Knowing What You Want

On Monday two big things happened. The first and most important is the little boy in the pictures got sworn in to protect the Flag and Country. One year from today he'll ship out to boot camp of the United States Marine Corps. I often get asked how I feel about it. "Are you shocked by his decision" they ask. "How long has this been on his mind?"

1. Since he was 5 years old he has wanted to be a Marine. 
2. We didn't lead him there nor did we ever dissuade him from it. 
3. He's 17 and he has made a decision. Can your remember when you were 17 or do you know a 17 year old? He made a decision and knows exactly what he wants to do. If all goes to plan in 20 years  he will retire from the Marines. How many 17 year old boys or girls know that right now? 
4. There is no shock in our house. We knew this day was coming. The change in our son from the day he made the decision to today is overwhelming. He lives with absolute purpose today. 

Second on the big things is personal. I'm parasite free. I did a test to confirm it and the test came back negative on all counts. There is nothing bad in my gut right now. I've known for 7 years that things weren't right. For 7 years I fought through it pig headed and all. As I look back if I were living with purpose maybe it wouldn't have taken 7 years. 

When the father learns from the son. He's been teaching me a lot longer than I let anyone believe. At every stage of his life. 

It's a good life.....

Measuring Fitness

I was running the other day with a buddy of mine. We warmed up together and we met back up after the work part of the run. His work was a measured loop of the golf course. He ran it hard and covered it just slower then his peak fitness. I ran in my MAF HR window. When we got back together we resumed or regular banter. He was happy with his result and I was happy with his result and mine. 6 weeks ago I ran the same run or I should say the same time. This time I ran 1 mile further on the same effort. That's a good result.

I see these two boys daily on my way out the door. They provide good motivation to get out the door.

It's a good life.........

Blood Sugar and Bacon Wrapped Avocado

As part of my body re-balance I've been asked to monitor my blood sugar. I now have great respect for those who's life depends on doing this.

I check my blood when I first wake up and then periodically through the day. According to my directive I should try to keep my blood sugar in the 80's and 90's. The simple math is the more carbohydrates I eat the higher my blood sugar goes. For instance if I eat rice at dinner with meat and veggies, my blood sugar at waking will be 125 or higher. If I just eat the meat and veggies it will be below 110 on waking. 

My protocol on waking is coffee with coconut oil. Within 1 hour of drinking it my blood sugar drops below 90. I can run for an hour come home and test and it will still be below 90. On big days, when I'm going to run 2 hours I ad butter to my coffee mix. My blood sugar stays the same buy my calorie intake goes super high. Currently during the hot summer months I can do that and only need water on the run. It's take me at least 18 months to figure this out. Only 3 months of actually measuring but 18 months to figure out what fuels me well. 

If I'm riding my bike I'll eat a "regular" breakfast.  

If I've ever said this, I'm the luckiest guy alive. My wife Mary puts up with me. We share the dinner preparation duties throughout the week but since she's not working or traveling this summer she's spent time trying new things out. 

This is Bacon wrapped Avocado. She bought precooked bacon. Wrapped the Avocado put some chili powder on them. Put them in the oven to crisp and served. I've never had cooked avocado but I will again. I made the salad to go with it and we had a feast. My fat intake on this one meal was high. I slept (9 hours) the best I've slept in 2 weeks. I woke up to a blood sugar at 101. 

It's a good life.....