The February Experiment: Bulletproof Coffee
There will be many changes on Friday. First and foremost, my Candida Diet experiment will be over. That means I can eat the Morbier cheese in the fridge. It also means there will be some bacon crisping in the frying pan. Finally, it means I can have coffee. I’ve never been a huge coffee drinker, but this week especially, I have needed it. I have been waking up at 4 AM every morning, and while I appreciate the extra time to get things done, I am struggling early in the afternoon. A boost of energy would be most welcome….. Welcome Bulletproof Coffee, my next experiment.
Bulletproof Coffee is the invention of bio-hacker specialist, Dave Asprey, the Bulletproof Exec (Here is an interview with him) . At its most simple level, it’s coffee with added fat. That fat comes in the form of butter and MCT oil. I’m sure there are many questions or confusions swimming around in you head, like “Butter with Coffee, how is that good?” Do not worry, we will get to that.
Why Again I Am Doing This
Here a few simple reasons-
- I want more energy and clarity during the day
- The website mentions that it helps with fat loss- why not?
- I want to drink coffee without it affecting my stomach
Butter and Coffee?
First, let us address the concept of mixing butter and caffeinated drinks. Asprey tells the story on his website.
I learned about the power of butter at 18,000 feet elevation near Mt. Kailash in Tibet when I staggered into a guest house from the -10 degree weather and was literally rejuvenated by a creamy cup of yak butter tea. The biohacker in me asked, “why?” and that was the genesis of my recipe below, which is widely heralded as a cognitive enhancing recipe.
The Candida Diet Experiment- An Update
It’s been almost 2 weeks since I completed my 7 day cleanse / detox. Lost in the confusion of having such a difficult week of essentially fasting, was the actual purpose of the cleanse, which was to prepare for the Candida Diet. So let’s tie a nice bow on the fast and get into the real experiment.
Finishing the Cleanse-
Overall the cleanse was good experience in that it taught me that I could survive without food. I really mean this in more of an emotional experience than physically. I have a enough stored body fat that I could probably survive a while without food. It was the mental anguish of not eating that was the most difficult. I was hungry 30% of the time, and no matter how angry, sad, depressed, or frustrated I became, I could not return to food for comfort. As a result, I was bitchier than normal. READ MORE
About Me: My Weight Loss Journey
I can’t remember exactly when I first started loving food, but let’s say that it started when I was 8 years old. I had an Italian momma who fed me well growing up. I remember family gatherings centering around big meals. I remember seeing all my relatives working together in the kitchen to make the meal happen. I remember getting excited about prime rib or lobster.
I wasn’t a big kid, but I wasn’t one of the athletic ones. I viewed myself as fat. As I grew older, I took a paper route which afforded me luxuries like a regular slice of pizza or large bags of Lays potato chips. Fortunately my growing body did not afford me the embarrassment of being obese. Unfortunately, I was laying the groundwork for the metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance that would plague me later in life. READ MORE
The January Experiment: The Candida Diet
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
UPDATED- 1/10/2013
I’ve had my share of incoherent thoughts over the years, but this post might be at the top of the list. This time, I have a good excuse. I’m in the process of starving myself. For the past 2 days, I have consumed psyllium husk drinks, liver flush drinks (water, EVOO, garlic, and ginger), tea, and vegetable broth. I’ve never in my life thought a vegan diet seemed so good and wonderful, but I would take anything to end this hunger. Needless to say my concentrations levels are at a low. My will is breaking, and this blog post is a feeble attempt at some sort of accountability.
Why am I starving myself?
That is a good question. I’ve asked myself that at least 35 times a day for the past 3 days. I am not trying to starve myself. I’m just trying to clear myself out a little. I’m in the process of a 7 day cleanse. The cleanse is the first step in the Candida Diet, which is my health and nutrition goal for January.
Buckling Down and Pipos
Sometimes life be can be challenging and having a go-to place like Pipos might help ease the challenges a bit.
Having a support system is not lost on me. I never like it when Mrs. Marinara takes off for a few days for work or pleasure, but I, at least, had mad survival skills back in Virginia with said support system. These skills would include calling my folks and having them come spend the night. It might be going to the pool with friends. It was finding ways to get invited over to other people’s places for dinner. It was escaping down to the inlaws’ farm to have them run the kids ragged.
Take away the support system, and these little trips are now a bit more challenging. Mornings are always fun as we have to run the Lil’ Marinara to the bus stop for a 7:25 pickup. That means I have to feed both kids, pack lunches, dress a fiesty toddler, and get them out the door. My reprieve? I get to walk home, maybe take a shower, and start the work day. Once the work day completes, I pick up both boys and prepare for the evening routine. This involves feeding, cleaning, changing, and reading. After they go to bed, I get to clean up from the day, and then finally rest.
I have some amazing respect for single parents. It is a tough job. I also have sympathy for my wife, when I put her through similar rigors when I travel to DC. This parenting think is much easier when two or more people are participating. READ MORE
Week 9: The RNC Invasion & Pinky’s
One of the most defining moments in this summer, 2012 is when Mitt came to town. It wasn’t just the presedential candidate who made it to the Cigar City, he brought along several thousand of his closest friends. I am not exaggerating when I call it a defining moment. Life stood still. People put a hold on making plans, they changed work locations, and others even simply left town.
I knew that I would likely be displaced. My coworking space is across the street from the convention center and just a few more blocks away from the Tampa Bay Times Forum. Even if I had wanted to use the space, it wasn’t an option as Google ended up renting out the space for the week. READ MORE
The Lil’ Marinara’s First Day of School and Yummy House
The First Day Activities
I have to admit, I thought sending my first born would be an emotional event, but it wasn’t. The Lil’ Marinara (LM) sprinted onto the bus, waved goodbye, and was off to school. I walked the Carbonara off to day care, and that was that. No tears. No depression. No sadness. Nothing.
If I felt anything, it was nerves. I worry about how my children adapt to circumstances and situations. I’m guessing this is normal. I can’t be the only parent to worry about whether or not one’s child is a good fit with his teacher or other kids. Life hasn’t been easy for the Little Marinara since May. In a span of 3 ½ months, he left his daycare, where he’d had the same friends for 5 years, started a new day care, moved to a different state, started another day care, and finally started kindergarten. All those transitions aren’t lost on me. I know the boy is resilient, but one can only take so much.
However, worrying about the LM, at least that day, was all for naught, because one minute after seeing LM after that first day, I knew everything was okay. There wasn’t an ounce of hesitation or hurt or fear. He had a great time. He liked his teacher. He was meeting new kids. He was learning. He was happy, but that happiness didn’t keep him out of trouble. He proceeded to torture The Carbonara all evening. READ MORE
