Oh Boy

I've had some pretty waters since I last posted.  Due to some personal family matters that shook up my life I slowly got away from eating a healthy plant based diet.   I started the journey at about 240 pounds and I got all the way down to 180 pounds.  I am at 200 pounds right now and hope to slowly transition back into a mostly plant based, gluten free diet.  Eating like that does miracles on the body.  As soon as I get back on the right path of eating I will update.  I will see if I can find some before and after photo's.

Getting Started - Day 53

Last weigh-in:  204.9  Today's weight: 204.7  (started at 235 pounds)I still have a long ways to go to get down to 170, but I am feeling great and healthy as an ox.  I have met numerous people lately with all kinds of diseases.   I feel really sad for those who are struggling with cancer.  For many the doctors are failing them and it's sad.  People with cancer need to know there are other things they can do to fight against cancer and even REVERSE cancer.  Please visit the page below:

Click here about cancer. Win the battle!

My other blogs:
Meat, Dairy & Protein.
Videos that helped saved my life.
Recipes

Getting Started - Day 43

Last weigh-in:  204.9  Today's weight: 204.9  (started at 235 pounds)

While I am currently maintaining weight, my health is incredible.  Great energy, never sick and feeling awesome.  If you're wondering why my weight has slowed down, it's because I am eating a lot of food.  I am enjoying extra servings of healthy food before I tighten things back up here shortly and starting pushing for more weight loss by eating less beans and whole grains and increase more veggies and fruits.  Especially bananas!

Did you know bananas are rich in potassium, vitamin B6, fiber and most of the vital vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids?  Bananas contain good amounts of manganese, magnesium, phosphorous and some vitamin A and vitamin E.

  

Medical benefits:

The potassium in the banana is helping the heart stay strong and it is good for the muscles. It also regulates the blood pressure and the water balance in the body.  The vitamin B6 in the banana strengthens the immune system and helps build the neurotransmitters of the brain.

Bananas contain "allicin" which helps to fight off infection, keep blood pressure at a healthy level or lower it if there is the need to and it also lowers the cholesterol in the body. Unripe bananas can be used as a cure against constipation.  Ripe bananas as a cure for diarrhea!

My daily goal is to eat 5 to 10 bananas!  The more the better and they are cheap!

Getting Started - Day 38

Last weigh-in:  205.4  Today's weight: 204.9  (started at 235 pounds)

Weight loss has been minimal the past couple weeks, but considering on how much I am eating I can understand that.  I eat tons of fresh fruit & veggies, but I have been eating a ton of hearty vegetarians soups at night.  I really love making soups that are loaded with chunky vegetables and beans.  I make an incredible variety of Cuban soups that are very healthy with lots of fiber, but the do have some calories in them from all the beans.  

My wife has been making a lot of "Vegan" desserts lately & those have been killing me!  When you eat as healthy as I do and all the sudden there is a yummy dessert that I am allowed to have......well....it's freaking hard not to eat it!   Even though it's a vegan dessert with no refined sugars or dairy, it is still high calorie & not "healthy", but wow my wife makes some good stuff!  I literally have been eating about 3000 to 3500 calories per day with no exercise so I know in order to lose weight faster I need to start exercising or cut back on my food intake, but I love to eat good healthy food because I am always exploding with energy!  

Also people ask me a lot what is the worse thing in someones diet.  If there is one thing you can cut completely out of your diet it is dairy!  Dairy is worse than meat and refined sugars.  "Casein" the protein found in dairy causes cancer and all other kinds of health issues.  It clogs up our body and it is not good!  The pus cells in dairy are loaded with crap that is bad for you body! Eat your meat, processed foods and unrefined sugars, but get rid of dairy!

Please visit my Dairy Blog to read more about dairy:  

Click Here

Getting Started - Day 31

Yesterday weight: 205.6    Today's weight: 205.4  (started at 235 pounds)

The hot topic lately has been about "meat" and "protein".   Every other day someone is saying, "Dan, where do you get your protein?".  "Dan, I'm concerned you aren't getting enough protein." 

I obviously have muscle mass, but with my new eating habits people are very curious on how I get my protein.  Protein comes from 2 sources:  Animals and Plants.   Protein is just the middle-man for Amino Acids.  Protein is broken down into Amino-Acids.  Guess what?  Every single Amino Acid the human body needs is found in fruits and veggies!   Huh?  Say what?  Are you kidding me?  No way!  Yea, but, but, but, the dairy industry says....but, but, but, the meat industry says.....but, but, but, my mom and dad says...but, but, but.  Fruits and vegetables?  Are you sure?

Where does a Buffalo get their protein?  Where does a Elephant get their protein?  How about a cow?  Where does a Gorilla get their protein?   Well they don't eat meat or dairy so where do they get there protein?  Hmmmm......

Visit my meat and protein blog for the answers:  CLICK HERE

Getting Started - Day 28

Yesterday weight: 206.1    Today's weight: 205.9  (started at 235 pounds)

Many people keep asking me why I don't eat meat.  Let me start by saying I don't think there is anything wrong with meat as long as it's pretty much left alone.  I own 5 different kinds of BBQ's.  I use to argue with Vegans until I was blue in the face on why I eat and need meat.  After intensive research and study, I humbly admit I was wrong. I will say if someone must have meat you better make darn sure it's organic meat (meat not containing mercury, steroids, hormones, antibitics, disease, etc.).   But this "organic" meat, unless you eat it raw, really isn't that healthy according to scientific and medical evidence.

Please do me a favor and go to my meat and protein blog:  Click Here
 

Getting Started - Day 25

Yesterday weight: 206.5     Today's weight: 206.3

The other day I shared with my brothers that I plan on dropping down to 170.  One of them told me there is no way I can ever get there.  I love it when people say just the right thing to light my fire further.  Soon I will go from one of the heaviest in my family down to the lightest and healthiest. I just smile as I know what changes have and are taking place in my body.  Obesity, high blood pressure, cancer are just some of the things that happen and will continue to happen to people in my family.  Most of them continue to eat the same way they were raised which is SAD (standard american diet).  Very unhealthy and it's very obvious within my own family.  Hopefully sooner than later people will wake up and take their health seriously.  Unfortunately, stubbornness is strong in my family so people refuse to change their ways and everyone thinks they are smarter than the other person (LOL)....as they continue to get fatter and fatter.  What they think they know as truth is a lie.  I grew up listening to the same things and taught the same things.  I can only hope that people will be willing to research the truth that is now backed by medical and scientific evidence before something terrible happens to their body as a result from their food choices.  I have met numerous people lately who knows someone that has or had cancer or heart disease.

Do you want to know how to become heart attack proof?  Please Click Here

Getting Started - Day 24

Yesterday weight: 206.8    Today's weight: 206.5

Research, research, research, study, study, study, experiment, experiment, experiment.  Other than looking for a job that is all I seem to do these days.   I continue to be blown away on how people talk about health for other people, but fail to look at their own health.  I was eating with some family the other day and they were talking about how "such and such" should  change their diet because of how they eat and/or how big they are.  Of course they are saying this as they are chomping down on some greasy or fried food.  I'm thinking "are you even aware of what you're eating?".  I didn't say a word and just ponder about what they say.  

I am not a doctor or "expert" and currently do not have a degree in nutrition, but I certainly know tons more about nutrition than they do and even doctors.  Most doctor's don't get any education on nutrition and the ones that do get like a couple hours worth. Hundreds of hours of research and studying have made me quite educated.  I am strongly considering getting my degree in nutrition so I have a "tag" and then people might listen.   I had one person telling me that drinking 32oz of milk is the same thing as drinking 32oz of water.  "Liquid is liquid".    Yea, liquid is liquid, but milk is not water.  You will get a small amount of water from the milk, but to think it's "same for same" is just crazy.  Yes, we do get some water from fruits, veggies, juices, foods, etc.  But we still need lot's of water.    Sickness, fatness, disease everywhere and it's all curable and 99% of the people don't know or don't care.  Crazy!  Enough of my rant on that....

Getting Started - Day 23

Yesterday weight: 207   Today's weight: 206.8


First off I want to say "Rest in Peace, Dad.  I love you."  My father passed away today from prostate cancer at the young age of 67.  Much too young.......

So many people I know think I truly need to have meat in my diet for protein. I have friends who will turn blue in the face debating that we need to eat meat.  Even with scientific and medical evidence saying otherwise they refuse to look at the research or ignore or unable to answer my questions when challenged.    

As for me I am currently feeling awesome.  My blood work is great, health is optimal  and I continue to pray that those with health issues will one day consider taking one of my challenges.  I have created several other blogs with great information you should check out.

Informational Videos:  Click Here

Meat, Dairy & Protein: Click Here

Recipes: Click Here

Getting Started - Day 22

Yesterday weight: 207.2   Today's weight: 207 

People often ask me what exactly do I eat.  My current food consumption looks like this:

1. Fruits & Veggies 85%-90%.
2. Legumes, Seeds, Nuts & Whole Grains 10%-15%.

If you want to lose some weight fast for an upcoming event, follow a 100% plant based diet made up mostly of fruits and veggies with lots of water consumption.  If you do this you will watch the weight and inches melt before your eyes.  But WARNING: You will likely have a big increase in energy, sleep better and feel like a new person.  Eat lots of fresh fruit. Have unlimited salads loaded with your favorite veggies.  Make delicious salad dressings. You can feast like a king and lose weight!  Interested in taking a 10 day challenge?  Then message me and let me know.  If you need some motivation, please go watch some of these videos:

Click Here and watch these videos!

Getting Started - Day 19

Yesterday weight: 207.6   Today's weight: 207.4

I have increased my consumption of food which explains why the weight loss has slowed down.  I don't mind at all because I want the extra nutrition. I enjoy experimenting on my own body to see how I feel and how my body responds so I can be educated in these areas from personal experience.  I dream of writing a book down the road where I can put all my research and experience together and create a challenge plan for anyone to try to obtain optimal health easily. There are so many groups out there that all are pretty much healthy, but extreme in their views. I know what my perfect food group pyramid would look like, but I am going to continue to heal my body with nutrition, have blood work done and monitor how I feel and live by what I consume.  My tip of the day for is to drink lots of water.  I already get fresh water from my fruits and veggies, but I think anyone should at least shoot for 2 liters daily at a bare minimum.  Flush that body in the morning and drink water between meals.

Getting Started - Day 18

Yesterday weight: 207.8   Today's weight: 207.6

I now know literally of hundreds of people of all ages taking steps to change their lives like me. But what is more shocking is that of all these people I know, so many of them have friends or family "objecting" to them when they decide to eliminate meat and dairy.  Are they really scared for them or don't want to face the truth themselves?  I really don't know.  Some people say "it's not healthy to quit eating cheese" or "you can't live on just plant food" or "there is nothing wrong with fast food in moderation".  Lacking knowledge in nutrition, these people try to educate!   One thing I have learned by choosing to eat plant based foods is that people choose to be ignorant.

Ignorant:

1. Lacking knowledge or awareness in general; uneducated.

2. A state of being uniformed.

Ignorance is when we don't know something, but we are capable of knowing it if we choose to.

Allow Yourself To Change:  The biggest obstacle to learning new truths is our inability to embrace change. It's difficult to learn that what you've always thought was true, isn't actually true. We have to allow ourselves to be open to new ideas. That is how we grow and mature. 

Find Your Experts:  We need to have access to the experts (people with authority) on the topics we are learning about.  We have to let the experts guide us, but we still need to learn as much as we can so we can sort through misinformation. If a CPA tells us that we need a new transmission but a mechanic says we don't, who are we most likely to believe?  My experts are doctors, surgeons, researchers, nutritionists, scientists and people I respect and admire that follow a plant based diet.

Trust Yourself and Be The Research:  We also have to place importance on our own experiences and create our own experiments. It's one thing for me to tell you that eating plant based foods will make you feel better, lose weight and help you get healthier, but until you put the lifestyle into practice and see for yourself, you won't believe it. You also won't believe you can do it until you choose to do it.

I ate the Standard American Diet for 40 years.  I tried tons of new "diets" many times. I knew that eating dairy, refined sugars, pork, etc. were bad for my health. I had read it a thousand times, but I had it in my head that I couldn't live without cheese or cookies or meat and that not eating these things probably wouldn't make a whole lot of difference so I decided to go off them for 10 days to see if I noticed anything. I had every intention of eating those things again or maybe choosing to eat it in "moderation".  The results were astounding.  I decided to do another 10 which turned to 30.  Now obviously because of the incredible results for me and others I am gonna continue this new way of life.

Had I not gone dairy free, meat free, etc. for those 10 days I wouldn't have learned first hand how much better I felt and how clearer my thinking was.  I would have never reversed my medical conditions.  The weight lifted off my heart, knowing I was no longer contributing to the slow suicide of my body.  If you have never tried a plant based way of eating....take some of my 10 day challenges.  Try some simple elimination of foods.  I'm happy to give you some baby steps if you contact me.

Getting Started - Day 16

Yesterday weight: 208.2  Today's weight: 208.1

BINGE!   Do you ever binge?  Last night I found myself super hungry at 11:00pm.  I should have been in bed, but I had my first late-night binge.  I had 500 calories of LARA bars (they are vegan), some organic blue chips with hummus, raw almonds, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, 3 tomatoes and some other granola bar.  Oh, don't let me forget some Almond Milk.   I think I ended up having about 2000 calories of food!  I still lost weight for the day, but sheeesh!  Right?   I guess the good that comes from this is that in the past I would binge on cheetos, ice cream, chips, donuts, chocolate, cookies, etc.    Okay, now changing subjects.  A lot of people ask me what I use for salad dressings.  Well, I use a lot of different kinds and all are healthy.  Let me show you a clip of a healthy Orange Cashew Dressing:

Click Here

Getting Started - Day 14

Yesterday weight: 208.5  Today's weight: 208.3

I was just thinking how wonderful it is that over a month ago Doctor's said it was time to under go further testing and consider medication which I was able to avoid by reversing my symptoms simply by eliminating dairy and meat and eating more fruits and veggies.  When we were discussing my chest pains I got from trying to exercise and my high blood pressure it lead to more questions which concerned me.  I was worried about my heart because of the high blood pressure and chest pain.  I also had tingling/numbness in my hands and feet. I was often tired and irritable.  Then we found out I had cuts/bruises that were slow to heal.  After some other questions he said I was showing some signs of not just possible heart issues, but diabetes.   I also had high cholesterol.  Not to mention my sleep apnea, liver issues, etc.  I was a mess and discouraged.  But I took faith from people and testimonies and documentaries that I could avoid pills and reversed everything in 30 days!  Every symptom is now gone!  It actually does not seem like a very big deal to be honest.  But I never would have start investigating my health unless I saw that man die in front of me and the encouragement I received from certain people and documentaries.  My symptoms would have continued to get worse. Now THAT is actually scary.  If you have not watched any of the videos I have posted in my blog, please take the time to check them out.  It may just save your life some day.

Click here and please watch some of them.

Getting Started - Day 13

Yesterday weight: 208.6  Today's weight: 208.5 
 

People often ask me what is a good juice to make in their juicer so I am going to list some juices you should try.  They are healthy, taste great and really cleanse your insides.  Please note you can make larger portions, put in a canning jar & set aside in fridge for later in day for a healthy snack or meal replacement.

Here you go:  Click Here for Juice Recipes!

Getting Started - Day 10

Yesterday weight: 209  Today's weight: 208.9

People often ask about Green Smoothies.  There are hundreds of ways to make them.  My smoothies are different every day.   However, here are a couple videos on how to make some green smoothies:

Click Here! 

Getting Started - Day 8

Day 8:   Yesterday weight: 211   Today's weight: 210  Amazing.

Eventually my weight loss will slow down and that's okay because my goal is to lose my weight slowly and healthy.  I ate like a horse yesterday.  I even ate late at night having 2 garden burgers with salsa on top and a huge salad.  I typically don't want to eat at 9:30 at night, but I really felt like I needed to listen to my body and it all turned out okay!

I have had almost 2 dozen people now email me and ask me how to get started and they are slowly getting on their way.  They eventually watched some documentaries and thanked me for pushing the truth.  I had another friend who keeps saying he will watch them and he just got diagnosed with diabetes.  I made him a green smoothie yesterday and he and his daughters loved it!  I know dozens more that keep saying they will watch some documentaries.  I will continue to be a living testimony along with hundreds of others and get the truth out there.  Eventually, I am going to write a book and create a 30 day or 60 day challenge that will turn anyone's life around.  Look, this way of living works.  No question.  It's not a diet, it's not a fad.  It's a way of life. I mean my story is no different than thousands of others.  

In 30 days I was able to avoid medication for my high blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes symptoms.  All reversed!  In the same time I no longer have sleep apnea and I sleep better without the machine!  My energy makes me think I am in college again.  My liver damage is reversing.  My skin is more clear.  I swear my eye sight and hearing are better and I am getting those checked out.  My wife thinks I'm a new man.  We don't need "super pills" or "super juices"  or "super powders" from a bottle sold from big companies like MonaVie, Herbal Life, AdvoCare, Kyani, Xango, Vemma, etc., etc. I mean there are numerous studies showing just eating a fresh apple will give you more antioxidants.  Combine the apple with fresh fruits and veggies and no bottled juice on the planet can come close to touching fresh plant food from mother nature.  For the cost of the pills, juices and powders these multi-level marketing companies sell you, you can buy much more amount of fresh produce that lasts much longer and is much healthier.  I know about 30 people who sell these "super juices" and "pills" and "powders" and I can tell you that everyone one of them are fat except one.  I love these people and most of them sincerely mean well, but there is a much healthier and cheaper alternative.  I know most of them sell the product for the money and I understand it's a business.  However, if they TRULY did the research and study and became an authority about nutrition they would know that none of the stuff they sell compares to fresh fruits and vegetables.  Here is the link to a free and great documentary and a must see:

Click Here and watch this...

Getting Started - Day 4

Yesterday Weight: 215    Today's Weight: 214    Still losing 1 pound per day while eating like an ape.

I love it!  I am able to eat and drink as much as I want and still lose weight!   Energy levels are awesome!  I have not been sick with anything for the first time in years during the winter season.  No flue shots, no pills.  Just good nutrition.  I have found it very interesting lately on how many personal trainers know very little about nutrition.  They know how to make great work out programs & they know about  fats, carbs, proteins and calories, but they don't understand the nutrition of what we eat.  Almost everyone I have met thinks we need dairy (milk, cheese, yogort, whey) and  meat to get our protein.  They don't realize the harm that those things cause the inside of our bodies.  Protein from plant sources are optimal and plants don't poison your body.  It's the same things for medical doctor's.  In fact, doctor's are even worse when it comes to nutrition.  Medical doctor's often get very little or no education about nutrition.  Doctor's are great at prescribing pills and treating (covering up) a symptom.  My Doctor was blown away at the results of my blood work and couldn't believe that in less than a month from eliminating dairy and meat that my cholesterol would drop 200 points and my blood pressure drop from very high to very good.  Okay, that was just my little rant.....please make sure to check out my video blog:

CLICK HERE

Getting Started - Day 3

Yesterday Weight: 216   Today's Weight: 215

2 lbs lost in 2 days isn't too bad on this new journey.  Hey if that kind of rate keeps up for a month I'm gonna be crushing my goal way before June!  I've been stuffing myself and I'm losing weight and feeling great.  People on the SAD (Standard American Diet) are missing out!  I mean geez, just over a month ago I was about 235lbs and lost almost 20lbs in 30 days simply by eliminating most meat and dairy!  Now with all this nutrition going into my body I feel so freaking amazing!

I have received several emails from people about "protein" and wondering if I can get enough protein on a plant based diet.  The answer is YES.  Many people think protein can only come from meat, eggs, dairy or whey, and that without eating at least some of those foods, they won't get enough. Actually every living cell contains protein, especially plants/vegetables, seeds, nuts, seaweeds and algae. It is reported that for humans to stay healthy we need about 6% of our daily calories to come from protein (Other associations say we only truly need 4%).  In the raw, fruits contain 5%, vegetables contain 20-50%, and sprouted seeds/nuts contain 10-25% of their calories from protein. So if you are eating a raw food lifestyle, you are getting more than enough protein. Scientific studies show the daily need for protein is around 25-35 grams per day. If you eat 2,000 calories per day on a raw plant foods lifestyle that had an average of 10% of their calories from protein, 200 calories would be protein (or 50 grams), more than an adequate amount. As a matter of fact, your body doesn't use whole proteins, it has to break them down into amino acids. Plant proteins break down for assimilation more quickly than animal proteins and they are typically found already in the amino acid form.

Cows, horses, deers, elephants, and gorillas are natural vegetarians. Does anyone ever wonder where they get all their muscle and body mass from? Grass, leafy greens, and in the case of the gorilla, fruit! The meat and dairy industries spend millions on advertising trying to convince people the only way to get protein is from meat and dairy products, and they are obviously very successful. Your body needs 22 amino acids in order to build protein molecules and muscles. Of the 22 amino acids, there are 8 that the body cannot make and has to get from outside sources. All the 8 amino acids are available in raw plant foods, plus they are in a form, which is easily assimilated into the body. All the protein needed by your body can be received from raw nuts, seeds, vegetables and fruits. Here are some great videos about protein on my other page:

Click Here 

Getting Started - Day 1

I've already seen unbelievable results just from the elimination of dairy and meat that were previously in my way of living.  Blood pressure is down, cholesterol is down, sleep apnea is gone, diabetes symptoms gone, snoring is almost gone, energy is exploding, pills are a thing of the past, my liver is healing and my doctor just scratches his head.  ;-)

I started my new journey fat and sick at 235 pounds!  30 days ago I decided to eliminate 90% of meat and dairy and focusing on fruits and vegetables.  Why you still might ask?  Well, on November 10, 2011 I saw a man die of a heart attack right in front of me.  This man died in front of his wife and children.  He had a heart attack on one of the water rides at Great Wolf Lodge resort. I held this man in my arms and with the help of several lifeguards we pulled his body to shore where failed CPR could not save his life.  His wife watched in horror and children crying clutching their hands begging God to save their dad.  These images are now stained into my brain.

This was a wake-up call for me and my own health.  I was overweight at about 235lbs and that night I made a decision to change my life forever..... I've had numerous health issues from stomach pain, headaches, sleeplessness, sleep apnea, fatigue, mood swings, depression, anxiety, stress, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, chest pain, diabetes symptoms, etc.  The doctor told me I was close to getting put on medication for my heart and cholesterol.  Was this an ideal option and lifestyle?  HECK NO!  As I start eating plant based foods my body will begin detoxification, give me energy, weight loss, better sleep and that my ailments will reverse and disappear forever. Yes, I believe that anyone with heart disease, western cancers, diabetes, asthma, hypertension, chronic fatigue syndrome, ADD, etc. can in fact reverse their conditions through nutrition.  I'm already seeing it in my own life.

I have lost almost 20 pounds and feel great, but I still munched on goodies and ate foods over Christmas I should have avoided.  After Christmas I decided my body really needs more nutrition on a deeper level which is why I am now starting a 1-year journey of 100% plant based foods to nourish my body.  Having said that....let the journey begin!  You can read more about my measurements and results HERE.

Lastly, please go to my video page and watch some of the video clips or documentaries.  They helped saved my life:

PLEASE CLICK HERE