My bike and veggie diet

Livestock or Deathstock

2008-08-05T13:58:00.000-07:00

Many experts are saying that livestock is a bigger culprit to global
warming than cars. 26% of land not covered by ice or water and
33% of arable land is devoted to grazing.It takes more land to
feed live stock than humans. 80% of corn,90% of soy, and70% of
grains are used for live stock instead of humans.

Not only does livestock make land more scarce, but it also a major
factor in land, water and air pollution. Some experts say methane gas
is 23 times worse than CO2. The chemicals, insecticides, and hormones
used in raising livestock gets into our ground water.This makes water
more scarce.

Live stock is a double whammy to global warming, because it is the major
reason for the destruction of the rain forests. Rain forests act as the earth's
lungs.60%-70% of Brazil's rain forest destruction is due to livestock use.

So eat more vegetables and less meat. You will have better health. Save
money in health cost. You will also be better stewards to the planet.

Dave 4syth

Green Your Home Cleaning

2008-08-04T07:36:00.000-07:00

We need to Green our home cleaning.You can make your own
cleaning products.This will save you money, create a healthier
environment and be better stewards of the earth.There are
many home made recipes for cleaning products.

When we use toxic cleaners it can make us sick. Look at the
labels of cleaners in the store. Not only are most cleaners
bad for the environment, they are bad for you too. When
you throw away cleaning products do not put them in the
trash. Be sure to take them to a recycling center.

Open up your windows to let air in the house and to let
toxins out. Be sure to take your shoes off, this will not only
keep your house cleaner, but will also bring in less toxins
into your home. Use baking soda to keep the air fresh and
use it for a cleaner when you replace it.

So greening our cleaning will save us money, save our planet
and save our health. So lets not procrastinate, take your
old cleaners to the recycle center. Find home made recipes
for your cleaners. Clean safer for the world and you.

Dave 4syth

It is not a Capital Offence to not Answer the Phone

2008-08-01T10:11:00.000-07:00

It is not a capital offence to not answer the phone.How many times
have you been doing an important task, when suddenly the phone
rings . You answer it, only to discover it is a telemarketer. It is almost
like we are Pavlov's dogs. We are conditioned to answer the phone, no
matter what we are doing.

When it comes to time management, the phone is a double edged
sword. The phone can save our time or eat up our time. So lets add
some discipline in our lives by using the phone as a time saving tool.
Don't worry if you do not answer, The N.S.A. will not call the F.B.I to
come kick down your door.

You can make the phone really productive if you only answer it ,when
it is convenient for you. Next time you are doing something important, do
not stop to answer the phone. Even better never answer the phone and
return all your calls 1-3 times a day.You can use your answering machine
like a secretary. Busy executives never answerer the phone, so why should
you?

Don't worry about friends and family, you can train them to leave messages.
If it is an emergency, you can make an exception and return the call
immediately. Teenagers can afford to be on the phone all day long, adults
can't. Use the phone as a tool. Do not become it's slave.The phone can be a time
saver or a time taker. It is entirely up to you.

Dave 4syth

Buy Produce in Season

2008-07-30T14:59:00.000-07:00

If you want to save money, buy your produce in season.The
prices of produce always go down in season. You can also find
the best sales when vegetables and fruit are in season.Your
stores are more likely to run specials during this time.

You can also find local farmers at this time. Here is where you
can go to find what is in season in your area. Remember that buying
local grown foods is good for our environment.Your local farmers
are much more likely to negotiate when fruits and vegetables are
in season.

You can also save money by buying in bulk. You are going to
get better deals , if you buy in bulk.Then you can can, jar or
freeze your produce.Freezing takes very little of your time.
Here's where you can go to find freezing tips. Be sure that you
get every thing as dry as possible and be sure it is airtight as
you can get it.

So lets get started, buy our produce in season. You can save
money, live green and eat healthier foods.

Dave 4syth

Do Gorillas have to Little Protein in thier Diet

2008-07-29T08:55:00.000-07:00

I am sure we have all seen a gorilla charging a person on television
or the movies at one time or other.I bet the thought crossing your
mind at the time wasn't, boy that gorilla needs more protein in
his diet. Absurd isn't it.Yet gorillas are vegetarians.

Gorilla's D.N.A. is 97-98% identical to humans.So if a gorilla can
get his protein from greens,why can't We?The fact is greens are
a great source of protein.If you eat a lot of greens along with seeds
and nuts vegetarians can get plenty of protein in their diet.

It is not what you consume, but what your body can absorb. There
have been studies done, that show American women consume large
amounts of calcium. Yet Osteoporosis is prevalent among elderly
American women.Chinese women who are Vegetarians were found
to have virtually no cases of Osteoporosis.These same Chinese women
consume very little calcium.

So lets get started with our high protein diet by eating and juicing lots
of greens.What about spinach, it worked for Pop Eye.

Dave 4syth

Greening Your Lights

2008-07-28T17:20:00.000-07:00

Every Realtor in the world will tell you to open your drapes and
blinds. Because the more light a house has, the more desirable
it becomes.Here in L.A., we have what is known as June gloom.
When it is overcast it can actually cause people to be depressed.
So open your blinds and curtains. You will save money, help the
environment and live a healthier lifestyle.

Also be sure to use CFL or LED bulbs.If you use florescent bulbs,
you will have a larger initial investment, but will save your money in
the long run.Turn off your power strips, when your not using them.
One thing though, be sure to take the bulbs to a recycling center. Do
not throw them in the trash.

Another great way to help save your planet, is to use clean energy.
You can go and find clean energy alternatives in most states. The more
demand your local power companies have for clean energy, the more
they will pursue renewable energy alternatives.

So lets get started. Be sure to use sunlight as much as possible. Replace
your lights with florescent bulbs. Seek out renewable energy sources. Be
a leader in helping to save our planet.

Dave 4syth

Just When I Thought This Week was Uneventful

2008-07-27T12:00:00.000-07:00

Sunday I rode to church.Monday through Wednesday I rode home
from work. Thursday I am riding home from work. I take a break
on Fridays and Saturdays. So it is my last day on the bike for
the week. I am thinking, what I'm I going to write about. I
have no adventures this week. I am thinking maybe I'll talk about
how sore I am. I am really looking forward to a couple of days off.

Then I reach Imperial and Sepulveda and there are a bunch of cop
cars and a police officer blocking the way. I live north so the only
way is to head north on Sepulveda.On Sepulveda there is no room
to ride a bike, unless you are going to trust L.A. Motorist not to
run you over.And to top it off There is a tunnel. So I take the timely
route instead of the sane route.I am riding down this real skinny
sidewalk when I scrape my arm against the side of the wall. So I get
off my bike and walk. After I get through the tunnel, I have to walk
across two lanes of traffic turning right into the Airport. Then hop on
the side walk and travel about half a mile to Westchester Parkway,
which has this beautiful bike path. The only problem is it ends in the
middle of nowhere. So I have to go over a hill and go down vista Del
Mar, for half a mile to reach The beach.

The thing is on Sepulveda about 2 miles up there is a bike path. The
bike path goes a couple of miles then ends.If you keep going on Sepulveda
you again have to negotiate a couple of miles of completely unsafe conditions.
Then again there is a bike path That abruptly ends another 2 Miles.What
are these people thinking. Bike paths are not very beneficial if they keep
dumping you into unsafe roads. When I go home I have 2 choices. A 8 mile
trip on safe paths and roads. Or a 4 mile trip on hazardous roads. I choose the
8 mile trip. Unfortunately I think most people would choose the 4 mile trip.
When cities plan bike paths, They need to connect the dots. That way bike
riding will be safe.

One benefit I get from L.A.'s bad planning is more exercise. Today's weight
285 pounds.61 pound s under top weight. 12 pounds in two weeks of My
Bike and Vegie Diet.

Dave 4syth

Grocery and To Do Lists

2008-07-24T20:09:00.000-07:00

Today's time management tip is to make lists. I
can not remember how many times I forgot 1 or 2
items at the store.Then I would have to make an
extra trip and stand in the so called express line.
All the wasted minutes because I forgot to do an
errand on the way home. Problem solved when I started
making lists.

You should always make a grocery list. This is fairly
easy for me . Because I only change 2 dishes a week
I have fruit during the day,so I only have 9 different
meals. I love routine because it makes shopping a
breeze. Lists are easy because I only have to
include items I don't buy on a weekly basis. If you
like to spice up your life with variety, then all the more
reason to have a grocery list.

Another list that comes in handy is a to do list. Sunday
before you go to bed make a to do list for the week and
every night before bed make a daily list.When your
relaxed and have no time pressures take 10 minutes to
do this . That way it will save your time when you really
need it. Prioritize what has to get done and decide when the
best time for each task is. For example going to the bank
Friday at lunch or after work is a bad idea. Always try to
avoid peak hours.

Other lists that help are a call list and a list of time you
need to spend with business associates, family or friends.
If you have a call list you can make all your calls at once.
The phone can kill your time. Hey I just figured out what
my next week's topic is going to be. Also make a list of things
you have to do with the people you deal with on a regular
basis. Lists will save you time and cause you to have less
stress in your life.

Dave 4syth

Meet Your Produce Manager

2008-07-23T18:48:00.000-07:00

Today's' money saving tip is to meet your produce
manager.Introduce yourself and make a friend.Go
ahead and explain you are on a tight budget. Find out
when they throw out the old produce. You can use it
for juicing or freeze it for later. Make a friend and he
will help you save money and if he doesn't, Then find
another store.

You can also make friends with your local farmers
market vendors. If you make a friend, they are more
likely to give you better deals. Research the market
and find where you can get the best deals.

You can also show up at the end of the day. You are
more likely to get good deals, if the vendor realizes
that they are not going to sell the produce that day. If
they like you and know that you are on a tight budget.
You can get some real bargains.

So don't be shy , go out and make some new friends
and save some money at the same time. Also these experts
will be able to give you some great budgeting advice.

Dave 4syth

Raw Foods Versus Cooked Foods

2008-07-22T19:06:00.000-07:00

Not only do we have Vegetarian versus meat eater,
Vegetarian versus Vegans. We also have Vegans versus
Raw Foodist.So who is right, here is a link to the raw foods
versus cooked food debate.

Raw Foodist claim that raw foods don't harm the enzymes
and cooked foods lose vitamins and other nutrients our
body needs.All foods should be prepared under 118
degrees.

Others claim that we need to eat cooked foods as part
of our natural development. That cooking foods is
what makes us a more highly evolved species. That
we need to cook carbohydrates. Also a raw food diet
doesn't have enough protein.

I don't claim to be an expert on nutrition, but I can
use some common sense.I notice on the net allot of
Vegetarians like to endorse Slow Cookers. Well if a
Slow Cooker retains more vitamins. Then why
wouldn't a dehydrator or not heating at all be even
more nutritional.

Lets say cooking doesn't effect the nutritional value
of foods one way or another.What if cooking versus
raw foods is a tie. Then it is still better to eat more
raw foods. Because if you have cereal and soy milk for
breakfast, bean burrito without cheese for lunch and
spaghetti and a jar of tomato sauce for dinner. That is
a Vegan diet. Is it a healthy diet? Absolutely Not. If
nothing else raw foods forces us to eat better foods.

Dave 4syth

Local Foods

2008-07-21T17:13:00.000-07:00

The food you buy in your local supermarket travels
1500 miles to get there.Think how much less gas would
be used if you bought groceries that only traveled 100-
200 miles to get there.Today's living green tip is to buy
from local farmers.

But what if you live in a urban area where there is no
farms. Well there is farmers markets,Coops,and
restaurants that buy locally.There is even a directory
where you can type in your city or zip code to find
local foods near you.

Your produce will be fresher, will generally be larger,
and is more nutritious.You will also be helping small family
run farms instead of large corporations.You will have an
extra bonus of meeting people who care as much about the
environment as you.

I can hear some of you now, saying Dave we don't have the
time or money to do that. Well many people have proven you
can buy locally on the average family budget.It will take effort
on your part, but it can be done. Go to this link for some good
advice on affording local foods.If time is more valuable to you
Than saving a dollar or two. You can buy boxes of local foods.
So buying foods will help the environment, give us better food
and can be done on the average family budget. So why not buy
local foods.

Dave 4syth

Hooray I Didn't Get a Flat Today

2008-07-18T17:09:00.000-07:00

Murphy's Law raised it's ugly head this
week.I threw a chain.ripped my pants
and had three flats. I persevered and
lost 8 pounds.So my mission was still
accomplished.

Sunday, The first day of the week.I
began the day by riding my bike to
church.On my way I threw a chain.
Luckily I had a wrench with me.So
I took off the wheel easily enough
Putting on the chain was another story.
I wrapped the end of the chain around
the small gear.Only to find out, the chain
had come off the big gear.In the mean
time the chain got tangled up and looped
over the pedal.As you probably figured out,
I am not exactly mechanically inclined, about
this time Riiiip. There goes a nice pair of
pants, Eventually I got the chain on and
even arrived at church on time.

Monday went as planed. Tuesday , I
almost got home before getting a flat.I
hopped on the bus and went home.
Real fast I took off my tire and went to
the bike shop where they fixed the flat.
Wednesday I took the bus to work.The
tire went flat at work. This time it was a
long bus ride to the bike shop.

I rode my bike home and the tire went flat
again. I drove the car to work Thursday.
Nicole, who sold me the bike was not happy
to see me again.Who would like to see a 300
pound angry man.This time they gave me a
new wheel.tube and tire.Chubbys beach bikes
did this for free.So if you live in L.A. I definitely
can give them my endorsement.Just ask for
Nicole.

Despite all the set backs, I still managed to
lose 8 pounds. My bike and Veggie diet is working
Top weight 346. lost57 pounds. Weight 1 week ago
297. Today;s weight 289.

Dave 4syth

Time management Tips For Vegetarians

2008-07-17T17:18:00.000-07:00

I have 4 time saving tips for vegetarians,
stacking,cleaning,preparing and planing,
These are simple tips ,so if you already
know these I apologize.Congrats on being
disciplined.

Stacking will save you a ton of time. This
helped me not go nuts, when I first learned to
prepare Raw Foods.An example is apples,
after you core the apple.Slice it in half,then
cut it into slices and stack the slices and
divide them into fourths or thirds.Here's an
article on how to slice and stack.

This will also save you time,clean your kitchen
as you go.I especially like to clean when I blend.
I turn my blender on and clean up my mess as
I blend. This also works if you cook.

Plan your meals ahead of time. Once a week
plan what meals you are going to have. That
way you can shop once a week.when you get
home from work tired.You won't have to decide
what to prepare. I have a routine down every week.
granted i don't have alot of variety,but it makes shopping
easy. I can come home and prepare my meal
immediately.

The last time management tip is preparing. One
thing I use to do is look at the menu and grab 1 or 2
ingredients at a time.This is bad time management.
Look at the menu and grab all the ingredients first.
Then start preparing your meal. Well these are mostly
common sense but will save your time if you follow them.

Bike Riding

2008-07-16T17:35:00.000-07:00

My first money saving tip is easy. Bike riding.
Not only will you save money,you will also get
exercise,lose weight and help with the environment.

Gas is over$4.50 a gallon here in Los Angeles.
If I drove a car to work that would probably run
$40 a week.If you don't work in biking distance,
then ride a bike everywhere else.

Bike riding not only saves you money,but you
also give less money to the oil companies.The
thing that upsets me is my taxes support the Oil
Companies.It is one thing to pay these obscene
prices.The government takes money out of our
checks and gives it to The Oil Companies.

Riding a bike not only helps save the Polar Bear.
It also helps save yourself.If you lack the discipline
to go to the gym everyday.Then ride a bike.The difference
is you won't have to make an extra trip.The trip is
exercising.When you get off work, hop on your bike
and when you get home you are done.

You will save around $50 a week.You will help to
encourage alternative energy research. You will
cause less pollution and help save animals.And
you will lose weight. Now that's a great diet program.

Dave4syth

A Moral Dilemma

2008-07-14T16:58:00.001-07:00

I already have a moral dilemma.I want to
have a strict vegetarian diet.But I only have1 meal
with my mom.She fixes our lunch on Saturdays.
It is the only time of the week we break bread
together.

Then there is the moral aspects of being a vegetarian.
There is the animal rights and also living Green.The
world will be a better place if there was more
vegetarians.

Growing crops takes less land than raising animals.
I have to admit that I am eating raw because of health
factors. But P.E.T .A and other animal right activist have
a valid point.

On the other hand, family is important too. Families having
meals together is important for families.Family value
breakdowns are the root of allot of our problems today.Also
my Mom looks forward to our meal together.

I am a Christian.The purpose of this Blog is to support others
with their weight loss and to bring discipline into my life. So
I won't talk allot about my faith. But when talking vegetarian
morals it is a factor. The bible teaches man started as a vegetarian.
After the flood god allowed us to eat meat.Here is an interesting post
on being a Christian vegetarian.

So which is more important.The moral aspects of being a
vegetarian or the importance of braking bread as a family.
Here is a post on savvy vegetarian.A vegetarian wife
had the same moral struggle with her husband.

I would be interested in your thoughts.which should I
do ,have 1 meal a week with mom including meat or
tell Mom I can only have vegetables. Please give advice.

Thanks Dave 4syth

Losing Weight isn't easy

2008-07-12T13:43:00.000-07:00

Losing weight isn't easy. It is hard to lose weight. My name is
is David Forsyth and I weigh 297 pounds. That's the bad news.
The good news is i use to weigh 346 pounds.

But I struggled last year. I have been on a mostly raw food diet
and I go back and forth between eating well. Then I'll go back
to my old ways.

Losing weight isn't easy. You have to be disciplined to lose
weight. and I am not disciplined.that is why I am starting
this Blog. It will take discipline to write and update thus
Blog.

Losing weight isn't easy. I need support. I need your help
Vegetarians. I need your help Raw Foodist. I need your help.
Whoever is struggling to lose weight? Lets work together and
support each other to meet our goals.

My bike and veggie diet consists of 2 things. First a vegetarian
diet and second riding my bike to work and other places. I am
going to eat mostly raw vegan. Not 100%. I am shooting for
75% to 80% raw.

But a Blog, just about my diet will be pretty boring. So I am
I am going talk about other Challenges. Mainly lack of time and
money.

So I am setting a tentative schedule. Monday I am going to talk
talk about things pertaining to being a vegetarian. Tuesday I am
going to talk about products useful to us. Wednesday,I am going to
give budget tips. Thursday I am going to talk about time management.
Friday I am going to talk about my bike adventures and struggles.
Saturday I am going to talk about living Green.

But of course that could all change. Depending where the interests of
my readers lead me and if an issue comes up of particular importance.

dave 4syth