11.01.2024

VITAMEATAVEGAMIN

 Vitamin Supplement Breakdown


Why.

Why have I started taking a combination of vitamins and supplements. I do not know. It feels right. It feels like the time to.

Why have I decided to share this. I do not know. It feels right. It feels like the time to.

Historical Information

Growing up, I was always given a multivitamin, whether it be the venerable Flintstone Kids, or the big purple one my Grandma would give me. I've dabbled off and on with multivitamins over the years, but never stuck to anything. During both my wife's pregnancies, she was strongly encouraged to take a good prenatal vitamin, and we feel it did her (and the boys) a lot of good.
Currently, while I feel we eat a variety of foods, I think my total nutritional intake is not as complete as it could be.

Let's Break Down the Goods

I currently take three groups of pills, a multivitamin and two additional supplements; Zinc and Ashwagandha. All of these are from "Garden of Life". Where you get your supplements, and how they are made is important. 

I also drink a small Protein Shake in the morning, and it provides some vitamins and minerals as well. Working on seeing if there is a better alternative out there though.

The Multi: VITAMIN CODE - Family (They have a "Men's" but there is no major difference.)
The Zinc: VITAMIN CODE - Raw Zinc
The Ash: ORGANICS - Ashwagandha 

Between them, this is my daily intake (Not including whatever I may get from just eating normally).
I am a big consumer of whole milk, and 100% Cranberry and/or Grape Juice. I drink water too, just not as much as I should.

It should be noted that I am supposed to take 4 multivitamin pills a day, but I only take two. So I  have adjusted the amounts properly.

FamilyProtein ShakeRaw ZincAshwagadhaTotal
Biotin157.522.5mcg
Calcium650650mg
Chromium17.58.826.3mcg
Copper0.230.23mg
Folate200100300mcg
Iodine3838mcg
Iron0.94.55.4mg
Lycopene125125mcg
Magnesium105105mg
Manganese1.150.581.73mg
Molybdenum22.511.333.8mcg
Niacin10.4414.4mg
Pantothenic Acid7.51.38.8mg
Phosphorus630630mg
Potassium450450mg
Riboflavin (B2)2.250.332.58mg
Selenium27.51441.5mcg
Thiamin (B1)2.40.32.7mg
Vanadium55mcg
Vitamin A630230860mcg
Vitamin B1220.050.620.65mcg
Vitamin B62.550.432.98mg
Vitamin C452360128mg
Vitamin D (D3)25530mcg
Vitamin E7.53.811.3mg
Vitamin K (K1)603090mcg
Vitamin K21010mcg
Zinc3.852.83036.65mg
Ashwagandha600600mg
Ginger Root5050mg
Trace Mineral Blend150150mg
Probiotic Blend1560479mg
Organic Fruit & Veg Blend332.5166498.5mg
AntiOx & Immune Sup Blend55mg

What does all that mean?
I don't know.

But I can say this. I feel good.

I don't know if it is mostly mental, mostly physical, or some combination of both. I can say this, however. I feel as though if my Grandma would be proud. She instilled upon me her knowledge of nutrition and cooking, as she was respected home economics teacher, and a proud "home maker", from a time when a home maker was revered and celebrated. I would go as far as to call her a professional home maker.  She spoke to me many times about proper nutrition, and taking care of ones health.

In making this list, and trying to "boost my stats", I was reminded of the story she told me of research done in the 50's or 60's, where researchers tried to supply a persons daily nutritional needs solely through pills. While they were given every vitamin, mineral, etc. they needed, subjects still became weak and lost weight. The end result was, "You just need some good fat sometimes." Food as a whole was important. How you processed your vitamins and minerals was important. She was never one to skimp on butter or trim too much fat off the meat.

Well. That's all I have to say about that.



10.18.2024

2024.5

2024.5

Up to speed


What has this year brought me? New experiences, new habits and new hobbies?
or...
The same old same old....


Here I am, well over halfway through the year, and just over two years from my last post. I know it's cliché, but the older I get, the more time really does seem to fly. So, in the last two years there has been some changes, mostly here recently. 

I have reached the age of 40, and to be honest, it really reset me in a way I didn't expect. What I mean is, I have never really put a lot of thought into age, or more specifically, age related milestones/goals. 16, 18, 20, 25, 30... all those age milestones came and went, and I really never thought twice about them. Age is a construct invented by the Jedi.

Then 40 approached... then came and went. 

At first, four decades (14,610 days btw) hit me like any other day, but the more I thought about it, the more it... something... weighed on me. I think I am finding 40 significant because I remember my Dad turning 40. (For reference, that would have made me 9-10). Not that I compare where I am to where he was, or at least my child like thought of where he was, but I guess because now I am where he was then. What I mean to say is, 40 has felt like a transition from adolescence/young adult hood to actual adulthood. The in the moment, or "live for today" mentality that many young adults naturally have is starting to be replaced with a "what if?", "do I have enough time?, or a "what about tomorrow?", thought process. I have moved from a "what do I need to do to survive?", to a "what do I need to do for my family to survive... today... tomorrow... for future generations?" It has just been an odd process, as I didn't actively or knowingly realize this thought process was changing until it did.

Ok, enough of that.
So... what's been going on?



Changes

I'll go into detail about some of the following a little more in future posts

  • Job Change - After 15 years of working on the Service Crew and almost 21 years in the Distribution & Collection Department, I have altered my career path and taken a job as a Water Plant Operator (Trainee, currently). Still with the same company, just a different department. Later this October will be 21 years at CCUA. I honestly should have made the jump years ago. I took a hard pay cut, but should break even in a few months, and be on a path to make a little more in the long run.
  • Finances - I have altered the way I view money. I used to be (and still kind of am...) a bury your money in a mason jar kind of person. I have branched out into investing, and even a little bit into crypto. Nothing crazy, just an semi-idle way to increase our long term finances. The biggest change however, is the move from using debit cards to 100% credit card transactions. I refuse to spend money for free (debit) if there is an option to get cash/rewards back.
  • Health - No more Red Bull. I was a pretty avid 20 oz a day Red Bull drinker. Not because I necessarily needed the "energy", but because I truly enjoyed the taste. Well, I transitioned from the regular Red Bull to a smaller size of their sugar free cans. Then I just stopped. Additionally, I have been on the regular with vitamins and supplements. I take a well rounded multivitamin, Zinc, and Ashwagandha on the daily. All from Garden of Life (your source is important.) I'm trying to get back to the gym, but no luck so far. A general awareness of what I put in my body has been worked on as well.
  • Family - Not to get into too much detail, but since 2022, I have lost a Grandma and an Uncle. I have watched/felt a transition in the family line that I can't quite put to words, but may have contributed to my mental change and way of thinking mentioned previously. My boys are getting older, and starting to form there own little social worlds. We are all in good health, but the family dynamic is changing (in a growing and good way).

Well, I guess that about wraps it up for now. I think I have put all I wanted to down in writing. I plan on being more active (he said, again for the 15th time) through the end of the year, and into 2025...

So here to that! :)


10.15.2022

YouTube Discovery: La Deux (Automotive Channels)

 Times have come and gone again. YouTube tastes have changed (and stayed the same). There is a lot of junk on YouTube, both good and bad. Here is an updated list of my subscriptions on YouTube. Some are still the same, but this time I will at least try and categorize them. I will share all the channels I subscribe to, short of some that will be of no interest to anyone but me, such as the town channel for Sparta, NC.

I follow 94 channels, so for the sake of you, me, and the possibility of me continuing on with my blog, I am only going to post my channel subscription one category at a time. Seeing as how 22 of them are Automotive related, I will post that category first. All links to channels should work, but a quick YouTube search should put you in the right direction.

Format will be as follows:
Channel Name - Sub Category - Information - Family Friendly Rating

Automotive

84hatchi - Toyota/Car/Gadget - This channel is run by a gentlemen who drives an "86" Toyota Corolla. I was originally attracted to the channel because of this. He kept the stock carb'd engine, and built it up and added modern tech to it. He does not post regularly, but I enjoy his posts when he does. 
Rating - G, Nothing that can't be watched by all.

ChrisFix - General Auto Repair - Chris shows you how to repair car things, pretty much in your driveway. Great general automotive knowledge, that sometimes steers to race/performance. 
Rating - G, No worries here.

DODGEVANRACING - Japan Culture/Racing - In Japan, US Military bases left/leave/surplus Dodge B Series/Ram Vans. Motorcycle racers use them to haul around their bikes and parts. One day they decided to race them. Now they build them and once a year they race them. Not updated in awhile. They call them "Daijibans" which is broken English for "Dodge Van". 
Rating - G, its racing, and a Japanese channel. 

Donut Media - Automotive News/Builds/Etc. - I came by this channel because they did/do an "Up To Speed" on cars. Basically giving you the history of certain vehicles. They also do "High/Low" builds, where they build two of the same vehicles, but buy expensive part for one, and are trendy/cheap for the other. A lot of other content as well. 
Rating - PG/Soft PG-13. They are a group of late 20-40 year olds, with that type of humor expected for that age group. Language is low, but if they say anything harsh it is bleeped.

Goodwood Road & Racing - I watch for the Festival of Speed, but they have many other clips of races. Generally races involving historical/antique race cars. The "FoS" is a yearly hill climb at Goodwood, where they race one at a time to try and get the fastest times. All vehicles are raced: Trucks, Nascar, Rally, F1, Experimental, Antique, Pre-War, etc. 
Rating - G, Just car stuff.

Hagerty - Car/Engine builds. Various car content - A channel that host many different car shows and builds. I mainly watch the "Redline Rebuilds", hosted by Davin Reckow. If you have ever seen the time lapse videos of engines being broken down and rebuilt, this is where it came from. He rebuilds mainly odd engines and shares the steps involved. These engines have included old inline 8s, odd Buick V8s, and things like flathead Fords. The have other hosts that review and compare cars (think Top Gear), as well as share in car news and culture.
Rating - G - Of what I've watched, there is nothing to be concerned with. A corporate ran channel that appeals to all ages.

Jafromobile - Car/Engine builds - Specific to DSM cars, this channel is ran by one man, and all he does is build on 4G63s. He does this in his shed in his backyard, and is a true "Old School" builder (at least by 90's standards.) He post irregular, but they are long and detailed posts. His care and attention to detail is something to learn from. 
Rating - G/ Cautionary PG - I don't really remember him every having any real content issues/foul language, but this is his own channel, and there may be some "over the top" humor.

Matt's Off Road Recovery - Offroading/Car Builds - Matt and his crew run a towing/recovery service in Utah, and specialize in off road/trail recovery. Some of the recoveries are wild. He also educates on proper winch and recovery techniques. Additionally, he does all his own fabrication and truck builds. He runs XJ's for standard recovery, and has built track crawlers, a giant CorVair truck called the "MoreVair", and is currently building an even bigger extreme off road tow vehicle.
Rating - Cautionary Hard G. He is mindful of his content, but it is real life. There may be an occasional joke or word said by others. Nothing close to terrible.

Mighty Car Mods - Car builds/Auto Adventures - A channel made by two Australian friends, that I have been with since the beginning (2008/09?). They focus mainly on JDM/Import cars with the occasional dabble into the VW world. They have recently branched out into small JDM Trucks, and have done some light off roading. Their content is mostly builds and upgrades, ranging from DIY to "Advanced DIY". They also make a special or two every year, with their traditional Christmas movie/episode. A favorite channel of mine.
Rating - PG/PG-13. Some crude, tongue in cheek jokes at times. Language has become more "open" as they have gotten older. Noting super crude. Sometimes it's bleeped, sometimes it's not.

MCM TV2 - Car News and Culture - Mighty Car Mods second channel. More of a behind the scenes channel with B content. They host "Unicorn Circuit" here, where they provide commentary on automotive news and upcoming content.
Rating - See Above.

Noriyaro - Japanese Car Culture - Alex lives in Japan, and shares his automotive adventures. He races/drifts various cars, and shares the street auto culture and shops/garages in and around Japan.
Rating - PG. Nothing horrible. Just the content and subject matter that comes with automotive/street life.

POWERNATION - Builds/Tech/Etc. - Reminds me of the Power Block that used to be on TV on Saturdays. The do dyno engine builds, total car builds, and other car related things. Multiple hosts. Has a much more corporate feel, as in they still break for commercials (it might be that they also air on TV as well, I don't know.)
Rating - G. I feel that this channel also airs their content on TV, so language and humor is acceptable to all.

Puddin's Fab Shop - Fabrication, truck builds - Once a week, hour long videos centered around old, rusty, patina'd vehicles. He loves the old mini trucks, especially those old U-Haul trucks. He also works on other vehicles, like old cars and International Trucks (not the Semis). He takes vehicles that have been sitting for decades and gets them running. He also does a lot of suspension fab work.
Rating - Hard PG - Content wise, it's all safe. He is hilarious and I enjoy listening to him with his heavy hillbilly draw (My wife does not). Language wise, he bleeps nothing and occasionally says sh**, but you'll for sure hear a "damn" every once in awhile. About what you'd expect to hear/see from you grandpa while he was working on a car.

Puddin's Fab Shop 2 - Behind the Scenes - Just about the same content as his first channel, but the videos are shorter. I view it more of a "come along with me" channel. The videos are less edited, and a little more personal. Shows you some more in depth work of his projects, and shares info about upcoming projects.
Rating - See Above

Rich Rebuilds - Electric Car Builds/Random Car Stuff - Rich mostly focuses on repairing Teslas that Tesla itself either wont repair, or charge waaaaay to much for. He and his team also made the first V8(LS) Swapped Tesla, and is currently putting a diesel in a Tesla. He also has other car projects and automotive oddities and weird adventures. He and his crew do some pretty amazing general fab work as well.
Rating - Hard PG-13/TV-14. He bleeps any strong language, which I dont think is frequent, but there is frequent "suggestive" comments and crude jokes. He has an "assistant" who models outside of the channel, and her "features" are often commented on and shown when she is present. Not in a blatant, disrespectful, humiliating way, she is in on the humor, but it's still there.

Robot Cantina - Car Projects/Tinkering - This channel does a lot of homebrew/oddball car projects. The original project car was a Honda Insight with a Harbor Freight engine running it. He currently has a few Saturns that he is working on. One is getting a two cylinder diesel engine, the other is being modded for max fuel economy. Heavy on techy data. If you like tinkering and electronic tomfoolery, he is all about it.
Rating - G/Soft PG - Quirky, generally harmless humor. It's just him running the channel. 

Sarah -n- Tuned - Car Projects/Culture/Reviews - Sarah takes on various car projects, and completes them with amazing detail. Some new, some old. Her attention to detail is second to none, and I am constantly amazed at the clean builds she finishes. She also reviews new vehicles, but that has become less frequent, as she has made a new channel for that. For the most part, she does all the work by herself, but has recurring guests at times. She also works in a shared shop space. Some episode are personal/blog style.
Rating - PG/Soft PG-13 - Mild language, that is mostly bleeped. Frequently uses the, "That's what she/he said." jokes. She is (proudly) awkward, and that can lead to awkward jokes/comments. Some might think she occasionally dresses... for lack of a better word... "inappropriately", but nothing you wouldn't see at the mall. On second thought, in today's day and age, it would be more appropriate.

Sloppy Mechanics - Car Builds - If you are into LS SWAP THE WORLD, this channel is for you. Matt takes junkyard LS engines, throws simple parts/tech at them and makes 600 to 1000 WHP cars and trucks. If you have ever seen the 600+HP White Chevy Colorado on the internet, this is the guy. He graciously shares his knowledge and experience for free. He also builds other LS swapped vehicles, and shares other projects that come into his dyno. If you are into LS Swapping, this is the man. Find his website as well.
Rating - PG-13 - Generally just him in his videos. Content is nothing to be concerned about. Language can be strong at times. Think general "shop talk" language. 

Tom's Turbo Garage - Car Builds - Tom is another person that performs amazing, super clean, detailed car builds. He hasn't posted in a year, but he has plenty of content. He is a DSM guy as well, but has made some other amazing vehicles. A heavily modded LS3 Swapped 2nd gen Miata, a turbo LS swapped 1st gen Tacoma, and more. All his builds are meticulous and detailed, no corners cut. 
Rating - G - Tom's content is as squeaky clean as his shop is. No language concern. Family man.

Toyota Maintenance - Toyota Specific Maintenance - Peter runs an independent Toyota repair shop and shares his work on the vehicles that come in. A "by the book" mechanic, that believes in proper maintenance and shop procedures. A helpful channel if you own a Toyota, specifically a Prius or Tacoma.
Rating - G - Just an above average mechanic working on cars. His cheerful personality and accent are great.

Uncle Tony's Garage - Car builds/Tech tips - A true old school mechanic. Works mainly on Mopars, but dables in other things as well. This is a man that has years of old school tuning and hot rod building experience. Contains knowledge that has since been forgotten. Knowledge that comes from years of turning wrenches and trial and error. Tony is the kind of guy that can just make it happen with a few tools and some time. Low buck tech and power mods.
Rating - G/Soft PG - Content is always clean and car related. I cannot recall any red flags on language, but I would think of him as you would any shade tree mechanic. He generally has a cigarette in one hand at all times.

Vice Grip Garage -  Car builds and Automotive tomfoolery - Derek is a joy to watch. Through his heavy midwest accent, and hilarious name of auto parts (sparkalators = spark plugs), he builds and restores various older vehicles. He is known for finding a car or truck hundreds of miles away, flying there, getting it road worthy (or close) then driving it all the way home, sharing all the mishaps along the way. Many tips and tricks are shared as well.
Rating - G/Soft PG - Content is clean, may be some tongue in cheek comments/humor.



Ok. I think that's it. Well...
Let's see if I continue with this.

KBye.





6.25.2022

New Found Glory... 😉

 About two months ago I had a pretty good heart to heart conversation with God. Now some people would call that prayer, but I set aside time during the day to pray, and am in pretty much constant conversation with God throughout the rest of day. Anyways, I had spoke with a coworker about prayer/personal conversations with God, and he let me in on a personal detail of his involving prayer. I won't go into details because it was a personal conversation, and I hold that conversation in deep respect. However it all based itself around being specific in what you pray and talk to God about. 

What I mean is, we all want good health and we all want a safe day and we all want our children and/or our family to be well, etc. There's nothing wrong with praying for those things, obviously. What we spoke about was being specific in your prayers about specific challenges. I took that to heart. On the way home I asked God to remove the anxiety I had developed over the course of a few years involving one of my neighbors. I don't want to paint this neighbor in a bad light because he's actually an alright gentleman, but for some reason he caused me the greatest deal of anxiety I have ever felt in my life. To the point where I could not step outside if I knew he was outside as well. This anxiety had caused me a great deal of trouble in and around the house. Sometimes I wasn't able to go outside to do basic yard work, or play with my children. I pretty much kept myself inside. It even got to the point where I would only turn left out of my driveway to avoid driving in front of this man's house. Pretty crazy, I know. It's even humorous now, looking back on it.

 Well anyways, after bearing my heart to God and asking him to remove this anxiety I'm moseyed on home ,but stopped by Publix first. I did a little shopping for the weekend, and proceeded to move through the checkout line. After bagging up my groceries I headed out and went to walk through the automatic doors of Publix. Then as the doors slid open to the parking lot, there bigger than life, was my neighbor, and there was absolutely no way for me to avoid him, short of me turning around and running. Which, let's face it would have been ridiculous.

At that instance, my knees went weak and I had no clue what to do. But as quick as the anxiety rose, the thought of my conversation with God entered my mind. We looked at each other dead in the eye and he said, "Hey neighbor, how are you?". At that moment I felt an overwhelming peace that I can only describe as the Holy Spirit. We struck up a small conversation, really about nothing, as even after 13 years of living next to him we have never really spoke much. We talked about yard work and me cleaning up the fence line between our properties. Then we both went on our ways and just like that my anxieties were gone. 

 After that freeing moment graciously given to me by the Lord, I have spent almost every waking hour of my weekends outside doing yard work, playing with my kids, and honestly just being a normal neighbor. About a week after this happened I was outside and another neighbor from across the street came out and struck up a conversation with me. I had no reservations with this man, but I also really never spoke to him either. We stood in the middle of the road and talked for a good hour about the history of the neighborhood and the absurdities of today, like insurance companies and roofs. I spoke to that man more at that moment then I had in the 13 years of living at my house.

So I know this post is a little unlike my previous post, but I just felt the need to share. The thought of bringing specific thoughts and concerns to God, while not exactly a foreign thought to me, was not something I practiced. I was raised in a Godly family and surrounded by Godly men and women my whole life. I am extremely thankful for my upbringings and what I have learned from my parents, grandparents, and my great-grandparents. I'm also thankful for my friends, especially the ones that I could have those deep candid conversations with. 

Now I want to be clear, I do not believe in any type of prosperity gospel. I don't want to get super theological right now so I won't but, God isn't a genie, and you can't force your will to be his will.  Many years ago I stopped praying to God for me to have a "good day". I pivoted from asking for a good day to, "God let me have the acceptance and ability to handle the day that you are going to give me." Just that simple change in my prayers has dramatically changed the way I handle and view any problems that pop up in my day-to-day life. 

 Well I guess I should wrap up. I have yard work to do and it's a beautiful day.












7.27.2021

Babba-sha Booba

 You ever realize you have a blog. I just did. I know that, for the most part (99% of the part) I just do this for myself. I don't have very good discipline when it comes to these things.

So what has been going on? 

  • Still rolling in the Tacoma. This is going to be my forever truck. (Although used car market is bananas...)
  • Passat is paid for, going to rock it for a while. Might replace with a Subaru????
  • Family is good.
  • North Carolina has come and gone. Snuck Tennessee in there while we were at it.
  • Work is still work. Doing ok on that front.
I did get a new work truck. I have been in the GMC since summer of 2015, and she was a good truck. Still IS a good truck. She's been passed on down.

Meet the 2021 Silverado...


Ok.
I'm done.

8.06.2020

It was another year indeed!!!!!!!!!!

Well how about that. 


Last post said it might be another year, and looks like it was.

Whats new? A few things...
What's old? 2020.

No need to go into detail, we all know 2020 has gone to hell in a hand basket. I feel like its been 2020 for 6 years.

A few things to update:

Mazda is gone. Here's a Tacoma
Mazda3 is gone, Here's a Tacoma.

While I loved the Mazda, the hatchback like just wasnt cutting it. Needed a bit more room. Enter the 2020 Tacoma TRD Offroad, 4x4, Manual Transmission, yadda yadda yadda.

I like it.


What else...
Went to North Carolina. I think just once since the last post? Maybe twice? We try to go every summer.
I am going back for a weekend or two throughout the year.


I mean, I think that's really it, or at least all I want to talk about right now. I might make a post or two coming up about the truck. maybe something else. I dont know.


Whatever. :)