CONCEALED CARRY

 A couple of years ago when my daughter was 19 years old, she headed off to New York City to earn a degree in fashion design from a prestigious university.  She was excited.  I was terrified.  It was all my fault (OK include my wife in the blame as well).  We had taught our children to dream.  To seek their passion in life.  To work and study hard and to save money.  That there were no limits on what they could do or where they could go.  Crap, she had bought into it.  All of it.

This is one of the most difficult and competitive university courses of study in the entire USA to get accepted to, so after the wave of fatherly pride, euphoria and shock had worn off, I got down to work.  How was I going to protect my little girl when she was time zones and thousands of miles away?  I won't go into all of what we did, but I will detail in this post the one thing that gave me the most comfort.  We purchased her a handbag from www.designerconcealedcarry.com 

No, no, no, my little girl doesn't carry a pistol, but she used the lockable compartment to secure the following items:  Pepper Spray, Keys, Identification, Cell Phone, Credit Card, Subway Pass and a little Cash.  It is a proven fact that women are most vulnerable to attack when they lower their head (like when they are trying to find something in a disorganized purse) and take their eyes off of their surroundings.  My daughter kept her head up and was always alert.  Everything that she ever needed was at the ready.  This handbag gave her such a feeling of confidence and of being in control.  I bought one for my wife as well.

This company has found that many of their customers use their handbags in this way.  Too bad for the guys thinking about stealing your cash or identity.  Locked and secure.  What a great place to store prescription medication.  No children or thieves can get to the meds in there.  They also have designed handbags that can secure a full sized Ipad.  The uses are endless and of course let's not forget, if you have a pistol, the holster and lock provide a secure location for that as well.

Kate, the owner of this business is educated and trained in the fine arts and design.  She has found a huge market niche in providing handbags where you can secure valuables and pistols without sacrificing style, fashion, or quality.  The bags are made from the finest leathers and linings available.

Actual Daughter with Actual Handbag

So here is a TIP FROM A MAN... get on this web site and buy one of these bags for every woman that you love.  It will be one of the greatest gifts you will ever give.  You will have peace of mind and you will be a hero... I know from experience.  By the way, she graduated with honors and lived in NYC for two years without incident.  Whew!

Enjoy life!

  

TANDEM

Teamwork is amazing.  It is fulfilling to coordinate efforts to achieve a goal.  I'm sure you can think of dozens of examples of this.  Pictured above is a married couple on their Tandem who are friends of mine.  I so admire them because they have chosen healthy activities that they can do together (they also hike, snowshoe and golf together).  Spending time recreating like this has strengthened their relationship and has brought them much happiness.  It is tempting to always go off with friends when it is time for fun.  I know, I love to be with friends.  But, consider what it might do for your most important relationship if you seek out regular activities that you enjoy doing together.  Discuss this topic with each other.  Willingly make some compromises or be brave and try something new.  Here is a TIP FROM A MAN... head out the door for adventure with your significant other (if you have one).  Become a great team at something fun, (dinner and a movie is a nice date and you should do that too, but it doesn't count for this) something that isn't just a one time event, but something that can become a regular part of who you are and what you do.  I think it a safe bet that your health and relationship will both improve!

Enjoy life!

EMAIL FROM TIM

Over the past few months I have provided periodic updates about one of our blog followers and his experience with following the TIPS FROM A MAN guidelines.  Tim asked that I share the following:

Roger,

I want to offer unto you my sincere appreciation for the beneficial contents of your blog "Tips From A Man."  It has made a drastic difference in my life.  As you know, I started following your "helpful hints" in the middle of January, 2012.  It was not difficult to make your recommended changes in what I ate for the food was desirable and I was able to season it to my taste.  I especially enjoy the Vietnamese Chili Sauce that you recommended for my eggs.  Without any exercise whatever, after one month I lost 13.5 pounds!  Wow!  I was astonished that I did not have to put forth more effort or alter my diet supplementing it with some exotic blend of potions or tonics.  The first month's results motivated me to continue.  After the second month and the loss of an additional 6.5 pounds, I was a believer!  It was at this time that I decided to implement some daily low impact exercise - walking.   That activity combined with the food that I chose to eat resulted in an additional weight loss my third month.  I just finished my fifth month following your tips, I have lost a total of 37.5 pounds and I have chosen to continue exercising.  I now run 3 miles every other day combined with other strengthening activities which has made a profound difference in my appearance and energy levels.  My friends and business associates all inquire as to what I am doing and rather than go into detail I simply refer them to your blog.  The motivation for me has been in the rapid results.  What I have found is that this is easy to do but what is easy to do can also be easy not to do.  My success has come from making small, simple choices consistently followed over time leading to astonishing results.  Thank you for changing my life!

Tim

Here is a TIP FROM A MAN... if you can go through life and help just one person, then it was probably a good life.  Thanks Tim.  Glad this is working for you.

Enjoy life!

CHERRY TREE

Here at TIPS FROM A MAN, we always emphasize eating fresh natural foods.  Fresh fruits are always at the top of the list.  The only thing better than fresh fruit, is fresh fruit grown on your own tree!  Check out these cherries.  They are amazing.  We anticipate eating these cherries all year.  We are fortunate to live where we can grow fruit.  We also grow peaches, and are trying to start apples, plums and pears.  We have had success with raspberries as well.

Depending on your individual living situation and climate you may not be able to grow your own fruit.  But if you can, please, make the effort.  It is worth it.  Home grown fruit is so tasty and there is just an amazing feeling you get from growing your own food.

We are getting the hang of watering, fertilizing and pruning.  We haven't had to spray the trees.  Our biggest challenge is being able to pick the fruit before the birds figure out that the cherries are  ripe.  Apparently birds like fruit too.

So here is a TIP FROM A MAN... grow all the fruit and vegetables that you can.  The work is therapeutic the taste is great and quality is without compare.

Enjoy life! 

THE CHINA STUDY

Every single person who has cancer has a pH that is too acidic.  Cancer can't survive in an Alkaline, oxygen rich environment.  This book is a bit of a tough read because of all of the technical stuff, but it is a real eye opener and well worth your time.  Fits well with the concepts discussed in TIPS FROM A MAN...  Please read the following...

Referred to as the "Grand Prix of epidemiology" by The New York Times, this study examines more than 350 variables of health and nutrition with surveys from 6,500 adults in more than 2,500 counties across China and Taiwan, and conclusively demonstrates the link between nutrition and heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. While revealing that proper nutrition can have a dramatic effect on reducing and reversing these ailments as well as curbing obesity, this text calls into question the practices of many of the current dietary programs, such as the Atkins diet, that are widely popular in the West. The politics of nutrition and the impact of special interest groups in the creation and dissemination of public information are also discussed.

Here is a TIP FROM A MAN... if you choose to follow a strict vegeterian diet that's great.  I am not a doctor, however, I personally feel comfortable with the guideline of eating meat sparingly.  A 6 ounce serving of lean, high protein meat with some meals seems to me to be a fine addition to a balanced healthy diet.  However, our diets should be heavily weighted toward vegetables, fruits and complex carbohydrates.  Learn to be Alkaline and not acidic.  Without our health it is difficult to...

enjoy life!

TEMPTATION

You are starting to know me by now.  You know that I am going to do everything I can to coax you off of that couch and get you out of the city to experience this amazing planet.  So here is another temptation!  At first you might look at this photo and say, "hey, enough already with the slot canyon photos."  But upon closer inspection, you will notice that my friend Dale is smack dab in the middle of expertly rappelling to the bottom of this canyon (an approximately 100' rappel).  Wow!  What a rush this must be.  How I hope to join him someday on one of these excursions and be that guy in the photo.  I'm trying real hard to be clever here, but nothing is coming, so for this TIP FROM A MAN... please, just get out there and do it.  And when you do, send a photo of your next adventure to share.

Dale is also an accomplished photographer.  Thought you would enjoy these additional scenery shots as much as I did.  Unbelievably Spectacular!

Enjoy life!

EAT LIKE A KING

This dinner was so good!  I know you are asking yourself... how can I lose weight while eating like a king?  Good question, but you can.  This amazing dinner included a 6 oz serving of slow roasted pork, quinoa, green beans and fresh cut fruit (orange, strawberry, blue berry and kiwi).  Here is a TIP FROM A MAN... keep reminding yourself that you are making a lifestyle choice.  You are choosing to eat fresh, healthy foods in mostly their natural state.  You are not blindly consuming huge quantities of whatever the big food companies and fast food chains put out there.  They are in business to make a profit.  Your objective is to fuel your body with nutritious foods that taste amazing and help you meet your weight and fitness goals.  Another factor in this meal is the presentation.  The colors of the foods are very pleasing to the eye and the aroma was mouth-watering.  Reward yourself with meals like this and you will start to believe that you are the king... the king of health and fitness.

Enjoy life!

MORE SLOT CANYON PHOTOS

Many have asked for more photos of the slot canyon adventure.  I am going to let the pictures speak for themselves.  The scenery, ancient Indian artwork, wild burros, it was simply spectacular.

Enjoy life!

PROTEIN DRINK

A protein drink sounds boring.  And it is if you just mix water in with some vanilla powder.  Everything about TIPS FROM A MAN suggests that you strive to make the things you do fun and interesting.  So take that boring protein drink and let's get our creative on.

This morning I opened the fridge and here is what I came up with:

- Ice Cubes

- Blue Berries

- Raspberries

- Walnuts

- Baby Leafy Spinach

- Frozen fruit chunks (mango, pineapple and strawberry)

- Protein Powder

- 3/4 Cup Water

Throwing caution to the wind, I tossed these ingredients in the Magic Bullet blender and after about 30 seconds I had this cold refreshing satisfying drink in my hand.  Here is a TIP FROM A MAN... do not accept boring.  If you do it is your fault.  You have a lot of personality in there.  Put it to good use.  Make it fun.  Get creative.  Look, if you can make a protein drink interesting, the sky is the limit!

Enjoy life!