth quarter is where most of the action happens.

Consider the next three months as your opportunity to make this entire year your best ever.  Use your third quarter life report card as feedback to help you improve your stats.  Make a separate plan for October, November and December and write down everything you wish to accomplish during each month.  If this seems a bit overwhelming for you because your 3rd quarter was such a disaster, try this idea:

4th Quarter Emergency Plan to Turn Your Life Around in One Step

When you wake up every morning for the next 90 days, think about the three most important tasks you wish to accomplish for the day.  Don't let anything or anyone get in your way.  Finish those tasks.  Do not go to bed until those three tasks are complete.  Repeat daily without fail.  Your year will end well and you will set yourself to win again in 2017.  Have a great life.

Why You Should Embrace New Opportunities

The best gold nuggets for an amazing life are often hidden from plain view.  Who really feels like going on a treasure hunt in times of trouble or despair?  It's human nature to seek shelter when the weather forecast calls for adversity.  The problem with retreating in stormy conditions is that you find yourself stuck in a rut.  You miss the opportunity now exposed by the flood waters.  All life is an adventure and your destiny is waiting for you just beyond your comfort zone.  Be bold.  Search for the silver lining in every dark cloud.  Prepare yourself for the rainbow.  Every great opportunity ahead is your chance to change your life as long as you're willing to weather the storms.  Are you ready?  Have a great day.

3 Stress Busters for a Better Life

Relax.  Today's story is for you.  I'm offering three ideas to help you calm down.  I know what it feels like to have too much on your plate.  Here you go:


1.  Connect with Nature.  Try it.  Even if you can only spare five or ten minutes, just go outside and bask in the sun.  Park your car away from your office and walk.  It makes a difference.

2.  Manage Your Time.  Say no to all the tasks that are getting in your way and slowing you down.  Be firm.  Make a list of your top three important jobs you need to complete and block everything else out until you are done.  Watch your stress levels return to normal.

3.  Let Go.  You are not in control of your life.  The sooner you realize this the easier it will be to accept all the things you cannot change including other people in your life.  Just let go.  Live in the moment.  Enjoy the ups and downs.  They are a natural part of life.  Savor every opportunity you have for a great day. 

Feel free to add your own ideas to this list in the comment section below.  Have a great day.

Risk Factors to Consider When You Make Dietary Changes

My cousin saved my life.  My plan to repay him is to pay it forward to anyone considering making positive food changes in their diet.  He's one of the few doctors I know who believes there are other alternatives besides prescription medicine for food related illnesses.  He suspected something I was eating was causing inflammation when I told him my blood pressure readings were off the charts.  He warned me about the consequences of visiting urgent care – a lifetime of prescription medicine that might only mask the real problem.  72 hours later my blood pressure was in the normal range.  I'm one of the lucky ones. 

If you're considering dietary changes to improve your health, please do not consider this blog as a substitute for your doctor.  You will need your doctor to be your partner and to watch over you as you experiment with new foods.  Even healthy food choices may put you at risk if you're taking prescription medicine because your body may no longer need the same doses.  Be proactive.  Ask for lipid panel tests so you can see for yourself what's happening inside your body as you make dietary changes.  If you want to try the food experiment first introduced to me by my cousin, consult your physician first and discuss any risk factors you may face.  Have a great day.

Why I'm Betting on the Lab Rats

I took a risk when I asked Paige to be a part of my next book due out on 5/1/17.  She was desperate for a solution and the medicine she was taking wasn't doing anything to help her with her situation.  In fact, she was getting worse.  Her doctor didn't believe food was the problem and to prove the point he asked her to increase her intake of processed foods.  The idea was to use an endoscope to probe her small intestines for signs of trouble.  After enduring months of agony and weight gain, Paige cancelled the test.  "My doctor said the odds of food-related trouble are 97% against me so I'm not going to waste my time.  I'd rather go on your experiment for 45 days and see if my health improves."

I promised Paige a chapter in my next book before she began the 45 day experiment.  "It's all about food elimination," I explained to her.  The lab rats are asked to give up all processed foods and anything with a label on the package.  Dairy is off the table.  No wheat.  No meat or seafood.  No alcohol except for up to two glasses of wine per day.  The only foods allowed during the experiment period are fruits, veggies, nuts, beans and seeds.  Once the 45 days are up, other foods can be introduced one at a time in small amounts to see how the body responds.  This is how I found the source of my food related troubles.  I was the first lab rat.  Others have tried the experiment but most give up because 45 days is like a lifetime when you're surrounded by family members who can't live without their favorite fast foods.

Paige checked in yesterday eight pounds lighter since joining the food experiment on Labor Day.  "I have not had this kind of energy in years!" she wrote on the Facebook page set up for friends and family members.  That's why I'm betting on the lab rats.  They are living proof there is a solution for many of our modern day ailments caused by eating man-made foods.  Stay tuned for the rest of the story.  Have a great day.

Sustainability – The Most Important Step in Your Weight Loss Journey

Is permanent weight loss achievable?  Most people I know don't believe so.  They're hesitant to try diets because they fear any weight they lose will eventually return.  Or worse, the scales goes even higher.  I'm one of the few who goes against the grain.  I refuse to give up even when all the odds appear stacked against me.  I believe with all my heart sustainability is possible and I'm attempting to prove it with my own life.  The skeptics are watching my every move.  They know it's been a year since I lost 33 pounds and they're waiting for what they believe is inevitable – a return of the "before" picture.

I started this journey as a food dummy.  I was in the obese category.  My blood pressure and cholesterol levels were both in the danger zone.  That's when my cousin stepped in at the peak of my crisis and offered me a 45 day food experiment.  He believed I was suffering from inflammation and his idea was to eliminate all foods except fruits, veggies, nuts, beans and seeds.  After 45 days I was allowed to add small amounts of fish, chicken, eggs and red meat while keeping an eye on the scale.  The experiment worked.  The foods still off the table are processed foods,  dairy and products containing gluten.

I'm not sure how many years it will take to silence my critics about the sustainability argument but I'm willing to stick to my cousin's food experiment for the remainder of my life and I plan to add more lab rats to tip the scales in my favor.  Take the first step in your weight loss journey today and make sure sustainability is your final step.  You can do this.  Have a great day.

Which Script Are You Following?

Like it or not, your life is like the movies.  What do others see when they watch you on the big screen?  Can they follow the plot?  How do you feel about the part you play?  The answers to these questions are dependent on your relationship with the writers and directors. 

There was a time in my life when I turned down certain roles because I didn't care for the script.  I find it ironic how the parts I declined were actually specifically written for me long before I was born.  My own stubbornness blinded me and I tried unsuccessfully to live my life without following any scripts.  Peligroso! Muy peligroso!  It's a good thing I found the right agent to represent me.  The truth is I didn't find my agent, he found me.  He convinced me to change my ways.  He asked me to trust the writers.  That's when I found my purpose. 

If you're feeling lost or if you're having trouble finding the right script for your life, give my agent a try.  He's been negotiating contracts since the beginning of time and inspired the world's best seller.  He prefers working as a ghost writer and is never seen in public but I can assure you he's the best agent you can have, especially because of his intimate relationship with the Executive Director.  Ask the Holy Spirit to find the perfect script for your life and follow it.  Study your lines and live them every day.  You are perfect for the part.  Have a great day.

Do You Have Success Issues?

Success means there are changes on the horizon.  For some, it may feel like a bad storm approaching.  Who really wants to change, even if it's for the better?  I know the pain required to achieve a successful outcome and I also the know the peer pressure.  The other side of the coin is regret.  Regret is what happens when you let success issues seep into your daily life and you give up on your dreams.  Ask yourself one question, what am I born to do?  Once you answer that question, forget about what everyone else says or does to try to stop you.  Choose to be the best version of yourself you can be.  Success is your reward for dealing with all the obstacles, including any negative feelings or fears you may have.  Go for it.  Have a great day.

Virtual Envelope Method for Debt Reduction

We started small with a coffee can for our loose change.  The outside of the can is labeled "vacation."  Then we added envelopes for entertainment and emergencies.  These envelopes helped us to wean ourselves from our credit cards.  Now we're adding a new twist with a paperless method to acquire our next vehicles.  The idea is to make the car payments to ourselves in advance in a separate checking account designated for our replacement vehicles.  We are not allowed to access the account for any other purposes.

I really like the envelope method because it works.  The virtual envelope uses the same simple idea – keep the funds out of site so they are not readily accessible.  The envelope marked "emergency fund" is our first defense against tapping into the virtual envelope.  The second defense is a good mechanic.  Our man, Adam, understands our desire to keep our jalopies on the road long enough to avoid car loans.  He feels confident he can do the job, even though our combined odometer readings are now over 400,000 miles.  Give the virtual envelope method a try for your next vehicle or home improvement project and make sure to keep your creditors out of the picture.  Have a great day.

The Lab Rats are Multiplying

News is spreading quickly about the Caveman Food Experiment, a 45 day trial program for individuals seeking a solution for possible food related ailments.  I have Paige to thank for that.  She checked in yesterday seven pounds lighter since beginning on Labor Day.  Her energy levels are increasing and her friends all want to know her secret.

I'm super excited to share more in future posts.  Stay tuned.  Have a great day.

How to Curb Your Debt Appetite

 Debt is like seasoning you use in the kitchen to add flavor to your meals.  I believe credit card companies dole out enticing 0% APR offers to get us to add more spices to our wallet.  Left unchecked, these temptations turn into powerful addictions similar to heroin.  The "high" we get from buying stuff we really don't need with money we don't have turns into a devastating crash when the bills come in.

Hello.  My name is Michael.  I'm recovering from poor choices I made regarding excessive credit card use.  The journey is not easy.  I understand how powerful the debt spices are.  It's been about six months since I paid credit card interest and over three years since I paid interest on a car loan but I don't believe I'm out of danger.  Even though I opted out of the marketing offers, credit card companies find a way to fill my mailbox with new products.

The best way I know to curb your debt appetite is to change your taste buds.  Many people may think my cash diet is bland but it leaves no bad aftertaste.  I have a new sense of freedom that reminds me how simple life was when I was delivering newspapers as a young boy and I actually had money in the bank.  Read the menu and study the prices of every item you are about to purchase.  Remember to factor in the cost of interest if you're going to add the spices.  If the money isn't in your wallet today, don't order anything you can't afford.  Cash is the best spice around.  Try it.  Have a great day.

Who is Your Role Model?

Who are your heroes?  Maybe they're famous people you've never met in person who inspire you to try harder or live better.  Or perhaps they're regular people who live in your neighborhood.  Did one of your teachers light a fire inside you that forever changed the direction of your life?  We all need role models to help us reach our full potential.

I'm fortunate to have many mentors in my life.  The greatest of these works in mysterious ways.  I read stories about people who became transformed after their encounters.  How can someone change your life after asking you only one or two questions?  That's powerful.  They magically know exactly what you need.  They lead by example.  They look beyond your weaknesses.  These heroes bring out your best.  They stand by you in your darkest times.  I know I'm never alone because of the hero in my life.  His name is Jesus.  You can read all the stories about Jesus or you can close your eyes and invite Him into your heart.  The experience will bring you peace and you will find your way no matter how lost you may be.  If you're looking for a role model, try following Jesus.  Have a great day.

A Food Approach For Sustained Healthy Living

What's the best way to measure success when in comes to nutrition?  I believe the answer can be found in sustainability.   I feel bad for those who drop pounds quickly on a fad diet that only produces short-term results.  The weight comes back along with a feeling of hopelessness.  It's been one year since I became a lab rat.  I started my first 45 days eating only fruits, veggies, nuts, beans and seeds.  After the initial phase, I began introducing other foods, one at a time, to see how my body would react.  The only foods still off the table for me are processed foods, dairy and food crops that have been genetically modified.  The scales are holding steady and never fluctuate more than five pounds. 

My food approach is simple – stick with foods without labels, refrain from anything our caveman ancestors didn't eat and pay attention to nature.  Do cows drink their mother's milk once they mature?  Nope.  Why do we humans?  The best argument I can present is to ask the skeptics to try the Caveman Food Experiment for themselves for 45 days and see what happens.  If the belly fat disappears, then extend the experiment indefinitely.  Sustainability can be achieved.  I'm sold.  How about you?  Have a great day.

Caveman Food Experiment Gains Traction

Her name is Paige.  She agreed to give the 45 day Caveman Food Experiment a try on Labor Day.  She's documenting her journey and tracking pounds released daily.  "I'm loving my results and am excited to keep seeing my progress," she commented yesterday after weighing in six pounds lighter on day eleven.  She added, "a friend wants to join me."  I believe Paige's odds of permanent long term success increase as more of her friends sign on to the program.

The Caveman Food Experiment isn't easy.  It goes against the grain.  Peer pressure is enormous.  For those like Paige and her friend who are willing to give up processed foods in favor of mostly fruits, veggies, nuts, beans and seeds for 45 days, the health benefits are life-changing.  I promised Paige a chapter in my next book if she can stay with the experiment for the full 45 days.  You will be able to get her full story on May 1, next year.  Have a great day.

Are You Suffering From Poor Food Choices?

Imagine how much healthier you could be if you made better food choices throughout the day.  I believe the first choice you make in the morning sets the tone.  Set your breakfast bar high and choose foods dense in nutrients so your brain can be ready for every decision you make throughout the day.  Proceed with caution and recognize how other non-food related choices may cause trouble in your food chain.  For example, your snooze button may seem appealing until you realize oversleeping forces skipped meals or hasty grabs for junk food as you rush out the door.

Study your behavior patterns.  Don't shop for groceries while your stomach is growling at you.  Plan your lists and stick to them.  Review your food decisions every night before you go to bed and commit to doing better the following day.  Guilt is not a wise option.  It's your brain's permission slip to keep blowing it.  Search for something you did right and build on that.  Set up your food decisions like dominoes so each choice you make affects the next domino.  Once everything falls into place you can end your misery from excessive weight, low energy or other food related diseases.  What will your first choice be today?  Have a great day.

No Buns About It

My dad always experimented with his "world famous" burgers.  He tried bacon.  He added mushrooms.  But he never went topless with the buns.  I find it liberating, especially when it's time to step on the scales.  I also eliminated the tortilla on my burritos for the same reason.  Romaine lettuce is the solution for anyone wanting to drop excess weight.  Give it a try.  Have a great day.

Debt Reduction Tips 101

Today's story is inspired by a stranger I met yesterday.  "I don't spend any money unless it's in the envelope I carry around with me," she said.  I immediately knew she was one of "those people."  She smiled when I told her my wife and I are living like no one else so we can live like no one else.  Debt reduction is simple but also complicated when friends and family try to convince you life without debt is an impossible dream.

I believe debt reduction is similar to weight loss – a little bit at a time and you can achieve your goals.  The key is to know exactly where you are on the scales every day.  Are you going up or down with your debt?  And if you want to go down without fail, you need envelopes.  Yes, envelopes.  When you run out of money in your monthly envelope, you don't get to spend any more until the next scheduled deposit.  The first month is the most difficult because it's culture shock.  Once the first ounces come off (I'm referring to the credit card interest on your monthly statements) you can start living the dream many others before you discovered on their own.

Friends and family keep asking if we're ever going to upgrade our vehicles.  Some argue you need to trade in your car every two years to avoid depreciation.  I don't worry about depreciation.  I know what car payments do to my envelopes, they keep money out of them.  That's why so many Americans are broke.  Why not pay your car off first and then keep depositing the money you were giving your bank into an envelope marked "my dream car"?  I say dream car because once you have enough money to pay cash you can do something many believe is only a dream – purchase a car without car payments.  That's your debt reduction tips 101 for the day.  Go get some envelopes and start using them today.  Remember to step on the scale and measure how much your debt weighs and keep tracking.  Stop spending when the envelope runs out of cash.  Class dismissed.  Have a great day.

Thankful for Family Time

"Don't worry, dad," our oldest son reassured, "I'll find a way to join the family."  It was the day of the big game in Iowa and his boss told him he was needed at work.  Our son traveled through the night after a long shift and arrived in time for one of our most precious moments ever in Kansas City on 9/11.  Our beloved San Diego Chargers were in town and it was the first time ever we were all together to cheer for them.  We were five tiny specs of blue in a sea of red jerseys.  The chants were deafening.  The Chiefs came back in the second half and overcame a huge deficit to tie the game with only a minute to go.  Overtime!  The game ended when the Chiefs won the toss and drove down the field for a touchdown.  It didn't really matter to me.  Those blue dots sitting high in the corner of the end zone were together and that's what really matters.  Family time is priceless.  That's what I will remember about 9/11/16.  Have a great day and hug a loved one today.  May you be blessed with abundant family time.

On the Road Today

I'm on the road home today.  We've been having some quality family time.  I'll be back tomorrow.  Have a great day and don't forget to hug your loved ones.  I'm blessed to have such an amazing family. 

Thank a Soldier Today

9/11 is a good day to thank a soldier.  I'm fortunate to be sitting next to one today who is proud to defend our country.  He reminds me there are good people out there willing to sacrifice everything so we can have a better life.  Have a great day.

Updated Smoothie Recipe for Optimized Nutrition

Today's story is dedicated to Paige.  She's in the first week of her 45 day Caveman Food Experiment and requested my smoothie recipe to help battle her food cravings.  Congratulations, Paige, for losing 3.5 pounds in the first three days.  Way to go!

I share this smoothie with Mrs. Caveman.  The ingredients can be downsized for one person but it's best when shared.   This smoothie is healthy, tastes great and supplies you with a surge of energy that lasts throughout the day.  Make sure you blend it up in a high speed blender for the best results.  I recommend the Vitamix because it's easy to use and the cleanup time is only about one minute.  Here you go:









Mulligan's Big Cup

Ingredients

2 cups of Spinach
1 Celery
1/2 Avocado
2 cups of water
1/2 tsp of Organic Blue Agave
1 Tablespoon of Flaxseed
1 Tablespoon of Chia seeds
1 Banana (Fresh or Frozen)
2 Oranges
1/2 cup of Frozen Pineapple
4 Frozen Strawberries
1/2 cup of Frozen Mixed berries 
1/2 cup of Frozen Blueberries


Preparation

Start with the spinach, celery, avocado and water.  Turn on the blender and gradually turn up the speed.  While the blender is on and after the first ingredients have been mixed, add the blue agave, Flaxseed and Chia seeds.  Turn off the blender and add the banana and oranges.  Turn on and blend.  Turn off and then add your remaining fruits.  It's important to add your frozen fruits last in order to keep your blender from overheating.  You can substitute or rotate other fruits to suit your taste buds.

Clean up

Fill your blender about half way with water.  Add one drop of dish soap.  Gradually turn up the speed on your blender until you reach the highest setting.  Rinse and let dry.


I like to eat a fried egg topped with a sliced mushroom, a slice of onion and 1/2 tomato sauteed in olive oil or coconut oil.  Add a quarter cup of almonds and a quarter cup of walnuts on the side for the perfect compliment to your Mulligan Big Cup.  If you would like to offer Paige some encouragement, click here for the link to the Caveman Miracle Network and I will add you to our group.  You're welcome to try the experiment anytime.  Have a great day.

One in a Million

No need to file a missing person's report.  Today's story was delayed 61 minutes intentionally.  For those of you who like numbers, today is 9/09.  It's a significant number for me because it happens to be the day one of my cousins was born.  If I had permission to share all the good my blood relatives do in this world, I could fill up a library, but I don't so I will refrain.  But I would like to pay tribute to the one in a million born on this day fifty-six years ago.  One of my sons calls him godfather.  His patients call him doctor.  His wife calls him husband.  An army of relatives call him cousin.  I call him the game changer – the person tasked with coming in during the third quarter when everything is on the line and it's a life or death situation.  The game changer instinctively knows what's wrong.

A new generation of lab rats has my cousin to thank for their well being.  Thank you, cousin, for being the game changer in my life and in the lives of so many others.  You are one in a million.  Happy birthday.

Food Ideas For Trimming Your Waistline

You may want to sleep on these food ideas.  Seriously.  Sleep on them eight hours per night.  Proper sleep helps you win the belly fat war.  When you're awake, try these food ideas and watch your waistline shrink:

• Can the pop.  Sugar sweetened beverages contain fructose.  Look at your belly.  That's where the pop goes.  It's like a storage bin for your fructose.
• Cook with coconut oil.  Add a couple of teaspoons of this to boost your metabolism.
• Trade in your buns.  Try romaine lettuce as a wrap for your burgers and you'll be amazed at the results in your waistline.
• Swap your tortillas.  Serve your burritos wrapped in romaine lettuce and hold the tortilla chips on the side.  You can keep your favorite toppings as long as they are natural.

Small lifestyle changes lead to lasting results.  You can do this.  Have a great day.

New Lab Rat Joins Caveman Food Experiment

We have a newcomer to the Caveman Food Experiment.  Paige agreed to eat mainly fruits, veggies, nuts, beans and seeds for 45 days beginning on Labor Day.  The first couple of days were rough.  I promised her I would be there every step of the way.  She asked yesterday, "can I eat almond butter?"  I checked the label.  It's 100% almonds.  She's good.  The challenge is to avoid all processed foods for 45 days to allow the body to return to its natural state.  It's not for everyone.  A loved one told me this would be an impossible task.  I asked, "what if someone told you eating this way could reduce your risk for cancer, heart attack, stroke or diabetes?  Would that motivate you to eat like a caveman?"  This changed the answer.

I'm one year into the experiment.  The good news is that this food program appears to be a long-term solution for my health issues.  I was suffering from inflammation caused by eating foods my body could not tolerate.  Friends and family members have given the experiment a try.  Some suffered from withdrawals and stopped.  Mrs. Caveman told me she's 80% in, meaning she allows some splurges.  She finds that these foods tend to show up on the scale the next day so she keeps her splurges to a minimum.  Both of us have been able to keep the extra pounds off.  That's 33 pounds for me.  You will have to ask Mrs. Caveman for her number since she prefers anonymity on my blog.  Or you can ask Paige to share her results.  She agreed to be featured in my next book.  I'm sharing lessons learned during the experiment and some recipes I created that make the food program easier to digest.  Have a great day.  Thank you, Paige.  I'm happy you're giving this food experiment a try.

Count Your Blessings Today

Here's a simple way to make this day one of your best ever.  All you need to do is count your blessings.  What are you thankful for?  Make a list.  People.  Places.  Opportunities.  Write them all down.  Don't forget the food servers.  Or the people in your life who make your life better.  You may be surprised to see how quickly those blessings add up.  Take nothing for granted.  Say thank you.  Have a great day.

How to Beat Your Food Addictions

What you don't know about processed foods may be killing you silently.  Ask yourself these questions:

• Am I happy with my weight?
• Do I know what happens to my body when I eat processed foods?
• How would my body react if I stopped eating junk food?
• What will happen to my long term health if I keep eating processed foods?

The last question is perhaps the most important.  Most people don't want to know the answer because once they discover the truth about processed foods they understand why so many Americans are fat and sick.  We want what's best for our children yet we unknowingly poison them with artificial ingredients designed to cause food addictions.  Our children aren't really hungry between meals.  They reach for the processed foods because they're suffering from withdrawals the same as drug addicts.  The people at the top of the food chain did this intentionally.  They deliberately added processed foods to your children's meals in order to make more money on repeat business.  Your kids are addicted and they don't even know it.  You are addicted. 

There is only one way to beat your food addictions – say no to high fructose corn syrup and all other fake foods.  It will take 45 days of serious effort to beat your food addictions.  You deserve a better quality of life.  Have a great day.

How To Remove Negativity From Your Life

Got negativity?  If you're not sure, ask your loved ones.  Once you discover negativity is in your workplace, your home, or even inside your own mind and body, the next step is to isolate it and eliminate it.  Negativity takes on many forms.  In my life, negativity reared its ugly head as credit card debt, excess body fat, junk food, deprived sleep, fear, energy-sucking people and a few individuals who didn't believe I could make a difference in the world.  In a way, negativity is like diabetes.  Too much negativity in your life and your mind and body become so overwhelmed that the positive switches in your brain can no longer turn on.  You're on an insulin overload.  You must immediately stop feeding the negativity so you can return to your happy place.

I have a solution for you.  It's called the negativity filter.  The device is invisible to others.  It works on all five of your senses at the same time.  It's part eye glasses and part hearing aides.  It includes a bad odor detector.  Be careful.  Your world may scare the Hell out of you the first time you install the filter.  Regular people in your life may look like monsters.  They are.  You may lose your appetite for some of your favorite foods.  Your credit cards will lose their luster.  Don't panic.  The filter is doing its job.  Keep filtering.  The more negativity you have in your life, the longer it takes to cycle through.

You don't need to search for the negativity filter at a store.  You already own it.  You were born with it.  Years of abuse from the negative people in your life convinced you the negativity filter is pure fiction.  Flip the switch.  It's inside your brain, though it may be underdeveloped from lack of use.  Don't tell anyone what you're doing when you activate your device.  Trust your instincts.  You will hear better, see more clearly, smell and taste more intensely, and feel more alive than ever.  Have a great day.

50 Ways to Leave Your Blubber

Got too much belly fat?  Don't panic.  You're not alone.  160 million Americans are with you.  If you are ready to leave this group like I did one year ago, here are 50 ways to leave your blubber...

1. Give up popcorn at the movies.
2. Skip all fast food pit stops.
3. Give up soda.
4. Skip the Super Size.
5. Lay off the Lays Potato Chips.
6. Stop screaming for ice cream.
7. Hop off the bus and walk.
8. Use the stairs.
9. Park your car a little afar.
10. Toss a salad for lunch and dinner.
11. Cut your meat portions in half.
12. Load up on the greens.
13. Start jogging.
14. Weigh in daily.
15. Make friends with skinny people.
16. Sign up for dance classes.
17. Learn Yoga.
18. Dine in instead of out.
19. Say yes to sweet potatoes.
20. Kiss your chocolate kisses goodbye.
21. Reduce your TV time.
22. Organize your grocery shopping list in advance.
23. Avoid processed foods.
24. Pay attention to the food labels.
25. Keep your refrigerator free of junk food.
26. Create your own salad dressing.
27. Track what you eat.
28. Sleep 8 hours a day.
29. Don't worry about setbacks.
30. Find a teammate.
31. Say no to peer pressure.
32. Believe in yourself.
33. Put your favorite inspirational quotes on your refrigerator.
34. Get a physical.
35. Eat more fruits.
36. Eat more veggies.
37. Eat more nuts.
38. Eat more beans.
39. Eat more seeds.
40. Join a gym.
41. Plan your new wardrobe.
42. Ride a bike.
43. Plant your own garden.
44. Pray about your weight loss.
45. Track your progress.
46. Reward yourself.
47. Every day is a new beginning.
48. Drink lots of water.
49. Make sure your goals are S.M.A.R.T. (specific, measurable, attainable, reasonable, timely).
50. Never ever give up.  Not ever.  You can do this.

I'm cheering for you.  Let me know how you're doing.  Feel free to add your own comments to this list.  Have a great day.

Lab Rat Checks in One Year Later

What a difference a year makes.  That's how long it's been since I accepted my cousin's challenge to become a lab rat and test his food ideas.  The bloated belly you see in the left picture above is now a distant memory.  So is the double chin.  It took 45 days to transform my body from stout to slender.  According to my physician, I was in the obese category and my blood pressure and cholesterol readings were in the danger zone.  My body was having difficulty digesting what most consider a normal American diet.  I discovered how what I was eating was silently killing me.

This last year has been an amazing journey.  The transformation is life-changing.  I'm 33 pounds lighter on average and the weight loss is permanent.  I no longer snore.  My lipid panels are in the normal range.  I have more stamina than the energizer bunny.  My only setback was a groin injury I suffered from a heated tennis match earlier in the year which was surgically repaired on 8/08.  I have about a week to go until I rejoin my teammates on the courts.

There is a new generation of labs rats to help and I'm doing my best to share the food experiment with anyone willing to make positive changes in their lives.  It's not easy.  Processed foods are addicting.  Peer pressure is difficult to overcome.  All I can say is I'm one happy lab rat.  Thanks, cousin, for extending my life span and for giving me an opportunity to have a better quality of life.  Have a great day.

8 Months Remaining Until Due Date

My friends and family know I'm pregnant with my next book.  Some ask, "How far along are you?"  The first month of the writing process has been amazing and I wanted to share what's going on inside my head and heart.  There's one thing that motivates me to get up every morning at the crack of dawn and write – I want to make the world a better place.  It starts in my own home.  I have this nesting instinct inside of me that inspires me to get out of bed and make a difference.

Beware of pregnant people.  They're on a mission.  Instead of asking, "how far along are you?" offer them your encouragement.  Tell them they look great even if they appear frazzled or sleep deprived. Writers and expectant mothers have a lot in common.  Change is coming.  I have a lot to do in the next eight months before delivery.  My head is spinning but my heart is steady.  I'm filled with gratitude because there is so much support for this project.  Thank you for your support.  Have a great day.