Fifty

So I accomplished at least one goal this summer. I thought I was going to be satisfied with biking a marathon distance but my friend Mandi encouraged me to do a ride for the Make-A-Wish foundation. I wasn't really excited about it but I got another push when I found out my work was going to pay for half the race. That took me over the top. While my friends aimed for the 100 mile ride (they had some problems but ended up riding about 98 miles), I still think that riding 50 miles is still an accomplishment. It took me about four hours. I am mostly just glad that I didn't get a flat on the way since the others all did. It was also pretty cool to see the buffalo on antelope island.

My day started out with this sweet sign from my roommate...

This lovely shot of me was taken at the starting line. 

You can't tell from this picture but I was going uphill here and I was trying to smile. He really should have taken  more pictures going downhill.

Here is some of the wildlife...  I did pass a buffalo going downhill about 30 mph right off the road that I wish I was able to take a picture of.

Here are my crazy friends, Mandi, Maren and Chad going for the 100...

And finally my coworkers that love to bike...

On Friday one of them told me how impressed he was that I wasn't farther behind when they passed me on the way back. Haha! I need one of those jerseys. I really hit a wall at about mile 42 but I MADE IT!

Coming Out as a Vegan

So, I am not sure why but some people get ALL worked up when I say that I am vegan (technically I am whole food plant based, but vegan is better understood and easier for me to say). They want to tell me that I will put on weight, or that it isn't healthy or that I will lose muscle, or that it isn't what the Word of Wisdom says. I am not sure why it just can't be the way I choose to live my life and other people can do what they want. Some people can seem really put out by it. The biggest way that it affects me is obviously socially but that isn't anything new. I have had a "strange" diet for a long time, because my stomach has really called the shots.

I want to talk about the benefits I have seen since I changed my diet almost two years ago. Here we go...

My cholesterol dropped from 202 to 151 in my first six months. Do you guys know what cholesterol does to your body? It is like glue that gums up everything, especially your arteries which leads to strokes, heart attacks, and everybody's favorite-erectile dysfunction. I mean seriously, I've never been married and at 41, 40% of the men my age have ED! Something to look forward to I guess. Oh and I shan't forget how it also can lead to insulin resistance. Cholesterol can have nasty effects on our bodies, that is why your doctor always tests you for this when you have a physical. Cholesterol is only found in animal products that vegans don't consume.

My skin and hair look better. Okay, here goes. I have had tiny acne bumps on my arms and legs since I was maybe 12 years old. I saw a dermatologist for it once and he gave me some cream that did nothing for me but somehow, magically since going vegan, they all disappeared. Coincidence? I think not. Oh and hair, not sure if that part is so scientific but I have had more compliments on my hair.

Body odor-yes I showered every day and YES I always wore deodorant! They always talk about all the bad stuff that is found in the strongest deodorants like aluminum zirconium tetrachlorohydrex and propylene glycol and all other manner of goodness that is supposed to give me breast cancer. When I would try to use the natural stuff that didn't give me breast cancer, they wouldn't work for me. Well guess what. They work for me now. Apparently my body has less toxins in it that it needs to get out or something but I will take any chance I can get to pass on breast cancer.

If you are wondering about gas, I have less of that too. Maybe it is the fact that I don't have rotting flesh in my body or because the fiber I take helps things move along more quickly but I eat PLENTY of lentils and it is still less of a problem for me. And all of this has helped my IBS-C in huge ways. I don't feel like my social life has to suffer anymore because my stomach seems to be throwing a fit.

My energy has increased. It took a HUGE nose dive when I was on a egg rich diet. Could it be because my arteries were filled with cholesterol and my muscles couldn't get the oxygen they needed? I think so! I remember around this time trying to go for a run and feeling like an old lady who couldn't catch her breath. I was so frustrated because I wanted to be fit and in shape and it seemed like no matter how hard I tried I couldn't push myself hard enough to get back into running and it made me very frustrated. If you want to see a story about an amazing vegan energy transformation, just watch any of the YouTube videos about Rich Roll or better yet, just read his book.

So what have I done with my energy? Well this summer I bought a road bike and I can go for a three hour long bike ride and not feel like I am going to die. I am training for a 50 mile ride and last Saturday I rode from my home in South Salt Lake to Riverton and back into Salt Lake City and then back home for a grand total of 40 miles. I think my race is going to go fine even without the sugar energy shots that the other athletes will be using. I plan to do it all on a few bottles of water and maybe a pancake dinner the night before.

My anxiety has decreased. I have never been one to have long bouts of anxiety but it has definitely been in my life and it certainly runs in my family. All over my mom's side. Just think about this for a moment. You have an animal who has been poorly treated for most of its life. They can live in deplorable conditions and be hopped up on loads of antibiotics because of how disease prone these "farms" are. They also are traumatized as their young are immediately taken from them so humans can drink their milk. Do you think that this animal has released some stress hormones into their bodies? Maybe a little side of cortisol to go with your steak dinner?

Well I promised myself I would never be one of those crazy peta people and yes I do think there are plenty of crazy peta people out there but you don't have to go very far to see how some of these animals are treated. You can go here or here but only if you can stomach it. I will forewarn you it is very disturbing, but it sure makes me very grateful I am lactose intolerant.

Let's talk about weight. Hawaii wasn't great for my waistline. I am sure some of this had to do with the mold that I was unable to escape. I was sick very often and had strep throat at least two times in the year and a half I lived there. I put on 10 pounds when I moved there and I just didn't have the energy to exercise and get it off.

I currently work with a woman who is probably 50-70 pounds overweight and she is constantly spewing information about what you need to eat to lose weight. Mostly she talks carbs and how bad they are for you as she eats a doughnut. We were in the break-room as I was heating my food and our conversation ended with her saying, "It must be nice to be so naturally thin." then she took off before I could say that I have had to work very hard to lose weight. When I was on my mission I weighed 40 pounds more than I do now. I didn't get lucky in the gene department. I educated myself, cut out refined sugar and yes, being vegan has helped me lose 8 pounds so far.

I also feel like I have less brain fog and that I can think more clearly than before. No big stories here but it is just an overall feeling better in my head.

This whole thing started as an experiment to see how it could improve my energy and help my digestion and I am starting to see other unexpected benefits that I am very grateful for. If you want to try it out for a while to see if it brings you any benefits then please make sure you do it right. Make sure you take some B12 and either get plenty of sunlight or take vitamin D. If you would like to learn more check out these videos...

·         https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yBKnG9Y0owQ&t=2523s

·         https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXPV0V9k0Qc

·         The Big Fat Truth Episode 1 (I think that was the only episode)

·         Forks Over Knives

·        

      Looks like they have tons of good recipes here to get you started… https://www.youtube.com/user/ForksOverKnives/videos 

Captain of my Soul

Probably about 12 years ago a well-intentioned roommate gave me a Christmas gift. It was the framed poem Invictus.

Out of the night that covers me, 

      Black as the pit from pole to pole, 

I thank whatever gods may be 

      For my unconquerable soul. 

In the fell clutch of circumstance 

      I have not winced nor cried aloud. 

Under the bludgeonings of chance 

      My head is bloody, but unbowed. 

Beyond this place of wrath and tears 

      Looms but the Horror of the shade, 

And yet the menace of the years 

      Finds and shall find me unafraid. 

It matters not how strait the gate, 

      How charged with punishments the scroll, 

I am the master of my fate, 

      I am the captain of my soul. 

Due to my insecurities I remembered feeling like she was trying to tell me to stop being such a victim. I am sure that was not what she was doing, but it just caused me to compare myself to her in every way I could imagine. She had a master's degree and I had attended a couple of college classes. She was teaching college classes while I was working for a paycheck. She came from a distinguished family and mine seemed so dysfunctional. I just wanted to focus on all the reasons she had what I didn't. I wanted to excuse myself for not going after the things I wanted.

Truth is that I did feel like a victim. Maybe if my mom had encouraged me to attend school. If we had more money. If I didn't feel so bogged down with family issues. If I wasn't so afraid of debt. If I knew what I wanted to study. If I could have lived at home longer. I am sure I could come up with a lot more ifs. My mind just couldn't see a clear path to the things I wanted and maybe even felt like I deserved.

I am not sure what changed. Maybe if nothing else I just prayed to become more in control of my life, and to be able to go after the things I wanted. Since then I have gone back to school and have my master's degree. I have been able to chase some of my dreams and move to Hawaii. I have become a homeowner. I have nice things and great friends. while I am sure I will never be fully in control of my life, at least I don't feel that I have to react to my circumstances instead of setting goals and going after the things I want.

White Privilege

While I think that many aspects of the white privilege movement are unfounded and ambiguous, I do think that there is one area where whites generally have an advantage that is scientifically proven. How dare I suggest that you may ask? Well it is probably not what you think. It all comes down to vitamin D.

First let's talk about why vitamin D is so valuable. Vitamin D plays a role in many processes of our bodies. It helps our body absorb calcium and build strong bones. There is evidence that it helps prevent some forms of cancer. It activates the genes that release dopamine and serotonin in the brain. Studies show that it may be helpful in preventing autism, autoimmune disease, cancer, chronic pain, depression, diabetes, heart disease, allergies, hypertension, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's, digestive disorders, asthma, arthritis, kidney diseases, pregnancy problems and the list goes on and on.

Vitamin D is actually not a vitamin. It is a hormone that helps regulate many processes in our bodies.

Symptoms of a vitamin D deficiency include...

• chronic pain
• depression
• excessive sweating
• fatigue/weakness
• hair loss 
• impaired wound healing
• muscle pain
• painful or broken bones
• poor immune system

So what does any of this have to do with white privilege? Well 91% of people with darker skin are deficient in vitamin D. This is because their pigmentation requires more sunlight to produce the same amounts of vitamin D as a person with fairer skin. They can have Plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D scores half of those of whites. This means that they are at a greater risk for all the diseases and symptoms listed above.

You may wonder if your doctor will tell you if you are low in vitamin D at your next physical exam. The answer is probably not. The reason is that these tests are expensive, not always accurate and usually not covered by your insurance. If you want the test you will have to ask for it and you may have to pay out of pocket for it. The test runs about $50-$60. Your other option is to just take it in supplement form anyway because studies show it will increase you lifespan and your quality of life.

How much should you take? It seems like there are many answers to this question but it seems that generally 2,000 IU for most adults. The elderly, pregnant women, those with darker skin and obese people require higher doses but it can become toxic if you take 10,000 IU daily on a regular basis.

If you haven't guessed vitamin D is my new favorite. I had a hard time with the ones that were oil based and calcium based but I found one that is rice based by Swanson and it seems to be working really well for me. :) And I realize that I have a lot of information here without a lot of source information, so please do your research and PLEASE take vitamin D and or spend more time outside in the sun if you aren't worried about melanoma.

In case you are curious these are my feelings on white privilege in America. Watch this video.

Update: I just got my lab results from the doctor's office and my vitamin D tested at 20.2. Normal range is 29-100. Since I tested that low, the doctor said that he would write me a prescription for it. Hopefully that will help make me normal. ;)

Love Takes Time

I don't really have the time I'd like to organize my thoughts and feelings about love this Valentine's Day but I enjoy the words of LDS Church leaders who help us understand love and how to have greater joy and happiness in our lives. I recently came across this talk by Marvin J. Ashton as I was preparing a talk for church and I thought if nothing else, I would at least have the time to share his message with you here.

I also have this tidbit from Moroni 7:45-48

45 And charity suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

46 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, if ye have not charity, ye are nothing, for charity never faileth. Wherefore, cleave unto charity, which is the greatest of all, for all things must fail—

47 But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him.

48 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure. Amen.

Happy V-day everybody!

Vengeance is Mine!

I guess I feel like I have partially written about this topic before here, but the scripture is on my mind again. It is on my mind because I was wronged by a friend recently who promised me their expensive sofa sectional. I am not one who just likes to take things from people without offering something in return, but it was still offered to me and I was planning to take them up on their offer. Then when I was trying to make plans to pick it up, I was told that it was sold to someone else and they were going to get a trip to Hawaii out of the deal.

I guess you could say I felt betrayed and confused. Now I was going to have to shell out $1000 to get my own sofa and chairs for my new home. When I pointed out to this person that they hadn't really been fair with me they responded with a couple of angry text messages about how it was all my fault and I had no right to be angry. Seemed a little passive aggressive and perhaps a little bi-polar. I just decided not to respond.

I had previously mentioned to a few of my friends that I was offered a free sectional and now I was going to have to go out and look for another option.  These loyal friends seemed to get more angry than I was about the situation. Honestly I don't like taking things from people without offering something in return because there is always an expectation that you owe them something, somehow whether it is money, loyalty or whatever your imagination can conger.

Well, it took four days but this person did finally apologize. They offered to take me couch shopping or I could hit them and either or both of those options were available to me. I was just grateful that they saw their error. I can't say I haven't made mistakes before. Let he who is without sin cast the first stone. I do not want to be a hypocrite. I have done stupid things in the past. So when they apologized, it took me a few days but I decided to forgive.

Well not my friends. They are still angry and they don't want to talk about, see or talk to this person. I on the other hand am over it. Sure the trust is gone and that will take time to rebuild, but I don't know what the point is in trying to punish this person.

One scripture tells me to let it go Mormon 8:20. Why does this scripture help me? It tells me that I can let go of revenge. It tells me that if there is any revenge necessary, He will take care of it. He will repay. When God says he will do something he will do something. I can just leave it in his very capable hands. He will also do the judging, because usually us mortals are terrible at it anyway.

The one thing I failed to tell this friend is, perhaps they should worry about making it right with God if they haven't done so already. I am over it. Now I just have to worry about getting my friends to let it go.

Praying with Stipulations

So I have been trying to decide if I should buy a town home and there have been some issues in the process that made me want to back out. It happened pretty fast and I was feeling a little anxious about it and wondering if I should go through with it. I fasted and went to the temple to pray about it. Mostly I was worried that it wouldn't be a good financial investment and that I would be safe there. I wanted Heavenly Father to tell me to back out if I was going to lose money on this deal in the end.

I wanted it to be easy, painless and without any problems. Looking back I wonder how many of my prayers come with stipulations. I remember once praying for humility and the thought flashed into my mind, "You're going to get in a car accident." I quickly clarified my prayer, "but just don't put me through a car accident. Anything to humble me but that." I believe it was within a week, I totaled my car.

While I was in the temple I was reading about Joseph Smith and the questions he prayed about. Then I thought about how much opposition he went through. I wondered what would have happened if he prayed, "Help me to know the truth, as long as it isn't hard, painful, stressful, humiliating, emotionally draining, or heart wrenching. Just help me and my family be comfortable, financially secure and full of joy all the time.

My sister was telling me about a christian radio station she was listening to many years ago and a guy calling in said, "We have to understand that if we pray for something like patience, faith or humility, we are going to have to pick up the other end of that stick. If we pray for patience we are probably going to have an experience that tests our patience. If we pray for greater faith we will likely have an experience that tries our faith. If we pray for humility, we will likely have a humbling experience."

I guess that is a part of faith. We have to say, help me gain these characteristics, or help me grow and not have it be based on feeling swell all the time. We just can't limit the Lord's blessings with our stipulations.

This isn't to say that painful experiences are always necessary for growth. The Lord has told us that any trials we endure shall be for our good (D&C 122) but I know that he doesn't needlessly throw a wrench in our lives for fun. We can always seek the Lord's blessings through obedience to his commandments.

This isn't to also say that we shouldn't pray about big decisions, but perhaps in our prayers we should be focused on spiritual growth and other blessings without limiting what the Lord is able to do with us based on our stipulations.

I know with the town home I owned previously it didn't turn out to be the best financial investment but it brought people into my life that were probably more important than an expanding bank account.