1 Week Down ...

Week One Results & Reflection

Get Caught Up on the Story by reading 
these posts first:
The Beginning & Inspiration
The Rationale Behind it All
The Blood Work

So one week down and I feel great! I know this is called the Vegan Challenge and the challenge for many participants is to eat the vegan diet. For me, the challenge was not to eat vegan but 100% raw vegan. I've done this for 10 days before and I remember around day 5 it being VERY tough! I don't know if it is because all of us are doing this or what the reason is but this has been easy! 

Today, Saturday April 19th, is the 8th day of being raw vegan and here are my individual results:

• I feel much happier and by day 6 have not felt sad or depressed at all
• I have MUCH more energy during the day despite still not getting enough sleep
• I have lost 5 lbs in 7 days!
• The daily exercise of 30+ minutes is getting much easier each day and enjoyable!

During one of my nightly walks around the neighborhood I noticed someone watching TV and saw a food commercial on their TV. It suddenly dawned on me that was one of the reasons this challenge has been so easy! I didn't think about it before because in our house we don't watch ANY TV. We don't even have the TV's we own connected to local or free cable. We will watch movies on occasion and I do enjoy gaming on my XBOX but there aren't any food commercials coming through on XBOX ... not yet at least. The commercial was for seafood and I have never liked seafood but the way the ad was produced it made me hungry for that food! Crazy, right? Advertisers spend hundreds of millions of dollars a year ... some sectors spend in the billions to get you to eat their food. Pre-cooked, processed, and often animal based foods high in calories and low in nutrients. I know ALL of this yet I still craved what was on the ad. A strategy I recommend when trying to change the way you eat is to not watch commercials. Muting them won't make much difference as food companies appeal to your senses through imagery very well without sound. I am not a TV watcher so I don't know how you would avoid watching the food commercials but I definitely recommend it.

Another reason I have done this so easily is because I live in a household that is also vegan. While my wife and daughter may not eat raw all the time, I never have to sit and eat a dinner salad while watching my family eat a delicious cheese pizza with fresh veggies on top (what we used to eat). I know it can be extremely difficult if those TWO things are factors in your life ... food commercials and a non-vegan house ... so, I would like to say I am proud of you for doing it and keep going! You CAN do it! 

The 30 minutes or more of exercise each day has been an important step during this challenge and I think I have begun something that will be a permanent part of my life. What I wanted to prove and show to everyone was that 30 minutes out of your day is easy enough to do and even a 30 minute walk through a neighborhood can have an important positive impact in your life. There have been days where I just wanted to take an evening nap or just sit after a long day but, instead, I lace up my shoes and head out the door to return 30 minutes later. Each night I return home I am glad I did it and each night it gets easier and easier. On day 7 I was 'gifted' with a light rain as I did my walk. I think I was smiling the entire time! If you have not made daily exercise part of your vegan challenge maybe you can start a 4 week Daily Exercise Challenge and just go out and walk for 30 minutes each day. I am a HUGE fan of music and I could easily put in earbuds and listen to music while I walk but there is something about listening to the world and listening to life. As I walk each evening I notice the birds and listen to their songs as they communicate with each other. I hear people sometimes as they live their lives. Even the sound of the wind through the trees mixed with various other organic and inorganic sounds I realize that there is plenty of music for me in nature. Part of the exercise regimen is also doing so outside. There is something so important to our connecting with the outside world that we have lost as a society in a large part in the past 50 years. Think about this ... your hours awake each day can range from 16 to 19 hours. That is at least 960 minutes! Apart from how long it takes for us to walk to our cars from each structure how much time do you actually spend outside on a normal day? Ten minutes? Fifteen? Less than ten minutes even? Now, think about this ... when humans lived long healthy lives free of preventable diseases like heart disease, type II diabetes, and obesity related diseases not to mention the complete lack of overweight and obese people we spent almost the entire day outside! It is in our ancestry, our roots, it is our nature to breathe outside air and to feel the wind and to be kissed by the sun or even bask in the light of the moon, stars, and various other lights from the universe. Today we live inside our man-made structures and rely on technology to take us places and to see the world. Having traveled and seen many beautiful places I can tell you that no TV sitcom or video game or even blog page :-) compares to the feeling of pure joy and happiness that a hike through the rain forests of Costa Rica can give you. Now, I don't live in Costa Rica but even a walk around a neighborhood in Palm Desert, CA can bring some measure of peace and connection to a mind, body, and soul that is millions of years old. Just because the world has changed to put walls around us and tablets in our hands does not mean we are evolved to be holding one rather than connecting to our environments. So get out there and walk ... aim a certain direction and set your timer for 15 minutes and go! The at the end of those 15 minutes turn around and go back home. It is EASY and you will come to the realization that it can be done every day. If it is hot, wait until the sun goes down and walk at dusk. It will be considerably cooler and very do-able! 

Ok, enough of my rant. Keep up the great work everyone and feel free to post your "successes and/or failures" here on the comment section below. We'd love to hear your story! 

Safe paths to you ~ J.Tate

The Blood Work ... Interpreting Results

PLEASE READ THE FIRST AND SECOND POSTS BEFORE READING THIS POST

Get Caught Up on the Story by reading 
these posts first:
The Beginning & Inspiration
The Rationale Behind it All




Blood Work Results

Taken on March 24, 2014

Deciphering Blood Test Measurements
Blood tests use the metric measurement system and abbreviations such as the following:

• cmm cells per cubic millimeter
• fL (femtoliter) fraction of one-millionth of a liter
• g/dL grams per deciliter
• IU/L international units per liter
• mEq/L milliequivalent per liter
• mg/dL milligrams per deciliter
• mL milliliter
• mmol/L millimoles per liter
• ng/mL   nanograms per milliliter
• pg (picograms) one-trillionth of a gram

To assist in the understanding of the results I will be putting information for many of the most important markers/measurements below with my actual values highlighted in a different color. (Info found @ newportnaturalhealth.com)

This is the first time in my life I have had blood work done and is the result of nearly 7 years being 98% vegan and 100% vegetarian. When the blood was drawn my blood pressure was 122/80 and I weighed 212 lbs at 6'3" height. 

Chemistry Panel (or Metabolic Panel)
ALT (alanine aminotransferase)
Healthy range: 0 to 44 IU/L ................ My Results: 43
This test looks at levels of the liver enzyme ALT. When all’s well with your liver, your score on this test should be within range. Anything higher may indicate liver damage.

Albumin
Healthy range: 3.5 to 5.5 g/dL ................ My Results: 4.7
A protein made by the liver, albumin levels can be an indicator of liver or kidney problems.

A/G ratio (albumin/globulin ratio) or total protein test
Healthy ratio: a bit over 1.1 - 2.5, favoring albumin .......... My Results: 2.5
There are two types of protein your blood — albumin (see above) and globulin. The A/G ratio test compares levels of these proteins with one another. Elevated protein levels could indicate a health condition in need of attention.

Alkaline phosphatase
Healthy range: 39 to 117 IU/L ................ My Results: 47
This enzyme is involved in both liver and bone, so elevations may indicate problems with the liver or bone-related disease.

AST (aspartate aminotransferase)
Healthy range: 0 to 40 IU/L ................ My Results: 33
This enzyme is found in heart and liver tissue, so elevations suggest problems may be occurring in one or both of those areas.

Bilirubin
Healthy range: 0.0 to 1.2 mg/dL ................ My Results: 0.8
This provides information about liver and kidney functions, problems in bile ducts, and anemia.

BUN (blood urea nitrogen)
Healthy range: 6 to 20 mg/dL ................ My Results: 13
This is another measure of kidney and liver functions. High values may indicate a problem with kidney function. A number of medications and a diet high in protein can also raise BUN levels.

BUN/creatinine ratio
Healthy ratio of BUN to creatinine: 10:1 to 20:1 (8-19) ................ My Results: 13
(men and older individuals may be a bit higher)
This test shows if kidneys are eliminating waste properly. High levels of creatinine, a by-product of muscle contractions, are excreted through the kidneys and suggest reduced kidney function.

Calcium
Healthy range: 8.7 to 10.2 mg/dL  ................ My Results: 9.5
(the elderly typically score a bit lower)
Too much calcium in the bloodstream could indicate kidney problems; overly active thyroid or parathyroid glands; certain types of cancer, including lymphoma; problems with the pancreas; or a deficiency of vitamin D.

Chloride
Healthy range: 97 to 108 mEq/L ................ My Results: 100
This mineral is often measured as part of an electrolyte panel. A high-salt diet and/or certain medications are often responsible for elevations in chloride. Excess chloride may indicate an overly acidic environment in the body. It also could be a red flag for dehydration, multiple myeloma, kidney disorders, or adrenal gland dysfunction.

Creatinine
Healthy range: 0.5 to 1.1 mg/dL for women; 0.76 to 1.27 mg/dL for men ........ My Results: 1.00
(the elderly may be slightly lower)
The kidneys process this waste product, so elevations could indicate a problem with kidney function.

Fasting glucose (blood sugar)
Healthy range: 65 to 99 mg/dL for the average adult ................ My Results: 82
(the elderly tend to score higher even when they are healthy)
Blood sugar levels can be affected by food or beverages you have ingested recently, your current stress levels, medications you may be taking, and the time of day. The fasting blood sugar test is done after at least 6 hours without food or drink other than water.

Phosphorus
Healthy range: 2.4 to 4.1 mg/dL ................ My Results: ~Not Tested~
Phosphorus plays an important role in bone health and is related to calcium levels. Too much phosphorus could indicate a problem with kidneys or the parathyroid gland. Alcohol abuse, long-term antacid use, excessive intake of diuretics or vitamin D, and malnutrition can also elevate phosphorus levels.

Potassium
Healthy range: 3.5 to 5.2 mEq/L ................ My Results: 4.3
This mineral is essential for relaying nerve impulses, maintaining proper muscle functions, and regulating heartbeats. Diuretics, drugs that are often taken for high blood pressure, can cause low levels of potassium.


Protein Total, Serum
Healthy range: 6.0 to 8.5 g/dL ................ My Results: 6.6


Sodium
Healthy range: 135 to 145 mEq/L ................ My Results: ~Not Tested~
Another member of the electrolyte family, the mineral sodium helps your body balance water levels and helps with nerve impulses and muscle contractions. Irregularities in sodium levels may indicate dehydration; disorders of the adrenal glands; excessive intake of salt, corticosteroids, or pain-relieving medications; or problems with the liver or kidneys.



Lipid Panel (or Lipid Profile)
The lipid panel is a collection of tests measuring different types of cholesterol and triglycerides (fats) in your bloodstream. ** I had a new VAP Cholesterol Profile test done which is the most advanced of its kind currently. Visit this site to learn more about the VAP Cholesterol Profile

Total cholesterol ....... My Result: 135 mg/dL
General rules (best to worst):

• Healthy Below 200 mg/dL (below 5.18 mmol/L)
• Borderline high 200 to 239 mg/dL (5.2 to 6.2 mmol/L)
• High Above 240 mg/dL (above 6.2 mmol/L)

This test measures combined levels of both LDL (bad) and HDL (good) cholesterol. The test may be done simply to record an individual’s cholesterol levels or for comparison purposes (e.g., to determine if cholesterol-lowering medications or nutrients are working).

Triglycerides ....... My Result: 93 mg/dL

• Healthy range: 40 to 150 mg/dL

These fats are found in the bloodstream and may contribute to heart disease and other health problems.

HDL (Good) cholesterol ....... My Result: 30 mg/dL
General rules:

• Best Above 60 mg/dL
• Good 50 to 60 mg/dL
• Poor Below 40 mg/dL for men; below 50 mg/dL for women

Also known as good cholesterol, HDL (high-density lipoprotein) protects against heart disease. Low scores are risk factors for heart disease.

LDL (Bad) cholesterol ....... My Result: 86 mg/dL
General rules (best to worst):

• Optimal Below 100 mg/dL
• Near optimal 100 to 129 mg/dL
• Borderline high 130 to 159 mg/dL
• High 160 to 189 mg/dL
• Very high Above 189 mg/dL

Also known as bad cholesterol, LDL (low-density lipoprotein) is the substance that clogs arteries and is linked to heart disease.


Specifically, the VAP test measures:

• Total VLDL: ( < 30 mg/dL desired) .... My Results: 19
• Elevated VLDL levels correspond to an increased risk of heart disease and diabetes.

• Sum Total Cholesterol: ( < 200 mg/dL desired) ... My Results: 135
• The sum of HDL, LDL and VLDL levels.

• Total non-HDL: ( < 160 mg/dL desired) ...... My Results: 105
• The sum of only LDL and VLDL levels; a higher value indicates a greater risk for developing heart disease. 

• Total apoB100: ( < 109 mg/dL desired) ...... My Results: 77
• Apolipoprotein B100 helps create, carry and deliver "bad cholesterol" to cells; measuring apoB100 levels aids in determining the type and/or cause of high cholesterol. 

• Lp(a) cholesterol: ( < 10 mg/dL desired) ...... My Results: 2.0
• Research suggests that Lp(a), which is similar to LDL, is an inherited risk factor for atherosclerosis.

• IDL: ( < 20 mg/dL desired) ...... My Results: 9
• A lipoprotein of intermediate density; according to Atherotech, this number is elevated among individuals with a family history of diabetes.

• LDL-RC: ( < 100 mg/dL desired) ...... My Results: 75
• LDL that is bound to C-reactive protein; this type of LDL is found at the site of atherosclerotic plaques in the body, which are one of the key features of artery disease and -- when they rupture -- the primary initiator of heart attacks.

• Sum Total LDL-C: ( < 130 mg/dL desired) ...... My Results: 86
• The sum of Lp(a), IDL and LDL.

• LDL Size Pattern: ( "B" desired) ...... My Results: B
• Reported as one of three categories -- A, A/B or B. In pattern A, the LDL molecules are larger and less dense, making them easier for the body to remove. In pattern A/B, there is a combination of light and dense molecules. In pattern B, smaller, high-density molecules predominate. According to Atherotech, patients with small, dense LDL particles (pattern B) have a four-fold greater risk of developing heart disease than patients with LDL size pattern A.

• HDL-2:  ( > 10 mg/dL desired) ...... My Results: 4
• A subclass of "good cholesterol" that is particularly protective against heart disease. A low number here could mean an increased risk of coronary artery disease, even in those with otherwise normal cholesterol levels.

• HDL-3: ( > 30 mg/dL desired) ...... My Results: 25
• Another subclass of HDL, which does not protect against coronary artery disease to the same degree as HDL-2. 

• VLDL-3: ( < 10 mg/dL desired) ...... My Results: 12
• A triglyceride-rich very low-density lipoprotein; some studies suggest a potential correlation between higher VLDL-3 numbers and the development of diabetes.

In addition, the VAP test provides individuals with a better idea of their vulnerability to the metabolic syndrome, a combination of factors that significantly elevate the risk an individual will develop diabetes or cardiovascular disease.


Additional Recommended Tests

• Thyroid
• Test Normal Range: ...... My Results: 2.040

Normal Range: Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) 0.450 to 4.500

While not part of the standard blood panel, thyroid tests are often ordered, especially if they report fatigue and weight gain, or weight loss and feelings of nervousness or hyperactivity. Some physicians dismiss borderline low or high tests, but some have found that these can be very helpful for identifying problems with the thyroid gland.

• Vitamin D 
• Normal range: 30.0 to 100.0 ng/mL ...... My Results: 11.8

Vitamin D deficiencies are very common. Too little vitamin D can put you at risk for broken bones, heart disease, cancer, and a host of other ailments. Our bodies can make vitamin D, but only when bare skin, free of sunblock and lotions, is exposed to sunlight. And even then, people of color and older individuals may not be able to manufacture sufficient quantities for optimal health. The best way to determine if you need supplements is to have a vitamin D test, known as 25-hydroxyvitamin D. 

So, the 'Doc' said that I have an excellent lab report except for the concerns about low HDL count and low Vitamin D. He is VERY interested to see how the blood lab will come out following a strict 4 weeks of raw vegan dieting & daily exercise and I have to admit I am very curious as well! The areas where many people believe vegans would be deficient in such as protein and Iron (Anemia is the result of an Iron deficiency) I was, not surprisingly, within the tolerable or great range despite not having a single bite of any meat for nearly seven years! I obtain the valuable minerals, vitamins, and amino acids in a widely diverse and varied plant based diet. 

http://www.newportnaturalhealth.com/2012/08/a-guide-to-understanding-blood-tests/

Rationale ... WHY the Vegan Challenge?

Get Caught Up on the Story by reading 

this post first:

The Beginning & Inspiration

So, hopefully you have read about my story on the Inspiration post and you have some idea as to how I evolved to become a vegan. As to Why begin the 30-Day Raw Vegan Challenge, it truly hinges on getting my life back and gaining control over my health, my future, and my destiny. 

Speaking of the word "life", I will boldly say that I truly value life, and maybe it is because I am a Biologist and I have studied living things since I was a kid. Maybe it is because I have traveled to various parts of the world and I have found the beauty of the world in Nature. Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that I have a deep connection with all living things and when I look into the eyes of a non-human animal I can see that they too feel pain, fear, excitement, joy, and happiness. I will say that life took on a new meaning when I found out I was going to be a father. If I didn't understand the true value of life before then, I certainly do now. Alyssa, my daughter, is the light of my life and I want to make sure that I do all I can to take care of the planet and the planet's inhabitants so that I can pass it on to her in as good or better condition than how I received it. 

So, I mentioned I am doing this 30-Day Raw Vegan Challenge and I would like to explain why. First, I will be the first to say that just being vegan and choosing a diet that is free of meat and all animal extracts doesn't guarantee personal health and a long life. As with all choices that affect our lives, it is best to do them with a foundation of knowledge and the flexibility and open mindedness to adapt as new information becomes available. While I have been vegan for many years now, my consumption of high calorie bread products or wheat products has probably been too high. I also admit that I am nowhere close to meeting the "60 Minutes per Day of moderate to intense exercise" that is recommended. That being said, I find myself in my current position of being slightly overweight and out of shape. As mentioned in the Inspiration post, I accept that I did this to myself and I know I am the answer. After years of research and inquisition, I have come to learn that not only is it more compassionate to adopt a vegan lifestyle, but it also is the most beneficial to the planet as well as supported with evidence to lower or eliminate all of the risks of the main reasons people are dying today. 

According to the American Dietetic Association:

"Appropriately planned vegetarian diets, including total vegetarian or vegan diets, are healthful, nutritionally adequate, and may provide health benefits in the prevention and treatment of certain diseases. Well-planned vegetarian diets are appropriate for individuals during all stages of the life cycle, including pregnancy, lactation, infancy, childhood, and adolescence, and for athletes. A vegetarian diet is defined as one that does not include meat (including fowl) or seafood, or products containing those foods. This article reviews the current data related to key nutrients for vegetarians including protein, n-3 fatty acids, iron, zinc, iodine, calcium, and vitamins D and B-12. A vegetarian diet can meet current recommendations for all of these nutrients. In some cases, supplements or fortified foods can provide useful amounts of important nutrients. An evidence- based review showed that vegetarian diets can be nutritionally adequate in pregnancy and result in positive maternal and infant health outcomes. The results of an evidence-based review showed that a vegetarian diet is associated with a lower risk of death from ischemic heart disease. Vegetarians also appear to have lower low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, lower blood pressure, and lower rates of hypertension and type 2 diabetes than nonvegetarians. Furthermore, vegetarians tend to have a lower body mass index and lower overall cancer rates. Features of a vegetarian diet that may reduce risk of chronic disease include lower intakes of saturated fat and cholesterol and higher intakes of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, soy products, fiber, and phytochemicals. The variability of dietary practices among vegetarians makes individual assessment of dietary adequacy essential. In addition to assessing dietary adequacy, food and nutrition professionals can also play key roles in educating vegetarians about sources of specific nutrients, food purchase and preparation, and dietary modifications to meet their needs."

So, here I begin on this 30 Day Challenge ... with the true challenge for me being going raw not the vegan choices. This means I am excluding now all bread and processed foods sticking 100% to whole plant foods, nuts and seeds, and some spices and supplements. As obligate heterotrophs, humans are the ONLY animal that cooks their food before eating it. While this broadens our diet tremendously, it is still unnatural for the body to absorb and try to extract nutrients from SO MUCH cooked food! As a scientist I have learned that there are a few things that change, alter, or denature the foods and proteins we eat. The pH (acidity) of substances changes them, the ionic condition (cation and anion concentrations and salinity), and the temperature alters or changes foods and nutrients from their whole and intended purpose to something else. Our bodies, which are millions of years old, know very well what to do with raw-whole foods but cooked foods are treated as a foreign substance and elevate our white blood cells as if we were fighting an infection. Inflammation and various other effects all account for what is called digestive leukocytosis when we eat a meal that is mostly or all cooked foods. The best way to avoid chronic inflammation in the body is to eat mostly raw foods that have not been processed or refined in any way from their whole-plant form. This is not reality for most people, I realize this, as I recognize and appreciate the fact that food is as much a cultural and social experience as it is a necessary activity for life. One way I have tried to reduce inflammation in my body is to make sure that at least 50% of my meal at any time is raw. In most cases 90-100% of my meals are raw already but for the 30-Day Challenge I will stick to the 100% raw for those 4 weeks. I already know I am going to miss the taste and feel of warm, salty foods like the pastas and breads with bruschetta sauce that I love. Like many others, I find comfort in knowing that I will be supported by friends and family ... even strangers and members of the vegan community around the world. To see the guidelines, goals and intended outcomes, as well as parameters and meet those involved ... visit the Vegan Challenge 2014 page and JOIN US! 

Please visit the pages throughout this blog and reach out to the resources provided on the pages of this blog and learn more about this topic. There is truly a plethora of information out there regarding plant-centered diets and there are many happy people willing and excited to share what they have learned and experienced in their lives becoming and living as vegans and vegetarians. I am no expert ... I am a student just the same as you are and everyone else. 

There is always a higher level of awareness and I personally believe that when we place "life" as a precious drop in the center of whatever decisions we make, we will more often make decisions that honor, cherish, and preserve life for ourselves and our loved ones to cherish ... and hopefully inspire them to do the same. 

~ Jason ... I am Vegan ... I am Groovy
:-)

Inspiration ...

Before I launch into why I am doing this I think it is best to provide a little background and insight into who I am:

* My name is Jason and I have been a curious scientist and nature lover my entire life. Fascinated by animals and the natural world since I was young, my favorite books to read were and still are animal encyclopedias. It was this love of nature that eventually led me into a degree in Biology and I currently use that degree as a high school biology teacher. I have been fortunate to do a fair amount of traveling to various places within the U.S., Europe, and Central America where my love of nature has only been reinforced to become stronger. At one point I even wanted to uproot my family and move to Costa Rica to live a simpler life in the rain forests of Central America. This love for animals and nature will play a key role in my evolution as an eater/consumer/heterotroph throughout my life.

* I grew up with a pretty normal childhood whatever "normal" even means ... what might have been abnormal was that I decided at a young age (15 yrs old) to omit soft drinks and fast food (including hamburgers from anywhere) from my diet. This was a personal choice as a young athlete trying to gain an edge on the competition and thus my journey into personal health began. I still ate large amounts of food and my favorite food was still steak! In fact, the bigger the cut the better! Not much changed throughout my years in college where I thought I was in the best shape of my life playing college volleyball and working out daily for hours at a time. I was 6'3" and weighing between 195-200 pounds with a body fat percentage around 8-10%. I was fast, strong, and appeared to be in optimal condition. I now know that I was only partially there. Being able to do 500 push-ups and sit-ups every day doesn't mean you are healthy. 

* As an adult I have lived much of my adult life around the Palm Desert, CA area and I am now in my second career ... my calling as a science teacher currently at Indio High School. The 2013/14 school year is my 9th year in education and at I.H.S. I teach Biology CP/HP/AP sections and two different Food Science/Nutrition Courses that I have pioneered. These courses, named Physiology of Digestion I & II, are taught from the same college textbook used by food science majors in college and the course is challenging, rigorous, and inspiring. PoD was first taught in the 2011/12 school year and has its own story of inspiration and development that may someday be found on another blog. My evolution into the enlightenment of nutrition began a couple years before this course ...

* As an adult I gradually ate less and less meat mainly inspired by my wife who grew up as a vegetarian. She is an incredible chef so she easily integrates a plant centered diet into our home. I also tried soy milk and eventually almond milk to replace dairy milk in my diet with a small nudge by my loving wife. I was further inspired into examining a vegetarian or vegan diet because of my childhood friend, Scott McCallister, and my brother, Matt. Both had made changes in their lives years before and it was a conversation with my brother before a trip to Tucson, AZ to attend a U of A vs A.S.U. football game where our sister was cheering on the sidelines that I was challenged by my brother into examining the digestive tracts of carnivores, omnivores, and herbivores. That conversation was the spark that led me to cutting red meat entirely from my diet after going to a steakhouse for dinner in Tucson. It was a late dinner in a dark, sad restaurant and it was there that my wife and I ate a baked potato instead of my usual steak ... the steak I had eaten prior to that night was the last steak I have ever eaten and I won't ever eat another. For about 6 more months I still ate chicken and, on occasion, salmon. It was during the first week of summer school in 2008 that I was emailed a link by my wife that changed my diet forever. Already understanding that what I eat plays a role, somehow, in my overall health I had avoided eating processed foods, fast foods, and dairy products for many years. Months before this link I had cut out red meat from my diet stopping cold ... One day I was eating red meat, the next day I was not and haven't since. It all comes back to my childhood, my deep connection with nature, and my love and understanding of animals that catapulted me into becoming a vegan after watching "Meet your Meat" ... a PETA undercover video showing how animals are treated before they are served as "food" to people. I watched the video, which was only a few minutes long, then sat there in silence and sorrow. The deepest state of sorrow I had ever felt in my life as I regretted eating every single piece of meat I had ever eaten in my entire life all at a single point in time. That day was the day I had completely eliminated meat from my diet and I haven't gone back since. For me, the reasons are many and include but are not limited to the fact that I don't need to eat meat to survive,it is better for the environment to have a plant centered diet, animals that can't speak still have the right to live, and it is better for my personal health to have a plant centered diet. 

* I have become, since, a student of nutrition learning more each year and making new friends and contacts along the way. Multiple documentaries, books, web resources, and lectures later I am still a student of nutrition but now an ambassador for nutrition education with the goal of infusing nutrition and health education into every biology classroom in the country as a response to the fact that what we are eating is killing us more than all other ways to die combined. The most used and important kitchen appliance in my home now is a Vitamix blender where I make daily smoothies using anywhere from 10-15 raw-organic ingredients for my family. My wife, and teammate in life, makes beautiful salads every night for my daughter and I and our daughter has been vegetarian (mostly vegan) since the womb. We have a beautiful family that I am SO proud of and on this blog you will get to meet many of my family members. 

* So, I still teach Biology and Nutrition in high school and I am learning more about how to live in the world each day with my family. I used to exercise so much that my nickname in college by my best friend, Andrew, was the workout nazi. 

This brings me to my current status since I am saying I used to exercise daily and I admit that I have let my own personal health decline in recent months. I am walking, talking, living proof that just eating vegan alone doesn't ensure perfect health. As with all things, there is a right way and a wrong way to do them. From a glance, I don't fit the body profile of a stereotypical vegan and I have a strong reason to believe that it has everything to do with a few factors:
1. I have greatly increased my consumption of processed foods and breads including various other wheat products.

2. My sugar intake and dessert consumption has increased since before the holidays and is tapering off now but the damage is done.

3. My exercise routine I developed during the summer months slowly tapered off and disappeared from my life around the time excess calorie consumption began in October. 

4. I have let various forms of stress including family and professional life affect me without resolving them. These stresses have undoubtedly been a factor in my excess calorie consumption and overall declining health. 

5. I have taken on more responsibilities than I can probably manage efficiently and every day feel like I am behind and trying to catch up.

"I am the cause of all this and, therefore, I am the solution."

Until I have my complete physical and blood panel done the last week of March, here is what I know now:

***************************************

The Good: (kept brief and just some of the highlights)
a) I have a loving and supportive wife and daughter who are my biggest fans and I am theirs!
b) I have a job I LOVE and hence never work a day in my life!
c) I have my wits and I am getting wiser and smarter every day.
d) My family has zero financial problems and zero debt.
e) I am strong willed and know what I need to do and what will work to get myself back into optimal health.
f) I know I am not alone on this journey and that is comforting.
g) I am still young at age 36 and have time to make sure I live a long and healthy life so I can see my daughter grow up and maybe even become a grandfather.

The Bad: (Including but not limited to)
a) I am more stressed than I have been in a decade.
b) I am overweight according to a BMI calculator at 6'3" and 211 lbs.
c) I get headaches almost daily and I feel generally ill all over.
d) I am probably the weakest I have ever been in my life physically. 
e) My emotional state is down and borderline depressed.
f) I am afflicted with an upset stomach and acid reflux almost daily.

The Ugly: (I will add to this after my blood panel and physical)
a) Well, I had the most extensive blood tests done and FOUR PAGES of results were given. After all that I have only 2 "areas of concern".

1. My Vitamin D levels are low. It is recommended to have between 30.0 - 100.0 ng/mL and I am at 118. ng/mL

2. My HDL levels are low. It is recommended to have > mg/dL l and I am at 4 mg/dL L

< Visit the Blood Lab Results post for more information>

* So, thus the journey begins ... the next post will describe the Reason for doing this and explain the goals and purposes of this blog and the 30-Day Vegan Challenge. Thank you for sharing this time with me and I do hope you join the vegan team ... after all it is totally groovy to be vegan!