Archive for the 'Announcements' Category

2012: The Year to Kick Ass and Take Names

Today is the  first day of 2012, and already things smell a little different. Ever since Denice and I started to get interested in this vegan thing, we haven’t been able to sustain any of the changes that we implemented in our diet. Without fail, we always reverted back to our old habits. I think this time is different. I haven’t had a scrap of meat since Christmas. We did go out to eat once, but we only got bean burritos. For the most part, I think I’m actually going to be able to do this, and the benefits are already beginning to manifest. Since Christmas, I have dropped ten pounds in weight, and my G.I. problems: heartburn, gas, and explosive diarrhea (sorry, TMI), have completely disappeared. I don’t really get the ravenous hunger anymore like I had when I was consuming animal products. I just feel good, and satisfied. And all this has happened in just a week, with little exercise!

We plan on really stepping things up this year. I know it sounds cliché, but I really think 2012 is going to be our year. This is going to be the year that we kick ass and take names. For starters, we are beginning a Youtube project that we have entitled, Carnivore Rehab. The idea is to document our rehabilitation from the diseased, meat-eating culture of American. I think the word ‘rehabilitation’ is appropriate, because I grew up eating Happy Meals, and never touched a vegetable. When we first started this I could not eat anything green without gagging. My esophagus would literally close up. The first time I took a swig of green juice I instantly barfed it  into the sink. I have since overcome that response. Now, my biggest problem is an addiction to meat, dairy, and processed junk food. If I can be successfully rehabilitated, then I believe we can help a lot of other people who are in my position.

Denice is also seeing incredible results. She was diagnosed as being pre-diabetic about a year ago, and has had to take medication for it ever since. A few days ago, her fasting blood sugar dropped back into the normal range. In just a week, she has effectively cured herself of pre-diabetic symptoms! Then there’s the fertility problems. We have been trying to conceive for five years now, without success. Denice has a condition called PCOS, that prevents her from ovulating. Things are already showing signs of correcting themselves. Her monthly cycles are beginning to normalize, and she ovulated on her own, without the aid of drugs, for the first time last month. We really believe this will be the year that we bring a new life into the world.

So, with all that said, I want to thank all of you who have taken interest in our story by reading this blog. I think the next few chapters are going to be really good. I wish you all much happiness in this new year. Just remember… change will come only when you will it to. No one controls your life and your destiny but you, so make 2012 a good one!

If you only knew the power of the Green side

Today is the day. Today is the day that I have decided to stop being continually “in transition.” Today, I am a Vegan. I have been seduced by the power of the Green side. No more Cheeseburgers, no more steaks… no more suffering of my fellow sentient creatures to satisfy my twisted appetite.

From this moment on I vow to never knowing eat anything that had its oringin in the body of a living, breathing, animal. I’ve made this decision primarily for the benefit of my own health. The best research that I’ve seen overwhelmingly points to the consumption of animal products as being the foundation for a host of diseases, including but not limited to: obesity, diabetes, heart and cardiovascular disease, and cancer. At the time of this post, I am 5’8″ tall and weigh 265 pounds. I am definitely obese. Tomorrow I am making an appointment to get a physical with a complete blood workup to reveal what other conditions may be lurking under the surface.

I have high hopes that this change will improve my overall physical condition. I know there are a lot of people out there that are probably going to think that I’ve drunk the vegan coolaid. Well, I have. You have to understand though, I am playing the probabilities, and relying on the best information that I have. Of course, like always, there is a possibility that I could be wrong. All I can say is keep watching the blog and my Youtube channel (I’m going to be doing day-to-day progress reports there). If in a few months I am weak and deficient, then we will all be a step closer to understanding what really works and what doesn’t when it comes to nutrition. I don’t think that’s how this will play out, but only time will tell.

 

Almost got the ‘About’ page finished

I’ve finally gotten arround to writing the ‘About‘ page for this blog. I’m going to go back and put in some graphics, but it will work for now. If you read it and find that something I said offended you, please remember, I’m a work in progress. I’m not going to hide my past, if I did I would be a dishonest person, and I don’t want to be one of those. I hope we’re still friends after you read it.

Hello world! Long time no see.

It’s been a long time since I’ve had a truly ‘personal’ blog. The blogs I have started in the past have always orbited around some larger theme or institution. I’ve had blogs about religion, and later about atheism. I’ve had some about hiking, and a few for discussing open source technology. This is the first blog I think I’ve ever done that is simply about me and my life. I guess it makes since to do a blog for myself. After all, our self is the only original thing that we bring into the world.

I chose the subtitle from a collection of Charlie Sheen quotes. It says a lot about what Erick’s Odyssey is going to be about. My brain, in all it’s craziness, and in candid honesty is what you’re going to be getting here. If what you read here offends you, tough. Start your own blog and wine about it. Or better yet, register here, and complain about it. I find people’s petty offenses to be very entertaining.

So, buckle your seatbelt and enjoy the ride. I’m Erick and this is the odyssey that I call my life.