03/28/2012 Act of God

So I've done as much work as I personally can do on my first book "Mary and Cyrus:  A Gathering of Storms."  I wanted to make the best possible first impression that I could, so I set out to find a professional editor.  After contacting several editors and getting estimates I was admittedly pretty depressed.  The prices were way out of my budget range.  Then I found one I could possibly afford and she ended up being a super nice person and I decided then and there that I liked her.

With the decision made I had to find a way to raise enough money to pay for her services.  Well, here is where the Act of God comes in.  The very next day I received two student loan refunds that equaled almost the exact amount I needed.  Now I wasn't expecting these refunds.  I was under the impression that I got just enough aid to pay for my schooling and not enough for a refund.  To me it is too much of a coincidence to be a coincidence.

Before that happened if someone had told me they thought God directly intervened in their life I would have laughed at them.  Now?  I truly believe.  I believe God gave me what I needed because I'm finally trying and I'm on the right path.  I don't believe this will make me a successful writer.  I know that part is up to me but I do believe God wants me to succeed.  So here we go!

03/23/2012. Health

"Dear diary today I feel depressed and I want to eat EVERYTHING!" 

Kris Carr, Crazy Sexy Life.

Last night I watched an enlightening video about health and the food industry in America.  I believe it has changed my life.  Anyone who needs a wakeup call or has struggled with his or her weight and happiness for a long time should check it out.  Perform a Google search for "Hungry for Change".

I've struggled with my weight and severe depression my entire life, so it really struck a chord with me.  The film was free to watch and didn't promote any gimmicks or scams.  I truly believe they delivered the cold hard facts about how terrible we are in America about our food production and consumption.  Oddly enough prior to watching the film, I had left my house at 2am to go to a nearby gas station and purchase three packs of Hot Fudge Sundae Pop Tarts.  I ate all three packs back to back.  Sugar is addictive.  I don't need to provide statistics or anything of that nature to prove it.  Proving the addictive nature of sugar is the least of my concerns.  Recovering concerns me.

So today, I started my day off right.  I scrambled two eggs, with some pepper, green pepper, and tomato for breakfast.  The meal filled me up.  On the way to the gym, I stopped to get a snack and instead of picking up my coveted Pop Tarts, I purchased two Gala apples.  They filled me up.  I worked out.  Walked two miles and spent a good hour in the weight room executing a full body workout.  Never once did I get hungry or run out of energy.  When I got home, I fried some chicken in its own juices with green peppers and onions.  Again, I was satisfied.  Not once during the whole day did I find myself craving something.  I drank only water and I snacked on some whole unsalted almonds twice.  The last thing I ate was a cup of Greek Yogurt over two hours ago and I've not thought about food once since.  Now when I compare this to the previous day I'm sickened.

Yesterday I ate the three packs of Pop Tarts, Pork Chops and Onions fried in butter, and two baked potatoes mixed with sour cream.  I had two nutrition bars; two sandwiches complete with mayo and process cheese as well.  A also ate a cup of yogurt and several other things none of which are healthy.  The food industry advertises them as healthy but they flat out lie.  They fill our food with additives designed to taste good and be addictive so we'll keep eating it.  All day yesterday, I never once felt satisfied even though I ate three times the food.  Rather I ate a bunch of stuff that looks like food, presents itself as food, but doesn't back up its claims.

Flash forward to right now, this instant, and I feel great.  My head isn't swimming.  My eyes aren't weak.  I'm breathing better.  My joints aren't aching.  Now people could argue that it's coincidence.  That I just had a good day but the fact that I started eating better today and I already feel better speaks volumes to me.

I know this is a blog about my writing but writing is nothing more than relating what we think, feel, and know about the world.  Even in a work of fiction, it is the things you do and know that influences the product.  I've not posted in a while because no one reads this but someday someone might.  If that day ever comes, I want you to read this and maybe start thinking about your own health.  Maybe my claims here will prompt you to look into it yourself and learn how bad things are for yourself.  Don't take my word for it.  You don't know me, go, and look for yourself.  You'll find it; you'll see the world for what it is.  Money.  The food industry doesn’t care if you're healthy.  They only care if you're healthy enough to keep buying their product.