As some may know my personal health has been a concern for some time. I developed congestive heart failure back in 2010 and with that comes the complications associated such as pre-diabetes, obesity, metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, and a whole slew of related issues. I have some genetic predisposition to heart issues (I recently found out) but the doctors believe that it originally was a result of a viral infection.

Two years ago we purchased our first home. A familial situation came up where we assisted some long time family friends. The stress this induced caused a turn for the worst with my health. Fortunately with new medications and advances in the treatment of heart failure my cardiologist and the cardio team at the Salt Lake City VA were able help me.

A year ago I had a cardiac MRI done. They scanned my heart, chest, and upper body; basically from the waist up. Everything was clear, no blockages, no restrictions, no constrictions. This was encouraging because as a whole we’ve never eaten unhealthy, we just eat to much of what we do eat. Portion control has always been an issue for me. Because I don’t like to waste food it all goes to my waist.

Over the years I’ve attempted to implement various “protocols” into our family eating regiment all of which were variations of the same thing, consume more natural foods, shop the “outside” of the grocery store and stay out of the isles. As modern society and technology is supposed to make our lives easier it invariably makes them busier. Being busy isn’t always conducive to creating healthy meal plans or meals so we, individuals and society, often settle for the quick and easy “middle isle” options.

As a child and youth our family harvested much of what we ate off of the hoof. Two 16 foot chest freezers held enough antelope, venison, and elk to last well into the next spring, and that with feeding a family of three eating two to three meals a day of game meat. We supplemented our meals with seasonal fresh or canned veggies. Boxed and processed foods were not a part of my repertoire in those days.

Over the years, and really since I left home and entered the military, the processed prepackaged boxes of artificial ingredients that reside in the “center isles of death” have crept into my life and home having an impact on our health. Recently I’ve come to realize that “artificial processing” reaches farther than just pre-packaged foods. Even what is thought of as healthy may not be as beneficial as once believed.

When it comes to food (everything really) we have to contrast the lies we have been taught to believe are true with the truths that have never been revealed or hidden from us. Do the research. Do your homework. Don’t take anyone’s word for anything unless you’ve researched it or experienced it to be so yourself. Educate yourself. “Study to show yourself as one approved…rightly dividing the truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15

In summary I’m down ~40 lbs over the last 70 days. Kind of plateaued it seems at this point. When I can keep the water retention off my weight is trending down at about 1.5 lbs a week, at least for the last couple weeks, since I’ve moved into Phase II of my eating lifestyle.

Couple things worth mentioning, I’ve been flour free since August 26th and tobacco free since September 17th. Stay tuned for future updates.