Overall Health: Initial Screening

Today I went to a free health screening offered by my employer.  I was very interested to find out what my numbers are.  I've not had a complete screening in the past, though I have had one cholesterol level check about 8 years ago. The results:  "Normal."

That doesn't really tell me much.  In fact, I was a bit upset that I didn't get the numbers after waiting two weeks for the results.  I suppose I could have asked for the paperwork, but what does it matter now?  I took this opportunity to get a few numbers so that I could compare sometime in the future.

So this is Day 127 since becoming Vegan.  I lost about 10-15 pounds in the first couple of months, but the weight loss tapered as I began working out.  Let's take a look at my numbers for today:

Body
Height: 5'11"
Weight: 167 pounds
Waist (at navel): 34.5"
Body Mass Index: 23  (Normal is 18.5 - 24.9)

Those numbers look good.  And to add to that, I am in the 25 percentile for my height and age.

Blood
Blood Pressure: 142/80
Total Cholesterol: 156
HDL Cholesterol: 54
Glucose: 86

The Blood pressure is a bit high(Healthy is 120/80 and under). 142 for the Systolic number is straight up High Blood pressure STAGE 1.  I have suffered, and sometimes still suffer from anxiety, but it is near gone.  I will have to chalk these high numbers up to a stressful life change in the last few months and the fact that I practically ran to the appointment.  I had my numbers checked at my doctor about 6 months ago and they were at normal range.  And if you read my last post, you know that I've eliminated the addition of Salt to my meals.  Something is amiss here.  I plan to by my own blood pressure monitor and keep track at home.

Total Cholesterol is in a VERY good range, though I would like it to be lower.  Unfortunately, with a simple, free screening such as this one, acquiring my LDL cholesterol was not possible.  The HDL level at 54 is very good though if I ate more fruits and vegetables rather than beans and wheat pasta, it would likely be much higher. More importantly, though, is the Total to HDL cholesterol ratio - Which is a fantastic 2.9!!!  This means that the likelihood of developing atherosclerosis is very low and it points to a very low probability of a heart attack.  Good range is considered around 3-4.  Glucose appears normal.

However, the more research you do on Veganism and overall health based on studies throughout the globe, the more you will find that the upper 100's range considered normal for total Cholesterol in America is a truth believed only by some.  As I've learned, getting the overall Cholesterol lower than 120 and the HDL above 60 is IDEAL and damn near makes a heart attack and heart disease not only impossible - but levels like that can actually REVERSE heart disease.

I'll say again, watch Forks Over Knives to get you started down the right path.  It took me many years to get here, but that documentary put the fork in eating animals for me.  Everything changed after that.  In fact, I have a couple of coworkers following suit(and even teaching me things).

In my next post I will reveal 2 simple things that one can do to drastically reduce cholesterol levels and blood pressure in just 2 months.  It's not a huge secret, but these 2 things are easy to use and they WILL WORK.
Here's to the Heart.

Protein (DAY 126)

PROTEIN
"I" before "E" except after "C."
Not really.  Except, except, except...the English language. ("Protein" is actually German from French)

This is day 126 since I've become vegan.  Except, I still find myself discovering how it should be done.
Another exception: I've been through a major life change that I won't go into here, but It has a massive effect on my choices or dietary habits/abilities.  I've eaten more beans in the last few weeks than many people have had in 10 years.  In addition to that, I have totally eliminated salt from the recipes that I make.
I will say that it was a wise decision.  I feel a lot better.

But I've taken on a new addiction when it comes to flavor.
Sriracha Sauce.  I LOVE IT.

I put it on almost everything.  And if the flavor isn't right for my "experimental" meals, I add it.  And maybe even a LOT of it.

The only downfall I see here is the amount of sugar, and perhaps the origin of the ingredients.  I doubt that anything is organic, otherwise it would be stated as such.  But it contains no oil as far as I can tell.
The chili spice is healthy and only supplements the amount of cayenne pepper I intake. (which I will elaborate in another post.)

I'll admit that the amount of beans I was eating mixed with ample amounts of Sriracha sauce provided for a very gassy weekend.  It wasn't very pleasant, but at least I know the reason for it.
I'd like to say it was my CD release but, alas, it was another kind.  And no one showed up(good thing).

I have, however, been working out regularly and recently began getting up so early it's ridiculous.
I jog as long as I can and then walk the rest of the way aiming for at least 30 min.  Then I  shower and go to work early enough to get 1-2 hours of studying in before 8am.

But back to the working out.

I want to build muscle.  I'm doing that.  But I don't want to be big.
I've been watching my protein intake and for the most part, it's on par with my weight.
At around 165lbs, I need around 50-60 grams of protein per day.
But that just to maintain health.  If I am working out, I need more.
This is where Soy protein Isolate comes in.

Luckily, a vegan can acquire this at your local health food store.  And luckily for me, they have it in bulk, in bags, that I can afford on a bi-weekly basis.  I just discovered this, so although I feel very successful with each workout, it doesn't seem to amount to much if I'm not taking creatine or doing something else to retain water(which would make one look bigger).  I simply need more protein.  I've also been taking Spirulina to supplement the amino acids that one needs and it has many other great benefits that I should go into in the future.

I will update as time moves forward.  Protien for....... NO,  Protein for dinner tonight.

SALT (Day93)

I'm addicted to it.  I only use Sea Salt, however, at the rate that I dump it on my food, it's lower sodium and mineral benefits are outweighed by the load it's putting on my heart and cells.
About 5 days ago, I stopped putting salt on my food all together.  The meals are bland to the taste, but it's getting better.
And my heart thanks me.

McDonald's is Gay

How do I start?
I probably can't without getting hazed by your perspective.

First, you only have to watch Food Inc. and Supersize Me to realize that McD's is McBAD!

The Pink stuff is not Moisturizer.  It's foreign.  It's Toxic.

Now take a moment and google for yourself what might be in that burger patty or the hot dog you're having tonight. (I said what MIGHT BE. If McD's can do this, then who knows...)  Hot Dogs might taste great.  I love the taste of Hot Dogs.  But as my friend once said, "The finest Lips and Assholes" is not something in which I want to indulge.

Since going vegan, I rarely eat out.  One evening, I went to Cheddar's here in Norman Oklahoma and scanned the menu for some options.  I didn't want to complicate it for the 20 year-old college student serving me, so I ordered french fries and steamed broccoli - no butter.  My friends ordered straight from the menu.  In the end, they were so full they could barely comprehend the drive home.  I was fine.  I was full, but I knew I would be simmering with energy in about 20 minutes without any hindering stomach bulge.

For some reason that broccoli broke me a new one(yes, in the butt area).  Not sure why, but I had a bad stomach ache shortly after.  Probably because I ate so much raw greens.  I digress.

I often visit a site that discusses food and we often touch on the Fast Food arena.  McDonald's is an American staple for almost anyone aged 3 to 63.  The Happy Meal?  It used to make me happy and it continues to keep them happy now.  McD's is good at pulling us in.

I won't argue that certain items on the menu don't taste good.  McDonald's Fries?  It used to be something that I philosophically backed as perfection.  I've learned since then that most of our fast food(and, largely, all of our restaurant food) is so involved in the mass production realm of American food that in order to fathom it's quality -- well, watch Food Inc.........

It Boils down to a couple of things. If you want to keep eating McDonald's, go ahead.  If it tastes great to you, why wouldn't you?  But do your research.  If you still want to eat it after that, you are simply what I define as someone who has decided.

DECIDED.  There is no information that will change your mind.

It's difficult.  And I'm not judging anyone on that fact.  As a Vegan, I will visit Taco Bell when I'm near broke and limited monetarily.  The Burrito without cheese is Vegan.  .99 cents and you can't beat that except for home cooking.   So do what you're gonna do.  I'm not perfect either.  Taco Bell is quickly becoming a place I will not visit.  Beans are cheap.

We all have this dilemma.  We all have our vices.  I have many as well.  Did I mention "Clumsy?"

But if you are reading this and saying that you will never be vegan, I beg you to keep reading about it.
If you don't change your mind, I hope you find something great for your health and for global health.  Do as much research as you can.

BUT, if you think Veganism is "gay," and you use terms like that, then maybe gay has a new meaning.

Indian Curry (Day82)

Indian restaurants are likely one of my favorite places to eat when I go out.  These days it's not a lot.
Let's make it at home.

Indian Curry and Jasmine Rice

1 cup of Jasmine rice
1 cup of Lentils
2 Carrot stalks chopped
1 Medium sized potato cubed with skin
1 cup Broccoli florets
1 cup sliced crimini mushrooms sliced
1 Yellow Onion chopped
1/4 cup Yellow Split peas
Add any additional vegetables you wish

1 can Coconut milk
1 Tblsp veg oil (optional)
2 TBlsp of Patak's Hot curry paste
2 TBlsp Traditional bulk curry
1 TBlsp Powdered Garlic
1 TBlsp Powdered Coriander
2 TBlsp Powdered Turmeric
A preferred amount of Salt

Copious amounts of water.

Directions

In a large pot, boil the lentils for a good 30 minutes(use amount of water per package requirements)
Bring pot to simmer and Add the full can of Coconut milk, yellow peas and all other spices and mix well. 
Add Carrots and Potatos and cook for 20 minutes. Add remaining vegetables and cook for a minimum of 10 more minutes - or as long as desired adding water when needed.

Cook the rice required by the package.  Mine is usually for 20 minutes for Jasmine.

Top Rice with Curry goodness and enjoy.

Friend Gift (Day76)

If you've decided to go vegan, you are undoubtedly going to end up in this place at some point.
For me right now, I'm going through a rough time.  Without going into detail, I will say I'm near broke and the people around me know this.

So I have a coworker that I love and is very good to me.  He's brought me some Thai curry that is "supposedly" vegan.  As much as I love and respect this guy, I recall reading a story online where a friend made them a "Vegan" burger.  Excited with the idea, they bit down and began devouring what they thought was a meatless burger.  They came to find very soon after that it was a turkey burger and they were upset and felt bad about having eaten such food.

As I've said in the past, I'm not one to deny the taste of a good steak.  A steak is one of the most delicious things I've eaten in my life.  But based on my decision to be vegan, I simply choose not to eat meat anymore - as well as all other products that are derived from animals.

If you look up the basic ingredients for Thai curry, you will undoubtedly find that most of them include some sort of fish product.  Ok, so I have a decision to make.  Do I eat all of this curry that a good friend is offering in a time when I need help?  It sits in my refrigerator without him speculating whether I will consume it or not.  I think my decision has already been made based merely on the fact that he was doing something nice for me in a time of need.  And I don't want to drill him about what the paste has in it.

We will deal with this problem for the rest of our lives.  We won't die if we eat it.  But some animal along the way has.  As I read in another long and descriptive report about someone becoming vegan, he mentioned the fact that his belt was made of leather.  "The animal already gave it's life," he said.  And I agree.  If it's been done, it's done.  Give respect to that animal by continuing the belt's use.

I will eat this thai curry he has offered and I hope to enjoy it.
I never said he was a good cook.  That remains to be seen.

Alfredo's Mexican

This is an Oklahoma-only restaurant, as far as I know.  But any mexican eatery will introduce the same questions for a vegan.

I called the manager and got a quick rundown of some of the menu.

The pickled carrots, onion and jalapenos are bathing in vinegar.  Sounds Good.  The salsa is safe as well.  Their corn is cooked with butter and the rice is made in Chicken stock.  Not surprising.

I'll be getting the avocado enchiladas, sans sour cream, and probably add some refried beans as they are made with canola oil and salt.  Add that plate to the chips and salsa and I think I'll be a happy camper.