FearAlone

No Meat? Update

So, last week I started another challenge.  This was a repeat, because it didn't work before.  I wanted to stop eating meat.

A vegetarian... Not vegan, just not eating anything that has to be slaughtered.

So far, so good.  I have been doing it.

To be fair, I have been eating a lot of cheese, so it hasn't really been that life altering.

So what do you do when you're walking the streets of Chicago and your stomach starts to grumble... You go to Crisp on Broadway. It's a Korean Burrito place. Yelp said it was great. I had never heard of such a thing... and I'll admit I was a little afraid.

Not afraid to try Korean food, but afraid they wouldn't have much for me to eat.  But, to my surprise they were very vegetarian friendly.  I ended up getting a Big Bad Buddha Bowl... It was Amazing!!!!  (By the way, in the picture above there's chicken... I didn't eat it, but it did look good for anyone interested.)

For those of you in Chicagoland area looking for something new and refreshing... here's the link.  Crisp in Chicago.

And I found a new way to order pizza.  I was always interested but never tried pineapple on my pizza.  It is so good... I craze this stuff.

One of the most challenging things was going out to watch the Bears game last Thursday... Bar food is very seldomly vegie friendly. I figured it out, and ended up having a blast.

I have been getting a lot of question about how long I am going to do this for, and I want to make this a lifelong pursuit.  I don't think it's wrong for people to eat meat, just wanted to do this for awhile.  This is something that I am doing for myself.

Anyways, so the update.... Everything is working out great.  Loving every minute of it.

 

The Latest, and Biggest Challenge Yet

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I haven't done any challenges lately, so I thought now would be a good time to get back into it.  I have to admit I'm diving right in the deep end.

I've been talking about this for some time now, but I think I am ready to become vegetarian.  

When I was younger I became a vegetarian, and lasted 2 years.  The thing about it is, I really don't like the taste of meat.  I like everything around it though... So, if I have a hamburger.  I want it to have the best tasting bun and cheese.

I remember of dreaming of a Gyros though... it haunted me, until I gave in.

But, there was more to me giving in.

I was living with my mother at the time, and she really didn't like the idea.  She found that it was limiting and she was preparing the food.  My mother supported the idea of me being vegetarian but I couldn't live with the idea that I was limiting her, from having the foods she liked.

It's really hard for children that know in their hearts they want to be vegetarian but can't be... because of outside influences.

Those were different times, and in today's society it's widely more accepted.  A lot of restaurants even have sections with a more vegetarian acceptable array of foods.

So, I am giving myself one last week to say goodbye to the meats.  And on November 15th, when I wake up... I will not have any more meat.

I tried this challenge before, and was unsuccessfully in even launching it.  It never even got started.  So, I'm going to need a strong support group to help me through this.

Wish me luck. 

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Big Big Challenge

In my last challenge I gave up TV for two weeks.  Truth be told after I did that I got rid of cable.  I've been relying on Hulu for all my TV enjoyment.  It's been nice, not having to be held down to the TV.  Getting more stuff done on a daily bases too.

I haven't done a challenge since... it's been a month since I started that one.  How could I top that though?  I'm prepared to do something bigger.  This one will have to be done in steps.

Tuesday February 16th is Fat Tuesday... For those of you who do not know what Fat Tuesday is, it's the day before lent.  Your last chance to eat whatever you want.  Well I am not catholic, but I like the concept... I mean, who doesn't.

So on Wednesday the 17th I plan on setting the challenge in motion.  I was a vegetarian for 2 years when I was a teenager... I enjoyed that lifestyle, although it made other people in my life a little upset.  It was hard to cook for me.  My mother hated it.  So, I started having Chicken... Then I gave it up because I didn't want to stress her out anymore.

Well I think it's time to start again... I can't go total vegan on Wednesday the 17th though... as it's a big adjustment.  So I plan on becoming a semi-vegetarian focusing on reducing chicken and dairy.  (I need to give up the dairy anyways, because I am allergic to milk.)

For those of you who know me personally you know I love my diet coke... more then anything.  That is my one addiction... Well, not anymore.  17th put's an end to that too.

At some point I'd like to graduate to vegan... but not at this time.

So how about that for a challenge?

For those of you interested I found a great site that talks about all this http://www.vegetarianvegan.com/Vegan_Vs_Vegetarian.html

9 important steps in Setting Goals

Image by nchenga via Flickr

It is very important that we set goals in our life.  Life is filled with changes.  We change often and never realize it.  It's important to direct these changes to help you be the person you want to be.

I have been focusing on my spiritual goals for awhile now, and have been leaving out some of the other things that I want to accomplish.

So, today I began focusing on something that doesn't come easy to me.  My financial goals.

So I sat down and formulated a plan.  A budget to get me more on track to the person I am capable of becoming.  I am including charity in my budget this time.  I haven't done that yet... but, how rewarding is that?

I have been a goal orientated person for some time now.  I have learned somethings along the way.  Here are my steps to creating a goal.

1. Reflection - This is an important but overlooked step in setting goals you can achieve.  Most people have goals that they have in mind, but don't always reflect on how these goals will effect yourself and others.  Goals should be positive to both you and your inner circle.  It's a good idea to write your reflections down.  This helps if you are having problems achieving these goals in the future.  Or to keep you're eyes on the prize.
2. Realistic - Let's face it.  If I set a goal to lose 100lbs in 1 month, that is both not physically healthy nor is it emotionally healthy.  Setting yourself up for failure is not a good idea.  But, I could say that in a years time I want to lose 100lbs.  10lbs a month.  (Notice also that I gave myself some space... not to fail, but not to cause unneeded pressure.)
3. Written - Written goals are more likely to be obtained.  There's a couple of reasons for that.  I write them, I think them.  Also, I see them... I can believe them.  And, keeping them around keeps us from losing track of what we wanted to achieve.
4. Visualize - Take time everyday to visualize yourself reaching your goals.  Try to make yourself feel how you would feel when the goal is actually met.  Daily Affirmations are great for doing this too.
5. Do - This might seem silly, but I learned long ago that if you want to achieve goals you need to do something everyday to make them happen.  Baby steps.  I even go as far as to plan out mini-goals to help me achieve bigger goals.  (exp... I want to save $2,500... a nice mini goal to achieve this is every $500 or even $100.)
6. Tune - Don't give up on your goals, but if you see that something is not working for you.  Change your min-goals.  Or alter your goal to achieve something that better fits you.  Never settle for less... just better.
7. Discuss - This is an optional step.  If you tell somebody you are making yourself more accountable to your goals.
8. Celebrate - Allow yourself to celebrate your success.  If you have mini-goals celebrate them too.  The important thing is you have achieved something. 
9. Restart - When all is done, set another goal.  Keep things going.

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2 weeks over

So, for those of you that have not been following my blog.  I gave up TV for two weeks, as an experiment.  I felt that in this day and age we are over stimulated.  I wanted to see what would happen if I took out a major stimuli.

The two weeks were over as of Sunday. I got to say for the most part I am not surprised at all on the outcome, but a couple of things were not expected.

During the first week I made sure to keep my life pretty active.  I started to go to a Zen Buddhist temple and meditate regularly.  I figured one thing I wanted more time for was spirituality.  Which wasn't lacking in my life, but we could always use more of.

Another thing I did was to volunteer.  It was something I used to do a lot as a teenager, but haven't had a chance to since. 

Week 2 I wanted to see how my day to day life was affected.  In truth, it wasn't as productive as I wanted it to be.  But, I don't think the time was wasted.  I had hoped to catch up on some reading, but instead focused more on listening to the people in my life.

I think because we listen to a TV without being able to give input.  When we are face to face with people, we tend to want to just give input without the listening part.  So, I feel a lot of relationships are lost because of the fact that we find it hard to just listen to the people that we love.  We'd rather listen to a box.

After the two weeks, I am forever changed.  I crave more the interaction of people.  I look forward to my times of meditation at the temple.  I am excited about more volunteering.  TV just doesn't have as big of a draw to me now.  I spend less time watching complete strangers do the things that I have always wanted to do, and grabbing a hold of life by doing them myself.

I still want to own a TV, but I am rethinking cable.  Although I might miss some of the more educational programs that I watched.  I can get the same on DVD or Netflix (with the watch instantly option).

Since yesterday was Martin Luther King day I think it's fitting to close this with some of his great words.

 

In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends. - Martin Luther King

WooHoo Sunday!

Image via Wikipedia

This weekend was amazing!

Still one more week of no TV, but it's going great.  Makes me question if I'll ever feel the need to go back.  I mean, it's not to say that I wouldn't want a TV, but most of the shows I am interested in are on major networks, not cable.

I could save a lot of money just by getting rid of cable.  And, I don't think I would feel a need to watch as much TV then.  I think I am always trying to get the most for my money, and this way it wouldn't be any investment.  Watch it as I want then.

Saturday I volunteered for a great organization.  It's called OneBrick.  They are a non for profit organization that helps organize volunteers for other non-profit organizations.  One Brick is a total web based organization so there is no overhead for anything.  The great thing about OneBrick is you can volunteer as much or as little as you want.  There is a calendar, and you sign up per event.  There isn't any pressure to do more.

It's been since I was a teenager that I actually set out to volunteer for anybody.  I used to be a regular volunteer for my local YMCA.  Involved in something called Leader's Club.  I have to say that is what made me the person I am today.

I worked at The Greater Chicago Food Depository, on the flex line (assembly line) making emergency care packages for homeless or other people in need.

This one emergency pack could feed somebody for 3 days. It was filled with a lot of goodies.  I worked the Peanut Butter refurbish area.  So, I unwrapped 8oz containers of peanut butter and set them up for the person putting it in the box.

I had so much fun.  My group was great.  Infact, everybody there was great.  We really worked as a team.  Although our goal was 1000 boxes, we managed 879 boxes.  Because there were some issues with the tape machine. 

But I loved every minute of it.

I also went back to Ancient Dragon Zen Gate, and after mediation I tried to stand up to quickly and ended up becoming one with the floor.  :)  I am ok, just a little embarrassed.  But I thought it was pretty funny actually.  Wish I would have had some video of this nice fall to share. 

Hope everyone had as great of a weekend as I did. 

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Tuesday

Alright, I know it's only been a few days since starting my experiment on not watching TV for two weeks...

But, I just wanted to report a couple of things I noticed.

First thing, I use my TV as a white noise machine with a night light.  For my late night phone conversations.  Just having the sound of it going off in the background makes me feel more comfortable.

I seem to have a little more energy.  Days that I didn't think I could have made it through before are flying by.  I've been using a lot of my time and am interested to find out what's going to happen on a day that I have nothing or very little happening.

So far I've spent the last two days on Facebook or meditating at the Ancient Dragon Zen Gate Temple. 

The meditation has been incredible... it's funny how you never expect something to have such a quick and profound effect on your life.  I am looking forward to going back again.  I am considering going there tomorrow, before work.  Which for those that know me will find crazy... I hate waking up early.

So, it's been easy... because I haven't been home.  I'll keep you guys posted.

Day late and dollar short... Not this time!

Image by Getty Images via Daylife

So, for those of you who remember... I said I was going to give up TV for two weeks after the holidays. 

And I did, but a day later then expected.  The more I started looking at it on a calendar the more I thought Sunday would be a much better day to launch this experiment.  But I did it.  1 day, almost down.

The interesting thing is, I use TV as a clock.  It marks my hours and half hours.  

Seriously.  Right now, I am finding it very hard to do laundry.  I don't have something to remind me when to switch loads.  So I am forced to be more conscious. Which is very interesting.

So, instead of just sitting around I decided to go head first into self exploration.

I have always been fond of Buddhism.  I am a very compassionate person.  Buddhism always sounded like such a great philosophy to me.  I am peaceful (most of the time.)  

So this morning I went to the Ancient Dragon Zen Gate temple to do a morning meditation.  I got to say, it   was awesome.  I needed to get there a little early for a Sunday (845am to be exact) For a beginners lesson on how to meditate... But I was blown away.

Taigen Dan Leighton was my teacher.  He was great.  I even stayed for his Dharma talk and have been inspired the entire day.  I am even planning to go back tomorrow for more... but this time it's at 715pm, so I should be a little more awake.

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Here's The Low Down

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I have an idea that I am thinking of living out...

This came about tonight during a great conversation with some friends.  We were talking about how great it would be to change the world.  I said that I would like to pass a law that made it mandatory that every US Citizen go two weeks a year without TV, Radio, & MP3 players.

You could pick your two weeks, but it would have to be consecutive.  So, I don't think this would affect business much if you could pick your time.

My idea stems from living in a world that is in every way over stimulate.  I am a gadget geek, so this is not something easy for me.

You can go on the internet, but not to watch any video or listen to any music. 

I would love for it to include no cell phones, but that is impossible for me at this time.  I figure if I can't do it, then how could I suggest it.

I was watching a documentary about a Zen Buddhist Chef... and that when they are chopping carrots, they are chopping carrots. When somebody is baking they are baking.  So, if somebody comes up to you and asks how's it going... I'm baking would be the only answer.  Because it is what I'm doing and therefor that is how I am doing.  That blew my mind when I tried to think of everything I am doing at any given time.  Think about this, how much stuff do you do when you are driving.  I am listening to the radio and waiting for phone calls.  Or hashing out my life's events on the cellphone.

So that's it, I am doing this... Starting 01/02/2010 (The only reason not 01/01/2010 is because if I am at a party I don't want to stop anybody else from living their own lives.)  This is not a resolution, it's an experiment.

Anybody interested in diving into the unknown with me?

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Challenge 3

So, it's another weekend and therefor there has to be another challenge.

This week I figured I would do something that I really needed to do, but was afraid to start.

I decided to keep a daily journal.  Although this blog does contain a lot of my steps this is something that needs to be a little bit more personal.  It's not that I don't want anybody to see it either. 

The difference to me of blogging and writting a journal is this... Journals tend to be more private.  The writings that you do help you reflect upon life.  You write a journal different when nobody is intended to read it.  You don't need to explain as much, or sometimes you go through great lengths explaining... but it might not be easy for somebody else to read (if that makes sense.)

In this journal I have certain daily activites that I must do...

• The first thing I want to do is an activity that's suppose to expose the inner person.  It's called sentence completion... It's very easy.  You start a sentence like this. To be happy I must... Then you make up 6-10 sentences with that begining.  So you are finishing it.  The thing is you can not stop and refelct.  It has to be the first thing that comes to mind.  Now sometimes this can get a little negative, but don't worry about it.  Oh, and you're not allowed to read what you wrote until then end of the week.  I will try to do this twice a day.  Once when I wake up and again before I go to sleep.  Sometimes themes or ideas might repeat themselves, but that's ok.
  
• The next thing I am going to journal daily is something a friend of mine suggested (Crow this one's for you thanks for your wisdom and insight).  Everyday I am going to write three things I am thankful for.  The rule is that they can not repeat.  This is something you can reflect upon a little bit.
  
• Anything else note worthy.

This might not seem like a big challenge. And if you don't think so, I say try it yourself.  It involves discipline.  I am going to have to wake up early everyday to write... and before I go to bed take time out to write some more.  It's a daily thing to.  I mean you'll miss days but the key is to not miss many.

Try it yourself.

Challenge 2: Thai Food

Challenge 1: Poker Tournament