A Sneak Peak at the Caveman Miracle Network

Faith is believing you can move mountains when you don't even have a shovel.  The answer to my prayers is found in my network of family, extended family and friends.  Time and time again, they show up with shovels, snow plows, encouraging words and anything else I need to do what I'm called to do.

I'm thirty days away from launching my third book.  Publishing the first one was a miracle since I did it without any formal training or writing skills.  I remember sending up smoke signals to Heaven one day when I felt I was in way over my head.  That's when the angels showed up disguised as neighbors, my son's wrestling coach, a community board member, and others who met weekly in our Christian Writers Critique Group to nudge me over the finish line with "God's Black Sheep Squadron."  The first network, Angels in the Outfield, prayed for me and sent me their favorite quotes to be included in my memoir.  These first supporters are now honorary members of the Caveman Miracle Network. 

The common thread in all my writing is the network.  Beginning tomorrow, I'm going to highlight some of these special people every day during the final thirty days leading up to launch on May 1.  These thirty people are only the tip of the iceberg.  Others ask for anonymity and I will keep their names private.  I would also like to acknowledge the Holy Spirit.  He inspires every word, every action and every person in the Caveman Miracle Network.  The right people always show up at the right time.  I thank God for them.  Have a great day.

Our Common Bond in the Messiah

God keeps his promises.  Every.  Single.  One.  Sometimes, we get a response immediately.  Other times, the promises are fulfilled thousands of years later.  One unique group knows this better than any other.  Outsiders believe this group was blind-sided and that the biggest promise of all times was never acknowledged.  The truth is right in front of us in Scripture.  Here's one of my favorites from Isaiah 35:5, "Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped."

Today's blog is an opportunity to share my perspective from one who spent so many years living in darkness.  The source of my blindness is the same source who obstructs and opposes.  I'm calling out this source today in the name of Jesus because he is up to his tricks and he's trying to snuff the light out of my latest project as it comes to a conclusion on May 1.  He calls for division and exclusion.  Jesus calls everyone.  The Evil One knows we all share a common bond in the Messiah.  He has seen Jesus with his own eyes.  He knows the end game.  God wins.  Jesus is the game changer everyone is waiting for.

Leonard Nimoy, the actor who played Spock in the Star Trek series, created a greeting sign for his character based on childhood memories of the way kohanim (Jewish priests) hold their hands when giving blessings.  Nimoy translated this blessing from Numbers 6:24-26 and described it in a public lecture:

May the Lord bless and keep you and may the Lord cause his countenance to shine upon you.  May the Lord be gracious unto you and grant you peace.  The accompanying spoken blessing, "Live long and prosper."

Nimoy passed away on February 27, 2015.  His prayer lives on.  So does his greeting sign.  Look for it on May 1.  Have a great day.

33 Days Until Launch

May 1 is almost here.  Make sure you check out my April posts as the clock counts down to zero.  I'm featuring one special friend per day on this blog.  These people are my heroes.  Meanwhile, I'm focusing on my pre-launch checklist.  There is so much to do.  Thanks for being patient with me.  Have a great day and I'll see you soon.

Not of This World

They are not of this world even as I am not from it ~ John 17:16

I've been spending a great deal of time trying to figure out why my cousin's food experiment worked so well for me and my friends.  Maybe the best way to look at it is to retrace our ancestry all the way back to our days in the Garden of Eden.  Everything was pure.  The soil was rich and fertile.  God's instructions were simple, "have anything you want, but please stay away from one certain food."  Then, we messed up and ate what was forbidden.  No more garden.  No more Heaven on earth.  Our waters are polluted.  Our soil is depleted of nutrients.  Our foods are man-made and our bodies have no clue what to do with all the processed foods we're consuming.

I'm sticking with the foods that are not of this world.  For me, the "apple tree" represents man-made foods pumped up with antibiotics, growth hormones, artificial ingredients and genetically engineered products that our bodies can't digest properly.  The food industry may tempt me and say, "go ahead, give it a try, it's safe."  Sorry, I'm choosing not to go along with this crazy scheme.  As for me and my caveman friends, we are not of this world.  Have a great day.

What is the Caveman Miracle Network?

There's a story behind that scruffy looking man staring at you in the photo above.  He first appeared to me in the middle of the night years ago while I was living in a small town outside San Diego.  Haunting may be a better word.  Or Stalking.  I couldn't get him out of my head so I did what writers do, I made him a character in my novel and asked a graphic artist from my wife's hometown to design a front cover for "The Caveman in the Mirror." 

I'm repurposing the front cover art from my first novel for the Caveman Miracle Network, a network of friends and family who support my efforts to help the sick kids at Children's Hospital in Iowa City.  Anyone can join the network and there's no cost.  Email me and request that your name be added to the network and you're in.  By the way, if you were an "Angel in the Outfield" who supported me in my first book, "God's Black Sheep Squadron," you're already an honorary member of the Caveman Miracle Network. 

Beginning April 1, I'm adding one honorary member a day from my network of friends and family members to the Caveman Miracle Network.  You will find their stories here on this blog during the month of April.  Jesus said, "where two or three are gathered in my name, there I am with them," ~Matthew 18:20.  And in Revelations 21:5, "And he who was sitting on the throne said, 'Behold, I am making all things new!'  Then he said, 'Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.'"  Yes, my friends, Jesus is responsible for every miracle in my life and I'm happy to follow his instructions and write everything down so others may come to know him and believe in him.  Have a great day and remember to come back on May 1 for my next book, published by the Caveman Miracle Network.  Have a great day.

On the Bench Today

My day job needs me today.  Unfortunately, I have to miss a big match on my men's 55+ tennis team.  We're currently undefeated and today our team is facing a strong opponent.  I'm sending cheers from the bench for a successful outcome.  Go, team, go.  After today I should be clear for the rest of the season.  Good luck!  Have a great day.

I'm Cheering for My Teammates Today

The hardest part about working at my day job is dealing with time conflicts.  I'm juggling between three tennis teams, a weekly tennis league and a third book, due for release on May 1.  My Men's 18+ team is playing today and I need to help out at my day job.  There's a Men's 55+ match tomorrow and I won't be able to play in that one either.  The good news is that all three teams are winning and I'm clear for the rest of the season after this weekend.  I'm wishing my team-mates well.  See you on the courts soon.  Good luck!  Have a great day.

How Many Chapters to Change a Life?

I don't know the answer.  Maybe that's why I write every day.  I don't want to come up short and miss an important opportunity to help change someone's life.  I don't think I'll ever stop writing.  Take a look at my archives located on the right margin.  Maybe there's something in there that can help you with a challenge you're facing.  If all goes well, I'll have a book out on May 1.  Come back and see what it's all about.  Meanwhile, I'm changing up my blog for the final 30 days leading up to my book delivery date.  Starting April 1st, I'm posting a blog a day about significant people in my life who influenced me.  Some will be deliberately left out for privacy reasons.  I would not be the person I am today without these amazing people in my life.  Have a great day.

38 Days to Delivery Date

No ultrasound yet.  My graphic artist is busy with her son.  I'm also awaiting more information from the other lab rats.  I also have lots to do to meet my May 1 deadline.  The pressure's on.  I won't be spending much time on this blog until the book is delivered.  The target date is May 1.  Keep me in your prayers.  Have a great day.

Danger, Will Robinson

Remember that robot from Lost in Space who was always warning Will Robinson about impending danger?  Will Robinson rarely listened to him and that's when the robot would fling his arms out in surrender like you see pictured above.  I don't need a robot to tell me there's danger in my neighborhood.  The space-time continuum is driving me crazy.  The robot is yelling, "danger, danger."  I'm not listening.  If Mr. Spock were still around he would be calculating the precise number of minutes left to my book release date and he would say, "it's illogical."  Good thing I'm an optimist.  I do my best work under pressure.  Stay tuned.  I'll be out of my cave on May 1.  Have a great day.

First Spring Barbecue a Success

I celebrated the first day of Spring with a barbecue yesterday with Mrs. Caveman and it may be one of my best grilling experiences ever.  I'm giving it a 10 because of the way the veggies turned out.  Here's a recap:

1. Sweet Potatoes.  I covered them in olive oil and baked in the oven at 350º for sixty minutes.  Once baked, I wrapped them in aluminum foil and kept them warm on the top layer of the grill.
2. Cauliflower.  This works best when sliced and placed in an open pan for grilling.  Flip once after you see some scorch marks.  Set them off to the side off the grill until the zucchini is almost ready and then add the cauliflower on top of the veggies and finish grilling.
3. Mushrooms.  Add olive oil in frying pan.  Slice mushrooms and place in frying pan using medium setting.  Flip once and then add to top of grilled zucchini and finish grilling.
4. Zucchini.  Slice and place in tin foil coated in olive oil.  Barbecue using indirect heat to prevent overcooking while grilling steaks.  Make sure there's room to add the cauliflower and mushrooms during the last five minutes of grilling the zucchini in tin foil.
5. Steaks.  Coat in olive oil and turn twice while barbecuing.  Use a thermometer for best results.

The mixture of zucchini, cauliflower and mushrooms drizzled in olive oil is amazing.  The only seasoning I used is no salt seasoning for the steaks and veggies and it was all I needed.  Nothing on the sweet potatoes either.   I hope these food tips work well for you.  Happy grilling and have a great day.

Spring is in the Air

It's the first day of Spring.  I'm super excited for all the opportunities.  Things are heating up here in the Midwest.  All the snow has melted.  The grass is turning green.  Mother Nature is about to go into high gear.  Follow her cue and get busy.  Have a great day.

Continuous Improvement is the Name of the Game

Continuous improvement is the name of the game.  I'm referring to the game of life, spread out over four quarters.  I didn't get many things right in the first quarter, except for finding some great friends who encouraged me each time I faltered.  At the end of the second quarter I thought to myself, is it possible to take a mulligan?  That's when I met with my mother who passed on some of her 4th quarter wisdom.  She's the kind of person you want to chat with when it's half-time and you feel like you're getting kicked in the behind.  "No need to go back in time," she said, inspiring me to look at the blank canvas ahead.

I'm a big believer in continuous improvement.  Some days it may only be as much as one step forward.  There are still some face plants every now and then but I believe wisdom is acquired from the desire to learn from every experience.  Have a great day.

How to Keep Your Smoothie Fresher, Longer

Paige suggested I try a new product that removes the air from your smoothie so it lasts longer and tastes better.  I was shocked to discover how well it works, even after leaving my smoothie in the fridge for two days.  Here's the link to the Sans, click here and give it a try.  Have a great day.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Happy 24th birthday to our daughter, Nicole, who is celebrating her special day today with friends in Ireland.  And to my cousin Patty, and my SHS classmate, Patty H., both born on St. Patrick's Day, happy birthday.  I'm also sending an Irish blessing to Chris M., another SHS classmate who is getting married today.  The book is officially closed today for Chris as a Caveman volunteer and his results are sure to put a smile on his bride's face.  Congratulations to the bride and groom.  May the next chapter of your lives together be filled with many pages of bliss.

Here's one more wish for you...

Happy St. Patrick's Day from the O'Mulligan clan.

Bad Dream Ends With Hope

I had a bad dream before I woke up this morning.  The details aren't important except that at the end of the dream a song was playing in my head.  I woke up feeling serene even though the dream was really a nightmare.  Then, something really odd happened – the alarm went off and the same song playing in my head was on the radio.  "Please don't turn it off," I said to my wife, "I just heard this song in my dream."  Here you go...

Have a great day!

Got Confidence?

Confidence is the whisper in your head barely audible because the bully voices roar incessantly in a high stakes battle for territory inside your mind.  I never liked bullies.  I choose to root for the underdogs.  Maybe you feel a little bit like an underdog today.  Perhaps Confidence relocated to an out-of-reach neighborhood and you lost touch.  Listen to the whisper.  No fancy navigation tools are necessary.  And when you hear that voice, pay attention.  Confidence will take you to a place reserved just for you.  This is where you will meet your destiny.  Have a great day.

It's Crunch Time

48 days to go.  I need all the help I can get.  This morning I upgraded my antiquated software on my computer for the final push.  Every second counts, especially because I refuse to give up my physical fitness routine.  I made that mistake the last time when I confined myself to my basement until my novel was done.  I'm looking forward to sharing more on May 1.  Have a great day.

Dashing Through the Snow

We got hit with up to 6 inches of snow in our hometown last night.  It's not slowing me down.  I'm off to the tennis courts this morning after I find my car under the snow and then some indoor swimming before returning home to work on my book project.  There's no time to waste today.  May your day go swimmingly.  Time to dash.  Have a great day.

Change Your Habits and Change Your Life

Imagine how your life would be if you introduced new habits that stick with you in good times and in bad.  I have an idea for you that may help – pretend you're dating your habits, one at a time.  The first date is a blind date set up by someone close to you who believes there's potential so you give it a try.  Don't date any other habits while you're getting to know the one in front of you.  See all the good your new habit has to offer in a long-term relationship.  Give undivided attention.  Nurture your relationship.  Introduce your new habit to your friends and family.  The minimum dating period to keep your habit around is 30 days.  Anything less and your relationship is doomed.

Be cautious in the dating process.  30 day exclusivity with each new habit means you can only date 12 new habits per year.  Be selective with who you date and keep the bar high.  The most successful people I know are the ones who treat the habits they're dating like royalty.  These people inspire me to want change in my life.  It all starts with the first date.  The rest is up to you.  Have a great day.

A Secret Message from the Butterflies in Your Stomach

Got butterflies in your stomach?  Don't fret.  They're trying to pass along a secret message.  Most falsely interpret the message as a sign of impending danger ahead so they turn around and run.  That's not what the butterflies are all about.  They want you to know how close you are to something really special.

Sometimes the butterflies show up in other forms, like self-doubts spinning around in your head.  Think back to the last time you accomplished something big.  Were the butterflies and the self-doubts present?  Don't be afraid.  Keep moving forward, one step at a time.  Here's one of my favorites for dealing with butterflies and self doubts.  It's Psalm 139:

O LORD, you have searched me and you know me.

2

You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.

3

You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.

4

Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O LORD.

5

You hem me in--behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me.

6

Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.

7

Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?

8

If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.

9

If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea,

10

even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.

11

If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,"

12

even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.

13

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.

14

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

15

My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,

16

your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.

17

How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them!

18

Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand. When I awake, I am still with you.

19

If only you would slay the wicked, O God! Away from me, you bloodthirsty men!

20

They speak of you with evil intent; your adversaries misuse your name.

21

Do I not hate those who hate you, O LORD, and abhor those who rise up against you?

22

I have nothing but hatred for them; I count them my enemies.

23

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.

24

See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Full Speed Ahead

Spring is already in the air here in the Midwest even though it doesn't officially arrive for another ten days.  I'm loving the extra minutes of sunshine at the beginning and ending of the days.  This is the time to get busy.  For me, it's full speed ahead.  I'm sorting through recipes submitted by friends and family members for my next book and cranking out chapters like a factory worker on an assembly line.  Come back on May 1 for a test drive.  Have a great day.

Your Morning Quick Start

The first thirty minutes of your morning sets the pace for the rest of the day.  Start slowly and you risk falling behind on your tasks.  I treat myself to a morning breakfast that gives me all the energy I need to feel like I'm on top of the world.  It's a one-two punch that will help you knock out everything on your to do list.  Here goes:

1.  Caveman Signature Smoothie (click here for the YouTube video link).

2.  Fried Egg Topped with Onion, Pepper, Mushroom, Tomato, Almonds and Walnuts.

Your body will thank you.  Make this a daily habit.  Have a great day.

Answer the Why and You Will Become Unstoppable

The why question is the foundation of everything you do in life.  Any time you get stuck, ask yourself, "Why am I here?  Why am I doing this?  Why is this important to others?"  Answer the questions with exclamation marks and get busy.  Have a great day.

The Power of Forgiveness

How are you doing in the peace and serenity department of your life?  Is it some sort of out-of-reach place you have no hope of ever seeing in your lifetime?  There's really only one person who can keep you from experiencing this place, although it's really not a physical location, but more a state of mind.  You already have possession of the key but it won't work unless you're willing to do one thing first – forgive.  It's impossible to turn the key while you're still grasping grudges.  Let go of the grudges.  You can stay as long as you want in the peace and serenity department as long as you refuse to ever hold a grudge again.  Have a great day.

4 More Volunteers Agree to Go Caveman for 45 Day Challenge

Inspired by the weight loss success achieved by others giving the 45-day Caveman Experiment a try, four more volunteers are jumping on board.  I got a text message from Chris this morning and he shared big news – 35 pounds released since going caveman at the start of the new year.  His old dress shirts fit like a chef's shirt and wrap around to the other side of his body.  Besides dropping pounds, Chris's doctor is also reducing blood pressure medicine and he may one day be completely free from prescription pills.

If our caveman ancestors were around today, they would argue that the real experiment is not eating like they did, but eating all these processed foods and fast foods that have only been around in modern times.  Judging by our waistlines, blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, heart attacks and strokes, these caveman ancestors would give us an F for failure.  I believe it's time to say good-bye to all the man-made foods making us sick and challenge ourselves to "be the caveman" for 45 days and see what happens.  Every caveman volunteer who ate mostly fruits, veggies, nuts, beans and seeds for 45 days improved their health dramatically.  I'm betting these next four volunteers will also experience extraordinary results.  I'll share more on May 1.  Have a great day.

Open Book vs. Closed Book

You have two choices with your life – share it or keep it private.  Although I consider myself an open book, there's an editing process I go through for the sake of my loved ones.  Certain parts usually end up on the cutting room floor.  Permiso, as they say in Spanish, must be granted prior to publication.  I'm excited to share some chapters soon that otherwise would remain forever locked up in the family vault.  Permission has been granted.  I won't need my inanimate friends Wilson and Bro, the stand-ins in our family vacation photos.  When you open up my next book you're going to get a rare glimpse of precious family moments.  No fictional characters this time.  This open book is the real deal and it may be a lifesaver for someone struggling with health issues.  I would like to thank all involved in my story for allowing me the opportunity to share our journey.  Gracias.  Have a great day.

Meet the Lab Rats

Two volunteers from the Caveman Food Experiment agreed to share their 45-day journey with readers on May 1.  These are the brave souls who not only survived eating mostly fruits, veggies, nuts, beans and seeds for 45 days without consuming processed foods, but thrived.  Their stories are amazing.  Others are contributing their favorite recipes which will be sprinkled between chapters.  I'm also sharing my story as the first lab rat in my cousin's pet project.  He challenged me to be the caveman.  The plan was simple  – avoid eating any foods packaged with labels on the outside.  Living it for 45 days is another story, one I hope you enjoy reading.

Although the pool of volunteers is too small for the pundits to give their stamp of approval, I'm rating this experiment a success.  In fact, I believe it's time to raise the bar.  This is no longer a lab experiment, it's a challenge.  Your story doesn't need to end prematurely with an obituary like so many Americans who are killing themselves with bad food choices.  You have an opportunity to change your life in 45 days.  Read all about it on May 1.  Have a great day.

Embrace Every New Chapter of Your Life

Your life is a book.  Why are you stuck on the same page or constantly turning back to the previous chapters?  Is it because you're afraid to move forward?  Uncertainty is the blind date waiting to meet you.  You will never know abundant joy until you flip to the next page.  Bring flowers.  Be excited.  Jitters fade when leave your fears behind and embrace what's ahead.  I know how your story ends.  If you're not a believer, keep reading.  Your publisher will bring new characters into your life to help you on your journey.  There will be conflict.  That's part of the journey.  Some people will leave before the last chapter and you will feel pain.  Others will stay.  New ones will appear at the right time.  Every chapter gets you closer to the climax.  Keep reading.  Keep living.  Keep embracing.  Have a great day.

Living on the Edge

A friend posted a picture of some giant boulders blocking Highway 78 near the town where we raised our children.  The heavy rains caused the landslide and left area residents with only one route out of town.  I had flashbacks of wildfires and other disasters we managed to live through.  In fact, I believe I've been living on the edge most of my life.  The other night we had tornado warnings and I was so focused on my work I didn't even know what was going on outside.

The girl in the picture reminds me what it's like to be a writer with a full plate.  It's a huge challenge to stay on solid ground.  What keeps me going is knowing there is a higher authority calling the shots in my life.  The butterflies are always in your stomach but you can teach them to fly in formation so they become your ally when you're in a fight or flight situation.  There's always a way around the boulders that may force a detour.  Don't ever give up.  Have a great day.

Unplugged

The older I get, the more I realize the negative impact of man-made things.  The chair, for example, seems like a great improvement.  It's quite comfortable, isn't it?  Sit in it too long and you begin to feel the down-side.  Same thing with the computer – overuse can lead to carpal tunnel.  For me, the TV seems to be my greatest opponent.  Beginning today, I'm unplugged for six weeks, not counting some limited use on Sundays, my day of rest.  I'll let you know how it goes.  Have a great day.