Corn Equity

There is nothing easy about sweet corn.  If you are not familiar with this delicacy, you will just have to trust me - it is one of the few greatest pleasures of my life.  I count down the days until the new crop comes out each year; but, gathering and processing it involves lots of work!

To begin with, I think I am slightly allergic.  When I am standing in the corn, I can hear my throat wheeze a little; but I remind myself "Keep your eyes on the prize, Karl."  Depending on your tolerance for bugs, you may or may not be annoyed by the mosquitoes, flies, gnats and whatever else flies and crawls around a corn field.  This usually amounts to me rescuing Laura when I hear the screams of "It's in my hair - It's in my hair!" as she darts out of the field entirely.  

Sweet corn harvest is during the hottest time of the year (late July).  Every time I bend over, my glasses slide down - then, when I straighten up, sweat runs in my eyes.  The buckets of corn are heavy - there is dust and weeds and itchiness!  And, that's just in the field.  After wrestling the buckets into the car, we still have to "put up" the corn at home.  Oh, and I usually say "I shouldn't have lifted that" at least once during the process.

Putting up corn amounts to blanching the corn and either cutting it off the cob or just bagging the "roasting" ears whole for later use.  No matter what precautions you take, the kitchen will be trashed!  I mean trashed when you get done.  The thin "silks" will on everything - the floor will be sticky and there will be little corn nuggets EVERYWHERE!    

So why do we do it?  Why so much work for 50 or 60 tiny little bags of corn?  The answer: fast forward to January 15th, when there is snow on the ground and you've just whipped up some enchilada soup and the thought hits you "Wow, you know what would go great with this?   Some sweet corn."  It is even sweeter in January than it was in July!

Without the investment, we can't enjoy the reward.  Consider an alternate example.  What if I just went to the field and gorged myself - made my self happy every day of the short harvest season?  The corn I could consume would fill me for a few hours; but I have to come back.  I would probably spend about the same amount of hours in the corn field; but in the end, I would have nothing stored up for the days ahead. 

Even though we quickly recognize that scenario as foolish, we often life our lives in a consumer mentality.  We consume what feels good, we spend money before we earn it, we spend more than we earn, and we rarely think about creating equity in our lives.  Equity usually refers to stocks or companies having value; but, the only way to create value in our lives is to invest in the things that matter.  Any time we spend what we have not earned, we create a deficit - a debt that must be repaid with interest.  Conversely, when we sacrifice now (spend less, save money, exercise) we create equity that pays "dividends." 

I hope we all can put up some corn in our life this week.  The super delicious kind and the figurative kind such as: exercise, eating right, saving money, working hard and making tough decisions.  Build some equity - January is coming!

Gas or Heart Disease?

I offered my 3-bean chili to someone the other day.  It's actually only 2 beans because I substitute brown rice for the chick peas.  This chili allows me to satisfy my desire for good spicy food without the oily sheen that accompanies most "real" chili.  I even remember telling someone, in years past, that real chili must contain meat (otherwise it's not chili).  

Anyway, when I offered to share my discovery with someone, they declined on the basis that beans give them gas.  I didn't have anything to say because it didn't make sense to me.  Is heart disease more desirable than flatulence?  Before I became an adult (something that is still up for debate), my friends and I actually enjoyed letting one "rip."  Come on, don't be afraid to smile - you know you did it too!

It didn't make me smile when my dad and grandpa both had to have heart surgeries.  I'll spare you the graphic details of that - but, suffer to say, it is worse than have a little extra gas.  There is only one diet that has ever been proven to prevent and even reverse heart disease.  That is a whole-food, plant based diet.  In my mind, it's my only option.  I'll probably have gas either way - but, I don't have to get heart disease.   

And, by the way, my new chili is so delicious I have to take my shoes off to eat it.  If you ask me right, I'll share the recipe!

Why "Black Lives Matter" Matters to Me

Just yesterday, my wife was telling me something important.  Almost immediately I was telling her my opinion or maybe even just telling her something important from my day.  She said, "You are not hearing me!"  I was quick to respond, "Of course I hear you, you said...."  She said, "If you heard me, you need to acknowledge me."  Too often when we hear something like "Black Lives Matter," and our instant response is to give our opinion or respond back "All Lives Matter."  To do this only dismisses the first statement.  This movement is not asking for all the problems to be solved immediately.  But, like my wife, they want us to take the first step and acknowledge the problem.

Law Enforcement is one of those jobs that I respect.  It is dangerous - it takes bravery -- it is pristine in it's intention (to sacrifice your life for others).  This is the reason, not the excuse, that members of law enforcement should demand their brothers and sisters be held to a high standard.  Even though I have great respect for this profession, the younger generation is losing it quickly.  Whenever members of any profession begin to downplay illicit activity, it sows seeds of doubt over the whole profession.  Just look how we feel about politicians and professional athletes! 

Another communication tool my wife is teaching me is to ask questions.  When someone says "Black Lives Matter," couldn't we ask "What do you mean by that?"  Might we also ask someone of color "What does it feel like to marginalized?"  or "What are some ways I could help improve this situation?"  I might just ask myself some internal questions like "How do I treat people on a daily basis -- do all people matter to me?"

Remember it all starts with the acknowledgement of the statement!  Back Lives Matter!  Yes they do!  Let's start there!

1 Year Plant-Based and a New Goal!

I  cannot remember the exact date, but it was around this time last year that we started making the transition to a whole-food, plant-based lifestyle.  In most ways, we are just as optimistic about it as we were back then.  The anniversary of our change just so happened to fall on the 4th of July (Independence Day).  

It was pretty nice of our new in-laws to make special bean burgers at the family get-together; but we still ate some things we shouldn't have.  No-bake cookies are my favorite and, although technically okay, I ate way too many!  Overall, maybe just a little too much sugar -- a little too much salt -- maybe just a little too much!

The next day, we didn't feel that good; but it just reminded us of how good we consistently feel on a whole-food, plant-based diet.  For whatever reason, we also got the wild idea to run, not walk, a 5K this September.  So, we have already begun training "couch to 5K."  Wish us luck!  I'm not a natural runner.

Why I Love America

My love for anything always begins with the realization that the object is not perfect.  God's love for us is not based on our performance or our perfection.  Our nation still has problems.  We still have issues with race relations -- we still don't assimilate other cultures well -- we have issues with greed and selfishness -- we don't honor God as we should -- we have a serious health crisis based on our eating habits that we stubbornly hold on to.

We often talk about our freedoms, but miss one of the greatest freedoms we still have.  One of the greatest freedoms we have is the freedom to discuss ideas.  Over the course of human history, people have proposed outrageous ideas and discussed and debated those ideas until they actually became practice.   Nothing is inevitable as long as we continue to TALK about it.  Ideas spark conversation that leads to hypothesis that leads to change.

I pray we don't give up this freedom to discuss ideas and sacrifice it on the altar of condemnation and criticism.  We need to elect people that are willing to discuss ideas instead of preserving the past.  I pray we continue to have a hope for our future and realization that nothing is impossible (especially with God).  Keep the dialogue open!  Don't just criticize - DISCUSS and LISTEN! 

Also, remember that politicians are followers.  They will be the last to change - they always are.  They only say what their constituents tell them to say.  We need to realize that individuals can still lead by our ideas and our conversations - so, let's talk about ideas!

My Plant-Based Journey

Food as Medicine

Almost a year ago, I realized at age 50 that I needed to make a change in the way I was eating.  It all started when I watched a show called "Forks Over Knives" on Netflix recommended by a friend of the family, Kerrie Roberts.  It talked about eating a plant-based diet which I really had no intention of doing.  I didn't have any hemp clothing -- I don't want to live in a commune -- plus, the only vegetables I like are potatoes and green beans (and then, only in moderation).  

 I loosely remember my daughter recommending some healthier foods, but I was probably committed to some other diet or MY own hybrid version of it.  Of course all of my degrees in Occupational Safety and Computers and Religious Studies had obviously prepared me as a master nutritionist.  What would people that have done research for 30 years possibly know that I couldn't deduce from my vast experiences?  

What made a difference was when I took a look at my medicines.  One  of the medicines was Simvastatin (a statin drug), which lowers cholesterol by slowing the production of an enzyme in the liver.  The next drug was atenolol which is a beta blocker.  Beta blockers work by blocking the effects of the hormone epinephrine, also known as adrenaline. When you take beta blockers, the heart beats more slowly and with less force, thereby reducing blood pressure.  So already we have slowed my heart and my liver.  

The next two were a little less intense.  Hydrochlorothiazide, known as a diuretic, is a drug that basically speeds up the kidneys to release salt and cause lower blood pressure.  The last drug, allupurinol is used to treat gout by reducing levels of uric acid.  I take one other drug because I had a couple of seizures a few years back.  Of course, all drugs have side effects.    

My journey into the plant-based world was to see if I could get off some the medication.  Under the care of a physician, after about two and a half months, I was able to stop taking the first four medications.  Not only did if feel better, I lost 25 pounds in the first few months. When I discovered that it was actually not painful at all to eat this way, I was hooked.  I can't imagine living differently.  We are 100% whole-food, plant based and we love it!

I try not to tell anyone else what to do with their life, but I'm not sure why anyone would like to hold on to the probability of disease and unhealthy lifestyle just because they like the taste of something.  My tastes have changed dramatically and we love all the new things we create!  In reality, there is more flavor in the dishes we eat now than before.   

If you need more information, I recommend the following sites:

 http://nutritionfacts.org/

http://www.pcrm.org/ 

http://www.forksoverknives.com/

http://www.plantpurenation.com/

http://www.dresselstyn.com/

http://engine2diet.com/

A Father's Guide to a Successful Wedding

Recently, my daughter was married.  For a father, this is one of the most emotional times.  One part of me wanted to keep my daughter a little girl -- the other part was anxious to see her grow up and face the next challenge of her life. My fear was that it could also be a time where things didn't go as planned.  Fortunately, my daughters wedding was fabulous!  Most of the credit for this goes to my wife and daughter, but maybe some of these tips will help other dads out there navigate this difficult time - feel free to share.

Tip #1 - Be quiet!  Although you may have the best intentions, you have what we like to call a learning curve.  First, there are dozens of planning meetings that you have not attended.  You have only a small sliver of information.  Also, your emotional stake in this comes from a different vantage point.  It may be a blow to your ego, but you are just one of the actors in this drama - you must know your role.  I still remember the stare - it came from my precious daughter and my lovely wife simultaneously - it seemed to say "listen, we love you, but it's imperative to your health that you keep your advice to yourself -- we've got this -- we don't have time to explain -- please just step aside and let us do what we have been training to do!"   I felt like the guys that touched the ark in Raiders of the Lost Ark, I instantly knew I had overstepped my bounds.

Tip #2 - Have a Budget  This is the first thing I did.  This was my project.  I asked for everyone involved to give me estimates for things like the dress and the caterer and the flowers.  Once we had estimates, I set limits on each of the areas.  Anything that exceeded the estimates would have to be paid by the bride and groom (this was harder on us that on them).  If this wedding was estimated to cost $6000, then we divided that by the 12 months we had left and put it in the budget to save $500 a month.  Then my wife and daughter went to work looking for "deals."  The best thing is they actually found stuff like chair covers and back drops and other decorations that people had in their garage for free.  No matter what the budget, it can be reasonable if you have a plan.

Tip #3 - Have a Good Time!  Remember the wedding is supposed to be a celebration!  One of the most important things to my daughter was that everyone danced at the reception.  It didn't matter whether I liked to dance; because it wasn't about me!  In the long run, it went something like this, "We spent all this money - we're going to have a good time if it kills me."  The next day, I felt like it almost did, but it was worth it!  So, what do you do if the mother of the bride is being a diva?   Pick me, I know the answer to this because I witnessed it at another wedding!  This bride simply said "you're driving me crazy - stop being a diva!"   They laughed about it and moved on.  Having fun has to be a goal - not just a hope!

Hope some of these things help.  As guys, we are a little clueless about weddings.  And then, when we try to help we often make it worse.  If you know of other things that might help, feel free to comment because I still have another daughter to give away.   

Here We Go!

Here I go again in an attempt to document my thoughts.  This time, I vow to not limit the discussion to anything.  I hope to talk about how I feel about the plant-based lifestyle even though I know people get tired of hearing it - sorry!  It's my passion and it's hard to modulate the things we are passionate about.  I have found something that benefits me greatly and I only share because I care.

  
I also may talk about my family - my daughter just got married and my other daughter just wrestled some money back from a hotel that overcharged her - in a way, both were financial gains and cause for great joy.  More than any thing, I love the way family makes me grow and learn.  It's hard not to brag - but, they teach us so much.  My son is half way around the world.  We are empty nesters - so much to say.  

I will probably also talk about my faith because it is who I am.  The good things about my faith are not really mine to brag about, so I often talk about the things that discourage me in my faith.  Maybe some of you can help me with this.

Writing is really no fun if people only read it.  Many times people have told me years later that they enjoyed my writing only after I had already given up.  It is much more fun to discuss and share ideas - even if we disagree.  Come on this journey with me!