HOBBIES

Set of custom fitted golf clubs

Hobbies are great.  We all need worthwhile diversions.  The question is, do we choose our hobbies or do we just kinda fall into them by accident?  How do we figure out what we might be good at and might enjoy doing?  My definition of a hobby is something that might require significant time and dedication to be good at.  For example, I have a friend whose wife is an expert at making quilts.  She has devoted the time required to master the techniques that set her quilts apart.  Her quilts are award winning masterpieces.  Quilting gives her tremendous satisfaction.

Let me tell you about my hobby which is making custom fit golf clubs.  I got into this several years ago when my oldest son was 8 years old and first indicated an interest in learning to play golf.  Naturally I headed to the store to buy some equipment, but found little to choose from and what was there was way expensive.  I know that it was important to have equipment that was correctly sized so I checked into making clubs myself.  I ordered a couple of books, researched out manufacturers and suppliers and since I like to work with my hands, decided to order so components and see what I could do.  My son loved his clubs so I decided to make a set of irons for myself.  When I took them out to play a friend asked me where I got them.  When I told him I made them myself, he asked me if I would make him a set.  The rest is history.  I make a lot of clubs for women, children and for golfers who need extra length, or weight, or whatever.  I have made clubs for everyone of my children and my wife.  Often I will be on the tee box and notice that I made every driver in the foursome.  It is fun to help people have better equipment at a price that is affordable.  I don't make clubs to make money, I do it for the satisfaction.

So, here is a TIP FROM A MAN... involve yourself with a hobby that brings you satisfaction and also helps others.  Be sure that your hobby isn't a distraction that keeps you from your important responsibilities with your family or work.  Remember to maintain harmony and balance in you life.  My children have spent many hours helping me make clubs.  We have used this time to have excellent father/son father/daughter chats.  I  remember a time I made a set of irons for a guy and a few days later he called me on the phone all stoked because he won the first tournament he played using them.  How cool is that.  I felt like my work helped him a little bit.  Enjoy your hobby and...

Enjoy life! 

SLOT CANYON ADVENTURE

 Doc in a tight spot

 Champ demonstrating why he is the champ

 Slot opening 60 feet up the face

 Looking toward the end

Don't get me wrong, I do like to be a spectator.  I like high school and college sports and like the pros when they are in the playoffs.  I love attending my daughter's dance performances.   I do like a good movie.  But, I do prefer to be doing it, rather than watching others do it.  Take this past weekend as an example, I went riding our Arabian horses with the Rufriders.  But this time, to add to the experience of riding in the southern Utah desert, we added the thrill and adventure of climbing through a very challenging slot canyon.  This wasn't any ordinary slot canyon.  It was the Blue John slot where a few years ago Aron Ralston had a huge rock trap his arm and after an agonizing five days of being trapped in what was an amazing test of courage in this life or death situation, chose to amputate his own arm in order to escape.  You may have read the account or even seen the movie, but to experience this same slot was amazing.  The top photo shows Doc working his way through a very narrow gap.  The second photo shows Champ deciding to take the high route when the slot was narrow enough to straddle.  You don't want to know how high in the air he was.  The third photo requires a bit of examination.  Consider that the  top of the riders on the horses are about 8 feet tall.  If you work up the rock face to a level of 60 feet you will locate an opening where the slot ends.  Once Aron Ralston freed himself and made his way out of the slot, he  now had to rappel down this 60 foot face in order to  begin his hike to where he was rescued.  The last photo is from a rider looking up the canyon and as you can see it dead ends so there is only one way out.  The slot is located beyond the tree to the right.

I can't begin to tell you how challenging this was.  Some of our group (and these are hardened cowboys) used the word "can't" when they were struggling to get past an obstacle.  But you know what, with a bit of teamwork and effort, they did!  A great lesson here.  So here is a TIP FROM A MAN... get up off of the couch, set the DVR and go find an obstacle to climb over, through or around.  This is the type of stuff that reminds you that you are alive.  Get out of the city and get close to nature.  Make sure you are prepared as nature can be very unforgiving, but challenge yourself.  The possibilities are endless.

Enjoy life! 

THE NUMBERS DON'T LIE

When we decide to follow through with better eating and exercise choices, the most obvious change is on the outside.  We notice the pants becoming a bit loose.  We go down a notch on the belt.  We see the face becoming more lean.  Other people begin to notice and start to ask us what we are doing.  This positive feedback reinforces our behavior and helps us resolve to keep it up. 

But what about inside the body?  What's going on there?  My friend who has lost 25.5 pounds following TIPS FROM A MAN has provided the following information: For nine years he and his cardiologist have carefully monitored several critical numbers.  Here are the numbers before he started the program and then after 45 days:

Blood Pressure: Before Jan. 12, 2012... 130/88  On Feb. 27, 2012... 114/72.  As far as he has records his diastolic rate has never been in the seventies.

Total Cholesterol: Before Jan. 12, 2012... 133.  On Feb. 27, 2012... 108.  Ideal is below 200.

HDL: Before Jan. 12, 2012... 35.  On Feb. 27, 2012... 34.  Should be above 40.  Might be now that he has begun exercising regularly.

LDL: Before Jan 12, 2012... 63.  On Feb. 27, 2012... 52.  Ideal is between 50 and 70.

Triglycerides: Before Jan. 12, 2012... 170.  On Feb. 27, 2012... 114.  Ideal is below 150.

So as you can see, the greatest improvement was in blood pressure and Triglycerides.  The doctors are so impressed with the improvement that they are taking a hard look at the medication he has been taking and are considering reducing or eliminating it all together.

Hopefully a look at these actual numbers has been enlightening.  How wonderful for this man and his family.  How might these changes not only improve the quality of his life, but extend his life?  I wonder what they are now that another 45 days has passed?  How exciting. 

In summary, responsible eating choices combined with reasonable exercise can change you inside and out.  Do it for yourself and for those you love.

Enjoy life! 

UPDATE

Exciting news... A friend just sent a text reporting that after following the TIPS FROM A MAN healthy living guidelines for three months that he has now lost a total of 25.5 pounds (13.5 pounds in the first month, 6.5 pounds in the second month and another 5.5 pounds in the past 30 days)!  He also reported that he saw the Magic Bullet Deluxe on sale at Costco for $30 so he bought one.  Man, this is fun!

Enjoy life!

NEW PERSONAL BEST

I recently played golf with a retired doctor whose all time best score was a 79.  We played in conditions that were cold and windy and eventually rainy - all in all not that pleasant or conducive to scoring.  When the scorecards were tabulated, he had recorded a new personal best round of 78!  Congratulations!  Here is a TIP FROM A MAN... you are never too old to do something better than you have ever done it before.  Believe in yourself!

Enjoy life! 

FAMOUS GREEN DRINK

I'm sure you are saying, how can I ever drink something neon green?  Here is a TIP FROM A MAN... "try it you'll like it" (you have to be old to get that one)  : )

A few weeks ago I wrote about the whys and hows of the Green Drink and that write up is contained in the bottom post of this blog.  Just for fun, I thought I'd now share the write up that my daughter did about this drink and her secret recipe:

I have PERFECTED the perfect smoothie. Seriously though, I LOVE it, it is my favorite thing. I have it EVERY day.
-half green apple
-2-3 inch piece of cucumber
-frozen peaches (I used to use berries which probably have more nutrients and all that but I also bought frozen peaches and  pineapple (which by the way, it is good to have pineapple everyday, it is good for your digestive system and therefore good for your waist line... I haven't tried the pineapple yet but the peaches are AMAZING in this smoothie)
-a couple handfuls of spinach
-a 1/2 cup-ish of Orange Juice (I don't measure) - I use Simply Orange with High Pulp
-a 1/4 cup-ish of plain non-fat yogurt
-1 scoop of vanilla protein powder
-a handful of walnuts

Thanks sweetie!  So be brave and try it.  It will energize you for the whole morning.  But, good luck in getting yours to be more neon green than mine!

Enjoy life!

SWIMMING WEBSITE

A blog follower put me on to this website and thought I might want to share it.  He was right!

www.swimsmooth.com

Here is a TIP FROM A MAN... whatever you do, do well.  Take swimming for example.  This site gives pointers on how to swim most efficiently among other interesting things.  Whatever we do we want to get the most out of it be it cardio improvement, or speed, or muscle gain, or well-being, or whatever.  See if this website proves to be helpful to you.  We are all in this together, so lets get the most out of life!

Enjoy life!

FISH OIL SUPPLEMENTS

Here is a TIP FROM A MAN... consider adding Fish Oil to your daily intake of vitamin and supplements.  Over the past several weeks I've been doing some research on Fish Oil and it appears that the pros far outweigh the cons.  Although this is never my sole source for information, Wikipedia has a pretty thorough overview of the benefits and of course the risks of  taking Fish Oil supplements.  Since adding Fish Oil to my daily intake I haven't noticed any change, but the good may be happening on the inside... more along what might not happen... prevention.   Decide for yourself if this is a supplement that you should be taking.  I've talked to people who swear by it.

Enjoy life!

CHILI GARLIC SAUCE

This may not be the most exciting post ever, but many people have inquired as to what hot sauce I put on the eggs detailed in the post below.  Here is a TIP FROM A MAN... try the Chili Garlic Sauce you see in the photo.  Just be a bit careful as to how much you use because it is a bit toasty.  I enjoy the flavor very much.  One of the things I stress is that the food we eat must be flavorful.  Having great tasting food helps me with portion control.  My stomach is now right sized and I find that it is difficult for me to over eat.  I didn't think I would ever be able to say that but it is the truth.  There are probably many good products like this one on the market that you may already be using, so just use whatever spices up your life!

Enjoy life!

EGG & FRUIT BREAKFAST

One of the main reasons I hear from people who have reservations about starting to make better eating choices is that they think it will be too hard to find or make food that fits the guidelines.  This is a valid concern.  Here is a TIP FROM A MAN... keep meals simple but full of flavor.  Here is another example of a very easy to make breakfast.  Take two eggs and begin to fry them in a pan.  Break the egg yokes.  After the bottom is cooked, flip the eggs over to cook the top.  Add salt and pepper to taste.  When the eggs are cooked to your satisfaction, sprinkle just a bit of cheese on top and slide onto a plate folding the eggs over like an omelet to melt the cheese.  Top with a bit of hot sauce if you would like and also some fresh avocado.  For sides, cut up some fresh strawberries and peel an orange or clementine.  Be sure to drink a tall glass of water with this and every meal.  This is a very satisfying meal that is fresh and natural.  With this foundation, you will feel prepared to take on the challenges of the day and make a real contribution to society.  Eat well!

Enjoy life!

THANK YOU NOTE

Ah, the handwritten Thank You note.  Hasn't this practice gone the way of the eight track tape?  It's been replaced with emails and texts right?  Here is a TIP FROM A MAN... if you don't already do so, consider regularly sending handwritten notes to friends, loved ones, clients, or maybe even absolute strangers.  People love to receive hand written notes.  It is a great way to personalize and solidify a relationship.  It is a fact that in the business world people prefer to do business with those who they know and trust.  You build trust by building relationships.  The handwritten note demonstrates that you took time and effort and that you thought about the person.  Over the years my family and I have received many handwritten notes from a woman in our neighborhood.  In fact, many people we know have received notes from her as well.  This woman takes the time to note an accomplishment or an act of kindness.  We absolutely love her because she takes the time to think about us and demonstrates this thought through the written word.  This is an easy habit to form and it is quite possible that the notes you write will be kept, re-read and treasured.  Make someone smile today, write them a note.

Enjoy life!

OATMEAL BREAKFAST

Look we all like to eat and eat well.  That is the beauty of making good choices.  We can eat satisfying meals while losing weight or maintaining a proper weight.  Here is a TIP FROM A MAN... eat an excellent breakfast.  In fact, to lose weight in a healthy way you need to eat regularly or your body thinks it is starving and begins to slow down the calorie burn which is just what you are trying to speed up.  Pictured is a bowl of oatmeal and a protein shake.  However, this is no ordinary bowl of oatmeal.  It is supercharged!  It is topped with 1/2 fresh banana thinly sliced, a small handful of Costco's Wholesome Fruit & Nuts mix, sweetened with Agave Nectar and finally a small portion of Almond milk is added.  Almond milk has 50% more Calcium than regular milk.  It is really tasty and very filling.  The protein shake was made with crushed ice, one cup water, one scoop vanilla protein powder and the other half of the banana mixed in the Magic Bullet blender.  It is cold and refreshing.  The supplements are what I am taking at this time... a NuSkin LifePak, a 1000 mg Vitamin C, a Vitamin D3, and Glucosamine HCl for joint health and mobility.  The Glucosamine also claims to help build cartilage.  I've had a couple of knee surgeries so if this helps build cartilage I'm all for it.  I don't eat this everyday as variety is truly the spice of life.  Watch for future posts for more meal ideas.  Eat well... be happy.

Enjoy life!

TOOLS

Most of us enjoy doing projects if we have the right tools for the job.  If your project is to begin eating better, it is like fixing a faucet: if you have the right tools, you will start working on it now, if you don't, you will probably let it drip.  Here is a TIP FROM A MAN... the Magic Bullet blender.  If you don't own one, you should seriously consider it.  I use mine every day to make a protein shake.  Add ice, fresh or frozen fruit, protein powder, water and in a few seconds it is perfectly mixed.  Drink it right from the blender cup.  It is single serving size.  Use it to make the Green Drink.  Stuff in the spinach and other ingredients.  The clean up is a snap and it is compact and easy to store.  When my daughter was a student in New York City, this little unit probably saved her life.  With limited space and time she used it to make fast and easy meals that were affordable and healthy.  The web site has lots of ideas http://www.buythebullet.com/ and you can buy it on line or at retailers for about $50.

Enjoy life!