Chronicles: Alan B. Rowley II - Success Warrior - ECoach - P90X

The Engine 2 Diet

I just finished reading The Engine 2 Diet: The Texas Firefighter's 28-Day Save-Your-Life Plan that Lowers Cholesterol and Burns Away the Pounds.  It's written by a tri-athlete (Rip Esselstyn) turned firefighter who changed how his fellow firefighters eat to turn them into lean, mean, low cholesterol, fire fighting machines.

Rip promotes a plant based way of eating and says that if you follow this diet, your cholesterol will most like be in great shape after 4 weeks.  By great shape, he means under 150.

Most doctors are fine with a cholesterol level under 200 but Rip states that 35% of heart problems occur in people within that 150 to 200 range.  It's better to get under 150 if you really want to protect your heart.

My cholesterol has always been right around 200 every time that I have had it checked so I'm going to give The E2 diet a try and see what happens. 

I tried going raw not too long ago and I felt great but made a great tactical error.  I didn't research any recipes so I got bored rather quickly.  That and my bodybuilding-trained mind couldn't get over the fact that I wasn't eating sides of beef while training.

This time I'm going to compensate for those short comings.

First, my goal right now is to get lean and quick.  I want to pick up my running pace.  This is a great time to drop the extra protein and pick up the extra plants.  My running was nearly instantly transformed when I went raw (which kind of sounds like I was running naked and *that* would definitely transform my running experience).

Second, I've started looking for recipes online and will probably purchase a couple of cookbooks.  The E2 Diet comes with over 100 recipes too so that's where I'm trying to start.  A lot of it looks very foreign to me.  I haven't been much of a vegetable and legume kind of guy but I'm willing to give it a try.

If you want a quick rundown on the benefits and instructions for a plant based diet, I can recommend this book.  It's a quick read since half of it is recipes.  Rip makes his points quickly and moves on and even made me laugh in a couple of places.  There are little stories that go along with many of the recipes, which is kind of fun.  I think this is a great gateway book into a new way of eating.

My Stroke of Insight

I was going to do a post or a series of posts on how to burn calories but that's going to have to wait because of a lack of time.  Trey and I are headed to the city today to get some work done on the Hummingbird (my car).  I'm not sure how long it's going to take for them to do what's got to be done and I think my calorie posts are going to take a bit of time.  Maybe not.  I don't know but I want to leave myself with that option.

I suspect that I'll be posting about our trip to the city.  I'm going to take Tia's camera along for the ride.  I don't know that anyone else will find a simple trip to the city interesting but Trey and I will probably just wander around on foot while they work on the car.  If the weather cooperates.  The forecast calls for thunderstorms.  That might put a real damper on the whole walking thing.  I'll take a book for me and the DS for Trey just in case we end up stuck in the waiting room.

I finished My Stroke of Insight: A Brain Scientist's Personal Journey.  Thank you again to Lynette for sending it to me.  It's an autobiographical tale of a doctor and the stroke that she suffered and her recovery.  The left hemisphere of her brain was shut down for a while, giving her a whole new insight into life from the right side of her brain.

I've been looking into right-brain living (Lynette knew this, which is why the book arrived on my door step) and it was interesting to read about someone that was forced to live completely in the right brain, completely in the moment.  No past, no future, no speech, no inner chatter, no beginnings or endings.  Everything seen as connected, blurred together, without borders.

She has the use of the left hemisphere again but the visit to the right has become a permanent part of her life, something she tries to relive at will.  The cool thing is that we don't have to have a stroke and spend 10 years in recovery in order to access the right brain when we want.  It's available to all of us and the more people that choose to access the right brain, the sooner humans will take the next step in evolution.

As usual, I will be sending this book on to anyone that would like it (first come, first serve).

The book that I will be taking to the city as my back up plan is Cracking the Code: How to Win Hearts, Change Minds, and Restore America's Original Vision, sent to me by Rick.  I'm going to learn how to speak Politics.  It will be handy when I run for office.

I Have the Bestest Friends

Out of the blue, I am receiving books this week (or probably have them by the time you read this since I write my blog posts several days in advance).

Back in my early days of blogging oh so long ago (has it really been 7 years?), I was part of a gated blogging community called the Blogging Network, which changed its name to Blogit to have a more hip name so that more kids would come play.  It was kind of a fun place to write where your membership fees were given out to the bloggers based on the popularity of their blogs.  I couldn't quit my day job but I made more than enough to cover my own fees for being on the word playground.

That's where I "met" Lynette.  We both eventually left Blogit and entered the real world of blogging where just anybody could swing by.  I remember going from being one of the cool kids to having 6 readers a day.  Luckily, all that mattered was that I was writing so I just kept on going.

Over the years, we've continued to read each others blogs and have shared plenty of emails on events in our lives.  During this time, I have come to believe that we are kindred spirits.  Our lives are very different at just about every level and yet we share many of the lessons and meanings of life's experiences.  Do you ever talk to someone and just know they *know* what you're talking about? 

Many of the things that we talk about are vague or hard to put into words so it's wonderful to have someone that picks up on the feeling of the idea that the words won't wrap around.

On that note, Lynette thought of me when she read My Stroke of Insight: A Brain Scientist's Personal Journey.  A book about a brain scientist that has a stroke and lives life in the timelessness of the right hemisphere of her brain before training herself to use the left hemisphere again.  I'm really looking forward to reading it and hope that it has arrived and I'm well into it by the time you are reading this.

The person that got me to leave the safety of the Blogit community was my longest-time friend, Rick.  We have known each since about 1981 or 2, when he moved in next door to me.  His dad had just retired from the Air Force and moved them back "home". 

Rick's that one friend you have that no matter how much time has gone by, the conversation that starts when you get off the plane seems to be a continuation of your thoughts from a moment ago.  Instead of feeling like years have passed, it feels like you just ran to the kitchen for a drink and the conversation just starts back up.

Sugar jokingly calls us soul mates but if it's true, it's not in a manner like the movies would suggest.  Where I have a feeling that I'm traveling a similar path to Lynette, Rick and I are diametrical opposites.

He's good with details.  I like the big picture.  He enjoys complexity and intricacies.  I simplify.  He's fiercely opinionated.  I keep my opinions close.  He's outgoing.  I'm not.  He thinks the game is played to be won.  I think it's for fun.  He played basketball.  I played soccer.  He watches college football.  I watch NFL.

I could probably go on and on all day with this back and forth comparison of our differences but in the end, none of it matters.  For some reason, there is a very real connection.  Tangible. 

Maybe we fought side by side in some hellacious battle in a previous life.  It's that kind of feeling. 

We do have a couple of connecting points (creativity, words, and Frisbee golf) but those in themselves don't account for the strength of the connection.

As a surprise this week, Rick announced that I have two books headed in my direction, one on audio and one in print.   

The book is The Last Lectureby Randy Pausch based on a lecture that he gave.  Many people gave talks under the Last Lecture theme where they were to impart wisdom as if they were dying.  The difference for Pausch was that he truly was dying.  The reasons Rick gave for giving me the book has me anxiously waiting for it to arrive.

The audio is something by Thom Hartmann.  I don't know the title yet but looking over the titles that I've linked to, I'm sure it's going to be interesting.  In fact, I'll probably be adding a few more of Hartmann's books to my collection after I finish these.  I do know that the one on its way is political to give me a different perspective on my new-found interest in the running of our country.

I wanted to take a few minutes to publicly thank these two wonderful people in my life, for the books sure but more importantly for what they have added to my life in so many other ways.  Thanks.

Aim High

"Everyone practices magic, whether they realize it or not, for magic is the art of attracting particular influences, events, and situations within human life.  Magic is a natural phenomenon because the universe is reflexive, responding to human thoughts, aspirations, and desires;"

"People who don't know what they want usually attract what they need.  This may be a seemingly random series of situations and perhaps unhappy events, destined to jolt them to a higher level of awareness in the long run.  Since the universe does respond to our innnermost desires, true philosophers have always held that one should be idealistic in spirit and perpetually aim to invoke the highest.  People who have a low-minded view of things will discover this reflected in the events of their lives, thus confirming their perspective, while others who are high-minded and invoke the spirit of excellence find themselves capable of attracting it."

- David Fideler from Jesus Christ, Sun of God: Ancient Cosmology and Early Christian Symbolism

I just read this passage the other day and it reaffirms the direction that I want to take this blog and points out something that my wife and I have discussed many times.

If you stagnate for too long, the Universe will do something to urge you to get moving again.  Many times, what the Universe picks as your kick in the ass is not something pleasant.  The Universal wake up call can be harsh.

It is far better that you seek out in your own way the manner in which you will continue to grow as a person.  What do you need?  What do you want?  These are questions that must be continually asked and answered.  There are no destinations in life, just lay overs.  When you achieve one goal, you celebrate and take a short break and then start on the next one.  If you try to make it your final destination, the Universe will give you a nudge.  If you ignore enough nudges, the Universe will give you a hard push.

We have found that it's more enjoyable to work toward our goals from our own sense of direction and for positive reasons than wait for a harsh negative experience to clue us in.

QotD: Human Nature

"Nature itself is not ugly or evil; these qualities only enter the universe through humanity when individuals fall short of their intrinsic nature -- when we forget what it truly means to be human."

- David Fideler from Jesus Christ, Sun of God: Ancient Cosmology and Early Christian Symbolism

I am reading things besides text books.  It's just slow going on the outside reading when the college semester is in swing.

It's time to change the course of this blog.  It's something that I have felt for a while now and made a slight correction some time ago but not to the extent that I felt that I needed to go.

It's time to focus more on health: physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. 

When I started this blog 2 years ago, it was done with the sole purpose of being a journal.  I had my other blog where I discussed everything financial and this one was meant to act as a collector of my wandering thoughts.  It has done so and done it well and now it's time for me to guide that wandering a bit.  Not too much because that's not me but enough that hopefully there is a bit of theme.

I'll be keeping my eye on our government but won't be reporting much of what I find except on Sundays.  The government is so big and so negative that I find myself wanting to limit its influence on my blog.  I'll watch and I'll continue to write my Congressman, Senators, and President but I have little hope of making a change.  I feel that I have to try or there will be no hope. 

Oddly, I've had a couple of people this week tell me that I should run for office.  An interesting idea but I don't know if I'm for that kind of turmoil in my life.  It seems like it would be hard to fight the corruption and win without similar financial backing for myself.  How do you win without getting the taint on yourself?

It's not that I'm giving up the fight but I'm settling in for more of resigned long-term effort as part of my focus on my all around well being and the well being of my family. 

I feel like I'm rambling at this point so I think I'll end it here with a warning that there may be much more rambling in the future. 

Review of Taylor Hartman's Color Code - Blue

Blues- The Do-Gooders, from Hartman's book.

"Like the earth that sustained and nurtured our earliest ancestors, Blues are also steady, ordered, and enduring.  They offer culture, beauty, and emotional security.  Blues love with a passion.  They see intimate relationships and creative accomplishments rather than material possessions as the finer things in life.  They bring culture and decency to home and society.  They appreciate uplifting experiences, and feel most comfotable in creative and productive environments.  They want a sense of purpose in their lives, and willingly sacrifice personal luxuries for more meaningful accomplishments.

They are highly committed individuals. Loyalty to people and sincerity in relationships (at home and work) are their trademarks.  They believe in all causes that bring a higher quality to the human experience.  They listen with endearing empathy and speak with emotional zeal.  Blues truly value their connections to people and enjoy the accomplishments of others.  With perfection as their guide, they strive to be the best they can be.  They expect the same in their fellow beings.  Obediently, they accept the need for authority, and put their energy into supporting law and order.  They are essentially the glue that binds society together.  Blues give us positive examples in the ways they organize their lives, giving preference to personal relationships and quality achievements.  They add that special touch of excellence as they freely commit their hearts and souls to the betterment of us all in our shared journey through life."

People around me that are Blues - Tia (my wife), my mom, Mark (my brother), Cherise, Dan D, Mrs. Chili, and V.

For more information about Blues and the other three colors, I highly recommend getting the book The Color Code: A New Way to See Yourself, Your Relationships, and Life.  I have thoroughly enjoyed the book and the insight that it gives me into myself and the people around me.

World Made by Hand

I finished reading World Made by Hand by James Kunstler a couple days ago.

It's a fictional account of life for a guy after the oil runs out and several US cities have been nuked in retaliation for interfering in the operation of other countries. 

Robert, our hero lives in what used to be a city but now is more of a village where life has reverted in many ways to what it was like before electricity.  Most people grow or catch their own food and barter their services with others.  People mine what used to be landfills retrieving stuff that was once garbage but is now valuable.

Everything is quiet and peaceful and running as best it can for a people who remember what life was like a few years earlier when they had electricity, cars, Wal-Mart, and grocery stores.  Life changes when one of the villagers is murdered by the owner of the landfill and several others are kidnapped and held for ransom by a thug in a town to the south.

It's an easy read and is meant to act as a warning for people about the ramifications of peak oil and resource wars.

If anyone wants my copy, let me know and I'll send it to you. 

What I'm Reading

Tia bought A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle and I've been trying to get some reading in on it.  He says that we are at a point in time where humans need to evolve or die.  The ego of humans is causing such dysfunction that we are going to destroy each other as well as our planet.  Can't argue with that. 

I'm interested to read more about what this evolution will entail and how he proposed we do our part in making the change.

I read The Power of Now by the same author several years ago and really enjoyed it.  I didn't put as much effort into following the advice as maybe I should have but I still enjoyed it and I should revisit it.  The Power of Now is geared to helping people live "now" and to let go of regrets from the past and worries from the future.

The other book that I'm reading is World Made by Hand by James Kunstler.  It's a first person fictional account of a guy living after the earth's oil supply is gone.  There is very little electricity and life is much like it was before the discovery of oil.  Most people grow their own food, walk where they need to go, and don't have much contact with people outside their village.  A farm hand has been murdered and no one is going to do anything about it.  A New Faith group has moved into the village and is trying to recruit new members.  There is a guy that seems to be doing very well for himself trying to create a new kind of life for him and the people that work for him, who sound like serfs to me.

I suppose the books go hand in hand.  It could be one or the other.

Robert Jordan, author of my favorite series

Robert Jordan died on Sunday.  Robert Jordan, whose real name is James Oliver Rigney Jr, wrote my all-time favorite series of books.

The Wheel of Time is a huge series that sadly he'll never finish.  He was working on the last book of the series when he died.  Supposedly he passed on how it all ends so I suppose someone will finish it but it just won't be the same.

He had plans for a new series as well which I know I would have picked up immediately and read.

Such a loss.