Sorry for being AWOL for so long, but at the end of 2022, Tracey and I had some bloodwork done that had us and our doctors a bit concerned. We needed to make some drastic changes or face dire consequences. The bloodwork was done thru a doctor in Pittsburgh (our hometown), and when we went home for Christmas, we saw the doc; he went over our bloodwork and set up the program for us expressly. We cut out all dairy, carbs, grains, alcohol, and all processed foods. We have meds specific to us to use to help lose weight and build up the areas lacking in each of us. It has been great and horrible, to be honest. When we started, I was on four blood pressure meds and one for diabetes. Since getting on the program in six weeks, we've lost a combined 56 lbs. My problem is my blood pressure and getting lightheaded and dizzy. I saw a Florida doctor who took me off two meds, but I was still getting lightheaded and dizzy in the early to mid-afternoon. This past Monday, I ended up in the ER with significant pain and a high BP. It turned out I was a bit dehydrated; my heart (x-ray, EKG, and bloodwork looked good), so the doctor there took me off another of the BP meds and switched up the last of them.
As part of this program, we really got to thinking about the foods we ate, the supplements we were taking, the cleaning products we used, and everyday household items like toothpaste, shampoo, etc. It turned out after doing much research that a great deal of those items were just as bad for us as the processed food we ate. By looking into those items, we discovered that cleaning with some national brands just once a week is akin to smoking a pack of cigarettes daily for 20 years. This boggled my mind. I also found out that we have an "illusion of choice" where there are 11 corporations that control 97% of the products we use every day. This is precisely why it's called the illusion of choice; we think we have a choice when we look at the grocery store shelves and look at different products of the same type, i.e., dish soap or shampoo. Still, they are all owned by the same company that may not support the values I believe are important.
During my research, I learned that currently, 40% of Americans are considered obese, and by 2030 that number is expected to climb to 50%. I also learned that by 2060 it is likely that a number of teenagers are expected to have type 2 diabetes. That is a 70% increase! Which is insane if you think about it. There is also a report that only 20% of Americans meet the requirements for good cardiovascular health.
Tracey & I decided that if we were going to change how we eat, get healthier, and make a total change, we needed to change our entire environment and food. During this research, I found a company that is American owned, with Made in the USA products that are healthier and overall safer for us to use. With all those numbers and just seeing how I've dropped my blood pressure meds from losing just the 30lbs I have (more to come off), I know what is possible and will accomplish our goals.
The products we bring into our bodies and surround ourselves with are vital to living a healthier and happier life. We've joined an online wellness shopping club nearly 40 years old, growing every month with over two million shoppers per month. These shoppers are getting better products for their homes, safer for their kids and themselves. And along with our traveling and my photography, I've added helping others join us in this endeavor of living healthier, breaking from big box stores. Buying American Owned, Made in USA products and not helping China or big corporations is an added bonus.
Learn about the changes we made to the products we buy here... or email me at dan@tradndreams.com
