WHAT A WONDERFUL PLANET

Many of the posts on TIPS FROM A MAN have focused on the wonderful marvelous breath taking planet that we live on.  I have encouraged us on more than one occasion to get out in nature and become absorbed in the beauty.  However there are some places that we might not ever get to travel to but that we can enjoy through photography.  Click on the link below and enjoy some amazing photos many that I'll venture to bet that you have never seen before.

http://www.boredpanda.com/amazing-places/

The variety of this earth is endless.  Here is a TIP FROM A MAN... put one or more of the places you just saw on your "bucket list" for personally visiting in the future.  I am so inspired by these photos.  I hope that you are too.

Enjoy life.

 

THE WEDDING DAY

Hey all dads out there, I made it.  Everyone says how traumatic it is for a dad to have a daughter get married.  Well in my case, I was so proud and so happy.  Maybe because I believe that my daughter was prepared to take this step and that the guy she married is an absolutely amazing young man.  If either of these things were a question in my mind, it probably would have been an entirely different experience.

Below is a link to some very beautiful photos.  The wedding dress my daughter designed and sewed was an absolute show stopper.  After the wedding when my daughter and my new son-in-law were with the photographer taking photos, complete strangers kept interrupting them to ask if they could take my daughter's picture.  It was as if she was a movie star and random people there for other weddings were the paparazzi.  Never before have I witnessed such a thing.  Here is a photo of my daughter having her picture taken by complete strangers with their camera phones.

OK, now on to the link.  I hope you enjoy these photos.  This photographer is beyond fabulous.  She was fast, efficient, creative, unflappable and made everyone look good!

http://rebekahwestover.blogspot.com/2013/04/bree-taylor-utah-wedding-photographer.html

So here is a TIP FROM A MAN... when it comes to your daughter's wedding, do all you can to take care of the planning, details and work far in advance so that you and your family can relax and enjoy the wedding day.  Don't sweat any little calamities or catastrophes.  Even if you do your best, they will happen.  Something will go wrong.  Hair won't go just right.  Something will spill on a tie.  Etc., etc.  You know what I mean.  Stuff will happen.  So just smile and roll with it and have a wonderful day with your family and friends.

Enjoy life.

FACTS ABOUT THE BANANA

Who knew this about Bananas???

Bananas contain three natural sugars - sucrose, fructose and glucose combined with fiber. A banana gives an instant, sustained and substantial boost of energy.

Research has proven that just two bananas provide enough energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout. No wonder the banana is the number one fruit with the world's leading athletes.

But energy isn't the only way a banana can help us keep fit. It can also help overcome or prevent a substantial number of illnesses and conditions, making it a must to add to our daily diet.

DEPRESSION:
According to a recent survey undertaken by MIND amongst people suffering from depression, many felt much better after eating a banana. This is because bananas contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin, known to make you relax, improve your mood and generally make you feel happier.

PMS:
Forget the pills - eat a banana. The vitamin B6 it contains regulates blood glucose levels, which can affect your mood.

ANEMIA:
High in iron, bananas can stimulate the production of hemoglobin in the blood and so helps in cases of anemia.

BLOOD PRESSURE:
This unique tropical fruit is extremely high in potassium yet low in salt, making it perfect to beat blood pressure So much so, the US Food and Drug Administration has just allowed the banana industry to make official claims for the fruit's ability to reduce the risk of blood pressure and stroke.

BRAIN POWER:
200 students at a Twickenham school ( England ) were helped through their exams this year by eating bananas at breakfast, break, and lunch in a bid to boost their brain power. Research has shown that the potassium-packed fruit can assist learning by making pupils more alert.

CONSTIPATION:
High in fiber, including bananas in the diet can help restore normal bowel action, helping to overcome the problem without resorting to laxatives.

HANGOVERS:
One of the quickest ways of curing a hangover is to make a banana milkshake, sweetened with honey. The banana calms the stomach and, with the help of the honey, builds up depleted blood sugar levels, while the milk soothes and re-hydrates your system.

HEARTBURN:
Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body, so if you suffer from heartburn, try eating a banana for soothing relief.

MORNING SICKNESS:
Snacking on bananas between meals helps to keep blood sugar levels up and avoid morning sickness.

MOSQUITO BITES:
Before reaching for the insect bite cream, try rubbing the affected area with the inside of a banana skin. Many people find it amazingly successful at reducing swelling and irritation.

NERVES:
Bananas are high in B vitamins that help calm the nervous system..

Overweight and at work? Studies at the Institute of Psychology in Austria found pressure at work leads to gorging on comfort food like chocolate and chips. Looking at 5,000 hospital patients, researchers found the most obese were more likely to be in high-pressure jobs. The report concluded that, to avoid panic-induced food cravings, we need to control our blood sugar levels by snacking on high carbohydrate foods every two hours to keep levels steady.

ULCERS:
The banana is used as the dietary food against intestinal disorders because of its soft texture and smoothness. It is the only raw fruit that can be eaten without distress in over-chroniclercases. It also neutralizes over-acidity and reduces irritation by coating the lining of the stomach.

TEMPERATURE CONTROL:
Many other cultures see bananas as a 'cooling' fruit that can lower both the physical and emotional temperature of expectant mothers. In Thailand , for example, pregnant women eat bananas to ensure their baby is born with a cool temperature.

So, a banana really is a natural remedy for many ills. When you compare it to an apple, it has FOUR TIMES the protein, TWICE the carbohydrate, THREE TIMES the phosphorus, five times the vitamin A and iron, and twice the other vitamins and minerals.. It is also rich in potassium and is one of the best value foods around So maybe its time to change that well-known phrase so that we say, 'A BANANA a day keeps the doctor away!'

Subscribe us@Facts Gallery..For more Health Tips
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Here is a TIP FROM A MAN... go eat a banana!  And, have a great weekend!

Enjoy life.

 

RE-POST EAT WELL - LIVE WELL

People are always commenting to me about how fit I am and that I always look like I am happy.  I tell them thank you and yes I am (happy).  Without a doubt, one of the keys is this simple lifestyle plan that I incorporated into my everyday life some eighteen (18) months ago.  So, I decided that with spring now in full swing that it is time to re-post the blog entry that got this whole TIPS FROM A MAN thing kicked off.  It is tempting to make a few tweaks to the original post, but I am going to resist and let the post work its magic just as it is.  Why mess with success?  The four individuals referred to in the post have all successfully kept off the weight they initially lost.  How many fad diets can make that claim?  So here is a TIP FROM A MAN... please, start following these simple guidelines today.  By the time you hit the lake in July you can probably be down 10 - 20 pounds or more and will feel better and have an improved outlook on life.  I'm so excited for you that I am going to work out an additional 15 minutes tonight in your honor!

Enjoy life.

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EAT WELL - LIVE WELL - (originally posted March 2012)

If your weight is in check and you are physically stronger and have more stamina, you are not just living but you are ALIVE! Alive to do what you love to do. Live life to its fullest. Play golf, tennis, ski, hike, do anything you want. Here is the truth - if you are over weight, chances are you don’t like the way you look and chances are you don’t feel great about yourself and the FACT is you are risking your health.

Here’s my story. I’m a 52 year old man.  Most people would not have considered me to be over weight but when I was at the lake last summer I didn’t like what I saw. I wore a tee shirt with my swimsuit all week. After that humbling and embarrassing experience, I decided to do something. Being honest with myself, here is what I knew: 1) If I tried to go hungry, it wouldn’t last. 2) If the food tasted bland, it wouldn’t last. 3) If the exercise was too rigorous, it wouldn’t last. 4) If it cost a bunch of money, it wouldn’t last. So after much research here is what I came up with:

EATING

Cut way back on simple starches (breads, pastas, potatoes, chips, etc.).

Cut way back on simple sugars (candy, cookies, sodas, etc.).

Cut way back on dairy products (cheese, milk, butter, etc).

Cut out fruit juices

Eat more fresh vegetables

Eat more fresh fruit

Eat more green salads

Eat more lean protein (fish, chicken breast, 6 oz. portion of steak, etc).

Eat two snacks each day between meals (nuts, fresh fruit, protein bars, etc.).

Drink significantly more water (16 oz with each meal and snack)

SLEEPING

Get 7 - 8 hours of sleep each night. Your body needs this. Most people think this is impossible, but the fact is we waste a lot of time watching TV, surfing the internet, talking on the phone, etc. late at night when we could be asleep. Set a schedule. As a rule, get up at 6:30 AM and go to bed at 11:00 PM or something like that. Take control. Set a schedule and follow it. Your body will positively respond to the routine.

WORKING OUT

Walk / bike / jog / swim / whatever (2 – 4 times each week for 20 – 60 minutes)

Lift weights (alternate days for upper and lower body, focus on core and abs)

Mix in some yoga, etc. for variety. Stretch. Stretch. Stretch.

Rest one day each week. Let your body have recovery time.

The more you workout the faster you will lose weight and the better you will feel, but you do not need to workout to lose weight. If you miss a day, no worries, just get after it again tomorrow.

RESULTS

I started following my own advice on August 30, 2011. On that day I weighed 171 pounds and I had a 34 inch waist. After just two months (October 31) I weighed 158 pounds and had a 32 inch waist. My goal is to maintain a target weight of 160 – 165 pounds but to lose a bit more belly fat and add more muscle. I will know I have reached my goal when I am able to maintain a 30 inch waist at this weight.

Does this just work for me? To verify what I was doing, I convinced two of my brothers to try this as well. My 62 year old brother who is 5’10” tall weighed 215 on August 30, 2011. On November 30, he weighed 182 pounds (a loss of 33 pounds). Another brother who is 56 years old and 5’11” tall weighed 205 on October 1, 2011 and by November 30 he weighed 195 pounds, a loss of 10 pounds.

This is much easier than you probably think. It is all about being in control and making choices. None of us has ever gone hungry nor will we.

KEYS TO SUCCESS

You can never be hungry.

The food must taste good.

Follow workouts like P90X, etc. if you have them or if they interest you.

Be part of the action. Have a slice of cake at a birthday party – just don’t go crazy!

Don’t think of yourself as being on a diet because you are not on a diet. You are simply making good choices.

Find a good quality protein powder (Whey) and use it regularly. Find one low in calories.

Take vitamin supplements. Be sure your body is getting the fuel it needs.

MEALS

Here are a few ideas for simple and tasty meals:

Breakfast

Two eggs, one strip of bacon, fresh fruit and 16 oz of water

Oatmeal, just a bit of milk, mix in fresh fruit (like raspberries, blueberries, etc)

Mix yogurt, cottage cheese, fresh fruit and All Bran or similar complex grain cereal

Lunch

SUBWAY - Salad mixing greens and protein like tuna or chicken.

KFC – Grilled chicken breast and a double side of green beans

In-N-Out – Hamburger ordered “protein style” (no bun). Sorry, no French fries. Bring an apple with you.

Dinner

Endless combinations of the following: Lean protein (fish, chicken, steak), green salad, two vegetables, fresh fruit (as many dark colored fruits and vegetables as possible).

GREEN DRINK

Many of you have asked how to make the famous Green Drink so here you go:

Fresh Leafy Spinach

Kale

½ Green Apple

Cucumber

Protein Powder

Plain Yogurt

Orange Juice, Grape Juice (or whatever kind you have on hand)

A few frozen fruit chunks (tropical blend from Costco is good)

A fresh banana or orange if you have one

Put all ingredients in a blender and mix. Add more or less to taste.

Enjoy!

THE LAST WORD

Look, this really works. A friend of mine started making these eating choices on January 15, 2012 and by February 15, 2012 he had lost 13.5 pounds! By March 15, 2012 he had lost another 6.5 pounds for a total of 20 pounds in just two months! More importantly, his chronic high blood pressure is now under control and his doctor is considering taking him off of the medication he has been using. He is so excited that he is now using the treadmill and for the first time in many years is willingly doing push ups and sit ups. He is thrilled to be wearing pants that had been pushed back in the closet that he hasn’t worn in years.

Don’t weigh yourself everyday. In fact, one time a month is just fine. This isn’t a diet or weight loss program - you are simply making better lifestyle choices. Your doctor will thank you. Your spouse will thank you. Your mirror will thank you.

Enjoy life.

FOUNDATIONS

Too often we hear about the takers.  Today we are going to discuss the givers.  I have several friends and acquaintances that have started and are the driving forces behind charitable foundations.  Two of the foundations that I wish to highlight today are genius - based on the vision of their founders the Atoa's and the Van Leeuwen's.  These groups are not only about giving money, supplies or care.  They are about helping people in difficult circumstances find dignity and respect through their participation in the work where possible.

A little bit of the story...

http://www.atoafamilyfoundation.org/

The Atoa Family Foundation was founded by Sam & Lori Atoa following the devastating Tsunami that killed 119 people in Samoa on Sept 30th 2009. The main purpose of the foundation is to provide a way for our family and friends to give back to Samoa. When the tsunami hit Samoa, I was determined to help. With the help of many wonderful people and organizations in Utah, we were able to raise enough money to take a 40’ container of humanitarian supplies to Samoa (Independent Samoa).

Before the tsunami I was already preparing to take my women’s volleyball team from Utah Valley University to compete in New Zealand and Samoa. Because of the tsunami we decided to add a Humanitarian focus to our trip. It was the best decision we made. The entire team was involved in making this possible. We also visited elderly care centers, schools and the pediatric ward at the main hospital in Apia. It was an experience of a life time for the girls to go from village to village delivering clothing and much needed supplies to those in need.

Following the trip in May of 2010, Lori and I decided to take the steps necessary to establish the Atoa Family Foundation. Since that time, we have been able to return to Samoa every year to continue our support for the people of Samoa.

In 2011, we joined with Dr. Marv and Lori Allen (Cardiologist) and the Rheumatic Rescue Group which included Eco Techs from IHC and Utah Valley University Nursing Students. The main focus is to screen Elementary School kids for Rheumatic Heart disease and to educated them about Strep throat. We are also trying to determine why it is so prevalent in young children in Samoa. As we travel from school to school, we would leave books and school supplies that we brought on the container to help with the educational needs of each school.

In 2012 we returned to Samoa and continued to screen other schools. We spent more time in Savaii this year because of the high percentage of children detected with this disease.

This year (2013) in May we are returning again to spend another 2 weeks in Samoa with the Rheumatic Rescue group. We will also be focusing on taking supplies to help families that were affected by Cyclone Evan that hammered Samoa in December 2012. The service continues.

Thanks to all that have been so generous in helping us make this possible. Especially to Globus Relief in Salt Lake City who has helped us every year. Thanks to many family and friends that have given time and money to help with this cause.

Thank you or in Samoan we say: Fa’afetai tele lava.

Atoa for Samoa

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And, another powerful story of what caring committed people can do...

www.koinsforkenya.org/

Initially, all Koins projects were education based - schools, libraries, science center, etc. As we progressed, in order to maintain balance in our service area, Koins incorporated farming and agricultural programs, water retention systems, and micro-business ventures, uplifting the entire community. The Koins board in Kenya proposes projects and budgets to the Koins board in the U.S. and project selection is based on the following considerations:

• Most urgent needs. Whether it's the need for a new school building, latrines, scholarships, water projects or to aid a micro-business, no one knows the needs better than our leaders who actually live within our service area. Each project requires monetary and non-skilled labor participation from those who will benefit. This ensures a strong sense of accountability and ownership.  

• Best use of donor funds. Through the Koins qualification process, along with our required village participation, no one can stretch a donated dollar further than Koins.

• All donated funds go toward projects. Koins is dedicated to this concept. This has been our position from our very first project, and continues to be our mantra.  

• Village beneficiaries must meet the 10% requirement. No project starts without the full monetary participation of the community, and non-skilled labor commitment (foundation digging, mixing cement, hauling sand and gravel to site, etc.) Koins has established a strong working environment within our village area. The villagers recognize that Koins will come through with our commitment, so they willingly do whatever is necessary to raise their 10%, sometimes requiring months and even years of personal sacrifice.

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One summer a few years ago my son and niece traveled to Africa with Koins for Kenya to perform volunteer service.  It was a life changing experience for them.  Here is a TIP FROM A MAN... involve yourself with the work of foundations that have a vision and mission that you support.  Where possible give financial support, but there are also other ways to aid the cause by helping acquire needed supplies, raising awareness or donating time.  There is so much need both domestically and internationally.  So many amazing  people have open hearts and helping hands.  To all of these wonderful people I offer a grateful SALUTE!!!

Enjoy life.

YOU CAN DO THIS LUNCH

Many people believe that eating right and tasting good are mutually exclusive.  That they just can't go together.  Well, here at TIPS FROM A MAN, we are out to change that way of thinking.  Here is another example of success!

Lunch Salad

This salad is made from the following ingredients:

Spinach

Strawberries

Pineapple

Mandarin Oranges

Blueberries

Avocado

And a side of vegetables:

Cucumber

Red Bell Peppers

Celery

Radish

Top off with Greek Yogurt Jalapeno dip

Lunch Sandwich

Spelt Bread

Sliced Apple

Sunflower Butter

Cinnamon

Honey

I might have caught your attention with the Spelt bread.  What is Spelt?  A wonderfully nutritious and ancient grain with a deep nutlike flavor, spelt is a cousin to wheat that is recently receiving renewed recognition. Spelt products can be found in your local health food store year-round. 

Spelt is an ancient grain that traces its heritage back long before many wheat hybrids. Many of its benefits come from the fact that it offers a broader spectrum of nutrients compared to many of its more inbred cousins in the wheat family. It can be used in many of the same ways as wheat including bread and pasta making. Spelt does not seem to cause sensitivities in many people who are intolerant of wheat. 

See if you aren't careful you learn something new every day!  Have a great lunch like this one today!

Enjoy life.

PURSUE YOUR DREAMS

OK, be honest, if you were the father of this bride and wrote a blog, could you help yourself from sharing these photos?

My daughter earned a degree in Fashion Design from the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in New York City.  It was a grueling program.  She had to pull numerous all-nighters to complete her assignments.  She graduated with honors.  Her career goal is to design wedding dresses.  Well, this is a good start, don't you think?  She sketched, designed, selected the fabrics and other materials and sewed this dress by hand.  It has taken over 250 hours to complete.  I have watched this come together stitch by stitch.  The incredible fabrics, the sequins, the hundreds of individually made fabric flower petals, the thousands of tiny beads lovingly sewn on one at a time.  For the past five years she has worked around the clock toward making her dream of being a fashion designer a reality.  Currently she works two jobs while taking a full load of college classes toward a marketing degree all the while planning every detail of the wedding event of the century.

It is my belief that everyone of us has gifts and talents.  I'm also aware that for various reasons that people do not always develop their gifts and talents.  This is a great waste.  The reasons probably are different in every circumstance.  Work ethic, family support, funding, destructive behavior, etc.  Never-the-less we as a people are collectively worse off when this happens.  This TIP FROM A MAN is in two parts: 1) If you have a gift or talent, figure out how to pursue it.  Discipline yourself.  Rally a team around you.  Don't let it die.  Don't let discouragement or the haters hold you back... and 2) Look around you and see who has a talent that they are not pursuing and encourage them to "go for it."  I recently heard of a young man who loved skiing and pursued it as a youth.  His family then moved to the southeastern US so he was no longer able to ski and so he took up other sports.  He excelled in these other sports and even earned a Division I scholarship to play baseball in college but skiing was always on his mind.  One day he asked his father what he thought if he gave up the scholarship and pursued skiing.  His wise father understanding the importance of following dreams said, "I think you should do it."  This young man is now one of the top mogul skiers in the world and is working toward a spot on the US team that will compete in the 2014 Olympic games.

Life is too short not to develop our talents.  The bible in Matthew 25:14-30 instructs us in the importance of growing and not hiding our talents.  Don't settle.  Never give up.  But don't expect anything to be handed to you either.  Most talents need to be developed through hard work, perseverance and repetition.  If the breaks don't go your way, that is OK.  In the end, you can only control your effort.  Don't hold anything back.  Be satisfied with the effort and let the results be what they may.

Enjoy life!

TIPS FROM A MAN - ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY

Well, the blog TIPS FROM A MAN is now one year old.  The first posts were published on March 30, 2012.  Here are a few observations / tid bits:

- From a standing start, thousand and thousands and thousands have now viewed the blog.  Regular followers are from the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Canada and Sweden.  I have friends in these countries so perhaps they have helped to "spread the word."  Lots of drop ins from other countries as well.

- 77 Posts over the past 52 weeks on a variety of topics.

- 41.5 pounds is the most weight loss reported by a follower thus far.  The best part is that he is able to keep the weight off because of the lifestyle choices he has adopted.

- Something new.  Many people have stated that the blog has inspired them to expand their horizons and to try new things.

- Direction: This next year I am going to continue to focus on healthy living and enjoying life, but will post more frequently about things I know now in my 50's that I wished I would have known earlier at say age 25 - 30.  Perhaps we can help the younger folks be better parents, smarter consumers and more effective contributors to their communities and society in general.

Most importantly, thanks to each of you who have followed the blog.  If no one was reading the blog, there would be no point in continuing.  But due to the overwhelming support of each of you, I am fired up to make year two bigger and better.  THANKS!

Enjoy life!

YET ANOTHER BREAKFAST

This breakfast packs a punch!  It was nutritious and delicious!  And so easy to prepare and to clean up.  Time to list the ingredients:  Grape Nuts cereal, a handful of Fruit & Nuts from Costco, a few Sunsweet Plums and a splash of Almond/Coconut Milk.

When you are on the go and need a good base meal for the day, this is a good one.  Here is a TIP FROM A MAN... never skip breakfast!  Your body needs this fuel so that you have the energy to be productive.  Consuming several small meals throughout the day is the best.  Keep your blood sugar level even.  Avoid the peaks and valleys.  Be steady and win the race.

Enjoy life!

SALMON LUNCH

If you have the good fortune of finding yourself in Downtown Provo Utah at lunch time, do yourself a favor and stop in at Guru's on East Center Street.  This local favorite has many TIPS FROM A MAN friendly menu items.  Recently I enjoyed this Salmon lunch special.  It was served hot and was cooked to perfection.  The vegetables and rice were filled with flavor.  The portion size was just right.

I am going to keep telling you that it is VERY EASY to find food that is reasonably priced, fast, and that fits the lifestyle choices that you are making.  Not every meal needs to come between two slices of bread.  Sorry to be so preachy today but I keep hearing people saying that it is hard to eat right.  It is only hard until you make up your mind that it is time to take back your health and begin to enjoy life to its fullest.

Really, you can do this.  You are worth it.  Your family deserves a better, healthier you and you deserve that for yourself.

Enjoy life!

OG MANDINO / MOTHER TERESA

"Extend to each person, no matter how trivial the contact, all the care and kindness and understanding and love that you can muster, and do it with no thought of any reward. Your life will never be the same again."

Og Mandino
1923-1996, Author

 Augustine "Og" Mandino II (December 12, 1923 – September 3, 1996) was an American author. He wrote the bestselling book The Greatest Salesman in the World. His books have sold over 50 million copies and have been translated into over twenty-five different languages. He was the president of Success Unlimited magazine until 1976 and is an inductee of the National Speakers Association's Hall of Fame.
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Some people make a difference in the world.  I believe Og Mandino to be one of these people.  Here is a man that was known worldwide.  He was so very famous.  He did well financially.  Yet as we re-read the quote stated above, he was a kind and caring person.  From what I have been able to gather, he lived his life this way.  He walked the talk.  Success didn't go to his head.  He didn't say one thing and do another.

How can we be more like this?  It seems like the world has conditioned to ask, "what's in this for me?"  Many of us don't do things "just because."  We are nice to someone because we hope it will come back to reward us.  Or we are nice to people because of their position.  We suck up to the CEO but are rude to the janitor.  Can you remember the last time you had extraordinary customer service?  How did that service make you feel?  Will you go back to that establishment?  Now think about when you received bad service.  What was that like?

Here is a TIP FROM A MAN... treat everyone with care and dignity.  Reach out.  Don't try to measure how the kindness will impact your career.  Let's do things "just because."  Read what Mother Theresa had to say:

What a great opportunity each of us has.  We can influence the world one interaction, one person at a time.  Pay it forward.  Others are watching.  Perhaps others will imitate your behavior and be a little kinder, be a little more honest, be a little more compassionate.  

Enjoy life!

TOURNAMENT RECAP

Baseball is a deceiving game.  When you watch baseball it pretty much looks like a bunch of guys standing around with a little action happening occasionally.  No big deal.  Mainly a game of strategy.  But when you are playing baseball it is a different deal entirely.  It is a workout.  The morning after our double header I could barely move.  Because I was unable to do my normal off season training this was not entirely unexpected.  But man my body didn't want to respond.

We played three games: lost two and tied one (due to tournament time limits yes you can tie).  We didn't make the playoffs (which was not a surprise with that record).  I batted .500 collecting four hits in eight at bats with one base on balls.  Nine total plate appearances.  Playing with a huge knee brace was a challenge.  Restricted range and mobility took some getting used to.  I didn't move as well as normal on the bases or in the outfield.  But, I did play and after a few days of recovery time am no worse for the wear.  Tomorrow my MRI radiologist write up and CD goes to the orthopedic guys so we will probably know in a few days what my options are and what they recommend.

Playing hurt is a different deal.  It takes some of the fun out of it when you can't make plays you are accustomed to making.  If I can't get this knee fixed, as bad as I hate to say it, I am probably going to phase baseball out of my routine.  I've always said that I am not going to be that guy hanging on when he should hang it up.  I respect the game and my teammates too much for that.  If I can help the team win, OK, but if I am the guy that makes people groan when it is their turn to bat or when the ball is hit their way, no, not gonna be that guy.

I enjoyed meeting a bunch of new guys who played on our team in the Las Vegas tournament.  A shout out to my new friends from Chicago.  If I walk away, meeting new guys is one of the things I will miss most.

So here is a TIP FROM A MAN... know when it is time to move on.  There are many activities out there that we haven't tried.  We have to listen to our bodies and make adjustments.  If I can't run, then I will ride my bike and swim more.  It's OK to move on to new things and perhaps you and I will find new activities that we really like doing that we hadn't made time for in the past.

Enjoy life.

THE OFF SEASON FROM H E DOUBLE TOOTHPICKS

This off season has been a disaster.  Back in October 2012 I was in seventh heaven playing baseball in a tournament in Phoenix.  Our team had won a couple of games and we were in contention to make the playoffs.  As is typical in tournaments we were short on pitching.  I usually pitch a couple of innings here and there but my focus is usually hitting, fielding and using my speed on the bases.  But when the coach asked me to go nine innings I said, OK, sounds like fun, let's go for it.  We were playing in a spring training stadium of the Oakland A's.  What an awesome facility.  I was pumped up!  All night I was paying close attention to how my arm and shoulder were feeling.  I kept telling myself, "pace yourself, don't over throw, if anything begins to hurt, put a call into the bullpen."  But all was good and I pitched into the 9th inning.  The game was close all night.  The lead went back and forth.  Very few runs were scored.  I pitched good, but not quite good enough to win.

Look at the stress on the right knee

After the game got over at about 9 PM I went back to the hotel and iced down my arm and shoulder.  All is well.  Hated to lose, but that was fun.  That's why I play.  Well the next morning when I woke up I was shocked to discover that my right knee had swollen to the size of a cantelope.  What the heck?  Since I am a lefty the right leg is my plant leg.  I guess it just took way too much abuse over the course of the game.  So I figured, OK, rest this stupid thing for a couple of weeks and get back to work.  Wrong!  This knee just wouldn't heal.  All winter it was weak and would hurt like crazy if I tried to do anything.  Running was out of the question.  Skiing?  Nope.  Walking up a flight of stairs... do I have to?  I had surgery on this same knee a couple of times back in the '90's.  Maybe it is ugly in there.  After weeks dragged on to months and physical therapy, yoga and chiropractic hadn't done the trick, I decided it was time to get an MRI.  Let's just say that the radiologist write up used words athletes don't like to read: "cartilaginous defect," "cartilage appears to be absent down to the bone," "the edges of the defect are sharp and steep," etc, etc.  On the bright side, he said that the ligaments appear to be in good shape. 

So here I am in Las Vegas about to play in a spring baseball tournament.  I haven't prepared at all.  I haven't run a step since October.  I haven't thrown, fielded or hit in the cage.  I am staring at the assortment of knee braces I brought with me.  Wear one of them?  All of them?  None of them?  Other than weightlifting and stretching I've not been able to do a thing for almost five months.  I am usually Mr. Prepared.  I'm that nut out running in a blizzard.  I'm usually the first guy in the gym and always bugging my buddies to go hit.  This is uncharted territory for me.  I am nervous.  After this tournament the next stop is to see the orthopedic doc to see if another surgery is the answer or if this is the beginning of my athletic end.  If I can get this fixed that would be awesome.  If I need to hang up the cleats, well, it has been an amazing run.  How many guys get to play competitive baseball into their 50's?

It's raining in Vegas and the temperatures are unseasonably cool.  Matches my mood.  Yes, Mr. TIPS FROM A MAN faces adversity just like everyone else.  But I am going to take this challenge head on and make the best of it whatever the outcome!

Enjoy life!

RAW

My friend Susan put me on to this site.  I keep preaching about eating foods in their most natural state.  This site doesn't pull punches.  It provides a lot of food for thought.  You may or may not agree with everything on the site.  That is what gathering information is all about.  Study, research, draw your own conclusions and make your choices.  This decision making pattern works for food and also works for every other aspect of your life.

Check out rawforbeauty.com and click on the BLOG button.

Here is a TIP FROM A MAN... follow the decision making pattern as detailed above.  Be strong.  Set your path.  Don't blame others.  Take control.  Make a difference in your own life then make it your life's work to help lift other people.  What goes around comes around.

Enjoy life!

SNOWSHOEING

Talk about fun!  Talk about a workout!  A consistent theme in this blog is to encourage each of us to escape into nature at every opportunity.  It is so physically relaxing and mentally refreshing to become absorbed by nature and the majesty of the awe inspiring world that we live in.  During the summer months the great outdoors can get very crowded.  Lots of boats on the lake.  Lots of tents in the campground.  Lots of bikes.  Lots of fishermen.  Heck, even lots of golfers.  In my November 8, 2012 blog post I said that I was going to try snowshoeing this winter.  So imagine my delight when I went snowshoeing with my best friend (lovely wife) and we discovered that we were the only humans on the mountain.  It was so quiet.  The only sound was our own breathing.  We saw deer and wild turkeys.  There was no dust.  There were no pesky flies or other insects.  It was amazing.  It was peaceful.

And the workout, oh my gosh.  Here is a TIP FROM A MAN... before winter ends, rent, borrow or buy some snowshoes and head into the woods.  Go for an hour or for the whole day - whatever time you have.  Seriously you have got to try this.  It is a blast.  Here are a few important does:

- Dress in layers.  Don't over dress so that you start to sweat.  Take an extra layer in a pack.

- Take water and a snack.  Bring more than you think you need in the event you stay longer.

- Go with a friend or two or a whole group.  No exceptions.

- Tell someone where you are going and approximately when you will return.

- Take a cell phone.  You might not have a signal but then again you might.

- Wear sunglasses and sunscreen.  The sun is more intense than you think.

- Take a flashlight.  For emergency only.  Plan to return way before dark.

- Try easy terrain until you are technically accomplished.  Be smart.

- Take a camera to get a shot of your friend face down in the snow after a fall.

You are in for a real treat.  Snowshoeing may quickly become your favorite winter activity.  It is now at the top of my list.

Enjoy life!

TILAPIA DINNER

Some people like fish with a strong flavor.  Others prefer a more mild fish.  This TIPS FROM A MAN dinner was made with a very mild fish and a very green vegetable.  The Tilapia was seasoned with a little melted butter, fresh chopped garlic clove, dried parsley flakes and fresh squeezed lemon.  It was then baked in the oven.  Before eating we topped it with more freshly squeezed lemon.  The Italian green beans were cooked in a little beef bullion.

The flavor of this meal was amazing.  You might be looking at the photo saying, "no way, that meal isn't large enough.  He is trying to starve me!"  To be honest, I had that same first impression.  But I ate the meal slowly, enjoyed a cool glass of water and when I was finished I was satisfied and didn't have the urge to eat again that evening.

Making good eating choices is fairly easy if we do the following:

1 - Plan ahead

2 - Prepare the meal with the right herbs and spices so it is full of flavor

3 - Make food selections that are pleasing to look at

and

4 - Create a meal that is relatively easy to prepare and to clean up

It is about time to come out of hibernation and begin to get excited for spring.  Ninety (90) plus days until the Memorial Day weekend.  Still plenty of time for you to decide what body you want to display come swim suit weather and to do something about it.  I am hitting the weights, busting my abs and following the TIPS FROM A MAN eating guidelines.  I am looking forward to spring.  Hopefully you are too!

Enjoy life!

POWER BREAKFAST

We hear a lot about Power Lunches so don't you think it is about time for a Power Breakfast?  We are not talking eating with business tycoons here, we are talking about eating a powerful meal.  Here is my idea of a Power Breakfast:

- Granola

- Grape Nuts

- Sliced fresh banana

- Handful of Costco Fruit & Nuts

- Almond Milk

This is a building block meal.  This will set you up for the day.  This is the fuel you need.  I don't have a calorie count on this meal.  It is just a common sense meal.  Here is a TIP FROM A MAN... learn to trust yourself.  After we've made good eating choices for a while we get a feel for what our bodies need.  At this point it comes down to the mind, the five inches between our ears.  Are we going to do what we know is right or are we going to choose poorly and gobble up some empty calories?  It is up to us.  No, the devil can't make you do it!

Enjoy life!

ARE YOU READY FOR PINK?

I have no idea where my wife found this recipe, but it is an amazing drink.  Be bold!

Raw beets are an excellent blood purifier, coconut liquid is packed with minerals and electrolytes, and how many breakfasts do you know that taste great and contain raw carrots and beets?  Makes one quart, a 450-calorie breakfast that has 4 servings of fruits and vegetables, 15 percent plant protein, and good fats in the cashews.

1 1/2 cups coconut liquid (raw or from a can)

1 large carrot (or 5 - 6 baby carrots)

1/2 of a medium sized beet, peeled

1/4 cup cashews

1/4 cup chopped dates

2 tsp. vanilla

1 Tbsp. hemp protein powder (optional)

12 frozen strawberries

Puree all ingredients except strawberries and hemp protein for about 90 seconds.  Add strawberries and puree on high until smooth.  Add hemp protein for the last 5 seconds.

Here is a TIP FROM A MAN... sometimes you gotta just step up and be bold!  This is an amazing drink.  It tastes good and is packed with the good stuff. 

Enjoy life!

OBSESSED WITH BREAKFAST

ZOOM Cereal, Blueberries, Banana, Walnuts and Agave Nectar

Many accuse me of being obsessed with breakfast.  OK, you got me, guilty as charged.  I am a firm believer that a good nutritious breakfast is the foundation for the day.  The meal doesn't need to be big, but it needs to pack a punch.  After an 8 - 10 hour overnight fast, your body is looking for fuel.  It needs calories.  As you know all calories are not created equal.  Your body craves complex carbohydrates, natural sugars and protein.

This morning I started off my day with the meal pictured above.  It was tasty, filling, easy to prepare and easy to clean up.  Three hours later my hunger is still satisfied and am now into my daily ritual of drinking water while working at the office or driving to appointments.  I'm straying off topic but one of the little known benefits of the winter months that I appreciate is that the bottle of water I keep in the car stays cool all day.

So here is a TIP FROM A MAN... when it comes to breakfast two things are critical; 1) Plan ahead and 2) Leave time to prepare, eat and clean up.  As with most successful home meals, you must plan your breakfast meals out in advance and shop for the ingredients you will need.  Then get up early enough to take care of all you must do in the morning while allowing time for breakfast.  If you are raising children, a quality breakfast will make them feel better and they will likely perform better at school.

Enjoy life!

CHOICES

"One's philosophy is not best expressed in words; it is expressed in the choices one makes. In the long run, we shape our lives and we shape ourselves. The process never ends until we die. And the choices we make are ultimately our own responsibility."

     Eleanor Roosevelt
 ____________________

This seems so simple.  Yet we live in a world where governments seek to legislate its citizens into a corner because they don't think we are smart enough to make our own choices.  Or on the other hand, people in increasing numbers refuse to accept responsibility for their own actions and seek to place blame on others. 

Here is a TIP FROM A MAN, God has given us free agency and in the USA (although politicians seem to be constantly chipping away at this) we enjoy our freedom.  So let's accept responsibility and go out and put in the work so we make good decisions and choices.  Let's learn from our mistakes.  Let's learn from history.  Let's be brave and be not afraid.  Let's own today and all of its possibilities.  Let's be doers!

Enjoy life!

OUTPOURING OF LOVE

Natalie has devoted her life to music.  She learned to play the violin at a very young age and developed a life long love for the instrument.  When it became time for her to select a profession she knew that performing and teaching the violin would be her life's work.  She excelled.  She has performed with famous orchestras and symphonies.  She has played for literally hundreds of studio recordings that became CD's.  She is in constant demand not only for her musical ability but because she is pleasant to work with and very dependable.  As far as teaching, she taught in a variety of public school systems and later privately having as many as 50 students at a time.  Her students have gone on to study at Juliard and other extraordinary institutions.

 

Recently the unthinkable happened.  Natalie was diagnosed with stage four ovarian cancer.  Natalie, in keeping with her nature and spirit, has chosen to be upbeat and strong - an inspiration to us all.  But being a fighter, she desires to do all she can to try to beat this aggressive disease.  Upon hearing this news, a couple of Natalie's students decided to help and came up with the idea of putting together a benefit concert with 100% of the proceeds going to help pay for Natalie's medical expenses.  A miracle happened.  Within a matter of days, dozens of the most famous musicians in Utah rallied together and volunteered to perform and in less than three weeks of the original idea, a concert was held at a beautiful performance hall on the University of Utah campus.  The event received significant coverage in the print and television media.  Over 1100 people came to offer support and be a part of this once in a lifetime performance each donating $20, $50 or much much more.

 

The response from the musicians all of whom had played with Natalie at one time or another and from the public was overwhelming.  How could one person have touched so many lives?  Why is she so loved? I believe the answer is service.  Natalie has spent her entire life serving others.  She has served much more than she has been compensated for.  She has given willingly, often without being asked.  She is revered.

So here is a TIP FROM A MAN... let each of us be more like Natalie.  Let us be giving.  Let us serve.  Let us teach.  Let us love.  Let us do the right thing.  If the goodness that was evident in that concert hall that night was found throughout the world, most of the problems facing society would simply fade away.  There was no selfishness.  There was no anger.  There was no hate.  Instead there was love, devotion, appreciation and kindness in abundance.  May we all be a little bit better for witnessing or having heard about this experience.  We are praying for you Natalie.  God be with you.

Enjoy life!

TUNA SALAD

What's quick to prepare, tastes great and doesn't involve a bunch of bread or empty carbs? Tuna Salad is just the ticket.  Take a can of tuna and drain the juice/water, add mustard, a touch of low fat mayo, season to taste (salt, pepper, etc.) add celery and black beans if you have them.  Slice several cherry tomatoes and there you go. A great lunch that is loaded with protein and great taste.

Here is a TIP FROM A MAN... pretty much every sandwich can be made into a salad.  Before I cut way back on eating bread I used to order a popular sandwich at a local sandwich shop.  Now when I go there I get basically the same thing only it is chopped up as a salad with more lettuce and no bread.  Same great taste.  It's just that easy.

Enjoy life!

  

TRADITIONS

 

 

 Fall Family Football

Sledding Before Dinner

I am a big believer in traditions.  They bond people together.  A variety of groups have traditions.  Teams have traditions.  Fraternities and Sororities have traditions.  Schools have traditions.  Families have traditions.  The list could go on and on.

Santa Hats

Given that it is the holiday season, I would like to talk about family traditions.  Shortly after we got married my wife and I moved away for graduate school and later work.  For many years we didn't have family close by so we had to start our own traditions.  This turned out to be a real blessing.  Over the years we built our traditions as our family grew.  The meals we ate, what clothes we wore, what service we rendered, Christmas eve carolling, making ginger bread houses, how the children lined up to see what Santa brought, etc.  As time has passed and the children have grown and their interests have changed, the meals have become a bigger and bigger deal.  We now have the meals down to a science and expectations are high.  And, you definitely do not mess with tradition.  If even one side dish is missing, someone notices!

We have four traditional meals each year: Thanksgiving Dinner, Christmas Eve Dinner, Christmas Day Dinner and Easter Dinner.  Here are the menus:

Thanksgiving

Menu:
Turkey
Stuffing
Mashed Potatoes
Green Bean Casserole
Sweet Potatoes
Spinach Salad with poppy seed dressing
Pickles and olives

Dessert: Pie fest with an assortment of pies

Christmas Eve

Menu:
Clam Chowder
Crab Legs
Beet & Pickle salad

Dessert: Date Pudding

Christmas Day

Menu: 
Prime Rib
Napa Cabbage Salad
Party Potatoes
Cooked Carrots
Layered Raspberry Jello with Banana, Fresh Raspberries & Pineapple 

Dessert: Bread Pudding

Easter:

Menu:
Leg of Lamb
Rice Pilaf
Colby's Salad - Almonds, Mandarin Oranges, etc.
Asparagus
Curried Fruit
Seven Layer Jello
Pistachio Salad

Dessert: Trifle

When the children have been unable to be home at holidays due to college or in foreign countries for service, they all want to know how the dinners were.  They ask about the different dishes and if they were prepared just right.  I am so very fortunate to be married to a world class (self taught) cook.  I am qualified to do the pealing, stirring, fetching, meat carving and cleaning.  My wife, clearly the brains of the operation, does everything else.

So here is a TIP FROM A MAN... if you have family traditions, by all means, continue them.  If you don't have traditions, then start some immediately.  Do anything you can to bond with your loved ones.  Make sure your traditions are mobile so that if you relocate from home to home or city to city, your traditions will carry on.  Your traditions must only be meaningful to your family.  No outsider is allowed to judge!  Happy Holidays, and...

Enjoy life!